Nintendo responds to 3DS headache complaints
Nintendo has issued a statement following a predictable spate of complaints from gamers suffering headaches and eyestrain when playing the new 3DS console.Despite a successful launch of the new glasses-less 3D handheld console this weekend, a select few buyers have made waves with their inability to play comfortably.
Defiantly, Nintendo's UK PR head Rob Saunders says that the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive since Friday's launch and a risk of discomfort comes with the territory of 3D content.
"We have shown Nintendo 3DS at multiple events around the world to literally hundreds of thousands of people and have received very few negative comments," he told Maxconsole.
Take a break
"As with anything that requires focus, from reading to staring at a computer screen, taking breaks frequent breaks is always recommended.
"When viewing any kind of 3D images, some people might experience minor discomfort. The effects are short term and have no lasting effect, in fact most players can continue after taking a short break.
"The Nintendo 3D was designed with a 3D depth slider that lets users adjust the 3D effect to a level that suits them for optimum enjoyment."
Basically Saunders is offering a priceless piece of advice to all those Nintendo fans experiencing discomfort: If you don't want a headache, don't stare at a tiny screen for hours on end. You're welcome.
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Apple Worldwide Developers' Conference 2011 announced
Apple has revealed that its Worldwide Developers' Conference is to take place 6 June in Moscone West, San Francisco.The conference which runs for five days is to predominantly look at the future of iOS and Mac OS.
"If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, about the event.
WWDC 2011: what to expect
Apple has outlined some of the things that will be taking place at the event.
They include:
- More than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers on a wide range of technology-specific topics for developing, deploying and integrating the latest iOS and Mac OS technologies
- Over 1,000 Apple engineers providing developers with code-level assistance, insight into optimal development techniques, and guidance on how they can make the most of iOS and Mac OS technologies in their apps
- The opportunity to connect with thousands of fellow iPad, iPhone and Mac developers from around the world
- Apple Design Awards which recognise iPad, iPhone and Mac apps that demonstrate technical excellence, innovation and outstanding design
But, the rumour mill is already churning with suggestions that we will see a new cat-based OS, information about iOS 5 - unless this is shown off in April - as well as a sneak-peak at the new iPhone 5.
At last year's WWDC, the iPhone 4 was announced but it wasn't actually seen in the flesh until weeks after the event.
Whatever is shown, the onus will be on whether Steve Jobs will attend. The same was asked last year, and it was great that Apple's head honcho made an appearance as he was unable to make WWDC 2009, where the iPhone 3GS was announced.
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In Depth: Can you trust Android apps?
Our phones contain all kinds of important data, from our address books to our current location - and we expect that information to be used by our apps on a need-to-know basis.So why does the Android version of the WinAmp music player want access to pretty much everything?
Every Android app has a manifest, which lists the data permissions it needs. WinAmp's one is a doozy: it wants to access the cellular network database to access your approximate device location, to access the GPS system to get your precise location and to view log files that can reveal how you use your phone.
It's not the only one, either: another player, MixZing, wants to access the approximate location of your phone as well as access the phone features, which could potentially reveal your phone number and serial number, what number you're connected to if a call is active, and so on.
That's the kind of data spyware tries to capture. Why would music players want it?
SPY AMP: WinAmp's wish-list of permissions includes GPS data and sensitive log files
We asked Peter Jeffe of SocialMuse, MixZing's creator. "We're about to release a major social feature that lets you browse other users' music libraries, follow them and get updates and so on," he says.
"That's what the coarse location permission is for. In fact, we're adding fine location in the next release to let people locate themselves on the map, but it's important to note that we randomise users' locations in any case - so no-one can pinpoint a user to a specific location... we may allow users to show their precise location to friends, but we haven't decided that yet."
And the phone status? "We need to know the phone state so that we can properly handle controlling the music when calls start and stop." The same, presumably, applies to WinAmp.
Fear vs forward planning
Isn't there a danger that by allowing for features that haven't been implemented yet, developers' permission requests could alarm users?
"Well, it is a balancing act, but that's the nature of it," Jeffe says. "I think the transparency for the users is important." MixZing doesn't hide its permission requests; like other Android apps, it tells you about them when you install it - and if you're not happy, you can simply quit the installer. That's certainly more transparent than Apple's approach, where you have to hope that the App Store reviewers spotted any nasties.
"I think most people rely more on the reputation of an app," Jeffe says. "I know that I don't look too hard at popular apps, on the assumption that they wouldn't do anything to jeopardise their hard-won position in the rankings, and I'm betting that's a common approach."
FORWARD PLANNING: MixZing wants to use location awareness for future social networking features
Privacy isn't an Android-specific problem - at the time of writing everybody in iPhone-land is piling on Color, which was designed specifically to data-mine people's social interactions - but it's still cause for concern.
Lookout's App Genome Project, which aims to identify security threats, found that 28% of free Android apps could access your location compared to 34% on iPhone; and where 7.5% of free Android apps could access users' contact data, that rises to 11% on iPhone.
However, Android apps do make more use of third party content such as advertising networks: nearly half of Android apps use such code compared to around 20% on the iPhone.
What lies beneath
Reputable firms' apps probably won't go sniffing for data, but that doesn't mean no apps will. Last year, security firm SMobile's Android analysis found that one in five apps "request permissions to access private or sensitive information that an attacker could use for malicious purposes... 29 applications were found to request the exact same permissions [as] known spyware".
As SMobile pointed out, while the majority of such apps were undoubtedly benign, "there is no means available for a user to know for sure that the app they just downloaded is only doing what the user sees it doing."
There is now - or at least, there is if you don't mind fiddling. Researchers from Intel Labs, Penn State and Duke universities created TaintDroid, which finds out what apps are up to. Their own tests found that of the 30 major applications they tested, half of them transmitted data without users' knowledge, in some cases including telephone numbers and even IMEIs, the numbers unique to each phone. The researchers have now released the source code and instructions explaining how to compile it.
If you stick to reputable apps and read the small print when you install, you're unlikely to encounter any significant problems - like Apple, Google has a remote kill switch for dodgy apps - but if you're still worried, you can install an app to make your data useless to the data miners.
Privacy Blocker is a two-stage solution: first, it finds out what data apps are trying to transmit; then, it takes that data and replaces it with nonsense.
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In Depth: New mobile phones 2011: the full rundown
The world of new mobile phones changes so fast that even we at TechRadar have a hard time keeping up, and we're the internet. Since we don't want anyone to miss the news about the newest mobile phone that might be ideal for them, we've put together this round up of our hands-on reviews. These aren't our full reviews, so won't have the same authoritative depth, but they're our early impressions of all these new mobiles after we've been able to spend some limited time with them.
This page will be updated regularly as new mobile phones are announced, so you know it's always the best place to come for the all the upcoming mobile phone news you'll need.
Samsung Wave 578
NFC (near-field communications) is an area that the networks seem to be pushing more and more in new mobile phones, but we've mostly been seeing it in high-end devices.
The Samsung Wave 578 is an effort to get the technology into a more budget-minded device, which will be vital if it's to become widespread.
The Wave 578 does feel quite budget – and sports Samsung's own Bada OS rather than Android – but it's not too large, so it should offer an attractive option for those wanting to spend their money over wireless payments rather than purchasing a new mobile phone.
Read our full hands-on: Samsung Wave 578 review
Samsung Wave 578 UK release date: May 2011
HP Veer
While the Pre line is being super-sized with the Pre 3, the HP Veer sees HP/Palm's phone shrunk down to a dinky size. The basics are still there – a touchscreen and slide-out keyboard – but it's just 84mm tall and 54.5mm wide.
When we got our hands on it, we found that its small dimensions really compromised both the typing experience and stops you taking full advantage of webOS's superb multitasking. However, the OS did run well on the 800MHz processor, so it may win over some people.
Read our full hands-on: HP Veer review
HP Pre 3
So the HP Veer became smaller, but HP's other new mobile phone, the Pre 3, has grown to accommodate a larger 3.58-inch screen, acquiring a higher resolution of 480 x 800 along the way.
There are plenty of internal updates too, with a speedy 1.4GHz processor and HD video recording. It feels much like the old Pre phones, though, with a comfortable shape and smooth finish.
HP webOS zipped along on the fast CPU, and retains all of its great features, so this will be one to watch out for.
Read our full hands-on: HP Pre 3 review
HTC Desire S
The HTC Desire S is a device of refinement, rather than changing a winning formula. When we saw it at MWC 2010, we marvelled at its slick aluminium body, new touch-sensitive buttons, slightly decreased size thanks to the removal of the optical trackpad, and Android 2.3 with HTC's Sense UI 2.1.
Basically, we thought it felt like an improved, premium version of the HTC Desire– just what we were hoping for.
Read our full hands-on: HTC Desire S review
HTC Wildfire S
The HTC Wildfire made a name for itself by being a budget Android phone that was actually worth paying any mind to. Much like the HTC Desire S, we're looking at a gentle improvement for this S version, rather than a drastic overhaul.
It's a similar shape and size, but there's a front-facing camera, an improved screen resolution and Android 2.3 on-board. We found it to be a little thick, but that's no crime for a budget phone. If the price is right, this could be a tempting proposition for budget Android shoppers.
Read our full hands-on: HTC Wildfire S review
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro
QWERTY-loving Android fans should be perking up here. When we got our hands on the Xperia Pro's slide-out keyboard, we found that it offered an impressive amount of room for tapping out long messages.
It's very similar to other Android (and Sony Ericsson) new mobile phones other than that keyboard, and it features the Timescape overlay. The camera is also a promising aspect of the phone, offering eight megapixels and SE's new Exmor technology.
It look like it'll be one of the sharpest snappers on the market, and a strong Android messaging phone to boot.
Read our full hands-on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro review
ViewSonic ViewPad 4
Though it's still not 100 per cent clear if we should be considering this a large smartphone or a small tablet (or PMP? Man, we give up), we were able to get some time with the device at MWC.
It's packed with connection, which is always welcome, but it didn't totally convince us. The touchscreen needed some strong prods to get going, while the 1GHz processor didn't zip along with quite the speed we're used to.
Of course, it's not out yet, so there's time for ViewSonic to fix those problems. There are some neat additions to Android, though, including location-based phone profiles, so we'll be interested to see the final device.
Read our full hands-on: ViewSonic ViewPad 4 review
Acer Iconia Smart
The Dell Streak doesn't look so different anymore. Where once it was the only five-inch device to pass itself off as a phone, now we have the Acer Iconia Smart – all 4.8 inches of it.
During our hands-on, we thought it felt more like a phone than Dell's monster, and we couldn't help but be impressed by the 1024 x 480 display. The huge 185g weight is a bit of a downer, but if you can't decide whether you want a tablet or a new phone, this could be one to keep an eye on.
Read our full hands-on: Acer Iconia Smart review
Samsung Galaxy S2
The Samsung Galaxy S2 represent a serious assault on the high-end phone market from Samsung. The AMOLED Plus screen will likely be simply stunning for watching videos on, the dual-core processor made operating it completely smooth, and it's slimmer than an iPhone 4.
It's pretty large thanks to its 4.3-inch screen, but its got a spec list to melt a techy's heart. This is definitely a device to look out for among all the new mobile phones.
Read our full hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S2 review
LG Optimus 3D
4.3-inch screen, Android 2.2, dual-core processor – blah, blah, blah. Yes, this is an interesting Android phone in its own right, but what about the 3D? You can launch a 3D hub with a dedicated button, which gives you access to that side of the phone.
It's glasses-free, like the Nintendo 3DS and gives the images real depth. Twin cameras on the back will enable you to take your own 3D videos and pictures, and an exclusive deal with YouTube means you can share them to the world.
And, if you've got a 3D TV, you can show your 3D videos on it over the built-in HDMI connection. Now this is what new mobile phone technology is all about.
Read our full hands-on: HP Pre 3 review
INQ Cloud Touch
The Facebook phone. Well, no, it isn't. Nothing is really, but is the new mobile phone to try to take the title.
It's an Android 2.2 phone with an overlay created in conjunction with the social network. We found that it certainly felt like a budget phone – but it's supposed to.
While our experience with other INQ devices made us wonder if the Cloud Touch would be able to stand up to the influx of Facebook data of heavy users, we were really impressed with what this offers for the demographic it's aiming at. Let's hope the final version can offer the same good impression.
Read our full hands-on: INQ Cloud Touch review
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
The Sony Ericsson Vivazis gone. It's dead. Think of it no more. The Neo is what's new (that's a little Latin joke. Anyone? Ah, forget it).
Not only did we get lots of hands-on experience with the regular version, but we also managed to sneak some play time with the read variant. The form factor is similar to the Vivaz, but it runs better across the board.
The centrally located 8.1-megapixel camera makes it easy to shoot great pictures, and the phone sits very comfortably in the hand. The price will make or break the Neo compared to the stunning Arc and QWERTY-wielding Xperia Pro, but if it can find a niche, this could be a good-value phone.
Read our full hands-on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo review
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
PlayStation. Phone. The jury's still out on whether the two will go together quite as well as such classic double acts as Chas and Dave, but it's fair to say we couldn't be more excited to find out. It features a four-inch screen, slide-out gaming controls and the PlayStation Suite.
It'll be PSOne-era games that are on offer, which should be handed comfortably by the 1GHz processor. While Final Fantasy VII might be a bit much to delve into on the bus, we can imagine games like the original Rayman keeping people going for a few minutes.
The final verdict will come once the software and games are sorted and available, but we just hope it makes its mark before all the dual-core smartphones steal the gaming thunder.
Read our full hands-on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Play review
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Is Sony Ericsson finally about to deliver on the promise of, well, every smartphone it's ever made that wasn't quite good enough? Maybe it's stupid to hope, but we do anyway.
An attractive design with a curved back that's just 8.7mm thick in the middle? Check. Impressive new Exmor camera technology? Check. Good spec list, including HDMI ouput? Check. Superb video player? Check.
The potential is pouring out of every port on the Xperia Arc, and we're looking forward to seeing if it lives up to it.
Read our full hands-on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc review
LG Optimus Black
The Optimus Black's initial claim to fame was taking the 'World's Thinnest Smartphone' award from the iPhone 4.
However, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Samsung Galaxy S2 both came to muddy those waters, so now we're left to look at the impressive four-inch screen with NOVA display, which we found comparable to class-leading AMOLED screens, but LG claims it will consume less battery.
We were also impressed with LG's 'Gesture UI' Android overlay, and its incredibly lightweight (just109g) body, though we did find that it didn't feel quite as premium as its rivals. If it turns out to be light and usable, with a great screen, we can see LG's new mobile phone being a winner.
Read our full hands-on: LG Optimus Black review
Samsung Galaxy Mini
The Samsung Galaxy Ace has already found its way into TechRadar's dungeon torture chamber for a full review, but it's not the only cheaper Galaxy-branded handset in the game.
It's a fairly neat fashion phone, with nice flashes of colour down the side. The 3.14-inch screen sits as part of a chassis that feels a little cheap, but it sounds as though this is going to be well into the budget phone end of the market when it comes out, so we can forgive that.
We weren't too pleased with the low-res QVGA screen when we had a play with the Galaxy Mini, but the Android experience seemed to be impressively intact, so we've high hopes for this low-end phone.
Read our full hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Mini review
Dell Venue
Dell's foray into the phone world has been somewhat tentative so far, being led by the decidedly niche Dell Streak. Now it looks like the PC giant is ready to get serious in the non-giant smartphone sector, starting with this Android 2.2 handset.
Actually, we say non-giant, but it still features a 4.1-inch AMOLED screen. Specs-wise, it's reasonably high end, but nothing wildly unusual. It features Dell's Stage software, which aims to make it better for media lovers than the average Android phone.
With a smart design a strong brand name behind it, Dell's new mobile phone could attract a lot of attention.
Read our full hands-on: Dell Venue review
Dell Venue Pro
Dell and Microsoft have had a mutually beneficial relationship for quite a long time now, but it's still fair to say that Dell wouldn't be among the expected brands to be making Windows Phone 7 devices.
Dell's not just making any WP7 handset, though – the Venue Pro offers a 4.1-inch AMOLED screen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. We were a little unsure of the keyboard when we got our first hands-on, but we'll have the chance to play with the final version later.
The Venue Pro feels robust and businesslike, so we wonder if corporate-favourite Dell could be the first to make a WP7 device that appeals to big companies.
Read our full hands-on: Dell Venue Pro review
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Nokia still in the dark over Symbian shutdown
Nokia has issued a letter to developers outlining the future for Symbian and Windows Phone 7 - and it seems the Finnish firm is a long way from being settled on a strategy.The Symbian platform will keep getting the same handsets planned for 2011 and 2012, which is what Nokia is calling 'its transition period'.
That transition is defined later on in the letter as the point where Nokia is looking to get as many customers onto Windows Phone 7 as possible:
"Our intention is that when users come to the end of the natural lifecycle of their Symbian device they will make the change to a Nokia Windows Phone device and so it would not be in our interests to undermine their Nokia smartphone experience."
Support
"Operators have also been very supportive in their commitment to help us continue to sell and support Symbian devices while we make the transition to Windows Phone."
However, the next crop of Symbian-based smartphones will still have a fair bit of gumption about them, with Nokia promising "GHz+ processing capabilities and faster graphics speeds" as well as "the first major update [arriving] in summer, delivering a new home screen, new flexible widgets, new icons, a faster browser, new Navbar and a fresh look and feel to Ovi Store and Ovi Maps, including integration of social media services in Ovi Maps."
The lights are dimming
But the writing is starkly inscribed on the wall for Symbian - Nokia's plan is only to push it in the markets where it is already strong (ie China, Turkey, Russia etc) and also while it works on getting Windows Phone 7 ready for territories where it still is incompatible:
"For that reason certain markets will play a more significant role in selling the 150 million Symbian devices than others and we will be selling devices long after Windows Phone devices from Nokia have already started to appear in other markets.
"That is why we cannot give you the date when Symbian will no longer be supported."
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NASA will not use 3D cameras on Mars Rover
NASA has announced that 3D cameras will not be used on its Mars Rover, despite James Cameron developing the technology for the space group.In a statement NASA revealed that it will be sticking to its tried-and-tested Mast Camera (MastCam) instrument that's already on the vehicle and won't be messing around with 3D.
Although this has undoubtedly come as a disappointment to Cameron, who was busy developing a new MastCam which could cope with 3D, the director does note that some other features he has been working on will be used eventually.
Curious and curiouser
"While Curiosity won't benefit from the 3D motion imaging that the zooms enable, I'm certain that this technology will play an important role in future missions," said Cameron.
"In the meantime, we're certainly going to make the most of our cameras that are working so well on Curiosity right now."
Curiosity is due to land on Mars August 2012, where it will be part of a two-year mission to examine whether there's any life, or if there has ever been life there.
Unfortunately, if there are any Little Green Men we won't see them in 3D - unless Cameron decides to build himself a rocket out of his Avatar billions and shoot the Red Planet himself.
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Review: Toshiba Tecra A11
Toshiba's Tecra A11-11H is quite an expensive laptop, so we were expecting great things. We certainly weren't left disappointed, with plenty of highlights to speak of, although this isn't quite a perfect machine. The Intel Core i5 520M processor provided an excellent benchmarking score, so anyone demanding plenty of power need look no further. Multitaskers can browse the web, enjoy their music and movies, and run intensive applications all at the same time, with no noticeable slowdown in evidence.
The Tecra A11 also features Intel GMA HD integrated graphics, which is best suited to basic multimedia tasks such as browsing photos and watching movies. That's certainly all you'll manage with the Toshiba, and anyone who wants to play the latest games or edit their media will need a machine fitted with dedicated graphics instead.
Benchmarks
Battery life: 269 minutes
MobileMark 2007: 242
3DMark 2003: 3281
The 269 minutes on offer here is a good result and anyone who regularly travels should definitely consider the Toshiba, although the 2.6kg weight and bulky chassis unfortunately reduce portability.
We also disliked the cheap appearance of the Tecra A11, and the visible flex in certain areas of the chassis. However, the display does bend back to horizontal, so finding a comfortable viewing angle is easy.
The screen itself is surprisingly vibrant despite the lack of a glossy Super-TFT coating. No gloss means no reflections, so anyone who wants a laptop suitable for outdoors use should consider this alongside the Asus P52F and Dell Vostro V130.
Strong usability
We found the Toshiba to be highly usable despite the cramped touchpad, thanks to the excellent firm keyboard. We enjoyed touch typing on the well-sized, tapered keys. An alternative to the touchpad is provided by the pointing stick in the centre of the keyboard, complete with two dedicated mouse buttons beneath the spacebar, although this option may prove too fiddly and sensitive for many users.
Toshiba has included a fingerprint scanner below the touchpad, as an extra layer of security.
The 250GB hard drive is a little stingy as the Hi-Grade Notino D8000i offers double the storage space, but you do get plenty of ports including VGA and DisplayPort connections for hooking up monitors or projectors.
An eSATA port allows fast data transfer with external hard drives, while one of the four USB ports offers Sleep and Charge functionality.
Despite the cheap look and feel of the chassis, the A11-11H comes recommended. Performance can't be knocked, usability is excellent and there's a strong range of features, although more storage space would have been appreciated.
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Updated: Top 110 best Android apps 2011
While Android doesn't feature the same volume of apps in its Marketplace as iPhone users are used to, there are still loads of great apps to download.Whether you're after the best free Android apps or the best paid ones, we've compiled our favourites below.
40 best free Android apps
Most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. These 40 free Android apps should be any Android owner's Day One installs...
Read 40 best free Android apps
30 best free Android games
We've worked our way through a whole load of Android games to reveal the ones you should download to your phone.
Read 30 best free Android games
10 best Android apps worth paying for
don't panic because we're mentioning money here - the average cost of this little lot is around two dollars a pop. In return, you're able to tether, customise, share data and more, all in incredible style, thanks to the work of Team Android's finest people.
Read 10 best Android apps - paid apps
Top 10 best Android paid-for games
Android's a world of bargains - most of the finest examples of paid-for Android games come in around the psychologically negligible 'micro-transaction' cost level, with the majority of developers selling their works for a couple of dollars, tops. So, now you've been gently acclimatised to the possibility of having to pay for something, pay for these things - the 10 best paid-for games on Android today.
Read Top 10 best Android games - paid apps
10 best alternative Android apps
Even if you're using a phone layered down with a custom user interface like Sense or TouchWiz, there are many alternatives to your pre-installed tools and settings. These are our 10 favourite alternate Android apps.
Read 10 best alternative Android apps
10 best HTC Desire apps
HTC's custom HTC Sense user interface isn't to everyone's taste. Some of the supplied apps have been tweaked a little too much by HTC's eager-to-please software developers, straying so far from the Android norm they're totally unrecognisable. So, to redress the balance, we thought we'd compile a list of the best apps for the HTC Desire to help it hold onto its top smartphone status for another year.
Read 10 best HTC Desire apps
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