IT-Code-News: IT News Head Lines (Techradar) 10/11/2013

Acer's latest Chromebook is slim, cheap and home to Haswell

It's coming up Chromebooks this week as Acer is out with details on its latest Chrome OS-based laptop just days after HP lifted the lid on the Chromebook 11.
Wind of the C720 first started blowing during IDF 2013, but details for the device were scarce, save for news that Haswell was humming along inside.
Now, the silver-tinted picture is much clearer.
First, about that Haswell - specifically we're talking a Celeron 2955U processor based on Intel's 4th gen Core processor architecture.
Acer is bragging about the C720's battery life, which it claimed lasts up to 8.5 hours. The Taiwanese hardware maker's third-gen Chromebook is apparently 30% slimmer than its predecessor, the C7, measuring 0.75-inches thick and weighing 2.76 pounds.
Something else its predecessor didn't have? An anti-glare display, that's what.
Screen shot

While we're on the subject of the first-of screen, we're looking at an 11.6-inch HD display brimming with a 1366 x 768 resolution. Its described as housing ComfyView HD tech, a term we've never heard before but one that sounds snug. Like a well worn blanket or a beanbag chair.

More specs

On the storage side of the things Acer topped the DDR3L memory off at 4GB with a 16GB SSD. This specific configuration belongs to the C720-2800, and it's actually only the start as Acer said more configs are due in the coming weeks.
The C270 lays claim to a boot time of less than seven seconds, meaning you won't have to wait the usually unbearable 10 seconds-plus log on.
There's an HD webcam built into the C720's top but users can upload photos and videos through either its USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port. An HDMI slot found a spot on Acer's machine to make a path for videos and other content to reach external displays and HDTVs.
Last but not least (well, maybe least) keep an eye out for the C720's SD card reader. You'll probably need it at some point.
Chromebook C720

C720 Chromebook availability and price

When it lands, the HP Chromebook 11 will run customers $279 (£229/AU$295).
The C720-2800 just edges out HP's offering, coming in at $249.99 (about £156/AU$264). U.S. customers can start pre-ordering the new Chromebook at Amazon.com and BestBuy.com right now, though we're yet to hear a specific ship date.
We'll update this story when we have international release info to share too. According to its Google hub, the C720 also comes with 100GB of Google Drive free for two years.

Gear up for the iPad 5 by checking out our comprehensive hub page.

Belkin brings new WeMo to Australia

Belkin has added to its range of WeMo products, which sees home automation come to life with the use of an app and Wi-Fi enabled switches and plugs.
The WeMo Light Switch, which replaces existing light switches and connects to your Wi-Fi router, lets you turn the lights on and off with the WeMo app. You can also schedule lights off and on and set triggers using other WeMo Motion detectors in the same room.
"WeMo provides a fun and easy way to put the control of your home at your fingertips," said Brendan Sparks, head of product management and marketing for Australia and New Zealand at Belkin.
As the WeMo Light Switch requires installation by a professional electrician, Belkin is partnering with Jim's Electrical.
Sparks said that Belkin was partnering with Jim's Electrical as it is a local company with national presence, and will allow Belkin to tell customers that generally speaking, connection will cost around $40 per switch.
"We understand the rise of home automation can be daunting to some consumers, which is why we have partnered with Jim's Electrical to provide an end to end process for our customers," he explained.
While the app is for free on iOS and Android, the WeMo Switch will go for $69.95.

Belkin's automated home

Along with the WeMo Light switch, earlier this year, Belkin had also launched the WeMo Baby, which is basically a baby monitor that connects to your phone using the WeMo app to wirelessly stream audio from your baby's room, even if you aren't at home.
The WeMo Switch, on the other hand, is a power port that plugs directly into any electrical outlet, on which any appliance or device can be plugged into.
Using a Wi-Fi network and the WeMo app, anything plugged into the WeMo Switch can then be turned on or off from your smartphone or tablet, even if you are in another country.
Using the app, you can set the plugged in devices to turn on or off at pre-set times, and adding a WeMo Motion sensor means you can set the Switch to turn on or off based on motion within 3 metres or the sensor. Again, you can create rules or schedules.
WeMo Baby costs $99.95, while the WeMo Switch is $59.95, or $119.95 when bundled with the WeMo Motion.

Internet integration

The WeMo Light Switch, Switch and Motion are integrated with IFTTT, which uses the internet to help create rules or triggers.
This basically means that you can set up a light to turn on when motion is detected, but only between sunset and sunrise.
Or, if you have a WeMo Motion set up near your front door while you're away from the house, an IFTTT rule can send you an email or SMS to your phone any time motion is sensed.
"The powerful combination of WeMo and IFTTT provides endless possibilities of what you can customise and control throughout your home," said Sparks.

Here's what else you can do with Wi-Fi in your home.

Is Samsung serious about flip phones? Snapdragon 800 model spotted

Samsung's recent flirtation with the flip phone form factor could be about to become a full on love affair, judging by a new leak suggesting a handset with high-end specs might be on the way.
Documents submitted to Chinese regulator Tenna detail the SM-W2014, a smartphone with the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU that's appeared in many top all-touchscreen devices this year.
Not only that, the spec sheet also promises the device will boast 2GB of RAM and dual 3.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreens, both with 800 x 480 resolutions.
Also listed is a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing snapper and the latest version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Not too shabby.

Flippin' 'eck!

If accurate, those specifications would greatly surpass the recent Samsung Hennessey and Samsung Golden smartphones, which were recently unveiled for the Chinese market.
The former has 3.3-inch 320 x 480 displays and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, while the latter is a dual-core handset with an 8-megapixel camera.
Unfortunately for those hoping to relive the flip phone halcyon days, this latest device is likely to be a Chinese exclusive too.
However, Samsung does seem to be putting more and more effort into this form factor, so it's not inconceivable that an international launch could be on the cards. Interested parties should begin shouting loudly now.

There's one confirmed phone you might just want to check out. Hint - it has an "S" in its name.

HTC One Max specs supposedly leak, suggest a chip off the older processor

There's certainly going to be more to the still-unannounced HTC One Max than its normal-sized counterpart has to offer, but how much more remains a mystery.
The supposed full HTC One Max specs leaked today, giving us a possible answer courtesy of French-language tech blog NowhereElse.Fr.
HTC is said to be sticking an older 1.7Ghz Snapdragon 600 processor in its phablet instead of upgrading to a Snapdragon 800 chip, as was previously rumored.
But the rest of the phone sounds souped up from the alleged specs. HTC One Max is supposed to have a 5.9-inch Full HD display, 2GB of RAM, Android 4.3 and HiSense 5.5.

Wait, the weight?

The most interesting part of these leaked specs concerns the approximate weight of the new device.
HTC One Max is listed as weighing in at "130 grams (with battery TBD)," according to today's alleged spec sheet.
Sure, the final weight is "to be determined," but 130 grams is actually a reduction from the HTC One at 143 grams.
Maybe the blurry spec sheet is just not accounting for the missing fingerprint sensor that is rumored to be a part of the HTC One Max.
The specs for this phone certainly seem a little lighter than its rival Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet, which contains the elusive Snapdragon 800 processor.
We'll likely know where the HTC One Max weighs in by the rumored Oct. 18 launch event.

To the Max: See more of the HTC One Max in photos.

Leap Motion launches in Australia

The 3D gesture control device Leap Motion has officially launched in Australia today and can be found exclusively at Dick Smith stores for $129.95.
The Leap Motion controller is a USB device that plugs into either a Mac or PC and can be used with apps found in Leap Motion's app store.
Equipped with a camera that can track a user's hands and 10 individual fingers in 3D space, it can track with an accuracy of 1/100 millimetre to the user's movements by snapping at 290 frames per second.
It supports Windows 7 and Windows 8, as well as Mac OS X 10.7 and 10.8, and is apparently 200 times more accurate than other motion control cameras currently on the market, such as Microsoft's older Kinect sensor.

The cheaper option

While Leap Motion has also been available for Aussies through Leap Motion's own website since launching in the US back in May, a AU$32.99 delivery charge is tacked onto the AU$104.99 asking price.
This makes the gesture sensing controller in Dick Smith cheaper than going through Leap Motion's own site.
Leap Motion president and COO Andy Miller said in a statement that Dick Smith was an ideal channel because of the number of stores across Australia and the presence it has online.
"It's also an ideal place for even more people to experience the magic of using just their hands in the air to play, learn and create on their computers," he added.

Here's our review of the gesture sensing Leap Motion.

T-Mobile disrupts again, announces free unlimited international data, texts

The "Un-carrier revolution" continues. At an event in New York 's Bryant Park headlined by Shakira, T-Mobile announced its "Uncarrier 3.0" plans, or the next phase of the company's plans to shake up the wireless industry.
Chief among tonight's announcements are the new "Simple Global" international unlimited data plans. T-Mobile is eliminating global roaming charges effective later this month on October 31. That's means no roaming charges on calls, text or data when you're using your phone on Tahitian vacation.
"The cost of staying connected across borders is completely crazy," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile US in a release. "Today's phones are designed to work around the world, but we're forced to pay insanely inflated international connectivity fees to actually use them. You can't leave the country without coming home to bill-shock. So we're making the world your network – at no extra cost."

The nitty-gritty

In a mission to take its network worldwide, the plan isn't exclusive to the US. It's also being rolled out to over 100 countries including locales like the United Kingdom, Spain, Argentina, Russia, China, and Australia. Even better, this plan is automatically being added on if you are already an existing customer.
While you'll be able to access data worldwide without having to worry about racking thousands of dollars in roaming charges, you won't be going anywhere faster than 2G speeds. Power users, however can opt to buy speed boosters with three different packages: one day and 100MB for $15, one week and 200MB for $25 or two weeks and 500MB for $50.
T-Mo is also introduced a new option for those of you that want to keep up with your friends and family in other countries. Stateside International Talk & Text is a $10 a month option that lets you call and text your friends abroad in any Simple Global country. If you happen to be calling outside of the US to any of your global peeps, that adds an additional 20 cents (about £0.12 or AUS $0.21) a minute.

Going international

To round out its latest international additions, T-Mobile has enlisted Shakira's rather, erm hip appeal as a music star. Don't worry if Carly is out of a job, T-Mobile says she'll still be riding around in hot-pink T-Mo colors as well as those delightful Bill Hader commercials pushing Jump!
T-Mobile let loose some bold moves but it's all a part of it plan to shake up the mobile industry. Phase one back in March did away with annual contracts and added iPhones to the magenta carrier's roster of handsets. Meanwhile a few months later in July, phase two introduced Jump!, T-Mobile's early upgrade program, and credit card check-less family plans.

Amazon reportedly firing up its Firetube media streaming device for Christmas

Amazon may be hawking more than just the Kindle Fire HDX in the lead up to Christmas, as it is reportedly launching its own media streaming device in a matter of weeks.
The company's set-top box, labeled Firetube by trademark documents last week, is expected to have a release date that's in time for the holiday selling season, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Amazon's small media streaming device sounds far from unique. It's said to look similar to a Roku and support apps from a variety of apps.
Of course, the main focus of the set-top box would likely be an Amazon's free video streaming benefits included in Prime membership bolstered by an affordable price.
This is akin to how Apple puts emphasis on its iTunes content at the top of the Apple TV while still supporting a number of third-party apps.

Remote chance for Firetube

Google recently released Chromecast for an affordable price too, and it was backordered on the Google Play store and Amazon for nearly two months.
Amazon could replicate that success and do one better by including a Firetube remote.
The company may offer a separate remote control for the set-top box, according to the Journal. Controlling the device through smartphone and tablet apps is also thought to be likely.
At any time, Amazon's set-top box could be shelved or delayed due to financial or performance factors, according to the paper's anonymous sources.
We'll know soon enough, as Black Friday - the big holiday sales kickoff in the U.S. - is just seven weeks away.

Already at war: Apple TV vs Chromecast. Find out who's winning.

GamePad 2 unveiled, Archos hopes it fixed the first one's shortcomings

Unimpressed with the current line of Android gaming devices but aren't ready to give up on them quite yet? Try the just-announced Archos GamePad 2 on for size.
The follow-up to the first GamePad leaked late last month, so it's no surprise to learn Archos had the real deal lurking all along.
Fitted with a 7-inch HD IPS screen at 1280 x 800 resolution, the new GamePad tablet scored a quad-core 1.6GHz A9 processor, a jump from the original's dual-core chip. Archos also skipped to Android 4.2 this time around, a step-up from the first model's Android 4.1.
Not only is this a newer version of Android, "this is Android as Google designed it to be," meaning no skins or overlays.
The boosts don't stop there - not only is Archos packing 2GB of RAM in the gaming machine, it's offering both an 8GB and 16GB version. Plus, the GamePad 2 has microSD support, meaning users can go all the way up to 64GB for extra gaming goodness.

More GamePad 2 specs

There's a touted 50% larger battery, which when coupled with the device's "super energy-efficient" 28nm processor tech affords a longer-lasting gaming experience.
Perhaps most importantly to owners of the first GamePad (or those who wanted one but hated its outdated and low-quality analog nubs), Archos said that in this version, the thumb-sticks are more precise and flex a concave shape. The same precision goes for the double buttons on the GamePad 2's shoulders and a "vastly improved button click-feeling."
GamePad No. 2 also features a single part directional pad, which Archos claimed makes for easier hadokens.
Archos GamePad 2

Users can put the new controls to the test as soon as their slate arrives because Archos is shipping each GamePad 2 with two pre-installed games - Asphalt 8 Airborne and Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, both from Gameloft.
Because of its Google connection (and because it's a tablet), the GamePad 2 has access to a suite of Mountain View's apps, like Gmail, Hangouts and YouTube, as well as the Play Store.
Lastly, the GamePad 2 has tech Archos called Wireless Display, which simply means users can touch a button and mirror what's on their slate to a compatible TV. There's also a mini-HDMI slot for just this purpose, too.

GamePad 2 release date and price

European residents can look for the GamePad 2 at the end of this month with a pretty decent price of £179.99/€179.99.
For the U.S., the GamePad 2's price should hit $199.99 when it's released at the end of Q4.

Ready, set, fight! It's the Xbox One vs PS4.

iPad 5 purportedly shows off its slim, space gray body in leaked photos

Apple's iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 are expected to launch on October 22, which leaves less than two weeks for last-minute leaks of the forthcoming tablets.
Like clockwork, we're now seeing the first high-resolution photos of a purported space gray iPad 5 back casing and front panel courtesy of Sonny Dickson.
The new color is posed next to what appears to be a traditional silver-backed iPad casing, giving us a unique look at the difference between the two options that Apple may unveil.
On the flip side, the front of the space gray iPad 5 is black, while the silver version is white. These configurations match the iPhone 5S colors.
iPad 5 photos

A slim space gray suit

The batch of 74 photos gives us more insight into Apple's alleged color-coordinating efforts.
The tablets further drive home the expectation that the 9.7-inch iPad 5 is going to say goodbye to a whole lot of unnecessary bezel vs the iPad 4.
Yet, it's supposed to trim the perimeter without sacrificing precious screen size. It looks almost like a full-sized iPad mini in a lot of ways.
The iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 are also thought to sport a fingerprint sensor and a third color option: gold.
We'll should know soon enough on Tuesday, October 22. Mark your program formerly known as iCal.

Video: See the iPad 5 vs the iPad 4 in this leak comparison.

Updated: Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

The Nokia Lumia 1520 looks like it's a beast of a Windows Phone smartphone. Think Lumia 920, but beefed up in a considerable number of ways.
We've already seen leaked press photos of the Lumia 1520, so there won't be too many surprises when Nokia makes it official. However, we're expecting quite a bit under the hood.
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception the new flagship Lumia will receive, as the 920 and Lumia 1020 are still relatively fresh on everyone's radar.

Nokia Lumia 1520 display

From what we've heard, the Lumia 1520 display might be a 6-inch monster, which would put it in the phablet zone, as much as we hate that word.
Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

The leaked photos and press images seem to suggest that it is going to be the biggest Lumia yet, at least in terms of size.
If the display is anything like previous models, it will be an AMOLED ClearBlack display. What that means is easy visibility in broad daylight, and strong contrast with deep blacks.

Nokia Lumia 1520 camera

We know that Nokia takes its camera technology pretty seriously, but we're not going to see anything like the 41MP PureView camera here like we did on the Lumia 1020.
What we're hearing so far is that the Nokia Lumia 1520 will have a 20MP camera, which is still a massive resolution by today's smartphone camera standards.
Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

It will undoubtedly have excellent low-light performance as previous Lumias have had, and excellent color reproduction and sharpness thanks to Nokia's and Carl Zeiss's optics.
If the 1520 is like the previous Lumia flagships, we'll also anticipate 1080p video recording with OIS, or optical image stabilization. That same stabilization system ought to help with still camera performance in less than optimal lighting conditions, too.

Nokia Lumia 1520 release date

The Lumia 1520 seems a little late to the party if you've been following rumors, but since no official release dates have been announced, it just feels late.
Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

We were expecting to see this Windows Phone 8 device a week or two ago. However, we're now hearing that October 22 is the date for the official announcement. And Nokia is planning on holding the event in Abu Dhabi, of all places.
Nokia Lumia 1520 release date, news and rumors

Given that the announcement is going to be in late October, we're thinking that the actual availability will be within the coming weeks, probably some time before the holidays hit.
Additionally, Nokia says there will be six devices on hand at the Abu Dhabi event, which could also mean more phones and perhaps even tablets. If we were to really stretch our imagination, maybe some wearable tech, too.

Nokia Lumia 1520 design

Right now, it looks like the Lumia 1520 is just an overgrown 920, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, gigantic smartphones can be a little unwieldy.
From the looks of leaked photos and the press photos, the body seems to share the same polycarbonate material that its predecessors had. It's doesn't feel cheap, and it looks nice even though it's plastic.
The 1520's shape and curvature is very much like the Lumia 1020 and 920, which makes sense if Nokia is to make the Lumia Windows Phone handsets distinct and different from its competition.
The glass covering the display also looks like it curves very gently into the body, as Lumia smartphones do. This gives the device a very seamless feel overall, and it looks nice, too.
So far we can glean a lot from the leaked images and rumors, but we're just weeks away from Nokia's official announcement where we'll bring you all the finer details about its new flagship device.

Nokia Lumia 1520 pricing

Right now, we don't have any concrete information on the Lumia 1520 price.
It would be easy to go off of the pricing of the Lumia 920, or perhaps even the 1020 with its inflated price tag thanks to the PureView camera. However, it's not that easy in this case.
We would guess, given its sheer size, that it would hover around the $299 range with a two-year contract or agreement in the U.S.
Outright, we would guess somewhere in the $600-800 range based on its size, and depending on memory capacities and options.
While it's hard to play guessing games with pricing these days, the Lumia 1520 price ought to be what you'd expect from a very large Windows Phone 8 device. It probably won't break your bank, if that's what you're fearing.

Nokia Lumia 1520 leaks

There have been a number of Lumia 1520 leaks as of late, and the latest shows off a red hot, Hot Red color for the device.
The leak came courtesy of evleaks on Twitter, and the display and icon arrangement looks much like what we're expecting already.
We mentioned, "Well-known Twitter leakster @evleaks came through again on this one after publishing a leaked press shot of the yellow Lumia 1520 in early September."
We're keeping our eyes peeled for the official launch or announcement on October 22, which is the same time as Apple's iPad event. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the two companies battling for press attention, though we know where it's going to skew.

Windows Phone 8.1 could grow devices up to 10 inches

Windows Phone 8 device displays might soon reach previously unheard of sizes if a report published today holds any water.
Over at the Windows SuperSite Paul Thurrott shared some scoops, including word that the expected Windows Phone 8.1 "Blue" update could add support for devices with displays up to 10 inches large.
We already heard that the GDR3 Windows Phone update might add support for 5- to 6-inch devices, but it seems the update after that - the Windows Phone 8.1 release, code named "Blue" - might push that even farther.
Although "this obviously infringes on Windows RT/8.x tablets," as Thurrott put it, "so it's not clear what the thinking is there."

This town's not big enough

Compatibility with more devices is generally a good thing, but there are few key questions that signal extending Windows Phone 8.1 to tablet-sized devices may not be a great idea.
Among them, can Microsoft possibly maintain and explain three different operating systems that are all on devices of the same size?
Windows 8 and Windows RT are already doing battle over the 10-inch Surface tablet. What will be left standing if Windows Phone 8 tablets of the same size join the fray?
Finally, will Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 eventually merge?
Microsoft may want to think twice before potentially cannibalizing itself any further, though it would behoove us to keep in mind that this is nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor at this point - and one that doesn't necessarily make sense, anyway.

'Back' to the future

The same report highlights some other potential features of WP8.1, like increased API compatibility between Windows Phone and Windows RT - which actually supports the idea that they could someday merge.
In addition, Windows Phone will reportedly become less Android and more iOS with the substantial update when Microsoft axes the "back" navigation button from hardware specifications because it "just doesn't makes sense."
Finally, multitasking will reportedly improve and become more efficient with Windows Phone 8.1.

Will Windows Phone ever match the success of iOS and Android? Microsoft says it's key to the company's transformation.

Google Chromecast hits Amazon UK, nearly three times more expensive than US

The Google Chromecast HDMI streaming dongle is now available to buy in the UK from Amazon, 24 hours after it temporarily became available globally from the retailer's US site.
However, Brits who marvelled at the device's $35 (about £21) US price-tag will have to fork over almost triple that, at £59.99 to get their hands on Chromecast. Shipping will be free.
Google is yet to officially announce international availability for its versatile Apple TV rival, months after bringing it to Statesiders, but Amazon UK's listing claims to have Chromecast in stock.
On Tuesday some punters were able to snap up the device from the Amazon.com and have it shipped to the UK for the American price, but the company is no longer offering the international shipping option.

Potential

Chromecast, a surprise announcement at Google's Android 4.3 launch event this summer, allows content to be sent from iOS, Android, Chrome OS Windows and Mac OS X devices to be played on a HD TV.
Rather than streaming directly from the mobile device or laptop, Chromecast works by pulling the content down to the device from the cloud, making the origin device more of a trigger or remote control.
So far it lacks widespread support from third-party developers and apps are thin on the ground, but the potential is there for Chromecast to be a much more inclusive, versatile device than Apple's £99 hockey puck-like set-top box.
The good news for Brits is that we can now get our hands on the device, but we're not sure about that massively inflated price point. Perhaps when Google has something to say about a UK launch, we'll see a semblance of parity restored.

Still making your mind up between Apple TV and Chromecast? Read on to find out which is better for you.

Get your own in-action figure at your local Asda 3D printing station

Asda has announced it plans to offer 3D printing stations at its supermarkets across the UK with a trial kicking off at one store immediately.
The Wal-Mart owned chain is setting up studios where shoppers can bring in objects to be scanned or even be scanned themselves within a couple of minutes to create 3D-printed 'mini me' figures of the family.
The company, which has been developing the tech for 18 months, expects the figurines, which will start at £40 and can be scaled to whatever size the customer wants, will be the most popular items.
"Evolving well beyond simply filling frames with photographs of friends and family, 3D printed 'mini me' figures will add a whole new dimension to shoppers' mantelpieces and the lifelike models are also expected to be popular as personalised wedding cake toppers," it wrote in a press release.

Pick it up with next week's shop

Objects or people will be scanned using handheld cameras, which can grab the minutest details and capture up to six million different colours. The objects can be printed in full colour, bronze or white.
Once the process it completed, the information is sent away where it will be built up using layers of ceramic and available to pick up the next week alongside their weekly shop.
The trial starts in the company's York store next week, while a nationwide roll-out will take place at some point.
You can check out the process in the YouTube clip below.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzoq4Uzw9Cw

In the market for 3D printer for the whole family to enjoy? The Cube 3D printer is now available in the UK for £1,150

Disney simulates the magic of touch with touchscreen vibration algorithm

Disney is not normally at the forefront of technological advancements - unless we're talking about theme parks - but its new technique for "feeling" touch screens sounds pretty magical.
The company's Pittsburgh researchers, including one Dr. Ali Israr, have developed an algorithm that generates "electro-vibration" when a touchscreen user's fingers touch certain points on the display.
When users' fingers land on something that should feel textured, the device emits vibrations, creating the illusion of an object with actual, physical texture.
And because many touchscreen devices already have vibrating feedback motors the system should be easy to implement, according to the researchers.

Good vibrations

The Disney touchscreen technique simulates what it really feels like to touch textured objects, like pineapples, fossils and interactive maps, by recreating that feeling using small vibrations.
Apparently its algorithm creates vibrations that are pretty close to what actually happens when you touch something.
"Our brain perceives the 3D bump on a surface mostly from information that it receives via skin stretching," said Ivan Poupyrev, head of the interaction research group that developed the technology.
The vibrations reportedly stretch the skin of a user's fingertips just enough to make it seem like they're really feeling something.
When it's described like that, it seems obvious - haptic feedback is important, after all. That's why your phone vibrates when you type a letter.
The system is also more versatile than other haptic feedback touchscreen gimmicks, like the Tactus microfluid tech touted last year, because it can "tune tactile effects to a specific visual artifact on the fly," said Israr.

Are haptic touchscreens the future, or has the future of touchscreens already been revealed to be bigger, cheaper, and bendier?

Turn on, tune in and See It, all from a tweet

It's no secret Twitter is the perfect place for television fans to hold real-time conversations about their favorite shows, but now viewers can actually control the boob tube from the very same place.
Twitter today announced a new partnership with Comcast and NBCUniversal called See It, which allows Xfinity TV subscribers the ability to actually control their cable box from tweets about their favorite shows.
Rather than just engage in chatter about a show, See It enables viewers to change the channel, set the DVR to record and even play a show On Demand, all from an expanded tweet.
"By partnering with Comcast, we'll be able to make it easier than ever to turn on the show everyone is talking about and jump into the conversation," Twitter's Vice-President of Business Development & Platform Jana Messerschmidt explained in a blog post.

See it soon

To activate See It, Comcast Xfinity TV subscribers tap a button in their Twitter app, which prompts the user to log into their account and select where they'd like to view the program.
With the fall television season now in full swing, See It will be enabled for a wide variety of NBCUniversal content across the company's entire network, which includes NBC as well as cable properties such as USA, Syfy, Bravo and E!.
Shows with See It enabled will include Sunday Night Football as well as popular primetime fare such as "The Voice," "The Blacklist," "Suits" and the upcoming Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia.
Twitter hopes to expand its partnership with Comcast to include additional content providers, although the microblogging service remains mum on current plans to bring it to competing services.

Get up close and personal with LG's latest Optimus L9 smartphone in our full review!

Updated: Nexus 5 release date, news and rumors

The Nexus 5 is going to be the successor to last year's Nexus 4, and from what we know so far, it's going to be made by LG - just like the previous model.
We've seen numerous leaks of and about the device now - we even saw one from a Google promotional video for Android 4.4. KitKat - so we have a very rough idea of what he new Nexus 5 will be like.
If we go by the Nexus line's history, there are a few things we can gather in terms of what the device will feature, or not feature. To start, there typically isn't expandable memory in Nexus devices - whether we're talking tablets or smartphones.
It would be a safe bet to assume that the Nexus 5 won't have microSD support, so we're hoping that 32GB and 64GB options will be available.
Nexus 5 release date, prices, news and rumors

Another thing - and this is pretty obvious - is that this upcoming smartphone will be the first to feature the latest version of Android: 4.4 KitKat.

Nexus 5 release date

The Nexus 5 may see a release date around November, much like its predecessor, the Nexus 4. Word is that the Google-powered LG smartphone will see an October announcement with a launch of a few weeks later.
Nexus 5 release date, prices, news and rumors

Not surprisingly, we're seeing a lot of the phone getting leaked in the wild, too. Most recently, following an unusual trend of where devices are getting leaked, the Nexus 5 was spotted in a bar.
Moreover, a phone that looks very much like the coming Google phone was spotted at the FCC. The camera hold was as large as the module we've seen in leaked photos, so we suspect that the LG smartphone, labeled as model D820, is actually the Nexus 5.
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Nexus 5 inspired by LG G2

Rumor has it that the new Nexus 5 is going to be heavily inspired by the LG G2, which is a good thing. While the hardware isn't as sexy as the HTC One, for example, it is by far the most powerful Android device so far this year.
In terms of specs and raw performance, the G2 is really incredible. Its high-resolution display is amazing, and it has great color and contrast.
Nexus 5 release date, prices, news and rumors

The G2's benchmark performance is off the charts, and battery life doesn't seem to suffer at all as a result. We can only hope that the Nexus 5 does take all these elements from the G2, and place the power and volume buttons back where they belong - on the edges of the device.
Perhaps we can also expect that amazing 13MP camera, too, since it performed exceptionally well in most lighting conditions. Judging by the huge module on the back of the Nexus 5, however, we might be in for even more.
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Nexus 5 processor and power

We've come to learn that the Nexus 5, which obviously isn't available yet, has destroyed the Samsung Galaxy S4 in benchmark tests.
This isn't a surprise if the Nexus device ends up taking its cues from the LG G2. In our review, the G2 did exceptionally well in benchmark testing.
Nexus 5 release date, prices, news and rumors

Rumor is that the Nexus 5 will have a 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 with 3GB RAM. That's a lot of power and memory under the hood of a smartphone.
One thing we can be sure of is that the new Google phone will give other Android flagships a good run for their money.

Nexus 5 wireless charging

Perhaps it's a novelty for some of you, but wireless charging is very convenient. And it looks like the Nexus 5 will have this feature thanks to a little digging in Android 4.4 KitKat.
It's also more than safe to assume that if a device like the Nexus 5 were to have wireless charging, it will also have NFC.
What isn't clear is whether the charging device or dock is going to be sold as part of the package with the Nexus 5, or if it's going to be a separate accessory. Right now we'll hedge our bets and go with the latter.

Nexus 5 price

Right now it's anyone's guess whether the Nexus 5 will see the same pricing scheme as the Nexus 4. The newer model, if it turns out anything like the LG G2, will be a monster of a device in terms of specs.
Compared to the Nexus 4 the Nexus 5 is shaping up to be a smartphone in a completely new class. And with specs like that, it's hard to imagine that it will get the same pricing treatment that the Nexus 4 did with off-contract rates. Last year's model didn't even have LTE support!
We would expect the newer Google phone to hover around $499 - $699 off contract, and perhaps even higher if Google decides to offer a massive 64GB version.
Update: We're now hearing that Nexus 5 16GB and 32GB option will be priced at $299 and $399, respectively. Strangely, word is that the 16GB model will have a 2,300mAh battery, whereas the 32GB version will have a 3,000mAh battery. Rumor is that they're both the same size and dimension, too.
This contradicts info that we've received when it comes to capacity and pricing, and especially the whole battery issue. From other documents we've seen, the Nexus 5 is supposed to have a 2,300mAh unit. It'll be interesting to see how this pans out.

Nexus 5 October release date

Word is now that the Nexus 5 will ship in late October, with a few similar specs to the iPhone 5S. In our latest news article, we said, "However it's likely we'll see something similar to the the iPhone's 64-bit A7 processor. Apple kicked off an arms race with the 64-bit processor announcement and no doubt Google and Samsung will follow suit."
The leaks have been so plentiful that we are convinced that we will see the official Nexus 5 by the end of October.

Nexus 5 camera

With the advancements in smartphone camera technology, the Nexus 5 really has to pick up its game as far as Nexus devices go. With that said, we're hearing that the upcoming Google phone will be the first smartphone ever to feature Lytro-like technology.
What does that mean? Here's what we said earlier:
"MEMS stands for microelectromechanical technology, and it provides a number of benefits, including focusing that's seven times faster than competitive cameras.
The Nexus 5's MEMS camera also reportedly uses less power and produces less heat, plus it's smaller.
Most importantly, it may allow Nexus 5 users to magically re-focus photographs after they take them - hence the comparison to Lytro cameras."
Perhaps it just might be a neat trick in the end, but it'll be one trick the Nexus 5 has that other smartphones may not adopt for a long time. We'll see soon enough!

Hands-on review: Canon G16

Overview

The Canon GXX series has long been considered the natural back-up camera for DSLR users, especially those already familiar with the Canon brand.
As such, the outward design of this range has changed little from its first incarnation. The Canon PowerShot G16 is no different, looking outwardly almost identical to the year-old Canon PowerShot G15 it replaces. But of course, inside there have been a few notable changes.
First up is the sensor. While it remains the same pixel count, at 12.1MP, and physical size, at 1/1.7-inch, Canon says that the CMOS sensor is a completely new design, featuring back illumination.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

The Canon G16 now includes inbuilt Wi-Fi, something which Canon's David Parry says is "pretty much essential" for new compacts.
What Canon is most keen to shout about, and perhaps the most exciting new feature, however, is the Digic 6 processor. This is Canon's latest generation of processor which enables some pretty special things, most notably an impressively fast 9.3fps (JPEG, without continuous autofocus), which doesn't have a buffer - in real terms that means you can, in theory, keep on shooting until your card runs out. It also means you can shoot a sequence, stop shooting and be ready to shoot again.
It should also mean that low light performance is once again improved. The Canon G16 is capable of shooting at up to ISO 12800. Canon also claims that AF speed has been significantly improved - apparently it is 41% quicker than its predecessor, the Canon G15.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

Two new creative modes have been created for this camera. Background Defocus shoots two photos, one completely in focus, one out of focus, then combines the two images to produce DSLR-style background defocus effects. This is done in-camera automatically.
The second is Star Mode, which has been designed with night time photographers in mind. Canon says that it is so confident of the camera's low light capabilities that it actively wants to encourage photographers to use it in pitch black conditions.
Star Mode is a fully automatic mode that triggers the best settings for capturing night time skies. It's also capable of recording star trials and creating time-lapse movies - again, all captured and created within the camera without the need for post-processing. HDR mode has also been improved to include new digital filters.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

Manual Focus Peaking has been introduced for the first time in a Canon compact camera. It's a technology that has existed in Canon's range of video cameras before, and we have seen it from other manufacturers fairly recently. The sensitivity of focus peaking can also be set depending on how strong you want it to be. Different colours can also be set, which can be useful depending on the subject you're shooting.
As found on the Canon G15, the Canon G16 features an f/1.8-f/2.8 5x optical zoom lens, with a maximum wide-angle of 28mm. At its full telephoto zoom it offers a 35mm equivalent of 140mm and a maximum f/2.8 aperture.
The exterior of the camera is pretty much identical to its predecessor, the Canon G15. Canon says that this is because it has been honed throughout the years and is one that consumers feel comfortable with.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

Canon has also announced a replacement for the Canon S110 in the shape of the Canon S120. That takes a lot of the features of the Canon G16 but places them in a slimmer body, and is worth investigating if you're looking for something a little more pocket-friendly.
When the original Canon G series camera launched it had far less competition that it does in the current market. Probably the biggest competitor for this camera is the Sony RX100 II, as well as the Nikon P7700.
The Canon PowerShot G16 will have a full price of £529.99 (around US$830/AU$920), making it slightly more expensive than the Nikon but a fair bit cheaper than the Sony.

Build quality and handling

Much of what can be said about the Canon G16's build quality and handling is true of its predecessor, the Canon G15, so it may be a good idea to give that review a read over to find out more.
The Canon G15 slimmed down considerably from the Canon G12 by removing the articulating the screen, and Canon has evidently received sufficient positive feedback to keep the same design for the latest iteration of the camera.
Canon isn't shy about targeting cameras at the advanced photographer - it often refers to DSLR owners in marketing materials. This is reflected in the number of dials and direct access buttons found on the camera.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

On the top are two overlapping dials. First there's a mode dial for switching between the various exposure options on the camera, including fully automatic and semi-automatic modes (aperture priority and shutter priority).
Slightly underneath this dial is the exposure compensation dial, which is handily reached by the thumb and is something that was a welcome addition to last year's Canon G15.
The back of the camera sees a fairly wide array of buttons and dials, including one for changing autofocus point and a direct button for changing sensitivity. It's a shame that Canon still hasn't included a touchscreen on the G series of cameras, especially since it produces an excellent one for the S range.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

This means that everything is operated by button control - but then again, maybe it's all about the type of photographer that Canon wants to appeal to with this, the traditionalist.
Anyone who is stepping up from another Canon compact camera, or perhaps an older G series model, should be very much at home with the Canon G16.

Performance

As always, it's difficult to give any kind of definitive statement of performance at this stage, but early indications for the Canon G16 are very good.
We already know what Canon is capable of with this range, and equipping it with a new, back-illuminated sensor and Digic 6 processor should see some fantastic results - we're really looking forward to testing it properly.
Canon PowerShot G16 review

Canon says that AF speed has been significantly improved. In our brief time with a pre-production version of the camera, focusing did seem to be pretty speedy and accurate, but we'll be keen to put that properly through its paces once a full production sample becomes available for our full Canon G16 review.
Digital filters and creative modes have not been an area that Canon has traditionally excelled in, but it's interesting to see the addition of Star Mode. It's an unusual but intriguing prospect that sounds like it should be fun to use, and in theory it could produce some excellent results.
We were reasonably impressed by the low light performance of the original Canon G15, but since its announcement, cameras such as the Sony RX100 II have surpassed it. We'll be interested to see what the combination of a new backlit sensor (the same technology the RX100 II uses) and the Digic 6 processor can achieve, bearing in mind that the Canon G16's sensor is significantly smaller than the Sony's.

Initial verdict

Canon always produces solid performers in its G series cameras. While that's appealing to the traditionalist crowd, it is now fighting a harder battle than ever before to keep market share in the crowded premium compact camera market.
While we've no doubt that the Canon PowerShot G16 will be capable of producing fantastic images, it will have to go some way to beat the excellent Sony RX100 Mk II. It's interesting that Canon has decided to keep the same (relatively) small sensor for the latest G series and hasn't been tempted to go down the same larger route as the Sony. Whether image quality will suffer because of this remains to be seen.
We're excited by some of the new introductions to the Canon G16, most notably the Digic 6 processor. It's also good to see a traditional manufacturer such as Canon acknowledging the importance of Wi-Fi on modern cameras.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth review of the Canon G16 as soon as possible.
First reviewed 22 August 2013

Sample images

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The G16's automatic white balance does a good job of producing accurate colours in mixed lighting conditions, but metering has struggled slightly here, making the subject slightly underexposed.
Canon G16 review

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The G16's maximum aperture if f/1.8, making it ideal for use when shooting portrait images.
Canon G16 review

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Colours straight from the G16 are bright and punchy, with a good level of saturation and accuracy in subjects such as skies.
Canon G16 review

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At its widest point, the G16 offers an equivalent of 28mm, making it ideal for capturing a good variety of subjects. Canon's S120 goes slightly wider at 24mm, though.
Canon G16 review

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Here, despite the high-contrast nature of the scene, chromatic aberration isn't visible even when zooming in at 100%. There is a fractional amount of fringing, but it's not noticeable at normal printing and web sizes.
Canon G16 review

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The G16 features 5x optical zoom. Here's a picture shot at the widest point of the lens - 28mm equivalent.
Canon G16 review

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This image was shot at the telephoto end of the optic, which offers an equivalent of 140mm. Impressively, even at this far reach of the telephoto optic, the lens is still able to stop down to f/2.8.
Canon G16 review

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Canon's ZoomPlus technology is available to boost the zoom's capability up to 10x. Detail is retained impressively well here, making it a viable option if you do need that extra bit of reach.
Canon G16 review

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Standard digital zoom is also available, to push the zoom capability up to 20x. There's less detail here, but again, if you really need to get closer it's a nice option to have, especially if you're only sharing images online.
Canon G16 review

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The G16's macro focusing capability allows you to get very close to the subject to fill the frame with detail rich close-ups.

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The G16's f/1.8 aperture allows you to get creative with shallow depth of field effects.
Canon G16 review

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Shooting at mid-range apertures, such as f/8 allows us to determine the sharpness of the camera's lens. Here we can see that the image is reasonably sharp throughout the image, with some evidence of loss of detail in the corners when zooming at 100%. At normal printing and web sizes however, detail is kept well.

Digital filters

A number of digital filters are available to use on the G16, accessible via a dedicated mode.
Filters are as follows:

Canon G16 review

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Canon G16 review

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Hands-on review: Updated: Nikon P7800