Google lends a helping hand with the launch of Helpouts
Google has launched Helpouts, a new service that will put users in direct video contact with an expert whenever a Google search just isn't enough.
Announced earlier this year, Helpouts is basically marriage of Google search and Hangouts.
"Once you're in a Helpout, you can do more than just talk. You can share your computer screen, collaboratively edit a presentation or record your Helpout," said Udi Manber, Vice President of Engineering.
If you're in need of a Helpout, you can either book an appointment with an expert in advance or connect instantly, and the experts can be individuals or from brands.
Helping out
Helpouts categories at the moment include Art & Music, Health, Education, Fitness, Home & Gardening, Cooking and Computers & Electronics.Google Helpouts won't be a completely free service however, as experts will be able to charge by the minute or per video session.
But you will be able to choose who you get help from based on the experts qualifications, availability, ratings, reviews and their price, as well as record the video session if you like.
In terms of user safety, each expert needs to be approved by Google, and users can choose to exit the video conference whenever they like and report experts.
If the expert is more than 5 minutes late to an appointment or doesn't turn up at all, then you won't be charged.
And thankfully, if the Helpout wasn't… helpful, Manber assures us Google will offer a full money back guarantee.
Google's world
Helpouts is really an amalgamation of Google's world - and we can only imagine how it could be integrated with Google Glass.With the new service, you can use Google search to find experts and vendors that offer Helpouts and you must have a Google+ profile (using your real identity) to start up a session with them.
The session itself is held over Hangouts and payments are accept through Google Wallet.
At the moment, brands and companies involved with Helpouts had been invited by Google, with examples including Sephora and Weight Watchers.
Manber said that the number of people involved is still small, with the expectation that over time the number of people getting help or becoming Helpouts experts will grow. He also noted that this is a new service and warned that there might be teething problems.
"Helpouts may not be suitable for every occasion, and it will take time to get used to interactions via real time video," he said.
Google is encouraging people to try out the new service and provide feedback. They are also still calling out for people who would want to become a Helpouts expert.
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Apple to go big on sapphire in iPhone 6, iPad 6 and beyond?
You've probably never heard of GT Advanced Technologies, but in future Apple devices, the firm could end up playing a headline-grabbing role.
The company, which provides crystal grow equipment and materials for consumer electronics, among other industries, announced today that it's signed a multi-year supply agreement with Apple to provide sapphire materials.
Sapphire has figured prominently in recent Apple products - the iPhone 5S' Touch ID fingerprint reader features a cut sapphire crystal cover and the iPhone 5 was the first to feature a sapphire crystal lens.
Now, word on the street is Apple could use the resilient material in future touchscreens. It's first go at the tech has been rumored for the iPhone 6, presumed to release in 2014. Apple would certainly extend the hard yet crystal clear sapphire coating to its other product lines, including the next iPad.
Sapphire sharp
As part of the deal, GT will own and operate the equipment needed to produce sapphire at a new Apple plant in Arizona. GT Advanced Technologies is fast tracking development of next-gen, large capacity furnaces "to deliver low cost, high volume manufacturing of sapphire materials."Apple would have access to loads of this stuff on the cheap, ideal for mass production of millions of handsets, tablets and more.
The GT Advanced Technologies and Apple deal is still young, and with the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPad Air and iPad mini 2 with Retina display newly announced, we're a ways away from seeing scratch-resistant sapphire make it to next-gen Apple products.
Perhaps something prone to daily nicks and bruises could get a sapphire front first? Say, something like the iWatch?
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Hands-on review: Nikon Df
Unusually, in the run up to the announcement of the Nikon Df we've been treated to a series of video teasers. But now the excitement will really start because we've finally seen the whole camera and it's a retro beauty.
Perhaps the biggest surprise with the Df is that Nikon has gone for a 16.2 million-pixel FX (full-frame) CMOS sensor. Some might have been hoping for a 24.3MP sensor like the Nikon D610 or a 36.3MP sensor like the Nikon D800, but Nikon has opted to use the same sensor as in the D4.
However, the benefit of opting for a 16MP sensor is that the photosites themselves are bigger and this means that they receive more light and generate a stronger signal which requires less amplification. As a result less noise is generated, so that images are cleaner.
Data from the sensor is processed by the EXPEED 3 processing engine, the same engine as is found in the Nikon D610, D800 and D4. This allows the sensitivity to be set in the native range ISO 100-12,800, with expansion settings pushing to ISO 50-204,800. That's a match for the D4.
Meanwhile there's a maximum continuous shooting rate of 5.5fps for up to 100 images and images are stored on an SD/SDHC/SDXC card. Unlike Nikon's other FX format cameras, there's only one card port in the Df.
While the Df's body may be new (well retro really), the majority of its components are familiar.
The AF system is the for example, uses the same Multi-CAM 4800 module as the D610 and has 39 AF points, 9 of which are cross-type. The 2,016-pixel RGB sensor that gathers information for the Automatic Scene Recognition System and informs the white balance, focusing and metering systems is also familiar.
On the back of the camera there's a 3.2-inch 921,000-dot LCD screen just like the D610's. In live view mode this can display a nine-cell grid that conforms to the rule of thirds and the scene can be cropped to give 1:1 or 16:9 format.
As it's an SLR rather than a compact system camera, the Df has an optical viewfinder which shows the image seen through the lens. This provides a 100% field of view and has 0.7x magnification as well as DX crop markings for when DX lenses are mounted.
A dual-axis digital level can display roll (horizontal inclination) and pitch (forward or backwards inclination) in the LCD, while roll can also be displayed in the viewfinder, making it easier to get level horizons.
In a unique move, Nikon has given the Df a collapsible metering coupling lever that enables old non-AI Nikkor lenses to be mounted directly onto the camera.
Full-aperture metering is possible with non-AI lenses when shooting in aperture priority or manual exposure mode – just like AI lenses, which have full-aperture metering in all exposure modes.
On the subject of exposure modes, the Df can shoot in program, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual exposure modes, there's no fully automatic option or scene modes. There is, however, the usual complement of Picture Control modes so it's possible to vary the appearance of JPEG files and produce monochrome images in-camera if you want.
There are a couple of features that are notably missing from the Df, the first is a pop-up flash – although there is a hotshoe and it's compatible with Nikon's Creative Lighting System – and the second is the ability to record movies. Yes, it's a stills-only camera.
The fact that there's no Wi-Fi connectivity built-in is unsurprising, but the Df is compatible with Nikon's WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adaptor that enables images to be transferred wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet. It can also be used with Nikon's WR-R10 Wireless transceiver and WR-T10 Wireless Transmitter which allow remote control over the camera.
Build and handling
While it is quite chunky, the Df is noticeably smaller than the D610. It also has a more angular design, based on the FM2, and a larger pentaprism housing.Although the link to past Nikon SLRs is clear, modern materials and small elements of design give away that the Df is a modern camera. It's superbly retro, yet is weather sealed to the same standard as the Nikon D800.
Nikon wants using the Df to be as important and enjoyable as the images it creates. Key settings such as shutter speed, sensitivity and exposure compensation are all set by dials on the top-plate. However, the shutter speed dial has a 1/3 Step setting which when selected allows users to adjust shutter speed using the rear command dial above the thumbrest.
A locking button at the centre of the exposure compensation dial on the left and on the shutter speed dial on the right must be pressed before either of the dials can be rotated. Similarly, there's a lock button the side of the sensitivity dial, which sits below the exposure compensation dial.
There are also X,T and B settings which stand for flash sync, timed exposure (the shutter stays open until the release is pressed a second time) and bulb exposure (the shutter stays open as long as the release is held down. In another nice touch the shutter release has a thread at its centre to accept a traditional-style cable release.
On the right of the top-plate as you hold the camera there's a mode dial marked MASP. This dial is necessary because the Df is compatible with modern lenses that don't feature an aperture ring as well as older ones that do.
Focus mode is set in the same as on Nikon's other recent SLRs, via a switch to the side of the lens mount. This switch has a button at its centre which when pressed and used in conjunction with the front and rear control dials allows the AF options (Single-AF, Continuous-AF, etc) to be selected.
It's nice to see a return to a switch on the back of the camera to set the metering mode, and a button on the front of the camera which is used in conjunction with the command dials to set the bracketing options.
Performance
As yet we've only been able to use a pre-production sample of the Nikon Df and we've not been allowed to examine any images that we've taken with it on a computer screen, so we will have to wait until we get a full production sample in for testing before we can pass judgement on the quality of the images that it produces. However, given that it has the same sensor and image processor as Nikon's range-topping SLR, the D4, it seems a fairly safe bet that it's going to be a good performer.By keeping the pixel count of the Df down to 16Mp rather than pushing it to 24 or 36-million pixels Nikon has put the emphasis on low light capability. This makes it a very versatile camera that's capable of shooting in a wide range of conditions.
We expect to see that noise is controlled extremely well even when the sensitivity is pushed to ISO 12,800.
Not surprisingly, given it's the same unit as inside the D4, the Df's viewfinder is nice and bright, and capable of showing plenty of detail. This will be appreciated by owners with a collection of manual focus lenses.
When time allows, live view provides the best view for manual focusing as the enlarged view enables the focus to be placed very precisely. The Df's screen is detailed and clear, but we will have to wait and see whether it suffers from the same problem as the D610's screen and overemphasises the cool tones in some scenes. In worst-case scenarios this can result in a change in white balance settings to one that produces overly-warm images.
We anticipate the metering system being reliable in most conditions. We've tested Nikon's 2,016-pixel RGB sensor and Scene Recognition System extensively and found it performs well in most situations. It has only thrown up a few surprises in the Nikon D7100 where we found the exposure compensation control is required more often than usual with most Nikon SLRs.
Early verdict
The prospect of a Nikon full-frame SLR built following a traditional design has been a source of some rumour and speculation for years. Naturally the teaser campaign for the Df has been greeted with considerable excitement and on the basis of the time we have spent with a pre-production sample, it looks unlikely to disappoint.We love the traditional control layout, all the most important aspects are within easy reach. The camera also feels solid and is comfortable in the hand.
In addition, a pixel count of 16 million has been sufficient for many professional photographers and the D4 (which lends its sensor and processing engine to the Df) has proved itself to be a versatile and capable camera.
However, at £2,649.99 with the special edition AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens, the Df is likely to beyond the reach of many. The Nikon FM-series was intended to be a more affordable alternative to Nikon's professional F-series. Unfortunately, it seems that in modern times manufacturing a stripped-down digital camera with similarly rugged build to the FM series incurs considerable cost.
However, that didn't appear to be an issue for several of the camera dealers that we spoke to at the Nikon UK launch event. They are of the opinion that if Nikon has got it right the camera will fly off the shelves. Perhaps so and early indications are that Nikon has got it right.
The Df looks and feels like an excellent camera that serious enthusiast and professional photographers will enjoy using. Given that it shares many components with respected Nikon cameras such as the D4, D600 and D610 we expect that it will be capable of delivering high-quality images, but we'll have to wait until we get a full production sample in for testing to be sure.
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Nikon reveals retro inspired Df DSLR
Nikon has introduced the Df, a DSLR with a classic, retro design and top of the line digital sensor, which has been taken from the D4, Nikon's flagship professional DSLR.
The Df, which is very much styled after Nikon's heritage DSLRs is the lightest Nikon camera to feature a full-frame sensor. That sensor is a 16.2 million pixel 35mm device, which has already proven its worth in the D4.
Other features taken directly from the D4 include a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, which is expandable down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 204,800, and an Expeed 3 image processor.
Mechanical dials which control key settings including sensitivity, shutter speed and exposure compensation help to give the camera its retro look, while also making it quick to make changes.
The body of the camera is made from a lightweight magnesium alloy which means the camera is only 710g (without battery) which is also dust and moisture resistant to the same class as the D800.
Long life
Durability of the shutter unit has been tested to 150,000 cycles, while the camera boasts a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 second. An energy-saving design means that the camera should manage around 1,400 shots per charge.Nikon has made the Df compatible with vintage non-AI (Nikon's automatic indexing system introduced in 1977) lenses, as well as current Nikkor models, which should give any owners of classic stock a bit of a buzz.
Although some had predicted that Nikon would follow Sony down the route of a mirrorless full-frame model, the Df features a traditional mirror design which means it has an optical pentaprism viewfinder which offers 100% coverage. This is joined by a 3.2 inch 921k dot fixed reinforced LCD screen.
Nikon will be marketing the camera with a special edition of the 50mm f/1.8G lens, with the company saying it has no plans to make the camera available to buy body only.
The Nikon Df price will be £2,749.99 (with the 50mm lens) and it will be available in black or silver with black highlights. Sales are expected to start from 28 November.
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Blip: Is the Moto Maker making its way to Sprint on November 11?
Let's face it: Moto Maker is what sets the Moto X apart from all the other phones out there. OK maybe not entirely, but the customization options are an undeniable draw.
Previously only available on AT&T, a memo has surfaced online stating the Moto Maker feature will arrive on Sprint starting November 11.
Though the memo is questionable, Sprint's recent Moto X price cut indicates it might be priming the device for the holidays and hopefully other carriers won't be too far behind.
There's only a week left to find out if Sprint customers can give their Moto X a make-over, and honestly, it's about time Motorola spreads the love.
More blips!
These blips are customized for a quick, fun read.- 'Moto G' makes Motorola site appearance before being pulled
- Moto X price slashed to $99.99 in three places
- Google's mystery barge is a pop-up chamber of secrets
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Amazon's first original shows get premiere dates, episodes will air weekly
Amazon's bold and expensive venture into original TV programming will kick-off in earnest this month with the premiere of the first two shows to make it past the pilot stage.
Alpha House, a political comedy starring John Goodman, will hit Amazon Instant Video in the US and possibly in the UK via Lovefilm (we're in the process of confirming that 100%) on November 15.
Meanwhile the somewhat-self-referential Betas, which centres on the adventures of a group of tech industry entrepreneurs, will begin a week later on November 22.
Each series will boast 11 episodes with the first three becoming instantly and freely available available on the premiere date, while the rest will follow at weekly intervals, for subscribers only.
Get 'em hooked and reel 'em in
The scheduling decision is interesting as it shows Amazon does not share the mindset of rival service Netflix, which prefers to dish out entire series at once, enabling users to consume at their leisure.Amazon's approach is more in line with traditional television schedules, which prefer to keep viewers tuning in to a new episode each week.
The idea in Amazon's case is seems to be to get people hooked on the freebies to encourage them to sign up for Prime or Lovefilm.
Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios said: "We will release three episodes upfront for all customers so they can try out the shows and get to know the characters. Then we will release new episodes via Prime Instant Video week by week so that customers can chat about the shows and build up anticipation. We're constantly experimenting and trying new things - and we're eager to hear customers' feedback on this model."
Both Alpha House and Betas made it through a pilot stage where users we given access to 14 shows and asked to vote on which they wanted to see made into full series. Six series in all were greenlit and 11 new pilots will air next year.
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Forget 4G, even faster LTE Advanced is here - sort of
EE has switched on the UK's first LTE Advanced mobile network, a little over a year since it launched 4G in Britain - offering theoretical speeds of up to 300Mbps.
That's a considerably more than the 30Mbps top speed touted on its current 4G network and also easily eclipses the 60Mbps top speed offered by EE's double speed 4G, which is now available in 20 towns and cities.
It's worth taking note of those "theoretical speeds" though, as average usage is likely to come way below the quoted maximums. That said, it will still be darn quick.
Here's the catch
If those quoted speeds have got your heart racing then sit down and take a few deep breaths: it's not all good news. The LTE Advanced network has only be deployed in the Tech City area of East London and will be rolled out to the rest of the capital throughout 2014.You won't be able to take advantage of these super speeds just yet either, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are currently no handsets available in the UK which support this next-generation service.
Secondly, EE will be hand picking specific business partners to trial the service, predominantly through a mobile broadband offering rather than a mobile phone solution.
So when you can expect to be able to take advantage of LTE Advanced? Well EE reckons the first handsets will arrive in the UK in the middle of 2014, which is when it expects to be able to offer the service commercially.
In the meantime we're stuck with boring old 4G. Hmph.
- Confused? Here's everything you need to know on 4G and LTE
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Unannounced PS4 games set for a pre-launch unveiling November 14
Sony believes that its PS4 launch lineup is made up of the strongest day-one games in PlayStation history, but it's not stopping there.
The company plans to unveil even more previously unannounced next-generation games on November 14, the eve of the PS4 launch in the US, according to Spike TV Host Geoff Keighley.
"Get ready for an epic night of PlayStation world premieres and announcements," tweeted the video game journalist.
A follower asked if this included "New PS4 games?" to which Keighley succinctly responded "Definitely." That certainly met the 140-character limit as well as gamers' hype requirements.
Live from New York City
The mysterious new PS4 games are scheduled to be announced during a Spike TV PS4 All Access event taking place in New York City at 11 p.m. ET/4 a.m. GMT/6 p.m. AEST November 15.The event will be shown on Spike TV and, according to Keighley, will be live streamed and viewable on a mobile device or computer. PS3 owners will also be able to tune into the action, he added.
The showtime is one hour before the first wave of PS4 midnight launches are set to take place on the US' East Coast.
Everyone in Europe and Australia, meanwhile, has to wait a little bit longer between the Spike TV broadcast and the PS4 release date. It's a painful two weeks later, November 29.
Speculation about one of the unconfirmed new games favors something from Sony-owned developer Naughty Dog.
The Santa Monica, Calif.-based studio has yet to announce a next-generation title, and the highly anticipated but officially unannounced Uncharted 4 would top most gamers' lists. But that speculation may be more fans' well-wishing than ring-of-truth.
- Witness the PS4 vs Xbox One graphics comparison.
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It's not an illusion: More fuel thrown on 8-inch Nokia tablet fire
A little more credence has been thrown the Illusionist's way.
According to sources speaking with The Verge, Nokia is indeed planning a smaller Windows RT 8.1 slate for early next year. It is said to have a Qualcomm processor, and its launch looks timed to match the Lumia 1320's release in certain markets.
The Illusionist (a codename the sources confirmed) reportedly takes cues from the Lumia 2520 tablet in look and feel. As for its name, the 8-inch machine should see a lower number than the 10.1-inch 2520.
Loosely Lumia
However, despite firming details, the Illusionist's broad market fate is a little hazy.Microsoft is thought to be readying its own 7.5-inch Surface Mini for early next year, and the company is still some time away from finalizing its acquisition of Nokia's device division. The deal is supposed to close in 2014, but until then the companies can't cooperate closely and have to fulfill their already-lain product road maps.
In other words, we may have a choice of smaller RT tablets at around the same time next year, or one could find itself collecting dust while its fellow soaks in the spotlight.
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BlackBerry shares nosedive following revised investment offer
Shares in troubled smartphone maker BlackBerry have plunged to their lowest in a decade after the Canadian company failed to find a buyer.
BlackBerry's shares fell 17% on Monday evening to $6.43 on the Nasdaq after the company scrapped a $4.7 billion rescue bid from Fairfax Financial Holdings (FFH), its largest individual shareholder. It will instead receive $1 billion investment from FFH and a group consisting of "Other Institutional Investors".
The investment, which has a seven-year term, is a loan that can be converted into BlackBerry common stock at $10 per share down the line. According to a report by news agency Reuters, BlackBerry had been in talks with several companies including Cisco, Google, SAP, Lenovo, Samsung and Intel about selling parts or all of its units.
Public affair
Remaining public could dent BlackBerry's chances of a turnaround, according to analysts. Ovum Chief Telecoms analyst Jan Dawson said: "Fairfax's investment will buy the company some time, which it badly needs, but the company needs a new strategy more than ever."If Fairfax had taken the company private, it could have kept that strategy to itself. But with BlackBerry remaining a public company, Chen and Fairfax Chairman and CEO Prem Watsa need to start communicating that new strategy very soon to inspire confidence in a turnaround."
New leader
BlackBerry has also announced a change in leadership, with CEO Thorsten Heins leaving the company. John S Chen, who is taking over as executive chairman and will act as interim CEO, was formerly at the helm of software and services company Sybase, which was acquired by applications giant SAP in May 2010 for $5.8 billion.The smartphone maker was name Canada's most valuable company in 2008 with a market value of $83 billion and peaked in 2011, shipping 51.5 million handsets, according to analyst house Gartner. That fell to 32.5 million in 2012 and is expected to drop to 23 million in 2013.
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Windows Phone continues march across Europe, UK growth beats iOS, Android
Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system was the only of the 'big three' to experience growth in its UK market share during the last few months, a report published on Monday has claimed.
While still largely dominant over the chasing pack Apple's iOS (27 per cent) and Google's Android software (58.4 per cent) both experienced slight dips in their respective shares during Q3 of 2013, Kantar reports.
Windows Phone on the other hand boosted its share to 11.4 per cent, which is nearly three times higher than the 4.2 per cent it enjoyed this time last year.
The jump can be almost entirely attributed to improved sales of the rapidly expanding and improving Nokia Lumia range, as other manufacturers' interest in the platform has diminished rapidly.
Bigger than iPhone
That's not where the good news ends for Microsoft though. If the figures are accurate, it can now claim to be more popular than the iPhone in Italy.Windows Phone enjoys a 13.7 per cent share of the Italian market compared with 10.2 per cent for iOS. Overall, across the entire region, Kandar reports around a 10 per cent share for Windows Phone.
The analysts expect Apple to bounce back strongly in the fourth quarter thanks to the launch of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C in September, so Microsoft's is likely to give back a bit of ground.
Overall, the news is good for Microsoft as it continues its slow, but steady, progress. However, while offering up a "huzzah!" for Windows Phone, spare a thought for poor old BlackBerry. Its UK share is down to 3.1 per cent.
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Bing to continue to tap into Twitter with renewed social search deal
Microsoft ensured that its Bing search engine will continue to tap into real-time Twitter updates when the queries are relevant.
"We have been teaming up with Twitter for a few years to surface public tweets from people who may have something to contribute to what you're trying to get done with Bing," said Microsoft in an official blog post.
"Whether it's a politician, celebrity, thought leader or friend, our renewed partnership with Twitter ensures that you have near real-time access to what people are tweeting tailored to what you're searching for."
Microsoft didn't detail how long this Bing-Twitter extension is good for, but the two companies announced their original partnership agreement around this time four years ago.
Bing, the social search leader
Microsoft's renewed "firehose" deal with Twitter gives Bing access to every 140-character-or-less tweet in real time.Bing's sidebar column is also populated with pertinent Facebook status updates and photos through a similar Facebook Connect deal.
This makes the No. 2 search engine a little more socially relevant than what Google has to offer. Google+ and Google Now integration are still in their infancy.
While Bing received a major facelift two months ago, it looks as if Microsoft's socially pleasing deals are to remain intact for an unspecified amount of time.
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Apple musing updates to mute multitude of Mavericks mishaps?
Apple is planning to a series of updates to major Mac OS X Mavericks applications in an attempt to iron out some of the early issues users have been experiencing within the brand new operating system.
In addition to a boost that will rid the default Mail app of an issue with Gmail, Apple also seems to be plotting updates for the new iBooks app, the Safari web browser and the Remote Desktop Client app.
9to5Mac reports the iBooks 1.01 and Safari 7.01 updates will do some general bug squishing and improve performance for the new features introduced within Mavericks.
According to the accompanying text for updates already seeded to Apple employees, the Remote Desktop Client 3.7.1 update is "recommended for all Apple Remote Desktop clients and addresses several issues related to overall reliability, usability, and compatibility."
Radio silence
However, those issues seemingly aren't all that's disrupting the experience of Mac OS X Mavericks users. Reports this weekend highlighted cases where users had lost audio after waking Macs from sleep.Last week, Apple admitted owners of some brand new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display laptops had been experiencing issues with their keyboard and trackpads freezing.
The company issued a temporary workaround for that particular problem, but announced a full fix for the software-related issue will be forthcoming.
At the moment, it remains unclear whether these updates, along with Mail, will be issued as part of Mac OS X Mavericks 10.9.1 or distributed to users as standalone updates.
Is all right in the world of Mavericks on your Mac? Let us know if you've been experiencing any of the above issues in the comments section below.
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BlackBerry smartphones are here to stay, says company's new CEO
There are more twists and turns to the BlackBerry saga than a 99-cent romance novel, but one thing you can expect to stick around is the company's handset business.
Speaking with Reuters, interim CEO John Chen said there are no plans to shutter the loss-making smartphone side of BlackBerry's racket.
He added that BlackBerry has resources to pull an 180.
"I know we have enough ingredients to build a long-term sustainable business," he told Reuters. "I have done this before and seen the same movie before."
Phone it in
Chen, who is replacing Thorsten Heins, didn't elaborate on what kind of phones BlackBerry would keep making. The company said in September it's ditching consumer handsets and instead focusing on enterprise and "prosumer-centric targeted devices."It also said it would cut its phone portfolio from six to four.
Flush with $1 billion (about £62m, AU$1.05b) in fresh investor funding, BlackBerry could use some of that money to rebuild its smartphones business. One place it won't find its way is to certain executive salaries, as Chen plans to shake up BlackBerry's upper ranks by bringing in new members and promoting others from within.
Chen said he expects a turnaround to take at least six quarters. We wish him luck, but the old CEO promised a turnaround too, and now he's out of a job.
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Japanese video shows off PS Vita TV PS4 streaming
The PS Vita TV still remains something of a mystery, but a new Japanese video showed off some of the new microconsole's functionality.
The ad shows the PlayStation Vita TV streaming a PS4 game, Knack, over Wi-Fi to a TV, and playing an upcoming PS Vita game, God Eater 2, on the TV as well.
The new-ish PlayStation console also allows users to stream media, including video and music, from a variety of services.
The Vita TV is currently only announced for Japan, but there's hope that it will head to the UK, Europe, and the US eventually, possibly next year.
A Vita niche
Before now we've seen little of the Vita TV in action, so this promotional spot provides a welcome glimpse, even if we can't understand what they're saying.The PS Vita TV is priced at 10,000 yen in Japan, which translates to the low price of around $100 / £65 / AU$106.
It doesn't offer the portability of a PS Vita, but with such a low price tag and an interesting feature set the Vita TV could prove a success.
New PS Vitas for everyone (in Japan)
Sony announced the downgraded PS Vita at the Tokyo Game Show in September.At the same show the company announced a new, smaller, more colorful PS Vita called the PS Vita 2000.
However, the Vita 2000 is also unconfirmed outside of Japan.
- The PlayStation 4 launches this month - check out TechRadar's hands-on PS4 review!
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This is Valve's Steam Machine prototype
We thought it would be a good while till we'd see Valve's Steam Box, since the company is so good at keeping projects under wraps. Apparently, Valve decided to do things a little different this time around.
The 65-million users strong, Bellevue-based company gave a sneak peek of the first crazy powerful, high-end Steam Machine prototype, and boy does it look familiar.
It seems like the Machine is taking a number from its console competition, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, with its VCR-esque body and black exterior.
But then again, this is the first prototype and we're bound to see others before the 2014 launch, especially since the box is fully upgradable, allowing users to swap out any part they like, or build one from the ground up using the same components - just like a PC.
The countdown really starts now
We know 300 lucky beta testers will get their mitts on the mega console prototypes later this year, and Valve has said the Steam Machines will see a release in 2014, though specifics have been sparse.But it's likely we'll see many differently spec'd boxes at CES 2014 - considering the beta testers will receive a mix of machines with an assortment of parts ranging from an Nvidia Titan, GTX 780, GTX 760 or GTX 660 GPU and possibly an i3, i5-4770 or i7-4770 CPU.
The Seattle Times, which checked out Valve's Steam Machine, also tipped that a variety of Machines are probably due for a flashy Vegas unveiling.
We'll also most likely see different "entertainment applications" for SteamOS alongside the Steam Controller all right before the developer-only Steam conference.
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Updated: Xbox One release date, news and features
The forthcoming Xbox One got a bit of a kicking when it was first announced, landing itself in hot water for a number of unpopular features including a mandated 24-hour online check-in and restrictions on the used games market.
However, in light of the reaction from disgruntled gamers, these features have been scrapped, pulling the Xbox One out of its initial positivity drought.
And so the re-specc'd Xbox One console will go on sale on November 22 this year
Microsoft describes the Xbox One as "the ultimate all in one entertainment system - one system for a new generation", and with it lands the second generation of Kinect baked in nice and deep.
- First look: Xbox One review
Xbox One release date
The official Xbox One release date is November 22 2013, slap bang at the start of the Christmas silly season. It's going to have some stiff competition though - the PS4 will be released on November 15 in the US and November 29 in the UK and Australia.Xbox One, we're afraid to say you're in a bit of a Sony sandwich.
Future of gaming, in association with O2 Guru
New-look design
The Xbox One looks quite different to the Xbox 360, and the reaction since its reveal in May has been mixed to say the least. Microsoft says it has taken a "new approach to design," but many gamers just think just it looks a bit too VCR."We wanted to think from a holistic perspective," said Ramiro Torres, Creative Director of design on the Xbox One. "Its design has to make an appropriate statement that reflects its capability as an all-in-one entertainment system."
Video: Microsoft @ E3 2013 in 120 seconds:
Xbox One price
Xbox One price has been officially announced by Microsoft and it's not cheap. The price will be $499 in the US, £429 in the UK and $599 in Australia. That's even more expensive than the super-dear Sony PS3 when it came out in 2005/2006.It's also a lot more expensive than the Xbox 360 when it hit the market in 2005 - $399 and £279.99 in the US and UK.
Xbox One Controller Price
At the end of July, it was revealed that the new and improved Xbox One gamepad will cost $59.99 (around £40/AU$65) and the Chat Headset can be bought for $24.99 (about £16 / AU$27) however it probably won't convert directly, so expect those numbers to look a bit different if you're non-US.
That gamepad price is $10 more than the current Xbox 360 pad ships for. Here are some more details on Xbox One peripheral pricing.
Xbox One specs
No big surprises here, really. The Microsoft Xbox One comes packing an x64 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU, USB 3.0 ports, 500GB hard drive and 8GB DDR3 RAM. Connectivity-wise you've got 802.11n Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct functionality for exchanging data between devices - specifically the new Xbox controller.There's also the addition of a Blu-ray drive, which marks Microsoft's first move to embrace the disc format created by Sony et al, which vanquished HD DVD back when TechRadar was but a glint in someone's eye.
So as expected, then, the new Xbox One is more like a mini-PC than any Microsoft console that's come before. These specs put the console on a par with the PS4 and bode well for developers who want to make cross-platform games.
The console has not only an HDMI-out port but also HDMI-in too. This is for interfacing with set-top boxes in order to integrate the Xbox One with your TV-watching experience. As far as you're concerned, you'll only have one device instead of two.
Full Xbox One specifications
- CPU: low power x86-64 AMD "Jaguar", 8 cores, APU
- GPU: AMD Radeon APU, 1.23TFLOPS
- Memory: 8GB DDR3 (5GB available to games)
- Storage: 500GB HDD
- Optical Drive (Read only): Blu-ray
- I/O: 3x USB 3.0 ports
- Communication: Ethernet, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth® 2.1 (EDR)
- Output: HDMI, Optical audio
Xbox One comes with FIFA 14
At Gamescom 2013 it was announced that in Europe, Xbox One Day One pre-orders will ship with a free digital copy of FIFA 14.Xbox One troll alert!
Microsoft announced on the 4th July that with the launch of the Xbox One would come with a new reputation system built into Xbox Live.Microsoft's senior product manager Mike Lavin said, "You'll start to see some effects if you continue to play bad or harass other people en masse. You'll probably end up starting to play more with other people that are more similar to you."
Xbox One SmartGlass
Using the new version of SmartGlass in conjunction with the Xbox One, you can start single player games from a tablet, or view leaderboards and achievements. Xbox One "Smart Match" will also be able to set up multiplayer matches with other players in the background while you play single player games.What's more, the Xbox One will no longer be constrained by the limits that the Xbox 360 was - your friends list will no longer be limited to 100 friends, and Microsoft Points will be replaced with real money.
Xbox One used games and DRM
After an online backlash, Microsoft reversed its decision to mandate a once-per-24h online check in and the used game DRM policy which would have placed restrictions on the used game market.The system will now only require a one-time connection to setup a new Xbox One. After that, gamers are free to play any disc-based game without going online again. Just like with Xbox 360, in other words.
This does away with the much-maligned 24-hour check-in requirement that would have made even offline, disc-based games null and void with a day-long dropped internet connection.
"Today I am announcing the following changes to Xbox One and how you can play, share, lend, and resell your games exactly as you do today on Xbox 360," wrote Don Mattrick.
Previously, Microsoft set up the Xbox One with a one-time lending policy for disc-based games that would only be possible if the recipient was your friend on Xbox Live for more than 30 days.
Although "downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold," this policy is the same as the one in place on Xbox 360 and PS3 today. Also the same, digitally distributed games will be playable offline.
Microsoft's final about-face regards its original intention to region-lock games. There will be "no regional restrictions," which would have put Xbox One owning importers and travelers in jeopardy outside of Xbox One supported countries.
Xbox One: Kinect
The new Xbox One has Kinect functionality built into its very core. To turn the console on, you need only say the words "Xbox on" - the console is always listening.
A live demo at the launch event showed Kinect instantly responding to hand gestures and voice commands. That simply isn't possible on the current hardware with the Xbox 360 and suggests that the new Kinect v2 is the gesture and voice controller we always wanted it to be.
The demo showed the ability to switch between games, videos, music and live TV instantaneously using simple voice commands such as "Xbox watch TV". You can even ask to watch a specific channel - HBO was an example they used - and Xbox will take you there straight away.
Microsoft says that Kinect 2 is so fast and powerful that it detects motion in just 13 billionths of a second - the time it takes light to get from you and into the camera.
The Kinect sensor has a resolution of 1080p which means its footage will look great on your HD TV, and it captures video at 60fps which means footage that's lovely and smooth.
The camera also has a field of view that's 60% bigger than the original Kinect which means less faffing around trying to stand in the exact spot it tells you to. That combined with the more powerful processor means you'll be able to get a lot more people gaming with Kinect all at one time.
What's more, Microsoft says that the new Kinect uses infra-red, which means it works in complete darkness.
We sat down with Xbox Entertainment Studio Chief Elan Lee, who explained what the new Kinect means for next-gen gaming:
Read our Hands on: Xbox Kinect One review for our early thoughts.
Kinect will scan download codes
One advantage Xbox One gamers will enjoy over their PS4 counterparts is the ability to scan QR and download codes instead of having to type them in manually. Because Kinect is a mandatory inclusion, all Xbox One owners will be able to do this, saving them literally seconds per month.Xbox One controller
The new Xbox controller is very much based on what's come before, but under the hood it's been upgraded with over 40 technical and design innovations. Updated directional pad, thumb sticks and contours aim to deliver greater precision and control, while new vibrating "impulse triggers" promise precise fingertip feedback and "an unprecedented level of gameplay immersion".The Xbox One Wireless Controller is designed to work in concert with the new Kinect, allowing the two to be paired automatically to create seamless player syncing.
We were lucky enough to get some hands on time with the new Xbox One Gamepad where we got a peek at a few of the 40-plus improvements that have been made over its predecessor.
Based on our brief time with the new controller we felt that the impulse triggers possessed the most promise and potential for immersing players that much deeper in the gameplay, while subtler features, such as magnetic sensor-equipped triggers and a battery case that no longer protrudes from the back of the controller, hint at the many ways the controller will provide improved precision in your games and comfort in your hands.
One last feature of the gamepad that should please gamers is the low-power sleep mode it'll slip into if you step away from your TV. But instead of switching off completely, a la Xbox 360 pad, it'll wake up as soon as you pick it up again.
Read our Hands on: Xbox One Gamepad review for more.
Xbox Live upgraded
Live is the most popular online gaming platform on the planet and it's getting a huge behind-the-scenes overhaul for the new generation.While current games servers number roughly 15,000, Microsoft is expanding that to a barely conceivable 300,000 in order to ensure you have instant access to your games and content no matter where you are.
Xbox One personalisation
You can turn on the Xbox One by simply walking over and talking to it. It turns on instantly, and Kinect will recognise you and take you straight to your own personalised home screen. Here you have access to your own personal movies and music, as well as leaping straight into your own save games.Xbox One games
Microsoft announced the full line-up of Xbox One launch titles at Gamescom 2013 and they are thus:- Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag (Ubisoft, Ubisoft)
- Battlefield 4 (DICE, Electronic Arts)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward, Activision)
- Crimson Dragon (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios)
- Dead Rising 3 (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft)
- FIFA 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
- Fighter Within (AMA Ltd., Ubisoft)
- Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios)
- Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft)
- Killer Instinct (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios)
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive)
- Lococycle (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios)
- Madden NFL 25 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
- NBA 2K14 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)
- NBA LIVE 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
- Need for Speed: Rivals (Ghost Games, Electronic Arts)
- Peggle 2 (Popcap, Electronic Arts)
- Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios)
- Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek, Microsoft Studios)
- Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)
- Watch Dogs (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)
- Zoo Tycoon (Frontier Developments Ltd., Microsoft Studios)
- Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoë Mode, Majesco)
Xbox One: backwards compatibility
Because the Xbox One uses a completely different system architecture to that of previous Xbox consoles, it will not be compatible with any Xbox 360 games.However, it is yet to be seen whether the cloud might come to the rescue and allow games to be streamed over the web.
Xbox One vs PS4
On the first day of E3 2013, Amazon EU announced that it had taken more pre-orders for the Xbox One than the PS4. However, the figures were actually pretty close - a difference of just 2.4%.But as we're getting closer to the big moment, things are looking a lot closer. That said, it was recently revealed that Call of Duty: Ghosts will be running natively at 1080p on the PS4 but will be upscaled from 720p on the Xbox One.
What does this mean for the Xbox One? Well, read this and find out.
Then check out our article PS4 vs Xbox One: which is better? for our early verdict.
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Nokia might have smaller, 8" plans for its next tablet
Not content with just one Nokia tablet? If the Lumia 2520 grabbed your attention but was a little oversized for your liking, you might be in luck.
Once again, evleaks is fulfilling his job description and giving us the early details, this time about Nokia's next RT slab which is going under the codename of the "Illusionist".
According to him, the "Nokia Illusionist is going to be their second RT tablet, but in the eight-inch class" though he's not spilling anything else for the time being.
"You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet."
However evleaks has mention the "Illusionist" before, last time telling everyone that the device will come with stylus support. So we can add that in as well, salt permitting.The Illusionist will be just a temporary secret-but-not-so-secret-because-we-know-about-it name until Nokia brandishes it with something much more exciting like the 3520 or the 2600. Both equally thrilling.
Interestingly, this news arrives as speculation around a possible 8-inch tablet from Google has kicked off.
iPad mini 2, watch your back.
- We got our hands all over the Nokia Lumia 2520
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Opinion: Cinemas, watch out - Netflix is coming for you
Every time someone speaks at Netflix HQ, it must be like nails down a chalkboard for TV and movie execs.
The streaming service has gained so much momentum over the last year or so that every speech its executives make offers up an idea, an element, that will eventually prove disruptive to the entertainment business.
It wouldn't be a problem if Netflix's rhetoric was peppered with empty threats about changing age-old models of distribution but it's not.
It was only last week that Netflix Ted Sarandos revealed that Netflix wanted to stream movies as soon as they are released in the cinemas and now we have news that Netflix will exclusively release its first original feature-length film in early 2014.
Given that The Square is a documentary that has won both praise and awards from critics doing the film festival circuit, it is very likely this movie will be released as a stream and on the big screen simultaneously.
Simultaneous streaming
This certainly isn't a new idea. Another recent example is that of A Field In England, Ben Wheatley's mind-melding historical thriller which hit cinemas day and date as it went on Film4, both on TV and on demand.The BFI is also getting into the action, with proposed day and date releases of some of its movies, to promote its new BFI Player.
These are tentative toe dips into streaming as a mainstream proposition, though - what Netflix is promising to do is much much bigger. It wants blockbusters to arrive on its service the same day as they hit the big screen.
As Sarandos said: "Why not premiere movies on Netflix, the same day they're opening in theatres? Why not big movies? Why not follow the consumers' desire to watch things when they want?"
For this to happen, a cultural shift needs to take place. A release window may well be an antiquated idea for many but it's a premise that movie studios and cinemas have an iron hold of, because they fear for their bottom line.
Not that Netflix cares, it is set to force the change by buying up and investing in big movies, much like it did with House of Cards on TV. Its all-you-can-eat approach to television was a success and once you prove something works the big guys follow suit, as we saw Sky do recently.
Shifting cultures
Sky's latest decision to add its TV channels to its PAYG Now TV streaming service is one that the company wouldn't have taken lightly. But it is something that needed to done to ensure that it keeps eyes on its shows.Given that Sky is such a juggernaut, a public company that needs to jump through hoops to greenlight anything, nobody really expected it to move this fast to stave off the competition from Netflix and, to a lesser extent, Lovefilm.
But since the launch of the cheap and cheerful Now TV box in July – the perfect Trojan horse for Sky's content – it has streamlined streaming, freeing up its content for people who don't want to commit to a satellite contract.
The Now TV box was a bold move, offering its TV content is a brave one. This means that its three main assets are now available – movies, sport, TV – contract free to anyone with a broadband connection and Sky's tiny white box.
Would Sky have moved to change its model so quickly if it didn't see the likes of Netflix as a threat?
Of course it wouldn't. But the way the world watches is changing – and the only way to survive is to adapt. Sky has done it and now with Netflix encroaching on the movie world, cinemas and studios have to do the same.
Or, at the very least, treat streaming with respect rather than a shrug.
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Kobo Arc HD boasts 'uncompromised' Android, reading smarts
There are two new tablets on the table today, with Kobo outing its Arc 10HD and Arc 7HD slates.
The two tablets come running what Kobo describes as an "uncompromised" edition of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean which, we suspect, is a not-very-subtle dig at Amazon's skinned-up Kindle Fire tablets.
The Kobo Arc 10HD comes rocking a 1080p LCD screen, quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM keeping things ticking along and 16GB of storage space to play with.
Two by two
There's a 1.3MP front-facing snapper capable of 720p HD video calling and Kobo reckons you can get 9.5hrs of continuous reading or video watching out of the thing if you turn the Wi-Fi off.As for the 7-inch tablet, you're looking at the same quality 1080p screen but a Tegra 3 quad-core processor and only 1GB of DDR3L RAM.
On the plus side, the smaller Arc 7HD comes in either 16GB or 32GB versions, and it rocks the same 720p 1.3MP camera on front too. Only 8 hours of reading life to speak of though.
Both tablets offer Reading Life, which is Kobo's ebook library that helps you find new books to read, organise the ones you already own and also features Reading Mode to cut out notifications and other distractions.
If all that's got your pulse racing, you'll be pleased to hear you can buy the Arc HD tablets from today. The Kobo Arc 10HD starts from £299.99 and the Kobo Arc 7HD from £159.99.
- Other tablets to consider: the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus 7
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In Depth: The GALAXY Note 3's stunning Full HD Super AMOLED display explained
If you are a gamer or a movie fan, then you've probably found the expansive 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen to be one of the Samsung GALAXY Note 3's biggest draws.
After all, with a combination of vibrant colours and pin-sharp image quality, the Super AMOLED display can handle Full HD with ease.
In this feature, we are going to take a deeper look into the tech behind that screen. What is Super AMOLED? How does it work? And what are the apps that will help you get the most from your Samsung GALAXY Note 3's display?
A potted history of Super Active Matrix OLED
The two major types of display currently in use are variations on Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) and Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED).LCD is still common in many flat-panel displays and computer monitors but OLED is growing in popularity. Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) adds a thin layer of semiconducting film behind the OLED panel that gives fast and accurate activation of each individual pixel and allows for large displays at very high resolutions.
The 'Super' part of the Super AMOLED equation is Samsung's own twist on the technology, which embeds the touch-sensitive layer into the screen itself rather than using an extra layer on top. As well as slightly reducing the thickness of the screen, this helps reduce the reflectiveness of the display and improves viewing in bright sunlight.
"It's like, how much more black could it be?"
One of the most noticeable things about the Note 3's Super AMOLED display is how well it displays black.On an LCD screen there is a constant backlight that can leave 'black' looking more like a very dark grey. With a Super AMOLED screen, the light comes from each individual pixel and to 'show' black, that pixel is effectively turned off.
This produces a true black rather than 'nearly' black, and the result is an incredible contrast that makes the surrounding areas of colour look even more vibrant. The lack of a backlight layer again means that the GALAXY Note 3's display can be even thinner, with the whole device clocking in at just 8.3mm in thickness.
Like the Samsung GALAXY S4, the GALAXY Note 3's screen is specced as Full HD, meaning it can display true 1080p video at a 1,920x1,080 resolution. The Note 3 stays pin sharp even with its larger screen.
The best apps
The Full HD Super AMOLED display makes the GALAXY Note 3 a brilliant entertainment device. Whether you want to watch HD movies or play the latest games, the Note 3 can handle it in style. Most apps look good on the GALAXY Note 3 but some really make the most of the display. Here are our picks of the best.
Real Racing 3
Free – get it hereOne of the best-looking games available for Android devices. If played on a less capable system, Real Racing 3 can scale down its graphics but thankfully the GALAXY Note 3 has enough processing power to provide the oomph the game needs to really shine.
With graphics on high detail the game still runs perfectly smoothly on the Note 3, and the vibrant display shows off both cars and the 3D track to their best advantage.
Netflix
Free – get it here (£5.99 a month subscription required)Netflix's streaming movies and TV look great on the Note 3's Super AMOLED screen. Whether you want to enjoy a film or settle down for some box-set TV, the GALAXY Note 3 offers the resolution you need to properly enjoy cinematic masterpieces and a screen that's generous enough to stop you having to squint.
VLC for Android Beta
Free – get it hereThe built-in Videos app can handle most common video codecs, but for more obscure files you may find that the Android version of the popular VLC video player is just the thing. It can also play most music files and handle streaming video in a variety of formats.
Infinite Painter Free
Free – get it hereNow in a special edition that supports the GALAXY Note's pressure-sensitive S Pen, Infinite Painter is superb painting app that lets you create artworks using hundreds of brushes and effects.
You can start from scratch or import photos from the Gallery app to retouch or 'paint over', turning them into pseudo-oil-painted masterpieces. The S Pen that comes with the GALAXY Note 3 is the most advanced yet and makes for a highly effective virtual paintbrush.
Google Earth
Free – get it hereGoogle Earth looks incredible on the GALAXY Note 3. Satellite imagery and close up aerial shots of the planet come alive on the Super AMOLED display, and you can easily navigate the Google Earth interface with either fingertip or S Pen.
Explore the planet from above or zoom in to see amazing detail in major cities, many of which have been modelled in 3D for you to virtually fly through.
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Netflix announces its first original movie will premiere in 2014
Netflix has reached into its deep pockets and acquired the rights to its first feature length documentary.
The Square is an original film picked up by the streaming service and one that has already been picked by many as a contender for Best Documentary at the Oscars.
Given that it won an Emmy for House Of Cards, Netflix is already beating the TV industry at its own game and it is now hoping to do the same with the movie industry.
Square eyed
The Square is a movie that was filmed over the course of a number of years in Cairo and focuses on a group of activists within Egypt. It was shown off earlier in the year at a variety of film festivals and won the audience award both at Sundance and the Toronto Film Festival.Netflix has been rather vocal about its plans to make original movies as well as original television shows.
In October, chief content officer Ted Sarandos hinted about the service's movie plans, noting: "What we're trying to do for TV, the model should extend pretty nicely to movies."
The producer of The Square, Karim Amer, certainly believes in Netflix's movie plans saying: "We see the deep value that Netflix places in this story of a very alive moment in world history and are thrilled they understand the power of this film to move, disrupt and inspire audiences worldwide."
According to Netflix, The Square will be shown sometime in early 2014.
- Want to see the best TV shows online? Here's where you can see what...
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Firmware upgrade gives Surface Pro 2 new lease of battery life
Microsoft has given the Surface Pro 2 a firmware upgrade that reportedly boosts the device's battery life by nearly 25%.
According to tech website Anandtech, the update allows the device's Marvell Wi-Fi chip to consume less power, allowing it to perform considerably better under certain tests.
It ran multiple tests with the Surface Pro 2's screen calibrated at 200 nits brightness. In a general battery test, it managed to last 8.3 hours before giving up the ghost, compared with the six and a half hours it achieved pre-update. The Verge also saw a 20% improvement in battery life.
Longer legs
Anantech's video test found a 16% improvement after the update was applied, with the machine going for 7.73 hours versus 6.65 hours running the old firmware.Microsoft launched the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 on October 22. It's worth noting that the ARM-based Surface 2, which runs Windows RT, has not been so fortunate as to also receive a firmware update.
As such, Anandtech found that the Surface Pro 2 has leapfrogged the Surface 2 in terms of battery life after the update, giving you one less reason to plump for Microsoft's struggling Windows RT slates.
- Here's our Surface 2 review
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In Depth: Boosting productivity and managing data overload with the GALAXY Note 3 and Gear
Texts, emails, tweets, calls, memos - managing all of our data on a daily basis can be overwhelming. The more connected we are the more information we have to process, but how do you keep it all under control? How do you make sure you're always at your most productive?
The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and GALAXY Gear are about enhancing productivity and managing your daily schedule. But it helps to have a few hints along to the way to make sure you're getting the best out of both.
Master and Air Commander
When you've got some serious multitasking to do, you need a decent amount of space to do it in. The Samsung GALAXY Note 3's 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen is expansive, rich and gives you the utmost clarity when zipping around with the S Pen.A killer feature to take advantage of this and help you save time is Air Command, and Action Memo, found within, is a gift from the gods.
When writing something down in Action Memo, you can immediately add that information into another application right there and then. Just select Link to action at the top and then draw around the name or number, for example, and then select the app you'd like to add it to from the list of icons below such as Contacts or Messaging. That's an easy win.
Instant access
Notifications are great but they can quickly build up into a big confusing mess. Who were you meant to call back? Was it your mum or your boss? That could be awkward.Handily, the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 helps you keep on top of all your alerts at all times.
For example, did you know you can get a quick look at your notifications without even having to touch the Samsung GALAXY Note 3? Simply turn on Quick Glance in the Air Gesture settings.
Once this is done, you'll be able to swipe your hand over your GALAXY Note 3 when it's asleep and see any missed notifications.
Make the most of Pen Window
Pen Window is an absolute gift for multitaskers, letting you create a number of windows and fill each with an application of your choice.Maybe you're suddenly faced with a stats-heavy email and need to check the numbers add up. By creating a Pen Window you can easily open a floating calculator to do some quick crunching, meaning no need to exit the Email app at all.
WhatsApp addict? The WhatApp application handily works in Pen Window too, meaning you can keep the conversation open and flowing while carrying on with other tasks.
Image magic
Using screenshots to get an image is handy but we've often longed for a more intelligent solution. This is where Easy Clip steps in and makes the image editing process far more intuitive.Simply hold down the S Pen button and draw around whatever it is you want to cut out. You can then alter the shape of the object if you like before saving it to your Scrapbook, sharing it with friends via email or social media, or even adding it to Dropbox. It's a heck of a lot faster than playing with screenshots, that's for sure.
Share the load
Multi Window is one of the Samsung GALAXY Note 3's headline features, letting you take advantage of all that screen space by splitting it between two applications. First, make sure Multi Window is turned on in Settings.From there, a number of apps can be opened aside one another. Handy for referencing, or even if you want to copy something over from one app to another.
Even better - if you find yourself often using the same two apps together, you can scroll down the Multi Window bar, press the upwards arrow and then hit Create.
You can then name and save that pairing, which will from then on appear as an option in the Multi Window bar.
Go hands free with Gear
The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and Samsung GALAXY Gear get along pretty well. In fact, life gets a lot easier when they get together.Tethered wirelessly to your GALAXY Note 3, the GALAXY Gear offers hands free calling meaning you have the conversation through your Gear while carrying out other tasks on your GALAXY Note 3. If that doesn't make you more productive, we don't know what will.
View from above
Another great time-saving feature is Air View, letting you see a detailed preview of messages and pictures without having to actually open them.Simply turn on Air View in settings and you can choose to use Air View with either the S Pen, your finger, or both.
Then just hover a finger or an S Pen over a message in your inbox to read the contents, or over an image in your gallery to see an enlarged preview.
Wristy business
Of course, the Gear is also there to keep you updated with notifications, meaning you won't have to keep reaching into your pocket to lift out your Note 3 - all the action is sent straight to your wrist.One great Gear feature for boosting your productivity is to use it for recording voice memos without having to touch your Samsung GALAXY Note 3.
Once you're done recording, the memo will be sent to your Note 3 for you to open whenever you need it. Easy.
Dropbox
Do you often find yourself wasting time moving various files from device to device? With the Dropbox app, which comes included as a GALAXY Plus app, you can always make your files are in one convenient place.Say you've just received a picture attachment you've saved to your gallery. Just tap the share icon on the top, then the Dropbox icon, choose where you want to save it and you're done.
Extra handy if you're going to be accessing your files from a different device later. Now life feels a bit more organised.
The pen is mightier than the hand
The S Pen truly helps to turn the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 into a productivity powerhouse. Whether it's navigating around the Note 3, writing texts or emails, the S Pen makes things faster and much more precise.But you needn't stop your flow when you've only got one hand to spare. By going into Controls in Settings you can select One-handed operation, then tick the "Use for all screens" box. Once that's done you can shrink the display into a smaller, movable window.
There's no denying that the Samsung GALAXY Note 3 can make you more productive, and when paired with the Samsung GALAXY Gear life gets even easier.
With these handy hints you should now have expert precision over your Note 3 and Gear, ensuring you're efficient, time savvy, and always in control.
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BlackBerry takeover plan abandoned as Thorsten Heins steps down
Things aren't looking any better for BlackBerry right now, with its hopes of finding a buyer being somewhat dashed.
It's been sniffing around for over two months now in the hope of finding someone to snag the company, with investment firm FairFax Financial proposing a takeover deal.
But today BlackBerry announced that the full takeover will not take place, and that instead it had received a $1 Billion investment from Fairfax and "Other Institutional Investors".
Added to this is the news that Chief executive officer Thorsten Heins will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and John S Chen will become Interim CEO.
Dark times
Heins took the top spot last year but he's certainly had a rough ride, with the recent BlackBerry lineup not taking off as hoped.Today is also bad news for anyone hoping that Lenovo or another big name would step in and offer a hand of rescue to the company.
But John S Chen has a good track record, having turned around the fortunes of enterprise services firm Sybase. Let's hope he can work some magic here too.
There's no word on whether Alicia Key's role as creative director will remain.
Find out if BlackBerry 10 wins our vote.
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