Android Jelly Bean devices double in January
The Jelly Bean build of Google's Android platform is finally making its way to devices. According to Google's Android Developers Dashboard, versions 4.1 and 4.2 now account for 13% of Android-powered devices.
This figure is up from 6.7% in December of last year, a doubling of installs in the last 60-days. This sharp increase is attributable to several high profile devices receiving the Jelly Bean update over Christmas, including the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Slowly but surely
Google first announced Jelly Build back in June of 2012, alongside the Nexus 7 tablet. The upgrade included major performance enhancements and the new Google Now predictive search tool. The largest fragment of the Android pie still belongs to Gingerbread, with 45% of devices still running version 2.3. This number is shrinking though, down 9% since November.
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Twitter hack may have affected early adopters like President Obama
When Twitter revealed that hackers accessed "limited information" of an estimated 250,000 of its users, the company didn't mention the likelihood that those affected were all early adopters.
Twitter, at approximately 500 million users, carefully said that, "only a very small percentage of our users were potentially affected by this attack."
Left out of that statement was the possibility that this includes U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Speaker of the House John Boehner.
"A 'very small percentage of our users' is extremely misleading," charged social media analytics PeerReach co-founder Nico Schoonderwoerd in a recent blog post.
"By correlating the reported hacks on Twitter it becomes obvious that only early-adopters are affected that subscribed to Twitter before 15 June 2007."
All the passwords that are fit to pinch
Schoonderwoerd noted that "it's not the least important accounts that have been affected." In addition to top U.S. politicians, he pointed out that "@nytimes (yes, them), @reuters, @cnn and @foxnews are just a few that have possibly been compromised and need to reset their passwords." Even Twitter creator Jack Dorsey appears on the PeerReach list. According to the social media metrics website, it has 1,370 accounts with 1,000,000 followers or more, and 67 (5 percent) of them have been affected by the hacking attempt.'Yes we can' to more security measures
Twitter, reportedly standing at a USD$9 billion valuation (UK£5.6 AUD$8.6), has been silent outside of its carefully worded blog post. The company said that it revoked session tokens and reset passwords - on purpose this time - as a precautionary measure. In the future, Twitter might be looking to implement two-factor authentication, as revealed by an open position on its website. "Do you like to code? Do you like security? Have we got the perfect position for you!" says this well-timed Software Engineer - Product Security job posting. The first bullet point reads: "Design and develop user-facing security features, such as multifactor authentication and fraudulent login detection." Despite this publicly-viewable job posting, a Twitter representative told TechRadar, "on the subject of two factor verification, we don't have anything specific to share at this time." Now that the increased security threats of late have reached Twitter and possibly top accounts including the President's, expect this job to be fast-tracked as "shovel ready."
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Hands-on review: ZTE Blade 3
The ZTE Blade 3 is the latest smartphone from the Chinese firm intent on bringing customers great value for money at the bottom end of the mobile market.
While ZTE and its Chinese compatriot Huawei both say they're targeting the full smartphone spectrum with recent high-end handsets such as the Grand S and Ascend D2 pushing at the top end, the reality is that they are still primarily considered budget handset manufacturers.
The budget ethos rings true with the ZTE Blade 3 as it will only set you back £69.99, plus a £10 top up from Virgin Mobile.
One of the reasons ZTE is able to keep its costs down is the fact that the Blade 3 is designed and manufactured in China, with the cheap labour and parts rates reflected in the final price.
ZTE claims it's in talks with other mobile carriers about ranging the Blade 3, but for now only Virgin Mobile has the handset in store.
Although the price tag suggests that the Blade 3 is an entry level device it actually sits in the middle of ZTE's smartphone line up, with the high-end Grand series above and the budget ZTE Kis below.
The mid-range tag becomes more apparent when you take a look at the specs, with the Blade 3 sporting a 4-inch 480 x 800 display, 1GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (although only 2.5GB is accessible) and a 1,600mAh battery.
It's not exactly a scintillating spec list, but considering the sub-£100 price tag you're getting a decent amount of bang for your buck.
This means the ZTE Blade 3 is going head to head with the likes of the HTC Desire C and Sony Xperia Miro, both of which will set you back around £100 more.
Measuring 120.5 x 63.5 x 10.85mm and weighing 130g, the ZTE Blade 3 is a good size and weight with a well balanced finish reducing the risk of dropping the handset.
Unsurprisingly the Blade 3 has a noticeably plastic finish, although it's pretty sturdy and the slightly curved rubberised rear means it's easy to hold.
Up top there's a headphone jack and an easy to hit power/lock key, while down the left hand side is a volume rocker key with a microUSB port at the base of the Blade 3.
Under the 4-inch display you'll find four touch buttons used to navigate around the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.
The keys are typical Android fare: menu, home, back and search and all are pretty responsive to our various pokes and prods.
ZTE were unable to confirm to TechRadar whether or not the Blade 3 will enjoy an upgrade to Jelly Bean, and we don't think you should hold your breath for an update.
Luckily though the Blade 3 is running the vanilla version of ICS with ZTE opting not to stick its own overlay on the software - and that's something we're grateful for.
Android feels smooth and snappy on the Blade 3, and considering it's only packing a single-core processor, performance was pleasing - although the handset we were using wasn't full of apps, photos and videos, which we fear will slow it down a little.
Flipping through the homescreens (of which you can have a maximum of nine) was a fluid experience and apps opened promptly.
The display on the Blade 3 is responsive and it had no trouble picking up our various taps with Android looking crisp and clear, although on closer inspection it's obviously not HD quality.
Something ZTE has added to the Ice Cream Sandwich interface is the quick settings bar in the pull down notification window, allowing you to quickly and easily toggle features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS without having to dive into the settings menu.
ZTE has also decided against keeping the stock Android keyboard in favour of the TouchPal offering.
It's not the best typing experience, with input a little slow and an over-complicated layout meaning we were hitting the wrong key more often than not.
The lockscreen on the Blade 3 has been given a ZTE overhaul with six shortcuts present allowing you to jump into dedicated apps right from the off which some will find very useful.
We managed to have a quick browse on the web using the Blade 3 and while we weren't blown away with super fast speeds, the stock Android browser did an acceptable job of loading mobile and desktop sites.
The 5MP camera round the back is missing a flash, which means you'll want to avoid low lighting situations, but at least the standard Android app is easy to use and the shutter speed respectable.
There's also a 4x digital zoom built into the camera on the Blade 3 if you fancy an up close, blurry shot.
You can easily peel off the rear cover of the Blade 3, giving you access to the microSD slot and removeable 1,600mAh battery which should see you through the day thanks to the modest innards and screen on the handset.
Early Verdict
When a phone rocks up with such a low price tag and a decent set of specs, it's difficult to knock it. It was never going to blow us away, but for a sub-£100, we don't expect it to - and what the ZTE Blade 3 does is offer a solid smartphone experience at a price which will please everyone. It will be interesting to see how the Blade 3 copes when we load it up with apps, music and movies during our in-depth review, but until then it looks promising for ZTE.
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ZTE Blade 3 unveiled as mid-range smartphone on a budget
The ZTE Blade 3 has been officially announced by the Chinese firm and promises big value and a big screen experience.
ZTE is best known as a budget smartphone manufacturer, and while it's trying to shift that reputation with flagship products such as the Grand S there's no question where the Blade 3 sits in the market.
The Blade 3 will only set you back £69.99 plus £10 PAYG top up, or if you prefer you can have it for free on contact starting from £13 per month (as long as you are a Virgin Media customer).
Bargain?
For your £80 outlay you'll get a 4-inch 800 x 480 TFT display, 1GHz single-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (of which 2.5GB is available), 5MP rear camera, 1,600mAh battery a Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. That's a decent set of specs for the money and puts the Blade 3 up against the more expensive Sony Xperia Miro and HTC Desire C which are both almost £100 dearer. We were pretty impressed during our hands on ZTE Blade 3 review but we'll reserve proper judgement for our full in-depth review.
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Forget guns: researches working on 3D printer using stem cells as 'ink'
The 3D printer has become infamous for its ability to create somewhat shoddy gun parts, but scientists are hoping it can be used to create life saving organs and tissues as well.
Researches at Heriot-Watt University are experimenting with using embryonic stem cells as the "ink" in a 3D printer, according to a report from Popular Science. The team hopes the techniques will someday be used to construct organs and other tissues for medical purposes.
Though that goal may be a long time away, the scientists have taken the first step by creating a specialized 3D printer that can inject the stem cells without harming them.
It starts with a drop
In the first tests, the team experimented with producing droplets each containing stem cells. The stem cells float in "bio-ink" housed in custom made reservoirs until researchers use pressurized air to pump the cells through large-diameter nozzles to produce droplets of fewer than five cells. To produce clumps of cells, the printer first places the live cells on the surface, then overlays them with cell-free bio-ink to create spheroids. Having the ability to precisely control the size and shape of the spheroids is very important, according to the report, because stem cells are finicky about growing conditions. These first tests were all about creating various spheroids and seeing if the stem cells survived the process, a key necessity even in these early stages. After several experiments, the team found that 99 percent of the stem cells were still viable after running through the printing process. There have been previous 3D printing experiments in stem cells before, but this is the first time such delicate cells have survived the process thanks to a specialized valve created by the researchers. And to show off their cell printing skills, the team printed out a field of dots to form the Heriot-Watt University logo.Organ printer
Though these initial tests are successful, it will still be a long time until this technique will be ready for medical purposes. But the team has big plans for this organic 3D printing process. One day these embryonic stem cells could be used to make regenerative organ filler or even manufacture kidneys and livers, potentially eliminating the need for organ donors. Not only could organs be produced on-demand, the tissue could be tailored to an individual recipient. That would reduce the chance of a body rejecting an organ, and doctors would no longer have to suppress patients' immune systems to help their bodies accept new organs. These techniques could also be used to reduce our dependance on animal testing. Scientists could just print out human tissue to test new drugs on, instead of relying on animals. The team will publish a paper on their stem-cell printing work in an upcoming edition of an IOP regenerative medicine journal Biofabrication.
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Red Bull Stratos final data reveals Baumgartner hit Mach 1.25
Last year's momentous Red Bull Stratos mission was an amazing feat in human advancement, technology, and awesomeness.
A YouTube sensation, Felix Baumgartner would set a host of records including longest freefall, highest jump from a platform, and the maximum vertical speed reached by man.
This week, the final recorded data from the Stratos mission was released by Red Bull, altering the original estimated records set by Baumgartner.
Fortunately, the adjustments were incremental, and all of the records remain intact, including one that's been raised even higher.
The man who fell to Earth
Originally, Baumgartner's fall was reported as reaching speeds of 1,342.8 kmh/833.9 mph/Mach 1.24, thus breaking the sound barrier and challenging aerospace conventions forever. However, the recently revised data showed Baumgartner actually achieved speeds of 1,357.6 kmh/843.6 mph/Mach 1.25, which not only raised the bar that much higher for the next guy, but also demonstrated even faster speeds at which safe human travel through the sound barrier was possible. Unfortunately, Baumgartner's previous platform jump record of 39,045 m/128,100 feet was reduced, when more accurate data showed he actually fell 38,969.4 m /127,852.4 ft instead. The same could be said for his vertical freefall record, which once stood at 36,529 m/119,846 ft, but was discovered to be 36,402.6 m/119,431.1 ft after it was all said and done. Even so, the scientists at Red Bull were more than pleased with the results, as they have impacted the future of space travel tremendously. "Together we proved that a human in freefall can break the speed of sound returning from near space, going through a transonic phase and landing safely on the ground," said Jonathan Clark, Red Bull Stratos medical director. "That was a big part of the program, and monitoring the mission was a meaningful event in aerospace medicine and physiology."Millions of data points
According to the latest info, Baumgartner provided the medical and science teams with more than 100 million data points. The Stratos mission provided the first even physiological data for a human being traveling at supersonic speeds, and provided a glimpse at the pressures and forces Baumgartner's body endured throughout the drop. After experiencing 25.2 seconds of weightlessness upon the start of the freefall, you may recall Baumgartner entered into series spins reaching a peak of 60 revolutions per minute. Even during those seemingly dangerous moments, his safety was never in jeopardy as data showed his cranial region never reached the critical 2G speed limit while rotating. Throughout the jump, Baumgartner's heart rate topped out at 185 beats per minute (when he first jumped), and stayed between 155 bpm and 175 bpm while falling. As he broke the sound barrier, his heart rate reached 169 bpm, and only dropped to 163 bpm by the time he hit the ground.Scientific advances
Though Baumgartner's jump will take all the glory, there was more to the Stratos mission than just having a man fall from the sky. A new treatment for ebullism, where blood spontaneously boils at altitudes of 19,200 meters/63,000 feet, had to be developed using a new ventilator in the field as protocol. "We've developed a clinical practice standard that will be one of the major outcomes of this program," said Clark, who is also a six-time Space Shuttle crew surgeon. "Red Bull Stratos is already producing tangible results that will allow potential space travelers who are in this danger zone to have a fighting chance if they get exposed to vacuum." Additionally, a new parachute system was developed, which could make high-altitude payload recovery much easier to manage in the future. Previously, a chute would deploy the instant a high-altitude payload was released from its balloon, however the new "reefed" parachute only opens a small portion for part of the decent, opening fully a short time later. According to Red Bull, this not only makes predicting the landing zone more accurate, it also reduces the descent time by two-thirds. How quickly such advances are put to use in more practical situations remains to be seen, but it would appear the Red Bull Stratos mission proved to be even more of a success than its developers imagined.
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Jailbroken iPad files hint at Apple's streaming music service
Because there aren't enough streaming music services already, rumors about Apple's own contender have been flying for months.
9to5Mac reported late Monday that it had discovered some files deep within the bowels of an iOS 6.1-running iPad that hint at the existence of such a service.
The .png files are labeled "transport radio buy button" with several variations, and they reveal a pair of buttons, in grey and green, that resemble the radio icon used in older versions of iTunes.
The presence of the word "buy" in the icons' file names seems significant. Could Apple be planning to charge for its rumored streaming music service?
The streaming music blues
The buttons currently have no purpose in the OS, and there's no sign on them on iPhones, according to the site - just on iPads with the .1 update of iOS 6. But it's unclear when Apple plans to launch its streaming radio service, if at all, and the relevant files could be added in a subsequent iOS update for iPhones if necessary. Rumors of the planned Apple radio service appeared in September, when the Wall Street Journal reported that the Cupertino company was preparing to launch a bonafide Pandora rival. Those preparations supposedly hit a snag in October, when Sony and Apple were said to be having disputes over the terms. Then, in December, CNET reported that Warner and Universal, which together with Sony comprise three of the largest music labels in the industry, had joined in making Apple's life difficult.What a coincidence
Rumors pegged the Apple music streaming service with a Q1 2013 launch, and the arrival of these mysterious "radio buy" files in iOS 6.1 could indicate that Apple is indeed preparing for the radio service launch. The update to iOS 6 arrived just last week, and by Monday hackers had already cracked it and released a jailbreak utility. Whether or not Apple really is launching a streaming music service, we'll doubtless know soon, as the end of Q1 is already approaching. TechRadar asked Apple for comment on the function of the files, but we have yet to hear back.
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Instagram photo feeds hit the web, mobile-only now a distant memory
Not so long ago, visitors to Instagram.com were greeted with a simple holding page pointing at the all-important iPhone and Android apps, but the times, as the fella says, are a-changin'.
Soon after Facebook got its claws into the hipster-friendly photo sharing app, Instagram launched web profiles, complete with vanity URLs to showcase each user's filtered creations.
On Tuesday the company took matters a step further by transporting photo feeds to the web, in another departure from its long-held, mobile-only focus.
Co-founder Kevin Systrom said the web expansion was about making Instagram "even more accessible to our growing community," and bringing wider access on devices that "may be convenient to you at a given moment."
Uploads staying mobile-only
Users can now log into their accounts at Instagram.com and see their friends' snaps displayed just as they would on and iOS or Android device. A user's own profile is also just a click away. The browser-based feed behaves in very much the same way as the mobile app. A double-click 'likes' the photo in question, while its also easy to leave and view comments. The last bastion of mobile exclusivity is now the upload process itself and Systrom was quick to assure that this functionality would not be coming to the web any time soon. "Since our launch in October of 2010, we've focused on building a simple app that has inspired creativity while capturing everyday moments through the lens of your mobile phone," he wrote on the company blog. "We do not offer the ability to upload from the web as Instagram is about producing photos on the go, in the real world, in realtime."
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HP pounces on news of Dell privacy move
Reaction to the announcement that Dell would go private is churning about online, though it didn't take long after the news broke for one longtime rival to swoop in with a stab.
HP issued a 5-sentence statement on the decision of CEO Michael Dell, along with a private equity firm, to buy the company Dell founded for $24.4 billion.
"Dell has a very tough road ahead," the statement read. "The company faces an extended period of uncertainty and transition that will not be good for its customers. And with a significant debt load, Dell's ability to invest in new products and services will be extremely limited.
"Leveraged buyouts tend to leave existing customers and innovation at the curb. We believe Dell's customers will now be eager to explore alternatives, and HP plans to take full advantage of that opportunity."
HP is taking advantage of a move by a competitor with unforeseeable consequences to position itself as an attractive, "stable" alternative, so its statement is no surprise. But still, meow.
Lenovo speaks
Lenovo, which saw an 8 percent growth in PC sales last quarter, also jumped in, sending the following statement to TechRadar: "While we won't comment on the specifics, we remain as always confident in our strategy, our ability to deliver compelling and innovative products and our overall position and performance," its statement read. "We believe that the financial actions of some of our traditional competitors will not substantially change our outlook....We always face tough competition, and we are well prepared to continue to win in the PC-plus era by focusing on our own efforts, core strengths and great execution." As for Microsoft's $2 billion involvement in the deal, Lenovo issued some standalone wording that reiterated its internal focus. Microsoft, the statement simply read, "will continue to be an important partner for Lenovo." Lenovo makes a number of Windows 8 products, including the ThinkPad Helix and ThinkPad Twist.The high road
When asked for reaction, a Dell spokesman steered clear of the comments of its competition. "Dell will continue to deliver the superior solutions, services and experiences that our customers have come to expect," said spokesman David Frink in an email to TechRadar. "We are committed to completing this transaction as seamlessly as possible such that our customers are not affected in any way. "Dell has always been focused on delivering the best-in-class customer experience and our top priority is to ensure that customers needs are met. "We believe this transaction strengthens Dell's capabilities to provide industry-leading, differentiated, simplified and easy-to-manage solutions to customers worldwide, and that they will benefit from our accelerated transformation."New days
Though Frink didn't get into specifics regarding Dell's strategy moving forward, we have some clues as to what the road ahead at least looks like for the company. Dell, remember, seems more interested in repositioning itself as an enterprise business, so like sticks and stones, HP and Lenovo's statements may do nothing to harm either its coffers or its ego in the long run. However, Microsoft threw $2 billion into the privatization proceedings, and that's not just a charitable donation. As Gary Marshall wrote earlier today, Dell pioneered the PC market by removing the middlemen and allowing consumers to buy directly from the company. However, the model was emulated, and Dell lost the ground it had built. Now Dell wants to refocus its business towards enterprise without the money-backed mood swings of Wall Street, but Microsoft's loan throws a PC-shaped kink in that plan. Will Redmond force Dell to stick to a market it wants to abandon, perhaps as a way to keep it from partnering with other OS makers? How Dell maneuvers its new privately owned waters while a shark named Microsoft swims near it, we'll just have to watch unfold. Its competitors, meanwhile, will be waiting on shore to pick up any scraps.
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TalkTalk adding 10,000 YouView customers a week with free box deal
The YouView internet TV venture has racked up an estimated 230,000 subscribers in the six months since it launched, reports on Tuesday claimed.
Broadband and home phone provider TalkTalk, which has been offering a free YouView set-top box with its packages, appears to be driving much of the demand.
The company is signing up 10,000 new users a week and has collared 120,000 in total, according to The Guardian, while "maybe" 20,000 people have bought YouView boxes on the high street.
BT Vision, which is also touting free boxes - usually priced at a somewhat pricey £299 - in order to give the service some early traction and is believed to have hooked-up 90,000 users.
So far, so good
"It's early days yet, but we are pleased with the take-up we've seen so far for YouView," said a spokeswoman for YouView The on-demand service which combines the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand Five, as well as live TV and content from Sky Movies finally hit the shelves last summer following long, long delays. It has been promoted heavily in its own right, as well as in BT and YouView commercials, so the awareness is certainly out there. For those not obtaining boxes through BT and TalkTalk, the price of the hardware is probably still a little too high for most curious parties, hence the poor sales. YouView will soon benefit from Sky's decision to offer day-passes to Sky Sports channels via Now TV, so it'll be interesting to see whether that makes a difference.
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Facebook to take on Foursquare with location tracking app?
Facebook stalking could take on a whole new meaning if reports prove true that the social media giant is developing its own user location tracking app.
According to a Bloomberg report, Facebook is developing a location tracking app for smartphones that would help users keep tabs on where their friends are at all times.
Facebook already has a feature called Places as part of its mobile app, which lets users check into locations similar to Foursquare, but the new app would go a step further.
One of Bloomberg's sources notes that the app would remain active even while not in use, similar to Apple's Find My Friends feature, to keep track of location data at all times rather than just when someone checks in.
The privacy problem
The proposed app raises several privacy concerns, among which is the relationship between location data and advertisers. According to Facebook's data use policy, "We may put together your current city with GPS and other location information we have about you to, for example, tell you and your friends about people or events nearby, or offer deals to you that you might be interested in. We may also put together data about you to serve you ads that might be more relevant to you." While this is already part of Facebook's data use policy, the prospect of having it come into play while a user's location is under constant surveillance raises concerns. It is also possible that since this is already policy that all Facebook users agree to, a location tracking app may not need to ask for additional permission before keeping tabs on user whereabouts.Tracking ad trackers
While Facebook may become more transparent about tracking user locations in the new app, it is also becoming more transparent with how its ads are tracking users. Facebook ads based on browsing history are nothing new, but a recent agreement with the Council of Better Business Bureau mandates that those ads must notify users that they use tracked user information. Of course, the way in which notifications appear is fairly obtuse. When clicking on the "x" icon to close a Facebook ad, the dropdown menu will now display an AdChoices icon to indicate that it appeared based on browsing data tracked by the ad. The icon will take users to a page where they can opt out of future ad tracking, though the process will have to be done with each individual advertiser that appears, and there are dozens of them. It may take a while for the policy to go into effect though, as the agreement outlines that notifications should be up and running by the end of the first quarter in March.
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Channel 4 releases 4oD app for Android, pair no longer 'Undateable'
Channel 4's 4oD catch-up app has finally been released for Android smartphones and tablets long after its launch on Apple's iOS platform.
The free, on-demand service brings access to the last 30 days of programming from Channel 4, More 4 and E4, which includes The Undateables, Peep Show, Utopia and Embarrassing Fat Bodies.
There's also an A-Z library featuring a host of classic Channel 4 archive content like Father Ted, The IT Crowd and The Inbetweeners for fans of the old school.
The app offers unlimited, free streaming over Wi-Fi, but doesn't accommodate playback over mobile networks at present.
No Live TV...yet
However, the app doesn't facilitate the Live TV functionality promised by Channel 4 late last year, but we suppose it's important for C4 to walk on Android before it starts to run. "We're pleased to be able to extend our successful video-on-demand service to this range of modern Android devices with a dedicated 4oD app," said Sarah Milton, head of video on demand at Channel 4. "Users will now be able to catch up on their favourite Channel 4 shows and enjoy many more classics from the Channel 4 archive via their smartphones and tablets," she added. To use the app you'll need to be running Android 4.0 and above, while C4 claims it has been specially optimised for the Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus 4, the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Tab 10.1 and, curiously, the ancient HTC Desire S.
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Jelly Bean update headed to BlackBerry Android runtime, eventually
What good is a tool like Android runtime if it's not even up to date?
Thankfully, BlackBerry announced on Tuesday at the BlackBerry Jam Europe event in Amsterdam that the Android runtime environment will eventually be updated to Android 4.1: Jelly Bean.
Android runtime allows developers to re-package Android apps for use on BlackBerry, but it's currently stuck at Android 2.3.3: Gingerbread.
The newly renamed company reportedly announced that Jelly Bean is in the works for Android runtime at the developer-oriented event, later confirming the news with Engadget, though it provided no time frame for when Jelly Bean might arrive.
Jelly Bean apps on the Z10
BlackBerry Z10 owners will certainly benefit from an update Android runtime environment, as it ushers more up-to-date Android apps through a shortcut onto the BlackBerry 10 platform. As of Monday, it seemed the BB Z10 could be released in the U.S. on March 27, though the BB10 flagship is already available elsewhere. And, from the looks of it, the phone is selling quite well.Time for an update
Good on BlackBerry for bothering to upgrade Android runtime - no doubt the Canadian phone maker would rather see developers port their apps to run natively on BB10, but runtime provides an easy (if imperfect) alternative. As it stands, Android runtime is like a version of Wine for Mac, which allows Windows apps to be packaged individually for use on Apple's OS without need for a Windows OS license, that's only compatible with Windows XP software. It's true that some emulators, like those for retro video game systems, are meant to preserve old software, but when it comes to Android runtime we'd rather have it as current as possible.
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Gary Marshall: Is Microsoft forcing Dell to stick with PCs?
The rumours were true: Michael Dell is buying back the company he founded, and Microsoft's supporting him to the tune of two billion dollars. What's interesting isn't the money, though. It's Microsoft's carefully chosen words.
"Microsoft is committed to the long term success of the entire PC ecosystem," the statement says.
That's interesting, because it's the entire PC ecosystem Michael Dell wants to get out of.
What Dell did
In the old days, PCs were made by companies, bought by distributors, sold to resellers and then sold to us, in shops. Dell changed that, enabling you to order directly from the company. It removed the middlemen, created an incredibly efficient supply chain, and slashed the cost of computers. It was brilliant: I've bought, or been responsible for buying, literally dozens of Dells over the years, and with the exception of a single duffer that made a horrible noise, I don't have a bad word to say about the company or its computers (full disclosure: I've written adverts for Dell in the past). The problem is that other people started to do the same, and the margins began to shrink. These days consumer PCs are commodities, sold at bargain basement prices with margins so thin that firms stuff their machines with adware and cover them with stickers to make a few more cents per item - and if that wasn't bad enough, consumers are abandoning the PC in favour of smartphones and tablets. It's a horrible business to be in, and it's a business Dell wants out of. Is Microsoft attempting to stop it?What Dell wants
Dell wants to move into enterprise computing, and that's why it's going private: changing the entire focus of a company takes time, and time is something the adrenaline-fuelled short-termist nutballs of Wall Street wouldn't allow. Microsoft is helping Michael Dell take his company away from them, but it's not doing it out of the goodness of its heart. By lending Dell's bid $2 billion, Microsoft wants a say in what Dell does. It'll be fascinating to see what happens to Dell's Linux efforts, such as last year's Ubuntu-powered ultrabooks and its workstations and servers. As the ever-perceptive Jean-Louis Gassée writes in Monday Note, the deal would give Microsoft "better vertical integration [between hardware and software] without having to pay the full price for ownership... this is completely at odds with the buyout's supposed intent: getting out of the PC business." However, it seems that without Microsoft's involvement, Michael Dell wouldn't have the cash he needed to take Dell private. Maybe together, Microsoft and Dell will be the new Apple - but this does look much more like a defensive move than an offensive one. Microsoft is watching its best OEMs embrace other platforms, such as Chromebooks and Android, and the prospect of Dell dumping its consumer products or worse, staying in the business but embracing other OSes, is something Steve Ballmer doesn't want to see. And if that means handing out a few billion? For Microsoft, that's small change.
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HTC M7 might head to Verizon as Droid codenamed 'DLXPLUS'
Now that HTC's Droid DNA is more than a couple months old, Verizon fans are looking ahead to the carrier's next flagship smartphone, which could soon arrive in the guise of a slightly tweaked HTC M7.
Droid Life reported Monday that HTC insider @LlabTooFeR leaked specs via Twitter for a new version of the company's Droid DNA, once again pegged for Verizon Wireless.
Billed as the "DLXPLUS_WL" internally, the specs line up nicely with the HTC M7, an upcoming handset rumored to debut in March on every U.S. carrier except Verizon.
Touting a quad-code Snapdragon S4 APQ7084 processor clocked at 1.7GHz, the leaked DLXPLUS specs clearly denote "Verizon USA" as carrier with SD card slot support - a curious inclusion considering the M7 isn't expected to have such a feature.
Family ties
Prior to Verizon's release of the HTC Droid DNA, the Android-powered smartphone turned up with a codename of "DLX" - one that now seems to be making a repeat appearance, though with upgraded specs. The mystery device also promises a 4.7-inch 1080p display, 13MP rear and 2.1MP front cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11a/b/gn Wi-Fi, HTC Sense 5.0 and Android Jelly Bean, although it's unclear which flavor it will ship with. According to @LlabTooFeR, the DLXPLUS handset will support all of the same networks as the current Droid DNA, making it ready-made for Verizon's fast 4G LTE service. This isn't the first time HTC has revamped its product line so quickly: Last year, the manufacturer did the same thing with the One X, presumably in an effort to keep the handset fresh in the minds of potential buyers.
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Amazon Coins will be the Disney Dollars of online shopping
Amazon will launch its own currency in May, known as Amazon Coins.
Exclusively for use with Amazon's Kindle Fire range of tablets, the currency will let you buy apps, games and in-app purchases.
Like all currencies companies invent, it's hard to see much of a boon to us consumers. In theory it makes it easier to buy from Amazon, but with one-click purchases already present and correct, how much easier can it get?
Instead, Coins is aimed at increasing profits for Amazon, as well as anyone selling apps and games through it.
Free money can't travel
When it launches in the US in May, Amazon will dish out tens of millions of dollars' worth of Amazon Coins for free, helping spread awareness of the new currency as well as stimulating sales. Amazon doesn't make a profit from its tablets and e-book readers, thanks to their low prices, so relies on big sales of e-books, films, music and games from its online store. Hence it's hardly surprising it wants to find new ways for us to spend. "Developers continue to report higher conversion rates on Amazon compared to other platforms," Paul Ryder, Amazon's Vice President of Apps and Games, said in a statement. "Now we have another new way to help developers reach even more of our millions of customers." Developers will still make 70 per cent from each sale using Amazon Coins. Only apps and games approved before April 25 will be eligible for purchase using the currency. Via Amazon
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In Depth: How Dyson gets air to move at 430mph
Dyson's new Airblade Tap may be an interesting new launch for the company, but what sets it (and the new second-generation version of the original Airblade) apart is the motor.
This just isn't any motor though – it has to be strong enough to force air through small outlets at an incredible 430mph. And that means some serious work has to go into this unit, called the V4.
Dyson has over 100 engineers in its in-house motor team and has spent an incredible £100m researching and developing its digital motors over the past 15 years.
The company invests £10m a year into motor R&D. The latest motor is the result of seven years of long haul development, and Dyson estimates that it cost £26.9 million to get it ready for market.
The Dyson digital motor V4 is a brushless DC motor – with a lot of on-demand power. Brushless motors can offer great amounts of torque per watt and reduce wear and tear.
The most incredible thing is the speed it can reach, going from 0-90,000rpm in less than 0.7 seconds. That's some cold start! The V4 does it by using super-efficient bonded magnets encased in a carbon fibre sleeve. Dyson says the new motor is also one of the world's smallest, fully integrated 1600W motors – as you can see from our pictures, you can easily fit it into one hand.
Chris Osborn, Head of Dyson's Airblade Engineering, says that the motor has been designed to emit a low level of noise. "It's around 85db. We have an acoustic engineering team of around 20 people [working on that].
"The important thing is [the V4] was developed by our engineers, in our labs. Our motors team is slightly separate from our product development teams. It's a very power dense motor, specifically engineered for high pressure, high flow. That gives us the high velocity air that's ideal for hand drying applications."
Osborn continues: "We've integrated the electronics, so everything you want is now packed inside the 85mm shell. It has an onboard microprocessor, so it's constantly controlling the voltage and power efficiency over 6,000 times a second.
"It means that in installations where voltages vary, in various different territories, you'll always get the same performance. That combination of motor power and airflow technology is what gives us our efficient way of drying hands."
"It's very different to our competitors. They have slow moving, warm columns of bacteria-filled air which can be very slow [to dry your hands]. They also use power-hungry heating elements which are inefficient. Our hand dryers, over their life, produce around 67 per cent less CO2."
Although the products are designed at Dyson's HQ in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK, Dyson's motors are built in the company's high-tech £20m motor factory in Singapore. The facility produces 50,000 motors a week and covers a whopping area of over 36,000 square feet.
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The 128GB iPad which Apple reckons will replace your PC is now on sale
A new variant of the iPad 4 has gone on sale today sporting a beefy 128GB of internal storage and an equally sizable price tag.
We'd heard rumours that Apple was planning a bigger storage capacity for its incredibly popular tablet, and fiction became fact at the end of January when the Cupertino-based firm casually announced it.
In stock now the 128GB iPad 4 will set you back £639 ($799/AU$869) for the Wi-Fi only model, or £739 ($929/AU$1,009) if you want to get your mitts on the 4G enabled version.
Out with the old (PC) and in with the new (iPad)
Commenting during the launch of the 128GB iPad, Apple's senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller said: "It's clear that customers around the world love their iPads, and every day they are finding more great reasons to work, learn and play on their iPads rather than their old PCs." A cheeky dig at Mircosoft and co. then, and one we're sure Apple is very proud of - but we're not entirely in agreement with Mr Schiller. The additional space will come as welcome to relief to some, but we can't help but think that the inclusion of a microSD slot from the offset would make everything a lot easier, not to mention cheaper.
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Struggling Dell goes private with the help of a $2 billion loan from Microsoft
Dell is going private. CEO Michael Dell has teamed up with private equity firm Silver Lake Partners to acquire the company in a $24.4 billion deal, with Microsoft adding a $2 billion loan.
It's thought Dell is hoping it can turn around its recent poor fortunes without the pressure of shareholders. In the last year, the company has lost about a third of its value.
Michael Dell will carry on as CEO. He'll also keep a significant equity investment in the company by contributing his shares, as well as making a "substantial" cash investment.
"Exciting new chapter"
"I believe this transaction will open an exciting new chapter for Dell, our customers and team members," Michael Dell said in a statement. "We can deliver immediate value to stockholders, while we continue the execution of our long-term strategy and focus on delivering best-in-class solutions to our customers as a private enterprise." So what about Microsoft's part in the deal? The Redmond-based company is hoping to preserve anybody supporting Windows 8, such as Dell. It said in a statement: "We're in an industry that is constantly evolving. As always, we will continue to look for opportunities to support partners who are committed to innovating and driving business for their devices and services built on the Microsoft platform." The deal is the largest of its kind in recent years, and the biggest in Dell's 29-year history. Recently, Dell has been losing market share in PCs due to the rise of tablets and smartphones. About 70 per cent of its business is still PC-based, according to analysts. Via Dell, Microsoft
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Samsung Galaxy Frame and Galaxy Young launched with UK in sight
The Samsung Galaxy Frame and Samsung Galaxy Young have been announced in South Korea and the budget devices will be heading to the UK.
It was initially thought that the Galaxy Frame would be unveiled at MWC 2013 in Barcelona, but Samsung clearly couldn't wait until then.
Design wise, both handsets borrow heavily from the Samsung Galaxy S3, as do all the new Galaxy handsets - probably in an attempt to get away from any potential law suits with Apple.
The Galaxy Frame sports slightly better features than the Young with a 3.5-inch 480 x 320 display, 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB internal storage, 5MP camera, VGA front snapper, NFC, 1,300mAh battery and Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1).
Jelly Bean for all
Probably coming in slightly cheaper than the Frame, the Samsung Galaxy Young has a smaller 3.27-inch display, the same 1GHz processor and Jelly Bean OS - but surprisingly more RAM at 768MB. NFC doesn't feature on the handset and you only get a 3MP camera round the back, while the Bluetooth technology is version 3.0 instead of the Galaxy Frame's 4.0 offering. TechRadar spoke to Samsung regarding pricing and availability of the Galaxy Frame and Galaxy Young, with the manufacturer confirming that "availability for the UK will be week commencing March 25." Both handsets will likely be knocking around MWC 2013 at the end of February, and we'll be there to get hands on with both of them, so stay tuned for our early findings.
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Samsung unveils Xpress M2875 and ProXpress M4070 printers and MFPs
Samsung Electronics has released a range of laser and multifunction printers in the Xpress M2875 and ProXpress M4070 ranges aimed at small and medium sized businesses.
Both are powered by a 600MHz Cortex-A5 processor and include Rendering Engine for Clean Pages (ReCP) technology, which is claimed to sharpen the edges of positive texts and enhance the readability of negative texts. They also feature high capacity memory for ultra-fast output speeds of up to 28 to 40 pages per minute.
The Xpress M2875 and ProXpress M4070 series support a variety of paper types, including thick paper or cardstock, directly from the paper cassette and MP Tray.
They are equipped with Samsung's Easy Eco Driver solution to enable custom settings. For example, in the Eco driver tab, it is possible to set the Eco settings to avoid printing unnecessary texts or images, resulting in a more efficient use of toner and paper.
The Xpress M2875 and ProXpress M4070 series also include the One Touch Eco button, which automatically combines multiple pages into a single print output, and Samsung's Easy Printer Manager for real time monitoring of printer usage and statistics on printer maintenance.
Any mobile device with the Samsung Mobile Print app can print files and documents through the printers.
There are five printers and four multi-function printers (MFPs) in the ProXpress M4070 series and two printers and three MFPs in the Xpress M2875 range.
They will be available to buy in the UK from resellers in April 2013. They will be responsible for pricing.
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Kickstarter-funded Ouya shows the power of crowd-sourcing as pre-orders rack up
Most Kickstarter projects - if they reach their funding goals - go on to be niche products sold through the maker's own website. But Ouya, the Android-powered games console, will hit major retailers like Target and Best Buy in June. And it's just gone up for pre-order from Amazon.com as well.
Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman wouldn't be drawn on exactly how many pre-orders the console has had, but she did say they exceeded the 68,000 backers who helped put the device into production.
Console competition
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Uhrman said Ouya didn't need to compete with the likes of traditional consoles, as it was a different proposition. "We don't need to beat Xbox or Sony or any console that enters the marketplace, we need to carve out our own niche," she said. "Ouya offers a very different value proposition to the gaming you can currently experience." Uhrman doesn't seem phased by talk of consoles being dead, either. And with Ouya receiving more than $8.5 million in funding, she's not alone. "For the last two or three years all we've been hearing is that the consoles are dead," she said. "The reason is there isn't new, innovative intellectual property. It's expensive to develop on it. You're seeing a major shift of games being developed on the television. Our viewpoint has always been that console gaming isn't dead, the way we think about it hasn't changed." The console will have around 200 titles, Uhrman said, including an exclusive version of Final Fantasy 3. Ouya units have been sent out to developers, with the official consumer launch happening in June. Via The Wall Street Journal
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Hands-on review: Dyson Airblade Tap
If there's one thing you should know about TechRadar, it's that we don't make a habit of covering industrial tap fittings.
But Dyson's new device is somewhat different, boasting not only an automatic water outlet, but an automatic hand dryer, too. It's an evolution of the Wiltshire, UK-based company's popular Airblade dryers.
The reason they've been successful is simple; they're fast and ideal for places like football stadiums where a lot of people need to get in and out of the toilet quickly.
We popped along to Dyson's swish offices this morning for a go with the new Dyson Airblade Tap, which costs £1,000 as opposed to the £650 that the Airblade dryer costs.
The new 1600W V4 motor is housed in a white plastic cyclinder that goes underneath the sink, with the only visible part being a metal stem plus these 'handlebars' (as we'll call them) which are, essentially, two 430mph Airblade dryers – much the same as you'd find in the Airblade itself. Indeed, the motor used is exactly the same. The big question is whether the Airblade Tap is strictly necessary; after all, is there a problem here to solve? Dyson's engineers thought so.
The metal used is 304 stainless steel; an anti-corrosion metal used for the construction of boats. Dyson says it tested it rigorously including 16 bar atmospheric testing – enough to make a conventional tap explode. Conventional taps are typically tested at 2 bars of pressure, according to the company.
So what was it like to use? The first time we used it, it was much like when we used an Airblade for the first time – slightly confusing. Do you move your hands rapidly? Where is best to put them? With the tap, you first rub your hands together under the central stem, which leads to infrared sensors knowing your hands are in place and then flowing water over them.
Once your hands are wet and you want to dry them, integrated circuitry is supposed to know this, and activates the motor, emitting the two high velocity sheets of air from the tap's handlebars to dry your hands in 12 seconds.
However, we found the transition from wash to dry a little patchy, and the water continued flowing once despite us removing our hands (the caveat was, of course, that we were trying a prototype according to Dyson's representatives). You also have to hold your hands out flat and wait for the dryer to start – this is fine, but it will require a bit of work for people to get used to it.
There are limitations, too – you can't change the temperature of the water, which would be necessary for some environments, surely – and you also can't choose to have the water flow or drying time for a set number of seconds.
The Dyson Airblade is certainly an interesting device. We can see it getting adopted in places such as hotels and stadiums, and maybe even well-to-do homes. But the big question remains – is it necessary? And won't it just mean that people are queuing for twice as long at the sink rather than in two short queues for the sink and the hand dryer?
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Updated: Best iPhone 5 case: 15 to choose from
Best iPhone 5 cases
So you bought an iPhone 5. That's a valuable piece of tech in your back pocket, especially if you plumped for maximum capacity. Now imagine dropping it. Apple's new baby stands up to knocks fairly well, but even a scuff or a scratch on a half-grand device is going to grate. Isn't it time you put an iPhone case on it? Here's our pick of the best iPhone 5 cases available now.1. Griffin Protector - $14.99 (£9.50)
The Griffin Protector case acts as a middle ground for those wanting increased protection without the military-spec and bulk of the Griffin Survivor. The reinforced silicone iPhone 5 case boasts extra thickness at the edges, providing added assurance that your device is safe from mid-grade knocks, while the matte finish ensures a decent grip.
2. QDOS Smoothies - £19.99
This more elegant iPhone 5 case marries a lush fascia with a clear polycarbonate, bevel-edged surround that offers decent covering for the edges of your phone. The QDOS case feels rigid enough to stand up to at least mild abuse, but steers well clear of the camera lens and doesn't impede access to buttons.
3. Griffin Survivor - $50 (£31)
Griffin's über-protective technology is already renowned for its Defense Standard specification, and this iPhone 5 version doesn't buck the trend. Shatter-resistant polycarbonate as well as hinged button and dock plugs cloak the phone, while a built-in screen protector seals in your device, keeping it safe from dirt, sand, rain, shock – pretty much anything the world can throw at it. The equivalent of wrapping your phone in cotton wool.
4. Scosche rawHIDE g6 - $30 (£19)
Suave yet simple, the rawHIDE is cut from hard black polycarbonate and wrapped in a layer of genuine leather. The iPhone 5 case's shell is stiff enough, but those wanting added protection with a little give on the rim and corners may want to look elsewhere.
5. Speck PixelSkin HD - $30 (£19)
Soft and durable grippiness defines the PixelSkin HD. Its rubbery, flexible casing pops on and off with ease, but only when you need it to. The raised bevel of this case protects the front panel well, and shields the buttons from dings without impeding access.
6. Griffin Reveal - $20 (£12.50)
If you've got it, flaunt it. Griffin Reveal stays true to the maxim with what at first appears to be a classic bumper. Closer inspection of this iPhone 5 case, though, reveals a transparent polycarbonate shell lined with a rubberised edge, providing fair-to-middling protection without veiling the machined beauty of your superior tech.
7. Proporta Leather Style - £24.95
If toughness isn't your thing and you can live with faux-leather then this Proporta iPhone case is a decent enough take on the 'c-clip' style cover. It's lightweight, soft to the touch and covers the front and rear completely without interfering with button access or camera operability.
8. Proporta Quiksilver - Blue Checks - £19.95
This snug-fitting hard iPhone 5 case from Proporta really looks the part without smothering the iPhone's sleek aesthetic. The logo of outdoor sports fashion brand Quiksilver sits front and centre in its blue check design, although the protection on offer can't be said to match such ideals. It'll keep knocks and scratches at bay no problem, just keep it far from the surf.
9. Scosche kickBACK sport g6 - $30 (£19)
Scosche doubles down on protection with its latest sports cover, combining a textured polycarbonate outer case with a rubberized interior to absorb shock. The open design ensures connections and controls remain accessible, while an integrated kickstand only adds to the slick feel. The screen and chamfer do feel a little over-exposed for active lifestyles though.
10. Griffin Animal Parade - $20 (£12.50)
If you're looking for a cute and crazy iPhone 5 case you could do a lot worse than this Griffin case. Thick silicone encases the handset, while a lovely round rim envelopes the display, which also serves to protect the screen from falls. The goofy design is perfect for kids – if you can trust them with a £500+ device…
11. Piel Frama iMagnum2 - 85 Euros (£69)
If you're willing to spend a little more to protect your iPhone 5 then definitely check out this case from Piel Frama. The Spanish company's handmade cases only use the highest quality cow skin leather, and it really shows. The inner lining is as luxuriant as the outer cover, which folds over the screen and stays there, secured by hidden magnets. It even comes with a removable belt clip.
12. Cygnett UrbanShield - £19.95
The close-fit and smooth bevelled edges of the UrbanShield emphasize the solid protection it gives your iPhone against keys and coins in your pocket. Meanwhile the rubber rim around the front panel of the case protects the glass from falls, and dips into a nice carbon weave detail on the aluminium rear. A screen protector seals the look.
13. Otterbox Defender - $49.95 (£32)
The Otterbox weds industrial protection with style in its multi-layer defence against heavy knocks and falls. A candy-coloured polycarbonate skeleton houses a solid inner shell with built-in screen protector, and a large belt clip holsters the entire unit for a third layer of protection. Not too slim then, but a very secure iPhone case.
14. X-Doria Dash - $34.99 (£22)
Rocking an oblong rear window and polka-dot fabric, X-Doria's Dash looks straight off the haute couture fashion line. It's not delicate either, thanks to its hard polycarbonate shell and rimmed edges, offering good resistance against everyday impacts.
15. Snugg Squared - £14.99
The Snugg Squared is made of rubberized silicone that stands up well against drops and shocks and feels grippy in the hand. The rounded rim puts ample space between the display and the floor to protect the glass and limit impact shock. Mould size has been known to vary on this range, so try before you buy if possible.
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HTC M7 popping up all over the shop(s)
We can't go a day, or even an hour, without some sort of HTC M7 related news at the moment, with the flagship smartphone now apparently showing up on retailer's databases.
According to Pocket-Lint, it has been handed an image showing the inventory for UK retailer Carphone Warehouse where the HTC M7 is listed in both black and silver along with a screen protector and hard case.
It's not just the British firm which has apparently let slip its inventory: German site HTC Inside also claims to have received a snap of Vodafone's system showing the HTC M7.
It's coming
There's no doubt that the HTC M7 will arrive soon with the Taiwanese firm's February 19 event the likely stage for the new flagship handset to be announced. Although specifications and the final launch name are still unconfirmed, the M7 looks set to pack a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 4.7-inch full HD display, 13MP camera with ultrapixel smarts and Android Jelly Bean. TechRadar will be at the HTC event to bring you the latest from the Taiwanese firm and a hands-on review of the M7, if it does indeed arrive then.
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