No iPads for Emirates: Airline to hand out HP Windows 8 tablets to flight crew

Emirates, one of the world's biggest airlines, will soon be handing out HP ElitePad 900 Windows 8 tablets to its flight crew, bucking the trend set by its competitors which have been opting for Apple's iPad.

When a story emerges of yet another airline handing out tablet computers to members of its flight crew, you might automatically think Apple had scored another win with its popular iPad. Delta, United and British Airways are, after all, in the process of equipping crew members with the Cupertino company’s big-selling device.

However, Emirates, one of the world’s biggest airlines, is daring to be different. No iPads for this Dubai-based carrier; instead, it’s opting for the yet-to-launch HP ElitePad 900 Windows 8 tablet.

The tablet will run a version of Emirates’ Knowledge Driven Inflight Service (KIS) business app, the company’s in-flight communication and customer relationship management software which it has been using for the last eight years.

The app allows staff to quickly learn about passenger preferences and needs, and can also be used to conduct in-flight upgrades to business class or first class for members of Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer program.

The business-oriented ElitePad 900 features a 10.1-inch display with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, 2 GB RAM, 32/64 GB SSD, a microSD slot, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, a front-facing camera, a Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity option and 802.11 Wi-Fi.

ElitePad 900

The device was reportedly chosen for its light weight (1.5 lb) and long battery life (expandable with the HP ElitePad Jacket Battery), making it ideal for non-stop flights. One assumes Emirates also believes the new Windows 8 operating system is better equipped to run its KIS app than Google and Apple’s respective mobile operating systems.

The tablet, unveiled last month ahead of a January 2013 launch, will be deployed across Emirates’ fleet of aircraft, with a total of 1,000 units expected to be utilized by crew members over the next 12 months.

Announcing the move on Monday, Kevin Griffiths, senior vice president of cabin crew at Emirates, said, “To support our crew, we have created an application on Windows 8 that delivers a unique, personalized experience with the necessary information for our cabin crew to better serve the needs of customers.”

He continued, “The Windows 8 platform running on HP ElitePad 900 devices gave us this option, allowing us to create the KIS app that enables our crew to offer an experience not available on other airlines.”

Last month Emirates vice president Patrick Brannelly said the airline promised to “keep pushing the boundaries of in-flight innovation,” announcing it was allowing passengers on its A380 planes to use their cell phones to make calls during flights.

Tech-wise, the carrier has always endeavored to keep up with the latest developments, being among the first to introduce on-board phones and fax machines in the 1990s, as well as offering email and text messaging services via in-seat facilities since 2006.

[Top image: Adrian Pingstone]


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Samsung pulls ‘puppy-bashing’ SSD ad from YouTube

Samsung has decided to pull a controversial ad from YouTube after it started to receive more 'dislikes' than 'likes'. The ad, for a solid state storage drive, likened owning an unwanted computer to having an unwanted puppy.

Let’s be honest, it can’t ever have sounded like a great premise for an ad – compare an unwanted computer to an unwanted puppy, have its owner neglect it, bash it about a bit, take it to a landfill with the intention of dumping it, before deciding it may be better to keep it after all.

According to the LA Times, Samsung’s Don’t Give Up on Puppy Love! ad for its SSD 840 solid state storage drive “featured computers that look like puppies, complete with ears and paws, getting smashed or thrown by their owners.” Following a bunch of negative comments about the ad, the tech giant has seen fit to pull it from YouTube less than 24 hours after posting it.

The end of the ad showed a man contemplating crushing his computer at a landfill, before deciding to try it out with Samsung’s solid state drive. As you might expect, the computer is given a new lease of life and the “puppy computer” and its owner are once again the best of buddies.

The Korean tech company appeared to get cold feet about the ad when it noticed it was getting more dislikes than likes. The comments were hardly favorable, either.

“Samsung, this was wrong, really, show it to a kid and see the reaction,” one YouTube user wrote. “Come on, how could you? did you see the face of the yellow puppy as it was bashed? oh COME ON.”

Another commenter wrote, “I’m actually a bit emotionally disturbed after viewing the early scenes of the ad. I’m an animal lover and have a number of pets at home and this brings up a very strong emotional reaction from me.”

“Samsung’s ad agency should quit smoking this bad stuff. Seriously, WTF,” wrote another.

The company behind the ad, London-based video agency The Viral Factory, claims on its website to “create engaging online content that people like” and which makes “brands and consumers happy.”

However, Viral Factory creative Alex Micu told Cnet, “We’ve made the decision to make the video private because it was clearly upsetting some people.”

If you managed to see the ad before it was pulled, can you understand the negative reaction it received, or do you think some viewers were overreacting?

[Image and via: Mashable]


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Apple teases international Black Friday sale, free shipping for US

Apple teases international Black Friday sale, free shipping for US

Will the iPad mini get a Black Friday discount?

Apple is getting into the holiday spirit, which for the company means hinting at a big sale for this Black Friday.

Visiting the Apple online store in Australia and the U.K. opens a teaser page promoting a one-day sale.

"The one-day Apple shopping event is Friday 23 November," the teaser read.

"Get ready to give. Shop online or at your favourite Apple Retail Store. We'll help you make the most of the day, no matter how you shop."

Black Friday goes international

Attempting to go to the same page in the U.S. takes users to a Holiday Gift Guide page.

The gift guide advertises a variety of accessories for iPads, iMacs, iPhones and iPod Touches, though none of which show discounted prices. Instead, Apple is offering free shipping on all items featured in the gift guide.

The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday in the U.S., and it's considered one of the biggest shopping days of the year as retailers offer one-day discounts throughout their stores.

In the past, Apple has joined in with its own Black Friday sales, though usually only offering minimal discounts on its products.

Oddly, while deals for the U.S. shopping day are confirmed for U.K. and Australian Apple Stores, there is no indication yet from the company that the U.S. will follow suit this year.

In the meantime, shoppers should keep an eye out for third-party retailers advertising Black Friday sales, which are likely to offer deeper discounts on Apple hardware than the company's own stores.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Battle of the OLED displays: Samsung slaps LG Display with lawsuit as the patent wars continue

Samsung is suing LG Display for infringements on its OLED patents on seven accounts, company officials said Monday.

Samsung appears to be right smack in the middle of yet another patent-related lawsuit. If its ongoing legal debacles with Apple weren’t enough, the Korea-based company is now taking LG Display Co. to court to invalidate a number of the company’s patents related to OLED display, company officials said on Monday.

LG Display, like Samsung, is one of the leading manufacturers when it comes to producing OLED displays for electronic devices. LG Display, however, excels in the TV manufacturing business while Samsung’s strength lies in creating smartphone displays.

This new lawsuit from Samsung could be a move to fire back at its rival touch screen maker, which smacked the Galaxy-brand creator with charges back in September. LG claimed that Samsung infringed on its OLED patents and has included products such as Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S lineup and its Galaxy Tab devices in the lawsuit.

Samsung, in turn, wants a total of seven patents from LG to be invalidated, according to Korean news source Yonhap News Agency. Samsung is arguing that LG’s patents are not actually innovative and therefore shouldn’t exist.

As opposed to standard crystal liquid displays, OLED screens do not require a backlight. This allows for thinner, sleeker designs and clearer images, which has prompted TV manufactures such as LG Display to utilize this technology. LG Display is an affiliate of LG Electronics Inc., one of the leading mobile phone manufacturers in the country, coming in second to none other than Samsung Electronics.

As Samsung begins to spark legal activity with LG, its seemingly endless case against Apple continues to progress. Just last week it was reported that a California court has allowed the company to add Apple’s iPhone 5 to its list of products that have infringed on Samsung patents. At the same time, this judge also allowed Apple to add Android’s Jelly Bean operating system and devices such as the Galaxy Note 10.1 and US edition of the Galaxy S3 to its lawsuit.

Only time will tell how these lawsuits play out, but Samsung now has two major competitors ganging up on its Galaxy smartphones and tablets, just in time for the holiday season. 


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Samsung 840 SSD 250GB cut to $170 with Far Cry 3 for the holidays

Following up on its Assassin's Creed III 840 Pro promotion (which is still active on Newegg), Samsung has announced that folks who buy one of its new 250GB 840 SSDs will get a free copy of Far Cry 3, which is slated to ship in North America on December 4 (watch for our performance review). Unlike the Assassin's Creed III offering, Samsung's press release notes that the Far Cry 3 deal will only be around from November 22 to 26 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, though it's already popping up at online retailers including TigerDirect.

In addition to a free copy of Ubisoft's upcoming first-person shooter, Samsung hopes to attract holiday shoppers by reducing the 250GB 840's price to $169.99 (~$0.68 a gigabyte), or $20 to $30 less than it usually fetches. This price adjustment hasn't been reflected on TigerDirect yet, so we'd hold off for a few days to see if that happens, though we wouldn't wait until the end of next Monday to bite if you're interested because Samsung notes that the promotion might end earlier than expected if supplies become constrained.

It also goes without saying that you should probably read up on the TLC-based 840 before pulling the trigger. We've heard some concerning things about the 840 and 840 Pro's reliability from a fellow tech site who killed all four of their samples (two 840s and two 840 Pros). According to Samsung, those drives failed because of a firmware issue that is only present in prerelease units and not in retail models. This hasn't been confirmed yet, but it's worth keeping in mind if you're not up for playing Russian roulette with your data.


Source : techspot[dot]com

1 million apps approved by Apple, according to data firm

1 million apps approved by Apple, according to data firm

The milestone Apple won't announce

Apple has reached a mega milestone, according to app discoverability firm Appsfire.

Appsfire co-counder Ouriel Ohayon told The Next Web that by his company's numbers, Apple has reached the 1 million app milestone, which includes 493,298 paid app submissions.

It isn't an accomplishment Apple is likely to publicize any time soon though, as those numbers are only for app approvals.

The actual number of live apps sits at 736,247, according to Ohayon, with 336,270 paid apps available.

Mind the copyright

The discrepancy is due to a large number of apps approved by Apple and later removed by app creators, typically for copyright reasons.

That means an estimated 264,753 apps, over a quarter of all apps submitted to the app store, have been pulled from the store since its creation in 2008, including 157,028 paid apps.

The numbers do not speak very highly for Apple's approval process, which has become somewhat notorious for passing apps which blatantly infringe copyrights.

While Apple is often quick to react and remove infringing apps from the App Store, as indicated by over 264,000 approved apps that are no longer available, Apple has yet to address the approval process that lets the offending apps pass in the first place.

The race to 1 million

Earlier this year at its iPad mini and iPad 4 launch event, Apple announced the App Store had reached 700,000 apps.

The company has always been forthcoming with the number of live apps available or the number of app downloads through the App Store, but it's far quieter when it comes to the App Store approval process.

Last month, Google announced that it is catching up to Apple, reaching 700,000 apps available through the Google Play store.

The next milestone will be to reach 1 million apps available, with both Google and Apple racing for that summit.

However, it's also helpful to get a reminder that those numbers can be deceiving, with thousands of approved illegitimate apps that must be moderated and removed from the services.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Apple has approved 1 million apps, according to data firm

Apple has approved 1 million apps, according to data firm

The milestone Apple won't announce

Apple has approved over 1 million apps for its iOS App Store according to app discoverability firm Appsfire.

Appsfire co-counder Ouriel Ohayon told The Next Web that by his company's numbers Apple has reached the 1 million app milestone, which includes 493,298 paid app submissions.

It isn't a milestone Apple is likely to publicize any time soon though, as those numbers are only for app approvals.

The actual number of live apps sits at 736,247 according to Ohayon, with 336,270 paid apps available.

Mind the copyright

The discrepancy is due to a large number of apps approved by Apple and later removed by their creators, typically for copyright reasons.

That means an estimated 264,753 apps, over a quarter of all apps submitted to the app store, have been pulled from the App Store since its creation in 2008, including 157,028 paid apps.

The numbers do not speak very highly for Apple's approval process, which has become somewhat notorious for passing apps which blatantly infringe copyrights.

While Apple is often quick to react and remove infringing apps from the App Store, as indicated by over 264K approved apps that are no longer available, Apple has yet to address its approval process that lets the offending apps pass in the first place.

The race to 1 million

Earlier this year at the iPad mini and iPad 4 launch event Apple announced the App Store had reached 700,000 apps.

The company has always been forthcoming with the number of live apps available or the number of app downloads through the App Store, but is far quieter when it comes to the App Store approval process.

Last month Google announced that it is catching up to Apple, reaching 700,000 apps available through the Google Play store.

The next milestone will be to reach 1 million apps available, with both Google and Apple racing for that title. However, it is also helpful to get a reminder that those numbers can be deceiving, with thousands of approved illegitimate apps that must be moderated and removed from the services.


Source : techradar[dot]com

EA: Mass Effect 3 for Wii U won’t get Omega single-player DLC

Fans that waited for the Wii U edition to play Mass Effect 3 might be disappointed to find out that they won't be getting their hands on the complete package as EA confirms the Omega DLC expansion won't be on Nintendo's console.

 mass effect 3 wii u

The holiday rush and the release of the year’s most widely hyped and advertised video games go hand in hand. It’s only in the push from October to December that you see games like Assassin’s Creed III, Halo 4, and New Super Mario Bros. U hitting shelves within days of one another. Remember: Great games are released year round, so it’s also the season for getting a deal on hits that are still fresh but have perhaps fallen out of popular discussion. Mass Effect 3, for example, is getting a second wind more than half a year after release thanks to a number of new versions on shelves. Careful which one you choose, though. The Nintendo Wii U version of Mass Effect 3 isn’t quite complete.

By the measure of Digital Trends’ review, Mass Effect 3 for Wii U is the same quality, divisive role-playing game it was on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, albeit with some troublingly long load times. That isn’t the whole story sadly. According to the official Mass Effect Twitter feed, the Wii U version of the game will not receive all of the new single-player downloadable content, namely Mass Effect 3: Omega. “Unfortunately [Omega] will not be available for Wii U,” reads the official statement.

Since Mass Effect 3 for Wii U was announced at E3 2012, there’s been some doubt about what DLC studio Straight Right’s port of the BioWare RPG would actually feature. Producer Michael Gamble said in July that the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut content released free to fans this summer would be included on the disc for the Wii U edition, but it wasn’t confirmed until later that the contentious DLC From Ashes would be included, as would the three multiplayer expansions.

From Ashes did ship as part of Mass Effect 3 on Wii U, but the other single-player DLC expansion Leviathan isn’t planned for Nintendo’s console either.

Wii U owners are lucky to be receiving the From Ashes content at all. Mass Effect Trilogy Edition for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC included all of retail versions of the series, but no downloadable expansions will be made available for any of them. Electronic Arts’ policies for DLC support are confusing to say the leastOmega has been described as the biggest expansion yet made for a Mass Effect game. It seems counterintuitive not to offer that content to every possible customer.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Firefox update brings it to millions more Androids

Firefox update brings it to millions more Androids

Millions more can now use Firefox

Starting on Monday, the Firefox browser will be compatible with quite a few more Android smartphones.

With this most recent update, Mozilla has included support for ARMv6 processors, which the developer claims are found in more than half of the existing 500 million Android phones on the market.

Previously, Firefox for Android was only compatible with devices running Android 2.2, and utilizing an ARMv7 processor.

Consumers with phones like the HTC ChaCha and Samsung Galaxy Ace can now look forward to using the latest iteration of the third-party web browser.

More accessible

While adding support for Firefox to some 250 million more smartphones will help Mozilla grow its brand, that's not the only improvement included in the latest update.

Mozilla will also introduce TalkBack integration, which will allow Android users with visual impairments to browse the web with the screen reading technology with no extra configurations necessary.

New Android accessibility features like Explore by Touch and Gesture Navigation are also instantly compatible with Firefox thanks to this new update.

All of these upgrades work in concert to make browsing easier for the visually impaired by incorporating speech output, sounds, and vibrations.

The latest version of Firefox for Android is available on the Google Play store.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Nintendo's Wii U earns impressive "repairability" score

Nintendo’s new Wii U has only been available for one day but that hasn’t stopped the gang at iFixit from performing a full teardown on the console. The teardown confirmed a lot of what we already know about the system but the pleasant surprise is that it earned an eight out of 10 repairability score.

As you may know, the higher the number, the easier a device is to repair. The shop said that no components were held in place by adhesive and that most parts can be replaced independently of their respective motherboards. Additionally, the battery in the GamePad is easy to remove and replace if need-be.

There were a couple of Tri-wing screws, namely in the GamePad, that could be a little difficult to remove due to the fact that they are recessed into the casing a bit. Of course, you’ll also need a special screwdriver to remove these screws and others like it on the console itself.

The final bit of bad news is that the LCD and digitizer found in the GamePad are fused together. This will make it more expensive to replace.

If you aren’t already familiar, Nintendo’s next generation console is powered by an IBM Power-based multi-core processor, an AMD Radeon-based High Definition GPU and either 8GB or 32GB of internal storage depending on which model you purchase. The Wii U also supports external USB storage via flash drive or hard drive and ships with near-field communication functionality.

The  console went on sale yesterday starting at $299 with 8GB of storage and one GamePad.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Hands-on: intelliPaper redefines the disposable world of USB drives

Do you own more than two USB flash drives? What do you do with extra sticks you'll never touch again? With intelliPaper, promotional USB sticks can be recycled, reused, and mailed without the bulk of physical plastic drives.

Last I counted, there are at least 15 USB flash drives scattered across my desk. We get them when public relations companies send over review units, at press events, or as swag at industry parties. If USB flash drives became currency one day, technology journalists would be the richest people in the world.

But they’re not. Flash drives are a way for PR companies to consolidate information into a compact package so we can pay attention as we try a new product, instead of taking spec notes. Unfortunately, after the article is said and done, the USB drive goes back into a drawer where many of its cousins reside, never to be touched again. It’s a waste of plastic and perfectly good technology.

To combat this uneconomical practice, Andrew DePaula and team have invented the intelliPaper. At first glance, it looks like your average cardboard paper with silver prints at the end. But tear this perforated edge out and stick it into your computer’s USB slot and you have a functioning, flash drive. It’s an ingenius response to the increasing use of USB technology in a recyclable, disposable way. And in turn, we no longer have to feel guilty for hoarding little plastic drives.

The intelliPaper team sent over a press kit to visualize how practical paper USBs can be. In it, we find a university pamphlet with a detachable intelliPaper strip at the bottom for more information, a postcard, and a few business cards. There’s also a stone-shaped reader that connects to your computer via mini USB cord if you’re uncomfortable with jamming a cardboard strip into your drive. These sample applications allow companies to provide additional information without the bulk and waste of plastic, and customize them in a practical and effective manner.

“We’ve been selling the product to a handful of companies since April. These are real projects that companies paid us to do,” DePaula tells us. “Right now, the samples are read-only, but there’s no reason anyone like yourself can’t get them and do whatever you want.”

With his Indiegogo project freshly launched, he aims to create a version where people can write their own files to the drives and print them on pamphlets or business cards of their choice.

The secret to intelliPaper’s design is to strip a traditional USB drive to its core. DePaula did away with the bulky plastic housing and embedded the same silicon flash memory in the paper, thus creating a paper-thin USB drive.

In our initial use, we found intelliPaper quite intuitive. For disposable, one-time-use purposes, intelliPaper is an excellent way to curb manufacturing costs on drives. Not that there is a mobility issue with USB drives, but flattening it to the thinness of paper also makes it mailable in a regular envelope. Why is this important? Let’s be frank: People are curious. Even if you don’t care about the info kit that was sent to your house, if it comes with a paper USB, you’d at least want to stick it in your computer and see what’s up.

That’s not to say intelliPaper doesn’t have some problems left to resolve. In rare instances, intelliPaper managed to instantly boot me off my computer upon USB insertion – a problem DePaula guesstimates to be my MacBook’s older version of Mountain Lion. He also notes that my case is the first he’s ever heard of intelliPaper’s bugs, and the team is working hard to resolve any possible glitches. “There’s some [Mac] update that makes our product not work. It just doesn’t show up on your screen even though the system hardware shows it recognizes the flash drive,” he says. “We’ve made some changes to keep the product up to date, though why it didn’t work in the first place is still a mystery.”

One could argue that all this could be resolved if we just resorted to Web addresses. But the truth of the matter is, USB drives – outside of their storage utility – have become a way for companies to advertise and reach new audiences. Although the drives are still somewhat expensive at the Indiegogo funding of $100 for ten 8-32MB drives, like any new product, the price should go down with scale. The possibilities seem infinite. When those days come, the only plastic USB drives I’ll own are the ones I actually want, use, and need.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

LG F240K Spotted on GLBenchmark, Has a 5-inch 1080p Display

LG F240

The LG Nexus 4 and LG Optimus G currently represent a pretty noteworthy change for LG, in that they are premium devices with relatively cutting-edge specs. In the past they mostly focused on low and mid-range devices but now it seems that LG might continue to push into the premium market. A mysterious device code-named the LG F240K has now shown up on GLBenchmark, bearing a 1920 x 1080p display.

Other specs from the GLBenchmark indicate the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. As for screen size? Following the HTC Droid DNA and a bunch of other leaks about 5-inch 1080p handsets, you can pretty much bet the farm that the LG F240 is also a 5-incher.

Would you be interested in an LG smartphone with a 1080p resolution or is there another leaked 5-inch 1080p project that appeals to you more?



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

Nintendo cleans up Wii U Miiverse after accidental “hacking”

Nintendo says that Miiverse, its new Wii U online gaming and social network, wasn't hacked on Sunday after a user posted images of a debug mode for the network online. The menu was just an inactive prototype, but why was it there at all?

Of the many small troubles reported about Nintendo’s Wii U, not all are the fault of the Japanese video game giant. It isn’t Nintendo’s fault after all that users are unplugging their Wii Us in the middle of a 5GB mandatory system update, accidentally breaking the console in the process. Other technical issues concerning new owners definitely should have been caught by Nintendo in the quality assurance testing phase. For example: Users probably shouldn’t be able to access Miiverse’s debug mode, whether it’s active or not.

NeoGAF member Trike posted images on the forum on Sunday night after seemingly accessing the Miiverse debug menu—a debug menu is an interface built into software to let developers freely manipulate it, typically to fix problems—on accident. By navigating through menus attempting to set up a friend list, he found himself navigating menus for a prototype version of the Miiverse, as well as browsing commands including “Delete Admin” or generating new passwords. There were even references to possible unannounced Wii U games including Metal Gear Solid, Yoshi’s Land Wii U and Soul Hackers, an old Japanese RPG recently ported to the Nintendo 3DS.

The post indicated that Nintendo’s security for Miiverse was so poor that users could stumble into administrative tools, potentially accessing personal information of other users. For a fledgling online gaming network, such a security gaff could spell certain death. According to Nintendo, though, these menus are simply mock ups and don’t actually represent functioning Miiverse admin tools.

“It has come to our attention that some people were able to access a mock up menu on Miiverse following the launch of Wii U in the US,” reads a statement Nintendo issued to GamesIndustry International, “Please note that this was only a mock up menu and has now been removed and is not accessible.”

Mock up menu or not, it’s troubling that Nintendo’s fledgling network was opened to the public before it was properly polished. Between this, reports of glitch-troubled third-party software and the need for a sizable firmware update on the first day, evidence suggests that Nintendo’s Wii U was rushed to retail to make it in time for the holiday season. Nintendo’s Wii was a rock solid product from day one when it released in 2006. Hopefully for Nintendo, this rocky launch week isn’t a sign of trouble to come.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Wii U’s massive mandatory update causing headaches for new owners

nintendo wii u update

Just one day into its lifespan, the Nintendo Wii U is going through the gauntlet of intense consumer scrutiny. The first problem: A mandatory firmware update is causing some users to accidentally break their consoles.

In the era before the Internet, new game console launches were accompanied by scant television news coverage and traded anecdotes between friends and family that happened to get their hands on whatever new machine was making the rounds.

Now when a video game console launches, it comes with millions of testimonials from critics, pundits, fans, and consumers offering up their opinion on every personal blog, social network, and comments section across the web. The result is that every blemish, imperfection, and defect in the initial run of consoles is scrutinized in painstaking detail. Nintendo’s Wii U, released on Sunday, has received decent reviews for its peculiar tablet controller but a veritable drubbing due to technical problems. Chief among them: A mandatory firmware update is casuing major problems for Wii U out of the package.

As previously reported, the Wii U requires new owners to download updated software for the machine as soon as it’s activated in order to take advantage of its many Internet-based features, including access to the online social and gaming network Miiverse. The software in question is substantial, approximately 5GB of data. The downloading, installation, and updating process takes more than two hours to complete according to reporters like Ben Fritz of The Los Angeles Times. The drawn out process is prompting some Wii U owners, suspecting that something is wrong to unplug the console or power it down during the process. Unfortunately doing so irreparably breaks, or “bricks,” the Wii U.

At this point in time, it’s not unreasonable for Nintendo to expect consumers not to deactivate a console during a firmware update. Every PC operating system, smartphone, tablet, and gaming console provides some variation on the warning, “Do not reset or power down the machine during a software update.” That said, it’s unusual for Nintendo to release a consumer device lacking such substantial and crucial software. Why aren’t networked apps and services like Miiverse and the eShop included in the software pre-installed on the console?

Nintendo’s accustomed to these sorts of launch hiccups. That users are breaking their consoles due to impatience is hardly as big of a PR fiasco as having many users injuring themselves and breaking televisions due to over-enthusiastic sessions of Wii Sports.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Intel CEO Paul Otellini retiring after 40 years

After nearly 40 years, Intel's president and the company's fifth CEO, Paul Otellini, is heading for retirement.

Intel today announced that its president and CEO Paul Otellini will retire after 40 years of work at the computing innovation company. 

Otellini will step down at the company’s annual shareholder meeting in May 2013. The move will take place over the next six months as an orderly leadership transition, during which the board of directors will choose Otellini’s successor by considering internal and external candidates.

“Paul Otellini has been a very strong leader, only the fifth CEO in the company’s great 45-year history, and one who has managed the company through challenging times and market transitions,” Andy Bryant, chairman of the board, said in a press release from Intel. “The board is grateful for his innumerable contributions to the company and his distinguished tenure as CEO over the last eight years.”

Otellini said he will collaborate with Bryant, the board of directors, and the management team during the six-month transition period. Afterward, he will be available as an advisor to management.

“I’ve been privileged to lead one of the world’s greatest companies,” he said. “After almost four decades with the company and eight years as CEO, it’s time to move on and transfer Intel’s helm to a new generation of leadership.” 

During Otellini’s tenure as CEO, from the end of 2005 through the end of 2011, Intel’s annual revenue climbed from $38.8 billion to $54 billion and annual earnings-per-share surged from $1.40 to $2.39. Under Otellini, Intel successfully began producing low-power Intel Core processors that, when paired with solid-state drives and unibody chassis, created what we now know as the Ultrabook. 

Intel also announced some pretty major promotions of three senior leaders to the position of executive vice president: Renee James, head of Intel’s software business; Brian Krzanich, CEO and head of worldwide manufacturing; and Stacy Smith, CFO and director of corporate strategy.

With the mobile market almost exclusively using ARM chips, whoever takes over as Intel’s CEO will have a lot of work to do in order to stay relevant. After all, ARM chips are in nearly all U.S. smartphones as well as Apple’s extremely popular iPad. There are already rumors of Apple ditching its Intel chips for ARM processors in its iMacs and MacBooks, so the following year should be an interesting one for Intel.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Opera Mobile unveils plans for download / streaming music service

Opera Mobile, the Norwegian company behind the self-titled web browser, has unveiled plans for an all-you-can-eat subscription-based streaming music service to debut in Russia. The goal of Unlimited Music is to make tunes available in a simple and affordable way to users of smartphones and feature phones, according to the firm.

Unlimited Music will allow subscribers to stream music or download it to a local device for offline listening. It’s targeted at mobile users but as we understand it, the service can be used on desktop and notebook computers as well. Interestingly enough, iOS users will only be able to stream music – no downloads here. Opera Mobile plans to expand the service to other regions at a later date.

A spokesperson said Opera was the enabling layer of the service, not the owner of the content. This simply means that a third part is providing the content, much like how their original app store operated. As TechCrunch points out, the app store was first run by Appia before moving to Opera’s full control through an acquisition of Handster.

Launching in Russia first is a smart move as that region has very few legal streaming / music downloading options. Yandex launched a service in Russia earlier this year called Yandex.Music that lets subscribers stream and download music for just $6.99 per month but outside of this, there aren’t many options.

Unlimited Music will debut at roughly $4.73 per month and include a catalog of around 2 million Russian and non-Russian tracks.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Best headphones for phones: 25 pairs tested

Best headphones for phones: 25 pairs tested

Top end earphones reviewed and rated

It's a minefield out there - what are you supposed to do when you pull your new phone out of the box and realise the headphones included just aren't up to scratch?

Actually, this scenario is less common than you might think, but when it comes to Apple products, you're going to want to know the best replacement iPhone earphones - as let's face it, the ones that come in the box are just laughably poor and leak sound to anyone within a kilometre.

But it's not as simple as choosing the best pair of headphones from a shelf in a shop - you've got to consider styles, shapes, sound quality, price and overall functionality before parting with your hard-earned cash these days.

So to that end, here's our fancy guide to reams of the latest headphones on the market to show you what you need. Whether it's cutting the wires, running a marathon or just spending a few hours in quiet audio contemplation, there should hopefully be something here for you.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Korea gets Galaxy Note 10.1 with 4G LTE, U.S. could be next on the list

Galaxy Note 10.1 4G LTE Korea

Samsung has announced a 4G LTE version of the Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, but so far only for Korea. When the Note 10.1 debuted on August, Samsung teased the arrival of an LTE model in the U.S., so its release may not be far behind.

Samsung has announced the availability of a 4G LTE Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, but only for the Korean market. As well as the introduction of 4G LTE and VoLTE — that’s voice over LTE — the new Note 10.1 has Android 4.1 Jelly Bean installed along with a few new features added to the S Pen’s functionality.

You’ll remember that the S Pen is Samsung’s name for a stylus, and now it can access a quick launch menu where you can search the web, easily copy and paste content, plus use the same Air View feature seen on the Galaxy Note 2. Here, when you hover the pen over a picture gallery or folder, the contents can be quickly explored, or when watching a video, it becomes a quick way to scrub through scenes.

Otherwise, it’s business as usual for the Note 10.1, which means a 10.1-inch screen with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, a 1.4GHz Exynos 4 Quad processor, 2GB of RAM and a 5-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording on the rear.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 was announced back in August, after Samsung took its first attempt off the market to update the device following a less than enthusiastic greeting during Mobile World Congress.

At the time, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 10.1 with Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus 3G, but not a 4G LTE model, although it did confirm a Wi-Fi and LTE Note 10.1 would follow later in the year. Now, with the Korean launch set for November 23, a U.S. launch can’t be too far away.

Samsung hasn’t given a price for the Note 10.1 LTE, but as the standard Note 10.1 is around $499 in the U.S., expect it to be more than this when it arrives.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Google kills Christmas (and all of December) with Android 4.2 bug

Google Android 4.2 bug kills Christmas

A bug in Google's Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) mobile operating system has caused the entire month of December to disappear. But fear not: Google has recognized the issue, which we hope means a fix will arrive soon.

Sorry, kids, Christmas is cancelled this year – at least, that’s what Google’s Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) mobile operating system is telling users. As first reported by AndroidPolice on Saturday, Google accidentally left out the entire month of December in its most recent Android update. Fortunately for users, a fix is likely coming soon. (We hope.)

Christmas Android bug

The absence of December in the Jelly Bean calendar is especially disruptive to the People (contacts) app, since birthdays, reminders, or any other notes related to the month of December cannot be added (since December does not currently exist). The flaw comes built in to the new Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 devices, as well as new or upgraded versions of the Nexus 7 tablet and Galaxy Nexus smartphones.

The no-December flaw was first noted in an Android bug-tracker forum on November 14. It has since been confirmed by a number of users from around the world. But it wasn’t until Saturday, November 17, that Google acknowledged that December 2012 was missing from Jelly Bean.

All said, this is a relatively minor bug – more a source of mild annoyance than catastrophic mayhem. (If, on the other hand, Apple had left out December in iOS, there would surely be nothing short of Hell to pay for the Cupertino giant.) Alas, Google’s roll-out-fix-later modus operandi has likely saved it from too much wrath, if not a dose of embarrassment.

Still, Google has yet to comment on when a fix is due. But we would guess that an update will arrive before December does.

Image via Jeff Cameron Collingwood/Shutterstock


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Final issue of Xbox World reveals details on Microsoft's Xbox 720

A couple of weeks ago we reported that PlayStation: The Official Magazine would see its last issue roll off the presses this holiday season. Publishing house Future wasn’t done there, however, as they also axed a few more gaming magazines in the process including British-based Xbox World and PSM3.

Not wanting to disappoint fans, the editor in chief of Xbox World decided to go out with a bang by releasing some new details about Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox 720. And by new details, we mean a full 8-page feature on the gaming console.

Editor in chief Dan Dawkins told CVG that his publication has been at the cutting edge of Durango (codename for the 720) coverage for the past 12 months. He feels that unless something drastic happens, everything they reveal in the magazine’s final issue will be what we see at E3 next June.

The magazine says that current developer kits have four hardware cores with each one being divided into four logical cores. The early systems also reportedly carry 8GB of RAM, the same capacity that Sony’s PlayStation 4 could end up with.

The final product is expected to ship with directional audio, Kinect 2.0, Blu-ray disc support, TV-in and –out, a new innovative gamepad and at some point, augmented reality complete with supporting glasses.

The publication doesn’t believe that Xbox 720 will be actual name of the console. Instead, they seem to think that simply “Xbox” will do. Either way, we should likely know the full details by the middle of next year at E3.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Sony Xperia J review

Sony Xperia J review

The Sony Xperia J is the smaller and cheaper brother to James Bond's Xperia T, but don't expect to find this handset mingling with scantily clad women - the Xperia J is far more reserved, less flamboyant, happier to stay out of the limelight and just get on with life without frenzied car chases through the French Riviera.

There's a less flamboyant price as well, with the Sony Xperia J setting you back a manageable £175 (around $275/AU$265) SIM-free, or you can have it for free on contracts starting at as little as £13 per month on a two year deal.

Sony Xperia J review

With that price the Xperia J is left fighting against the Orange San Diego, HTC Desire C, BlackBerry Curve 9320 and the slightly cheaper Sony Xperia Miro.

Looks wise the Sony Xperia J is very similar to the Xperia T, with both handsets taking design cues from the popular Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Xperia Arc S.

Sony Xperia J review

The iconic arched back of the Xperia J is the strongest nod to the past Sony Ericsson handsets, and provides a unique design which we found pleasing to the eye.

This also means that the Sony Xperia J sits nicely in the palm, and at 124g we reckon it's pretty spot on in terms of weight, with a perfect balance in the hand and its slender 124.3 x 61.2 x 9.2 mm chassis is certainly not overbearing.

Sony Xperia J review

It's a sturdy handset, with a good build quality, and while the rear plastic case is a little on the thin side, it's easy enough to remove, unlike the one found on the Nokia Lumia 820.

On the front you're greeted by a 4-inch display which is relatively bright, but at 480x854 isn't too sharp, especially when you consider the San Diego has a 600x1024 offering.

Sony Xperia J review

That's not to say it's a poor screen and Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich looks perfectly acceptable, with a single-core 1GHz processor and 512MB running the show.

Below the display is a bezel housing back, home and menu keys, with Sony not opting for on-screen controls, nor replacing the menu button with the multi-tasking function Google recommends.

Sony Xperia J review

There's also a front facing, VGA camera above the display while on the left there's a microUSB port for charging and connecting the Xperia J to a computer.

It's not a location we're fond of, as a charging port at the base of a handset makes it much easier to use when plugged in.

Sony Xperia J review

On the right there's a power/lock key at the top, with a volume rocker switch below. We found the power/lock key too small and difficult to press, making it a chore to do the simple task of locking the Xperia J, or waking the screen.

Up top there's just a centralised 3.5mm jack, which according to Nokia and its Lumia 920 makes it easier to slip a phone into your pocket when headphones are plugged in.

Sony Xperia J review

Round the back of the Xperia J, the curved rear cover sports a slightly rubberised finish, and while it's not quite as grippy as the Desire C, we didn't feel like we were prone to dropping the handset.

You get a 5MP rear camera flanked by a single LED flash in the top left corner, while at the base there's a speaker grill.

Sony Xperia J review

Hit the power/lock key and a ambient light will radiate out from the silver strip of bezel on the base of the Xperia J – these lighting touches are popular with Sony (and previously Sony Ericsson), and we can trace them all the way back to the w850i with its pulsating orange menu button.

The Sony Xperia J is an attractive, solid and well appointed handset set at a reasonable price which is sure to tempt some.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Google Nexus 4 is 4G after all... kind of

Google Nexus 4 is 4G after all... kind of

4G inside, but it's not hooked up

It turns out that the Google Nexus 4 does have 4G capabilities after all, as an LTE chip is discovered during a handset teardown.

The chaps over at iFixIt uncovered that the Nexus 4 sports a Qualcomm WTR1605L Seven-Band 4G LTE chip on its motherboard, as well as an Avago ACPM-7251 Quad-Band GSM/EDGE chip for all your 3G activity.

During our Google Nexus 4 review, one of few things which disappointed us was the fact the LG-made handset didn't support the latest generation of mobile network.

Not all good news

While you may be rejoicing at the fact your Nexus 4 does indeed have a 4G chip inside, it is missing a couple of key components.

There's no 4G antenna or power amplifier, which means the chip is lying dormant inside the handset, with no obvious way of enabling it.

We've contacted both LG and Google as to why the chip has been included in the handset and we will update this article once we hear back.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Surprise Samsung Ativ S release date revealed

Surprise Samsung Ativ S release date revealed

Samsung Windows devices, coming soon...

The Samsung Ativ S and Samsung Ativ Tab could both be in stock before the month is out, according to one online retailer.

First to touch down in the UK will apparently be the Ativ S smartphone, with Expansys claiming it will receive stock of the Windows Phone 8 device in two days' time - November 21.

If you have a hankering for a Windows tablet, then Samsung's offering could be less than two weeks away, with an Ativ Tab release date pegged for November 28.

As sure as we can be

We asked Expansys how sure it was of the dates and a spokesperson told TechRadar: "Those are the dates that have just been given to us by our Samsung distributor - so as sure as we can be."

We've already seen the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC 8X smartphones hit shelves in the UK, with both handsets offering up a different experience to what you find on the iOS and Android handsets also on the market.

The Windows 8 tablet market, like its smartphone platform, is still in its early phases with only a handful or tablets currently on sale, most noticeably the Microsoft Surface.

We hope to get both devices in soon, so keep an eye out for our in-depth Samsung Ativ S review and Samsung Ativ Tab review.


Source : techradar[dot]com

New report says Apple iMac computers still on target for 2012 launch

iMacs (October 2012)

Despite last week's report indicating production problems could delay the launch of Apple's new iMac computers until 2013, it seems the machines are still on target for a 2012 release, and may already be arriving at distribution centers around the world.

Concern amongst those waiting for Apple’s new iMac computers escalated last week, after a French blog reported the release had been delayed, possibly until 2013. While it was impossible to judge the validity of the report’s sources, talk of a delay regarding a new Apple product was hardly a surprise, given the problems it has seen with the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini so far this year.

However, 9to5mac.com has refuted the site’s claims, saying its own sources tell them the 21.5-inch iMac is already arriving at distribution centers in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world; indicating the planned November release will go ahead after all.

As for the 27-inch iMac, Apple gave it a tentative December release date, which is not only likely to be met, but perhaps even improved upon, with the massive computers becoming available to order around the same time as the 21-5-inch iMac.

Apple’s new iMac’s are considerably slimmer than older models, and some high-tech manufacturing processes have been used to fit all the computer hardware inside. The trouble Apple has had manufacturing the iPhone, which has been described by Foxconn as the most difficult device it has ever assembled, only made the rumored iMac delay seem more likely.

So, while a delay in their launch may have been averted, the iMac computers could still be a rarity in stores and online. Apple CEO Tim Cook warned there would be a “significant shortage” of the company’s range-topping desktop machines during the first three months after launch, so it’ll be wise to get an order in early if you’re desperate. You know, just like every other recent Apple release.

The only good thing is there’s unlikely to be a huge run on the $1300-plus computers during the Christmas shopping season, as eager buyers rush to claim the last remaining iPad Mini tablets and new iPod music players instead.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Asus Padfone 2 may arrive sooner than expected

Asus Padfone 2 may arrive sooner than expected

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's some kind of smartphone-tablet thing

The Asus Padfone 2 may arrive in stores sooner than expected after reports suggest the smartphone-tablet hybrid will go on sale in Germany on December 1.

According to German site Inside-Handy, it has received confirmation that the Asus Padfone 2 will be in stock from the beginning of December, although we've spoken to the Taiwanese firm and it is yet to confirm or deny this.

The original Asus Padfone failed to make it out of Asia but the Padfone 2 has been pegged for a European launch at least.

Christmas comes early

It's currently thought the Padfone 2 will arrive in Europe at the start of 2013 but this latest news does raise hopes of an earlier arrival.

You'll need some serious cash though if you fancy getting your hands on the Padfone 2 with the 32GB model reportedly sporting a price tag of €799 (around £642/$1020/AU$980), while the 64GB version will set you back €899 (around £720/$1150/AU$1105).

The Padfone 2 smartphone packs a 4.7-inch Super IPS+ HD display, quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 4G connectivity, NFC and 13MP camera.

The tablet dock offers up a 10.1-inch HD display and a 5000mAh battery, which will charge the phone when it's docked.

We're still unsure if the smartphone-tablet hybrid concept will be a success - with the high asking price Asus may find it hard to shift the combo.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Samsung may debut 4.99-inch, 1080p touchscreen at CES 2013

1080p Generic Phone

A new report indicates Samsung may debut a full high definition display suitable for smartphones during CES 2013. Could it be destined for the Galaxy S3's successor, or a new device entirely?

Samsung could be preparing to debut its own smartphone-sized 1080p display during CES 2013, hot on the heels of HTC’s Droid DNA. Full high definition displays are all set to be next year’s must-have new smartphone feature, although their size will see them used on hardware that tips over into smartphone/tablet hybrid territory.

A Korean newspaper claims Samsung has developed a 4.99-inch touchscreen with a 1080p resolution and a pixel density of 441ppi. While the resolution is the same as the Droid DNA’s, the pixel density beats it by one point.

It’s unlikely we’ll see the hardware related to Samsung’s new screen at the show though, as it’s not expected to go into production until later in the first quarter of 2013, which means Samsung could follow LG’s example and only show off the panel itself.

There are two logical, future homes for Samsung’s Full HD screen: The successors to the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2. The slightly odd 4.99-inch screen size could mean it’s destined for the Galaxy S4, as by keeping it under 5-inches — even if it is by a ridiculous 0.01 of an inch — it could still (just) be classed as a true smartphone.

There’s also a chance Samsung could introduce a new device which neatly fits in-between the 4.8-inch Galaxy S3 and the 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2. An earlier rumor put the Galaxy S4’s announcement for sometime in March, which seemed a little too soon into the S3’s life, however maybe Samsung is planning an event for that time, but it’s for our mystery 1080p phone and not for the S4.

We won’t find out until closer to the time, but provided the talk of a Samsung 1080p screen is correct, we should get to see it in action during CES 2013, which begins on January 8.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Windows Phone 7.8 could hit devices in a matter of days

Windows Phone 7.8 could hit devices in a matter of days

Soon, WP7 fans. Soon.

Nokia has let slip that Windows Phone 7.8 could be landing on users' handsets in just weeks, if not days, as the updated software has now been released to manufacturers.

The news comes from a developer seminar in Singapore, where the head of Nokia Asia Pacific Developer division let slip that the RTM had happened.

Reportedly, he told devs that the consumer roll-out would definitely happen before 2013, and added that WP7.8 won't be getting the swish new IE10 browser because the aging hardware can't support it.

Nearly but not quite

The not-quite-Windows Phone 8 software update will see Windows Phone 7 devices get some almost-WP8 updates like a revamped Start screen and Xbox Music, among other consolatory prizes.

We'd previously heard tell of a Windows Phone 7.8 release date following shortly after the Windows Phone 8 launch date (which was October 29), thanks to a post on the Italian Windows Phone Facebook page.

This was also backed up by a leak on a Chinese blog last week; so although nothing's for sure, all signs point to an imminent software treat for WP7 users.


Source : techradar[dot]com

12 Android battery life tips and tricks

12 Android battery life tips and tricks

Improve your Android phone's battery life with these tips

Battery life is one of the biggest issues in the Android world today. Take your SIM card out, turn off Wi-Fi and never touch it and it'll sit there happily, lasting for a whole week on one charge. But try to use it for anything "smart" and, well, that's where the problems start.

It's a pretty sorry state of affairs when we count the uptime of today's smartphones in numbers of hours rather than days, with the standard metric of decent battery life being whether a phone can last a whole working day on a single charge.

So are there any realistic things you can do to improve your phone's battery life, other than just switching it off, putting it a sock drawer and hoping no one ever wants to call you?

Yes, yes there are. Of course it's not possible to suddenly double your Android phone's uptime by magically tweaking a few settings, but you should be able to squeeze out a few more hours of life from even the puniest of batteries without compromising on performance too much.

Here are some easy, not-too-compromising methods of boosting your Android phone's battery life.

1. Set a rigid bedtime

Some of today's phones feature automation tools, which let you, say, turn off the mobile signal and Wi-Fi after a certain time. Putting your phone in this sort of induced coma will save power, so if your phone doesn't support scheduled activities, install a management app like Tasker and turn off all non-essential stuff over night. Or stick it in airplane mode yourself. You'll sleep better, too.

2. Deactivate Wi-Fi when not needed

If your phone's constantly sniffing out and trying to connect to every Wi-Fi signal in the area like a robot dog on heat, you're wasting power. Switch off Wi-Fi when out and about or when you know you're not going to be needing it. A Home screen toggle will make this easy. Think of it as something boring but essential you have to do, like always putting your seat belt on.

3. Upload and sync only on Wi-Fi

If you're a keen Dropbox user or rely heavily on music syncing services, you'll benefit greatly from only doing your uploading through Wi-Fi. It's vastly quicker, which means less connectivity time for your phone and less strain on the battered old lithium reserves.

Android battery life

4. Uninstall unnecessary apps

You can never be too sure what's running itself in the background, what with all the multi-tasking, self-uploading, auto-replicating features in today's modern Android apps, so at least minimise the chances of something randomly hoovering up all your battery by constantly trying to connect to some non-existent server, by deleting any unused or old apps.

Android battery life

5. Use push notifications if possible

Android's built-in email application is great and stylish and everything, but having it poll for messages every 15 minutes isn't the best for your battery. If your mail provider offers push notification support use it - the excellent standalone Hotmail app does, for example, which will help lessen power drain a little.

6. Check yourself

Apps like Battery Doctor will give you a much better indication of what's literally eating away at your phone's battery over time than Android's own limited battery life checker, which could help finger something that's the key culprit in draining power. And if you can live without it, bin it.

7. Install a brightness toggle widget

Set your phone to its minimum possible brightness by default, as it's your display that's by far the biggest user of power. Then stick a big brightness high/low toggle widget on the home screen, in a place you can find it without being able to see it (like when using your now ultra-gloomy phone outside). Then only max the brightness when you need to. It might help, and even the automatic brightness option uses a marginal amount of power, as the light sensor needs to... sense light.

Android battery life

8. Dump the widgets

Yes, widgets are a key part of Android, and we're trying to keep this guide practical and not simply tell you to nuke everything, but do you really need a constantly updating Facebook widget on a Home screen? It's just full of boring people's boring baby photos these days anyway, and updating widget content puts a constant strain on your battery throughout the day, even if you just activate your phone for a few seconds to check a text message.

9. Remove haptic feedback

Surely your brain's had enough practise using touch devices that it knows if you've pressed something or not by now? If so, turn off all the haptic feedback options. These little bumps and grinds use power each time you press a key, so try to get used to life without physical feedback.

10. Switch off GPS

Unless you're one of those people who's still using Foursquare to tell the world about it every time you go out to the shop to buy a packet of crisps, there's little reason to have GPS constantly active on your phone. Turn it on when you need it, and use the option to have your phone detect your location through the wi-fi connection. Wi-fi location is usually close enough an approximation for most apps. And if they do need GPS, they're clever enough to tell you anyway.

Android battery life

11. Put your phone on the windowsill...

A strong connection to your phone network requires less power to maintain, so the technical people tell us. So instead of keeping it in your pocket, stick it somewhere and point it in the right direction so you see the maximum number of connection strength bars. Simply flipping your phone 45 degrees on your desk might actually make the battery last longer. What a mind-blowing revelation, eh?

12. ...and keep it cool

Batteries work best in cooler temperatures, with prolonged warm periods gradually lowering their efficiency over time. Putting your phone in a looser pocket might help, or perhaps just gently fanning it while it charges. That might not be the best use of your working day, but at least you'll still be able to get on Twitter on the train home.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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