BBM for Android and iOS rumored to release Sept. 20

BBM for Android and iOS rumored to release Sept. 20

BBM, better late than never? (credit: TeknoUp)

More rumors have surfaced about the release of BBM for Android and iOS systems.

This time, Jakarta website TeknoUp claims they received an invitation to an event that's pegged for Sept. 20.

We're not sure how legit the invite is, but Crackberry compiled a list of plausible dates based on previous rumors and it seems like this Friday we'll see BBM hit the Google Play store for Android devices while the Apple store will see it on Sept. 21 for iOS.

We previously reported that BBM would touch down in Africa this Friday, so perhaps there is some truth in the rumors.

Where are you BBM?

The messaging app is supposedly releasing late this summer, which apparently really means the tail-end of summer considering Autumn starts Sept. 22 and we've seen nothing but rumors and teases.

There was an instance where it seemed BBM would be up and running but BlackBerry jumped the gun and pulled the site down.

We'll be looking out for the app this weekend to see if it really launches.


Source : techradar[dot]com

iOS 7 review

iOS 7 review

Ratings in depth
design
features
Usability
Performance
Value

iOS 7 is the biggest change to Apple's mobile OS since Steve Jobs changed his mind and allowed third party apps onto the iPhone.

Where previous iOS updates were largely a case of install-and-get-on-with-it, iOS 7 takes a bit more getting used to.

Don't worry, though: Apple isn't hurling babies out with the bathwater here. The iOS we know and largely love is still there, but it's been given one hell of a makeover.

Interface changes

Let's name the elephant in the room: Windows. In some instances iOS 7 reminds us of Windows Vista, especially in apps such as Maps and Videos where the background shows through the interface chrome, and in others it reminds us of Windows Phone in its use of white space and text.

There's a touch of WebOS in there too, especially in the new multitasking view.

The big questiiOS 7on isn't what it looks like, though. It's whether it works well, and we'd answer that with a qualified yes.

While iOS 7 is often a little bright for our tastes - using Safari on an iPad in a dark room after a long day is really quite unpleasant, and a lock screen with four swipeable areas hardly screams simplicity - the majority of the changes are for the better.

The lock screen's new swipes may add complexity, but it's in a good cause. The Control Center, which swipes from the bottom, is an immediate hit: instant access to Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles, Do Not Disturb, Rotation Lock, brightness, media controls, AirDrop, Airplay, a flashlight, the clock, the calculator and the camera - access that, despite so many options, isn't a cluttered and confusing mess - is a wonderful thing.

Yes, Android's had similar options for ages but you're not going to hear any iOS 7 user demanding Apple drop it because someone else did something similar first. If you find it gets in the way of your favourite apps, you can limit Control Center to the home and lock screens only.

New gestures

Where upwards swipes bring up Control Center, downwards ones give you the new Notification area. This is divided into three (swipeable) sections: Today, which summarises your calendar and tells you what the weather's doing; All, which records background app updates, push notifications and so on; and Missed, which as you might expect details any alerts you haven't acknowledged.

iOS 7We're not finished with swiping yet: you can also use backwards swipes to move backwards in apps that support the gesture, so for example you can swipe backwards in Safari or in Settings.

Such swipes take you back to the starting point of the selected app, but they won't boot you out of the app if you swipe backwards one step too far.

With multitasking, double-tapping the Home button brings up the apps list as before, but this time it has WebOS-style thumbnails. You close an app by flicking it away and shouting "begone!", although the shout isn't compulsory.

App Folders are prettier and roomier, and Spotlight has changed too: you no longer swipe from left to right to invoke it; you pull the home screen down instead.

The home screen gets some goodies too. It and the lock screen can use dynamic or static wallpapers, and they can use panoramas too (although that feature didn't work for us). Wallpapers also benefit from a subtle parallax effect, so if you move the phone the wallpapers appear to move.

The rest of iOS 7 emphasises simplicity, so for example the stitched leather is gone from Calendar and Notes don't pretend that they've been written on yellow legal pads. Sometimes it can be a little too stark - Calendar in particular feels like someone's thrown a whole lot of differently-sized Helveticas into a blizzard - but flattening and simplifying iOS does make it feel much more modern, consistent and efficient.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Windows Phone 8 awarded beefy US security accreditation

Windows Phone 8 awarded beefy US security accreditation

No leaky holes here

Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 platform has snagged itself FIPS 140-2 accreditation from the US government, meaning it can now be used by employees in industries that require the watertight security standard.

FIPS 140-2 is awarded to accredit the cryptographic algorithms that protect sensitive data inside products like smartphones or tablets.

In a company blog post, Microsoft writes that the accreditation was awarded by the Cryptographic Module Validation program, a joint effort of the US National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment Canada, the country's national cryptographic agency.

Of course, it's not the first mobile OS to achieve the standard - iOS 6 managed the same feat back in May, and both BlackBerry 7 and 10 have held it for some time.

The levels of fragmentation around software means certification around Android devices is something of a mixed bag.

Certified for nine

Windows Phone 8 has received FIPS 140-2 for nine cryptographic certifications, including:


Source : techradar[dot]com

HTC One Max shown off in massive photo leak

HTC One Max shown off in massive photo leak

HTC One gets the Max factor

The HTC One Max has appeared once again on film, with the super-sized smartphone shown off in comparison with a few of its big-screen rivals.

The image shows the HTC One Max compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Note 2. This is the first time we have been able to get an idea of the size of the device and, well, it's going to be big.

It looks longer than the Note 2 and a tad thicker but that could be down to the angle of the photograph.

Max power

The HTC One Max hasn't been announced by HTC yet. But, this leak further proves that the Taiwanese manufacturer is gunning for the bigger than a phone, not quite a tablet middle market (we aren't going the mention the 'p' word).

There is also rumour that HTC is set to bring its stylus back, last seen on the largely forgotten HTC Flyer, presumably so HTC fans can have play sword fights with their Samsung S Pen wielding mates.

HTC One Max

Other features are set to include a fingerprint scanner (the leak shows one on the back of the handset), 4G connectivity and the fact this will be a single SIM device. Previous leaks had hinted at a two-SIM setup.

HTC seems to be betting big (literally) on its One brand, having already released the HTC One mini earlier in the year, but there's no word at the moment when the HTC One Max will be officially announced.


Source : techradar[dot]com

BlackBerry Z30 is a 5" communication machine, comes with BB10.2

BlackBerry Z30 is a 5

Five whole inches of BlackBerry 10.2 goodness

BlackBerry's "biggest, fastest and most advanced" phone is here in the form of the 5-inch BlackBerry Z30.

Sashaying onto the scene with a very similar look to its stablemates, the Z30's display is a Super AMOLED one, with a Snapdragon S4 1.7GHz processor under the hood keeping things zippy.

The Z30 also comes rocking the latest version of BlackBerry 10 OS, BlackBerry 10.2, and a 2880mAh battery which BlackBerry says should get you 25 hours of "mixed-use" when coupled with 10.2's "battery-enhancements".

BlackBerry also reckons you'll get better signal thanks to its new Paratek Antenna, with stereo speakers boosting the handset's music playback and voice reproduction easier on the ear.

Sound as a pound

"It is designed to keep you hyper connected, productive and always in control," BlackBerry's says. We're not sure how being hyper-connected is any different to just being, you know, connected but hey if you're dazzled by marketing speak then a BlackBerry Z30 may well be the phone for you.

The handset is also "designed for people looking for a smartphone that excels at communications, messaging and productivity". FINALLY! A smartphone that excels at communications and messaging! Throw out the semaphore flags, Norma. We's gettin' hyper connected now.

The BlackBerry Z30 release date is scheduled for next week in the UK and the Middle East, with all other regions coming before Christmas. Pricing is down to carriers so stay tuned for more on that.

Meanwhile, the BlackBerry 10.2 software update should hit the BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10 and BlackBerry Q5 from mid-October, network dependent.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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