Galaxy Round reportedly a prototype, even has a limited run in South Korea

Galaxy Round reportedly a prototype, even has a limited run in South Korea

May be Round 1

The Samsung Galaxy Round is available to buy right now in South Korea, even though it looks like an odd-shaped prototype that the company is testing out.

Well, truth be told the "world's first curved smartphone" is actually being considered a prototype inside Samsung, according to the dedicated fan blog SamMobile.

The report cites an insider that said the South Korean electronics giant intends to produce only "limited quantities" of the peculiar device.

The lack of inventory may not be that big of a problem, however. The Galaxy Round is rather expensive with a price that said to be over $1,000 (about £627, AU$1,047).

A Note 3 that flexes a lot

The Galaxy Round could be a sign of future curved display smartphones to come that are meant for the mainstream.

Samsung has done this sort of limited testing phase before when it launched the Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE, noted today's report.

Or it may be a one-off that Samsung doesn't get behind after polling public opinion.

While this "prototype" is not being sold outside of South Korea right now, anyone bent on owning a smartphone with the same basic specs - minus the bend - can pick up the Galaxy Note 3.

The two devices use a similar phablet-sized nearly 5.7-inch display. It's just that one is curved and the other is not. Unless of course you drop the Note 3.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Smartphone photography tips and tricks you should know

Smartphone photography tips and tricks you should know

Smartphone photography, iPhoneography, mobile photography or whatever you want to call it, it's clear that taking great pictures with a phone has become a thing now.

What does that mean, exactly? It means that folks are creating works of art from the smartphones, and those pieces also go up in galleries or are made into prints. That's the extreme end, of course, but on the other we have Instagram photos that look totally killer.

iPhoneography photos

If you own a smartphone made in the last year, chances are it has a pretty damn good camera on it, too. And if you're reading this article, perhaps you're curious about taking better pictures with that smartphone.

Before we dive into it, just know this: learning and knowing how to do it is the easy part. The hard part is creating something magical with that knowledge, but by knowing how to get there, your chances of making pretty pictures improve.

Smartphone photography apps

You might be thinking that any old photo can be made to look nice with all the photography apps out there. It's sort of true, but at best they can make bland photos look somewhat interesting. But that's not what you want - you want control over how your images look, and that's what apps should help you do.

The first thing you'll need is an app that helps you control focus and exposure of your camera. Some smartphones will allow you to do this by default, like the Nokia Lumia 1020. Other phones give you the option to set focus and exposure at the same time, but not independently, like the iPhone 5S.

However, there are plenty of apps out there that will allow you to do both, like Pro Camera 7 or Camera+ for the iPhone. That's what you'll need as a good starting point for taking good photos.

iPhoneography and smartphone photography tips

After all, if you can't control your exposure or where your camera focuses, you might as well give up and buy a proper camera.

The next set of apps you'll want are the ones that will allow you to control basic things like contrast, white balance, color saturation and brightness. Most photos straight out of camera are flat, so you'll want apps like Snapseed or Photoshop Touch to fine tune them.

Here is a list of apps you should start with if you're on the iPhone, but you'll find very similar ones - if not their exact counterparts - on Android, too.

1. Learn to use your camera software

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at just what your smartphone camera can do.

Perhaps you're familiar with some of the basic operations, like switching between the camera and video modes, or turning your flash on and off or putting it on auto. But did you know that your camera likely has some scene modes, too? Or panorama and HDR features?

Don't be afraid to tinker with your iPhone or Android device's camera. It has plenty of memory for photos, so you can play with the different features, effects and settings and snap lots of photos.

Soon, you'll know your way around the camera software like it's second nature. And that's exactly what it should become - you don't want to miss any moments because you're busy fumbling with your camera's settings.

2. Learn compositional basics

This might sound boring, but learning the basics is tried and true. There are plenty of resources out there for this, but here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, we'll start with the rule of thirds. If you're just starting out, think of it as a hard rule before you start breaking it. With the rule of thirds, imagine a grid of lines on your smartphone's display, dividing it into thirds both horizontally and vertically. In fact, most smartphones come with an option to display that very grid.

iPhoneography and smartphone photography tips and tricks

With the grid up, try placing your subjects along those lines or at the points where the lines intersect. It will make the photos much more interesting than being smack dab in the middle of your frame.

You can do this with subjects like lighthouses, people, flowers and everything else. But it's also a good idea to do this with your horizon lines, too, so that your horizon never cuts through the center of your frame.

Once you get into the habit of following the rule of thirds, you'll start to have a better sense of a photo's balance. When you're at the stage where you think you're getting the hang of it, start breaking the rule and see what works and what doesn't.

3. Learn how to see light

If you're going to go out and make pictures that impress your friends, you're going to need good light. What is good light, exactly?

Good light is the kind of light that gives a scene shape, depth and makes things look interesting. Generally, shooting indoors with artificial light or outdoors midday or with overcast skies is bad, flat and boring light. You'll know flat light when you see it - there are few shadows, if any, and everything looks evenly lit.

Look for light with some kind of direction and color. This type of light happens naturally at just before sunrise and at sunset. Alternatively, window light is great because it has direction and it's often soft and a little diffuse, so it's not harsh on your subjects.

iPhoneography and smartphone photography tips and tricks

Good light is especially important in mobile photography because you can't create much more interest with different focal lengths and varying depth of field. You're stuck with one focal length, and one aperture setting. It's a very good exercise in shooting light and finding good composition.

4. Find an interesting moment

Say you're at a beautiful location, the light is gorgeous and everything is ripe for a great photo. But nothing's happening. It's like looking through your Instagram or Facebook feed: there are hundreds of sunset photos with nothing but just sunsets. That's it.

Instead, find something to complement the scene if you can. Maybe it's just someone walking by. Wait until the shape of the walking person balances the photo and is at peak action, then snap away.

Sometimes, there are no moments. Nothing is happening. There's no one around, and it's just a pretty scene. It won't hurt to take the photo. Do that and keep it for yourself or share it with close people and tell a story along with it.

iPhoneography tips and tricks

But if you really want to get the good stuff, find a good moment. Maybe it's people peacefully relaxing in the park - sleeping, eating, chatting, reading. Or maybe it's a quarrel on the street (just be safe). Keep your eyes open for movement and always try to find some way to balance the photo compositionally.

Without moments, you're probably just shooting still life most of the time. It's too easy, and we can all agree that there are more than enough food photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram these days.

5. Work the scene

What does it mean when a photographer tells you to work the scene? It means almost that - work it! Don't just stand there, compose and snap one photo and move along. Maybe a better shot will come along in a minute, or in five minutes.

Or perhaps you'd get a better photo of your subject by standing closer, or further away. Maybe the photo would look better from a lower angle, or a higher one. Or you can compose the same scene in a different way, or three different ways.

Taking a good photo means giving it some thought. Otherwise you're just taking snapshots, and unless you get really lucky, your chances of getting a good photo that way are slim.

Don't be afraid to take many photos. You can always delete them later, and you have plenty of memory on your smartphone. When you see something that really catches your eye, work that scene. And if there is a moment about to happen, shoot through it. That means keep shooting photos until the moment is over, then pick the best one.

In fact, smartphones like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S have excellent burst modes that can capture photos as fast as 10 frames per second. Use it!

6. Don't stop shooting

You can't expect to practice the piano once a week and play a Chopin Etude by the end of the year. At least, most of us wouldn't be able to do that. And you can't expect the same from photography.

If you only take photos once in a blue moon, it's going to take you a very long time before you can start taking photos that impress your friends.

Try shooting a little every day. If you're lacking inspiration some days, shoot anyway. Shoot what's in front of you, even if it could end up being another dreaded food photo. Why not try to make it look more interesting than the clichéd straight-down-from-the-top photo that has become the norm these days? Find a better angle, shoot it macro, just make it interesting.

And that's what you'll end up doing most of the time. Unless you're out on the hunt for perfect light, interesting settings and great moments, you're going to be forced to turn mundane, everyday objects and scenes into something interesting.

If you can make your friends and family say, "Wow, I've never seen it that way before," then you're doing something right. You're being creative, rather than just a passive observer documenting what he or she sees without second thought.

That's it! Now go out there and impress us all.


Source : techradar[dot]com

The next big Windows update won't arrive until 2015, says report

The next big Windows update won't arrive until 2015, says report

Will Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 eventually merge?

Windows 8.1, the first major update to Windows 8, will be released tomorrow as a free download for existing W8 users. So what's next?

ZDNET's sources said in a report published today that the next big Windows update won't arrive until spring 2015.

That puts more than a year between the Windows 8.1 release and the next big overhaul - plenty of time for Microsoft to whip up something good.

And plenty of time for Windows users to dissect and critique every single aspect of Windows 8.1, which they'll no doubt do.

Windows Phone 8.1: another puzzle piece

Before that, though, Microsoft will reportedly release a smaller Spring 2014 Windows 8.1 update to coincide with the launch of Windows Phone 8.1.

Some expect the next major Windows update to arrive fall 2014, but today's report said that's looking unlikely.

When the big Windows update does arrive in 2015, it will supposedly further unify Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.

That could be when the combined Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 app store, previously rumored for Spring 2014, will arrive as well.

And as ZDNET pointed out, the recent rumor about Windows Phone 8.1 devices growing up to 10 inches makes more sense if Windows Phone and Windows RT eventually merge; otherwise they'd encroach on one another.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Report: Galaxy S5 will release in January without powerful new chip

Report: Galaxy S5 will release in January without powerful new chip

Samsung's Galaxy S4 leads the pack, according to some

Yesterday we heard that Samsung's Galaxy S5 will pack a powerful new chip, a 14-nanometer 64-bit Exynos CPU, but word today is that won't happen after all.

Unwired View claimed today that there's simply not enough time for Samsung to mass-produce a 14nm chip.

That's because, as we've heard before, the Galaxy S5 might launch in January, moved up from the previously expected March S5 release data.

The Galaxy S5 might still sport a 64-bit CPU, but the site said mass production of 14-nanometer chips is still months away.

Galaxy S4 vs. iPhone 5

The same report alerted us to data from Counterpoint Research that claims Galaxy S4 sales dropped to 5 million in August from a peak in June of 7 million.

The Hong Kong research group said the S4 was the top-selling phone in August, though for some reason it counted the iPhone 5 16GB and 32GB models as two separate phones.

The two iPhone versions took the second and third spots on the list of top-selling phones in August, so combined they likely beat the Galaxy S4.

And keep in mind that was just before Apple unveiled the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, when iPhone 5 sales may have slumped due to anticipation for the new devices.

Mobile market on the rise

But Unwired View said that despite the new iPhones on the market, Galaxy S4 sales will likely rise as the holidays approach thanks to price cuts and promotions from Samsung.

Counterpoint's research said high-end phone sales are dropping off while mid-tier options like the Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy S duos, and others pick up the slack.

Overall, the mobile market is growing 40 to 50 percent year over year, the group said.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Google teases us with Android KitKat 'signs'

Google teases us with Android KitKat 'signs'

Is it though? IS IT?

We're still none the wiser on the Android 4.4 KitKat release date since October 15 has been and gone, but Google's Kit Kat Google+ page is full of hints.

We reported earlier that it could be that the US government shutdown is to blame, causing delays in the approval process. If indeed that is the case, it seems like the delay could well be only a few days, or less.

Yesterday, a post on the Android KitKat Google+ appeared showing the chocolatey Android dancing, with the title 'Everybody dance now'.

Android Community - among others - have mooted the theory that the C+C Music Factory Hit was 4 minutes and 4 seconds long, tying in with the Android 4.4 moniker, while pointing out that the songs release was October 18, 1990. Make your own mind up if you think it points to a launch this Friday.

Android 4.4 KitKat - LEAK

Look for the signs...

Google hasn't stopped their, with an image posted today showing KitKat bars making up the phrase "This is it" and with the teasing message "sometimes you have to look for the signs..."

Speculation also abounds here, with many suggesting that the number of KitKat fingers, there are 16, in the image could mean that today, October 16, could be the Android 4.4 release date.

Android 4.4 KitKat - LEAK

Then again, a lot of comments are leading to suggest that maybe October 28 is the day we should all be looking out for in the off chance this is a subtle film reference.

Until the actual release, it is all speculative and perhaps a little tenuous, so there is a certain level of caution to be taken with these things. Maybe, just maybe, Google are trolling us, messing with our heads. We hope not. We want our update soon.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Is this the Cyan Nokia Lumia 1520?

Is this the Cyan Nokia Lumia 1520?

Why so blue?

There is less than a week to go until we jet out to Abu Dhabi to see what Nokia have been shouting about.

This means that it is high time for a flurry of leaks and rumours surround just what Nokia might be launching.

We're expecting the official announcement of the heavily rumoured Nokia Lumia 1520, the firm's new flagship Windows Phone 8 phablet device.

Blue is his house with a blue 'little' windows phone

Today's leaked press render comes from a previously unknown source, by the name of Moroleaks.

We're advising an unhealthy dose of the old NaCl on this one, as there are only 7 tweets from the feed, with 5 of the others being of the fabled Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet that have, possibly coincidentally popped up on evleaks before hand.

It does, however, appear to match previous photographs that we've seen before. If this does turn out to be the Lumia 1520, it shows that it will come in a few colours a la iPhone 5C, or nigh on every Nokia Lumia device.

Needless to say, we'll have the full news on to you as soon as we can, until then we'd suggest checking out what we already know, or at least think we know.


Source : techradar[dot]com

BBM for Android and iOS: when will I get it?

BBM for Android and iOS: when will I get it?

Are we about to see BBM on Android and iOS?

The news that BlackBerry's proprietary messaging service is coming across to the two largest mobile ecosystems has been around for a while.

The announcement that iOS and Android are both being treated to BBM was made at BlackBerry Live at the beginning of the summer.

It seems a little odd that the proprietary messaging systems that was at the heart of reasons why the BlackBerry handsets of old gained popularity, would make it onto other handsets.

It all began with BBM's popularity with business users now able to communicate quicker than ever, and more securely thanks to pin based usernames, and BlackBerry's ultra secure servers.

Many of BlackBerry's services have gained FIPS 140-2 or FIPS 140-1 validations, leading to use by NATO, as well as UK, US and Australian governments, amongst others.

As smartphone purchases became more common amongst younger audiences, BBM then gained popularity as a way to send instant messages and images to each other, without the need to break into their monthly text allowances.

Why is BBM going cross OS?

Asking why BBM is going cross OS could could easily be titled 'where did it all go wrong for BBM?'.

As with any of these pieces written about BlackBerry, the rise of the iPhone (now it it's seventh and eighth iterations with the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C) can be heavily attributed to the demise of, and subsequent rise of cross OS BBM.

Being locked into the BlackBerry operating systems meant that users could only access the service if they were wielding one of the many BlackBerry devices, such as the BlackBerry Curve 8520 that became so popular amongst teenagers.

As iPhones gained in popularity, the user base for BBM declined rapidly. Consumers were skipping over BlackBerry handset offerings and opting for the iPhone or an Android handset instead.

Both the iOS and Android ecosystem thrived, at the expense of the once formidable Canadian company. Varying messaging apps were developed to make use of the mobile web, putting them in direct competition with BBM.

WhatsApp rose to fame, and is now one of the most popular and well known apps available for messaging available on iPhone, BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Phone handsets.

Even Apple saw the merit and jumped on the IM bandwagon, integrating its proprietary iMessage service with the SMS app on the iPhone, tying users deeper into the Apple ecosystem.

BlackBerry is now looking to somehow regain the slice of the instant messaging pie, by launching across varying mobile operating systems.

There are some pitfalls though, as highlighted by Samsung's IM app, ChatOn. This is another cross OS messaging app found on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, that began life solely Samsung devices. It has since struggled a little due to a lack of dedicated users.

BlackBerry has with a pre-existing base of users, both consumer and business however, so this could prove a shrewd move. Tempting users into BBM will offer BlackBerry the chance to show just how good their software is.

It will also allow them to target the prosumer market that the new BlackBerry handsets are aiming at.

For businesses tied into longer contracts on iPhone or Android handsets, the security of the BBM messaging system will once again allow them to again communicate securely without having to fork out for contract upgrades whilst giving BlackBerry some confidence that they might then opt for a new BlackBerry handset when their contracts expire.

Of course BlackBerry will hope that this will also rub off on the consumer market as it did before, with users potentially being tempted back into buying a BlackBerry like the BlackBerry Z30.

Why has it taken so long?

Had BlackBerry not run into the financial difficulties that have dogged it to a point that it is penning letters saying they aren't going anywhere; BBM might not have ever made it cross OS.

It was one of the key features and selling points of the BlackBerry ecosystem, one that has come under a lot of fire recently.

That said, as many will know, BBM for Android and iOS should already have launched.

September 21 was the scheduled launch for the Android app, with the iOS version due to land on the App store a day later. Unfortunately the iOS version went live a day early.

Combine that with 1.1 million downloads of a leaked BBM for Android Beta app, and the ensuing chaos led BlackBerry with no choice but to pull both apps.

BlackBerry said at the time that they were "focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app" whilst also "making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future".

It is pretty easy to imagine that systems were overloaded, with BlackBerry servers unready and unable to handle the large volumes of new users.

So I'll get BBM soon?

BlackBerry Chief Marketing Officer Franck Boulben told Reuters that the BBM launch for iOS and Android should be coming within the next couple of days.

The last reports said that BBM is set to bring messaging and groups across, with voice, screen share, video, and other features being added in later updates. Whether any new features have been added during this downtime has yet to be confirmed, although it looks unlikely.

For the moment, the planned launch of BBM on alternate OS' is limited to just iOS and Android, though that doesn't necessarily mean that BBM won't emigrate to other mobile operating systems in the future.

Suggestions that Windows Phone might be treated to a BBM app have been fuelled by BBM creator Gary Klassen, who told The Mobile Indian "BBM will not be limited to just Android or iOS. We are open to other platforms also."

He added that BlackBerry "want more people to enjoy and experience BBM". Could this be one of the future scenarios that BlackBerry is preparing for?

With Windows Phone gaining in popularity across the globe, doubling its share of the European market in a year, this could be a market that BlackBerry can't afford to miss, or maybe we're just hopeful that we're all going to share in the BBM love.


Source : techradar[dot]com

EE confirms it's testing next-gen network this year

EE confirms it's testing next-gen network this year

Because 4G just isn't fast enough

EE has confirmed that it will be carrying out tests this year for the next generation of mobile network, dubbed LTE Advanced.

According to the network, the new technology could provide top speeds of up to 300Mbps - double what it's current 4G offering can provide.

The tests will be carried out in London, although there's no clear indication when the technology will be rolled out to consumers.

A 4G sandwich

This new speed has been made possible by EE combining its two 4G frequencies into one super channel allowing for a much higher throughput.

The LTE Advanced technology will be first introduced in the mobile broadband sector, allowing EE to bring network connections to rural areas which are currently without the internet, as well as to businesses such as the emergency services.

Currently EE doesn't range any LTE Advanced smartphones, and there are only a tiny number of handsets which exist in the world.

That means we're unlikely to see the option of 300Mbps speeds hit our smartphones next year, with 2015 being the earliest date mooted at the moment - but that's all subject to change.

  • While we wait, why not check out the best 4G phones currently around?

Source : techradar[dot]com

iPhone 5C might be proving a bit of a rotten fruit for Apple

iPhone 5C might be proving a bit of a rotten fruit for Apple

Has iPhone 5C got the blues?

The iPhone 5C has only been on shelves for a few weeks but Apple is reportedly cutting orders for the colourful handset.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has told two of its assemblers – Pegatron and Hon Hai Precision (aka Foxconn) – that fourth quarter shipments of the 5C would be getting a cut.

Pegatron has reportedly been told that iPhone 5C shipments will be cut 20% while Hon Hai orders will be sliced by a third.

In the same report, however, two Hon Hai execs are quotes as saying that Apple is set to increase production of the iPhone 5S.

Slicing the Apple

As exact numbers are unknown, it's difficult to tell an awful lot from this. Though it doesn't sound like the 5C is doing phenomenally well, the 5S is clearly proving another hit for Cupertino.

So all things considered, we can't see this being too damaging for Apple. And besides, we've got the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 coming next week, and we suspect just a few people might be picking them up.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Windows Phone back button isn't going anywhere

Windows Phone back button isn't going anywhere

It seems that one of the identifying features of Windows Phone handsets isn't being killed off in the Windows Phone 8.1 update.

There have been rumours milling around that the back button was going to be completely dropped, although it seems more likely that the Redmond-based firm is merely dropping the requirement that manufacturers need to include one.

That would pose a few questions, as removing the back button would cause some problems, with many Windows Phone apps built around the functionality.

Windows Phone to go Nexus style?

In order to combat this, sources talking to The Verge suggest that on screen buttons will replace the current Back, Home and Search keys.

This could mean a Nexus style bar at the bottom of the screen.

Removing the requirement for a back button is also a way that Microsoft might be looking at reducing the manufacturing costs of future Windows Phone handsets.

This isn't the first time that Microsoft has relaxed hardware requirements, with a need for camera's already having been removed.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Nexus 5, Google watch may have been delayed by US government shutdown

Nexus 5, Google watch may have been delayed by US government shutdown

It could be getting political

Original rumours suggested that October 15 would be the launch date for the Google Nexus 5. But would you look at that – it's October 16 and the Nexus 4 is still the latest and greatest of its kind.

Now there's a rumour flying around the internet claiming that the US government shutdown has caused a delay on Google getting the Nexus 5 and rumoured Google smartwatch through the approval process, which is why the October 15 unveiling never took place.

October 31 is the other date we've been hearing, so this possible delay may prove to be a whole load of "no big deal" if Google gets the approval soon. Or it's completely untrue.

But if Google did in fact have an October 15 event lined up and ready, and has now had to push it back, we really hope the governmental hijinks don't push it back any further.

Android promises

As more evidence that Google is preparing the launch of something very soon, a new Google display has shown up at a Best Buy store in the US although right now it's empty.

However it's been reported by PhoneArena that a Best Buy manager has confirmed this is a display stand for the Nexus 5. Could we even see the Google watch showing its face alongside it?

We've been promised that Android 4.4 KitKat will arrive this month and we expect Google is planning to roll it out alongside the Nexus 5 and its smartwatch.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Intel's faster, smaller, more efficient Broadwell chip delayed till 2014

Intel's faster, smaller, more efficient Broadwell chip delayed till 2014

He's hard at work, rest assured

Intel has had to delay its upcoming Broadwell chip until the first three months of 2014 due to a manufacturing hiccup.

Brian Krzanich, the company's CEO, explained the issue while going through Intel's finances with analysts, calling it a "defect density issue" - basically, Intel hasn't made too many broken chips and not enough working ones.

Happily, Intel has fixed the issues now so manufacturing can go ahead, but it still means an extra three months to wait before the hardware will make it into phones, tablets and other devices.

Broadchurch

We saw the Broadwell chip in action back at IDF this year; the 14nm chip ran against its predecessor, Haswell, and blew it out of the water in terms of performance.

Benefits of the Broadwell chipset include speed, size and a boost to graphics capabilities. But perhaps the most enticing element is that the Broadwell chip offers increased power efficiency - and anything that means our devices spend fewer hours on charge is all right by us.

With January - March 2014 pencilled into Intel's release diary, we should start seeing machines with the new chip hitting the shelves sometime after April 2014.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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