The biggest representatives of every operating system go head-to-head-.to head. The iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3, and HTC Windows Phone 8X square off in a Spec Showdown. Which phone best meets your needs? Take a look at our comparison and make your call.

Since Apple makes its own products, it’s latest product is the default market leader for iOS. For Android and Windows Phone handsets, however, the field is wide open. The market defines the front runners with their wallets, and there’s the media darlings that manage to snag the hearts of reviewers. The Samsung Galaxy S3 has become Android’s model phone, in part because of an aggressive and enjoyable ad campaign, and because it’s just a darn good handset. With Windows Phone 8 just becoming available, we can’t be certain what the mobile operating system’s chief representative will be. What we can say with confidence, though, is that HTC’s Windows Phone 8X can make quite a case for itself. How do these three heavyweights of the handset world stack up against one another? Take a look at the stat sheet and draw your own conclusions.

Read our full reviews for the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3, and HTC Windows Phone 8X for our extended take on each option. 

What it means: You can sit and compare the processing power and pixel-per-inch count on each device and come to a conclusion about which phone is most technically sound. That said, the biggest and most glaring difference between these three handsets is in one category: the operating system. Apple’s iOS is streamlined and smooth, like everything Apple; Google’s Android OS is in a seemingly constant state of upgrade, but rarely are the changes met with complaints; Windows Phone 8 brings the complete implementation of Live Tiles, and we’ve already started to see that Microsoft may be on to something. The deciding factor may come down to your other devices and computer. If you own a Mac, sticking with the Apple theme may be best for the purposes of continuity. PC users that sprung for Windows 8 should consider snagging the Windows Phone 8X to get the full functionality of the OS. Android devices can work with Mac, Windows, or even Linux, and the NFC features like S Beam make the Galaxy S3 appealing if your friends of co-workers also own the device. Luckily, if you are making your choice from this group, it’s hard to pick wrong.

(Specs by Jeffrey Van Camp)

Microsoft isn't taking any time off between releasing Windows 8 and starting on its next big thing. The company's latest job listings suggest that we'll be seeing a cloud-based TV platform in our future.

Microsoft isn’t letting up on its efforts to stay relevant in the computing industry. Hot on the heels of the Windows 8 release, job listings on the company’s website show positions for developing “a new cloud-based TV platform.” The positions are part of the Interactive Entertainment Business division of Microsoft, so the possible new cloud service will appear on Xbox if it does come to fruition.

Think you’re up for the task? The job listings are for engineers experienced with using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and jQuery. It also looks like the company is seeking both mobile and browser options, since iOS, Android, Windows 8, and Windows RT are also listed as ideal fields of experience.

It would be a huge coup for Microsoft to be the first company to offer a device-specific cloud television service. Microsoft’s foray into a cloud-based TV platform could also be an effort to muscle out the other companies with Xbox Live apps for watching TV and movies, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, in favor of an internal platform. Microsoft worked with Comcast to release the NBC News app on Xbox in August, and that could be just an early step toward positioning itself as an entertainment leader.

Whatever the motivation, this is one more sign that Microsoft is willing to adapt to secure its spot as a key player in the fast-moving tech scene. With plans for the Xbox 720 to hit the market some time in 2014, Microsoft has plenty of time to make a concerted push to have an impressive new addition to its product when the new console becomes available. 

[Source: SlashGear]

Take a look at some of the best iPad Mini accessories on the market. We round up the stylish, the portable, the wireless, and the useful, for iPad accessory hunters on the prowl.

The iPad mini is likely to be a popular purchase over the next few months. Whether you’ve treated yourself to one or you know someone who has one, you may be on the lookout for some iPad mini accessories. You can extend the functionality of your new tablet and make it easier to use. You’ll also find that iPad Mini accessories make great gifts, much like the $330 iPad Mini itself.

If you’re looking for a decent set of speakers, a way to stream content to your TV, a stylus for sketching, or a sturdy stand. Whatever iPad Mini accessory you are hunting for there should be an option here to catch your eye.

If you haven’t got protection for your new Apple tablet yet then make sure to check out our iPad Mini cases and covers roundup for ten great suggestions. 

Breffo Spiderpodium iPad Mini stand ($20)

It can be a chore finding the right angle for your iPad mini and most of the stands on the market have a number of preset angles. The Spiderpodium is different. This stand is extremely lightweight and flexible and it allows you to get exactly the right angle for whatever you are doing on your iPad Mini. It feels like soft rubber which also provides good grip, but the skeleton inside is surprisingly strong. It’s a versatile option that you can use in a number of scenarios and it folds flat for when you’re traveling. It comes in a range of colors – there’s even a glow in the dark option.

Jawbone Jambox ($200)

Although the iPad Mini does have stereo speakers, you’ll need to splash out for a decent speaker to enjoy really good sound. Since this is the most portable iPad yet, it makes sense to get a portable speaker and nothing else on the market packs the same quality sound into such a small form as the Jawbone Jambox. It is wireless, with support for Bluetooth, so there’s no need to carry a lot of cables around with you. You can also choose from a wide range of grills and colors to suit you.

Beyerdynamic DTX 101 iE In-Ear Headphones ($100)

If you prefer the compact in-ear style headphones, but you don’t want to sacrifice on quality, then this set from Beyerdynamic is worth considering. You’ll enjoy crystal clear sound with some real power, thanks to the Neodymium acoustic drivers. The headphones come with three different pairs of ear-pieces and a handy soft case for when you’re on the move.

IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard for Tablets and Smartphones ($50)

You can actually control six different devices at the touch of a button using this mini Bluetooth keyboard. It’s an ideal wireless keyboard for the iPad Mini because it’s compact, has a number of hotkeys for easy media control, and is very quiet to use. It comes with a nice carry pouch so you can throw it in your bag on trips, as well. It will also work with most smartphones and it only needs two AAA batteries to operate. However, if you prefer to stick with the Apple aesthetic then the Apple Wireless Keyboard might be for you. It is also Bluetooth, it runs on two AA batteries, and it costs $70.

Arkon Deluxe Universal Tablet Headrest Mount ($35)

If you have passengers in the back or you’re taking the kids on a road trip then you can make the most of your iPad Mini with this clever headrest mount. It clamps onto the two poles of the headrest and extends the iPad Mini to sit in between the two front seats so everyone on the back seat can get a great view. It also has a 360 degree swivel ball so that you can switch it from landscape if portrait if you want to. You iPad Mini will fit in this mount even with a case on.

HAND Stylus ($35)

This started out as a Kickstarter project and it surpassed its goal thanks to an excellent design that circumvents the problems typically found in styluses. Namely that there is no way for this stylus to scratch your tablet’s screen because every edge is rounded and smoothed. The 4mm tip is retractable, rotatable, and replaceable. Overall, it’s a responsive and easy-to-use stylus that is ideal for people who prefer to hand write notes and sketch on their iPad Mini. It comes in various colors and that $35 price includes shipping. You can $10 for a bag of six extra tips.

Apple TV ($100)

You’ve likely heard of Apple TV before. It’s no new. It’s a $100 device that lets you buy movies and TV shows from iTunes and you can access a handful of other services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and YouTube on your big screen television. The real attraction for iPad Mini owners is the wireless streaming via AirPlay. You can choose content from your tablet, including your own videos and photos, and see it on your big TV. You can even mirror your iPad Mini’s screen which allows you to blow up games and apps or surf the web in style. There’s also an app that can turn your iPad Mini into a remote control.

If you don’t want Apple TV simply to play content from your iPad Mini you could consider the Lightning Digital AV Adapter, but it does cost $50 and you’ll still need an HDMI cable.

Suggestions? Let us know

You’ll find more and more iPad Mini accessories hitting the market over the next few weeks and there’s already quite a large selection at the Apple Store. If you find anything that’s so good you simply have to recommend it then please post a comment and let us know.

Valve's ubiquitous software distribution service Steam has finally appeared on Linux. It's only in beta, but this new version of Steam already includes a number of important features found in its PC counterpart.

When Valve first announced Steam, a service that allows gamers (and, recently, creative professionals) the ability to download software at high speeds from Valve’s servers, many people were skeptical. Especially when the company launched Half-Life 2 and both Steam and the game were rendered unusable for a number of days. Of course, Valve has turned things around since then, and over the past few years Steam has become the de facto face of digital downloads, offering both PC users and those who prefer Apple’s devices a solid reason to never physically visit a video game store ever again.

Now, that awesome opportunity for wanton laziness has been expanded to Linux users. Well, sort of. As of this morning, Valve has announced that Steam has entered a closed Linux beta test. The current beta version of Steam lacks many of the features you’d find in its PC and Mac iterations, but Valve certainly didn’t want to test its game distribution system without offering players actual games. Thus, beta testers are now able to download and play a special Linux version of Team Fortress 2. Further, the Linux Steam client also includes support for the Big Picture mode seen in the PC version of Steam that allows the software (and any games running through it) to expand its viewing area to properly fit on modern HDTVs.

Oddly, Valve’s announcement also claims that there are an additional “two dozen” games available for play on the Linux version of Steam, though all links the company has offered to an official list of said games seem to be defunct. Seeing this, we attempted to manually search Steam for any Linux-compatible games, and while we came up with this list of 25 titles (26 if you include Team Fortress 2) by searching specifically for Linux compatibility, none of them happen to mention Linux in their respective Steam store descriptions. We just sent off a message to Valve to see if we could get a bit of clarification on which games Linux users can expect to play, so hopefully we’ll have more info to offer soon.

Now, before you Linux users get too excited, know that there are caveats involved with this beta test. First, this is not a public beta. To be eligible for the test, you would have had to already receive an invite from Valve. According to the company, it received over 60,000 applications to take part in this test in the first week following its call for such people, and while no official figures have been released on how many gamers are involved in this beta, we expect the number to be quite large

Assuming you are one of these lucky invitees, the only hurdle left is making sure that your operating system is up to snuff. According to Valve, the Linux beta test is specifically for those running Ubuntu 12.04. Steam’s availability will expand to include other popular Linux flavors over time, but for now its Ubuntu or nothing. “An overwhelming majority of beta applicants have reported they’re running the Ubuntu distro of Linux,” said Frank Crockett, a member of the Steam for Linux development team. “We intend to support additional popular distros in the future; we’ll prioritize development for these based on user feedback.”

There is currently no word on how long Valve intends to keep this test running, nor how quickly we’ll see other popular titles appear on Steam’s Linux iteration, but we’ll keep you updated as new information rolls in. In the mean time, you Linux users are given permission to smugly boast about the new gaming capabilities of your favorite, less-than-mainstream operating system. Your friends who swear by Windows have had it coming for years.

Yes, the upcoming Google Nexus 4 is a pretty amazing deal starting at just $299, but what if you want something even cheaper while still retaining that whole “unlocked out of the box” smartphone experience? Amazon has a pretty great deal on the Dell Venue Android smartphone, slashing the price in half and giving you an unlocked smartphone for less than $200.

The Dell Venue is powered by Android 2.2 Froyo and comes with a 4.1-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display. Other features include the 1GHz processor, 8MP camera, Full Adobe Flash 10.1, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and HQ Corning Gorilla Glass. There’s a 16GB microSD card that comes pre-installed for storage and let’s not forget that this phone is factory unlocked, so you can use it with GSM carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers Wireless.

A case in which Apple accused Motorola of an abuse of the patent system, where it was charging Apple more for key patents than it was to other companies, has been dismissed. Apple has the chance to appeal, but Motorola wants to come to an agreement.

A lawsuit brought against Motorola by Apple has been dismissed by a court in Wisconsin, even before the trial had the chance to get underway. Instead, it took a week of pre-trial motions and a two-hour hearing on Monday morning, for Judge Barbara Crabb to cancel proceedings with prejudice. This gives Apple the chance to appeal, but only in the same court.

Apple was claiming that Motorola was abusing the patent system (oh, the irony) by asking unreasonably high license fees, and more than it charged other companies, for some key Wi-Fi and cellular patents used in the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Motorola’s fee is 2.25-percent of the price of each Apple device sold that uses the technology. Apple, however, only wanted to pay a fraction of that amount, stating $1 per future device was its magic number.

Following the dismissal, Motorola issued a statement saying “We’re pleased that the court has dismissed Apple’s lawsuit with prejudice. Motorola has long offered licensing to our extensive patent portfolio at a reasonable and non-discriminatory rate in line with industry standards.” It also adds that it’s “interested in reaching an agreement with Apple.”

Google-owned Motorola needs to be careful though, as it’s parent company is in-line for an antitrust lawsuit, should be it discovered withholding patents to stifle competition. Apple, on the other hand, is back to square one, with an appeal likely on the way.

This is the second Apple vs. Motorola lawsuit to be thrown out this year. Last time out, Apple accused Motorola of copying the design of the iPhone for its Android handsets, however Judge Richard Posner dismissed it in June after deciding neither company adequately made its case. At the time, Motorola tried to get this dispute with Apple enjoined, but the Judge refused.