The update to the iOS and Android versions of the app doesn't mention the Instagram update specifically, but videos are now playing within the relevant sections of the app.
Flipboard is yet to integrate Twitter's Vine as a standalone app, although those six-second clips do appear within the Twitter section of the app as tweets.
Flipboard does offer access to the likes of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, SoundCloud, Flickr, Tumblr, LinkedIn and Google+, so it is surprising that it hasn't taken the opportunity to add Vine to the equation.
Craze over already?
One thing we noticed when breezing through the Instagram section within Flipboard was it took us a while to actually find a video to test out.
The amount of videos posted seems to have decreased quite steadily since the feature launched on June 21. Are you bored of the feature? Does it annoy you seeing the videos within your feed?
The first plastic iPhone since the 3GS on the way?
Could this be another sign that Apple is preparing to launch a more affordable iteration of its world-changing iPhone handset?
The picture above is a purported plastic rear casing for a device which, speculation suggests, Apple could reveal in September or October.
The leak comes from Chinese blogger 7mob, who SlashGear reports, is renowned for his connections to 'factory sources' in the country.
The casing, which could of course be a phoney, also showcases the bright iPod nano-style colour, also rumoured to be a calling card of any cheaper iPhone.
iPhone for all
Recent rumours have suggested that the affordable iPhone handset, would be enclosed in a plastic casing in order to reduce manufacturing costs for the company, with savings passed onto the customer.
The device is expected to target emerging markets rather than the US and Europe, opening up iOS and the App Store to those who may not have been able to afford an iPhone for the first time.
Of course, the device has been rumoured for years, so we wouldn't be at all surprised to see Apple hold off a little longer before it launches the device.
Interested in the Verizon version of the Galaxy S4 but feel that 16GB of space is too little? The good news is that you don’t have to settle for such little internal memory, as Verizon has now listed its 32GB version of the S4 online, for just $299 with contract. While this gives you double the storage, it also commands a price tag that is $100 more. Considering that the Galaxy S4 already has microSD support for expansion, this may or may not be worth it to you.
Besides the 32GB of storage, the Galaxy S4 32GB model remains the same as ever. As a refresher, that means you get a Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB RAM, a 1080p 5-inch display, a 13MP back cam and 2MP front cam. There’s also Android 4.2 with TouchWiz.
If you’re interested in picking up the 32GB S4, just be aware that it actually won’t start shipping until July 3rd. For those with even more money to burn, its worth noting that there is also a developer version of the Galaxy S4 for sale by Verizon with the hefty price of $650 with no contract.
The Galaxy S4 improved Samsung's market share in the US
The vice-like grip of the iOS and Android operating systems is only getting tighter, according to new sales figures published late last week.
New data from Comscore, released on Friday, showed Android leading the way at the end of May 2013 with 52.4 per cent of all US sales, up from 51.7 per cent at the end of February.
iOS' share of the US market rose 0.3 per cent to 39.2 percent during same time period.
Despite the launch of BlackBerry's new BB10 operating system and the best selection of Windows Phone 8 devices yet, both of those platforms saw their share fall to 4.8 and 3.0 per cent respectively.
Numbers don't lie
It was a similar story for hardware sales. Apple's iPhone led the way with the 32.9 per cent, closely followed by Samsung which enjoyed a sizeable 1.7 per cent jump to 23 per cent of sales.
The next three, HTC, Motorola and LG all endured a fall in sales during the three month period, all of which remain under 10 per cent.
Samsung's continued rise will have been fuelled by the launch of its new flagship Galaxy S4 handset but, worryingly for HTC, its critically acclaimed HTC One release couldn't stem the the drop-off in its share.
There is, of course, hope for those competing operating systems and manufacturers, but until the numbers start going in the other direction, it's difficult to be too positive. They have to start gaining at some point, right?
Apple has signed an agreement with Taiwanese semiconductor company TSMC to build mobile processors for its iOS devices, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
The report claimed TSMC will begin building chips in 2014, although Samsung will continue to be the primary supplier for that year and perhaps beyond.
Apple and TSMC had been in talks since 2010, the report said, but were finally able to agree a deal after the latter resolved "glitches preventing the chips from meeting Apple's speed and power standards."
End of an era?
The procurement of a new chip supplier could be the final piece in the puzzle for Apple as it seeks to lessen its reliance on Samsung as a component manufacturer.
It no longer buys the displays for iOS devices from Samsung and has been spreading the wealth by finding other firms to manufacturer RAM and flash memory for iPhones and iPads.
Apple and Samsung had done great business together for many years before Samsung emerged as a genuine contender to the iPhones dominance with its Galaxy smartphone range.
Apple strongly alleged that Samsung got its leg-up by "blatantly copying" its own devices, leading to countless suits and counter suits around the world.
Although they make plenty of money together, it seems neither is too keen on lining the other's pockets regardless of how mutual beneficial the business relationship has been.
EE: "why advertise a product that you don't have?"
There's trouble brewing between EE and Vodafone as questions are raised over the latter's decision to brand two McLaren Mercedes cars at this weekend's British Grand Prix with "Ultrafast 4G" - even though Vodafone is yet to launch its LTE service.
EE is currently the only network in the UK which offers a 4G service and the likes of O2, Three and Vodafone are still a few months off delivering rival solutions to customers.
According to Vodafone, EE's Chief of Brand and Communications Steven Day contacted the network late Friday night "demanding" that Button and Perez's cars be garaged and the 4G livery removed - although EE claims this isn't what happened.
Clue's in the name
A Vodafone UK spokesperson told TechRadar: "This is sponsorship, not advertising. The clue is in the team's name: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. We're using the cars to build further awareness of our forthcoming ultrafast 4G service.
"It's a 'static promotion', albeit on a car that can travel at over 200mph. Consumers know Vodafone's ultrafast 4G is coming. We've said very publicly it will be here by the late summer. Even if someone seeing the car wasn't aware of that, there is no 'call to action' on it."
However over at EE it's claimed that there was no demand made, rather it merely enquired why Vodafone had taken the decision it had.
Vodafone 'not even on the grid'
TechRadar was told by an EE spokesperson: "We're far from demanding Jenson get garaged, we're right behind him for tomorrow's race. We simply asked why advertise a product that you don't have?
"When it comes to 4G mobile networks, Vodafone UK isn't even on the grid. "
It's probably fair to say we're never going to find out the exact words exchanged between the two networks late last night, but what it does tell us is the UK's 4G market is going to seriously hot up when the remaining networks get on board.
The "S" in iPhone 5S certainly doesn't stand for secret, as a new image said to be of batteries belonging to Apple's next smartphone has leaked.
This purported iPhone 5S battery photo shows 24 black slates that appear to be roughly the same size as the iPhone 5 battery.
The picture was taken on a factory floor, according to French site NoWhereElse, before the batteries hit the assembly line.
The alleged batteries are sitting in two trays that appear to be stacked on top of similar white containers, meaning someone is gearing up to ship these batteries out for mass production.
This certainly ties into the September-bound iPhone 5S launch rumors, increase in leaked photos, and slightly better battery life of the forthcoming device we've been hearing about.
More blips!
Still have battery life in that brain of yours? Put it to use by reading more blips
Known internally within the hallowed halls of Google as “K release,” what we refer to as Key Lime Pie is going to be the next version of Android and it’s set for release later this year. Expected to be launched as Android 5.0, Key Lime Pie will reportedly support a range of lower-end smartphones and tablets, as well as supporting “other devices.”
Up until now, even if you put Android under the hood of a smart device other than a smartphone or a tablet, you couldn’t use it straight out of the box. You couldn’t use the official version of Android that came pre-installed with Google’s web services and you couldn’t use the Android name to promote your product. That’s apparently going to change with KLP, ushering in a brave new world of Android smart appliances and wearable devices.
Wearable devices is the other next big thing. We already know about Google Glass, but Key Lime Pie might even be powering the new generation of Android smartwatches, including a Nexus-esque smartwatch that might come from Google directly. They’re also working on a new version of the Nexus Q that will likely ship with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie too.
While it is possible that we’ll get an Android 4.3 Jelly Bean before Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie is offiically announced and released, the latter is also being geared to work not only on new flagship phones and tablets, but also lower-end devices. That ties in with its compatibility with smart appliances and wearable devices. Even so, we can be pretty certain that KLP will make its official debut in a new Nexus device of some kind. Nexus 5, anyone?
Sony going through Xperia overload (credit: JustAMP)
Ever since Sony announced its Xperia Z Android phone, the Japanese manufacturer has been busy building up the brand with tablets and phablets alike.
While releasing the Xperia Tablet Z and the Xperia Z Ultra could hardly be seen as over-saturation, Sony might not be done with the Xperia variants just yet.
Back in April we heard the first rumblings of a new handset dubbed the Honami alongside reports of the Togari, which went on to become the Xperia ZU.
Then just a few days ago, more signs Sony was readying a new Xperia were spotted when pics of the supposed Honami, now called the Xperia i1, made a showing, and revealed a possible 20MP camera attached to the device.
On Friday, another set of entirely different images were discovered by Just Another Mobile Phone Blog, hinting that the Xperia i1's release might not be that far off.
Alternative Xperia-nce
20MP lens in its tiny glory (credit: JustAMP)
Though no new spec information was given, the pictures do give the rumored device a bit more grounding in reality.
The dedicated camera button on the Xperia i1 sets it apart from the Xperia ZU, and you can definitely see a different camera lens on the rear of the device than the one found on the Xperia Z.
It's still believed this will be a 20MP lens, which would give Sony's smartphone a definitive leg up on the competition, at least until the oft-rumored 41MP Nokia Lumia 1020 arrives on the scene.
The earlier rumors suggested the Xperia i1 would include a 5-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, and a Walkman audio chip, but those specs have yet to be substantiated.
It's also been hinted the smartphone would used Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, feature 2GB RAM, include a a battery between 2,700-3,000mAh, and like the other Xperia devices, it too would be water- and dust-proof.
Sony is planning a July 4 event in France, and there's a strong chance the Xperia i1 could be the star of that show, so we shouldn't have to wait much longer to learn the truth about the next phone in the Xperia line.
The Huawei Ascend P6 smartphone may be the next Android device to forego its custom UI to give users the option of a 'Nexusised' Google Edition, the company revealed on Friday.
Speaking to Pocket-Lint, Kevin Ho, president of the Chinese manufacturer's handset product division, said Huawei has entered talks with Google over a version of the P6 with the pure Android experience.
"We are working with Google to analyse the possibility of bringing out a Huawei Ascend P6 with Google Edition," he told the site.
Regardless of the perceived superiority, it seems Ho is keen to give smartphone fans a choice.
The root of the issue
The clamour for Google Editions of popular Android devices began last month at Google I/O when the company announced a Samsung Galaxy S4 with the same UI that appears on branded Nexus devices.
HTC soon followed with a HTC One Google Edition, but both of which are only on sale in the US at present.
Custom skins like Samsung's TouchWiz and HTC's Sense have long divided opinion among Android fans, with some choosing to root their devices just to access raw Android.
The proliferation of Google Editions, something the search and mobile giant certainly appreciates as it attempts to reel in Android fragmentation, means users may no longer have to tamper with the device to avoid these homegrown skins.
If you're one of those folks who just can't decide whether you want a Galaxy S4 smartphone or a moderately acceptable compact camera, then your answer could arrive in the UK on July 8th.
Independent online retailer Clove has listed the new Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom for pre-order, pledging it'll be shipped a week on Monday.
The smartphone-glued-to-camera, which packs everything Android Jelly Bean can offer with a 10x optical zoom, has been priced at £440 by Clove.
So far there's been no official word of price and release date from Samsung, so all of this is still subject to change, but it's the best indication we have so far.
Knocking Nokia
For those hell-bent on condensing their photo-taking and call-making experiences into one package, a July 8 release date would be somewhat significant.
BlackBerry has delivered bad news today, reporting a quarterly loss that has seen shares freefall by 20 per cent.
Weak sales of the BlackBerry 10-toting Z10 and Q10 handsets contributed to a net loss of US$84m (about AU$92m, £55m) for the company, which is struggling to take on Apple and Samsung. It also predicted an operating loss for its next quarter.
On the positive side, revenue was up $3.1 billion, compared to $2.8 billion from the last quarter, though it's not enough to signal a change in fortunes for the company.
LackBerry
However, President and Chief Executive Thorsten Heins said in an investor call that there's light at the end of the tunnel. "BlackBerry 10 is still in the early stages of its transition," he said, pointing out that the operating system is just five months old.
"During the first quarter, we continued to focus our efforts on the global roll out of the BlackBerry 10 platform," he added in a statement.
"Over the next three quarters, we will be increasing our investments to support the roll out of new products and services, and to demonstrate that BlackBerry has established itself as a leading and vibrant player in next generation mobile computing solutions for both consumer and enterprise customers."
There appears to be more evidence that Android 4.3 is nigh, with some leaked screenshots purporting to be of the new Jelly Bean OS.
The screenshots show 4.3 running on a Google Play edition of the Samsung Galaxy S4 - GT-i9505G to be exact - from an insider with early access to the software.
The images were obtained by SamMobile, which claims that 4.3 will officially roll out next month, though Google is still keeping quiet on the update.
All for one..
The Galaxy S4 Google Edition is part of the Nexus scheme, alongside Google devices the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7, which means they're first to receive Android updates.
Going by what looks like it will be a simple update, rather than an overhaul of the Android OS.
It appears that the camera app has seen the most radical change, shifting from a circular menu to an arc towards the bottom of the screen. We'll keep you updated with any further developments as they appear.
We have no official information about what’s going to be unveiled at LG’s press event scheduled for August 7th, although we at least have a pretty good idea. As for T-Mobile’s newly announced event, we really can’t say for sure. As you can see above, the carrier has plans for their “boldest moves yet” on July 10th in New York City. So, what all things can we expect?
The Sony Xperia Z and the Nokia Lumia 925 are safe bets, especially after looking at the plural teaser. We have also seen a leak recently which suggests that the two devices will be launched on the carrier on July 17th. And another rumor about the Lumia 925 fits in nicely with all these.
Of course, introduction of new high end smartphones may not be bold moves such as the ones they made earlier this year: their UNcarrier approach, launching of LTE and addition of iPhone 5. In the New York event, maybe we will witness announcements regarding phase 2 of UNcarrier and LTE.
Some folks are even talking about a new Blackberry Bold handset.
And just in case you haven’t heard, there is a Nokia event on July 11th. We are expecting the Nokia EOS aka Nokia Lumia 1020 to be unveiled there. So the second week of July is certainly going to be big.
I've got a real problem. I'm just too clumsy. Last year, the one day I took my Galaxy S3 out of its case - the one day - it met a grizzly end thanks to a kamikaze style jump from my gym locker onto the changing room floor. And they say that exercise is good for you!
I'm not alone in resenting "having" to put a case on my phone. I want to enjoy the pure experience, but instead, the first thing I do when I buy a handset is spend a small fortune maxing out on protection - because, despite the pledges of Gorilla Glass and Dragon's Trails, the stupid things break SO EASILY .
It's inconvenient, it's not ideal, but important. I'm proud to say I practice safe phone.
But now, I sit here with my lovely Galaxy S4 wrapped up like a newborn child when all I really want to do is rip that case off and stare at it all day long. If only the S4 was a bit tougher and could withstand as many of life's knocks as I've had, I'd be a happy chap.
Active-hate
Well it is, Samsung's just unveiled the Galaxy S4 Active. It's waterproof, it's sturdy, it's got nearly all the same specs as the standard version. It's the phone for me. Hands down. I want it. The problem is, I've just spent a wad of cash on the S4.
I watched the unveiling, I waited (impatiently) for a month for release and I queued (like a fool) on that morning in April to get that cold, hard-but-not-so-tough plastic in my hands. And now I'm left feeling like the one that's missed out.
Why? Because this strategy of manufacturers, to get us to buy their latest wares and then unveil a different alternative just weeks later, really sucks. It makes the early adopters - you know, the real fans - look like idiots. And makes them feel mugged off.
When I was a kid, I'd save up my pennies to go buy an album from the record shop and then feel outraged when it was re-released as a bonus edition months later, with extra tracks, for the same price. Spending my pocket money on a CD was bad enough. But putting down hundreds on a phone (or a lifetime signed away to airtime) is so much worse.
Some would say that there's nothing to complain about - that I wanted an S4 and I got an S4. So why complain when something else is announced that trumps it? You get what you pay for.
The failure of blinding trust
Well, put simply, I think manufacturers like Samsung are taking the proverbial here. Had the S4 Active (and other variants) been announced at the same time, I could have weighed up the options. Would I like the Mini, the Active or the Advanced LTE model (if it comes to these shores).
Instead, I blindy handed over my notes to Samsung like the Apple sheep I often ridicule, trusting them to give me the best model.
And that's where Apple has the edge here. It unveils its products together in groups. You won't find an iPad being announced at one show and then another model announced a few weeks later. You'll know if you're getting a 16GB, 32GB, 64GB or 128GB model at the same time so can make an informed choice. Same with the iPhone. .
If updates are announced, there's enough space between them to make you feel less of a plonker in plumping for one. If you really want to copy Cupertino, Mr Shin, copy this strategy!
Six months is fine between product announcements. Six weeks, not so much, Samsung. I'd love to get my hands on the Galaxy S4 Active, but even I can't justify it to myself or my bank account. And frankly, going through the private sale route is just an extra hassle I don't need.
The likelihood is, I may end up with one in my pocket if my clumsiness continues - but only because my S4 has gone unintentionally to an early grave. In the meantime, the lesson learned here is that being an early adopter is becoming a punishment, rather than a badge of honour.
I've reviewed dozens of phones and tablets for TechRadar over the years – each time putting them through their paces in the most unbiased, rigorous way possible.
But as well as being a professional, I have a love/hate relationship with tech, and that's what these columns are all about: the passionate howlings of a true fanboy. Tell me why I'm right, wrong or a hopeless idiot in the comments below or by tweeting@techradaror @phillavelle.
Google has added new mobile device management features to its Google Apps for Business platform.
The search giant is pushing the mobile device management features found on the service, which allows IT administrators to manage Android smartphones and tablets owned by employees from a centralised console.
It has added four new features based on requests from its customers. Selective wipe allows IT administrators to remove Google Apps account data without wiping a user's entire device. The second feature, SD card wipe, wipes SD cards in addition to internal memory during a full device wipe.
The third addition, a Device Policy app, ensures that security policies are enforced across all devices by requiring its latest version. Finally, a new Wi-Fi configuration feature allows admins to enter Wi-Fi settings in an admin console once to then have it automatically pushed out to all managed Android devices.
Existing features
Other mobile mobile device management features already available as part of the service include setting granular policies and configuring mobile settings at the organisational unit level; controlling what devices can connect to users' Google Apps data using device activation; viewing all mobile devices in the domain connecting with Google Sync or Android Sync; and viewing all apps that access Google Apps data installed on an Android Device, a feature not supported on iOS or Windows Phone.
Analyst house Gartner recently forecast that half of employers will require employees to supply their own devices for work purposes by 2017, creating a greater need for businesses to establish a mobile device management policy to ensure data is secure and trackable.
According to research by Kaspersky, 60% of small and midsized businesses have only a basic understanding of what company data is stored on employees' devices. In addition, only 25% of IT managers admitted to having strict enough rules in place to provide an accurate overview of company information on personal devices.
Who's going to ask the girl with the gun if she stole that face?
It's been a shadowy old week, with tech rumours, security concerns and pointy fingers emerging from all sorts of quarters.
First up, Canadian actress Ellen Page accused PS3 horror game The Last of Us of stealing her face: "I guess I should be flattered that they ripped off my likeness," Page told Reddit at the weekend. "But I am actually acting in a video game called Beyond: Two Souls, so it was not appreciated."
Some of us think that Ellie, the character in question, looks more like Ashley Johnson - the actress who provides her voice. But we appreciate that having what looks like your face constantly eaten off by the fungus-horned infected might be uncomfortable viewing.
Don't cut the lifeline
Elsewhere, patron saint of the internet and dread king of the world wide web Sir Tim Berners-Lee advised against complacency in the face of government and corporate "online spying", warning that ignoring Prism-style data secrecy breaches could compromise the internet's value as a vital lifeline.
Facebook probably isn't listening to Sir Tim Berners-Lee
"Information on the web can be really important in people's survival," he said, while receiving the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. "Teenagers who are unsure about their sexuality who need to contact others, or people being abused trying to find helplines ... There are things that happen on the net that are very intimate, which people are going to be loath to do if they feel there's somebody looking over their shoulder."
Speaking of digital eavesdroppers, Facebook has found yet another way to get all up in our business - through our friends. You're not even safe if your profile is a blank page, or if your last activity was defenestrating a colleague in 2005 - because it turns out Facebook can still "shadow profile" you.
This involves nabbing your contact details from a friend's address book if they upload it, or recording employer or university-specific searches of your name. Facebook's behaviour is legally murky and pretty terrifying - especially since we would be none the wiser if it hadn't been for a well-timed Facebook security breach.
Not quite a phone, not yet a tablet (also a watch)
Happily, in among all this depressing news, there are also shiny new gadgets. We took a hands-on look at the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Sony's new tiny-tablet-massive-phone mash-up, and we liked it for the most part, massive-screened oddness and all.
Sure, with a giant 6.44-inch screen it's not for the small-handed, but the HD is impressive and the apps are super-fast thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip and 2.2GHz quad-core processor. However, the camera renders grainy images and the screen quality could be improved. All in all, though, we approve of this phone-tablet. Phablet? Tablone?
All you need is time, and a hand as big as a spade
Sony has also unveiled the SmartWatch 2 for Android, which has an additional water-resistent screen, and packs NFC for improved synching ability..
Finally, just in case you weren't cheered up enough, it looks like a viable alternative to the soon-to-be-late Google Reader is on the cards – from Digg. Digg assures us its new reader will look clean work fast and be launched in time for us to migrate all our feeds over from Google Reader. And if that doesn't do the trick, keep an eye on TR this weekend for our round-up of the best Google Reader alternatives.
Build 2013 kicked off June 26 with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, rattling off some of the "exciting innovations" that the Redmond, Wash.-based company has been working on.
During the first part of his Day 1 keynote speech, Ballmer repeated once again that Microsoft is moving away from offering only software and towards hardware and services, aided by a rapid release schedule for Windows and Windows Phone 8.
Though largely developer focused, Ballmer and a supporting cast of Microsoft executives outlined the changes coming with the Windows 8.1 update, new apps and features and outlined new functions of the Windows Store during the Day 1 keynote.
We have much more from our conference coverage as Day 2 gets rolling, so keep your gazing moving for all the latest:
Windows 8.1 RT hands on review
Don't worry, RT. We haven't forgotten about you.
While Windows 8.1 got most of the attention here at Build, we were sure to take advantage of its OS sibling, going hands on with the far more useable update here on the conference floor.
The system is still missing much, but as an update, getting Windows 8.1 RT on your RT device is a good way to go. Just remember, once you've downloaded it, you can't go back.
Developers wondering what they can do in the months ahead of the Xbox One release can heed advice laid out by Microsoft's Steve Guggenheimer during the Day 2 keynote: start developing for Windows 8.
Because of the common core between the Windows 8 found in the next-gen console and W8 itself, developing for the system is, Guggs suggested, fairly similar.
App development processes for Xbox One is still unclear, but this sheds a little light on what developers and gamers can look forward to.
Facebook and Flipbook got the love during Day 1, but June 27 was all about Foursquare. OK, and a few other apps.
Microsoft's Steve Guggenheimer showed off a native Foursquare tablet app for Windows 8 today while also chatting up a few other additions like ABC News and Walgreens. Mint is heading to Windows and Windows Phone, where Xfinity TV Remote will join it as Rhapsody heads to W8.
There's still no Instagram, but Microsoft is racking up a number of crucial applications.
What's a keynote without some digit-rattling bragging? Microsoft was no exception as during Day 2 the company laid out a few new numbers for how many people are using its services.
According to the company, Skype now has 299 million connected users. Bing sees 1 billion mobile notifications a month, and SkyDrive has soared past the 200 million mark, now touting 250 million account holders.
Xbox Live's 300,000 servers got a mention, as did a number of other...numbers.
Microsoft looks to make devs lives a walk in the park
OK, it's never easy to develop, but Microsoft unleashed a number of tools to help those who create apps for its Windows and Windows Phone platforms do what they do.
The announcements came during the Day 2 keynote and centered on Windows Azure, the company's cloud offering. Some high points were the opening of the Azure Mobile Services and Azure Web Sites.
All in all, the dev crowd ate it up and just maybe will start making the apps Microsoft needs to be successful.
IE11 is intrinsically tied to Windows 8.1, and the company announced during a press briefing that the updated web browser is available in preview mode with Windows 8.1 (also in preview).
Optimized for touch, IE11 aims to bring personal web exploration to users, trouncing competitors not only in speed but in battery efficiency and functionality.
Added tab support comes with IE11
Though he didn't say explicitly, Dean Hachamovitch, corporate vice president, Internet Explorer, said that in a "secret Batman cave," teams from Xbox, Windows Phone and Windows are working together with IE11. We should have more on Windows 7 support soon, too.
Windows head Julie Larson-Green may have demoed a very early version of a Metro PowerPoint during the Build Day 1 keynote, but don't look for similarly styled Office apps to land anytime soon.
One report pegs Metro refreshes of the currently desktop-version Office apps - Word, Excel, etc. - to land in 2014, while another says 2013 will indeed see a Windows 8 look land on the core productivity apps.
We will know all in a few months regardless, but look for more as Windows 8.1 nears launch.
It's been known for what feels like forever that Microsoft would release a preview version of Windows 8.1 at the beginning of Build, and sure enough, Ballmer told the gathered and watching crowd that the free update was available for download right now.
The update "blends the desktop and the modern experience," Ballmer said, and includes the return of the start button and a boot-to-desktop option.
More Windows tablets are coming to a retailer near you soon, particular those of the petite persuasion. Ballmer proclaimed as Build 2013 opened that we'll see a "proliferation of Windows small tablet devices" in the next several months.
Office 2013 software will be included on these Windows 8.1 tablets, and every attendee of Build will be able to walk out with one of these tablets - the Acer Iconia W3 tablet with Office.
The Windows Store gets a face lift in Windows 8.1, or Windows 8.1 Store, if you will. The store was redesigned in an effort to help users find new and popular apps.
What's more, the news Windows Store features a bit of personalization for the user. The new "Picks for You" section will be different for everyone because it's a mix of what's popular in the Store in categories you use.
It's about time. Facebook and Flipboard apps will be included in Windows 8 via the Windows Store, Microsoft announced, as well as the NFL.
Although we didn't see a Facebook nor a Flipboard representative take to the stage, Ballmer spoke up for the newest Windows 8 app-developing companies.
Microsoft announced that it opened up the search engine tools of Bing as a platform.
Now, third-party apps you download will no longer be shut out of using advanced Microsoft technologies like 3D mapping, contextual voice search, and OCR translation.
"Knowledge of the web is now available to your applications," said Microsoft Corporate Vice President Gurdeep Singh Pall at today's conference in Seattle.
The company's also added native 3D printing support, so hold off buying any vases for the time being.
Here's a look at what we expected to see at Build 2013:
The annual Microsoft Build developer's conference has a bit of Google IO glow surrounding it this year, thanks in no small part to the Windows 8 conundrum.
Is it a failure? Is it the beginning of a software revolution? What about apps? How many Surfaces have been sold? When will we see new devices? And what the heck is going on with Windows RT?
Microsoft has already given us more than a taste of what to expect between June 26 - June 28 in the form of Windows Blue news, but plenty of possible announcements on new devices, services and updates remain distinct possibilities.
We'll be at the conference live starting at 9 a.m. PT/5 p.m. BST starting Wednesday, June 26, so check back here for all the latest coming out of the show.
Until then, we've gathered what we know about Build 2013 into one handy guide for you (right here, of course) plus added some well-informed hypotheses on what you can expect from the conference, taking place in the halls of San Francisco's Moscone Center late next month.
1. Xbox Music on the web
After all the chatter on Xbox Music's redesign, Microsoft threw a bit of a curve ball June 24 by revealing its plans to launch a web-based version of the streaming service during the week of July 1.
"Yes, a web version for Xbox Music will launch next week," a Microsoft spokesperson told us. "We will have more details to share then."
While details are due after Build, Microsoft may still touch on what it envisions for the service plus offer some clues as to whether we'll see Xbox Music land on iOS and Android.
Microsoft began rolling out a preview of Windows Server 2012 R2 on June 24. While the year may seem 6 months too late, this preview has many features of the same features as the preview of Windows 8.1, due out June 26, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from the Windows 8 update in PC and tablet.
Most exciting of all from the screen grabs floating about are the quasi-Start button functions available in the R2 preview.
Credit: CNET
By right clicking the 4-squared icon, users will be able to pull up a list of functions, including the ability to shut down and restart their computer, according to CNET.
Observers will also notice the "Computer" tile has been named "This PC," while an arrow at the bottom of the Start screen brings users directly to their Apps. Different tile sizes - small, medium, wide and large - are offered (though only two for non-Metro apps) and users should be able to run a single command on multiple tiles at the same time.
We'll know much more about the preview of Windows 8.1 in the coming days, so check back for more.
3. A message from Guggenheimer
On June 24, just two days before Day 1 of Build, Corporate Vice President of Developer Platform & Evangelism at Microsoft Steve Guggenheimer took a moment to set the stage for the 3-day dev fest.
To sum it all up, look for "synergy."
"At Build 2013, we will talk about how developers of all types will be able to use Microsoft's broad portfolio of product level capabilities spanning our devices and services, and show how these capabilities can be used together to address the needs of today's developers," he wrote in an Official Microsoft Blog entry.
"As we look even further toward the future, this platform synergy will continue to get better and better to support a thriving ecosystem of developers and even greater opportunity."
What does this mean for in practical, consumer-facing terms? We'll find out soon enough from Microsoft and developers alike, but look for Redmond to push this message in the days that comprise Build.
Oracle piped up in the week before Build that its president, Mark Hurd, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Azure chief Satya Nadella are hosting a joint press conference June 24.
What did they announce? Well, let's just say the old enemies are turning a page as Microsoft announced it plans to support Oracle software on its cloud-based platforms, as reported by Reuters.
Through the partnership, Microsoft will offer Windows Azure customers Oracle-owned Java, Database and WebLogic Server, oddly enough promoting two software strains (Linux and Java) that compete with Windows.
Now, this is rather enterprise-y, but look for Microsoft to talk about the partnership and possible further collaborations between the two firms. The company is clearly ready to make friends with old enemies in an effort to compete, and it will be interesting to see if it lays out any more strategy during Build.
What's cooking, Steve?
5. Two roads diverged at a conference...
It helps to have some clear cut routes laid out before heading into the bedlam of a developer conference, and it looks as though we have some such paths carved out.
Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet chatted with Microsoft executives in the days before Build, and was told that the conference will focus on two main audiences: the .Net community and the startup community.
"We need a good conversation with that community," Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Developer and Platform Evangelism Group, told Foley of .Net devs. This group has apparently felt left in the lurch as Microsoft has pushed developers towards HTML/JavaScript.
While he wouldn't divulge on specific products or software, Guggenheimer noted that Microsoft will continue messaging around why shared/common code among its core products is beneficial, showing "how strong the bridges are" between product families like phone, PC and Xbox.
Don't expect sharp turns, the VP said, but instead look for much talk on cross-platform development.
6. A new tune for Xbox Music and the Windows Store
Build is gearing up to be a time of change for Microsoft, and some screenshots leaked just a week before the conference kicked off detail revamped looks headed to Xbox Music and the Windows Store.
For Music, we're seeing streamline take over, with a two-panel interface and a new "explore" button that allows for search in addition to the navigation bar.
Ga ga for radio
Microsoft actually pushed out an update to the Xbox Music app for Windows 8/RT the weekend before Build, adding an in-app search button and a free trial for the app's ad-supported, free streaming service. What's more, Smart DJ is now "Radio," though the change seems to be named-based only.
As for the Windows Store, the 2.0 version of the offering incorporates a "shelf" feature to give additional descriptions for apps as users are perusing. Recommendations for similar apps will also be part of the redesigned package.
The whole look, according to Paul Thurrott over at Supersite for Windows, is remarkably more attractive and more usable.
Windows Store 2.0. Look better? (Credit: Supersite for Windows)
Now whether Build is the time Microsoft is ready to lift the lid off these Windows 8.1 wonders remains to be seen, but try to act surprised if we see a rethought Xbox Music and Windows Store land in late June.
According to Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet, an update to the mobile OS isn't expected until about six months after Windows 8.1 is released to manufacturing. While the team is working to come up with smaller and incremental Windows Phone 8 updates, the likelihood that we'll hear public pronouncements on Windows Phone Blue during Build is slim, Foley reports.
Of course, there may be plenty of dev session discussions on what updates we can expect, so we'll keep our ear to the ground during the conference.
If you own any of more than 40 different Android smartphones from LG, you might want to a pay attention. A vulnerability has been discovered that could effectively allow a hacker to compromise your device remotely.
The security exploit was found in the Sprite Backup software that is pre-loaded on several LG Android smartphones, including the Optimus G Pro, the Mach, Prada, Optimus LTE 3 and the 3D Cube. Security researcher Justin Case (is that his real name?) found an “odd binary in an update” in the spritebud backend of that backup solution. In effect, spritebud has root access to the device and with the right crafted backup, “we can write to, change permission and change ownership of any file.”
To demonstrate the attack, Case created a backup that when a “restore” command is initiated, an extra directory and 50MB file are written to the phone. This creates a lag, opening up a window of opportunity to dump “another script that roots the device and executes the script in the kernel.” The vulnerability affects backup version 2.5.4105 and spritebud 1.3.24.
Sprite Backup has acknolwedged the vulnerability and are working on a fix, but no specific timeline has been announced.
And this time it's running 4G (credit: Phone Arena)
The Motorola X Phone seems to have been a long time coming; and it's still not here, emerging only as a spy shot as the handset is tested on the US network Sprint.
Running on the network's 4G network, the handset looks like a fairly standard Android affair, with the screen estimated to be around 4.7 inches.
Previous rumours have pegged its HD at 720p variety, with a 1.7GHz Snapdragon processor under the hood alongside 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
XT C
The pictured device is referred to as the Motorola XT1056, which Phone Arena's source says is indeed the X Phone.
Credit: Phone Arena
This anonymous figure also added that the handset shown is running Android 4.2.2, has the rumoured 16GB of storage and reckons the screen is around 4.5 or 4.6 inches - not too far off the expected 4.7-inch affair.
The handset has been tipped for a launch "by October", although more recent rumours suggest that it could be unveiled as early as August 1.
Motorola and its step-daddy Google are keeping quiet until then; but we'll bring you the news as it's announced, whenever that may be.
We're just days away from the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini hitting shelves, and you'll be able to get your hands on it starting at £365.
The official Galaxy S4 Mini release date has been set as June 29, which is this Saturday, and Unlocked Mobiles has announced it will be offering it from then at the £365 price tag for SIM-only.
Phones4U, meanwhile, which has priced the phone a bit higher at £420, and won't be shipping preorders until Monday.
Price fight
Handtec, meanwhile, is offering the phone for £390. While Phones4U is pricing itself a little higher than the others, it's likely that it will bring it down in the near future.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini hosts a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor with 1.5GB of RAM, a 4.3-inch AMOLED display, 8GB of Storage and an 8-megapixel camera.
Haven't you heard? Back is the new front (credit: @evleaks)
The LG Optimus G2 hasn't been kept under wraps particularly well, and a quartet of new images appear to further enhance its chances of becoming reality.
These latest photos comes courtesy of @evleaks who received them from an anonymous tipster.
While we can't be sure of the source's credentials the people over at @evleaks seem pretty confident they're legit, and apart from showing a slender device with a relatively large screen, there's something interesting going on round back.
Touch me
On the rear of the Optimus G2 appears to be two buttons just below the camera lens, one with a plus and one with a minus on - with possibly the LED flash sandwiched in between.
The blurry shots seem to suggest that this is a new location for the volume rocker switch, which is a potentially more convenient place to have it - although that's very much up for debate.
According to previous rumours the LG Optimus G2 will pack a 5-inch, full HD display, 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 13MP camera which will really see it take the fight to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One.
In terms of a LG Optimus G2 release date the Korean firm is expected to announce the handset on August 7 at an event it has planned in New York.
Remember the Nokia Pureview 808, the 41MP smartphone that was powered by Symbian? Ever since it arrived, we’ve been dreaming of a day when Nokia creates a sequel of sorts – this time running the more modern Windows Phone 8 OS.
The wait is nearly over. Reports suggest that the Nokia EOS will launch on July 11th at a special event in New York City and according to @evleaks will arrive under the name “Nokia Lumia 1020″.
The handset will debut the new Nokia Pro Camera software and the phone will feature a polycarbonate body wit ha 4.5-inch 720p display. What really has everyone excited – of course – is the sensor. Like the PureView 808, the Lumia 1020 is believed to feature a 41MP PureView rear camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.
Unfortunately that’s all the details we know for now. No word on when the phone will actually arrive to carriers or even which regions the phone will be sold in. Here’s to hoping it comes stateside to all the carriers, instead of just being locked down to AT&T…
What do you think, would you like to get your hands on a phone with an impressive 41MP camera?
The Huawei Ascend W2 isn't exactly much of a secret after the wealth of leaks and speculation surrounding the handset and we now have our clearest sighting yet.
Apparently the Ascend W2 was found chilling out at Mobile Asia Expo 2012, complete with a full spec sheet and a third colour option, red, to go along with the previously leaked yellow and blue.
The details which accompanied the Ascend W2 at the show revealed that it's running a 1.4GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM which is responsible for churning through Windows Phone 8 on the 4.3-inch WVGA display.
Low-cost WP8
There's also apparently 8GB of storage inside the handset which measures a reasonable 134 x 66.7 x 9.9 mm, and Huawei reckons its got a long lasting battery too.
According to the paraphernalia which was snapped at the Expo, the Ascend W2 is being touted as "the first low-cost smartphone with Windows Phone 8 for TD".
However the Nokia Lumia 520 and less-powerful Ascend W1 are both cheap WP8 devices, but the "for TD" part may refer to a specific frequency used in China which the other two handset may not currently support.
The Chinese firm is yet to officially announce the handset, but it's probably only a matter of time before we see the Huawei Ascend W2 confirmed.
Shared data bundles and increased speeds on the move make 4G a good option for many SMBs. It's a fairly new technology, only available on the EE mobile network so far, but adoption is ramping up.
After launching 4G last year, EE now covers more than 50% of the UK. But by 2014, SMBs will be able to choose from a range of targeted options from many more providers, including solutions from Vodafone, O2, BT and others, who will launch packages alongside additional services such as broadband.
Interesting 4G business options are already appearing. 'Shared data' tariffs, aimed specifically at SMBs, allow you to buy a large bundle of 4G to share between devices such as iPads, mobile phones and mobile Wi-Fi.
With more options appearing all the time, it's tempting to dive into 4G immediately; and SMBs with a specific need - such as the ability to transfer large files on the move – could find it worth looking at a plan with EE now. For a more tentative or less urgent requirement, a minimal pay-as-you-go consumer option might be better; leaving you free to move your contract next year.
Making the choice
Businesses that need to send data back and forth, such as those in insurance, estate agents and construction, would benefit from early 4G opportunities using EE, says Chris Nicoll, Principal Analyst, Wireless Networks at Analysys Mason.
But SMBs should research 4G coverage in their area before taking out a lengthy contract, especially if they are based in a remote location. This is because it takes up to two years to roll out a wireless network entirely, says Nicoll.
London is the starting point for 4G roll out, with the nearby suburbs and other big cities coming next. Networks are currently on their way from all the 4G operators, who plan to come close to catching up with EE's coverage by next year.
However, it is thought EE's 4G network - which runs off re-farmed mobile spectrum - will not work as well inside buildings as those of some of its rivals. "And you could soon end up with offerings from BT, which has also bought spectrum, as well as from Three, O2 Vodafone and others," Nicoll says.
4G in action
Faster 4G technology can become a replacement for broadband if you can't get a good connection in your area, or as backup if your fixed line goes down.
One UK SMB, digital marketing firm TopLine Communications, is using a consumer 4G option for working on the move, and as a back up solution. Heather Baker, Managing Director, says the company has 4G dongles for use when people are out of the office or as a "plan B" for when broadband goes down.
Baker is currently looking at expanding to a full 4G business solution. "We use a number of cloud services, so fast internet is a necessity," she says. "When you have 10 people in the office, if the broadband goes down for an hour, that's 10 hours of downtime."
4G is also good for office moves or initial set-up as it makes it easier to implement an internet connection in the first place.
"For the first time, we have genuine choice," Baker says. "Previously, a small business that needed an internet connection had to go through a complex application process and then wait for eight weeks for BT to install a line.
"Now, you can just walk in to an EE store, buy a bunch of dongles, and be up and running within an hour. This makes starting up, moving office and taking your business mobile dramatically easier."
Types of solutions
Vodafone's upcoming 4G offering, expected to launch to businesses in early 2014, could suit SMBs looking for a combination of broadband and LTE. It's likely the operator will package 4G with fixed broadband through last year's acquisition of Cable & Wireless Worldwide - a solution well suited to firms with staff travelling in and out of the office.
This type of a package could also be offered by other operators in the future, including BT which already has a business-ready broadband solution.
Meanwhile, shared data plans could provide the ability to buy upwards of 50GB of data to use across multiple devices. This allows SMBs to control expenses by buying one plan and sharing it across employees' smartphones, tablets and laptops.
The US market, which launched 4G two years ago, is likely to be the model for the UK, according to Nicoll, who says: "In the US, 4G started with unlimited data, then it went to shared data plans."
In the US, operators including Verizon Wireless and AT&T have launched 30, 40 and 50GB shared data plans starting at $300 per month, aimed at SMBs. "It's ideal as you have one fixed cost so you can control your expenses," says Nicoll.
Faster 4G services can benefit many SMBs, and the options are already starting to grow. But Nicoll advises to proceed with caution and assess the options, rather than entering a long term contract just yet.
He says: "I would caution SMBs not to jump in too soon and don't enter into a long term plan, so you can keep your options open if a better offer comes up."
Spotify's competitors are stepping up their respective games
Spotify was seemingly under siege from tech's big guns today, following Sony's decision to retool its iOS app to battle the music streaming leader.
On the same day Microsoft confirmed it would be rolling out Xbox Music on the web to take on Spotify's own browser-based service, Sony announced it intended to match Spotify on iOS devices.
The Music Unlimited app, like its Android equivalent, will soon give subscribers access to offline playlists for the first time.
That particular feature has been one of Spotify's most enduring features, allowing subscribers to store up to 3,333 songs for playback when they're away for an internet connection or are on a limited data plan.
HQ Audio coming too
Version 1.3 of the app, which will go live "very soon" according to the official Sony Entertainment Network blog, also brings 320Kbps streams, which matches Spotify's highest playback quality.
Sony said the app has been submitted to Apple and is waiting for approval. You can check out the new features in the video below.
Leaked iPhone 5S photos are getting less blurry - it must be close (credit: Weibo)
The iPhone 5S is shaping up to be an incremental update to Apple's smartphone line, not a major rehttp://techradar.com/vision, according to newly leaked photos that may be of the forthcoming phone in pieces.
The pictures of an unassembled iPhone 5S, compiled by Slashgear, rehttp://techradar.com/veal a dehttp://techradar.com/vice with similar dimensions and features as the existing iPhone 5 model, and http://techradar.com/very few noticeable differences.
All of this information backs up recent rumors about Apple's next iteration of its smartphone.
Prehttp://techradar.com/viously, it's been hinted that iPhone 5S will hahttp://techradar.com/ve a dual-LED flash for its rear camera and a slightly beefier 5.92 Whr battery, an upgrade ohttp://techradar.com/ver the 5.45 Whr battery.
A Humpty Dumpty moment for iPhone 5S
Photos are clear, other facts still blurry
While there hahttp://techradar.com/ve been multiple leaked photos of the purported iPhone 5S dual-flash LED, we're still waiting to hear about the camera upgrade and if it indeed has a 12 megapixel camera.
The other lingering questions are if it will hahttp://techradar.com/ve an updated processor like the iPad 4's A6X or jumped to the next in line A7, and whether or not it will contain the anticipated fingerprint sensor.
Beyond the iPhone 5S, change may come to Apple's hardware through a completely different dehttp://techradar.com/vice if the always-rumored, nehttp://techradar.com/ver-fulfilled iPhone Mini shows up as a low-cost model.
All eyes on iOS 7
Much to the delight of iPhone accessory manufacturers, the screen size and http://techradar.com/volume buttons of the iPhone 5S appear to be the same as last year's model.
Instead of dramatically changing up its hardware formula, Apple seems to be inhttp://techradar.com/vesting all of its rehttp://techradar.com/vamping energy into the operating system.
The Jony Ihttp://techradar.com/ve-dehttp://techradar.com/veloped iOS 7 has cleaner-looking icons that remohttp://techradar.com/ve all of the gloss and texture that has existed since the smartphone line's launch in 2007.
It also has helpful new features like Notification Center so that users don't hahttp://techradar.com/ve to exit out of an app to change minor system settings like brightness or toggle Bluetooth connectihttp://techradar.com/vity.
iOS 7, along with the iPhone 5S, are expected to debut in September. And with the deluge of manufacturing photos getting less and less blurry, that launch date must be getting closer and closer.
