The flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 has enjoyed quite a bit of success in its relatively short time on the market thus far, but it is certainly not without its shortcomings. For instance, even though it’s listed as having 16GB of internal storage, users only have access to 9.15GB of that right out of the box. Samsung is working to fix this.
A firmware update has been pushed out that accomplishes several goals. First, it optimizes some of the pre-installed apps on the SGS4 so that the initial storage space available to the user becomes 9.23GB. Yes, that’s only an 80MB difference, but it’s a start. More importantly, though, the update also provides you with the ability to move apps off the internal storage and onto a microSD card that you stash in the back. Considering that the microSD port supports cards of up to 64GB, that should help a lot.
There are some other goodies that come along with this firmware update, too. First, you can get HDR video recording in the camera app, a semi-transparent status bar, and better legibility. They’ve also fixed a number of bugs. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the 357MB update is currently only available to Snapdragon-touting owners in Germany, but it should roll out to other markets soon enough.
Tablet and phone data will soon be available on the same contract from EE
The UK's only up-and-running 4G LTE network EE will soon allow customers to sign data contracts that allow for the use of multiple devices.
The fledgling next-gen network, which has already racked up half a million customers since October, will allow users to split their data allowance between a 4G-enabled smartphone and tablet.
The company did not say how much the new tariffs could cost, or whether there'd be an increase on the current charges in order to use multiple devices, but said all will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The network assured the public that the new deals will be available "next few months or so" as it braces itself for competition from Vodafone and O2's arrival on the 4G scene.
Beating rivals to the punch
Reports have suggested that Vodafone in particular will also offer shared data contracts when its 4G network goes live at the end of the summer.
The EE offering would allow it to, once again, get in ahead of rivals in the hope of snapping up the business before other options become available.
Would you be more likely to sign up for a pricey 4G contract if you were able to use your iOS or Android tablet without taking out a second contract? Let us know in the comments section below.
Instagram will be a huge boon to Windows Phone 8 if it does arrive
Instagram could finally arrive on Windows Phone 8 handsets this month, but it will come with some caveats, a new rumor claims.
Chinese site WPDang - the same site that yesterday leaked previously unseen photos of the Nokia EOS - claimed today that Facebook-owned Instagram will come to WP8 on June 26. Rumor has it the app will even have an photo exclusive filter for Microsoft's OS.
The catch: it will only be available on Nokia phones like the recent Lumia 928, the site says.
That's not surprising, considering the Windows Phone powerhouse that Nokia is, not to mention the fact that it may prove to have been the driving force behind Instagram's arrival on the OS. But it will come as a blow to anyone using a non-Nokia WP8 handset like HTC's Windows Phone 8X.
Windows Phone 8 woes
Windows Phone 8 is a neat mobile operating system, but it hasn't been embraced to anywhere near the degree that Apple's iOS and Google's Android have.
Granted, those two have had a head start, but with only 5.6 percent of the U.S. market compared to Android's 51.7 percent and iOS's 41.4 percent Windows Phone 8 has some catching up to do.
Part of the blame certainly lies with some key apps missing from the WP8 ecosystem - not least of which is Instagram.
Instagram's appearance on Windows Phone 8 will be a major boon to Microsoft if it does come to pass. After that all the OS will need is Vine (which finally arrived on Android this week) for avid social media users to start taking it more seriously.
Meanwhile, a native Instagram app may never make it to BlackBerry 10, another struggling mobile OS, at all.
The Nokia EOS is appearing in more colors every day (credit: WPXAP/GSMArena)
A flood of new leaked photos of the Nokia EOS "Elvis" with PureView camera technology hit the web this week, showing off the device's massive camera hump.
The EOS is believed to pack a 41-megapixel camera into a polycarbonate frame similar to those used on Nokia's Lumia phones.
A Nokia EOS report earlier this week claimed that the alleged Windows Phone 8 phone will sport an enlarged bump on the back where the camera goes, and these photos certainly corroborate that.
They're not the first photos to leak, either, and despite the EOS still being unofficial we're beginning to get a decent picture of the device.
The ultimate mash-up
The Nokia EOS gets a bit of sun courtesy of ViziLeaks
Collectively they show the Nokia EOS "Elvis" in black, yellow and red, matching Nokia's signature colorful aesthetic.
Other than that it looks essentially like a Lumia 920 combined with Nokia's Android-powered 808 PureView, but with an even larger camera.
GSMArena also reported that the Nokia EOS is 9.77mm thick, matching perfectly with a report from earlier this week that claimed the EOS was a 1mm thinner than the 10.77mm Lumia 920.
Other rumored specs include a quad-core processor, 32GB of storage, a 720p OLED display, FM radio, Xenon flash, and the Nokia Pro Camera app.
The most recent leak this week predicted that the handset will go on sale on July 9 on AT&T in the U.S.
Can't wait for the Nokia EOS? Check out TechRadar's list of the best camera phones available now.
Popular, gesture-based Android keyboard apps Swype and SwiftKey now have a competitor in the form of Google's homemade Google Keyboard app, which arrived on the Play Store today.
The free app, which had previously been the stock keyboard on the company's Nexus smartphones and tablets, is now available to all Android devices carrying Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean.
Like the aforementioned third-party apps, Google's solution relies on using swiping between letters to form words rather than tapping a single key at a time.
The app also brings automatic error correction, next word prediction and, for those for those who would rather not use their fingers at all, there's voice typing using the phone's microphone.
Coming to Key Lime Pie?
It is somewhat surprising that the launch of the app has taken until now, but nonetheless, it will come as a blow to the developers of Swype and SwiftKey, who have established the swipe-to-type feature with their own popular apps.
It'll be interesting to see whether there's now a mass adoption of Google's own solution following its somewhat limited availability on Nexus devices.
It now also seems likely that this will be the stock option whenever Google launches the long awaited new version of its Android OS dubbed Key Lime Pie. Stay tuned.
Corporate 'bring your own device' trends, which see employees bring their own tablets and smartphones into the workplace, are on the rise, according to a new study.
Ovum's 2013 Multi-Market BYOX Employee Survey found that nearly 70% of employees who own a smartphone or tablet choose to use it to access corporate data.
The study surveyed 4,371 consumers from 19 different countries who were employed ful-time in an organisation with over 50 employees.
The study has discovered that 68.8% of smartphone-owning employees bring their own smartphone to work, and 15.4% of these do so without the IT department's knowledge. Furthermore, 20.9% do so in-spite of a BYOD policy.
Richard Absalom, analyst at Ovum, said: "Trying to stand in the path of consumerised mobility is likely to be a damaging and futile exercise.
"We believe businesses are better served by exploiting this behaviour to increase employee engagement and productivity, and promote the benefits of enterprise mobility."
BYOD danger
Absalom told TechRadarPro that he expects typical usage patterns of BYOD behaviour to be higher among smaller businesses than their larger counterparts.
He said: "For a start, consumers are employees, and businesses aren't really going to care what gear they use so long as they get their job done. It's a given that everybody has a smartphone that they take to work, which helps build up the business and helps people do their job."
However, Absalom warned that small businesses face security and management issues if they fail to properly manage employees' devices in the workplace.
"Whatever sized business you are you don't want data to go missing, but data loss for small businesses could spell the end in terms of legal and reputational costs if core IP goes missing," he added.
"It's in businesses' best interests to explore freemium offerings out there, such as mobile device management launches that offer a basic free product and then try to get you to buy into it."
Tents, mud and rock 'n' roll - that's right folks, Glastonbury is back and EE has launched an app that should keep you sweet even if you haven't managed to nab tickets this year.
Available on Android and iOS, the official Glastonbury 2013 app will not only prove handy for festival-goers brave enough to take their smartphones to the site (with scheduling information and maps to help them get around) but also for those of us staying at home.
New this year is the inclusion of seven live video feeds from various stages around the site, provided by the BBC.
What with recharge tents and 4G on site, you'll even be able to use the streams from the festival itself if you're suffering from really bad clash blues.
The free app is available to download from today, with the BBC's live streams kicking off on June 28.
More blips
Like this? The rest of our blips will be music to your ears.
The free download of BBM for iOS and Android owners will be landing on June 27, so non-BlackBerry users can finally plan those riots they've been hankering after.
The release date was unveiled by T-Mobile UK, which tweeted the "great news" complete with smiley face and BBM hashtag. That's social media, folks.
Android users will need to be rocking at least Android Ice Cream Sandwich, while the app will only work for iOS users on iOS 6.
Extra extra
It will eventually offer some added extras like voice, screen share and video calling, but these won't be available from the get-go - you'll have to settle for regular ol' text-based messaging to begin with.
BlackBerry is hoping that it can tempt iOS and Android users away from iMessage and WhatsApp, but with these competing messaging services already well bedded in on devices, the 'Berry has a tough old fight on its hands.
Nokia’s 41-megapixel 808 certainly turned a lot of heads, especially those of all the shutterbugs out there. But only if it came with Windows Phone, right? Well, Nokia is said to be having plans to introduce a WP device (“EOS”) with the same camera sensor as the 808 and with their famous PureView technology, and that device could be the one seen above.
As you can see, the device has a pretty giant bulge on its back. Of course those who like to click a lot of pictures with their phone wherever they go won’t be bothered about that hump as long as the photos are amazing, and from the looks of things it should have awesome cam capabilities. Carrying it around surely won’t need as much effort as walking with a big DSLR.
It also seems to a have a big flash. And we have a doubt whether that “XX” is suggesting that it’s a 20MP camera.
Whether it’s the EOS Windows Phone or not we are expecting the device to be official sometime soon. In the meantime, we are digging in for more info. So stay tuned for updates.
Would you mind such a bulge on your phone if it can take great pictures?
At present, millions of dollars are earned by armed groups in eastern Congo by selling conflict minerals. They use this money for buying more weapons, which are used for brutal violence to continue controlling the mines. The minerals that they trade end up in electronics such as mobile phones and laptops. Dutch firm FairPhone intends to change this situation with their new smartphone made with conflict-free tin and tantalum.
They have met their goal of 5,000 pre-orders for the device which will start to ship within Europe this October. The handset, with dual-SIM support for GSM networks, features a 4.3-inch screen, a quad core CPU, an 8 MP cam, 16GB of internal storage, and an almost stock Jelly Bean, though you can go for any other OS.
Those specs are certainly not the best out there, but their intention is to spread the message for more ethically made electronics. The handset is repairable and they have used materials from artisanal mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are not run by armed groups. Though the device is not 100% conflict-free, due to the complexities of supply chains, this is surely a good start. They might even be able to launch the device with a case made of recycled plastic.
And the company also cares for those who make the device. They have promised a “living wage” and improved overall working conditions for factory workers who assemble the phone.
If interested, you can pre-order the device here. It costs €350 (about $458). For each phone sold, €3 will go to Closing The Loop, a UK-based foundation which aims to maximize electronics recycling.
Today in Samsung rumours: the Galaxy S4 mini will cost £389.99 according to a UK retail website.
Hand Tech, a UK consumer electronics website, has made the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini available for pre-order with the £390 price tag.
The handset will be available in "black mist" and "white frost". With current frost and mist prices higher than ever, it's not clear if you'll pay less for regular black and white models.
Adding fuel to the raging rumour furnace, a similar price has shown up on the aggressively named Ukrainian tech website, Mobile Arsenal.
Loose lips sink ships
Like a one-handed plumber on his first day, Samsung has had difficulty patching up multiple leaks at once. Information about the Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy Zoom and the Galaxy Note III has been leaked in recent weeks.
Samsung is expected to unveil many of these devices, and a number of others, at its event on the 20th June in London, which TechRadar will be attending. Check back here for more information.
When EE unleashes its double speed 4G in 10 UK cities in a few weeks time, EE reckons it will see cloud computing come to the fore thanks to speeds up to 80Mbps.
You're unlikely to see that top speed, with EE predicting an average of 24-30Mbps - but that's still faster than a lot of people's home broadband connection.
Mansoor Hanif, EE's director of network integration & LTE, spoke to TechRadar about the real world uses for the faster connection.
"With the double speeds there are applications that use it today, especially with really high quality video, the uplink is amazing. With up to 40-50Mbps uplink, it's fantastic for the cloud," he said.
"That's power in the cloud and it's really going to make the cloud take off."
So you better strap yourself in and assume the brace position.
Power to the devs!
The network is not resting on its laurels either, with Hanif explaining: "We're already focussing on the next steps.
"What we want is an ecosystem which is ready for the next step and the application world needs to follow us. What we'd like to do in London is give a window to the future.
"This means developers in London can test out their apps with the new speeds in advance. We can give them an API and say 'Look, this is coming soon, test it out'.
"By testing it they'll see that they can change the whole way they structure, for example, adaptive video content and they can make it more compelling for the user.
"That is, we believe, a nine month head start for developers in the UK and that's what really makes us passionate as it's an opportunity to bring the centre of the internet from Silicon Valley here to Britain."
That's a pretty bold claim by EE to drag the core of the internet out of the States, and while it may have the ambition it needs to hope developers are up for following it.
Apparently having the 4G playing field to yourself isn't all it's cracked up to be, as the UK's only LTE provider is getting a bit lonely.
Speaking at a press briefing in London EE's Director of Network Integration & LTE, Mansoor Hanif explained the network's position in the market and what it makes of the competition.
"I think they've [O2 and Vodafone] been a little bit unfair with us. We all got a fair shot at rolling out 4G networks fast," he said
"We're happy and we're actually quite surprised the others have been slow, we're feeling a bit lonely."
Join us, but we'll be better
So EE is welcoming the 4G competition and seemingly can't wait for the likes of O2, Three and Vodafone to join the fray later this year, with Hanif adding: "we want clear, fair competition".
There's still plenty of consumers to convert to 4G, as EE confirmed it had hit the half a million mark and is on track to have a million super-fast customers by the end of the year.
That said Hanif still believes EE will offer the best service out there at every stage of 4G's development: "our ambition is to be ahead of everyone else".
It's a taunting battle cry from EE to the other carriers in the UK and you can be sure O2, Vodafone and Three will come out all-guns-blazing when their 4G services launch.
Does Project Glass represent the next big step in mobile communications?
Back in early 2012, before the world had heard of Google Glass, the tech world was ablaze with rumours that the search giant was beavering away on augmented reality goggles.
As the days went by, it was clear that not only was this true, but that Google's dream of wearable technology was far, far closer to release than anyone would have guessed.
TechRadar has had time with the Google Glass Explorer so you can find plenty more information right there.
But what exactly is Google Glass? Why is it attracting all this attention and what are the implications - both good and bad - of having a Google-eye view of the world?
Google Glass and its prism display
What is Google Glass?
Google Glass is an attempt to free data from desktop computers and portable devices like phones and tablets, and place it right in front of your eyes.
Essentially, Google Glass is a camera, display, touchpad, battery and microphone built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go.
The principle is one that has been around for years in science fiction, and more recently it's become a slightly clunky reality. In fact, the "heads-up display" putting data in your field of vision became a reality as early as 1900 when the reflector sight was invented.
Google Glass options
Google Glass uses display technology instead to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view. According to Google the display is "the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away". There's no official word on native resolution, but 640 x 360 has been widely mooted.
Overlaying data into your vision has obvious benefits; many of which are already functional in Google Glass. Directions become more intuitive (although it sounds like there is no GPS on board so you will have to pair it with your phone), you can view real-time translations or transcriptions of what is being said, and you can scroll through and reply to messages - all on the fly.
Google Glass - certainly capturing plenty of attention
The embedded camera obviously does not need a viewfinder because it is simply recording your first-person perspective, allowing you to take snaps or footage of what you are actually seeing.
Any function that requires you to look at a screen could be put in front of you.
Controlling this data is the next neat trick. With a microphone and touchpad on one arm of the frame, you can select what you want to do with a brief gesture or by talking to the device, and Google Glass will interpret your commands.
Google Glass can also provide sound, with bone-induction technology confirmed. This vibrates your skull to create sound, which is both more grisly sounding and much less cumbersome than traditional headphones.
What can Google Glass do?
As well as Google's own list of features, the early apps for Google Glass provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.
As well as photos and film - which require no explanation - you can use the Google hangout software to video conference with your friends and show them what you're looking at.
You'll also be able to use Google Maps to get directions, although with GPS absent from the spec list, you'll need to tether Glass to your phone.
"Is Glass cool and entirely novel? Yes, it certainly is. Is it a device that will change the life of, or even just prove useful to, the average consumer? That's doubtful."
To do that, Google offers the MyGlass app. This pairs your headset with an Android phone. As well as sharing GPS data, this means messages can be received, viewed on the display, and answered using the microphone and Google's voice-to-text functionality.
That functionality will also bring the ability to translate the words being spoken to you into your own language on the display. Obviously you'll need a WiFi connection or a hefty data plan if you're in another country, but it's certainly a neat trick if it works.
The New York Times app gives an idea how news will be displayed when it's asked for: a headline, byline, appropriate image and number of hours since the article was published are displayed.
Google Glass - another reason not to miss your flight
Other cool ideas include a air carrier's suggestion that you could have flight flight details beamed to you while you are waiting at the airport. Basically, the sky's the limit.
If you want to know if Google Glass is any good - TechRadar's Alex Roth spent time with the device and said the following:
"Is Glass cool and entirely novel? Yes, it certainly is. Is it a device that will change the life of, or even just prove useful to, the average consumer? That's doubtful."
What are the Google Glass specifications?
As well as a mooted 640 x 360 display, the built-in camera is a 5MP snapper that can film at 720p.
Battery life is apparently a day, although that's with the usual "typical use" caveat, which probably excludes a lot of videoing.
There's 16GB of flash memory built into the device, although only 12GB will be available for user storage. The device will sync to your Google Drive in the cloud
Bluetooth and WiFi will be built in, but no GPS chip - so the Glass will probably work best alongside an Android phone, although you can pair with any Bluetooth enabled phone.
The frame will come with replacement and adjustable nosepads, and is expected to be both lightweight and extremely robust. It will also have a touchpad along one arm.
The sound will be produced through bone conduction transfer - vibrating your skull to transmit to your ears.
There is a Micro USB cable and charger for the dev versions, and all of the above specs are expected to be replicated in the consumer versions when they arrive.
Lastly, Google Glass will come in five colours: Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton and Sky. Using Glass's translation ability to turn that list from marketing speak to plain English, that's black, orange, grey, white and blue.
Google Glass will come in five colours
How much will Google Glass cost?
The Google Glass Explorer (the developer version being sent out now) costs $1,500 - around £985 or AU$1,449.
The consumer versions, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2013, are expected to be a little cheaper, although any actual prices remain speculative. They are unlikely to be super-cheap - but Google's success with the Nexus 7 tablet may prompt the company to subsidise some of the cost.
Google Glass - coming to a developer near you (if you live in the US)
I already wear glasses. Will Google Glasses work for me?
Yes - Google is already working on designer versions which will include prescription lenses.
Google Glass with glasses
Who is providing the competition?
Of course, with something as high profile as Google Glass, every major company has been linked with building a competitor.
Apple and Microsoft are Google's most obvious rivals - and both are rumoured to be working on their own equivalents. Sony has gone so far as to patent a Glass-alike offering. Vuzix, Oakley and Baidu are other numbered among the potential Glass rivals, and they won't be the last.
There is going to be plenty of competition going forward
Interestingly, Google might already be considering its own successor to Glass if this patent is to be believed. The patented design looks more like regular glasses, following the style of Google's potential competitors.
Is Project Glass evil?
Obviously with any new technology there is the potential for misuse - and Google Glass is, of course, a little problematic when it comes to privacy.
Of course, Google would say that it is merely taking the functionality that we already have in our portable devices and making it more readily accessible.
Google Glass - is it evil?
A lot will come down to personal preference. For many, the prospect of being filmed by someone from their glasses will make them uneasy, having conversations logged and transcribed will be divisive, and the inclusion of facial recognition would clearly be problematic.
