Samsung's recent flirtation with the flip phone form factor could be about to become a full on love affair, judging by a new leak suggesting a handset with high-end specs could be on the way.
Documents submitted with Chinese regulators Tenna detail the SM-W2014, a smartphone with the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU that has appeared in many top all-touchscreen devices this year.
Not only that, the spec sheet also promises the device will boast 2GB of RAM, dual 3.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreens, both with 800 x 480 resolutions.
Also listed is a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing snapper and the latest version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Not too shabby.
Flippin' 'eck!
If accurate, those specifications would greatly surpass the recent Samsung Hennessey and Samsung Golden smartphones, which were recently unveiled for the Chinese market.
The former has 3.3-inch 320x480 displays and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, while the latter is a dual-core handset with an 8-megapixel camera.
Unfortunately for those hoping to relive the flip phone halcyon days, this latest device is likely to be a Chinese exclusive too.
However, Samsung does seem to be putting more and more effort into this form factor, so it's not inconceivable that an international launch could be on the cards. Interested parties should begin shouting loudly now.
The Nokia Lumia 1520 looks like it's a beast of a Windows Phone smartphone. Think Lumia 920, but beefed up in a considerable number of ways.
We've already seen leaked press photos of the Lumia 1520, so there won't be too many surprises when Nokia makes it official. However, we're expecting quite a bit under the hood.
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception the new flagship Lumia will receive, as the 920 and Lumia 1020 are still relatively fresh on everyone's radar.
Nokia Lumia 1520 display
From what we've heard, the Lumia 1520 display might be a 6-inch monster, which would put it in the phablet zone, as much as we hate that word.
The leaked photos and press images seem to suggest that it is going to be the biggest Lumia yet, at least in terms of size.
If the display is anything like previous models, it will be an AMOLED ClearBlack display. What that means is easy visibility in broad daylight, and strong contrast with deep blacks.
Nokia Lumia 1520 camera
We know that Nokia takes its camera technology pretty seriously, but we're not going to see anything like the 41MP PureView camera here like we did on the Lumia 1020.
What we're hearing so far is that the Nokia Lumia 1520 will have a 20MP camera, which is still a massive resolution by today's smartphone camera standards.
It will undoubtedly have excellent low-light performance as previous Lumias have had, and excellent color reproduction and sharpness thanks to Nokia's and Carl Zeiss's optics.
If the 1520 is like the previous Lumia flagships, we'll also anticipate 1080p video recording with OIS, or optical image stabilization. That same stabilization system ought to help with still camera performance in less than optimal lighting conditions, too.
Nokia Lumia 1520 release date
The Lumia 1520 seems a little late to the party if you've been following rumors, but since no official release dates have been announced, it just feels late.
We were expecting to see this Windows Phone 8 device a week or two ago. However, we're now hearing that October 22 is the date for the official announcement. And Nokia is planning on holding the event in Abu Dhabi, of all places.
Given that the announcement is going to be in late October, we're thinking that the actual availability will be within the coming weeks, probably some time before the holidays hit.
Additionally, Nokia says there will be six devices on hand at the Abu Dhabi event, which could also mean more phones and perhaps even tablets. If we were to really stretch our imagination, maybe some wearable tech, too.
Nokia Lumia 1520 design
Right now, it looks like the Lumia 1520 is just an overgrown 920, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, gigantic smartphones can be a little unwieldy.
From the looks of leaked photos and the press photos, the body seems to share the same polycarbonate material that its predecessors had. It's doesn't feel cheap, and it looks nice even though it's plastic.
The 1520's shape and curvature is very much like the Lumia 1020 and 920, which makes sense if Nokia is to make the Lumia Windows Phone handsets distinct and different from its competition.
The glass covering the display also looks like it curves very gently into the body, as Lumia smartphones do. This gives the device a very seamless feel overall, and it looks nice, too.
So far we can glean a lot from the leaked images and rumors, but we're just weeks away from Nokia's official announcement where we'll bring you all the finer details about its new flagship device.
Nokia Lumia 1520 pricing
Right now, we don't have any concrete information on the Lumia 1520 price.
It would be easy to go off of the pricing of the Lumia 920, or perhaps even the 1020 with its inflated price tag thanks to the PureView camera. However, it's not that easy in this case.
We would guess, given its sheer size, that it would hover around the $299 range with a two-year contract or agreement in the U.S.
Outright, we would guess somewhere in the $600-800 range based on its size, and depending on memory capacities and options.
While it's hard to play guessing games with pricing these days, the Lumia 1520 price ought to be what you'd expect from a very large Windows Phone 8 device. It probably won't break your bank, if that's what you're fearing.
Nokia Lumia 1520 leaks
There have been a number of Lumia 1520 leaks as of late, and the latest shows off a red hot, Hot Red color for the device.
The leak came courtesy of evleaks on Twitter, and the display and icon arrangement looks much like what we're expecting already.
We mentioned, "Well-known Twitter leakster @evleaks came through again on this one after publishing a leaked press shot of the yellow Lumia 1520 in early September."
We're keeping our eyes peeled for the official launch or announcement on October 22, which is the same time as Apple's iPad event. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the two companies battling for press attention, though we know where it's going to skew.
Who doesn't want to touch a trilobite? (credit: Disney Research)
Disney is not normally at the forefront of technological advancements - unless we're talking about theme parks - but its new technique for "feeling" touch screens sounds pretty magical.
The company's Pittsburgh researchers, including one Dr. Ali Israr, have developed an algorithm that generates "electro-vibration" when a touchscreen user's fingers touch certain points on the display.
When users touch something that should feel textured, the device emits vibrations, creating the illusion of an object with actual, physical texture.
And because many touchscreen devices already have vibrating feedback motors the system should be easy to implement, according to the researchers.
Good vibrations
The Disney touchscreen technique simulates what it really feels like to touch textured objects, like pineapples, fossils, and interactive maps, by recreating that feeling using small vibrations.
Apparently its algorithm creates vibrations that are pretty close to what actually happens when you touch something.
"Our brain perceives the 3D bump on a surface mostly from information that it receives via skin stretching," said Ivan Poupyrev, head of the interaction research group that developed the technology.
The vibrations reportedly stretch the skin of a user's fingertips just enough to make it seem like they're really feeling something.
When it's described like that, it seems obvious - haptic feedback is important, after all. That's why your phone vibrates when you type a letter.
The system is also more versatile than other haptic feedback touchscreen gimmicks, like the Tactus microfluid tech touted last year, because it can "tune tactile effects to a specific visual artifact on the fly," said Dr. Israr.
Given the iPhone's history - from the 3G onwards, there's always been a half-step S model before the next numbered iPhone - so it was no surprise the 5S was first and so we're looking at 2014 for a new iPhone 6.
One thing is for sure, with potential refreshes of such super handsets as the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z and HTC One, the next iPhone will have to seriously up its game.
iPhone 6 release date
The iPhone 6 release date will be in 2014. It will follow the iPhone 5S which will be released at the end of this week..
Jefferies analyst Peter Misek says that there will be a June 2014 release for the iPhone 6. We reckon it will be later than that, around a year after the 5S. Citi's Glen Yeung also believes that we won't see an iPhone 6 until 2014, although that's no big leap.
Interestingly, in May 2013 Stuff reported it received a photo of the till system at a Vodafone UK store (which it has since removed along with the reference to Vodafone), with '4G iPhone 6' listed.
So could we see both an iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 in quick succession? Some reports suggest a new 5S in the late part of the year before a revamped iPhone 6 very early in 2014.
Apple may have a new roadmap, with new phones every spring and autumn
iPhone 6 casing
It's been suggested that there could even be three size variants of the new iPhone - check out these mocked up images by artist Peter Zigich. He calls the handsets iPhone 6 Mini, iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 XL (these look rather like the iPhone 5C variant though). However, as ZDNet rightly points out, different size variants aren't exactly easy to just magic out of thin air.
Pretty, yes, but also horrifically scratch-prone. Will your next iPhone have a plastic back?
The iPhone 6 will finally do NFC
About time too. Well, that's what iDownloadblog reckons, quoting Jefferies analyst Peter Misek. Many Android phones now boast NFC and Apple appears to have been happy to be left behind here.
See our video below on what Apple needs to do to slay Samsung's Galaxy S4
The iPhone 6 will run iOS 8
With iOS 7 heading out of the traps now, who's betting against the next iPhone coming with iOS 8?
We'd expect a September or October release date for iOS 8 in line with previous releases.
iOS 7: what do you think?
iPhone 6 storage
We've already seen a 128GB iPad, so why not a 128GB iPhone 6? Yes, it'll cost a fortune, but high-spending early adopters love this stuff.
iPhone 6 home button
According to Business Insider, of the many iPhone 6 prototypes Apple has made, one has a giant Retina+ IGZO display and a "new form factor with no home button. Gesture control is also possibly included". It will surely include Apple's new Touch ID finger print tech though?
iPhone 6 screen
The Retina+ Sharp IGZO display, would have a 1080p Full HD resolution. It's also been widely reported that Apple could introduce two handset sizes as it seeks to compete with the plethora of Android devices now on the market.
Take this one with a pinch of salt, because China Times isn't always right: it reckons the codename iPhone Math, which may be a mistranslation of iPhone+, will have a 4.8-inch display. The same report suggests that Apple will release multiple handsets throughout the year over and above the iPhone 5S and 6, which seems a bit far-fetched to us.
Jefferies analyst Peter Misek also says he believes the new iPhone will have a bigger screen. Different sizes also seem rather likely to us - the word on the street after WWDC 2013 was that there would be 4.7 and 5.7-inch versions.
More rumors in September 2013 point to a six-inch display, but this seems a little large to us.
You'll probably still be able to see the camera lens in the iPhone 6
iPhone 6 processor
Not a huge surprise, this one: the next processor one will be a quad-core A8 or an evolved A7. The big sell here is more power with better efficiency, which should help battery life.
Update: Anyone hoping for some juicy Samsung technology hidden under the iPhone 6 body will be disappointed though, as reports suggest Apple is looking to push its Korean rival further out of the iPhone picture with its eighth-gen handset.
Apple is apparently cutting the amount of A8 processors it is having made by Samsung, although it hasn't severed ties completely just yet.
iPhone 6 camera
Apple's bought camera sensors from Sony before, and this year we're going to see a new, 13-megapixel sensor that takes up less room without compromising image quality.
An Apple patent, uncovered by Apple Insider in May 2013, shows a system where an iPhone can remotely control other illuminating devices - extra flashes. It would work in a similar manner to that seen in professional photography studios. Interesting stuff.
Will the iPhone 6 be handy for pro photographers? [Image credit: Apple Insider]
iPhone 6 eye tracking
One thing seems certain - Apple can't ignore the massive movement towards eye-tracking tech from other vendors, especially Samsung. It seems a shoe-in that Apple will deliver some kind of motion tech within the next iPhone, probably from uMoove.
iPhone 6 wireless charging
Wireless charging still isn't mainstream. Could Apple help give it a push? CP Tech reports that Apple has filed a patent for efficient wireless charging, but then again Apple has filed patents for pretty much anything imaginable.
The tasty bit of this particular patent is that Apple's tech wouldn't just charge one device, but multiple ones. Here are more details on the iPhone 6 wireless charging patent.
Meanwhile, a further Apple patent seems to imply that future iPhones will be able to adjust volume as you move them away from your ear.
Will the new design and the functionality that goes along with it improve the way we use a smartphone?
See how the Galaxy Round compares to the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy S4 below...
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Design
The Galaxy Round is essentially a customized version of the existing Samsung Galaxy Note 3. But where the Note 3 has a flat 5.7-inch display, the Round features a concave 5.7-inch 1080p panel - the first of its kind in a commercial handset.
The back of the Round is also delicately curved, enabling various 'tilt'-activated functions when placed onto a table. You can tilt the phone to quick-peek at key lock screen info (i.e. date, time, missed calls), tilt to skip tracks or to browse through photos.
The eye-catching curved design makes a difference to the size and weight. The dimensions are almost the same - 151.1 x 79.6 x 7.9mm for the Round, 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm for the Galaxy Note 3.
The Round, however, is noticeably lighter, tipping the scales at 154g compared to the 168g bulk of its forbear. It's just a guess at this point, but the curved design of the Round should make it more comfortable to hold than the Note 3.
Where the Galaxy Note 3 features a flat back, the Round has a curved chassis that makes it easier to hold
Like the Galaxy Note 3, you'll struggle to fit the Round into a pocket - it's more tablet than traditional phone.
The flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 is still the smaller, lighter handset, measuring 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm and weighing 130g. Note how the Round matches the tiny waistline of the S4.
Finally, the Galaxy Round is initially available in what Samsung has dubbed 'luxury brown', while the Note 3 comes in black, white and pink hues.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Display
As previously mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy Round catches the eye with a curved 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixel) resolution.
It has the same technology, resolution and pixel density (386 PPI) as the Galaxy Note 3 and comes with the same S-Pen stylus for point-perfect touch control. Like the Note 3, the Round is also capable of running applications in multiple windows.
How do the two devices compare to the Samsung Galaxy S4? The S4's 5-inch screen is 0.7 inches smaller, but uses a similar 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED panel that has a sky-high PPI rating of 440.6. The S4 also supports Samsung's Multi Window functionality.
The Galaxy Round's screen might be curved, but it's has the same Super AMOLED technology as the Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Camera
Away from the curved display the Galaxy Round, Note 3 and Galaxy S4 match each other for imaging technology. All three feature a 13MP lens on the back and a 2MP front cam.
Features include autofocus, an LED flash, face and smile detection, HDR, image stabilisation, panorama mode and 1080p video recording, plus clever Dual Shot and simultaneous video/image capture modes.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Connectivity
With the Samsung Galaxy Round debuting in Korea, it comes with LTE-A (LTE Advanced) connectivity where the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 are equipped with LTE chipsets. It's the only core difference between the phones, which all boast 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC options.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Processor and software
Again, there are no surprises here - bar its curved display, the Galaxy Round is a variation on the Note 3, not a revamp.
Consequently, the Samsung Galaxy Round comes packing the same 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip as its flatter brother, ably assisted by the Adreno 330 co-processor and 3MB of RAM - 1MB more than the S4.
The Round and the Note 3 share the same processor
The Galaxy Note 3 can support the Exynos 5 Octa 5410 silicon that was pegged for the Samsung Galaxy S4, so we'd expect the Galaxy Round to be just as flexible if it catches on with consumers.
In terms of software, expect to find Android 4.3 on all three phones.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Storage
Where the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy S4 are available in 16, 32 or 64GB capacities, the Samsung Galaxy Round comes in a take-it-or-leave-it 32GB option.
That said, it features the same microSD slot as the other two Samsung devices, enabling the storage to be boosted to as much as 96GB with the addition of a 64GB memory card.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Battery life
As far as battery life is concerned, the Galaxy Round seems to feature a smaller 2800mAh battery, compared to the 3200 mAh cell in the Galaxy Note 3. This is obviously a disadvantage of the new curvy design.
That said, the Galaxy Note 3 didn't gobble up battery life as expected, especially considering its 5.7-inch display. The Galaxy S4 hides a 2600mAh Li-Ion pack.
So performance should be similar - Samsung rates the Note 3 with a standby time of 420 hours and a talktime of 21 hours. Use the Round for email, web browsing, music playback and all the other things that a smartphone is capable of doing, and you'll easily get a day's use on a single charge.
Samsung Galaxy Round vs Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy Note 3 - Early verdict
Far from being a new super-phone, the Samsung Galaxy Round is essentially a curved-screen version of the Galaxy Note 3. Bar LTA-A and 14g of weight loss, the two tablet-phones are almost identical, differentiated by the Round's flexible screen and the tilt functionality that it enables.
The screen itself isn't any better (or worse) than existing displays and it's hard to see the populist value in the new design.
If Samsung had debuted a truly flexible display, we'd be clamoring to own one. As is, the Galaxy Round is hardly going to change the game.
Why not check out our Galaxy Note 3 review? It's flat but built for power users.
OK, so gold phones are quickly coming close to being passe, but the HTC One Gold edition is something different: it's a proper 18ct gold edition.
Designed for the MOBO awards, the HTC One has been gold plated to deliver that 'hyperbling' experience that marks it out from the rest.
Apart from being the most reflective phone we've ever tried to photograph (and we've tried to do the same thing with chrome phones), the most remarkable thing about the handset is that it doesn't weight more than 4g more than the normal HTC One.
It's essentially the same device, although HTC did admit it was working out some of the connectivity issues that come with gold plating. However, thanks to its efforts into antenna reception in making the all-aluminium HTC One there are apparently no issues with getting a spot of 3G or 4G to play with.
So there you have it: it's an HTC One with the most bling-tastic covering you'll ever see. Don't hanker after it too much, as it not only costs £2700 to make, but sadly it's never going to see shop shelves. Well, sadly for those that have just sold a mid-sized coupe and feel the need to waste the cash, that is.
Have a break from stocking up on 200 Marlboro and enough whiskey to fell a small cow and grab yourself a cuddly Android KitKat from the duty free next time you go abroad.
OK, that's the plushware out of the way. Can we have the software now please?
In less than two weeks we're off to Abu Dhabi to see what Nokia has been teasing us all about - will it be the first Windows Phone with a quad-core processor and full HD display?
What we're hoping for, and almost expecting, is the announcement of the rumoured 6-inch Nokia Lumia 1520 and new details emerging today via NokiaPoweruser sheds some more light on what we might see.
A questionable screenshot was posted on Twitter claiming to be taken from the Open Mobile Alliance, and according to this listing it "confirms" the Nokia Lumia 1520 name, as well as that much talked about display.
Full HD on its way
The good news is the screenshot shows that the Lumia 1520 will come packing a Full HD, 1080 x 1920 screen, which will be sure to excite the many movie loving enthusiasts. This puts it on par with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, albeit a whole 0.3 inches larger.
For full details of the launch you'll have to check back with us on October 22, but in the mean time why not check out everything that we know about the Nokia Lumia 1520 so far? Go on, you know you want to.
