It's been rumored for months that Google Hangouts will get SMS and MMS message support, and a report from yesterday made that seem even more likely.

Android Police rated its confidence in the SMS for Google Hangouts rumor "a 9 out of 10," saying "it's almost a sure thing."

According to the Android blog, Google Hangouts' version 1.3 update will add SMS message functionality, possibly merging the mobile OS's existing SMS messaging app with Hangouts just like the last update did with Google Talk.

The Hangouts update will reportedly add video sharing as well.

It's all in the details

And the site produced alleged leaked screenshots, seen above, to prove it.

SMS messages sent via Hangouts will reportedly sport a "via SMS" tag so users know exactly what the app is doing.

MMS multimedia messages will also be supported, though the site could not confirm with its sources whether that includes MMS video or just MMS images.

And the leaked screenshot shows settings toggles that include wireless alerts, auto-retrieval of SMS messages while roaming and otherwise, delivery reports, and a toggle for SMS in Hangouts itself.

The one thing this rumor lacks is an expected release date for the Google Hangouts 1.3 update, but if the screenshot is legit then SMS in Hangouts is probably being tested and could arrive soon.

• Here's everything we've heard about the next version of Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.4: KitKat.

There is indeed an iPad version of Microsoft Office coming down the pike, but the company is initially saving that touch-friendly experience for its own Windows devices.

The Verge today reported that Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer has confirmed the existence of Office for iPad - but it's no closer to landing on Apple's market-leading tablet.

Speaking at the Gartner Symposium ITXPO in Orlando on Tuesday, the outgoing Microsoft CEO revealed the company's "in progress" plans for a "touch first interface," but has no plans to make it available first on a competing platform.

"iPad will be picked up when there's a touch first user interface," Ballmer remarked to conference attendees, suggesting that Office for Windows will be where the new version makes its premiere.

Owning productivity

According to Microsoft insiders, that sentiment appears to be echoed by Chief Operating Officer B. Kevin Turner, who recently proclaimed the company's intention to "own the productivity experience across all devices."

That's certainly not the case just yet, with Office restricted to an iPhone-only app that requires an annual subscription to use - despite persistent leaks and rumors that an iPad version actually does exist.

Microsoft Executive Vice President, Applications and Services Qi Lu also recently confirmed "touch-first versions of our core apps in the Office suite" during a recent meeting with analysts.

For now, "touch-first" appears to also mean "Windows first," but Microsoft isn't giving any indication of how soon that initiative might land in the waiting hands (and fingers) of users.

• Check out our full review of Apple's latest iOS 7 operating system!

President Barack Obama has refused to veto a ban on Samsung products in the US.

Back in August the International Trade Commissions ruled a ban on the import of certain Samsung smartphones and tablets for infringing Apple patents.

The devices in the list include the Galaxy S 4G, Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Fascinate and Captivate among others.

The White House was given 60 days in which it could veto the devision, but it seems Obama has given the no-no.

Playing politics

"After carefully weighing policy considerations, including the impact on consumers and competition, advice from agencies, and information from interested parties, I have decided to allow [the ban to go ahead]," said US Trade Representative Michael Froman in a statement.

Apple found itself in the same situation in August but in a rare move Obama chose to veto the ban, arguing that it risked damaging competition in the US.

It's unlikely that this prove too damning for Samsung, given that its successful newer products, such as the Galaxy S4, aren't affected.

However it could still take the case to a US appeals court if it so wishes, so it might not be game over just yet.

We've got more rumoured info on the Nexus 5 – which means that now you should wonder what don't we know about the forthcoming Google superphone.

Well, there are a couple of new tidbits of just-surfaced info which we weren't aware of, concerning the differences between the two versions of the handset.

According to a source speaking to PhoneArena, each variation will be powered by a different capacity battery.

The 16GB Nexus 5 will allegedly have a 2,300mAh battery while the 32GB will pack a 3,000mAh variant. Oddly however, the leaked LG Nexus 5 manual we spotted the other day claimed the 32GB model has a 2,300mAh battery - the opposite of what we're hearing now.

The price is right

The same source also reports the prices of the models. Apparently the 16GB will be priced at $299 (around £186, AU$315) and the 32GB will cost $349 (around £217, AU £368).

A 3,000mAh 32GB model will certainly go down better with buyers, but it's just a shame that we won't be getting that 64GB variant we so wanted. Then again, this could be nonsense, so remain open-minded for now.

The Nexus 5 is expected to touch down this month and be the first device running Android 4.4 KitKat, which is going to excite those looking for the best vanilla Google experience.

There have long been rumours suggested that the Finnish smartphone manufacturer could be working on a tablet and now am intriguing link has been found on Nokia's website.

The tablet currently goes under the moniker Lumia 2520 and a search for this on Nokia's US site reportedly, until recently, offered up just one result - an FAQ defining what a tablet is.

While the FAQ itself didn't name check the Lumia 2520, there was clearly something linking the name to the page.

Adding more fuel to the fire is the fact Nokia has now "fixed" the peculiar search result, so if you go and try to generate the same thing you'll be out of luck.

From tablet to phablet

The Lumia 2520 tablet could well be announced at Nokia's Abu Dhabi event on October 22, where we expect to see the Nokia Lumia 1520 - which itself has seen more leaks.

A few new snaps claiming to show the 6-inch, quad-core powered Lumia 1520 in the wild via Chinese site Coolxap.

The leak didn't offer any further details as to the features of the smartphone, nor a Lumia 1520 release date, but TechRadar will be live at the Abu Dhabi event in a couple of weeks to bring you the news as it breaks.

• All the latest on the Nokia Lumia 1520