After creating smartphone-camera hybrid oddities such as the Samsung Galaxy NX and S4 Zoom, it seems the Korean electronics maker is doubling down by placing its camera division under the guiding wing of its Mobile division.

Samsung Electronics announced it would be integrating its Digital Imaging Business Division, which is in charge of cameras, with the Wireless Business Division. Korea IT News reports, the Galaxy phones maker hopes this move will create synergies between the two divisions in bid to capture the largest share of the global mirrorless camera market in 2015.

Samsung expects the mobile segment will share its knowhow to create better, wirelessly connected digital cameras. Like all partnerships that go both ways, there are also hopes this mash up will help "differentiate" its smartphones with better cameras.

Adapt or die

For years Samsung has mainly been pitching its Galaxy S line in direct competition with the iPhone. Meanwhile, the rest of the smartphone world caught up with phones that were just as impressive like the LG G2 and HTC One while the two giants duked it out.

This latest move is a smart one, for sure, and builds on what the company has already done with its smartphone-camera amalgamations.

Samsung only needs to look towards Nokia for a somewhat successful example of what doubling down on better cameras can do. Only time will tell if this corporate mini-restructuring will dramatically improve the quality of smartphone cameras for the Android market or creates a whole new line of smart and connected cameras.

We doubt we'll see any new products come out of this closer partnership until Photokina, the big photo gear show in September. But the tech industry has always held surprises before and we'll snap up anything we see at CES 2014 and Mobile World Congress.

• PS4 wins an early lead in the new console wars but Xbox One is quickly catching up

Santa Claus may not be due to slide down the chimney for another 12 days, but the elves at Slingbox are bringing a little holiday cheer to PC and tablet users on the Windows platform.

Sling Media announced today the release of SlingPlayer for Windows 8, a native media player app first announced last month and now available for PC users running Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system.

Available globally from the Windows 8 Store, the SlingPlayer app offers a unified experience across all Windows 8 devices, including laptop or desktop computers, convertibles and tablets.

Although Intel-powered Windows 8.1 devices could previously access Sling's web-based player, the Windows 8 app delivers support for ARM-based Windows RT devices like Surface 2 and the Nokia Lumia 2520.

Sling it, touch it

SlingPlayer for Windows 8 app works equally well with a mouse or fingers, thanks to the touch-enabled user interface that offers universal support for all devices.

The app also includes an intuitive gallery view in keeping with the look and feel of other Windows 8 apps for easy discovery and navigation of live or recorded programs.

Should you need another incentive to upgrade to Windows 8.1, the SlingPlayer native app is as good as any, since it requires the latest version.

SlingPlayer for Windows 8 offers a free 24-hour test drive and is priced comparable to other versions at $14.99; a separate version is also available for Windows Phone 8 devices.

• No luck buying an Xbox One yet? Check out our extensive review instead!

The mini Sony Xperia Z1S has been involved in yet another leak, this time in the US, adding fuel to the fire that it will be arriving soon.

Apparent the smaller version of the Sony Xperia Z1 has recently passed through the FCC in America, although this time it's got a new code name, Amami.

According to the leaked FCC filing the Xpiera Z1S Mini is expected to roll out with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, rather than the newest Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

Tiny power house

Other rumours point towards the Xperia Z1S being different to the likes of the Galaxy S4 Mini and One Mini, as it's hotly tipped to inherit the same processing power from its bigger brother.

That would mean the Xperia Z1S would pack a punchy 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU, plus it should also carry the same 20.7MP camera.

Of course the main difference between the two handsets is the screen size, with the Xperia Z1S tipped to pack a 4.3-inch display, rather than the 5-inch offering on the flagship phone.

Sony could well take the covers off the Xperia Z1S Mini at CES 2014, and TechRadar will be reporting live from the event to bring you all the latest news.

• What's the Xperia Z1 like?

Early adopters of the Nexus 5 look away now, LG and Google have tweaked the production process of the handset making it a slightly sturdier offering.

Some users had complained about the rattling sound made by the power/lock and volume keys on the new Nexus 5, and according to a post on the XDA Developers forum LG has returned to the drawing board to solidify those buttons.

It's not just the buttons which have been given some attention. There's also been a subtle change to the speaker grille on the base of the Nexus 5, with the machine drilled holes now ever so slightly larger than on earlier models.

All change please

There's no obvious advantage to be gained here for end users, perhaps the larger holes will allow for a slightly higher volume, but we don't expect much of a difference between old and new phones.

This isn't the first time LG and Google have altered the manufacturing process of a handset, with the Nexus 4 gaining two dimples on its rear a few months after launch, designed to lift the handset off a surface allowing for better volume from the rear speaker.

Of course this will all come as little comfort to those who did pick up a Nexus 5 early on, as there's no sign of a trade in program from Google or LG.

• Find out what we think in our Nexus 5 review

Chip design giant ARM has snapped up gaming light specialists Geomerics, the company that has helped illuminate big titles like Battlefield 4 and EVE Online.

ARM's focus on graphics is clearly growing, and the acquisition (for an as-yet undisclosed fee) represents another step forward for the company.

Geomerics makes Enlighten - which is a popular dynamic lighting solution used in some of the biggest blockbuster games.

Mobile gaming

The company's move under ARM's umbrella will see it continue its developments for console and, crucially, mobile platforms as well as look ahead to the next waves of devices.

The upshot is that we're likely to be seeing a hell of a lot more gorgeous dynamic lighting in our next-next-gen mobile phones and tablets, as gaming on the go hits critical mass.

If somebody could solve the whole physical buttons versus touchscreen problem ahead of that point that would be great.

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