What’s new in Android 4.4.1

The new version of KitKat brings lots of smaller changes

Following the first maintenance release of Android KitKat, the big news is that there are many camera fixes and enhancements for the Nexus 5, but it turns out there are also a lot of smaller changes and improvements in the new OS.

Including

Fixes for the Nexus 5 speaker bug (making it louder)
The bug that occasionally made the notification bar partly opaque.
More, haptic feedback
“Photos” is now the default photo-viewing app when you swipe out of the Camera app.

Let us know if the O.T.A update has got your device yet and whether you’ve seen any other changes or bugs.

Android Flashlight app ‘deceives’ millions

Federal Trade Commission stated GoldenShores Technologies took ID and location data from the millions using its Brightest Flashlight app.

The developer shared the data with ad networks but did not tell users about this practice.

To settle the charges, GoldenShores has agreed to give users more control over what happens to their data.

The FTC criticised GoldenShores for its poor privacy policy, which did not let people know that the app was logging their precise location and a unique identifier for their phone and was then sharing that information with advertisers.

The free app offered people an opt-out clause, the FTC said this was “meaningless” because data from all users of the Brightest Flashlight app was shared whether they agreed or not.

“When consumers are given a real, informed choice, they can decide for themselves whether the benefit of a service is worth the information they must share to use it,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC bureau of consumer protection, in a statement.

“But this Flashlight app left them in the dark about how their information was going to be used,” she added.

A settlement deal signed by GoldenShores tightens up its privacy policy and demands that the company change how it handles data. In particular, it must no longer misrepresent how it gathers data and whom it is shared with, and must give consumers meaningful control over what is done with the information.

In addition, it must delete all the data it previously gathered from those who downloaded the Flashlight app.

Source BBC News

Android, sailing across a chocolate sea

Are you wanting to get a mention on Coolsmartphone? Today is definitely a good day to email us, because things are a little quiet on the news front. This new KitKat advert shows the tie-in with Android and is a sign of things to come.

How weird.

This whole item has nothing to do with the fact that I’ve just had a mid-afternoon chocolate break, oh no.

Medion Lifetab E7613 Android tablet flash sale [bargain]

Are you looking for a tablet for Christmas, but don’t have the funds for a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini? Well this bobby bargain may be up your street… Well, if you have an Aldi up your street that is.

This Sunday, for one day only, Aldi are offering the Medion Lifetab E7613 for a measly £79.99.

Granted, it’s not going to blow your socks off with its processing power, but it’s going to have enough to cause a breeze around your toes. It’s certainly one to consider if you’re looking at a Hudl or one of the no-name imports.

This deal is only availbable in store, but you can see further details here – Medion Lifetab E7613.

And here are the specs, courtesy of Aldi.

Multitouch display (1,024 x 600 pixels) for a fantastic multimedia experienceHigh performance Quad Core processor (1.6GHz)Android™ 4.2.2 Jelly Bean2 integrated cameras – 0.3MP front webcam with integrated microphone and a 2.0MP camera on the rear802.11n wi-fiUSB host function and numerous connection options including Bluetooth 2.1Range of pre-installed apps and Kaspersky Tablet Security (test version for 30 days)Dimensions: approx. 192 x 122 x 10.8mm (W x H x D)Weight: approx. 310g

TV Anywhere from Virgin, now for Android

Just recently Sky added more channels to their Sky Go service. It brought the total amount of “watch anywhere” channels to 57, but Virgin have today blown them out of the water by launching their TV Anywhere app for Android devices which gives access to 67 channels across “a range of tablets and smartphones” and 90 channels “online”.

The app, which is already available for iOS devices is exclusively available to Virgin Media customers with Tivo and currently it doesn’t work with Android 4.4 (KitKat). As with Sky Go, some handsets seem to offer up more functionality than others – such as some being able to manage the Tivo box but not to watch live TV.

Virgin Media launches UK’s most comprehensive entertainment-anywhere service on Android
Virgin TV Anywhere now available across a wide range of popular Android mobiles and tablets as well as all Apple iOS gadgets
Award winning service adds another nine new channels to line-up
Access to more live channels than Sky Go

Virgin Media is celebrating the Android app launch of Virgin TV Anywhere with the addition of nine extra channels to join the UK’s most comprehensive entertainment-anywhere service. They accompany an already unrivalled range of channels on Virgin TV Anywhere, which puts customers in control of their TV viewing and planning on mobile devices and online.

Virgin TV Anywhere offers more live channels than Sky Go, with 90 available online and 67 to watch on mobile and tablets. 39 of these channels are not available on Sky Go, including BT Sport, ITV, Channel 5, CBS Reality Premier Sport and many more. Virgin TV Anywhere is the first provider to offer the full range of UKTV channels as part of a multiplatform deal, all nine new channels to join the service are Alibi, Dave, Drama, Good Food, Home, Really, Watch, Yesterday and CBS Reality.

The Virgin TV Anywhere app is free to all Virgin Media TiVo® customers, taking advantage of Virgin Media’s cutting edge home entertainment and expertise in television, broadband and mobile to deliver an award winning* service that can be enjoyed wherever there is WiFi in the UK.

The entertainment-anywhere service gives customers the ability to remotely manage their TiVo set-top box, including scheduling and deleting recordings in real time.

The app also helps customers rate shows with TiVo’s trademark Thumbs Up/Down, see the recommendations TiVo has tailor-made for their household to watch and even acts as a touch/gesture-based remote control when at home. Customers can even sort out recording clashes by giving your favourite shows a higher priority to make sure they don’t miss them.

Scott Kewley, Virgin Media’s director of digital entertainment said: “With the arrival of these fantastic new channels, Virgin TV Anywhere is undoubtedly the market-leading service for those who want to take the best of their home entertainment with them to watch wherever they are at no extra cost.

“We want to deliver the best experience for our customers every time so, we’ve taken the time to develop the Android version to ensure we’re delivering an unrivalled entertainment experience for our customers.”
Keith Porritt, UKTV’s Executive Director Commercial said: “The extension of our partnership with Virgin Media is a mark of UKTV’s commitment to providing viewers with even more access to our award-winning and increasingly popular channels. We have committed to spending £110 million on-screen this year, making our channels stronger and more exciting, and now Virgin Media customers will be able to view these channels anywhere they like.”
The Virgin TV Anywhere app is available across iPads, iPhones and iPod touches, and is now available to download from the Google Play Store. It is now compatible with a wide range of Android mobiles and tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Tablet Z, Google Nexus tablets and Samsung Galaxy Note with more Android devices joining the line-up in the very near future.

Already boasting around 2,500 hours of content from the UK’s biggest on demand library for Virgin TV customers to enjoy on a computer, Virgin TV is working to replicate this service for mobile and tablet devices in the future.

Les meilleurs Smartphones Android pour un bdget compris entre 430 € et 740 € [Guide d'achat 2013 #3]

Toujours dans le contexte des fêtes de fin d’année, nous vous présentons maintenant les meilleurs Smartphones situés dans la catégorie haut de gamme, ils sont surtout destinés à des consommateurs qui veulent investir dans des Smartphones premium, dont les prix sont compris entre 430 et 740 euros.

HTC One

Le HTC One est sans doute l’un des meilleurs Smartphones (si ce n’est le meilleur) que la firme taïwanaise a construit jusqu’à présent. Se présentant dans une coque monobloc en aluminium, le HTC One se démarque de ses homologues par l’utilisation de 2 haut-parleurs stéréo poussé par le logiciel Boom Sound, ainsi que d’un appareil photo numérique ultraPixel.

Les caractéristiques techniques du HTC One :

4,7 pouces avec une résolution Full HD (1080p ) et une densité de pixels de 468 PPPQualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad-core cadencé à 1.7 GHz32 ou 64 Go non extensible via une carte mémoireTechnologie UltraPixel 4 MP et enregistrement vidéo Full HD en 1080p avec la vidéo HDRAndroid Jelly Bean + HTC Sense 5.02 haut-parleurs stéréo frontaux avec amplificateurs intégrés
et le système Beats Audio

Où acheter le HTC One au meilleur prix :

Le tableau de comparaison des prix est visible uniquement depuis l’article original qui est disponible ici

LG G2

Se présentant comme étant le Smartphone phare de la marque LG en ce moment, ce Smartphone se démarque par l’absence des touches physiques en façade au profit de boutons se situant sur son dos, ainsi que par la puissance de son processeur.

Les caractéristiques techniques du LG G2 :

IPS de 5.2" avec une résolution Full HD (1080p ) et une densité de pixels de 468 PPPQualcomm Snapdragon 800 cadencé à 2.26 GHz16 ou 32 Go non extensible via une carte mémoire13 MP avec Stabilisateur Optique d’Image IOSZoom Audio, KnockON, Double Enregistrement,

Où acheter le LG G2 au meilleur prix :

Le tableau de comparaison des prix est visible uniquement depuis l’article original qui est disponible ici

Samsung Galaxy S4

Il s’agit sans doute du Smartphone le plus populaire de l’année, car il s’est déjà vendu à plus de 40 millions d’unités. Très léger et riche en fonctionnalités, le Samsung Galaxy S4 coûte actuellement 438 €.

Les caractéristiques techniques du Samsung Galaxy S4 :

Super AMOLED de 5 pouces avec une resolution 1920 x 1080 et une densité de pixels de 441 PPPQualcomm Snadragon 600 cadencé à 1.9 GHz16, 32 ou 64 Go extensible via une carte mémoire externe13 mégapixels avec Flash LED et autofocusAndroid 4.2 Jelly Bean + TouchWizAccéléromètre, Boussole numérique, Capteur de Proximité,
Gyroscope, Baromètre

Où acheter le Samsung Galaxy S4 au meilleur prix :

Le tableau de comparaison des prix est visible uniquement depuis l’article original qui est disponible ici

Sony Xperia Z1

Se trouvant dans une coque complètement étanche à l’eau et très esthétique, le Xperia Z1 se démarque des autres Smartphones de sa génération par sa puissance ainsi que son appareil photo numérique de 20,7 MP. Il coûte actuellement 510 €.

Les caractéristiques techniques du Sony Xperia Z1 :

TRILUMINOS de 5" avec une resolution 1920 x 1080 et une densité de pixels de 441 PPPQualcomm Snadragon 800 cadencé à 2.2 GHz16 Go extensible via une carte mémoire externe20,7 MP avec le capteur d'images ExmorRobustesse : Résistant à l'eau et à la poussière

Où acheter le Sony Xperia Z1 au meilleur prix :

Le tableau de comparaison des prix est visible uniquement depuis l’article original qui est disponible ici

ASUS Padfone Infinity

Pour terminer cette liste, nous voulons également parler de l’ASUS Padfone Infinity qui sans doute le Smartphone « grand public » le plus cher sur le marché en ce moment. Se présentant comme un appareil Android plutôt extraordinaire avec la faculté de se transformer en une tablette de 10 pouces, en gros pour 739 euros, vous aurez droit à un Smartphone de 5 pouces et une tablette de 10 pouces.

Les caractéristiques techniques de l’Asus Padfone Infinity :

Super IPS+ 5 pouces avec une résolution de 1920 x 1080 Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 Quad-core cadencé à 1.7 GHz64 Go non extensible via une carte mémoire13 MP avec flash, autofocus, flash LED Dock inclus pour transformer le smartphone en tablette de 10 pouces

Où acheter l’Asus Padfone Infinity au meilleur prix :

Le tableau de comparaison des prix est visible uniquement depuis l’article original qui est disponible ici

Bien sûr, les prix cités peuvent varier d’un revendeur à un autre, c’est pourquoi nous vous invitons à comparer les prix depuis le tableau qui est disponible en dessous de chaque Smartphone de la liste.

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Les Galaxy Note 2 et Galaxy S3 recevront-ils un jour Android 4.4 KitKat ? [Réflexions]

Au moment où vous lisez ces quelques lignes, le déploiement de la mise à jour du Galaxy Note 2 vers Android 4.3 Jelly Bean est déjà en cours, et il n’est question que de quelques semaines, voire quelques jours, avant qu’elle arrive chez nous via OTA ou Samsung Kies. Du coup, comme la mise à jour vers la dernière version de Jelly Bean est actuellement en cous de déploiement, plusieurs se demandent si Samsung se donnera la peine de libérer une autre mise à jour vers Android 4.4 KitKat dans les mois à venir, vu que le Smartphone commence déjà à dater.

Quand le Samsung Galaxy Note 2 a été commercialisé l’année dernière, il tournait sous Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, et depuis, il n’a plus reçu de mise à jour alors que la plupart des appareils de sa génération tournent au moins sous la version 4.2 Jelly Bean d’Android, voire 4.3. Mais, il faut croire que Samsung a jugé inutile de passer par Android 4.2, surtout quand on sait que ce dernier n’apporte pas de grandes nouveautés par rapport à la version de base.

Du coup, on se demande si Android 4.3 Jelly Bean ne sera pas la dernière mise à jour pour le Galaxy Note 2. En effet, si Samsung compte déployer une nouvelle mise à jour, il est tout à fait normal et logique qu’il se focalise sur ces derniers terminaux comme le Galaxy S4, le Galaxy Note 3, et sans doute le Galaxy S5. Les chances pour que la firme déploie ainsi une mise à jour pour un appareil commercialisé il y a 2 années sont donc très fines, comme c’est d’ailleurs le cas avec le Galaxy S2 et le Galaxy Note qui ne devront plus recevoir de mise à jour officielle.

Pourtant, il ne faut pas oublier que Android 4.4 KitKat qui est considéré comme étant la plus grande mise à jour depuis Android 4.1 est censé améliorer la gestion de la mémoire RAM, ce qui veut dire que les terminaux les plus anciens pourront le faire tourner sans problème. De ce fait, nous sommes confiants sur le fait que les appareils qui sont sortis l’année dernière recevront cette nouvelle mise à jour, que ce soit le Galaxy S3 ou le Galaxy Note 2.

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Samsung Galaxy S3 receiving update to Android 4.3

 

The global rollout of Android 4.3 Jellybean to Samsungs previous flagship handset the Galaxy S3 has begun.

According to Samsung dedicated site Sammobile the rollout began with unlocked UK devices and has not started to be seen on devices in South Korea.

The list of changes and new features is extensive:-

- GALAXY GEAR Support- TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)- Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4's theme all over)- New Samsung Keyboard- GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)- New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message- New Screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo- Daydream- Driving mode- Actionable notifications- Move-to-SD-card feature- New Camera mode : Sound and Shot- New Additions in Notification Centre- Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface – Exactly like the Galaxy S4)- Implementation of Voice controls (Let’s you control various parts of the phone using voice commands – Galaxy S4 feature)- New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music- Full screen Samsung apps- New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)

As usual the update is an Over the Air update however you can update via Kies if you so choose.

Have you received the new update?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

HTC One and Android – From an iPhone fan’s perspective

 

Introduction

I have been a fan of the iPhone ever since the iPhone 3G, but find that after around 12 to 18 months of using a phone I get very bored. The issue with iOS is that it looks and feels the same no matter which device you’re using, so from time to time I like to stray over to Android. I have been a user of the iPhone 5 since launch day and I am starting to look for my next move, so I jumped at the chance to try out one of the highest rated Android devices of the past 12 months – The HTC One.

Yes, I know I am late to the party on this one, but this review is mainly for iPhone users looking to move over to the Android ecosystem.

Packaging

There isn’t much to be said regarding the packaging a device arrives in. Not anything that would affect my choice to buy the phone, so I’m happy as long as it protects the phone in transit. That said, it is nice to see HTC move away from the traditional shape boxes of the iPhone and Samsung, so kudos to HTC for taking Apple’s advice and trying to “think different”.

Hardware

Materials

Notice I use the term “materials” rather than “build quality”?

This is because I am a strong believer in the fact that using aluminium to make a phone does not make it well made and therefore have good build quality. Both the One and the iPhone feel slippery in the hand when not used with a case, with the One feeling slightly more slippery in my opinion. As this is the case, I would recommend buying a case for both devices which really undermines the point of the aluminium feel. Many people hate the plastic used on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 but at least the back panel is replaceable should you scratch it. Overall in this category though I have to admit that HTC seem to have trumped the iPhone in the finish of the device. My iPhone 5 has been in a very large number of cases since it arrived with me and never once has it been used without a case. That being said, HOW have I managed to chip the paint on the bottom chauffeured edge?? The finish on the iPhone feels thin and fragile where the HTC One feels scratch resistant and thick in comparison. Remember though that both handsets WILL scratch and chip if not treated with care and dropped onto hard surfaces when not protected.

Speakers

This is where the HTC One comes into its own. The stereo FRONT FACING speakers make a massive difference when compared to the single bottom mounted speaker on all iPhone models to date. The sound is LOUD, clear and well defined. However, it took me a while to get used to not having to cup my hand to channel the sound when watching videos. I really hope other manufacturers copy this idea!

Screen

The 4.7 inch screen on the “One” obviously beats the iPhone in the size war but that isn’t the whole story. The HTC screen is bright and so clear when viewing high def video that it is hard to believe this is on a phone. The issues I found were when using the phone as a sat nav mounted to the windscreen of my car. Compared to the iPhone 5 screen it feels like the HTC is more reflective and less visible in sunlight.

Camera

Under low light conditions there is a slight improvement over the iPhone 5 but overall both handsets are limited when compared to a cheap point and shoot camera, or even a phone with Xenon flash and in normal daylight the One is no comparison to the iPhone. I do like how HTC have tried to be different in going for the 4 megapixel camera to provide larger “ultrapixels” but in all honesty I don’t think the gamble paid off. The phone takes average shots overall and it would depend when you want to take your shots as to how useful the “ultrapixels” are. I would be interested though if their next handset features a similar idea with higher pixel count.

Buttons

There is a volume button there somewhere

The button layout takes some getting used to. The power button on the top is hard to reach and on the other side to the iPhone so it did take a day or so to adjust. The volume buttons are beautifully crafted and blend into the side of the phone so well that the are hard to find during a call and again are on the opposite side to the iPhone that I am used to. That said, I have always thought Apple put the volume buttons on the wrong side as the natural orientation for video viewing for a right handed person puts the home button on the right leaving the volume buttons below the screen.

The iPhone’s simplicity of a single home button is not copied at all on the HTC device with the capacitive buttons having number of functions depending on whether you single tap, double tap, tap and hold or tap whilst scratching your nose. Although the same can be said for the iPhone, the shear number of combinations I found annoying and not very intuitive to the end user as well as easy to activate in error.

Software
Android 4.3 update

During my testing I received the 4.3 (sense 5.5) update to the device. The update process was easy to follow and quick. Overall I did not see any major difference with the update other than the flexibility of the lock screen was REDUCED. Before the update you could have photo galleries scrolling or productivity notifications, music controls and a whole host of other choices found under the personalise menu. After the update you are restricted to adding widgets which mean you need to swipe to the right to view the information whereas it was right there on the first screen before. HTC claim this is from customer feedback but unless I am missing something I cannot imagine any consumer saying “please make my information harder to see at a glance”. Overall I found the Android implementation to be smooth and mature and I personally welcomed the option to disable blinkfeed.

Beats Audio

My understanding of Beats Audio is that is simply an EQ setting to make music sound fuller. During my testing I found it to sound good on quality headphones but muddy and awful on my car speakers. HTC have ended their relationship with Beats and that isn’t any real loss as far as I can see.

App store/Play store
For day to day apps, both application stores have most bases covered but the Google Play store excels in customisation options from launcher replacements to custom keyboards. I also loved the fact that you can trial an app for 15 minutes and remove it for a refund if you don’t like it. This is far better than the bigger Apple App store.

Annoyances
My first annoyance with the Android device was ENTIRELY Apple’s fault and is something to be aware of when moving from iPhone to any other platform. When you enable iMessage on the iPhone this registers your number on Apple’s servers so that, when other iOS users open a new message to you, Apple can instruct the device to default to iMessage to send the message. When you move to another platform you must disable iMessage on your old device before removing the SIM. I did this but still experienced 24 hours where people were having issues sending me messages as their handset still thought I was on iMessage. This did resolve itself but don’t forget to disable iMessage first.

The HTC One does not allow you (currently) to turn off screen timeouts! This is very annoying when listening to music on a treadmill and needing to skip or pause the track. This also proved an issue when listening to music in the car although I found a workaround for this in the “car” app which overrides the timeout settings. People rave about Android being more customisable so this seems a massive oversight on HTC’s part to not allow this simple option.

Gapless design
When this phone launched HTC pushed the gapless design of the aluminium and polycarbonate construction so I was shocked to find that the top right of the screen had a lip where the top left did not. Obviously this is a review handset and I do not know what life it has had but there does seem to be plenty of other quality control issues being reported on forums. (I haven’t forgotten about the iPhone 5 Scratchgate fiasco).

Mum test
When looking to recommend a phone to the average user I use what I call the Mum test. If I gave this phone to my mum, could she use it with little help. My mum recently went from a Sony Ericsson slider to an iPhone without any major drama. Honestly I do not think the same would have been said for this handset. To some this could be seen as a positive but it completely depends on the purchaser.

Conclusion

I have really enjoyed my short time with the HTC One and it has reminded me how much I love both platforms. The HTC One does show the industry many good ideas (mainly the speakers) but overall I’m not sure it is the “One” for me. My next handset is more than likely going to be an Android device so lets wait and see what HTC, Samsung and LG can offer early next year.

Gallery

The best Android phone on the planet is about to get even better

 

11:10 AM

Back in April, we called the HTC One the closest thing the world has ever seen to a no-compromise smartphone. Four months later when we pitted it against Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S4, we said the HTC One was still the best smartphone on the planet. While HTC has struggled to get the phone into consumers’ hands thanks to tremendous competition (and massive marketing budgets) from Apple and Samsung, those who have bought the One seem to enjoy it very much for the most part. According to a new rumor, the One is about to get even better.

We have seen a few images leak that seemingly showed components from HTC’s upcoming One successor, code-named M8, and now @evleaks claims to have confirmed some preliminary details. According to a post on his Twitter account on Friday, the next-generation HTC One will feature a 5-inch display with the same 1080p resolution as the current-generation One. It will also be powered by Android 4.4 KitKat according to @evleaks, and it will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor.

Earlier rumors suggested that the M8 might also feature an integrated fingerprint scanner, which would certainly make sense considering HTC included one on its new HTC One max phablet.

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The UPD in the ASUS transformer pad TF701T to Android 4.3 is already exists

We have heard that theASUS transformer pad TF701T , whose marketing a few days ago began, its update Android 4.3 jelly bean would receive from November 18. However, it is to my surprise, the update already on the ASUS Web site. So, can download the ROM and install it yourself.

As you must know, the news of Android compared to version 4.2 4.3 jelly bean are minimal as well as some new features and optimizing the stability of the system. Exactly the error correction, ASUS says that this new update is reflected the battery life as well as the functioning of the trackpad.

It is also important to mention that there are two different versions of the firmware here. The first is for the Taiwanese version of the Terminal, while the second for the rest of the world, therefore for France also. As such, when you visit the ASUS page to download ROM, sure you to choose the right file, otherwise your appliance be unusable.

Are, but not excited pad TF701T you can wait patiently at the thought of the installation of the updates on Android 4.3 on your ASUS transformer for themselves, how she arrive by OTA, it should possible from November 18. You can always check whether the update already on your device by you to 'Settings', then ' terminal 'Software update' and 'check'.

It should be noted that the Rome that gives this page it weighs 1 GB, so it is advisable to have a good Internet connection before the download.

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Hill Climb Racing – Android and iOS recommended app

Time wasting.  There are plenty of apps that can be classed as time wasters, games that you can dip in and out of, a quick read of social network feeds whilst waiting for the kettle to boil and so on.

One such game that can firmly be put into that category is Hill Climb Racing published by Fingersoft.

Hill Climb racing is great.  Let’s make no bones about it.  It’s easy to play and very very addictive.

The aim of the game is simple.  Get your chosen vehicle (there are 14 of which 13 are unlockable via progression throughout the game) as far along the track (14 of these too, unlockable as you go along!) completing tricks and stunts along the way to  earn points with which to upgrade your automobile in order to get further along the track and collect more points and so on and on….

A simple concept, great graphically and implemented superbly, Hill Climb Racing is one of those games that you load up and before you know it half an hour has passed and you are thoroughly engrossed.

The game is ad supported and also offers the option of purchasing more coins via in app but this is by no means necessary, excellent progress can be made without resorting to spending any money.

When you have made good progress you can boast about it by sharing your score via Twitter, Facebook or Google + and updates are made on a regular basis.

The developer says that the game has been optimised to run on both lower resolution and high resolution screens.

So if you fancy a really good little time waster for absolutely no money then you could do far worse than take a look at Hill Climb Racing, available free on both iOS and Android.

A M8 HTC or a 2, equipped with a 5″ display, 800 Snapdragon and Android 4.4?

The @evleaks was originally often rumors that appear on the phone, be prepared, and we could see that many of them have been confirmed, although some were unfounded, but in the majority of cases, it is a reliable source.

So according to this Facebook account HTC M8, that the successor to the HTC one, a 5-inch screen with a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels will propose. It would a Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor are driven but does not specify which version of the SoC would be. However every reason to believe that one of the new 8974AC could be version that is rated at 2.5 GHz. The account it says that the device Android 4.4 runs Kit Kat.

Of course we are more or less amazed at the Veracites of these rumors. In fact, if on a 64-bit for the S5 Galaxy processor Samsung could change, it seems that HTC wants to remain, if these rumors are confirmed on the Qualcomm Snapdragon-800. If it actually is the new version of the Snapdragon 800, but this will be a completely different story.

Whatever it is, we believe that this new version of Android by the superposition of point 6 of the Taiwanese company will go hand in hand. In any case we invite you to these speculations with a set of tweezers, because at the moment nothing less sure on this Terminal.

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Android users switching to iPhone in increasing numbers

A recent survey done by CIRP (an American research company) has found that more and more users are switching from Android to iPhone and more people are upgrading from iPhone to iPhone than a year before.

 

Last year 55% of iPhone buyers were upgrading from a previous iPhone, this year it is 65% and over 20% of buyers are switching over from Android, although the stats don’t say which manufacturer in particular is losing out.

A previous report by the same company 3 months ago found that Apple customers are most likely to come from a Blackberry whilst Samsung owners are most likely to have come from a Nokia or HTC.

 

Admittedly this is a survey of just 400 new iPhone 5c and 5s buyers but does seem to tally with the flattening of Samsung’s financial figures. Are you an Apple convert or have you switched away from iPhone for whatever reason?

Source: CIRP

Via: AppleInsider

Analyst – Microsoft rake in $2 billion a year from Android

We’re never overly keen on “analysts” who “estimate” figures, but we’ve known for quite some time that Microsoft have been making a good return from patent royalties.

Put simply, Google have to pay Microsoft a fee for every Android handset because of Microsoft patents used in the OS. The total revenue from that isn’t known, but Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund has done some calculations and reckons that a massive $2 billion per year comes into the company from Android patent royalties.

Rick also estimates that this revenue has a 95% margin, so mostly all profit. Figures detailed in the Entertainment and Devices revenue statement (which includes Xbox and Windows Phone too) showed that the group was always profitable, but if you remove the included $2 billion revenue from Android it leaves a loss of $2.5 billion on Skype, Windows Phone and Xbox.

Effectively, based on these numbers, Microsoft is using the patent cash to hide the huge losses in their mobile and Xbox groups.

BusinessInsider has more details, with the analyst advising that the Xbox group, which is losing $2 billion based on his estimate, should be split into a different group so that we can have greater visibility of the profits. Also, presumably, it would help to backup his guesswork.

Firefox for Android pre-installed on more devices

Not content with launching Firefox OS phones via Ebay in the UK and USA and via mobile networks in Spain, Colombia, Venezuela, Poland, Germany and soon Hungary and Greece Mozilla have announced today that their Android web browser will come pre-installed on the latest batch of Kobo tablets – the Kobo Arc 7, Kobo Arc 7HD and the Kobo Arc 10HD, and also on the Gigabyte GSmart Simba SX1 smartphone.

The Kobo Arc range seems to be a decent range of tablets with the (rather predictably named) Arc 7HD seven inch tablet running with the following specifications:

Display 7? 1920 x 1200 HD+ Display (323 ppi). Up to 1080p video playback.
Capacitive Touch-screen with 10 point multi-touch, edge-to-edge display.
Dimensions (W x H x D) 122 x 194 x 9.6 mm.
Weight 341 g.
Processor Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-Core, 1.7 GHz.
Memory 1 GB DDR3L RAM.
Camera Front-facing 1.3 MP (720p) HD camera.
Audio Mono speaker, microphone, headphone jack with in-line microphone support.
Storage 16 GB. (Available storage space 12.9 GB), 32 GB. (Available storage space 27.3 GB)
Battery life 4200 mAh capacity.
Connectivity Wi Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0.
Ports Micro USB, Micro HDMI out, and 3.5mm headphone jack with in-line microphone support.
Operating system Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, Google Play Certified.

A little low on RAM but on a tablet designed primarily for use as an e-reader this certainly ticks a lot of wishlist boxes including great screen resolution. The spec’s really start to ramp up on the Arc 10HD but priced at £299.99 I’m not too sure how many people would go for it. The range is already available in the US and is trickling out in the UK at the moment with a planned release schedule for the rest of the world before Christmas.

The GSmart Simba SX1 will be available in Russia, Ukraine, EEU, Belarus and Taiwan from November, and rolled out globally from December 2013. It’s specifications look like this:

CPU 1.4GHz Dual-Core
Display 5” , 1280 x 720 pixels (HD)
Dimensions/ Weight 144 x 73 x 9.5 mm / 165g (with Battery)
Battery Li-ion 1900mAh
Dual-SIM
ROM 4GB
RAM 1GB
MicroSD, up to 32GB
Connectivity Wi-Fi802.11 b/g/n , Bluetooth 3.0
Network GSM / GPRS / EDGE / WCDMA/ HSPA / HSPA+ up to 21Mbps;Uplink up to 5.76Mbps
GPS GPS, AGPS
FM Radio
Camera 13MP with AF & LED Flash Light
Front Camera 2MP Front Camera
Operating System Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)

So a decent mid-range phone, again with Firefox for android pre-loaded on it. Firefox for Android synchronizes with the Firefox desktop / laptop browser so you can use the same bookmarks and browser history and can have browser extensions as well.

Where will the Firefox strike next? Will Mozilla ever get a foothold in the States or the UK without a high-spec’d version of their phone? Do you use Firefox for Android? Let us know in the comments box below.

Source: Mozilla Blog

Official HPI Check available for iPhone and Android

Buying a second-hand car is always a bit of a minefield. Finding the right one is tricky enough, but even after going to have a look there’s still the chance that the car could have outstanding finance or mileage issues on it. How are you supposed to know if someone has “tweaked” the mileage?

If this is your situation, give the official HPI Check App a spin. It’ll give you the model details plus the colour, gearbox, fuel type, age, BHP and engine size that is recorded against the car for free. Then, for £16.99, you can get a comprehensive histoty check with data sources from the Police, DVLA, finance and insurance companies, garage and the HPI National Mileage Register.

Although £16.99 might seem a lot it’s a small price to pay to be sure that your vehicle isn’t a “wrongun”, and it’s actually cheaper that their usual £19.99 web-check. You can get the Android or iPhone version.

If nothing else, you can at least (for free) see if the your neighbours’ new car has a bigger engine than yours. ;)

New HPI Check App provides used car history at the touch of a button
Wednesday, 06 November 2013
Despite a buyer’s best intentions, if a dream used car becomes available at the right price, the all important checks are often quickly forgotten as the heart leads the head. However, even when on the move buyers can now obtain crucial information about a used car’s history from the first name in vehicle checking services, HPI, with its new App.

Available to download for free from the App Store and Google Play, the HPI Check App provides the most comprehensive vehicle history check available on the market, direct to a Smartphone. With a rich heritage dating back to 1938, HPI uses data sources including the Police, DVLA, insurance companies, finance houses, industry bodies, garages and the HPI National Mileage Register, to provide the fullest possible picture of a car’s history.

Phil Peace, Operations Director for HPI, comments, “Making sure the car is all that it seems to be might not be the most exciting aspect of car buying, but it is certainly one of the most important. If someone buys a car which turns out to be recorded as stolen by the police or subject to outstanding finance, they could lose the car and the money they paid for it. With our new App buyers can speed up the process by doing their history check standing by the side of car they are looking to buy, which will give them instant confidence to make an informed purchase decision.”

For just £16.99, the HPI App offers consumers the best defence against all the dangers of used car buying, informing them if a vehicle has any outstanding finance, is recorded as stolen, has previously been written off, or has a mileage discrepancy*. 1 in 3 vehicles checked by HPI has a hidden history, making it crucial the buyers don’t take chances and use the App to check a vehicle before purchase.

In addition to giving buyers all the facts about the history of a vehicle, the new App will also tell them how quick, green and economical it is. Where available, the App details car performance and CO2 data for free. Plus, the App provides road tax costs and MPG information – giving consumers a true idea of the cost of ownership and environmental impact of their prospective purchase.

“The new HPI Check App delivers the facts straight to a mobile device to provide an instant snapshot of a vehicle’s history, arming buyers with the information they need for the all important negotiations at the point of purchase” concludes Peace.

“Although it is an emotional purchase, buying a car is also a huge financial outlay, so the correct precautions need to be taken to avoid being taken for a ride. The new HPI App makes getting a history check as easy as touching a button – so why chance it?”

Update to Android 4.3 with the HTC One on Three

Three have announced that their HTC One handsets will be getting Android 4.3 today, so go check for updates if you’re still waiting.

If you have problems, check this Three support page for help and guidance through the update process. It’s also probably best to use WiFi to grab the software.

Let us know how you are getting on with this new update.