Author: Shivaank Rana

Google Play Store Version 4.0 Leaked

Google Play, previously known as the Android Market, has over 700,000 available apps and has seen over 25 billion downloads. The Google Play app design has come a long way over the years and it looks like a refresh is once again in the works. Droid-Life has posted some images and a video of the upcoming Google Play 4.0 app (4.0.16). While it seems that Google is still working on the fine details, the UI has been completely overhauled in a Holo-focused design with brighter colours (now matching what’s on Google Play), bigger icons and bigger pictures.

The settings pane has also been slightly changed around, making it slightly simpler to customize how items are displayed and downloaded.

The update is expected to be unveiled at this year’s I/O event, alongside an update to Android itself, either 4.3, or maybe even 5.0.

According to Distimo’s year-end review, Google Play experienced an aggregated daily revenue growth of 43 percent across 20 of the largest markets where the store is available.

To celebrate its success, and its first birthday, early this month, the Android shop offered users limited-time deals on music, movies, books, magazines, TV shows, and games.

The guys over at Droid-Life were kind enough to record a preview of Google Play Store 4.0, so without any further ado check out the video below.

[Droid-Life]

March 22, 2013
Twitter Turns 7, Boasts 200 Million Users

It’s Twitter’s seventh birthday, and the social network has two reasons to celebrate: It’s also reached its 200 million active user milestone.

Twitter is now boasting some big user numbers, a 60 million user bump since last year. Now 400 million tweets are being sent per day.

Twitter has come a long way since Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder, published the first tweet “just setting up my Twitter” back in 2006. It started out as a microblogging site by Dorsey and co-founders, Florian Webb, Noah Glass, Evan Williams, and Biz Stone who could never have imagined the cultural, business, and societal impact that Twitter would have on Internet users today. There are some details surrounding the founding of Twitter (then Twttr) that are hotly contested. Some of its co-founders aren’t even recognized for their role with building out the foundation of Twitter, back when it was just a side project at once doomed and now defunct podcasting company Odeo.

However, Twitter has also played a more serious role; for many people, it helped shape global events such as the Arab Spring and the responses to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and 2011 Japanese tsunami.

Top Twitter moments also include: Barack Obama’s tweet after winning his second presidency, the first off-Earth message from the International Space Station and, more recently, the coverage of the papacy – when activity reached an astonishing 130,000 tweets per minute during the announcement of the new Pope.

Today Twitter released this video to commemorate its seventh birthday.

March 21, 2013
Apple Patents iPhone Drop Protection Mechanisms That Are Built Into The Unit

Apple Inc. got a patent that could help protect iPhones from drops, including one that could help the smartphones change direction mid-air.

Anyone with a pricey smartphone has likely felt that moment of panic when it slips from your fingers and tumbles to the floor. “Please be ok, please be ok,” you say to yourself, praying for a responsive gadget and a screen free of cracks.

The patent is described as a “protective mechanism for an electronic device.” Apple Insider was the first to report on the new patent. The filing for it just appeared today, and it even mentions the Apple iPhone specifically as being a device that could be protected by the mechanism

The patent describes a quantity of ways Apple may be capable to make a device that can change path mid-flight, which would let it to place its most effect-resistant surface forward to fulfill the floor. These incorporate an internal gadget for shifting mass to one stop of the Apple iPhone, an real “thrust mechanism” that could even consist of a “gas canister,” an air foil that activates in cost-free tumble, a way to agreement external bits like switches within the scenario for security, and a gripping system that can clamp down on charging and headphone cables to guarantee those capture the falling phone.

We can’t help but be reminded of Amazon’s patent for a phone airbag. We won’t be seeing this in an iPhone anytime soon. Until then, we’ll have to stick with our conventional case.

[Apple Insider, Tech Crunch]

March 21, 2013
Pandora Is Now Available On Windows Phone 8

Even though the official cut-off date for support will be July 2014, developers are finally starting to make their hugely popular applications onto Windows Phone 8. We recently saw the Call of Duty Elite and Nokia HERE apps make the jump to serve all of Windows Phone 8 users, and today, one of the most popular music streaming services, Pandora, is finally making the jump to Windows Phone 8.

The application was completely redesigned for the platform from the ground up with a Live Tile that shows what’s currently playing and other unique features. It will automatically filter out explicit content, for example, if you want to add the application to the Windows Phone 8 Kid’s Corner.

As you’d expect, Pandora for Windows Phone 8 offers music from hundreds of thousands of artists around the world via stations you create by entering your favorite artist, song, comedian, or genre. Already a Pandora listener? The app is fully integrated with Pandora on the web. Just log in to your account and enjoy all of your existing personalized radio stations, or create new ones right from your phone. Pandora’s blog has more to say about the newest member of its mobile family. After you download it, make sure to let us know what you think.

To give the Windows Phone app a leg up on the competition, Microsoft will be providing Pandora ad-free throughout the rest of the year.

March 21, 2013
Canon Releases EOS 100D / Rebel SL1, World’s Smallest And Lightest APS-C DSLR
All those rumors of a new camera body from Canon have come to fruition in the new DSLR called the Canon Rebel SL1. Boasting a 18 megapixel DIGIC 5 CMOS sensor, 1080 full HD video capture and compatible with STM lenses, Canon’s latest tiny consumer DSLR barely registers on scales, coming in at a lowly 0.8 pounds. How’s that for travel friendly?

The new Lilliputian Cannon Rebel SL1 appears to be as light as most compact system cameras — and nearly as small — especially with a Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens attached to the front of it. Clearly, the burgeoning, mirrorless CSC market is what Canon is aiming to take on with the fully mirrored SL1.

The camera measures 4.6×3.57.2.74-inches, and weighs just 14.36 ounces. It’s 25% smaller and 28% lighter than its older sibling, the Rebel T4i.

The 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor has an ISO range of 100 to 12800 (expandable to 25600). Backed by a DIGIC 5 processor, the camera is capable of shooting up to 4 frames per second.

Focusing is aided by a new nine-point autofocus system with a cross-type point at the center.

On the video side of things, the EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon’s Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon’s new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of full-HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features.

On the back there’s a 3-inch touchscreen display, which doesn’t articulate the way the one built into the T4i does, but still people have been very impressed by Canon’s implementation of touch screens on cameras and multi-touch support.

The Canon Rebel SL1 will cost an estimated retail price of US$650 for body only, or US$800 kitted with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens. You can pre-order the SL1 from Adorama body-only or with the kit lens.

Specs at a glance:
- 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 5 Image Processor
- 3.0″ Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
- ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
- Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
- 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
- Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 pounds
- Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
[toggle title=”Press Release”]?NEW CANON EOS REBEL T5i DIGITAL SLR CAMERA PACKS PERFORMANCE WITH NEW CREATIVE CONTROLS

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to introduce a new flagship model to its popular EOS Rebel line, the EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR Camera. The incredible image quality and performance starts with an 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and Canon’s superb DIGIC 5 Image Processor. Combined with an extensive ISO range of 100–12800 (expandable to 25600 in H mode), the EOS Rebel T5i boasts crisp, detailed images, even in low-light conditions. With a continuous shooting speed of up to 5.0 frames per second (fps) united with 9 all cross- type AF focus points, the new EOS Rebel T5i allows photographers the opportunity to shoot with ease, even in challenging shooting situations.

When shooting in Live View mode, the Hybrid CMOS AF system enables speedy and accurate autofocus for photos and video. Coupled with Canon’s new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, available in the standard kit lens bundle, the EOS Rebel T5i takes full advantage of the Stepping Motor (STM) technology, which allows the lens to smoothly and silently focus on the subject whether it is moving or standing still. When combined with the camera’s high-resolution Vari-angle Touch Screen 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor II and intuitive touch controls, the EOS Rebel T5i stands as Canon’s most “consumer- friendly” DSLR.

“Built to make advanced photography creative and fun, the EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR Camera gives users exceptional image quality and fast, intuitive operation along with creative functions to help advance photographic expression,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.

Expand Your Creativity with New Advanced Features

The EOS Rebel T5i provides amateur and advanced photographers looking to hone their creative and technical skills with a range of features that allow for crisp, clear images.

Whether it is adding saturation to a vivid landscape or applying a unique, vintage touch to a portrait, users who want to express their creativity can experiment with different effects and settings, composing a shot, by using one of Canon’s seven Creative Filters. When the Creative Filters are applied in Live View, users can preview the filter on the vari-angle three inch LCD touch screen without having to shoot the image first. Effects such as ArtBold, Water Painting, Grainy Black and White, Soft Focus, Toy Camera, Fish- Eye and Miniature let users pick and choose how to best express their creative vision before or after the image is captured.

The EOS Rebel T5i features advanced shooting modes to take creative imaging even further. When using one of the advanced shooting modes such as Handheld Night Scene, HDR Backlight Control or Multi- Shot Noise Reduction, multiple images are taken and combined within the camera to help create the best quality image based off of the shots taken. Providing quick and easy accessibility, a new mode dial with Scene modes has been included, allowing users the flexibility to select the subject matter while the camera determines the optimal settings.

Enhanced EOS Full HD Movie Mode

The EOS Rebel T5i offers easy-to-use professional video capture. When users switch to EOS Full HD Movie mode, the EOS Rebel T5i offers the ability to shoot in 1080p Full HD video in a number of recording sizes and frame rates. With Canon’s Hybrid CMOS AF System and Movie Servo AF, the camera provides continuous AF for focus tracking of moving subjects by helping to reduce the camera’s need to “hunt”, resulting in a quick and smooth continuous AF. While shooting with one of Canon’s Stepping Motor (STM) lenses, such as the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, the camera will only capture the stereo sound of the scene being recorded. For added flexibility, the EOS Rebel T5i also features a built-in stereo microphone with manual audio level adjustment to enhance sound quality.

Expanded Lineup of STM Lenses

Canon is expanding the lineup of STM lenses by adding one new lens, which now gives users three choices that will allow for the capture of stunning images and video with the EOS Rebel T5i – the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM and the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5- 5.6 IS STM lens. The EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens offers high magnification in a compact and lightweight EF-S standard zoom lens with an optical image stabilizer for up to four equivalent stops for shake correction. When paired with the Hybrid CMOS AF, it allows for smooth and quiet, continuous AF for photo and video capturing – making it the perfect combination for preserving those once in a lifetime moments.

Availability

The EOS Rebel T5i Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $749.99 for the body alone; $899.99 bundled with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens kit, and $1,099.00 with the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens kit.

The new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens also is also scheduled to be available separately in April at an estimated retail price of $249.99.

CANON U.S.A. ANNOUNCES WORLD’S SMALLEST AND LIGHTEST DSLR CAMERA

New EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera Fuses Advanced Image Quality and Features into an Ultra-Portable Body

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 21, 2013 – Continuing the quest to deliver superb product innovations, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR* camera: the EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera. It features a newly developed 18.0- megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and high-performance DIGIC 5 Image Processor for exceptional image quality and speed. With its combination of lightweight size, ease of use and outstanding image quality, the EOS Rebel SL1 is perfect for users looking for the ideal camera to bring sightseeing on vacation or to capture the everyday.

“The EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera represents a new era in DSLR versatility: ultra-portable, full- featured DSLR cameras,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The EOS Rebel SL1 combines the high speed, high image quality and expanded shooting range of a DSLR camera, with the easy and fun usability of a point-and-shoot camera.”

Advanced Image Quality in a Compact Body

As the world’s smallest and lightest DSLR, the new camera body is 4.6″ (w) x 3.57″ (h) x 2.74″ (d), and weighs only 14.36 oz.** In comparison, the EOS Rebel SL1 is approximately 25 percent smaller and 28 percent lighter than the EOS Rebel T4i digital camera.

??The EOS Rebel SL1 features an 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor that performs exceptionally well in both bright and dimly lit shooting environments with an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to H: 25600) for photos and ISO-6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for video. Canon’s DIGIC 5 Image Processor technology allows for exceptional image quality and shooting speed up to four frames per second (fps).
The camera includes a new nine-point center cross-type autofocus (AF) system to help achieve fast, sharp focus. The new AF system also includes a new Hybrid CMOS AF II sensor, which provides a wider focus area when shooting photos or video in Live View mode, and a continuous AF speed that’s increased from previous EOS models.

To help capture video with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 features Canon’s Movie Servo AF, which provides continuous AF tracking of moving subjects. When shooting video with one of Canon’s new STM lenses, such as the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM (available in the standard lens kit), Movie Servo AF takes advantage of the lens’ stepping motor for smooth and quiet continuous AF. The camera is capable of Full HD shooting in a number of recording sizes and frame rates, and enables easy manual control of exposure, focus and Live View features. The combination of Canon’s new Hybrid CMOS AF system II and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is ideal for shooting video helping to ensure only the sounds of the scene are recorded.

Allowing for clear and easy viewing even in bright environments, the Touch Screen three inch Clear View LCD monitor II provides a rich and expansive display as well as providing intuitive touch panel operation.

Creativity at your Fingertips

The EOS Rebel SL1 encourages users to explore their creative side with a wide array of features for convenience and simple shooting. The EOS Rebel SL1 is equipped with Scene Intelligent Auto Mode, an advanced function that detects faces, colors, brightness, movement, contrast, distance and other factors and automatically adjusts and selects the exposure method needed. The results are photos with a wide dynamic range, ideal for users without advanced photography knowledge or experience.

Users can also access advanced imaging features like the new Effect Shot mode, which automatically creates two different shots, one with a selected creative filter and one without. In addition, Creative Filters and Background Blur Simulation can now be displayed in real time during Live View shooting. Editing photos is also a snap with the Rebel SL1’s in-camera editing and cropping functionality. This feature allows users to view and crop the image using the camera’s LCD touch screen and save the edited version as a separate file.

For those who would like to take beautiful photos with ease, the EOS Rebel SL1 offers a variety of scene modes to explore. New special scene modes include Kids, Food and Candlelight, giving users advanced presets to help ensure the best possible photos even under difficult shooting conditions.

Pricing and Availability

The new EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera is scheduled to be available in April for an estimated retail price of $649.99 for the body alone or $799.99 bundled with the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.[/toggle]

[Engadget]
March 21, 2013
BlackBerry 10 Now Has 100,000 Apps

Today, BlackBerry announced that the owners of devices running under the BlackBerry 10 operating system have access to over 100,000 applications through the official BlackBerry World app store, as over 30,000 new apps have been added to it in the past seven months.

Formally unveiled back on January 30, the BlackBerry 10 platform launched with 70,000 fully optimised applications in tow.

BlackBerry Z10 owners can now enjoy a wide selection of applications and games on their handsets, including Facebook, Foursquare, NHL GameCenter, N.O.V.A. 3, Slacker, Songza, Twitter, Waze, WhatsApp, and more.

Furthermore, they will soon be able to take advantage of the capabilities of other mobile applications specifically designed for them, such as CNN, The Daily Show Headlines, eBay, eMusic, Maxim, MLB at Bat, MTV News, Pageonce, PGA, Rdio, Skype, Soundhound and Viber, BlackBerry announced.

Early reports suggest that the Z10 handset has been performing well since it launched in Canada and the UK, historically two of the company’s strongest markets. There have even been stories that 50 percent of customers are moving over from Android or Apple in favor of the phone.

[toggle title=”Press Release”]BlackBerry 10 Now Offers More Than 100,000 Applications to Customers

Application catalog grows by more than 30,000 apps in seven weeks

More top brands building for BlackBerry 10 as platform launches in the U.S.

Waterloo, ON – Developers continue to support BlackBerry® 10, bringing more than 30,000 new applications to the platform over the past seven weeks. BlackBerry® (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB) today announced that BlackBerry 10 customers now have access to more than 100,000 applications for the BlackBerry® Z10 smartphone on the BlackBerry® World™ storefront.

Today, Amazon Kindle, OpenTable and The Wall Street Journal are available to BlackBerry 10 customers and in the coming weeks CNN, The Daily Show Headlines, eBay, eMusic, Maxim, MLB at Bat, MTV News, Pageonce, PGA, Rdio, Skype, Soundhound and Viber will be available for download or purchase.

BlackBerry 10 customers already have access to leading apps and games, including 8tracks, Angry Birds Star Wars, ATP World Tour Live, BBC Top Gear News, Bloomberg Anywhere, CBS Sports, Delta Air Lines, F1 2013 Timing App CP, Facebook, Foursquare, Jetpack Joyride, Keek, LinkedIn, Navita Translator, Need for Speed, NHL GameCenter, N.O.V.A. 3, The New York Times, PressReader, Slacker, Songza, Twitter, UFC, USA TODAY, Waze, WhatsApp, and Zara.
“The response to the BlackBerry 10 platform and applications has been outstanding. Customers are thrilled with the applications already available, and the catalog just keeps growing, now with more than 100,000 apps,” said Martyn Mallick, Vice President, Global Alliances at BlackBerry. “Top brands and application providers are joining us every day and are seeing the benefits of being early supporters of the new platform. We constantly hear from developers that the BlackBerry 10 tools are easy to build with and that we provide opportunities for app differentiation that they do not see on other platforms.”

-more-

“It now appears that the already impressive levels of developer support for the BlackBerry 10 platform are accelerating into the launch window for the BlackBerry Z10. The prospect of a very robust app catalog can only bolster momentum for the product and the platform itself,” said John Jackson, Research Vice President, Mobile & Connected Platforms at IDC. “The ability to attract and sustain developer support is like lifeblood for any mobile platform, and it’s not something that simply happens. This progress is a testament to BlackBerry’s early and innovative engagement with developers worldwide and the innovative architecture of the platform itself.”

BlackBerry 10 applications take connecting to the next level with the ability to leverage social, gamification, and integration frameworks that other platforms are not able to offer. Customers can easily share applications with those in their social networks including BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), Facebook, and Twitter. Applications can incorporate gaming features such as leader boards, badges, rewards and more using the Scoreloop tools, and BlackBerry 10 applications can tie to core OS integration points to allow developers to create compelling experiences to keep people moving and flow with BlackBerry 10 experience features.

In addition to apps and games, BlackBerry World for BlackBerry 10 offers access to one of the most robust catalogs of music and video content for mobile users*, with partnerships across all major movie studios, all major music labels and television networks.

The BlackBerry Z10 (all touch) is the first smartphone powered by BlackBerry 10, the re-designed, re-engineered, and re-invented BlackBerry platform. The BlackBerry Z10 will be available in the U.S. from March 22.[/toggle]

[Engadget]

March 21, 2013
Nvidia CEO : Windows RT Is Disappointing

Add Nvidia CEO Jen Hsun Huang to the list of people disappointed with the debut of Windows RT.

[pullquote_left] “We expected to have sold more than we did,” he said Tuesday. “I think everybody expected to have sold more than we did.” [/pullquote_left]

Huang was speaking to financial analysts on the sidelines of Nvidia’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California.

That “everybody” includes companies like Samsung, which launched the Ativ Tab with Windows RT, then canceled its future Windows RT tablet plans.

Toshiba pulled out from Windows RT production before it even released a single RT device.

Meanwhile, next to the Microsoft Surface RT, the Asus Vivo Tab RT,Lenovo Ideapad Yoga, and Dell XPS 10 have been hanging in there.

Windows RT is a version of Windows 8 for Arm-based chips like Nvidia’s Tegra processors. Traditional versions of Windows are written to run on Intel and compatible chips, but they won’t run on Arm processors. With Arm becoming so popular in tablet computers, Microsoft developed Windows RT to match Android.

While Huang’s comments on Windows RT’s current lack of success were to be expected, he then surprised the analysts by his pleas for Microsoft to launch an Outlook client that would run on Windows RT. In fact, he flat out said he has been praying to the “Outlook God” to make this happen.

He stated that if Outlook for Windows RT were released, “It would make my life complete. My life would be complete. I don’t know about you guys but I would need nothing else. I am one Outlook away from computing nirvana and I just hoping he is listening now. Outlook God, please.”

At the moment, the only Microsoft mail client for Windows RT is the Mail Modern app.

March 21, 2013
Leaked : Xbox 720 “Durango” will be “Always Connected”, Requires Hard Drive Install

A new leak of online documentation for the next generation Xbox console seems to confirm earlier rumours that the console will be always-on in terms of Internet connection, and will require the next gen version of Kinect to be plugged in at all times.

Codenamed Durango in documentation obtained by VGLeaks, pertaining to the console dev kit or XDK (Xbox Development Kit), there’s details revealing a required permament web connection.

Not only could this permament online connection enable a used games lock on the machine, but it would also keep games updated by automatically installing patches. “The console will be ready instantly when users want to play, and will always maintain a network connection so that console software and games are always current,” an image of the hardware overview from VGLeaks states.

“With this ‘Always On, Always Connected’ design, users will quickly and easily enjoy their connected entertainment experiences, with no waiting for the console to restart or install updates.”

The new Xbox will include a hard drive as standard, though the exact capacity has yet to be decided, and a Blu-ray drive. You’ll be able to play games while they’re being installed, and no further disc-reading is necessary once the installation is done. (If this is true, we suspect you’ll have to keep the disc in the tray regardless, for copyright verification purposes.)

Finally, the Durango’s controller will be similar to that of the Xbox 360, but will offer “improved ergonomics” and lower latency wifi. Apparently, “system interactions that use the controller will be simplified to make them easier for noncore gamers”.

But then again, the documentation does start with this disclaimer: “This documentation is preliminary and subject to change.”

Maybe, hopefully, some things are still to be decided.

[The Verge, VGLeaks]

March 20, 2013
No CyanogenMOD For Galaxy S4, Devs Say Not Worth The Trouble

Recently, a member of the team that oversees CyanogenMOD on Samsung devices came out against building the software for the Galaxy S4. Citing many ongoing issues with the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 — specifically on Exynos hardware — longtime member XpLoDWilD spoke for Team Hacksung (whether authorized to or not) on his and others’ intentions for Samsung’s upcoming flagship.

Nobody at Team Hacksung (the team behind Galaxy S2, Note, S3, Note2, G Tabs… official CM ports) plans to buy it, neither develop for it. There are two variants which will be a pain to maintain, [and] the bugs we have on the S3 will probably be there on S4, too (camera), and we all know Samsung ability to release sources while staying in line with mainline. Yes Qualcomm releases sources, but Exynos sources we had were far from [working on] actual Galaxy products. I’m pretty sure the same will happen for this one.

That’s a uniform “no” from us.

Other established developers are taking a similar stance when it comes to the Galaxy S4, citing technical issues as well as Samsung’s history of not playing nice with independent devs. In other words, if you are hoping for a refined custom ROM experience on the GS4, you are out of luck for the time being.

Mainly from Samsung’s proclivity to keep essential drivers close to their chest, the members would rather focus on winnable battles. Essentially, they’re saying, Nexus devices are the only ones that will continue to work flawlessly on AOSP-based software.

The issue then gained momentum when Ricardo Cerqueira and Keyan Mobli, respected Android developers and members of CyanogenMOD’s sprawling community, pushed back against Android Central’s declarative title. Says Mobli: “Because of the open source nature of CyanogenMod, one developer saying no means there is just room for other developers to say yes. Saying that the Galaxy S4 won’t be supported by CyanogenMod is a bit premature. In other words, we currently don’t have anyone willing to work on it, but I am sure someone will step up.”

Cerqueira made a similar point: “Dear Android Central. Very few people have the authority to speak for CM as a whole, and none of them were asked about this. Individuals’ opinions are not, and can not, be portrayed as the project’s.”

The official word from CyanogenMOD was even more direct:

Let’s start with the simplest form of this: CyanogenMod does not pre-announce support or lack of support for devices. Ever. Even for the Nexus 4, we did not announce support until a nightly build was available. Further, any announcement regarding the ‘dropping’ of device support will be communicated via this Google+ page, Twitter, Facebook, our blog, or a combination of those; it will not be something buried in a forum post.

This morning, a comment from a CM collaborator on XDA was taken to be as an ‘absolute’ in regards to support of the S4. He offered the opinion of four TeamHacksung maintainers, their frustrations and lack of interest in supporting the S4. What’s seemingly lost on those reading this is that his comments as an individual do not speak for CyanogenMod as an organization.

As for the team’s stance on the S4, there isn’t one at this time, and most definitely won’t be one before the device is sold at retail.

– The CyanogenMod Team

[MobileSyrup, Android Central, XDA Developers]

March 20, 2013
iSuppli : Samsung Galaxy S4 Costs $236 To Make

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 is more expensive to make than the previous Galaxy S III. Not too hard to believe. According to the latest teardown by IHS iSuppli they state that the total Bill of Materials (BOM) is about 15% higher than the GSIII, specifically noting that the Galaxy S4 16GB HSPA+ model costs $236 (USD) and the LTE-enabled model is $233. The Galaxy S III reportedly has a BOM of $204. Of course, iSuppli says that these are only estimates as the device has yet to be released.

Samsung appears to have invested in major upgrades to its smartphone’s display, sensors and application processor and supporting memory. The S4’s full-HD AMOLED display had the biggest cost increase of all, carrying an estimated cost of $75, up from $65 for the S3.

Sensors on the new phone, recognizing both temperature and gestures, also pushed the cost of the user interface and sensor subsystem up to $16 for the S4, from $12.70 for the S3.

The S4’s processor, made by Samsung itself, also made a significant jump from a year ago. The S3’s Exynos 4 Quad processor cost $17.50 while the Exynos 5 Octa (5410), the eight-core chip that IHS believes is in the S4, cost an estimated $30.

Another interesting nugget was that “Samsung accounts for at least $149 worth of component content in the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy S4, representing 63 percent of the total BOM, based on the results of the virtual teardown.”

If only smartphones retailed for what they actually cost to make!

[Forbes, iSuppli]

March 20, 2013
Apple Releases iOS 6.1.3, Fixes Lockscreen Passcode Vulnerability

Apple released iOS 6.1.3 Tuesday, a software update that makes improvements to Maps in Japan and, more importantly, fixes a bug in iOS that allowed someone to bypass the lock screen on an iPhone and access the phone app.

Built into the latest point release of iOS, 6.1.3, the fix repairs the flaw, which when exploited granted access to a device’s contacts, voicemails and photos.

The update is available for iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, iPhone 5, all iPads following iPad 2 and all iPod touch devices after the 4th generation iPod touch. The size of the update for the iPhone 5 is 18.2MB, while it is 28.5MB on the iPhone 4S.

The new version appears to be rolling out in waves, and iOS device owners will at some point receive a notification that their devices are eligible for an update.

The new release of iOS comes nearly a month after Apple pushed out a beta build of 6.1.3 with a fix for the lockscreen bug.

The update also contains fixes for the Apple Maps application for Japan. Apple has been tweaking the Maps app for Japanese iDevice owners since February, focusing on pronunciation and other aspects of turn-by-turn navigation.

Updating the iPhone’s mapping capability via a system software update, however, suggests that Apple is tying Maps deeper into the base operating system itself. Apple’s Map Kit Framework Reference already enables embedding maps directly into third-party apps, as well as supporting annotations, overlays, and reverse-geocoding lookups.

[toggle title=”Change Log”]About iOS 6.1.3 Software Update
This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the passcode and access the Phone app
Improvements to Maps in Japan
For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.[/toggle]

March 20, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S3 & Note 2 To Get Android 5.0, Galaxy S2 & Note To Settle With 4.2.2

The Samsung Galaxy S2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note will not receive Google’s next Android update, according to a report.

SamMobile clams to have heard from an inside source that the previous-generation products will not be updated past Android Jelly Bean.

Samsung didn’t confirm this news but, it seems that this will be actually true and we will get to see Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update released for Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note and for multiple other two-year old Samsung smartphones.

The Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OTA update will be the last upgrade that old Samsung devices will receive. As you know, the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note were launched with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread and then they got the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Also, these were recently updated to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

The Android 5.0 is yet to become official and is expected to be introduced at Google’s upcoming I/O conference. Google’s latest software version is believed to be a big update. The devices which will be getting the Android 5.0 update are the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S4, Note II, Note 8.0 and Note 10.1.

Also, some other Mid-range Android device that have been launched in 2012 and 2013 should get some Value Pack OTA Updates, so that all the owners of an Samsung device will be happy that some new features will be available for them.

Good going Samsung!

Below is the list of devices which is not confirmed by Samsung yet. But is confirmed by SamMobile’s insider.

* End at Android 4.2.2 update.
GT-I9080 – Galaxy Grand
GT-I9082 – Galaxy Grand DUOS
GT-I8160 – Galaxy Ace 2
GT-I8190 – Galaxy S III mini
GT-I8350 – Galaxy Beam
GT-I8730 – Galaxy Express
GT-I9070 – Galaxy S Advance
GT-I9100 – Galaxy S II
GT-I9105 – Galaxy S II Plus
GT-I9260 – Galaxy Premier
GT-N7000 – Galaxy Note
GT-S6310 – Galaxy Young
GT-S6312 – Galaxy Young DUOS
GT-S6810 – Galaxy Fame
GT-S7710 – Galaxy X Cover 2

To get Android 5.0.
GT-I9300 – Galaxy S III
GT-I9305 – Galaxy S III LTE
GT-I9500 – Galaxy S 4
GT-I9505 – Galaxy S 4 LTE
GT-N5100 – Galaxy Note 8.0
GT-N5105 – Galaxy Note 8.0 LTE
GT-N5110 – Galaxy Note 8.0 Wi-Fi
GT-N7100 – Galaxy Note II
GT-N7105 – Galaxy Note II LTE
GT-N8000 – Galaxy Note 10.1
GT-N8005 – Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE
GT-N8010 – Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi

[SamMobile]

March 20, 2013
Analysts : Apple Could Be Holding $170 Billion In Cash By The End Of The Year

Moody’s Investors Service figures Apple’s cash could balloon beyond $170 billion by year’s end if the company doesn’t start returning some cash to shareholders, whether it be through buyback, increased dividend or even distributing those perpetual preferred iPref shares that Greenlight Capital founder David Einhorn proposed.

According to Moody’s, “Unless Apple changes its philosophy towards liquidity/shareholder returns by increasing its $10 billion annual common dividend, or if Apple increases it stock buyback program, we estimate Apple’s cash balances could increase by another $35 billion in 2013 and exceed $170 billion,”

Moody’s Senior Vice President Richard Lane said that if Apple keeps its current dividend levels, it would be holding $40-45 billion in domestic cash since it makes about 20 percent of its “cash flow” in the U.S.

There is no company even close to having as much cash as Apple. Number two on the list is Microsoft who has $68.3 billion. (Yes, Apple has twice as much) Number three is Google with $48.1 billion, and then Pfizer with $46.9 billion. Finally, rounding out the top five is Cisco Systems with $46.4 billion.

If Apple wanted to take on a humanitarian cause, the cash could feed every hungry person in the world three basic meals per day for 245 days based on the most recent statistics!

Apple said it’s been discussing ways to return more money to stockholders, but so far the company has had nothing concrete to offer. Apple has been under pressure from a hedge fund manager named David Einhorn and other major investors to return some of that cash to shareholders.

[All Things D]

March 19, 2013
Apple New Patent Reveals Interactive Augmented Reality System

Apple has been granted a patent today for their invention relating to synchronized, interactive augmented reality displays for multifunctional devices or iDevices.

Image Courtesy : Apple Insider

Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple’s U.S. Patent No. 8,400,548 for “Synchronized, interactive augmented reality displays for multifunction devices” describes an advanced AR system that uses various iOS device features like a multitouch screen, camera and internet connectivity, among others, to facilitate advanced AR functionality.

Patently Apple reports :

According to Apple, the granted patent is about a device that can receive live video of a real-world, physical environment on a touch sensitive surface. One or more objects can be identified in the live video. An information layer can be generated related to the objects. In some implementations, the information layer can include annotations made by a user through the touch sensitive surface. The information layer and live video can be combined in a display of the device. Data can be received from one or more onboard sensors indicating that the device is in motion. The sensor data can be used to synchronize the live video and the information layer as the perspective of video camera view changes due to the motion. The live video and information layer can be shared with other devices over a communication link.

Image Courtesy : Patently Apple

According to Apple Insider, The patent describes an AR system for iOS devices, which can be used in a variety of different ways. At its most basic, it works by labeling elements of an image in a live video feed, as when it names the parts of a circuit board being shot with the rear-facing camera on an iPad-like device in Apple’s patent.

The iOS device employing the AR tech is also described as being able to show both the straight image itself, and the version with overlaid information at once in windows side-by-side, allowing both an unobstructed view and one with all the contextual information.

Interesting!

[Patently Apple, Apple Insider, Tech Crunch]

March 19, 2013
Rumour : Next Nexus 5 Phone To Have A Nikon Camera Module

The Nexus 4 is coming on half a year old and, as is tradition in the industry, rumours of its demise and successor are already making the rounds. The latest rumour to surface places the fifth Nexus smartphone once more in the grasp of LG who, along with Google, are working with Nikon to create the ultimate smartphone-based camera sensor and lens combo.

Nikon is getting serious about the growing smart phone market: last year the company released their first Andorid based camera. Just last month Nikon signed a patent agreement with Microsoft involving patents for cameras running on the Android operating system.

Of course the Nexus 5, or whatever it will be called, will be upgraded to a 1080p display — you can expect all high-end Android phones to join the Full HD ranks soon enough — but, along with the high-res display, bringing it to 5-inches may put it in the phablet space more than the smartphone one.

Other rumours point to a Snapdragon 600 processor (Snapdragon 800 is going into an eventual Google Nexus 10.2, they iterate), 2 GB of RAM, 8/16 GB of storage, and a 3140 mAh battery.

No point in getting ahead of ourselves, though; the next Nexus announcement is likely months away, at the very least.

Last year, in November, Google released the Nexus 4 to great demand. The device, which combines high-end hardware with the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software and a cheap unlocked and on-contract price, was extremely hard to find for its first few months of existence and remains one of the best Android smartphone options on the market.

[PhoneArena. Mobile Syrup]

March 19, 2013