iPad Mini exists; images leaked online

September 7th, 2012, 21:57 Posted By: wraggster

Images of the rumoured iPad mini have surfaced online, showing off a backplate for the device, which is complete with a cut-out for Apple's new nine-pin dock connector.
The existence of the device has often been questioned, particularly considering comments made by the late Steve Jobs surrounding a smaller, seven-inch version of the acclaimed iPad.
When discussing Android based tablets in 2010, which incorporate seven-inch screens on its devices, Jobs said: "One naturally thinks that a 7-inch screen would offer 70 per cent of the benefits of the 10-inch screen. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. The screen measurements are diagonal, so that a 7-inch screen is only 45 per cent as large as iPad's 10-inch screen. You heard me right. Just 45 per cent as large."
"If you take an iPad and hold it upright in portrait view and draw an imaginary horizontal line halfway down the screen, the screens on a 7-inch tablet are a bit smaller than the bottom half of the iPad's display. The size isn't sufficient to create great tablet apps, in our opinion," he continued.
Chinese news site tech.163.com posted the images, claiming they were received from "informed sources".

Features of the backplate include a connector slot of a size appropriate for Apple's widely rumoured nine-pin connector, as well as cut-outs for a camera and volume and toggle controls, and even dual speakers on the plate's base.

The existence of such a device is still yet to be confirmed, but these images - unless part of an elaborate hoax - seem to look legitimate.
These images appear at an interesting time as Amazon announced just yesterday, its range of Kindle Fire HD tablets, which are available in both seven-inch and 8.9-inch models.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-online/029126

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Top 5 mobile and tablet apps

September 7th, 2012, 21:54 Posted By: wraggster

This week WhatsApp continues to top the paid iPhone charts, whilst N.O.V.A 3 leads the way on Google Play’s paid app chart.

IPHONE

PAID

1. WhatsApp Messenger

2. Hardest Game Ever

3. Color Splash

4. The Curse

5. VS. Racing 2

FREE

1. Hardest Game Ever

2. Airport Scanner

3. The Crystal Maze

4. The Simpsons: Tapped Out

5. Football Players Quiz

IPAD

PAID

1. Pages

2. Galaxy on Fire 2 HD

3. Keynote

4. Numbers

5. iMovie

FREE

1. Airport Scanner

2. The Simpsons: Tapped Out

3. The Crystal Maze HD

4. What's My IQ HD

5. Solitaire

ANDROID

PAID

1. N.O.V.A 3 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance

2. SwiftKey 3 Keyboard

3. Beautiful Widgets

4. Virtua Tennis Challenge

5. Gangster Rio: City of Saints

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-apps-5/029128

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Google is activating 1.3m Android devices a day

September 7th, 2012, 21:51 Posted By: wraggster

That's 300,000 more per day than in July.
What a week this is turning out to be for the smartphone space. Two new Nokia Win8 devices, more Razrs, a big splurge from Amazon and - in the middle of it all - a reminder from Google of the ongoing acceleration in the Android platform.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt revealed the 1.3m stat at a Motorola event and added that 70,000 of the activations are tablets.
There are now 480m Android devices in use.
The activations figure just keeps on rising, up from 700,000 a day in December 2011, 900,000 a day in June and 1m a day in July.
In the past these numbers have been disputed by Apple, which has claimed that Google has included OS updates as 'new' activations. This has been denied by Google.
Let's see what Tim Cook says next week...

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...s-a-day/019283

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Android gaining ground on paid apps

September 7th, 2012, 21:50 Posted By: wraggster

iPhone users are downloading fewer premium apps while Android users are buying more.
A survey of 17,000 smartphone users shows that Android users are catching up with iPhone users when it comes to buying apps.
In 2011 Apple was streets ahead with with 39 per cent of iPhone users having more than 20 paid apps, and only three per cent having none.
On the other hand, Android users were more likely to have no paid apps at all (12 per cent) than they were to have more than 20 (ten per cent).
In 2012 those numbers have changed significantly.
This year, 19 per cent of Android users and 26 per cent of iPhone users now have more than 20 paid apps on their phones. Meanwhile, the number of those with no premium apps at all is now more balanced: six per cent of iPhone users (an increase of three per cent) and seven per cent of Android users (a drop of five per cent) don't have any paid-for apps on their phones.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...id-apps/019285

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Two-thirds of Brit iPhone owners plan to buy an iPhone 5

September 7th, 2012, 21:48 Posted By: wraggster

And they expect it to sport NFC, 4G, and an improved battery.
Apple released a mysterious alert this week to say 'It's almost here', which hints the iPhone 5 will arrive on September 12th, a date that's been the industry prediction for some time.
YouGov has found that 18 per cent of Brits know Apple is about to launch a product, which demonstrates the power of Chinese Whispers and rumour.
Meanwhile, 21 per cent would consider buying an iPhone 5, which spikes to 67 per cent of iPhone owners who say they expect to purchase one in the future.
37 per cent of non-iPhone owners suspect it will have longer battery life and 4G support, while a further 67 per cent of iPhone users agree better battery is on the way.
Additionally, 34 per cent of the device owners reckon NFC and mobile payments will be included, 44 per cent expect Siri to speak English and not American, and 63 per cent expect the 3.5-inch screen to get a size upgrade.
Check out the top ten iPhone 5 wishes here – 93 per cent want a stronger screen.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...phone-5/019291

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

PayPal arrives on Windows Phone

September 7th, 2012, 21:47 Posted By: wraggster

Payments app is the latest big name to appear in the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Microsoft is forcing people to take Windows Phone more seriously by adding big name services to its selection of apps.
This time, it's payment service PayPal that has been added into the mix.
The app doesn't have NFC support just yet because NFC-enabled WinPho devices aren't arriving until Windows Phone 8 drops, but the app still allows users to request money, send money, check balances and use PayPal Here to search for businesses that allow purchases via the app.
It doesn't yet have the option to take a picture of your credit card to add it as a payment option, but that is coming soon too.
PayPal is available from Windows Phone Marketplace now.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...s-phone/019294

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Kindle Fire HD To Be Released October 26th

September 7th, 2012, 09:20 Posted By: wraggster

Yesterday Amazon announced to the world the Kindle Fire HD and a new improved Kindle Fire, well today Amazon UK have confirmed that on October the 25th both new Kindle Fires will be coming to the UK, the new kindle Fire will be priced at £129 whilst the higher spec Kindle Fire HD will go for £159/£199 depending on how much storage you want, heres some details on both:

Kindle Fire HD

Kindle Fire

Amazon.com's #1 bestseller – now even better

New 1.2GHz processor and 1GB RAM for 40% faster performance than the original Kindle Fire Vibrant 7" colour touchscreen for browsing, watching, playing, and reading Perfect portability - thin, light, and durable Over 22 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, and magazines, plus tens of thousands of popular apps and games such as Angry Birds Space, Skyscanner, Jamie's 20 Minute Meals and Auto Trader One-month free trial of LOVEFiLM Instant video streaming for unlimited access to thousands of movies and TV series Ultra-fast web browsing and e-mail over built-in Wi-Fi, with integrated support for Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and more, as well as Microsoft Exchange calendar, contacts, and email Free unlimited cloud storage for all your Amazon content Includes special offers personalised for you and sponsored screensavers.Learn more

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

GameStop interested in Ouya

September 7th, 2012, 00:55 Posted By: wraggster

"We will be a part of any console launch in the future," GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines told Joystiq this morning, when asked about GameStop's interest in stocking the Ouya console.

Though he was clear to note that the company did not have an official announcement regarding any potential plans to carry the Android console, Raines was positive about the device. "We think Ouya's cool. We love the idea of open-source components. Everything we've read is great."

Raines related the new console to the Google Nexus 7 tablet that GameStop sells – and that Raines turned on during our conversation in order to remember a game he wanted to talk about (It was Dead Trigger.) "Here's the exciting thing that's happening: if you look at the power of the processor like the Tegra 3 or the x86 stuff that's coming on Windows tablets, you've got a processor now and graphics capability that are really exciting," he said.

"There will be games developed for that stuff. So you're going to see more of these open source type products, and we will be right in the middle of all of it."

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/ga...ested-in-ouya/

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Sega porting free-to-play Rhythm Thief to iOS this winter

September 7th, 2012, 00:45 Posted By: wraggster

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

New Kindle Fires start at $159, go to $499

September 7th, 2012, 00:23 Posted By: wraggster

Amazon's pricing looks to shake up the market
Amazon didn't disappoint today with its announcements, introducing new hardware, software and services up and down its Kindle product line. The standard Kindle e-book reader is now $69, and a new Paperwhite reader with a higher-res touchscreen and frontlighting begins at $119. For the game industry, though, it's all about the Kindle Fire, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos today pumped pure oxygen into the flames. He's starting from a strong market share place, stating that the Kindle Fire accouinted for 22 percent of all tablets sold since its debut.
The new Kindle Fire has doubled its RAM to 1 GB (storage is still 8 GB) and includes a 44 percent faster processor, a front-facing camera and better battery life for the astounding price of $159, down from the previous $199 price. This puts them $40 less than Google's Nexus 7 tablet. The tablet will ship September 14, with pre-orders beginning soon.
The real stars are three new Kindle Fire HD models. The Kindle Fire HD 7 is a 16 GB, 7 inch tablet that features the TI OMAP 4470 dual-core processor that Amazon claims is faster than the Tegra 3; screen resolution is not yet announced. Like its larger cousins, it will have dual speakers, Bluetooth, HDMI output, and enhanced Wi-Fi. The Kindle Fire HD 7 will retail for $199.
Next up is the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablet, with an 8.9" 1920 x 1200 display at 254 ppi resolution. The device is 8.8 mm thick and weighs 20 ounces, and the screen has a polarizing filter to cut down glare. The processor is a TI OMAP 4470, it has dual speakers, and it is the first tablet with MIMO, dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz) technology, which Amazon says makes the tablet's WiFi 41 percent faster than the latest iPad. There's also Bluetooth (presumably 4.0) support and HDMI output, and 32 GB of storage, all for $299.
Finally, the high end of Amazon's product line is the 8.9 inch Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE and 32 GB of storage for $499. You get 250 MB of data a month, 20 GB of cloud storage and a $10 Amazon Appstore credit, all for $50 a year. That appears to be an impressive deal, compared to current iPad pricing where a 32 GB iPad with 4G LTE is $729.
Amazon also announced Whispersync for Games, which would allow game developers to store game progress in the cloud.
The competition has suddenly gotten very fierce for holiday hardware dollars. The entry level Kindle Fire is now less expensive than a Nintendo 3DS ($159 versus $169), and the Kindle Fire HD 7 undercuts the PS Vita by $50. When Nintendo rolls out the Wii U, Amazon's tablets will be competing for household dollars. We still have yet to see the new iPhone, which is sure to sell in the millions over the holidays. Apple is rumored to be announcing the new iPad Mini in October, supposedly a 7.85 inch tablet that will sell for $249. Apple may be rethinking their pricing all up and down the tablet line in light of Amazon's aggressive pricing.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...9-go-to-USD499

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

iPhone 5 off the factory line captured in video... probably

September 7th, 2012, 00:14 Posted By: wraggster

We’ll know for certain if this video is legitimate in on September 12^th.
That’s when Apple will reveal the iPhone 5 to the world, but by all accounts this video looks accurate, and certainly concurs we’ve everything we’ve heard about the handset so far.
Neowin reports that the prototype that’s pictured comes direct from the production line and, for sake of comparison, is shown next to an iPhone 4S.
Things to look out for include the new smaller cable port, the altered physical home button and, of course, the longer, larger screen.



http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/iphon...obably/0102429

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Apple refuses third-party adapters

September 6th, 2012, 21:49 Posted By: wraggster

Apple has reportedly refused to offer third-party developers and manufacturers details surrounding its new dock connecter, which is rumoured to be a feature of its latest iPhone.
It is believed that the firm wants to be the exclusive source of adapters for the sixth-generation device, and as a result, isn't sharing the specs or designs of its new smaller connecter.
Sources close to the company go as far to say it will aggressively use "licensing agreements and threats of lawsuits" in order to prevent third-party adapters from appearing on the market.
Questions were asked when it was first reported that Apple would do away with its traditional 30-pin connecter in favour of a smaller alternative, as it would render the entire catalogue of currently available accessories useless.
Users were comforted by the news of an adapter that would potentially save their favourite accessories - and ultimately, a great deal of cash.
However, if these reports are true, it would be hard to imagine any other motive for Apple's decision other than to maintain dominance over the adapter market and boost the marketability of its own accessories.
Initial reports from iLounge indicate the adapter will sell for around $10, as well as a USB cable for around $19.
It is not yet clear if Apple will eventually allow third-party firms to produce adapters for its flagship device, but that won't happen until the end of 2012 at least, at which point Apple expects to have sold approximately ten million of its adapters.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...dapters/029109

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

20 million Galaxy S III phones sold in 100 days

September 6th, 2012, 20:56 Posted By: wraggster

The phone that Apple couldn't stop is Samsung's most successful yet.
Samsung has announced that the Galaxy S III has sold more than 20m units in just 100 days.
The smartphone has sold six times faster than the Galaxy S, and three times faster than the Galaxy S II, and has become the company's most successful phone ever.
Samsung says its flagship phone's sales break down like this:

• Europe: 6m units
• Asia: 4.5m units
• North America: 4m units
• Korea: 2.5m units

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

57 per cent of app users avoid some offerings due to privacy fears

September 6th, 2012, 20:54 Posted By: wraggster

Some refuse to download the app at all, while other uninstall iffy designs.
New data from Pew Research says 88 per cent of US adults now own a mobile phone, with 43 per cent downloading apps to their devices.
Of course, apps are big draw for many, but users are reluctant to use some with rife reports of spam, malware, UDID, personal data tracking doing the rounds. The FBI was even forced to intervene in a pirate Android racket.
54 per cent of app users decide against downloading an app when they see the amount of personal data they need to share to gain access.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent of app users have uninstalled apps after noticing the data it had access to.
That's equivalent to 57 per cent opting for both methods of app evasion.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...y-fears/019276

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Ice Cream Sandwich lives on 20.9 per cent of Android devices

September 6th, 2012, 20:53 Posted By: wraggster

Adoption up by almost double in two months.
Google's Ice Cream Sandwich OS rolled out in November last year, and three months down the line it had only reached one per cent of Android devices.
But seven months later and ICS has penetrated 20.9 per cent of the little green robot's tech, almost double the 10.7 per cent in July.
Meanwhile, Jelly Bean has a minor adoption with just 1.2 per cent, though it's garnered a faster rate than ICS to reach it in just two months.
Of course, Jelly Bean's share will increase once Google allows native installs, a feature currently saved for its Google Nexus 7tablet.
Gingerbread is still the mightiest update on the market with 57.2 per cent and looks to retain its dominance for sometime, but the ICS growth means it's fallen by around seven per cent

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...devices/019279

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

87 per cent of mobile users are HIDING SOMETHING on their device...

September 6th, 2012, 20:51 Posted By: wraggster

Infographic shows content includes private contacts, flirty texts, and sexy photos – what's lurking on yours?!
Security provider NQ Mobile found that more than half of consumers think celebrities lie about hacking scandals to generate publicity.
Given that, the firm asked the sceptics about their content stored on their own devices and found that just 53 per cent of smartphone owners use a passcode, despite the fact 87 per cent of them have content they want to hide.
Some things were perfectly innocent, 52 per cent cited family photos and 40 per cent claimed work documents.
However, 35 per cent want to keep flirty texts a secret, while 26 per cent have sexy photos and videos to hide – a mixture of themselves and of other people.
Conrad Edwards, CEO, NQ Mobile, said: "When only half of smartphone users actually lock their phones, it's unclear whether these celebrities' devices are being hacked or simply being left open for people to snoop.
"What is clear, is that you don't need to be a celebrity to have things on your phone you'd rather others not see."
The firm cautions people to protect their data by locking it, sharing personal info on social media wisely, research the intentions of apps, and use anti-virus software.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...-device/019280

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Middle Manager of Justice approved for free iOS procuration [update: pulled]

September 5th, 2012, 23:58 Posted By: wraggster

Double Fine's Middle Manager of Justice is now available on the App Store, and at a cost of $0.00 it shouldn't significantly impact your outlay. Yes, that was our attempt at being Scott Adams.

Double Fine's iOS debut throws you into the over-referenced world of superhero management. As a middle manager at Justice Corp. it's up to you to train your super-powered lackeys, upgrade their super-equipment, all while keeping the super-paperwork in check. With the game being super-free-to-play, it would be super-rude of you not to try it.

Update: Double Fine has pulled the game from the App Store, noting that the version that "accidentally" went out last night is incomplete. "Please note that the game isn't indicative of what it should be yet," said creator Kee Chi. "All the bugs will be ironed out, and there is much tuning to be done."
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/05/mi...s-procuration/

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Nokia: 7 million Lumia phones sold to date in 54 countries, 4 million in the last qua

September 5th, 2012, 23:46 Posted By: wraggster

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Windows Phone 8 introduces new Lens apps: Bing Vision, Photosynth and CNN iReport lau

September 5th, 2012, 23:45 Posted By: wraggster

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here

Google's Eric Schmidt: 1.3 million Android activations a day, 480 million devices wor

September 5th, 2012, 23:42 Posted By: wraggster


Kicking off the Motorola event in NYC, Google's Eric Schmidt has revealed some new Android figures for its captive audience of journalists and bloggers. It's now notching up some 1.3 million activations a day, which includes around 70,000 tablets ("We were late to them", notes Schmidt) every 24 hours. In total, that makes for just shy of 500 million Google-powered mobile devices around the globe -- 80 million in just over two months.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/05/g...vations-a-day/

Join In and Discuss Here

Submit News and Releases Here and Contact Us for Reviews and Advertising Here