Friday, November 8, 2013

Is this the newest Nexus tablet?


nexus8 Is this the newest Nexus tablet?
It hasn't even been a week since Google released its latest Nexus device, the Nexus 5, but people are already starting the hype train about what may be a new Nexus tablet. A promotional image on Google's Android promotional website shows an unnamed device that many believe could be the "Nexus 8" tablet.
Over the weekend, someone spotted a tablet that looks different from the Nexus 7 and smaller than the Nexus 10, leading a few people to believe that it might be a tablet with an 8-inch display. Google doesn't use fake products in promotional materials, so it’s natural to assume that the company must have an upcoming device that looks like the one shown in the photo above. However, there’s a much more plausible explanation: someone at Google is not very good at Photoshop.
The tablet pictured is most likely just a poorly done simulated screen, which has icons and text that appear to have been stretched vertically. Another image from the same webpage shows a rear view of what's clearly a Nexus 7 that has been edited and it also looks to have been disproportionately stretched. Google releasing another sub-10-inch tablet so soon after launching the Nexus 7 2013 doesn’t make sense, so I'm inclined to believe that this is not a new Android tablet. Looks like we'll have to wait a while longer before seeing another Nexus tablet.

Give Yourself a Break: Here’s how to get rid of Google Now as a Home Screen on Android 4.4 KitKat


kitkatbreak 500x308 Give Yourself a Break: Heres how to get rid of Google Now as a Home Screen on Android 4.4 KitKat
Google Now is a service that Google unsurprisingly thinks is awesome and is pushing it by putting it front and center as it's own home screen on the new Android 4.4 KitKat update. That's good if you love the service but not so good if you dislike it or just don't want it too waste an entire home screen. If you fall in the latter camp, you will be happy to know it's easy to turn off Google Now on the home screen.
Simply turn off the Google Now service and the home screen disappears. Before you ask if that is the only way to get rid of it, sadly, Google made it an all or nothing proposition on Android 4.4. Check out the video below on how it's done. Keep in mind that this affects only people using Google's default launcher, so Samsung, HTC, and LG users can continue using their launchers and keep Google Now separate.
Adding Google Now screams "blink feed" inspired with the option to make it disappear.  I never really got into the Google Now and disabled it completely on my device after a two month trial run; however, I know some of you out there love it.  If you are one of those people that love Google Now I want to know what do you think of a Google Now home screen?

BlackBerry decides not to sell company, plans to keep making phones


blackberry z30 BlackBerry decides not to sell company, plans to keep making phones
Remember when BlackBerry said that it planned to sell the company for $4.7 billion to Fairfax Financial, one of its biggest investors? If not, don’t worry about it, because BlackBerry has changed its mind and decided not to sell. What’s next for the Canadian smartphone giant?
In the immediate future, BlackBerry will have a new face in charge. CEO Thorsten Heins will be leaving the company and John Chen will take over on an interim basis. Chen is the new head of BlackBerry because Fairfax reportedly couldn't raise the $4.7 billion necessary to acquire the struggling handset and enterprise service provider. Fairfax will now spend $1 billion to acquire more shares in BlackBerry and hope that it can grow into a solid business once again.
Phone fans still have questions about what this will mean for BlackBerry devices. Will the new CEO continue to push the company to design and build phones to compete, or will he try to focus on the enterprise market instead? BlackBerry announced plans to release fewer smartphones aimed at consumers because of poor sales, but that was a strategy put forward by a departing executive. John Chen has said he does not plan to shutdown the handset business and will continue pushing for success in the long-term. How much longer will BlackBerry work towards that goal?

AT&T iPad Air activations up 200 percent compared to last year


ipads 461x375 AT&T iPad Air activations up 200 percent compared to last year
Apple hasn’t published any information about how many iPads were sold over the weekend, but one thing is clear: AT&T certainly had a fruitful launch period. AT&T released information today that it has sold 200 percent more iPads over the launch weekend compared to last year’s launch weekend. To put that in simpler terms, the carrier activated three times as many iPad Airs as they did with the iPad with Retina Display that launched last year.
The differences in sales totals should come with an asterisk because the fourth-generation iPad launched at a challenging time last year. Millions of consumers had already purchased a third-generation iPad in March of 2012, so by the time that the iPad with Retina Display arrived in October, a significant portion of potential buyers were reluctant to upgrade so soon. The latest iPad has arrived at a more comfortable fall launch spot, and AT&T customers responded very favorably to the well-received tablet.

LG Device Loaner Program lends G2 phones to Android developers


lg g2 phones LG Device Loaner Program lends G2 phones to Android developers
LG has a new initiative with the goal of getting its smartphones into the hands of more developers. The LG Device Loaner program will allow Android app developers to create and test apps on the G2, and then return the phone. The program could be a way for developers to work on G2 phones without spending money to purchase one. Here’s how it works for interested developers.
  1. Visit the DLP website to create an account.
  2. Fill-out a request form for a specific device
  3. Use the G2 or other phone for 30 days and then return the device to LG.
The loaner program allows developers to gain access to LG devices without spending hundreds of dollars to purchase the phone. The only costs will be the money necessary to ship products back to LG. That’s a small cost to pay if someone needs to simply test an app with specific features like LG’s IR Blaster or the QRemote SDK the company uses to promote app development. The drawback is that the 30-day limit may create a problem that requires additional testing beyond a 30-day loan period. One can only hope that LG lets participants have multiple lending spells if a new version of Android breaks functionality and someone needs to do a new round of testing.

Google Nexus 5 now on sale for $349


Nexus51 Google Nexus 5 now on sale for $349The Nexus 5 is finally official and will soon be ready for purchase following Google’s announcement of its new flagship phone. Here’s what we know about the phone, price, and release schedule.
Made in partnership with LG, the Nexus 5 has a 4.95-inch screen with 1080p HD resolution. There’s also a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, which has become a standard of the high-end Android phones released in the past few months. There’s also 2GB of RAM to ensure that the phone can keep pace with others. The Nexus 5 has a new lens that automatically adds HDR+ mode that snaps several images at multiple lights and then combines them to create the best shot. The 8-megapixel camera also has optical image stabilization.
Like all Nexus devices before it, the Nexus 5 is meant to serve as a showcase of stock Android software. The phone runs Android 4.4 KitKat, which as we alluded to earlier, has new features to fight fragmentation, support more sensors, and control TV sets. It also also supports increased NFC capabilities, new printing options over Wi-Fi, full-screen mode, and more.
The Nexus 5 is now on sale at Google Play store for $349 (16GB) and $399 (32GB). Here are the key Nexus 5 specs:
  • Screen: 4.95-inch 1920×1080 display (445 ppi)
  • 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
  • 16GB or 32GB internal storage 2GB RAM
  • Cameras: 1.3MP front facing 8MP rear facing OIS
  • Dimensions: 69.17 x 137.84 x 8.59 mm
  • Weight: 130 grams
  • Operating System: OS Android 4.4, KitKat
  • Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n/ncNFC (Android Beam) / Bluetooth 4.0
  • Ports & Connectors: microUSB, SlimPort enabled, 3.5mm stereo audio jack, Dual microphones, Ceramic power and volume buttons

Android 4.4 update tracker: which phones are confirmed for updates?


130904100258 android kitkat google story top 500x281 Android 4.4 update tracker: which phones are confirmed for updates?Android 4.4 KitKat was announced yesterday as the latest version of the Android operating system, and with it came more than a few interesting features. Now that the excitement has worn off, attention will turn to the waiting game and wondering which phones will be updated. Some device statuses have already been confirmed.
Samsung, Sony, and LG have yet to confirm any plans, but one can reasonably assume that all of Samsung's and LG's high-end 2013 devices will be updated. As for the other smartphone vendors, here's what we know so far.
Motorola confirmed devices
  • Moto X
  • DROID Mini
  • DROID Ultra
  • DROID MAXX
Everyone else will have to be nervous based on the Motorola update portal. There’s zero chance that Motorola will update most of its older devices, but the Photon Q 4G, DROID RAZR HD, DROID RAZR MAXX, and DROID RAZR M are on "Future plans coming" status, meaning it's possible but not promised. There's no timeline for when the updates will be made available.
HTC confirmed devices
  • HTC One
  • HTC One (Google Play)
HTC plans to have the Google Play Edition of the One updated within 15 days, and all carrier versions of the device will be updated in North America within 90 days, according to an interview Engadget had with the president of HTC America. It’s unclear if and when the One Max and One Mini will receive the update.
Google confirmed devices
  • Nexus 4
  • Nexus 7
  • Nexus 10
All Nexus devices from the past two years will be updated in "coming weeks," likely within a month. All except the Galaxy Nexus, which will not be updated. Though Android is designed to work on less powerful devices, it still requires some work done on the chipset. The Galaxy Nexus unfortunately uses a TI chipset, and TI is no longer in the mobile business, leaving no one to do the work to get it running properly.
That's all we know for now. We'll update this post as more devices are confirmed to be receiving Android 4.4

Nokia is now the fourth biggest smartphone seller in the U.S.


Lumia1020 500x282 Nokia is now the fourth biggest smartphone seller in the U.S.
Nokia has lagged behind competitors since its switch to Windows Phone, and the company's standing in the United States wasn’t very strong even in its Symbian days. A new report states that Nokia is gaining ground in the US and reached its highest market share since 2007.
Counterpoint Research says that during the third quarter of 2013, Nokia had 4 percent of smartphone sales. While 4 percent is obviously not that great compared to what Apple and Samsung accomplished, combining for 67.3 percent, it's a big improvement compared to how much Nokia has struggled to crack the US market. Consider this: during the same period in 2012, Nokia had only 0.7 percent of sales. Now it has a bigger share than Motorola, according to Counterpoint.
The bump in sales is attributed to Nokia’s changed strategy of working with carriers to make compromises and offer network exclusives. Though AT&T remains the favored carrier of Nokia and tends to get the company’s flagship products, Nokia has released phones on T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, and MetroPCS to attract new customers. The low-cost Lumia 520 and Lumia 521, as well as the still-selling Lumia 920, were the leading Nokia sellers last quarter.
counterpoint nokia 500x333 Nokia is now the fourth biggest smartphone seller in the U.S.
[VIA]

Rumor: Google Barges Store for Elite Buyers


google barge 500x250 Rumor: Google Barges Store for Elite Buyers
There has been some mystery about the Google barges that are floating on either coast of the United States.  There was a bunch people guessing that this is some type of floating data center however it was now found out by KPIX that these barges are going to be a retail store front of sorts.
But these "stores" will not be for the general public; no, no, no, they will be for high end and invite only affairs. (Think along the lines of a Google Glass or Moto X demo). There will be two floors of retail space with a "party deck" on the top. I could see Google using these barges for novel way to launch new products in the future. They will simply set up the demo once and float it from place to place.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Apple iPad Air reviews show universal approval of new tablet and superior to iPad Mini


ipad air Apple iPad Air reviews show universal approval of new tablet and superior to iPad Mini
The Apple iPad Air didn’t turn many heads when it was a typical Apple update: thinner, lighter, faster. Now that many tech journalists have had a chance to test the iPad Air for reviews, more of the same is a good thing.
Apple’s embargo on iPad Air reviews lifted late last night, and most of the leading tech websites have already posted their thoughts on the device. Most reviews follow along a similar theme of writers marveling at how the device is now thinner and lighter, making the iPad easier to carry. The whole point of using an iPad Mini was its increased portability, but asClayton Morris of FOX reports, the new iPad Air is so light and thin that traveling with the device is noticeably easier that previous versions.
iPad Air reviewers were also disappointed by the lack of Touch ID. The fingerprint-scanning technology was a shaky but successful hit on the iPhone 5S, and several wished that the same feature could have been included to unlock a device just by placing a finger on a sensor rather than entering the code. Perhaps that’s a feature that will appear in next year’s version of the iPad.
The iPad Air goes on sale this Friday at Apple Stores, carriers in many countries, and several retail partners like Best Buy and Walmart. Here’s a round-up of what other reviews had to say about the new tablet.
For the new generation, Apple seemingly decided that [two cores] was enough, and so what we have here is the same dual-core, 64-bit A7 CPU found in the iPhone 5S. Disappointed? Don’t be. The iPad Air is ridiculously fast. Interestingly, it’s slightly faster even than the latest iPhone, which also has the same amount of RAM (1GB). Apple seemingly turned the wick up a bit here, with Geekbench indicating a processor speed of 1.39GHz, versus the 1.29GHz on the iPhone 5S.
Apple iOS 7 is great, but more exciting still is that you get a bundle of new apps with the iPad Air, including GarageBand, iPhoto, and iMovie, as well as Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. A huge advance over what iPad users have had previously - and without paying any extra - these apps add loads of functionality to the tablet straight out of the box. Edit photos, make movies, record a song, write about it, manage your costs in a spreadsheet, and then present it to people ready to lap it all up. It's a creative hub, more so than any iPad before it.
Yes, as strange as it may sound, the latest iPad is actually just a larger version of the 7.9-inch mini. It's as if the smaller device -which launched at the same time as the fourth-gen iPad - was a pilot test for Jony Ive's new design language. Calling it the "Air" was fitting indeed, since it's ridiculously small and light compared to previous models.
While I suspect there are still going to be a lot of users who prefer the smaller form factor of the iPad mini with Retina Display, I do feel like there are those users who will continue to appreciate all of the benefits that go along with having a larger display. Text is easier to read, particularly on desktop versions of websites. Photos and videos are larger and thus more engaging as well. In the past there was this complex matrix of tradeoffs that you had to make between iPad and iPad mini. This generation, Apple does away with all of that.
This new iPad isn’t a radical rethinking of what a tablet can be, but it’s a major improvement on a successful product. It is the best tablet I’ve ever reviewed. That isn’t just because of its slimmer, lighter design, but because Apple boasts 475,000 apps optimized for tablet use — far more than any other tablet platform. (The iPad also can run all of the million or so apps available for the iPhone.) By contrast, the vast majority of apps available for rival Android tablets are just stretched versions of phone apps.
Compared with the other tablets on the market, Apple still holds the edge. It might be a tougher call if the competition were significantly cheaper. But the Surface 2 at $450 and the Galaxy Note at $550 aren’t bargains. And they are heavier and lack the wide variety of apps. Also, their core software isn’t updated as frequently or as thoroughly as that from Apple, which has made it a practice to regularly update its operating system for nearly all its customers so it feels as if you are getting a new tablet or phone when you update.
The bottom line, though, is that for anyone who sees an iPad as a supplemental device, the iPad Air is a very compelling alternative to the iPad Mini. It’s so much lighter than the iPad 3/4, both as something to carry when traveling and to hold while using, that it significantly diminishes the iPad Mini’s primary distinguishing feature.

Apple says “manufacturing issue” affecting the battery on some phones


DM iphone5s Apple says manufacturing issue affecting the battery on some phones
The Apple iPhone has historically been praised for having above average battery life, but the iPhone 5S has not proven to be a long last device. Apple reports that some users are losing power because of a bad batch of devices, and the company plans to offer replacements to those iPhone owners.
To be clear, not all battery life issues are related to this effect, and Apple will not offer a new phone to everyone who says that their phone doesn’t seem like it lasts as long as they think should. However, Apple does acknowledge that some devices drain too fast, absurdly slow, because of unique circumstances. Apple spokeswoman Teresa Brewer told the New York Times:
"We recently discovered a manufacturing issue affecting a very limited number of iPhone 5S devices that could cause the battery to take longer to charge or result in reduced battery life. We are reaching out to customers with affected phones and will provide them with a replacement phone.”
Though the exact number of iPhones affected by this issue is unclear, the Times estimates that the number is only "a few thousand" based on Apple’s comments. Apple implies this a rare problem affecting a small group of the more than 10 million iPhone 5S owners. Everyone else experiencing poor battery life will have to rely on the old tricks of disabling background features, lowering brightness, and these other tips.
[VIA]

Lenovo Yoga Android tablets include kickstand and 18-hour battery


Tilt Mode Yoga Tablet Lenovo Yoga Android tablets include kickstand and 18 hour battery
Lenovo has taken its "Yoga" brand, previously seen on adjustable Windows 8 laptops, to the realm of Android with a pair of kickstand-toting tablets that went on sale today. The Yoga Tablet isn't a convertible that switches from one form factor to another like the first Yoga, but it does include a flip-out stand that can be used to tilt or prop-up the tablet for video calls or watching movies. The cylinder is designed to make gripping the tablets easier and providing a sturdy stand for the 8-inch and 10.1-inch models.
Aside from the built-in stand, the Yoga Tablet has a selling point of the long cylinder housing a 6,000 mAh (8-inch) or 9,000 mAh (10.1-inch) battery that promises up to 18 hours of use. Sadly, the devices use a 1.2 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor that’s not as good a performer as the processors in other tablets.
Lenovo pitches the Yoga Tablet by offering a less powerful experience with a low price. The 8-inch Yoga costs $249 and the 10-inch model retails for $299. Best Buy is the exclusive seller for the 8-inch model now, while the 10-inch model can be purchased at Amazon.com and several other online retailers. Here are the Yoga Tablet specs.
  • MTK 8125 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 (1.20GHz 533MHz 1MB)
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • 1.0GB LPDDR2 800 MHz
  • 8.0" 1280x800
  • 16GB or 32GB internal storage, 64GB micro-SD
  • 6,000 mAh battery
  • Network Card: 11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth Version 4.0
  • Camera: Front 1.6M, Rear 5.0M
  • Yoga Tablet 8 Dimensions: 8.4 in x 5.7 in x 0.1-0.3 in (213.36 x 144.78 x 7.62)
  • Yoga Tablet 10 Dimensions: 10.3 in x 7.1 in x 0.1-0.3 in (261.62 x 180.34 x 7.62)

PSA: Wearing Google Glass While Driving is a Moving Violation


350419 google glasses 500x281 PSA: Wearing Google Glass While Driving is a Moving Violation
For those of you who thinking about getting a pair of Google Glass, here's a little PSA for you - wearing Google Glass is just the same as talking on a cell phone in the eyes of the law, and it could lead to being ticketed for "distracted driving" in California. Here's a ticket for proof:
Ticket Google Glass 439x375 PSA: Wearing Google Glass While Driving is a Moving Violation
It appears that Cecilia Abadie got a speeding ticket and using Google Glass was a secondary fine when she was pulled over (if you want to see her post on G+ you can here.). While I can't be sure exactly what law this breaks, the general thought is that the driver may have violated this law:
V C Section 27602 Television

27602. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at a point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is operating and the monitor, screen, or display is visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.
The law goes on to state that exceptions can be made if:
(B) The equipment is designed, operated, and configured in a manner that prevents the driver of the motor vehicle from viewing the television broadcast or video signal while operating the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner.

(6) A mobile digital terminal that is fitted with an opaque covering that does not allow the driver to view any part of the display while driving, even though the terminal may be operating, installed in a vehicle that is owned or operated by any of the following:
According to Abadie's post, the police officer let her know that Glass was blocking her view, which is hard to prove or disprove, and is a judgement call on the officers part. The law states that it applies when the vehicle is not operated in a "safe and reasonable manner," so it's up to the officer's interpretation as to how reasonable it is to use Glass, which rests above the eye and is not distracting according to users. I am sure this will go to court and I hope she does a follow up post on the ruling.
I am very interested to see how it goes.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 vs. Sony Xperia Tablet Z – Video Comparison


tablets Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 vs. Sony Xperia Tablet Z   Video Comparison
PocketNow compares two of the best 10-inch Android tablets available in the market, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 and the Sony Xperia Tablet Z. Which one is better? Check the comparison video after the break.
Which one would you choose? Tell us in the comments below.

Motorola lowers the cost of Moto X Android smartphone $99 or $479

12 500x333 Motorola lowers the cost of Moto X Android smartphone $99 or $479
In what must be an effort to increase the sales of the Moto X smartphone, Motorola has decided to drop the price of the Moto X to $479 off contract or $99 when purchased with a two-year agreement at certain carriers.
The Moto X originally cost $199.99 on a two-year agreement, but the price has been lowered to just $99.99 at AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular, and MotoMaker.com, the website at which AT&T customers can personalize their own MotoMaker colors. The on-contract price drop actually occurred last week but MotoMaker continued to charge the full $599.99 price for the off-contract 16GB version. The website has since been updated to charge just $479 for 16GB or $529.99 for the 32GB model.
Only orders placed through MotoMaker.com will receive the lower off-contract price. AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular will only offer a discount on the contract cost of the Moto X. T-Mobile and Verizon continue to charge full price for the phone and have not applied discounts of any kind.
[VIA]

Samsung expands Galaxy Gear compatibility to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II in the US


GalaxyGear Samsung expands Galaxy Gear compatibility to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II in the US
Samsung has announced that starting today more devices will get the Premium Suite update which adds compatibility with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
The Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S III and the Samsung Galaxy Note II are the first devices that are receiving the update which brings Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, KNOX support and additional features like: updated Easy Mode, Multi Window, advanced camera options, and additional features with new functionality. As always rollout depends on the model of your handset and the carrier, but there are reports that Verizon Galaxy S4 owners are already receiving the update.
The Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega will also receive the update in the coming months.

BlackBerry Z30 to be available exclusively from Verizon in November


blackberry z30 BlackBerry Z30 to be available exclusively from Verizon in November
Verizon has just announced that will exclusively carry the latest BlackBerry smartphone, the BlackBerry Z30.
The BlackBerry Z30 will be available sometime in November (no exact date has been given by Verizon) for $199.99 with a new two-year contract or for $22.91 per month for 24 months (Verizon Edge program).
As a reminder, the BlackBerry Z30 features a 5-inch Super AMOLED HD display, it's powered by a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card, 8-megapixel camera on the back, 2-megapixel front-facing camera, NFC, 2,880mAh battery, wireless charging support and run the latest BlackBerry 10.2 OS.
Are you getting a BlackBerry Z30?

Microsoft Surface 2 – Video Review

surface2 Microsoft Surface 2   Video Review
Last month, Microsoft has announced its 2nd generation Windows RT tablet, the Surface 2. Check the video review after the break.
The Surface 2 will go on sale tomorrow, October 22, in 22 countries. It will be available in two storage options 32GB and 64 GB and will cost (at least in the US) $449 and $549, respectively.
What do you say about the Microsoft Surface 2? Are you getting one?

Sony Xperia Z1S press render leaks, Xperia mini global variant or Z1 for T-Mobile USA?

z1s Sony Xperia Z1S press render leaks, Xperia mini global variant or Z1 for T Mobile USA?
Famous leaker @evleaks on his Twitter account has posted a press render of the Xperia Z1S, entitled "Sony Xperia Z1S, 2013".

There is no other news except the name of the upcoming device, but by the title we can presume that it's a handset that will be released this year.
Earlier this month, Sony has released the Xperia Z1 f for the Japanese market, but will the Xperia Z1S be a global mini variant of the Xperia Z1 or a T-Mobile variant of the latest flagship by Sony? We will find out soon.
What do you say (want)?
via

Flood of Nokia Leaks Come Out Day Before Nokia World


guru 500x198 Flood of Nokia Leaks Come Out Day Before Nokia World
With less than 24 hours till Nokia World there has been a ton of last minute leaks. Here are the biggest ones that just came out all in one place for you. First the picture above is being referred to as a product called "Nokia Guru" this device looks like a Bluetooth headset that pairs via NFC.
1520 tag 500x369 Flood of Nokia Leaks Come Out Day Before Nokia World
Next is this "double leak" confirming two older leaks: Here is the Nokia Six inch phablet Nokia Lumia 1520 with the Bluetooth locator "treasure tag". While I don't know if Nokia will sell many (if any) of the treasure tag accessories it is a nice option to have on a Windows Phone and will help WP devices keep pace with other operating systems.
black crayon with white crayons CB009072 500x318 Flood of Nokia Leaks Come Out Day Before Nokia World
Lastly there is now word that Nokia's Bittersweet Shimmer update will now be called simply "Nokia Black"  which makes much more sense and is easier to remember. Sadly this will be the last Nokia update on any Lumia since Nokia will not make devices after the end of this year.
This will be the last Nokia World ever and it seems that Nokia will be going out with a bang, here is a list of what Nokia could unveil:
  1. Nokia Lumia 1520
  2. Nokia Lumia 2520
  3. Nokia Lumia 1320
  4. Nokia Lumia 525
  5. Nokia Lumia 929
  6. Nokia Asha 500
  7. Nokia Asha 502
  8. Nokia Asha 503
  9. Nokia Music Player
With less than 24 hours to go I can't wait to see what rumors are true, what if anything are you excited for at Nokia world?

Protective cover for the upcoming Nokia Lumia 1520 leaks


cover 500x289 Protective cover for the upcoming Nokia Lumia 1520 leaks
The (last) Nokia World press event is set for tomorrow in Abu Dhabi where the company is expected to announce some Windows Phone smartphones, Asha phones, gadgets and accessories, and among them the star of the show, the 6-inch Lumia 1520.
According to the latest leak, Nokia has plans to announce a protective cover for the Lumia 1520 that will also act as a stand (something similar to Apple's Smart Cover). The cover will be available in multiple color options including red, black and white.
What do you say? Are you getting a cover to protect your Lumia 1520 when released?

10 2013 Rumor: Windows Phones Going “Buttonless” in the Future

buttons windows phone 500x295 Rumor: Windows Phones Going Buttonless in the Future
For a little while there was a hot rumor going around that Microsoft was trying get rid of the back button on it's devices because it was confusing to some consumers. Now word on the street is that Microsoft is trying to get rid of all the buttons and replace them with onscreen buttons to make the devices cheaper for manufacturers to make their devices.
Also this move would give legs to the "dual boot device" rumor since said device would need to have different keys for each OS. I am personally not a great fan of onscreen key on any OS. I have tested a few and the accidental key press rate is extremely high.  However I do know a few people in the industry who swear by them... What your preference?