Microsoft has confirmed that it has purchased the mobile
unit from Nokia at a price of 5.4bn Euros ($7.2bn; £4.6bn). Nokia will also transfer
all relevant patents to Microsoft. Both
companies have confirmed that the deal would be finalized in early 2014, when
about 32,000 Nokia employees will transfer to Microsoft. The approval of the
share holders is also important for this transfer.
Nokia is struggling in facing a hard competition from
Samsung and Apple in the market these days. Steve Ballmer the head of Microsoft
is hoping the best for both companies and its staff.
Microsoft is also facing challenges
from smart phones and tablets these days.The future will prove that either this action is good or bad
for both the companies.
The
Famous Japanese Electronic Company Sony announced the releasing of its latest
console Play Station 4. This gaming machine will be available on 15th
of September 2013 in North America and on 29th of September in
Europe.
The
associate editor of the computer and video games website Mr Rob Crossly said
that Sony have done remarkable improvement before the launching of Play Station
4 but currently they don’t have an outstanding and amazing game. Sony has already
more than a million orders from around the world. The new gaming machine will
be available in 32 countries during the Christmas season.
Sony
also announced decrease in the prices of memory cards and its hand held game Vita.
The Wi-Fi version of this game is available now on €199.
Sony's
PlayStation 4 was announced in February 2013 with some hardware specifications
but not much else. Fully unveiled at E3 2013, the Playstation4 is Sony's
attempt at a gaming focused console, rather than one that tries to be a media
center. Based on a "supercharged PC architecture," with an X86
processor, enhanced PC-style GPU, and 8GB of GDDR5 unified high-speed memory,
the PS4 is slightly more powerful than the Xbox One, despite its apparently
smaller size. In February 2013 Sony announced the price of its Play Station 4
$399.
Hardware
The PlayStation 4, as you'd expect for a seven-years-later follow-up, has
impressively bumped specs:
Ethernet,
HDMI, Bluetooth 2.1, optical audio and analog AV out
The PS4 will use a 500GB hard drive for storage; the
same as the Xbox One. The specs overall match that of a modern PC with
integrated AMD processors and graphics, or so it seems. It's not a particularly
stunning set of specs for a PC, but it's far ahead of any existing game
console. It's just not as ahead-of-its-time on the hardware end as the original
PlayStation 3 seemed to be.
Immediacy of response reducing lag time while
accessing content is also one of the promised PS4 features (unlike the
extremely laggy Wii U, perhaps). The PS4 will allow speedy background
downloading, and Sony claims that games will even be playable as they're being
downloaded.
(Credit:
Sarah Tew/CNET)
Yes, the PS4 will have a Blu-ray drive that can also
play DVDs. The PS4 will also have three USB 3.0 ports, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and
Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI, Analog AV-out, and optical digital audio output.
What about PS3 games playing on the PS4? Sony has so
far discussed PlayStation 3 gameplay on the PS4 under the same umbrella as
playing PlayStation 1 and PS 2 games, via a digital library in a
yet-to-be-determined PlayStation Cloud Service. Whether this would be
accomplished via streaming, digital downloads, or emulation wasn't specified,
but it sounds like Sony's answer to the Virtual Console.
Apple made the screen bigger last time. Is an even bigger iPhone on the way?
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 5,
the reaction was a bit muted: where previous phones were massive leaps
forward, the iPhone 5 was a bit longer and a lot easier to scratch.
So
what can we expect from the next iPhone, the iPhone 6 or 5S? Let's see
what we can glean from the varying sources of the internet - some
reliable, some not so much. But when might the iPhone 6 release date
even be?
One thing is for sure, with the release of such super handsets as the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z and HTC One, the next iPhone will have to seriously up its game.
iPhone 6 and the iPhone 5S are two different phones
The rumour mill doesn't seem too sure whether the next iPhone is going to be the iPhone 5S
or the iPhone 6. Given the iPhone's history - from the 3G onwards,
there's always been a half-step S model before the next numbered iPhone -
we'd bet on an iPhone 5S first and an iPhone 6 a while later.
However, in May 2013 Stuff reported
it received a photo of the till system at a Vodafone UK store (which it
has since removed along with the reference to Vodafone), with '4G
iPhone 6' listed. Interesting.
It's been suggested that there could even be three size variants of the new iPhone - check out these mocked up images by artist Peter Zigich. He calls the handsets iPhone 6 Mini, iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 XL.
Could we see both an iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 this year? Some reports suggest a new 5S in the middle part of the year before a revamped iPhone 6 towards the end of the year or very early in 2014.
iPhone 6 release date
Many pundits predict a summer
iPhone 6 release date. It's quite likely that Apple is moving to a
two-phones-per-year upgrade cycle, but we'd bet on a springtime 5S model
and a bigger, iPhone 6, update in the Autumn, probably September. Digitimes reckons
predicts a summertime reveal for Apple's next generation phones, which
again fits with a WWDC unveiling. In May it became clear that US carrier
Verizon introduced an iPhone 5 price cut of as much as $100 USD. Reports in April
also suggested that Foxconn has added as many as 10,000 assembly line
workers per week to its Zhengzhou plant as it readies itself for the
iPhone 6 release date.
But Jefferies analyst Peter Misek reckons we'll see an iPhone 5S first, with a June 2014 release for the iPhone 6. Citi's Glen Yeung also believes that we won't see an iPhone 6 or cheap iPhone until 2014. Apple may have a new roadmap, with new phones every spring and autumn
iPhone 6 casing
Multiple rumours say
Apple's working on plastic cases for its next iPhone, mixing plastic
and metal in such a way that "the internal metal parts [are] able to be
seen from outside through special design." Could these images from Apple.pro be a new iPhone 6 complete with plastic casing? The cynic inside us says no, but you never know...
It's
unclear whether such cases would be for the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, or
if Apple is simply considering making cheaper iPhone 4s to sell when the
iPhone 3GS reaches the end of its life.
Speaking in March 2013, a KGI analyst said
it believed Apple would turn to manufacturer Pegatron to make up to 75
per cent of low cost iPhone products. Indeed, rumours in early June 2013
pointed at a $399 price point for the cheap iPhone 6. Pretty, yes, but also horrifically scratch-prone. Will your next iPhone have a plastic back?
The iPhone 6 will finally do NFC
That's what iDownloadblog reckons, quoting Jefferies analyst Peter Misek: it'll have a better battery too, he says. Many Android phones now boast NFC.
PayPal's chief information security officer, Michael Barrett said this during a recent keynote speech: "There is going to be a fingerprint enabled phone on the market later this year," he said. "Not just one, multiple."
Could this be inside the iPhone 6?
See our video below on what Apple needs to do to slay Samsung's Galaxy S4
The iPhone 6 will run iOS 7
iOS 7 has been announced at WWDC 2013.
It's a radical overhaul of the OS, especially in terms of the design
which has fundamentally changed and is far flatter and more
Android-like. There are rounded icons, striking colours and a stark
font. There are new features, of course, such as Control Center, AirDrop
and iTunes Radio.
We're expecting a September or October release date for iOS 7 in line with previous releases. iOS 7: what do you think?
iPhone 6 storage
We've already seen a 128GB iPad, so why not a 128GB iPhone 6? Yes, it'll cost a fortune, but high-spending early adopters love this stuff.
iPhone 6 home button
According to Business Insider,
of the many iPhone 6 prototypes Apple has made, one has a giant Retina+
IGZO display and a "new form factor with no home button. Gesture
control is also possibly included" - more on that shortly. Mind you, it
was mooted that Apple would dump the home button in time for iPhone 5,
but it never happened.
iPhone 6 screen
The Retina+ Sharp IGZO display, would have
a 1080p Full HD resolution. It's also been widely reported that Apple
could introduce two handset sizes as it seeks to compete with the
plethora of Android devices now on the market.
Take this one with a pinch of salt, because China Times isn't always right: it reckons the codename iPhone Math,
which may be a mistranslation of iPhone+, will have a 4.8-inch display.
The same report suggests that Apple will release multiple handsets
throughout the year over and above the iPhone 5S and 6, which seems a
bit far-fetched to us.
Patents show that Apple has been thinking about magical morphing technology that can hide sensors and even cameras. Will it make it into the iPhone 6? Probably not.
Could the touch screen even be transparent? Emirates 24/7
sin't the first source we'd turn to for bone fide rumours about a new
smartphone, but it claims that an ultra-sensitive transparent
touchscreen will make it into iPhone 6. The site also believes the
display will be made by Sharp, which wouldn't be so surprising. One
thing's for sure - a potential wraparound screen is probably a pipedream.
Jefferies analyst Peter Misek also says he believes the new iPhone will have a bigger screen. Different sizes also seem rather likely to us - the word on the street after WWDC 2013 was that there would be 4.7 and 5.7-inch versions. You'll probably still be able to see the camera lens in the iPhone 6
iPhone 6 processor
Not
a huge surprise, this one: the current processor is a dual-core A6, and
the next one will be a quad-core A7. The big sell here is more power
with better efficiency, which should help battery life.
Expect to see it in the 2013 iPad first, and expect to see an improved A6 processor, the A6X, in the iPhone 5S.
iPhone 6 camera
Apple's bought camera sensors from Sony before, and this year we're going to see a new, 13-megapixel sensor that takes up less room without compromising image quality. An Apple patent,
uncovered by Apple Insider in May 2013, shows a system where an iPhone
can remotely control other illuminating devices - extra flashes. It
would work in a similar manner to that seen in professional photography
studios. Interesting stuff. Will the iPhone 6 be handy for pro photographers? [Image credit: Apple Insider]
iPhone 6 eye tracking
One
thing seems certain - Apple can't ignore the massive movement towards
eye-tracking tech from other vendors, especially Samsung. It seems a
shoe-in that Apple will deliver some kind of motion tech within the next iPhone, probably from uMoove.
The new iPhone will have better 4G LTE
On
its UK launch, just one UK network had 4G LTE: Everything Everywhere,
which currently offers 4G on the 1800MHz band. In 2013, all the other
big names will be coming on board, offering 4G in other frequency bands.
International iPhones already work across different 4G bands to the UK,
so you can expect the UK iPhone 6 (and possibly the iPhone 5S) to be
more promiscuous than the iPhone 5.
By the time the iPhone 6 emerges, iOS devices should also have "nonclassified communication approval" status from the US FCC, which means they won't need to go through a lengthy approval process.
iPhone 6 Wi-Fi may be 802.11ac
Apple likes to lead Wi-Fi standards adoption - its Airport really helped make Wi-Fi mainstream - and there's a good chance we'll see ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi in Apple kit this year. It's faster than Lighting, and not very frightening.
iPhone 6 wireless charging
Wireless charging still isn't mainstream. Could Apple help give it a push? CP Tech reports
that Apple has filed a patent for efficient wireless charging, but then
again Apple has filed patents for pretty much anything imaginable.
The tasty bit of this particular patent is that Apple's tech wouldn't just charge one device, but multiple ones. Here are more details on the iPhone 6 wireless charging patent.
Meanwhile, a further Apple patent seems to imply that future iPhones will be able to adjust volume as you move them away from your ear.
And could the iPhone 6 really have 3D? It's unlikely, but the rumours keep on coming.
Samsung is about to launch its latest model mini
model Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini 19190. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has already made its
reputation in the world of smart phones. The Samsung Galaxy S4 has the latest
technology and has every feature a user can wish. The new Samsung Galaxy S4
Mini 19190 has the following features.
· 2.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini 19190 has 4.3
inch super AMOLD display.
· 3.
1.7 GHz Dual Core processer and 1.5 GB
Ram
· 4.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini 19190 comes with
8 GB internal Memory (5GB User Available).
· 5.
S4 Mini is with 8 MP rear facing and 2.1
MP front camera.
· 6.
It has weight of 107 grams having metallic
rim.
· 7.
Its dimension is 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9 mm
· 8.
It has 2 GB RAM (LTE model) and it
supports a micro SD card up to 64 GB
· 9.
It has Bluetooth, LE, EDR, USB, WLAN
(wi-Fi 802.00a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, WiFi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot,, GPRS class
12, EDGE, 3G, LTE, Cat3, 50 Mbps UL, 100 Mbps DL
· 10.
Its Display size is 540 x 960 pixels,
4.3 inches with Sensors including Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity and Compass.
· 11.
It has an HTML 5 Browser.
· 12.
It comes in White Frost and Black Mist
colors.
· 13.
It has Stereo FM Radio with RDS, 3.5mm
audio jack, Mp4, Mp3, SNS integration, You Tube, Google Talk, Picasa
Integration, Games (Built in + Downloadable)
The Samsung Galaxy S4 has
recently hit the shelves worldwide and attention is already turning
towards the Samsung Galaxy S5 and what the phone will offer. Many of
you would no doubt like to have some input into what you think Samsung
should bring to the Galaxy S5 and you now have an opportunity to say
what you’d like to see in a dream version of the device. Some of you may remember that last year designer Bob Freking issued a video
asking people what they would like to see for the Galaxy S4 and after
plenty of input from enthusiasts he then came up with a trailer concept
for the Galaxy S4 that amalgamated all of these ideas. It was a great
experiment and Freking has now decided give it another go, this time for
the Samsung Galaxy S5. Freking feels that Samsung didn’t fulfill some of the opportunities for the Galaxy S4
that no doubt many people would like to see on the Galaxy S5 and also
wants some new ideas for the dream Galaxy S5 concept. He’s come up with
a tantalizing image asking what you’d like to see for the Galaxy S5 in
2014 and wants your participation with suggestions of specs and features
as well as the design. If the same happens as with Freking’s Galaxy S4 concept, ideas for
the S5 will flood in, and then Freking will create the dream Galaxy S5
to tease us while we wait for the real deal. Freking feels that many
would have liked an aluminum build for the Galaxy S4, as well as a
better camera for low-light conditions and also suggests that maybe
there were too many gimmicks, so what would you like to see for the S5?
Take a look at Freking’s new YouTube video below this story where he asks directly for input for his Samsung Galaxy S5
dream phone. We’d love to hear your ideas too. Maybe you’d like more
RAM, camera OIS or even more internal storage? Let us know what you’d
like for the Galaxy S5 in the way of design, specs and features by
sending us your comments as this is something we’re really interested to
hear.
1. Pay down credit-card debt. Paying
off a balance with an 13% interest rate (the average on fixed-rate
cards now) is like earning 13% on your investments -- an incredibly
valuable use of the money. And once you pay off your credit-card debt,
you can start using that money to build your retirement savings.
2. Boost your 401(k) contributions.
If you have an extra $1,040 to spare, then put that money to work for
you in your retirement account. You'll really benefit if your employer
matches your contributions. Investing an extra $86.67 a month (which is
what $1,040 breaks down to over 12 months) in a 401(k) over 20 years
costs you $20,801, but after two decades the account balance will be
$49,632, assuming an 8% annual return and a 25% tax bracket. And that's
with no company match. After factoring in the 25% tax savings, since the
investment was with pretax dollars, the real cost to you is just
$15,601. So you effectively triple your money in 20 years. Use our Power of Boosting 401(k) Contributions calculator to see how additional contributions to your account can add up over time.
3. Open a Roth IRA. If
you're already maxing out your retirement account at work, contribute
to a Roth IRA. If you invest $86.67 every month in a fund that earns a
7% annual return, in 30 years you’ll have nearly $106,000. And you can
withdraw your earnings tax-free after you turn 59½. For 2013, you may
contribute to a Roth if your modified adjusted gross income is less than
$127,000 if you're single ($188,000 for couples who file jointly).
4. Increase mortgage payments.
A little extra goes a long way. A $200,000 mortgage at 4% over 30 years
works out to a monthly payment of about $955 (excluding taxes and
insurance). You'll pay nearly $144,000 in interest alone. But put an
extra $86.67 a month toward the same mortgage and you'll save almost
$24,000 in interest and retire the loan four-and-a-half years early.
5. Invest in a taxable account.
You might want to use the money to buy stocks or shares of mutual funds
outside of your retirement account. If you invest $86.67 a month for 20
years in stocks or mutual funds with a 7% annual return, you'll have
nearly $42,000. Spend that same amount on lottery tickets each month for
20 years, and you will have shelled out $20,800.
The good:The Samsung Galaxy S4
has Android 4.2.2, a fantastic camera, a powerful quad-core processor,
and software solutions for just about every scenario -- including
working as a TV/DVR remote. It's also comfortable in hand and has NFC, a
user-replaceable battery, and a microSD storage slot.
The bad:Its
screen is dimmer than competitors', its plastic design gives it a
cheaper look than its rivals, and we found the Galaxy S4's power button
turned on at undesirable times. Not all camera modes work as promised,
and a long list of software features can quickly overwhelm and confuse.
The bottom line:Its
laundry list of features require time and effort to truly master, but
the Galaxy S4 is the top choice for anyone looking for a big-screen,
do-everything smartphone.
