Apple may have enjoyed a successful 2013 with the iPhone 5s in particular, smashing first-weekend sales records for a smartphone, but even with the impressive number of units shifted, the Cupertino company only has to look at BlackBerry or Nokia for a reminder of where complacency can lead. Thus, with the dust having settled on that major smartphone release, Tim Cook's men are out to discover how iPhone buyers feel about their purchase, specific features like Touch ID, as well as rivaling products like Android. Taking the form of a rather long survey, it looks as though the fruit company is seeking thorough, enlightening feedback in its quest for an even more fruitful 2014.
Wireless charging may be a standard feature with many of the mobile industry's top smartphones, but if you happen to be in ownership of Samsung's Galaxy S4, you'll know that the device does not support it out of the box. But if you are happily wielding your Galaxy S4 and would love the option / convenience of wireless charging, you'll be pleased to learn that the official S-View Flip cover has your back. It costs $69.99, which isn't bad for a stylish all-rounder, and the added extra of inductive charging is simply the icing on the cake.
I use the HTC One and iPhone 5s on a daily basis, and although there are other nice-looking handsets on the market, the general consensus is that these are two of the most beautiful currently available. But while the Apple flagship is merely four months old, the One is heading towards the latter stages of its tenure, and consumers are already eagerly waiting to see what's next from the Taiwanese company. A few rumors have been floating about with nothing really set in stone as yet, but a new HTC One M8 concept dreamt up by Google+ user Nikolai Prettner has well and truly blown us away. Check it out after the break!
We've already witnessed Apple make some significant changes to how iOS looks and feels, but we could also see Samsung following closely behind. The South Korean company is rumored to be planning big things for 2014, which will inevitably result in a number of new product releases, the first of which will be the Galaxy S5, and is rumored to be introduced to the market on February 23rd.
Aside from the Apple iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy S series is easily the most talked-about smartphone on the market, and according to a new report, the Galaxy S5, which is due to be released at some point this year, will follow its Cupertino-made competitor by including a fingerprint scanner. The Touch ID feature, while not heavily lauded, has been adjudged by most to be a solid, worthy addition to the Apple iPhone 5s, and with Samsung always looking to expand and improve its roster with new and exciting marquee features, it would seem that the Korean company's next flagship will arrive with its own fingerprint-detecting technology.
Google Glass is still trying to creep its way into the public mindset rather than simply living on the periphery of the technology circle. While we're still quite a way away from seeing people walking down the street while donning Google's epic specs, some rather surprising companies are starting to take notice of the technology.
A Californian woman found herself the subject of litigation and national attention after having been caught and handed over ticket for driving whilst using Google’s Glass, but despite not being punished by court, the law remains ambiguous as to whether drivers can wear the search giant’s face computer. 42-year-old Cecilia Abadie shared the news of her now-revoked ticket via social media, but while she has been let off by judge for driving 85mph in her Toyota Prius while wearing Glass, it remains to be seen whether the act of using Glass while driving is actually against the law.
According to a report from Bloomberg, HTC is working on an updated and refreshed version of its flagship One handset. The Taiwanese electronics manufacturer released the device in the spring of last year to much critical acclaim, and with the shelf life of most smartphones now seldom exceeding the twelve month mark, the company is looking to consolidate its re-emergence amongst the big boys in the mobile market.
We may be waiting for Samsung to share its vision for the Galaxy S5, but that isn't stopping people from coming up with their own concepts of what the next big thing from the company will be like. The latest concept comes from Rozetked, with the idea being that the new handset would be some sort of amalgamation between an iPhone 5s and whatever Samsung has up its sleeve for the next Galaxy phone.
Android has many advantages over its competitors that we don’t see anywhere else, one of them being the ability for users to change default apps for various actions, including something as basic as text messaging. It was due to the limitations and poorly-designed interface of the native Messaging app for Android that alternatives like Handcent and GO SMS Pro became so popular.
