The Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 may have given us a fairly exciting start to 2014's major smartphone release schedule, but there's still a great deal more to come, and in a follow up to last year's impressive G2, LG Electronics looks to be pulling out all of the stops to impress consumers with its successor. From what we've heard up until now, it's going to be a real humdinger, and according to the latest report on the handset, it might even be the first smartphone to pack laser autofocus.
For a while now, it has been rumored that Microsoft would be coming through with a new version of Windows 8.1. The cheaper edition would offer a more bare-bones experience, it was thought, and now, we finally have some details thanks to an official announcement. The new SKU is called Windows 8.1 with Bing, and offers a stripped-down experience that will pave the way for a band of significantly cheaper Windows 8.1 tablets.
After the Galaxy S comes the inevitable arrival of the Galaxy Note, and with Samsung having already taken the wraps off the Galaxy S5 - to much critical acclaim, might I add - industry insiders now reckon they have the scoop on the Galaxy Note 4's announcement date.
If there's one thing that the App Store has done, it's own the door to all kinds of strange apps and games. Some have turned out to be real jewels, while others have simply fallen by the wayside after being found out to be a little too odd for their own good. We've not at all sure which side of that very thin fence this game will fall, but we think we might have an idea.
Touch-screen phones are great, but sometimes there is just no substitute for a good old hardware solution. Being able to have a button that's always available, and always does the same thing is not something that should be overlooked, and that's why there are more than a few Kickstarter projects aiming to bring a little more physicality to our touch-based world.
This year, Apple is expected to finally take the wraps off the elusive iWatch, which will compete with the likes of the Pebble and Samsung's multitude of wearables already on the market. Add the fact that Google has just showcased the Android Wear dev kit, and you feel that it's perhaps even crucial that Apple does finally cave so as not to allow rivals to get a significant advantage. But actually, the iWatch wouldn't be the first time the Cupertino's designers dreamed up a watch bearing the famed logo, as this very intriguing throwback from the eighties demonstrates.
Last week, we reported on the culture of fake iOS device chargers, along with the potential perils of using them. As some folks have learned, saving a few bucks can often cost hundreds in repairs for broken devices and also damage caused by subsequent fires and minor explosions as the shoddy build quality shows its true colors. Here, we show you how to spot a phony, and also, what you should do next if your charger is a potentially dangerous copy.
If you're trying to find some decent apps, the chances are you're looking for both quality and value. Many apps out there are available for free, but by and large, the very best ones are paid, and so almost by default, those that temporarily ditch their price tag are often worth considering. Here, we run through a list of some of our favorite apps gone free for free on iOS, and if you like a freebie, be sure to join us after the leap.
When it comes to mobile data plans, most of us are tethered to some kind of contract, and if you want a half-decent smartphone thrown into the bargain, these monthly agreements can prove costly. FreedomPop has long since sought to shake the market up by offering basic smartphones for a one-off fee, and continued monthly minutes, texts and data for free. More recently, the company has opened its doors to the more lucrative iPhone range, and now, last year's flagship Galaxy S4 from Samsung has also been added to the ever-growing roster.
Amazon has been leading the way on the freebie front just lately, and now comes arguably one of the best deals we've seen yet. For downloading five designated free apps from the Amazon Appstore, you can accrue 1000 Amazon Coins, which, in turn, equates to $10 to spend on any app or in-app purchase you like!
