Charging our iPhones is something that we take for granted. In fact, in a post-iOS 7 world it's something that many of us find ourselves doing much more often than we would like, and that's only going to continue with more and more apps multitasking and asking to keep track of our location in order to offer enhanced functionality. If you've ever used Google Now over an extended period of time on an iPhone, then you'll know what we mean.
Nobody could accuse Microsoft of being on a charm offensive of late. In fact, it's more likely that the finger would be pointed at them for doing the complete opposite after the Redmond firm set about Apple in various Windows RT ads, pitting its own tablet machines against Apple's wildly popular iPads. It seems that Apple's isn't the only one to find itself in the firing line though, after Microsoft apparently decided that if you're going to go toe-to-toe with one huge international technology player, then you might as well go against two.
There's nothing more personal than a private conversation between family members, loved ones or close friends. If you suspect that that privacy is being abused by a friend, college roommate or a work colleague then it's time to either keep a closer eye on where you leave your smartphone, or pick up the PeeperPeeper app from the Play Store and catch them red-handed. The latter seems a lot more fun.
Companies like Apple, Samsung, HTC and Motorola are consistently pushing the boundaries of what we believe is possible with technology, often resulting in more powerful hardware with extended functionality. There's undoubtedly a trade-off that comes hand-in-hand with that level of engineering commitment; an increased specification and feature set invariably means more power drain and a reduced battery life. OnePowerGuard Pro for Android may not be the holy grail of solutions to that issue, but it certainly appears to be one of the most comprehensive offers we have seen yet for rooted Android hardware.
We already heard earlier from Sony's UK chief that the PlayStation 4 will probably not enjoy the kind of longevity of its 7-year-old predecessor, with Fergal Gara noting that the changing ways in which consumers are accessing games and gaming services will dramatically shorten cycles . This is contrary to Microsoft, which believes the Xbox One will last out a decade, but EA Studios executive VP Patrick Söderlund has waded into the argument by suggesting that he expects both the new Xbox One and PlayStation 4 to remain flagship for five to six years.
All respectable soccer fans will have heard of, and played many of the annual FIFA Football (soccer, futbol, or whatever you call it locally) releases over the past couple of decades, and now, the sport's governing body has come through with an official news app. Dedicated to keeping fans in the loop regarding all of the goings on the world of football, it's a free download for those on both iOS and Android, and you can catch all of the relevant details after the jump as well as the direct download links.
There's no doubt that, in line with its continued popularity, Google has done a stellar job in improving its Android mobile operating system, and it is now vastly more functional, aesthetically pleasing and thriving than ever. But the issue of vulnerability and security risk - somewhat unavoidable on an OS boasting tens of millions of users and an open-source ecosystem - simply won't go away, and the latest in a string of issues to have blighted the progress of Google's mobile endeavors, it now seems that Nexus handsets are susceptible to DoS attacks via flash SMS messaging.
The new Touch ID fingerprint sensor mightn't have reached the new iPad Air and Retina iPad mini as some had predicted and hoped, but iPhone 5s users are still getting to grips with what is an exciting implementation. Being a new implementation and all, this learning curve is proving difficult to some, and considering the feature itself is rather unrefined, it's only natural that users should experience a few failed attempts when trying to pass their lock screen using Touch ID. If you're growing a little frustrated by the sensor's inability to read your fingerprint in a timely manner, neat little trick published over at the Huff Post could help make Touch ID just that little bit more efficient. Details, as ever, can be found after the fold.
At the moment, cricket fans are in the midst of a key period in the cricketing calendar, especially those from England and Australia as both nations battle it out in the Ashes tour. It stands to reason at a time like this, that cricket fans will be more inclined to play cricket games as the excitement of the series takes hold, and naturally, developers have obliged. But 505 Games, the company behind the Steam title Ashes Cricket 2013, must have gotten a little too caught up in the hype, for the game is so bad and unplayable, that the plug has been pulled on the game completely. It gets better, though, for while games being cancelled is just part and parcel of the business, Ashes Cricket 2013 has already been released!
Microsoft's Surface RT has not been the most successful of tablets since its release late last year, and although a myriad of factors have contributed to its shortcoming in the market, the fact is that tens of thousands of units remain unsold. As such, Microsoft has already dropped the price on a couple of occasions to try and boost sales, but with today being Black Friday and all, Micro Center has come through with an exceptional deal offering both the Surface RT and a Touch Cover for just $179.
