The Lumia 630 Leaked With A Lot Of Errors.

There have been leaks showing the front of the Nokia Lumia 630(aka Moneypenny), but a complete view of the Windows Phone 8.1 hardware has been elusive... until now. Frequent tipster @evleaks has posted an apparent press shot revealing the back of the bright-hued device, and it suggests that the 630 will represent a sharp break from the designs of the Lumia 620and 625. There's no camera key or flash, for a start -- mobile photography fans may want to give this phone a pass. We also see hints of a flatter, more X-like body. There aren't any fresh clues as to when the 630 might launch, although we're not expecting to see it until sometime after the official unveiling of Windows Phone 8.1, which may take place in April.

The Galaxy S5's Camera Can Refocus After Taking A Picture.

Samsung has never been a leader when it comes to smartphone cameras but with the Galaxy S5, it's taken a step forward.
It has nothing to do with megapixels—instead it's all about that weird-sounding feature called "phase-detect" autofocus, which allows the camera to focus in just .3 seconds. Samsung claims that's the fastest in the world, and it could seriously change how you use the camera.
We've tested basically every smartphone camera, and it's astounding how quickly their quality has been improving over the years. Low-light quality has never been better, and in recent years, the megapixel counts have been soaring, without seeing any of the corresponding loss in image quality you'd expect.
One thing we haven't heard a lot of—but you can expect to now—is claims about how fast a camera is. Think about how important speed is. If your buddy slips and falls embarrassingly, you want to be able to whip out your camera and snap the picture as quickly as possible, before the shock leaves their faces and they've got time to recover. You want to get the hilarious agony of the moment.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a higher resolution camera 16 megapixel camera, but what's really important, is that as far as we can tell (tell us if we're wrong!), it's the first camera on a smartphone to use phase-detect autofocus. Traditionally, digital cameras that don't have a mirrorbox—IE, point-and-shoots and mirrorless cameras—use contrast detection autofocus. In this method, the contrast between nearby pixels is measured, and the camera's lens is adjusted until this contrast is maximized. This system has a lot of drawbacks: It's coarse, it's slow, and more importantly in situations where there's not a lot of contrast (or light) in a scene to begin with, it doesn't work very well.
Phase detection autofocus was commonly used on SLR cameras with mirrors, but it's only recently started trickling into mirroless cameras over the last couple of years, as part of the "hybrid" systems that enable shooters like the Sony A6000to focus crazy fast. The contrast detect autofocus gets you close, but the fine adjustment is performed by phase detection which compares the actual light received by the sensors, rather than just the contrast.
In the real-world, you can't underestimate the important of shooting with a fast AF system. It's one of the most important features we test when we're reviewing cameras. You're probably familiar with the experience of a camera that "hunts" for focus—moving in and out of clarity until it settles on the best spot You've also probably noticed the frustration that occurs when you've got an autofocus hunts and then settles on a spot that's totally wrong, as if it just gave up. The new phase detection will help remedy some of this frustration.
Or rather itshouldhelp, assuming it works properly. We'll have to wait and see how well this new phase detection works on the camera when we've had the chance to test it out in real life.

Original Story Found On Gizmodo

Nokia's Android May Be Released Before The End Of The Month.

If you're eager to get an officially sanctioned glimpse at Nokia's rumored Android cellphone, you may not have to wait long. Sources speaking to theWall Street Journal claimthat Nokia will unveil the low-end handset, currently nicknamed Normandy, at Mobile World Congress later this month. The tipsters haven't shed new light on the hardware itself, but they support beliefs that the device's customized interface will revolve around Microsoft and Nokia services while stripping out Google content. If the leak is accurate, Microsoft may be in an awkward position once it closes its acquisition of Nokia's phone business-- it might have to sell a phone using the very platform it has been trying to destroy.

With an Android search update, you can tell your phone to 'call Mom'

One of Siri's cleverer tricks is its support for terms of endearment -- you can tell an iPhone to "call Mom" rather than saying your mother's name every time. Today, that handy shortcut is reaching Android through a Google search update.

You can now rely on shorthand when using the search app to call or text family members. If you haven't already established the appropriate relationship in your contacts, Android will ask you to clear things up. The feature is already live, so you can test it out right away -- we're sure your folks would be glad to hear from you.

'Flappy Bird' flies again: Play the game online

"Flappy Bird" fans, have no fear -- your favorite app has found a new nest.
Gamers cried fowl when the creator of the highly addictive mobile app "Flappy Bird" plucked the game from the App Store and Google Play, saying his creation "ruin[ed] [my] simple life."
Buttoucanplay at this game -- there are alternatives scattered like bird seed all over the Internet.
A variety of websites now host the popular game online (most likely without permission from the original designer). "Flappy Bird" still flies at sites like F lappybirds.com,  FlappyBird.com, Flappybird.io ... the list goes on and on.
"Don't worry we are not going anywhere," F lappybirds.com reads. "Play Flappy Bird online for free! No longer available in the app store."
But if you're looking for a mobile gaming experience, you're out of luck unless you're willing to lay out more than $100,000.
An iPhone 4s loaded with "Flappy Bird" is listed on eBay for $134,295. That makes the iPhone 5s with the game for $99,999 look cheap.
The game was downloaded more than 50 million times on App Store alone. In an interview with The Verge website, creator Nguyen Ha Dong said "Flappy Bird" was making $50,000 a day in advertising revenue.
On Twitter he didn't address allegations that the number of downloads had been inflated, but denied suggestions he was withdrawing the game because it breached another game maker's copyright.
"It is not anything related to legal issues. I just cannot keep it anymore," he wrote.

EX NOKIA EMPLOYEES LAUNCH SMARTPHONE-JOLLA

Jolla phoneThe Jolla smartphone is based on software Nokia abandoned in 2011
A team of ex-Nokia employees has released the first handset running on a new smartphone platform.

The Jolla phone - pronounced Yol-la - is powered by open-source operating system Sailfish, but can run most apps designed for Google's Android platform.

The company has paired with a major Finnish network, and hopes to set up a similar deal with a UK operator.

Industry analysts said Jolla faced a challenge in taking on a market dominated by Google and Apple.

Just 450 Jolla phones will be available at launch on Wednesday evening, with the majority going to customers who have pre-ordered the device.

Co-founder Marc Dillon told the BBC the company was in the process of ramping up manufacturing.

He said the phone's ethos was to provide a more "open" approach to how people used their mobiles, a contrast to the relatively closed systems used on the iPhone and, to a lesser extent, Android devices.
There's different opportunities for people to get apps form different places, different stores," he said.

"We've created a world-class platform. Users will be getting more choice."




Dumped OS

The platform - originally called MeeGo - was developed by Nokia, but dumped in 2011 in favour of the company adopting the Windows Phone system.

Nokia released just one handset running the software, the N9-00.

Antti Saarnio, chairman and co-founder of Jolla, told the BBC in May that MeeGo - now called Sailfish - had not been given enough chance to succeed.

"Everybody felt so strongly that they wanted to continue," he said.

Large parts of the Sailfish code were open-source, which meant anyone could expand and adapt the platform, Mr Dillon said.

"We are ramping up our Jolla community right now.

"There's already a Sailfish website so that developers can come and contribute."

David v Goliath

According to CCS Insight, 81% of smartphones shipped globally from July to September ran Google's Android software. Apple's iOS accounted for 13%.

Smaller players such as Blackberry, Microsoft and Mozilla made up the numbers.

Analyst Geoff Blaber, from CCS, said while it might seem Jolla was taking on an impossibly large challenge by trying to muscle in, its strategy could pay off.

It's easy to characterise this as David v Goliath," he told the BBC. "But the fact is if Jolla can maintain a competitive cost base, there is already an enthusiast base seeking this product. It could be successful."

But Mr Blaber added the handset was a means to an end, and that Jolla's long-term strategy was to create a operating system it could licence to other manufacturers.

"This is the challenge," he said.

"At the moment we have a situation where Android is utterly dominant. They've got to prove the software is competitive and it works."

Jolla may also be buoyed by support in its home country as a result of Microsoft's planned buy-out of Nokia.

Jolla co-founder Mr Dillion said he was getting "stopped everywhere I go".

"We're not trying to piggy-back, but we have seen a bump," said Mr Dillon. "We've had a lot of support in Finland."

Mr Blaber added: "This is the 'what might have been' scenario had Nokia not gone down the Microsoft road with Windows Phone."

GTA San Andreas Coming To Android and iOs

Rockstar has just announced the mobile version of the critically acclaimed GTA San Andreas game. The game will be released on Android( both Google and Amazon appstore), iOS and Windows Phone in december. Pricing and specific release date are yet to be disclosed.

Rockstar has already released GTA III and Vice City for mobile devices so it was only a matter of time before San Andreas followed suit. The Studio promises remastered graphics, new touch controls, new checkpoints and suppory for third party controllers, Personally I can't wait to get my hands on it.

----------
Have something to add? Share it in the comments

BLACKBERRY SHAKES UP SENIOR MANAGEMENT

The firm's chief financial officer, Brian Bidulka, will be replaced by James Yersh who has previously served as controller and head of compliance.

The chief marketing officer and chief operating officer will leave the firm with no replacements announced.

This comes just weeks after the firm appointed a new interim chief executive as it shelved a plan to sell itself.

Blackberry named John Chen as the interim chief executive officer as it announced it had abandoned a planned sale to its biggest shareholder, Fairfax Financial Holdings.

The management changes are the first major move made by Mr Chen.

'Working more closely'

Blackberry once dominated the smartphone market, but has seen its fortunes dwindle in recent years,

It has been hurt by the success and popularity of smartphones launched by rivals such as Apple and Samsung. Its attempts to boost its market share have not yielded the desired results.

In September, it reported a net loss of $965m (£597m) for the second quarter, blaming poor sales of its new smartphone, the Z10.

The firm has also announced a plan to cut 4,500 jobs, or 40% of its workforce, to reverse the giant losses.

Mr Chen said the management changes were aimed at refining the company's strategy "to ensure we deliver the best devices, mobile security and device management".

"I look forward to working more directly with the talented teams of engineers, and the sales and marketing teams around the world to facilitate the BlackBerry turnaround and to drive innovation," he added.

The Brand New Gold HTC 1

HTC recently revealed their Gold plated Htc 1.

It has the same specs as its predessor, i doubt if it was upgraded to Kitkat. It was released as a marketing ploy just like Apple released their gold plated iPhone 5s which recorded a lot of profit 2 months ago.

But don't be dissuaded, its a great smartphone with sn awesome camera with a unique user friendly intrface. But not such a great price

----------
Have something to add? Share it in the comments

Should We Realy Be Allowed To Use Our Phones During Flights?

Commercial air travel is already filled with annoyances like shrinking personal space, overpriced meals and frequent delays. For many people, there's one bright spot to flying: A forced break from making, receiving and hearing phone calls. That could change with the Federal Communication Commissions new proposal to drop the ban on cellular connections and allow phone calls once a plane reaches 10,000 feet. The FCC first pitched the idea in 2004, before the rise of the smartphone. The reaction from passengers and flight attendant unions at the time was loud and negative: phone calls on planes would be disruptive, annoying and a potential safety issue. The FCC decided against the proposal. Now people are more attached to their tablets and smartphones. So much so that they rebelled against the ban on using small electronic devices such as phones, tablets and e-readers during takeoff and landing. After reviewing safety issues, the FAA and airlines finally gave in this month and relaxed restrictions. An unpopular idea Quietly playing games or reading e-books on a tablet or phone is one thing, but chatting away mid-flight doesn't seem to be as in demand. In a survey of 1,600 adults by an advisory group, the FAA found that 61% of people supported a ban on making calls while in the air. "I'm definitely against it," said Spud Hilton, travel editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. "People would be carrying on loud, full-voiced conversations right next to someone who doesn't want to hear it." The Association of Flight Attendants, the world's largest union of flight attendants, came out against the idea on Thursday, citing safety and security concerns. "In far too many operational scenarios, passengers making phone calls could extend beyond a mere nuisance, creating negative effects on aviation safety and security that are great and far too risky," the AFA said in a statement.Brett Snyder, who blogs about the airline industry on C rankyflier.com, agrees with lifting the restriction and thinks each airline should be allowed to set its own policy. "The public in the U.S. seems to be strongly against cell phones on airplanes, but let the airlines make the decision on whether or not they want to move forward and allow it," said Snyder. Keeping the peace Cell phones could cause friction between passengers who want to talk and passengers who would prefer peace and quiet. They would introduce yet another behavior flight attendants would have to police. "We're trained to de-escalate. Why would you put something in the environment that can escalate?" said Veda Shook, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants. Shook has worked as a flight attendant for the past 22 years. "The idea potentially introduces yet another stress factor into an already stressful environment," said airline pilot Patrick Smith of A skThePilot.com. The stress is made worse by tight quarters. When taking a phone call in public, it's good etiquette to keep 10 feet away from other people, protocol expert Pamela Eyring told Reuters. It's not even possible to get 10 inches of space on an airplane, where economy class seats are typically 17 to 18 inches wide and each seat is butted up against the one next to it. One option is for the FCC and airlines to allow cell phone use and hope that passengers act responsibly and only make calls when necessary and speak in a quiet voice. Unfortunately, the firsthand experience of flight attendants, frequently fliers and people who take other forms of mass transit cast doubt on that dream scenario. "The real problem with travel, especially air travel, is not baggage fees, it's not long lines... the real problem with travel is other travelers," said Hilton. The "quiet car" option

GOOGLE'S Nexus 5 Specs and Features.

The Nexus 5 was launched on the 5th of November. For those of you considering buying the device, here are the specs and features.

Screen: 4.95 inch true HD IPS. 137.9 *69 *686mm and it weighs 130grams.

MEMORY: it comes in 16gb and 32gb variants but with no space for an additional memory card. It also runs on 2gb RAM.

OPERATING SYSTEM: It runs on Androids Kitkat 4.4

CAMERA: 8MP primary camera with autofocus, optical image stabilisation , LED Flash, face detection photosphere etc. The secondary camera is a 1.3 MP camera

OTHERS: wireless charging capabilities, it comes with a non-removable battery with 300hrs standby time and 17hrs talktime on 3G.

Click HERE


----------
Have something to add? Share it in the comments

The Best Video App For Androids.

Video chat on smartphones has come
a long way in a relatively short
amount of time, and the tools
available for Android have matured
from gimmicky to genuinely useful.
You have a lot of great options, but
we think that Google Hangouts
deserves the crown for the overall
best and most well-integrated
method to see and talk with friends.
It's been a while since we updated
this post, and in the time since we
last selected Skype as our favorite
video chat application for Android,
the arena has shifted entirely. Lots of
people went from not using their
phones for video chat or video calls
at all to having a best-in-class tool
built in that they use on the reg.
Here's our new favorite pick, along
with where the competition stands
today.
Google Hangouts
Platform: Android (and others)
Price: Free
Download Page
Features
Places video calls to desktop
and other mobile devices over
3G/4G and Wi-Fi
Supports group video calls
with up to 10 other people
Synchronizes your Hangouts
and their history across devices so
you can see what you talked
about in the past, and review
shared photos, links, or other
media
All video calls to other users
are free (excluding data charges)
Supports front and rear-facing
cameras
Supports calls to mobile and
landline numbers via Google
Voice (or right through Hangouts
in iOS)
Supports bluetooth and wired
headsets for audio
Supports chat, SMS, MMS,
group SMS and MMS, video and
picture sharing, animated GIFs,
emoji, and more
Supports location sharing
Integrates with Google+