Huawei Ascend P6 – the world’s thinnest smartphone

Huawei have announced the world’s thinnest smartphone, the Ascend P6, to be launched this summer.

At just 6.18mm, the phone is 1.4mm thinner than the iPhone 5.  The device is part of Huawei’s first global product launch, as the Chinese company is trying to make its presence known in the smartphone market.  Huawei has generally been known for budget devices, but it’s now trying to remarket itself as a serious contender for taking on Samsung and Apple in the smartphone war.

It’s still going to be fairly cheap compared to its rivals though – around $600 retail price or around $40 a month on contract.  So it could definitely make a dent in the teen market, who are rapidly losing interest in Blackberry, but can’t afford the pricier contracts of the iPhone 5.

Its design is strikingly similar to the iPhone 5 too, with flat surfaces and stylish metallic rim, though the squared off corners and rounded bottom edge do make it look a bit different.

Obviously, with the Ascend P6 being so much thinner and cheaper, some of the specs can’t hold up to, say, the Samsung Galaxy S4.  But that’s really not to say it’s anything to be sniffed at – with an 8 meg camera on the back and a 5 meg camera on the front, a 720p, 4.2-inch display, and 8GB of storage space.

Huawei have also followed Nokia in introducing Magic Touch to the Ascend P6.  This means you can use your smartphone with your gloves on.  We’ve said before that this should be a feature that all smartphones have, so it’s good to see Huawei making a start.

The Huawei Ascend P6 is only going to launch on 3G networks, though the Chinese company have said that they’ll release a 4G version later in the year.  If you’re looking for a fairly low-cost, all round Android phone, then this could be for you.

The post Huawei Launches the World’s Thinnest Smartphone appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

8-inch tablets are becoming more popular

Steve Jobs famously thought that 10-inch tablets were as small as you could go to give the user a great experience. But he seems to have been wrong in his predictions – 8-inch tablets are the way forward.

According to figures from NPD DisplaySearch, small tablets will make up two thirds of all tablet shipments in 2013, and consumers are increasingly keen on gadgets that can be held in one hand.

In terms of the report, the criteria for a “small” device is one with a screen measuring 9 inches or less.

According to Richard Shim, an analyst from the company, 8-inch tablets will emerge as the ideal size for usability and portability. His company’s report says that up to 10 per cent of all tablets sold in 2013 will be 8-inch models, and numerous manufacturers will be launching new 8-inch Android and Windows devices to take advantage of the trend. Manufacturers are also expected to favour 8-inch devices over 7-inch devices because they can make more money from them.

Last year, it’s estimated that 154 million tablet PCs were shipped. This year, that figure is expected to increase to 257 million. The rise of the tablet PC coincides exactly with the slump in the PC market as more consumers ditch the heavy laptop and buy a mobile device to replace it.

With a truckload of new Android devices launching in the third quarter, a new iPad mini and the possibility of an 8-inch Surface tablet, we all clearly have an appetite for small tablets that fit easily into a bag. These devices are also clearly more affordable, and that opens up the market to less affluent buyers who may not otherwise own a tablet at all.

The late CEO of Apple might have failed to see their potential, but the tide is clearly changing: experts believe that 60 per cent of iPads sold this year will be minis.

The post 8-inch Tablets Set to Dominate 2013 appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Developers have created a concept of what iOS 7 will be like on an iPad

Bloggers have released the first photos of iOS 7 running on an iPad.

Apple only demonstrated iOS 7 on an iPhone at WWDC, but developers have used an emulator to show what the new software would look like on a larger screen.

Officially, it’s not possible for developers to use the emulator in this way. But Twitter user @SonnyDickson is thought to have modified the code to trick the emulator into thinking he was previewing at iPhone size.

The screenshots are interesting but may not be a true indication of what the final iOS 7 will look like on the iPad 4 or a newer model since it’s unlikely to be complete. One telltale sign is the flashlight switch in Control Center: the iPad doesn’t actually have a flash, so this will almost certainly be removed. Another possibility is that the next iPad will have a flash built-in.

However, there are some deliberate changes to the iPad version too. Layouts are subtly different to make better use of the display, and there are some additional on-screen buttons and controls that are hidden in the iPhone version. The Maps app also comes into its own on a bigger screen.

9to5 Mac also found some extra settings for gestures, including swiping from the corners and edges of the device. It looks like we may be able to hide some of the pre-installed apps we never use, and turn some of the enhancements on and off at will.

According to Apple Insider, iOS 7 isn’t finished yet. Jony Ive’s team are still tweaking it ahead of its final release, despite the fact developers have already seen it.

Apple says it will release an iPad version of iOS 7 to developers in the next few weeks. Consumers probably won’t see the finished version until September.

The post iOS 7 on iPad: First Look appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Instagram to get video support?

Some exciting rumours coming out of the Facebook camp this week.  The social media giant could be set to add video support to its popular picture sharing app, Instagram.

Facebook has arranged a top-secret product launch event this Thursday (20^th June), and has kept schtum on any details about what it will release.  However, many sites are now speculating that it means video for Instagram.

If this is true, it could prove to be a serious rival to Twitter’s Vine app, where users share short clips of videos with their followers.  Could the Instagram video prove more successful than Twitter Vine?  Quite probably – Twitter Vine has been attracting a lot of buzz, but it’s still only in its fledging stage.  If Facebook strikes quickly while the iron is hot, it could definitely steal a lot of Twitter Vine’s users.

Facebook definitely needs to start making Instagram profitable – it was widely criticised when it spent $1bn on the photo app.  Can Facebook prove that it was worth the huge overspend?  Or is advertising the way to make money from it – targeted to users based on information gained from their Facebook profiles?  Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what Facebook does.

Matthew Keys noted last month that Facebook had been road-testing the video feature for Instagram, meaning it’s on the cards for the future, if not now.  According to a source, users would be able to upload five to 10 seconds of video, so it definitely sounds like competition for Twitter Vine.

However, Facebook might not release the video update for Instagram at this Thursday’s event.  Some other sites are reporting that Facebook could be set to release an RSS aggregation system, to fill the void that Google Reader is leaving when it closes at the end of this month.

The post Instagram to Get Video, Will it be a Rival to Vine? appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Smart Cargo box for iPad

Sick of carrying your iPad accessories around in a bag?

There’s a project on Kickstarter that could offer the ideal solution when storing iPad-related clutter.

Smart Cargo is a plastic storage compartment designed to hold your Apple iPad accessories, such as a stylus pen or the Lightning cable. It’s a simple idea: a small box that sticks onto the back of a compatible iPad case.

Designed by Dotan Saguy, the Smart Cargo has been prototyped and is ready to go into production. The Kickstarter project has been set up in order to raise the money needed to get the Smart Cargo onto the production line and into stores.

So how does it work?

The Smart Cargo has a steel plate in its base. It clings securely onto your iPad as long as you have a compatible magnetic case fitted. The storage box itself can be removed for emptying or cleaning. On the inside, the Smart Cargo is lined with felt to protect the contents from damage. The lining also helps to stop the case from being noisy as the contents move around inside.

Although the Smart Cargo adds a bump at the back of the case, its designer says that it will tuck neatly inside the cover as it’s folded back. The designers also claim that Smart Cargo makes the iPad easier to carry, or could relieve carpal tunnel, although we think those two claims might be a little optimistic.

The Smart Cargo only works with the iPad, and the designer has no plans to make one for the iPad mini since the storage area would be too small. In addition, it doesn’t come in aluminium and it isn’t big enough to hold the charger for the iPad 3 or below – it only has space for a Lightning cable.

Smart Cargo has already reached its $10,000 funding target, and backers still have time to reserve one if they’d like to buy.

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Mobile instant messaging service WhatsApp

Mobile instant messaging app WhatsApp has recorded its highest ever number of messages processed in one day, 27 billion.

This is a huge increase on WhatsApp previous record of 18 billion messages processed on the final day of 2012.  Breaking down those figures, 27 billion messages total is made up of 10 billion sent messages and 17 billion received.  The discrepancy in the numbers here comes from people sending group messages: one message might be sent, but to 10 different friends.

It’s pretty cool to see that WhatsApp is still increasing in popularity.  It’s been around for more than three years – way longer than any of the other instant messaging apps on the market – so you might think its success would be starting to flatline.  However, it’s obviously attracting new users by the day, as more and more people get smartphones.

WhatsApp recently boasted that it’s now bigger than Twitter, with more than 200 million monthly users.  Twitter probably doesn’t need to worry though – it hit the 200 million mark back in December, and we’re not likely to see many people migrating to WhatsApp in favour of the social networking site.

One potential spanner in WhatsApp’s continued rise is BlackBerry’s announcement that they’ll release their instant messaging app BBM for the Android and iOS platforms.  BBM has seen a gradual decrease in users, so could this move see people moving back to it, from WhatsApp?

If you’re on Android, you get to download WhatsApp for free, but iOS users have to pay $0.99 a year for the service.  Though it’s not a lot of money, some people really don’t like paying for apps.  If you’re one of them, check out Hongkongkiat’s great blog on free alternatives to WhatsApp.

The post WhatsApp Has New Record Day After 27 Billion Messages Processed in 24 Hours appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The new Acer Iconia A1 tablet.

Acer has released a new Android tablet that looks suspiciously like a certain ‘mini’ tablet we know and love.

The new Iconia A1 is an eight-inch tablet that stands out because of its shape. Unlike some of the more common small Android tablets, it copies the same 4:3 aspect ratio used on the iPad mini, giving it a squarer look.

Under the hood, the specs are respectable if not amazing: a quad-core processor running at 1.2 GHz, HDMI out, a microSD card slot and the option of 3G connectivity.

There have been other tablets with this shape, of course, but the Iconia A1 does have an uncanny similar look that we can’t ignore. The IPS display measures exactly the same diagonally – 7.9 inches, in fact – and has exactly the same resolution. Even the bezels and trim are reminiscent of Apple’s design.

Imitation is the best form of flattery, maybe. It was only really a matter of time before a company came up with an Android copy of the mini, and though it could be coincidence, we’re inclined to think Acer knows exactly what it’s doing. Apple’s notoriously fond of litigation, so we’ll just have to hope they don’t take offence.

Acer could have trumped Apple by integrating a stunning HD display. It’s the one thing even the most ardent iPad mini fan would love to see on the next model, and the Iconia A1 feels like a missed opportunity in that respect. It’s also noticeably heavier, and its plastic case doesn’t have the same sheen as the mini’s aluminium unibody. Having said that, it’s significantly cheaper with a retail price of just £150.

Perhaps the biggest downside is the fact that many Android apps simply aren’t made to run at 4:3, so much of that screen real estate is wasted. But compared to the mini, it’s easily the more affordable option.

The post Is This Acer an iPad mini Killer? appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Flipboard compiles a personalised magazine based on your social media and RSS feeds.

The Flipboard app has been rejuvenated again with some new features for avid readers.

Flipboard is an incredibly popular app for tablet PCs: it compiles an ever-changing personalised magazine based on your social media and RSS feeds. On a basic level, it’s a fancy way to consume content from a range of sources using a beautiful, intuitive interface. It’s also really easy to post your favourite finds on Facebook or Twitter right from the app.

Over the last few months, Flipboard has started to evolve beyond a reading app and into a more social experience. Users can now pick and choose content from their feeds to create virtual magazines for public sharing or private archiving. Then, users can build a profile page showcasing their best work, or notify people of their latest compilations via social networks or text messages.

Now, the team behind the app has added Co-Curation, a brand new feature that makes Flipboard truly collaborative. With a few taps, one Flipboard user can invite multiple friends (or ‘Contributors’) through the Flipboard network. These contacts then have permissions to suggest articles for collaborative Flipboard magazines, either through the app or by using a bookmarklet in a desktop browser.

If you want to see how this feature works, Flipboard has created its own YouTube video showing Co-Curated Magazines in action.

Flipboard is clearly aiming to escape its roots as a reader and include more social features. Its new social compilation makes it a real contender to Pinterest, yet Flipboard has the advantage of being more diverse. Besides collecting, labelling and filing content, Flipboard is designed to introduce you to new streams, and it also promotes the things you love to a new audience.

Not using Flipboard yet? Join the 50 million people that have already downloaded the app. It’s free for both Android and iOS devices.

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Google buys social sat nav app Waze

Google has confirmed that it’s bought Waze, the popular social mapping app, that displays sat nav information crowd sourced by users.

There have been rumours of this buyout for ages, so it’s not exactly a surprise, but it’s still pretty exciting news that the deal’s finally gone through.  Waze has been gaining popularity steadily since it launched in 2009.  It has a user base of nearly 50 million users around the world, and it tracks their movements via GPS to put together a complete picture of how the roads are running – from traffic holdups to road blocks.  The idea of this amazing technology being powered by Google’s Maps feature sounds like something that’s really going to be great – one of those times when both parties really are better off for joining up together.

Google has said that it’s going to work with the Waze community, so hopefully we shouldn’t see a complete redesign – we still want it to feel like Waze!  And the Waze developers have said that nothing will change in terms of their work, they’ll just obviously have a lot more cash to spend on it.  Neither party has confirmed how much was paid for the social app, though estimates put it at over $1 billion.

It’s also interesting to note that Facebook was also interested in buying Waze for $1 billion a while back.  Obviously Waze saw more of a potential for their app to grow through Google, and think that the search engine giant has more to offer to them than the social networking site.  We’re really excited to see how this partnership works out, and we’ll hopefully see a lot more of Waze in the coming months!

The post Google Finally Buys Social Sat Nav App Waze appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Samsung is preparing to release a 12.2-inch Android tablet

Samsung is reportedly lining up yet another tablet for release – and this one has a new trick up its sleeve.

Samsung’s currently releasing a slew of large smartphones, phablets and small tablets. Now, if rumours are true, it’s going to diversify and make something massive.

According to a Korean website, Samsung is preparing a huge 12.2-inch Android tablet. It’s said to be purchasing 2,560 x 1,600 WQXGA displays from Samsung Display and Sharp already. Assembly could start in late summer.

ETNews says that Samsung is planning to make up to 2.5 million 12.2-inch tablets every month. It also claims that this new larger tablet will come with an S-Pen, and that means it’ll be a new addition to the Note line.

Last Christmas, the pocketable 7-inch tablet ruled supreme, and most experts agreed that small was beautiful. The Nexus 7 led the way along with the Amazon Kindle Fire and the iPad mini. But the tide could be changing. With the PC market dying a death, there’s a potential gap in the market for larger touchscreen devices that could eventually replace the bulky base units stashed under our desks at work. There’s also a massive market for larger tablets in the classroom, where digital textbooks are often more practical and valuable than their paper equivalents.

We reported recently on a new iPad, the iPad Maxi. It sounds like an unlikely product for Apple to make, given that the iPad mini is currently cannibalising sales of the regular iPad 4. But Apple could diversify by making a larger iPad with its own keyboard and eventually absorb the MacBook Air into the line.

So are we looking at another Samsung vs Apple battle? Quite possibly. The two devices would launch early next year; if Samsung is already making its 12.2-inch Note, it’ll probably get to market first.

The post Are Samsung and Apple Making 12 Inch Tablets? appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Apple has officially announced its iOS 7

Last night Apple unveiled the newest iPad and iPhone operating system, iOS 7, to rapturous applause.

As expected, iOS 7 is a radical departure for Apple and represents a complete change in the way users will operate their devices. The new software was demonstrated to 6,000 developers at the WWDC event, plus many hundreds of thousands watching online.

The new operating system was designed by Sir Jonathan Ive, the man who designs Apple’s hardware, and his influence has resulted in flatter shapes, fewer glassy effects and a more colourful range of icons. iOS 7 also uses transparent backgrounds and a parallax effect which makes icons appear to float above the wallpaper. Thankfully, it doesn’t look as much like Windows 8 as we’d feared.

Apple has also added a new shortcut bar, Control Center, which users can access by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. From there, they can start and stop music, switch connections on and off or transfer files.

In terms of functionality, there were some new and welcome changes. AirDrop, Apple’s file transfer system, has been added to iOS, making file transfer between iPads, iPhones and laptop computers really simple. Siri has a new voice and interface, and it can adjust phone settings using voice commands. The App Store will now automatically download updates instead of requiring the user to intervene, an improvement that most iOS lovers will really appreciate. And the Weather app has also been redesigned with live wallpaper and a stacked world clock feature.

The new iOS 7 is expected to be launched alongside the new iPad and iPad mini or a new iPhone, although we’re not clear on the specs for these, so they’re still some way off. The best guess we have for release is September. Right now, developers can download iOS 7 as a beta release and start preparing their apps for the launch.

The post Apple iOS 7: the Best of WWDC appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

In amongst all the excitement of this week’s WWDC 2013 conference, AT&T has quietly sneaked in this update: they’re going to change the length of time between customers’ phone upgrades, from 20 months to two years.

This could have pretty big repercussions for users, so no wonder AT&T haven’t made this announcement into big news.  The update will apply to any new customers, and to anyone whose contract ends March 2014 or later.  This means that most customers will get one more 20-month upgrade, before they’re switched over to the new upgrade length.

AT&T follows in the footsteps of Verizon, who has also recently changed its policy to set all phone upgrade times to two years.  Though the extra four months may not seem like much longer to wait, it’ll certainly make a difference to those who always have to have the newest handset.

Sprint is currently still offering 20 month contracts, so you might want to check out its deals.  However, as both Verizon and AT&T have switched to two-year contracts only, is it only a matter of time before Sprint changes to this too?

If you want to make sure you always have the newest devices, it seems the only sure way to do this is to pay for the hardware.  Your smartphone addiction could suddenly start to burn a big hole in your pocket.

One thing that you could consider is T-Mobile’s no-contract Simple Choice plans.  They aim to get rid of traditional contracts, so customers won’t be tied in for two years.  However, it’s not initially clear of the benefits of this over contracts, as they’re pretty costly – up to $80 for 12.5GB of data – and The Verge reports that they’re not as unlimited as they seem.

Maybe you’ll just have to choose more carefully when you upgrade, as you’ll be stuck with your phone for two years.

The post AT&T Extends Length Of Contract Phone Upgrades appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Will Apple release any hardware at WWDC 2013?

Today’s the day of Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote speech, and we’re expecting to see a new product, a new operating system or perhaps even both.

Over the last few months, the rumour mill has been working overtime, churning out lots of possible news stories from today’s press event. While there probably won’t be any big surprises, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Most technology bloggers and journalists anticipate a first glimpse of iOS 7 at WWDC, Apple’s operating system for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. iOS 7 is expected to be redesigned from the ground up, and with Jonathan Ive in charge, there could be huge changes and improvements to look forward to. You can read about some of them in this detailed summary on 9to5 Mac.

We’ll probably also hear more about iRadio, Apple’s new Spotify-style music streaming service, and there’s likely to be news of the final update to Mac OS X.

In terms of hardware, Apple hasn’t released anything truly new since the iPad mini was unveiled in October last year, so it’s about time something new was announced. A few options are up for discussion: the new iWatch, an internet radio, or perhaps even that Apple TV set that we keep hearing about.

Apple’s also due to refresh its MacBook laptop line, and it could finally give us an update on the Mac Pro, Apple’s neglected desktop computer.

So that leaves tablets. And although Apple undoubtedly has a couple of updates in the works, we may not see news of them today. The iPad mini could be upgraded to a Retina, and we might see the newly redesigned full-size iPad 5, complete with its slimline case and possibly a few colour options.

The long-awaited Apple WWDC keynote begins today. We’ll bring you the most important stories tomorrow morning.

The post Apple WWDC Keynote Today: What to Expect appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Gumdrop’s range of case for iPad 5

Here’s something that’s come completely out of the blue – a tablet casemaker is so convinced that Apple will launch its iPad 5 at next week’s WWDC that they’ve already started promoting their case range for the device.

Pretty much everyone has already written off WWDC as just a launch for Apple’s new OS X and other software, as CEO Tim Cook had confirmed that no hardware would come till autumn.  However, Gumdrop Cases seem to disagree, as they’ve already made a range of iPad 5 cases, available to view on their website.  The cases aren’t available to buy yet, of course, or even pre-order, but Gumdrop are no doubt poised, with their fingers on the button, ready to set them live if the iPad 5 is released.

Whilst at first glance it just seems like a rogue company making a crazy prediction, it is important to note that Gumdrop Cases have predicted four out of the last five Apple device launches correctly.  They even managed to make iPad mini cases before the tablet was even announced, and when it shipped, the case fit perfectly.

Gumdrop Cases have made 15,000 of their iPad 5 cases, so they must be pretty convinced that the launch will take place next week.  Perhaps they know something that the rest of us don’t?

Or maybe it’s something else.  The whole of the internet is abuzz with Gumdrop’s name, so it’s possible that this is just a big, costly marketing campaign.  If that’s the case (no pun intended), then it’s definitely successful, everyone’s talking about the casemakers.

On the whole, it seems pretty unlikely that Apple are going to spring a new tablet on us with no warning.  However, watch this space.  On the off-chance that they do, Gumdrop Cases are sure to reap massive rewards.

The post Casemaker Gambles On iPad 5 Being Announced At WWDC appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The new Dell hybrid device, the XPS 11

Dell has unveiled a new laptop-tablet hybrid device that will run Windows 8.1, the XPS 11.

The new hybrid is currently on display at the Taiwanese trade show, Computex. It resembles an ultrabook when open and a large tablet PC when flipped around.

Taking its lead from the Lenovo Yoga (and, to some extent, the Surface), the new Dell XPS 11 is essentially a tablet with a slim keyboard attached. It’s powered by the new Intel Core i5 Haswell processor and sports a USB 3 port, Thunderbolt port, SD card slot and an active stylus pen similar to the S-Pens we’ve seen on the Samsung Note range.

The 11.6-inch screen has a Gorilla Glass finish over its 2,560 x 1,440 IPS display. It can be folded back 360 degrees and clamped onto the keyboard to give it a more tablet-like shape. That makes it quite similar to the Yoga in terms of its design. But like the Surface, the keys are designed to have a low profile and look almost completely flat from the side.

Once the keyboard has been rotated, the key sensors automatically switch off so that the keys can’t be used by accident. It looks like a tablet, sure – but it’s a big, chunky tablet, and not the most portable in the world. Thanks to its carbon fibre case, the XPS 11 is fairly lightweight considering the amount of functionality it has. That strange, flat keyboard will take a little getting used to, but it is a little more substantial than the keyboard on the Surface.

Despite our reservations about its size, Dell’s XPS 11 looks like an impressive high-end tablet for Windows fans. Given the specs, we’re thinking it’s aimed at consumers with money to burn. We’re expecting to see it in stores around Christmas time. No official release date or pricing has been announced.

The post Dell’s New XPS 11 Convertible Windows Tablet appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Windows 8.1 is to natively host fingerprint security.

Mock-ups and patents have sparked rumours that the next Apple iPad will sport a fingerprint reader. In reality, we’re unlikely to see the design change significantly.

But it looks like Microsoft has picked up on the idea instead.

In Windows 8.1, Microsoft has added native support for fingerprint reader peripherals. That means that Windows will interpret fingerprint data from third party readers and use that data for login and purchasing.

To be clear, it was already possible to use fingerprint reading technology in Windows 8, but the actual operating system didn’t support it. Now, that has changed: Windows will be fingerprint-friendly from the login screen onwards, as long as the user attaches a compatible peripheral device.

Microsoft has spoken about the new feature at its Tech-Ed conference this week. Using Windows 8.1, users will be able to link a fingerprint to their Microsoft identity, thus adding an extra layer of security when logging in or making purchases on a Windows device.

Microsoft developers are also looking at ways to link folders with fingerprints to prevent unauthorised access to data. We haven’t seen this in action, but if it’s nicely implemented, it could signal the end of cumbersome file permissions, complex sharing settings and forgotten passwords. What’s more, it could make it really easy to secure data on a tablet PC.

Tablet computers are ideal candidates for fingerprint authentication, but few people will want to carry a cumbersome reader around in their pocket alongside a Surface device. Fingerprint security is likely to remain a quirk of Windows 8.1 for now, but it’s clear that developers and businesses are starting to see a practical purpose for the technology.

Pretty soon, you may have to use your fingerprint for authentication on your tablet, just as you currently tap in a code or swipe a pattern to log in.

The post Fingerprint Security Is Coming to Windows 8.1 appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

iPhone gold components

Well, Apple had better release some information about the iPhone 5S soon, because I think we’re just going to keep hearing more and more rumours about it unless they do.  This week’s newest rumour is that Apple’s newest iPhone may also be released in a color other than just black and white.

Leaked images this week appear to show iPhone 5S components in a gold color, leading speculation that Apple’s newest device may come in a color other than the traditional black or white.  If this is true, it could open up a huge new market for Apple, as many people traditionally think of iPhones of not being too flashy.

However, you’ve also got to hope that this move from Apple wouldn’t be the only update from the iPhone 5.  Hopefully as well as making the iPhone 5S look attractive, they’re also working hard on making it actually better and more powerful than the previous model.  The news that they’re focussing on making a gold-colored smartphone kind of makes you think that this could be a distraction technique, to hide that their new phone is actually just the same as the last one.

This is when we really need some innovation from Apple, too.  Since they released the iPhone 5 in September, Samsung has begun to make a bid for their crown in the smartphone market.  The Galaxy S4 was a massive move forwards for Samsung, and Apple really needs to make a big step up to make sure that they remain the biggest and best company for mobiles.

Of course, everyone would like there to be an announcement at next week’s WWDC, but Apple CEO has already said that there’ll be no hardware releases this time.  Looks like we’ll have to wait till the fall for any concrete news on Apple devices – in the meantime, keep the rumours coming!

The post iPhone 5S To Go For Gold? appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Wikipad Gaming Tablet

Wikipad is a new Android gaming tablet, and after months of development, it’s finally been given an official release date.

The console-tablet hybrid will launch on June 11 in the USA for $249.

This new gadget is an odd mix of 7-inch tablet tech and a gaming controller add-on. The U-shaped plastic surround slides onto the tablet and clips into place, making it look like a larger version of the retro Sega Game Gear.

The controller features two analogue sticks, a direction pad and various buttons and triggers. It also has a set of speakers built in.

The tablet has good specs, and would make a pretty respectable Android 4.1 device in its own right. It sports Nvidia’s Tegra 3 processor, a front-facing camera, GPS, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage and an SD card slot. The screen comes in at impressive 1,280 x 800 resolution, and there’s a micro HDMI output socket for gamers who prefer to play on the big screen. It’s also less than half an inch thick, and its makers claim that it’ll be one of the slimmest 7-inch slates on the market at launch.

Wikipad is an independent venture, and its 7-inch device could be the first of many gaming tablets in a larger range. The slates will go head to head with Archos’ strangely shaped GamePad, which has the advantage of being first to market but doesn’t make for comfortable tablet use. The GamePad is quite bulky, but the Wikipad is easier to handle as a tablet because its controller section can be removed. The company behind Wikipad seems keen to market it as a multifunctional tablet that also makes a good workplace companion.

Wikipad is launching in the US first. The company expects to follow up with a UK launch, although pricing hasn’t been confirmed. The GamePad is currently retailing for less than £100, though, so Wikipad will need to offer a good deal to make it a viable alternative.

The post Wikipad Android 4.1 Gaming Tablet Gets US Release Date appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The new iPad could be released as soon as September.

DigiTimes has published an updated release schedule for the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2. The dates are just rumours at the moment, but they point to a slightly different strategy than we’d expected.

According to the popular Taiwanese blog, the iPad 5 is next to be released, and it’s going to be available very soon indeed. Industry insiders say that the new Apple slate, which is expected to be slimmer and lighter than its predecessors, will be manufactured in July and August for a September release. DigiTimes says that Apple will make 5 million units initially, with total sales easily exceeding 8 million before the end of the year.

The iPad mini 2 is apparently going to appear in shops just in time for Christmas. DigiTimes says that it’ll be manufactured later than the iPad mini in November of this year.

Splitting the release would be unusual for the company. Apple tends to do its big unveils at the same time. However, the larger iPad is said to be selling fewer units over time, and experts believe that’s because the iPad mini is eating into its sales. By staggering the release, Apple would give the iPad 5 a head start as Christmas approaches. It would also help it to source the parts it needs.

But perhaps we’re all sick of larger tablets? Will Apple eventually have to phase out its flagship model or drastically reduce quantities on the production line? Overall, Apple’s expected to sell up to 100 million tablets in 2013, with 35% of those being minis. Not bad for a product that’s been on shelves for a matter of months.

As for features and specs, DigiTimes doesn’t report anything new. It’s still not clear whether the new iPad mini will have a Retina display, or whether Apple will release a small upgrade first and develop the Retina version for 2014.

The post Rumour: iPad 5 due in September, iPad mini 2 December appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Amazon to launch its fan-fiction platform, Kindle Worlds

Amazon has announced that they’re to move into the lucrative fan-fiction market, with the launch of their new Kindle Worlds platform.

This means that authors will be able to write stories – and make money from these stories – based on existing characters from books, TV shows, and films, and the first licenses that Amazon Publishing has set up deals with is Warner Bros. Television Group’s Alloy Entertainment for Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Vampire Diaries.

Fan-fiction is big news, with the popular book trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, taking 2012 by storm.  The series was originally based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight novels, and its success inspired thousands of potential authors to take to internet forums, to write stories featuring their favourite characters.  Amazon is smart to monetise on this with Kindle Worlds, as it’s definitely a growing lucrative market.

It’s also pretty great news for authors, as it means that their stories will already have a ready group of fans, who are interested in those specific characters, rather than having to build up a fan base from scratch.  Aspiring writers might also be interested in the shorter story lengths, as they can earn 20% of the price of the e-book in royalties for stories of 5,000-10,000 words.   However, if they’re feeling more adventurous, they can also earn 35% for works of more than 10,000 words.

In other exciting news for Amazon, they’ve also released the titles of the five original TV series they’ve commissioned to be made, after they asked customers for feedback on 14 pilot shows, to give the power to the people over which programmes should ultimately make it to full series.  The programmes range from children’s show Annebots, to political comedy Alpha House and sitcom Betas.

The programmes will be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service, so stay tuned for more info of how to watch these shows later in the year.

The post Amazon To Branch Out Into Fan-Fiction With Kindle Worlds appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Acer release their new devices at Computex 2013

Acer and Asus have launched a range of new Android and Windows tablets at the Computex show in Taipei.

The Taiwanese technology show is one of the largest in the world. This year, some of the regions biggest manufacturers are hoping to claim the spotlight.

First up, Acer. It has revealed a new Iconia tablet, the W3, designed especially for Windows 8. It has an 8.1 inch display, front and rear cameras and 1,280 x 800 resolution. Buyers can choose between 32 GB or 64 GB internal storage, although this can be expanded with an SD card. The tablet comes with Microsoft Office pre-installed, which will please business users.

Asus has gone even further, unveiling a huge range that even Samsung would envy. The company has plenty of experience in making solid Android devices; its Transformer Pad range kicked off a new trend in laptop-tablet hybrids. It’s just announced some new gadgets for 2013, and they all look innovative and potentially very affordable.

The new Transformer Pad Infinity sports a 1.9 GHz Tegra 4 processor, 10.1-inch IPS display and 2 GB RAM. The device will run Android and has a superb 2,560 x 1,600 display. There’s also the Transformer Book Trio, a Windows 8 and Android hybrid tablet with an 11.6-inch display.

Both Transformers can be turned into laptops with the optional keyboard dock.

The FonePad FHD6 is a 6 inch phablet with a super IPS+ HD screen (367 ppi), a 1.6 GHz dual core processor, front and rear cameras and 2 GB RAM. The device comes with a stylus, making it a potential rival to the Samsung Note.

The MemoPad FHD7 and MemoPad FHD10 are tablets aimed at the low-cost end of the market, but the specs are impressive despite the low cost. In the $129 FHD7 you’ll get a quad core processor and 7-inch IPS display, whereas the FHD10 sports a dual core Intel CloverTrail processor and 10-inch IPS display.

The post Acer and Asus Launch Android and Windows Tablets at Computex appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

At least one version of the newest Samsung Galaxy Tab is set to have an Intel Inside processor.

The rumour mills have been working overtime with this one, but it finally seems to have been confirmed true – Samsung is to have an Intel Inside processor in its next Galaxy Tablet.

Up until now, Samsung has used ARM-based processing chips to power its Galaxy tablets, but it has used Intel for its Windows Ativ devices.  Sources have confirmed that Intel will be the supplier of the processor for at least one version of Samsung’s next tablet, the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1.

Korea Times quotes an Intel employee who claims that the company now have 50 employees in Korea, up from six last year, indicating that they’ve been working hard on Samsung products, so it sounds like this is really happening.  This is great news for Intel – since it released its Atom chip, it’s mainly been used to power lower-demand devices, such as PCs and low profile smartphones.  A move towards providing processors for such a high profile tablet could give Intel a chance to prove that it can really compete in the tab device market.

However, according to Gigaom, there could be an ulterior motive for this.  They’ve speculated that Samsung is turning to Intel to power its Galaxy tablet so that it can keep its own Exynos chips for its smartphones, as these are usually bigger selling devices.  Also, some sources are reporting that the Intel chips are only set to be used for one version of the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, suggesting that there’ll be other versions of the tablet.  The processors for these are presumably yet to be decided, so plenty of companies are likely to be bidding for this opportunity.

The finer details of this story are still yet to come out, so you can guarantee we’ll be waiting with baited breath to see if we get more updates at the Computex trade show in Taiwan next week.

The post Samsung’s Next Galaxy Tablet To Have Intel Inside Processor appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The loss of the Start Menu in Windows 8 has proved unpopular with customers.

Microsoft has backed down and agreed to reintroduce the Start button to its Windows 8.1 update.

The company faced a huge backlash when it decided to remove the Start button – one of the trademark features of Windows since 1995. Now it’s back in its old position on the taskbar.

It doesn’t bring up the same menu, though. The new Start button simply launches the Metro interface when left-clicked, emphasising Microsoft’s determination to focus on touch and tablet interfaces.

If you want to get to administration tools, you’ll have to remember to right click. If you’re using a tablet, you’ll have to touch and hold to bring up the right click menu.

To bypass the controversial Start screen, users will be able to boot to desktop if they want to, effectively bypassing Metro altogether.

Much like Android, Windows 8.1 allows users to add animated backgrounds to the Start screen and turn the lock screen into a slideshow picture frame. There will be more flexibility to choose different theme colours, and the search functionality in Windows will now also search the web at the same time. Like iOS 6, Windows 8.1 will give users access to the camera without the device being unlocked.

Windows 8.1 will also give users more flexibility to dock apps, resize them and run them side by side.

Critics say that the Start button re-think is really the bare minimum Microsoft could have done to make Windows 8 more acceptable and easier to learn. Despite reintroducing some of the old familiar features, it’s clearly not going to be swayed on its overall aim to revamp Windows completely.

Windows 8.1 will be available as a pre-release download next month, and it will come with the latest Internet Explorer, version 11. Microsoft says a full, stable version will be rolled out by the end of 2013. If you’ve already got Windows 8, you won’t have to pay for the upgrade.

The post Windows 8.1 To Bring Start Button back? Kind Of appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Vigour Video

A Dutch company has raised half a million euros to work on new screen sharing technology for tablet PCs.

The company is called Vigour, and it’s currently run from Amsterdam and Berlin by its three founders. Its app is aimed at people who want to share content between tablet PCs, smartphones and televisions, without the limitations of sticking to one operating system.

In a demo, viewers can play with a hockey puck, batting it around between different displays in real time. But the company is more interested in promoting its Vigour Video technology, which goes one step further. Vigour Video acts like a remote controller. Users can flick through short clips on the device in their hands, then tap and play the full content on a big screen. To switch between screens, users simply swipe. The ‘brains’ behind the system is totally cloud-based, so it’ll require a constant internet connection.

Similar technology already exists, to some degree. If you have an Apple TV box, you can share content from your iPhone, iPad or recent Mac to the TV using AirPlay. Users can also stream two ways using Google’s TV box, and Panasonic already has an Android app that does the same thing.

But Vigour Video is capable of cross-platform sharing, which is what makes it so appealing. Also, any screen can be designated as a primary screen or remote. Effectively, Vigour Video turns all of your devices into a versatile multi-screen viewing system.

The Vigour Video app should be finished before the end of the year and will initially be released to commercial partners in Europe. It’s not clear yet whether we’ll see the app appear in the usual app stores. Rather than marketing the app directly at consumers, Vigour is more likely to want to get big streaming services like Netflix and Hulu on board.

Multi-screen tablet viewing is likely to be a big boom area in 2014. We’ll be watching Vigour with interest as the market opens up.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook at D11 conference

Exciting news, developers!  Apple CEO, Tim Cook, has hinted that the tech giant is set to relinquish some its tight control of its iOS to third-parties.

Apple is notoriously controlling when it comes to letting other developers have access to its iOS application programming interfaces (APIs), but it seems to have folded under the weight of public pressure, after customers campaigned for the Operating System to become more open, in the style of Android.

In an interview last night, at the D11 conference, Tim Cook told AllThingsD: “On the general topic of opening up APIs, I think you’ll see us open up more in the future, but not to the degree that we put the customer at risk of having a bad experience”.

So it seems that iOS isn’t going to just fling the doors open to any old developers, it’ll be more of a gradual process, with Apple ultimately holding the reins.  It’s still big news though, for a company who’s known for being closed with its OS, and it’s a move that should ultimately win them a lot more fans.

Though it’s great to see Apple listening to what its customer base wants, it’s possible it’s also to stop the jailbreakers from making their own customizations illegally – Apple would rather it happen under its control, then it can monitor and influence what they do.

So, what could this mean for existing apps?  One possible customization that we’re excited by would be for Siri.  Since Google Now showed up on iPad and iPhone, poor Siri’s been pretty overlooked, as it just can’t compare with Google’s enhanced search feature.  However, if it was opened up to third-party developers, imagine the possibilities!  It could finally become the personal assistant that everyone wants it to be.

We can’t wait for more details on this.  One thing’s for sure: Apple’s WWDC 2013 can’t come soon enough.

The post Apple To Allow iOS Customization By Third-Party Developers appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Is Apple set to release a 12.9″ iPad?

Apple is rumoured to be working on a massive new version of the iPad.

The device is rumoured to be called the iPad maxi, a rather unfortunate moniker that will no doubt re-ignite all of those old jokes about feminine hygiene products.

According to ETNews, a tech website from Korea, the iPad maxi will have a 12.9 inch touchscreen designed to offer an alternative to ultrabooks like the Macbook Air. It would be aimed at people who want to ditch the laptop, or use a more capable tablet in schools.

ETNews says that the iPad maxi is due for release in Q1 or Q2 next year and manufacturers have already been engaged to start working on the new tablet. The ETNews article also seems to refer to a new operating system for the iPad maxi.

A larger iPad could be an interesting proposition, but it would almost certainly affect sales of the Macbook, and it would be pretty difficult to carry around unless the design is adapted quite significantly. Maybe Apple is hoping to create a Surface-like device with a detachable keyboard? Cannibalising the Air would be a strange move, given that Surface doesn’t seem to have taken off, but who knows: Apple could have something new up its sleeve – and hey, wouldn’t it be a novelty to finally get some innovation again from Apple?

Sales of desktop PCs are certainly sliding, and it might be smart for Apple to future-proof its product line by creating a tablet-laptop hybrid. However, Apple is clearly aware that the big money is in small tablets, and we think it’s more likely to exhaust the potential in the iPad mini before it starts to experiment with other formats. Samsung may be content to release different variations of the same tablet, but Apple is notoriously careful and focuses on one or two at a time.

With only one source behind the rumour, we’ll hold off on making a final judgement call on the iPad maxi.

The post Rumour: Apple Making 12.9 Inch iPad maxi appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

Foxconn to be make a new tablet PC for Firefox OS?

Foxconn is rumoured to be making a new tablet PC for Firefox OS, and we could catch our first glimpse next week.

According to rumour, the Firefox OS tablet is being made by Hon Hai Precision, the company that runs Foxconn factories in Taiwan. Foxconn makes more money than any other electronics manufacturer; in just one of its Chinese factories, it’s estimated to employ up to half a million people. When it comes to manufacturing tablet PCs, Foxconn is the most powerful partner Mozilla could have, and a reported slowing of sales at Apple is pushing Hon Hai Precision to develop new relationships.

Hon Hai Precision has issued media invites to a press event on 3^rd June, suggesting it has something big to reveal. Mozilla already has two early Firefox phones on the market – the Keon and the Peak – so it’s likely we’ll see a tablet being released this time around.

This device isn’t just exciting because it’s genuinely new. It could also mark a move towards cloud computing on tablets, something that we haven’t really seen in full flow yet. Much like the Chromebook browser only runs cloud apps, the Firefox tablet could require a constant connection to the internet to function properly.

Mozilla is apparently pushing ahead with its plans for budget hardware, even though Android is currently hogging that space. Mozilla is hoping that it’ll be more customisable, giving both users and mobile phone networks more freedom to change the way devices behave. Mozilla has already signed up 18 different networks to support its new OS; those networks probably see the always-on connectivity as a prime chance to sell content and bandwidth.

All eyes are on Mozilla to see what it has up its sleeve for June 3^rd. Whatever it’s got in store the Firefox tablet will face stiff competition from a slew of new devices due for release in late summer this year.

The post Rumour: Foxconn Firefox Tablet Coming June 3rd appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The Microsoft Surface mice look a bit different from regular computer mice.

Microsoft has developed two special new mice to go with Windows 8, and Microsoft Surface Pro tablet owners might be interested in picking one up.

The Sculpt Comfort Mouse and Sculpt Mobile Mouse sport extra features not seen on ordinary mice.

Both pointing devices are wireless thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, and Microsoft says that they’ll work on any surface (pardon the pun). The Sculpt Comfort is an odd looking pebble-shaped device with a scroll wheel on one side, whereas the Sculpt Mobile looks more like a regular mouse and has been aimed at both Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.

Perhaps the most important features relate to the operating system. First, there’s Microsoft button on the Sculpt Comfort which acts as a shortcut to the Start screen. (Note that the button on the Sculpt Mobile doesn’t have the same functionality). Second, there’s a strange blue stripe across each mouse that’s effectively a ribbon controller, so you can easily switch between apps purchased from Windows Store, or move around the Start screen quickly.

Tablet users are often divided over input controllers; many cope just fine with a touchscreen, whereas others prefer to point and click. Notably, iOS only supports keyboards, not mice, whereas Android supports both. Surface Pro is really designed to be used with the keyboard cover, so in context, the option of a matching mouse is logical.

The one thing that doesn’t make sense is the focus on the Start screen, something many Windows 8 users simply hate. According to a Soluto survey, 44 per cent of tablet owners launch a Metro app less than once a day. Is a Start button going to be that valuable? Maybe not.

US customers can purchase a Sculpt mouse from next month; they’ll be priced at around $30 each. The Microsoft release doesn’t specify whether the devices will go on sale in other countries, although we suspect they will in time.

The post Microsoft Surface Gets Its Own Multi-Functional Mouse appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The Kindle Fire is to be available in more countries

Amazon has drastically increased the scope of the Kindle Fire tablet’s reach.

The company announced two big changes to the way the Kindle Fire will be marketed around the world as it looks to push the tablet back into the tech press and into more of our homes.

First, there’s the hardware: the Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HD 8.9” will be available in 170 countries from mid-June. That’s a massive increase on the current arrangement: the Kindle Fire has only been on sale in the US, selected European countries and Japan.

Second, the important part: the availability of its native App Store will be expanded. Amazon is opening it up from 7 countries to almost 200.

It’s celebrating the expansion with two free app downloads, including the perennial tablet gamers’ favourite, Fruit Ninja, which is free today.

Amazon will be feeling the pinch from a range of competitors now that the smaller tablet has become so popular. If it can sell masses of Kindle Fire devices, it can practically guarantee a healthy future for the platform because it’ll sell content and apps from its own store – not Google’s. Amazon will want to encourage more developers to create apps for the Kindle Fire range and benefit from a lucrative increase in custom.

Barnes and Noble has also recently priced its own tablets more aggressively to try gain some market share in a very crowded sector, and Microsoft is also thought to be developing a Windows tablet with a similar form factor. The iPad mini and Nexus 7 already pose strong competition for Amazon, and there’s also a range of new Samsung tablets and phablets on the way. We’re probably going to see all of these manufacturers stepping up over the next 6 months.

Amazon has also launched a virtual currency, Amazon Coins, in the US. Much like Bitcoin and the tokens used in Zynga’s games, the Amazon Coin can be used to pay for goods, but only on Amazon’s Kindle Fire App Store. $5 currently buys 500 coins.

The post Amazon Revamps Kindle Fire: More Countries, Free Apps appeared first on Tablet Crunch.

The rumour mill continues to turn, as Apple is thought to have made a massive improvement to the shape and weight of the iPad 5.

The new iPad is rumoured to be thinner and lighter.

The next version, known unofficially as the iPad 5, will be “25 to 33 per cent lighter” than the iPad 4, according to a source involved in manufacturing the device. That’s good news, because since the iPad 2 came out, each new version has been slightly heavier than the one before it. If Digitimes’ report is based on fact, the new iPad 5 could weigh as little as 500 grams.

Apple is thought to have revised the design for the display, doing away with one of the LED bars and trimming down the thickness of the glass by a tiny amount – just half a millimetre. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an industry analyst, the new device will be 7.5 to 8 mm thick. The current iPad is almost 9.5 mm thick, so that’s going to be a very noticeable improvement.

Leaked photographs have already showed the iPad 5 as having a significantly slimmer case that’s flatter and narrower, making the larger version of Apple’s tablet look like a giant iPad mini. Inside the iPad 5, we’re expecting to see a faster A7X processor made by Samsung, and touchscreen panels made by LG, Samsung and Sharp.

Apple could have finally figured out how to have a Retina display in a lightweight tablet, and that’s promising news for people who have been waiting for a Retina iPad mini. There’s no word on that yet, and some bloggers feel that Apple will release a small upgrade first, before moving on to adding that Retina display.

Digitimes said that the iPad 5 is due for release in September this year, with Apple packing up two to three million devices for launch. Yet again, it seems the new iPad will be one of the most eagerly anticipated devices in the annual release schedules.

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