The European Parliament today approved legislation that will require all mobile device makers to use a single, interoperable charger that works with any smartphone or tablet. Europe already requires that all mobile phones use the same charge port (microUSB), and today's legislation expands that to tablets, as well. Individual countries in the European Union have two years to adopt the EU legislation internally, and then manufacturers will have another year after that to comply. Toine Manders, with ALDE Group, said, "This legislation will bring benefits to consumers and will reduce waste." Those who introduced the legislation believe it will save European consumers 300 million Euros annually, as well as cut down the amount of electronic and paper waste. The rules also help to ensure that mobile devices and their chargers don't interfere with one another, while also maintaining Europe's safety requirements. Many manufacturers have already adopted microUSB as the standard for charging their devices, but some, such as Apple, use their own, proprietary ports and cables. In order to comply with European law, Apple now supplies an adapter with iPhones. It's unclear how it will comply with the new laws.
Opera Mini 8 Brings Private Browsing to Feature Phones
vendredi 14 mars 2014
Opera Software today released Opera Mini 8, a new version of its browser for feature phones and other devices that run Java, such as older BlackBerries. According to Opera, the new features include a night mode for browsing in the dark, improved data savings reports, and a private browsing mode. The privacy tool lets users hide their browsing habits by deleting the history each time the private tab is closed. Opera Mini 8 also includes an improved Speed Dial start page with redesigned tiles. The browser is free to download directly from Opera.
LG Says Not All Phones Merit OS Upgrades
dimanche 23 février 2014
LG today indicated its premiere devices will earn operating system upgrades, but it can't say the same for other phones in its roster. "We are definitely prioritizing upgrades for the G-series, looking at the G2, G Flex and G Pro first," said spokesperson Ken Hong in an interview with PCMag. "But beyond that, we aren't going to make a commitment to definite upgrades because it's not totally up to us." Wireless network operators play a large role in system updates, which need to be tested and verified before rolled out to customers. "Some carriers may not want the upgrade. If they want to do it, we'll definitely work closely with carriers to do it." LG will, however, launch new phones with the most up-to-date version of Android available. Other manufacturers, such as HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony, publish clear timetables about which devices will be updated and approximately when those updates will arrive.
LG to Expand Knock Code to Most 2014 Phones
LG today said that it will expand the availability of its Knock Code feature to most of its devices this year. Knock Code was first introduced on the G Pro 2, and is an evolution of KnockOn. Knock Code lets users both unlock and wake their LG smartphone using their own knock pattern. LG had already committed to bringing KnockOn to some of its devices, and is now expanding on that promise with Knock Code instead.
Next Windows Phone Will Support Cheaper Phones
Microsoft today announced a handful of features of the next version of Windows Phone. The slate of changes announced center on supporting cheaper hardware and developing markets. The new software will support Qualcomm's newer low-end Snapdragon 200 and 400 chipsets. It will also reduce memory requirements and allow apps loaded on removable memory cards. Microsoft will also remove the requirement for three hardware buttons below the screen and a dedicated camera button. This is designed to allow manufacturers to re-use hardware designed for Android phones. Microsoft will also expand its driver support for common hardware parts used in Android phones, further making it easier for manufacturers to offer a phone in both Android and Windows Phone versions. Microsoft will also support dual-SIM phones in the new version. The company is expected to fully reveal the new Windows Phone OS at its upcoming Build conference.
Samsung to Update Wide Range of Galaxy Phones to KitKat
samedi 22 février 2014
Samsung today announced that it plans to update a significant number of its U.S. Galaxy-branded smartphones and tablets to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The list of phones includes the Galaxy Note II and 3; the Galaxy S4, S4 mini, S4 Active, and S4 zoom; the Galaxy S III and S III mini; and the Galaxy Mega and Galaxy Light. Samsung will also update the Galaxy Note 8, Tab 3, Note 10.1, and Note 10.1 2014 Edition tablets. Samsung said the timing of the updates will vary by carrier, but they will begin today and continue to be pushed out for several months.
T-Mobile to Let Customers 'Jump' to New Phones More Often
lundi 17 février 2014
T-Mobile today said that beginning February 23 customers of its Jump early upgrade program will be able to upgrade more often than twice per year. "Whenever you're ready to upgrade, trade in your device and T-Mobile will pay your remaining device payments up to 50% of the device cost," said T-Mobile in a statement provided to Fierce Wireless. "There is no more waiting period or limit to the number of times you can upgrade per year." T-Mobile is requiring that customers pay off half the cost of their phone before upgrading, though. Many phones carry a full retail price of $600 or more. T-Mobile's Jump plans carry a $10 premium over regular plan pricing. The more frequent upgrades mirror those offered under Verizon's Edge plans.
HTC to Offer Broader Range of Phones This Year
mardi 11 février 2014
HTC today indicated that it will offer a more diverse lineup of handsets throughout 2014. The decision effectively reverses the course set by the company in late 2012 to focus only on the high-end of the smartphone market. "The problem with us last year was we only concentrated on our flagship. We missed a huge chunk of the mid-tier market," said HTC co-founder and Chairwoman Cher Wang in an interview with Reuters. HTC told investors the new entry-level and mid-tier handsets would help increase its revenues after the first quarter. HTC, once a leader in the smartphone space, has seen its share eroded by fierce competition from Samsung and other handset makers. A successor to the HTC One, HTC's main smartphone for 2013, is expected soon.
Sony's Xperia Transfer App Makes the Leap to Phones
samedi 8 février 2014
Sony today announced that its Xperia Transfer application is now available worldwide in the Google Play Store. Xperia Transfer Mobile is a smartphone version of Sony's desktop app that makes it easier to port contacts and other data from one device to another. According to Sony, the new Android app negates the need to use a desktop machine at all, as it allows users to transfer personal data directly from an old phone to a new phone using a peer-to-peer connection or cable. Xperia Transfer can sync contacts, calendar, SMS, MMS, bookmarks, notes, photos, music, videos, and apps. The app can transfer data from another Android device or from an iPhone. Sony said if iOS apps aren't available in Android form, it will suggest comparable apps/services to replace them on the Xperia smartphone. Xperia Transfer is free to download from the Google Play Store.
