Galaxy round~ world's first curved display smartphone

Samsung Electronics said it will release a smartphone with a curved display and a $1,000 price tag.

The Galaxy Round has a curved 5.7-inch screen using advanced display technology called organic light-emitting diode, or OLED, technology. The Korean company said such a curved screen smartphone is the first in the world.

Samsung said the curve will make it easier to grip. The high-end gizmo has some features that make use of the display's curve, such as playing the next song in a music playlist by tilting the phone to the left or to the right.

The curved display is an initial step before handset makers develop smartphones with a flexible display that one day might be folded like a map, experts say.

The Galaxy Round will be released only in South Korea for now.

What's new with Nokia

Think Nokia, and like most people out there, the first image that comes to my mind is that of my first mobile handset. Sturdy as a stone and always reliable. The stress tests that Nokia phones are subjected to are legendary. One can even find videos on YouTube about it.

Which is why Nokia selling off its handset business to Microsoft last month was bittersweet news to me.

So what remains at Nokia after its handset division moved out? Three wings, apparently: Its location and commerce business branded Here, its infrastructure business solutions, and a separate division handling its patents.

Last week, Michael Halbherr, the international head of Here, was in Mumbai for an interaction with a select group of journalists to explain the brand's strategy. (Have to add here that it was a rare opportunity to pick the brains of a senior executive who is leading the technology front. During most interactions with the media, the sales and marketing heads dole out numbers and projections.)

It was still a very short interaction and one that Halbherr started by addressing the elephant in the room. "Nokia is a 150-year-old company that has been continuously evolving and at times offloading some businesses is just a part of the strategy," he said, in what was corporate speak for "Let us not really get into the 'why' and 'why not' surrounding the handset business deal with Microsoft.

Deeply entrenched

Nokia's aggressive branding of Here, its location and commerce, is relatively new but its foray into the mapping services is not. Its free digital map and navigation services, after it took over Navteq in 2007, has always been in the background.

According to Halbherr, Nokia has been creating "the most true-to-life index of the world" over the past six years, commissioning 6,000 full-time staff on the project and having spent close to six billion Euros in that time. The numbers, naturally, are impressive: 196 countries mapped, 94 countries with auto grade maps, 43 million kilometres of road, 20 billion probes per month (to help track traffic, etc.) and 2.7 million changes per day.

Now if you are still smirking at the numbers and wondering what the fuss is all about, well here is the deal. Almost all the big technology companies focus on maps as a gateway to commerce. With mobile computing devices outselling desktop computers since 2013, the entire e-commerce and services paradigm on computers will revolve round location, and almost everyone from Google Maps, Apple Maps, Nokia Here, Bing Maps, Open Street Maps are vying for a footprint.

For the sake of brevity and clarity, I cornered Halbherr after the media interaction, for exactly a minute that his team allowed me to, and asked him to break down the proposition 'Here' presented in layman's terms. "Think of every thing you do online, and deconstruct it to the most basic questions - what, where, when, why, who and how. 'Here' is trying to build data flow around the 'where'."

Cloud service

What Here is trying to do is to map the data of the world surrounding one's location-based access to the Web. Just the same way as Facebook is trying to map the data using one's social connections, and Amazon is trying to map the data using one's shopping preferences.

And what it entails for the user is the possibility of newer means to search for information. Developers can use the data feeds off Here to create newer experiences that will work across platforms (smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops and in-deck car navigation systems).

Nokia Here is trying to consolidate its backbone infrastructure. In order to make its maps as accurate as possible, the company is reaching out to get community involvement to improve the accuracy of its maps. (see box).

The future of computing is hyper local. The race is on among the tech giants to leverage their properties to reflect hyper local realities. What Here and similar companies are attempting to do is trying to bring to the maps on our mobile phones information about the local kirana stores and not just the big names and brands of the world.

The writer attended the media interaction with Michael Halbherr at the invitation of Nokia.

Community mapping

Here has launched a community mapping pilot programme for India, to combine its industrial data collection methods with a crowd-mapping initiative. It has tied up with educational institutions, including Mount Carmel College in Bangalore and the SAL Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad, where amateur cartographers will be given access to Map Creator to prune and shape accurate local maps. The inclusions and deletions would be moderated before being effected in the Maps database.

Here executive and a spokesperson of the SAL Institute of Technology said the initiative was to 'humanise' the maps, apart from effecting practical changes.

To a question on why the students and amateurs should help Here and not the open source Open Street Maps project, Halbherr said the maps itself were being offered free of cost. Besides, he argued that the rights-free open source Open Streets project suffered from lack of dedicated attention that Here Maps could provide given its term of full time staff and years of attention

Windows 8.1 release date, new features

Microsoft has said that it will change 'key aspects' of its Windows 8 operating system for PCs, laptops and tablets, admitting that the steep learning curve for users is 'definitely real'. See also: Microsoft to change 'key aspects' of OS with Windows Blue.

"Not only will Windows 8.1 respond to customer feedback, but it will add new features and functionality that advance the touch experience and mobile computing’s potential. Windows 8.1 will deliver improvements and enhancements in key areas like personalization, search, the built-in apps, Windows Store experience, and cloud connectivity."

Read on to find out exactly what Windows 8.1 is and how it will affect you.
Windows 8.1: Release date

Windows 8.1 will be officially launched at the Microsoft Build developer conference in San Francisco on June 26. But you won't be able to get hold of it immediately. The final version will be available as a free downloadable Windows 8 update 'late 2013', according to Microsoft. At that point also expect some new Windows Blue hardware in time for Christmas.

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8.1 will be released on 17 October at midday in the UK. "It’s very exciting to be delivering Windows 8.1 to consumers just before Windows 8 celebrates its 1-year anniversary." it said.

It will be available as retail and on new device starting from 18 October.

For now you can give the Windows 8.1 Preview a trial run. See also: How to try out Windows 8.1 Preview in the UK.
What is Windows 8.1 (aka Windows Blue)?

Windows Blue is a new version of the Windows 8 operating system which Microsoft is working on. Instead of releasing service packs, Microsoft will issue new versions of the OS much like Apple does with OS X.

The firm already does a similar thing with Windows Phone, for example, 7.5 'Mango' and 8 'Apollo'.

Tammi Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows, said: "It will deliver the latest new innovations across an increasingly broad array of form factors of all sizes, display, battery life and performance, while creating new opportunities for our ecosystem. It will provide more options for businesses, and give consumers more options for work and play."
Windows 8.1: What new features will it bring?

Microsoft has given a 'first look' at Windows 8.1, detailing some of the new features which will arrive with the update.

Personalisation and apps

As leaked information suggested, users will be able to personalise the OS more. The Lock screen can now display a slideshow of photos (plus the camera can be used without needing to log in). There will also be more colours and backgrounds for the Start screen.

Windows Blue Start Screen

The updated Start screen will offer new larger and smaller tile sizes. "You can now select multiple apps all at once, resize them, uninstall them, or rearrange them." said Microsoft.

Windows 8.1 Start Screen

Newly installed apps won't be added to the Start screen automatically, instead it will be displayed in a 'new' section of the apps menu. Microsoft said users will also be able to view apps by name, date installed, most used or by category.

Microsoft said the pre-loaded apps in Windows 8 will be improved including Photos and Music. There will also be some new apps which are yet to be announced and Snap Views will let you resize apps to the any size and the ability to have three apps on-screen at once for better multi-tasking.

"Also in Windows 8.1, you can have multiple windows of the same app snapped together – such as two Internet Explorer windows." added Microsoft.

Windows 8.1 multitasking

Windows Store

Microsoft will update the Windows Store in version 8.1. A redesign will aim to show more information and a search bar at the top. Listing are more descriptive and includes an related apps section to help you find new apps.

Search

The search section of the Charms bar will give 'global search results powered by Bing' in order to give you the best result. It will work for the web, apps, files, SkyDrive and actions you can take.

"Quick actions include things you would want to do like play a song or video. Results from local files, apps, and settings are easily accessed in the same convenient view by scrolling to the left." said the firm.

Other

Other updates will include PC settings which can be accessed without using the control panel and Internet Explorer 11 touting better performance. SkyDrive will also let you save files directly to the cloud and offline access.

In what is, in a way, the return of the Start menu, the Start 'tip' will now be the Windows logo and pop up when the mouse is moved to the bottom left hand corner of the screen. It will also be visible whenever you're in Desktop mode.

"There are also options to change what the corners do, and options to boot into alternate screens. For example, if you prefer to see the Apps view versus all the tiles, you can choose to have the Start screen go directly to Apps view." said Microsoft.

See also: Microsoft to bring back Start button in Windows 8.1.

A rumour is that users will be able to boot straight to the desktop rather than the Start Screen. This is not currently possible in Windows 8. We'll have to wait and see if this tips up.
Windows 8.1: Price

Microsoft has announced that the Windows 8.1 update will be available for free via the Windows Store.

Android 4.4 Kit Kat update: What To Expect

Forget iOS 7, Android 4.4 is where it's at. Damien McFerran looks at the proposed changes

While Apple fans get to grips with the freshly-released iOS7, Android users are eagerly awaiting the launch of Kit Kat – otherwise known as Android 4.4. Rumoured to be launching on October 14, the latest version of Google's mobile OS should be accompanied by the Nexus 5, the newest handset in Nexus lineage and the second to be produced by manufacturer LG.

Nestle has revealed that Android KitKat will launch in October via its official Facebook page, adding fuel to claims that Google will unveil its new version of Android and the Nexus 5 on October 14.

Asked when Android 4.4 was launching by one of its fans, Nestle responded – in German – with the following statement: “Android 4.4 KitKat is available from October.”

Ahead of an official announcement from Google, this is about as concrete a launch date as we’re likely to get. Check out the Nestlé’s blunder by clicking here. 

With the release close at hand, we've decided to run down the features you can look forward to in Android 4.4 and why they're worth getting exciting about.
Android KitKat: Better looking UI

Apple's sweeping changes in iOS7 make it look more like Android than ever before, which speaks volumes about how attractive Google's software is these days – a far cry from the bland visuals we had to endure in the days of the HTC Dream. With Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, Google has turned Android into one of the best-looking operating systems available and this will be due in no small part to the influence of Matias Duarte, who joined the company in 2010 after working at Palm on the similarly attractive webOS platform.

Rumoured changes include a revised colour scheme, improved notifications and other general UI enhancements. Stock Android - that is, the version which will ship on Nexus devices - looks better than ever, and 4.4 will only improve on that. Of course, by the time it gets into the hands of Samsung, LG and Sony, it will look very different as those manufacturers slap on their own custom UI skins, but we're sure some of the excellent design work will shine through regardless.
Android KitKat: Wider hardware support

One of Android's biggest issues is fragmentation thanks to the sheer number of devices available. As different versions have been released, many Android owners have been forced to sit back and watch their newly-bought phones become obsolete almost overnight - many handsets are stuck on Android 2.3 because of the stern requirements made by subsequent updates.

Google will apparently try to make amends with Android 4.4, which is rumoured to have lower specification demands and can therefore be installed on older phones and tablets. It's even been said that devices that missed out on 4.0 and beyond will be able to download 4.4  – although we'll believe that when we see it (and of course it will be down to the manufacturers and carriers to actually release the updates). But it's a positive move by Google all the same.
Android KitKat: Exclusive Cloud-based system

Cloud storage is old news – we already have the likes of Google Drive, Dropbox and Box, but Google may be looking to integrate this feature more tightly with Android. Perhaps in the same way that Apple uses iCloud for backups and the like?

You can already automatically backup your photos using Google+, and it's possible to restore certain settings whenever you sign into a new Android device, but there's clearly scope for a better, more streamlined system. We may well see it in 4.4, and it could take us one step closer to ditching onboard storage altogether.
Android KitKat: Better battery life

This is one of those features that seems to get promised every time there's a new version of Android – but this time Google could mean it. Android 4.4 is supposed to make better use of multi-core CPUs and is apparently "lightweight" in terms of the demands it places on the hardware.

That will mean better battery stamina, although this could vary depending on which device Android 4.4 is installed on. One thing's for certain: Google is working to make Android more efficient and less power-hungry, which has been one of the OS' biggest failings since day one.
Android KitKat: Smoother screen orientation changes

This might sound like a relatively minor cosmetic change, but it could end up enriching the user experience no end. The simple process of turning your phone from portrait to landscape - and back again - shouldn't be a jerky, juddery affair. Yet on many Android phones, it most certainly is – and this impacts your enjoyment, even if you don't realise it.

If Google can finally solve this irksome problem then it will take a massive step towards making Android feel as slick and responsive as iOS.
Android KitKat: Improved security and bug-squashing

Android has a very bad reputation when it comes to general security, with many critics citing the prevalence of malevolent apps on the Google Play as a serious cause for concern. Google is clearly aware of this and has recently made it easier to report malicious downloads, but it's clear that the OS still lags behind the iPhone when it comes to keeping things locked down.

Android also has a few underlying bugs - like any OS, really - and Google is promising to eradicate those with Kit Kat.
Android KitKat: And finally, some kind of confectionery tie-in

Google teaming up with food brand Nestle is a major event, and we're sure that there will be some kind of promotional feature to Android 4.4 – even if it's just as simple as pre-installed app which links in with the tasty Kit Kat chocolate snack. Perhaps key parts of the UI will have a chocolate-like theme to them? Or maybe you'll get free sweets by registering your phone? Time will tell, but just thinking about it is making us hungry.
Android KitKat spotted running on Nexus 10

Google’s forthcoming Android build, version 4.4 KitKat, has been spotted running on a Nexus 10 by a Chrome bugtracker.

According to a report from myce.com, a Google developer using a Nexus 10 reported a Chrome bug with Android build KLP KRS74D, while another used version KLP KRS74B.

KLP might well have you thinking “Key Lime Pie”, but we now know the next build will be called KitKat thanks to Google’s big reveal of the new name. It could well be that Key Lime Pie has previously been a working title and we’re still seeing remnants of the name in these reports even if the official name is now changed.

Myce’s analysis suggests that within the KRS74D/KRS74B designation, the K stands for KitKat or Key Lime Pie, R represents the “primary development branch”, S is for the year’s third quarter and the 74 is the day number for that quarter. Meanwhile the B and D designations are the builds for that day, B being the second and D being the fourth.

The bug report details a problem with video playback on Youtube and mentions that the same video “plays fine on a Nexus 7 v2,” suggesting the KitKat build is also being tested on Google’s latest tablet device.

Little is known at present regarding what changes Android 4.4 KitKat will introduce but current rumour suggests we may see it launch in October. Google usually launches its new software aboard a flagship Nexus device and we’re increasingly seeing leaks and information about the alleged Nexus 5 handset said to be in development by LG.

Nexus 5 specifications leaked with alleged Android 4.4 KitKat log file

An alleged Android 4.4 KitKat log file has been leaked, apparently revealing specifications of the rumoured Nexus 4 successor, thought to be called the Nexus 5.

Myce.com has spotted a log file reportedly running on the Nexus 5. The log file reveals the device running 'Key Lime Pie' with build number KRS74H. The log file is 10MB in size and includes over 1,33,000 lines, claims the site.

The site further mentions that the log is running on a Hammerhead device, which appears to be a codename for Nexus 5 formerly dubbed the LG D820.

The leaked log file reveals some of the specifications which include a 5-inch display (precisely 4.97-inch) with full-HD resolution and boasting a pixel density of 442ppi. The device is seen powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of inbuilt storage. For camera, the device sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with no details about optical image stabilisation (OIS) while there is a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera.

Further, the alleged log file reveals that the rumoured Nexus 5 supports Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, and GPS connectivity. Moreover, the log file shows the device supporting North America LTE bands. The alleged Nexus 5 will also support wireless charging, suggests the leaked log files.

Over the last month, we have seen several leaks turn up showing the alleged Nexus 4 successor's design and specifications.

Earlier, Nestle revealed the first news about the launch of Android 4.4 KitKat on Facebook, claiming an October release date. While this was not an official confirmation from Google about Android 4.4 KitKat's release, as a partner, Nestle's German Facebook handle was kind enough to confirm that it is coming next month.

Prior to this, the alleged Nexus 4 successor was spotted in live images and a video. The leaked images showed a pre-production unit of the next Nexus smartphone that revealed the front and rear panel.

It is rumoured that the next Nexus smartphone would run Android 4.4 KitKat, and that the smartphone would be the platform lead device for the new platform, due to be launched at the same event.