HTC smartphone growth forecast dumbed down for Q1 2013?

HTC has several well-received smartphones on sale right now, but it's reportedly revising its projected growth and reducing the number of new phones in development for Q1 2013.

The Taiwanese manufacturer's year-over-year gains for the upcoming quarter are estimated to be 10-15 percent, not the originally forecast 20-30 percent, sources told DigiTimes.

The launch of Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S3 are said to be one of the reasons for HTC's slower than expected outlook, according to the industry sources.

The decline of smartphone prices in China are also said to be a contributing factor for the sluggish growth.

HTC's smartphone lineup

With a mix of Android and Windows Phone 8 devices on the market, HTC is currently offering solid hardware, despite this disappointing report.

Its smartphone lineup includes the "recommended" HTC One X+, the HTC Droid DNA, and the HTC Windows Phone 8S.

The number of new devices from the company may be smaller than its product roadmap laid out at one time, however.

Joining the slowdown in shipments of existing HTC phones, new smartphone models for the 2013 are also supposed to be suspended, claimed the report.

Losing money to Apple, Samsung

Apple and Samsung are the real winners here. Combined, the two companies are said to have eaten up 106 percent of the smartphone profits.

HTC is also losing money to Apple directly due to a 10-year licensing agreement over patent disputes.

Apple is reportedly earning up to $8 (UK£5.03, AUD$7.67) for every smartphone that HTC sells, according to analysts.

HTC has denied that the licensing fee is that high, but it is still losing money to its smartphone competitors, both directly and indirectly.

Via DigiTimes

Android Jelly Bean review

Instead of jumping ahead a full version number from 4.0 to 5.0 with Android this year, Google has wisely decided to slow down the new feature freight train just a little, instead expanding upon the solid foundation introduced with Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich last year.

We saw the first version of Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) in the middle of this year, and we've now updated our review to cover the latest incarnation of the sugary treat - Android 4.2 - so feast your eyes on what the latest version of Google's OS has to offer.

Although this decision may have more to do with slow adoption of ICS, the iterative release allows Google to catch its breath while hopefully allowing carriers, developers and users alike the chance to play catch-up.

Of course, that doesn't mean Google abandoned its traditional sugary confection-themed naming scheme: The name's Bean… Jelly Bean… and its mission is to hone Android into a leaner, meaner mobile operating system.

Where Android 3.0: Honeycomb was exclusive to tablets and Ice Cream Sandwich attempted to port the slicker UI over to smartphones as well, Jelly Bean is intended to smooth out the platform's remaining rough edges – while hopefully having more success at widespread adoption than its predecessor did.

In the meantime, Google is seizing this opportunity to not only show OEMs how Android tablets should be done but also swat away unwelcome rivals forking its older mobile OS as their own.

Built in conjunction with Asus, Samsung and LG, Google is shipping its own seven-inch Nexus 7 tablet, 10-inch Nexus 10 tablet and powerful Nexus 4 smartphone - all of which have been treated to Android 4.2.

Will the changes in Jelly Bean be enough to finally make the ambitious goals of Google's Mobile Handset Alliance a reality? Or will handset makers and carriers continue to bog down Android with their own skins, bloatware and other encumbrances?

We may not have the answers to those questions, but there's no denying that Android Jelly Bean is the best version yet – assuming your device is capable of installing it in the first place.

HTC smartphone growth forecast reportedly dumbed down for Q1 2013

HTC has several well-received smartphones on sale right now, but it's reportedly revising its projected growth and reducing the number of new phones in development for Q1 2013.

The Taiwanese manufacturer's year-over-year gains for the upcoming quarter are estimated to be 10-15 percent, not the originally forecast 20-30 percent, sources told DigiTimes.

The launch of Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S3 are said to be one of the reasons for HTC's slower than expected outlook, according to the industry sources.

The decline or smartphone prices in China are also said to be a contributing factor for the sluggish growth.

HTC's smartphone lineup

With a mix of Android and Windows Phone 8 devices on the market, HTC is currently offering solid hardware, despite this disappointing report.

Its smartphone lineup includes the "recommended" HTC One X+, the HTC Droid DNA, and the HTC Windows Phone 8S.

The number of new devices from the company may be smaller than its product roadmap laid out at one time, however.

Joining the slowdown in shipments of existing HTC phones, new smartphone models for the 2013 are also supposed to be suspended, claimed the report.

Losing money to Apple, Samsung

Apple and Samsung are the real winners here. Combined, the two companies are said to have eaten up 106 percent of the smartphone profits.

HTC is also losing money to Apple directly due to a 10-year licensing agreement over patent disputes.

Apple is reportedly earning up to $8 (UK£5.03, AUD$7.67) for every smartphone that HTC sells, according to analysts.

HTC has denied that the licensing fee is that high, but it is still losing money to its smartphone competitors, both directly and indirectly.

Via DigiTimes

Huge spike in iOS 6 adoption looks tied to Google Maps

The arrival of Google Maps on the App Store may have prompted a large number of users to finally make the leap to Apple's iOS 6 software.

Mobile advertising company MoPub, which monitors ad impressions for over 12,000 apps, saw a 29 per cent leap in impressions from iOS 6 in the five days following the approval of Google Maps on Dec. 12.

The biggest spike in unique iOS 6 users came over the weekend when users may have had more time to perform the lengthy software update.

MoPub CEO Jim Payne told TechCrunch: "We observed since the launch of Google Maps for iOS 6 a 30 per cent increase in unique iOS 6 users, and we think it's related to Google Maps.

"It verifies the hypothesis that people were actually holding back to upgrade until Google Maps was available."

Apple Maps disaster

Apple controversially ditched the popular Google Maps application in favour of its own in-house mapping solution when iOS 6 arrived back in September.

However, the launch proved to be an unmitigated disaster for the company, angered its customers and left many refusing to leave iOS 5 until Google's app was made available from the App Store.

Now the favoured navigation app is back in business on iOS devices, it seems those users are ready to embrace the latest version of the mobile OS.

Check out our Google Maps vs Apple Maps feature for a look at which iOS mapping service has the best shot at helping you find your way in the world

Via TechCrunch

Motorola dreaming of a white Christmas with new hue for Razr i

Motorola has announced that a new white version of its Razr i handset will go on sale in the UK on December 22.

The Android-toting device, notable for being one of the few handsets to boast the Intel Atom processor, will be available in the new shade from Phones 4U from £20.50 a month, with a free phone.

The single core Intel processor is clocked at 2GHz, while there's also a large and long-lasting 2000mAh battery.

The Razr i also has an edge-to-edge 4.3-inch, 960 x 540 resolution, Gorilla Glass display and an 8-megapixel camera.

A shot in the i

When the handset was initially launched back in September, Moto claimed it to be "our biggest launch since the Razr and is the first result in the collaboration with Intel."

However, not much has been heard of the Razr i since that high-profile announcement back a few months back.

A recent TechRadar review recommended the handset "without a second's hesitation" to a user who may be looking for a more affordable alternative to all-singing-all-dancing Android handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S3.

Perhaps the new shade can give the device a nice boost as folks go last-minute Christmas shopping this weekend.

Intel Atom testing blamed for Dell, HP Windows 8 tablet delays

Power users planning to get their hands on an Intel Atom-powered Windows 8 tablet may have to wait until late January due to quality control testing from Microsoft.

SlashGear reported Wednesday that testing inside Microsoft's quality assurance lab is holding up the arrival of Intel Atom Z2760-based tablets, including the Dell Latitude 10.

Originally scheduled to ship in mid-December, early Latitude 10 buyers are being told their 10-inch Windows 8 tablet won't ship until the new year, with Dell's website now estimating a ship date of January 22, 2013.

Worse yet, Dell customer service are notifying would-be buyers that the tablet has not even officially launched yet, despite the company accepting preorders since November.

Waiting for approval

The delay is also affecting HP, who is now showing a January 9 ship date for its ENVY x2 11t-g000 convertible tablet with a twisting touchscreen, also previously expected in November.

Sources claim Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs are responsible for the holdup, with Intel unable to get approval for the Clover Trail processors used on the Atom Z2760.

The issue is reportedly related to device drivers used with the Clover Trail processors, which have caused stability headaches for Intel.

Without approval, the Windows 8 tablets in question cannot be legally sold as part of Microsoft's licensing terms for its OEM partners.

Via SlashGear

Google Maps launch prompts huge spike in iOS 6 adoption

The arrival of Google Maps on the App Store may have prompted a large number of users to finally make the leap to Apple's iOS 6 software.

Mobile advertising company MoPub, which monitors ad impressions for over 12,000 apps saw a 29 per cent leap in impressions from iOS 6 in the five days following the approval of Google Maps on Dec. 12.

The biggest spike in unique iOS 6 users came over the weekend when users may have had more time to perform the lengthy software update.

MoPub CEO Jim Payne told TechCrunch: "We observed since the launch of Google Maps for iOS 6 a 30 percent increase in unique iOS 6 users, and we think it's related to Google Maps.

"It verifies the hypothesis that people were actually holding back to upgrade until Google Maps was available."

Apple Maps disaster

Apple controversially ditched the popular Google Maps application in favour of its own in-house mapping solution when iOS 6 arrived back in September.

However, the launch proved to be an unmitigated disaster for the company, angered its customers and left many refusing to leave iOS 5 until Google's app was made available from the App Store.

Now the favoured navigation app is back in business on iOS devices, it seems those users are ready to embrace the latest version of the mobile OS.

Check out our Google Maps vs Apple Maps feature for a look at which iOS mapping service has the best shot at helping you find your way in the world

Via TechCrunch

Toshiba Satellite U920T review

The hybrid laptop-tablet form factor has well and truly kicked off, and you'd be hard pressed to walk into your local electronics superstore and find a bog-standard laptop between the rows of flipping, sliding, swivelling, touchscreen, Windows 8 hybrids.

The Toshiba Satellite U920t is the Japanese company's interpretation of a single device that crosses the laptop and tablet divide.This convertible Ultrabook starts as a flat 12.5-inch tablet before the screen slides back and lifts up to transform it into a traditional laptop.

There's been no stand-out design or winning form factor in the hybrid's race to public acceptance, so manufacturers are still producing wildly different designs. Other such touchscreen Windows PCs are the Sony Vaio Duo 11, Dell XPS 12, Asus Taichi and Asus Vivobook S200, to name but a few.

Get more

The latest computing news and features from TechRadar

At £899/AU$1,699/US$1,149, the Toshiba is well priced for a hybrid Ultrabook, undercutting the Dell XPS 12 and Sony Vaio Duo 11 significantly.

It's designed for anyone who wants the portability of a tablet and access to a range of apps. Windows 8 comes with its own marketplace for apps, which is filling up fast. There are over 20,000 available, with new titles being added all the time.

However, unlike Android tablets and iPads, hybrids such as the Toshiba Satellite U920t operate like a normal PC. This means you can run full apps such as Photoshop or Microsoft Office.

This offers a genuine option for people who don't want to carry two devices, and puts the hybrid form factor in a race for supremacy against the software ecosystems of ARM-based competition.

The Satellite U920t's 12.5-inch screen sits back flat when closed. It feels weighty, at 1.5kg (3.3lbs), but it's comparable to the likes of the Dell XPS 12. Frankly, it's too heavy to be used comfortably in the same way you'd use an iPad or Android tablet, and this will colour people's opinions immediately.

However, being a dubious tablet is somewhat remedied by its excellent transition to laptop mode. Slide the screen back and it looks like most other laptops - and you get all the benefits, too.

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Windows 8 review

The full QWERTY keyboard is larger than the Sony Vaio Duo 11, and conveniently there's a full trackpad with two click buttons, which is extremely useful when the touchscreen won't suffice.

It's unrealistic to judge the Toshiba Satellite against Ultrabooks and the iPad, and you'll read many reviews which do just that. However, the question is whether the Toshiba Satellite U920t can be more portable, usable and convenient than its competitors and can it persuade anyone to leave their iPad at home.

Samsung Galaxy Frame smartphone set for MWC 2013 launch

Yesterday we saw Samsung officially announce the Samsung Galaxy Grand, and if the latest reports are true there's more where that came from.

SamMobile has got wind of a mid-range handset currently going by the name Samsung Galaxy Frame, though little else is known yet other than the model number: GT-S6810.

Mini or Ace replacement?

The Galaxy Frame could be a replacement for either the Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 or Galaxy Ace 2, but it's difficult to tell from this dubious report which offers very little in terms of details.

The unknown source also predicts the handset will arrive in white only to start with, and with a name like Frame we're thinking there could be a camera focus on his handset.

TechRadar will be in attendance at MWC 2013, so we'll be routing round the Samsung stand to bring you all the latest from the firm's new handsets.

From SamMobile

Nokia rumoured to launch Windows RT tablet in February

We've heard word of a possible Nokia tablet before, and the latest rumour says it could be announced at Mobile World Congress in February.

It could also run Windows RT, just like the Microsoft Surface. Though the Surface tablet running Windows 8 should be out by then.

The rumour comes from the supply chain in Taiwan, according to Digitimes. Though it is worth taking with a pinch of salt, seeing as Digitimes isn't the most reliable of sources.

10-inch tablet

The Nokia tablet is said to have a 10-inch screen, with Qualcomm's S4 processor inside. It's been delayed because Microsoft surprised everyone by announcing Surface, so Nokia decided to focus on smartphones for the time being, according to Digitimes.

But it's worth keeping this all in perspective. We heard rumours of a Nokia tablet before last year's Mobile World Congress, too. Though they could've been right, if the device was held back because of Surface.

Back in March, Nokia's head of design Marko Ahtisaari confirmed Nokia had a tablet in the works. He told a Finnish magazine, "We are working on it."

Nokia was keeping its cards close to its chest though, saying only, "We continue to eye the tablet space with interest but have made no specific announcements."

Mobile World Congress takes place from February 25-28. We'll be on hand to bring you all the news as it breaks.

Via: The Verge

Networks already getting on board with BlackBerry 10

Networks are beginning to show their support for RIM's upcoming platform BlackBerry 10, as people question its potential for success.

The long delayed operating system from the Canadian firm has witnessed setback after setback, but it will finally launch on January 30 and there's already early support for it here in the UK.

Three, O2 and Vodafone have released statements today stating their intent to range the new BlackBerry 10 handsets once they have launched.

Jumping on the wagon

A Three spokesperson told TechRadar: "Three can confirm it intends to range BlackBerry 10 in the UK", while Vodafone said "we're planning to offer the new BlackBerry 10 when it launches on 30th Jan 2013.

"We'll release more details on pricing and availability after launch."

TechRadar then spoke to O2, who confirmed: "we will be stocking BB 10 handsets in early 2013."

We've contacted EE to see if it will be joining the rest of the pack when it comes to BlackBerry 10 and while we're yet to hear back, we'd expect it to follow suit.

Exact BB10 release dates and prices won't be announced until nearer the time (after the launch event at the end of January), but early support from carriers is the first step in the long path to possible success.