Apple has revealed that a fix for the Do Not Disturb feature for iOS 6 devices is coming in the next few days.
The feature, which suppresses calls and other notifications when activated, began acting up for some users on January 1.
Do Not Disturb schedules stopped expiring as some iPhone users had requested as 2013 commenced on Tuesday morning, meaning calls and notifications were still being diverted.
In a post on its support pages, Apple said it was working on a fix and advised users to switch the feature on and off manually in the meantime.
Switch Scheduled Off
The post read: "Do Not Disturb scheduling feature will resume normal functionality after January 7, 2013. Before this date, you should manually turn the Do Not Disturb feature on or off.
"To turn off the scheduling feature, tap Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and switch Scheduled to Off."
The Do Not Disturb feature is handy when you're on holiday, or simply trying to get a good nights rest as it can be configured to only ring when your favourite contacts call.
HTC's rumored new flagship smartphone, the HTC M7, could have an official unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show 2013.
Twitter tipster Football4PDA cited some "indirect information" that HTC is planning a CES reveal for the smartphone.
"Moreover it might have screen buttons instead of hardware touch buttons..." the tip added.
Shifting the home buttons to be part of the screen would be an interesting move, as it would certainly have aesthetic appeal but could also dig into the battery life if the screen needs to remain active even in sleep mode.
Normally, such a tenuous connection would be treated with more suspicion. However, this particular tipster has a remarkably reliable track record, such as leaking the HTC 8X name and specs last year.
CES or bust
The HTC M7 is rumored to be the successor to the popular One X handset.
Purported specs for the device leaked last month, indicating a 4.7-inch SoLux display, 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 2300mAh battery, 32GB of internal storage and Android Jelly Bean.
It's also said to support a next-gen Wi-Fi 802.11ac connection, which is rumored to be up to three times faster than current 802.11n Wi-Fi chips.
Initial rumors for the HTC M7 pegged it for an early 2013 launch, so an announcement at CES or the Mobile World Congress is looking like a strong possibility.
Amazon and Apple have been battling it out in court over Amazon's Appstore for Android for almost 19 months.
Apple accused Amazon not just of trademark infringement for using the words "app" and "store" together, but also pointed the finger at the retailer for false advertising.
On Wednesday, the case took a turn in Amazon's favor when the United States District Court dismissed Apple's claims of false advertising.
In the ruling, Apple's claims were put to pasture as the court found "the mere use of 'Appstore'... cannot be construed as a representation that the nature, characteristics or quality of the Amazon Appstore is the same as that of the Apple App Store."
This move came just three months after Amazon filed a request to have the false advertising claim thrown out, with the online retailer going so far as to cite Apple executives Steve Jobs and Tim Cook as part of its defense.
Apple holding strong
Despite this minor setback in Apple's case against Amazon, this ruling will reportedly have no effect on the outcome of the ongoing trademark infringement suit.
Apple has had a registered trademark for the App Store with the United States Patent and Trademark Office since 2008, and had requested Amazon cease using the Appstore name while it was still in development.
Prior to Apple's litigation with Amazon, the Cupertino-based company engaged in similar legal maneuvering with Microsoft over the same terms.
Microsoft's court proceedings with Apple were put on suspension pending the outcome of Amazon's case, which shows no sign of ending any time soon.
Though Amazon was dealt a small victory here, the war is far from over, as there are still five more claims the court must deal with in regards to the alleged trademark issues.
Apple is no stranger to lengthy legal battles, and it will be interesting to see just how this latest case progresses not just for Amazon, but for Microsoft's interests as well.
Vodafone has devised another innovative way to put the top smartphones into the hands of users, with the launch of its Nearly New plan.
The scheme, which is available for pay monthly and pay-as-you-go, will offer a significant discounts for customers who're happy to forego a brand new phone in order to save a few quid.
Under the Nearly New plan, customers can sign up for a free Samsung Galaxy S3, HTC One X and iPhone 4 on a £33 a month tariff.
The equivalent tariff, for the Galaxy S3 would be £37, plus a £99 premium on the handset, if customers buy a brand new phone.
£155 off an iPhone 4
The Nearly New scheme also stretches to the pre-pay market, with customers able to grab an 8GB iPhone 4 for just £250 compared to the £405 users would be expected to pay for a brand new blower.
The handsets are "phones that have been returned in very good condition by Vodafone customers," the company said in a press release.
"All phones go through a strict series of checks and processes (including a full security wipe) before being placed on the scheme and are re-boxed with all the right accessories."
The launch of the Nearly New plan, comes following the arrival of the Red Hot scheme, which allows users to rent their handsets from the network and upgrade it each and every 12 months.
The firm behind the Ubuntu operating system, Canonical has announced a version of its software for smartphones.
Ubuntu for smartphones looks to bring the full desktop operating system to a touchscreen device, giving users a seamless transition between their computer and smartphone.
The operating system uses the drivers and kernels from Android, which means it can be easily installed on any smartphone currently running Google's OS, and also means manufacturers won't need to change any of their hardware to support the new OS.
All bases covered
Ubuntu mobile OS is targeting the full spectrum of smartphones, from low to high-end devices, with a lean option for new users providing them with a functional device which is easy to use, while power users are also catered for with support for quad-core super phones.
Slightly disappointingly you won't be able to get hold of pure Ubuntu phone until the end of this year, or even early 2014, but an image for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be released in the coming weeks if you can't wait that long.
One of the most popular versions of the Linux OS could be coming to tablets and phones in a big way.
A countdown that ends at 6PM UK time today with the catchphrase 'So close, you can almost touch it', suggests that Canonical, the company behind popular Linux OS Ubuntu, has finally put together a fully touch-enabled version of its platform.
However, strong rumours suggest that the firm is not only going to make good on its promise to make Ubuntu touch-friendly for the mobile space (it's been pledging to do such a thing with Ubuntu Unity for some time) but also that it has partnered with an OEM to launch the new version with hardware too.
Open to Touch
According to PhoneNews, Canonical will take to the stage tonight to present a 'new breed of Ubuntu devices, under the Ubuntu Touch banner'. This means that the company is stepping up its efforts to make Ubuntu a widely used platform on mobile devices as well as the desktop environment.
News of the devices has been 'gleaned' from trackers for the new Ubuntu release schedule, which seems to confirm that OEMs are working with Canonical to present the Ubuntu Touch experience.
Indeed, Canonical has long been vocal in its plans to push into the mobile space, calling it 'crucial' for the company to stay relevant in an interview run by Slashdot with Canonical's founder, Mark Shuttleworth.
He added that the company was looking to create a single OS that could run across multiple platforms: "Let's make one OS that runs on the phone AND on your supercomputer," while also confirming that he was looking to bring a Ubuntu-powered tablet to the shops in the near future.
The same firm also confirmed to our partner title, Linux Format, that it was "working hard to bring both Ubuntu TV and Ubuntu for Android to market," so a truly cross-platform change could be coming.
TechRadar will be on hand at Canonical's launch this evening, so check back later to see what's coming from the team behind the Ubuntu platform.
The excitement of the rumour mill, the titillation of every leaked photo led to higher than ever levels of expectation over the iPhone 5 features, and while the announcement was greeted with some derision at the lack of perceived headline improvements, the record sales tell an entirely different story.
Given the underwhelming changes to the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 5 launch really needs to re-energise customers to prove Apple can repeat the game-changing trick it managed with the iPhone 4.
The iPhone 5 price is predictably high, so consumers will need to bear that in mind too when looking for their next smartphone.
So is the Apple iPhone 5 the greatest smartphone ever, and did it finally see Apple ascend to the top spot in our 20 best mobile phones chart? Or was it a case of too little, too late... and what about those darned Maps, eh?
Design
We'll begin in the traditional manner: how the thing actually feels in the hand. With the iPhone 5 there will be many types of prospective buyer: the upgrader from the 4 (or more-money-than-sense iPhone 4S upgraders), those tired of their Android handset and those taking their first steps in the smartphone market and want to get one of them iThingies their friend/child has.
Well, all of those picking up the iPhone 5 will have the same reaction: this thing is amazingly light. You've probably heard the numbers by now (20 per cent lighter than the predecessor, as well as beating most of the opposition too at 112g.)
It's an odd sensation, but it actually detracts from the experience when you first pick it up. We've praised the weighty feel of the iPhone in the past, lending it a premium feel in the face of toy-like phones, and it's almost disappointing that Apple decided to join that clan.
However, through extended use this problem quickly disappears, as the overall effect of the phone is still a chassis designed for strength, it just sits more anonymously in the pocket.
You'll obviously see the change in height too – the iPhone 5 stands 123.8mm tall to allow for the larger 4-inch screen. In truth, those not familiar with the iPhone 4S probably wouldn't notice the difference, which is why it's a good move from Apple to include the larger screen if it's not going put people off that hate larger phones.
The decision to stick at 4-inches is Apple's admission that while it recognises people are all over the idea of having more screen real estate to play with it doesn't want to move away from the thumb-friendly nature of the device.
Through a mixture of moving the centre of gravity slightly as well as repositioning the screen within the bezel, it's still possible to scroll your thumb mostly around the whole display one-handed, which Apple is clearly keen to keep hold of.
However, we're not convinced of that argument any more, and the power button was still a little out of reach when using the phone normally, as was anything in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
This was no issue in reality, as scooting the phone down a touch in the palm is a natural action. But if that's the case, then why not offer a 4.3-inch screen at least?
There's more to a phone than a screen these days (although increasingly less and less) and the general construction of the iPhone 5 is excellent to say the least.
We've tested both the ceramic white version and the anodised black, and the two tone effect on the back of the phone is stunning, both visually and under the finger.
It doesn't beat the sheer beauty of the HTC One S, with its micro-arc oxidised back and rounded lines, but it's well-set in second place.
The two sections of pigmented glass at the top and the bottom of the phone add a pleasant effect, and the sapphire glass is meant to be thoroughly durable, to complement the Gorilla Glass on the front.
Apple knows consumers get furious when they drop and iPhone, and is clearly seeking to stop the smashes before they happen with a tougher exterior - although it seems the anodised black version is pretty prone to scratching, with a number of users mentioning chipping on the darker hue.
Phil Schiller, Apple's Senior Vice President of Marketing, reportedly replied to an email from a user pointing out that aluminium will scratch and chip in natural use - and we're also hearing that white iPhone 5 models are being returned through flaking as well.
We kept our black iPhone 5 in a soft pocket in a bag for much of its life, yet saw the following chip with minimal key / coin contact in under a fortnight:
For a device of this premium quality, users will expect it to survive the pocket test, and especially do so for the first two weeks of life. It's a big fail for Apple to expect users to accept that a product can be damaged so easily.
The same industrial band around the outside is in effect again as on the iPhone 4 and 4S, with small sections removed where the antenna joins.
Apple has gone for a more advanced form of antenna here, meaning the days of lost signal are gone, and generally increasing the power of your call connection and GPS lock on too.
There are other big design changes here too: the headphone jack has moved to the bottom of the phone, and the iconic 30-pin connector has been retired in favour of the new Lightning port, giving a headache to all those that have invested in chargers, docks and other accessories over their iPhone lives.
You can buy an adaptor, but it's pricey at £25. And unless you want to keep it permanently attached to the bottom of the iPhone 5 you'll need to buy a few, which is far from ideal.
However, let's not harangue Apple too much for this: a smaller connector is not only easier to use (you can plug the smaller cable in either way round, and the connection feels more solid), but you're rewarded with a thinner and more compact phone to boot.
There's also a small chink of light on the top right hand side of the iPhone 5 - when the screen is illuminated, you can see it under the band if you really, really look for it. It's been seen by a number of users, but is hard to actually replicate unless you mask the screen and hold it at the right angle.
It's again a sign of slightly under-par machining from Apple, but in day to day use it's almost completely invisible.
The decision to move the 3.5mm headphone jack to the bottom is an odd one, as while it allows you to slip the phone into the pocket head-first when listening to music, which is a more natural action, it's a real pain in the posterior for some apps that will only work in landscape a certain way up.
Using it this way means your headphones experience will be one of having to jiggle the jack around two fingers.
It's not the most comfortable way to hold a phone, and even when using the phone in portrait mode, the jack gets in the way somewhat. Plus it's miles away from the volume keys, which makes it hard to change the audio level in the pocket if you don't use the dedicated headphones.
There are other smaller design changes to the iPhone 5 too, such as the iSight front-facing camera moving to the middle and the home button being noticeably more robust to help reduce instances of a broken portal to your home screen.
But enough about what the phone looks like - the killer question is how the thing feels in hand. And we'll sum it up by saying: smooth. It's a little slippery, and we were always worried we would drop the darned thing.
But that's the only negative thing about the design (apart from the low weight initially and scratching aluminium) as it sits in the palm nicely and allows you to do it all with one hand, including hitting the top-mounted power/lock button with ease.
That lock button is actually still loose, as it was on the iPhone 4S, meaning when you shake the phone around you can hear it clicking away, which undoes a lot of the premium feel Apple is going for.
Make no mistake, the iPhone 5 is one of the most beautifully crafted phones out there - but when you're paying £529 up front for the thing, we'd hope this would be the very minimum Apple would be doing.
And while it looks nice, from the front it doesn't really add much to the design of the iPhone - it's certainly not the same as the jaw-dropping design of the iPhone 4 compared to the 3GS... it's another evolution in the iLine. It's not bad, but for those that hoped the iPhone 5 would be another step change there's a good chance they'll be disappointed about the look... until they feel the lovely back on offer.
There was a real chance here for Apple: remove the bezel and give the front of the screen a look that's similar to the OLED TVs from the likes of Samsung or LG… but instead we're treated to the same lines as before.
You always get the feeling that Apple saves what it can for the next iteration of the iPhone, and while there's nothing wrong with the current construction we can see the edge-to-edge screen becoming something amazing on the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S.
Update: Vodafone UK has now released an official Android Ice Cream Sandwich update for the UK-spec Huawei Ascend G300, bringing Google's Android 4.0 software to the phone. Our review's been updated to take this into account.
The Huawei Ascend G300 heralds a new chapter in the Huawei book, one that will soon be continued with the quad-core Huawei Ascend D Quad.
Aiming to challenge established budget devices such as the BlackBerry Curve 8520, Samsung Galaxy Y and even coming in at similar monthly prices as the HTC One V, Huawei seems to have a job on its hands.
Huawei is no stranger to producing a budget device, with the unlocked Huawei Blaze retailing at £99 (around $160). The Ascend G300 does initially come locked to Vodafone, but also fights its way in at under £100 (around $160).
Despite some necessary compromises, first impressions are promising. There's a 1GHz processor, large 4-inch 480 x 800 screen, and a flash for its 5MP camera.
Unfortunately though, there is no front facing camera so video calling is out. For now, you get a custom Android Gingerbread (2.3.6) interface, with Vodafone now updating the phone to Android 4.0.3 in the UK.
You'd struggle to tell by looking at it but the Huawei Ascend G300 is a budget device. Like most phones these days, the front is almost completely glass, and the metallic chassis shows itself at the top and bottom.
With an almost HTC One X look about it, you'll find three capactive soft keys just below the screen. Huawei's opted to discard the search button, keeping only the Menu, Home and Back buttons. With the update to Android 4.0, the Home button also doubles as the multitasking key, with a long-press pulling up the list of recently used apps.
At the opposite end of the bezel, there is a small LED light. It's well hidden, but flashes whenever you get a message, and lights up when charging. The colour does change, and can be customised in different applications.
On the top edge you find the 3.5mm headphone jack moulded smartly into the body, as well as the screen lock button. While we might not always be fans of its placement at the top, as the Huawei Ascend G300 isn't massive, it's easy to hit one handed.
The left hand side of the Ascend G300 houses the volume rocker. There's a nice dip in the centre which helps you control it, and it feels surprisingly sturdy. An uncovered MicroUSB port is located on the bottom, leaving the right side empty.
The smart design also extends to the back. Made up of the battery cover, between stylish white plastic that curves round the side, the back also houses the camera and flash, as well as the loud speaker, another microphone and the obligatory logos.
Behind the battery cover we can see the SIM card slot, 1500 mAh battery and a microSD card slot. You'll be pleased to notice that this can be swapped without removing the battery.
Weighing in at 138g with battery, the Huawei Ascend G300 isn't too heavy in the pocket and while not pointing to the lightness of uber slim high end devices, it hints towards a sturdy construction. We don't expect you'll drop it much though, as it sits quite nicely in the hand.
The 4-inch screen is responsive, and bright enough to use outdoors. Unfortunately though, we have to say that the capacitive buttons aren't overly sensitive, we found that we occasionally had to press the buttons more than once to get a response.
Overall, the Huawei Ascend G300's styling makes it look like it's worth more than you paid for it, which can never be a bad thing. And the arrival of an Android 4.0 update gives it a new, modern feel as well.
