Samsung Galaxy S III mini pops up, we go hands-on (video)

When word first started trickling out that Samsung planned to make a mini version of the Galaxy S III, it had the air of plausibility -- we've heard from many a person about the too-large size of that phone for their hands. Then, a press invitation confirmed that "something small" was in the works, and finally mobile chief JK Shin confirmed that a smartphone of that name would be announced today in Frankfurt, Germany.

Now Samsung's spilled all the beans, and revealed the new Galaxy S III mini, a slightly paler version of its bigger brother in specs as well as screen size. Our own short time with the phone certainly revealed that its pushing all the same "inspired by nature" buttons of the original Galaxy S III (and the Galaxy Note II), with the same exact rounded pebble shape and layout. The marketing rep we spoke to from Germany said that the company's research found that users wanted the same phone design as the 4.8-inch Galaxy S III, but in a smaller form factor -- to more easily fit smaller hands and pockets. Samsung said those folks don't necessarily need or want the most powerful phone they can get their hands on and are content to have those mid-level specs -- 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, a 4-inch, WVGA AMOLED screen and 32GB max of memory.

It remains to be seen if those specs will dilute the Galaxy S brand, but in any event, we found the phone certainly doesn't give our regular-sized hands cramps like its older brother can (let alone the Note II), and the comfortable shape of the original works even better with the mini version. The button placement is identical to the larger handset, and the phone will come out of the box with nearly identical Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean functionality -- with the added Samsung Touchwiz twist, of course. That includes new niceties like the multi-screen option, and a brief play with the phone shows the same butter factor, even with the lesser dual-core processor. So might this mini-me Galaxy S III model sway you over to the Samsung Galaxy family if you disdain the giant screen of its predecessor? Check out the gallery below to see how the size compares with the rest of the family, and a video interview below the break with German Samsung rep Mario Winter.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III mini hands-on

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Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S III mini pops up, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google mobile web revamp brings hidden sidebar, feels all too familiar

Google+ has it. Facebook has it. Even Spotify and Evernote have it. "It" is the hidden sidebar, and that subtle if over-repeated interface has spread to Google's mobile home page. Visit from an iOS or Android device and the front end will resemble the desktop web version, but with a sidebar that exposes Google's services in a more elegant way than the top bar we've had to use before. The redesign isn't showing for everyone as of this writing, so don't be disappointed if Google's new drive towards interface consistency isn't available yet. Just know that there's one less refuge from the trendiest input metaphor of 2012.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Google mobile web revamp brings hidden sidebar, feels all too familiar originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four Microsoft Windows 8 demo videos sneak online

As we get closer to Windows 8's October 25th launch date, expect the floodgates to open on a barrage of tidbits, insider peeks and revelations. One such early arrival is these four clips, lasting just under a minute, that demonstrate some of the new features that'll soon arrive on your computer, tablet or hybrid. We've included them for you after the break, but we warned -- there's no Alex Clare blasting in the background like those catchy Internet Explorer ads, so we'll just have to sing it ourselves. On three... "and it feels like I am just too close to looovvee youuuu..."

Continue reading Four Microsoft Windows 8 demo videos sneak online

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Microsoft

Four Microsoft Windows 8 demo videos sneak online originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 04:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft schedules Window 8 launch event, Surface included

All eyes on New York

Microsoft has sent out invitations for the Windows 8 launch event, to be held in New York on 25 October 2012, with Windows 8 availability previously confirmed for 26 October.

Invitations have been arriving with the press for the event that will show off the final release of Windows 8, Microsoft's latest PC operating system, looking to take the company into the future.?

Windows 8 has had a mixed reception, with Microsoft taking an approach that looks to tackle the challenges of tablets and PCs in one fell swoop and leaving many wondering exactly what fits in where. We've reviewed Windows 8, so you can read all about it and draw your own conclusions.

Microsoft's event is also partnered with a Microsoft Surface Reception. At the announcement of the Surface - Microsoft's own tablet - Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, said that Surface was part of a family of devices, so perhaps we'll see more of that family announced too.?

At this stage there are few surprises in store: we've seen plenty of Windows 8 notebooks and Windows RT tablets announced; we've had the operating system for some time; we know the Windows 8 pricing and availability date as well.

But with rumours still flying around - the launch of a Xbox Music, for example - we're expecting a few more surprises from Ballmer and the gang.

Meanwhile, there is a Windows Phone 8 event scheduled for 29 October in San Francisco. It looks like October is going to be quite the month for Microsoft, but fear not, we'll be bringing you all the news as it happens.

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Tags: Microsoft Windows 8 Microsoft Surface Windows RT

 

Microsoft schedules Window 8 launch event, Surface included originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:09:00 +0100

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Google and Oracle both set to appeal verdicts in Java patent suit

Google (GOOG) and Oracle (ORCL) have both filed paperwork to appeal the court's ruling from the high-profile legal trial that took place between the two companies earlier this year. Google is appealing the jury's findings that its Android operating system infringed Oracle's copyrights concerning the Java programing language, while Oracle plans to appeal the findings that Google did not infringe the company's patents, Bloomberg reports. In an earlier filing, Google's lawyer revealed the jury found that the Internet giant had infringed upon "just nine out of millions of lines of code" in the Java programming language, which the company believes is legally insignificant. Both appeals will be filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington.

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Apple posts support advisory to explain and ease iPhone 5 purple lens flare worries

Following the release of the iPhone 5, Apple has been facing a number of complaints from users panicking that their new device exhibited a 'purple haze' when shooting images. Despite attempts to explain the issue affects many camera sensors, Apple has been forced to post a new support advisory on its website to discuss the flare and how to resolve it.

The advisory (noted by Macrumors) doesn't state that the issue is iPhone 5-specific, but highlights symptoms as "a purplish or other colored flare, haze, or spot is imaged from out-of-scene bright light sources during still image or video capture."

Apple's explanation of the phenomenon highlights that every generation of the iPhone may "exhibit some form of flare at the edge of the frame when capturing an image with out-of-scene light sources," and that it often happens when a device is angled such a way that light is reflected off surfaces inside of the camera module, directly into the sensor.

Apple's resolution in full:

Most small cameras, including those in every generation of iPhone, may exhibit some form of flare at the edge of the frame when capturing an image with out-of-scene light sources. This can happen when a light source is positioned at an angle (usually just outside the field of view) so that it causes a reflection off the surfaces inside the camera module and onto the camera sensor. Moving the camera slightly to change the position at which the bright light is entering the lens, or shielding the lens with your hand, should minimize or eliminate the effect.

Want to reduce the chances of experiencing that flare? Change the angle of your iPhone or try to block the bright light source from directly entering the lens. Put simply – don't point your iPhone in the general direction of a very bright light.

Back in September, we discussed the issue and showed a comparison shot taken with the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5. As Apple explains in its advisory, it affects all of its smartphones:

The iPhone 5 has a slight camera improvement over the iPhone 4S, featuring a sapphire crystal lens covering, low-light features and increased noise reduction. Apple has stated what it believes is the cause of the complaints it is receiving, it is now up to owners to choose whether they accept its answer.

Image Credit: Andreas Solaro/Getty

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Apple working with MicroLatch on fingerprint recognition

Apple has signed a deal with an Australian company, MicroLatch, to work on fingerprint recognition technology, The Australian reports. The information comes by way of David Murray, formerly the head of the Commonwealth Bank and now a major MicroLatch investor. He claims that the help Apple wants is explicitly related to mobile payments using NFC (near-field communications). MicroLatch has patented fingerprint technology said to meet banking security standards without the need for central processing, something Murray calls a "self-registering" system....













[From Apple working with MicroLatch on fingerprint recognition]