Smartphone shipments reportedly surpass 1 billion in 2013

While cellphone shipments have hit one billion in a year previously, smartphones in particular have not, until now. According to the IDC, smartphones shipments surpassed one billion for the first time in 2013. Having said that, another research group called Strategy Analytics feels that the IDC's numbers are a little off and that smartphone shipments didn't quite hit the one billion milestone. Strategy Analytics says shipments topped out just shy of one billion at around 990 million, still quite an impressive number.

Here's a look at the IDC's top 5 smartphone vendors for 2013:

Whether smartphones hit the one billion mark or not, shipments in 2013 were up 40% compared to 2012 according to the IDC, with Samsung and Apple leading the charge once again. Strategy Analytics reported a growth of 41% for last year.

Based on the IDC's latest report, Samsung and Apple held the first and second positions with a little over 31% and 15% market share respectively. While Apple maintained its second place position, its share dropped from 18.7% to 15.3%. The numbers show somewhat significant market share growth from companies like Huawei, LG and Lenovo, all of which gained nearly a point or more in 2013. According to the IDC, growth of these companies is due to low cost, entry level devices aimed at countries like China and India.

Fourth quarter numbers essentially panned out similar to the yearly reports, Samsung landed on top but showed generally flat growth, with Apple's share slipping from 21% down to just under 18% year over year. Again, Lenovo, LG and Huawei showed nearly a point or more of growth in Q4 2013 compared to the same time the year prior.

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Apple working on two iPhones with larger screen sizes, sources say

The iPhone may have been a pioneering smartphone in a number of categories but one area where it has lagged behind is screen size. Initially resistant to what it deemed as the phablet fad, Cupertino is apparently gearing up to succumb to pressure from competitors in the large-screen smartphone market.

People familiar with the matter recently told the Wall Street Journal that Apple is planning two new iPhones with bigger screens. The first would feature a panel that is at least 4.5 inches measured diagonally while a second device will carry a screen larger than five inches.

The iPhone debuted with a 3.5-inch display that carried over year after year until the iPhone 5 hit the scene in late 2012 with a 4-inch panel. The current iPhone 5s and 5c both feature the same screen size as last year’s model.

The two upcoming handsets are expected to feature metal casings similar to existing models and we are told the plastic shell from the iPhone 5c will be laid to rest. Neither phone will carry a curved display despite the fact that Apple was recently granted a patent for curved touch surfaces. Rivals Samsung and LG have both announced handsets with curved displays in recent months.

The smaller of the two iPhones is reportedly further along in the development process. Sources cautioned that the plans haven’t been finalized and as such, Apple could change course at any time. Naturally, Apple declined to comment on the matter.

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Moborobo: The all-in-one PC manager for Android and iOS devices

There’s no denying the growing importance of mobile and the convenience of carrying an Internet-connected device at all times. But as we become increasingly attached to our phones for work and play it’s also important that our data is safely backed up and it can be easily moved from one device to another when it’s time for an upgrade. Without a proper management suite this can be quite a chore. Enter Moborobo.

Moborobo allows you to manage your Android or iOS device from a desktop PC (download here for Windows). Call history, photos, music, videos, messages, contacts, apps and even app data -- everything can be backed up and stored locally as an alternative to cloud-based backups. Users pick exactly what they want to backup and each backup version receives its own folder so you can later restore anything from any previous backup, not just the most recent one.

Aside from making it simple to migrate data between Android devices, Moborobo can also transfer contacts and message threads from iOS to Android and vice versa.

Its fondness for iOS doesn’t stop there but it’s limited compared to Android. Provided you have iTunes installed, hooking up your iDevice will give you an overview covering your device’s name and firmware version, the amount of storage used, and the number of messages, contacts, apps, images, music files and videos on your device.

Moborobo can do a lot more than backups. It gives users faster and more convenient access to everything on their smartphone or tablet, using a Explorer-style file manager to move videos, music, and pictures on or off a device with drag and drop ease. Likewise, you can add and edit contacts from your PC, manage playlists (iOS users can skip iTunes!), type notes and send them to your device's notes app or clipboard. Additionally, Android users can make calls from the desktop and send/receive SMS.

When it comes to personalization, Moborobo provides access to a library of wallpapers that can be loaded onto your device and a selection of ringtones to pick from as well. There’s a selection of Moborobo branded apps that you can load up on your Android device from the Moborobo software (or download from Google Play), including MoboDaemon to manage your device from a PC wirelessly, an ebook reader called MoboRead, a media player supporting a variety of formats known as MoboPlay, and a home screen replacement called Mobo Live which users can configure with their own widgets, shortcuts, themes, and transition effects.

Moborobo includes its own curated app marketplace called MoboMarket and a convenient app manager that lets you download and install apps on your mobile devices from the comfort of your desktop.

Download the latest version of Moborobo for Windows here.

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Google develops contact lens that can monitor glucose levels

Google has developed a contact lens that contains a glucose sensor, antenna, capacitor and a chip designed to help those with diabetes. The lens, which doesn’t restrict eyesight, takes glucose readings twice every second and sends the information to an external monitoring device via radio frequencies.

In a blog post on the matter, Google outlined the need for such a device. With one in 19 people on the planet dealing with diabetes, it can become like a part-time job to manage. Glucose levels change frequently throughout the day and must be kept in check at all times via painful blood drop tests, etc.

The team at Google [x] wondered if they could help and came up with the contact lens in question. It’s comprised of chips and sensors that look like bits of glitter and an antenna that is thinner than a human hair. The lens doesn’t rely on batteries but instead is able to get power from the monitoring device via, you guessed it, radio frequencies.

According to project lead Brian Otis, future models may even include a light source built into the lens that would let wearers know the status of their glucose levels without having to look at the external monitoring device. This could be activated when the wearer closes their eyes, for example.

Google said they are in discussions with the FDA regarding the device but admit there is still a lot of work that must be done before the technology can be brought to market.

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Deck 13 releases first Lords of the Fallen screenshots

Developers of the upcoming action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen, have released a couple of screenshots to satisfy the public's appetite. For anyone unfamiliar, the gothic-looking title is the brainchild of Tomasz Gop, the executive producer of the first two Witcher games. We first heard about the game last year, when Eurogamer secured an interview with Gop about his ambitious project.

"It's a challenging game, action RPG, which means a lot of advanced combat,” explained Gop. "When you walk through a location, and you have to fight 10 enemies, that takes around an hour.” He classified Lords of the Fallen as a mixture between Dark Souls and Borderlands, containing a challenging combat system that is laced with character customization and skill trees. The game is under development by the German studio Deck 13, but will be produced by City Interactive, which created Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2.

These screenshots are very Witcher-esque, boasting some very impressive visuals and lighting effects. We are not aware of which platform was used to create these stills, but the game will be developed for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Lords of the Fallen is due out sometime later this year, barring any setbacks or delays. We don't yet have a solid release date, but these screenshots should help to keep your eyes entertained until we hear more.

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Rumor: Windows 9 'Threshold' expected in April 2015

Microsoft is reportedly targeting an April 2015 launch for the operating system sequel to Windows 8.1, codenamed 'Threshold'. According to Paul Thurrott, Microsoft is trying to put the less-than-fantastic launch of Windows 8.1 behind it by calling the OS Windows 9, and although it hasn't entered the development phase, the company has already started planning ahead.

In April 2014, which is just a few months away, Microsoft will hold its annual BUILD conference and it's rumored that the company's long term vision will be presented at the show. This will include the first look at what Microsoft has planned for Windows 9, alongside more stuff on Windows Phone and Xbox.

Addressing the criticisms surrounding Windows 8 will be a major focus of Windows 9, and the OS is expected to bring "Metro 2.0", a major update to the design language used from Windows 8 onwards set to fix issues. As previously reported, this update may introduce a feature that allows Metro-style applications to be run on the desktop as floating windows, rather than just full-screen apps.

The Start menu may also return in Windows 9 'Threshold', or even earlier in a second 'Update 2' for Windows 8.1. 'Threshold' updates should also come to Windows Phone and Xbox, but it won't necessarily bring the eventual merge of Windows RT and Windows Phone.

Currently Microsoft is working on 'Update 1' for Windows 8.1, which is essentially a free service pack that will likely debut in April 2014 alongside Windows Phone 8.1. The development of both OSes is nearing completion, so it shouldn't be too long before we'll get our hands on updates for Microsoft's main platforms.

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Galaxy S5 coming in March or April, Samsung studying eye-scan security

As the Galaxy S4 approaches its first anniversary on the market Samsung has begun dropping hints about its much anticipated successor. In a Bloomberg News interview at CES 2014, the company’s executive vice president of marketing Young-hee Lee claimed that they’re targeting the same March - April launch timeframe of their past few flagships, while briefly commenting on potential features and design changes.
On the latter, Young-hee aknowledges that physical similarities between the S3 and S4 left many feeling a little underwhelmed. The Galaxy S4 launch was strong but it didn’t quite replicate the success of the S3 launch. For the S5, the company says it will go back to basics, focusing on the display and the feel of the cover. He didn’t offer any further hints although past rumors have pointed to a metal chasis instead of plastic.
The executive also commented on rumors of an iris scanner feature saying that many people are ‘fanatical’ about it and that they are studying the possibility. This would of course be Samsung’s response to the fingerprint scanner in Apple's iPhone 5S but whether it makes it to the S5 in the March - April timeframe is uncertain.
Aside from its flagship smartphone, Young-hee says we can expect a successor to the Gear smartwatch to arrive around the same time with a less bulky design and more advanced features. A new Galaxy Note phablet for those who prefer massive screens is scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2014.

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SteamOS now supports Intel and AMD graphics

When the first SteamOS beta was released last month, gamers with Intel and AMD GPUs were left out in the cold due to the initial "Nvidia graphics only" requirement. Well, things have changed now. The latest alchemist updateto the Valve's operating system adds support for AMD and Intel graphics, along with various other fixes.

Don't expect too much as the operating system is still in the beta stage. According to AMD, there are some screen tearing issues even with V-sync enabled, and SteamOS Overlay while playing games can result in a slower user interface response time. The company is still working with AMD and Intel to fix these issues.

So, what do you have to do to install the update? Well, nothing. "Existing SteamOS installs should update themselves automatically," says Valve. For those who are planning to install the OS, make sure your machine has a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 500GB of storage space, UEFI boot support, and a USB port for installation.

Note that as of now, SteamOS does not support drive partitioning, which means that it will wipe your hard drive during the installation process. If possible, install it on a spare hard drive.

If you haven't downloaded SteamOS yet, you can do so from here.

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பசுமையான காதல்

 நி அசையாமல்...

மரமாக இரு - நான்

வாழ வைக்கிறேன் - உன்னை

சுத்திக்கொண்டு.....

பச்சிளம் பாசியாக....

பசுமையான- என்

காதலைக் கொண்டு!..

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Evolve details emerge: large open environments, dynamic wildlife

A wealth of new information regarding Evolve has emerged, including class types and back story.

Announced in the new edition of Game Informer, the accompanying feature details the Turtle Rock developed shooter.

The game is due to release this Autumn (Spring in Australia) for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Originally set to be published by THQ when it was revealed in 2011, 2K Games will now handle the title.
The key points are below:

• Turtle Rock has been working on Evolve for three years.
• There will be a solo 'experience' in Evolve, though Turtle Rock is not yet willing to talk about it.
• A studio spokesperson says Evolve will feature "very lush and large outdoor environments" with "a lot of AI wildlife"
• The monster player will leave tracks for hunters to follow as well as other "visual and aural clues".
• The monster player will be able to feed on wildlife in order to grow larger and more fearsome
• The game is designed for 1-vs-5 multiplayer, though fewer than that can participate in a session, with AI filling out the team. Players can switch between AI characters.
• The story of Evolve involves the settlement of humanity on distant planets. The biggest frontier planet is called Shear. Hunters are tasked with making these dangerous, alien-infested planets hospitable to colonists, though aliens of Shear have evolved rapidly during the course of humanity's presence.
• While Hunt mode pits four human players against a human controlled monster until the death, the monster player can complete objectives in order to win.
• Weapons have unlimited ammunition.
• Hunters can only die and be revived three times before they're officially ousted from the game.
• Classes include Assault, Medics, Support and Trappers. Assault focuses on aggression, Medics can provide health boosts to the team, Support can apply various power ups and shields to the team, while Trappers can contain the monsters.
• Evolve will also bost a progression system for both characters and items.
• In addition to Hunt mode, more modes will feature.
• Evolve will be supported by post-launch content, but Turtle Rock stopped short of confirming DLC.

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New update to Android Kitkat 4.4.1

We all know the new version of Android! Our favorite chocolate? Yes, it's KitKat!The version number is 4.4! Now Android team has released a new update to it. So named as 4.4.1.

The new updated mainly focus on the Camera performance!

• Camera app launch faster.
• Auto focus is faster.
• Colors and exposures have been improved.
• Progress bar, when shooting HDR+ photo. HDR = High Dynamic Range.
• Bug fixes.

The update is available only for Nexus 5 at present! Hope it will be extended to others also!

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Idea’s new version of 3G Dongle with Excellent Features!!!

Idea Cellular has came up with an another version of Idea NetSetter 3G Dongle in its major 3G markets in India. Main Important news about Idea NetSetter is that it is certified for Microsoft Windows 8 / 8.1 and Windows RT making it the first dongle to get this certification. 

Exciting features of 3G 

-Speed: up to 21.6 Mbps

It is used to transfer data, stream media, and send SMS messages seamlessly while on the move

-Compatibility: Windows, Linux and MAC Operating Systems with backward compatible on EDGE and GPRS

-The dongle supports HSPA plus network enabling download of up to 21.6 Mbps and uploading of 5.76 Mbps. 

-The built-in SMS Manager allows users to read, write, reply, forward, and delete text messages, and users can also create and Edit their contacts which can be stored on SIM card or on laptop. 

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Google’s Chromebooks overcome its hindrance!!!

According to the latest news, Chromebooks accounted for 21 percent of all laptop sales and almost 10 percent of all computer sales to businesses in 2013. Also, Chromebook’s increased share is coming at the cost of Windows. So, Microsoft was actually right to worry about Google’s Chromebook project.

The story was right opposite few years back, at that time chromebooks couldn’t even do its sole prupose correctly, surf in web. Nobody preferred this despite of its lower price. Even the sales were more than disappointing. The whole project seemed doomed from the start. 

But by some means, Google came back from its hindrance by taking its first step by making chromebook’s purpose relevant from irrelevant in the laptop market. And this is not just in the business market, Amazon announced that two out of its three best-selling laptops during the holiday season were Chromebooks.

During last year, Google even made us to think like its ChromeOS as “real” Operating System. It also overcomes one of its inability, that is Offline capability. Yeah!! While Microsoft loves pointing out that Chromebooks are only useful when you’re, one area Google’s engineers worked hard on was adding more offline capabilities

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