Apple Watch reportedly set to start shipping by end-March

The much-touted Apple Watch is one of the most hotly-anticipated devices of 2015 and new information now points to a commercial release in March.
The wearable device race is heating up and there are notable contenders on the market already, but Apple is expected to stir up some waves even if it's rather late to the party. The company unveiled its Apple Watch back in September 2014, along with its latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. At the time, the company offered just a vague release date for its first wearable gadget, saying only that it will launch in "early 2015."

Apple has still not announced a more specific launch date so far, but a new report now claims that the Apple Watch will finally make its commercial debut by the end of March. According to a new report from Apple-centric publication 9to5Mac, Apple retail staff will receive training in how to use and sell the Apple Watch starting in mid-February, and the device will start shipping by the end of March.
"Several sources tell us that Apple is planning an extensive testing program to familiarize Apple Retail Store employees with the new product category. One or two representatives from many Apple Stores in the United States, depending on store and market size, will be sent to Apple offices in either Cupertino, California or Austin, Texas to learn first-hand about the Watch. These training programs will take place between February 9^th and February 16^th," explains the report.
"In the couple of days preceding the official Apple Watch release date, these employees will then train other employees in their respective stores. In the months following the device's introduction in September, Apple has been polishing up the Watch OS and putting the device's battery through more extensive testing. Apple has also been working overtime to improve the inductive charging mechanism necessary for charging up the device each night," 9to5Mac further adds.
As a reminder, the Apple Watch will come in three versions: the Apple Watch Sport in polished or black stainless steel, the standard Apple Watch in grey or silver anodized aluminum, and the luxury Apple Watch Edition, in rose or yellow 18-carat gold. Each Watch, regardless of version, will be available in two sizes: 38mm and 42mm.
The Apple Watch further features a traditional side-winder called a Digital Crown, which will allow users to navigate the interface. Users will be able to zoom in and out, scroll, and navigate simply by rotating the Crown. The same side-winder will also serve as some sort of home button, as well as a means to activate Siri.
As expected from a smartwatch, the Apple Watch will allow users to send and receive messages, answer calls to their iPhone, and shared personalized health data.
The iWatch is expected to launch with a $349 price tag in the U.S., which is significantly more expensive than other smartwatches on the market. On the other hand, Apple devices have never been exactly cheap, and fanboys always seem willing to pay good money for a shiny new iGadget.

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HTC One M8 with Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, Sense 6.0 leaks in images

The Android 5.0.1 Lollipop update with Sense 6.0 has still not hit the HTC One M8, but some newly-leaked images now reveal how it should all look like.
Not too long ago, HTC said that its flagship One M8 smartphone will be among the first devices in its lineup to get the latest OS version, after the GPE models. The HTC One M8 is expected to get a taste of the new Android 5.0.1 Lollipop sometime in January of next year, and now some images aim to show how the new OS will look like on the handset.

The leaked screenshots come from trusted tipster LlabTooFeR, showing the updated Android 5.0.1 and HTC Sense 6.0 running on the One M8. As expected, the software still looks like the familiar HTC Sense interface, but Lollipop brings its own animations and effects such as revamped notifications, as well as some new features.

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"As you can see, new notification area became more 'material' and stock looking, which is, in my view, looks really nice! Now all notifications and quick settings are on the same page, so you don't have to make one more click to activate quick settings," LlabTooFeR explains. "Notifications also become available on lockscreen."
HTC Sense 6.0 on top of the new Android version also borrows a number of changes to animations and UI that Lollipop brought along, including the button press effects. As the tipster pointed out, users will now also be able to enjoy quick access to lock screen notifications, as well as quick settings and the new multitasking view from Android 5.0, which replaces the old HTC view. Users will now be able to search settings as well, just like in the stock version of Android Lollipop.
A new "easy mode," meanwhile, aims to simplify everything by making it easier to access the phone's basic features, such as contacts, Internet browser, calculator, and others, which will appear as large and colorful tiles.
No specific date is available for when Android Lollipop and HTC Sense 6.0 will start rolling out to the flagship HTC One M8, but an early January release is widely expected. The deadline, meanwhile, is set for Feb. 1, as HTC has officially committed to pushing out Lollipop within 90 days of its code availability.

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Nikon unveils first touchscreen DSLR as D5500, alongside two NIKKOR lenses

Nikon has announced its very first touchscreen DSLR, the new D5500, which comes as the successor of the D5300 model.
While Canon ventured into touchscreen DSLR territory back in 2012 with its 650D camera, Nikon has so far stayed away from this area. Nevertheless, the new Nikon D5500 now comes with a 1032k-dot 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen that will allow users to navigate the menu, change the focus points, activate the shutter after touch focusing, and others such. The new Nikon D5500 also comes with a standard Nikon DX 18-55mm kit lens, and will cost roughly $999.

In addition to the new D5500, Nikon has also unveiled two new lenses: the fixed focal length AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4 lens, and the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. According to the company, the NIKKOR 300mm lens is the world's lightest 300mm full-frame lens, weighing 1.5 pounds less than its predecessor. The DX 55-200mm model, meanwhile, is more suitable for beginners looking to extend their DSLR's optical zoom range.
"Whether capturing and unforgettable sunset or the game winning goal, the Nikon D5500 was designed to foster creativity and provide the tools any budding photographer needs to easily capture and share amazing images and HD video," Masahiro Horie, Nikon's Director of Marketing and Planning, said in the press release. "Additionally, the new DX-format 55-200mm and FX-format 300mm f/4 lenses reaffirm Nikon's steadfast commitment to expanding the NIKKOR lens lineup with versatile additions for both DX and FX-format DSLR shooters."
In addition to the touchscreen that allows for easy menu navigation, the new Nikon D5500 also features a Function (Fn) button that will allow users to quickly access AF point selection, aperture, ISO, and others.
When it comes to specifications, meanwhile, the D5500 doesn't really sport any groundbreaking changes compared to the D5300 model. More specifically, the new D5500 comes with the same 24.2MP CMOS sensor paired with the EXPEED 4 image processor, using a 39-point AF system. Just like its predecessor, the new model also obtains sharper images by bypassing the optical low pass filter. The new D55000 is also able to shoot 5 frames per second in burst mode, and it also supports Wi-Fi image transfer or remote shooting via an application.
"The Nikon D5500 makes no sacrifices when it comes to image quality, featuring a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor capable of rendering amazingly sharp and tonally-rich images and HD video. The removal of the sensor's OLPF allows for an impressive level of detail and sharpness from an affordable DSLR, while the addition of the EXPEED 4 image processing engine works to improve overall speed and performance in a variety of shooting situations," Nikon further boasts.
The Nikon D5500 supports full HD video shooting with full-time AF and stereo sound, and it also brings an array of neat creative options to the table, such as 16 unique Scene Modes that choose the proper settings for various shooting scenarios. New Effect modes, meanwhile, now include Super Vivid, POP, and Photo Illustrations, while Picture Controls has received a new "Flat" option. Such settings now have a 0.25-step adjustment, as well as a wider brightness range to ±1.5.
When it comes to pricing and availability, the new Nikon D5500 will make its commercial debut in February and will cost roughly $899 for the body, or $999 complete with the 18-55mm kit lens. Meanwhile, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/2.5-5.6G ED VR II lens will cost roughly $349, while the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens will retail for roughly $1,999.

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Toshiba unveils two new SD cards, including world’s first NFC-enabled card that shows previews

Toshiba just announced two new SD cards that photographers should really appreciate, as they should come in handy during a photo shoot.

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One of the two new SD cards Toshiba unveiled at CES 2015 is Wi-Fi capable, while the other comes as the world's first NFC-enabled SD memory card.
"We understand how important it is for consumers to share their photo and video memories with family and friends," said Maciek Brzeski, Vice President of Branded Storage at Toshiba America Information Systems, Digital Products Division. "We have eliminated the cumbersome task of uploading pictures via USB cord so users can effortlessly share and manage their files, leaving more time for what's important."

The new Flash Air III Wi-Fi-enabled memory card will allow users to access all of their stored photos and quickly share them with a computer provided that it's connected to a Wi-Fi network. Moreover, this new version of the SD card comes with enhanced photo sharing and management features, sporting significant improvements over the previous model. Users should now be able to transfer photos and videos notably faster as well.
The Wi-Fi-capable Toshiba Flash Air III SD memory card will become available for purchase starting in March, with a $79.99 price tag for the 16GB model and $99.99 for the 32GB version.
The NFC-capable card, meanwhile, will come in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB storage configurations, and will work with any NFC-compatible device. In order to use the NFC capabilities with this card, all users need to do is download the Memory Card Preview App on their device and tap it to their camera (see image above). Their phone will then display up to 16 image previews, as well as the available storage space on the card.
"In order to find out what is stored inside SD memory cards, you usually need to put them into PCs or digital cameras to find out what is stored inside. The new product utilizes the features of NFC technology to exchange data simply with a touch. By holding an NFC-enabled Android smartphone, with the app 'Memory Card Preview' installed, over the memory card lets you preview the available storage space, as well as 16 thumbnails (max.) of the photos stored in the card," Toshiba explains.
On the other hand, this SD card doesn't support other functionality except for previews at this point, which means that users will not be able to download or do anything else with the photos via NFC.
The new NFC-enabled SD memory card from Toshiba will become available sometime next month, but the company has yet to provide pricing information or an exact release date.

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Apple Pay to reach Canada in March?

Apple's own mobile payment service called Apple Pay may be ready to hit Canada as soon as March, if a new report turns out to be accurate.
Apple Pay made its debut in 2014, arriving as the company's very own mobile payments system. Apple signed notable partnerships for its service and Apple Pay really started to take off, albeit for now it's still available only for U.S. users. Customers can use Apple Pay in a few other regions, but only if they have a credit card issued in the U.S.

If a new report is to be believed, however, Apple Pay may soon be expanding its horizons and reach Canadian territory. The news comes from Apple-centric publication 9to5Mac, which cites sources familiar with the matter.
"Apple is preparing to expand its new Apple Pay payments service internationally with at least the Canadian launch currently scheduled for early 2015, according to sources close to the situation," 9to5Mac reports.
"Sources say partners are currently in negotiations with Apple regarding the launch scheduled to come sometime in the first half of this year. Apple and Canadian launch partners are in the process of planning advertising and other promotional material for March, which indicates that the launch could come as soon as then. Of course, these are still active discussions and it's possible the talks could fail to result in a launch by March. Several sources, however, tell us Apple is currently targeting that timeframe."
Several rumors in the past few months have pointed in this direction, indicating that Apple may soon be ready to expand its Apple Pay mobile payments system to more regions. While the new report from 9to5Mac doesn't count as confirmation, it does bolster such claims.
In the meantime, Apple Pay is gradually expanding in the U.S. as well, as Apple is adding more partners for its mobile payments service. Apple Pay is expected to grow in popularity as the service expands, with an increasing number of users relying on the service to pay for their purchases.
When it comes to this purported Canadian launch of Apple Pay, however, it's still advisable to take this new report with a grain of salt until Apple provides some official information in this regards.

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Apple action camera to go head to head with GoPro?

Apple has a new patent in its trove, and it refers to a waterproof action camera. Will the company compete with the likes of GoPro soon?
As of this week, Apple is the proud owner of a new patent for an action camera with a remote control, indicating that it may soon go head to head with GoPro in this segment of the market.

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GoPro action cameras are widely popular and many users worldwide rely on them to capture some of their most daring moments, but some serious competition could affect their success. In fact, it seems that Apple's new patent has already affected GoPro, sending its shares down 12.7 percent.

Considering that GoPro shares dropped by more than a tenth in a single day, it seems apparent that investors are seriously worried about tough competition in the market.
GoPro currently rules the action camera market, but Apple is known for making a big splash when entering a market. The aforementioned 12.7 percent drop in GoPro's shares occurred after news surfaced regarding Apple's new action camera patent. If GoPro's shares took such a significant tumble simply because Apple patented similar technology, what will happen if or when Apple actually brings an action camera to market?
As for Apple's patent, here's the deal: back in 2012, Kodak made an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Since then, Apple has acquired much of Kodak's intellectual property, complete with this patent, which even includes Kodak logos on some diagrams. On Jan. 13, 2015, Apple was officially granted the patent for the action camera, and so it became public knowledge.
According to the patent in question, this Apple action camera could allow users to mount it on a surfboard, a scuba mask, or a bicycle helmet. Users would apparently be able to wear the remote control like a watch and use it to turn the camera on and off. In other words, Apple's action camera sounds like a direct competitor to GoPro's lineup of cameras.
To further illustrate the fierce competition with GoPro cameras, the patent even bashes GoPro for only allowing users to shoot video from the front, which makes it more susceptible to damage and vibration and creates "excessive wind resistance."
"In some situations, the digital capture device is mounted on a tripod or another type of camera mounting device, so that it does not need to be held by the user. In some situations, the digital camera capture device is controlled using a remote control, in order to initiate and terminate the capture of images," explains the patent.
"It is known to provide rugged digital capture devices that can be secured to various objects, such as a bicycle helmet or scuba mask or mounted to the handlebars of a motorcycle or the front of a surfboard. For example, the GoPro HD Hero2 digital cameras, sold by GoPro Inc, Half Moon Bay, Calif. are sold as part of an 'Outdoor edition' package which includes various straps, pivot arms, and adhesive mounts to enable the digital camera to capture images while performing activities such as biking, skiing, skating and kayaking. However, the HD Hero2 camera includes only a single image capture system, which captures images using an optical axis directed outward from the 'front' of the camera. This can cause excessive wind resistance and presents a high profile that is more susceptible to damage and image artifacts from vibrations in some situations."
Apple offered no official comment yet regarding whether it plans to bring an action camera to market this year. If it does, however, it would go head to head with GoPro.

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Windows 7 exits mainstream support today, enters extended support with only minor security updates

The popular Windows 7 operating system (OS) has reached the end of mainstream support on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and passes into extended support from now on.
This shift from mainstream support to extended support means that Microsoft will no longer offer free support for Windows 7 from now on. In other words, even consumers who have paid licenses or who have signed up to licensing programs will have to pay if they want to benefit from support for Windows 7. At the same time, Microsoft will no longer be implementing any new features for the OS.

Extended support, meanwhile, will run through 2020, and means that Windows 7 will still continue to receive security patches until then. The end of mainstream support, however, marks the first step toward nixing the OS on Jan. 14, 2020.
Windows 7 is a widely popular version of Microsoft's operating system, as it is considered far more stable and desirable than Windows Vista, aka its predecessor, and easier to use than its successor, aka Windows 8. The popular Windows 7 powered roughly 55 percent of the world's PC range, which is more than Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 managed to cover together.
Windows 8 was widely criticized upon its debut for bringing a confusing new user interface (UI) to the table, and many users preferred to stay on Windows 7. Even when Windows 8.1 came out trying to fix what Windows 8 had messed up, many consumers still felt that Windows 7 was better and easier to operate.
All versions of Windows 7 go into extended support on Jan. 13, 2015, until 2020, except for one embedded version that seems to be exempt from this move, according to Microsoft's page for support timeframes.
Meanwhile, Windows 10 is expected to launch this year and bring notable improvements over the dreaded Windows 8 and the subsequent Windows 8.1, but it will still take a while for the consumer version to roll out. Microsoft has an event set for Jan. 21 to reveal more details regarding its latest Windows 10, and we'll keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, Windows 7 users who don't want to upgrade just yet will have to settle for only minor security updates from now on.

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Google Glass Explorer Program set to shut down on Jan. 19

Google is shutting down its Glass Explorer program, but the company insists that this is not the end of the controversial gadget.
Google Glass has stirred plenty of controversy since its launch, with some people even getting investigated by authorities over the use of the gadget in certain circumstances.
In a recent post to the official Google Glass+ account, the company has revealed that it intends to stop selling the current version of its hi-tech eyewear to individuals on Jan. 19. Developers and companies, meanwhile, would still be able to get the gadget.

Google further plans to move the Glass team out of its Google X experimental labs and into an independent division, which will continue to have Google Glass chief Ivy Ross as its leader. In turn, however, Ross will report to Tony Fadell, the former Apple executive who is now the CEO of Google's Nest Labs division.
"Since we first met, interest in wearables has exploded and today it's one of the most exciting areas in technology. Glass at Work has been growing and we're seeing incredible developments with Glass in the workplace. As we look to the road ahead, we realize that we've outgrown the lab and so we are officially 'graduating' from Google[x] to be our own team at Google. We're thrilled to be moving even more from concept to reality," Google explained in its announcement.
"As part of this transition, we're closing the Explorer Program so we can focus on what's coming next. January 19 will be the last day to get the Glass Explorer Edition. In the meantime, we're continuing to build for the future, and you'll start to see future versions of Glass when they're ready. (For now, no peeking.)"
This decision comes after months of speculation, with various reports indicating that Google was close to nixing its Glass efforts because the gadget failed to kick start a proper developer ecosystem. Many developers who originally got on board with Google Glass ultimately gave up on the platform either due to the device's limitations, or to the lack of customers.
As previously mentioned, consumers who tried out Google Glass were oftentimes questioned when wearing the gadget in movie theaters, bars, or even their own cars. With such reluctance toward the futuristic eyewear, it's no surprise that the $1,500 Google Glass didn't see a wider adoption.
Now, with the Glass Explorer project set to close for the general public, Google's new Glass division will focus on the next-generation Glass device. A new iteration is expected to see the light of day sometime later this year, but no specific details are available at this point.

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HTC One M8 running Android 5.0.1 Lollipop + Sense UI leaks in preview (VIDEO)

The HTC One M8 has yet to get a taste of Android Lollipop, but a newly-leaked video now shows how Android 5.0.1 would run on the device.
Google announced its new Android 5.0 Lollipop back in mid-October, with its Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Nexus Player as the launch vehicles for the new operating system. As always with new OS releases, it takes a while for more devices to receive updates, and Lollipop makes no exception.

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Many Android devices are still waiting for the Lollipop treat, with some having to wait longer than others. The HTC One M8 was expected to receive the upgrade a while ago, but owners of the device have not gotten the good news just yet.

HTC originally said that it would roll out Lollipop to its flagship device, i.e. the One M8, by Jan. 3, but the company has obviously missed the deadline. The HTC One M8 has still not received the Lollipop treat, but it shouldn't take too long now either. HTC said it would roll out the update within "90 days of the original source code being released," which indicates that the delay may actually come from Google's part.
Regardless of who's to blame, the new target for the HTC One M8 Android Lollipop update is now the end of January, which means the new OS version should start rolling out soon.
Nevertheless, a newly-leaked video from Vietnamese site HTCViet.vn now gives users a glimpse into what to expect from Android 5.0.1 running on the HTC One M8 before the new OS version actually hits the device. In other words, this leaked video embedded below shows a preview of what the HTC One M8 would look like running Android 5.0.1, albeit the final version may not be exactly like this.
As expected, the video shows the things users already expect from the new OS version, such as Google's Material Design, the new manner of viewing notifications, and others such. On the other hand, this video shows also how Android 5.0.1 Lollipop would integrate with HTC's own Sense UI on the One M8, and that's the highlight of this preview.
Otherwise, Android 5.0.1 has already started rolling out to the Google Play Edition versions of the HTC One M8 and One M7, so users already have a good idea of how the new OS version looks without the Sense UI. Owners of non-GPE devices, however, will have to wait a bit longer for the latest OS, but it should roll out by the end of the month. In the meantime, check out the video below to get a better idea of what to expect.

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Sony announces discounts, free membership extensions after PSN hack affected service

The PlayStation Network (PSN) was out for a few days due to a hack attack and Sony is now offering free membership extensions to make up for it.
A Christmas Day distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack brought down both the Sony PlayStation Network and the Microsoft Xbox Live services, causing major outages that took a while to fix. While Microsoft had its network up and running again in a day or two, Sony took a little longer to patch things up. A hacking collective called Lizard Squad took credit for the attack.

As expected, after a few days of not being able to enjoy the PlayStation Network, disgruntled gamers started to criticize Sony and complain that they cannot access the service despite paying good money for it.
To make up for the significant downtime during the holidays, Sony is now offering discounts and free membership extensions to its users. The extensions will apply automatically, meaning that users don't have to do anything special in order to take advantage of this offer.
"Since access to PlayStation Network was impacted during the holidays, we wanted to show our appreciation for your patience by offering all PlayStation Plus members that had an active membership or free trial on December 25^th a membership extension of five days," Sony announced in a blog post on Thursday, Jan. 1.
"We will post additional information here on PlayStation Blog when the extension becomes available. If your membership or trial ends before the extension is available, you will receive five days of Plus to enjoy once the extension becomes available (we will notify you when)," added the announcement.
In addition to these extensions aimed at PlayStation Plus members, Sony also touted that it will soon announce a limited-time promotional code so users can get a one-time discount of 10 percent off a total cart purchase in the PlayStation Store. According to the company, this upcoming discount will arrive as "a thank you to all PSN members."
Once this offer goes live, gamers will be able to use the discount coupon to purchase content such as new releases, game add-ons, season passes, indie games, as well as Movies and TV content that is available on the PlayStation Store.

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Galaxy S6 Edge leak reveals intriguing details, dual-edge screen

More information is now available regarding the purported Galaxy S6 variant with a curved display, claiming that it will be curved on both sides.
Back in 2014, when Samsung took the wraps off its new Galaxy Note 4 phablet, the company also introduced an intriguing Galaxy Note Edge variant with a fancy display curved on one side (see image above). In recent months, the rumor mill has been buzzing in anticipation of the next-generation Galaxy S6 smartphone, and reports indicate that Samsung would launch a Galaxy S6 Edge model as well.

An exclusive new report from SamMobile now claims to have more information in this regards, offering new details on the purported Galaxy S6 Edge. According to the publication, the curved-display version of the Galaxy S6 will come with model number SM-G925.
"Today, we can confirm that Samsung is indeed developing a Galaxy S6 with two-edge displays, one on each side, reports our source. Similar to how the Galaxy Note Edge was a separate variant of the Galaxy Note 4, the SM-G925 will be a separate variant of the Galaxy S6. We aren't sure what the Korean firm will officially call this special variant, but for the sake of this article, we will be calling it the Galaxy S6 Edge," SamMobile reports.
The publication claims that the Galaxy S6 Edge will allow users to activate any of its Edge displays, which means that it will be easy to use with any hand. The handset is expected to retain all of the Note Edge features of the curved panel, including the briefing panel, sports and news panel, pedometer panel, Yahoo Finance, and others such that will be available through Samsung's app store.
In addition, the Galaxy S6 Edge will reportedly have a new feature called Glance Lighting, which can light up one or both edges of the screen when receiving a call or notification. Users could even be able to assign specific Glance Lighting colors to their favorite contacts so they know who's calling just by looking at the color of the edge screen.
It remains unclear at this point whether Samsung plans to unveil the Galaxy S6 Edge at the same time as the flagship Galaxy S6, but the general expectation is that the two handsets will debut simultaneously. With no official confirmation from Samsung, however, take everything with a grain of salt for now.

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Purported Samsung Galaxy S6 surfaces in UAProf on company’s website, QHD display confirmed

The Samsung Galaxy S6 has apparently surfaced on a User Agent Profile (UAProf) on Samsung's website, revealing more details ahead of the big unveiling.
The general expectation is that Samsung will take the wraps off its next-generation flagship at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015, which this year takes place in March. While there's still more than a month to go until then, the rumor mill never rests and anticipation keeps building up.
Further boosting excitement ahead of the Galaxy S6 debut, Dutch site TechTastic now points to a UAProf on Samsung's website, which bolsters some rumors regarding the smartphone's specifications.

According to the UAPRof in question, a handset with model number SM-G920A is en route, and could reportedly be the AT&T version of the Galaxy S6. The smartphone further appears to have a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, which falls in line with previous rumors. Moreover, the "base64" reference could be related to 64-bit architecture, and previous reports indicated that the Galaxy S6 would pack a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor under the hood.
Considering that the UAProf doesn't contain any hints regarding software navigation buttons, the Samsung Galaxy S6 may come with hardware buttons.
The user agent profile doesn't reveal much else regarding this SM-G920A smartphone model, but previous rumors have indicated that the Samsung Galaxy S6 would come with a QHD display, a Snapdragon 810 chip, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage capacity. On the software side, the handset is expected to run the latest version of Android, along with an improved version of Samsung's own TouchWiz UI.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 is also expected to boast a dramatic redesign, which should involve at least some metallic accents. It remains unclear at this point whether it will sport just a metal frame like the Galaxy Alpha, or rock a full-metal design like the Galaxy A series.
More leaks, rumors, and speculation are expected to surface ahead of the big unveiling, but keep in mind that it all remains in the rumor state until Samsung makes an official announcement. We'll make sure to keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available, but take all unconfirmed news with a grain of salt in the meantime.

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Microsoft Windows 10 to bring single code base for PC, tablet, phone apps

Microsoft reportedly plans to enable Windows 10 apps to work across phones, tablets, and PCs instead of being optimized for just one form factor.
Windows Phone has grown to become the third-largest mobile platform behind Android and iOS, but its greatest drawback lies in an insufficient app ecosystem. Microsoft apparently wants to resolve this issue with Windows 10, aiming to enable the development of apps that are compatible with all form factors.

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Microsoft's Windows Phone is already a very capable platform and many appreciate its interface. Better app support will surely enhance the functionality and popularity of the operating system, and it could become a reality very soon.

According to a new report from The Information, Microsoft will address this shortcoming with its upcoming Windows 10, announced back in October as one platform to rule all devices in the company's product lineup.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Microsoft will detail the consumer preview of Windows 10 and announce its new strategy to boost Windows Phone sales, claims the report. Moreover, the company reportedly plans to unveil new hardware as well.
"In previewing its Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft will show a single code base inside the software that will allow an app to run well on phones, tablets and PCs, as opposed to being optimized for one screen size, says a person briefed on the upcoming release. Microsoft also plans to introduce new hardware, with some set to appear this week and a phone-laptop hybrid that might appeal to enterprise customers being developed for in the future," The Information reveals.
"Along with Windows 10, Microsoft also plans to launch a single app store instead of the two separate stores it now maintains for phones and for PCs and tablets. The new store is where Microsoft might introduce an updated Windows Phone version of Office 365, its cloud-based productivity suite whose success is critical to the company's fortunes," adds the report.
In other words, Microsoft is expected to introduce a single code base that will allow apps to run on PC, tablet, and smartphone form factors, without requiring specific optimization for each category. This falls in line with Microsoft's previously announced plans, as the company said the strategy for Windows 10 is "One product family, one platform, one store."
As previously mentioned, Microsoft is expected to offer more details on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and we'll keep you up to date with the latest news.

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Here’s why Xiaomi devices are so affordable, while also packing good specs

Xiaomi has been widely successful in recent years because it sells good devices at affordable price tags, but how does it manage to keep the costs down?

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Just recently, Xiaomi managed to outperform both Samsung and Apple in China, becoming the top-selling smartphone maker in the country. At the same time, the company is also the third top-selling phone maker in the world. Xiaomi devices typically sell out in no time, and the company has broken record after record in terms of sales. Last year, for instance, Xiaomi sold 60 million phones.

The flagship Xaomi Mi devices have seen resounding success so far, as they come with powerful specifications for their price points, usually retailing for roughly $300. In fact, the company's latest Mi Note Pro phablet is the most expensive device in its portfolio, topping $500 for the first time, but it comes with utterly impressive specifications that still make it a bargain. The affordable Xiaomi Redmi lineup, meanwhile, consists of cheap devices retailing for less than $150.
Other smartphones on the market, for instance, go up to a whopping $1,000 off-contract, which makes even the most expensive Xiaomi handset quite affordable by comparison.
Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's vice president of International, has explained to TechCrunch in an interview just how the company manages to keep costs so low. The executive reckoned that Xiaomi is able to offer devices at such prices thanks to "the combination of a small portfolio and longer average selling time per device," TechCrunch reports.
In other words, while other companies such as Samsung invade the market with a slew of devices, some selling better than others, Xiaomi makes only a handful of handsets that continue to sell even after newer models come up. One key ingredient in this recipe could be the fact that Xiaomi doesn't forget about old devices once it releases new models, it keeps selling them at reduced prices that continue to attract consumers.
"A product that stays on the shelf for 18-24 months - which is most of our products - goes through three or four price cuts. The Mi2 and Mi2s are essentially the same device, for example," Barra detailed. "It was on sale for 26 months. The Redmi 1 was first launched September 2013, and we just announced Redmi 2 this month, that's 16 months later."
In turn, this longer lifespan for its devices allows the company to score more advantageous component deals with its suppliers, which again helps keep the costs down.
"The reason we do these price cuts is because we've managed to negotiate component cost decreases [with our suppliers] over time, which ends up leaving us with a bigger margin than we'd like to have, so we do a price cut," added the executive.
"The vast majority of the components [in our devices] are still the same, so from the point of view of supply chain and component sourcing, we're on the same supply contracts as Redmi 1, which means we're still getting the same discounts on components. We can continue to ride the cost curve, so the importance of having a very small portfolio is significant - the fact that we only launch a few products each year, and we only have two product families."
At the same time, Barra highlighted that price cuts alone do not guarantee the success of the device. Compared to other device makers, Xiaomi also supports its devices for longer periods of time, providing software updates, spare parts, and other services. Having a limited portfolio allows the company to focus more on each device.
With such a strategy and such demand for its devices, it's no wonder Xiaomi plans to broaden its horizons and expand beyond Asia in 2015. The company seems to have a great recipe for success, and we're bound to hear more about Xiaomi in the future.

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Microsoft Surface Pro update: Features, improvements, download link

Microsoft has started rolling out a substantial update for its Surface Pro line, adding a number of improvements across the board.
The update covers all generations of the Surface Pro lineup, focusing on the graphics and networking hardware of the much-touted tablet hybrids to improve the overall experience.
When it comes to graphics, the new update improves the drivers for the Intel HD graphics processing units found inside the Surface Pro tablets, fixing a number of bugs that were marring the experience. One of the most notable bug fixes will address the battery drain when the tablet is in Connected Standby mode. Ironically, this mode was supposed to save battery life and it did just the opposite, but the latest update should fix this issue.

Moreover, the update will also improve or add support for external displays and adapters such as the Samsung U28D590D and Dell 2713Hb monitors, as well as Panasonic and Actiontec Miracast adapters.
Microsoft has also updated the Marvell Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers, which have not been performing as they should. Improvements to power management, meanwhile, will enable the wireless adapter to work even when Hyper-V virtualization mode is in use. Additionally, users will now be able to switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and the driver will now comply with a new European Union requirement as well, targeting better power management.
Other key features this update brings to the table include an updated Home Button driver that will better integrate with the Smart Hub app so owners of the high-end Surface Pro 3 can fine-tune their stylus. The update further fixes integration with Microsoft's Docking Station, enabling sound to come out even when no external speakers are connected.
For a full list of all improvements this new update has to offer, head over to Microsoft's TechNet blog at this link. To download the updates, head over to Microsoft's website here.
The updates have already started rolling out to the Surface Pro 3, the Surface Pro 2, and the first-generation Surface Pro. Keep in mind, however, that the new features and bug fixes will vary based on device, as each of them packs different hardware.
If you already installed the update, drop by our comment section below and let us know how it fares on your Surface Pro model.

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Microsoft Lumia 930, Lumia 830 get gold-trimmed avatars

Microsoft has decided to bling up two of its popular Lumia smartphones, introducing gold-trimmed versions of the Lumia 930 and Lumia 830.
Both of these smartphones have enjoyed great success since their launch, and the new models aim to offer more stylish versions for those who find gold devices to be more elegant and appealing.

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The trend of gold-colored smartphones started when Apple released its iPhone 5S in a gold color option back in 2013, and the gold avatar caught on ever since. Several other smartphone makers have joined the party in the meantime and launched their devices in gold color options, and Microsoft is now jumping on the bandwagon with its Lumia 930 and Lumia 830.

"Make a big, bold statement this year with the new golden Lumia 830 and Lumia 930," Microsoft announced on its rebranded Lumia Conversations blog on Thursday, Jan. 8. "The Lumia 830 and Lumia 930 smartphones get a high-end refresh with an anodized gold color. Starting soon, these two phones will be available in black or white with a premium gold finish."
As a reminder, the Nokia Lumia 930 made its debut back in April 2014, arriving as one of the first devices specifically made for Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8.1. In fact, the Lumia 930 came as the global version of the much-touted Lumia Icon, which was exclusive to Verizon Wireless. The handset came in a range of bright colors including green, orange, and white, and now it's available in a new gold variant.
The Lumia 830, meanwhile, made its debut just a few months back, aiming to cater to the mid-range segment of the smartphone market. The handset comes with good specifications on board and has proved to be quite popular among consumers.
It's worth pointing out, however, that the two smartphones are not really gold all around, but rather with a gold trim finishing touch for the black and white versions.
The new Lumia 830 option will become available next month in Europe, Asia Pacific, China, India, and select markets in Middle East and Africa, with pricing depending on region.
The Lumia 930 black/gold edition will become available starting this week, while the white/gold model will arrive later this month. Pricing will also vary across the board, depending on market.

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Android 5.0 Lollipop update roadmap leaks for HTC devices

An alleged update roadmap has leaked online for HTC devices, revealing when Android 5.0 Lollipop will roll out to various handsets in the company's lineup.
The latest major version of Android has already started rolling out to the HTC One M8, and the HTC One M7 flagship smartphone from 2013 is the next in line to receive the new treat. The One M8 and One M7, however, are not the only HTC smartphones set to get a software upgrade.
HTC has yet to provide specific dates for when the update will reach more devices, but a new leak now offers an alleged roadmap, detailing which other HTC handsets will get Android 5.0 Lollipop and when.

This leaked update roadmap comes from Vietnamese publication HTCViet and reveals that a number of popular HTC smartphones are set to receive Android 5.0 Lollipop next month, while another batch of handsets will get it later on.
According to the publication, the HTC One E8, the HTC Desire EYE, the One M8 Eye, and HTC Butterfly 2 should all get the new Android 5.0 Lollipop treat sometime in February.
The HTC One Max phablet, the HTC One M7 dual-SIM, the HTC Desire 816, Desire 820u, the One M8 Mini, the One E8 (China), and the One M8 Eye (China) are reportedly next in line, set to get the Lollipop treat sometime in March.

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Lastly, the report further notes that the HTC Desire 610, Desire 820s, Desire 510, and the original HTC One Mini should receive the over-the-air (OTA) update to Android 5.0 Lollipop in April at the latest.
As previously mentioned, HTC has yet to provide an official timeline for when Android 5.0 Lollipop will start rolling out to other devices in its lineup, in addition to the One M8 and One M7. Nevertheless, this newly-leaked roadmap falls in line with previous information regarding the Lollipop rollout for HTC devices.
Until HTC makes it official, however, it all remains in the rumor state. As always in such cases, it is highly advisable to take all leaks and reports with a hefty grain of salt. We'll make sure to keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available, so stay tuned.

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HTC One M7 now $199.99 off-contract from Best Buy

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HTC fans looking for a good smartphone at a sub-$200 price point are in luck, as Best Buy is now selling the One M7 for $199 off-contract.
The HTC One M7 may not be the newest smartphone out there, nor among the highest end anymore, but it definitely holds its own even after nearly two years on the market. The handset launched as the company's flagship smartphone for 2013 and proved to be widely popular worldwide, as it was considered one of the best smartphones at the time.

In fact, HTC found itself a good recipe for success with the One M7, as the handset received high praise for its sleek and premium design, combined with powerful specifications for its day. Even now, with lots of other top-notch smartphones available with more powerful processors and better specs all around, the HTC One M7 still delivers a fast and fluid performance.
U.S. customers looking for a good smartphone at an affordable price point, but without a lengthy carrier contract, may find Best Buy's new offer quite tempting. The retailer is offering the former HTC flagship at just $199.99 without a contract, which is a pretty sweet price for the handset.
It's worth pointing out that Best Buy is not selling the unlocked HTC One M7. The smartphone is available off-contract, and customers can choose to get it on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or Sprint. Also, only the blue and silver models of the handset seem to be available at this price point.
As a reminder, the older HTC One M7 sports a 4.7-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.7GHz, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage capacity, among the highlights. On the software side, the HTC One M7 is set to receive an update to the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop later this month.
HTC launched a more powerful One M8 flagship smartphone in 2014, and fans are now waiting to see the next-generation One M9 flagship for 2015, but those who don't necessarily want the latest and greatest may find the One M7 good enough. For more information or to purchase the HTC One M7 for $199.99 off-contract, head over to Best Buy's website at this link.

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