Manual de servicio

Current relations between Japan and China could be described with a number of different words, none of which have particularly good connotations â€" terse, hostile, threatening and tense would all fit the bill. The reasoning for the general sense of dislike between the two nations isnt really for these pages (look up the Senkaku Islands or Japans rule of China in World War II if you want a primer), but its effect on their respective populace and their car-buying habits is right in our wheelhouse.

This news of a Chinese teen running away from home because her parents were planning to buy a Honda is one of a number of auto-related examples of how tense Sino-Japanese relations are. The 14-year-old girl felt that her parents purchase of a Japanese car would be "helping the enemy with money from our own pockets," according to a recent story posted on the website RocketNews24. The girl left for three days until her parents finally relented and agreed not to buy the car.

According to the RocketNews24, Chinese commenters are supportive of the girls nationalism, with some continuing to support a boycott of Japanese products in the worlds most heavily populated country.

I was just reminiscing about the many great games Ive thoroughly enjoyed playing on iOS, which collectively have turned Apples platform into one that somehow (and surprisingly) managed to surpass the venerable Commodore 64, much-missed Dreamcast and rather wonderful Nintendo DS in my affections.


Of late, youd be forgiven for thinking that iOS has no good games at all. On reading opinion pieces online, youre probably now imagining iOS as some kind of post-apocalyptic gaming wasteland, where the slowly rotting form of Sonic the Hedgehog begs passers-by for money, before being crushed to death by the dual horrors of EAs in-app-purchase juggernaut and a tsunami of mediocrity.

This time round, Dungeon Keeper and Flappy Bird are at the forefront of everyones minds. The former is apparently EA seeing just how far it can push the concept of freemium gaming before angry gamers snap and march on EA HQ, in order to batter the companys accountants to death with obsolete (but now suddenly rather usefully heavy) original iPads.

The line of thinking was apparently this: take a much-loved classic game, add as many timers and hateful roadblocks as possible, then send out lots of press releases saying how AMAZING and FREE and AMAZING it is, carefully avoiding highlighting the broken gameplay and hateful in-app purchase system.

Flappy Bird?

And then theres Flappy Bird, a one-thumb survival game that appears to have time-travelled from the early days of the App Store when most games were rubbish. If youve not yet played Flappy Bird, the aim is to... Actually, forget about it; just dont play the game, because its awful.

And given its maker is even threatening to pull Flappy Bird from stores, you wont actually be able to play the game soon even if you wanted to.

Flappy Bird stormed the App Store as the equivalent of a novelty summer pop-chart single. Its Mr. Blobby in app form.

So what went wrong? This: Mutant Mudds. Death Ray Manta. Contre Jour. Monsters Ate My Condo. Forget Me Not. Pivvot. QatQi. Slingshot Racing. Dark Nebula 2. Super Hexagon. Beat Sneak Bandit. Mos Speedrun. Device 6. World Of Goo. Zen Bound 2. Blackbar. Stickets. Beyond Ynth. Edge. HungryMaster. Monsters Valley…

All great games, but youve probably barely heard of any of them. Thats because most - SHOCK! - require up-front payment (albeit only an amount akin to buying an 8-bit game. On cassette. In 1985), rather than pretending to be free and then throwing up roadblocks that you can skip by buying a Stupidful of Gems.

Also, many of these titles are by indies, who lack the resources of an EA, and so their amazing efforts often go unnoticed. And then Apple merrily bleats about the latest freemium tat, giving it an Editors Choice, while the cream of iOS gaming goes largely unnoticed.

Fundamentally, though, this is all YOUR fault. Yes, YOU. The iOS app ecosystem has gotten to the point where too many people want something for nothing. They expected games to be cheap, and now they expect them to be free and updated forever, because developers can apparently survive on a diet of air.
Furthermore, people are suckers when hooked, meaning theyll abruptly forget about their miserly nature and happily shovel money into a game putting up roadblocks, like a crazed gambler laughing like a maniac at a casino slot machine.

So, how to fix things. First, Apples probably not going to do anything. The company has never had a clue about gaming, and its not about to find one down the back of the sofa.

Secondly, hideous exploitative freemium titles arent going anywhere, especially when companies are making money hand over fist, bank accounts swelling as countless gamers try to eke some enjoyment from the trudgefest theyve invested so heavily in.

The only solution is to start shouting louder about genuinely great games, and recognising that paying a few quid upfront for a title beats paying nothing initially and then getting mugged shortly afterwards.

Alongside, punish the bad games by ignoring them; if a game erects arbitrary barriers because a publisher decided the best way to make money was to literally stop people playing it, then play something else. Invest in developers who care about you having a great user experience and an entertaining time, not those who merely see you as a wallet on legs.

Naturally, that all sounds a bit grass-roots, and it could amount to a drop in the ocean; but that might just be enough to stop iOS gaming sliding into a cesspit that it cannot escape from. And if you want a starting point, check out the dozens of games already mentioned on this page.

According to the last piece of info we gleaned from the ever-churning Apple rumour mill, the company hadnt decided if it will upgrade its popular iPad mini with a Retina display.


In what is admittedly a speculation-raising twist, reports on Friday suggested that Apple will give buyers of the 7.9-inch iPad mini 2 the option of snapping up both Retina and lower-res non-Retina equipped models.

In its report, Taiwans reputable Economic Daily News (via Electronista) has claimed a shortage of Retina display panels means a potential Q4 2013 release has been scrapped in favour of an early 2014 arrival.

A report from earlier this week suggested that it was the decision over screen resolution itself could cause delays, but either way, it doesnt seem like the iPad mini 2 will arrive much before Christmas.

Will it, wont it?

The long-running saga over whether Apple would launch a sequel with a higher resolution display has been going since the day the company initially announced the device in October 2012.

The relatively lo-res 1024 x 768 resolution was by far the most criticised feature of an otherwise widely-liked device, which sold by the truckload amid stiff competition from the likes of the Google Nexus 7.

Recent speculation has also suggested that the second-gen device would have a faster A6X processor, a touchscreen bezel or even no bezel, and, if a Retina display is on-board, a slightly thicker profile.

When will we see the new iPad mini 2 (or 2s), and what features will it/they include? Apple as yet to confirm even a single refresh to its smaller slate let alone a pair, so until we get official word were sure to hear everything from the plausible to the utterly implausible. Thats OK though - at least well be entertained.

After leaked images hinted at the look of the Sony Xperia Z2, a fresh report claims to have confirmed the forthcoming phone’s specifications.

Perhaps youve treated yourself to a brand new Nexus 5, or youre eagerly awaiting the moment when the latest flavour of Android hits your handset. However you get hold of Android 4.4 KitKat, youll notice some new features to get to grips with -- if theyre not all to your taste, heres how to undo the changes Google is keen to force upon you.

1. Replace Hangouts as the default SMS app

Hangouts is now Googles all-encompassing messaging solution, covering Web chats, SMS and MMS. Much like iMessage, however, the experience is not quite as smooth and user-friendly as it should be. This being Android, you can set any app you like as the default SMS handler. First of all, download a new app from Google Play -- Chomp SMS and Handcent SMS are two of the most popular choices, but there are plenty to pick from.

Next, choose your default app from Settings > More > Default SMS app -- Hangouts will gracefully relinquish its text messaging duties and stick to instant messaging instead. Make sure you configure the notifications of your new app accordingly to avoid missing any important texts (or getting multiple notifications for every SMS).

2. Reclaim your home screens

KitKat brazenly installs Google Now as the default left-hand home screen (making it one swipe away from your main home screen). There are two ways to get rid of it: one is to switch off Google Now entirely. Tap the menu button (three vertical dots) underneath all of your cards, choose Settings and then turn off Google Now. This means you wont be able to access Google Now from anywhere -- itll be gone completely from your phone or tablet unless you enable it again at a later date.

The other option is to install an alternative launcher. In the same way Android lets you install alternatives for texting, browsing, playing music and doing anything else, you can choose a different app to handle home screen and app-launching tasks. Most of these launchers are free and simple to use, and you can easily uninstall them again if you change your mind: Nova, Apexand Themer are among the most popular options, while KitKat Launchermimics the KitKat look without the Google Now panel. All of these apps have prominent options to enable you to set them as the default launcher on your device. If you install multiple launchers, Android adds a new Home option to the Settings app to help you manage them more easily.

3. Turn off Caller ID

When someone calls you who isnt in your contacts list, KitKat tries to work out who it is, primarily by scanning phone numbers for nearby places on Google Maps. Starting from next year, it will be able to identify individuals too, if those people have agreed to let Google associate their mobile number with their Google+ page and identity.

If you dont want Google to try and identify whos ringing you, open the Settings page from the Dialer app, tap Caller ID by Google and switch it off. The setting to stop people finding you through your mobile number is on the Web: log into your Google Account page, click the View option by the Phone numbers heading, and untick the option to help people find you.

4. Enable lock screen widgets

For variety, heres how to bring back a feature that KitKat disables rather than the other way around. The lock screen widgets popular with many users are switched off by default in Android 4.4, which means you cant immediately add handy widgets for tasks, emails and such-like to the lock screen (though the swipe-right camera shortcut is still in place).

Bringing them back isnt difficult. Choose Settings > Security and then tick Enable widgets -- this refers to the lock screen widgets rather than the standard widgets you add to your home screens. With the feature enabled again, you can swipe in from the left edge of the lock screen to add the widgets of your choice.

5. Not okay, Google

At the moment, shouting "OK, Google" to launch the search function on your KitKat device only works if you have your language set to US English. Presumably it will eventually roll out to UK English in due course.

If you dont want to have the feature available (it can use up battery life for one thing, and be hijacked by a passer-by for another) head to your Google Now Settings page. Untick the Hotword detection option and your handset is then immune from an "OK, Google" call to action.

The Motorola Moto G is a game-changing phone -- its quad-core chip, pure Android 4.3 and pin-sharp HD screen are fantastic value at the bargain-basement price of £135. Its likely to find its way into many a stocking this Christmas, so familiarise yourself with this super-cheap Android phone with our handy hints and tantalising tips.

1. Secure your phone

The Moto G might be cheap, but you still want to make sure you dont lose it. The phone comes with Motorolas own Device ID system, where you can register the handset and locate it later on if you misplace it. When you switch on the Moto G for the first time youll be prompted to enter your Google account to activate this service, but if you skip this step for whatever reason, you can begin the process anew by going to Settings > Motorola device ID. Its also possible to unlock the phone from this menu as well.

2. Take a screenshot

You can take a screenshot of your display by holding the power button and volume button down together. The resultant shot will be deposited in your phones gallery, in a folder called -- you guessed it -- Screenshots.

3. Add widgets to your lock screen

Widgets are still one of Androids most unique features, and in Android 4.3, theyre not limited to your homescreen any more -- you can view them even when you phone is locked. On the lock screen, simply slide from left to right and then tap the plus icon to add a widget. These include your calendar, messaging inbox and Gmail.

4. Automatically upload photos to the cloud

Its possible to preserve your photos and videos by using a cloud-based upload service on your Moto G. Googles Facebook rival Google+ comes with such a feature, as does cloud file service Dropbox -- both of which will prompt you to enable the functionality when you sign into them for the first time.

5. Transfer content from your old Android phone

Googles Android service takes the pain out of upgrading by allowing you to store all your data in the cloud, including emails, contacts and application information. There are still elements which dont get transferred properly though, but fear not -- the Moto G comes with a handy Migrate tool, which sorts all of this out for you. Youll need to ensure you install the app on your existing phone (which needs to be Android-based, naturally) but the whole process is about as painless as it gets.

6. Customise your app tray

See that row of icons at the bottom of your homescreen? These are quick-launch shortcuts to key applications, and by default are set to Phone, Chrome, Messaging and Camera. Youre not stuck with this selection though -- by holding your finger down on the app icon, you can remove it from the tray and replace it with one of your own choice. The only shortcut you cant remove is the one in the middle, which opens the Moto Gs app drawer.

7. Take multiple photos

Multi-shot burst modes arent anything new, but the way theyre accessed on the Moto G is especially intuitive. Instead of having to enter a different shooting mode or tinker with options, all you have to do is hold your finger down on the screen, and the camera will keep snapping as long as your finger remains in contact with the display.

8. Turn your phone into a pocket-sized interpreter

Travelling to a new country is often a fraught and tense experience -- new food, different weather, staring locals -- and then theres the language barrier to contend with. Your shiny new Moto G can help with that. It comes with the latest version of Google Translate installed, which means you can instantly translate speech, text and even handwriting. There are loads of different languages to pick from -- yes, even Yiddish -- and the app will even attempt to detect the language if youre unsure.

9. Open your camera from the phones lock screen

If you have a screen lock pattern or pin code on your phone then youll no doubt be annoyed by the fact that you have to unlock the device to access the camera -- and that means you could potentially miss vital family shots. Thankfully, Android 4.3 allows you to swiftly fire up the snapper from the lock screen -- all you need do is swipe from right to left. Any photos you take can be reviewed, but be aware that you wont be able to access the rest of the phones gallery until you unlock the device properly.

10. Effortlessly control your phones ringer

Using the Moto Gs preinstalled Assist application, you can tell your phone when youd like it to disable your ringer. Assist can view any upcoming meetings you have stored in your calendar and silence the phone during these periods. You can also set a time at night when youd like the phone to remain silent, so incoming alerts dont disturb your shuteye.

11. How to get the Nexus 5 interface

When we upgraded to Android 4.4 on our Moto G, we half-hoped we’d get the Nexus 5’s interface. The current Nexus was the first phone to show off Android 4.4, and it has a different look to almost every other Android phone.

It’s because the Nexus 5 uses the Google Experience interface rather than the usual Android one. However, if you like the friendly, clean look of this interface you can get it on the Moto G, with a bit of fiddling.

First, you need to download a specific apk Android app file, which enables Google Experience. You’ll find it hosted by Android Police.

Either download it using your computer or do so directly on your phone. Then find it using a file browser app such as ES File Explorer, and install it. Youll need to enable installs from unknown sources in Settings > Security first.

Once installed, you’ll be given the option to either use the normal UI or the Google Experience one when you press the Home button. Select the ‘use as default’ option to continue using the new interface a bit more permanently on your Moto G.

There are also ‘home switcher’ apps available from Google Play that that let you switch between default interfaces without having to fiddle about in the Settings menu. One of them we’ve tried is – helpfully – called simply Home Switcher.

12. A bumper case is best for long-term protection

The Motorola Moto G is a well-made phone. However, some aspects of its build have been sacrificed in order to keep the Gorilla Glass front panel safe.

The plastic shell of the phone sticks out from the screen by a fraction of a millimetre, meaning the plastic (rather than the glass) takes the brunt of any impacts. It means the plastic screen surround is susceptible to damage – without any particular bad treatment.

To avoid this sort of damage, consider investing in a bumper-style rubber case, or Motorola’s own flip cover. This uses a front flap that should soak up some of the pressure of bumps and scrapes.

13. Use an app zapper for performance maintenance

One of the few weak bits of the Motorola Moto G is that it doesn’t have all that much RAM – just 1GB. Once you have a load of apps installed, many of which may be sucking up system resources in the background, the phone can start to chug a little.

In order to keep performance solid, install a task killer app that can force an app to stop running. An issue with Android is that apps can end up performing activities when they shouldn’t, causing battery life and performance issues. Advanced Task Killer is an app manager we frequently return to.

App killers arent a cure all solution, but we found theyre useful every now and again as a last resort.

14. Install Google Keyboard for gesture typing

 The Motorola Moto G is one of the more up-to-date Android phones around. However, it can do with a software tweak or two fresh out of the box.

One key thing to change is the keyboard. The phone has the generic Android keyboard, which is actually a little different from the ‘Google’ keyboard available from Google Play. It doesn’t have gesture typing for one, and as such we strongly recommend switching to the Google keyboard.

To do so, head over to Google Play and get the app downloaded, go to Settings > Language & Input, make sure the check box for the Google keyboard is ticked. Then tap on Default and select the Google keyboard option to make it your go-to keyboard. Other keyboards worth checking out include Swiftkey and Touchpal.

15. How to fix app install parsing errors

One of the most annoying issues of the Motorola G is that some handsets suffer from a parse error that stops you from installing apps that come from anywhere but the Google Play app store. Trying to do so will result in an error message you can’t easily get around.

Some people have found that performing a factory reset on the phone solves the issue – to try this go to Settings > Backup & Reset and select Factory Data Reset.

However, we didn’t find this to be a problem-buster. A fix will come in time with a software update, but there is also a way to work around the parsing error for the time being. You can upload your .apk files to Google Drive, Google’s cloud storage service, and install them from there. There’s an app for Drive pre-installed on the Moto G.

To upload a file to Google Drive, install a file manager such as ES File Explorer, use it to locate the .apk file you downloaded. Tap the file’s entry, press the ‘More’ menu item at the bottom and then tap the Share option in the pop-up submenu. One of the options here will be Google Drive.

You don’t actually have to wait for the full file to upload. Once the upload has started, you’ll be able to install the app/game by simply tapping its entry in the Google Drive app (which you’ll be sent to upon sharing the file). You can then cancel the upload to save data.

16. Use HDR mode if you want half-decent photos

The Motorola Moto G’s camera is not very good. However, you can get reasonable results if you use the HDR mode. HDR stands for high dynamic range, and it uses multiple exposures merged together to produce higher-quality, more vivid shots.

To turn HDR mode on, swipe left to right on the edge of the screen when in the camera app to bring up the camera menu. There will be an HDR option within it. The downside of using HDR mode is that it’s pretty slow, requiring a couple of seconds for each shot. However, it’s pretty much the only way to produce satisfying photos with the phone.

17. How to transfer your old data with Motorola Migrate

Motorola Migrate is an app that lets you take content from your old phone and bung it into your new Moto G. It’s pretty clever, and very simple.

All you do is install Motorola Migrate on both phones (it comes preinstalled on the Moto G), and scan a QR code on your old phone with the new ones camera. You’ll need an internet connection, but Migrate will do the rest. It’ll give you old text messages, your contacts and even your media.

18. How to update to Android 4.4

Android 4.4 KitKat is already out for some versions of the Moto G, but by no means all of them. We strongly recommend waiting until the official release is available for your phone, rather than crowbarring in the update by rooting your phone.

To check if the update has been released for your particular Moto G variant, go to Settings > About Phone and tap the system updates option. This will manually search for software updates. If one is available, on-screen prompts will help you install it. Otherwise, just hang on.

The eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is growing near, with a number of recent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours pegging the handset for a pre-MWC 2014 unveiling.

Samsung Galaxy S5 News

Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date

Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumours

Samsung Galaxy S5 Specs

Samsung Galaxy S5 Price

The HTC One Mini is looking more and more likely as the rumours surrounding the handset continue to flow thick and fast.


With the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini last year, followed by the Galaxy S4 Mini this year, theres a clear market for cut price flagship smartphones.

The general rule, it seems, with these "mini" versions is they look almost identical to their big brothers but specs are slashed - quad-core becomes dual-core, full HD becomes 720p at best and cameras also take a bit of a beating.

While they may be "mini" in name, they arent exactly mini in nature with an average screen size of 4.3-inches making these handsets bigger than the iPhone 5 - so youll probably still need a decent sized pocket for the HTC One Mini.

Rumours of a One Mini handset first arose in April 2013, with early reports name checking the device as the HTC M4.

To help you get an idea of what you might be able to expect from the HTC One Mini weve rounded up all those unruly rumours into our smartphone pen for your perusal.

HTC One Mini release date and price

The trail is pretty cold when it comes to the HTC One Mini release date with no upcoming HTC event to speak of. Early reports suggesting itll arrive around the same time as the S4 mini have clearly been proven incorrect.

Bloomberg has tentatively suggested that the HTC One Mini release date may be in August, but as of yet we havent heard anything from the Taiwanese firm about a possibe event.

What we do have in the calendar however is IFA 2013 in Berlin, which could be the perfect platform for the HTC to launch its next smartphone - it might even show up alongside the HTC One Max.

If Samsungs pricing regime for its mini handsets is anything to go by then you can expect the HTC One Mini to sport a mid to high-end price tag which will see it go head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, Sony Xperia SP, BlackBerry Q5 and Nokia Lumia 820.

HTC One Mini screen

A consistency noticeable through all the various leaks weve seen so far on the HTC One Mini is the screen size.

Back in May notable phone leaker @evleaks mentioned the One Mini would sport a 4.3-inch affair with a 720p resolution, and that news seems to have held true over the past couple of months.

While the 720p display may not sound as fancy as the full HD offering on the HTC One, at the smaller size youll still be getting a decent picture - just take a look at the Galaxy S4 Mini.

HTC One Mini processor

When it comes to power the HTC One Mini looks pretty unlikely to sport the quad-core processor of the One, instead having to settle for a dual-core chip instead.

Later rumours pegged the One Mini as having a Qualcomm-made 1.4GHz dual-core processor, which would put it slightly below the 1.7GHz chip in the Galaxy S4 Mini.

In terms of RAM it seems the One Mini is less likely to miss out, with 2GB quoted by several different sources.

HTC One Mini operating system

Most reports seem to point towards Android 4.2 Jelly Bean as the operating system of choice for the HTC One Mini.

Another report went one further and "confirmed" the HTC One Mini would be running Android 4.2.2, with the firms Sense overlay obviously in play too.

Its probably unlikely that well see a Google-Edition of the HTC One Mini which runs the stock version of Android, as we reckon that makeover will be reserved for flagships only.

HTC One Mini camera

HTC made a big song and dance about the Ultrapixel camera on the One and its low-light performance, but even the rumour mill has been pretty quiet on the snappers that may adorn the One Mini.

Its not clear whether well see the Ultrapixel shenanigans again, or if the Taiwanese firm decides to return to the more conventional megapixel setup - but apparently the One Mini will be able to record full HD video and capture Zoes with its rear camera.

You can probably expect to see a front-facing camera on the One Mini too, as this option is becoming an almost default feature nowadays - even on cheaper handsets.

HTC One Mini more specs

The design of the HTC One Mini is expected to mirror that of the HTC One and, with that in mind, rumours that suggest itll sport the same dual front-facing speakers are likely to be accurate.

HTC may even stuff in its Boomsound technology into the One Mini alongside the Beats Audio tech which adorns all its smartphones.

Its thought that the One Mini will also carry 16GB of internal storage, but if it sports the same metallic chassis as its older brother the chance of a microSD slot being available is pretty unlikely.

That body may prove a barrier for hardcore battery fans, as the rumoured 1700mAh power pack is likely to be sealed inside the One Mini, never to see the light of day.

HTC One Mini design

The trump card the HTC One Mini may hold over its Samsung rival is its premium body, with multiple reports suggesting the cut-down smartphone will inherit the metallic chassis from its big brother.

That certainly seemed to the case in an early render of the One Mini posted online by @evleaks, which showed the handset with just a few minor differences - such as the position of the flash.


A pretty blurry image then cropped up apparently showing the One Mini sitting next to the HTC One, although the quality of the snap doesnt exactly lend itself to being trustworthy.


The design was then mooted for a third time in a couple of snaps claiming to show the HTC One Mini in black, with the layout matching that of the early render.

There was a time when the only way you could share files between your Android device and a Windows computer was by using a USB cable. These days, there are wireless options available that make it easier to share files. One such option is ES File Explorer, a powerful Android file manager. ES File Explorer helps you manage the files on your local Android device. Starting with version 3, however, LAN support was added to make it possible to share files with a Windows PC over Wi-Fi. To share files between your Android device and a Windows PC using ES File Explorer, follow the steps below:


Step 1: Create a shared folder on your Windows PC. In our example, well name it, "Android PC share." Make sure the permissions are set for read/write access.

Step 2: In ES File Explorer on your Android device, tap the globe icon in the upper-left hand corner, then navigate to Network > LAN.


Step 3: On the menu at the bottom, tap "Search" to look for available network shares on your LAN. If you dont see any, make sure that your Android device and the Windows computer are connected to the same local network and try again. If successful, you should see your Windows computer listed with its IP address.


Step 4: Tap on the icon for your Windows PC, then enter your Windows username and password.


Step 5: After your shared folder appears, you can begin sharing files back and forth using ES File Explorer.


ES File Explorer isnt the only way to share files over Wi-Fi, but its a popular utility that youre likely to have on your Android device anyway, so youd might as well give it a try.

The vice-like grip of the iOS and Android operating systems is only getting tighter, according to new sales figures published late last week.


New data from Comscore, released on Friday, showed Android leading the way at the end of May 2013 with 52.4 per cent of all US sales, up from 51.7 per cent at the end of February.

iOS share of the US market rose 0.3 per cent to 39.2 percent during same time period.

Despite the launch of BlackBerrys new BB10 operating system and the best selection of Windows Phone 8 devices yet, both of those platforms saw their share fall to 4.8 and 3.0 per cent respectively.

Numbers dont lie

It was a similar story for hardware sales. Apples iPhone led the way with the 32.9 per cent, closely followed by Samsung which enjoyed a sizeable 1.7 per cent jump to 23 per cent of sales.

The next three, HTC, Motorola and LG all endured a fall in sales during the three month period, all of which remain under 10 per cent.

Samsungs continued rise will have been fuelled by the launch of its new flagship Galaxy S4 handset but, worryingly for HTC, its critically acclaimed HTC One release couldnt stem the the drop-off in its share.

There is, of course, hope for those competing operating systems and manufacturers, but until the numbers start going in the other direction, its difficult to be too positive. They have to start gaining at some point, right?

The Google Nexus 5 is on its way - possibly today - and weve been treated to a host of leaked images and Android 4.4 details to whet our appetites.


It looks as though several people around the world have got their hands on pre-release Nexus 5 handsets, with one enterprising self-starter taking to Reddit to do an AMA about it.

He described the handset for his eager audience: "[The handset] doesnt feel cheap like a Samsung device, feels great in the hand, its similar to holding a G2 but no volume controls [on the back]."

The price is right

He also claimed to be "99% certain" that the pricing would start at $349. Thats about £220 or AU$370.
And the question on everybodys lips: what does the Nexus 5 taste like? "Fresh plastic mixed with finger sweat."

As for KitKat, it sounds as though therell be some kind of cloud-based backup option and voice control.
Not long to wait until we find out weve been had: were expecting the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 to launch later on today.

Those holding out for the iPad 5 or iPad mini 2 release date could be in for a bit of a wait, with latest reports suggesting Apple’s eagerly awaited tablets are facing delays.


With Apple’s longtime manufacturing partner Foxconn suggesting it is no longer working with the Cupertino based company to produce its tablet lines, rumours have started to emerge suggesting both the 9.7-inch iPad 5 and 7.9-inch iPad mini 2 could be hit by delays.

While Apple has yet to officially acknowledge the impending arrival of either the iPad 5 or iPad mini 2, it has been widely suggested the next-generation tablets will hit retailers in September alongside the WWDC 2013 unveiled iOS 7 operating system update.

Due to the lack of formality surrounding the mooted tablets’ arrivals, we would suggest that the latest claims of potential delays are taken with a considerable pinch of salt.

The latest reports have suggested that Apple has ceased its partnership with Foxconn due to a lack of reliability on the manufacturing partner’s front. It has been claimed issues with the production of the iPhone 5 has forced Apple’s hand to act, resulting in potential delays to upcoming products.

iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 Rumours

With both the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 expected to launch later this year, it is believed the tablets, alongside the iPhone 5S, will be the first devices to come pre-installed with iOS 7.

While the iPad 5 is expected to a new, slimmer form factor similar to that of its 7-inch sibling, the iPad mini 2’s main improvement has been tipped to be the arrival of a new Retina display.

Further iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 rumours have suggested that the usual array of improved camera optics, fast processors and the potential of larger storage options could be set to make an appearance.

Just as it does every year, Twitter has unveiled the top tweets of 2013, highlighting the years trends on the bite-sized social network.


Twitter began the "Year on Twitter" trend in 2010, and since then its format has gotten snazzier and snazzier.

This years categories are less vague than 2012s, with top 2013 tweets divided into news, entertainment, sports and "showcase," a publishing partner-picked selection of the best tweets of the year.

But the best category is undoubtedly the one that simply reads "#2013," as it highlights the major events of the last year month-by-month - in tweet form, of course.

Tweet tweet

Twitters 2013 year in review features hundreds of tweets covering everything from Jon Stewarts jabs at Microsoft to humble brags from Nascar super stars.

The sports section is divided by sport, and the news section by category. Politics and big science stories are all covered, as well as "human interest" tweets like a marriage proposal and a lost dog returned home.

The entertainment category is divided into music, TV, movies, and pop culture. No video games or tech? Even with the launch of the Xbox One and PS4?

At least theres plenty of Breaking Bad love in there.

Golden tweets

Its fun to go through the #2013 category and check out the years events month by month. What was your favorite thing that happened this year? Chances are its in there, from #SFBatkid to the NHL Stanley Cup.

The Golden Tweets section features the most re-tweeted messages of the year, and its full of heavy hitters as well, including celebrity deaths like Cory Monteith and Paul Walker.

The tweets in this section garnered hundreds of thousands of re-tweets each.

"This years most-retweeted Tweets showed the world coming together to share in loss, love, and celebration," Twitter wrote in the review.

Theres plenty to explore in Twitter 2013 showcase, but dont lose too much time combing through the past - the years not over yet, and youve probably got work to do still.

Nokia has launched the Lumia Black update for Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 devices.

The timing of tweets is the major clue as to whether they are authentic or not, new research suggests.

Scientists determined the difference between human tweeters and automated Twitter accounts based solely on the timing of tweets.


The researchers, from Imperial College London, found that they could easily tell if humans were responsible for tweets, without even looking at their content, based on when the user’s tweet was posted.

Their technique also enabled them to distinguish between individuals and those accounts managed by groups of people.

Surprisingly, they found that there was not an obvious pattern for automated Twitter accounts, which were more random than humans in terms of the timing of tweets.

The technology behind the research could provide a new way to verify the authenticity of Twitter account users.

The study, published in the journal PloS One, is also providing fresh insights into how our brains operate when using social media tools.

Study author Doctor Aldo Faisal, said: We found that it does not matter whether you are a model in Sao Paulo or a student in Beijing; it seems that we all share something very similar in our tweeting pattern that dictates the timing of when we send out messages.

Why is this important to know? Well, it suggests that there is something fundamentally similar in the wiring of our brains that comes into play when we use twitter to communicate.

Since its creation in 2006, Twitter has accrued more than 200 million active users worldwide, producing 400 million tweets per day. 

The researchers analysed 160,000 tweets from around the world using computer programmes that they developed to spot complex behavioural patterns in Twitter users.

By analysing the timing interval between tweets the team were able to determine that personal accounts holders tweeted more evenly throughout the week and, on each day, more tweets were recorded during typical waking hours of 7am to midnight.

Managed accounts, run by people in corporations, were more active during the five working days and during working hours between 8am and 8pm.

However, tweets from automated accounts were less easy to predict using their method because they were random in terms of when they were sent out.

Dr Faisal added: I am a Twitter user and this project was born out of my curiosity in wanting to know who I’m actually tweeting with.

Sure, there are methods for verifying account holders, but are they fail-safe methods? Are we really speaking to a Member of Parliament on Twitter or a PR representative or a machine? We have now developed a method that can help us determine who it is we are actually tweeting with.

The Google Nexus 5 is on the way and the search giant turn manufacturer has now confirmed the phone will launch the new Andoird 4.4 Kit Kat operating system.

With Google Nexus 5 release date rumours having kicked into overdrive in recent week, the next-generation flagship Android phone looks to sprinting towards an imminent arrival, with Google having slashed the price of last years Google Nexus 4 in order to clear stocks and make way for its new Samsung Galaxy S4 rival.

Set to line up alongside the recently unveiled new Nexus 7, the Google Nexus 5 will land with Android 4.4 in tow, while recent Google Nexus 5 leaks have claimed the phone will not only be manufacturered by LG, but feature a spec markedly similar to that of the LG G2. The phone has even been caught on camera at Googles HQ.

With the Google Nexus 5 release date now expected to be just a matter of weeks away, latest Google Nexus 5 rumours have suggested the phone will bring a larger screen, bumped up specs and a thinner form factor to boot.

We’ve rounded up all the Google Nexus 5 gossip for you in one place, saving you having to trawl the web for any news of the next Google smartphone. We will be updating this page too, so bookmark it now to keep up to date.

Google Nexus 5 Release Date

Latest reports have pegged the Google Nexus 5 release date as October 31. Although not having come from official avenues, the tipped Halloween arrival would fit with past Nexus launches and see the Nexus 5 look to capitalise on the pre-Christmas shopping rush. Whats more, it would avoid landing too close to the September 20 iPhone 5S release date.

Claimed unnamed sources have stated: “The next Nexus phone should arrive sometime in October, possibly around October 31." This would see the phone land just weeks after the LG G2 release date.

Although there has, as yet, been no official word from Google as to when the Nexus 5 will be released, this is just one of several reports which have suggested that an October arrival is on the cards, given added backing to the claims. Given the Nexus 5 could be just weeks from arrival, the recent Nexus 4 price cut would suggest the search giant is already preparing for its next flagship phone. Whats more, retailers have already started pulling the Google Nexus 4 from shelves.

In May, both Phones 4u and Carphone Warehouse reportedly stopped selling the Nexus 4, then in July the Nexus 4 disappeared from the Carphone Warehouse site entirely. Having a quick scan of all the UK network providers, the Nexus 4 is conspicuously absent, only listed as out of stock on the O2 website, and completely missing from the rest.

This could suggest a Google Nexus 5 release date may be upon us earlier than October, but of course this is just speculation on our part, especially as the Nexus 4 is still available to pruchase on the Google Play store although at a reduced price.

Google Nexus 5 Specs

The Google Nexus 5 will improve on the existing specs of the Nexus 4 with recent rumours pointing to a considerable jump in performance. A 5.2-inch OLED 1920 x 1080p Full HD display is said to be making the cut, upgrading the current 4.7-inch 1280 x 768p resolution screen.

Processor-wise the Google Nexus 5 should pack a 2.3GHZ Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor with an impressive 3GB of RAM. There should also be the option of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, probably lacking microSD card expansion like the existing flagship.

With a hearty 3300mAH Lithium Polymer battery reportedly in tow, the Google Nexus 5 should also have a 16-megapixel rear camera and Full 1080p HD video recording capabilities as well. Up front there is expected to be a 2.1-megapixel snapper for video calling and all those selfies.

As with the Nexus 4, we expect the next Google smartphone to have NFC, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, but with 4G LTE compatibility added.

At the start of July, it was tipped that the soon-to-be-announced LG G2 will share similar specs with the Google Nexus 5. The official LG unveiling is occurring on August 7, so you could see a preview of the Google Nexus 5 hardware then.

Google Nexus 5 News

Google Nexus 5 pictures have not been appearing everyday unlike the constantly leaking shots of the iPhone 5C. The phone has been caught on camera once though, with a Google employee captured taking a picture with the phone outside the companys Mountain View HQ (above).

Having worked with Google to create the Nexus 4, LG stated back in May that it wouldn’t be producing the Nexus 5, preferring to focus on promoting its own branded smartphone lines rather than stock Android devices. “The Nexus 4 was a great success despite the production problems for us and Google,” said Kim Wong, VP of LG Mobile in Europe. “However, we do not need such a marketing success again.”

The South Korean manufacturer believes that the launch of the Google Nexus 5 under the LG umbrella would detract from its own line of smartphones, especially the recently unveiled LG G2.

Despite LG stating that it would not be partnering with Google to produce the Nexus 5 despite a strong relationship, latest reports have seemingly put LG back in the picture. Whats more, LG representatives have hinted heavily to TrustedReviews that they will be in the driving seat of the Nexus 5, teasing that we will be seeing the phone "very soon."

Elsewhere, further Google Nexus 5 rumours have put production duties in the hands of Asus, which already produces its Nexus 7 tablet, or Samsung, with whom Google worked with for the Nexus 10.

The latest rumours suggest that the Nexus 5 will actually be made by Motorola, a company which is a fairly recent acquisition of Google itself. The new tip comes from a notoriously accurate leakster by the name of Taylor Wimberley, who wrote a Google Plus post stating the Nexus 5 would arrive in Q4 produced by Motorola.

"Motorola will release a Nexus smartphone in Q4 (that is not the Moto X)," wrote Wimberley.

Rather than introduced a Google Edition Moto X, it seems that Motorola will join together with parent company Google to produce the Nexus 5 this year.

However, completely contradicting these claims is the latest rumour that LG will build the Nexus 5 smartphone after all.

According to the South Korean MyDrivers website on August 13, the Nexus 5 will not only be made by LG but also be designed on the recently unveiled LG G2.

The site suggested that the Nexus 5 would land with a Full HD 1080p 5.2-inch screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 10-megapixel camera and 16/32GB of internal storage.

Google Nexus 5 Rumours

Although it was widely thought that the Google Nexus 5 would be the first device to run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, especially as Google chose to launch the new Nexus 7 with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the arrival of Android 4.4 Kit Kat has changed these beliefs.

While Android 4.3 introduced several new features like Restricted Profiles, Android 4.4 is expected to be a more comprehensive overhaul, potentially showcasing the processing prowess of the Nexus 5 when it launches later this year.

Google Nexus 5 Price

Seeing as Google chose to stay close to the price points set by the first-generation Nexus 7 with its new 7-inch slate, we expect the search engine giant to follow the same path with the Nexus 5.

Currently, the SIM-Only Nexus 4 with 8GB of storage is priced at £239, with the 16GB version offered at £279.

The Full HD screen may well push these price tags a little higher, but Google would be unwise to increase them by much in order to keep the Nexus 5 attractively affordable, especially in comparison to flagships offerings from its rivals, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, iPhone 5 or HTC One.