November 2013

Nokia’s Lumia 525 Windows Phone has long been rumored, and the Finnish smartphone manufacturer is making it official today with little fanfare.

Archive for November, 2013

Nokia Lumia 525 unveiled as successor to the most popular Windows Phone

Nokia’s Lumia 525 Windows Phone has long been rumored, and the Finnish smartphone manufacturer is making it official today with little fanfare. Continue reading →

BLU Announces The Newest, Most Powerful Member Of The Life Series: Say Hello To The Life Pro [Hands On]

Back in April, I said that BLU “is a company to keep an eye on moving forward.” A few months later, I reviewed (and loved) my first BLU device: the Life Play. Continue reading →

Baby steps towards the watch of the future Continue reading →

Corsair Overclocking Guide Part 1: The CPU

Overclocking is one of those subjects I’m always a little antsy about with newer enthusiasts. It’s something with a storied history. Continue reading →

The Snapdragon 805 is going to knock your socks off

The latest and greatest in mobile processors available today is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800. Continue reading →

Jolla: First Sailfish OS smartphone goes on sale

HELSINKI: A team of ex-Nokia engineers is launching a smartphone based on the former world No. 1 cellphone maker’s old software, hoping to grab a share of a highly competitive market. Continue reading →

Leaked Galaxy S5 specs again point to beastly phone – with plastic case

We have already seen what appears to be one of the coolest new features of the Galaxy S5, but Samsung has yet to release any official specs for its upcoming flagship smartphone. Continue reading →

Zotac intros AMD Kabini-powered mini-PC

Another system has joined Zotac’s line of diminutive PCs. This newcomer is based on AMD’s Kabini processor, and it features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI out, and wired connectivity up the wazoo. Continue reading →

Docker 0.7 runs on all Linux distributions – and 6 other major features

So, Docker 0.7 is finally here! We hope you’ll like it. On top of countless bug fixes and small usability improvements, it introduces 7 major features since 0.6.0: Continue reading →

Xbox One APU reverse engineered, reveals SRAM as the reason for small GPU

For months, Sony and Microsoft fanboys have lined up to hurl insults at each other over which console would pack more hardware, hit higher performance targets, or prove a better design for the next generation. Continue reading →

Moto G announced: Google's budget smartphone disruptor

Google and Motorola have officially unveiled the Moto G, a budget-friendly smartphone that promises high-end performance at a fraction of the cost. Starting at just $179 unlocked, the device features a 4.5-inch 720p display, a quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, and a 5-megapixel camera. With a focus on emerging markets and cost-conscious consumers, the Moto G is poised to shake up the mid-range segment. Continue reading →

Android 4.4 KitKat: A sweeter experience for low-end devices

Google's latest Android version, 4.4 KitKat, has been rolling out to Nexus devices and is designed to run smoothly even on hardware with as little as 512MB of RAM. The update brings a host of improvements, including a more immersive full-screen mode, smarter caller ID, and a unified Hangouts app that integrates SMS and MMS. With optimizations for lower-end devices, KitKat aims to reduce fragmentation and bring the latest Android experience to a wider audience. Continue reading →

PlayStation 4 launch: Sony's console dominance challenged

Sony's PlayStation 4 hit store shelves in North America on November 15th, selling over one million units in its first 24 hours. The console boasts a powerful AMD Jaguar CPU and Radeon GPU, 8GB of GDDR5 memory, and a revamped DualShock 4 controller with a touchpad and share button. While early reviews praise the hardware, some critics note a lack of compelling launch titles. The PS4's performance will be closely watched as it competes with Microsoft's Xbox One. Continue reading →

Steam Machines: Valve's living room gambit

Valve has revealed its lineup of Steam Machines, a new category of living-room PCs designed to run SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system built around the company's digital distribution platform. Partnering with multiple hardware manufacturers, the machines range from affordable streaming boxes to high-end gaming rigs. Key partners announced include:

  • Alienware
  • Falcon Northwest
  • iBuyPower
  • CyberPowerPC
  • Origin PC
With a focus on open architecture and user upgradability, Valve hopes to challenge traditional consoles and bring PC gaming to the couch. The first Steam Machines are expected to ship in 2014. Continue reading →

Chromecast opens up: SDK released to developers

Google has released the Google Cast SDK, allowing developers to integrate Chromecast support into their apps and websites. The $35 HDMI dongle, which initially only supported a handful of apps like Netflix and YouTube, can now stream content from a wide range of sources, including local media and custom applications. With the SDK, developers can add a cast button to their apps, enabling users to fling content to the big screen. This move is expected to significantly expand the Chromecast ecosystem. Continue reading →

Nexus 5 review: Google's flagship at a budget price

Google's Nexus 5, manufactured by LG, offers top-tier specifications for just $349 unlocked. Featuring a 5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 800 processor, and the latest Android 4.4 KitKat, the Nexus 5 delivers a pure Google experience with fast updates. Despite its modest price, the phone competes with devices twice its cost. The camera and battery life are mediocre, but overall the Nexus 5 is a compelling choice for Android enthusiasts. Continue reading →

iPad mini with Retina display: Apple's small tablet gets a big upgrade

Apple's second-generation iPad mini finally brings a Retina display to the smaller form factor, with a 2048x1536 resolution that matches the full-size iPad Air. The new mini also packs the A7 chip with 64-bit architecture, delivering console-level graphics and smooth performance. At $399, it's $100 more than last year's model, but for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing screen quality, it's the best small tablet on the market. Continue reading →

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9: A premium tablet for content consumption

Amazon's latest Fire HDX 8.9 boasts a stunning 2560x1600 display, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, and deep integration with Amazon's ecosystem. With features like Mayday live video support and X-Ray for movies and books, the HDX is tailored for Prime members. However, the heavily customized Fire OS may not appeal to users who prefer stock Android. At $379, it undercuts the iPad Air while offering comparable hardware. Continue reading →