The Project Ara modular smartphone isn’t just a dream anymore, as Google is getting ready to roll out the first Project Ara devices early next year. The device will let users build their own smartphones and customize them on the go. Nikkei has learned that Toshiba has been chosen to provide three types of processors for the first Project Ara handsets, including chips that will go in the various modules and also in the phone itself.
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The Surface Pro 3 is most likely one of the best Windows 8.1 tablets/laptops around, and Microsoft is eager to offer it to interested consumers. The company announced it will start taking pre-orders online at midnight, with Microsoft and Best Buy retail stores ready to begin sales of some configurations on Wednesday in the U.S.
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2014 might be a relatively boring year for smartphone fans, but every once in a while you come across an app that makes you appreciate how far mobile technology has come. One example is Word Lens, the reality-augmenting text translator that was recently acquired by Google and is now available for free. That limited-time sale must have inspired Appic Fun, because the developer just made its own incredible translation app for the iPhone free as well.
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Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled a brand new member of its Surface family, the bigger Surface Pro 3 device that’s supposed to replace the tablet and laptop combination that many people currently use. The company thoroughly explained the technology behind the Surface Pro 3 on stage, demoing various aspects related to design, special features, accessories and software.
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Ever since Apple purchased AuthenTec in July 2012, people have been speculating about the world’s largest tech company doing something with mobile payments as it seeks to make the most out of its 800 million (and counting) iTunes accounts. With Apple publicly acknowledging mobile payments on an earnings call, it may wind up doing so with future iPhones that include Near Field Communications (NFC), a technology that’s been around for quite some time, but has never really taken off.
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The recently launched Moto E is no match for the Galaxy S5 when it comes to hardware, but the new entry-level Motorola Android handset is no slouch, as shown by a few tests recorded on video by YouTuber Tom Rich. While the Moto E can’t beat the Galaxy S5 when it comes to benchmark tests and performance when it comes to certain app types, such as games with complex graphics, the Moto E appears to be faster than the Galaxy S5 at performing other, more common tasks.
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Microsoft is currently holding a press conference in New York City, during which several brand new Surface tablets are expected to be unveiled. You can watch the event live right here. Rumors were all over the map leading up to the event, with early reports suggesting that an 8-inch Surface mini tablet would finally be unveiled after two years of rumors. Subsequent claims suggested that wouldn’t be the case at all, and Microsoft would instead show off an updated Surface Pro 3 with a larger display, as well as a new Surface 3 running Windows RT.
Now, the guessing game is finally coming to an end.
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Microsoft’s Surface tablet lineup consists of what are arguably the most exciting and intriguing Windows 8/8.1/RT devices on the planet. They’re sleek and beautiful, they’re fast and powerful, and they’re remarkably well designed. In fact, they’re probably some of the best designed tablets the world has ever seen.
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Oh, so you’re ending support for Windows XP and you want us to upgrade to Windows 8? Not so fast, says the Chinese government. Reuters reports that China’s government has banned Windows 8 from being installed onto its computers for reasons that aren’t quite clear but that seemingly relate to the end of support for Windows XP, which research firm Canalys says makes up 50% of China’s desktop market.
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The Moto 360 is without a doubt one of the most interesting Android smartwatches that will launch this year, thanks to its unusually beautiful design – the device will feature a traditional round watch face rather than a square face like the smartwatches already available in stores or launching soon – but there are no clear details about its launch. Motorola has teased the device on numerous occasions, unveiling only certain details about it. However, it appears that French site Journal du Geek has learned more details surrounding the Moto 360’s price and launch window.
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