Samsung Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5 has recently been tipped by a VP of Samsung Mobile for an April release date. The announcement is set for the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) event, beginning on Feb 24.

At this point most GS5 talk centers around a supposed iris scanner that will fulfil a similar function to Apple’s fingerprint scanner. The tech hasn’t been confirmed specifically for the Galaxy S5 by Samsung, but Lee Young Hee, the Samsung VP in question, has said that it’s something they’re working on for future devices.

We’re also expecting a new look for the S5, thanks to the same interview with the Samsung exec. Like the Apple with the iPhone, Samsung has enjoyed two years with the same Galaxy design, and it is time for a refresh.

There is some suggestion that the S5 will come in two versions: a cheaper version made of plastic and a premium one made of metal (AKA the Galaxy F). Based on Samsung’s history this is doubtful, but a metal-plated Galaxy S5 is certainly a possibility. Both Samsung’s top competitors – Apple and HTC – have had success through switching to metal. Alternatively the Galaxy F may exist, but if it does it’ll be a different device to the S5 and not simply a shinier version.

Other rumors include wrap-around screens, a bezel-less display, flexible OLED panel and a higher resolution.

We can certainly see Samsung upping the res for the GS5. It wouldn’t change much visually. 5-inch 1080p screens like the one on the current S4 are already so pixel-heavy that even doubling their pixels per inch (ppi) may hardly be noticeable. Be this as it may, Samsung loves going all-out with its marketing, and boasting a higher resolution than ‘Full-HD’ 1080p would be an easy sell to the average consumer.

Source: http://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/best-upcoming-phones

Samsung Unveils First Curved Ultra High Definition (UHD) TVs

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the leader in TV technology for eight years, today unveiled its first commercial Curved Ultra High Definition (UHD) TVs and announced its exciting 2014 curved and UHD TV line-up. The new product portfolio reinforces Samsung’s leadership and sets the pace for innovation, design and content across the industry.

In 2013 Samsung introduced three UHD TVs that sparked consumer demand for the new technology, alongside its first-ever TV featuring a curved design. For 2014, Samsung is demonstrating its commitment to driving new technologies and accelerating their adoption by introducing a range of Samsung UHD TVs including the world’s largest at 110”, as well as the world’s first and largest Curved UHD TV at 105”.

Guy Kinnell, Head of TV and AV, Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland said: “Following last year’s introduction of Samsung UHD TV, in 2014 Samsung will drive industry growth through tremendous innovation in UHD picture quality, breakthrough design and consumer choice. The combination of our curved design and UHD picture quality creates the ultimate immersive entertainment experience for people passionate about entertainment. Samsung is well-positioned to meet UHD demand with our new beautifully designed, feature-packed and future-ready Smart TVs.”

In recognition of its leadership in innovation, design and engineering, Samsung won six CES 2014 Innovation Awards for its TV line. The Samsung 65” H7150 LED Smart TV received a CES Best of Innovation Award, while five TVs – including the 78” U9000 (U8500 in Europe) Curved UHD TV and 110” S9 UHD TV, were named 2014 CES Design and Engineering honourees.

Source: http://www.samsung.com/uk/news/localnews/2014/samsung-unveils-first-curved-ultra-high-definition-uhd-tvs

Intel Edison Quark mini computer

Four months ago, Intel unveiled its Quark SoC at IDF. Today at CES 2014, company CEO Brian Krzanich wants to introduce you to Edison, a miniature computer based on the same technology condensed into the form factor of an SD card. The tiny computer is built on the company's 22nm transistor technology, runs Linux and has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth modules. What's more, the tiny machine can connect to its own app store. Naturally, the device is aimed at developers, Krzanich says, who he hopes will use it to build the next generation of wearable and connected devices. Even so, Intel is leading by example, and showed a small collection of "Nursery 2.0" products using embedded Edison chips: a toy frog that reports an infant's vitals to a parent via an LED coffee cup, for example, and a milk warmer that starts heating when another connected item (the frog, again) hears the baby cry.

Still, even Intel knows that developers need more than a good example to motivate them, and nothing gets the creative juices flowing quite like the promise of an award. To that end, the company has announced the "Make it Wearable" competition, and says it will be offering up to $1.3 million in prizes for developers churning out wearable tech. The full details of the contest weren't revealed at the show, but Krzanich did say that first prize would walk away with a cool $500,000. Oh, and if you're eyeballing Edison for your award-winning idea? It'll be available sometime in mid-2014.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/intel-edison/

Best Mainstream Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad U430 Touch

If you're looking for a lightweight, touch-friendly notebook that lasts all day on a charge and won't break the bank, you'll find it in the Lenovo IdeaPad U430 Touch. The 14-inch, 4-pound laptop features a sharp, 1600 x 900-pixel touch screen; a speedy Intel 4th-generation Core i5 processor; and more than 8 hours of battery life.

Starting Price: $628

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: http://shop.lenovo.com/sa/en/laptops/ideapad/u-series/u430-touch/

Best Gaming Laptop: Alienware 17

Alienware laptops have long been the gold standard for portable gaming, and the current-generation Alienware 17 shows why. In our tests, the laptop's high-end Nvidia GTX 780M graphics and 2.7-GHz Intel 4th Generaiton Core i7 CPU were powerful enough to play "BioShock Infinite " at 106 fps and "World of Warcraft" at 144 fps. Alienware's sci-fi-inspired design and customizable keyboard, grille and touchpad lights make the 17 as exciting to look at as it is to use.

Starting Price: $1,499

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: http://www.dell.com/ca/p/alienware-17/pd

Best Workstation Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Display

Apple's refreshed 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display is ideal for graphics professionals or anyone who needs a notebook with equal doses of speed and endurance. This 4.5-pound juggernaut packs Intel's latest quad-core Core i7 processor, blazing PCIe solid state storage and Nvidia GT750M graphics, making quick work of any task-or multiple tasks at once. Plus, you still get an eye-popping 2880 x 1800-pixel display. With the 15-inch MacBook Pro, your high-res videos and photos will look fantastic, and you can edit and transcode in the blink of an eye. Add about 9 hours of battery life and you have the best mobile workstation money can buy.

Starting Price: $1,999

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Best Multimedia Laptop: ASUS N550JV

Who needs a home theater when you can have the ultimate media laptop? The ASUS N550JV's gorgeous 1080p IPS, 10-point touch display provides bright images and wide viewing angles. It can also bend backward a full 180 degrees. A quad speaker array with a subwoofer and Waves MaxxAudio provides thumping bass at loud volumes, while an Nvidia GeForce GT 750M graphics chip gives the system enough oomph to play taxing games such as "BioShock Infinite."

Starting Price: $999.

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: https://www.asus.com/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/N550JV/

Best Chromebook: Acer C720

If you don't need the full power of Windows or Mac OS X, the Acer C720 Chromebook is a great choice. Running Google's browser-centric Chrome OS, the $199 laptop provides solid performance that's more than good enough for surfing the Web or using online applications such as Google Drive or the Pixlr image editor. At just 2.6 pounds, this 11.6-inch laptop can go anywhere and lasts a solid 6 hours and 25 minutes on a charge.

Starting Price: $199

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx.

Specifications: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model-datasheet/NX.SHEAA.004

Best Business Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad T440s

Lenovo's ThinkPad T series line of business laptops have long been known for their powerful performance, long battery life and superior usability. The 14-inch ThinkPad T440s builds on that rich tradition, offering a gorgeous, 1920 x 1080-pixel touch screen; a durable, MIL-SPEC-tested design; and the most responsive keyboard on the market. With more than 14 hours of endurance with the extended battery, this lightweight powerhouse lets you get your work done in style, anywhere at any time.

Starting Price: $1049

    

    Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx.

    Specifications: http://www.lenovo.com/shop/emea/content/pdf/ThinkPad/TSeries/T440sDSEN.pdf

Best Budget Laptop: HP TouchSmart 11z

Who says touch screens have to be expensive? For just $399, the 11.6-inch HP TouchSmart 11z provides a responsive touch screen that helps you make the most of Windows 8 / 8.1 in an attractive, 3.4-pound package. With more than 6 hours of battery life, this affordable portable will have you pinching and swiping for most of a day.

Starting Price: $399

    Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

   Specifications: http://www.pcworld.com/product/1253696/pavilion-touchsmart-11z-e000.html

Best Ultrabook: Acer Aspire S7 (2013)

The very definition of sleek, the 3-pound, 0.5-inch-thick Aspire S7 features a stylish, all-aluminum unibody chassis with a white glass lid. The 10-point touch , 13-inch, 1080p screen provides vivid blues, yellows and greens at a very-high brightness level of 329 lux. An Intel 4th-generation Core series CPU and SSD provide strong Windows 8 performance. Plus, a huge 6,280-mAH battery provides nearly 9 hours of endurance.

Starting Price: $1,299

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: 

http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/acer-aspire-s7-392-6411.aspx

New and Notable Hybrid: ASUS Transformer Book Duet

It's the world's first quad-mode dual-operating laptop and tablet convertible. What exactly does that mean? The ASUS Transformer Book Duet TD300 lets you instantly switch between Android and Windows 8.1 with a push of a button thanks to Bluestacks preloaded software. A 13.3-inch, 1920 x 1080-pixel IPS touchscreen display can be detached easily and run off its own 128GB SSD. The keyboard dock, on the other hand, offers 1TB of storage space. Combined the two weigh a hefty 4.2 pounds, but thanks to a slick design this is one good-looking combo. 

Starting Price: $599

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications: 

http://www.asus.com/us/News/hnzqzGZ8TfSnrQTo

Best Hybrid Laptop: Dell XPS 12

Most hybrid laptops promise the best of both worlds but end up giving you a heavy tablet and a subpar laptop for more than the cost of both. However, the Dell XPS 12 stands out from the crowd by providing a gorgeous, 1080p display that flips backward within its bezel to turn this lightweight laptop into a 12-inch Windows tablet. Add in a comfortable keyboard, large touchpad and more than 9 hours of battery life, and Dell has a winner.


Starting Price: $799

    Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

    Specifications:

    http://www.dell.com/ph/p/xps-12-l221x/pd

Longest Battery Life Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X240

Have an 18-hour flight to Asia coming up? No problem, if you've got the 12.5-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X240. With its extended battery, this 3.6-pound business system lasts more than 20 hours on a charge -- the longest of any laptop on the market. With an optional 1080p touch screen, responsive keyboard, accurate TrackPoint pointing stick and speedy performance, the ThinkPad X240 helps you make the most of all those minutes.

Starting Price: $860

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx


Specifications:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x240/

Best Laptop Overall: MacBook Pro 13-inch With Retina Display

The MacBook Pro 13-Inch with Retina display combines strong performance with long endurance and a best-in-class display. Starting at $1,299, this laptop provides an eye-popping 2560 x 1600-pixel Retina display with stunning colors that are good enough for artists and media mavens alike. A 4th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and blazing-fast Flash storage drive make the MacBook Pro with Retina display a speed demon, while a lightweight, 3.46-pound chassis and 9.5 hours of battery life let you carry it all day.

Starting Price: $1,299

Source: http://www.laptopmag.com/best-laptops.aspx

Specifications:

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs-retina/

Motorola Moto X

Motorola has been in this business a long time and although it doesn't launch as aggressively as rivals like Samsung, there's still a great feeling of quality when you get your hands on the latest Motorola phone, the Moto X.

The Moto X doesn't go up against the flagship phones out there on the spec sheet, but it still delivers the essentials. The dual-core processor offers plenty of power, partnered with 2GB of RAM and the 4.7-inch display offers plenty of space to play, even if the resolution is a notch down at 720p. What you do get, however, is the option to customise the exterior of your phone, so you can design it to suit your own style with a choice of 252 different colour combinations.

The software offers a blend of Android Jelly Bean with a range of Motorola tweaks, which we think get the balance just about right. It's all you want of Android and not too heavily drawn off into unnecessary customisation. There's a generous 2,200mAh battery, that will see this phone outlasting some rivals. It might have some mid-range specs, but it delivers an experience that impresses.

QUICK VERDICT: Priced at $199 (£124) on contract there are plenty of other similar-priced options out there such as the HTC One that bury the Moto X under mightier specs. But even so, and while it's not quite to that level, we've really enjoyed adopting the Moto X. It's smart and still powerful enough - plus it avoids too much bloatware as per the Samsung Galaxy S4. Motorola's customisation options will also tick the box for some - we think they're cool - and that gives this phone that middle-ground appeal that nothing else in the market has. It's not perfect, but we do rather like it.

Specifications:

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions
		CDMA 800 / 1900 - for Verizon, Sprint
	3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - for AT&T, Verizon HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - for T-Mobile
		CDMA2000 1xEV-DO - for Verizon HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - for Sprint
	4G Network	LTE 700 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - for AT&T LTE 700 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - for T-Mobile
		LTE 700 MHz Class 13 - for Verizon LTE 1900 - for Sprint
	SIM	Nano-SIM
	Announced	2013, August
	Status	Available. Released 2013, August

BODY	Dimensions	129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4 mm (5.09 x 2.57 x 0.41 in)
	Weight	130 g (4.59 oz)

DISPLAY	Type	AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	720 x 1280 pixels, 4.7 inches (~312 ppi pixel density)
	Multitouch	Yes
	Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones
	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

MEMORY	Card slot	No
	Internal	16/32 GB, 2 GB RAM

DATA	GPRS	Yes
	EDGE	Yes
	Speed	HSDPA, 42.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps; LTE, Cat3, 50 Mbps UL, 100 Mbps DL / EV-DO Rev. A, up to 3.1 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot
	Bluetooth	Yes, v4.0 with A2DP, LE, EDR
	NFC	Yes
	USB	Yes, microUSB v2.0, USB Host

CAMERA	Primary	10 MP, 4320x2432 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
	Features	1.4 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR
	Video	Yes, 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec., HDR
	Secondary	Yes, 2 MP,1080p

FEATURES	OS	Android OS, v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to v4.4 (KitKat)
	Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8960Pro Snapdragon
	CPU	Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait
	GPU	Adreno 320
	Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, temperature
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
	Browser	HTML5
	Radio	No
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support and GLONASS
	Java	Yes, via Java MIDP emulator
	Colors	Black, White (front panel), 18 color options (back panel)
		- Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic - Google Drive (50 GB storage) - SNS integration - MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player - MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV player - Google Search, Maps, Gmail - YouTube, Google Talk, Picasa - Organizer - Photo viewer/editor - Document viewer - Voice memo/dial - Predictive text input

BATTERY		Li-Ion 2200 mAh battery
	Stand-by	Up to 576 h
	Talk time	Up to 13 h

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x-5601.php