In Other News: 11/03/2013.

• According to a Nokia filing with the SEC the Finnish company is starting to become concerned with the possibility that Microsoft may be making, "strategic decisions or changes that may be detrimental to us. For example, in addition to the Surface tablet, Microsoft may broaden its strategy to sell other mobile devices under its own brand, including smartphones. This could lead Microsoft to focus more on their own devices and less on mobile devices of other manufacturers that operate on the Windows Phone platform, including Nokia." Surface phone on the way?
  Via ZDNet.

• Rovio's CEO, Mikael Hed, has said that:
  "With over 1.7bn downloads, we can reach a far wider and more engaged global audience than traditional distribution would allow. Launching the channel, and partnering up with some of the best video-on-demand providers and TV networks, is an important milestone for us on our journey towards becoming a fully fledged entertainment powerhouse."
  It's amazing how far Rovio have taken this series and it seems they still have grand plans in the pipeline!
  Via Guardian.

• It seems that those rumours that Lenovo is interested in buying Blackberry just won't go away! PhoneArena is reporting that the Chinese giants potential acquisition 'could make sense', but we'll have to wait and see on that one!

• A new study called "Convert Anything to Calories" from PHP Science World has worked out just how much energy it takes to operate you computer's mouse! The guys worked it out to being somewhere in the region of 1.42 calories burned per mouse click! That's not quite spot on because that figure assumes you 'completely' contract your muscle, so if you don't the figure is slightly less, but still you can burn a fair few calories that way!
  Via Slashgear.

• Bare with us for a minute while we explain this next (or should we say NXT) one...There have been some rumours that Motorola's supposed X-phone has been pictured and there's a spec sheet which goes with this picture too. Basically we don't want to expand because we think these are very outlandish claims! Feel free to check them out at the sourcelink below though!
  Via UnwiredView.

• The LG Optimus L5 II and the L3 II have both popped up on O2's coming soon page! The pair of devices are currently slated to land this month, but there's no word on pricing or availability!
  O2 Via TheInquirer.

• Calling all comic fans! You can currently download 700 Marvel Comics for free via the Comixology app for iPhone/iPad and Android devices! The offer runs until 4am 13 March GMT!
  Via PocketLint.

• ST Ericsson's CEO, Didier Lamouche, has resigned from his post! At the moment there's no word on a successor or what's next for the company, we'll let you know what the chipmaker does next!
  Via PCAdvisor.

• Mozilla’s VP of Products, Jay Sullivan, has confirmed that his company will not be building another version of Firefox for iOS. Part of this is attributed to the draconian attitudes towards third-party browsers, but with Firefox OS being launched lately, Mozilla have more on their proverbial plate at the moment!
  Via HotHardware. 

And finally, would you consider selling your smartphone's lock-screen to advertisers for $25 a month? That's what SmartAds pledges to do for you! The company is currently trying to raise some money via an IndieGoGo campaign, but it's looking unlikely they'll reach their goal. That's actually a shame because we like the idea and we think for $25 a month, we would offer our lock screen! Anyway check the video below for a little bit more detail and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Via MobileBurn.

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27/11/2012: Google rolling out Android 4.2.1 as the HTC One X gets 4.1, Surface phone pictured? Wii Mini, Cambridge researches studying robot uprisings and much more!

Google starts rolling out Android 4.2.1 and Play reviews now require Google+.

   A lot has been made in the past few weeks of Android 4.2 and it's seemingly buggy introduction, something we don't normally see with Google's releases. Thankfully, though Google is currently pushing out an update to Android 4.2.1 which addresses most of the problems people have been experiencing on their shiny new Nexus 4 or 10's.

   First up there's a fix for that slight issue where the month of December went AWOL, as well as a fix for Bluetooth stuttering and along with the more minor bugs that have annoyed other early adopters.

   Don't worry about downloading this one over Wifi because the update is just 1.1MB is size, so it won't destroy your data allowance, but at the same time remember this is not a big update, it literally will only fix the calender issue and a few other bugs.

   Secondly, we heard today that Google Play reviews will now need your 'Google+ name and picture' in order for you to post. This is probably a good move on Google's part because it will stop the people who hide behind the veil of anonymity when they issue scathing reviews of apps which developers have spent ages slaving over. On the other hand, it may make the Play Store less accurate as people will be less inclined to offer negative reviews of apps because they'll likely have to offer retorts from the developer!

   What do you think? Should Google have kept the old system or will this one make ratings more accurate? Let us know in the comments below.

Via DroidDog 1 and 2.

Sometimes you just can't make this stuff up! Cambridge researchers launch research into the possibility of a robot uprising!

   It seems those clever bunch of people over in Cambridge in England are running short of things to do at the moment because a group of academics has launched a joint project from the CSER, or the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, which is very intriguing indeed. The intellects will form a research group which includes; a philosopher, scientist, and a software entrepreneur and no this is not the start of a joke!!!

   Their goal is to ensure that the 'scientists [who] are concerned that developments in human technology may soon pose new, extinction-level risks to our species as a whole' have their minds set as ease.

   Essentially they're researching the possibility of a robot uprising. Surprisingly 'such dangers have been suggested from progress in AI, from developments in biotechnology and artificial life, from nanotechnology, and from possible extreme effects of anthropogenic climate change.'

   Apparently the 'seriousness of these risks is difficult to assess, but that in itself seems a cause for concern, given how much is at stake.' Erm, we're not really sure quite how to end this one, but when their research is conducted and something is published hopefully we'll have a very interesting follow up editorial to post!

Via HotHardware.

In other news:

• Analysts don't seem to be holding out much hope for RIM's upcoming BB10 smartphones. A report published by Morgan Stanley, which Forbes got hold of, explains why they don't see much value in BB10:

"We continue to believe BB10 has a low chance of success... While some of the new features on BB10 seem innovative, we had a similar reaction to Palm’s WebOS when we saw it at CES in ‘09. Ultimately we believe BB10 is too late, and subs continue to shift to competitive devices. According to a global mobile workforce survey in mid-Oct, just 5% of respondents expect to upgrade to a BB, even below MSFT at 8%.” Via TechnoBuffalo.

• Hot on the heels of Barnes and Noble's launch of the Nook HD tablet here in the UK, the company has released their free Nook applications for Android, the iPad and the iPhone! Check out your app store of choice to download them!
  Via The WSJ.

• Nintendo has launched the Wii Mini. It'll be $99 in Canada and it'll be slightly lacking in a few departments. First up there's no internet connection, so no Netflix, there's no GameCube compatibility and Nintendo won't promise it'll work with all Wii accessories. You can find out more details and see some snaps here.

• On the subject of new Nintendo consoles, the company told CNet that they sold 400,000 Wii U consoles in the US in their first week! Unfortunately there's no news on the rest of the world just yet!

• Samsung, in a bid to get a bit more exposure for their Galaxy Note II handset, have teamed up with Steak Studio for a little bit of interactive water art. It's pretty cool, the Note II essentially controls pumps which create whatever you draw on the phone in the water!
  Via Android Central.

• There's a mandatory Xbox 360 update rolling out at the moment. If you sign into Xbox Live you'll be prompted to install the update. At the moment it looks as though the update fixes the issues people have been experiencing with Xbox Music, Video and Smartglass.
  Via Slashgear.

• Jelly Bean is finally rolling out to owners of HTC's One X! HTC Source said: 
  
  

"The inevitable has finally happened Android 4.1 for the HTC One X is finally here. We’re received dozens of tweets today from our followers who can confirm that the Jelly Bean update for the HTC One X is currently making its way to unlocked HTC phones across the globe. We’ve been able to confirm the update has hit CID_038 and CID_044 devices in India, Argentina, UK, Russia, Dominican Republic, Peru, Brazil and Sri Lanka, but we’re sure the update will be coming to even more markets in the coming hours." Via CoolSmartphone.

And finally, Neowin has today suggested that this picture, which has turned up on the Windows Phone Facebook page, could be the rumoured Surface phone. It seems the commenter's like the design as much as we do. Unfortunately, we have a sneaking suspicion it is just a render because Microsoft has a habit of promoting their software on make-believe hardware, but we're more than happy to be proved wrong Microsoft, if you're reading!

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