Interview: HP: 'Our mission is to lead in smartphones'

Interview: HP: 'Our mission is to lead in smartphones'

Clearly not stung from previous experience, HP wants to lead in tablets and smartphones.

That's the bullish message from HP's Head of Mobility Alberto Torres, who told TechRadar that it was a key aim for the corporation: "The mission in my area is to make HP a leader in the tablet space and eventually smartphones."

However he warned that it wouldn't be soon: "Certainly it's not a short term aim [to lead in phones]. It's not something we're looking at for this year. Without looking at specific dates, we're actively looking at our options in that market."

Alberto Torres joined HP five months ago from Nokia, where he was responsible for the ultimately unsuccessful MeeGo project - he was behind the design of the N9 that became the foundation for the colourful Nokia Lumia range. He was keen to show us the Android-based HP Slate 7 here at MWC 2013, as well as the business-orientated ElitePad 900, which runs Windows 8 Pro.

We asked Torres if it was possible for HP to have a noticeable share of the tablet market in 2013. "Yes, I would say this year that's realistic, but over time we are looking at a leadership position. We want to be up in the charts. I think it's possible. Also you have a little bit of a phenomenon where about a third of tablets are built by no-name vendors and most of them are very poor products.

"Those will continue to exist but I don't think it will be a third of the market. We really are intending to become a leader in this space. It's not going to happen overnight, it's going to be a journey. Over the next three years we're going to make big strides. And this year I think we'll get some significant volume on some of these products."

It's a young market, we suggested. "Exactly. People forget that. It is a really very young market. It's changing dramatically. The opportunities for us to play are really fantastic. [The phone market] is mature but it's a very dynamic market. Everybody says the market is dominated by two players but then you go back two years and it's a different two players. At least one of them is not there!

"You are just beginning to see the effects of mobility and how it will transform computing. We're going to see innovation across all kinds of devices including PCs. I think it's an exciting time"

Part of HP's strategy is to expand its product range: "We intend to have a bigger portfoilio. With [Slate 7 and ElitePad 900] we're almost bookending the portfolio with an entry lev el small tablet to a large tablet. You'll see a number of products filling out our range this year and next."

Future possibilities

We asked whether there was any possibility of HP having its own OS again after the offloading of WebOS. Is it all about Android and Windows for now? "Correct. You can never say never, we're obviously open to different alternatives over the years but at this point we're going to play to the ecosystems that have traction. That's what we're doing."

And is it just as simple as saying that it's Android for consumer use and Windows for business as far as HP is concerned? "It's fair to say that Android has a lot of traction and Windows has more traction in the commercial space, but lines will become blurred.

"We're not trying to create distinctions, just what our customers want. There will be opportunities for Windows in the consumer space and over time there will be more opportunity for Android in the com mercial space."

And what about Windows RT? "It's something we're considering. We did not participate on the first [cycle] and that probably worked out well for us, but with RT there is potential as well and when the timing is right and the opportunity is right we'll participate."

We asked Torres where he was aiming the Slate 7 and the reasons for launching this device first: "It's our first Android device, very much targeted at the consumer entertainment segment, the fastest growing segment at the moment.

"I think it's a good combination of features including the rear camera, which is quite unusual for this type of product. Which is s urprising as they move around with people, and people take photos with 10.1-inch tablets. All 10-inch tablets have cameras where the 7-inch tablets sometimes don't."

Crucially, Torres believes HP can leverage its existing success in PCs to succeed in the tablet space. "Obviously we are going to look at more premium segments, but here we need to be price competitive. What attracted me to join HP is that when you look to win in tablets, it's not a great leap.

"You need to understand [the technology of tablets] but the other thing is a game of brand and service and channel reach, and those are things that HP is quite strong on. You're going to see developments in differentiation with connectivity, security and leverage of our expertis e."

EA single identity system will keep track of gamers however you play

EA single identity system will keep track of gamers however you play

Electronic Arts has revealed an ambitious project to provide its players with a cross-platform account system.

The new system has taken a team of 1,500 engineers over 18 months to develop as part of EA's efforts to become a truly multi-platform games provider.

The system will allow EA to serve - and track - gamers across mobile devices, PCs and consoles. This will create a "persistent state", allowing gamers to pick up games on a tablet where they left off on PC, for example.

Multi-platform business

In an interview with GamesBeat, Raja Taneja, EA's Chief Technology Officer said: "Our strategic vision at EA is to create a single backend system so that we can truly embrace the secular trends in our industry that are creating massive growth for games. And we will be able to embrace all of the new business models that come with that."

The improved trac king will also allow EA to gather more detailed information about gamers' habits, enabling EA to make more targeted marketing efforts. Real-time recommendations and custom promotions would likely be part of this.

EA has already projected that by holding all the user data in one place it will save around 50 per cent on data storage costs. It is still working out the exact business models, but the new system could see gamers paying for titles on a per-platform basis.

Via VentureBeat

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus Vu 2

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus Vu 2

The LG Optimus Vu 2 picks up from where the original Optimus Vu left off, quirky 4:3 screen and all.

Eyebrows were raised when the first Vu was announced last year, but LG has obviously deemed it enough of a success to churn out a new iteration.

Global release dates and availability for the Optimus Vu 2 are currently unknown, but the handset is already on sale in LG's native Korea for 966,900 won (around £530/$ 860) and we'd expect it to hit other markets round the world in the coming months.

You still get a 4:3 aspect ratio display, which clocks in at 5-inches and boasts a 1024x768 XGA resolution.

The odd shape of the screen means the Optimus Vu 2, likes its predecessor is more of a square shape which makes the handset very wide and difficult to hold in one hand.

LG has managed to keep the weight down on the Vu 2 and the frame is quite thin so while your fingers may be struggling to properly wrap round at least your wrist isn't giving way.

It looks like a premium device thanks to the metallic frame running around its perimeter, but the sturdy chassis of the Optimus Vu 2 is predominantly plastic with no brush aluminium in sight.

To help manipulate the expansive display LG bundles a stylus with the Optimus Vu 2, but there's no space to slide it into the handset like you can with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 which makes us think it will get lost in a matter of days.

The screen itself is bright and responsive and we had no trouble navigating our way around Android, although we were disappointed to find the LG Optimus Vu 2 was only running Ice Cream Sandwich and not Jelly Bean.

With a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM the Vu 2 has plenty of power under the hood and that makes for a smooth user experience and apps which open quickly.

You get 16GB of internal storage in the Optimus Vu 2 and there's a microSD card slot on hand if you feel the need to expand the memory capabilities.

LG has pre-installed Google Chrome alongside the stock Android browser, and thanks to its 4G connectivity, strong Wi-Fi support and powerful processor we we're able to nip around the web at a decent pace.

Both desktop and mobile sites looked good on the Optimus Vu 2, and the 4:3 aspect ratio makes viewing full versions of websites easier.

Video playback on the Vu 2 was pretty good, but it isn't the best we've seen on a smartphone and the 4:3 display really isn't suited to cinema footage, as you're stuck between having large black bars above and below or a distorted image if you want it to fill the screen.

The Optimus Vu 2 comes with LG's QSlide feature, which lets you make the video you're watching become a transparent overlay on the handset, allowing you to use other features of the phone without interrupting playback.

There's a slider present at the top of the display allowing you to a djust the opacity of the film and the transition from movie watching to the transparent, multitasking layer is a smooth one.

Another LG innovation is Vu: Talk which allows you to share your screen with another Optimus Vu 2 and gives both users the ability to draw on screen, share maps and make notes in real time and even during calls.

It's a pretty impressive feature but due to the limitation of both people requiring the handset to make it work, it's one we fear won't get a great deal of use.

The 8MP camera on the back of the LG Optimus Vu 2 produces some pretty good quality images, and with features such as a flash, HDR, panorama, burst mode and a voice controlled shutter the app is well stocked.

Shutter speed is quick and the voice controlled option is a fun way to take photos, with the simple command of "cheese" or "smile" enough for the Optimus Vu 2 to snap a picture.

There's also a time machine mode which will take five photos before you hit the shutter, to ensure you don't miss the action you're trying to capture and it worked pretty well when we tested it out.

Thanks to the large size and awkward shape of the LG Optimus Vu 2 one handed typing is a bit of a struggle, but you can set the keyboard to bump up to the left or right of the screen to make it a little easier.

However this adjusted view means the keys become bunched up and the cramped layout can lead to mistakes.

Early Verdict

While we applaud LG for breaking the mould with the screen on the Optimus Vu 2 we can't help but think the handset is just a bit too impractical.

The oddly shaped screen will put a lot of people off at point of sale and it doesn't offer anything particularly outstanding over the competition such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

If you want a big screened LG handset you're probably better off checking out the Optimus G Pro which sports a full HD, 5.5-inch display - although you don't get a stylus with that.

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Third-party cases point to mini-style redesign for iPad 5

Third-party cases point to mini-style redesign for iPad 5

There's little doubt Apple will unveil an iPad 5 this year, and judging from leaked third-party cases, it could be a dramatic overhaul for the market-leading tablet.

BGR reported Monday that images claiming to be third-party cases for a fifth-generation iPad have surfaced on Alibaba, a Chinese global trade website.

Made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material and available in six colors, the cases supplied by Shenzhen Sinofly Electronic Company Limited point to a possible new look for this year's iPad.

The key difference would be a form factor more in line with the iPad mini, com plete with ready-made holes for placement of the larger tablet.

No announcement yet

Without an official announcement from Apple, it's impossible to say for certain what an iPad 5 might actually look like, despite recent leaks to the contrary.

Third-party case manufacturers have a mixed history where Apple cases are concerned, with many Chinese suppliers taking an educated guess as to what's coming next based on images leaked to the media.

After shots of a rumored iPad 5 which closely followed the design of an iPad mini surfaced last month, it's entirely possible these cases have been created using the same information.

With the spec-bumped iPad 4 released only four months ago, many Apple pundits exp ect the iPad 5 to debut this fall, presumably alongside a refreshed iPad mini.

Via BGR

IE 10 finally comes to Windows 7

IE 10 finally comes to Windows 7

The long-promised Internet Explorer 10 is finally available for Windows 7 users as Microsoft suddenly remembers that there are a few of you out there.

You'll need Service Pack 1 installed, but if you're running Windows 7 and haven't blocked the upgrade, it should install automatically through Windows Update - those of you with the IE10 Release Preview installed will get the update today.

IE 10 on Windows 7 has many, but not all of the features of IE 10 on < a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review">Windows 8. You only get the desktop version of the browser, not the full-screen Windows 8 version, and Flash is still a separate plugin that you have to update yourself.

Same same but different

You do get the same much-improved support for web standards, built-in spell check and autocorrect, faster tab closing - and the stalled privacy protecting Do Not Track setting is enabled by default.

Microsoft says IE 10 is up to 20 per cent faster than IE9 on the same system, which you can test for yourself in the new HTML5 version of Minesweeper on the IE Test Drive site.

When we asked about the delay between shipping Windows 8 and IE 10 last year and delivering it for Windows 7 this week, a Microsoft spokesperson put the emphasis on quality (rather than how much of the IE team is busy building IE 11 for Windows 9, say).

PS4 will hit 'at least' one country in 2013

PS4 will hit 'at least' one country in 2013

When Sony said that the PS4 would launch in 2013, it wasn't lying - it just didn't say exactly where it would launch in 2013.

And it seems that's because it doesn't actually know, but reckons that "at least" one country will be able to spend Christmas glued to its games.

The company's European gaming MD Fergal Gara told Digital Spy that although the console will technically launch this year, "exactly what regions, what timing is being worked through. Which regions in 2013 - is it all of them, is it some of them? Is there some degree of phasing?"

Well we don't know, Fergal, you tell us. But he can't, because not even Sony knows yet. Although he d id go on to answer that "at least" one region will get the PS4 this year.

Know nothing

But "exact dates, exact regions - is it all or some of them? - We don't know." It's okay, Gara. We'll just add it to the list of things nobody knows about the PS4 yet, like what it looks like and how much of it will work at launch.

We imagine that the USA and Japan will be first in line to get the PS4, likely in time for the festive buying frenzy in December. If that's the case, Europe, Australia and the rest of the world will probably have to look jealously on until early 2014.

Still, how about that DualShock 4 controller, eh?

Via Gizmodo UK

Visa, Samsung ink global NFC deal in what could signal a Galaxy S4 feature

Visa, Samsung ink global NFC deal in what could signal a Galaxy S4 feature

Near Field Communication (NFC) is steadily gaining popularity, but not fast enough for some people.

Visa and Samsung announced today a global alliance to accelerate the spread of NFC technology on mobile devices.

With the agreement, Samsung will start preloading Visa's contactless payment applet, payWave, onto "selected next-generation" NFC devices. Maybe we'll even see payWave on the soon to be announced Galaxy S4.

"The partnership with Visa represents a step towards a global mobile payment platform," Won-Pyo Hong, president of Samsung's Media Solution Center, said in a press release.

"We believe that we have a strong value proposition for financial institutions that will ultimately allow consumer choice in NFC payments."

Near field companies

The deal also greases the way for financial institutions to use Visa's Mobile Provisioning Service on Samsung's smartphones.

The system lets banks more easily and securely link Visa payment accounts to consumers' devices. It gives mobile phone users and services access to a secure mobile payment infrastructure without having to create their own payment apps or channels to exchange money.

If Visa's Mobile Provisioning Service gains enough traction it could provide the launchpad for the NFC revolution, though the service debuted a year ago at MWC 2012 without much fanfare.

NFC is nothing new, but it's a technology that has struggled to gain traction. Many companies have been interested in developing NFC as a commerce tool, and as an alternative to credit cards.

Companies such as AT&T, Google and PayPal have been trying to grow a mobile payment NFC infrastructure by offering digital wallet apps and encouraging business to invest in NFC payment stations, however it's been slow going.

Though the deployment of NFC is slowly gaining ground, Visa is betting it will eventually be embraced by the public at large. In the press release, the card company sited an ABI Research forecast that predicts around 1.95 billion NFC-enable devices will ship in 2017.

With partnerships between Visa and Samsung and payment apps like Isis popping up, we may just get past the NFC tipping point. The Galaxy S4, set to debut during a NYC event March 14, could provide the mobile commerce industry a much needed boost.