Nvidia is working on Surface RT 2

compete with its x86 counterparts. Whether the Tegra 4 is up to the task remains to be seen.
There are also concerns about the Tegra 4 when it comes to a device’s battery life, and that’s something Microsoft no doubt wants to further optimize in the second-gen Surface. It stands to reason that part of what Huang and Nvidia are “working really hard” on is making sure that the Tegra 4 is perfectly tuned for use with Windows RT.
Initial rumors had pegged the Surface RT 2 as shipping with a Snapdragon 800, Qualcomm’s latest powerhouse. The new Snapdragon has beaten the Tegra 4 soundly in loads of benchmark showdowns, and it’s got a lot going for it. Qualcomm has also scored most of the big tablet and smartphone SoC wins lately.
Could the Tegra 4, Windows 8.1, and Microsoft’s other improvements really give the Surface RT 2 and Windows RT the push it needs to become a real hit with consumers? With Microsoft already working on clearing out stock of the original Surface RT, we may find out as soon as this holiday season.

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2013 Kindle Fire specs leaked, reveals real mass market appeal

A couple of weeks ago, specs of Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD 2 worked their way through the internet grapevine. While the two models of the upcoming Kindle Fire HD 2 look like a fine (albeit rather standard) hardware update, that still left its little brother, the entry-level, non-HD Kindle Fire safe behind that grapevine. Now, though, the full specs of the tablet has reportedly leaked.
The same anonymous sources that leaked the Kindle Fire HD 2 specs have now gone on to reveal the entry-level model’s. If accurate, the upcoming  2013 Kindle Fire will contain a dual-core 1.5GHz Texas Instruments OMAP4 4470 processor with PowerVR SGX544 graphics. This combo is what powered the first two Kindle Fires, so the new iteration is somewhat living in the past. It will contain 1GB of RAM, a 1280×800 HD display, and run Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2. As for storage capacity, the sources say the 2013 model will release in an 8GB version for the $159 price of the current model, with 16GB and 32GB versions available at a higher cost.
The model this new 2013 version is replacing contains a 1024×600 screen, 8GB of storage space, a dual-core 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP4430, and 1GB of RAM. So, while the new reported model will receive an upgrade in key areas such as the processor and display, the RAM appears to remain the same, as well as the base 8GB of storage — as well as the price.
There’s no official word yet on a release date (or the specs, technically), but the tablets are expected to be released this fall.

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New iPhone 6 Concept

Everyone has dreams about what they would like in their smartphone. For some reason Apple fans seem to be pinning all of their hopes and dreams on the iPhone 6 rather than the iPhone 5S. I too have a list of certain features that I would love to see in a smartphone, from the mundane to the fantastical. I’d like a waterproof iPhone and considering that Apple bought AuthenTec to develop its finger-print scanner for iPhone’s, I really don’t see Apple having much of a problem with acquiring one of the many companies that will retro-fit the iPhone to be waterproof – with no change in the dimensions!
The highlight of this iPhone 6 concept is the 4.5-inch Retina+ display that offers a larger screen without adding to the overall size of the iPhone. The image above shows an iPhone 6 with a 4.5-inch edge-to-edge display, half an inch larger than the iPhone 5, and closer to the screens on the Moto X, Nexus 4 and Galaxy S3.
This isn’t just a larger display, but also a higher resolution one as well. The iPhone’s Retina Display looks good, but many would argue it is falling behind the 720P and 1080P displays on most flagship phones. In late 2012 talk of an iPhone with a Retina+ display appeared alongside reports of an iPhone 6 prototype with a 4.8-inch display. This iPhone 6 is a work of fiction, but a larger, higher resolution display isn’t out of the question for Apple. In true to Apple fashion this Retina 2 display is 1296 x 754 with 333 pixels per inch.
What do you think? Would you buy this iPhone 6, if it were real?

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 coming soon

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is said to come in four different models, including a high-quality limited edition model, two standard models with varying display types and one low-end model with the smallest camera sensor of the four, according to a Korean publication.
The limited premium edition will come with an ‘unbreakable’ AMOLED display and 13 megapixel camera along with few exclusive features, according to the Korea-based ET News. Other speculations say the South Korean tech giant will more likely use Carbon Fiber to increase the aesthetic design and durability of the phone.

The second model is rumored to come with a regular AMOLED display and a 13 megapixel camera, which is more likely to be the international version. The third edition will be made with a plastic body and an LCD display and a 13 megapixel camera. The LCD display will allow Samsung to offer the latest phablet at a lower price.
ET News claims that fourth model will feature a plastic body along with an LCD display, but only an 8 megapixel camera. These lower features will bring down the costs of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 significantly, which may help with the saturation of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phones in the everyday consumer market.
While many rumors currently surround the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, some propose features that are very likely to end up on the upcoming device, while other features are likely a bit far-fetched. Many enthusiasts agree that Samsung may use the Galaxy S4 as a base for things it needs to improve to make the Note 3 phablet an exciting product for consumers.
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Microsoft confirms Game DVR and other features require Xbox Live Gold

Microsoft has confirmed that some of the features in the Xbox One are behind a pay gate. According to Microsoft, Xbox One owners who are not signed up for Gold subscription membership may not be able to use hardware functionality built into the console.
There appears to be some backlash across the Web around the revelation that the the hardware built-in Game DVR functionality cannot be accessed without a paid subscription to Xbox Live Gold service. Microsoft’s Xbox Live feature list also puts things like Skype (defacto Xbox One voice chat) and NFL content.
One Hit Pixel reached out to Microsoft for clarification around the Game DVR and a rep responded stating “I can confirm that Game DVR features will be available to Xbox Live Gold members only.”
The Xbox One’s Game DVR is basically five minutes of in-game footage always being recorded while the system is played. This is in contract to Sony’s PS4 which records up to 15 minutes always and is not restricted to PS Plus accounts.
In other news Microsoft recently answered a host of questioned posted by 4Player around the Xbox One. A question was posed to Microsoft around the price point for the Xbox One and if there was a chance that the company may reduce the price prior to launch. It appears that Microsoft will be holding steady with the $499 price point. Microsoft responded by stating:

We are very confident with the provide value at $ / € 499 and the unparalleled, all in one games and entertainment experience Xbox One offers.

Microsoft also revealed that gamers should not place their Xbox One vertically standing as the unit was not designed for that.

…the console is Intended to sit horizontally. Additionally, the airflow and venting system which optimized for this horizontal orientation.

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Cellphone emergency alert tackles kidnapping

The message went out after law enforcement officials became convinced a San Diego man had kidnapped a neighbor’s daughter. The man is also wanted in connection with the death of the neighbor. The message detailed the make, model and license plate number of the car the man was believed to be driving.
Officials sent out the message under the Wireless Emergency Alert system. Since January 1 this year, the system has been opt-out rather than opt-in for newer cellphone models, something that’s planned to be the case with all future handsets.
The alerts come as text messages, preceded by an audible or vibration alert if the handset supports it. Rather than going to specific numbers, it goes to all compatible handsets within range of designated cellphone towers at the time of broadcast. It uses a slightly different broadcast technique to ordinary texts between individual users, meaning it can get through even at times of high traffic on cellphone networks.
Not everyone who received the alert was happy, with some complaints that the message disturbed them or caused confusion. It’s a particularly controversial event as previous such broadcasts in other states have mainly been warning the recipients that they are in imminent danger, for example from a natural disaster or possible terrorist activity.
This particular broadcast caused added confusion as the alert didn’t make clear exactly what recipients should do with the information. Officials have clarified they want anyone seeing the vehicle to contact the police.
The SFGate website quotes the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as saying that previous alerts (many on a smaller geographic scale) have so far led to 656 abducted children being found and rescued.

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All about Huawei Ascend P6

The Huawei Asend P6 has plenty of other admirable features too, including a good screen and reasonably powerful quad-core processor. However, its software takes a bit of getting used to and we think Huawei cares about how slim the Ascend P6 is more than its prospective buyers.
The Huawei Ascend P6 feels like a dense, well-made phone. It’s also significantly slimmer than the iPhone 5, at around 1.5mm thinner. he Huawei Ascend P6 also has a microSD memory card slot to add to the limited 8GB of internal memory. Both the microSIM and microSD slots are hidden behind (you guessed it) iPhone-style trays that are opened using either a paper clip or a little tool found on the Ascend P6’s body.

While the Ascend P6 may be super slim, it is blessedly not obsessed with screen size. It has a 4.7-inch 720p screen – big enough to feel luxurious to both your eyes and typing fingers, but not big enough to become awkward. Screen quality is great. It uses an IPS panel, which provides natural-looking colours, strong top brightness and good angled viewing.
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