this week

Google files patent for back panel touch controls

A while ago, Google realized that it wasn't making too much headway in trying to get patent law changed, or getting silly patents invalidated, so the company did the only thing that was left: it started trying to patent its own "innovations" which were probably just logical conclusions based on existing work (you know, like 99% of all patents). Well, it looks like Google newest filing is a patent application for back panel touch controls.

Before we even bother to explain the text of the patent application, we'll describe it in terms of "prior art", that silly devil that is supposed to invalidate patent applications, but often doesn't for some small reason. The patent application is basically for the touch panel that you'd find on the back of a PlayStation Vita. 

Of course, it's possible that this patent will be found "unique" because Google's application is for a touch panel on the back of an Android smartphone or tablet, that will allow you to perform various functions (turning an ebook page, media controls, etc), and more importantly can distinguish between normal holding contact and touches intended to control the device or app (which sounds similar to Apple's iPad mini thin bezel tech.)

How to test out Ubuntu Touch core apps on your Ubuntu desktop

As usual, Ubuntu is letting us get access to some cool stuff early on in the process. But, also as usual, getting access this early means that there really isn't much to do. Even so, we now have access to the Ubuntu Touch core apps that are being built by the community, and here's how you can test them out.

First thing you'll need is Ubuntu running on your desktop or laptop, because you'll need to be in Ubuntu 12.10 for the apps to work. Then, just jump into your terminal, and add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-touch-coreapps-drivers/daily

Then, it's the standard update, and install:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-*-app

(Replace * with the name of the app you want to install: calendar, clock, contacts, docviewer, emailclient, facebook, filemanager, rssreader, terminal, twitter, weather, or youtube).

That will install any of the apps, but as we said, they don't really do anything just yet. But, given how quickly the open source community tends to work (not to mention Mark Shuttleworth saying Ubuntu Touch would be ready for daily use in "a couple of weeks"), the apps should be getting some features soon enough. Just keep checking for updates.

China too reliant on Android says report; solution is to switch to another platform

With Android's market share in China above 80%, a White Paper report published by the China Academy of Telecommunication Research for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology suggests that the country lessen its reliance on Google's open source OS and switch to other platforms like Windows Phone, Tizen, and Firefox OS. China is one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world and home to the world's largest carrier, China Mobile.

China’s Academy of Telecommunication Research under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also suggested that some of the country's top mobile companies like Lenovo, Huawei, ZTE and Coolpad, and Internet service providers Alibaba and Baidu, develop their own mobile OS for smartphones. However, Taiwan based industry sources in the handset supply chain said that it is too late for these firms to develop its own OS because it takes three to five years for a nascent OS to become competitive, making it too late to compete in the mobile OS business.

One solution offered by the report was for the Android to release some of its regulations so that the country can build an operating system using a variant of Android. Another solution would be for Chinese companies to provide "rich mobile services" and develop mobile apps based not just on Android, but also iOS and Windows Phone.

Nokia's SEC filing reveals manufacturer's worry over possible Microsoft Surface phone

An SEC filing (Form 20-F) made by Finish based handset manufacturer Nokia shows the concern that the company has about the possibility of it having to face Microsoft as a rival in the mobile phone business. Of course, Microsoft's mobile OS Windows Phone 8 is the software that drives Nokia's phones, which means that if Microsoft starts focusing on its own Microsoft Surface phone, it probably would stop taking the time to improve Windows Phone for Nokia's line, and for other handset manufacturers that make Windows Phone powered devices.

What makes a possible Microsoft Surface phone all the more worrisome for Nokia is that unlike other handset manufacturers that produce Windows Phone models, Nokia is largely dependent on the OS. For example, if a Microsoft Surface model were to, well, surface, HTC could just concentrate on Android as could Samsung, Huawei and others.

"Microsoft may make 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."-Nokia's SEC Form 20-F filing

Last October, pictures allegedly of a Microsoft Surface protoype leaked. The handset prototypes, codenamed Juggernaut Alpha, are supposedly kept in Studio H at Microsoft's Redmond campus, guarded with the same intensity as those alleged alien bodies that are said to be kept at Area 51. So far in 2013, we have not heard much about a Microsoft phone although some of the last reports last year hinted that such a device could reach the market in the first half of 2013.

iPhone 5S unlikely to have wireless charging, better luck with iPhone 6

Earlier today there was a report out of DigiTimes that talked about Samsung, Apple, and other manufacturers working towards adding wireless charging options to their flagship devices for 2013. While DigiTimes tends to be relatively reliable, we feel like there needs to be some clarity brought to the story, especially pertaining to Apple and the iPhone. 

Here's what happened: a report came out of DigiTimes earlier today, saying that Samsung is expected to adopt the Qi Wireless Charging standard for the Galaxy S IV. That same report said that Apple was working on its own wireless charging technology (which we already knew from patents filed last year), but the report never said anything about what Apple device would first see the wireless charging tech, just that it would be in a "flagship 2013" device, and that it was "unknown" if the next-generation iPhone would have wireless charging built-in or via accessory.

First, we want to tackle that last part of the rumor. Given the way Apple does business, it seems nearly impossible that the "next-generation" iPhone (that being the 5S) would use an accessory to deliver wireless charging. In Apple's world, either it's built-in, or it isn't made by Apple. Second, we want to touch on the possibility that the iPhone 5S is even the target device for this technology. The basic reasoning is quite simple: the iPhone 5S, as with all "S" model iPhones, is going to be more about new internals and software, while the overall design likely won't change at all. But, in order to put wireless charging into an iPhone, there would need to be relatively major changes to the design. 

So, don't get your hopes up about the iPhone 5S having wireless charging. It's far more likely that the "flagship" Apple device that gets wireless charging will be the iPhone 6, which could still fit the "flagship 2013" part of the DigiTimes report, since Apple is assumed to be moving to a 6-month release cycle for the iPhone, meaning the iPhone 6 could come towards the holiday season.

Nikon announces Coolpix A, compact DX-format camera and Coolpix P330

Nikon has announced two new compact cameras, the Coolpix A and the Coolpix P330. The Coolpix A is the company’s first compact camera with a DX-format sensor. DX-format is essentially Nikon’s name for APS-C sensors that they usually reserve for their DSLR cameras and having it in a compact camera is quite impressive.

The DX-format CMOS sensor has a resolution of 16.2 megapixel and a 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) prime lens with an f/2.8 aperture. The Coolpix A is capable of shooting at 4 frames per second. Other specs include a 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD, 1080p30 video recording, built-in flash, hotshoe and RAW shooting mode.
The Coolpix A will go on sale in March for $1,099.95 and will be sold in black and silver.
The Coolpix P330 is a compact prosumer camera, with a 1/1.7-inch, 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and 24-120mm, 35mm equivalent, f/1.8 zoom lens. It has the same 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD as the Coolpix A, 1080p60 video recording and built-in GPS.

The Coolpix P330 will also go on sale in March for $379.95 and will be sold in black and white.

Canon’s new full-frame CMOS sensor for video cameras has whopping 19-micron pixels

Canon has developed a high-sensitivity, low-noise, full-frame 35mm sensor specifically for video capture. The new sensor opts for 19-micron pixels, which are 7.5 times bigger than those on the EOS-1D X.

The use of large pixels here results in a sensor that can capture video without losing any resolution or space between the pixels gaining incredible high-sensitivity in low-light. It’s a similar thing to what HTC tried to achieve with the One Ultrapixel camera, except on a much bigger sensor.

The new 35 mm sensor by Canon can capture objects illuminated by as little as 0.03 lux, which is supposedly better than the human eye.

"World's first Ubuntu tablet" looks like a bad idea

It's always fun to see the race to become the "world's first" anything. Most of the time, it really doesn't amount to anything, and it looks like that may be the case with the race to be the "world's first Ubuntu tablet". If we're talking about the first Ubuntu tablet to go up for pre-order, that has now happened, and it looks like a bad idea.

The tablet is from Intermatrix, an Australian manufacturer. It's called the U7, and it is listed to have a 1.5GHz quad-core Cortex A9 CPU, quad-core Vivante GC1000+ GPU, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 7" IPS capacitive touchscreen, and front and rear webcams. That all sounds fine, but there are some red flags. 

First, the minimum requirements for an Ubuntu tablet is 2GB of RAM. We tested the Touch Preview on a Nexus 7, which only has 1GB of RAM, and it was noticeably sluggish. Also, the website claims that the tablet will ship in October, when Canonical has made it clear that Ubuntu tablets won't be shipping until April, when Ubuntu 14.04 is released. Pre-orders are set at AU$299 (US$307), but end up at AU$269 (US$274).10 after a 10% discount. And, if the final price is lower, you will be refunded the difference.

Intermatrix does say that the shipping date, price, and specs are not final and are not guaranteed, but it still doesn't really make sense to offer this pre-order (let alone purchase one). Ubuntu tablets aren't going to be coming for over a year, and a year is a long time in mobile hardware

Report: Nokia signs deal with P2i for water-repelling on future models

During MWC, we showed you how P2i's nano-coating could cover something like a tissue and protect it from getting wet in water. Currently, the company is the one behind the Motorola Splash-Guard that protects models like the Motorola DROID 4 and the Motorola DROID RAZR series from rain and spills. But the newer technology from P2i goes even further, allowing a phone to be submerged in liquid for a period of time.

A new report says that P2i has inked a deal with Nokia and adds that the Finnish handset manufacturer is expected to produce a water-repelling phone sometime in 2013. Some are speculating that this will be the Nokia Lumia 1000 EOS with a 41MP PureView camera. Also covered by P2i's nano-coating is the Huawei Ascend D2.

Unlike the coating applied by waterproofing firm Liquipel, which is paid for by the consumer after the purchase of a phone, P2i's process is part of the manufacturing process and is paid for by the manufacturer. The coating covers all of the phone, including the electrical boards inside.

Leaked screenshot indicates Nokia flagship for Verizon to be the Lumia 928

There has been some chatter of a “hero” Lumia headed to Verizon for a little over a month now. Back in late January was when we heard that a “special” model for big red, code-named Laser, would make an appearance about the same time that another Nokia device known as the Catwalk which is possibly bound for T-Mobile USA. 

A tipster just handed us a screen shot purportedly from Verizon’s internal system, showing a line-item of Nokia devices. We see a Lumia 822 in Gray, then Red, then White and then…what’s this? Nokia Lumia 928? Entered into the system in mid-January? That could work nicely with when we started reading rumblings about a new Lumia coming to Verizon. It also aligns nicely since we saw a Nokia device, model RM-860 visit the FCC recently.
What do we know about this device? Well we can expect at a bare minimum that it would be at least as wholesome as the Lumia 920 that AT&T has been sporting since the debut of Windows Phone 8. Based on what we think we know, the screen resolution will be 1280x768 and from the single sketch that was tied to the FCC, we can gather that this device will not look like the 920.

There is word of a new PureView device coming to the US, which could be bestowing some of the wonderful components from the 808 PureView. Is that what could make its way to Verizon?

Microsoft says that Windows Phone 8 devices do have "an upgrade path going forward"

It's not something that should need to be said explicitly, but after leaving Windows Phone 7 handsets in the lurch with the release of Windows Phone 8, Microsoft has needed to reassure its user base. And, that reassurance came today. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Phone 8 devices do have "an upgrade path going forward".

The statement came from Greg Sullivan, a senior marketing manager at Microsoft, in an interview with PCWorld. During the same talk, Sullivan also said that the Windows Phone 8 software is also much more flexible than WP7 as far as being able to use new hardware, so Microsoft doesn't have to be as strict with the chassis requirements. 

And, in maybe the best part of the interview, Sullivan commented on the fact that Microsoft didn't hold a press event at Mobile World Congress this year by saying that the company has adopted a new commitment to the “shut up and ship” philosophy. This means that there won't be announcements of products too far ahead of release. Sullivan even seemed to push away the rumors of Windows Blue, saying that we'll probably "see some exciting new devices and more interoperability" for WP8 before we hear about the next OS version.

New low cost 3G smartphone uses e-ink to keep the price down

A Chinese company called Fndroid is working with Eink to develop a 3G smartphone that would priced as cheaply as a featurephone. Some of the advantages of such a device would be longer battery life, Sunlight viewability and the display would be easy on the eyes. Fndroid has produced two prototypes that have been displayed at MWC 2013. One model (in white) is equipped with a 1GHz processor and a 3G chip, while the other model (in black) offers EDGE connectivity. And while the phone does run on Android, it has a rather limited UI that concentrates on features that work well with Eink's display such as email, a reader app and a dialer. Obviously, video is not supported, but text from web sites can be read.

One of the prototypes has a backlight to help view the screen in the dark, but the screen's refresh rate is a lot slower than what you are accustomed to. If ghosting is a problem, a quick shake of the phone removes it from the screen. According to Eink's Giovanni Mancini, director of the screen producer's product management, Fndroid is currently in the process of talking with carriers about releasing the phone sometime later this year.