| Moto G benchmark results and possible pricing leak, could run Android 4.4 Nov 11th 2013, 19:21, by Nate Swanner The Moto G is set for release this Wednesday in Brazil, but some interesting information has been finding its way out ahead of the launch. Motorola has set an announcement date, but we may have seen a clue as to when it will be widely available for order. There are also benchmark results that could tell us a lot more about how it performs, as well as some info about what version of Android it will be running on. 
GFXBench has come through with benchmark results for a Motorola XT1032, which we already know is the Moto G. The screen size on the tested device is 1196 x 720, which probably puts it right around 4.5-inches. We also see that the Moto G will be powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcom processor, and sport an Adreno 305 GPU.
We also see that both Android 4.3 and 4.4 have been tested, with 4.3 appearing to be the stock variant Motorola will run with. It also looks like Android 4.4 was simply a test, and could see a rollout later on, probably with the update for the Moto X. Both are listed under release, though, so we're not quite sure on which direction they'll go. We also see mention of GPE in both the fingerprint and display language, suggesting at least one of the tested variants could make their way to the Play Store as a Google Play Edition device. We've long asked for a lower-end, near stock variant of Android. The Moto G may be just what we're looking for, too. As the Moto X exhibits, contextual info is much more important to most users than a spec-heavy device. A lower-end device that can keep up with Google Now is an interesting option we'd like to see. 
There is also news that an Amazon listing for the Moto G popped up, but was quickly removed. In the UK, Amazon briefly had a listing for the Moto G, but it was listed as the Moto DVX/XT1032. The product description had Moto G listed, but the pricing was of more interest. Listing at £159.99, the Moto G would run us around $250 in the US. That, coupled with Play Store availability, makes for a very interesting device. We're anxiously anticipating Wednesday, and the official announcement, but all signs point to a true, mid-range monster of a device. If specs and pricing hold to what we think they will, the Moto G has the makings of a widespread winner. A listing on Amazon UK also suggests a worldwide rollout, making it that much more interesting as we head ingot he holiday shopping season.
|  | Android 4.4 could be outdone by Tizen Lite in emerging markets Nov 11th 2013, 18:24, by Nate Swanner While we wait for KitKat to make its impact felt, Samsung may have a crafty ace up their sleeve. At a recent conference hosted by The Linux Foundation, Samsung told the crowd there was a version of their operating system that might be able to beat Android 4.4 to the punch. In fact, it may beat KitKat in general for some lower-end devices. 
Tizen, Samsung's mobile OS that is said to both dominate Android at some point or be going away entirely, seems to pop up now and again. This time, there seems to be a version of Tizen that can run on lower-specced devices. Dubbed Tizen Lite, this one can operate on devices with 256 MB of RAM, whereas KitKat needs 512 MB.
This new version of Tizen will also only support screen resolutions up to 320 x 480. For the true lower end market, Tizen Lite may have something interesting to offer. That all sounds a bit troubling, but put into context, Android 4.4 may not be the target for this version of Tizen. Unlike the full version of Tizen, which is more like KitKat in regard to hardware needs, Tizen Lite may be pointed at Nokia's Asha OS. Asha is aimed at very emerging markets, who's device specs are extremely limited. In either case, Tizen is yet to actually make an impact. Though devices shipping with Samsung's OS are set to ship sooner rather than later, the actual ecosystem is limited. Without access to the Play Store, it's unlikely any current Android users will find a compelling reason to switch. It does, however, fall in line with Samsung's new focus on the mid-range market, and could be the next step in their quest to dominate all aspects of the mobile device realm.
| | T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom helps small companies with security Nov 11th 2013, 17:59, by Nate Swanner Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile, has some interesting plans for the Internet. At a conference on Monday, the company announced that they will launch a secure service for smaller companies who can't afford the high cost of security. For a low monthly service fee, small companies will gain access to a secure server meant for local Internet traffic. All security will be handled by Deutsche Telekom, leaving little variation for cost to those who subscribe to the service. 
This comes after the US admitted to "keeping tabs" on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Deutsche Telekom, a German company, has urged other German communications companies to assist in blocking foreign intelligence services access to local Internet traffic. Deutsche Telekom's information suggests only 13% of German companies have not been affected by a cyber attack, and about 33% of a sampling of 200 companies with 1,000 or more employees get several attacks weekly. By offering the service, Deutsche Telekom is essentially taking matters into their own hands, and seems to have the blessing of the European Union. EU telecoms commissioner Neelie Kroes told the conference it was wiser to stop the spying by increasing security measures, not pursuing legal action after the fact. "If you want to stop a burglar breaking through your front door, you don’t need a good lawyer, you need a good lock" she quipped. While salient advice, it doesn't have everyone convinced. Deutsche Telekom board member Reinhard Clemens told the conference "Hackers will have no chance" when prompted to discuss the new server. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said "We ain't seen nothing yet. The offense is light years ahead of the defense and that is likely to remain so." With crafty hackers making headway in different directions every day, and Internet traffic growing increasingly mobile, it will be interesting to see if Deutsche Telekom is onto something, or just spinning their wheels. | |
No comments:
Post a Comment