Microsoft Silently Blocks Jailbreaking in Windows RT 8.1

Microsoft rolled out Windows RT 8.1 last month to bring a lot of improvements for devices running Windows RT, but also to block a jailbreaking method found earlier this year.

While Redmond hasn’t talked publicly about it, it appears that jailbreaking is no longer possible after deploying Windows RT 8.1, with the people behind the original project now claiming to be working on a new method to bypass the new restrictions. The Windows RT jailbreak made it possible to run unsigned code on ARM devices, including Microsoft’s own Surface RT, even though Microsoft warned that such a thing would create major security risks for all users.

The jailbreak obviously opened a completely new world for owners of Windows RT devices, as several large developer communities joined forces not only to tweak more apps to run on hacked devices, but also to make it possible to launch desktop apps on RT tablets.

Jailbreaking isn't possible anymore on Windows RT 8.1
Image credits to Microsoft

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Google Play Store 4.4.22 Now Available for Download

Android enthusiasts and fans who are enjoying the latest barrage of applications extracted from the Android 4.4 KitKat source code and factory image, which were published by Google a few days ago, will be pleased to hear that a new version of Google Play Store has been released.

Obviously, this new version of Google Play Store has yet to be pushed live to all Android devices, but those who don't mind can download and install it manually. The folks over at AndroidPolice have just published the APK of Google Play Store 4.4.22, which seems to be just a minor update over the previous one that leaked a few weeks ago.

Android users who wish to download and install the latest Google Play Store 4.4.22 can now head over to AndroidPolice's original thread.

Google Play Store logo
Image credits to Google

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Motorola Moto G Specs and Price Leak in Promo Card

Motorola Moto G briefly made appearance on the company's official website, but it was quickly pulled from unknown reasons.

The smarpthone's specs have been tweeted by evleaks shortly after the Moto G was removed from Motorola's site and now we have more info that confirms previous leaks. GSMArena reports it has been able to get its hands on a Moto G promo card, which apparently is going to sell at Phones4u. Although it has yet to be confirmed, sources close to the matter claim the smartphone will be available for purchase for only £134 ($215/€155) outright. Other specs that appear on the Moto G promo card confirm the smartphone will ship with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box and a fast 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor.

No word on the amount of RAM, but the phone is expected to pack 8GB of internal memory and microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 64GB). Furthermore, the Moto G will sport a 4.5-inch edge-to-edge HD (720p) capacitive touchscreen display and a 5-megapixel rear facing camera. A secondary 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls will be included as well.

Motorola Moto G promo card
Image credits to GSMArena

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Motorola Moto G Affordable Smartphone with 4.7-Inch HD Display and 1.5GHz Quad-Core CPU Leaks

The Moto G briefly appeared on Motorola’s website a few days ago, but it was pulled by the handset maker for unknown reasons. However, word about a cheaper version of Moto X emerged a while back, but no details on the Moto G’s availability surfaced yet.

Today, new info on the Moto G emerged, which seems to contradict some of the previous rumors. For example, it is said that the smartphone will boast a large 4.7-inch HD capacitive touchscreen display instead of the previously rumored 4.5-inch screen.

Courtesy of evleaks, we also know what the Moto G looks like. The cited source also claims that the handset comes equipped with a 1.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 8GB or 16GB of internal memory, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1950 mAh Li-Ion battery. Motorola is expected to release the Moto G in the United States by the end of the year. The smartphone will be available for free on two-year agreements.

Motorola Moto G
Image credits to evleaks

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Download Hangouts 2.0 APK with SMS Integration

Within minutes after Google's release of Nexus 5 factory image and binaries, a buckload of Android 4.4 KitKat apps have been extracted and published online so everyone can download it.

The folks over at AndroidPolice have just released the Hangouts 2.0 application with support for SMS, animated GIFs and a lot more goodies. Keep in mind though that the latest version of Hangouts does not work with Google Voice numbers unless you’ve enabled Google Voice on your Sprint phone. Full support for Google Voice will be added soon via update, but for the time being there's no telling when exactly it will go live.

As expected from previous leaks, Hangouts 2.0 comes with full support for animated GIF files and location sharing. AndroidPolice reports that while you might be getting crashes right after sending your location via SMS, clearing the app's data fixes it.

Download Hangouts 2.0 APK.

Hangouts for Android (screenshot)
Image credits to Google

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Nexus 5 Android 4.4 KitKat Factory Image Now Available for Download

It looks like it only took Google a few hours to post the first Android 4.4 KiKat factory image and binaries on its official webpage.

As expected, the first factory image is aimed at Nexus 5, though the smartphone has yet to make its debut on the market. Android fans and enthusiasts who like to tinker with factory images will now be able to extract all sorts of goodies and make them available for download. Dubbed factory image “Hammerhead” for Nexus 5 (GSM/LTE), the file is about 425MB in size and can be found on Google's Developer website, along with the rest of factory images for other Google devices.

We can expect more Android 4.4 KitKat factory images to drop on Google's Developer website in the coming weeks for the following devices: Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.

Download Android 4.4 KitKat factory image for Nexus 5.

Android 4.4 KitKat logo
Image credits to Google

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LG Nexus 5 Full Specs and Photo Gallery

Google and LG have just announced the upcoming availability of the Nexus 5, the first smartphone to ship with Android 4.4 KitKat operating system out of the box.

In fact, Google confirmed the smartphone is now available for purchase online in lots of markets, but both 16GB and 32GB models sold out in under 30 minutes in most countries. However, Nexus 5's offline availability is set for mid-November in Europe, Central/South Americas, Asia, CIS and the Middle East, so Android fans will have another chance to grab on the two color options available, black and white. LG Nexus 4 comes equipped with a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.6 GHz, which is complemented by an Adreno 330 graphics processing unit and 2GB of RAM. Although the phone is packed with either 16GB or 32GB of internal memory, this is all you will get as Nexus 5 lacks microSD card slot for memory expansion. Furthermore, the 4.95-inch True HD IPS Plus capacitive touchscreen supports 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution, 445ppi (pixel density) and features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coating.

On the back, Google confirmed the Nexus 5 boasts an enhanced 8-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, LED flash and full HD (1080p@30fps) video recording. It is also worth mentioning the handset's camera packs LG Innotek’s optical image stabilizer technology that allows for longer exposures, less blur and less noise. The Nexus 5 also includes Photo Sphere providing users with an easier way to capture a series of photos and turn them into a seamless 360-degree experience. Connectivity-wise, the smartphone offer everything Android users would expect from a flagship device. According to the official specs sheet, Nexus 5 is packed with LTE and HSPA+ support, along with Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB (slimport), NFC (Near Field Communication), Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and buil-in GPS.

Wireless charging is included as well, along with 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls. The Nexus 5 is powered by a 2300 mAh non-removable Li-Polymer battery, which should provide up to 300 hours of standby time or up to 17 hours of talk time. Photo gallery below, click for larger images.

LG Nexus 5
Images credits to Google

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HIS R9 270X IceQ X2 Turbo Boost Overclocked Graphics Card

HIS wasn't about to let PowerColor be the only one with a new Radeon R9 270X graphics card out, so, naturally, it made its own. Behold the HIS R9 270X IceQ X2 Turbo Boost Clock 2GB GDDR5.

That really is the full name of the board. It's an amalgam of terms, from the name of the cooler to the status of the GPU. Which is to say, this is a custom-cooler, factory-overclocked version of AMD's adapter. The GPU works at 1100 MHz / 1140 MHz instead of 1000 MHz / 1040 MHz, while the dual-fan cooler is not only better at its job, but is quieter too (below 28 dB while watching movies, not much louder during demanding games).

HIS ships the newcomer with the iTurbo overclocking software (temperature, speed and voltage control). Sadly, HIS did not say what price it expected to be paid. Probably a dozen or so more dollars/Euro above $200 / €200.

HIS R9 270X IceQ X2 Turbo Boost Clock 2GB GDDR5
Image credits to HIS

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AMD Kaveri A8, A10 APUs Launch Schedule Detailed

The other day, we picked up on a report about the next generation of accelerated processing units from Advanced Micro Devices, but we didn't go into too much detail about what chips, exactly, would come out and when.

The folks at VR-Zone China decided to jump the gun on some information about the next generation of accelerated processing units. We already knew that availability was scheduled for 2014, and that the first sample shipments would happen on December 5, 2013. That was it though. Anything about the chips themselves was left to speculation. Only the use of GCN was confirmed. GCN (Graphics Core Next) is the technology at the base of the Radeon graphics core that will be paired with the “Steamroller” CPU architecture. According to the schedule published by the Chinese, AMD will launch two A10 branded processors and one A8 chip. Both of them will rely on the A88X chipset, meaning that they will fit into FM2+ sockets, although the architecture improvements will make it unlikely for current-generation FM2+ motherboards to support them as well.

All three APUs will use SteamrollerB cores with enhanced Turbo Core support, as well as configurable TDP (thermal design power). More importantly, the Heterogeneous System Architecture (AMD HSA) will be included, enabling both the GPU and CPU to share the main memory. Furthermore, the A10 and A8 chips will boast PCI Express 3.0 support, dedicated PCI-Express SSD interface, integrated Audio co-processor, and AMD Start Now 3.0 (fast boot technology). AMD will hold the APU13 event from November 11 to November 13, 2013, so we'll learn more then. CES 2014, in January, is also bound to be a time of revelations. Until then, we'll have to settle for vague hints and the occasional benchmark or presentation slide. As is usual for the course for the IT industry really.

AMD Kaveri launch plan detailed
Image credits to AMD

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Facebook Interested in Acquiring BlackBerry [Wall Street Journal]

Facebook is the last player in the BlackBerry acquisition saga, as execs of both companies reportedly met last week to discuss on a potential buyout offer.

According to Wall Street Journal, both BlackBerry and Facebook declined to comment on the matter, so it's unclear if Facebook is still interested in placing a bid after the said meeting. BlackBerry has already accepted a buyout offer from Canadian consortium Fairfax Financial, which is expected to finalize in early November if no other bids are placed on the handset makers assets.

Several companies expressed their interest in acquiring BlackBerry, including Lenovo and the company's ex-CEO Mike Lazaridis, but neither placed any bids on the company. If nothing happens until next week, BlackBerry may go private and start focusing on business and government customers, as the Canadian company announced a few weeks ago. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

BlackBerry logo
Image credits to BlackBerry

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