After Google demanded that the Microsoft-developed YouTube app for the Windows Phone 8 platform be taken down as it violates Google’s terms of service, Microsoft is attempting to make peace with its rival. Microsoft has responded to Google’s demands by meeting some of Google’s requests, but not all of the company’s demands surrounding YouTube.

Google had sent Microsoft a cease-and-desist notification for the Windows Phone YouTube app about a week after Microsoft had debuted the app. There were several problems that Google had with the app. The first is that Microsoft didn’t display ads when videos are watched through the Windows Phone client, which means Google and its content partners are not able to monetize each video that is viewed. The second issue is that Microsoft offered an option that allowed Windows Phone owners to download video and content they do not own.

Google had requested that the app be removed by May 22.

Microsoft is meeting half of Google’s demands. The company began rolling out a YouTube app update as of late afternoon on May 22 to remove the video download button so watchers cannot download videos anymore.

However, according to ZDNet, the app still doesn’t show ads. The company sent the following statement:

Microsoft updated the Windows Phone YouTube app to address the restricted video and offline video access concerns voiced by Google last week. We have been in contact with Google and continue to believe that our two companies can work together to hone an app that benefits our mutual customers, partners and content providers. We’re earning new customers every day, with IDC reporting recently that Windows Phone posted the largest year-over-year gain among leading operating systems. We look forward to working with Google to maintain a great YouTube experience for the growing number of people who rely on both of our respective products.

Microsoft had previously addressed Google’s cease-and-desist letter stating that Google had not released the APIs for Microsoft to add ads to the Windows Phone client.

One of the biggest complaints about the YouTube client for Windows Phone in the past was that it was like a bookmark to the YouTube mobile webpage and was lacking in features. As a result, the client trailed behind what is offered on iOS and on Android. The app update released on May 7 brought a more modern experience that matched the features on rival platforms.

Google had stated in the past that it has no plans to build apps or clients to support its services on Windows Phone. Windows Phone users would have to access Google service through web apps, rather than native apps. Both companies have engaged in a Cold War since the debacle over Exchange ActiveSync.

Microsoft Tries to Send an Olive Branch to Google is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Gotta Be Mobile.

San Diego startup Lifeproof had quickly made a name for itself building waterproof cases for Apple’s iPhone and iPad mobile devices. The success of Lifeproof has caught the attention of its rival, OtterBox, a company that had agreed to acquire the firm behind the waterproof cases. The move may have tremendous impact on Android customers, who may see more of Lifeproof’s waterproof cases reach Android phones.

Because Lifeproof is a smaller company, it had focused its efforts solely on Apple products. The company did announce that it was working on a case for the Galaxy S3, but that case still hasn’t made it to market yet and now Samsung already has the Galaxy S4. With OtterBox’s resources, the good news may be that we’ll see more waterprood cases come to Android devices, especially as summer is fast approaching and people will want to take their phones to the pool, beach, or lake.

“Over the next 30 days, OtterBox will begin incorporating the LifeProof brand into the OtterBox family,” the company wrote in a press release. “More information about product availability and alignment will be determined at the completion of the integration.”

At this time, it’s still unclear how the two companies will get integrated. One potential would be to integrate Lifeproof’s waterproof technology with OterrBox’s rugged technology to have a waterproof case that’s also more rugged and impact-resistant. The nice thing about Lifeproof, however, is that it does offer some minimal protection against impact as is, and the cases aren’t as bulky as OtterBox’s solution while adding in the waterproof capabilities.

As OtterBox already makes an extensive range of rugged protection for a more diverse array of Android and other smartphones, the news is promising as OtterBox may have the resources to extend Lifeproof’s technology to service more devices outside of Apple’s.

Lifeproof cases remain to be among some of my favorite cases for my iPhone. I use the Lifeproof cases on my iPhone extensively in the summer months at the beach and the pool.

Lifeproof most recently showed off a Fre branded case for the iPad mini, which is different than the Nuud series for the full sized iPad. The Fre case will likely come with a thin integrated screen protector while the Nuud series features an open front so you’re tapping on the iPad’s glass.

And speaking of the iPad mini, hopefully OtterBox could deliver cases at a faster speed than Lifeproof could with its more limited resources. The iPad mini’s case is listed as coming soon and it’s now about half a year since Apple had released the smaller slate. Thankfully, Apple keeps its design for two product cycles whereas Android phone-makers change their designs more frequently, which would require newer cases to come out all the time to accommodate all the Android devices.

There’s Hope That We’ll See Lifeproof’s Waterproof Cases Come to Popular Android Devices is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Gotta Be Mobile.

Liquid cooling is typically found on bigger rigs, like your car radiator and inside gaming PCs to keep those hot engines cool. Given the increasing power of mobile processors–which means that more heat would be generated–Japanese phone-maker NEC is looking to cool down the hot swelters with liquid cooling.

Liquid cooling will be coming to the Medias X06E, according to a report on Mashable. Though the phone is Japan-bound for NTT DoCoMo network, the technology could potentially expand to other markets.

We’ve heard of reports of phones spontaneously catching fire because of heat, or people getting burned and branded by the very handset that’s supposed to help them look up information quickly and easily, so there may be a market or niche for this technology.

Unlike complicated liquid cooling systems on gaming PCs, the system employed by NEC is more simple. The device has a tube to conduct liquid behind the display and adjacent to the CPU to transfer heat away from the processor using repeated condensation and evaporation processes.

NEC still hasn’t provided statistics on how much cooler the Medias X06E runs with this liquid cooling technique versus without. I do know that with multiple radios, 4G LTE, and a powerful quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor on my HTC One and Galaxy S4 in the U.S., both phones can run hot when they’re taxed with heavy workloads, like continuous game playing, video streaming over a 4G LTE network, or heavy use with the display on.

Time will tell if liquid cooling will help keep your phones, and your pockets, cooler, or if it’s another gimmick like 3D tech on a phone.

Liquid Cooling Coming to Smartphones to Keep Pockets Cool is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Gotta Be Mobile.

Originally speculated to arrive this year following Tim Cook‘s hints that we’ll see some awesome products this fall in Apple’s product pipeline, the wearable iWatch smartwatch is now said to be a tardy arrival.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has accurately predicted Apple’s plans in the past, is saying that the iWatch won’t be debuting for at least another year or so.

Apple is said to not have the required resources at this time to debut the iWatch in the fall. Despite rumors of a 100-person team dedicated to the development of the watch and that the hardware is now in testing, Apple’s rumored major changes to the iOS operating system with iOS 7 may have forced the iPhone-maker to re-dedicate resources away from iWatch. iWatch, likely to run a variant of iOS like Apple TV, may need specific tweaks and customization on the software front to deliver its core functionality to users.

Kuo says that Apple won’t be showing off the iWatch this fall alongside the rumored refresh of the iPhone, iPod, and iPad product lines that could have us seeing the iPhone 5S, the iPad mini 2 Retina Display, and a new slimmer full-sized iPad 5. The iWatch, by Kuo’s prediction, would come in late 2014 and will feature a 1.5-inch to 2-inch display and would have some sort of biometric security sensor. New advances in mobile technology should allow Apple to deliver the hardware in time after it works out the software.

In a briefing with Apple Insider, Kuo says that there will be deep integration between the smartwatch with iOS devices, which could suggest that the iWatch will require an iPhone, iPad, or iPod to pair with, and the wearable computing technology will not be a standalone product. However, Kuo advises that the iWatch will serve to augment the utility of iOS, not replace existing devices.

“Investors shouldn’t be misled by the word ‘Watch’. We think iWatch will not be positioned as a time-telling device, nor as a device that displays information from other Apple products,” Kuo says. “We are positive on the iWatch because its wearable design is helpful for offering more secure user identification and biometrics functionality.”

Smartwatches on the market so far have merely been conduits to display information, like the Sony Smart Watch, Motorola’s MOTO ACTV, and the Pebble Smartwatch. Recently uncovered Motorola patent applications show that Google may be working on a Nexus smartwatch, and that product may be a standalone product that includes its own voice and data cellular modems. Microsoft, LG, and Samsung are also rumored to be exploring the smartwatch form factor.

Biometrics capabilities rumored for the iWatch could help Apple extend the device into the health and fitness market with sensors for heart rate, pulse, or other body rhythm information. Additionally, a biometric security module may also be embedded in the iWatch for more security.

The focus on security is in line with what we’ve been hearing with the iPhone 5S rumors; that device is said to support a fingerprint scanner from Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec.

Fall Debut of Awesome Apple Product May Not Include iWatch is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Gotta Be Mobile.

HP has just unveiled new notebooks that take advantage of the latest Intel and AMD processors for 2013 in the Envy and Pavilion line, with the former being the high-end range.

Envy

HP had refreshed several models within its HP Envy line. Adding a touchscreen, the 2013 HP Envy 14 TouchSmart Ultrabook will come with Intel processing power and starts at $699 for a base 14-inch 1366 X 768-pixel display. Prices go up with upgrades, and the best part is that you can get a display with a pixel-dense 3200 X 1800 display to compete with Apple’s premium MacBook Pro Retina Display models.

The larger HP Envy 15 TouchSmart notebook loses its Ultrabook moniker and users who choose the bigger brother will be rewarded with a lower $529 entry price. The lower price point does come with trade-offs, such as no SSD storage and a slower hard disk drive. Users will be able to choose from either Intel or AMD CPUs on this model, which comes with a a 1080p 15.6-inch display and four speakers and included subwoofer for audio boost. This model will launch on June 5th.

And the desktop-hogging HP Envy 17 will come with the largest display in this line, boasting a 17.3-inch 1080p full HD display and the latest Intel Haswell CPU alongside an unspecified NVIDIA GPU. It’s a performance machine with 2 TB of HDD storage and Beats Audio integration with the 4-speaker and dual-drive subwoofer configuration. Entry price is $699 on June 5th.

Pavilion

For more budget-conscious shoppers who want portability, the HP Pavilion 11 TouchSmart offers, as its name implies, an 11-inch 1366 X 768-pixel touchscreen display. The model comes with either an AMD A4 or A6 CPU and has an extremely low $399 entry price tag considering that it does support a 10-finger touchscreen panel. Support for legacy features are also available, including replaceable battery, both VGA and HDMI output ports, Ethernet jack, and 3 USB ports along with an SD card reader.

And for those hanging onto their optical drive and not willing to give up the beloved DVD disc drive, HP is refreshing its larger Pavilion 14, 15, and 17 series with that optical disc drive. Intel and AMD processors are on the menu, as is a VGA port for legacy users. The models will debut on June 5th with a starting price of $479 for the 14-inch model, $429 for the 15-inch, and $449 for the 17-inch. Unlike the Envy series, you’ll be giving up Beats Audio for SRS Premium sound.

HP Unveils New Envy, Pavilion Notebooks is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Gotta Be Mobile.

Google has been rumored to be replacing the Nexus 7 at some point this year with a new Android-based tablet, presumably called the Nexus 7 2. And while the device did not make an appearance as expected at Google I/O 2013, a launch late this year isn’t out of the question.

Last year, Google sprung its first Nexus branded tablet onto the world, a device that followed in the footsteps of the Nexus smartphones that came before it. That device was and is the Nexus 7, a 7-inch tablet that arrived shortly after the debut of the iPad 3 and several months ahead of Apple’s 7-inch tablet, the iPad mini.

The announcement was made at Google I/O, Google’s annual developer conference, and the device was put up for pre-order that day to great fanfare. Fanfare, because the tablet combined high-end specifications with vanilla Android software and a cheap price tag, making it a unique and attractive option for those in the market for a new slate.

The Nexus 7 2 didn’t arrive at Google I/O. But that doesn’t mean it won’t arrive.

Even now, in 2013, with the iPad mini on shelves, the Nexus 7 remains a solid choice for those that want a smaller, affordable and powerful tablet. However, it’s clear that the demand for a new Nexus 7 is growing. In the build up to Google I/O 2013, consumers started to get excited about the prospects of a new Nexus 7 tablet, a device currently dubbed the Nexus 7 2.

The device seemed to be destined for an arrival at Google I/O 2013 last week with some higher-end specifications on board. However, as we learned, Google had different plans, plans that didn’t include the Nexus 7 2.

With Google I/O 2013 over and the rest of the year ahead, consumers are likely wondering about the Nexus 7 2, about its release date, about its features, about its price. Here, we take a look at what consumers can expect from a Nexus 7 2 from Google.

A Nexus 7 2

No, there wasn’t a Nexus 7 2 at Google I/O 2013. It wasn’t the only major product announcement that Google skipped though. Also rumored for the event were the Motorola X Phone, an update to Android 4.3, a white Nexus 4 and a Nexus 4 LTE. However, as we’ve seen, just because these things skipped Google I/O, doesn’t mean that they’re dead.

Already, we’re hearing June 10th is the day that Google will debut a white Nexus 4 with Android 4.3, a date that comes right around Apple’s WWDC conference. Google likely wants to take some attention away, just like Apple typically does during the conferences of its rivals.

So what does this mean for the Nexus 7 2? It means that it’s not dead in the water, just because it didn’t arrival at Google I/O. Google isn’t just going to let the Nexus tablet series die out, allowing the iPad mini to reign. No, Google likely has another Nexus up its sleeve and it likely is waiting for the release of Android 4.3 in June or the release of Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie later on this year to debut it.

July Release Date or Later

So what about its release date? A rumor that surfaced almost immediately after Google I/O suggested that Google could debut the device in July, the same month that it debuted last year’s Nexus 7. While the rumor came from the hit-or-miss DigiTimes, it’s certainly a possibility.

If not July, then it’s wide open. A likely scenario would have Google launching it with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie to battle the iPad mini 2 with iOS 7. Whether that’s in the fall or winter remains to be seen but July or later is what consumers should expect from the Nexus 7 2 at this point.

1080p Display

The Nexus 7 2 should have a 1080p display or better.

Every rumor that has surfaced so far in regards to the Nexus 7 has placed a 7-inch 1080p display as being on board. This would be a massive upgrade over the previous 720p display on the Nexus 7 and it’s one that would help the device to compete against a Retina Display on any iPad mini sequel that Apple is developing.

With display technology where it’s at, and with Google known for putting high-end specs on its Nexus devices, particularly specifications that are commonplace, a 1080p display is what consumers should expect from the Nexus 7 2.

If true, it would mean extremely good looking text, video and photos, and games, all of which are prominent on tablet devices.

Improved Design

Google and Nexus 7 manufacturer Asus found a way to build a cheap Nexus 7 that featured a design that didn’t feel cheap. With its silver band around the device, its black matte back, and fairly lightweight frame, the Nexus 7 felt like a $200 product, something that isn’t always the case in the world of Android tablets.

As we’ve pointed out, Google has been making incremental improvements with its Nexus designs, starting with the Nexus 4′s jump from the boring, plastic of the Galaxy Nexus and then with the sleek design of the ChromeBook Pixel that is enclosed in an anodized aluminum body that doesn’t feature extraneous or distracting parts like screws or vents.

Perhaps, Asus and Google move to a design more in line with Asus’ Transformer Pad series in an effort to bring it closer to the design of the iPad mini. Or perhaps they simply tweak the current design.

Speedy Processor

No doubt about it, consumers should expect the Nexus 7 2 to arrive with a speedy processor. With smartphones boasting powerful quad-core processors like the Snapdragon 600 and Exynos 5 Octa from Samsung, expect the Nexus 7 2 to come equipped with a processor that is either on par, or better than the processors already out on the market.

The most logical choice is the Snapdragon 800 from Qualcomm that was announced at CES 2013 is going to be out later this year. If it does feature a Snapdragon 800, something that was rumored prior to Google I/O, we would see a tablet with better performance and gaming in addition to vastly improved battery life.

Cheap Price

Google knows that it’s up against a solid product in the iPad mini, a product that will only improve with the addition of the Retina Display. One of the big ways that it can help keep a Nexus 7 2 relevant is by keeping the price well below the iPad mini’s starting price of $350.

We saw the Nexus 7 arrive for $199 and $250 for the 8GB and 16GB models and we saw Google retain that pricing, even after it discontinued the 8GB Nexus 7 and launched a 32GB model.

Expect the Nexus 7 2 to command similar pricing in an effort to keep pace with the iPad mini.

Android 4.3 or Better

This is a Nexus tablet and that means it will come with the most current Android operating system on board. That means that there are two possibilities. The first, Android 4.3, which is thought to be coming in June as a version of Jelly Bean. The only way that we see Android 4.3 being on board is if Google launches alongside Android 4.3.

Android 4.3 and Android 5.0 skipped Google I/O.

A more likely scenario is the Nexus 7 2 arriving with Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie later in the year. Android 5.0 is expected to be a full fledged upgrade to Android while Android 4.3 is only expected to have a few features on board.

Either way, expect the latest version of Android to be on board any Nexus 7 sequel that arrives this year.

LTE

The Nexus 7 remains Wi-Fi and 3G only while the Nexus 4 only came with the ability to take advantage of HSPA+. With LTE becoming more and more commonplace though and Google’s partner in crime T-Mobile launching a LTE network, it was only a matter of time before we saw the debut of a new Nexus with LTE.

No, it wasn’t the Nexus 7 2 but the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus that will be coming with LTE support for AT&T and T-Mobile. This is a sign that Google is still committed to Nexus devices with LTE capabilities.

That said, expect any Nexus 7 2 with cellular data to take advantage of LTE and leave 3G and HSPA+ in the dust.

Quality Accessories

The Nexus 7 2 will come with tons of accessories, rest assured.

And finally, consumers should expect a number of quality accessories for any Nexus 7 2 that arrives in 2013. With the Nexus 7, we saw a number of accessories including a wireless charger, a fantastic dock from Asus, a host of quality cases and more.

Rest assured, Google will not be a slouch when it comes to Nexus 7 2 accessories and there is a good chance that we could see something new on tap for it’s rumored 7-inch slate.

Nexus 7 2: What to Expect is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

The operating system that powers Microsoft’s next-generation entertainment console, the Xbox One, is the device’s “game changer” according to Microsoft.

The comment, which came by the way of an in-depth interview with Polygon, centered mostly on the operating system or rather “operating systems” that power the Xbox One’s various entertainment features.

According to Bill Kilgore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business of which the Xbox is a part of inside Microsoft, it’s this combination of hardware and software that that will allow the company to innovate in the entertainment space for the “next decade”.

“We have multiple operating systems that are able to co-exist to allow game developers  … to get exclusive access to a bunch of resources”, said Kilgore. During yesterday’s announcement of the Xbox One Microsoft revealed that the device would eschew what users had traditionally known as the Xbox Dashboard. Instead, the Xbox One uses three operating systems, Xbox OS, Windows 8 and a third operating system that acts as a middle-man in between the two.

By doing this, Microsoft is able to hard limit the resources of each operating system and guarantee applications and games a consistent amount of processor capacity and RAM. This, and the system’s ability to allow users to switch between to each operating system easily means that users can open applications and games at the same time. That’s something that today’s Xbox doesn’t even come close to doing. Microsoft’s Phil Harrison calls this “fixed reservation” and says that it’ll provide users with an “absolute guarantee of performance”.

Read: Xbox One 5 Exciting New Features

This architecture is also what allows the Xbox One’s Kinect to function at all times. This Xbox and Kinect are able to interpret and constantly listen for commands thanks to the console’s dedicated processing power and low power state.

That multitasking also extends to the way users save their progress, not only can users open applications whenever they choose, but changes to the way Microsoft saves games means that game saves will happen progressively. No matter what the user is doing, or when they stop playing, their game will be saved.

Microsoft says that it will make the new Xbox One available to users sometime this year, however it has not disclosed when or home much it will cost.

Xbox One: Three-Way Software Solution Simplifies Interactions is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

With one Nexus out on shelves right now and another on the way, many consumers are wondering about the prospects of Google’s yearly Nexus smartphone which very clearly isn’t going to be the Samsung Galaxy S4. Rumors over the past few months have pointed to a new Nexus 5 coming later this year to replace the Nexus 4, and here, we take a look at the most important things consumers should know about this mysterious device.

In November of last year, Google took the curtain down from around its yearly Nexus smartphone, dubbed Nexus 4, which replaced the Samsung Galaxy Nexus as the company’s go-to developer smartphone. The Nexus 4, at first, didn’t seem destined for stardom. However, on release day, it became clear that the Nexus 4, despite not having 4G LTE data speeds, was a device that consumers were clearly lusting after.

The Nexus 5 could replace the Nexus 4 later this year.

The device went through months of stock shortages before LG and Google finally got a grip on the situation. Since February, the device has been readily available on Google Play Stores around the globe and the Nexus 4 remains a solid option for those looking for a new smartphone. Of course, there were whispers of new Nexus 4′s and a new Nexus or two at Google I/O, something that likely unsettled current and potential Nexus 4 owners.

As it turns out, Google did announce a new Nexus, though it wasn’t the full-blown Nexus 4 replacement that many had been hoping for. Instead, the device is the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition, or Galaxy S4 Nexus, and it will be joining the Nexus 4 on shelves in late June. Unlike the Nexus 4 though, it comes with a steep price tag of $650.

It’s a device worth considering, to be sure, but it also has likely caused many consumers to keep another device in focus.

That device of course is the rumored Nexus 5, a device that may be coming to shelves later this year to replace the Nexus 4. Details are still scarce as it’s still very early in the game, but there are still bits and pieces that have emerged. And while still not in focus, there is still quite a bit to know about the rumored Nexus 5, the possible Nexus 4 successor.

May Not Be Called Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 name isn’t guaranteed.

The first thing that consumers should know about the Nexus 5 is that it may not be called the Nexus 5. Yes, the names of Google’s Nexus products from 2012 fell in line with a naming scheme and it’s possible that we could see the company do the same thing this year with a release of a Nexus 7 2, Nexus 11 and the Nexus 5.

However, as we’ve also seen, Google is anything but conventional, particularly with names. The first Nexus was the Nexus One, the second the Nexus S and the third, the Galaxy Nexus. Even if the tablets keep the name, there is no guarantee that the new Nexus will be called the Nexus 5. So it’s time to throw that out the window.

It’s likely, but it’s also possible that we could wind up seeing a Nexus phone with a Droid, Optimus or Galaxy name in it as well. Something to keep in mind as the release date approaches.

Don’t Expect Release Until the Holiday

Speaking of a release date. consumers should know that the release of the Nexus 5, or whatever Google winds up calling it, is likely many months away. The Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4 both launched in the winter and despite other phones coming to shelves, the Nexus 4 is still one of the top options on the market. Both are signs of a Nexus launch in the distance, not on the horizon.

The past two have arrived in November and December and it’s possible that we could see the Nexus 5 emerge around that time. In the meantime, Google has released a buffer in the Galaxy S4 Nexus that should pair with the Nexus 4 nicely over the course of the year.

LG Nexus 5 Rumored, But Anything Is Possible

So far, rumors have pointed to LG being the manufacturer of the Nexus 5 and frankly, that’s not surprising. LG has been one of the big surprises of the last year, first with the LG Optimus G which boasted a sleek design, solid battery life and more, and then with the Nexus 4 which, despite having a vulnerable plastic back, was a well-made smartphone.

Rumors suggest that LG will be coming out with a new LG Optimus G, possibly the LG Optimus G2, and perhaps it will be the inspiration for the Nexus 5. Though, perhaps not.

LG may or may not be making the new Nexus.

There is no guarantee that LG will be the maker of the new Nexus 5. A company like Huawei, which is still looking to make a splash in the United States, could be a company that Google partners with. For the record, Huawei makes some pretty cheap, impressive phones. The Nexus is known for having quality specs at a solid price.

HTC and Samsung are also possibilities and let’s not forget Motorola, a company that Google bought in 2012. A Motorola Nexus remains a distinct possibility.

At this point, putting all of the Nexus eggs into one basket is a bad idea. LG is certainly the front-runner but Google could easily just head in a different direction.

Likely Specs

The Nexus 5 is still in the shadows, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t already know some of its specifications. First, it’s a Nexus phone, and that means that it will have Nexus capabilities including an unlocked bootloader for customization, vanilla Android software be it Android 4.3 or Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, and quick software updates directly from Google.

As we’ve seen in the past, the Nexus series always uses many of the year’s big name features. This year, it’s 1080p displays, solid cameras and powerful quad-core processors that are on board the big name devices.

We’ve heard Google talk about improving the cameras on future Nexus phones already and we expect nothing less than a top of the line processor, like the Snapdragon 800, and a 1080p display to be on board.

Google has made it clear that it hates microSD card slots and none of the Nexus devices on the market have one. The Nexus 5 isn’t likely to have one either.

And now that the Samsung Galaxy S4 is coming out, with LTE capabilities for AT&T and T-Mobile in tow, we expect the new Nexus 5 to have 4G LTE data speeds as well, shoring up one of the glaring issues with the Nexus 4.

Design Change

The Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus had similar, yet different designs.

The design of Google’s yearly Nexus smartphone has changed from Nexus to Nexus so there is no easy way to predict what the Nexus 5 is going to have on board. However, it’s safe to assume that the Nexus 5 will look drastically different than the Nexus 4.

Whether that’s different build materials, a slimmer design, a more lightweight design, or all of the above isn’t clear, but no matter the manufacturer, no matter the release date, a design change is more than likely going to happen.

So those hoping for a 5-inch Nexus 5 with a Nexus 4 design should start tempering those expectations.

Nexus 5: 5 Things to Know is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft’s Xbox division recently said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he doesn’t see a problem with consoles not having backwards compatibility as gamers don’t often take advantage of it.

Mattrick claims that only five percent of gamers play older games on new consoles, which doesn’t justify the cost of building in backwards compatibility. In his eyes it makes more sense to put that effort into making the new console better.

“If you’re backwards compatible, you’re really backwards,” Mattrick said.

To back up Mattrick’s statements social media research group Fizziology said it found that only 12 percent of potential Xbox One customers would be unhappy if it lacked backwards compatibility.

Read: Microsoft Xbox One vs. Sony PlayStation 4

Microsoft’s current console, the Xbox 360 broke backwards compatibility with the first Xbox when it came to store shelves back in 2005. Select Xbox games did work on the Xbox 360 through software emulation, but it seems that Microsoft found very few gamers that actually used the feature.

So far Microsoft hasn’t announced any plans to use software to make Xbox 360 games to work on the Xbox One. Gamers who want to play those games will want to keep their older console around. That includes both disc-based games and Xbox Live Arcade games.

The Xbox One doesn’t render the Xbox 360 useless, however, as Microsoft said during the Xbox Reveal event that it would talk about the future of the Xbox 360 at E3 next month.

Microsoft isn’t the only one breaking backwards compatibility. The Sony PlayStation 4 won’t play PlayStation 3 games, though Sony said it will try to find a way to make it possible to play PS3 games using its Gaikai cloud gaming technology.

The only recent console that supports backwards compatibility is the Nintendo Wii U which will play Wii games. The Wii U is closer in technology to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, however.

Xbox One Backwards Compatibility is Backwards, Says MS Exec is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Lenovo Horizon is a 27-inch tablet and all-in-one computer that offers a collection of great gaming experience and accessories that deliver a better gaming experience on the huge tablet.

After sharing our first impressions on the Lenovo Horizon, we decided to dive into gaming on the tablet. Lenovo also calls this a Table PC, which works out nicely for gaming.

There is a built-in battery that allows users to take the Horizon out of an office or bedroom and into a group setting without lugging a power cable along for the ride.

There are a collection of included games and app[s designed to take advantage of the Horizon’s large screen and the great gaming accessories, which are included with each unit. These accessories are shown above, and covered in more detail in our Lenovo Horizon gaming video.

Horizon 27-inch Tablet Gaming Demo

Step into a world where tablet gaming takes over a full table and users get a real dice to throw, stickable joysticks and air hockey controls. From arcade style games to tablet top games like Monopoly and Texas Hold ‘Em, here’s a look at gaming on the IdeaCentre Horizon 27-inch tablet and all-in-one Table PC.

It’s great to see that Lenovo is including the three accessories in the package, though we wish there were two e-die so that we could roll both die at the same time in Monopoly.

In the video we take a look at the E-dice and Monopoly. This is one of the most addictive parts of the tablet. I’m a notorious Monopoly addict, but playing through a full game with a stubborn player like myself is tough. With this digital Monopoly we get the fun of rolling a dice, and we can easily save a game to play later. After one session my wife is already looking forward to playing Monopoly again on the Horizon, a rare occurrence on the many gadgets I review.

The E-dice charges with a small dongle and connects wirelessly. We will be reviewing the battery life of the E-dice as we play more.

It would be awesome to get Risk with E-dice support on the Horizon.

Air Hockey is another fun game that comes with the Horizon, made more fun thanks to the included controllers that slide across the screen and don’t get stuck on the glass like a finger does.

The stickable joysticks make controlling an arcade style game, like that shown in the video easier, and it’s more natural than all touch controls.

While it may not replace the physical cards that some card players enjoy, the Texas Hold ‘Em app is a fun way to get up and running in seconds. The chips are set up and it’s possible to check your cards without showing off the hand to everyone. In short, it’s a fast, fun way to play Texas Hold ‘Em with friends.

There is also an Android emulator called BlueStacks that brings popular games like Draw Something to the large 27-inch display. We’ll have more on this in the near future.

We haven’t had a chance to check out the gaming performance of the system in Windows 8, but for users that want to play console games, there is a HDMI in that lets users connect a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 to the Horizon to use the large screen. In the future the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will also work with this since it is just an HDMI connection.

Stay tuned for our full Lenovo Horizon Review.

Lenovo Horizon 27-Inch Tablet: Gaming Demo Video is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

We expect Apple will announce iOS 7 and an iOS 7 beta at WWDC 2013 in early June, and one of our favorite places to get iOS beta access is back to deliver iOS 7 beta access to users for $8.

Apple typically announces a new version of the iOS software and then allows developers to beta test it on an array of devices for 60 to 90 days before a public release.

Apple isn’t a fan of average users trying out IOS betas, but that doesn’t mean they can stop you from getting in. Typically they charge $99 for a developer license which is enough of a roadblock for users that just want to get iOS 7 early.

Thankfully third-party services step in and offer a round about way of registering the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with Apple as a developer device that can run a beta version of iOS early.

Less than 3 weeks until WWDC! Register your UDID in preparation for iOS 7 Beta, coming june 10th! iMZDL.com/udid.php

— iModZone Downloads (@iMZDL) May 20, 2013

IMZDL is one of the biggest names in iOS betas and device registration, but they closed up shop late last year, which may be tied to Apple’s push to take down services that sell developer slots. Earlier this year the company teased that it is coming back, and now weeks ahead of WWDC it is back in businesses selling iOS UDID registrations.

This means iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners can pay $8 to register their device so that they can take part in the iOS 7 beta program just like a developer. The UDID registration links a unique number on your iOS device to an Apple account so that the system will accept your update.

Many sites offer the iOS beta files for download, and occasionally there are hacks that lets users try the iOS beta for free, but it’s easier and safer to pay $8 and get registered. It may not be as safe as paying the $99 Apple developer fee, but it’s still better than relying on a specific set of button presses to let you in to a beta and to future versions of the beta.

It’s important to keep in mind that the iOS 7 beta won’t be for everyone. There are apps that may not work with the new version and if you don’t keep your device up to date you may be stuck with a non-functioning iPad or iPhone until you get to a computer as there is an expiration date on each iOS beta.

Users who plan to try the iOS 7 beta should not review apps that don’t work during this period or complain about issues as it is a program designed to find and fix issues.

There is no promise that Apple will roll out an iOS 7 beta on June 10th, but the odds are good that the company will do so on or soon after WWDC 2013.

The iOS 7 beta registration is underway at iMZDL, even though Apple has yet to announce the new version of iOS.

The easiest way to find your UDID is with the UDID Sender, a free iPhone and iPad app that emails you the UDID for your device. If you plan to use the iOS 7 beta on multiple devices you will need the UDID for each and will need to pay the fee for each. The registration is good for one year.

With your UDID in hand, use the Immediate Registration – UDID Registration option on iMZDL and pay the $8 fee. Doing this ahead of WWDC isn’t required, but the day of the event these sites often face issues with peak traffic.

Stay tuned for more details on how to get the iOS 7 beta and what you need to know about the next version of iOS.

iOS 7 Beta: Popular Service Promises Early Access for $8 is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

In February, HTC unleashed its latest and greatest smartphone, the HTC One, a device that has landed to solid reviews and loads of fanfare. And while the device has yet to hit Verizon, the United States’ largest 4G LTE service provider, rumors of an arrival have been nothing short of substantial. However, even after a press event at CTIA, the device remains missing, with consumers still uncertain about when or if it will ever touch down on shelves.

Since the start of the year, rumors have been swirling about the HTC One, rumors that were put to rest by HTC’s announcement in New York City in February wherein the company showcased its brand new hardware and software for the world to see. The HTC One is not ordinary phone, it’s a flagship, and thus, it has some powerful features.

The Verizon HTC One is still missing, even after CTIA.

Its features include a 4.7-inch 1080p display, gorgeous and smaller than many of the other flagships that have hit shelves in recent days. It features a powerful quad-core processor. It has a fantastic Ultrapixel camera on board that can shoot great pictures both in regular settings and in low-light environments, something that is extremely important to smartphone users.

It has amazing speakers, including two front-facing speakers. It has a full metal design that is on par with the iPhone 5′s. And of course, it features a combination of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with the new Sense 5, HTC’s UI that not only possesses some powerful new components like HTC Zoe and HTC BlinkFeed but also brings a new look to the table.

Suffice to say, it’s a device that is on the radar of millions of consumers. And while many people have swooped up the AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile models, others have been holding out hope for an elusive version of the HTC One, the HTC One for Verizon.

In the past few months, speculation has been rampant, speculation that built up to what appeared to be the grand finale: Verizon’s CTIA Las Vegas announcement. Only, Verizon didn’t announce the HTC One, leaving it with an uncertain future.

This is Not Shocking

While we had heard that a launch at CTIA was possible, we weren’t the least bit surprised that the HTC One wasn’t announced on stage at Verizon’s event at CTIA. Many consumers were, but let’s be reasonable for a second.

First, there were no indications that this was going to be a product launch. We didn’t see the device leak out, something that tends to happen, and we didn’t see any substantial leaks pointing to the event as the launch for the HTC One save for one report earlier today that didn’t seem sure of itself and some remarks from an HTC insider who said that a launch was possible.

There was a lot of JLo, but no HTC One at Verizon’s event.

Nothing concrete and no leaks in the build up make the lack of a Verizon HTC launch at CTIA unsurprising.

What was surprising was the actual contents of the event, the unveiling of Verizon’s partnership with Viva Movil and the appearance of Jennifer Lopez to promote the deal. That was rather shocking to see.

Neither is Consumer Frustration

Of course, we’re also not surprised to see an enormous amount of frustration coming from consumers who were either sure of or hoping that Verizon would announce the HTC One.

The HTC One is a high quality phone and Verizon’s network is a high quality network, boasting 497 4G LTE networks around the United States, fantastic customer service, and the ability to keep unlimited data for the full price of the phone.

Verizon..J lo? Really? I don’t like HTC that much but I’d much rather had you announce the ONE. #Verizonfail

— Dori|iF£ (@Dorilife) May 22, 2013

In addition, this is a charade that has been going on for months. From leaks, to speculation, consumers in the market for a new smartphone have unfortunately been tortured by the prospects of this phone. So it’s not surprising to see some consumers finally abandoning ship with the Galaxy S4 hitting shelves tomorrow and the prospects of the HTC One murkier than ever.

There is Hope

There is hope for a Verizon HTC One, but time is running out.

Despite the lack of an announcement, there still is some hope. @LLabTooFeR, a noted HTC insider, has suggested that it will be coming in the near future, He was unable to confirm the CTIA launch date, a sign that Verizon may still have something up its sleeve. Remember, it probably didn’t want to trump this big partnership with Viva Movil with an HTC One announcement.

Also helping is that the original AllThingsD report that started this madness, a report that claimed it would be out one to two months after the other devices, still is relevant. The devices arrived at the end of April which means that we could still see an arrival sometime in June.

So while things don’t look good, keep in mind, Verizon could announce this phone at any time. This is a carrier that had no problem launching the Samsung Galaxy S4 a month after its competitors, after all.

Longer It’s Missing, Bleaker It Gets

The long it’s missing though, the bleaker everything gets. Not only are there plentiful options on the market already, but there are a number of big name devices that are likely on the way including the iPhone 5S, HTC One Nexus from Google and the T-Mobile Sony Xperia Z. Not to mention the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus that is hitting Google Play on June 26th.

The HTC Butterfly 2 is also rumored for a third quarter arrival rather than a fourth quarter launch like its predecessor, the HTC Butterfly, the basis for Verizon’s Droid DNA.

As we’ve said all along, it could be that Verizon is simply going to wait for that device to arrive to replace the Droid DNA rather than opting for an HTC One that is, in just a few weeks, going to be two months old.

The Galaxy S4 Nexus is coming. An HTC One Nexus might be as well.

Indeed, demand will remain relatively high for this phone but with May 22nd coming and going, new phones on the horizon and now, extremely frustrated customers, it’s starting to feel like now or never for the Verizon HTC One.

Remember, even though it released the Galaxy S4 late, it still announced the phone at the same time as its competitors.

Some Predictions

So where do we go from here? At this point, it’s impossible to say. Either HTC Verizon are doing a standup job of keeping this device under wraps or there is no HTC One at all. That’s where we’re at. At this point, we’re starting to lean toward the latter, given that we haven’t seen any leaks or even an announcement.

While we can’t say for sure, if we don’t see movement in the next two to three weeks, smart money would be on Verizon skipping the HTC One and instead, resting its laurels on the Butterfly 2 later this year.

5 Thoughts on the Missing Verizon HTC One is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Microsoft’s next generation Xbox One won’t play self-published games from independent developers, focusing instead on working with publishers and giving some of those developers publishing deals.

Microsoft currently uses its Microsoft Studios brand to publish some games from independent developers through Xbox Live Arcade on the Xbox 360. Talking to Shacknews Matt Booty, general manager of Redmond Game Studios and Platforms, said that Microsoft plans “to continue to court developers in the ways that we have.”

Update: Microsoft’s story on this subject, as with used game fees, is subject to change. Different people from the company are issuing conflicting statements about the new console and its features.

During a Yahoo live chat Xbox executive Larry Hryb (Major Nelson) said:

We’re working on a plan for Xbox One is a platform that allows all creators, including those who work on games and apps, regardless of team size, funding, biz model, etc. to be a part of the future of Xbox One.

Microsoft does offer the Xbox Live Indie Games channel on the Xbox 360, but the section is hidden behind several menus on the console, making it hard for developers to attract attention to their games. Microsoft made no mention of indie games during its Xbox One launch event, but if Microsoft continues on its current strategy, it may as well not be there.

Independent developers who want to get their games on the Xbox One will either have to find a publisher or hope their game is the one that makes users seek out the Indie Games channel.

With Apple and Google letting anyone submit apps to the App Store and the Google Play Store, Microsoft’s Xbox One strategy seems out of place. It’s incredibly easy for developers to create and publish iOS and Android games, the only process is the approval process to get in the App Store.

Read: Microsoft Xbox One vs. Sony PlayStation 4

Sony will take Apple’s approach with the PlayStation 4, letting developers self-publish their games and set their own prices. With the new console’s familiar x86 architecture, it’s easy for indie developers to make games for the PS4 and PC without having to answer to a publisher of any sort. Sony is doing everything it can to bring indie developers to its platform, it even brought Braid creator Jonathan Blow on stage at its launch event to show off his new game, The Witness.

There’s room for Microsoft to change its strategy, but for now the company’s stance on indie games could be perceived as arrogant and short-sighted by consumers and developers.

Xbox One Puts Brakes On Indie Games is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Verizon HTC One, which reportedly was going to make an appearance at Verizon’s event at CTIA 2013 in Las Vegas, remains missing in action as the carrier failed to show off the device on stage, leaving its arrival up in the air.

In the buildup to today’s Verizon announcement at CTIA, the eyes of both the media and consumers were squarely focused on the Verizon HTC One rumors that have cropped up many times over the past few months. Earlier today, a report claimed that the long-awaited device would finally make an appearance on stage, just a day before the Samsung Galaxy S4 release on Verizon. Turns out, that information was erroneous.

The Verizon HTC One remains MIA.

Instead, Verizon took to the stage to announce a partnership with Viva Movil, going as far as to bring out Jennifer Lopez on stage to promote the new Latino-centric wireless service. The HTC One, which was thought to possibly be part of the show, failed to make a showing.

This of course means that the arrival of the Verizon HTC One is now up in the air. With no other media engagements in sight and the HTC Butterfly 2 rumored to be on the way, a device that could be the Droid DNA 2, we’re back to square one.

@verizon Viva Movil? More Viva Goodbye Verizon customers wanting the HTC One.

— Daniel Grabowski (@DG4FREE) May 22, 2013

The only string of hope that consumers have is that noted HTC insider @LLabTooFeR has expressed that the device is still in the pipeline and that it’s coming out in the near future. Just how long remains unclear though. At this point, Verizon may instead opt to carry the HTC Butterfly 2, a device that would be a true successor to its current HTC flagship, the Droid DNA.

I was rick rolled by Verizon today. Wow. No HTC One??!!??

— Rion (@rion_j) May 22, 2013

If the reactions from consumers are of any indication, Verizon may have a small window to launch this phone. With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now on shelves, the iPhone 5S and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus on the way and an assortment of other HTC One options available, consumers are likely to be exploring their options.

Verizon..J lo? Really? I don’t like HTC that much but I’d much rather had you announce the ONE. #Verizonfail

— Dori|iF£ (@Dorilife) May 22, 2013

The Verizon HTC remains a complete mystery at this point though, but its non-arrival today should not be a surprise. Typically, we see devices leak out ahead of their launch, particularly on Verizon, so when and if a launch does take place, expect to see the device ahead of schedule. Whether a Verizon HTC One is on Verizon’s schedule though is now up for debate.

Verizon HTC One Remains MIA is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Microsoft has announced that users of its new Xbox One console who don’t live in the United States won’t be able to take advantage of one of the system’s most discussed features: Live TV.

In fact, according to a press release made available yesterday by Microsoft, there are more than a few details that might ruin the experience for users in general as a result of Live TV requirements.

The Xbox One with it’s new controller and Kinect sensor.

For starters Live TV’s Kinect sensor-powered voice navigation will be limited to users in the United States. So too will the new OneGuide user interface that the company showed off. It’s the guide that company hopes will position it as the default add-on in a user’s living room, allowing the Xbox One to become the center of a user’s entertainment.

That this functionality is geographically limited isn’t all that surprising. Being able to use the Xbox 360 to watch Live TV today depends on a user having a cable subscription with a provider who Microsoft has already made a deal with to support the technology. That issue really comes down to the nature of television in general. Entire states and countries can be covered by one cable or satellite provider, or four companies could control just one city.

Those users who had designs on making the Xbox One the only box they needed under their television set may also find the fact that they’ll need a cable box that has HDMI output to be plugged into the Xbox One to be a bit of a problem.

Not all cable boxes already have HDMI output, and if Microsoft doesn’t make that requirement clear ahead of time users could purchase the Xbox One on a Friday only to find out that they’ll have to take a trip to their cable or satellite provider on Monday to pick up a new cable box before they can use it the way they want.

This also means that users won’t be able to leave the Xbox One as a replacement for a cable box in rooms throughout their house. It had been hoped that the Xbox One could replace the cable box altogether in some form, so that users could at least spare themselves the extra $5 or so that their cable provider adds on to their bill for equipment rental. Microsoft’s press release does note that this requirement for a cable box is “at launch,” possibly indicating that the company has plans to eventually not require the use of a cable box to get Live TV to work.

Read: Xbox One Microsoft’s new Xbox Experience

Microsoft revealed the Xbox One at an event on the company’s campus just yesterday. According to the company the console will go on sale sometime this year, though that exact date and the device’s pricing are still unknown.

Xbox One Live TV Limited to the United States is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

Distracted driving is an issue facing every person and every local government nationwide. Presently, there are solutions for Android phones and from automobile manufacturers that attempt to curb distracted driving. Apple does provide Siri as a way to curb distracted phone use, but Apple markets it as a personal assistant rather than a driving aid. As a result, some of their distracted driving features are lacking. With iOS 7, Apple could move from an industry straggler to an industry leader in providing enhanced usability while simultaneously lowering distraction.

READ: Voice Commands Just as Dangerous as Texting While Driving

Some vehicles have Siri Eyes Free technology, which allows drivers to activate the Siri button on their phone by pressing a button on the steering wheel. For those who do not have Eyes Free support, pressing the voice command button on the phone will activate Siri in a car where the iPhone is paired via Bluetooth. It would be nice, although not likely, to see Apple add functionality to iOS 7 that will activate Siri when someone presses the Send button on their Bluetooth headset or steering wheel button. That would allow anyone driving a Bluetooth-enabled vehicle to use Siri without having to reach for their phone.

Secondly, voice command in iOS is tedious. Oftentimes when driving, Siri has a difficult time understanding commands. It becomes frustrating for a driver who has to repeatedly say “Change It” when Siri gets a text message wrong. Google Now does significantly better with speech recognition, and also handles more of the processing on the phone than Siri does. Slow processing time, combined with failures when cellular coverage isn’t perfect, creates an environment where a driver will think that typing the text is more efficient than using Siri. That creates a dangerous driving situation.

READ: Spotify Joins Ford Sync AppLink Lineup

Ford’s SYNC system (which coincidentally uses the same voice as Siri) has an open API which allows developers to write apps to integrate with the system. Spotify, once connected, can be completely controlled through voice and steering wheel controls in a Ford vehicle. If Apple would open up Siri to third party developers, this functionality could be utilized on the phone. Instead of just being able to launch Spotify from Siri, a driver could request a playlist or star a song.

READ: OTTER Blocks Notifications and Texts While Driving

There are already several Android apps out there that will restrict phone use while driving. Many will even automatically reply to a text message to inform the sender that the driver is preoccupied. The nature of the iOS system would require Apple to develop a similar system in house. They should. Integration could be as simple as “if the phone is moving faster than 10mph enable Do Not Disturb,” which is already built into the phone. It could also be more complex like the OTTER system and follow specific rules and feature parental controls.

Apple’s iOS and Siri are great systems, but with the recent flood of excellent Android solutions Apple needs to play catch up. iOS 7 is a great opportunity to do just that.

iOS 7 is Apple’s Chance to Cut Down on Distracted Driving is a post by Chad Kirchner from Gotta Be Mobile.

The long-awaited Verizon HTC One reportedly could make an appearance on stage today at Verizon’s CTIA announcement, putting an end to one of the most rumored smartphones of 2013.

For several months now, the Verizon HTC One has been rumored to be coming to shelves to compete not only with the AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile HTC One models but also the Samsung Galaxy S4 at those carriers, and at Verizon. Rumors have emerged left and right, culminating with two leaks that have emerged in the past two days that seem to point to an announcement at today’s CTIA press event.

Read: Watch the Verizon Announcement Live: HTC One or VoLTE Possible.

The HTC One could launch today on Verizon.

Yesterday, we saw a possible Sprint employee claiming to have seen a Verizon HTC One running Android 4.2.2. His remarks have since been deleted but he was confident that a release was coming soon. Today, SlashGear is reporting that it has heard that the HTC One is on tap for today’s announcement and that Verizon will finally announce that the HTC One is coming to shelves.

It appears that Verizon has finally decided to offer the device as a likely replacement to the Droid DNA, a device that was on sale for a number of days, a sale that oddly enough, ended yesterday. We’ve also heard from unofficial and anonymous sources who have claimed that Verizon would be releasing an HTC One.

If this is true, it means that the Droid DNA 2 may or may not come later in the year, after HTC announces the HTC Butterfly 2. The Butterfly 2 is expected to have a 5-inch display and be out sometime in the third quarter of this year.

Of course, this is not confirmation of an HTC One at today’s event. We still haven’t seen the device itself emerge, something that typically happens before a launch, and there are some subtle signs that this event could very well be tied to Verizon’s upcoming VoLTE plans. It’s also entirely possible that the carrier will discuss both.

That said, those interested in a Verizon HTC One will want to tune in to the event at CTIA Las Vegas which kicks off at about 11AM PST.

Verizon HTC One Launch Could Happen Today is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Later this year, for the first time, Microsoft and Sony will go head-to-head with brand new game consoles. While the Xbox 360 had a one year head start on the PlayStation 3, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will release within weeks of each other later this year.

The close release dates makes it harder to buy both consoles at launch. Many will likely have to choose just one console later this year. To help make the decision a bit easier, here’s how the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 stack up against one another based on what we know so far.

Read: Xbox One: 5 Exciting New Features

Games

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are more aptly referred to as media devices, but their games will help set them apart.

At the Xbox One launch event Microsoft said it would have 15 exclusive games in the first 12 months after launch, including eight from brand new franchises. So far that list includes the new Forza 5 racing game, a new game from the makers of Alan Wake called Quantum Change and Crytek’s ancient Rome action game Ryse. Microsoft only showed brief clips of the former two games, while Crytek’s website says we’ll see the re-emergence of Ryse at E3 next month.

Sony didn’t commit to any hard number of exclusive titles for the PlayStation 4 during its event back in February, though it did show off a few new exclusives. During the presentation Sony showed actual gameplay of a new character-driven platformer from Mark Cerny called Knack and an opening sequence of the upcoming Killzone: Shadow Fall. Sony also showed short clips from the new superhero game Infamous: Second Son and the racing game Drive Club.

Both consoles will also have some exclusive content from games that are otherwise multiplatform. The Xbox One will get the first DLC from Call of Duty: Ghosts and exclusive content for EA Sports titles including FIFA 14 and Madden 25. The PlayStation 4 will get exclusive missions in Ubisoft games Watch_Dogs and Assassins Creed 4. All of those games will come to both consoles, but will be slightly better on one or the other.

Console Hardware

Both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are big improvements over their predecessors. While the Xbox 360 and PS3 couldn’t be more different, the tech inside the new consoles is surprisingly similar.

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 both use custom AMD processors with x86 architecture, similar to processors found in desktop PCs. Both consoles also have 8GB of RAM, which is big for developers and should mean more immersive games. Both consoles also have built-in hard drives for storing games. Sony wouldn’t say how big the HDD inside the PS4 is, saying only that it was “very large.” The Xbox One will use a 500GB internal hard drive.

Console Design

Ultimately, no matter what the consoles do, they’ll have to sit somewhere near a TV where users see them all the time. So what do they look like?

Microsoft’s Xbox One looks a lot like a 1990′s vision of a futuristic VCR that uses Blu-ray discs instead of tapes. It’s just a large, shiny black box with a lot of vents. It’s not ugly, but not particularly interesting.

Unfortunately, the best glimpse Sony gave of PlayStation 4 so far was a 39-second video that showed a blurry black box and close-ups of vents. We don’t know any other details right now.

Controller

With every new console generation the controllers change, at least nominally. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers still look familiar, but they have a number of changes.

The Xbox One controller looks like a more refined version of the current Xbox 360 controller. It has a fixed D-pad that looks better than the one on the 360 controller, slightly redesigned sticks and the buttons appear shallower. The controller also features a newly designed battery compartment that makes the controller easier to hold and has more responsive triggers. Microsoft also built in a new rumble system that can reproduce things like a beating heart or a revving engine.

Sony stuck with the familiar DualShock design for the PlayStation 4, but the DualShock 4 has a few added features. The biggest change is the addition of a touchpad that will likely either add to gameplay or only prove useful in menus. The controller also features analog sticks with a concave design, triggers that are easier to use, a light bar for the PlayStation Eye and the new share button. Otherwise, the controller has the same design Sony introduced on the first PlayStation.

Motion and Voice Control

Microsoft and Sony both introduced their own motion control technology during the current generation. While the Kinect and Move were optional accessories, both new consoles wil come with their respective accessories in the box.

The new Kinect has a 1080p camera that can detect more people at once and read more data from those users. The device can detect more points on a user’s skeleton (including finger movement), limb rotation, weight shifts and even the user’s heart rate. The new Kinect can also track controller movement when the player is sitting on the couch, potentially adding new motion features to games.

Kinect can also listen to voice commands, letting the user control the console with simple word commands. Saying “Xbox on” can turn on the console and log the user into their account. From there they can issue basic voice commands to start playing a game, watching a movie or watching TV.

The PlayStation 4 will come bundled with the new PlayStation Eye, which will use the Move controller and presumably track the light bar on the DualShock 4. The device can also stream video when the user is streaming a game. Sony didn’t go into many more details about the device in its presentation.

Online Features

The Xbox One will use Xbox Live, like the Xbox 360, but will add a number of improvements. The new console will let more gamers play multiplayer games at the same time and let developers change and release new achievements for games based on the game’s community. The console will also increase the friends list maximum from 100 to 1000 friends.

The PlayStation 4 will include Facebook integration, making it easier for gamers to connect with their friends. Gamers will have the ability to stream games they’re playing on the PlayStation 4 online either through PlayStation Network or UStream. Sony’s Gaikai technology will also let friends help each other through games. With the cloud gaming technology a friend on the other side of the country can take over control of a game, helping them through difficult portions of the game.

Backwards Compatibility

Unfortunately, neither the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 4 will play games from their predecessors thanks to the new system architectures. Sony may let gamers stream PS3 games in the cloud, but that’s not guaranteed for launch or any time after launch.

Miscellaneous

While there are parallels between the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, each have at least one standout feature that help differentiate them.

The Xbox One uses an HDMI passthrough that lets gamers watch TV from their cable box without switching the input. Users can easily control their cable box with Kinect voice commands, and use Snap to open apps next to the live stream.

Microsoft will also include Skype in the Xbox One, letting users video chat with friends and family in 1080p through the Kinect’s camera.

Sony’s major differentiator is its indie game support. Sony will let independent studios publish their own games on the PlayStation 4, something Microsoft wont allow on the Xbox One. Sony wants the PlayStation 4 (and the PlayStation Vita) to become the platform of choice for indie developers, while Microsoft seemingly only wants to deal with major publishers.

Microsoft Xbox One vs. Sony PlayStation 4 is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Sony Xperia S Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, which is still expected to arrive in May despite encountering a little turbulence, has made an odd appearance on Sony’s support page for the device today, ahead of its eventual roll out to owners of the aging smartphone.

In April, Sony announced that it would be rolling out the long-awaited Xperia S Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update by the end of May. Early signs pointed to that being the case with the software seemingly getting certified on its way to a roll out. More recently though, we heard that it may have hit a bit of a snag, with the software pegged as potentially rolling out in June.

Despite the grim news, there are still no concrete signs pointing to a delay, and thus, owners should still be expecting the software to roll out sometime during this month.

Backing that up is the fact that the Xperia S Jelly Bean update has seemingly made an appearance, albeit an odd one, on the company’s support page for the Android smartphone. The listing, noticed by XperiaBlog, shows off the latest available firmware as 6.2.A.0.200. The 6.2 moniker is thought to be reference to the Xperia S’ Jelly Bean update.

Recently, we saw a 6.2.X.X.XXX Jelly Bean update leak out and we also saw a 6.2.X.X.XXX get certified for arrival. Strangely, the software listed here is not the software that was certified. Instead, it’s an older version. Also strange is that the release date is listed as April 24th which of course already took place.

Jelly Bean has appeared on the Sony Xperia S website.

A quick look at the website’s cache reveals that this information is relatively new, including that date, so perhaps the date is a mistake and the company actually meant May 24th. It’s not clear and the company isn’t saying.

This appearance though is a good sign for Sony Xperia S owners as it likely points to something happening in the near future. Maybe not May 24th, but soon. Remember, Sony has made a promise and hopefully, it sticks to that promise.

Sony Xperia S Jelly Bean Update Makes Odd Appearance is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

A Verizon announcement is slotted for later today at CTIA 2013 where the company may show off a Verizon HTC One.

The CTIA 2013 Verizon event is being live streamed online so everyone interested in the big Verizon reveal can tune in to see what the company is announcing.

While Verizon is being coy about what they will announce, the Verizon HTC One remains one of the most hoped for items, and a real possibility for the event.

Update 2: Verizon HTC One Remains MIA

Update: The Verizon HTC One launch could take place today.

Marni Walden, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Verizon Wireless will take the stage in a half hour event to deliver a Verizon announcement that may be a phone or could be a service for Verizon.

Here’s how to watch the Verizon announcement and two of the most likely announcements.

How to Watch the CTIA 2013 Verizon Announcement Live

Verizon will be streaming the CTIA 2013 announcement live online at 2:15 PM Eastern / 11:15 AM Pacific today. The event will stream on livestream.com. The Verizon announcement from CTIA 2013 will show up in the area below, but there are also other options if this fails.

Users can tune in to the Verizon CTIA 2013 channel on a computer for the best experience. There is also a LiveStream app for iPhone which may provide the best viewing experience on mobile.

Like any live stream, expect some technical difficulties, but users who tune in early may get the best results.

Verizon HTC One or VoLTE

Earlier this week a report of a Verizon HTC One running Android 4.2.2 made a brief appearance at a retail location when an HTC representative took out the phone to show off some new Android 4.2.2 features. This appearance was of course, not caught on camera, but with rumors swirling and Nokia announcements out of the way, the Verizon HTC One is a logical choice for today’s announcement.

We could see a Verizon HTC One at the Verizon announcement.

Verizon used CTIA to announce the Droid Incredible 4G LTE so there is a precedent for announcing new smartphones at CTIA. Verizon announced the Sony Xperia Play at CTIA 2011. This phone launched on other carriers first, but Verizon made a big deal about bringing it to their network at CTIA.

That is unless Verizon decides to go in a completely different direction and use the industry event to talk about the future of their network and network technology.

Verizon used CTIA to launch services in the past. In 2012 Verizon announced HomeFusion, a 4G LTE broadband service that completes the last mile of internet service for rural customers. In 2010 Verizon used the Fall CTIA event to announce 4G LTE which launched later that year.

The Verizon announcement could be VoLTE.

With this in mind Verizon could talk about VoLTE. VoLTE or Voice over LTE is a new form of network technology that brings the ability to use voice and data at the same time on Verizon. Previously Verizon stated that it is aiming for a 2013 testing phase with roll out in 2014. This event could make public more plans for the service.

Marni Walden is in charge of Verizon’s nationwide operations and is charged with, “delivery of industry-leading performance,” according to her Verizon bio, which makes this seem like a better possibility than the Verizon HTC One.

Tune in in just a few hours to see what the Verizon announcement has in store.

Watch the Verizon Announcement Live: HTC One or VoLTE Possible is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.