Liverpool Hillsborough Wikipedia posts: Government pledges 'urgent inquiries'

The Cabinet Office said the claims were being treated with "the utmost seriousness"

The government says it is making "urgent inquiries" into reports Whitehall computers were used to make insulting comments about the Hillsborough disaster.

The Liverpool Echo reported that changes were made to Wikipedia entries about the tragedy.

Comments were posted from computers on Whitehall's secure intranet, it said.

The Cabinet Office said the claims were being treated with "the utmost seriousness".

"We thank the Liverpool Echo for bringing this to our attention," a spokesman said.

"No one should be in any doubt of the government's position regarding the Hillsborough disaster and its support for the families of the 96 victims and all those affected by the tragedy."

'Appropriate action' call

Steve Kelly, who lost his 38-year-old brother Michael at Hillsborough, said: "After all these years it's disgusting that people are still trying to put the knife into the families - we're good people.

"We've tried to maintain our dignity and people are still doing this sort of thing."

Sheila Coleman, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, said they will be talking to their legal team about "how to proceed".

"Clearly we'll be calling for an enquiry - we'll expect those responsible to be identified and appropriate action taken," she added.

The Liverpool football fans died after a crush at the FA Cup semi-final in April 1989.

New inquests, set to last a year, were ordered after new evidence revealed by the Hillsborough Independent Panel led to the original inquest verdicts being quashed.
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

Obama in S Korea amid nuclear fears US President Barack Obama arrives in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test

Asia tour: Obama in Seoul amid nuclear test fears

Mr Obama and Ms Park are expected to discuss strategy on North Korea
US President Barack Obama is in Seoul for a visit that comes amid concern that North Korea may be planning a fourth nuclear test.

Mr Obama, who arrived from Japan on the second stop of his Asian tour, will hold talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye.

Their talks are set to focus on North Korea, following reports of activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

Mr Obama is also expected to express grief over last week's ferry disaster.

More than 300 people were killed or remain missing after the Sewol passenger ferry sank off South Korea, in a tragedy that has shocked the nation.

Most of those who died were teenagers on a school trip.

'Two test tunnels'

Mr Obama is expected to hold talks with Ms Park, visit US troops and then fly to Malaysia on Saturday.

Speaking in Japan, he called the North Korean problem "the most destabilising, dangerous situation in all of the Asia-Pacific region", and described China's role in influencing Pyongyang as "critically important".

Earlier this week, South Korea's military said it had detected "a lot of activity" at the North's nuclear test site, suggesting it was either planning a test or would pretend to stage one.

North Korea has carried out three such tests in the past, most recently in February 2013 - an incident that triggered months of severe tension on the Korean peninsula.

It also carried out tests in 2006 and 2009. All resulted in the imposition of sanctions by the UN, which bars Pyongyang from nuclear tests under resolution 1718.

A report from 38 North, the website of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, also confirmed increased activity at the site "probably related to preparations for a detonation", based on satellite imagery.

The document highlighted "increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels".

While Pyongyang has tested devices, it is not yet believed to have mastered the process of making a nuclear warhead small enough to deliver via a missile.

China is regarded as the nation with the best chance of influencing North Korea's behaviour, because of their trade ties.

"We will not allow war and chaos on China's doorstep," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Thursday.

"In the meantime, we have consistently and proactively advocated dialogue and negotiation."

'Inherent territory'

Also on Mr Obama's agenda will be Seoul's ties with Japan. The US wants its two main Asian allies to work together to tackle North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

But rows over disputed islands and unresolved historical tensions have severely strained the Tokyo-Seoul relationship.

Last month, the US brokered a meeting between Ms Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a bid to put things back on track.

In Japan, Mr Obama issued a firm statement of support over Tokyo's dispute over a separate set of islands with China.

Standing next to the Japanese leader, he confirmed that the US-Japan security treaty did cover the disputed East China Sea island chain - meaning that if Japan were to be attacked, the US would come to its aid.

China said it opposed the US stance.

"No matter what other people say and do, they can't change the fundamental fact that the Diaoyu islands (called Senkaku in Japan) are part of China's inherent territory," said spokesman Qin Gang.
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

Lifestyle quiz to secure a mortgage

The rules are aimed at reducing the chance of reckless lending
Mortgage applicants face tougher questions about their lifestyle, under new rules that take effect on Saturday.

The changes are designed to "hardwire common sense" into the mortgage application process, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Questions from lenders about customers' regular outgoings - including childcare costs and even haircuts - could be included in affordability checks.

Brokers say the changes could lead to delays and rejections of applications.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said the transition to the new rules would be smooth, despite it being the biggest change to the mortgage market for more than a decade.

And many lenders have already changed their systems so they comply with the new rules.

Questions

The rules - known as the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) - are designed to protect consumers from the kind of reckless mortgage lending that would leave them unable to make repayments.

They were drawn up during the financial crisis and originally planned to come into force last summer but changes were made following consultation with lenders.

At their heart is a new affordability check, that will see applicants interviewed by a lender and asked about their income and outgoings.

Previously, many mortgage offers were based on a multiple of the buyer or homeowner's income. Now, more consideration will be given to the household budget and how much spare money is available to them.

That is likely to mean more detailed checks, with questions asked about anything from subscriptions to childcare costs.

Applicants will be expected to explain if they are predicting any significant change in their income or spending.

Lenders will also have to "stress test" an applicant's ability to repay if interest rates increased over a five-year period. This is expected to lead to some applications being rejected.

However, the Building Societies Association (BSA) said this did not mean that those on lower incomes or those only able to offer a small deposit would be frozen out of the property market.

Paul Broadhead, head of mortgage policy at the BSA, said: "It is understandable that people are concerned about the changes to the mortgage application process, however it is vital that this new regime does not dent consumer confidence or sentiment in the housing market.

"It is highly unlikely that a single purchase or category of expenditure will make the difference between yes or no decisions."

Mortgage lenders have had to train staff in the new rules, but the extra pressure on time could mean the process of securing a mortgage to buy a home could take longer.
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

UK science to get £200m polar ship UK scientists are to get a £200m icebreaker, which will be one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world

George Osborne orders new icebreaker for UK polar science

The new ship is likely to incorporate a helideck and hangar, and be able to deploy robotic subs
UK science is to get one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world.

The £200m investment in an icebreaker is to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a speech on Friday.

The ship is likely to be 130m long, and sport a helipad, cranes, onboard labs, and have the ability to deploy subs and other ocean-survey and sampling gear.

It should be ready to enter service in 2019, and will support scientists in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.

The strength of its hull will allow it to push deeper into pack ice than any previous British research vessel.

Initial technical specifications require the ship to be able to maintain a speed of three knots while breaking through 2m-thick floes.

The money to build and equip the vessel is coming from the government's capital investment fund for science, for which Mr Osborne has committed £1.1bn per year in real terms up to 2020/21.

Talking ahead of his announcement in Cambridge, the chancellor said science was a springboard for economic prosperity.

"Backing British science, supporting businesses seeking to grow off the back of it and protecting investment in it is a central part of our long-term economic plan," he explained.

"Britain has a proud past leading the world in pushing the boundary of scientific discovery. I want it to be a mark of our future success."

The UK already operates two polar ships - the Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Clark Ross and the RRS Ernest Shackleton.

The former was built in 1990 and the latter in 1995.

A case was made to government, and accepted, that this fleet needed to be augmented with a more modern capability if the nation's science at high latitudes was to remain competitive.

The poles are at the forefront of climate research
An early design concept for the new ship has been drawn up by naval architects, but this will need to be finessed.

A clear imperative is that the final design features a helideck - something omitted on the Clark Ross and which experts have told the BBC is really essential for effective Antarctic operations.

Precisely where the ship will be built is an open question.

Given the scale of the investment, a home shipyard would obviously be preferred. But European Union rules will require that bids be invited also from beyond the UK.

There is sure to be some concern that the announcement of the new vessel will signal an imminent reduction in the fleet - one super ship to replace two ageing vessels.

But the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), which funds polar science in the UK, says this is not the current plan.

The desire is to operate both the Clark Ross and the Shackleton until at least the end of the decade, it states.

A decision will then be taken on what to do with the Shackleton, which, unlike the Clark Ross, is not British-owned but leased from a Norwegian company.

The first of five available one-year extensions to this bareboat charter arrangement comes into effect in August.

Nerc has made it clear also that the capital investment for the new ship will not impact the budget for its day-to-day science or ongoing infrastructure needs. The investment is on a separate government line.

The council has recently upgraded its "bluewater fleet" - the open-ocean vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook are both less than 10 years old.

Prof Duncan Wingham, the chief executive of Nerc, told BBC News: "The new vessel will make Nerc's entire fleet, ton for ton, the most advanced scientific fleet in the world.

"The new ship will be a clear statement of the UK's commitment to science in the Antarctic and South Atlantic, and increases our ice-breaking capability in the South and, just as important, in the Arctic."

What the new polar ship promises to be like

Likely to have a length of 130m and a breadth of 25m
Its gross tonnage would be about 13,000 tonnes
Its cargo volume would be around 4,200 cu metres
It must be self-sufficient to operate for up to 80 days
This means it could cover roughly 24,000 nautical miles
Helicopter facilities are today considered a must-have
It would launch aerial and ocean robotic systems
Up to 60 scientists and support staff could live aboard

This is just an early design concept. The details will need to be finessed
UK's existing polar research vessel capability

The RSS James Clark Ross is now almost 25 years old and has no helicopter capability
James Clark Ross (above) was built on Tyneside and is UK-owned
Ernest Shackleton's bareboat charter has just been extended
Both are flagged in the Falklands but operate in the North too
They resupply Antarctic bases, including remote Halley Station

The British Antarctic Survey operates a number of southern stations
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

Ukraine crisis: Kerry accuses Russia of 'destabilisation'

Kerry: We've seen this movie before
US Secretary of State John Kerry has accused Russia of "distraction, deception and destabilisation" in eastern Ukraine.

In a strongly worded statement, he called on Moscow to help defuse the crisis there or face further sanctions.

Earlier, Russia called on the US to make Kiev stop raids on pro-Moscow separatists in the east.

Russia ordered new military exercises on its border following the raids, drawing condemnation from Ukraine.

Mr Kerry was speaking amid an increasing war of words between the US and Russia over events in eastern Ukraine.

Pro-Russian separatists are occupying key buildings in a dozen eastern Ukrainian towns, defying the central government.

Mr Kerry praised the interim authorities in Kiev, saying they had honoured the agreement struck in Geneva on 17 April to de-escalate the crisis.

But he said Russia had "put its faith in distraction, deception and destabilisation".

"Not a single Russian official has publicly gone on television in Ukraine and called on the separatists to support the Geneva agreement, to support the stand-down, to give up their weapons and get out of the Ukrainian buildings," he said.

He accused Russian media of promoting President Vladimir Putin's "fantasy" about events in Ukraine and said Moscow continued to "fund, co-ordinate and fuel a heavily-armed separatist movement in Donetsk".

"This is a full-throated effort to actively sabotage the democratic process through gross external intimidation that has been brought inside Ukraine," he said.

Mr Kerry said US intelligence was confident that Russia was "playing an active role in destabilising eastern Ukraine" with personnel, weapons, money and operational planning".

He added that the window for Russia to change course was closing and that if it did not choose to de-escalate, the US was ready to impose further sanctions.

Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry urged the US to use its influence with Kiev to "convince it to refrain from rash steps that will plunge Ukraine even deeper into the depths of crisis".

The Geneva agreement states that illegal armed groups, including those who have seized public buildings, must return home.

The morning raids by Ukrainian commandos on pro-Russian checkpoints around the town of Sloviansk left at least two separatists dead.

Oleg Boldyrev reports from the scene of the operation near Sloviansk
On hearing of the attacks, President Putin warned there would be "consequences", adding: "If Kiev has really begun to use the army against the country's population... that is a very serious crime against its own people".

On Wednesday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the US of "running the show" in Ukraine.

Moscow has tens of thousands of troops along its side of the border.

Russian television quoted the ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, as saying that Moscow would have "international-legal grounds" to deploy "peacekeepers" to Ukraine, as it had during the Russia-Georgia conflict of 2008.

One of the checkpoints taken out by Ukrainian forces near Sloviansk

The pro-Russians continue to control many checkpoints in the area, including here at Krasny Liman

Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, told Russia to stop its "blackmail"

A Ukrainian helicopter drops leaflets over Sloviansk
Ukraine's acting President, Olexander Turchynov, called on Russia to pull back its troops and end what he called its "blackmail".

Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytisa said Ukrainian forces would fight the Russians if they had to.

In other developments on Thursday:

The funeral took place in Horlivka of pro-Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Rybak, who was abducted and killed in Donetsk region
US journalist Simon Ostrovsky, held by pro-Russian separatists in Sloviansk, has been freed
Slovakia and Ukraine could sign a deal on gas supplies on Monday, allowing for a "reverse flow" to reduce Kiev's dependence on Russia
Unrest began in Ukraine last November over whether the country should look towards Moscow or the West.

Last month Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic-Russian Crimea. It followed a referendum in the region that backed joining the Russian Federation but which the West and Kiev deemed illegal.
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

HTC One M8: Latest software update adds Extreme Power Saving mode

HTC has finally made the HTC One M8 official, and yes, that really is the name it has chosen. Despite the device being steadily and comprehensively leaked over the past few months, HTC did manage to hold back a few details to surprise us with on the big day. The question is: Does the all-new HTC One have what it takes to win people's hearts and wallets this time around, helping to return the company to former glories. Or will it suffer at the hands of Samsung and the Galaxy S5? Let's find out with a close look at the all the official details.

Updated on 04-24-2014 by Andy Boxall:  Reports of a software update being pushed to the HTC One M8 are starting to spread. It contains several improvements, and adds the Extreme Power Saving Mode.

Where can you buy One, and how much will it cost?

HTC says the One M8 will be the single largest product launch in its history, and will be sold on 230 networks globally. Before the end of April, it will be released in America, UK, Germany, France, China, Australia, and Taiwan. An exact date wasn't provided, but HTC said "most will have the phone in-store before April 10."

(Read our HTC One M8 Review.)

Sure enough, sales are already underway:

AT&T: Starting at AT&T, the One M8 will cost $200 with a two-year contract, or $32 per month on Next 12. Off-contract, it's priced at $640.
Verizon: Head over to Verizon and the phone is also $200 with a two-year contract, or $25.22 per month with Verizon Edge. It's a little cheaper off-contract too, and costs $600 exactly. Verizon also has a limited time buy-one-get-one-free offer running with the One M8, provided you sign a pair of two-year contracts.

T-Mobile: At T-Mobile, the One M8 has a full price of $636 with nothing up front, then 24 monthly payments of $26.50, plus your standard bill.
Sprint: Finally, Sprint has the HTC One M8 for $200 on a two-year plan, or can offer the phone contract free for $650. There's also the option to pay nothing up front, then $27.09 per month for the next two-years. 

However, if you'd rather do your shopping on Amazon.com, and are thinking of getting an HTC One M8 connected to Verizon or Sprint, then make sure you check the site first. At the time of writing, both these networks have the phone priced at $150 with a two-year contract on Amazon, saving you $50 over buying one direct. Amazon, and all the networks, list the HTC One M8 as being in stock and ready for delivery now.

Software update adds Extreme Power Saving mode

Although HTC has optimized the battery performance of the One M8 to provide 40 percent more battery life than the original One, it has still added an "Extreme Power Saving" mode, which works like a turbocharged version of Samsung's Ultra Power Saver Mode on the Galaxy S5. Like the Samsung tool, it strips away all the garnish, provides a simple interface, and only lets you access basic features.

However, the feature wasn't included with all HTC One M8 phones at launch, due to it needing to pass regulation tests ensuring emergency calls could still be made with it switched on. Apparently, it passed with flying colors. Owners have started to report the feature's arrival inside a software update for the phone. Listed as version 1.55.631.4, the 150MB update also contains unspecified improvements to the Duo Camera and the gallery. 

According to HTC, a fully charged One M8 in Extreme Power Saver mode will last for up to two weeks without needing a recharge. If your One M8 is missing the Extreme Power Saving mode, then check Software Updates on the device to see if it's ready to go.

Hardware will sound familiar

If all you worry about is specs, then the HTC One M8 won't capture your attention for long, as not only is it fairly similar to last year's HTC One, but it's also identical to many other high-end smartphones on the market today. For example, the screen measures 5-inches, is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and has a 1080p resolution.

HTC has chosen the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor running at 2.3GHz to power the phone, and paired it with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage memory. A welcome addition is a MicroSD card slot, which can bump this figure by a huge 128GB, if you don't mind spending some cash on the card itself. A 16GB version of the One M8 will also be produced, but potentially only sold in Europe.

A pair of BoomSound speakers are mounted on the front panel, and the amp is supposed to be 25 percent louder than before, but there's no Beats Audio branding or software included this time around. Above the screen is a 5-megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens, and HTC has tweaked the rear 4-megapixel UltraPixel camera to work with the Snapdragon 801 processor, which results in a 0.3 second focus time, and better quality images.

Duo Camera looks cool

The many leaks told us the HTC One M8 would have a dual-lens camera, but short of saying it would be to mess around with the depth of field, they didn't go into much detail. We now know HTC is calling the new setup a Duo Camera, plus that it offers one-touch refocus, which it calls UFocus.

It's not the first time we've seen such technology on a smartphone. Most of this year's flagship phones offer something similar, such as Nokia's ReFocus app, and Magic Focus on the LG G Pro 2. The difference here is instead of being a software-driven system which takes several photos in quick succession to produce the desired effect, the Duo Camera includes all the depth information in one shot. It's the second lens, which is actually a sensor, that collects all that detail.

HTC says the Duo Camera captures "true depth information in your photos," meaning it understands which objects in your photo are close to you, and which are further away. This will allow users to add the blurred-background "bokeh" effect instantly, with a tap of the screen. This is all done in the regular camera mode, so there's no need to remember a setting or run a separate app, and there a various modes to help you implement the feature.

Additionally, the camera now has a dual-LED, dual-color flash, complete with different color modes for improved color reproduction. There's no optical image stabilization, only digital, but there is a selection of editing tools, and cool effects – including an unusual 3D look – to apply to your pictures. In the summer, HTC will release a new version of its Zoe video tool. This will make those short videos easier to produce, and also upload them into the cloud, ready for friends to re-edit and create their own versions.

Gorgeous metal bodywork

One aspect of the original HTC One which didn't need fixing is the design, and HTC has stuck with the same formula for the One M8. The metal unibody now covers 90 percent of the chassis, compared to 70 percent on the previous model, and it measures 9.3mm thick. The polished metal finish has a feathered, brushed design, described as an effect which is more at home on jewelry than a smartphone. If you've decided on a gold version of the One M8, you need to know it doesn't have the same brushed effect as the other models, and is apparently noticeably smoother to the touch.

Unlike several of its competitors, the HTC One M8 isn't waterproof. Or is it? HTC certainly hasn't said anything about it, but a video has been uncovered, which apparently shows the new phone working away happily, despite being underwater. It's not been in the drink for five seconds either, but 90 minutes, if the video is to be believed. We would suggest putting this to the test with your new M8, but it may provide some evidence the phone will resist the odd splash without dying on the spot.

HTC's Online Global Communications Manager, Jeff Gordon, has spoken out about the One M8′s resistance to water. He tweeted the phone is rated IPx3, which means it's able to be used in rainy or damp conditions without issue.

Gordon also cleared up another mystery. If you were wondering about the large black section beneath the screen, which only seems to be there to make the HTC logo stand out, there is actually a point to it. Gordon's tweet says the area isn't empty space, but hides "a huge amount of circuitry and antennae." It's necessary to the HTC One M8′s operation then, and not just the bit where the capacitive keys once were, which they didn't know what to do with.

New, Improved "Sixth Sense" software experience

Android 4.4 KitKat is installed on the One M8, and HTC has covered it in Sense 6.0, its revised and rebuilt user interface.BlinkFeed has been improved too. It's now one, long scrolling list, and draws from a list of 10,000 content providers. Those familiar with BlinkFeed will spot new animations, the introduction of larger images, new animations, and an easier way of adding additional content. 

Other alterations inside Sense 6.0 include redesigned icons, more minimalist fonts, a wide range of themes, and several newly refreshed apps. For example, Sense TV is designed to replace your TV remote control, and comes with built-in social networking features, plus a dedicated sports section.

HTC has made BlinkFeed, the Gallery app and others available through Google Play, which will allow them to be updated without the need for an over-the-air update to be approved and sent out. It's a big step forward to keeping these apps fresh with new features. Also, HTC has opened BlinkFeed, Zoe, and UFocus up to developers, so they can be incorporated into third party apps.

Among the first partners to integrate into BlinkFeed are Foursquare, so check-ins and other news will be added to your feed, plus FitBit. This, combined with the One M8's sensors, turn it into a FitBit activity tracker, but without the wristband. It's also worth noting the One M8 has onscreen Android buttons, and not separate ones as with the original model.

Ignore the sleep/wake key, use gesture controls instead

HTC has added a selection of gesture controls called Motion Launch. These are accessed through a dedicated menu, and they're all designed to stop you from pressing the sleep/wake key, and to be used when the screen is off. For example, a double tap will wake up the screen, lifting the phone to your ear will answer it, while turning the device sideways and hitting the volume button will activate the camera. 

Extreme power saving could be great

HTC has optimized the battery performance of the One M8 to provide 40 percent more battery life than the original One. An "extreme" battery-saving mode has also been added, which works like a turbocharged version of Samsung's Ultra Power Saver Mode on the Galaxy S5. Like the Samsung tool, it strips away all the garnish, provides a simple interface, and only lets you access basic features. According to HTC, a fully charged One M8 in Extreme Power Saver mode will last for up to two weeks without needing a recharge. That's one feature we want to test.

Google Play Edition incoming

HTC has also revealed a One M8 without all its Sense 6.0 user interface, or the accompanying software, as a Google Play Edition. However, it's not running a completely standard build of Android 4.4 KitKat. Don't worry though, the alterations are made so owners get to enjoy the Duo Camera, which requires certain tweaks and additional settings. Otherwise, the specification is exactly the same. It's available for pre-order now, and costs $700.

Wide range of accessories available at launch

In addition to One M8 specific versions of HTC's Double Dip and Flip cases, HTC has also launched the Fetch and the Mini+ accessories for the new phone. The Fetch is a keyring which helps locate a misplaced phone, and the Mini+ is a strange phone-for-your-phone device. The Dot View case is the only really new accessory. It's a flip front case which displays notifications, the weather, and the time in a retro dot-matrix look style.

Let us know if HTC has done enough with the One M8 to persuade you it's the phone to buy, or will you be going for one of its competitors?

Updated on 04-11-2014 by Andy Boxall:  The HTC One M8 is now available through most networks in America, but the best deal – if you're after a contract – comes from Amazon. We've added in all the prices and conditions you need to know about the new HTC flagship phone, so you can easily find the right deal.

Updated on 04-03-2014 by Andy Boxall:  Added in and explanation of the black space beneath the One M8′s screen, provided by HTC, plus details on the Google Play Edition, the first HTC One M8 advert, and a hint the phone may not be too scared of water.

Updated on 03-25-2014 by Andy Boxall: All the official information on the HTC One M8 has been added to the article below, while all the many, many rumors from our roundup can still be found on page two.
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More

The 11 hottest iOS, Android, and Windows Phones you can’t buy yet

The Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 just came out, but what's next? If you're like us and are never content with what you already have, then DT is here to help. There are a lot of exciting things coming later this year. It's tough to keep track of them all, so we've put together this list of all the smartphones you'll be drooling over by the end of this year.

On this page, you'll find several phones we know are coming, but haven't been announced yet. On page two we'll get into some of the phones we know are coming, but have yet to hit store shelves.

Apple's iPhone 6

Whether you're an Apple fan or not, the iPhone 6 is probably the biggest smartphone release of the year. If the many (many) rumors are correct, the company is sticking with tradition, and this year's model will be drastically different from those before it.

The biggest departure will be its extra large screen, perhaps measuring 4.7-inches, with a higher pixel resolution. There's plenty more gossip, too. The screen could be covered in unbreakable sapphire; the body could be very slim; and of course, iOS 8 could take yet more bold steps forward. There's also a chance it'll be joined by the iWatch, and there's even talk of a second, even larger iPhone coming soon afterwards. We should know more around September.

LG G3

LG has continually upped its game for the last two years, and the rumored LG G3, its 2014 flagship Android phone, could be its best smartphone yet. The most exciting part? It's looking highly likely that its 5.5-inch screen will have a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, which will make it the first device widely available with such a high pixel count. Other features to look out for include a new user interface, a possible octa-core processor, and 13-megapixel camera. The LG G3's launch event should take place sometime before the summer.

Read our full LG G3 Rumor Roundup.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Talk about Samsung's next phone and tablet hybrid has only just begun, but it's already causing a stir. We expect the screen to be bigger than ever, at least 5.9-inches, and it may even be curved at the edges, making it entirely bezel-less. Like the LG G3, Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 may also feature a 2560 x 1440 pixel screen resolution. It's early days for Note 4 rumors, but we should expect at least a 16-megapixel camera, a waterproof chassis, and some flashy new handwriting recognition features. Samsung's fond of announcing its newest Note phone during the IFA trade show, held in early September.

Read our full Galaxy Note 4 Rumor Roundup.

Amazon's Fire 3D smartphone

One of the year's most unusual phones could end up coming from a relative newcomer, Amazon. We've been hearing about its supposed plans to make a smartphone for years, but nothing has ever come of it, until set of leaked pictures made everything seem a little more real recently. If the phone does launch, it may come with a clever eye-tracking system to create a 3D user interface. We'll have to wait to find out if this is the coolest feature ever, or the gimmick it sounds like, until Amazon finally makes it official.

Read our full Amazon Fire 3D Phone Rumor Roundup.

HTC One M8 Mini

HTC spun off the popular HTC One several times, coming up with the One Mini and the One Max, so it's logical to imagine it'll do the same with the recently announced One M8. Rumors of the One M8 Mini have already started to spread. If they're accurate, it'll probably have a 4.5-inch, 720p screen, a quad-core processor, and Android 4.4 with Sense 6.0. However, it probably won't have the One M8's Duo Camera, and may shun the UltraPixel setup completely, in favor of a standard 13-megapixel camera. Hints have been dropped the phone will be headed to Verizon, and that it could be announced in May.

Read our HTC One M8 Mini Rumors Page.

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom 

Samsung's follow-up to the Galaxy S4 Zoom, which may be named the K Zoom, Galaxy K, or a combination of both, is all set to be announced at an event later in April. Expect some major changes over its predecessor, including a thinner chassis, a larger screen and a faster processor. The good news is, if leaked pictures are correct, the camera lens should be flush against the body, but still retain a 10x optical zoom. We'll bring you all the news from the event on April 29, when we'll find out for sure what Samsung is going to name its new phone.

The hottest phones we're waiting on this summer

There are a bunch of phones that have already been shown off, but we're still waiting for our chance to actually buy them. Here are some of our favorites.

Sony Xperia Z2

Announced at Mobile World Congress in February, some Xperia Z2 smartphones have made it into the hands of a few customers, but the U.S. is still waiting for firm news of its arrival. When it does go on sale, you'll get a gorgeous 5.2-inch, 1080p display, a Snapdragon 801 processor, a 20.7-megapixel camera, and Android 4.4.2.

Watch our Xperia Z2 Hands-On Video.

OnePlus One

OnePlus is a new name in the smartphone world, but it has really grabbed our attention with the OnePlus One, its debut device. Priced at $300 for the 16GB model, the phone has a 5.5-inch 1080 screen, a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, and a sleek magnesium body shell. The exact release date hasn't been confirmed, but it'll be out in the U.S. before the end of June.

Read our full OnePlus One Guide.

Nokia Lumia 930

Nokia showed off the Lumia 930 at Microsoft's Build 2014, and it's all set to be one of the first phones on sale with Windows Phone 8.1 already installed. Along with the new operating system, which includes Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana, the 930 has a 5-inch, 1080p screen, a quad-core Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 20-megapixel camera. The phone is very similar to Verizon's Lumia Icon, and should be on sale in June.

Read our post on the Lumia 930 and 635.

Nokia Lumia 635

Another Nokia Lumia phone revealed at Build 2014, the Lumia 635 will offer Windows Phone 8.1 fun on a budget. It's the 4G LTE equivalent of the Lumia 630, and has a 4.5-inch, 854 x 480 pixel resolution, a Snapdragon 400 processor, and a 5-megapixel camera. The best thing about it is the price, which should be around XX

Oppo Find 7

Oppo's latest phone is one of the first to be announced with a 1440p screen. It will be available unlocked, without a contract, through Oppo's online store. However, don't dismiss the Find 7. We liked the Oppo N1, and the new Find 7 looks equally cool. The 5.5-inch screen has that amazing resolution, the camera can take 50-megapixel pictures, and the device is powered by a Snapdragon 801. It's the first Oppo phone to have 4G LTE as well. We're expecting the final release date to come sometime in May.

Read our post on the Oppo Find 7.

We'll update this list as new phones come out, or we find out more details on the rumored hardware, so check back often.

———

Article update archive

Updated on 4-23-2014: Article rewritten to include current phones.

Updated on 6-28-2013: Article rewritten to include current phones.

Updated on 2-15-2013: Rewrote article to include current phones.

Updated on 10-3-2012: Dropped released phones and added some new devices.

Article originally published August 20, 2012. 
From BEN Latest News: www.benlatestnews.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/benlatestnews

Read More