Best free antivirus software: 8 recommended internet security programs

Viruses, spyware, hackers, phishing sites - the web is a dangerous place, and every PC owner needs effective, reliable antivirus software to keep them safe. But this can be expensive, especially as you'll pay again to update the package, each and every year.

Fortunately there is plenty of free antivirus software, many of which are just as capable as their commercial cousins. So if you're tired of annual subscriptions, read on - we've picked out eight of the best free internet security tools to deliver great security at no cost at all.

1. Avast Free Antivirus

You don't have to spend long with Avast Free Antivirus to realise why it's one of the most popular security tools around.

The program is simple to install; a straightforward interface makes it easy to use; a quick first scan should identify any potential threats on your PC, and this all has minimal impact on your system performance.

These aren't just subjective opinions, either. Independent testing by AV-Test has found the program to be a good all-rounder, and it was one of AV-Comparative's "Products of 2012".

Avast Free has some useful extras, too. A Software Updater alerts you to program updates you've missed, for instance, while its Browser Cleanup tool provides a simple way to remove unwanted add-ons from your browsers.

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2. Panda Cloud Antivirus Free

Small and simple, Panda Cloud Antivirus is a lightweight tool which provides free real-time antivirus protection, and can be used alongside many other security tools without problems.

It's the free version of a commercial product, and so has a few missing features. The Pro edition helps to protect you at public wifi networks, for instance, while its "USB Vaccine" function reduces the risk of malware infecting a USB drive.

The core antivirus protection remains the same, though. And while that doesn't deliver the top detection rates, independent testing shows it's very capable, with the program winning certification in AV-Test's latest report.

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3. Emsisoft Emergency Kit

No antivirus program comes with a guaranteed 100% detection rate, and malware might occasionally slip through your defences. You should always have a second tool available, then, just in case - and Emsisoft Emergency Kit (EEK) is a great choice.

The program runs without requiring installation, reducing the chance of any conflicts with your existing antivirus package.

Its straightforward system scanner uses a dual-scan-engine, rated highly by Virus Bulletin.

Experienced users will appreciate tools like HiJackFree and BlitzBlank, which can help you manually detect and clean up malware.

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4. ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall

We have one or two concerns about ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall, notably that its antivirus database is only updated daily (hourly updates are reserved for the commercial version), which leaves you more exposed to the very latest threats,

The program does provide plenty of functionality, though, with a capable, AV-Test-certified antivirus engine, an easy-to-use firewall and some browsing protection.

It does its best to keep things simple. Open the Preferences dialog, say, and you'll find only 10 buttons and settings (and most of those you'll never need to use).

The database update means it wouldn't be our first choice, but if you're a fan of ZoneAlarm, or just want a firewall and antivirus tool from the same company, this could be a good choice.

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5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

If you think your PC has been infected by something, but your regular antivirus tool hasn't raised an alert, then it could be time to grab a copy of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free.

The program is an excellent real-time scanner which can quickly find and remove all kinds of threats.

Beginners won't have any trouble using Anti-Malware - just launch the program, click Scan and it'll immediately begin checking your system. But more experienced users will appreciate extra tools to, for instance, help you launch the program on an infected PC, or delete locked files on your PC.

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6. Avira Free Antivirus

Avira Free Antivirus provides two main areas of protection.

A strong antivirus engine (rated highly by independent labs for its file detection rates) constantly monitors your PC, looking for and eliminating threats.

Digsby

IM, Email, and Social Networks in one easy to use application!

http://digsby.com

If you choose to install the Avira toolbar then you also get some web tools (an antiphishing tool, ad blocker, social networking protection), although this also replaces your default search engine with an Avira page.

Problems? The interface can seem a little complex, just at first. And the program has more impact on your PC's performance than some other tools. Still, on balance Avira Free Antivirus remains a capable and effective security package.

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7. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

Bitdefender's antivirus engine is one of the best around, and a favourite of the independent testing labs, so getting a free version sounds like it should be very good news indeed.

There's a problem, though. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition has no real-time protection, it won't check files as you access or download them; the program just scans files, folders or drives when you ask it to do so.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition can't be your main antivirus tool, then, but the program could still be very useful. Download a copy, run scans occasionally, and it might catch threats your other security suite has missed.

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8. AVG Free Antivirus

AVG Free Antivirus is a solid package with a good range of features: an antivirus engine, email scanner, identity theft protection, and LinkScanner Surf-Shield to keep you safe online.

At first glance this makes the program seem more complex, as there are lots of tiles, buttons and menu entries. Smart interface design means you can carry out most common actions in a click or two, though, so you'll soon feel at home.

AVG Free Antivirus gets mixed reviews on its effectiveness: AV-Comparatives rate it as average, AV-Test say it's better than some commercial suites. Our view: it's a capable, feature-packed tool, and one of the stronger free antivirus packages.

Why isn't Microsoft Security Essentials in the list? It's small, simple, and won't slow your system down - but it's also just not reliable enough to justify inclusion in our best free antivirus software round-up.

When Security Essentials was last included in an AV Comparatives File Detection test, the program managed a file detection rate of 94.9%, placing it 13th out of 15. AV-Test's opinion was even lower. In its analysis of 2012 products for Home Users, Microsoft Security Essentials delivered the lowest "average protection score" of all, putting it bottom in a list of 20.

For More Info, Visit: http://www.techradar.com

HOW TO CHOOSE BEST SMARTPHONE FOR YOURSELF

We go beyond operating systems and take a look at the key factors you need to consider before buying your next smartphone

How do you go about choosing the right smartphone? It sounds like a simple enough question but once you throw sales people, marketing spiel and fire sales into the mix it gets a little trickier often resulting in consumers not being particularly happy with the deal or handset they’ve been lumped with. So what’s a consumer to do?

First you need to tackle the basics: Do you go with Android, iOS, Windows Phone or BlackBerry? Should you opt for a high-end device with all the trimmings or go with a mid-range handset and save some cash? Then there’s contracts and tariffs – are you better off going SIM-only rather than on contract?

Beyond these questions are a myriad of others. But if you are looking to get a new smartphone and aren’t fussed about what operating system it uses you might be best accessing your needs and looking at the individual components of a phone before making your decision.

Here’s some key factors that you need to consider before buying any new flagship handset, regardless of OS.

Size

3.5-inch displays used to be the norm. Nowadays this is no longer the case with more and more smartphones using 4.7 to 4.8-inch displays. Samsung’s Galaxy Note, as an extreme example, took things even further with the inclusion of a 5.3-inch display, emphasising just how much the mobile space has changed.

Case in point: many of our readers love the Samsung Galaxy S2 but are not fans of its large 4.3-inch display. Others, conversely, love their large-displayed smartphones – just look at how well the Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy S2 sold. Even Apple, a company that has long favoured the 3.5-inch form factor, is set to up the ante with its iPhone 5 to 4-inches.

What’s clear is that smartphone displays are getting bigger but that doesn’t mean you have to buy a massive phone. Take a look at your friend’s devices, handle different models in store, ask yourself what you’d do with a 5-inch display and if it would fit in your pocket before getting something that might be too big for your needs.

Tip: if you think it’s too big it probably is.

Display

But it’s not just the size you need to worry about: display resolution and screen technology are also very important. Motorola’s Razr Maxx, for instance, is a new handset but its display lags well behind that of the Samsung Galaxy S2, which is a significantly older device.

Apple (Retina Display), Sony (BRAVIA), Samsung (Super AMOLED Plus), Nokia (Clear Black) and Microsoft (Clear Type) all use their own bespoke display technologies to heighten the viewing experience on their respective handsets. Generally speaking, though, what matters most with handset displays is resolution – and the higher it is the better.

So when you’re eying a new smartphone online or in store check what the handset’s pixel per inch (ppi) stats are. It will usually be listed next to the device’s display resolution and, like with display resolution, the higher it is the better. Ideally you want to be aiming for the top end of 200 (290 to 300) or above. Apple’s iPhone 4S has a pixel density of 330 ppi, for instance.

Tip: the higher the ppi the better

Processor

The advent of quad-core processors, such as Samsung’s Exynos 4 Quad and Nvidia’s Tegra 3, and their use in marketing spiel has lead to chipsets playing a much more prominent role in the decision process of consumers when buying a new handset.

However due to the rather oxymoronic nature of chipset production having more cores isn’t always better. For instance, in Know Your Mobile’s extensive benchmarking of Nvidia’s quad-core Tegra 3 and Qualcomm’s dual-core S4 Snapdragon processor, nine times out of ten, Qualcomm’s came out on top despite having less processing cores.

The reason for this is that Qualcomm’s chipset is based on 28nm architecture whilst Nvidia’s Tegra 3 uses a 32nm setup. Because Qualcomm’s process is smaller it’s more power efficient, which means it doesn’t drain the batter as much.

In general, though, you’re not likely to notice much of a difference in performance when buying a handset with either Qualcomm’s S4 Snapdragon or Nvidia’s Tegra 3 – both are exceptionally powerful.

Having said that, the S4 has been shown to run rings around nearly everything else on the market,bar Samsung’s Exynos 4 Quad.

Tip: the smaller the ‘die shrink’ the better (28nm is the current upper limit)  

Updates

Is having a smartphone that’s constantly up-to-date with the latest software important to you? If it is then you might want to think long and hard about whether you opt for a BlackBerry, current Windows Phone, or Android handset.

Current Windows Phone devices on the market – Nokia Lumia 800, 900, 710 and 610 – will not be getting fully updated to Windows Phone 8. Similarly no current BlackBerry handsets will receive BlackBerry 10 once it arrives later in the year – although this is rarely advertised in stores. 

With Android you’ve got serious fragmentation issues affecting the entire platform, with relatively news handsets – Motorola’s Droid 3 and the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play – being left to die on Android 2.3.

Apple has the best record with regards to updates, supporting its handsets, on average, for around two years. Microsoft has been a lot better updating handsets than Google has with devices using its Android OS, but the schism that Windows Phone 8 will cause throws all that progress by the way side.

In the end no one platform is perfect but if you’re a stickler for always being up to date Apple is probably your safest bet. Microsoft has promised to support its Windows Phone 8 handsets for 18 months but that will only come into fruition on new devices, and not current Windows Phone models.

Tip: Windows Phone 8 handsets or Apple’s iPhone are your safest bets for consistent updates

Apps & Games

Applications and, to a lesser extent, games are the lifeblood of the modern smartphone. Back in the day, early-2010, the number and quality of applications on the world’s two major platforms – iOS and Android – was a major differentiating factor with Apple well out in front.

Nowadays that’s no longer the case.

Here is a break down of the current numbers:

• Apple: 500,000+
• Android: 500,000+
• Microsoft: 100,000+
• BlackBerry: 60,000+

Apple and Android are clearly the front-runners in this respect, but Windows Phones’ lower numbers shouldn’t put you off. Microsoft’s platform is a baby compared to Google and Apple’s platforms and is growing at a rapid pace.

Couple this with the advent of Windows Phone 8, the level of support Microsoft gives its developers, and the high-end gaming capabilities of the newly announced Windows core and 2013 could well be the year that Windows Phone becomes truly mainstream.

Tip: Apple and Android are currently best for applications and games but Windows Phone is catching. The less said about BlackBerry’s current state of affairs the better – maybe BlackBerry 10 will change this. We can but live in hope.

LTE-ready?
LTE is on the way to the UK and will be here before the end of the year, according UK officials. But how can you be sure that you’re next smartphone will support it?

Many manufacturers, as we’ve seen in the US, will market devices purely based on their abilities to access the faster spectrum of mobile data. HSPA+ is already a reality in the UK, which is essentially 3.5G, but full LTE is scheduled to hit before the end of the year and will represent a massive uplift in speed bringing download speeds usually reserved for your home network straight to your phone.

Many current flagships, such as the iPhone 4S, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One S, already take advantage of HSPA+ but will not be able to access true LTE once it’s rolled out.

For this reason it’s important to think carefully about the timing of your next upgrade: LTE is coming in late 2012, early 2013, and if you want it on your phone you’ll have to wait for LTE handsets to arrive. There are currently no handsets in the UK that support 4G LTE. This will change as we approach Q4 2012, however.

Tip: If you want an LTE-ready handset put off upgrading your phone until later in the year. We expect LTE-ready handsets to start hitting the market in Q4 2012.

NFC

Near Field Communication (NFC) isn’t a deal breaker for most but it is a technology that could potentially become quite popular in the coming year, particularly with the rise of mobile payments and interactive advertising.

Many new smartphones come with NFC built into them, so if you’re the type of person that likes the idea of paying for a coffee with their handset then NFC could very well be for you. Here’s a list of NFC-enabled devices currently available in the UK:

• HTC One X
• HTC One XL
• Nexus S
• Google Nexus S
• Samsung Galaxy S III
• Samsung Galaxy S II (not all versions)
• Samsung Galaxy Note (not all versions)
• Galaxy Nexus
• Samsung Galaxy Ace II (not all versions) [9]
• Samsung Galaxy S Advance
• Sony Xperia S
• Sony Xperia P
• Nokia Lumia 610
• Blackberry Bold 9790
• BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930
• BlackBerry Torch 9810/9860
• Blackberry Curve 9350/9360/9370/9380

Cost – Contract or SIM-free?

The decision to go with a contract or a SIM-only deal is a big one and often involves a lot of cash. Top-flight phones like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Apple iPhone 4S will set you back a minimum of £499.

On contracts high-end handsets are often subsidised by the network and, therefore, a lot cheaper with the cost of the device being recouped over time. The downside of network subsidisation is that you often end up paying more for the phone and tariff than you would if you’d bought the device outright and opted for a SIM-only plan.

Example: you can get a 16GB iPhone 4S for £499 and sign-up to a rolling monthly SIM-only plan from a network, lets use Three in this instance, for around £20 a month. With a SIM-only plan you’re free to leave at any time, are not tied to one network, and can always follow the best deals.

Over time this is significantly cheaper providing, of course, you can cough up the cold hard cash to buy a device out-right in the first place. But if you treat it like an investment more often than not you can sell your existing handset after six months, recoup most of the cost, and use that money to buy the new latest handset.

With contracts you're locked in for up to two years with no chance of an upgrade until you're at least two-thirds through your contract.

Tip: if you can go SIM-free and buy the handset outright – it definitely pays off in the long run

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT: http://www.knowyourmobile.com

CIVIL ENGINEERING REVIEW CENTER IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are the list of the best Civil Engineering Review Center  in the Philippines (Note:  Contact Numbers & Address may have changed without prior noticed).


1. MEGAREVIEW & TUTORIAL CENTER (Mega)
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/mega-review-center-and-tutorial/109231202449165

Location: RM 206 2/F J P D BLDG 1955 C M RECTO AVE, BGY 395, ZONE 041 SAMPALOC, MANILA

2. Review Innovations (RI)
Homepage: http://reviewinnovations.weebly.com/contact-us.html

MANILA
Location: CMFFI BLDG. 813 R. Papa St. Sampaloc, Manila
Contacts: (02) 734-8467, 735-9161, 0919-2279194

DAVAO
Location: 4th Flr Koop Building, Magallanes cor Ilustre Ext.,
Davao City (Near Oroderm Hotel)
Contacts: 0912.6484453, 082.2211121



3. BESAVILLA REVIEW CENTER (Besa)
Homepage: http://www.besavilla.net/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Besavilla-Engineering-Review-Center/149634005090228

MANILA
Location: 2/F Concepcion Villaroman Building, España cor. P.Campa Street, Sampaloc, Metro Manila
Contact: 02.736.0966/02.736.5828/02.788.0800
Cel. No. 0922.899.9933
Email: berc_mla@yahoo.com

BAGUIO
Location: Lujean Chalet Building, Lourdes Grotto, Dominican Road, No. 68 San Roque Street, Baguio City
Contact: 0923.4922363, 074.4455918, 632.4258107
Email: brcbaguio@yahoo.com

CEBU
Location: Cebu Main, Don Bosco Village, Punta Princesa, Cebu City
Contacts: 0922.819.4460, 032.272.2813, 032.273.1186
Location: Cebu Downtown, 2nd Flr Pilar Building, Osmeña Blvd. cor. Sanciangco Street, Cebu City
Contacts: 0923.101.4573, 032.255.5153

TACLOBAN
Location: Door A-303 F. Mendoza Commercial Complex, 141 Sto Nino Street, Tacloban City
Contacts: 0916.898.8567, 053.325.3706

CAGAYAN DE ORO
Location: 3rd Flr Ecology Bank Building, Tiano Bros. Street, Cagayan de Oro City
Contacts: 0923.682.8126, 08822.723.167

DAVAO
Location: 4th Flr Porras Building, Magallanes Street, Davao City
Contacts: 0922.320.3698, 082.222.3305

GENERAL SANTOS
Location: R.D.Rivera Building, Constar Lodge, Pioneer Ave., General Santos City
Contacts: 0923 862-3602, 083 301-0987

Manila Branch Map

4. Gillesania Engineering Review & Training Center 
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GillesaniaReviewCenter

MANILA
MERIT (subsidiary of Gillesania Eng’g. Review & Training Center)
Location: Dona Carmen Bldg.881 Cataluna St., Sampaloc, Manila
Contacts: 735-6677, 735-6696

CEBU
Location: Doña Esperanza Village 2, Tisa (Labangon), Cebu City
Contacts: 032-2612244

TACLOBAN
Location: 3rd Floor, YKS Building, Zamora Street, Tacloban City, Philippines
Contacts: 053-3217065



5. Padilla Engineering Review (Padilla)
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PadiManila

Manila
Location: Dona Amparo Building G.M. Tolentino Cor. Espana Streets  Manila

Cebu, Davao, Baguio

6. Excellence in Professional Engineering Review & Training Solutions (Experts)
Homepage: http://haroldmondi.tripod.com/

Manila
Location: G/F España Place 1139 España Boulevard Manila, Philippines
Land Line : +63 2 7366451
Mobile : +63 922 5493765, +63 918 4275189
E-mail : experts@engineersph.com

7. Esplana Engineering Review Center
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Esplana-Review-Center/294494257241453

Manila

NBA 2K13 Game 9.0

USER SCORE3 reviews         5.0/5

Now that NBA LIVE 13 has been canceled, there's really only one game for NBA fans to turn to. Thankfully, that game happens to be NBA 2K13, the newest installment in a series that many already consider to be the best basketball simulation on the market. Without much competition, there really wasn't a lot 2K Games had to do to win over consumers, but that didn't stop them from making improvements on last year's already solid game.

The most noticeable improvement in NBA 2K13 is the presentation of the game. Executive produced by music icon Jay Z, NBA 2K13 now offers a complete NBA simulation package. From the impressive soundtrack to the game intros, the entire presentation just feels more polished. 

Jay Z's vision is everywhere in NBA 2K13, though sometimes it's a little much. Menus are still nuance as you must navigate through a series of menus just to get to the option you want. For newcomers to the series, it might be a little difficult to sort through the glitzy mess on the main menu. The soundtrack, while impressive, might have a little too much Jay Z for its own good. Although it's fun to listen to, 25% of the game's soundtrack consisting of him seems like a bit much to me. With that being said, all that flash definitely creates a good basketball vibe when booting up the game

Glitz and glammer aside, gameplay in NBA 2K13 remains solid. Several new mechanics have been incorporated, most notably the Control Stick which now functions as a simplified way to perform complex ball handling moves. Crossovers and spin moves are now performed with precise movements of the right stick. 

Speaking of MyCareer mode (formerly known as MyPlayer), there have been some upgrades that make it even better than last year. This is easily my favorite mode in the game, though I do admit it needs more polishing. For those unfamiliar, MyCareer is like an RPG adventure through the NBA with you creating a custom player, participating in a rookie game, getting drafted, and developing your skills.

Starting off in the Rookie Showcase, you are graded on your performance along with all of the other rookies in the 2012 NBA draft. Following that you'll be interviewed with a couple of team GMs, that all look exactly the same. Then it's time to get drafted and begin your NBA career. From there you can earn VC (virtual currency) based on your play, the all-new endorsement paths, in-game achievements, etc. Using VC you can upgrade your player and learn new abilities that will help you compete against the best for more playing time. Right now, my player is awful, but I'm improving!

As good as this mode is, it can be better. First off, the amount of depth is amazing. It's a lot of fun reacting to interview questions from the press which, in turn, effect your team chemistry and fan approval. With that being said, the animations are sometimes a bit wonky and out of synch and it looks like 2K cut a few corners with some of the off-the-court presentation. Plus, I'd really like a few voices to choose from for my player. Let's just say the voice doesn't really match my player which not only ruins the immersion, but creates a laughable experience.

Also new to the game is the MyTeam mode. Though I personally don't care for it, it's a must-have for the game which now brings the fantasy-type game mode to all team sports games. MyTeam is very similar to that of EA's "Ultimate Team"; you acquire the best players in a virtual marking using currency that can be earned through completing and winning games. The difference with NBA 2K13 is that player value is determined based on their real-life performance. Since the NBA season hasn't started, it renders this feature moot at this point.

Keeping up with the franchise's homage to the past greats, NBA 2K13 brings together the entire 1992 Olympic Dream Team. Having the ability to play as these iconic superstars is thrilling, even if I did have them go up against the Celebrity team rather than the 2012 Olympic Team like everyone's been waiting to see. Needless to say, seeing Justin Bieber dunk on Jordan is quite hilarious.

And because I reviewed it on Xbox 360, I feel compelled to talk about its Kinect functionality. You know how they say everything is better with Kinect? Well, I don't think that's true with NBA 2K13. Aside from having to learn the commands, the Kinect really doesn't pick them up that well. And even when I don't say anything, it somehow picks up what the game says as a command (or just doesn't understand and shows a red X for no reason). I should also note that on the Xbox 360, the game froze once while in MyCareer mode.

There's also been some debate about getting a technical for cursing at the Kinect. After purposefully shouting curse words at it, it recognized nothing. However, my co-worker at the desk next to me randomly muttered the word "Sh*t" and I was hit with a technical; so yes, it does punish you for cursing. It just does so when it wants. Just Kinect being Kinect I suppose.

The fact of the matter is this: there's no real competition to NBA 2K13. If you want a basketball game this year, this is the one you need to get. That's definitely not a bad thing. Despite the lack of competition, 2K Games improved upon already stellar gameplay to deliver an authentic NBA basketball experience that might be the best we've seen to date. When it comes to basketball games, NBA 2K13 is as good as it gets. With that being said, there is still room to improve upon.

for more info visit: http://www.gamezone.com

iPhone 5 release date, price, specs, news & rumours

Apple iPhone 5 News & Rumours: Release date, specs, price & features. Read on for all the latest on Apple's next-gen smartphone, constantly updated

 

Update: Latest iPhone 5 rumours have suggested that the eagerly awaited Apple iPhone 5 release date will be confirmed during a special launch event on September 12th

Rumours surrounding the iPhone 5’s release date, potential specs and features, and price have fuelled reports that Apple is gearing up to launch its next-gen smartphone around summer time.

The handset, which is rumoured to be named the new iPhone, is reportedly under construction – and the rumour mill has been busy speculating about what we can expect to see from the device, if and when it lands.

While none of the below have been confirmed by Apple – the company is notoriously good at keeping secrets – we’ve rounded up all the speculation dished out by sources, experts & fanboys to get some clue on what to expect from the iPhone 5.

Apple iPhone 5: Release Date

New reports from The Verge and others have suggested that Apple will in fact stay traditional and have a September 12th release for the next Apple iPhone. AllThingsD believes Apple will go one step further officially releasing the rumoured iPad Mini during the same event.

Handset blog Know Your Mobile has cited a 'reliable industry source' in suggesting that Apple will hold a special keynote speech on August 7 to officially confirm the long awaited iPhone 5 release date, a date that is expected to follow later the same month. It is said that Apple has brought the unveiling of its next-gen handset from the widely rumoured October release in order to quell the rise of the rival Android powered Samsung Galaxy S3.

Previously, respected Japanese Apple blog Macotakara had alleged it had received word from "Asian sources" who claim that Apple will launch the device in September or October 2012 which would fit with last year’s arrival of the iPhone 4S.

"According to Asian reliable source, next iPhone will be released in September or October, and this cycle seems to be kept for years," read a translated portion of the report.

If the article proves to be accurate, it would mean the company is returning to the 12-month launch cycles we saw for the first four versions of the beloved device.

Last year's October iPhone 4S launch was the only time Apple has verged from the summer cycle, making users wait 15 months instead of the usual 12 for a new handset.

While the iPhone 4S was more of an evolutionary upgrade, with a faster processor an improved camera and the addition of the Siri voice control app, the iPhone 5 is likely to bring a more revolutionary approach, perhaps with the addition of a 4G LTE internet and a larger screen size.

Apple iPhone 5: Price

The 16GB iPhone 4S lines up in retailers with a hefty £499 price tag. Prices continue up all the way to £699 for the 64GB edition.

Ahead of the iPhone 4S successor’s announcement, it is believed that the sixth-gen model will simply replace the iPhone 4s in terms of price points and range of models with any 128GB storage option likely to hit the £799 price mark.

Apple iPhone 5: Name

Following the March launch of the new iPad, eports have suggested that Apple is to cease the numbered naming convention of its pocket blowers and move the market leading iPhone range in line with its Mac offerings which see multiple product overhauls occur whilst maintaining the same base name.

“About two weeks ago we got a tip from a reliable source that Apple was going to call the iPhone 5 the new “iPhone,” according to Apple blog 9to5Mac.

 “That seemed a little nuts at the time but what a difference a Keynote makes. Apple chopped the suffix off if the iPad as part of a branding makeover that will likely expand.  

The report added: “Just like iMac is not called iMac 1,2,3 it looks like Apple won’t be doing the numbering on iOS devices (though it never did with the iPod touch).”

Apple iPhone 5: Display

Update: Apple has reportedly begun manufacturing on its rumoured iPhone 5 handsets. Reports suggest Sony has been working on display components for the Californian company’s next-gen smartphone since February – and will ramp up production on the panels at the end of this month.

According to AppleInsider, the consumer electronics manufacturer is working in conjunction with other firms, such as Toshiba Mobile Display and LG Display Co, to roll out enough panels for the heavily rumoured device, expected to launch later this year.

Stone Wu, a senior analyst at IHS Displaybank, said: “Even for those companies that start mass production in May, they can only reach an average yield of 65 to 70 per cent at present.”

In a recent survey by VoucherCodesPro.co.uk the most asked for feature on the iPhone 5 was a stronger display, with the iPhone 4's screen being notoriously easy to crack users are now hoping that Apple will use a much stronger display.

Although there has been no official word on the iPhone 5’s screen size, rumours suggest growing competition and market pressures will see Apple introduce a new plus 4-inch model.

These rumours have been backed up by a selection of industry analysts that have suggested Apple will be forced into the screen size overhaul as competition from rival handsets, such as the Samsung Galaxy S3, intensify.

Speaking with T3, industry specialist Daniel Ashdown from tech analysis company Juniper Research suggested Apple may opt for a larger screen for the iPhone 5.

He said: "It will be particularly interesting to see what the size of the display will be given that it has not changed thus far since the iPhone was launched with a 3.5-inch screen.

"Competitors have increased their devices to up to 4.3". We would be surprised if they [Apple] didn't break from tradition this time and increase the size of the next model."

Contrary to these claims, other reports have suggested Apple will retain its 3.5-inch iPhone display for future handsets as a larger screen could disturb the iOS platform’s offering of apps.

Apple iPhone 5: Specs

Update: The key reason for current users to upgrade to an iPhone 5 later this year will be a 'sleek unibody casing', according to an industry analyst.

In a note to investors, Brian J. White of Topeka Capital Markets reckons production will begin on a new 4-inch iPhone in June this year, following a recent visit to suppliers in Taiwan and China,AppleInsider reported.

He says the sixth generation iPhone device will boast a look similar to the single sheet aluminium casings featured on recent iterations of the Apple MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines.

He wrote: "In our view, this will be the most significant iPhone upgrade with a four-inch screen and a new, sleek look that we believe will require a Unibody case.

“This new, sleek look will be the most important reason that consumers decide to upgrade."

Meanwhile, despite the on-going legal battles between the two companies over repeated patent infringements, Samsung looks set to continue its role as a component supplier for Apple’s iDevices.

The Korean firm is reported to be providing the quad-core A6 chips to feature within the iPhone 5.

“Apple has been in talks with Samsung over shipment of its A6 quad-core mobile processor (AP) chips to be used in the next iPhone,” sources told KoreaTimes.

They added: “It appears that Apple clearly has concluded that Samsung remains a critical business partner.”

Meanwhile, further reports have suggested Apple is to shave millimetres off the form of its next-generation handset thanks to the introduction of a new streamlined Sony camera sensor.

Whilst handsets and tablets continue to ship with increasingly slim form factors, the lack of cut sized camera sensors has started to slow the possibilities of even slimmer devices.

Sony, however, has announced a new back-illuminated CMOS sensor tipped for inclusion within the Apple iPhone 5 that will allow for increasingly thin designs with improved functionality.

"This image sensor layers the pixel section containing formations of back-illuminated structure pixels onto chips containing the circuit section for signal processing, which is in place of supporting substrates for conventional back-illuminated CMOS image sensors," the component's description declared.

"This structure achieves further enhancement in image quality, superior functionalities and a more compact size that will lead to enhanced camera evolution.”

Apple iPhone 5: Design

Update: The next generation Apple iPhone 5 could appear longer and thinner, with a widescreen aspect ratio, reports suggest.

9to5Mac has received word from its sources that the company will launch the device with a 3.999-inch screen (diagonally) with a resolution of 640 x 1136, compared to the existing 640 x 960, 3.5-inch offering.

The width of the screen will remain the same, but the device would be longer, if the article is correct. This contradicts claims that the Californian firm will include a 4-inch screen on the rumoured device.

The Apple news site says it knows of two prototype iPhone 5 devices currently being tested, both of which sport the new screen size.

A key advantage of the new aspect ratio, which is close to 16:9, will be full-screen native video, but 9to5Mac reckons the company is planning to integrate an extra row of app icons on the homescreen, making five in total.

It'll also allow for "extended application user interfaces that offer views of more content," according to the report.

The site added that it also believes current plans will see a smaller, redesigned dock connector, which will eventually graduate to all iOS devices.

Other reports have claimed something similar.

Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that its 'in-the-know' contact believes the iPhone 5 will feature a “different form factor”, adopting a brand new design following the antennagate issues that resulted in signal problems with the iPhone 4.

Since then Engadget has spoken to multiple sources who claim that a complete redesign of the handset body is on the cards and that the device is already being tested by staff at Apple HQ.

Also on the cards for the iPhone 5 is an all-metal back, similar to that found on the original iPhone, reportedly in a bid to avoid the embarrassing antenna issues experienced on the iPhone 4.

The glass posterior of the iPhone 4 was also prone to unsightly cracks if treated roughly, and was rumoured to be the cause of the delay of the white model - a headache all round for Apple.

An Apple patent also points to the iPhone using smaller conductive nodes beneath the screen, allowing for the overall device to be slimmer.

Apple iPhone 5: Camera

New reports have suggested the iPhone 5 will land with a high-spec 3D snapper.

In fact, Cupertino-based Apple is also expected to include the hardware in all of its upcoming mobile devices, TrustedReviews reports.

In March, the Apple-dedicated site Patently Apple published details of what it claims to be of a patent registered by Apple. The patent outlines a 3D imaging camera that will reportedly allow users to make use of advanced micro lenses to add visual depth to extra-dimensional snaps.

A post on the site reads: “Apple has invented a killer 3D imaging camera that will apply to both still photography and video.

“The new cameras in development will utilize new depth-detection sensors such as LIDAR, RADAR and Laser that will create stereo disparity maps in creating 3D imagery.

“Additionally, the cameras will use advanced chrominance and luminance Sensors for superior color accuracy.”

We’re not sure what to make of a 3D camera, purely because we’ve played with them before and had mixed opinions.

But then again, this is Apple, so we could possibly see something remarkably new (and improved) than the lacklustre 3D kit found in, say, the Nintendo 3DS (please don’t shoot us!).

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The New Samsung Galaxy S3 

The quadcore processor-powered Samsung Galaxy S3 is big on screen and innovative features, but is it enough to beat Apple's iPhone 4S into submission?

Samsung Galaxy S3 review

 

Love

• Great screen
• Decent life battery
• Chock-full of features

Hate

• It’s just so big
• Gloss plastic looks low-end
• Some extras seem gimmicky

The Samsung Galaxy S3 follows on from the runaway success that was the Samsung Galaxy S2, which won great praise and sold in huge numbers, helping Samsung snag the crown of the biggest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. So the new Galaxy had a lot to live up to. It had to be fast, powerful and feature-packed. Oh, and it had to look classy. So, how does it fare?

The S3 has gone big on innovation, with lots of new features the speculation hadn’t dreamed of. But the first thing you notice is the size. Samsung has shown it can make a success of big screens with the 5.3in display on the Samsung Galaxy Note.

But that’s not a phone, it’s a new breed of device somewhere between a phone and a tablet. Rivals like HTC had been stretching our mitts with 4.7in display blowers such as the HTC One X. Can the S3 take on HTC's flagship model and is it better than than the Sony Xperia S? And will it have iPhone 4S fans defecting to Android? Here's what we thought...

Samsung Galaxy S3: Build

The S3 has a 4.8in display and it's certainly big. It’s a slim phone from front to back so it’s more manageable than you might think, but even so. Actually, what helps more in terms of comfort is the gloss finish. It’s like a smooth, flat worry stone that you can roll seamlessly through your fingers. A matte finish wouldn’t have felt as good.

Though some will feel that the glossy coat looks a bit, well, plasticky. But it feels appealingly shiny and reassuringly solid despite a removable battery. Where rivals like the Nokia Lumia 900 and HTC One X have maximised battery life by sealing it inside, and thus created a flex-free handset, the S3 is pleasingly non-creaky, no matter how you hold it.

Sometimes a new phone is only a gentle upgrade over the last model, but the S3 is streets ahead of the S2. It’s not quite as slim, though at 8.6mm it’s just a tenth of a millimetre fatter and it lacks the earlier phone’s bulge.

And it’s still thinner than the HTC One X, Motorola RAZR Maxx, iPhone 4S and many others. In terms of other important stats - it's 70.6mm across, 136.6mm long and weighs 133g

Samsung Galaxy S3: Screen

Back to the size. If your hands can, er, handle it, the positive consequence is a superbly viewable screen. Video playback on a mobile is always a questionable priority – if you can’t watch on a TV, a tablet makes much more sense – but with 4.8ins of high-resolution Super AMOLED screen with its vivid colours and contrasty blacks, this makes it more of a possibility than before.

The screen resolution is identical to the HTC One X, so the pixels per inch aren’t quite as high on this slightly bigger screen, but both displays look lush and inviting, with this one winning in terms of bright, rich colours.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Ice Cream Sandwich

The Galaxy S III uses the very latest version of Android, 4.0.3, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. This is far and away the best version of Google’s operating system, with a cleaner look than before.

Ice Cream Sandwich lets you put these buttons as virtual icons onscreen, like on the Galaxy Nexus. Here there’s a physical home button, an elongated strip in the centre of the phone’s face at the bottom. Either side are two virtual capacitive buttons. Samsung has rejected the Recent Apps button in favour of Back and Menu options. Much better. And if you need it, a long press on the home button brings up the Recent Apps screen.

The latest OS doesn’t just offer yet another tempting-sounding treat to get our mouths watering. It’s a whole new interface which is redesigned throughout in contrast to previous iterations which have felt like layer after layer glued on top of the previous code. It includes nifty features like face unlock which matches you to a previously taken photo to launch the phone from idle.
ICS brought Recent Apps front and centre – though the S3 has de-emphasised it again. Samsung adds its own refinements, like the capability to take a screen shot by wiping your hand across the screen.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Features

It's the new features on the Galaxy S3 which really stand out. There’s S Voice, which is a voice recognition service after Siri’s heart, designed by Vlingo (a company which is now being bought by Nuance, who contributed to Apple products and, presumably, Siri).

Although it’s competent, it lacks Siri’s wit and whimsy, so you’re best sticking to straightforward commands. Like Siri, it’s not invariably accurate and it is server-driven so won’t work at all without a decent data connection. Even so, it’s good fun and there’s something slightly magical about it.

And Smart Stay, which uses the front-facing camera to periodically check if it can recognise a pair of eyes looking at it and if not, it turns the screen off to save power.

There’s also Smart Call, which dials a contact’s number for you by raising the phone to your ear from the contact details screen. True, these seem like nothing more than gimmicks, but they are quite cool ones.

Perhaps the most gimmicky of all, Social Tag uses facial recognition to match faces in photographs with the profile photos in your contacts. Now, assuming the profile photo isn’t of a dog or a witty poster, the phone shows that contact’s latest status update and makes it easy to call or message them. We can’t see it catching on.

Samsung has tried to create the phone that has everything and it's not far short of the mark. So there’s NFC, the contactless technology that has yet to find widespread use, though it’s good for Android Beam to transfer contacts between compatible Android handsets.
Samsung takes this one big step further with the inclusion of S Beam which adds WiFi Direct to the wireless transfer connection so you can beam video files quickly between S3s.

You can throw content from the phone to a suitably equipped TV if you find the 4.8in display doesn’t do your movies justice while a feature called Smart Alert makes sure you know about missed calls or messages by gently vibrating or whistling a merry tune.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Hubs

With so many apps to choose from, how do you know what’s good and what’s not? Samsung's Game Hub has a (small) selection of recommended titles. Some are free, and then there are premium apps to pay for. Helpfully some games can be tried before you cough up money.

The Music Hub is now up to version 3.0 (HD) and promises to be “the complete music solution for your Samsung device”. It costs £9.99 a month and promises unlimited streaming. You can also upload tracks from your personal music collection so you can listen to them everywhere. It has a neat interface and a huge catalogue – 17 million tracks.

The Video Hub is is where to go for movies – though there’s also Google Play, of course, which is arguably more attractively laid out. Like the Game Hub, there are helpful recommendations from best-selling to staff picks.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Camera

Last year, the Galaxy S2’s 8MP camera was above average. Now the competition has caught up and the S3 was rumoured to be getting a 12 megapixel camera, but instead it's got the same snapper as the S2. Still, it’s a decent sensor which delivers strong results and you can also capture full HD 1080p video.

The front camera sports a 1.9MP sensor and can capture 720p video at the same time as taking a still picture.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Battery

So you won’t be short of features to play with. Which drains the battery, of course. The other advantage of a phone this big is it can cram in a large battery. The one in the S3 goes on and on – unlike some Android phones in the past which conk out after lunch. And since it’s a removable battery, you can carry a spare as well (although, we've yet to find anybody that actually does this).

Samsung Galaxy S3: Performance

Speed is important, especially when you want to do more with your phone, like play high-definition video smoothly. So the on-board quad-core processor really helps. It’s not quite as fast as the one in the HTC One X, but it’s a real powerhouse that never slows down however much demand you’re placing on it.

A second microphone means call quality is good and signal strength was solid and strong. This is the most feature-packed Android phone yet, and one of the most powerful. If you’re an iPhone user who’s feeling their handset’s a bit puny in comparison, this is the best time to make the switch from iOS to Google – though it’s still nowhere near as intuitive to use.

Although you can opt for a Galaxy S3 with a huge 64GB storage (coming soon), the phone also has a microSD slot – unlike the HTC One X, iPhone S and many other rivals.

Samsung Galaxy S3: Verdict

For Android lovers, it’s hard to fault the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the only other handset to come close is the HTC One X – and it comes very close. The S III wins out for features and innovations. But, be warned, it’s going to be too big for some hands.

The S3 is a mighty big phone that’s powerful, feature-packed and exceptionally desirable.

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