TechNow Rewind: Week 12, 2014

1. HTC One (M8) announced and starts reaching doorsteps (March 25)

     The second generation HTC One  has addressed most of it's predecessor's major shortcomings. Superb to look at and hold and extremely capable, the HTC One (M8) is a proper flagship smartphone. The development team behind it deserves praise for improving the strengths of the first generation while also addressing some of its biggest shortcomings. The metal body has been improved and while the front facing speakers have been matched by Sony they are still a strong point in favor of the One (M8), against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S5 and LG G2. The presence of a microSD card slot means HTC's finest is also getting the cheaper memory expansion afforded to many of its rivals.

The chipset got an update to Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 801, meaning that the KitKat-topping Sense 6.0 runs as smooth as you'd expect. Speaking of the latest version of the HTC launcher, the new gesture controls and notification area toggles go a long way towards improving the user experience. Android purists will also appreciate that the M8, like its predecessor, will be available in Google Play Edition guise. HTC has even partnered with Google to bring support for its dual camera to stock Android.

2.  Apple planning to let you message and see where you’re going with “transparent         texting”

Apple is envisioning a new technology called “transparent texting” and the idea is that instead of having the messaging app show you the typical white background, the iPhone will detect if you’re moving and portray whatever the back camera is capturing at the moment. If you’re walking, this will allow you to keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid tripping. If you think of it, this also allows you to type anything that you’re seeing on a table without having to move your eyes around to get the information.

3. Microsoft DirectX 12 to be optimised for Windows Phone (March 27)

As expected, Microsoft announced the latest version of its proprietary graphics technology, DirectX 12, at the GDC last week. One thing that wasn’t expected was that it will be launched concurrently on Windows and Windows Phone devices, with special optimizations for the latter. 

4. Apple patents oleophobic coating for iPhone sapphire displays (March 27)

Apple has just filed a patent that brings oleophobic coating to sapphire glass. Obviously the only reason why you would want these technologies combined, is because you’re intending to use that glass on a device that’ll be handled constantly. The document also notes certain coatings and oleophobic treatments do not fair well when applied directly to sapphire glass. Lots of tests are conducted to determine which are the best coatings to use.

5. Is the HTC One M8 a or water-resistant or is it waterproof?  (March 27)
     A working HTC One (M8) was submerged underwater for more than 90 minutes with its display switched on. Despite HTC not officially announcing the device’s water resistant capabilities, the device lived through the water test without any damage. There is however no word on what depths the device can be submerged to without damaging it.

6. Smart bulbs introduced by LG, Philips & Samsung (March 27)

The Samsung Smart Bulb

    The Samsung Smart Bulb features LED lighting and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing it to be controlled directly from a mobile device via an app instead of through Wi-Fi or a bridge. A user can control as many as 64 lamps at one time, and brightness can be lowered to 10 percent of the highest level. Earlier this week, LG announced its 10-watt Smart Lamp for either iOS or Android smartphones, over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. That product, however, has only been released so far in that company's home country of South Korea.

The LG Smart Lamp

The LG bulb can be turned on or off via the smartphone. In its announcement Thursday, Samsung didn't specify that kind of basic functionality on its coming product, but one assumes it would exist.

Last fall, Philips released its Hue smart lamp, which is controlled via a bridge that plugs into a home Wi-Fi router. It can also be controlled so that it helps to deter robbers, or it can be set to wake you up with a brightening light.

7. Case-maker Noreve confirms Lumia 1820, S5 zoom and mini

Since it's fashionable for case makers to leak unannounced phones, Noreve put out pages for leather cases for three phones – the Nokia Lumia 1820, Samsung Galaxy S5 mini and Galaxy S5 zoom. The cases will be available "online very soon".

8. Nokia-Microsoft deal to close in April 2014 (March 24)

On September 3, 2013, Microsoft and Nokia announced a deal where Nokia's Devices and Services division has been snatched by the Redmond-based Microsoft. After months of discussions in the board, there were a few hiccups in the completion of the deal, mostly because of regulatory approvals.

-@gadgetguru