Google Duo mobile video

Google Duo - Mobile video calls made easy ...

At last a simple video calling app - Google Duo to be launched soon. The first video in this article is well worth a look. It describes the new Google Allo messaging app to be launched soon and then goes on to describe the new Google Duo video calling app.

Google Duo makes mobile video calls fast and simple | The Verge:

BlackPhone from Silent Circle

One way to combat the NSA and phone hackers ...
Quote: "BlackPhone offers all of that running on a forked Android version known as PrivatOS designed to be as anonymous, secure, and private as possible. The BlackPhone is completely unlocked, and it can run on any carrier worldwide."

BlackPhone maker Silent Circle raises $30M, moves to Switzerland | Ars Technica:

Google Project Ara

The first DIY mobile phone may not be too far off ...
Google's Project Ara may allow you to build your own mobile phone.

Project Ara: Google pieces together the first modular smartphone | The Verge:

Nokia Forks Android

Nokia has '2 bob' each of many ways ....
This is really hedging your bets! I wonder if consumers will really be able to position Nokia's product offerings or just be totally confused!

Nokia Forks Android In Mobile Services Push — $122 Nokia X Will Also Be Lumia “Feeder” | TechCrunch:

Nokia X: Android or Windows?

Something to really to get your head around ...

A complex article, only because it is difficult to see where Nokia is going, remembering that Nokia is about to become a Microsoft subsidiary! Another article to follow that may make it clearer or worse - no apologies!

This is Nokia X: Android and Windows Phone collide | The Verge:

Telstra drops data charges

Welcome excess mobile data price drop from Telstra ...
Telcos must be really feeling the pinch with lower roaming charges and now lower excess data charges. Competition is great for the consumer!

Telstra reduces excess data charges - Telstra - Computerworld:

Ballmer backed Nokia buy

Interesting background to Microsoft purchase of Nokia ...
Very interesting that neither Gates nor the new CEO Nadella were in support of Microsoft's purchase of Nokia.

Hard Nok life: Ballmer backing Nokia buy led to his downfall | News | TechRadar:

Motorola now goes to Lenovo

Lenovo is certainly "moving and shaking" these days ...
This is the deal that has everyone talking! Google retains most of the mobile patents that Motorola owned but passes the manufacturing to Lenovo. Good move to keep their other manufacturers (ASUS, LG, HTC, Samsung) on side!

Lenovo seals China’s largest tech deal as Google dumps Motorola:

Mobile battery drain

Useful ideas for all smart phone users ...
Battery drain issues have got to be the number one frustration for all smart phone users.

Mobile drain: how to get more life from your smartphone battery - Gadget Guy Australia:

Spotify free on mobiles

Spotify streaming now available for free on mobiles ...
Previously you had to have a paid account to use Spotify on mobiles.

Spotify opens up free streaming on mobile apps - Music:

Google Nexus 5 - Android 4.4

Google Nexus 5 now available here in Australia ...
This smartphone already has a good reputation in the US. It will be interesting to see how it goes here.

First impressions: Google Nexus 5 - Android 4.4, Google, mobile phones, Android, smartphones, Google Nexus 5 - Good Gear Guide by PC World Australia:

Best Android smartphones

Overview of the best Android smartphones ...
Always interesting to see which smartphones get a mention!

Best Android smartphones - Smartphones & PDA Phones:

Motorola Moto X Review

The new Motorola Moto X ticks a lot of boxes ...
This the first Android phone to come out of the Google/Motorola combination and it seems to have won plenty of fans.

Motorola Moto X Review - Smartphones & PDA Phones:

Has Apple innovation ceased?

Certainly not the excitement this time around ...
A finger print scanner is hardly new, laptops have had them for years! It certainly seems that the Apple iPhone is running out of ideas.

Why everyone is so down on Apple (post-iPhone 5S) - Gadget Guy Australia:

Why Apple is Doomed!

Lengthy but interesting article about Nokia's demise ....
The Nokia unit sales numbers were incredible. Makes you realise that Apple's iPhone is really a "kid on the block" in comparison! 

Why Apple is Doomed (and why Nokia failed):

New iPhone 5S & iPhone 5C

Good overview of the two new iPhones ...
This is old news now but this article gives a good summary of the two new iPhone 5 models.

Do the new iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C offer enough new features?:

Kill the Windows Phone

An interesting article about future Microsoft directions ...
You may not agree with Ben Thomson's views but this is an interesting (if long) article on Microsoft's options for the future.

Kill Windows Phone or risk dying, analyst tells Microsoft - Computerworld:

Android apps for notes & tasks

From hundreds of apps for Notes and Tasks - here are a few ...

There never seems to be a perfect app for Notes and Tasks. I use two - one simple one (Google Keep) and one comprehensive one (Evernote)!

Seven great Android apps for notes and tasks - Mobile Apps:

MS Office for Android Phones

More on the new Microsoft Office for mobile phones ...
For those interested in using this Microsoft Office product on an Android phone it is worth reading this second review.

Microsoft Office Mobile Comes to Android Phones:

MS Office on Android phones

More bad marketing decisions from Microsoft ...
So Microsoft launches a version of Office 365 for Android mobiles but it cannot be used on Android tablets?? Sounds like it is only a cut down version and really needs to be jointly used with Office 365 on a desktop PC.

Microsoft plunks Office on Android phones - Computerworld: