Verizon Wireless may refuse to release smartphones with Windows Phone 8

The company will delay the output of Verizon Wireless or even refuse to release smartphones running Windows Phone 8. Such information is the resource Daily Mobile. According to them the problem lies in the fact that at the request of the operator it must have remote access to a piece of software, but no smartphone operating system from Microsoft this requirement does not. Because of the lack of access a number of services the operator can not be performed on the machine, which in turn could potentially lead to a malfunction of the device on the network operator or the complete inability to use it. problem all the more important for Microsoft, because Verizon Wireless is the largest operator in the U.S. and sales of devices for its network prominently in the plans to conquer the market. Currently, representatives of companies are considering ways to address the problem, but, according to the Dail Mobile, Microsoft is not willing to make concessions and to provide remote access systems of Verizon Wireless. At the same time it should take into account that the damage from the lack of Verizon Wireless in the inventory WP8-smartphones will not be as significant as the impact on the company's plans to conquer the Nokia U.S. market. While it is known that the original terms of the release of smartphones will not be sustained, but prspektive possible and WP8 option which does not appear in the statement.

DECT-phone teXet TX-D7465

The company "Electronic Systems" Alkotel "introduced a new cordless teXet TX-D7465, made strictly in a stylish design. The designed device combines a black glossy and matte surface of the tube, made by metal, the base material. Answering machine control is carried out using a metal joystick, inside which indicator is the number of messages received. keypad buttons are wide enough that it is not difficult to dial, and the size of the tube can hold a conversation, pressing shoulder to his ear, the company noted that for many users is a comfortable habit.

teXet TX-D7465 is equipped with a matrix display with blue backlight, menu, new items completely Russified, and the memory address book can store up to 50 names and numbers. Searching for a number in the phone book on the first letter of the person's name. Integrated digital answering machine for 15 minutes has voice prompts in Russian. Among the other features of the new DECT-phone - speakerphone, blue backlit keypad buttons, polyphonic ringtones, the date and time. The suggested retail price teXet TX-D7465 is 1890 rubles.

Apple Sends Invitations for Oct. 23 Event

Apple AAPL +2.34% has just issued invitations for an event next week on Oct. 23.

The tagline for the event is, “We’ve got a little more to show you.”

Given that the event is widely expected to be an unveiling of a smaller iPad, the word “little” is probably not used lightly. Apple could, of course, unveil other products during the event as well.

It’s also worth noting that Microsoft unveiled the price of its Surface tablet today, which is priced similarly to the iPad, only to have Apple issue the invitations for its next event several hours later.

AllThingsD, a sister website to The Wall Street Journal, first reported that Apple was planning an event to unveil the smaller iPad.

Apple‘s Asian component suppliers have already started mass production of a new tablet smaller than the current iPad — the so-called iPad Mini — that’s destined to compete with Google‘s and Amazon’s new tablets, according to an earlier report in the Journal.

The event will be held in San Jose at the California Theater — a bit of an usual choice for Apple given that it has recently typically held events in San Francisco or at the company’s campus in Cupertino, Calif.

The event will be held at 1 p.m. ET.

source

Inside the Apple Lightning Cable

We couldn’t help but notice that there is a lot of speculation and discussion (and frankly, a few wild guesses) concerning the functions of the Apple’s new lightning connectors. We don’t normally give (a total of five blogs!) this much attention to a single electronics teardown, but since we haven’t seen it elsewhere yet, we figured the world needed “just one more thing” on the Apple iPhone 5. We have confirmed that the Lightning cable does have four chips embedded in it, plus some passive devices. Two of these chips are very simple (only a couple of transistors), and the third is an NXP NX20P3. However, the fourth and arguably most interesting of these is the TI chip.

The above images show the location of the TI chip on the lightning connector. Once we stripped away the cable housing (easier said than done), and took the die out of the package, we found die markings of “BQ2025”. (See our die photo below). This part number is not published by TI.

However, TI does have published datasheets on the BQ2022, BQ2023, BQ2024, and BQ2026. These four chips are cataloged on TI’s website as battery fuel gauges, but they are not identical, with three of them being serial EPROMs and one of them being a battery monitor IC.

However, all four do have some common characteristics. All use a single wire SDQ interface (TI’s proprietary serial communications protocol), and all have some basic security features such as CRC generation. So, it is certainly likely that the BQ2025 does have some security implemented on it. It would also seem likely that it includes an SDQ interface.

We continued our lab work on the BQ2025 and now have a lower metal sample to view (and purchase in the Chipworks store). On this sample, we have been able to see some further details of this chip. There is a digital logic block occupying the top left portion of the chip. This block includes about 5K gates of logic. Also on the chip is the EPROM, with likely 64 or 128 bits of storage (visual inspection only, full RE not completed). There are also some large driver transistors, quite a bit of analog circuitry, and a fair amount of capacitance. This is certainly all consistent with a serial communication chip including some simple security features.

Part of the magic going on is that the Lightning connector features fewer direct connections than the prior generation connector. This means that Apple needs to apply some intelligence to what wire is sending and receiving the signals because there are fewer connections, but just as much data. Additionally, Apple has a number of patents related to authentication and security between devices. This has useful application by allowing “handshake” access to only certain function necessary for the functioning of a peripheral (such as a speaker docking station) without allowing access to the full functionality of the phone. It has additional application in smart battery applications. Both Apple and Texas Instruments (separately) have documented this security technology in a number of related patents (applied and issued) wherein they describe the passing of information from the host through to the accessory. For those interested, here are a few patent numbers, with the last being a TI patent:  20100173973A1, US8200881, US8239605, US8086781, US8161567, US823881, US8245041.

It is actually very interesting that we may have found a chip with (likely) some modest security in this cable. In this case not only related to securing their revenue stream for cables or ensuring reliable and high quality (licensed) peripherals, but in delivering useful product features that are not necessarily in the consumers top of mind. We are planning a full systems analysis on this device to further understand what exactly is going on.

Previously, we have analyzed security devices regarding medical printer media (armbands), printer cartridges, flash drive memory, batteries, and smart cards, but this is the first secure cable we have seen. The security does not come close to the herculean approaches that are used in (for example) today’s printer cartridges, but resembles the level of effort that cartridge manufacturers used to implement in the olden days. In other words, at this time the security is “just enough.” With future generations of Apple and non-Apple products, we may begin to see even stronger security and control if the market forces merit it.

To complete the story, let’s look at the other three chips on the lightning connector board. The NXP NX20P3 includes one huge transistor occupying over 75% of the die area. It also has a fair amount of analog circuitry, as would be consistent with their line of charging devices for peripherals – from our last trip to the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) we know that this is a market that NXP is very strong in. The last two dies appear to be simple power transistors.Good design wins again for TI and NXP!

http://www.chipworks.com/blog/recentteardowns/2012/10/15/inside-the-apple-lightning-cable/

Surface with Windows RT

Who says that pretty can’t be practical? It’s time for a tablet that’s more than meets the eye. Powerful processing and beautiful design unite on Surface. Whether you’re working hard or hardly working, Surface’s integrated Kickstand and revolutionary Touch Cover let you work, play, and connect with others like never before. Plug into external displays like projectors and HDTV, and share your world1 . Pre-loaded with Windows RT, Microsoft Office 2013 RT2, Xbox apps, and other essentials.
Product Features

VaporMg™ casingMade with VaporMg, Surface is precision crafted to be tough yet elegant, without excessive bulk. At less than 1.5 pounds, with a watch-like finish that’s incredibly smooth, and durable, Surface is a delight to hold and touch.Integrated KickstandIntegrated Kickstand provides uncompromised support and flexibility. Flip out the Kickstand for hands-free entertainment. Whether you’re watching a movie, or shooting video, Surface stands on its own.Touch CoverThe cover you can type on. Touch Cover clicks in to Surface in an instant, and offers a sleek, spill-resistant exterior for working – no matter where you find yourself. When folded back, Touch Cover automatically disables keystrokes for a full touchscreen experience; when closed, it turns off your display. Black Touch Cover is included with purchase; additional colors (White, Cyan, Magenta, and Red) are sold separately – give Surface your personal touch with a color that matches your style.Ports and ConnectivityBring your entire media collection with you wherever you go. A microSDXC card slot lets you add up to 64 GB of extra storage. Show off everything on the big screen using the HD video out port. Full-size USB port and Bluetooth 4.0 provide clutter-free connections with wireless mice and headsets. Dual 2x2 MIMO antennas provide reliable internet connectivity.Windows RT and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT PreviewWork anywhere, anytime with Windows RT and Office 2013 RT2 . Keep tabs on news, friends, and entertainment with pre-loaded Microsoft apps. Visit the Windows Store to discover more apps and games.Front and rear-facing 720p HD video camerasCapture life from all sides with LifeCam. The rear camera is angled to shoot straight ahead when the Kickstand is flipped out. The Kickstand also enables hands-free Skype video chat or recording. Custom lens design and an ambient light sensor maximize light intake while providing sharp focus so you'll never miss a shot.
In the box

Surface with Windows RT and Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview2
Black Touch Cover
Power supply
QuickStart Guide
Safety and warranty documents
[1] HD Video Out also requires the HD Digital AV Adapter or VGA Adapter (each sold separately).

[2] Microsoft Home and Student 2013 RT Preview edition installed. Final Office Home & Student version will be installed via Windows Update when available (free download; ISP fees apply). Some features and programs unsupported. Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview and the final version are not for use in commercial, nonprofit, or revenue generating activities. Commercial license options available (sold separately). See http://office.com/officeRT.

[3] Surface with Windows RT works exclusively with apps from the Windows Store.

A credit card is required for pre-order, but your card will not be charged until your order is shipped (or the product is made available for download).

Pre-orders are covered by our Pre-Order Price Guarantee and can be reviewed, updated, or canceled at any time before pre-order items are released.

Please see our Pre-Order Policy for more information.

Android 4.2 to feature dual notification bars for Quick Settings

Android 4.2 is coming, and coming soon. While we don’t know what to expect from Google and Android 4.2 or their upcoming LG Nexus 4, the details are slowly starting to leak through the cracks. What we have today is something that can’t fully be confirmed at this point, but it looks like Google will be introducing a dual or second notification pulldown bar for quick settings. Check out the video below.

The notification pulldown bar in Android has always been one of my favorite features. Showing users anything and everything in one neat and easy to access place is awesome. Google revamped this with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and introduced expandable and collapsible notifications — which now gives us tons of additional details and the option to instantly react with notifications like never before.

You’ve all seen those WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, brightness, and more toggles that grace almost every custom and manufacturer build of Android right? If not see above. Well Google might have solved that problem. Check this out!

They are calling this “Quick Settings” which is a secondary notification pulldown bar that will provide us with quick settings for everything. The video above is reportedly the LG Nexus 4 running a newer build of Android 4.2 and the image provided above is actually from a system dumb. That is the actual image currently in the second pulldown bar, and soon it will be replaced with all those widget and settings toggles we love.

To access this, after you swipe down to reveal your notifications (which now show the clock and details again) a second swipe will reveal the new and improved Quick Settings — I love it. With Jelly Bean’s notifications getting bigger and expanding with details, we need all the space we can get. Why waste two lines up top with quick settings when a simple swipe can bring them up (or down) with ease? For now we just have a placeholder image but I can’t wait to see more about this — if indeed it is true and not just some fancy hack from developers. Stay tuned as we’re about to learn more and more from Android 4.2 coming soon.

http://androidcommunity.com

ASUS PadFone 2. It's intuitive!

PadFone 2 is a fully featured 4.7" Android™ smartphone with industry-leading specifications that docks with the unique PadFone 2 Station to become a lightweight, but fully featured, 10.1" tablet. Apps are seamlessly optimized on-the-fly to support both tablet and phone modes, with an instant transition between smartphone and tablet screen sizes.

Android Police Exclusive: Quick Settings In Android 4.2 Alpha

Quick Settings from Android 4.2 Alpha.

ASUS PadFone 2: Behind The Scenes

ASUS' world-renowned 'Design Thinking' philosophy has significantly reduced PadFone 2 Station's thickness and weight. At just 649g, the combined weight of both PadFone 2 and PadFone 2 Station is now lighter than most tablets on the market, and the dock mechanism has been redesigned to require just one swift step to use.

The Surface Movement

The Movement for Microsoft Surface.