LUSARAP

HTC is expected to launch its Galaxy Note rivalling HTC One Max this September as a 6-inch phablet device.


Building on the success of its flagship HTC One, the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer is not only launching a HTC One Mini but also a HTC One Max edition later this year.

According to the latest leak, the HTC One Max will be launching in September, just in time to rival the newest addition to the Galaxy Note range, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 tipped for an IFA conference reveal.

Markedly different in specs from the HTC One smartphone, the supersized HTC One Max is said to feature a 6-inch Full 1080p HD display up from the 4.7-inch Full HD display of the flagship handset.

It is also said to have a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

Powered by a 3200mAh battery, the HTC One Max will retain the same design aesthetics as the HTC One, with its curved back and aluminium finish.

Similar to the recently announced Sony Xperia Z Ultra and popular Samsung Galaxy Note 2, the HTC One Max could feature widespread stylus support for handwriting input.

HTC hasn’t included such a function in any device since the 7-inch HTC Flyer that emerged in 2011, but with such a large screen and increasing competition from other similarly-sized devices, HTC would be a bit silly not to include it.

New HTC One Mini pictures and specs leaked earlier this week, revealing that the heavily rumoured smartphone should pack a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720p HD display and a 1.4GHz dual-core CPU.

Running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the HTC One Mini, and potentially the One Max as well, should retain the UltraPixel camera technology and the new BlinkFeed feature introduced with the latest HTC Sense UI.

The official Facebook app for Windows Phone has finally arrived.

The app, titled Facebook 5.0, is available now through Microsofts Windows Phone 8 app marketplace.

Its the first official app from the social network to make it onto Microsofts mobile OS, but the 5.0 indicates that it includes improvements made in previous iterations on other platforms, like iOS and Android.


Only third-party Facebook apps were available on WP8 handsets until now, and the official app looks like the only one without any glaring shortcomings. Go figure.

This is not a test

The Windows Phone 8 Facebook app brings an altered look and functionality exclusive to the OS, fitting well with the tile-based aesthetic of Microsofts mobile UI.

It was available previously in beta, and that beta Facebook app is still available in a separate listing from the official Facebook 5.0.

Word is the Facebook beta app will host new, untested features that may eventually make it into the official WP8 app.

Both apps are available now for Windows Phone 7.5 in addition to Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft used its Build 2013 conference last week to announce that the official Facebook app would arrive shortly alongside a new Flipboard app.

Apples old staples are selling well enough, but questions always swirl about what "one more thing" Cupertino has planned next.


One of the most recent reports about an area of interest for Apple is the mobile payments space, and CEO Tim Cook brushed on the possibility during the companys earnings call.

Cook, who refrained from levying the calls opening remarks as he normally does and stuck to fielding questions, called mobile payments in general an area "weve been intrigued with, and that was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID."

"So I dont have anything specific to announce today, but you can tell by looking at the demographics of our customers, and the amount of commerce that goes through iOS devices versus the competition, that its a big opportunity for the platform," he concluded.

It certainly is: Apple has access to millions of users payment information, not to mention their fingers at the ready to punch in purchases.

Throw in Touch ID, an "incredibly simple and easy and elegant" way to buy things Cook said consumers have gravitated to, and it looks like Apple has the fruit to turn an intriguing idea into some dollar-making juice.

But what else is next?

Mobile payments werent the only future tech Apple hinted at.

"Hinted at" may be too generous - lets just say Apple is working on something weve yet to see from it, though what that something is remains as close to the vest as ever.

CFO Peter Oppenheimer said in prepared remarks that Apple is investing heavily in R&D for future products and services, though he didnt elaborate on what those could be. Corporate Controller Luca Maestri also teased that the company is investing "in areas that are not visible," adding the company is "very excited about them."

When pressed on what Maestri meant, Cook expanded his comments, explaining that Apple is "working on things that are not shipping today. Things you cant see today."

Key Features: iOS 7 game support; console-style controls;
Built-in 1500 mAh battery; iPod Touch adaptor;
Around 60 compatible games
Manufacturer: Logitech

What is the Logitech PowerShell Controller Battery?

The Logitech Powershell Controller Battery is an iPhone and iPod Touch accessory that turns your iOS device into a handheld console, replacing the often frustrating touchscreen controls with more responsive physical ones.


Controllers like this have existed before but the difference with something like the PowerShell is that Apple’s decision to provide support for third-party controller manufacturers through iOS 7 now means making game compatible is much easier.

Joining the SteelSeries Stratus and the Moga Ace Power, the PowerShell doesn’t come cheap. Indeed, at £90 it’s the same price as a Nintendo 2DS and even with the built-in battery there’s isn’t enough to suggest it is worth that much.

Logitech PowerShell: Design and Comfort

The PowerShell measures in at 200mm long or to put it into more tangible terms, it’s roughly the same length as one and half iPhone 5s. It’s not exactly pocket-friendly, so if you are planning on carrying it around this is one you are going to need to sling into a bag. At 21mm thick it’s more portly than an iPhone and with its rounded edges and button layout looks like it’s been yanked away from a 16-bit console.

It supports iPhone 5, 5S and the fifth generation iPod Touch, so there’s no love for the iPhone 5C, and comes with an adaptor that is essentially like a rubber in-sole so you can slip Apple’s PMP inside the iPhone-shaped slot. When docked, it’ll hook up to the built-in Lightning dock and sits very tightly enclosed so there’s no chances of it rattling around in its new home.

Going back to the almost £100 price tag, the PowerShell doesn’t exactly blow you away in the looks department. It’s not as cheap and nasty as some of the controllers, though. The predominantly matte black finish with glossy piano black around the edges is reasonably sleek and the textured back with ergonomic curves gives it a nice grippy feel right where your middle finger naturally wraps around the case.

There’s a cut out for the iPhone’s camera if you feel compelled to take a picture with the phone still docked, or perhaps this is to support any games that utilize the camera? Lastly, there’s a G logo that will glow blue when the built-in battery is in use and turn red when you are low. There’s no easy way to know the precise status of the battery, which seems like an oversight to us.

There are two shoulder buttons, a D-pad over on the left with a small switch just beside it to wake the iPhone up now that you can’t get to the on/off button in the conventional way. On the same side is the Micro USB charging port and a switch between the iPhone battery and the built-in battery. Over on the right is a set of four action buttons that have a very Xbox One button look about them, a pause button below and two cavities beside the bottom of the iPhone that direct the sound from the phone speakers towards you.

If you need to plug in some headphones, there’s a tunnel to attempt to thread the cable through or you can alternatively use what the ridiculous-looking blue headphone extender that looks like it’s been pulled off a Smurf. The most disappointing absence is the lack of analogue sticks, something that would have made the PowerShell useful for first person shooters and something that both the Stratus and the Moga Ace support.

Getting your two hands onto it, this is about landscape play so you are not going get any help for portrait games. The extra weight of the iPhone gives it a nice, more evenly weighted feel while the raised, textured back does its job perfectly adding a nice grip. One minor gripe we do have with using the PowerShell for long periods is that the glossy edges could benefit from a more textured finish as they can feel slightly sweaty against the palm of your hands.

Logitech PowerShell: Games

Whether it’s a handheld console like the PS Vita or an iOS 7 controller like the Powershell, success inevitably lies with the game support. Just as we’ve found with Android game controllers, it’s fundamentally down to the developers to decide if they are willing to alter games to support controllers.

Since iOS 7 launched in September 2013, the controller supported games has quickly grown. Currently, the PowerShell has around 60 games that will work. In contrast the Moga Ace Power lists 20 on its website and the SteelSeries mentions 50. There’s a wide range with big games like Anomaly 2, Oceanhorn, Asphalt Airborne and GTA San Andreas among those currently compatible. There’s some titles like Into the Dead for instance where we would question the value of adding controller support.

With the lack of analogue sticks, the Powershell is very restricted to how useful it can be for games that are crying out for physical controls like Modern Combat series or FIFA.  It would also be nice to have some sort of app from Logitech to help collate the supported apps instead of having to search out the website. If you are looking for something, the recently announced PhoneJoy iPhone app does a great job of identifying the compatible games.

Bottom line, there’s no way of gauging how keen developer to adding physical controller support and might seem like a backwards step when they are making games for touchscreen devices.

Logitech PowerShell: Performance

With no real setup required to go through all you need to do is slip in your iPhone or iPod Touch and if the game launched is listed as compatible the PowerShell will automatically connect. It doesn’t mean however, you can abandon the touchscreen altogether. It differs game to game, but most will still require tapping virtual buttons in the menus and there’s no way to navigate through the IOS UI using the controls.

Running a selection of games, the results vary from useful to frustrating. It’s a great fit for the motorbiking game Trials Extreme 3, where the D-Pad and shoulder buttons make up for some pretty frustrating virtual controls. Stickman Soccer and Asphalt 8 Airborne 8 also take full advantage of the action buttons and D-Pad. For driving and steering in Asphalt though, the analogue D-pad feels stiff and unresponsive at times. Playing shooter Dead Trigger 2, you’ll need to use the touchscreen controls and physical controls in tandem and it’s not the most intuitive experience.

The built-in battery does at least do its job well and will get you a significant amount of extra playtime. You can expect to get a day’s play when your iPhone battery is struggling. From an hour’s play the phone battery dropped by less than 5% so it definitely doesn’t whip away significant amounts of stamina.

Should I buy the Logitech PowerShell Controller Battery?

In a word, no. Just the price alone seems ludicrous for a product that could end up being useless after a year if Apple decides to change the size of the iPhone and you want to upgrade.

The controller feels well-built and the battery is a real plus but there are little niggling issues with the design and the buttons like the headphone extender and the not particularly great D-Pad. The controls do work reasonably well for the games we’ve tried, but fundamentally there needs to be a whole lot more games on board to make it worthwhile.

The SteelSeries Stratus and Moga Ace are Bluetooth controllers so work with more devices, but are still expensive for what they are and can do.

Until there’s a significant drop in price, the Logitech PowerShell is very difficult to recommend and the same goes for its rivals. It’s the first controller and certainly won’t be the last. Unless you desperately want something for 2D gaming we suggest waiting it out.

Verdict

The missing analogue sticks, small catalogue of compatible games and price makes the Logitech PowerShell an iOS 7 controller to avoid.