Author: Stuff writer

We like the HTC One M9. It’s got a whole lot going for it. But that’s not enough for HTC, oh no. Leaked shots above from Chinese site Weibo, and an event invitation from the Taiwanese manufacturer itself, suggest that a One M9 Plus will be unveiled in Beijing on the 8 April. Adopting the tagline “More than One”, HTC teases us with shots of a second, sleek, silver-skinned device, which may well, like the M8, be carrying a dual-lens camera (giving a fitting double-meaning to the moniker) for increased depth in photographs. What else do we know about the…

Most games these days are desperate to show you what to do, where to go, how to enjoy what they have to offer. They’re so keen to please it’s almost a turn-off. Well, Bloodborne’s not like that. Not only does it not spoon feed, you get the impression that the game doesn’t even like you. Bloodborne probably hates you. It’s terribly hard and more obscure than a bad Russian translation of a James Joyce novel, it also takes place in one of the least inviting settings you can imagine. It’s set in a grim old world, is Bloodborne. However, if…

With the Galaxy Note Edge and the upcoming Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung has shown a desire to break from the traditional flat, confined displays typically seen on smartphones. But will the next step be a screen that can be easily folded and unfolded without damaging it? That’s the suggestion from a report coming out of BusinessKorea, which quotes a representative from Samsung Display claiming that such devices are right around the corner. “The industry believes that the commercialisation of foldable smartphones will be possible in 2016,” says the unnamed rep. Samsung Display might be a different division than the one…

About 50 million devices worldwide run CyanogenMod (including the OnePlus One), an aftermarket version of Android, but the OS still relies on Google services. Cyanogen’s dependence on Google will begin to erode soon, however, as the company plans to release a device without the tech giant’s touch on it. Cyanogen just raised an additional $80 million to continue nipping away at Google’s control over the Android ecosystem – however, Microsoft wasn’t part of the funding round, contrary to a previous report – which values the company at nearly $1 billion. And its next big project is a co-branded CyanogenMod phone…

Apple has, unsurprisingly, not admitted that it’s working on a mythical iCar, despite previous rumours suggesting that a four-wheeled Applemobile is in the works. But it looks like we could soon have the next best thing. German magazine Auto Motor Sport (link is in German) reports that BMW has been holding “regular talks” with Apple on topics including “connected vehicles”, and although the company states that “developing or building a car is not a topic of these discussions”, it declined to comment when asked if Apple was working on an operating system for a future i3 model. Hint hint? Auto Motor Sport…

f you’re rocking an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or a Samsung Galaxy S6 (before its official release date, no less) then congratulations – you’re treating your fingertips to the finest smartphone scanning security around. If, however, your trusty smartphone lacks those fingerprint scanning skills, then there are a number of options available in Android 5.0 Lollipop to help reduce the hassle of bashing out a pin code every time your screen is unlocked. Since its launch, Lollipop’s Trusted Places, Devices and Face features let your smartphone remain unlocked if it’s connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network/Bluetooth device, or if it…

The new MacBook proudly carries haptic technology in the form of its Force Touch trackpad, which uses electromagnetic vibrations to give physical feedback and simulate clicking – and now a patent application suggests all of your Apple kit might soon be buzzing happily under your fingertips. And that leaves us buzzing with anticipation – we’ve seen a haptic future on the horizon for some time, but with more and more tech companies exploring the options (and some, like Fujitsu, nailing it) it seems like that future might not be so far away. JUST ANOTHER PATENT? Of course, it could all…

Pick up your smartphone. Now throw it away. Take this Neptune Hub smartband. Put it on. It’s got everything you need: processor, screen, GPS, SIM card – the lot. Stream music off it to the bundled wireless headphones (which, by the way, double up as a three-device charging cable). Use it to point the way to the nearest takeaway. Hell, make calls on it Dick Tracy-style in public, if you’re brave enough. But if you’re not (we certainly aren’t), then that’s okay too. Because there’s a separate 5in Pocket screen you can use as an actual phone which you can…

Honestly, with all the companies fighting for our wrists, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t a little flattered. And the upcoming Apple Watch, which will land encased in everything from aluminium to solid gold, is pretty much the only premium option for those looking to splash out. At least, it was. That’s because Tag Heuer has revealed that it’s partnering up with Intel and Google to produce a watch that’s smarter than its regular lineup. Making the announcement at Baselword, the watch giant stated that it plans to launch a version of its Carrera watch next year, offering…

Closing in on $20 million with more than a week left to go, the Kickstarter campaign for the Pebble Time is still going strong. And Pebble hopes to push a little more interest by spending some of its funds on innovative accessories. Rather than overload the Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel with a ton of sensors and extended functionality, which would drive up the price (and probably bulk), the company decided to implement smartstraps: easily swappable straps with built-in modules that add useful features. It’s an open platform, and it doesn’t sound like Pebble plans to make the straps…