TECHNOLOGY

California tech giant Apple may be planning to release a cheaper version of iPhone this year for emerging markets.

Business apps are almost free to download from Google Play and Apple iTunes which helps users for their needs on inventory, transactions, web conferencing, and even traveling using the latest technology on their mobile devices.

Finally, the process has begun for the update of the last generation HTC One X smartphone. The device can now update its firmware version to Android 4.1 Jellybean owned by customers without SIM-free and unlocked handsets.

There are more than 600,000 applications that can be downloaded from Google Play which support most versions of Android, even the old ones. Most applications downloaded fall under the categories Social, Games, Music, Personalisation, and Entertainment.

In 2012, 23andMe, the world's largest private genomics company, conducted DNA tests on 180,000 people to assess over 200 genetic traits and health risks. Since 23andMe brought down the price of a DNA testing kit to $99, the company expects to be deluged by requests for DNA testing in 2013.

Tweets from number one microblogging site Twitter could reach outer space. This was proven by tweet exchanges between American actor William Shatner, who portrayed Captain Kirk in Star Trek, and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

Acer’s 7-inch Iconia B1 Android is officially out and retailed for a low-price tag of $US150, the device manufacturers said in a released statement on Monday.

Lego Mindstorms comfortably embraces the famous Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch with the EV3 Kit. Lego proclaims the latest $350-worth Mindstorms robotics kit will have a talking ability with the mentioned Apple devices through Bluetooth wireless connections.

Sony Xperia ZL has been reviewed by mobile tech experts, following Sony's unveiling of its new flagship smartphones during the 2013 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) event Monday.

The fifth generation of iPad may be released in March with Sharp’s IGZO screen display.

LG may be releasing the successor of the popular LG Nexus 4 next month.

Google’s Android platform and all the handsets operating on the mobile OS are dismissed as clones by hardcore Apple fanboys. It might be true years ago but a self-confessed Android convert now attests that Android’s current form “even feels a bit ahead of iOS 6.”

Justin Bieber fans and other Twitter users on Monday night are divided in three camps: 1. Those who thought #cutforbieber would help the young pop star, 2. Those who slammed "whoever started" the twisted hashtag, and 3. Those who are alarmed by what others are posting and decided to discuss the reality of depression. (Parents are advised) to provide guidance to their kids with regards to this sensitive trending topic.

Another controversy has unfortunately hit Justin Bieber, the troubled singer, after fans post real and fabricated self-harm photos as protest against the singer's marijuana use.

It’s not even an Apple or a Samsung device but Nexus 7, manufactured by Asus for Google, has generated considerable consumer attention and kudos from tech experts. They agree that the Android tablet is a solid lure, thanks to its impressive specs and more impressive price tags.

Samsung hinted on the imminent release of the much awaited Samsung Galaxy S4 as a smartphone with the model number GT-I9500X appeared in the company’s Download Center.

It is the year of feature-filled and powerful smartphones and the upcoming Galaxy S4 is no exception. Apart from the super specs that blog reports have attributed to the next Samsung flagship phone, this exciting handset will reportedly deploy with more wireless capabilities.

Sony Xperia Z is drawing a lot of attention, thanks to specs rumours and image leaks just hours away from Sony announcement at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2013. Even the price of the new Sony flagship smartphone has been supposedly revealed.

Call it iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 but analysts are firmly convinced that Apple will introduced two smartphone versions this year – a low-end edition and likely to be named iPhone Mini for a still undetermined debut date and the regular configuration that the tech giant aims to rollout as early as June 2013.

While many smart, high-tech TVs and cars will dominate most of the appearances in the CES 2013 in Las Vegas, Sony, Huawei, and Lenovo will bring some of their new devices to the show.

The engineered glass with combined thinness, lightness, and damage-resistance Gorilla Glass is coming back, more resilient and much better. The developers of this scratch-resistant glass promised that the new version will have 40 per cent reduction of visible scratches, three times resistance against scratches, and has 50 per cent more strength boost.

For 2013, the California-based kitchen appliances maker Dacor will release the first wall oven using Android OS. The wall oven has a dimension of 30 inches and its Android controller is powered by a seven-inch device called Discovery IQ controller.

Cars, more than electronic gadgets, are said to take the centre stage in the ongoing Consumer Electronic Show 2013 in Las Vegas. However, in the case of Hyundai, it will showcase high technology as well with a demonstration of Apple's Siri Eyes Free mode.

The Nexus 7 tablet dock is set to become officially available on Jan 10, 2013, at least for consumers' orders coming from the United States, as recently indicated by B&H on its official site.

Giant Japanese telco NTT Docomo reportedly partnered with Samsung to deliver an Amber Brown Note to the Land of the Rising Sun.

iPad mini 2 release date will be announced sometime in the second half of the year, according to rumours in tech sites. Those considering buying the next version of the smaller iPad are advised to wait out because the next iPad mini will feature better screen display.

Popular torrent site The Pirate Bay reportedly went offline for some hours beginning Sunday, sparking fears among torrent fans that the free download site is next to go following the demise of Demonoid and BT Junkie in 2012.

Rumour has it that iPhone 6 will launched in May or June, which is about the same time that Samsung will unveil its Galaxy S4.

Three new Microsoft Surface tablets are reportedly set to be unveiled later this year, joining the first batch that the software giant had simultaneously launched with the Windows 8 in October 2012.