Google bans non-Play store app updates

Mess with Google, and Google will mess with you. Google caught Facebook updating its Android app without using the Google Play store update mechanism. Google closed the loophole in its terms and conditions, and now no Android app will be upgradeable without access to the Google Play store.

The Google Play store terms and conditions read, “An app downloaded from Google Play may not modify, replace or update its own APK binary code using any method other than Google Play's update mechanism.”

Facebook says that it was only pushing out the update to users that allowed non-Play store downloads to their phones. This worked under the old terms and conditions but now Facebook and any other app will only be able to send updates through the Google Play store.

It is good that Google is tightening the lid on their app update policy. This will help keep malicious content out of users’ devices especially those that do not download apps from the Play store. Are you wondering what will happen to all those Android devices available in the market that don’t allow access to the Play store?

Well, the policy is only aimed at updating apps and not at side loading apps. So fear not. If you are one who installs .APK files on your Android smartphone/tablet, you can continue to do so. Just don’t expect to receive any updates on those apps, but instead, you’ll have to download the new version APKs.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Apps/Google-bans-non-Play-store-app-updates_14400.html

Micromax says that it has sold more than 1 million Canvas smartphones

Micromax has made quite a name for itself in the budget smartphone world in India. Some of its most successful products have been the Canvas 2 A110 and the A116 Canvas HD. It is no surprise then that the company has announced that it has sold over a million units of its Canvas range of smartphones.

Micromax’s Canvas range of smartphones has three devices – the A116 Canvas HD, the Canvas 2 A110 and the Canvas Viva A72.

Commenting on the success of the Canvas Range so far, Mr. Shubhodip Pal, CMO, Micromax, said, “The Canvas series has proved to be a trendsetter in Indian smartphone segment. The demand for these devices has been on an upward curve from the time of their launch. These are our flagship models and the overwhelming consumer response has made us confident that we are headed towards the right direction. When we launched the Canvas HD, for the first time our online sales partners had witnessed a digital queue in cyberspace to such an extent for any product, to the traditional cue one normally sees. It was great to witness consumers wait until 12:00am for their chance to book the Canvas HD on Valentine’s Day selling 9000 units in less than 24 hours.” We hope to further strengthen our leadership in the smart phone segment in the coming months, as we continue to bring an exciting range of “CANVAS” phones which are driven by consumer insights and cater to the needs of the market.”

The Canvas 2 A110 is one of the most successful 5-inch budget phablets to hit store shelves. Boasting of a 5-inch display and dual-core processor, the A110 runs Android 4.0 ICS straight out-of-the-box. The smartphone is upgradable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean but the upgrade isn’t available over the air or through PC software. You have to go to a service center to upgrade the smartphone.

The Canvas HD on the other hand, launched with a quad-core CPU and ran on Jelly Bean. The downside to the smartphone is that due to supply issues, the device was out of stock for quite some time.

Micromax is also taking a dig at the Apple and Samsung EMI scheme with a picture posted on Facebook and the official website. The image has all the three Canvas smartphones with a punch line that reads, “Can own without EMI”.

This isn’t the first time that Micromax has taken a dig at competing smartphone makers. In the past we have seen Micromax take a shot at the Samsung Galaxy Y ad campaign on TV. You can check watch the ad campaign here.

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Micromax-says-that-it-has-sold-more_14386.html

Sony Xperia P, Go and E dual to receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update this week

Sony has said that three of its Android smartphones, the Xperia P, Go and E dual will receive the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update starting this week. The update will be released globally in phases and should be completed towards the end of May.

The official Sony mobile blog reads, “The new software brings Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, along with a number of different and improved Sony features. We’ve been working to blend our Sony Xperia software with Google’s Jelly Bean release to create some cool user experiences – some of the functionality you can look forward to includes:”

The update brings a slew of new features such as Battery STAMINA mode, which allows you to fully customize your phone. It knows when the screen is off and shuts down the draining apps. The apps start once the display is back on.

The update also includes a new way to search for apps from the app draw, an added two home screens bringing the total to 7, and the regular slew of Android features such as Google Now, Project Butter and more.

If you are a Sony Xperia Go user, there’s a catch to the update. The official blog post says, “In some cases – particularly for Xperia go users – we’ve only made the upgrade accessible via PC Companion or Bridge for Mac due to the size of some software packages, and these users will only receive an in-phone notification if running Ice Cream Sandwich.”

The Jelly Bean update for the Xperia S, Xperia SL, Xperia ion, and Xperia acro S will start rolling out from the end of May.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Sony-Xperia-P-Go-and-E-dual_14366.html

Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface RT head to more countries, skip India

After months of waiting, Microsoft has finally announced that more parts of the world will be getting the Surface PRO and Surface RT tablets. Up until now, only 8 countries worldwide had been graced by the availability (and support) for the new tablets from Microsoft, but that’s all set to change.

Microsoft has a separate rollout plan for both the tablets. The Surface RT, which ARM based slate that runs a slimmed down version of Windows 8 meaning it won’t run desktop programs, is set to expand its availability to 29 markets by June this year. The slate is already available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but in the next two months, Mexico, Korea and Thailand will also be added to that roster. If you take a closer look, you will notice India is not on that list. It seems like Microsoft has covered all of Europe, the USA, the countries Down-Under and even many countries in Asia, but casually skirted around India.

The Surface Pro which is currently only available in the USA, Canada and China, will make its way to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, and Thailand before the end of June. Once again, no India.

While it is good to finally see Microsoft implement its second phase of rolling out the tablets, it is a little disconcerting as to why they would skip India, a country with a population that is rated as one of the highest consumers of technology based devices. Even Apple has recognized India’s important role in establishing a market dominance. We can only hope that the Surface tablets would come soon to the Sub-continent.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Tablets/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-and-Surface-RT-head_14351.html

Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro quad-core smartphone launched at Rs. 14,990

Spice has added yet another smartphone to its Stellar series. Christened the Stellar Pinnacle Pro, the device runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. With an MOP of Rs. 14,990, the Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi-535 will be available from the last week of April 2013. It will be available to users across all leading mobile phone outlets in India. It can also be pre-booked on saholic.com starting 23rd April 2013.

The Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro has a 1.2GHz quad core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of built-in storage expandable via a microSD card. It also boasts of dual-SIM capabilities. The rear of the smartphone has an 8MP camera and the front has a 5MP camera. It has a 5.2-inch display with a qHD resolution. It also supports Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi tethering. A 2550mAh battery powers the smartphone.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. T M Ramakrishnan, CEO – Devices, S Mobility said, “The new Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535 is backed by whole new software integration that promises unparalleled user experience. Pinnacle Pro is an enhancement of our Stellar Pinnacle Mi 530. Stellar Pinnacle received tremendous response from the consumers since its launch in January this year. We have set a new benchmark in the industry by adding a 5MP front camera with Wide Angle View, enabling group video chats. The 1.2 GHz Quad core processor coupled with the latest android platform Jelly bean 4.2 in Pinnacle Pro will give an enhanced user experience. We will continue to focus on innovation and use the latest technologies to develop products at aggressive price segments.”

If you are in the market to pick up a sub-Rs. 15k smartphone, you can take a look at the LG Optimus L7 II, Micromax A116 Canvas HD, HTC Desire X, Sony Xperia J and more.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Spice-Stellar-Pinnacle-Pro-quad-core-smartphone-launched_14339.html

'World's first Braille smartphone' designed, due at less than Rs. 10,000

Sumit Dagar has a postgraduate degree from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. He claims has always had a need to do something for the sections of society that have been neglected by the masses. To that end, Dagar is developing a smartphone that can be used by the visually challenged section of society.

Dagar wanted to design the smartphone during his study at the NID. He decided to use the Braille language on the smartphone to facilitate the visually challenged to recognize numbers and words on the smartphone by touching it.

"We have created the world's first Braille smartphone," said Dagar to International Business Times. "This product is based on an innovative 'touch screen' which is capable of elevating and depressing the contents it receives to transform them into 'touchable' patterns."

A prototype of the smartphone was developed by Dagar in collaboration with IIT Delhi. It has been in development since the past two years at LV Prasad eye institute in Hyderabad.

"The response during the test has been immense. It comes out as a companion more than a phone to the user. We plan to do more advanced versions of the phone in the future," Dagar told The Times of India.

The “world’s first Braille smartphone” is expected to rollout by the end of 2013 and will be priced around the Rs. 10,000 mark. The smartphone will help the blind read text messages, emails, graphs, images and more.

According to the Economic Times, “The smartphone uses Shape Memory Alloy technology, which is based on the concept that metals remember their original shapes i.e expand and contract to its original shape after use This screen will be capable of elevating and depressing the contents to form patterns in Braille. The phone's 'screen' has a grid of pins, which will move up and down as per requirement.”



Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Worlds-first-Braille-smartphone-designed-due-at_14312.html

Mercury planning to launch more than seven Android tablets this quarter

Kobian is planning to launch more than seven new tablets in this quarter under its brand 'Mercury'. According to the company the tablets will be priced competitively and will target students as well as business executives.

Sushmita Das, VP - Business at Kobian Pte Ltd said "We had launched more than 8 models in 2012-13 which saw great success in sales growth among all product lines. Our major focus is to design the tablets that meet the needs of the user at affordable prices without compromising on the quality. 2013 will see more models with higher versions, dual and quad core processors and high definition display."

Kobian states that the new Mercury tablets will have a compact and sleek design with advanced technologies to enhance the users working experience. The new models by Kobian will be launched by the end of April-May-June quarter, and will support high definition display and dual as well as quad-core processors. Kobian is also planning to launch tablet leather cases in their accessory section.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Tablets/Mercury-planning-to-launch-more-than-seven_14299.html

Bigflix launches app with free subscription for select Nokia Lumia handsets

Bigflix, the movie-on-demand service by Reliance Entertainment Digital, today announced its association with Nokia to launch the Bigflix App for the Nokia Lumia 520, Lumia 620 & Lumia 720 Windows Phone handsets. Lumia owners can download the app on their phones, and people who buy these handsets today will have the app pre-installed on their handsets. Additionally, people who purchase the Nokia Lumia 520, 620 or 720 smartphones will be able to avail of a three-month free subscription to Bigflix. According to a press release, the subscription will give the Lumia smartphone users access to more than 1,500 films in more than 6 Indian languages on both their Lumia smartphones and their laptops, desktops and tablets.

The release quotes Vipul Mehrotra, Director-Smart Devices, India, Middle East & Africa, Nokia “For the new generation of the Lumia range we wanted to combine great design and functionality with incredible entertainment options for our consumers. We are extremely excited about bundling the Bigflix app with the Nokia Lumia 520, 620 and 720 smart devices. With access to an extensive range of blockbuster titles on Bigflix available in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and other Indian languages by simply streaming these movies on their smart-phones, this integration redefines entertainment on-the-go.”

All three Nokia smartphones are now available for purchase. The Lumia 520 is available for around Rs. 10,500, the Lumia 620 for around Rs. 14,200 and the Lumia 720 for around Rs. 18,500. The Bigflix streaming service can be subscribed to for Rs. 249 a month and users wanting to give the service a try-out can do so for a month by paying just a rupee.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Bigflix-launches-app-with-free-subscription-for_14304.html

Jelly Bean update for Xperia S and Galaxy Note may arrive next month

Much to the anger of a lot of customers, Sony did not come good on its promise that an Android Jelly Bean update for the Sony Xperia S will be rolled out by the end of March 2013. No official communication came along in that regard, with the usual response to forum queries being something in the tune of “we are working on it” and “it will be released soon”.

This time around, French mobile service provider, SFR, the Xperia S will get the Jelly Bean update in May 2013. Interestingly, SFR’s leaked schedule also shows that the original Samsung Galaxy Note is in line for the update at around the same time. These are schedules that SFR will be adhering to. However, rollout of the updates will vary in timings from region to region.

Sony Xperia S was launched in February 2012, and was running on Android 2.3 Gingerbread at that time. Later in the year, the phone got the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system update, and later on it was confirmed that the smartphone is eligible for the Jelly Bean upgrade as well. According to this leaked data, the upgrade will be to Android 4.1.2, and in all likeliness will be the last update for the smartphone.

Samsung had already communicated that the original Galaxy Note will get the Android 4.2 update, which will be the last update for the phone.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Jelly-Bean-update-for-Xperia-S-and_14286.html

Sony Xperia SP available for pre-order online at Rs. 25,490

Sony recently unveiled the latest addition to its Xperia smartphone line-up, the Xperia SP. The smartphone was launched at a price of Rs. 27,490. Today it is up for pre-order online for Rs. 25,490.

As of writing the article, the Xperia SP is available for pre-order Infibeam and Flipkart. Flipkart says the estimated release date of the smartphone is the fourth week of April and Infibeam says that the device will be available released on 23rd April 2013. Those interested in purchasing the smartphone can expect the device to reach their doorsteps towards the end of the month. The Xperia SP is priced at Rs. 25,490 on Infibeam and at Rs. 25,990 on Flipkart.

A dual-core 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Adreno 320 GPU along with 1GB of RAM power the Xperia SP. It has a 4.6-inch TFT display with the BRAVIA Engine 2, delivering a 1280x720 pixel resolution. The screen has Corning Gorilla Glass, scratch resistant, and supports 10-point multi-touch. Just like the Lumia 920, it also supports glove mode.

The rear of the Xperia SP has an 8MP shooter with 1080p HD video recording, and the front has a 0.3MP camera. The Xperia SP is slim at 9.98mm thickness and weighs a mere 155 grams. It supports 8GB built-in storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card. It also supports 3G, Wi-Fi, microUSB, Bluetooth 4.0 and DLNA. A 2,370mAh battery powers the Xperia SP. The Xperia SP has a bunch of promising features at its disposal. You can take a look at these features here.

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Sony-Xperia-SP-available-for-pre-order-online_14269.html

Samsung could have paid students for online smear campaign against HTC

We often talk about ‘the smartphone wars’ but we ignore how often those ‘wars’ tend to be fought dirty. Apart from just fighting out in stores, most mobile companies want to launch preemptive strikes against the competition through measures like patent litigation and negative ad campaigns. While it is an open secret that these companies also do employ bloggers and online commenters to raise awareness of their products, Samsung may have just crossed the line when it comes to irresponsible (and maybe even nefarious) marketing by employing students to actually post negative comments online about HTC products. The Fair Trade Commission of Taiwan has initiated an investigation against Samsung for the same and if the Korean handset manufacturer is found guilty, then it may have to pay a fine of up to $835,000 (Rs. 4.5 crores approx), which is, frankly- and unfortunately, chump change for a company like Samsung that made $52.4 billion in just the last three months of 2012.

To its credit, Samsung has not denied these accusations but has, predictably, responded with obtuse marketing speak. In a statement sent to CNET, the Korean company deemed the incident ‘unfortunate’ and blamed it on employees who had ‘insufficient understanding’ of Samsung’s principles. Samsung continues the apology by actually apologizing, but then hilariously states that it has stopped all marketing campaigns that relied on posting ‘anonymous comments.’

Okay, hold up. I think it’s great that Samsung managed to ooze out some kind of apology to begin with, but isn’t the fact that it had okayed a marketing campaign that involved anonymous comments, worth mulling over? Is there any scenario where a marketing campaign that involves anonymous comments is fine? We can’t deny the immediate power that comments on a story have on readers, especially if the story is a review and the reader is a seriously interested buyer. Even if the majority of the comments on a mobile phone review are positive, one single comment by someone complaining about some aspect of the phone, will make the reader stop and think. And if Samsung is actually employing students to make less than accurate comments about HTC phones, which is likely because these comments are of the ‘anonymous’ variety, then the investigation could have more serious repercussions for Samsung than just an inconsequential fine.

At least, HTC should be somewhat glad. All this negative attention from Samsung proves that in spite of the massive sales numbers for its Galaxy handsets, the Korean phone maker is actually threatened by HTC.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Samsung-could-have-paid-students-for-online_14248.html

Motorola X Phone delayed till 'August or later': Reports

The anticipated Motorola X Phone has now been delayed and may see the light of day in August or later.

Ever since Google bought Motorola we wondered what the company has been working on. Information appeared online suggesting that Motorola was working on an X phone. Some information suggests that the X phone was one of the last devices Motorola was working on before being taken over by Google. We have even seen a few leaked images of the so-called X Phone.

Now, information is circulating on the Internet, which suggests that the Motorola X Phone is delayed and will launch in August or later. The device was originally slated for a June/July launch. There is no official reason as to why the smartphones release has been pushed back.

PhoneArena has reported that the device is still in its early prototype stages. It is expected that the X Phone will have a 4.7-inch 1080p display and a very slim bezel. The leaked images we saw some time back were images of this same prototype. The device is also expected to run on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The smartphone is also expected to have a 2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor along with a 4000mAh battery.

The delay means that Google has something up its sleeve, which will be unveiled at the annual Google I/O event that will happen in May 2013. Google I/O is generally the place where Google shows off the developments in the Android OS and the Nexus family of devices.

Recent speculations on the Internet suggest that we will see a white Nexus 4 with higher built-in storage capacity. It is also expected that the Nexus 7 will be refreshed with updated specifications. Since Google glass has received quite a bit of attention and competition in development, we thing it will get its fair share of attention at the event too. Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie too seems to be on the horizon. With so much happening Google can also slip in the launch of this mysterious Motorola X phone. For all we know, it could be the next Android flagship phone showing off Key Lime Pie. What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.



Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Motorola-X-Phone-delayed-till-August-or_14211.html

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 specs leaked online

New details have emerged about the specifications of the rumoured Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Mega 6.3 phablets. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 was leaked in the beginning of April along with the Galaxy Mega 6.3. The 5.8 and 6.3 signify the size of the display on the devices in inches.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 GT-I9152 will reportedly bear a 5.8-inch qHD display (960x540 pixel resolution). Its rear is said to house an 8MP camera and the front has a 2MP camera for video calling. A 1.4GHz dual-core processor, along with 1.5GB of RAM, will power the Mega 5.8. In terms of its connectivity options, the rumoured Mega 5.8 should have Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 80211 a/b/g/n and A-GPS. A 2600mAh battery powers the entire package. Despite its large screen, the Galaxy Mega 5.8 is quite slim, at 9.7mm thickness.

The Galaxy Mega 5.8 is expected to run on Android 4.1/4.2 Jelly Bean and will have Samsung’s TouchWiz Nature UX interface on it. There is no information about the pricing or the tentative launch period of the phablets.

As far as the Galaxy Mega 6.3 GT-I9200 is concerned, the device is expected to have a dual-core Exynos processor, with no details about the clock speed or the RAM it is coupled with. The rear of the Mega 6.3 will have an 8MP camera and the front will have a 2MP camera.

There are no more details about the availability or prices of either the Galaxy Mega 5.8 or 6.3 are known.

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Samsung-Galaxy-Mega-58-and-63-specs_14151.html

Rovio to launch Angry Birds Friends for Android and iOS next month

Rovio has announced it is releasing its popular Facebook game, Angry Birds Friends, to Android and iOS platforms next month.

“Challenge your friends in weekly tournaments on your mobile, give and receive gifts and brag with your accomplishments - Angry Birds Friends takes the game to a whole new level!,” says Rovio in a post.

“Pop some piggies with your friends wherever you are! Angry Birds Friends spruces up the classic Angry Birds experience with fun new social features that integrate with Facebook. For the first time ever the fans of Angry Birds can use their mobile to challenge their Facebook friends in weekly tournaments for the coveted bronze, silver and gold crown on the levels. Gather daily rewards, send and receive gifts of power-ups with your friends and brag about your accomplishments.”

The gameplay of the game is same as the original Angry Birds for mobile versions. However, Angry Birds Friends has more social aspect involved and even users can challenge their friends.

Though Rovio hasn't provided exact release date for the mobile versions of the social game, but it's likely to launch by starting of May. Rovio has shared how the Angry Birds Friends will look on iPad:


Rovio had launched Angry Birds Friends on Facebook in May last year. The Finnish game maker claims that more than 60 million Facebook users have installed it to date.


Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Gaming/Rovio-to-launch-Angry-Birds-Friends-for_14112.html

HTC First and 'Facebook Home' UI renders leaked ahead of event

Less than 24 hours away from the Facebook event that is supposed to unveil “Facebook’s new home on Android,” we’ve got more leaked images of the HTC First.

The HTC First is the rumoured new flagship from HTC that has gone significant UI tweaks to give it a very strong “Facebook” flavour. The name is also appropriate for the device as it is the “first” phone to be designed keeping Facebook in mind, but also, it is in line with HTC’s other flagship phone, “One.”

The user interface of the HTC First device has been leaked courtesy 9to5Google and from the initial looks of it, Facebook has sunk its networking teeth into pretty much every aspect of the phone. Almost every context menu has a relevant Facebook option, leaving very little need to navigate the actual app. Conceptually it sounds pretty neat, and from the leaked screenshots, it looks like Facebook and HTC have done a good job at integrating the feature, but we will only know its effectiveness once we’ve given it a test run for ourselves.

The hardware isn’t the only thing being showcased at tomorrow’s event, as Facebook also plans on showing off a rich, skinned version of its Android app at the press event tonight. The skinned app won’t get limited to just the HTC First though, with rumours suggesting that Samsung’s TouchWiz UI will also be able to play fair with the new app.

Currently, we know a fair bit about the announcements that will probably be made tonight, but we can’t be too sure about whether this is all there is. Leaving aside the fact that the nitty-gritty details of both the phone and the app are still amiss, we can’t help but feel that there may be more here than meets the eye.

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/HTC-First-and-Facebook-Home-UI-renders_14094.html

Apple seeks patent for wraparound iPhone display

Apple is aiming for a new display patent. The new type of display is expected to wraparound the edges of the smartphone giving it a higher viewable area overall. The patent on the display also aims to remove the physical home button from the iPhone.

The new display technology will not be limited to flat surfaces, which is a limitation with current LCD displays. At CES 2013, we saw a glimpse of what curved displays can do. Samsung showed off its curved displays at the event, showcasing some impressive features such as the ability to show notifications at all times, and more.

The Associated Press reports, “Apple Inc.’s patent filing shows a phone similar to a flattened tube of glass, inside of which a display envelops the chips and circuit board. This allows “functionality to extend to more than one surface of the device,” the filing said. The design also means there’s no frame or bezel surrounding the display, meaning it can take up more of the device’s surface area.”

With the wraparound display, the smartphone’s display will not have a bezel, which means that the front of the device will entirely made up of the display. The Nexus smartphones and tablets from Google have already eliminated the need of a physical button on the face of the smartphone. On the Nexus 4 with Android 4.2.2, you can swipe at the edge of the display to access lock screen widgets. Swiping at the edge of the display when the smartphone is locked does this. This is a simple example of gestures used by interacting with the edge of a smartphones display. With wraparound or curved display, the possibility of displaying information and interactions are numerous.

Apple filed for the patent in September 2011 and has just gone public. Is it possible that the wraparound display will make an appearance on the anticipated iPhone 5S?

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Mobiles-PDAs/Apple-seeks-patent-for-wraparound-iPhone-display_14054.html