Fancy a bit of Xbox Live gaming on your Android or Apple iOS device? That's the possiblity being speculated upon today after a loose-lipped Microsoft executive teased the expansion of the platform.

Speaking to Forbes, an Xbox spokesperson stated that:

"While the Xbox Live experiences and games always work best on the Windows platform, we understand that some Xbox fans may be using other types of devices. To satisfy that need, we are working to extend a few of our Xbox experiences and titles to other platforms."

When it comes to mobile, only devices packing Microsoft's own Windows Phone OS have access to playable Xbox Live games. While the iOS App Store offers the Xbox Live status, stats and message tracking app My Xbox Live, as well as the standalone Kinectimals app, it doesn't yet offer gaming that's integrated into the same experience you'd find on Microsoft's home console. The same goes for Android devices.

While expansion to other platforms would be great news for consumers, Microsoft will have to weigh any eventual decision up very carefully. On the one hand, moving onto iOS and Android would greatly expand the Redmond company's mobile gaming dominance. But on the other, it will detract from the Xbox Live integration that is a key differentiator on their struggling Windows Phone 7 platform.

Apple may be preparing to line up the iPhone 5 smartphone for a summer launch, according to a new rumour originating from a Foxconn manufacturing plant employee.

The worker at the factory that has a long track record of building Apple goods claims that production has started on the iPhone 5. Given the 6-month production schedule given the iPhone 4S from April 2011 to October 2011, that would put the new handset on track for a June/July 2012 launch.

The worker also claims that four possible handset designs have been touted, each slightly different, but all having a display at least 4 inches in size. None are said to look like the iPhone 4 or 4S, which have shared a design over the past two generations of Apple smartphones.

However, with no finalised handset design in place, how can the plant be preparing for production? It detracts from the validity of the rumour; Apple can't green-light production if they haven't settled on a final look for the iPhone 5.

Also, while it's believable that Apple would up the screen size on the handset, I can't imagine them doing so if that means the handset itself would have to be dramatically larger, which makes the claims that 4 new prototypes are circulating a little hard to believe.

Via: 9to5 Mac

Will there ever come a time when Apple do not post record sales figures? The Cupertino company have just revealed their results from the fiscal 2012 first quarter (the 14 weeks leading up to December 31st), revealing stupendous sales of iPhones, iPads and iMacs.

Sales from these areas amounted to a record quarterly revenue of $46.33 billion, with a net profit of $13.06 billion. Compare this with the same period last year (with revenue of $26.74 billion and a net quarterly profit of $6 billion) and the takings have more than doubled. That net profit is more than all of Google's revenue across the same period.

It's all mostly thanks to the iPhone 4S, which, thanks to a late release which saw it pushed into October 2011 from its expected June window, helped push the record quarter. Including older models, Apple are thought to have sold some 37.04 million iPhones in the quarter, a 128% increase over the same quarter a year ago.

iPad and Mac sales were up to shifting 15.43 million and 5.2 million units respectively. That's an 111% growth in iPad sales over the same quarter and a 26% growth in Mac sales too.

The only product now in sharp decline is the iPod, which despite selling a giant 15.4 million units, saw a 21% year-on-year slide.

"We're thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs," said CEO Tim Cook.

"Apple's momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline."

Did you upgrade from one smartphone to another over the Christmas period? Maybe you jumped from one operating system, like Google's Android, to Windows Phone 7 from Microsoft or iOS with the iPhone?

But it doesn't have to be that way! Follow a few simple steps, and your new smartphone will up and running with all the info you need from your last one in double-quick time. Today, we bring you a How-To guide from gadget helpline specialists the Geek Squad, who list five simple steps for an easy smartphone switchover.

1. Email and Calendars
If using your phone to access your email and calendar then the last thing you want is to see messages and appointments dropping out of your inbox. Transferring onto a commonly used system like Gmail could help you seamlessly transfer not only your email, but also your calendar and phone directory from one phone to another, because the system is compatible with both Google's Android and Apple's iOS software platforms. Apple's iCloud service is also a useful tool, as it allows iPhone users to access third party systems like Google's Calendar and Mail services, meaning you won't miss out on your appointment or message.

2. Messaging services
Many phones offer access to social messaging services such as Twitter or Facebook - it's relatively simple to switch over your account onto a new device, but do make sure it's been disabled on your old phone to stop any 'friends' accessing your feed! The only exception to this rule is Blackberry Messenger which is a service that only Blackberry supports, so if you're leaving the RIM world to join Android or Apple, you won't be able to take your BB friends with you. Consider alternative instant messengers like Twitter and Windows Live Messenger, both of which are supported across multiple platforms beyond mobile alone.

3. Text Messages
Text messages often hold some of our closest memories these days - from organising a first date to a heartfelt message from family, so the last thing you want to do is throw away those memories when you make the switch. Unfortunately transferring your old SMS text messages to your new phone can be a bit tricky. There is some nifty third-party software out there, which does the job for a small premium. Try SMS Export, available through the App Store. The App allows you to export your SMS messages in text format, which can then be transferred onto the MicroSD card in your new Android phone. Finally, download an App from the Android market like SMS Migrator to complete the process.

4. Music
Smart phones are being used more and more as our portable music players, and with downloads available direct to the handset it's important you don't lose any of your collection when you switch phones. The best way to do this is to use a music library on your computer - iTunes or Window's Media Player are the easiest to set up and use. It's simply a case of plugging in your old phone, transferring the music to your library, and then transferring your collection over to your new phone - you can always edit out any musical mistakes when you make the transition!

5. Data
Users tend to particularly worry about losing their data when switching or upgrading their phone, but it's important to remember that things can go wrong at any point, even with a tried and tested handset that you've owned for months, which is why it's a good idea to regularly back up. You can change your preferred settings so that your phone is automatically backed-up to a Cloud service, which means you can forget about needing to sync using your handset USB cable or any potential data loss.

For more gadget help from the Geek Squad, check their site here.

And here's us thinking that the UK's usual gang of Apple fanboys queuing days for the latest iDevice were crazy; get a load of the rabid crowds scrambling for a piece of iPhone 4S action at the handset's launch in Beijing, China.

Going on sale earlier this morning, reports of thousands of gadget fans swelling towards the Beijing store have been noted.

With Apple employees fearing the situation was becoming a danger to staff and the growing crowds, they decided to halt the sale of the latest Jesus phone.

Big mistake.

What reportedly followed were scenes just short of a riot, with disgruntled Apple fans taking to hurling eggs at the store front.

Apple continue to sell the iPhone to customers in China through their online store, but will be letting the rowdiness die down by halting instore sales "for the time being".

Via: PC World

The BBC's iPlayer video-on-demand service is making its long-awaited debut on iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

The app lands with a string of new features that haven't yet been seen on previous versions. Most important of the list of new features is 3G streaming across all mobile networks, allowing for true on-the-go catch-up TV, providing you've got a data plan that makes this viable.

Live TV and radio channel switching is now included, which offers a more traditional TV viewing experience in a mobile format.

As well as a number of general UI improvements, radio playback now also allows for background listening, letting you tune into the BBC's radio network while carrying out other tasks like browsing the web or checking email.

"This has been a great year for BBC iPlayer on mobile with over 1.5 million installs on the Apple iPad and 1.2 million installs on Android devices since launch in February 2011," said Daniel Danker, BBC's General Manager, Programmes and On Demand.

"People love using BBC iPlayer on mobiles and tablets, and with 16.5 million programmes watched in October 2011 usage has more than doubled over the last year. With the new app audiences will enjoy catch up and live TV in a simple, easy-to-use mobile experience.

"Today's announcement also means more licence fee payers can enjoy a better experience when using BBC iPlayer on the move, and reflects our ambition to take BBC iPlayer beyond the desktop. We have worked closely with mobile operators to ensure that their networks are ready for iPlayer, and introduced 3G streaming to offer licence fee payers a truly mobile experience."

As well as the new iPhone and iPod apps, the readily-available iPad app will also be getting an update to allow for 3G streaming too.

Android owners feeling left out in the cold by the Beeb only have to hold out a little longer for the update. While iPlayer for Android isn't quite ready for 3 streaming, the functionality will be added in a new-year update, alongside improvements to the general video quality when using the app through Google's mobile OS.

Though not yet live on the App Store at the time of writing, the iPhone and iPod versions of the BBC iPlayer should land before the end of the day. It will be available for free.

Both retailers Best Buy and accessory manufacturers Mophie have issued separate product recall notices following fears that batches of iPod and iPhone battery packs may be faulty, and potentially dangerous.

Best Buy have asked customers to return Rocketfish-branded iPhone 3G and 3GS battery cases with a posting on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website. 31,000 products in the US may be affected alongside 1,000 units in Canada, with 14 reports of overheating in the US. This has lead to three customers suffering minor burns and four reports of minor property damage.

Mophie likewise have posted a recall notice on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, after receiving 110 reports that their iPod Touch battery case line was becoming uncomfortably warm. This in turn has lead to 44 reports of the excess heat warping the product, and nine customers suffering burns.

Those affected by the recalls should get in touch with Best Buy or Mophie immediately. Those affected by the Best Buy recall will be compensated with a $70 gift card, while Mophie are offering replacement units.

The next gen iPhone and iPad devices from Apple will each be packing 4G super-fast mobile data connections.

That's the report coming from Nikkei Business, who state that Apple's smartphones and tablets will be making the jump to LTE speeds for the first time.

Nikkei Business believe that Apple CEO Tim Cool has already entered into talks with Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, with the two meeting in Apple's hometown of Cupertino.

It is thought that the two firms have come to an agreement to bring iPad 3 and iPhone 5 devices, each packing the aforementioned 4G connections, to Japan by next autumn. If that's the case, it's likely that a US 4G carrier such as AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint will also offer the super-fast handsets, though with the UK's 4G infrastructure significantly lagging behind other international territories, it's unlikely Blighty will be able to folow suit.

Despite stellar sales in most every other territory, the iPhone 4S hasn't been quite as successful in South Korea and other Asian nations where 4G is beginning to hit its stride. While the likes of Motorola, Samsung and HTC all have 4G offerings already, it's important for Apple to also make the LTE jump are they to continue to remain competitive in these areas.

Via: Mac Rumours

Apple's developer beta build of iOS 5.1 has landed and with it, after some serious code trawling by Apple's hardcore fanboys, news of plenty of potential new devices headed our way next year.

All of Apple's major hardware areas apart from mp3 players seem to have big releases lined up, with reference made to Apple TV units, iPhones and iPads.

Looking at iPhones first, hidden in the code is reference to an iPhone 5,1 device. That number 5 doesn't nessecarily signify a whole new hardware jump to an iPhone 5 (the iPhone 4 for instance was spotted in code as 3,1, 3,2 and 3,3 before release), but the iPhone 4S was listed as 4,1 so there's nothing ot say an iPhone 5 isn't on the cards.

Next up iPads, with three different devices made reference to in the code. Firstly, the iPad 2,4 is expected to be a re-vamped iPad 2 headed to the US Sprint network, where it's likely to get WiMAX capabilities, or possibly even a TD-LTE version for Chinese markets.

There's also reference made to iPad 3,1 and iPad 3,2. This is most likely the iPad 3 device, in both its Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and 3G variants. It seems to be going under the codename J2.

Lastly, Apple TV. It's identified as Apple TV 3,1 with the codename J33, again suggesting a significant upgrade. Is the long-fabled Apple LCD TV with iOS built in finally ready to be revealed?

The next iteration of the OS is also rumoured to have a major overhaul for the Siri voice recognition software lined up too.

Currently in the hands of developers, expect to see the new iOS software in touching down for all users in the coming weeks.

Via: 9to5Mac

Over a third of British smartphone users with iPhones regret purchasing Apple's blower, new resaearch from GoodMobilePhones.co.uk suggests.

1,694 Brits were quizzed on how satisfied they were with Apple's smartphones, with 22% saying they regretted buying one.

From that 22%, the top five reasons for regretting the purchase were as follows:

1) Jealous of rival smartphones (43%)

5) Unhappy with functionality (5%)

Interestingly, it was men most let down by the device, making up 73% of the regretful gang, while 27% were of the fairer sex.

"Smartphone envy is something that many phone owners experience, but few will admit to, because everybody wants to believe that they own the 'best' phone on the market" said Mark Owen, owner of GoodMobilePhones.co.uk.

"I was really surprised that so many people admitted to regretting their iPhone purchase, because they are regarded by many as the best phones available.

"Mobile phones are becoming more and more expensive as technology advances, and the majority of newer smartphones are only available on lengthy contracts, which can last for as long as two years. My advice would be to research the latest phones, or try and find a way to test out the handset to see if it is the 'right' device for your needs, before committing to buying."

Looking at the reasoning for the regretted purchases, it certainly seems a lack of research into what phone suits users best (rather than blind sheep-following mentality behind onto the iPhone bandwagon) seems to be the cause. While poor battery performance is an often recognised failing of the iPhone series, a "lack of buttons" and massive amounts of smartphone envy as reasons for disappointment back up Owen's try-before-you-buy tips.

The Gmail iPhone app is back on Apple App Store for another roll of the dice, after initially launching in such a buggy state that it was swiftly removed.

Originally, the Gmail iPhone app caused notifications on the smartphone to stop working properly, before displaying an error message that read "no valid 'aps-environment' entitlement string found for application." Pulled from the store within the day it was first released, Google now believe they've righted the wrongs so many users called them out on.

"We've fixed the bug and notifications are now working, and the app is back in the App Store," reads the Google blog.

"We're just getting started with the Gmail app for iOS and will be iterating rapidly to bring you more features... Based on your comments we have already improved our handling of image HTML messages - they are now sized to fit to the screen and you can pinch to zoom in."

New features set for inclusion with further updates also include unique mobile signatures, multiple account support, further customization controls and better notifications.

Today sees the launch of a free Sky Movies app on iTunes for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This App will allow existing Sky customers to quickly access and find movies from their portable devices.

The App follows in the footsteps of Sky Go and Sky+ Apps linked to the customer's Sky TV package providing up to date information on all Sky Movies and Box Offices releases, including future releases via thumbnails or full page views. Another extra feature will be the inclusion of providing information on movies currently being aired in cinemas.

All films featured in the Sky Movies packages include a review and the options to remote record the movies to your Sky+ HD box to watch at your convenience or watch it on demand with full Sky Go integration. Offering Top Picks of the day, movie trailers and reviews of the latest films on the services, Sky is hoping to give customers more value for their subscriptions.

Ian Lewis, Director of Sky Movies spoke about giving more to customers:

"We are really pleased to be able to add the Sky Movies app to our already strong offering of iPad and iPhone apps. Combined with the Sky+ and Sky Go apps customers now have even more ways to discover and enjoy the films they want to watch, either at home or on the move. We continually strive to give our customers the best possible movie service and this is just one additional feature out of many we have planned for Sky movies over the coming months."

With such a large client base it is only logical that Sky begin to reach out to their customers on-the-go, not just in their front rooms. The strongest feature in this app for me would be the ability to now watch films on the move with Sky Go with the App switching over to allow you to watch it straight from your mobile device.

Sky have also confirmed that an Android version will be available early next year but with no confirmed release date.

Dag Kittlaus, CEO and co-founder of Siri, the voice control technology that dominated the iPhone 4S launch, has left Apple.

Siri along with the team that helped build it were bought by Apple in 2010, with the voice-activated personal assistant since becoming the headline feature of the iPhone 4S. Dag Kittlaus has now left the company in what has been described as an "amicable" and long-planned split by AllThingsDigital.

Kittlaus is now expected to pursue other entrepreneurial ideas, as well as spending more time with his family.

Kittlaus founded Siri alongside Adam Cheyer and Tom Gruber, with backing from Norman Winarsky. The remaining members of the Siri team are expected to stay on with Apple and help further develop the product.

Both Apple and rival mobile OS maker Google see a big future in voice control technology, each now offering increasingly advanced voice control features in their devices.

Steve Jobs' competitive drive is well known, but today his disgust towards the Android operating system has been fully revealed by his official biographer, Walter Isaacson.

Seeing Android as a "grand theft" of ideas pioneered by Apple's own iOS mobile software the late Apple co-founder is quoted as having said:

"I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple's $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I'm going to destroy Android, because it's a stolen product. I'm willing to go thermonuclear war on this."

Though initially sharing good relations, with Google's own Eric Schmidt sitting on Apple's board, relations began to sour in November of 2007 when Android revealed their own mobile operating system. Jobs regarded it as a stolen product, and led to Schmidt leaving the board in 2009.

Following a meeting between the pair in March 2010, Jobs reportedly told Schmidt:

"I don't want your money. If you offer me $5 billion, I won't want it. I've got plenty of money. I want you to stop using our ideas in Android, that's all I want."

Apple, rather than making a direct attack on Google's Android, have instead opted to embark on a patent war with the hardware manufacturers using the operating system, entering legal battles with HTC, Samsung, and a pre-Google buyout Motorola. Apple's biggest successes so far have been against Samsung, seeing their Galaxy Tab 10.1 slate banned from sale in Australia and Germany.

Image Via: Tech Key

Now, if you've just brought a brand-spanking new iPhone 4S (or a Samsung Galaxy S II for that matter), you're probably a) lamenting the loss of a sizeable wad of cash and b) wondering if it's worth insuring your expensive new toy. There's nothing worse than a fumbled phone smashed into a million pieces.

Independent warranty company SquareTrade have a bit of cash to flash about, and took it upon themselves to see which phone out of the iPhone 4S or the Samsung Galaxy S II would fare better when dropped from a range of heights, and at differing angles.

The results will scare you enough into ringing them up for a quote immediately after seeing this.

We wont spoil the surprise by telling you which phone came out of the drop test least damaged, but we're sure you'll be surprised by the outcome.

Click the video above to check out the test.

Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has revealed that Twitter sign-ups have tripled following the launch of Apple's iOS 5 mobile OS for iPad, iPod and iPhone.

iOS 5 features deep integration of the micro-blogging social network, and is being credited for the recent boost in Twitter user numbers.

Costolo, speaking at the Web 2.0 summit taking place now in San Francisco also revealed that the service now plays host to around 250,000,000 tweets every day. That's a quarter of a billion messages every 24 hours.

Costolo acknowledged that the growing volume of tweets brings with it its own challenges.

"We've got to figure out how to capture the volume at the same time as separating the signal from the noise," he said.

"We think that we can be on 2 billion devices around the world, and reach every person on the planet, and the way to do that is through simplifying."

Are you a new Twitter user? Was iOS 5 your introduction to the micro-blogging craze? Let us know!

Via: Tech Crunch

Do you want some Coldplay with your Chai Crème Frappuccino blended beverage? Then get yourself down to Starbucks on a Monday morning. As part of a new partnership with Apple, the ubiquitous coffee shop chain will be offering a "Pick of the Week" iTunes music or book download to every customer.

700 Starbucks stores across the UK will offer download code cards along with purchases, which are redeemable through the iTunes store. Kicking off with a track by singer-songwriter James Morrison and the ebook Limitless by Alan Glynn, future downloads will include tracks from the likes o fColdplay, Tony Bennett, Norah Jones, and The Kooks, as well as The Damned UTD by David Pearce.

Users will have 60 days to redeem the free downloads.

A similar initiative has run across the chain's US stores since 2006.

Brian Waring, vice president of marketing for Starbucks UK, said: "Digital offers are very important to us and making WiFi freely available across our stores is the foundation for many other plans we have moving forward. Content partnerships are key and we also have an extremely exciting digital programme ahead for 2012."

Starbucks now also offer free Wi-Fi across their UK stores, meaning you'll be able to grab the downloads while sipping your coffee too.

What's stopping Apple from porting their iPhone 4S-only Siri voice activated personal assistant system onto the older iPhone 4? Very little, according to developer Steven Troughton-Smith. He's been working hard trying to get the thing to run on the last Apple smartphone model, and sees very few obstacles in the path of a port.

Managing a decent version of the system, Troughton-Smith's Siri for iPhone 4 can carry out voice-activated commands, understand typed commands and even give vocalised responses to users.

The only problem seems to be speed, with Siri on the iPhone 4 taking a little longer to process commands and load UI elements than on the iPhone 4S.

"The issue here is not Siri, but is that a special GPU driver for iPhone 4 is needed; and it is obviously not included in the iPhone 4S binary cache - where the Siri files are located," explains 9to5Mac, who have been following Troughton-Smith's work closely.

It's not perfect, but its not totally unusable on the iPhone 4 either then. Expect jailbroken iPhone 4 owners to be flaunting this very soon.

Manage to get an iPhone 4S this morning? Having fun asking Siri questions that wouldn't be out of place in 2001: A Space Odyssey? Well cherish those initial moments of joy UK tech fans; we've got some bad news for you. Tech Digest have been hands-on with the iPhone 4S all morning, and noticed a few features missing from Siri on UK shores.

Firstly, if you're hoping that your new voice activated assistant will help you navigate the streets of old Blighty, you're out of luck. Navigation features are not programmed into the UK version of Siri (at least not yet) meaning you're going to have to map out routes manually. In the US, Siri is able to handle all your navigation requests.

Likewise, if you're looking to ask Siri for information on local businesses (say to order a pizza, or find the nearest chemist) you wont be able to do that using voice commands either. Apple have failed to secure a UK business look-up partner, meaning again it's time to hit Google for your search answers. Again, in the US you're able to carry out these tasks, with the Siri search partner being Yell.

Hopefully Apple will put these missing features in place sooner rather than later, as our experience with Siri's voice recognition capabilities on the whole has been very good.

But if they don't, what does that mean for the iPhone 4S? Siri is the smartphone's headline feature in its fully functional state. If it's hamstrung in the UK by a lack of search partners, does that make you less likely to upgrade to Apple's revamped iPhone?

Let us know in the comments section below.

You may be one of the lucky few cradling a newborn iPhone 4S in its swadling clothes this morning, but spare a thought for the new Apple smartphone that landed in the hands of the iFixit team. As is their custom, they've torn the phone apart in order to reveal all its component innards.

The tear-down has revealed 512MB of DDR2 RAM alongside a Qualcomm MDM6610 chip, with, in the case of the 16GB model, 16GB of Toshiba's NAND flash memory.

So how much work will it take to put the iPhone 4S back together if you blow it up?

You'll be pleased to hear it isn't quite Humpty-Dumpty levels of difficulty here, with the iPhone 4S getting an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, with 10 being the easiest to fix.

Not bad going!

The iPhone 4S goes on general sale around the world today.

RELATED | iPhone 4S: Specs, price, official pics and hands-on snaps!