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A heads-up for newly-upgraded Android 4.3 users in the UK the BBC Media Player app has been updated with support for the latest version of Google's OS. Previously, users who'd upgraded to 4.3 after downloading the player would've been able to continue using it, but if you tried to download it from Google Play using a 4.3 device you'd be out of luck. (The same applies to the BBC iPlayer app, as it happens.)

The app allows users to stream content from the Beebthrough their mobile browser of choice, including BBC iPlayer content on the web. That's significant because the dedicatediPlayer app itself hasn't been updated with Android 4.3 support yet. So if you're coming from a fresh installation of Android 4.3, you can now get BBC video content on your device you'll just have to use your web browser until iPlayer is updated to support Android 4.3.

As always, we should point out that most of the cool stuff that can be accessed through the BBC's player is still exclusive to TV license fee payers in the UK. If that's you, hit the Google Play link up top to grab the latest version of the app.

Initial reports of users receiving the update has begun, still no official change log.

After its first major update from Ice Cream Sandwich to Jelly Bean earlier this year, the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S3 is receiving another considerable update. The phone will still be on Android Jelly Bean, but it gets a version bump from Android 4.1.1 up to Android 4.1.2(build JZO54K.I747UCDMG2).

Users are reporting an update file sizeof over 220 MB, which is definitely on the larger side. Some have had success downloading over LTE, while others have said they were forced to download over WiFi. It is also being reported by users that this update includes Samsung's multiwindow feature.

Keep an eye out for that update notification, and join the rest of our members in the forums to discuss the changes and fixes in the AT&T Galaxy S3's latest update.

Thanks,xisruno and Keith!

adb shell cat /sys/module/pvrsrvkm/parameters/sgx_gpu_clk can never tell a lie

Samsung got caught cheating. It is manipulating benchmark results for the Galaxy S4by allowing the GPU to run at a higher clock speed and locking the CPU to the max frequency, in a different way than other system processes are allowed to do. They give a few of Samsung's own apps limited time with these higher speeds, but clearly favor some popular benchmark apps. They got caught red-handed by Brian and Anand over at AnandTech two of the best hardware geniuses in the business and the Internet is in a tizzy, as the Internet is wont to do.

We've been reading all about it, including the responses of people who are in no way affiliated with any of the involved parties, and now that it's past noon and I've had a few cocktails with lunch I want to write a few words about it.

Join the fray in the Galaxy S4 forums: Samsung cheats at benchmarks

To make things better (or something), Samsung released a statement clarifying a few things.

Under ordinary conditions, the Galaxy S4 has been designed to allow a maximum GPU frequency of 533MHz. However, the maximum GPU frequency is lowered to 480MHz for certain gaming apps that may cause an overload, when they are used for a prolonged period of time in full-screen mode. Meanwhile, a maximum GPU frequency of 533MHz is applicable for running apps that are usually used in full-screen mode, such as the S Browser, Gallery, Camera, Video Player, and certain benchmarking apps, which also demand substantial performance.

The maximum GPU frequencies for the Galaxy S4 have been varied to provide optimal user experience for our customers, and were not intended to improve certain benchmark results.

We remain committed to providing our customers with the best possible user experience.

The problem is, that's not quite true.Anandtechhas data that shows Samsung isn't being completely truthful especially the part where it claims things "were not intended to improve certain benchmark results." It also completely glosses over the part in the code where "BenchmarkBooster" actually names a few popular benchmarking applications that are able to set a special "boost_mode" flag when they are launched.

Maybe this statement came from someone who wasn't familiar with the situation, and it's an honest mistake. That doesn't mean it's not false. And people are going to rightly jump all over Samsung for saying it.

But it doesn't really matter.

Benchmarks suck. I know benchmarks suck, because I have a Galaxy S4 and a Nexus 4 here beside me, and the scores in no way reflect the user experience. They are just numbers for people who like to look at numbers and tell other people that their numbers are bigger than your numbers, or something like that. When I want to know how well any computing device, not just an Android, handles the system and apps we like to install, I turn it on and use it. Something like "25,611" means nothing to me. The fact that your phone got "25,612" also means nothing to me. In fact, we only run benchmark apps when our inboxes won't shut up and stop asking us to run them, and even then only in a momentary lapse of reason. Because they suck.

They're also super easy to manipulate, as evidenced by Samsung's latest gaffe as well as shown here. If you want numbers, just tell me what number you want and we'll make it happen. You still will have no idea what they mean in the real world and how it matters when you want to play Words with Friends of stream porn from the Internet.

Kudos to Anandtech for digging to the bottom of this, and shame on Samsung for playing into the game and then giving a wishy-washy response about it when they got caught. That needs said, so Ill say it. But as for benchmarks themselves, and whatever numbers Samsung's Galaxy S4can turn in, I don't care, and I don't think you should care either.

Current users have until the shut down date to download their data through Catch.com

After years of service to its web and mobile users, Catch Notes has made the difficult decision to shut down its services. One of a growing number of free note-taking apps, Catch Notes offered the capturing of voice, photo, and text for use online and offline, as well as checklists, reminders, and collaboration between friends.

Service will shut down after August 30, which is why the company urges all users to download their data from the Catch.com website before the deadline. Full directions are available at the Catch Help Center.

Disenfranchised users will likely be looking for other services to replace their beloved Catch.Evernoteoffers free and subscription-based services, whileSpringpadoffers all of its services free of charge. There is also Google's official app Keep, which offers a simpler solution. Check out the Applications Forumfor more ideas.

Source:Catch;ThanksRachel!

Catch has made the difficult decision to take the company in a different direction. As such, we will be terminating service next month. We value our users and have greatly enjoyed providing Catch to millions of people over the last several years, but it is time for us to move on.

Catch will no longer be available after 30 August 2013. Please follow these directions to download your data before this time.

We thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at support@catch.com. We apologize if we are not able to respond to all emails.

- The Catch Team

Most fans of Starbucks know about the free WiFi that the coffee company offers. It's currently offered by AT&T and while it isn't the fastest connection, it is reliable enough to get some work done. This morning Starbucks and Google announced that the search giant will be taking the reigns on the free WiFi for all stores based in the United States (sorry for all of you who live elsewhere).

Google claims the WiFi they will provide will be 10x faster and in some cases will be 100x faster (if it's a location where Google Fiber is also available).

Last month Google and Starbucks announced a partnership that allows you to listen to Google Play Music All Access for free while connecting to WiFi at a Starbucks. This deal furthers that deal and will make All Access much faster than the current connection. It will be interesting to see what, if anything else, is down the road for the two companies.

Google-provided WiFi in Starbucks will begin in August and will rollout to all US-based Starbucks stores after that.

Source: Official Google Blog

Protect your Nexus 4's fragile exterior and pick up some style points at the same time.

The Nexus 4's design has a lot of great features, but one of them isn't durability. With big plates of glass on both sides of the device and easily scuffed plastic around the sides, we wouldn't blame you one bit for wanting a case wrapped around it. Or like many of us, you may have gone without a case on your Nexus 4 at first, and now about 6 months in it has picked up some wear and is in need of a little facelift.

Seidio makes many great cases, and it now offers what is called the SURFACE kickstand case for the Nexus 4, and it's designed to take a beating and add a little bit of functionality and style while it does it. Read along after the break for a closer look.

Like many hard shell cases, the SeidioSURFACE kickstand case attaches to the phone by coming in two pieces the top two-thirds and bottom one-third that slide over the ends of the phone and attach in the middle. The downside is having a seam where the two halves meet, but fortunately the placement means you'll likely never run your fingers across it. It also seals plenty tight so that it won't snag on clothing.

The case is a hard plastic with a soft touch coating, which along with the increased thickness gives your Nexus 4 an additional bit of grip. That thickness doesn't get in the way of the ports and buttons, which have adequately sized openings around them save for the charging port which interfered with just one of our many USB cables. The lip created by the case around the screen is just high enough to protect the screen when placed face-down, but not big enough to cause any usability issues a tough balance to strike.

A little bonus can be found on the back of thecase, and that is of course the kickstand which props the device up at an angle that is good for watching longer content while sitting on a table. The kickstand is made of some sort of metal material, and has a satisfying click when it is opened and closed. The mechanism is well shrouded to prevent accidental openings as well.

The Seidio SURFACE kickstand case is available now fromShopAndroid for $29.95, and comes in black, blue, red and white color options.

by Rene Ritchie, Daniel Rubino, Kevin Michaluk, Phil Nickinson

Our smartphones and tablets are increasingly becoming repositories of our personal information. It's a treasure trove of data that could be used to build a frighteningly complete picture of you as a person. It's more than just your contacts, calendar, memos, and photos - it's your web history, your calls and text messages, your banking data and social network logins.

People say "my whole life is on my phone", and while that hopefully isn't entirely true (time to reevaluate your priorities if it is), an increasingly large portion of our lives - or at least the data that comprises it - is finding residence on these devices. So just how are we going about keeping it all secure?

How do we deal with the threat of the less-than-thoughtful people around us, let alone the government's intrusions? How do we keep our devices and the accounts on them secured? And how do we train our children, the ones that are growing up in a world where ubiquitous internet is a fact of life, to understand the real threats that exist on the internet and how to protect themselves?

Let's get the conversation started!