Sony goes all out at IFA 2014 as it reveals a slew of mobile devices with the Xperia Z3 smartphone and tablet series, an accessory allowing one to combine mobiles with PlayStation controllers and wearable devices.

The Xperia Z3 series features 3 devices-- the flagship Z3 smartphone, its smaller Z3 Compact and the self-descriptive Z3 Tablet Compact. All build on the industrial design seen in the previous Z2 generation, with a slimmer version of the same minimalist stylings.

The Z3 is the series' flagship device. It features a 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080 Triluminos display, weighs 152g, is 7.3mm thin and is powered by a 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core CPU, 3GB RAM and a 3100mAh battery. Like the Z2 construction is in aluminum with nylon corners.

Sony sells the device on the camera-- a 20.7MP number with a 1/2.3 Exmor RS sensor, Bionz image processing engine and 25mm wide-angle lens. The company says the device also features ISO 12800 sensitivity, as well as improved SteadyShot technology.

The Z3 Compact is near-identical to the Z3, only with a smaller 4.3-inch 1240 x 720 display, less (2GB) RAM, 2600mAh battery and what Sony says is a "liquid" translucent plastic frame.

Samsung reveals a couple of additions to the Galaxy Note phablet family at IFA 2014, the Note 4 and Note Edge, as well as a smartphone-powered collaboration with VR headset maker Oculus, the Gear VR.

Described by Samsung CEO JK Shin as "the most Note experience to date," the Galaxy Note 4 features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display handling 2560 x 1440 resolution inside faux-leather soft-touch plastic casing. The company sells the massive display as being ideal for multitasking, as its Multi Window feature allows users view apps in full, split or pop-up screen modes.

Making touchscreen a bit more easier to navigate is an updated version of the S Pen stylus, now with double the pressure sensitivity allowing for two pen styles-- calligraphy pen or fountain pen. It also features enhanced Air Command functionality and a Snap Note feature for users wanting to attach photos or voice memos to the S Note app.

More interesting Note 4 features include Fast Charging (Samsung claims the 3220mAh battery charges to 50% in all of 30 minutes), 3 microphones, 16MP rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization and a front-facing 3.7MP camera with f1.9 aperture one can activate with the heart rate monitor on the back of the device.

Patriot ships its faster-charging FUEL iON family, its reinvention of mobile wireless charging.

Everyone likes wireless charging (eliminates cords and makes charging as easy as setting your phone down) but the lack of charging speed has been a real down-side.

Now FUEL iON tackles that problem. Patriot says FUEL iON delivers speeds as fast as corded charging, and definitely more speed than induction charging. Because it isn’t using induction charging…

FUEL iON uses the power of magnets to charge Continue reading...

Samsung reveals what it describes as a "new design approach" with the Galaxy Alpha, a premium version of the Galaxy S5 featuring "elegantly curved" corners and an iPhone 5s-stye metal frame.

It is 6.7mm thick and weighs 115g, making it both thinner and lighter than the Galaxy S5. However specs take a hit when compared to the older, fatter sibling, with a 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display, a octa-core CPU (quad-core 1.8GHz + quad-core 1.3GHz), 2GB RAM, 32GB storage and a 1860mAh battery.