The World’s biggest football extravaganza is recorded in stunning pin-sharp 4K for the first time, bringing fans closer to the actionThis new format produces an image four times the resolution of the standard HD, which most UK homes currently enjoy. With pin-sharp image and eye-watering colour, the quality of 4K is so good it’s hard to explain the viewing experience until you’ve witnessed it.
Sony and FIFA will be filming three matches in this stunning format including the final on July 13. Sadly, these games won’t be broadcast live but 4K TV owners will be able to view the footage after the tournament. FIFA is producing an exclusive 4K film during the World Cup, which will include footage from both on and off the pitch.
Online movie service Netflix, has already started streaming content in 4K and Sky are also testing the technology. Content is also limited but with events like the World Cup being broadcast in the new format don’t expect it to be long before prices drop and the number of 4K programmers increase.
Microsoft promises Windows Phone ‘kill-switch’ by July 2015 Microsoft today spelled out the “kill-switch” deterrents it will add to the Windows Phone mobile operating system, and said it would meet an industry deadline for making stolen smartphones useless.
The announcement came hard on the heels of new data that shows anti-theft tools have dramatically reduced smartphone-related crime.
According to the “Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment,” signees must pledge to offer four theft-deterrent features, ranging from remote wipe to a kill-switch that “bricks” the device.
Microsoft signed the agreement two months ago, as did Google and Apple, Samsung and HTC, AT&T and Verizon, and others.
The new theft deterrent features will be offered as an update for all phones running Windows Phone 8.0 and newer, though availability is subject to mobile operator and phone manufacturer approval.
The new functionality will be added to the already-in-place “Find My Phone” section of Windows Phone’s settings. Users of Windows Phone-powered devices access the feature’s tools through a website Microsoft maintains.
Amazon unveils long-rumoured Fire Phone featuring a 3D ‘dynamic perspective’
Amazon has finally taken the wraps off its much rumoured, often leaked smartphone. Dubbed Fire Phone, the device features a 4.7-inch display, a quad-core 2.2GHz processor, Adreno 330 graphics and 2GB of RAM. That’s right in line with what we’ve been hearing so far, and so are the multiple cameras around the front to aid rendering 3D elements on screen… more on that later.
The Fire Phone, with a rubberised frame, Gorilla Glass 3 on both sides and aluminium buttons. They also used injection-moulded steel connectors, which means no wobbly USB port as some Android devices are prone to suffer from.
Around back is a 13-megapixel camera with a 2.0 lens and optical image stabilization. Amazon compared a few low light shots with samples from the Galaxy S5 and iPhone 5S where the Fire Phone came out on top — but you’d expect that, of course. There’s also a dedicated shutter button that launches the camera app and free unlimited photo storage with Amazon Cloud Drive.
Pre-orders for Amazon’s Fire Phone are open now but the device won’t ship until July 25th.
Generating Clean Power by Playing Football
Children can now give the energy crisis a swift kick, enjoying the world’s most popular sport while generating electricity that can power a light to read or do homework.
Meet Soccket, a soccer ball and rolling power plant in one. The New York-based company Uncharted Play began selling the ball last November with a focus on getting it into the hands (and onto the feet) of kids in underdeveloped countries. So far, Soccket has rolled into 62 countries and all 50 states.
The Windup
The ball uses electromagnetic induction to transform kinetic energy, produced from rolling or striking the ball, into electricity. It’s a process akin to that of a self-winding watch. Just as the watch is wound with movement, Soccket converts every corner kick or header into battery-stored power via an internal DC generator.

Power Player
After a budding Pelé or Maradona takes the ball home, small appliances can be plugged into it (such as the LED lamp included with each ball) using a typical USB adapter. A 30-minute session of play produces three hours of power, with a full charge of 72 hours possible from six to eight hours of activity.