iOS 7 news, rumours, download release date, features

iOS 7 news

iOS 7 could be the first version of Apple’s mobile operating system to get a major redesign, including a complete overhaul to the appearance of classic Apple apps like Calendar or Email.

Apple’s Senior Vice President of Industrial Design, Sir Jonathan “Jony” Ive is heading the new iOS redesign and is expected to make huge changes following criticism that the mobile OS has become tired and dated.

Hinted to make an appearance at the Apple WWDC in June, iOS 7 could be showcased on the iPhone 6, iPad mini 2 or even the highly debated cheaper iPhone handset.

iOS 7 confirmed by giant 7 banner displayed at WWDC 2013

Apple has displayed a huge banner outside the Moscone Centre where it is holding its annual WWDC conference with a rather large number 7 on it, practically yelling out an upcoming iOS 7 reveal in the next few days.

The next iOS iteration has practically been a confirmed guest to the WWDC 2013 party for some time now, but it's always reassuring to see such a massive hint given by Apple itself. The Cupertino company will be unveiling iOS 7 during its keynote on Monday, but has yet to reveal any hints as to what the next mobile OS will look like.

From the rather simplistic banner though, we could assume that Apple will be following the heavily rumoured flatter redesign. Of course, there's only so much you can presume about iOS 7 from a banner with the number 7 on it, but we're excited nonetheless.



Read more: Apple erects giant '7' banner at WWDC venue, confirmed iOS 7 reveal - June 8





Is this the first iOS 7 screenshot?

The first image of the upcoming iOS 7 homescreen leaked online at the start of this month and seemed to showcase the mobile OS's new flatter and simpler appearance. Although, the image is a little blurred and low-res, you can make out that the traditional skeuomorphic textures have been toned down and more unified to provide a more cohesive design language.

Not quite the drastic overhaul predicted for iOS 7, this may well be an image of an early build of the iPad and iPhone OS that isn't representative of what we'll be seeing come Monday's keynote.

If this is the first screenshot though, the email, Safari and music app icons seemed to have been cleaned up a bit, removing the gloss and more natural tones synonymous with the existing iOS iterations.

The Settings icon has also lost its border in this screenshot, which suggests Apple is looking for increased consistency for iOS 7.

The full unveiling will come on Monday, June 10, during Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote speech, which starts at 10am PT or 6pm BST.

Read more: First iOS 7 image leaked - June 4






The iOS 7 redesign could actually be quite bland

iOS 7 is already tipped to feature a fairly drastic redesign that will strip the skeuomorphic textures from apps like the Newsstand, Calendar and Notes. In fact, according to sources close to Apple, iOS 7 (as much as it sounds like a bad joke) will be "black, white and flat all over", introducing a more monochrome UI.

Ive is rumoured to be ditching the current iOS structure that iPhone and iPad users are already familiar with in favour of a cleaner design that retains the existing iOS simplicity.

The Lock Screen's translucent unlock bar will reportedly be replaced by a matte black interface with black rounded PIN Code entry buttons with white text.

Multi-touch gestures could also be introduced to the home screen to allow access to a variety of features, making the interactivity of the Lock Screen a little bit more Android-like than the current version of iOS.

Ive is also said to be removing the linen effect on the Notifications menu in favour of a dark grey or black background with white text. Also more akin to Android will be the wider range of widgets available for iOS 7, building on the weather and stocks widgets currently offered. These new widgets will appear alongside a new quick access panel for settings like airplane mode, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity like Google's mobile OS.

Read more: iOS 7 to be "black, white and flat all over" - May 24

iOS 7 download release date

Apple hinted that it would be showcasing iOS 7 at the WWDC in June, with the company’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phillip Schiller

“We look forward to gathering at WWDC 2013 with the incredible community of iOS and OS X developers,” said Schiller in a statement. “Our developers have had the most prolific and profitable year ever, and we’re excited to show them the latest advances in software technologies and developer tools to help them create innovative new apps.”

“We can’t wait to get new version of iOS and OS X into [developers’] hands at WWDC.”

However, Apple may not be able to demo its new operating system at WWDC as the complete iOS 7 redesign is reported to be behind schedule. According to “people with knowledge of the matter”, internal deadlines for submitting iOS 7 features for testing have been pushed much later than those listed for previous OS releases.

Contrary to this rumour, many websites reported a sudden surge in traffic from iPhone and iPads running iOS 7, originating in the San Francisco and Cupertino area where Apple is based.

Apple usually tests out its mobile OS in beta format before releasing it to the public, so it could already be at this stage and therefore be ready for WWDC after all.

iOS 7 Rumours

There have been several rumours flying about online regarding the iOS 7 redesign. Originally Apple sources suggested that the next iteration of iOS will greatly resemble the Live Tiles of Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS. The sheen, gloss and life-like elements of the current iOS will be replaced.

“The operating system sports a redesigned user-interface that will be attractive to new iOS users, but potentially unsettling for those who are long-accustomed to the platform,” said the sources.

“Heavy textures and digital metaphors of real-life objects found in skeuomorphic interfaces,” like the Calendar, Reminders and Contacts features, will be removed in favour of a more streamlined approach.

Although the home screen and lock screen will apparently still look much the same as they do now, Apple is looking to make the information within iOS 7 much more “glance-able” than it is now.

iOS 7 could be the first time that applications like Email and Calendar have been updated since the original iPhone, as Ive is said to be introducing “more dramatic changes” according to “people with knowledge of the matter”.

Whatever happens, Ive is known to have an eye for design, having already been instrumental in the launch of major Apple products like the 1997 iMac, iPad, iPod and iPhone, despite previously being on the hardware side.

“[Ive has] a tremendous sensor of design, and he’s been the guru behind a lot of these enormously successful products, but he’s always had Jobs to push back on him and give him some guidance,” said San Francisco based Opus Research analysts Greg Sterling. “It’s not clear that Tim Cook is capable of playing that role. Maybe without a collaborator [Ive’s] not as strong.”



Next, read what iOS 7 features Apple needs to catch Android

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Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom picture leaks, points to chunky 16MP camera phone

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom pictures point to a chunky phone

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom pictures have leaked online ahead of the handset’s formal unveiling, showing the heavily rumoured camera phone as a chunky 16-megapixel offering.

Far from the svelte 7.9mm thick of the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4, the camera heavy Zoom looks set to be a bit of a beast, with the as yet unconfirmed handset shown as something of a compact camera with sizeable touchscreen smartphone stuck to the back.

One of a number of Samsung Galaxy S4 spinoffs expected to be released, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and waterproof Samsung Galaxy S4 Active have already been confirmed, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is expected to play host to a 16-megapixel camera zoom, with a considerable optical zoom range.

Leaking via serial Samsung tipster SamMobile, it has been claimed that “the Galaxy S4 Zoom will be Samsung’s last product of the Galaxy S4 range.”

Not quite the specs powerhouse of the flagship model, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is set to target a dramatically different market, with the 16-megapixel camera party piece to be backed up by a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, down on the 1.9GHz quad-core offering on the standard S4.

Dropping from a 5-inch form factor, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom specs sheet is rumoured to see a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display line up alongside Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. Tipped to host just 8GB of internal storage, the snapper centric device is expected to support microSD card expansion up to 64GB.

While it is unclear exactly how thick or heavy the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom is set to be, it has been suggested the handset’s physical volume controls will double as zoom in/out buttons. The handset will see Bluetooth 4.0 and the standard Wi-Fi integration incorporated.

Although Samsung has as yet failed to confirm the existence of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom, with the company set to host a London based mobile launch event on June 20, we image the handset will be entering the realms of reality in the very near future.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5

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PS4 price to see console launch round £250, cheaper than Xbox One

The PS4 price has been teased as everything from £250 to £600

The PS4 price will reportedly see Sony's next-gen console cost around £250, with industry analysts predicting the wallet friendly price tag will be cheaper than the Xbox One.

With Sony having yet to officially confirm a PS4 price tag, the latest prediction makes for happier reading than some supposed leaks that have preceded it, with industry analysts suggesting Sony’s next-gen gamer could set wannabe owners back $400 (£257).

Speaking in a note to investors, Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia has claimed that the PS4 price will be below the rather reasonable $400 marker. He added the next-gen PlayStation should also be kinder to the wallet than Microsoft’s recently confirmed Xbox One console.

Highlighting the lofty $600 launch price of the PS3, Bhatia has suggested that Sony has learnt from this “extremely high” costing and as such will make the PS4 far more affordable when it hits retailers later this year. A PS4 release date is currently no more precise than the “2013 holiday season.”

Bhatia said: “Given that experience, we believe Sony will aim to keep the price point for the PlayStation 4 below $400.”

Suggesting that Sony is not troubled by selling the PS4 console as a loss leading device, making money later on through game sales, Bhatia added that given the free nature of the PlayStation Network, Sony is losing out on potential revenues over its leading rival.

Far from the first insight into potential PS4 prices, Bhatia’s claims support further predictions by Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter who recently suggested the PS4 will cost £349. He added, the Xbox One price will run eager gamers $399.

With a wide range of PS4 price predictions having done the rounds, leading online retailer Amazon last more hinted that both the next-gen PlayStation and Xbox One could cost £599.99 apiece, a staggeringly high price tag that would be sure to deter many potential consumers.

With much still unclear around Sony’s next-gen console (including what it will look like), the Japanese gaming giant is set to reveal new details this coming Monday in a pre-E3 2013 press conference.



Read More: PS4 vs Xbox One

Via: Gamespot

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iPad 5 WWDC release teased by further case unveilings

Yet more iPad 5 cases unveiled before the tablet is official

A potential iPad 5 WWDC release has been teased once again, with further so called ‘iPad 5 cases’ officially unveiled ahead of Apple’s heavily rumoured tablet.

While an iPad 5 release date has been widely tipped for September, a number of accessory makers have announced iPad 5 cases in recent days, hinting that next week’s WWDC 2013 conference could see a surprise iPad 5 unveiling made by the Cupertino based company.

With Gumdrop yesterday outing its own iPad 5 cases, little-known accessory maker Hard Candy Cases has now got in on the act too, announcing not one, but two iPad 5 cases.

Entitled the ShockDrop and the Squish, the two new iPad 5 cases have reportedly been made to leaked iPad 5 specifications, with Apple’s next-generation tablet widely expected to feature an all new, slimmer, lighter form factor over past models.

Said to have taken considerable design hints from the current iPad mini, a number of claimed iPad 5 images have hit the web in recent weeks, further pointing to a streamlined, angled backed brushed metal finish.

Although Apple has yet to officially announce the iPad 5, it is believed the iPad 4 follow-on will hit retailers with a faster, quad-core processor in tow. With revised camera optics expected to be given the nod, mooted iPad 5 specs have also pointed to larger storage capacities.

While Hard Candy Cases have failed to offer insight into their reasoning behind unveiling iPad 5 cases prior to the tablet’s confirmation, Gumdrop yesterday suggested it had taken the game in the hope of capitalising on the potential gains that are on offer.

“Business has been good to Gumdrop and we can afford to take a pretty big bet, because the payoff is massive if we are right,” Gumdrop CEO Tim Hickman said. The Accessory maker has reportedly made some 15,000 iPad 5 cases already.

Read More: iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7

Via: Ubergizmo

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GamePop console will bring iOS gaming to TVs, by cutting out Apple

GamePop console to be the first non-Apple device to run iOS games

The forthcoming GamePop console will offer iOS games by emulating the software without using Apple's code, according to manufacturer BlueStacks.

The console, which will also offer Android games on a subscription basis when it launches later this year, will be capable of visualising games made for iPhone and iPad and playing them on a connected television set.

Instead of going through Apple, developers will need to give their code (with a few minor alterations) to BlueStacks and the company's 'Looking Glass' software will do the rest.

The result is that GamePop will become the first non-iOS device to be capable of running games that have been designed for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Of course, those with an Apple TV set can play games on their television through the AirPlay functionality. However, in our experience, there's plenty of lag for gamers to deal with that undermines the experience.

Speculation in earlier this year had suggested that Apple may finally open up an App Store for Apple TV and even launch a dedicated game controller, but it's been all quiet on that front lately. Who knows? Perhaps Apple has a surprise up its sleeve for the WWDC keynote?

One would feel that Apple wouldn't be too pleased with the GamePop plans, but according to Bluestacks there's nothing Cupertino can do about it.

The GamePop console was announced last month and will arrive in the winter. It's the latest device to attempt to bring the casual gaming experience to the television set.

Of course, there's the Kickstarter-funded Ouya device that's in the process of rolling out to backers, while accessory manufacturer MadCatz will also unveil an Android-based console at the E3 expo which begins in earnest this week.

However, the GamePop will seemingly have the built in advantage of being able to supply iOS exclusives as part of its all-you-can-eat subscription package. Score one to Bluestacks.

Via TIME

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Apple erects giant '7' banner at WWDC venue, confirming iOS 7 reveal

7th heaven at the Moscone Center

Well that settles that. Apple has decorated the site of its WWDC keynote in San Francisco with a big number '7' banner and we all know what that means… a new version of iOS is definitely on the way.

The MacStories website has snapped a pic of the decor at the Moscone Center in San Francisco where Apple's big guns will deliver the annual address on Monday.

iOS 7 had been considered a dead cert for the developer-focused event anyway, but this seems to end any lingering doubts that it will be announced on Monday.

While there's only so much information you can hope to glean from a white banner with a '7' on it, there's unfortunately very little else to read into what's hanging from the ceiling at the Moscone Center.

Trust us, we've tried.

Perhaps the minimalistic simplicity is a reflection of Jony Ive's rumoured new 'flatter' interface? Who knows?

Speculation has suggested that this year's iPhone and iPad software bump will bring bigger changes than normal with the Knight of the Realm now overseeing things.

We can't wait to find out what Sir Jony has been cooking up, so join us on Monday for up-to-the-minute coverage of events from San Francisco.

Via Engadget

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iPad mini 2 release date delayed insiders suggest

Would iPad mini 2 delays push you into buying the iPad 5 instead?

The iPad mini 2 release date could be delayed, with insider sources suggesting production of Apple’s second-generation 7-inch tablet has been pushed back.

Direct follow-on to the market leading iPad mini, iPad mini 2 delays are reportedly on the cards with plans for September arrival said to have been moved back two months pointing towards a potential November iPad mini 2 release date.

According to hit and miss tipster DigiTimes unnamed Taiwan-based supply chain makers have confirmed the iPad mini 2 delays whilst suggesting the full sized, 9.7-inch iPad 5 will still hit its expected Q3 launch window. Given the sources track record, we much suggest these claims be taken with a sizeable pinch of salt.

Citing industry sources, the latest reports claimed “a second-generation iPad mini may see its volume production postponed from September to November.” They added that the delay could be an intentional move so as not to eat into sales of the iPad 5.

The Taiwanese based rumourmonger stated: “Some market watchers believe the delay is because 9.7-inch iPad sales were seriously impacted by iPad mini in 2012, and so to avoid the situation from happening again, Apple has turned its product focus for 2013 to the new 9.7-inch iPad.”

iPad mini 2 Rumours

Widely expected to hit retailers ahead of the lucrative Christmas period, the iPad mini 2 is believed to be heading to market with a number of core improvements over Apple’s first 7-inch attempts.

Believed to be readying for launch with a new, Retina display in tow, further iPad mini 2 specs improvements are expected to include a faster quad-core processor and revised camera optics.

Tipped to sport the same form factor as the current model, the iPad mini 2, alongside the iPad 5 and iPhone 5S is set to be one of the first devices to come pre-installed with iOS 7. The Jonny Ive influenced software updated is heading for unveiling next week at WWDC 2013.

Read More: iPad mini vs Google Nexus 7

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New GTA 5 screenshot released, brings together Michael, Trevor and Franklin

A new GTA 5 screenshot has landed, are you excited yet?

A new GTA 5 screenshot has been release ahead of the game’s eagerly awaited September 17 release date, bringing together the title’s trio of protagonists.

Showing a bank heist in action, the latest GTA 5 screenshot to tease the upcoming game was found boxed with a copy of publisher Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition. Attached to a promotional flyer, the new GTA 5 screenshot shows characters Michael, Trevor and Franklin preparing for a bank heist.

Offering no new details on the eagerly awaited game, the GTA 5 screenshot is the latest in a series of low key releases all of which are helping generate ever growing excitement around the upcoming Grand Theft Auto offering.

Posted on the GTA forums pages by a gamer going under the name of TheSmutPeddler, the previously unseen GTA 5 screenshot “was inside a new copy of “red dead redemption Game of the year” edition for Xbox.”

The eagle-eyed gamer added: “I just opened it today and there was a GTA 5 paper. I took a picture with my phone…. That’s why its blurry.”

Previously pegged for a spring 2013 arrival, Rockstar confirmed considerable delays for the game earlier this year, with an eventual GTA 5 release date pencilled in for mid-September, just weeks before the PS4 and Xbox One are expected to hit retailers. Confirmed to launch on current-gen consoles, Rockstar has yet to address plans for a next-gen rollout.

Although Rockstar has yet to reveal its plans, industry analysts have predicted the game’s release period will force the title into appearing on next-gen consoles, although this jump could reportedly take some time.

Suggesting the unplanned delays could force Rockstar and developer Take Two’s hands into offering a GTA 5 Xbox One release and PS4 title in the near future, Cowan & Company analyst Doug Creutz recently stated: "In and of itself, the delay of the game from FQ1 to FQ2 would not normally mean any significant change to expected FY14 financial results.”

He added: "However there is an issue in that we expect the next generation of Xbox and/or PlayStation consoles to launch in the December quarter. We think the closer proximity of GTA V to the next cycle could, at the margin, impact lifetime sales of the title, though we believe that a title of GTA's stature will still be a major seller regardless.

"We think there also could be some impact on the legs of likely GTA V downloadable content as the next-gen installed base increases through 2014. However, we suspect Take-Two may have plans to eventually publish GTA V on the next set of consoles in some form to offset this."



Read More: Best Games 2013

Via: GameInformer

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Apple should make a MacBook iPad hybrid

Mac hardware manager Douglas Brooks got Apple fans excited this week. He allegedly told a customer to expect "something really different" from the company’s new Mac Pro line-up, which is expected to be unveiled at WWDC 2013 on 10 June. MacBook Pros don’t get me excited, though. What tickles me is the thought of Apple finally doing for the laptop-tablet hybrid what it did for the mobile phone and tablet.

The MacPad

Here is the vision I see: the fusion of an iPad and a MacBook Air. The world’s most popular tablet and the world’s best-built laptop. The iPad brings the Retina Display the MacBook Air needs and the Air brings the detachable keyboard and industry leading trackpad. In tablet mode it runs iOS, in laptop mode it runs Mac OS X and iCloud seamlessly syncs productivity, media, gaming and core app data between them.

Imagine the scenario: use as a tablet on the train to work, as a laptop at work, a tablet on the way home and in front of the TV. Need a larger display? AirPlay would project the screen to a television or desktop monitor. Apple’s hybrid isn’t limited to a two-in-one, it can be a three-in-one. One device to rule them all.


Image credit: http://blog.sfaranda.com/dear-steve-jobs-the-macpad/

The case against

But it won’t happen, this isn’t how Apple does things. Three main objections come to mind.

Dual boot. Apple may allow Windows to dual boot on Macs, but that is to satisfy users who may be lured by Windows. Typically Apple likes to keep things simple: each device has a specific role and a clear usage scenario.

Cannibalisation. If successful a hybrid could cannibalise sales of all core Apple product ranges, reducing their sales and putting too many eggs into one basket. If unsuccessful a hybrid could also taint all core Apple product ranges, highlighting their flaws individually, and fractured integration collectively.

Mac OS XI. Rumours suggest Mac OSX 10.9 isn’t far away and with it inevitably even greater crossover between it and iOS. But OS XI is where we would expect the major shake up to begin with extremely tight iOS integration, if not even a merger of the two platforms. If Apple were to launch a hybrid it would make more sense to wait until then.

All three reasons above are logical, sensible, safe and likely enough to nip any idea of a hybrid in the bud. But there are innovative, exciting and risky counter points to each…

The case for

Progress means cannibalisation. When Steve Jobs announced the first iPhone he joyously proclaimed to the crowd he had three devices for them - “a widescreen iPod with touchscreen controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet communications device”. He repeated the phrase over and over, before saying “are you getting it? These are not three separate devices, this is one device.”

In launching the iPhone, Jobs knew sales of the iPod - then Apple’s most successful product - would be cannibalised, but he knew the market was changing and he bet the company the mobile phone was the next opportunity area.

Jobs and Apple did it again with the iPad. The tablet had long been a glorious concept no-one had quite gotten right and he risked the cannibalisation of cheaper Macs, MacBooks and even iPhones by betting on tablets. Jump to today and - with the exception of the US - iPhone and iPad market shares are slipping around the world. The hybrid in 2013 is like the smartphone in 2007 and the tablet in 2010 - unrealised and ready to take the next step.



Mac OS X & iOS need merging. Whatever your opinions on Windows 8, it is hard to fault the ambition of Microsoft’s schizophrenic OS. Desktop and mobile platforms are merging. Microsoft has taken its first step and Google continues to unify functionality between Chrome OS and Android. Apple is doing the same with each iteration of Mac OS and iOS, but right now it has no product to truly exploit such a merger. The hybrid fulfils this role.

Of course dedicated desktops, laptops and tablets will exist for many years yet, but they are forms that don’t drive the necessary advancement of a single OS or excite users about its potential. The hybrid can, and if Apple can enter this market as successfully as it did with phones and tablets the ‘hybrid’ won’t be a category any more. It will become a universal usage expectation. Every form of computer will be a hybrid, morphing its usage as required via a single, flexible, Cloud-synced platform. That’s the next step of computing and hybrids can drive it.



Standing still is not an option. When the iPad and iPhone launched there was nothing quite like them on the market. This window of opportunity has already passed with the hybrid and - while no-one has mastered it - Computex demonstrated only last week that models like the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity are getting better with every generation.

Haswell is a big factor in this. Intel’s fourth-gen Core architecture brings the hybrid both power and great battery life. Tablets and their power-efficient software always had the latter in particular to keep them safe from the hybrid, but not any more.

Apple still has the platforms, street credibility and platform-wide integration through iCloud to pull off a hybrid with better execution than any to date. But Google is inching closer and scores more Windows 8 hybrids will arrive over the next year. And by the end of this year the Microsoft ecosystem will see Windows 8.1 , Windows Phone 8, the Xbox One and SmartGlass all playing nicely together. Apple needs to act now.

Read more about what we'll see next week at E3 2013

WWDC 2013

Despite all this it is safe to say WWDC 2013 is highly unlikely to see Apple step into the hybrid market.

The teased “something really different” will be the adoption of Haswell to make existing Macs and MacBooks faster, slimmer and lighter and to give the latter better battery life. Meanwhile iOS7’s impending redesign will only put the pressure on Mac OS to take time out to realign all graphical elements with its mobile counterpart.

These all feel like baby steps, iterative advancement while rivals gain experience through radical concepts that become ever more appealing with each hardware and software update.

Apple has traditionally excelled through leading not following. When Tim Cook takes to the stage next week the child in me will be hoping for a hybrid, unveiled after the too long absent phrase: “One more thing…”

Next read what we expect to see at WWDC 2013

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Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging kit unleashed

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has just added yet another string to its bow with the official Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging expansion kit now available for purchase.

Announced alongside the handset at the S4’s New York based unveiling back in March, the Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging expansion kit sees a special inductive charging enabled battery cover replace the device’s original rear panel, allowing the phone to work with Qi wireless charging bases.

“Go totally wireless with the Galaxy S4 Wireless Battery Cover,” the company’s official product listing states. Samsung has added that the S4 wireless charging kit “easily installs, replacing your existing battery door to allow on-the-fly, cable-free charging with any Qi-enabled charger base.”

Ridding you of pesky cables, Samsung has claimed the S4 wireless charging expansion kit will see the HTC One and iPhone 5 rival work with any Qi-enabled charger base, with the typical charging session taking between three and four hours.

Adding to the handset’s standard 7.9mm thick, 130g form factor, Samsung has stated: “The wireless charging cover adds minimal bulk to your device.” The South Korean manufacturer added: “Keep in mind that due to a slight addition of bulk, some case options may not fit optimally. Cannot be used with Samsung Flip Covers or the Protective Cover.”

Currently available only to US based S4 owners, the Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging kit costs $90 (£57.73).

Samsung Galaxy S4 Features

A true powerhouse of the smartphone scene, the Samsung Galaxy S4 runs a speedy 1.9GHs quad-core processor alongside Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS.

Packing in a 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera alongside a second, 2-megapixel forward-facing snapper, the Samsung Galaxy S4 specs sheet sees 2GB of RAM and a 5-inch Super AMOLED 1080p Full HD display included alongside the company’s trademark TouchWiz UI.

Playing host to all manner of innovative software features, the S4 is bolstered by the eye tracking Smart Pause and Smart Scroll capabilities as well as Dual Shot camera capabilities and the touch-free Air View and Air Gesture.

Read More: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5

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Apple iRadio finally signs Sony deal

Apple has finally signed a deal with Sony Music for its Apple iRadio music streaming service.

The iPhone 5 manufacturer now has all three major music labels on board for Apple iRadio, according to “a person familiar with negotiations”.

Now that the Cupertino company has signed a deal with Sony Music, Apple is in a prime position to officially announce its iRadio service at the WWDC Keynote on Monday, June 10.

The talks with Sony over royalty fees caused Apple some problems, delaying the release of iRadio. The second largest record label apparently believed that Apple should pay higher royalty fee than other services like Pandora, due to its highly established userbase and market dominance.

It was also suggested that Sony wanted to get paid for any songs offered to iRadio listeners, even if that song was cut short or skipped over entirely.

Of course, if Sony and Apple have finally reached an agreement, Apple still may have further problems, as it has yet to sign up Sony’s music publishing arm Sony/ATV.

Apple has already finalised royalty deals with the two other major music labels, Warner Music and Universal Music, having started the discussions in autumn last year. The royalty fee agreed between the companies is unknown.

To differentiate itself from rival services like Pandora or streaming services like Spotify, Apple iRadio will create customised radio stations created from the iTunes Store purchases made by each user.

The iPad mini manufacturer will also integrate the iTunes Store into the iRadio service, allowing customers to buy the songs directly from the radio app.

Reportedly, Apple is planning to include audio and text ads in the iRadio app for the upcoming iOS 7 to support the free elements within the service.

Any ads displayed will be targeted to the user’s listening habits and the purchases from iTunes or the App Store.

It is currently unknown whether Apple will be offering subscription tiers for its iRadio service that are ad-free, similar to the Free, Unlimited and Premium Spotify subscriptions.



Next, read WWDC 2013 – what to expect feature.

Via: AllThingsD

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HTC One Max leaks as oversized Galaxy Note 3 rival

The first blueprints of the plus-sized HTC One Max have leaked online revealing the handset to have a 5.9-inch display.

Previously codenamed the HTC T6, the 5.9-inch potential Samsung Galaxy Note 3 rival is now said to be called the HTC One Max.

A source speaking to Mobileaks has leaked a blueprint for the rumoured HTC One Max, showing the smartphone to be a super-sized version of the flagship HTC One.

Packing a 5.9-inch screen with 1920 x 1080p resolutions and a 373ppi image density, the HTC One Max looks to have an incredibly thin bezel and the same HTC One design.

It should have a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU with an unknown amount of RAM and be powered by a 3,330mAh battery.

Of course, it will feature the same UltraPixel camera technology as the HTC One with the HTC Zoe software and the front-facing Boom Sounds speakers.

The HTC One Max will be 9.4mm thick and be 140.4mm long. Despite packing a larger screen, dwarfing the 4.7-inch display of the HTC One, the HTC One Max isn’t that much bigger than the 137.4mm long and 9.3mm thick flagship.

What’s more interesting though is that the “tipster” states the HTC One Max will be running Android 4.3 or 5.0 when it is officially unveiled.

That could be the highly anticipated Android Key Lime Pie that failed to make an appearance at this year’s Google I/O keynote speech, despite it being seemingly confirmed on the Google Developers site just hours before.

Google may have teased Android Key Lime Pie during the Google I/O developers’ sessions, but the HTC One Max may be one of the first devices to actually run the next iteration of Google’s mobile OS.

Although a definite HTC One Max hasn’t been confirmed, the source suggests it will launch worldwide in the third quarter of 2013.

Next, read our HTC One tips and tricks.

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Nokia EOS PureView camera video leaks online

A video of the Nokia EOS PureView camera has leaked online, showcasing little else except the smartphone’s mechanical shutter.

The tightly shot Nokia EOS PureView video deliberately avoids showing any other aspects of the smartphone, but shows the camera in much greatly detail than the recent Nokia EOS PureView pictures that popped up online.

Coming courtesy of the Vizileaks YouTube channel, the video closes in on the rear camera of the smartphone and shows the lens shutter opening and closing and making focus adjustments.

Rumoured to pack a 41-megapixel Carl Zweiss image sensor in the rear with Xenon flash, the Nokia EOS PureView camera could also pack optical image stabilisation and potentially a variable aperture too.

The video and the leaked image both show the bulging camera sensor with an XX-megapixel tag on the rear as the Nokia EOS PureView is obviously still in testing.

It should be the upgrade to the Nokia 808 PureView smartphone that featured lossless zoom technology, but offer similar specs to the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 925.

Latest rumours suggest the camera-centric smartphone will pack a 1290 x 768p resolution OLED screen of unknown size. The smartphone could also sport a fairly chunky polycarbonate body, only 1mm thinner than the Nokia Lumia 920, which is already criticised for its proportions.

Packing in 32GB of storage, the Nokia EOS PureView could lack a microSD card slot, which is a rather noticeable omission for a smartphone offering such high resolution images.

According to some sources, Nokia is working on a Nokia EOS PureView app specially designed to make the most out of the smartphone’s photographic prowess and offer further camera options.

The majority of the Nokia EOS PureView specs are still unknown, including the smartphone’s processor and full screen details, but rumours suggest it will launch on July 9.

Next, read our pick of the best mobile phones of 2013.

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iPhone 5S release date to be preceded by budget Apple handset?

Could the mooted budget iPhone look like this?

The heavily rumoured budget iPhone could hit retailers before the eagerly awaited iPhone 5S release date, industry analysts have predicted.

With WWDC to kick off next week, Apple’s next-generation iOS 7 operating system is expected to be formally unveiled, with the company’s CEO Tim Cook having recently stated the tech giant’s new product lines would not be showcased until September.

However, with the iPhone 5S widely expected to be next on Apple’s launch list, the iPhone 5 follow-on will reportedly be beaten to market by the much mooted budget iPhone, an as yet unconfirmed device seemingly set to rival the mass of wallet-friendly Android offerings.

According to repeated Apple tipster, Topeka Capital analyst Brian White, the budget iPhone will precede the iPhone 5S although it is not yet clear when exactly the cheaper smartphone will land.

Speaking in a note to investors, White claimed than the budget iPhone, reportedly tipped to be known as the iPhone mini, will land ahead of the next flagship phone and will be made available in five colours.

He suggested that as well as the basic black and white hues, the other budget iPhone colours on offer would include pink and blue. The final colour is reportedly still unknown.

Budget iPhone Rumours

An item of much rumour and speculation, the budget iPhone is reportedly set to offer a more refined, mid-range iOS experience, drawing consumers in to Apple’s ecosystem at a more accessible price point.

Expected to boast a 4-inch display, it has been claimed the handset could feature a plastic form factor, while contrasting reports have hinted at a vibrant brushed metal finish similar to that of the latest iPod touch.

Although the company has failed to rule out such a handset, Apple’s Senior Vice President Phil Schiller dampened reports of a budget iPhone stating: “Despite the popularity of cheap smartphones, this will never be the future of Apple’s products.

He added: “Every product Apple creates, we consider using only the best technology available.”

Read More: iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S4

Via: Ubergizmo

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Samsung shares slide over Galaxy S4 anxiety

The price of Samsung shares have dropped by over 6 per cent after the company’s recent introduction of two new versions of its flagship Samsung Galaxy S4.

Slowing sales for the Samsung Galaxy S4 coupled with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini have prompted Samsung shares to dip by 6.2 per cent, the largest drop the company has seen in the past nine months.

The share price tumble cost the company more than £7.7 billion in its market capitalisation, prompting fears that the profit margins for Samsung’s mobile business will soon suffer.

Although some believe that the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Galaxy S4 Mini will help Samsung solidify its place as the market leading smartphone manufacturer, others are worried that the company is opting for volume over profit.

Last month, Samsung announced that the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 is now its fastest selling handset, reaching the 10 million sales marker less than a month after launch. Now, the Samsung Galaxy S4 sales are slowing.

“Sales of high-end handsets are lagging behind expectations, while low- to mid-end handsets are selling briskly worldwide”, said Kim Young-chan, an analyst at Shinhan Investment Corp. “As the portion of low- to mid-range handsets is expected to increase in Samsung’s overall mobile phone business, this has also sparked concerns about thinning margins and lower growth.”

It was revealed this week that Apple will soon offer an iPhone trade-in scheme to boost iPhone 5 sales, allowing users to part-exchange their older models for the latest version of the handset.

“With Apple widely expected to announce an older iPhone trade-in program and also a new cheaper iPhone, overall growth prospects for [Samsung’s] smartphone business have dimmed,” said Kim Hyun-yong, an analyst at E*Trade Securities. “Second-quarter results will be solid but we have to see whether the trend can be sustainable going forward.”

Next, read our Samsung Galaxy S4 vs iPhone 5.

Via: Reuters

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WWDC 2013: Four big Apple announcements to expect

WWDC is Apple’s annual ‘worldwide developer conference’ and it’s where we’re given an in-depth, tech focussed insight into the goings-on of the company.

If you’re hoping see the iPhone 5S or iPad 5 unveiled, you’ll be disappointed. But we expect to see four big announcements made at the show. Here’s what you have to look forward to…

iOS 7 - a new, flatter design for the iPhone and iPad operating system



Here’s the biggie: iOS 7. The software that powers the iPhone, iPod touches and iPads will see its latest upgrade unveiled at WWDC, and it’s likely to be the most significant change to the way the system looks and feels since it was introduced in 2007 with the first iPhone.

Jonathan Ive has taken the helm of iOS development in order to revitalise a system that many consider to be a bit stale. Ive was the main man behind the hardware design of most of Apple’s iconic products, including the iPod, iPhone and iPad. They weren’t all the brain child of Steve Jobs, you know.

iOS 7 is expected to strip back the system, to make it look classier, more 'glance-able' according to sources reportedly in the know. Some believe it’ll go as far as being almost entirely black and white, with a design that’s even flatter than it currently is – iOS is already a much flatter system than Android.

iRadio - Apple's take on music streaming...



According to Reuters, Apple will unveil iRadio at WWDC 2013. But what is it?

It's believed iRadio is a music streaming service that takes a slightly difference approach to the biggest player in the market – Spotify. It’ll be a fully free service that makes money by playing audio adverts every now and then.

As such, it’s comparable with Spotify’s original desktop-only free plan, although this was never accessible in the UK using a mobile phone or tablet. And Spotify’s current freebie plan restricts how many hours you can stream, in order to try to get you to sign up to their paid-for Premium service.

Apple’s motivations are a little different. iRadio will let you buy tracks from iTunes, so there’s less need for the additional monetisation of a paid-for subscription.

What we don’t know yet is how much control iRadio will give you over the tracks you’re listening to – whether it’s based on automatically curated ‘radio stations’ like Last.fm, or whether you’ll be able to directly choose some or all of what you listen to, as with Spotify.



New MacBooks - upates to the Air and Pro for Intel's Haswell processors



Intel has officially unveiled its latest generation of processors, dubbed Haswell. These take over from the Ivy Bridge CPUs of 2012 and earlier this year.

Apple is highly likely to announced tweaked MacBook editions using these next-generation chips. The top benefits of Haswell include much improved battery efficiency and far better graphics performance, thanks to the HD 5000 GPU.

READ: What is Intel Haswell? 5 reasons why you should care

The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines are both expected to receive Haswell updates, and a KGI Securities analyst suggests they’ll also have slightly slimmer bodies than last year’s models.

What we’re unlikely to see in the MacBook stable is a Retina version of the Air, which has to contend not only with price issues, but also battery life concerns. A Retina display will suck a good deal more power than the current lower-resolution screen.

OS X 10.9 (aka Cabernet) - a few tweaks to keep the hardcore happy



No WWDC can go by without some word of OS X, the system that powers Apple’s laptops and desktops. In recent updates we’ve seen Apple start to incorporate more iOS features into OS X, but this time Apple will also give a nod to more hardcore users, according to 9to5Mac.

New power features on the cards include better multi-monitor support, letting you run a full-screen app on a second monitor, and tabbed browsing in the Finder app. They’re unlikely to be things that’ll get you excited unless you’ve pined after them in the past, but are important part of the maturing of the system.

Fluffier new features include possible incorporation of Siri, the virtual voice assistant seen in iOS.

OS X 10.9 may not sound quite as exciting as the Mountain Lion update, but the way it optimises and enriches the building blocks of OS X mean it could be just as important.

What we didn’t win…

We can’t finish without acknowledging the hardware everyone wants – the hardware we’re highly unlikely to see at WWDC 2013. Unless Apple has radically changed how it operates since last year, we won’t see the iPad 5, the iPhone 5S or the iPad mini 2 revealed at the conference.

These hardware updates are likely to be announced later this year, probably in September.

WWDC 2013 takes place between 10 and 14 June in San Francisco. We’ll be back with all the news from the conference, as it lands.

Next, read all the latest news on iOS 7

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Increasingly techy appliances make men want to do the washing

New, gadgety washing machines are reportedly appealing to men

Men are reportedly becoming increasingly fond of their washing machines and dishwashers, as home appliances become ever more techy.

Suggesting that the increasingly tech laden home appliance market is moving away from its typically female audience, LG has claimed the gadgety nature of modern appliances is making men more inclined to take an interest in the washing.

"The typical consumer for appliances is still female but that is changing," Dawn Stockell, Marketing Communications Manager for LG UK said speaking with TrustedReviews. "Appliances are a hard thing to educate consumers on but the more techy they become, the more interest people take."

Discussing the company’s appliance offerings, she suggested the gadgety nature of modern appliances are tempting the male audience to start taking note of exactly what washing machine or other appliance they are buying. She stated: "With our high-end product lines, the more gadgety they become, the more they appeal to the man about the house."

She added: "With our latest washers, we want the man of the house to be excited by direct drive technology and six motion cycles and the woman to be impressed by the 12kg capacity."

Suggesting that display models which show the technology at work have helped further entice and engage male shoppers, Stockell hinted that with a number of appliance improvements on the horizon, this trend could continue.

Highlighting the future of the appliance market and the connected route it is forging, LG unveiled a selection of smartphone controlled devices at CES 2013 earlier this year. From a fridges which lets you order food direct from an inbuilt display to an oven and washing machine that can be controlled by an app, the appliance market looks set to shake off its fusty background and jump into the current, tech brimmed modern world.

Are you more interested in home appliances now that they are becoming a little more gadget laden? Let us know via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.

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Bing Translator app now available for Windows 8

Bing Translator app for Windows 8

Microsoft has launched its Bing Translator app for Windows 8, offering easy translations in over 40 languages.


The Bing Translator app for Windows 8 can be downloaded for free now from the Windows Store and offers easy translation just by using the camera on the device.

Created by Bing and Microsoft Research, the Bing Translator app can translate content in over 40 languages by simply inputting the text into the system. Those translations can also be spoken aloud using the Bing Translator with the accent of the native speaker of that language.

Windows 8 users can also point their device’s camera at foreign text, including that on signs, bus or train schedules and even menus, to immediately translate that copy. The translation is overlaid on the pictured text using augmented reality technology.

Also, once installed onto the Windows 8 device, users can select text within any other application to translate. With the text highlighted, a quick swipe from the right of the screen will bring up the Share Charm, within which is the Bing Translator option that will translate that text.

With the Windows 8 Snap View functionality, Bing Translator can run simultaneously alongside any other app or window to be there when needed.

A useful app when travelling, the Bing Translator app doesn’t require an Internet connection to translate the text, meaning no data roaming charges for using the app.

All users will need to do is download the required free language packs before leaving for their holiday location to be prepared for any translation needs.

The Bing Translator app can be downloaded from the Windows Store now for free.



Next, read our Microsoft Surface Pro review.

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iPad 5 cases produced ahead of potential WWDC unveiling

Gumdrop iPad 5 case unveiled before the tablet is confirmed

Ahead of WWDC 2013, accessory manufacturer Gumdrop has hedged its bets on a new Apple tablet unveiling, producing 15,000 iPad 5 cases.

Basing the case designs on recent iPad 5 rumours, the accessory specialist has predicted that the much mooted iPad 4 follow-on will land boasting a refreshed form factor and design akin to that of the iPad mini. Although unclear, it is not expected that an iPad 5 release date will be held until September alongside the iPhone 6.

Although a somewhat speculative venture, Gumdrop has past success with this strategy, unveiling iPad mini cases a day before the tablet was formally introduced. Although beating Apple’s official unveiling, the cases reportedly fit the 7-inch tablet perfectly.

Suggesting his company began producing iPad 5 cases ‘months ago’, Gumdrop CEO Tim Hickman has stated that although a risky move, the potential benefits of predicting the iPad 5 unveiling in such a manner could be huge.

Speaking with 9to5Mac he said: “Business has been good to Gumdrop and we can afford to take a pretty big bet, because the payoff is massive if we are right.”

Offering further potential insight into the as yet unconfirmed tablet, Hickman added: “I’m amazed at how much smaller the overall form factor is, given the screen size is the same. That’s really an amazing piece of engineering by the Apple team.”

With an iPad 5 unveiling believed to be pencilled in for a separate launch event later this year, it is expected that WWDC will see Apple focus on the rumoured iOS 7 launch. Kicking off next week, Apple’s developer conference is tipped to see the Jonny Ive inspired operating system update formally unveiled ahead of rollout for iPhone and iPad users later in the year.

iPad 5 Rumours

With claimed iPad 5 pictures having done the rounds online in recent weeks, it is believed the fifth-generation 9.7-inch tablet will run an all new design alongside an improved camera, faster processor and larger storage options.

Potentially the first device to come pre-installed with iOS 7, the heavily rumoured iPad 5 is expected to boast a brushed metal casing, slimmer and lighter than past models.

Read More: iPad mini 2 release date, news, rumours and specs

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Microsoft demonstrates Windows 8.1 Start button

Microsoft has demonstrated the Start button function of Windows 8.1 in further detail.

A week or so after confirming the inclusion of a Start button in the forthcoming Windows 8.1 release, Microsoft used Computex to elaborate on the newly reinstated function.

In a brief NetworkWorld video of the presentation, it's shown how the start button flips seamlessly between desktop and Start Screen views. There's also the facility to flip down from the Start Screen to the All Apps section when the start button is activated.

Just last week, Microsoft confirmed the presence of a Start button in the next version of Windows on its official blog.

“We’ve improved the way you navigate to Start with the mouse by changing the Start ‘tip’ to be the familiar Windows logo,” read the post, adding that “The new tip appears anytime you move the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, and is always visible on the taskbar when on the desktop.”

This function is demonstrated on the new video.

Admittedly, the feature doesn't seem to be too far removed from the current Start 'tip' function in Windows 8, but Microsoft's obviously hoping that the reinstatement of a familiar element from past Windows versions will boost the take-up of its divisive new OS.

Windows 8.1 is also expected to add new personalisation options, including a photo slideshow function for the lock screen and motion backgrounds for the Start Screen.

In a function borrowed from Windows Phone 8, Windows 8.1 will enable you to resize the icons on the Start Screen.

Search is another area to have been improved, with any query now including Bing search results alongside files, apps, and any other related items.

Expect a Windows 8.1 Beta some time this month, with a full release set for later in the year.

Next, read our Microsoft Surface Pro review for a look at the Windows 8 tablet.

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Xbox One online requirements and used game issues clarified

Microsoft has set up a website to explain some of the burning questions surrounding its controversial new console, the Xbox One.

The same new Xbox Wire blog that detailed the console's new 'Low Power State' controller also contains information on the console's online requirements and the potential for transferring used games.

On the online front, it's been confirmed that the Xbox One will require access to the internet every 24 hours in order for you to continue gaming. If you're offline for longer than that, you'll be able to use the console only to watch TV, DVDs or Blu-rays.

Interestingly, as all of your game purchases and progress are stored in the cloud, you'll be able to continue your games from a friend's console simply by logging in. However, your friend's Xbox One console will require hourly access to the internet in order for you to keep on gaming remotely.

The other major topic covered by the new blog is second hand games. Microsoft will not charge you a fee for buying second hand games. However, the company is empowering developers (or more likely publishers) to make a decision on whether to allow second hand sales of their games.

It's possible for publishers to opt out of a pre-owned arrangement with retailers, or even to demand a fee from these retailers for handled copies of their games - which will obviously be passed on to you, the pre-owned customer.

You will be able to give (or sell) your disc-based games to a friend, but they have to have been on your Xbox friends list for at least 30 days, and each game can only be transferred once.



Next up, read about some of the Xbox One issues that could sink the ship.

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Microsoft details 'Low Power State' sleep mode for Xbox One controller

Xbox One may not look much different...

Microsoft's newly-tweaked Xbox One controller will effectively go to sleep when not in use, the company announced in a blog post today.


The evolved gaming pad revealed at the Xbox One launch last month will enter a so-called Low Power State in order to conserve the user's battery whenever they step away from the console.

Users will not have to power-up whenever they return to the screen, they'll be able to just pick it up again and start playing.

In the post on the Xbox Wire blog, the company wrote: "If you’re watching a movie or need to step away from the TV, the controller enters a low power state that conserves your battery. The moment you pick it up again, it will be ready for use without having to resynch with the console."

The previously unknown feature suggests that the refined controller may boast smartphone-like processors that are able to conserve energy when not in use, without shutting off the power completely.

On the Xbox 360 users had to power-up and often sync controllers to the console whenever they became inactive for too long, so this is a definite improvement.

The blog also explained some of the already publicised features such as the vibration motors that sit behind the triggers enabling more precise feedback. There's also higher quality headset audio, new thumbsticks, an improved D-Pad and a more comfortable design.

Still hungry for more Xbox Live details? The company will reveal more about the gaming side of the console at the E3 expo in a keynote address on Monday. We've been told to expect games, games and more games.

What would you like to see announced at E3? Let us know in the comments section below.

Via SlashGear

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Apple plotting trade-in scheme to boost iPhone 5 sales?

Apple looking to boost iPhone 5 sales with trade-ins?

Apple may soon allow iPhone users to part-exchange their older models for the latest version of the handset, according to reports on Thursday.

Bloomberg brings word of a possible trade-in scheme that would see users give iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S models back to the company and get a shiny new iPhone 5 for a reduced price.

The report claims the benefits would be two-fold for Apple:

Firstly it would boost iPhone 5 sales ahead of an expected iPhone 5S/6 launch later this year.

Secondly, it would help the Cupertino-based tech giant meet the growing demand for refurbished iPhone models in emerging markets.

Bloomberg reckons Apple's sudden interest in the refurbished iPhone market is a reaction to slowing growth and hugely increased competition from Samsung.

It has been selling refurbished Macs, iPods and iPads for sometime now, but this would be the first time it has offered second-hand iPhones.

The report also claims Apple has aligned itself with the Brightstar Corp, which already handles iPhone trade-ins for US-based networks AT&T and T-Mobile.

If true, it would raise questions as to whether Apple would offer such a deal to UK customers who have to pay less cash up-front to grab a new iPhone contract.

In the US, customers have to drop at least $200 (around £125), depending on which contract they take out, in order to snag an iPhone.

If the scheme comes to pass, Brits would probably still be better off selling their old iPhones independently. Nevertheless, it would be an interesting development.

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Apple iWatch patent reportedly filed in Russia

According to a Russian newspaper, Apple has filed a patent in the country for its Apple iWatch device.

Russian newspaper, Izvestia, reported that Apple has filed a patent for the iWatch trademark in Russia for the wearable tech.

Rumours surrounding the Apple iWatch have been rife on the internet for many months. The Cupertino company usually uses a foreign shell corporation to register for trademarks, so the Russian filing may have some truth to it.

“Tonight newspaper Izvestia has heard sensational news: the company Apple has filed with Rospatent an application for registration of the trademark iWatch. We think we do not even need to explain what this might mean.”

However, even if the filing is legitimate, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Apple iWatch could be coming to market anytime soon. Companies like Apple tend to trademark several names for potential products that may not ever come to fruition.

Earlier this week, it came to light that Apple has filed a patent for a curved battery suitable for the Apple iWatch or other such wearable technology.

Apple reportedly has a 100-strong team working on the iWatch and latest rumours suggest the device could be with us by the end of 2014 brimming with biometric technologies like a secure user identification system.

Originally thought to feature a wraparound display, the Apple iWatch is now thought to feature a 1.5-inch touchscreen display.

Apple has yet to officially confirm that an iWatch is in production by the company, but CEO Tim Cook did address the iWatch rumours at the All Things Digital D11 conference last month.

“I think wearable technology is incredibly interesting. It could be a profound area,” said Cook. It’s an area that’s ripe for exploration, its ripe for us to get excited about. Lots of companies will play in this space.”

Next, read our iOS 7 news, rumours and release date roundup ahead of WWDC next week.

Via: 9to5mac

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