Multi-colored rear shell of upcoming budget plastic iPhone leaked?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,

More photos of the rear shell of the rumored entry-level budget iPhone have reportedly leaked. Of course, there's no way to verify the authenticity of these, but French rumor site Nowhereelse has leaked the real deal before. As you can see from the image, there's red, yellow, white, blue, and green shells--this matches up nicely with the current multi-colored iPod touch lineup. Apple has been expected to release an iPhone for emerging markets that is less expensive than its flagship models, and it's possible that we will finally see the introduction of this device this fall, alongside the announcement of the iPhone 5S.

Read More | Nowhereelse

Pebble Smart Watch comes to Best Buy on July 7 for $150

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Wearables, Wireless / WiFi,

The Pebble Smart Watch was a Kickstarter sensation that is still struggling to fulfill the orders of its initial backers, but that's not stopping the device from launching in Best Buy in just a few days. Initially you'll be able to get the e-ink display-powered Pebble in Jet Black at Best Buy while the company works to get the other colors into the hands of those who pre-ordered the device. Once those are fulfilled, you can expect to see other colors hit Best Buy as well. In fact, the Cherry Red model will hit store shelves in August.

Now is the time for the Pebble Smart Watch to try and get some attention on a larger stage, and Best Buy may be the place to do that. If you're unfamiliar, the Pebble connects to your iPhone or Android device and allows you to interact with it from your wrist. I have one, and it's convenient to see my messages, texts, and notifications pop-up on the Pebble without having to check my phone. I can also control apps like Music and Runkeeper right from my wrist as well. With Apple and Google expected to announce smart watches of their own sometime soon, some might argue that time is running out for Pebble to make an impact and fain traction. The Best Buy deal should help. You'll be able to order the Pebble from Best Buy for $149.95.

Click to continue reading Pebble Smart Watch comes to Best Buy on July 7 for $150

Read More | Pebble Best Buy Page

Apple Back to School promotion live, $100 gift cards with Mac purchase, $50 with iPhone or iPad

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,

Despite the fact that kids just got out of school, Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion. This year, those purchasing a Mac, iPad, or iPhone for education will receive an App Store gift card along with the purchase. Macs get a $100 gift card, while the iOS devices get $50. In order to qualify, the purchaser needs to be a college student, a student accepted into college, a parent buying for a college student, or a teacher. Apple's Back to School promotion runs through the summer, and the App Store gift cards are good for anything in the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBookstore.

Read More | Apple Back to School

Apple releases iOS 7 beta 2 with iPad support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 2, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 2 build 11A4400f brings with it support for the iPad, which was left out of the initial beta released at WWDC 2013 two weeks ago. Additionally, the Voice Memos app has returned to the iPhone and iPod touch in this build. Additionally, the new Siri voices are now present in this build, giving Apple's digital assistant a less robotic tone. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active hits AT&T stores tomorrow

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you're a bit harder on your gadgets than most and are looking for a new smartphone, then Samsung Galaxy S4 Active may be just what you need. The Active packs in a 1080p LCD display rather than the OLED panel seen in the regular Galaxy S4, and the camera has a lower megapixel rating. The water-resistant (and dustproof!) device will be available beginning tomorrow from AT&T for $199 with two-year contract, and will be available in both gray and blue variants.

iPhone 5S display and logic board leaked in images?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

We all know the iPhone 5S is coming, likely with a fall release, and now that the time is near, the typical leaks are starting to occur. The iPhone 5S (or whatever it ends up being called) is being manufactured over in China, where most of these leaks occur. Today we get a look at the display and logic board. Interestingly, these two pieces fit with the previously-leaked camera and flex cable modules. Nothing too exciting here, though, as most of the magic is in the software. If real, this just tells us that Apple has a new iPhone in the works...but we already knew that anyway, right?

Read More | MacRumors

Apple announces radically redesigned iOS 7: Biggest change since the iPhone was introduced

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,

Apple has announced iOS 7, and as expected, it is a radical redesign. And it's beautiful. In fact, it's the biggest change to the iPhone since its inception back in 2007, and it was much-needed. The new design introduced a slimmer font, flatter design on objects, while also bringing a more 3D design to the overall OS.

Jony Ive, Apple's head of design, was featured in a video talking about the overhaul. Skeumorphic interfaces are gone in the Game Center, Messages, Phone, Calendar, and others. Head past the break for a look at a bunch of the new iOS 7 features.

Click to continue reading Apple announces radically redesigned iOS 7: Biggest change since the iPhone was introduced

AT&T BlackBerry Q10 pre-orders begin tomorrow at $199.99

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you've been wanting to get in on the BlackBerry 10 action but wanted a physical keyboard, AT&T has just announced that pre-orders for the BlackBerry Q10, the new QWERTY from the company-formerly-known-as-RIM, begin tomorrow. You can get the LTE-powered Q10 for $199.99 with two-year contract. Yeah, we are just surprised at that price as you are, and we expect it to sell just as badly as you do. Unless you plan on picking one up, in which case, have fun with your 720x720 display. Some people just can't let go of hardware keyboards, right?

Vine now available for Android

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,

If you own an Android phone,  you can now get in on the Vine action that iPhone users have had access to for over four months now. The app is Twitter's answer to video sharing, allowing users to share six-second video snippets with each other. Interestingly, the iOS version and Android versions each have features that the other doesn't. For example, the iOS version includes support for the front-facing camera, mentions, hashtags, and search. The Android version doesn't--but it does have a zoom feature, something that's not found in iOS.

Vine for Android works with any device running Android 4.0 or higher, and you can download it now from the Google Play Store.

Read More | Twitter

HTC One to debut on Verizon later this summer

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

This morning, Verizon announced that it will begin carrying the HTC One later this summer. This news means that, soon, the HTC One will be available on all four major carriers here in the US, matching other major phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5. Verizon has not announced any specific date or pricing (although we'd have to think it would be $199 with two-year contract,) nor any potential hardware differences, but that information will likely come sooner rather than later.

Be sure to check out our HTC One video review for more on this fantastic smartphone.

Read More | Verizon Twitter