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Subscription newspapers finally coming to the iPad starting with The Daily on Dec. 9?
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
The rumor has been going for a while now, a subscription service which would allow you to subscribe to a magazine or newspaper, and receive each issue automatically on your iPad. It's been one of the big components missing for digital papers to really take off. Right now, most known names either have you download a free app and then offer in-app purchases, like Wired, or others like The Wall Street Journal only provide limited content unless you register and subscribe to the periodical on their web site.
The Guardian is reporting that Rupert Murdoch is in talks with Apple to create the first iPad-only magazine, which would bring the first subscription service directly to the device. The new product would be called The Daily, and would be the first of its kind. It wouldn't be pulling content from a current web or paper entity; it would be something new made specifically for the device, called an iNewspaper. If this happens, it'll be interesting to see what kind of pricing structure will be set, and how much Apple will control, since this is sure to set a precedent for other publications.
We're hearing that Apple may have something to announce in regards to The Daily and iPad subscriptions on December 9, so we should know more soon.
Read More 
| The Guardian
Gallery: Subscription newspapers finally coming to the iPad starting with The Daily on Dec. 9?
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Ever since Google released an "official" Android phone, the Nexus One (a.k.a. the phone that provided a baseline of what an Android phone should be,) people have been speculating and wondering when the Nexus Two would appear. In the past few weeks, the rumors have gained momentum once again, and now it appears Engadget received some exclusive images that show the Nexus S, a phone from Samsung that would be the true successor to the Nexus One. A lot is still rumored at this point, but check out the link for detailed shots of every side as well as the interior from this upcoming device.
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: A look at the Google Nexus S
Microsoft Kin returning to Verizon?
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Rumors,
A few months ago, Microsoft introduced the ill-fated smartphone called the Kin. The small feature phone was available on Verizon in two different form factors, and was then canceled faster than any other phone before. It became known as the least successful smartphone ever. Yet, a recent leak of a Verizon internal communication suggests that both devices are coming back to Verizon soon. But this may not be such a bad move. There was nothing wrong with a Kin perse, as the device felt solid, and it was fully integrated with social networks, as a modern feature phone should be. The main issue was that it was sold by Verizon as a full smartphone, with expensive data plans, when it shouldn't have been. According to the leaked papers however, it seems that Verizon may be willing to change their tune on that point. Will this make the Kin a success, or is it's time passed already? We'll see soon enough.
Read More | PPCGeeks
Gallery: Microsoft Kin returning to Verizon?
Several Chrome OS notebooks coming for the holidays
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Google, PC / Laptop, Rumors,
DigiTimes yesterday reported that several vendors have plans to bring Google's Chrome OS to some of their devices as early as this holiday season. Sources say that Google will have its own branded Chrome notebook by the end of this month, with HP and Acer following in December. It's apparently an attempt by the device makers to test the waters. Chrome OS is Google's way to make a device that's more web centric, with little to no on-board applications, and all your data residing in the cloud.
It's worth noting that Google is now playing in this field with two different operating systems: Android and Chrome OS. With Android being an obvious success in the smartphone market, and coming out on many tablets these days, I for one am skeptical as to the marketshare a device based on Chrome OS can gather.
Read More | DigiTimes
Gallery: Several Chrome OS notebooks coming for the holidays
Is this the Playstation Phone, or a new platform altogether?
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Handhelds, Rumors,
Earlier this week Engadget came out with some exclusive pictures and various facts about what everyone is now calling the Sony Playstation Phone.However, there are many details that indicate that this can't be a so called "PSP Phone". Some of those details, like the fact that it's running Android, came out right at the front. Since the PSP isn't running on Android, that means each game would need to be converted or ported over, which seems unlikely.
Another such detail came out today, and that is the platform that this new phone seems to be using, something called "Z-System". There isn't much known about it yet, but several people have pointed to the label in one of the leaked shots, and it does seem to indicate that this is Sony's attempt at starting a new platform. Whether it will be successful is a matter of debate, but it's obvious that Sony is struggling with the mobile Playstation brand, as the PSP and PSP Go haven't exactly been runaway hits. Maybe a phone that runs ports of Playstation Portable titles on an Android device running the Z-System layer is just the kick in the pants that they need?
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: Is this the Playstation Phone, or a new platform altogether?
Apple working on embedded SIM for iPhone?
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,
Apple has gotten creative with SIM cards in the past. They've done it before with the iPad, which uses a MicroSIM to connect to a 3G cellular network, and then the iPhone 4 followed suit. While they didn't exactly invent the technology, it's the first time that this gets used in a mass market device. Now, this morning, sources inside of some European carriers say that Apple is ready to pull a similar stunt. Apple and SIM maker Gemalto are reportedly about to implement a new SIM technology which would live permanently inside of the iPhone, and wouldn't need to be removed to switch carrier. The new SIM could be changed from one network to the next by the software, removing the need for it to be a removable card.
This is only rumor at this point, and if it was any other company it would be a dubious one at best. However, Apple's already proved that they can make carriers bend to their will to a certain extent, and this may be no different. The main benefit for Apple would be the ability to bypass the carrier. Consumers could buy a phone online, without any need to be pre-attached to a carrier like AT&T or T-Mobile, and then choose themselves which carrier to configure it for, at will.
Of course it's not all good for the end user. This would remove some of the control from the cellular network, but that control would be put straight into Apple's hands. So it remains to be seen what they would do with such increased power. Nevertheless, if they do manage this feat, it's clear others would be tempted to do so. Time will tell if Apple breaks the smartphone mold once more.
Read More | GigaOM
Gallery: Apple working on embedded SIM for iPhone?
Apple delays white iPhone 4 release for the third time
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Rumors,
Last night, Apple put out a statement saying that the white iPhone 4 would be delayed again, this time until Spring 2011. This would mark the third time that the white device would be delayed by the company due to manufacturing issues. Apparently, the culprit behind this is that the white glass lets a little too much light through to the inside of the phone, which leaks into the camera sensor and results in washed-out images. The odd thing here is that we all expect that the next iPhone, iPhone 5 or whatever it may be, will be launching around June. Will Apple really release the iPhone 4 in a new color so close to the end of its cycle?
In the meantime though, we've had our white iPhone 4 for a while now, and we've seen no image quality differences between the our white model and black model. In fact, if you wanted one, you could get a white one yourself. Have a look at our white iPhone 4 video coverage for details.
Click to continue reading Apple delays white iPhone 4 release for the third time
Read More | Reuters
Gallery: Apple delays white iPhone 4 release for the third time
FaceTime in OS X dock during Back to the Mac event demos
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Rumors,
Update: Apple has made it official - FaceTime for OS X launches today in beta!
We're checking out the Back to the Mac event live right now, and we noticed this interesting and all-too-familiar icon in the dock during the demos. Looks like FaceTime is coming to OS X, by way of iChat!
Gallery: FaceTime in OS X dock during Back to the Mac event demos
Apple readying cheaper, faster, lighter MacBook Air
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Rumors,
Looks like the guys over at Cult of Mac have received a few interesting tidbits of information as it pertains to a possible MacBook Air refresh at this Wednesday's Back to the Mac Apple event. Here's a look at what they say they've been told:
- The new model is also apparently much snappier than its underpowered predecessor. ”It boots so fast, it’s unbelievable,” our source says. “It’s amazing how fast it boots up.”
- A faster 13-inch model with upgradeable options should appeal to pro users, while a cheaper 11-inch MacBook Air might be more attractive to students and casual users.
- A 50-percent bigger battery, delivering 8-10 hours of battery life. The current MacBook Air has a 5-hour battery.
- The new machine is thinner and lighter, weighing less than the current model’s 3lbs, our source says.
- The new enclosure is also an aluminum unibody design, like the current model — but not as curvy.
- Same black keyboard as current MBA, same single-button Multi-Touch trackpad. [wha? Current MacBook trackpad has separate button, unlike the rendering]
- Upgradable RAM (base 2GB [-boo!], SSD. Also NVidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics
- Two configs: 2.1Ghz (with 2GB of RAM) and 2.4 GHz (with 4GB of RAM).
Of course, we take all this stuff with a grain of salt until Apple actually shows it off, but the MacBook Air is in serious need of a hardware refresh, so we wouldn't be surprised to see it happen on Wednesday. Pricing on these is also rumored to be dropping from the current $1,500 starting price, with the 11.6-inch model starting at $1,100 and the 13.3-inch version going for $1,400.
As always, we will have all the details from this Wednesday's event as they happen.
Read More | Cult of Mac
Gallery: Apple readying cheaper, faster, lighter MacBook Air
Back to the Mac Apple event to be held October 20th, reveal OS X 10.7?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Rumors, Software,
Apple has been on such a mobile tear lately that many have worried that OS X was being given the shaft. However, Apple’s next press event looks to be all about the Mac hardware and the OS X operating system. The invitation is above, and clearly shows a lion hiding behind that Apple logo. It doesn’t take a lot of thought to put two and two together here—each iteration os OS X has been named after some sort of wild cat, and Lion must be the name of Mac OS X 10.7. News Macs and finally news on Apple’s next major OS? We can’t wait.
Gallery: Back to the Mac Apple event to be held October 20th, reveal OS X 10.7?
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