| Updated: iOS 7 release date, news and rumours May 29th 2013, 12:17 
With Apple's WWDC 2013 developer conference just around the corner, we're about to learn more details on the forthcoming iOS 7 update for the the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The last major iOS 6 update for Apple's mobile devices was mostly hit, but there was a big Maps-shaped miss. Lots of people were rightly angry about Apple ditching Google data, but beyond that mis-step there were things to like: a more useful Siri (App launching plus the recognition that a world exists outside of the USA), shared Photo Streams, handy Phone app controls such as 'send to voicemail', and major improvements to Mail, Safari, accessibility and the Camera app. iOS 7 release dateit looks like the new operating system might be running a little behind schedule. John Gruber believes that iOS 7 is "running behind", with engineers being pulled from OS X 10.9 to work on it. We're expecting a September or October release date for iOS 7 in line with previous releases. We'll almost certainly see a reveal at WWDC. Apple has promised to give devs "an in-depth look at what's next in iOS and OS X", Mobile web traffickers such as Onswipe have already reported seeing iOS 7 pop up in their logs. 
Find out what our TechRadar experts want to see from iOS 7 in the video below: FutTv : m6ZWxf4Bifq65iOS 7 designA greater synergy between hardware and software design is something Apple is looking to achieve as it moves towards iOS 7. That's according to the Wall Street Journal in late March 2013, which also suggests that Jonathan Ive is pushing for a starker and simpler design for iOS 7 - that reminds us a little of what Microsoft has done to the desktop in Windows 8. In late May it seemed that iOS 7 had found its way out into the wild, as sources have given loads of details on the 'flat redesign'. The first major change indicated by the sources was a distinct lack of skeuomorphic style, as the fake textures and effects you're so used to seeing will be swapped out with a more basic design sense. It seems that everything starts with a new Lock screen, where the glossy image and clock have been replaced by a stark black screen with supposed improved gesture controls. Even the security code pad has been altered, and instead of the familiar overlay, a new interface with round, black keys with white text has emerged. It will be almost immediately apparent just how different everything looks as base apps like Calendar, Camera, Game Center and Safari will be pared down quite a bit from their current incarnations. Longtime iPhone users may be in for a bit of a surprise, as the leak suggests iOS 7 will replace the vibrant look and feel of the phone with a more minimalist, monochromatic approach. What else do we want to see in iOS 7?The rest of this article explores a dozen of the features we're clamouring to see in iOS 7. (And by 'clamouring', we of course mean 'asking really nicely'. C'mon, Mr Cook - pretty please?) 1. Hide Apple appsPretty much everyone we know with an Apple device has a folder entitled 'Apple'. This isn't filled with must-have apps from the geniuses at Cupertino, but all the junk Apple installs that you can't get rid off. To be fair, what each individual considers junk is different, and these apps—Compass, Stocks, Voice Memos, Passbook, and so on—have their fans; but is it too much to ask for a switch in Settings that will hide those we don't use? 
2. Better app managementChange for change's sake is rarely a good thing. Recognition is key to satisfying experiences with technology. That's why we're not yelling at Apple to change how iOS home screens work. What we would like to see is improvements to app management: more screens; by default saving app data on delete; and an alphabetical list of installed apps, perhaps accessible from Spotlight. 3. Change app defaultsWe're pretty certain this request would be met with wide-eyes from Apple CEO Tim Cook, swiftly followed by a full twenty minutes of belly laughing, but we want the ability to use non-default apps for important things like email and calendaring. Apple's own apps would remain the defaults, but you should also be able to pick your own in Settings. 
4. Provide a guest accountIt's extremely unlikely that Apple's ever going to enable multiple user accounts on iOS devices—they are, after all, designed as extremely personal computers. What is perhaps more realistic is some kind of guest account you could switch to when handing your device over to someone for a short while; something similar already exists on the Mac in OS X. 5. Change Siri's voiceOS X is blessed with dozens of high-quality voices that witter away to you in various dulcet tones. By contrast, Siri is Siri. In the US, you get a slightly robotic woman; in the UK, Siri's that bloke who did The Weakest Link for a decade. It'd be great if you could choose the voice your device uses to speak. (Possible exception: Yoda voice.) 6. Provide App Store demosApps and games might be cheap, but that doesn't figure cheapskates into the equation. Too often, people are unwilling to risk 69p on the latest release, forcing devs into irritating freemium models or making them clutter up the App Store with 'lite' versions of their output. Apple should just allow demos: 24 hours from first launch and then you buy or the app won't run. Boom. 7. Power up 'Do Not Disturb'Fed up of getting woken up in the middle of the night by the marketing efforts of [redacted, but quite possibly a well-known mobile network] or Game Center fanfares? Do Not Disturb is a great feature that enables you to time when your phone will quit bugging you. But you can define only a single schedule, and we want to see alternative options for weekends. 
8. Make locking location-awareLocking is a great thing on iOS devices, making it at least a little harder for some scallywag to get at your data if they pinch your shiny Apple joy. But it could be more intelligent, locking on a location-aware basis, and not when you're, say, happily sitting at home on the sofa. 9. Improve the lock screenThere's something to be said for Apple's minimalism regarding the iOS lock screen, and it's mostly that it's too minimal. We're not sure we want to see Android-style widgets sprayed everywhere, but a little more functionality wouldn't go amiss. For example, artwork from a currently playing song is displayed on the lock screen, but there are no controls for pausing or skipping to the next track, until you double-press Home, which isn't hugely discoverable. And beyond notifications, nothing else shows up there at all. 
10 Cut all iTunes tiesIn recent years, Apple's made great leaps away from iTunes, and you can technically get away with never using the monstrous jukebox. However, there's still no way to easily get your existing music collection nor your photographs on to your device, and there should be. (Alas, with Apple wanting to push iTunes Match and the iTunes Store, there almost certainly never will be for the first of those.) 11. Make more icons dynamicWe're hesitant at arguing Apple's home screen icons should be more like Windows 8 tiles, but there's something to be said for dynamic updates when such things work well. With iOS, you get update badges and a live calendar. It'd be nice at the least if Apple made its own Clock and Weather icons dynamic. 
12. Enable cross-platform installsOn a device, you now often see iOS-style banners on websites that when tapped take you right to the equivalent App Store app. But if you're browsing elsewhere, you have to email yourself a reminder and then install later. How good would it be if you were surfing on your PC, saw a great app and could install it across your devices without going near them, nor even to iTunes?     |  | Blip: Blue HTC One could brighten up your day May 29th 2013, 12:15 
The HTC One has already been leaked in a fetching red hue, and fresh reports are now suggesting the Taiwanese firm will also release a blue version of the five-star smartphone. According to sources (a little guy that lives in a blue world, probably) which have conversed with Pocket-Lint, the blue HTC One will be available in the coming months, joining the already-available black and silver finishes and the much rumoured red version. There's no firm release date for either the blue or red HTC One handsets just yet, so we're going to have to sit tight and see what the Taiwanese firm reveals. More Blips!What not check out some more of our great blips, and how about a soundtrack to go with them?     | | Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to arrive early alongside two new iPhones? May 29th 2013, 11:13 
The next few months could turn out to be pretty busy as rumours start to circulate around several new smartphones which may break cover in that time. Now we'll warn you that the latest news comes via Digitimes - the incredibly hit and miss Taiwanese website - so take what you read with a pinch of salt, but we could be in line for a pair of new iPhone handsets as well as an early release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The site claims unnamed industry sources have revealed Apple is asking its factories in China to ramp up production on two new devices, thought to be the iPhone 5S and a budget iPhone model. Fact or fiction?These handsets may be unveiled as early as next month and the sources reckon Apple will start shipping its new iPhones at the end of June. That's not all however, as the same insiders also think they've got the inside skinny on the next super-sized Samsung in the form of the Galaxy Note 3. Early report suggested that the Note 3 would make its debut at IFA 2013 in September, but apparently the Korean firm may jump the gun with a July or August announcement. No specs, features or further details were provided on any of the handsets in question, so we'll just have to bide our time and see if this latest leak is fact or fiction.     | | Buying Guide: Best earphones: 10 top earbuds for smartphones May 29th 2013, 11:00 
Call them what you want - in-ears, in-ear-monitors or inter aurals - these tiny earbuds are among the most common gadgets around. The most obvious upgrade for anyone with a smartphone whose bundled in-ears are about as dynamic as George Osborne, a good pair of earbuds can take tunes to a higher level for relatively low spend. We've included models from across the range of current selling prices, of course, though there are obvious differences. Pricier pairs generally offer more detail, range and bass, and better noise isolation (handy on trains and possibly even planes), though even £50 / US$60 / AU$70 buys a pretty high-end experience. Almost all now include an in-line remote for tweaking volume, changing tracks and hands-free calling, though most are primed for iOS devices. The remote button sometimes works with Android phones, but the volume keys don't. Almost all models come with a choice of tips, where which one you choose is crucial for sound quality, noise isolation and comfort, so don't be afraid to ditch those default tips. 1. a-JAYS One+ - £40/US$50/AU$60
Tangled earphones are the bane of every commuter's morning, and it's doubtful many of us even get to the bus stop with cables in-situ. Swedish design takes a stab at this ungodly problem with the completely flat cables of the a-JAYS One+, which are also a great value attempt at bringing hands-free options to the wider smartphone community. Connecting to any brand of phone using a neat L-shaped 3.5mm jack, it's a cinch to operate volume and answer calls, while music is handled well above its price-point, sounding bass-heavy, detailed and well-rounded. Noise isolation is decent, too. Wound up in a pocket, the a-JAYS One+ spring back to shape and are indeed much easier to manoeuvre, though the downside is that they feel a little heavier when being worn - probably because there's a hint of friction between the silicon cable and clothes. Comfy in the ear, there are five pairs of tips to choose from on this versatile choice that should last longer than most. 2. SoundMagic E10M - £45/US$60/AU$60
The SoundMagic E10Ms are all about isolation and one of the most balanced soundscapes available for this price. With plenty of detail within a rich, nuanced and powerfully bass-heavy sound, the E10Ms' tips create an excellent seal against outside noise, though the use of metallic drivers can make them feel cold when donned first thing in the morning. Elsewhere it's a relatively generous package, with no less than six choices of tips as well as a posh drawstring bag for storage. Add a useful splitter and an in-line remote that, again, works only for iPhones, and the SoundMagic E10Ms are among the best performing in-earphones at this low price. 3. Sennheiser MM 30i - £50/US$60/AU$70
It might have a shrunken 3.5mm connector and a super-slim cable, but the Sennheiser MM 30i produces a sound much bigger than we'd expected at this price. It's primarily low-frequency prowess that makes these a standout option for the money, though the in-line remote is another factor. It works well, though its volume toggle and call answering button only work with iPhones and iPads. Three pairs of tips are supplied in the box, and though even the middle-sized pair take the MM 30is deep into the ear, the flip-side is excellent noise isolation that works well on city streets. Easy to travel with, our only bugbear about these super Sennheisers is that they get tangled rather too easily. 4. Klipsch Image S5i Rugged - £63/US$150/AU$165
Use a pair of in-ears every day and they soon begin to show signs of wear. Which is why Klipsch came up with the S5i Rugged, a well built pair of in-ears that might sound a tad outdoorsy, but in reality behave very well on the daily commute. Firstly, they're rain-proof, while sound quality is excellent and well primed for both podcasts and music. However, the S5i Ruggeds are all about ease of use and comfort (there's a huge choice of tips to choose from), and even the in-line remote controls - for iPhone only - have been given some thought, with both volume and playback controls raised from a tactile base. The result is that they're easy to find and operate through touch alone, so changing your tune doesn't require awkward downward glances. Now officially discontinued, these are are an absolute steal online. 5. Etymotic Research HF5 - £110/US$150/AU$170
Low-end and high-end earbuds are myriad, but the Etymotic Research HF5s manage to hit the altogether less numerous mid-price-range spot with the highlight of these high quality in-ears being noise isolation. They lack hands-free and in-line controls, which might put some off, but these tiny in-ears offer up a big performance in recompense. The HF5s give a full and expansive sound, with bags of detail, accurate mid-range and cracking bass. Well-built with a metallic construction and with very comfortable tips that push the HF5s noise isolation skills, there's another bonus for travellers in the shape of a handy pouch. 6. Bowers & Wilkins C5 - £150/US$180/AU$230
They've been around for a few years now, but these flashy in-ears make an unusual - and impressive - choice. Although the sound quality is on a par with the Etymotic HF5s, the Bowers & Wilkins C5s are largely about style. The rear of the tiny drivers are spliced off diagonally, which creates an unusual look. Another unique feature is the way the C5s attach to ears, with a backwards bend of each cable slotting into the driver to create an ear loop. Easy enough to wear and tweak to fit, the C5s feel secure. Meanwhile, there are in-line controls for call answering and volume, though again they only work with an iPhone. 7. Westone 2 True Fit - £200/US$250/AU$260
Many a savvy international traveller can be seen wearing a pair of US-made Westones. Lightweight and primed for a shirt pocket, the sound quality is way above average, though the reason they're popular is an unusual skill at blocking out noise. OK, so they're not going to compete with battery-powered noise cancelling headphones from Bose, but they're at least 70% as effective - and at 15g (0.53oz) they're about a twentieth of the weight of bulky headband models that are the antithesis of easy travel. It's all about the fit. A plethora of different types of tips are provided - something we've not seen offered elsewhere - all of which achieve a snug fit comparable to earplugs. The hard-cased travel pouch complete with belt-loop is the icing that makes these Westone 2 True Fits our constant travel companion. 8. Denon AH-C400 - £200/US$300 (around AU$310)
Better known for its larger, home-centric and audiophile-grade headphones, Japanese audio brand Denon here makes an attempt at street wear. The AH-C400s are clever stuff, boasting a 'tangle-free' cable design that for once lives up to its name. The plastic-covered cable is sturdier than most and might even survive being run over by a chair (the most common means of earphone death in our house). That covering also means that when unfurled from a pocket they're easy to arrange. The earpieces themselves are rather large, though lightweight enough to stay in position. Effectively cutting out ambient noise, they offer sparkling detail and plenty of bass, too, though it's not overdone. The in-line remote is rather long, though slender, and buttons are raised just enough to locate with touch alone. Not surprisingly, those in-line controls only work with iPhones. 9. Atomic Floyd SuperDarts - £200 (around US$302/AU$312)
Solid stainless steel and a classy metallic-red design are what you see on the SuperDarts, but what's really attractive is how they sound. Lively and precise, the SuperDarts' dual drivers in each ear prove to be just as at home with complex rock as with simple acoustic music, and the choice of three silicone tips all effectively keep out noise. Classier than the Westone 4s, travellers will nevertheless find them a notch below in terms of noise isolation. Another successful tangle-free cable design in the bag, the SuperDarts also add an in-line remote that's easy to use for both volume adjustments and call answering. Also included is a flight adaptor, a 6.3mm adaptor and a travel pouch. Read our full Atomic Floyd SuperDarts review 10. Shure SE535 - £400/US$480/AU$450
Shure has come up with another cracker. Equipped with three drivers, its SE535s sound great even if they don't look it. Inside each chunky earpiece are a couple of woofers and a tweeter. Cue music imbued with deep, rich bass lines, awesome clarity and a butch mid-range that's all too rare on cheap earphones. There are caveats: they're certainly not cheap, and if you're looking for some iPod replacement earphones these probably aren't for you. They're bulky and can be a tad fiddly to put in your ears. However, it's only when you treat yourself to a pair of earbuds like this that you realise how good music can sound. These are brilliant, and if you can afford them they'll do your music justice in ways most earphones can only aspire to. Read our full Shure SE535 review     | | Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 and Tab 3 10.1 eyeing June release? May 29th 2013, 10:26 
It looks like the Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy S4 Mega aren't the only devices expected to for a reveal next month - with the rumoured Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and Galaxy Ace phone said to be joining the party. The information comes from Russian website Hi-Tech Mail (translated over at GSMArena) which claims that the Tab 3 10.1 will be available from June. Contrary to some previous reports, it'll land running Android Jelly Bean 4.2. The Tab 3 will apparently pack a 10.1-inch, 1280x800 resolution display, with a 1.6GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM doing the legwork, and 16GB or 32GB storage options, which is pretty much what we've previously heard. So many Samsungs… We've also previously been leaked the specs on the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3, which is pitching itself at the cheaper Android smartphone arena, and the new information matches details we've seen before. It will apparently sport a 4-inch display with a 800 x 480 resolution, with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera and 4GB of storage memory. According to the site, this will cost the equivalent of about £210 (about $315, AUS $330). Whether this means Europe will be getting either of these devices first is unclear, but we'll know all on June 20.     | | Cook: Just because Android is bigger, doesn't mean it's winning May 29th 2013, 09:41 
Apple CEO Tim Cook stills believes his Cupertino-based firm is on top in the smartphone and tablet war, even though Android commands a larger market share. Cook opened up about Apple's competition during AllThingsD's annual conference, and he still firmly believes that it's still the number one player in the technology market. "For us, winning has never been about building the most. "Arguably, we make the best PC, but we don't make the most. Same with the MP3 player. However, with the tablet, we make the best and most. With phones we make the best, but not the most." Those are some pretty bold claims and the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z and Nokia Lumia 920 probably won't agree that the iPhone 5 is the best smartphone on the market. iPad has "changed the game"According to Cook, iPad users are far more engaged when it comes to tablet usage compared to Android based rivals. "We look at usage: what customers are doing. A study said there were twice as many e-commerce transactions on iPad than on all Android devices combined during Black Friday last year. "What the numbers suggest over and over again are that people are using our products more. "My own iPad personal use is a significant percentage of my computing work. It has changed the game. I don't hear that from Android tablet users." People love us!But don't just take Cook's word for it, apparently Apple products are the most loved among consumers too. "Customer satisfaction is sort of the report card no matter the business: iPad and iPhone have the highest customer satisfaction in tablets and phones. "We want customers of all ages… we try to appeal to everyone." Although once again, those are actually Cook's words, and he's probably got reason to be a little bit biased towards his own company - and he needs to do some defending as critics claim the firm is starting to go in the opposite direction in its post-Jobs era.     | | Vodafone class action has more than 10,000 signatures May 29th 2013, 05:05 
The LCM Litigation Fund has today indicated that more than 10,000 disgruntled Vodafone customers have signed up to the class action lawsuit against the telco following the infamous "Vodafail" period of 2010. Managing Director of LCM, Patrick Coope, told ComputerWorld that he wasn't unhappy with the numbers: "It's in the tens [of thousands] … not in the hundreds," he said. While LCM took control of the lawsuit after law firm Piper Alerman failed to secure funding for the lawsuit, the original announcement of the class action case claimed that 23,000 people had shown interest in taking Vodafone to court for its poor network performance back in 2010 and 2011. While exact numbers are yet to be disclosed, Coope admitted that there were enough people involved to make the company confident they would win when it goes to court. ACCAN warns of a 'Lawyer's Picnic'While the idea of reparations for woeful coverage will entice many ex-Vodafone customers, ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin warns that joining the lawsuit offers no guarantees of a return. "This class action will take a long time to play out and consumers are not guaranteed any compensation. Our fear is that the action could turn into a lawyer's picnic; consumers are likely to be better served by Vodafone investing the money into its network as opposed to fighting this class action," Ms Corbin said. Vodafone has spent a lot of money investing in its infrastructure since 2010/11, including the impending roll out of its 4G network. Despite this, they are still losing customers, with over 100,000 dropping off the books in the quarter ending March 31. Via: ComputerWorld     | | Rumour: HTC to beat Apple to Liquidmetal smartphone later this year May 29th 2013, 00:50 
Are Liquidmetal bodies the next big thing in smartphone design? A rumour on Tuesday suggested HTC is looking for a leap on the competition and may launch a smartphone with the tech as soon as this year. A report from the sometimes hit-and-miss Digitimes website claimed HTC has teamed up with Taiwanese compatriot and chassis-maker Jabon International to produce the super-strong alloy. The report claimed HTC could unleash the first Liquidmetal phone, which would likely be stronger and more scratch-proof than current models at somepoint during the second half of the year. If the rumour, which is to be taken with a pinch, nay, a grain of salt, comes to fruition, HTC would join Apple in the Liquidmetal game. HTC vs iPhone?Naturally, Apple is also exploring the tech, potentially for new iPhone models. In June last year, the company extended its exclusive deal with US-based Liquidmetal Intellectual by another two years.     | | iPhone 5S screen rumored to double pixel count at 1.5 million pixels May 28th 2013, 21:33 
It remains unclear as to whether the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 will be the name of Apple's next iPhone, but rumors suggest its screen will be extremely clear with double the pixel count. That means the iPhone 5S display could reach a total of 1.5 million pixels, according to the Chinese-language Wei Feng Network. This would be a vast improvement over the 727,040 pixels found in the current iPhone 5 Retina display, which stands at 640 x 1,136 resolution and 326 pixels per inch. It would also keep Apple from trailing competitors like Samsung, which recently launched its Galaxy S4 smartphone containing a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 441 ppi. Similarly, the HTC One features a 1920 x 1080 display at 468 ppi, heightening the iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S4 vs HTC One debate. iPad mini-like bezelThe iPhone 5S is also said to be taking some design tips from the iPad mini by adopting a much narrower bezel around the screen like its tablet counterpart. It's not the only Apple product taking cues from the iPad mini. The full-sized iPad 5 is rumored to feature a thinner bezel and be 33 percent lighter than the iPad 4. While the all-important iPhone 5S release date and price haven't been confirmed, previous reports suggest that Apple's 2013 iPhone will enter mass production in June and launch in September. The iPhone 5S launch should be accompanied by the company's next mobile operating system, the iOS 7, and what's expected to be a flat, skeuomorphic-free design.     | | iPhone 5S screen rumoured to double pixel count at 1.5 million pixels May 28th 2013, 21:33
It remains unclear as to whether the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 will be the name of Apple's next iPhone, but rumours suggest its screen will be extremely clear with double the pixel count. That means the iPhone 5S display could reach a total of 1.5 million pixels, according to the Chinese-language Wei Feng Network. This would be a vast improvement over the 727,040 pixels found in the current iPhone 5 Retina display, which stands at 640 x 1,136 resolution and 326 pixels per inch. It would also keep Apple from trailing competitors like Samsung, which recently launched its Galaxy S4 smartphone containing a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 441 ppi. Similarly, the HTC One features a 1920 x 1080 display at 468 ppi, heightening the iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S4 vs HTC One debate. iPad mini-like bezelThe iPhone 5S is also said to be taking some design tips from the iPad mini by adopting a much narrower bezel around the screen like its tablet counterpart. It's not the only Apple product taking cues from the iPad mini. The full-sized iPad 5 is rumoured to feature a thinner bezel and be 33 percent lighter than the iPad 4. While the all-important iPhone 5S release date and price haven't been confirmed, previous reports suggest that the Apple's 2013 iPhone will enter mass production in June and launch in September. The iPhone 5S launch should be accompanied by the company's next mobile operating system, the iOS 7, and what's expected to be a flat, skeuomorphic-free design.   | | iPhones may soon be able to adjust volume based on proximity to your ear May 28th 2013, 21:20 
While the battle for which company has the better smartphone often devolves into a mere spec war, sometimes it's the simplest features that can help a phone stand out from the competition. Even though Apple may be outgunned by other manufacturers like HTC and Samsung when it comes to screens, cameras, or raw power, the Cupertino company has arguably always had a leg up on the ease of use over its competitors. Now, Apple is potentially readying a new feature which could make using the iPhone 5S easier and intuitive for its users. With its latest patent, Apple has created a way for the iPhone to automatically adjust its volume based on the device's proximity to a user's ear. Hear, hearAccording to Apple Insider, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple the patent for "Adjustment of acoustic properties based on proximity detection." Using a variety of sensors in the phone, the software would adjust the volume on the call accordingly based on which of the sensors was covered up or exposed. As long as a distance could be calculated by the device, both the receiver and speaker volume could be configured with no input from the user. Additionally, the patent works while the phone is already in use, and could switch the phone from the receiver to the speaker should a person set the phone down during a conversation. Though the patent doesn't explicitly state when or where Apple might use such a feature, the hardware already exists, so it's entirely possible such an update could come to older iPhones as well as future devices. Curiously, the patent's approval comes just a short time after the U.S. International Trade Commision (ITC) threw out a sensor-related patent complaint levied by Motorola against Apple. Now that Apple appears to be free and clear, we could see this patent put to use sooner rather than later. So which one will we see first the iPhone 5S or the iPhone 6? Read our coverage of all the latest news and rumors to see which one Cupertino will release.     | | LG exec reveals new Android tablet plans, Optimus G2 global rollout May 28th 2013, 17:05 
LG isn't about to take Samsung's current domination of Android lying down. In fact, the maker of the Optimus G Pro is laying out plans for new tablets and a synchronized worldwide rollout for the Optimus G2. PhoneArena reported Tuesday that new details have been revealed for LG's product lineup, which includes plans for a return to Android tablets by year's end. In an interview with Dutch website AllAboutPhone, LG Mobile Vice-President for Europe Wong Kim followed up news of a white Nexus 4 and its forthcoming tablet ambitions by announcing the company plans to roll out its next flagship handset everywhere at once. Rumored to be powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor, the LG Optimus G2 is expected to skip the staggered rollout of its predecessor, the Optimus G, which wound up being released months apart in many regions. Too soon for flexibleKim also revealed LG plans to introduce a phone powered by something other than Android this year - presumably Firefox OS, since Mozilla lists the Korean manufacturer as one of its partners. Unfortunately, 2013 isn't shaping up to be the year for bendable smartphones, such as the flexible five-inch Full HD OLED display the company showed off last week. Kim claims "the technology for this is not yet mature enough," while the L9 chipset which powers existing LG televisions also appears to be off the table for mobile devices for now. That may leave LG treading water for most of the year, but its European VP teased that the best is yet to come thanks to a bigger marketing push and new devices arriving before the calendar rolls over to 2014. - LG's Nexus 4 made our roundup of the best AT&T phones. Check out other smartphones that are on the list.
    | | T6 said to be HTC's fabled phablet May 28th 2013, 15:21 
HTC hasn't had a big stake in the large-screen market, but that might all be about to change with more leaky information suggesting that the company is about to unleash a new phablet handset. The infamous evleaks tipped off Twitter that the upcoming phablet "goes by codename T6", which was then backed up by a Linux string discovered by HTCSoku, listing a certain T6 device. If this code is to be believed, the new device will come in various forms. This includes Cassiopeia, Columba, Delphinus, Crater and Eridanus. Extra points for noticing these are constellations. T6: Rise of the OneThe T6 also had a couple of variations for different carrier networks, covering GSM, CDMA and LTE options which suggests a wide release on a variety of markets is in store. Previous rumours have suggested that a large version of the HTC One is on its way, with a screen between five and six inches. It seems that this new phablet could be that very device. As for when we might see the HTC One tablet surface from the depths of the rumour netherworld, your guess is as good as ours right now.     | | Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may pack optical image stabilisation May 28th 2013, 14:03 
Despite Samsung's obvious attempts to keep everything under wraps, it's no secret that the Galaxy Note 3 is very much on its way, and now some sources have let slip a few more details – including a few camera enhancements we can allegedly expect. The third generation Note will pack a 13-megapixel camera with an anti-shake feature, according to the "industry insiders" cited by ETNews. The elusive inside agents also claimed that Samsung is working to bring optical image stabilisation tech to the next phablet, putting it up against traditional cameras. Samsung is also said to be considering a 3x zoom optical zoom for the device, but has concerns that including one would add considerable bulk to the phone. Note this downInterestingly, this might be the first time Samsung has acknowledged the device's existence. An official from Samsung Electronics allegedly told ETNews said, "we are pondering various technologies at this stage - for example, OIS and shutter functions," but added that nothing could be confirmed. The inside source, meanwhile, said that no final decisions regarding the camera had been made, but we'd expect that something will be firmed soon. After all, we're expecting a reveal at IFA 2013 - and that's just four months away. We've contacted Samsung for further comment and will update if we hear more.     | |
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