| Updated: Apple offers trade-in program for phony USB power adapters in wake of death Aug 6th 2013, 08:46, by Matt Swider 
Apple announced that it is launching a trade-in program for counterfeit and third-party USB power adapters after a Chinese woman was allegedly killed by an electric shock answering a call on her iPhone 5. "Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues," wrote Apple in an official statement on its website today. "We are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters." Apple noted that not every third-party adapter out there is designed improperly, but that it would include them all in the trade-in program that includes iPhone, iPad and iPod power adapters. Bring moneyYou can put a price of this this potentially life-saving exchange apparently, as Apple is charging a fee for its trade-in program, as opposed to its pro bono replacement of iPhone 3G adapters five years ago. "For a limited time, you can purchase one Apple USB power adapter at a special price — $10 or approximate equivalent in local currency," said the company. That is about £6.50 in the U.K. and AU$11.20 in Australia. "To qualify, you must turn in at least one USB power adapter and bring your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to an Apple Retail Store or participating Apple Authorized Service Provider for serial number validation." Apple caresThe trade-in also requires you to travel to a physical store, but do not expect the workers there to tell you whether or not your charger is safe. "Due to the complexity of testing required to detect an unsafe or counterfeit adapter, Apple Retail and Apple Authorized Service Providers cannot advise you on the authenticity or safety of your adapter." The good news is that all chargers fall under this trade-in program, counterfeit or not. "Customer safety is a top priority at Apple," the company noted in its official statement. "That's why all of our products — including USB power adapters for iPhone, iPad, and iPod — undergo rigorous testing for safety and reliability and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world." Apple is also looking to offer an iPhone trade-in program, this time for profit The power adapter trade-in program kicks off in the US on August 16 and will come to the UK later this month.     |  | Possible iPad 5, iPhone 5C casings flipped and gripped in new videos Aug 6th 2013, 00:28, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
The unveiling of the next iDevices can't come quick enough in our estimation, especially with all the leaks we're seeing lately. Just Monday morning we brought you pics supposedly showing the housings for the iPad 5 and the iPad mini 2. Now, two videos from Mac Otakara purport to show the iPad 5 and the cheap iPhone (newly dubbed the iPhone 5C). The first video may very well show the casing for the iPad 5, though please take those words with a grain or two of salt. Unlike new iPad images picked up by FantasticFone, the silver back here has a transparent or translucent logo. There's a screen on this case too, but there's not much to gather about that particular piece. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fhwkz6H9MUI C youThe second vid may show the budget iPhone. The back cover is clearly plastic, and the device shown looks to be about the same size as the iPhone 5. We also get a look at the front of the device, and while it's not earth-shatteringly revealing, we get an idea of what the iPhone 5C would look like with a dual color scheme - white rear casing and black front bezel. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvrE5zZUoLk    | | BlackBerry Z30, aka A10, reportedly appears in leaked photos and videos Aug 5th 2013, 21:34, by Chris Smith 
It was a busy few days for the forthcoming BlackBerry phone formerly known as A10, Aristo and A-Series: It seemingly has an official name and it popped-up in tutorial videos and retail shots. CrackBerry, the de facto bible for remaining BB worshippers, reckons the device will arrive later this year under the monicker Z30, following on from the touchscreen BlackBerry Z10 handset launched in January. The site also obtained what appears to be a series of tutorial videos for the next flagship BlackBerry handset, which explain some basic UI features and, rather boringly, how to insert the SIM card. And finally, to complete the proceedings, the Z30 appeared in retail demo images as part of a purported leaked build of the BlackBerry 10. Playing for third?The BlackBerry Z30, if that turns out to be the real name, is expected to join the 5-inch club as the largest BlackBerry handset on record. Alongside the 720p screen, recent leaks have suggested a 1.7GHz dual-core processor could be on board, as well as a quad-core GPU to potentially enhance gaming experiences on the device. Will all this, plus a tweaked version of the BB10 OS be enough to help BlackBerry mount its now-or-never challenge to iOS and Android? Or even reel in Windows Phone 8 in the battle for the final spot on the podium? YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DdVBkIr9IMYouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWDeFYfbjkgYouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j-WpNrS3ys    | | Updated: HTC enlists helicopter, probably Iron Man in likely HTC One Max tease Aug 5th 2013, 20:56, by Luke Brown 
HTC has made some in-roads into becoming a bigger part of the Android picture with the HTC One, but as we've been hearing for months, its plans don't end there. In addition to the HTC One Mini and the HTC One Google edition, the Taiwanese company has been rumored to be developing a large-scale version of its flagship to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. While there have been numerous reports and leaks about the HTC One Max, there's been nary an official word from the manufacturer about its prospective phablet. However, instead of playing coy and denying rumors every step of the way, HTC added fuel to the fire with a short video posted today, which alludes to "big" things being on the horizon. Here's to changeThe brief teaser, posted to HTC's official Vine and Instagram, features a helicopter flyover of a coastal city, where a mysterious man in glasses carrying a briefcase exits a helipad, and high-fives another mystery man in a suit. The man strikes a very Robert Downey Jr. stride, however when we asked HTC for official word on whether we're indeed seeing Iron Man in his first HTC spot, the company told us it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation. 
HTC cross-posted the video to its Twitter, with the line, "Big things ahead," which goes well in hand with the video's actual tag line, "Here's to change." The HTC One Max's screen is expected to cut a 5.9-inch figure. You may remember that before the HTC One Mini was announced, the company came out with a clever infographic highlighting little things that "pack a big punch." HTC certainly seems to be perfecting the art of the wink-wink tease. We have more than an inkling Samsung will show off the Galaxy Note 3 at IFA 2013 in September, but HTC's tease gives us hope we won't have to wait much longer to learn the truth about the HTC One Max either. Update: HTC posted a YouTube clip showing some slightly different footage than the Vine short. Here, we get a prolonged look at a fellow who could easily be Tony Stark's back double...if it isn't him already: YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVm0DC4A47w    | | LG G2 will rock nano-SIM, according to leaked manual Aug 5th 2013, 20:47, by Michael Rougeau 
A leak today showed that the LG G2, the Korean company's next flagship phone, will use next-gen nano-SIM technology. This tidbit materialized in the form of an allegedly leaked product manual on the French site NoWhereElse.fr. The manual also seems to reveal that the G2 won't have a fingerprint scanner, which was previously speculated. But back to what it will include: It looks like the G2 will sport a microSD slot and a removable 2610mAh battery. LG G2 specsThe G2 is LG's next flagship phone, and although the firm dropped the "Optimus" from the name, it's still very much the follow-up to the Optimus G. Other rumored specs for the G2 include a 5.2-inch 1080p display, rear-mounted volume controls, and a Snapdragon 800 processor. With the smaller nano-SIM tech that was spearheaded by Apple last year LG might be able to keep that form factor thin, as well. If it does rock nano-SIM, it will follow in the footsteps of the iPhone 5 and Asus Padfone Infinity. The good news? We only have to wait until Wednesday to find out just what the G2 has in store. - LG, Samsung, Motorola...everyone has a new device in the works it seems. What about HTC?
    | | BlackBerry Messenger blasting off to Samsung's Galaxy...well, part of it Aug 5th 2013, 19:29, by Michael Rougeau 
Samsung is bringing BBM, the BlackBerry Messaging app, to Galaxy phones, or so says a curious press release. BBM for Android recently entered into beta internally at BlackBerry, and it seems users of the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and other Galaxy smartphones will soon get their hands on it as well. That is, if they live in Africa, the only region so far confirmed to be getting the app. The press release, picked up by N4BB provides just a measly "soon" in terms of release date for the free app in the Google Play and Samsung App stores, though a BlackBerry exec previously hinted that it will arrive by the end of September. Welcome to the GalaxyBBM is BlackBerry's proprietary messaging service, previously only available for communication between BlackBerry users. With BlackBerry 10 it also gained the ability to make video calls. BBM for Android coming to Samsung's popular Galaxy phones is great news for BB10 adopters who are sick of counting texts when communicating outside their little bubble. That said, it would be nice if the app arrived outside of Africa, too. TechRadar asked Samsung whether the Korean company can share its plans to that end, and we'll update if we hear back. This reminds us - wasn't there supposed to be a BBM for iOS app?     | | Following tech spec moans, CEO says Moto X has it where it counts Aug 5th 2013, 19:04, by Chris Smith 
Motorola has brushed aside concerns over the new Moto X phone's 'style over substance' hardware choices, claiming the device can still hold its own against the top smartphones anywhere on the planet. The fashion-conscious, customisable handset was revealed last week, with some decidedly mid-range specs, but a price tag to rival premium handsets like the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4. However, according to Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside, the quality of the "total user experience" enables the Moto X to match up to its market rivals. "We made some different choices from our competitors," he told AllThingsD regarding the presence of a dual-core, rather than quad-core, processor, and a 720p rather than full HD screen. "Where we chose to optimise, we are getting what we want out of the device," he said. Eyes of the hawkWoodside questioned the merits of having a full HD, 1080p screen on a smartphone, claiming "Beyond 720p - unless you have the vision of a hawk - you aren't going to notice much of a difference." He also told the site the presence of a 4.7-inch screen rather than a 5-inch offering on handsets like the Galaxy S4 was chosen for user comfort. The launch of the Moto X has certainly opened a discussion about the merits of the spec-race in the smartphone world. Are smartphone users being duped into thinking they need octo-core processors and 3GB RAM when current tech is adequate for use in smartphones? Or, when forking out hundreds on new smartphones should they have more say over the look and feel of the device, rather than being restricted to identikit handsets?     | | South Korean government wades into Apple vs Samsung waters Aug 5th 2013, 18:43, by Michelle Fitzsimmons 
It's been a rough few days for Samsung. First, the Obama administration vetoed an earlier decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to ban certain Apple products from U.S. import. And today, Samsung's company value was cut by more than $1 billion (about £651m, AU$1.12b) in light of the veto. At least Sammy has one supporter in its corner, a powerful one to boot. "We express concerns about the negative impact that such a decision would have on the protection of patent rights," the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy said in a statement about the veto, as reported by ZDNet. Expressing concern sounds about as effective as "I'm thinking about watering the lawn," but remember we're dealing with foreign governments here. The U.S. and South Korea are close politically and economically, so for the Korean government to note it's watching the situation closely and doesn't like what it sees is a pretty big deal. I've got my eyes on youSamsung won an import ban on the AT&T versions of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3 and iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G in June. The Obama administration, stepping in for the first time on an ITC decision since 1987, cited "undue leverage" concerns as a reason for disapproving the Apple ban. The South Korean Ministry will keep its attention turned on the U.S. this week as Samsung faces a similar ban for several Galaxy products, including the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, according to the Wall Street Journal. "We hope to see a fair and reasonable decision on the matter," the agency's statement read. A decision on those products is anticipated Friday. Should an import order come down, Samsung is expected to push for a veto similar to the one granted Apple.     | | Samsung Galaxy Note 3 pretty much confirmed for September 4 Aug 5th 2013, 16:22, by Hugh Langley 
Samsung has just fired out its IFA 2013 invitations, and they all-but-confirm that we'll be getting the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on that very date. Yes, Samsung doesn't feel the need to be subtle about this. Any why should it? It seems we know just about everything to do with the phablet handset after months of leaks upon leaks. The invitation tells us to "Note the date". Now, you might not have noticed, but there's some spectacular wordplay going on here. Samsung has taken the word "note" and dropped it in to cleverly hint at the Galaxy Note, which it's expected to be unveiling. Really, it's quite brilliant. Read between the scribblesThere are, however, some less on-the-nose clues in here, such as the scribbled style that hints at some doodling functions. The black and white colour scheme might also suggest that the Note 3 might be arriving in these two colours. As for the date itself, September 4 is the one we've been hearing for a while now, so there are no real shocks here. Going by the rumours and leaks so far, we're expecting the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to arrive with a 5.7-inch display with an eight-core Exynos 5 processor and 3GB of RAM. The question now is: will the HTC One Max be arriving at the same time to rain on Samsung's parade?     | |
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