| Explained: 10 things you didn't know about the Moto X Sep 10th 2013, 13:41, by John Brandon 
In the world of mobile computing, there are few surprises. One more Android phone or iOS accessory to fit into your messenger bag, with an iterative improvement in processor speed, local storage and carrier speed. Is there anything new to discover? Say hello to the Moto X. The Google-Motorola smartphone is packed with ideas - it has more even than the novelty-hungry Samsung Galaxy S4. Here are 10 surprises from the Moto X. 1. It can help you sleepThe Moto X uses a feature called Motorola Assist to tell when you are sleeping. You set the alarm by speaking to the phone. You can also program specific time periods for sleep, such as 11PM-6AM, when your phone won't disturb you by ringing. You can also configure exceptions so important calls get through. 2. It wakes up when you want it
You might already know you can speak to your phone at will, using the phrase "OK, Google Now." And the phone will respond only to your specific voice. But did you know this works when the phone is sitting on a table with the screen completely dim? You can speak to the Moto X wake it up. Speech recognition also works in the car and can be used to ask questions, set reminders, and check for and send text messages. 3. It's the perfect fit for your handMotorola says it measured hundreds of hands to arrive at the exact 65.3mm width and the curved edges. In our tests, this proved wholly accurate - the phone does seem to fit more snugly than the bigger S4 and the smaller iPhone 5. With the better fit, you might not drop the phone quite as often. And the materials are feel more solid and durable than the S4. 4. It looks after your scheduleWhen you speak to your phone, try a reminder. The Moto X understands context-specific phrases like "set an alarm for 30 minutes from now." Granted, this is a feature available to most Android phones with Google Now, but it seems especially well executed with the Moto X. We tried setting reminders from across the room, and even at that distance the Moto X understood our command. 5. It keeps you safe on the roadMotorola Assist also senses when you are driving in the car and can automatically respond to text messages for you with a default message. The phone will read incoming text messages automatically and announce callers so you don't have to look down at the phone. You can also speak to the phone when the screen is dim and even do Google searches. 6. It shows you the notifications you needThe Moto X is smart enough to understand how we typically use phones. There are times when we want to linger over browsing and correspondence, and other times when we just want to know if we have a text message, new voicemail or email. There are icons for all of these inputs on the screen, or you can simply swipe up to see the list of notifications without actually unlocking the screen. 7. It keeps you connected on desktop too
Text messages and calls can show up as alerts in the Google Chrome browser on your desktop, if you've installed the Motorola Connect extension. One bonus: you can also send a text message from the same extension. 8. It's a smarter snapperThe camera on the Moto X senses low light conditions and uses the flash automatically. The camera is also easy to access: you just flick twice with your wrist. The results look better, since the camera snaps about twice as fast as other smartphones, and it's also better at capturing available light than the S4. 9. You can make it your ownMotorola offers a unique maker service in the US for AT&T users. You can choose the phone back colour, accent colours, the message that appears on the phone, and even configure your Google account ahead of time so the phone is ready to go when you receive it. 10. It helps you look after your stuffYou get 50GB of Google storage free with the phone. To redeem the storage, just start up the Google Drive app and select Redeem. As an extra perk on the phone, the Wi-Fi supports the 802.11ac standard so you can move those larger files at 1.3Gbps. (To use the faster transfer speed, you'll need a router that supports the 802.11ac standard.)   |  | Video: What will the iPhone 5S fingerprint scanner look like? Sep 10th 2013, 13:24, by Owen Hughes 
Although we're not expecting the iPhone 5S to rewrite rules on smartphones, one of the more interesting rumours floating about is that we could be seeing some form of fingerprint scanning capability. Apple is reported to have been tinkering with biometrics for a while now, having bought up security firm AuthenTec and patented a fingerprint sensor that could be fitted in a phone. We'll have to wait until tonight to find out if there's any truth to these reports, but in the meantime we've put together a 3D render of how Apple could put the tech to use in the new iPhone. Check it out in the video below, then tell us what you think in the comments. FutTv : S0u9AK5V8abof  | | iPhone 5S home button to double as fingerprint scanner Sep 10th 2013, 11:18, by Kate Solomon 
The iPhone 5S home button doesn't look like it's going anywhere as the latest leak tips it to work both as your multi-tasking launcher and fingerprint scanner. That's the word from Nowhereelse.fr, at least, which has what is supposedly some marketing materials from Apple that describe the button as "Home button/Touch ID sensor". We've heard tell of the new iPhone coming with fingerprint reading tech for some time now with speculation fuelled by the news that Apple bought fingerprint scanning specialist Authentec in 2012. 
We've also heard about the mysterious deletion of the square icon from the home button, and this new silver ring around the key as well. Rumour WillisThen again, we've heard a lot of things about the iPhone 5S - that it'll come in a 'champagne'-coloured finish, that it'll be bigger than the iPhone 5, that it will be smaller than the iPhone 5, that it'll be made out of unicorn horn... We might've made one of those up. Anyway, not long to wait until we find out exactly what is what with the iPhone 5S as Apple's event kicks off later today (Tuesday) at 6pm BST / 10am PT.        | | Apple's iPhone launch event: what to expect Sep 10th 2013, 08:00, by Kate Solomon 
In a matter of hours, Apple CEO Tim Cook will take to the stage and months of rumour, speculation and basically just having a stab in the dark will come to a head: the iPhone 5S will be official. But that's not all! We're expecting a host of announcements from Cupertino later today, and we'll be covering them all in real time both here on the site and over on Twitter. Join us from 10 am PT / 6 pm BST / 7 pm Berlin time / 4 am Wed AEST for all the Apple-flavoured fun. iPhone 5SThe big daddy. The new iPhone. Or the only-slightly-different-to-the-old-iPhone if the details we've seen in the most recent rumours turn out to be true. Expect a souped-up camera, a better processor and iOS 7 on board. FutTv : IBZEcqW7f26N5iPhone 5CWith a simultaneous official event taking place in Beijing and the spotty dotty rainbow of an invite to boot, we won't be at all surprised if Tim Cook's first "One More Thing" moment turns out to be a cheap iPhone. We've seen cases, components and pics galore - but we're still not really sure what the thing will be called. So that's exciting. - Here's where you need to point your browser for all the iPhone 5C news as it breaks
FutTv : OBcX6imgIZBCDAn iOS 7 release dateThe iOS 7 software went out to developers in beta form back in June - if Apple doesn't announce an imminent release of the OS to iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches today, we'll eat our collective hat. - All things iOS 7 will be covered off here
FutTv : Vnte4NX6p8k1XAn iTunes Radio release dateWe don't expect any countries other than the US to get an iTunes Radio release date today, but the North Americans among us should find out when the Apple-flavoured music streaming service will be hitting your devices. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcY-e8jxDpMAn OS X Mavericks release dateThe new version of OS X was announced back at WWDC 2013 and has been in developer preview ever since. Will Apple today tell us when we'll see the OS X Mavericks software hit Macs the world over? Here's hoping. Anything to get us out of Mavericks and into something with a better name is all right by us. A wildcard One More Thing?What if the One More Thing isn't an iPhone 5C? This time last year, Apple knocked us all for six when it announced the iPad 4 alongside the iPad mini. Perhaps we're in for something a little more surprising this year - an iWatch? An iTV? The new Mac Pro? One thing's for sure: with Apple, you can never be sure of anything.        | | In Depth: How much will my new iPhone change in a year? Sep 10th 2013, 08:00, by Chris Smith 
The secrets behind iOS updatesToday's smartphone owners are a different beast to those that shelled out for a mobile phone a decade ago. We now expect regular updates to make our phones better, faster and less buggy, and we want the updates now - and there's none more expectant than the iPhone user. However, it's not just those who'll be in line (or online) to buy the iPhone 5S who stand to benefit when the all-new iOS launches this month,; it's also an exciting time for existing handset owners who'll have some new software to play with. When new users take the wrappers off the iPhone 5S, it'll also see Apple feed down iOS 7 to all of the devices it still deems compatible, right down to the three-year-old iPhone 4. What's old will become new again for iPhone owners this month. Indeed, despite Apple's desire to have everyone upgrade to the latest device in its range, it has played a fair hand in ensuring legacy device owners can have access to as many of the new features as possible. However, once iOS 7 drops there'll also be plenty of in-version updates coming throughout the next year, bringing refinements and improvements and perhaps, (whisper it) some bug fixes, before iOS 8 comes along in 2014. So how many times will would-be owners of the new iPhone be gifted updates? Will the iOS 7 we see drop later this month be the only new features iPhone users can expect for the next 12 months, or can we expect a slew of updates to boost iOS 7 as the year goes on? iPhone OS – The legend beginsNumber of updates: 5 iOS didn't start life as iOS, as that moniker only arrived with iOS 4 in 2010. For the first few versions, Apple simply referred to it as the iPhone OS, a mobile version of Mac OS X, the company's desktop software and the first to boast a touchscreen interface. With a mobile version of Safari, Mail, YouTube, Google Maps, iTunes and more, it was billed as the entire web on one device. Apple didn't rest on its laurels for a year though, as it tweaked the software throughout the next 12 months. iPhone OS 1.0.2 brought bug fixes and improved speaker volume, but iPhone OS 1.1.1 was the first major bump. It brought access to the iTunes music store, allowing users to buy music over Wi-Fi, a change that would further mobilise the digital music revolution. It also brought compatibility for a video out connection, while double clicking the Home button allowed users to access shortcuts. iPhone 1.1.2 brought international keyboard support and little else, but the next major update, which arrived in January of 08 was a real big hitter. iPhone OS 1.1.3 brought a much-improved Google Maps app, which triangulated the user's current position using Wi-Fi towers, and also debuted a new interface. 
This update also focused on improving the iPhone's Home screen, allowing icon position to be customised and web pages to be saved to the home screen. Apple called them "Web Clips." Group SMS was also a welcome addition. iTunes Movie Rentals also arrived with this update, but at this stage they weren't available for on-device purchases. "iPhone doesn't stand still - we're making it better and better all the time," said Steve Jobs, Apple's then CEO in the company's press release. "We've delighted millions of users with this revolutionary and magical product and it's great to share these improvements with them." Two more versions (1.1.4 and 1.1.5) brought more minor updates before iPhone OS 2.0 arrived in June 2008, but thanks to these updates the iPhone was a far superior device at the end of its first year than it was at the beginning. iPhone OS 2.0 – Birth of an app nationNumber of updates: 5 When the iPhone 3G arrived the numerous hardware updates were partly overshadowed by the improvements to the iPhone's software. The app-dominated mobile ecosystem we see today began in earnest with the launch of the App Store and the arrival of third-party apps within iPhone OS 2.0. That version also added Microsoft Exchange support, opening the device up to business users and introduced MobileMe, the platform that would eventually become iCloud. Owners of the original iPhone also were also able to upgrade to the new software, a trend which has continued where possible until this very day. In terms of updates, well iPhone OS 2.0 had plenty… mainly because plenty of fixes were required. iPhone OS 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 brought bug fixes, before the first major update iOS 2.1 delivered answers to complaints about battery life, speed and dropped calls. It also sought to improve third-party app download speeds, brought faster iTunes backups and faster contact loading. In terms of features, it added the Genius playlists the company introduced at an iPod event in September 2008. iPhone OS 2.2 was a little more rich in new features bringing Google Street View to the iPhone for the first time, as well as driving directions, walking directions and public transport. 
Google Maps would also show display the address of dropped pins and enable locations to be shared. Podcasts were also available to download for the first time, while Apple continued to work on eliminating dropped calls. In January of 2009 Apple made a few more fixes with iPhone OS 2.2.1. By the end of that cycle, the second version of iPhone OS had become much more stable, but hadn't grown significantly in terms of new features. However, the arrival of third-party apps meant that didn't really matter as much, with users exposed to a new world of other options. iPhone OS 3 – Filling in the gapsNumber of updates 4 The launch of the iPhone 3GS in the summer of 2009 saw Apple bring iPhone OS 3 in to play. It ushered in a large array of new features that improved life for iPhone owners without revolutionising it. MMS finally arrived, as did push notifications for third-party apps, the system-wide Spotlight search tool, voice control (a pre-cursor to Siri) and the option to cut, copy and paste text into other apps. In-app purchases also debuted for paid apps, while Bluetooth stereo support enabled new wireless audio options. As well as debuting on the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G owners also got in on this action. In terms of updates, well, they became less plentiful as Apple settled into its yearly update cycle and started saving new features for later versions. iOS 3.1 allowed users to buy ringtones from the iTunes Store, while the Genius feature was extended to apps. Some bugs relating to lost network connectivity and waking the device from sleep were resolved in iOS 3.1.2, while iOS 3.1.3 brought no new features beyond stability. iOS 3.2 arrived in April 2010 to coincide with the first-gen iPad release, but brought no new features for iPhone users. They'd have to wait until iOS 4 for the iBooks Store. The move to iOSiOS 4 – The real iOS stands upNumber of updates: 9 When Apple launched the iPhone 4, it also introduced iOS 4, dropping the iPhone OS moniker as the mobile software continued to grow in stature and influence Apple's desktop strategy, as well as proving it wasn't just for the mobile phone.. The headline new feature was the long-demanded multi-tasking option, enabling iPhone users to easily jump between apps by double-clicking the Home button. It also added the ability to group like-minded apps into folders. FaceTime video chats arrived as well as the long-desired threaded email app and the aforementioned iBooks app, previously an iPad exclusive. iOS 4 supported the iPhone 4 iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G (minus some of the new features) but it signalled the end of the road for the original iPhone. However, iOS 4 got off to an inauspicious start thanks to the antenna-gate scandal of July 2010. iPhone 4 users reported huge signal drop-off as they gripped the device in proximity to the repositioned antennae on the side of the device. Apple blamed iOS 4's signal reporting rather than the hardware and Steve Jobs famously told users to "just hold it differently" Apple said the bars on display were not correctly reflecting the actual signal strength and launched iOS 4.0.1 to "normalise" it. When it came time to update the software following the iPod event in September 2010, Apple introduced iOS 4.1 added High Dynamic Range photos and introduced the new Game Center online multiplayer gaming tool, as handheld gaming on the device really started to come into its own. TV show rentals were also introduced, while Apple's ill-fated attempt to launch a music-themed social network with Ping also made its arrival. 
When the second-gen iPad arrived, Apple introduced iOS 4.2 which brought AirPlay and AirPrint support to the iPhone. The next minor updates, iOS 4.2.1 brought bug fixes, while iOS 4.2.5 saw the long-awaited arrival of the iPhone on the Verizon network in the United States, but no improvements for other countries. iOS 4.3, however, introduced AirPlay support for third-party apps, allowing the likes of YouTube to be beamed to an Apple TV. iTunes Home Sharing also arrived for sharing music, video and more across your home Wi-Fi network, while Personal Hotspots were now possible on GSM-based devices too. iOS 4.3.3, 4.4.3 and 4.3.5 fixed bugs and security holes. For the second year running, the addition of a new iPod touch and the iPad 2 into the yearly product update cycle brought iPhone users new features as the year progressed. Game Center and especially AirPlay have proved popular features since. iOS 5 – New features galore, but fewer updatesNumber of updates: 3 Along with the launch of the iPhone 4S in the autumn of 2011, Apple introduced a pretty sizable iOS update. iOS 5 brought built-in Siri, the iCloud storage and syncing platform, iTunes Match support, Newsstand magazines, iMessages, built-in Twitter support, a new Notifications Centre as well as impressive Notes and Reminders apps. There was also the introduction of AirPlay Mirroring, iTunes Wi-Fi syncing. The software also supported the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3GS, but Siri was only available on the iPhone 4S. After all that, there wasn't much left to do for the rest of the year. iOS 5.0.1 brought fixes for battery-life moans, and iCloud document storage while Siri was updated to understand Aussies. 
The only major update, iOS 5.1, wasn't that major at all. It brought support for the iPad 3 (or new iPad as it was coined) and also enabled Genius (wait, is that still around?) Mixes and Playlists within iTunes Match. iOS 5.1.1 sorted a issue with AirPlay Playback and improved reliability for HDR photos taken from the lockscreen. There was also improved support for the Safari bookmark and reading list syncing. Overall, after the original onslaught of new features, Apple didn't do much during the iOS 5 life-cycle other than fight a few very minor fires. iOS 6 – The end for mid-year updates?Number of updates: 6 The launch of the iPhone 5 saw iOS adapt to accommodate the iPhone 5's new 4-inch widescreen display, giving users an extra row of apps on the new device. Beyond the aesthetics, Facebook integration joined Twitter, while Apple dropped native Google apps like YouTube and Google Maps. Its own mapping solution was largely derided and Google Maps was welcomed back into the fold by users a couple of months later. It also brought the Passbook app, Apple's answer to the digital wallet trend, and shared Photo Streams. Neither of these apps have gained traction yet, but could be setting the scene for future trends. 
In terms of updates, iOS 6.0.1 and 6.0.2 arrived before Christmas to bring Wi-Fi bugs (among other minor niggles), while January 2013's iOS 6.1 brought additional music controls on the lockscreen when double clicking the home button. It also enabled users to download music from iTunes over cellular data. The other updates were extremely minor. 6.1.1 brought bug fixes, 6.1.2 cured an ailment that affected battery life for Exchange calendar users, while 6.1.3 took out a bug that enabled users to get past the device's passcode. The last update, iOS 6.1.4 updated the audio profile for the speakerphone. iOS 6 still brings support for previous iPhone models all the way back to the iPhone 3GS. Will that device survive into iOS 7's era? iOS 7 – Future iOS updates?By analysing the recent trends, it appears that iOS 7 will still be much the same operating system when it reaches the end of its year at the top of the food chain. Not since the introduction of AirPlay, Game Center and iTunes Home Sharing during the iOS 4 life-cycle has Apple added significant new features in the gap between major releases and we can't envision that changing this time around. Having strived for at least a year to revolutionise iOS 7 – by far the biggest change in its relatively-short history - it's difficult to see Apple adding plentiful new features throughout the year. However, should the next-generation iPad 5 introduce software enhancements they will likely be fed down to the iPhone. If the company introduces a smart iWatch in the next 12 months, an iOS 7 update will also be necessary to support that device. However, a prospective lack of new features doesn't mean we won't see plenty of updates throughout iOS 7's life-cycle. With the top-to-bottom rebuild, there are bound to be teething problems for iOS 7, despite its lengthy period in beta testing. We would expect plenty of early updates addressing bugs and security worries or perhaps even the fine-tuning of some new features that aren't going over too well with its core user base. As for the iPhone 5S? Well it's certain the handset will outlive iOS 7 by a number of years. Considering 2010's iPhone 4 is on the compatible devices list, it's certainly plausible that Apple's newest device will still have access to the latest and greatest version of iOS which, if our maths is correct, will be iOS 10.        | | In Depth: From iPhone OS to iOS 7: just how has Apple's mobile platform changed? Sep 10th 2013, 08:00, by Thomas Thorn 
iOS is the smartphone platform that, some argue, started it all, and with iOS 7 right around the corner, it's easy to forget where it all began. Although it was only 2007, the launch of the Apple iPhone and its nascent iPhone OS seems millennia ago. With that in mind, we decided to dig deeper and take a trip down a grid-based memory lane, so here's our look at the software side of Apple's mobile revolution. iPhone OSYou remember the iPhone right? Not the one with the big screen that's all the rage on public transport, but the one that started it all nearly six years ago. The mobile market has never looked the same since WWDC 2007; the leader at that time, BlackBerry, is now struggling, and nigh on every smartphone adorned with a massive touchscreen. Powering the first iPhone was Apple's iPhone OS, a touch-optimised version of OS X. With its black background and App grid, the iOS platform was pretty bland. However, it had multi-touch capabilities, and it carried a mobile-ised version of Safari, the precursor to the mobile versions of Chrome, IE and FireFox, albeit without Flash (something that has remained omitted to this day). These elements might have seemed small, but a great touch-based interface and strong web browser were killer features. iPhone OS 2The next major iteration of iOS came along with the iPhone 3G, the second version of the iPhone. Whilst there were some notable hardware upgrades, such as 3G support, people began to realise that big difference was software. The iPhone 2.0 software gave birth to the App Store, housing what has become the staple of the smartphone diet: apps. True third party apps were able to be created and distributed easily, with a whopping 500 applications at launch. Apps could even be downloaded directly to the iPhone, skipping iTunes if you wanted. For many users, the other major update to iPhone OS 2 was nothing to get excited about, but don't underestimate its importance. It pushed Apple's devices towards the business market as Microsoft Exchange came built in, alongside Cisco IPSec VPN and WPA2 Enterprise support, opening up a whole new revenue stream for the brand. iPhone OS 3Again, the next iteration of Apple's mobile OS was launched with a phone, the iPhone 3GS. Once more there were big features that now seem commonplace in both the mobile and iOS markets, with the likes of landscape typing now available in third party apps. The first really big update came in the form of Spotlight, that search page to the far left of your home screens, allowing you to search through contacts, Mail and Calendar apps. The other major update was copy and paste, something that has been on desktops for as long as we can remember. Apple, incidentally, was the company to bring it to the fore on the Lisa and Macintosh systems of the early 80's. Text and even imagery could be copied across, and placed in the upgraded Messages app, meaning the iPhone finally packed MMS support. iOS 4Cue 2010 and a refresh of name. Unhappy with dominating just the mobile market, Apple spied the next big thing in the form of a tablet. With many writing it off as a large iPod, the iPad took the world by storm. Yes, the original shipped with iPhone OS 3.2, but it meant that iOS was no longer locked to small displays, making it across to the 9.7 inch screen. So what did iOS4 bring to the iPad, and the newly launched iPhone 4? Wallpapers would be the first thing to change, with the dull bland black background being replaced, with customisable lock screen wallpapers as well. iBooks made its first appearance, optimised to turn the iPad into an eReader. Video calling also popped over in the form of FaceTime, although limited only to Wi-Fi connections. The new decade did herald two other new features to iOS, and they were big features: multi-tasking and folders. A double tap of the home button allowed access to the strictly controlled multi-tasking bar along the bottom for easy switching between your apps, meaning navigating iOS became easier, and battery life got longer. Win win. A folder system was also implemented, and to this day many can't see its integration ever being beaten (although oft-copied). Dragging and dropping icons onto each other meant you could hide away system apps, and group your games together. We're sticklers for neatness, so we don't know where we'd be without folders. iOS 5iOS 5 made its debut on the iPhone 4S, as well as appearing on the iPad 2. Amongst updates came the ability to use the volume keys as a Camera shutter button, quick access to the camera from the lock screen by double tapping the home button, and a completely PC-free experience, so no longer would you be tied to iTunes with wires to update the OS. Safari also had an update to bring in Reader and tabbed browsing. The Notifications Centre, with Messages, App Updates, Calendar events etc. all now grouped together and accessible by dragging down from the top and the lock screen, made its first appearance. iMessage was also introduced, in a bid to challenge BBM, which still the dominant messaging platform at the time, but has since been well-usurped by Apple's offering (as well as the likes of WhatsApp). Above all, iOS 5 will be remembered for one thing. Siri. Siri is synonymous with mobile voice assistants, and with every update becomes more and more useful. It allowed users to send messages, play songs or playlists, create reminders, and could even give a weather forecast. iOS 6 Launched on the iPhone 5, and appearing on the iPad 3, iPad 4 and the iPad Mini, iOS 6 can be remembered for 2 words: Apple Maps. Yes, Apple maps brought turn by turn navigation, and wiped Google Maps off iOS, but it was a disaster, mocked even by Motorola. Even Apple's attempt at a clock app landed it in hot water, after the Swiss Rail Network proved the design was too similar to its own. Other than Apple Maps, the big news from iOS 6 was Do Not Disturb, a mode that enabled you to silence calls and notifications, ideal for sleeping meetings, although even that hit problems when it refused to auto-disengage in early 2013. FaceTime finally became 3G enabled, Panoramas were added to the camera, and Apple's Passbook app popped up too, combining vouchers and tickets in a handy place. Safari's Reader update from iOS 5 also gained offline support, while Siri was also announced for the iPad 3. iOS 7
So where does that leave us? iOS 7 is on its way, and comes with a cacaphony of new features and colourful updates, with a radically overhauled interface, new Control Center, transparent animations and more. The new system will be available for the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, the iPad 2, iPad third and fourth generation, the iPad mini and the iPod touch fifth generation, likely due to some of the more powerful needs of the new OS. Lots of people were rightly angry about Apple ditching Google data, but beyond that mis-step there's a lot 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. However, with the new iOS 7 update we've been given the all-new interface, as well as new ways to control the phone and make sure that you don't have to worry about fumbling around in the dark for the torch.        | | ACCC takes on in-app purchases targeting children Sep 10th 2013, 02:18, by Farrha Khan 
In-app purchases have long been a problem-point where unsuspecting kids can wrack up bills up into the hundreds for parents. Today, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also joined around 50 other global agencies to "identify smartphone and tablet apps that may mislead young children into making unauthorised in-app purchases". Although the ACCC acknowledged that a lot of app stores require a password and give a warning before an app or in-app content is purchased, additional purchases can sometimes be made for a period time without having to enter the password again. "I have heard from concerned parents whose children have been caught out with unfamiliar technology and racking up a sky-high credit card bill," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. "Some of these apps are marketed for children, who do not connect the game they are playing with spending their parent's money in the real world. A child can unwittingly make one in-app purchase costing $100 or 100 in-app purchases costing $1 each." Game moneyApple faced scrutiny earlier this year over free apps on iTunes targeted toward children and offering ridiculous in-app purchases. The Australian Communications Consumers Action Network (ACCAN) also urged the Australian government to have apps that claim to be free but include significant in-app purchases be examined under the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC hopes to examine and identify games that are free, but don't explicitly state that significant in-app purchases would be required to access or utilise a large portion of the app. "Consumers need to be aware that 'free' may not mean free," said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. "Games and apps in the 'free' area of an online store may be free to download, but attract costs for in-app purchases." The ACCC has opened up consultation for anyone who thinks they may have been misled by apps and in-app purchases.        | | Buying Guide: 5 best sites to trade in your iPhone Sep 10th 2013, 01:15, by Lily Prasuethsut 
With the impending Apple iPhone launch, you're probably scrambling to get rid of your old iPhone to make sure you can get your hands on the new iPhone 5S or iPhone 5C, right? It involves a bit of research and we know you don't have time for that, so we've created a list of the best sites to trade-in your iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 with estimates of the most recent maximum values for 64GB AT&T devices. Since prices fluctuate according to the market and may change on you, we figured our estimates will give you a good idea of the prices you're getting. If your phone is in great to good condition, you're bound to get a better deal - but if the phone is cracked, or has water damage the price won't be as high. Some sites may also give you better (or worse) prices depending on your carrier and model. Hopefully we've saved you the trouble of researching the best sites for trade-in deals so you can better spend your time scouring our site for the latest iPhone news (iPhone 6, anyone?). 1. Amazon
Being the biggest internet e-tailer out there, it's no surprise Amazon has a trade-in program for just about everything including Apple phones. To participate, just look up your device in the Amazon search bar, then look for the "Trade in" button on the righthand side of the page, sign in to your account and provide answers about the quality of your phone. One thing to remember is that Amazon pays in gift cards, not cash. Amazon's recent prices: iPhone 5 around $441 (about £280.87, AUD$477.74) iPhone 4S around $253 (about £161.14, AUD$274.08) 2. Gazelle
Gazelle is a great trade-in site that is currently offering a 30-day price lock guarantee to up to 50 days for orders placed before Sept. 10, or the day of Apple's announcement. If you act fast, you can get today's price for your old iPhone but still keep it until the new iPhone is released, with Oct. 15 being the last day you can send in the old phone. Simply head to the Gazelle site and select the phone you have to get an estimate. Gazelle pays with a check, Amazon gift card or PayPal. Gazelle's recent prices: iPhone 5 around $350 (about £222.92, AUD$379.16) iPhone 4S around $220 (about £140.12, AUD$238.33) 3. BuyBackWorld
Another site with superb prices, BuyBackWorld's trade-in process is just as easy as Gazelle. In fact they look pretty similar but that's fine - as long as you're getting a good price for your phones, we're happy. Search the site for you iPhone or choose the iPhone category, select your carrier and model - then figure out if your phone is in excellent condition to get the best price. BuyBackWorld's recent prices: iPhone 5 around $415 (about £264.31, AUD$449.57) iPhone 4S around $250 (about £159.23, AUD$270.83) 4. Best Buy
Best Buy has a surprisingly good program for trade-ins, though the site isn't nearly as nice to look at as the other ones. However, it gets the job done and gives you decent prices for your old, Apple phones so it's definitely worth checking out. Type "trade in" into the Best Buy search bar, select mobile phones and look up your iPhone model and carrier. Like Amazon, Best Buy only offers store-exclusive gift cards. Best Buy's recent prices: iPhone 5 around $420 (about £267.50, AUD$454.99) iPhone 4S around $241 (about £153.49, AUD$261.08) 5. Nextworth
Nextworth is another website similar the other buyback sites, and organizes its products into easy-to-find pages. The site probably has the most efficient estimate system with only two questions you have to answer. Nextworth pays through PayPal instantly, a mailed check, or a Target gift card. You can even get the Target gift card immediately by bringing your device into a participating Target store. Nextworth's recent prices: iPhone 5 around $410 (about £261.13, AUD$444.16) iPhone 4S around $245 (about £156.04, AUD$265.41)        | | Nexus 7 4G LTE is available in the U.S. Google Play Store, priced at $349 Sep 10th 2013, 00:02, by Matt Swider 
Holdouts who wanted a new Google Nexus 7 tablet, but one with 4G LTE can now order the device in the U.S., the company announced today. The Google Play store has the cellular version of the 7-inch device in stock for $349, and while it comes with a T-Mobile SIM card, it's unlocked from the start. T-Mobile stores will also start selling the new Nexus 7 with built-in LTE starting in October. The Nexus 7 2013 4G LTE model replaces last year's edition, which ran off of the slower HSPA+ band and cost just $299 as of yesterday. The upgrade brings LTE's faster speeds and it shares attributes with the recently launched WiFi-only version of the tablet: a thinner body, lighter feel, faster processor and sharper screen. Nexus 7 LTE vs WiFi specs comparisonThere's more to consider than just 4G LTE when purchasing either the Nexus 7 with WiFi or 4G LTE. Like the previous generation, there isn't a 16GB model of the Nexus 7 available. That has been restricted to the $229 WiFi-only version. But you may not even want to go the 16GB route. As we pointed out in our Nexus 7 review, this base model will only have 10GB of useable storage because of the onboard software takes up 6GB. The other thing to consider is the price. While the WiFi models are $229 for 16GB and $269 for the 32GB, adding LTE costs a pretty penny at $349. On top of the $80 difference, you'll have to pay for an optional month-to-month data plan. That's still pennies when you consider the $349 is much cheaper as the LTE iPad mini, which starts at $459 for just 16GB.        | | Samsung shores up its internet usage lead among devices vs Apple Sep 9th 2013, 22:55, by Matt Swider 
Hurry up and launch that iPhone 5C already. Samsung has extended its lead vs Apple when it comes to internet usage on their respective devices, particularly in emerging markets. Samsung mobile devices captured 25.7% of global internet usage in August, leaving Apple with 23.4%, according to web analytics firm StatCounter. Nokia, the former leader as of last December, has faded to third place at 21.7%. The interesting thing is that while Apple still dominates in key areas like the U.S., U.K., and Australia, it's being lapped in entire continents like Asia, South America and Africa. 
Samsung vs Apple stats breakdownApple is doing just fine in the U.S., maintaining its lead of 52.2% vs Samsung's 19% of internet usage among devices. Nokia's numbers, previously propped up by feature phones, have fallen to a measly 1.5% in the U.S. In the U.K., it's almost the same deal. Apple users are surfing the web at a rate of 46.8% compared to 21.5% for Samsung. Nokia is holding onto 3.7%. But when it comes to emerging countries like India, Samsung is more than making up for these losses with a 26.7% share of internet usage. Apple has a paltry 1% share of India's mobile usage, according to StatCounter. iPhone 5C to the rescueApple could blunt the impact that Samsung and its Galaxy devices have had on the iPhone by launching a cheap iPhone model alongside the iPhone 5S. "Over the past 12 months Apple has increased its share in the US and UK but globally there is an on-going battle taking place between it and Samsung," said StatCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen in a press release today. "Should the rumors prove true, it will be fascinating to see if a less expensive iPhone will help it increase market share against lower cost competitors in global markets." Another factor the web analytics firm pointed out was Microsoft's purchase of Nokia's handset business, bringing more weight to the third-place contender, which still leads in Asia and Africa.        | | Buying Guide: Best portable chargers: 14 we recommend Sep 9th 2013, 19:36, by Lily Prasuethsut 
Best portable chargers: 14 we recommend 1-7With the massive amount of email checking, texting, mobile gaming and internet surfing everyone does, a reliable, portable charger has become essential to avoid that inevitable dead battery. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, going camping or simply out of the house all day, you'll probably need something that isn't too cumbersome and has enough juice to power your mobile devices. Based on amount of usage we were able to get, weight, size and overall functionality, we tested a variety of chargers by mixing around charge times with an iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S4 and iPad 4 in different situations to create a list of the best portable chargers - though most of the external batteries are compatible with an assortment of phones, tablets, cameras and handheld gaming devices. Generally, the portable chargers are on the pricey side but you'll definitely get your money's worth for large mAh capacities and moderate to heavy form factor, or decent capacities and lightweight portables. We've also added a few chargers that are more suitable for a day out rather than a long trip away, just in case you're just looking for a quick backup charge. 
1. IOGEAR GearPower Ultra Capacity Mobile Power Station Price: $79.95 (about £51.61, AUD$89.35) IOGEAR's GearPower Ultra Capacity charger is a great portable battery. Two USB ports at 1A and 2.1A allow for multi-device charging and at 11,000mAh, you can easily charge a phone and tablet respectively. Though it's not very pocket friendly at 10.4 oz and a tad bulkier than an iPhone and Galaxy S4, this is still an adept portable and great for traveling long distances in the car or plane. In fact, we took the battery to a two-day music festival and it had no issues charging two iPhone 5's that were around 10% each, during the 48-hour span of Instagramming, phone calls, etc. After a 55-minute charge at the end of the first day, each phone was fully charged with the GearPower lights at three bars indicating that it was still able to keep going for a few more days - depending on what needed to be charged next of course. The price point may seem high but the GearPower can be bought at much cheaper prices making it a fantastic deal for long trips away from outlets. 
2. ZAGGsparq 6000Price: $99.99 (about £64.55, AUD$111.75) Easily one of the priciest chargers, the ZAGGsparq 6000 charger is still a decent backup, despite a few caveats. Its 2.1A USB outlets got the job done efficiently with two smartphones and it was able to hold a charge the next two days. Unfortunately, the 6000mAh isn't too great with tablets and was only able to charge an iPad from 25% up to 60% before dying down to one LED light of juice left. Not only is the ZAGGsparq small and light, but it's also wide, making it awkward to carry if using a purse or small bag - though if in a backpack, you'll hardly feel it. The built-in prongs make it easy to charge and means there's one less cord to lose, which is actually really quite nice, and its on/off switch is accident-proof, meaning you won't randomly turn it on and waste your charge. 
3. Jackery GiantPrice: $44.95 (about £29.02, AUD$50.23) The bright orange (or silver option) Jackery Giant lives up to its name as a hefty charger weighing in at 10.4 oz (the same as the IOGEAR GearPower) but also because it's a heavyweight champ in other ways as well. For the large 10,400mAh capacity, it's one of the cheapest chargers you can get. The Giant also travels well and can be taken on outdoor adventures thanks to its ability to hold a charge for a long time, though you'll need to charge the battery itself a whole night (about 10 hours) for a full charge beforehand. The battery also packs a little LED flashlight which can be activated by pressing the power button twice (to avoid accidental usage), and is pretty handy if you're camping or need to find something in a flash. The Jackery Giant did a good job charging our S4 and iPad 4 simultaneously - 10% to 95% and 47% to 96% in about two and a half hours, respectively. What's more, it even had enough juice to charge up the iPhone 5 up, with two light bars remaining. If you're only planning to get the Giant as an occasional backup, it will hold a charge for up to six months. 
4. Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation DuoPrice: $99.95 (about £64.52 AUD$111.70) The Juice Pack Powerstation Duo from Mophie is a nice little 6000mAh portable. At 11.99 oz it actually feels lighter than its battery counterparts despite weighing the most. Because of this, it makes for a great travel companion as you can hardly feel it in your bag. Two 2.1A USB ports allow for quick dual charging of tablets and phones, which it was quite capable of during our trips to and from the office; 0% battery on the iPhone and Galaxy S4 were raised to around 88%-95% each after an hour, and it still had two lights left. The Mophie also stayed light as a feather in our backpack though its smooth exterior did collect a lot of lint meaning it's probably a good idea to use the little pouch the battery comes with. The biggest downside to the Mophie Powerstation Duo is its price. If you can afford the Duo, it'll serve you well, but if you want to go cheaper, Mophie has a nice little selection and from our experience with the high cost charger, it seems like the low cost options aren't too bad either. 
5. Anker Astro 3E 10000mAhPrice: $39.99 (£25.99, about AUD$25.09) It seems like it's go big or go home for the Anker Astro 3E. Like the Jackery Giant, the Anker Astro 3E is a beast of a charger and won't easily fit into your coat pocket. Though it is a bit thinner than the other batteries on this list, it's still longer than the length of your average smartphone. The Astro boasts the ability to hold over six charges for most smartphones - we were able to get about four with two smartphones simultaneously thanks to its two USB ports, and a third of a charge for our tablet by itself over four days before the Astro died, which isn't too shabby for 10000mAh. Keep in mind, since it's a bit larger, it's not really a small bag type of portable - but a long trip will definitely benefit from the Astro, and it still won't take up too much room inside your bag with all your other tech devices. 
6. Eton BoostBloc 6600Price: $99.99 (about £64.55, AUD$111.75) The high-priced Eton BoostBloc 6600 is a modest charger that surprisingly holds 6600mAh for how small it is. Its lightweight 6.5 oz means its purse friendly and maybe even pocket friendly (for jackets at least) if you don't mind carrying something else besides your phone around, that has a bulky form factor. It has two USB ports, 2.1A and 1A, and no on/off button, and you can shake the device for the indicator lights to pop on and tell you how much juice is left. The BoostBloc 6600 holds charges for quite awhile and was able to charge up our iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 from around 20%-25% to 100% twice on one charge, and iPad 4 about halfway before giving out. You'll probably have to charge the BoostBloc often if you plan on using it on tablets and phones simultaneously, but the portable charges up quickly (and gets pretty hot) - this shouldn't be too much of an issue especially if you plan on taking it with you everywhere. 
7. Powerocks Rose StonePrice: $69.99 (about £45.18, AUD$78.22) With 6000mAh, the Powerocks Rose Stone charges up around the same as the BoostBloc 6600 and boasts the same lightweight portability. However, it's longer than the BoostBloc, so it will probably be best off in a bag. Going along with the geological theme, the indicator lights are little rock-like formations next to a camouflaged power button, making this charger quite different and fun (as much as a battery can be?) There are also two USB ports but each only gives off 1A, so charging will be a bit slower. But that doesn't mean the Rose Stone will leave you hanging out to dry - the battery was able to give us great juice charges on our smartphones three times on one charge. The iPad 4 wasn't as lucky though and had to charge on the next round and only from 15% to 65%, probably due to the output volume. So as a portable, the Rose Stone is best for smartphones and does quite well, but you're better off with a Powerocks charger with a larger capacity if you're interested in this brand and design. Best portable chargers: 14 we recommend 8-14
8. Belkin PowerPack 4000Price: $99.99 (about £64.55, AUD$111.75) A well known brand for supplying electronic accessories, Belkin's largest capacity portable charger surprisingly only holds 4000mAh. The PowerPack 4000 is still able to do a fairly decent job though, and is definitely one of the most lightweight and convenient batteries at 4.6 oz. In fact, even though the battery is pretty wide, there were times it was hard to find in our bag since it's still remains so compact. We were able to charge our smartphones up completely from about 10% each, twice in two days before needed about three hours for the PowerPack to recharge. It was also able to charge up the iPad a little over halfway. The PowerPack's main issue is the price point: For Belkin's current price (though you can definitely get it a little cheaper by shopping around), the capacity should at least be bigger. But we suppose transportability comes at a price. 
9. RAVPower KnightRider 14000mAhPrice: $42.99 (about £27.50, AUD$46.78) The RAVPower KnightRider has massive capacity and massive weight, too - coming in at 10.4 oz. The Knightrider was able to charge our S4 and iPhone 5 completely in about an hour and a half using the two USB 2A and 1A ports. It also was able to power our iPad during an hour-long train ride providing ample time to use the tablet, and charge it afterwards up to 87% before giving out. The battery is a pretty powerful device and like the Jackery Giant, comes with a useful flashlight which could serve as a great backup if there's an outage or if you need an extra light on hand in the dark. It's also fantastically priced for a large capacity battery that's been really useful for commuting and will definitely do well on long trips away. 
10. Satechi 10000 mAH Portable Energy StationPrice: $59.99 (about £38.73, AUD$67.04) The Satechi 10000 Portable Energy Station is a mouthful for a surprisingly thin and light device that's just slightly longer in length when compared to the S4 and iPhone. We didn't mind it in our bags but it felt a little cumbersome in the pocket. The Satechi can charge our S4 and iPhone 5 four times before hitting the last indicator light, and an iPad 4 once completely. A few oddities include a picky on/off button - apparently you have to press down pretty hard to get the thing to turn on. The lights also stay on and flashing letting you know it's ready, and then continue to flash while charging your device. The exterior can also get a bit dirty with your fingerprints leaving marks all over it, but that's not really a big issue at all if you keep it in the case. 
11. Apelpi - Opso PlusPrice: $49.99 (about £32.27, AUD$55.87) Boasting one of the most unique designs, Apelpi's MFi Apple certified Opso Plus charger is a fun little portable. But don't let its pretty appearance fool you - this little apple's got a powerful bite. At 6400mAh, the Opso Plus can charge your phone quite nicely on the go and at 5.6 oz, it fits great in a bag - however, there is only one 1A USB port meaning it's a bit slower, and it can't fully charge a tablet. According to the company, Apple would only allow one port for MFi certification, thus sacrifices had to be made. We took it with us to charge our Samsung Galaxy S4 battery on a 50 minute train ride, and it went from 7% to 100 % with two LED lights left allowing for at least two more charges the next day. Additionally, though the power button is an ingenious little stem on top of the Opso, there were moments where it seemed a bit precarious sticking it in a bag for fear of breaking the stem off. Despite this, if you need a moderately priced, nicely designed portable charger then consider Apelpi - an Opso a day will keep your phone's dead battery away. 
12. Jackery MiniPrice: $24.95 (about £16.11, AUD$27.88) The Jackery Mini is the counterpart to the Jackery Giant and works just as great for those moments where you don't want to lug the monster around. It will fit nicely anywhere and works well with both the iPhone and S4, however it's not a good option for tablets since it's only 1A and 2600mAh. We were able to get two charges for each smartphone on one full-up Mini, which is quite good for the little portable. Because it's smaller, the Mini is able to recharge must faster too. The power button may be accidentally pressed a lot (which was the case with us) so be wary of running your battery, but aside from that, the Jackery Mini is a really compact charger for when you're on the go. 
13. Powerocks MagicstickPrice: $49.99 (about £32.27, AUD$55.87) Similar to the Jackery Mini, the Powerocks Magicstick is about the same length and width but rounded. The Magicstick also has a slightly larger capacity at 2800mAh so we were able to get two and a little over a half charge for each smartphone. Like the Mini, the Magicstick recharges quickly so you don't have to wait all night for a portable battery. It's a little heavier as well but definitely not enough to be noticeable. The power button on this works like a small flashlight - you press one end which lights up letting you know if its charged up, with different colors telling you how much juice it has. 
14. RAVPower RP-WD01 Wireless WiFi-DiskPrice: $44.99 (about £28.78, AUD$48.96) Basically, the traveling person's dream portable, this guy can do it all. Though not as physically small as the other tiny chargers, this 3000mAh RAVPower made the list for being able to read SD cards and turn into a Wi-Fi hotspot making it a powerful compact combination when you're in need of more than one device. It's also thin and light as a feather so you'll hardly feel it, and it won't take up room in your bag. The charger works great and was able to fully charge a low battery S4 in one go. However, it definitely needs to be recharged often so it's probably best to use it intermittently while using the other features. The card reader and Wi-Fi hotspot also worked quite well, and were able to power on and connect to our smartphones without too much hassle.        | | Purported Sony Xperia Z1 Mini display shaves off a few tenths of an inch Sep 9th 2013, 19:29, by Matt Swider 
The rumored Sony Xperia Z1 Mini smartphone may live up to that "Mini" name by being a smaller version of the forthcoming Sony Xperia Z1 and offering a few other compromises. The smaller Xperia Z1 Mini display was leaked by cell phone parts retailer ETradeSupply, noted Android Community, measuring at just 4.3 inches diagonally. That's .7 inches smaller than the full-sized Xperia Z1 smartphone, which has a 5-inch display. The only significant compromise between the two phones is that the 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 Mini is said to have a 1280 x 720 resolution, whereas the normal sized version sports a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Xperia Z1 Mini specs speculated1080p aside, the rumored Xperia Z1 Mini specs appear to be in line with the true definition of a mini smartphone model. Sony is said to be keeping the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM and the 20.7 megapixel camera with a Sony G Lens. The smaller form factor of the unconfirmed phone has led to a slightly smaller 2400 mAh battery, vs the 3000 mAh Xperia Z1 battery, according to the latest rumors. There's nothing to suggest the Xperia Z1 Mini will be waterproof and dust-proof - but considering these are key selling points of its bigger brother, it wouldn't be far-fetched to expect such features. We'll have time to confirm those features. Android Community suggests that Sony will announce the Z1 Mini sometime in the fall, as it's still shipping the normal-sized Xperia Z1.        | |
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