T-Mobile iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 open for pre-order tomorrow (10/22)

The newest installations of Apple's iPad series will be up for pre-order through T-Mobile starting tomorrow. We just got pinged from T-Mobile with the details.

The new iPad Air 2 comes with a 9.7 inch Retina display with a resolution of 1536 x 2048, an A8X processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16/32/128 GB of ROM. The iPad mini 3 comes with a 7.6 inch display with the same 1536 x 2048 resolution, A7 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 16/32/128 GB of ROM. The entire press release can be read below.

T-Mobile is the only place customers can get the best tablet plan in wireless for the incredible new iPads − all on America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network. What exactly does this mean? See below for additional details:

·         For only $10 a month, customers can add a tablet to their Simple Choice plan and match the data they already have- up to 5 GB a month. That’s up to 5 GB of data for tablet use, specifically – there’s no impact to the data on their smartphone plan.

·         What This Means: Unlike the other guys, there are NO ‘access fees’ or shared data buckets. You aren’t rebuying access to the data plan you already have.

·         Along with all that data, T-Mobile tablets come with all the Un-carrier benefits including unlimited music streaming, unlimited international data and Free Data for Life – 200MB of free data every month for the life of the tablet while used on T-Mobile’s network.

For qualified customers with a Simple Choice plan from T-Mobile, the iPad Air 2 (16GB) will be available for $0 down, with 24 monthly payments of $26.24 per month; the iPad mini 3 (16GB) will be available for $0 down, with 24 monthly payments of $22.08 per month.

Additional pricing details, along with the press release are included below for your reference. Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help get you any additional details.

Pricing and details for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 for qualified customers with a Simple Choice plan from T-Mobile:

Model	Up Front	Monthly Payment	Payment Term
iPad Air 2 16GB	$0	$26.24	24 months
iPad Air 2 64GB	$99.99	$26.24	24 months
iPad Air 2 128GB	$199.99	$26.24	24 months
iPad mini 3 16GB	$0	$22.08	24 months
iPad mini 3 64GB	$99.99	$22.08	24 months
iPad mini 3 128GB	$199.99	$22.08	24 months

[Press Release]

T-Mobile to Offer iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3

The best tablet plan in wireless is coming to the new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 —

all on the only network designed Data Strong™

  

Bellevue, Washington — October 21, 2014 — T-Mobile today announced that it will offer iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular and iPad mini 3 with Wi-Fi + Cellular within a week. T-Mobile will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network.

“Nobody does data like the Un-carrier does data,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “Cutting-edge devices like Apple's iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 deserve America’s fastest nationwide LTE network. Combine our Data Strong network with the best rate plans in America and $0 down with 24 monthly payments, and it’s no surprise Americans are scooping up big screen devices at T-Mobile in record-shattering numbers.”

iPad Air 2 is the thinnest tablet in the world — weighing less than a pound yet packed with amazing new innovations including a new anti-reflective Retina display, all new iSight and FaceTime HD cameras for better photos and videos, A8X second generation 64-bit chip delivering improved CPU and graphics performance, faster Wi-Fi and LTE wireless, and the revolutionary Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor. So thin and light you can comfortably hold it all day long, iPad Air 2 gives you access to the more than 675,000 apps specifically designed for it — all while delivering great 10-hour battery life. The new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, also including Touch ID, come in three gorgeous metallic finishes including gold, silver and space gray. 

Only at T-Mobile will customers enjoy the best tablet plan in wireless on America’s fastest nationwide 4G LTE network with the incredible new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. For only $10 a month, Un-carrier™ customers can now add a tablet and match the data on their Simple Choice™ voice plan − up to 5 GB a month. And, unlike the old carriers, you’ll never pay ‘access fees’ just to tap into shared data you’ve already paid for. At T-Mobile, $10 gets you up to 5 GB of high-speed data a month set aside especially for your tablet − on top of the data you already get for your phone.

In addition, T-Mobile tablet customers also get all the ground-breaking Un-carrier benefits that come with T-Mobile’s Simple Choice plan, including unlimited international data at no extra charge in 120+ countries and destinations, no domestic overages, unlimited music streaming withMusic Freedom and Free Data for Life – giving tablet customers 200 MB of free data per month for the life of their device while on the Un-carrier’s unmatched 4G LTE network.

T-Mobile makes it insanely simple for new customers to make the switch to the Un-carrier by paying off your entire family’s early termination fees when you trade-in their devices and freeing you from those restrictive contracts, outrageous overages, and other fine print and gotchas with your old carrier.

Customers can buy iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi + Cellular and iPad mini 3 with Wi-Fi + Cellular in participating T-Mobile stores nationwide and online within a week. Customers can pre-register for more information now at t-mobile.com/ipad.

For more information on iPad, please visit www.apple.com/ipad.

Device pricing for well-qual’d customers: iPad Air 2 16GB: $0 down + $26.24 x 24 mo, total $629.76; iPad mini 3 16GB: $0 down + $22.08 x 24 mo, total $529.92. If you cancel wireless service, remaining balance on device becomes due. 0% APR; O.A.C. Taxes & fees addit’l.

Tablet data matches your phone line with the highest full-speed data, up to 5 GB per mo/line, for 12/mos after promo ends. Qual’g postpaid plan req’d. ETF:  Paid in the form of a Visa® Prepaid Card. Qual’g service, device purchase, and port-in req’d.  Data pass: Up to 5GB or 5/mos, whichever occurs first. See T-Mobile.com for offer details.

                    

About T-Mobile US, Inc.

As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile US, Inc. (NYSE: TMUS) is redefining the way consumers and businesses buy wireless services through leading product and service innovation. The Company's advanced nationwide 4G LTE network delivers outstanding wireless experiences for customers who are unwilling to compromise on quality and value. Based in Bellevue, Washington, T-Mobile US provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile and MetroPCS. It currently serves approximately 50.5 million wireless customers and provides products and services through approximately 70,000 total points of distribution. For more information, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

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Apple sends out event invites for October 16: 'It's been way too long'

Apple has officially sent out invitations for its upcoming event to debut the highly-anticipated new iPad Air 2, iPad Mini, and new Mac computers.

The iPad Mini and iPad Air 2 are both expected to ship with the all new A8 processor and the popular Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The new iPad Air 2 is expected to be a mere 7 mm thin, compared to the 7.5 mm of the original iPad Air and it expected that it will be the first Apple device to come with 2 GB of RAM.

This event will take place in Cupertino, California October 16th, at 1 PM eastern time. Among other things, Apple is expected to talk about iOS 8.1 which will launch Apple Pay and maybe even  another glimpse at the Apple Watch.

For more information, stay tuned.

Source

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October Roundup 1: Apple, HTC, Nexus, and Samsung

October is shaping up to be a big month for mobile tech following a monstrous September that saw the debut of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Motorola Moto X, Xperia Z3, and the iPhone 6/6 Plus. This month we are looking forward to the expected debut of the upcoming Nexus devices, the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, a new HTC One, and the newest iPad Air. Along with these upcoming devices comes news regarding the ever-popular iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung continuing the trend of metal-framed devices.

Apple


A little over a half of a month has passed, and Apple's iPhone is selling as well as ever. Apple stunned the tech community when they finally ditched their small 4 inch screens for more mainstream 4.7 and 5.5 inch displays. It seems as Apple has definitely chose the right path, following other phone manufacturers such as HTC's One series, LG's G series, and Samsung's Galaxy series.

Both iPhone 6 variants are selling well. With close to 20 million units moved since the September 19th release, with around 20% of those devices are the iPhone 6 Plus. Unfortunately for consumers and Apple, the massive 6 Plus is still on back-order.

The iPhone 6 Plus is back-ordered 3-4 weeks on the official Apple store whereas the smaller iPhone 6 is only back-ordered 7-10 days. This may change in the coming weeks. It is rumored that Apple is shifting production to manufacture more 6 Plus units to combat the high demand and short supply.

In other Apple news, it seems as if the upcoming iPad 2 has reportedly leaked. The images above are courtesy of 9to5Mac via a Vietnamese blog. These images show what looks like an enlarged iPhone 6 Plus.

The updated iPad Air 2, which is rumored to be debuted before the end of this year, can be seen with the popular Touch ID fingerprint scanner, no mute switch, and a highly slimmed down design. The iPad Air 2 is rumored to be just 7 mm thin, compared to 7.5 mm of the previous iteration of the Air and 7.1 mm of the iPhone 6 Plus.

It is unknown if this device is a full working or dummy unit. Regardless, it gives us a great glimpse as to what is to come to the iPad series. Apple has a tough fight on their hands. They are trying to balance enlarging their phones while attempting to keep their tablet sales high.

Source 1 | 2 | 3

HTC

HTC has something up their sleeves, and it seems that we will find out later today (10/08/2014). In the image you can see the phone looks very similar to the HTC One M8. It may look identical on the outside, but as we all know, it's what's on the inside that counts.

The image above is rumored to be the HTC One M8 Eye. It looks identical to the original M8, but will come with more premium specifications. It is rumored that the 'Eye' will come with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5 GHz and 2 GB of RAM that came on the original M8.

The major difference, is that it the 'Eye' is expected to come with not one, but two 13 megapixel cameras. You read that correctly; HTC is expected to have a phone with a 13 megapixel rear shooter instead of HTC's favorite 4 ultra-pixel camera, and a 13 megapixel camera in the front of the device instead of the 5 megapixel shooter seen on the M8.

HTC has drew much criticism from both consumers and people in the tech community for the lack of image quality. While the ultra-pixel trend was a good attempt at something different, it's good to see that HTC has listened and will up the megapixels.

Along with the bump in camera specs, the phone is also expected to come with a bump in screen size. The Eye's display will be bumped up to 5.2 inches, however it will come with the same 1080p resolution

HTC's launch event can be streamed live on YouTube at this link here at 3 P.M. central standard time.

Source

Google Nexus

Lots of rumors and high-anticipation has been swirling around with the latest leaks of the upcoming Nexus 6 device. It is causing quite the stir with its high-end rumored specs. Among those are an absolutely massive 5.9 inch QHD display, 3 GB of RAM, Snapdragon 805 processor, 13 megapixel camera with OIS, and of course, the latest iteration of Android: Android L.



According to 9to5Google, the Nexus 6 or also known as Shamu, has been passed through the FCC according to this document here. While this is inviting news, it does not mean a release is imminent. Most rumors are pointing to Halloween or October 31st for Google to debut the new line of Nexus devices.

This device is a big step for stock Android devices developed by Google. Previous models of the Nexus line have also been phones with decent specs at an even better price. Most notably, the Nexus is still prevalent today with its full 1080p 4.95 inch display, 2 GB of RAM, and 8 megapixel camera with OIS. This is the first time Google is stepping up to the plate and pushing out a premium device with great specs.

Along with the Nexus 6, Google is expected to announce the Nexus 9. We previously covered the rumors surrounding this monster of a tablet earlier, however this device has passed through the FCC as well. The documents can be seen here.

The Nexus 9 will sport an 8.9 inch QHD display, the super-fast NVIDIA 64-bit Tegra K1, 3 GB of RAM, a 16 megapixel rear shooter, and come with 16 or 32 GB of storage.

Source 1 | 2

Samsung

It all started with the Galaxy Alpha. It was Samsung's first metal-framed phone since they adopted the ever criticized plastic on all previous models such as the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, and the Note 3. Now it seems as if Samsung isn't slowing down on the 'metal' trend.

Just last month, Samsung showed off its metal-framed Galaxy Note 4 and it drew much praise. Samsung has finally ditched the plastic. Now Samsung is rumored to be releasing even more metal devices.

Samsung is now rumored to be pushing out an all-new line of devices tentatively called the 'A' series. They have three devices on tap already: Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5, and Galaxy A7. These devices will be a more budget-friendly line of Samsung phones looking to retail between $400-600.

The Galaxy A3 is likely to sport a smaller 4.7 inch display, similar to the likes of the Galaxy Alpha. It will come with a resolution of 720 x 1280.

The Galaxy A5 will come in at the middle range of a 5 inch display, 13 megapixel rear shooter, and a massive 5 megapixel front shooter. This device will also have a resolution of 720 x 1280. The leaked images of the A5 can be seen below.







The Galaxy A7 is expected to ship with a slightly larger screen coming in at 5.5 inches. This will still be a budget-friendly device, but will come with full 1080p resolution. It is unknown what specs will be on the inside of this device, but we will keep up on the details.

We expect these devices to be debuted early November.

Source 1 | 2

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iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Pre-Orders Open in India - How to Guarantee Launch Day Delivery

Apple confirmed on Sunday that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available in India starting Friday, October 17. Apple authorised partners on Monday revealed the pricing of the new iPhone models.

The 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will be available in India at Rs. 53,500 for the 16GB variant, Rs. 62,500 for the 64GB variant, and Rs. 71,500 for the 128GB variant. The 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus has been priced at Rs. 62,500 for the 16GB variant, Rs. 71,500 for the 64GB variant, and Rs. 80,500 for the 128GB variant. The prices are exactly what NDTV Gadgets exclusively reported on Sunday before the official announcement.

Starting Tuesday, you can pre-order the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus at an Apple authorised retailer to guarantee launch day delivery. The pre-order process is pretty simple.

Approach your neighbourhood Apple authorised retailer - you can find the nearest one on the this website - and tell them which iPhone you'd like to pre-book. Specify the model (iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus), colour (Space Grey, Silver, or Gold) and the storage capacity (16GB, 64GB, 128GB) you want. You will be given a token as a confirmation of your booking. The best part is you need not pay a single rupee to pre-book your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

Come launch day, October 17, you can approach the store with the token and you will be given the chance to buy the iPhone you booked by paying the full price. NDTV Gadgets has learnt that Apple partners will start selling the new iPhone models at midnight (Thursday night/ Friday morning) to facilitate early birds and those who have pre-booked.

If you've pre-booked, you can walk in anytime on October 17 to redeem your token for the iPhone you booked by paying the full amount. While customers who have pre-booked will be guaranteed delivery on launch day, if you pre-book and are not able to complete the purchase on October 17, your fate will entirely be dependent on availability - that's the price you pay for not needing to cough up anything upfront.

Some dealers may urge you to pay a certain amount to pre-book a unit, but there's nothing official about that process.

If you are looking to pre-book an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus online, remember that Infibeam is the only Apple authorised iPhone reseller in India. The store is already taking pre-orders for the two new iPhone models, and since its policies do not permit cash on delivery for items worth over Rs. 5,000, you'll have to pay the amount in advance. Infibeam is guaranteeing delivering on October 17 for those who pre-book the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

Amazon and Flipkart have also opened pre-orders, but remember the two websites follow the marketplace model wherein third-party sellers list goods. Some of these dealers are legitimate and procure their goods from official channels, while others may not. Check our tips to identify reliable sellers, if you are thinking of pre-booking your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus via one of these websites.

While iPhone model are you pre-ordering? What colour and storage capacity? Let us know via the comments.

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Smartphone debate: Metal vs. Plastic

One of the hottest debates surrounding smartphones in the past few years have been whether phone manufacturers should have their devices come in metal or plastic. It all comes down to premium vs. cheap feel. Consumers pay hundreds of dollars for smartphones, and they want the biggest bang for their buck; which most people will say is a phone that comes with metal in the form factor.

As of late, it seemed as if this debate was all over. HTC, Samsung, and of course Apple, three of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world, have been pushing devices with a premium feel and metal form-factor. Apple has long been the king of premium devices with their metal-framed iPhone series, leading the charge in premium design. HTC has been a strong proponent of premium devices, and they have done a wonderful job with the One series. Samsung has been the latest to jump on premium bandwagon, by first debuting the metal-framed Galaxy Alpha, and more recently the highly-anticipated metal-framed Galaxy Note 4.

This issue has been rekindled due to a problem some new iPhone users are posting about. It seems that the iPhone 6 Plus, being as big and thin as it is, is prone to bending slightly while in the users pocket. This was confirmed by Unbox Therapy as they put the iPhone 6 Plus through a bend test and compared it to the Galaxy Note 3. We will include the two videos for you to see below.

Since this is a newly reported problem, bend-tests haven't thoroughly been done before; unlike drop-tests, scratch-tests, etc. With devices getting bigger and coming with more 'premium' materials as of late, we expect this to become a standard test.

With the Galaxy Note 3 holding up especially well to extensive force, it shows that while plastic may not be the most 'premium' material to go with, it is indeed more flexible, and up to the rigors of bending. It makes us wonder what results the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 will generate.

The Galaxy Note 4 has close to the same dimensions of the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, however it is quite thicker. The Note 4 comes in at 8.5 mm whereas the 6 Plus comes in at 7.1 mm. We'll have to wait for the release, but if Samsung's new device holds up better than the iPhone 6 Plus, they will definitely market and exploit Apple's 'defect'.

So this brings up the age-old question. Plastic or metal? Does this video make you want to stay away from metal devices or is the premium feel worth the risk? Is the flexibility and strength of plastic worth the peace of mind, knowing your device is very unlikely to bend?  Let us know in the comment section below, on Twitter, or on Facebook!

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One of the first people to buy an iPhone 6 drops it on live TV

How would you feel if you just bought a brand new iPhone 6 and dropped it on the concrete right as you opened it? That happened in Australia yesterday, as one of the first purchasers of the iPhone 6 tried to open it on the Today Show.

Jack Cooksey, was the first person in Perth, Australia to get his clumsy hands on the brand new iPhone 6. He may have even been the first person in the world to get an iPhone 6 due to Australia's time. The Today Show of Australia was there with him to interview him on TV.

When he tried to open it, whether it was excitement of getting the brand new iPhone or the nervousness of being on TV, he had a hard time opening the box. When he pulls the lid off his iPhone 6, his brand new phone goes flying! The reaction from the reporter and the entire crowd can be heard in the video that can be seen below.

We congratulate you Jack. You are the first person in the world to drop the new iPhone 6.




via Kotaku

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iOS 8 to be released to public at 1 P.M. eastern

The Cupertino, California company is expected to release their latest stab at their mobile OS to the public Apple community today. Previously, iOS 8 has only been available to developers, which costs around $100 to gain 'gold' access.

The so called 'biggest iOS release ever" will be officially available to the public starting around 1 pm eastern today. This time frame has been seen in the past with previous iOS releases, and this one shouldn't be any different.

The latest version of iOS is expected to add a multitude of features to the Apple operating systems, most notably the support for 3rd party keyboards, more developer options, and Apple's Health app.

Along with the bigger features, Apple has continuously worked to improve their current hardware such as messaging, the native keyboard, photos, and many more stock applications. Messaging allows more features, such as adding voice to the conversation, the keyboard is their 'smartest' keyboard ever, and photos is now easier than ever to organize.

The full list of the new features can be seen on this Apple page.

The full list of devices on which iOS 8 is compatible on can be seen below.

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Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pre-orders top 4 million

Apple has hit it big-time with their new devices, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. According to Apple, pre-orders have topped over four million in 24 hours, which is a record number of pre-orders for any Apple device to date. The Apple press release can be read below.




CUPERTINO, California—September 15, 2014—Apple® today announced a record number of first day pre-orders of iPhone® 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the biggest advancements in iPhone history, with over four million in the first 24 hours. Demand for the new iPhones exceeds the initial pre-order supply and while a significant amount will be delivered to customers beginning on Friday and throughout September, many iPhone pre-orders are scheduled to be delivered in October. Additional supply of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be available to walk-in customers on Friday, September 19 at 8:00 a.m. local time at Apple retail stores. Customers are encouraged to arrive early or order online from the Apple Online Store(www.apple.com) to pickup in-store or receive an estimated delivery date. Both models will also be available on Friday from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, additional carriers and select Apple Authorized Resellers.


Did you pre-order an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus? Will you get your phone on time or is your order back-ordered? Let us know!

via Apple

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Back ordered iPhone 6 Plus: Will it hurt Apple's sales?

The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus have already made a huge impact on the smartphone market. According to Apple, the amount of iPhone 6/6 Plus's pre-ordered were chart toppers. Apple hasn't released their numbers as of yet, but they did confirm that it is their highest grossing pre-order to date.

Many websites, including Apple's own, were overrun with online consumers that many sites were downed from the traffic. Pre-orders started at 3 AM eastern time on September 12.

The iPhone 6 is on schedule as far as expected delivery time and how many stores will have in stock. The same cannot be said about the 5.5 inch iPhone 6 Plus.

The iPhone 6 Plus, is currently on backorder for a minimum of three to four works due to large demand and limited supply. This could be due to the rumored trouble Apple had in manufacturing the larger phone's display. Along with the manufacturing problems, Apple didn't expect their longtime loyal iPhone users to be interested in a massive (somewhat standard today) phone.

Apple has long stood by their decision to keep a smaller display and it seemed that would be just fine for sales. Now that the average screen size in 2014 is approaching 5 inches, Apple knew they had to do something.

So now, with the iPhone 6 Plus backordered for at least three to four weeks, will it hurt their overall sales? A month gives consumers enough time to mull over their options, including the Galaxy Note 4, which is the iPhone 6 Plus's direct competitor. Only time will tell.

Did you have your sights set on the iPhone 6 Plus? Will a delayed release make you double think you're choice? Let us know what phone you're picking up or if you pre-ordered the new iPhone.

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The iPhone 6/6+: A good step in the right direction

On Tuesday, September 9th, Apple unveiled their next line of iPhone devices to an eager crowd in Cupertino, CA. They showed their iPhone 6, sporting a bigger 4.7-inch screen, and their highly anticipated iPhone 6+, showing off a much bigger 5.5-inch screen. The iPhone 6+ comes with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 which is the first Apple device to sport a full HD display (compared to the iPhone 6's 750 x 1334 resolution). While the iPhone 6 has the same pixel density as the iPhone 5s (326 ppi), the iPhone 6+ comes with 401 ppi. Since these two devices are Apple's biggest (two biggest) phones to date, where is Apple looking when it comes to iPhone creation and technology?

Many people have criticized Apple for a long time for being slow to the game when it comes to new technology and overall phone design. When the very first iPhone came to the market on June 29, 2007 it was a total game-changer. Apple was leading the charge of innovation in the smartphone market. Their design was second-to-none and they also had something other phones lacked: a great UI and an enormous (at the time) display. There were other smartphones, Apple just perfected faster than anyone else. It made it a no-brainer to purchase an iPhone in 2007.

Apple might be slow at adding new technology to their devices, but that isn't necessarily their goal. Apple likes to provide the user with an easy interface that is both stable and efficient. While Android phones have been standard on at least having 2 GB of RAM and at the very minimum a 720p display as of late, Apple hasn't. The new iPhone 6 and 6+ both only have 1 GB of RAM still, and we are in 2014... Android phones are moving towards 3 GB of RAM as a standard and may even make the switch to 4 GB as soon as the Snapdragon 810 processor is released.

The thing that leaves Apple with being competitive, is their unified design. iOS is not open source which limits the changes developers can make to the device, therefore drastically limits what Apple has to do to make the device stable. This limits the users experience as far as customization, but that isn't why consumers purchase iPhones. People who purchase iPhones understand it, and know it will be reliable.

Along with their unified OS, their software is designed to specifically run off their hardware, the A chipsets. Many thought that Apple was going to make the jump from dual-core on the A7 processor to quad-core on the A8 processor. We are finding from benchmark tests that it isn't necessary. Apple's all new dual-core A8 processor is clocked at 1.4 GHz whereas its predecessor, the A7 is clocked at 1.3 GHz.

As you can see in the benchmark below, the iPhone 5s may not be on the top of the list, but for its hardware it definitely puts up great numbers. For comparison, the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 are both sporting a Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5 GHz and 2 GB of RAM. For a phone with half the amount of RAM and 1.1 GHz less to put up those numbers, Apple is definitely doing something right.

The release of the iPhone 5s was the first time Apple decided to step out of their comfort zone. They gave themselves a good start with the TouchID fingerprint scanner and continued with the larger 4 inch screen that came originally on the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5s was Apple's last chance at resisting the inevitable; giving into the large screen market. The improvements on the next-gen iPhones seems to take a few key hints from their competitors and consumers. It's no surprise that many of the Android companies (Samsung, LG, HTC, etc) have started the race to bigger and better screens.

Large screens at first were mocked at, but now it is more and more common to find a screen in the 4.5 to 5 inch plus category for the majority of people. Samsung, one of Apple's key competitors has showed that large screens can be successful. They showed this with the S series and more extensively in the Note line. The Note phones have been around for years, showing that you can have a big tablet style device but retain much of a phone's properties.

Apple has been opposed to expanding their display size, but they were missing out on a huge market. The iPhone 5s wasn't a direct competitor to the Note because of its size, 4 vs 5.7 inches. Seeing the Note 3 sold over 10 million devices in its first two months of being released Apple must have rethought its plan of attack.

The fact that Apple finally caved into producing phones with larger display, leaving 2010 in the rearview mirror is great for the Cupertino, California company. Screen size was definitely holding Apple back. Consumers who liked their hardware and design were stuck at the crossroads if they wanted a bigger display. This left them with an ultimatum: stay with a device they like or move to Android for a bigger display. Apple can now convert those users to stay with Apple with a simple design change.

To go along with the addition of a bigger display, Apple has finally upped their resolution to a respectable full 1080 HD. Apple has long pushed their Retina display as a competitor to full HD because pixel count isn't everything. Now that Apple has pushed their Retina display to a full 1080 x 1920 resolution, it is a great sign.

Apple has also increased the battery size to the largest capacity ever seen in an iPhone. The iPhone 6 will sport a 1800 mAh battery whereas as its 6+ counterpart will have an enormous 2915 mAh battery. This a huge jump from the 1570 mAh battery that is now seen in the iPhone 5s. Apple has always been great at maintaining battery life, so now that they have finally increased their battery capacity is a great sign. Battery life is one of the most important things consumers look at when buying a new smartphone.

The iPhone 6 and 6+ are showing that Apple may finally get back in the smartphone game as an innovator. Apple was trying to please their current crowd too much and not trying to appeal to the masses. You either hear someone prefers Android or Apple. Now that Apple is going towards more standardized hardware in 2014, it may convert some Android users over. While their specs and hardware are nothing to brag about, there is no need. With their limited hardware, they provide a seamless experience that cannot be duplicated on an Android phone with the same specs.

Hopefully the iPhone 6 and 6+ are a good sign as to what is to come to the iPhone series.

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How will Apple react to Samsung?

In the world of smartphones, two of the biggest names that come to mind are Apple and Samsung. This rivalry all started when Samsung started producing the Galaxy series to rival the iPhone. Apple was content with sticking to their guns. until Samsung debuted the Galaxy S2, and it became an instant hit; that was when everyone knew we had a a major fight on our hands... and it wasn't going to be easy.

At the time of 2010, Apple was on top of the smartphone world. Almost 50% of smartphones in circulation were an iPhone. There wasn't a single challenger. Apple wasn't going to mess with their winning formula, and who could blame them? As long as the competitors were in their rearview mirror, they didn't have a care in the world... until the S2 came out.

 

The consumers are the biggest beneficiaries of good competition, and that is exactly  what Samsung and Apple has been providing. The success of the S2 cause Apple to rethink things, and step up their game. A little more than five months later, Apple released one of their most popular phones to date, the iPhone 4s. The 4s not only came with better specs than the original iPhone 4 - dual-core A5 processor vs single core A4 processor, but it came with revolutionary software.

Apple sent the iPhone 4s into the history books by partnering it with a voice-command app title Siri. Siri was born on October 4, 2011 when it was officially released as a beta to iPhone 4s users. Siri was the first of its kind. It didn't matter how accurate it was, it was a brand new innovation. Over time, it continued to improve, and actually provided assistance to daily tasks such as texting friends, calling people, changing schedules, setting alarms, etc. Apple's Siri sparked responses from competitors, such as Google's 'Google Now' and Microsoft's 'Cortana'. Apple new it had to try something new, and it raised the bar.



In 2012, Samsung released one of the best Android phones ever seen to date. The Galaxy S3 had it all. It came with a 4.7 inch vivid display,  2GB of ram, and the latest Krait dual-core processor. To date, this phone has sold over 50 million devices, topping the S2. After the release of the S3, Apple was feeling the heat again, until the iconic iPhone 5 was released. Apple had something new up its sleeve, but it wasn't another Siri. For the first time ever, Apple jumped up from a standard 3.5 inch display, to a 4 inch display. It also came with a better processor than its predecessor, coming with the Apple A6 chip.



A year later in 2013, Samsung fought back with their first 1080p smartphone in the Galaxy series, the Galaxy S4. While some looked at it as an updated Galaxy S3, it truly brought new game to the smartphone market. The S4 came with a great 5 inch display, huge battery, and a handful of new but bizarre features (the Smart view collection). The S4 was packed with features and a brand new Snapdragon 600 processor. The phone was very quick, and gave Apple a run for their money.



Many thought the next rebuttal to the new Galaxy device was going to the Apple iPhone 6. While it was rumored that the next phone would be the iPhone 6, Apple had different plans; they took it right out of their own book. Instead of fabricating an entirely new device, Apple just updated its previous most popular smartphone. What came forward was the iPhone 5s. It featured the fastest Apple processor to date, the A7 chip, and it came with a revolutionary fingerprint scanner. While this wasn't on the same innovation level as Siri, it definitely contributed to Apple's success.

Once again, Apple's success caused a chain-reaction in the market. In 2014, Samsung's latest smartphone, the Galaxy S5, came with a fingerprint scanner. Although it wasn't as crisp as the one found on the iPhone 5s, it was a step towards fighting back. Samsung stuck to what they know, and that is continue to increase screen and battery size. The S5 came with a screen that was .1 inches bigger in roughly the same chassis, while delivering a bigger battery. While this wasn't anything huge, it was still a great device. One of the top one's of the year so far. 

That brings us to today, where we are waiting on Apple's retaliation to the Galaxy S5. The iPhone 6 will be debuted on September 9, 2014, but we don't know all the details, just speculations. Rumors have it coming with a nice-sized 4.7 inch display, an all new A8 processor, and maybe even scratch-resistant glass. While these things are great for Apple, they must have another trick up their sleeve. Apple does have a history of just increasing the screen size and adding a bigger processor, but they also have a track record of being one of the most innovative smartphone manufacturers.

Only time well tell, and if Apple does bring something unexpected to the fight, it will contribute to their success and put them back on track to their 2010 domination. If all Apple delivers is a bigger screen with a new processor, their profit margins could slow down. What Apple will show up this September when the iPhone 6 is released? We will soon find out. Only 26 more days to go.

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Want to pre-order the iPhone 6 early? Here is your chance!

If you would like to get your hands on a pre-order for the iPhone 6, before anyone else, here is your chance. A company called Brikk, which designs and manufactures couture products and accessories for the technology and lifestyle industries, is already offering up pre-orders for the iPhone 6.

The catch is that it is their version of the iPhone 6 called the 'Lux' edition. This so called 'Lux' edition, isn't just a regular old iPhone, it is an iPhone plated in 24K-gold. If that doesn't whet your interests enough, the Lux comes with multiple different options including gold, pink gold, platinum, and even diamond encrusted.

The iPhone 6 will come in at the heaviest price tag out of any of Brikk's products, and that is including the iPhone 5s, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear, iPad Mini, iPad Air, and even the HTC One M8, all in gold.
At the bare minimum, this phone will cost you a whopping $4,495. If that isn't steep enough for you, they go all the way up to $8,795 depending on which one you want and if you even want your Apple logo covered in 1.08 carat diamonds. In order to get a your name in the hat for the pre-order, you have to pony up a non-refundable $500 deposit, which will guarantee that you receive a Lux iPhone 6.

If the looks aren't good enough for you, the Lux comes with another incentive. It comes with a 128gb hard drive, making it a first for Apple. There will be no complaints about not having removable storage on the Lux iPhone 6, that's for sure.

Brikk also notes that they do not guarantee the specs or look of the phone, but his could be one of the bests looks we've had so far of an iPhone 6. Purchasers are likely to receive their devices around a month after the iPhone 6 is released, Brikk states. Everything is subject to change, but the iPhone 6 is definitely on the horizon. We'll keep you updated with any news that comes our way on the iPhone 6.

You can pre-order a Lux here.

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iPhone 6 vs Galaxy Note 4: Who will come out on top?

As we approach the anticipated release of both the iPhone 6 and the Galaxy Note 4, the biggest battle in mobile phone history is upon us. Rumors are swirling more and more, leaving us wondering "Who will come out on top?" Apple plans to release their brand new iPhone with the biggest screen in their mobile phone history, while their adversary Samsung plans to release their phablet, the Galaxy Note 4 which is confirmed to have a QHD display and a metal chassis. One thing that we have learned from this battle already, Samsung and Apple love to hate each other. They also love to take each others ideas that are successful (Apple with the bigger screen and Samsung with the metal chassis). Both companies will move millions of devices, but only one manufacturer will come out on top.

iPhone 6: The iPhone 6 is expected to break a first for Apple, and come with a massive screen in Apple's standards. 4.7" have become the safe ground for smartphone manufacturers, it's not too small, yet it isn't too big. Apple has been conservative over the years with their phones because "why mess with what sells?" Now that iPhone's are considered the smallest phones by today's standards, Apple is calling for a change. They have already upped the original iPhone from a 3.5" screen to a 4" screen.

Along with a bigger screen, the iPhone 6 is coming with a new type of screen we haven't seen on a smartphone yet. Apple is going with a sapphire crystal glass composite that resists scratches more than a standard Gorilla Glass screen. The home button and the camera lens on the iPhone 5S is already composed of solid sapphire crystal that is extremely hard to scratch. This will definitely a huge selling point for the smartphone king.

Galaxy Note 4: The Galaxy Note 4 is also expected to break multiple firsts for Samsung, and come with a QHD display and a retina scanner and metal chassis. Samsung has always had vivid displays since the Galaxy S2 became a mainstay on the Android market. The Galaxy S4 was the first Samsung phone with a 1080p display and came with a massive 441 ppi. The kings in display are at it again making their resolution for the Note 4 for be an enormous 2560x1440 or 515 ppi. While they added a fingerprint to the S5, the were already trailing behind Apple.

To combat the iPhone head on, Samsung is also reported to be making their first device with a metal chassis. It is reported that Galaxy Note 4 will have at least one model with a metal design, but what market gets that is yet to be known. If this phone is released to the American market, this could be even a bigger feature than the QHD display.


Battle: While both phones are coming with new features, yet to be seen on the smartphone market, only one can win. Apple and Samsung have taken aim at one each other multiple times in the past and this will be no different. Apple has always remained on top, but Samsung has been catching up. Apple has kept the premium design a major feature of their devices while Samsung has been pushing displays over design. This September they will collide.

Surely Apple's .7" jump will be hugely successful, but it is missing one thing: 1080p resolution. The one thing Apple hasn't gotten right is not adding full 1080p resolution to their phones and it is trailing their competitors Google, HTC, Samsung, and Sony. While their phones have been made up of metal and glass for the premium feel, it hasn't had the premium screen. This is could be Apple's falling point with their new flagship device. Samsung will definitely take aim at that and continue to brag about their vivid displays, even more so than ever with a QHD display.

The Galaxy Note 3 was one of Samsung's most popular phones ever. It showed by outselling it's S4 counterpart. The reason it was so successful was the 5.7" 1080p screen. While the Galaxy Note 4's huge selling point will be the QHD display with the same 5.7" screen, it might bow down to the iPhone 6 unless it comes with a premium design. Many critics have griped about Samsung's unwillingness to use metal in their design and their sales trailing behind Apple are a major reason for that.

Conclusion: The two devices are likely to be majorly successful, just as their counterparts in the past, however this is the biggest battle either Apple or Samsung have ever seen. Apple is taking the right step by upping the display size to 4.7" and using a new sapphire crystal glass for the screen, but not adding 1080p resolution could be it's stumbling point. The Note 4's QHD display could make this the most popular Galaxy phone to date, but if it doesn't come with a premium design, it could fall even further behind Apple. Only time will tell, and this September we will see if things stay the same or we crown a new King of the smartphone market.

Will Apple retain it's title with the new iPhone 6 or will Samsung overtake them with the Galaxy Note 4. Only time will tell.

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iPhone 6 to get Notification Light

The latest report for the iPhone 6 is that it will come with a stock notification light. This notification light won't be like other Android phones, with a small LED illuminating when a notification is received. The iPhone 6 will have the Apple logo on the rear of the phone illuminate when a user gets a text, missed call, etc. This is assumed to have multiple color tones, similar to that of Androids.

One of the hangups people have had with previous models of the  iPhones, is that when you get a text or missed call, you can't just glance at your phone to see if you have a notification. Apple does currently have an option for an the LED flash for the camera to blink when a text is received, however this is very bright and obnoxious for some.

The notification light being added to the  iPhone 6 is a big plus in the eyes of users. Now that Apple put the notification light not only on the phone, but in the Apple logo, that is something to brag about, and Apple will definitely push that as a 'premium' feature on their next flagship.

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Facebook Adopts Android L style notifications

Facebook has recently added lockscreen notifications to their Android application, similar to those coming on the upcoming Android 4.5 or 5.0 update.

Android L, or Lollipop as some suspect, will be released later this year and is the biggest overhaul of Android to date. One of the most anticipated features Android L is bringing to the next update is lockscreen notifications, similar to those on iOS. Facebook has seemingly gotten a jump on things and they have implemented their own lockscreen notifications. You either swipe to dismiss or tap, unlock, and it takes you straight to Facebook. An example of the Facebook notification can be seen below.

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Latest on iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note 4: The latest news for the Galaxy Note 4 is that it will come with a Ultra Violet (UV) sensor that will be able to detect how much radiation the user will encounter. Samsung is expanding on their big 'health' push and continue to try to be more than a smartphone. With Apple's iOS focusing more on health, Samsung is trying to remain on top. The UV sensor will go along with the expected heart rate monitor and S Health on the Note 4.

Ever since the Galaxy S4, Samsung has been trying to invade our lives with more than just being a device for contact with others, it wants us to be in contact with ourselves. With the S4, it introduced the S Heath app which helped users track their diet, calculate BMI, and it came with a pedometer. The S5 improved Ilion that with the built in heart rate monitor (even though you can download an app from the app store). They improve upon that with a UV sensor that will measure the radiation in 5 increments. Low to extreme. One wonders if there will be a level the user can set to be warned when the radiation gets to a certain point. 

While some might welcome this gimmicky feature on the Galaxy Note 4, others will object to it. Whether or not the device will sell. Plus we're looking forward to the S6 with a blood pressure monitor (kidding). 

iPhone 6: The iPhone 6 is expected to ship with a sapphire crystal display, and some people have gotten their hands on it for scratch tests. The one thing we have found out, is that while there might be some composite of sapphire crystal in the glass, it is not entirely sapphire. If it were to be entirely sapphire, it would actually be more rigid and prone to breaking. Along with that, it would also increase the cost of the device dramatically.

On the iPhone 5S, the home button is actually made entirely of sapphire crystal. It is small enough to not change the cost of the device and resists breaking. Apple choose the sapphire crystal for the home button over regular glass because of the importance of keeping a clear picture for the fingerprint scanner. The last thing someone wants is to be locked out of their device because their home button is scratched. 

The sapphire display is a welcome innovation to challenge Gorilla Glass for the top displays on the market. The question is, will Apple make this catch on? We will find out when the iPhone 6 releases this September. 

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Report: iPhone 6 to get bigger battery

While many are clamoring for the iPhone 6 because of the increased screen size, many are forgetting what powers the device. Apple will be bumping up the battery in the iPhone 6 to a reported 1810 mAh, up from 1560 mAh on the iPhone 5S. While this may sound like a big improvement, they are jumping up in screen size as well, so battery life very well could be the same as previous models, if not less.

One thing Apple impresses with is a relatively small battery with decent life. If the bump is upwards of 300 mAh, there could be some serious longevity with Apple's iOS. Comparing the iPhone 5S or even the reported iPhone 6 battery to the Galaxy S5, there is still a huge gap. The S5 boasts a 2800 mAh battery, but also drags along a 5.1" screen with 1080p resolution.

Whether this leak is true or not, Apple is definitely going to up the battery size no matter what, and one would hope that it would eclipse the 2000 mAh mark. That would make battery life on the iPhone 6 get closer to the normal size is most flagships these days, and battery life is a huge selling point in 2014.

What are you expecting for the iPhone 6? Is battery life the top reason for getting a certain smartphone? Let us know in the comment box below.

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iPhone 6 5.5" delayed until 2015: Report

While the phone market readies for another huge push in Q3 of 2014 with flagship devices, one device is reported to be not making the cut. The iPhone 6, which is expected to be released in a 4.7" and a 5.5" for the first time, has run into a delay. Originally they were supposed to be released side by side in September to fight off Samsung's massive displays of the Galaxy S series and Note series, but there has been a break in manufacturing.

According to reports, the 4.7" iPhone 6 will still make it's debut this September, and will go head to head against the Galaxy Note 4 without it's 5.5" counterpart. There has been a delay because the touch sensors seem to be having difficulty on the larger display and there are concerns of the Sapphire glass not being durable enough in drop tests.

This could also be detrimental to customers on the fence about holding out for the 5.5" phone, when they have to wait up to 6 months from now. With many flagships out now, and in the coming months, they could lose potential switchers. I am sure the iPhone 6 4.7" will be hugely successful, but even I was curious about a 5.5" iPhone (and I am a devout Android user). I won't think twice when I purchase my Galaxy Note 4, even more so than before. The question is, are other people going to hold out? Would you get the 4.7" or the 5.5" iPhone 6? Let us know in the comment box below!

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