Tech Industry

4,152 'Tech Industry' stories June 2007 - October 2013

OtterBox releases new Preserver Series waterproof cases for the iPhone 5/5s/5c

Oct 15 2013 - 12:44 pm PT

Update: Here’s the official word from OtterBox regarding Touch ID compatibility: “The Preserver Series for the iPhone 5s incorporates a thin layer of a specially formulated material that allows for full functionality of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner technology while keeping the case completely sealed from water.”

One of the the most well-known tough case manufacturers, OtterBox, today announced their new Preserver Series waterproof cases for the iPhone 5/5s/5c and Samsung Galaxy S4. It aims to provide peace of mind for smartphone users in wet, dusty, and messy environments. Most notably, it provides protection in up to 6.6 feet while keeping a stylish slim-line design.

“About 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, and technology is almost as pervasive,” said OtterBox CEO Brian Thomas. “We take our smartphones with us everywhere, and OtterBox is dedicated to making these activities as worry-free as possible. The Preserver Series is dependable, seriously waterproof protection that you can trust.”

The Preserver Series is also dust proof and drop proof for tumbles as high as 6.6 feet. All functions remain accessible through the case even though each port and button are fully protected. It is unclear how OtterBox is achieving a complete waterproof solution for the iPhone 5s while keeping access to the Touch ID sensor. It appears the entire screen is covered by a built-in screen protector except for the Touch ID sensor which could be waterproofed with the same technology found in Lifeproof Nuud cases. This would make sense as Otterbox recently acquired Lifeproof. We have reached out to OtterBox for clarification and will update this post when we have more information.

The iPhone 5 Preserver Series case is $89.95 and is available for shipping now. The iPhone 5s/5c cases are not yet available for order and pricing information is not currently known. Save up to 15% on any OtterBox.com order with coupon code AM2012.

Full press release follows:

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T-Mobile sunsets grandfathered plans with new rates due to ‘complexity’

Zac Hall Oct 15 2013 - 12:01 pm PT

2 Comments

Blame it on ‘unnecessary complexity’, but T-Mobile revealed today plans to move customers still using paying old rates to updated plans in an effort to reduce the number of plans it services (via TmoNews).

The Uncarrier is set make these changes starting next month and will give customers until February 2014 to choose new plans before imposing fees for users on grandfathered plans.

For T-Mobile’s part, the carrier offered the following statement:

Maintaining thousands of rate plans is the norm in the industry, but we think it creates unnecessary complexity. Simple is better, which is why we’re reducing the number of older plans in our systems. We’re giving customers on these plans the opportunity to choose a plan that best meets their needs. For the vast majority, their plan will provide similar or better features at a comparable price.

News of T-Mobile’s plans originally surfaced when one customer posted the letter seen below to an online forum:
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Nike launches more durable, Bluetooth 4.0 ‘FuelBand SE’, available alongside new apps on Nov. 6

Mark Gurman Oct 15 2013 - 8:06 am PT

9 Comments

In line with my report from earlier this month, Nike has taken the wraps off of its brand-new Fuel Band. The FuelBand is Nike’s fitness tracking device that is worn around the wrist, and it has been popular (including within Apple’s upper ranks). The new version, officially called Nike FuelBand SE, makes improvements to the design that focus on color, durability, and connectivity. As I reported, the new FuelBand is more durable, more water-resistant, and connects to devices via Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy (LE) technology:

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Crowdfunding Roundup: multipath router, WiFi for your dock, smart brewing appliance, more

Scott Buscemi Oct 13 2013 - 7:47 pm PT

8 Comments

Rather than make you sift through all of these projects, we’re rounding up the best or most notable projects from around the crowdfunding web and delivering them to you in a simple roundup. If there’s a project that you’ve backed – or even a project that you founded – be sure to leave a link below so it can be considered for the next roundup. Check out our complete list of roundups here.

Multipath Router (Indiegogo project)
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Mdls9aW-5m0]Now that Siri on iOS 7 takes advantage of multipath, a smarter internet technology that can take advantage of all web connections at the same time, the technology has gotten a boost in exposure and consumer interest. Multipath Networks has come out with a new router that can take advantage of your regular DSL/cable connection and boost it using your cell phone or neighbor’s internet, if they permit. The router itself starts at $199.

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Tech Industry

T-Mobile unveils global data coverage in 100 countries at no extra charge

Jordan Kahn Oct 9 2013 - 2:10 pm PT

5 Comments

T-Mobile unveiled a new offering that will provide global data coverage allowing users to access their data plan in over 100 countries at no extra charge (via Engadget). CEO John Legere has been hinting at the announcement on his Twitter account in recent days: “Today is the day! The day we change the way the world uses their phones!”

Today is the day! The day we change the way the world uses their phones! You ready? #unleash

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) October 9, 2013

This new plan will allow Simple Choice customers to get unlimited 2G data and texting in supported Simple Global countries. Voice calls on the plan cost $.20 per minute for in-country calls. There are no extra fees for this service, as it is included in all Simple Choice plans automatically.

The “un-carrier” also announced a few other changes to its plans, including a new international talk and text option from the US to all other Simple Global countries. That will cost an additional $10/month and include $.20/minute voice calls and unlimited texting. Adding this option to your plan will also enable unlimited calling to landlines in over 70 Simple Global countries for free.

Finally, T-Mobile announced that its 4G LTE network is available nationwide and reaches over 200 million potential customers.

Microsoft working on touch-optimized Office for iPad according to exiting CEO Ballmer

Zac Hall Oct 8 2013 - 8:47 am PT

2 Comments

In what seems like a never ending story, retiring Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced that the company plans to introduce a touch optimized version of Microsoft Office to iPad customers (via The Verge) after it completes development.

Microsoft plans to first deliver the tablet version of its productivity suite to the Microsoft Surface, its tablet competitor to the iPad, but this is the first we have heard of such plans.
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Google Chairman Eric Schmidt on Android security: “Not secure? It’s more secure than the iPhone.”

Seth Weintraub Oct 7 2013 - 6:08 pm PT

28 Comments

We have a long running series on 9to5Google called “Talking Schmidt” and the Chairman of Google keeps loading it up with amusing quotes on the technology industry. Today’s comes from the Gartner Symposium where our pro/antagonist was asked by Gartner analyst David Willis about the security of Android (which has taken some hits lately to put it mildly).

To which Schmidt, without batting an eye, said:

“Not secure? It’s more secure than the iPhone.”

The comment drew laughter from the crowd, comprised largely of CIOs and high level IT personnel. Keep in mind, this is the same quote-smith who forecasted Google TV would have taken over the market last year and called the iPad just a big iPhone.
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Will the Mac go touch? Unlikely, but here’s what a 32″ 4K IGZO Touch Mac looks like

Jordan Kahn Oct 7 2013 - 9:33 am PT

10 Comments

It looks like Sharp is planning full support for OS X in its upcoming 32-inch 4K IGZO touchscreen LCD LED monitor (PN-K322B) expected to launch in the US this fall. Sharp previously announced the 36 mm thin 4K panel with pen support in July, but Macotakara.jp snapped the photo above of Sharp demoing the display running OS X from a connected MacBook at the Ceatec Japan 2013 show over the weekend.

From the translated report, it sounds like Sharp plans compatible OS X drivers as a download in 1-2 months.

Apart from touch support, the monitor is much the same as the 32-inch 4K IGZO display that we were quite impressed with when Sharp first showed them off at CES in January.

You can get a better look at the display from earlier this year in the video below:

Scott Forstall could come out of hiding to testify at Samsung damages trial with Phil Schiller

Seth Weintraub Oct 4 2013 - 2:59 pm PT

5 Comments

Actual court drawing of Forstall (<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/slideshow?articleId=USBRE87906V20120810&slide=1#a=1">not a joke</a>)

We’re set to get a blast from the past on November 12th when ex-Apple SVP of iOS Scott Forstall is likely to come out of hiding to testify at the Samsung damages hearing alongside his once colleague Phil Schiller.

On Friday, the two sides filed a joint pretrial statement and lists of potential witnesses they may call. Apple’s list includes Phil Schiller, the company’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, and Scott Forstall, the former senior vice president of iOS software. Forstall’s departure was announced last October following the widely criticized launch of Apple Maps, which some observers said may have led to his firing. Both Schiller and Forstall also testified in the original trial.

Rounding out Apple’s lineup, Susan Kare, who designed the original Mac icons is also on the docket. Apple won an over $1B verdict in the initial trial but the amount was subsequently dropped to $400M by Judge Lucy Koh.

Forstall has been out of the public spotlight since his removal by CEO Tim Cook in October of last year.
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Nike schedules Oct. 15 event; more durable, battery-efficient FuelBand incoming

Mark Gurman Oct 3 2013 - 12:23 pm PT

8 Comments

Nike has scheduled a Tuesday, October 15th media event in New York City to discuss “the future of the digital world and physical activity.” Besides that, the company has been light on official details about what will be announced. However, we’ve been hearing about an upcoming Nike fitness/digital-related event for the past few weeks, and we are expecting a successor the popular Nike FuelBand fitness device to be announced. The event was originally planned for November, but perhaps the upcoming announcements from competitor Fitbit put pressure on Nike to move up its timeline…

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Amazon’s Apple TV-competitor on for the holidays, will allow for gaming & other apps

Mark Gurman Oct 3 2013 - 10:59 am PT

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This morning we reported that Amazon had trademarked FireTube, and the trademark could serve as a name for the company’s long-rumored TV product. Now, the WSJ follows up by claiming said device is on Amazon’s roadmap for the holiday season. Here are some of the details on the device:

Will compete with the Roku and Apple TV
Will stream Amazon Prime content
Will run third-party media apps and gaming content
Amazon is working on a dedicated remote for the device, but it could also be controlled via smartphone/tablet apps

Of course, the device could be shelved at the last minute, but given the uptake in reports about an Amazon TV device, today’s trademark discovery, and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s want to expand his company’s hardware portfolio, it seems likely that the device truly is in the imminent Amazon product pipeline.

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Amazon ‘Firetube’ to take on Apple TV and Chromecast for living room supremacy?

Seth Weintraub Oct 3 2013 - 6:26 am PT

2 Comments

It appears that Amazon’s long-rumored TV product may be called ‘Firetube’ according to recent Trademarks filed in the US and Canada. There are, of course, rumors of an Amazon TV that stretch back quite awhile. Lots of rumors. Bloomberg thinks Fall 2013 is the planned launch window. That’s right now.

As for Amazon on iOS products, Amazon has pushed out a lot of updates, including Airplay last month, but noticeably absent is an Apple TV app. Currently, the best way to watch Amazon content directly on a TV is through a Roku box or Google TV.

Head over to 9to5Google for the full story.
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Google acquires gesture-based interface development startup Flutter

Mike Beasley Oct 2 2013 - 4:21 pm PT

2 Comments

Flutter, the startup that created a gestured-based music controller for iTunes and Spotify, has been acquired by Google according to a splash page on the company’s website. The Flutter app used a computer’s webcam to detect hand gestures for starting, stopping, or switching songs on iOS, OS X, and Windows. Aside from iTunes and Spotify, Flutter is compatible with a variety other apps, including Quicktime Player, Rdio, and even Google Chrome.

Based on the existing Chrome integration (which allows for control of Netflix, YouTube, Grooveshark, and Pandora), it’s possible that Google is looking into some kind of gesture controls for browsing the web. However, the technology could be for a wide range of uses such as Google Glass, which currently uses gestures across a touch-sensitive bar on the side of the unit.

Google has not yet confirmed the acquisition.

Report finds almost all Android OEMs, not just Samsung, cheat on benchmarks

Jordan Kahn Oct 2 2013 - 10:00 am PT

7 Comments

Android-Benchmarks-cheaters

When Apple SVP Phil Schiller pointed us to a story earlier this week that Samsung was artificially inflating benchmark scores for its new Galaxy Note 3, many were quick to point out it wasn’t the first time Samsung had been caught engaged in such a practice. The same issue was discovered by AnandTech for the Galaxy S4 back in July, and today the site has an extensive report showing that almost every Android smartphone manufacturer is shipping devices that do the same.

As pictured in the chart above, that includes the HTC One, HTC One mini, LG G2, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and many others. In fact, the only companies that appear to not be using the method is Apple and Motorola, as well as Google with its Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 devices:

We started piecing this data together back in July, and even had conversations with both silicon vendors and OEMs about getting it to stop. With the exception of Apple and Motorola, literally every single OEM we’ve worked with ships (or has shipped) at least one device that runs this silly CPU optimization. It’s possible that older Motorola devices might’ve done the same thing, but none of the newer devices we have on hand exhibited the behavior. It’s a systemic problem that seems to have surfaced over the last two years, and one that extends far beyond Samsung… None of the Nexus do, which is understandable since the optimization isn’t a part of AOSP. This also helps explain why the Nexus 4 performed so slowly when we reviewed it – this mess was going on back then and Google didn’t partake.

As noted in the report, the gains that OEMs are experiencing from the inflated scores are probably not worth the press they’ve been receiving. AnandTech points out that most of the inflated scores provide under a 10% increase in GPU and CPU performance benchmarks:

The hilarious part of all of this is we’re still talking about small gains in performance. The impact on our CPU tests is 0 – 5%, and somewhere south of 10% on our GPU benchmarks as far as we can tell. I can’t stress enough that it would be far less painful for the OEMs to just stop this nonsense and instead demand better performance/power efficiency from their silicon vendors.

You can check out the full report here, which offers in-depth analysis on the optimizations it found for several devices across various benchmark tests.

Crowdfunding follow-up: Muku Shuttr, the remote camera shutter for smartphones

Scott Buscemi Sep 30 2013 - 5:30 pm PT

1 Comment

Back in July, we featured the Muku Shuttr in our weekly crowdfunding roundup. Since then, the Kickstarter project went on to gain over 2500 backers and end with $94k in funding – well over the $10k goal. With the devices shipping out to backers starting next month, we took some time to review the device and speak with Kevin Keung, the head of Muku Labs.

Setting up the device

The device has two switches: one for turning the device on and off and the other for switching between iOS and Android compatibility. They’re easy to maneuver, but sadly there is no indication as to which is for on/off and which is for iOS/Android (although one is recessed and the other is not, which makes it easy to remember after some time).

Once you’ve turned it on and set it to your phone’s OS, it’s Bluetooth signal will start beaming out. Just like any other Bluetooth device, opening up the Settings app and going into the Bluetooth preferences will show the device available to pair.

How it works

The Shuttr is basically a one-button keyboard that sends the Volume + “key” to your phone. Rather than downloading a special/proprietary app, it works with the native camera app and any other app that takes a picture when the volume up button is pressed. Once you’re ready to take the photo, press the button and it’ll take a picture.

Having a remote shutter button around is powerful – no more finding a camera app with a self-timer function or asking someone else to take a group shot when traveling.

The battery is also self-serviceable, so once you use up all the juice you can open it up and replace the coin battery.

The crowdfunding experience and its effect

The demand for the Muku Shuttr pushed the project well beyond its funding goal – over 9.4x its $10k goal, in fact. Muku Labs’ Kevin Leung told me just a bit about how far that demand is extending:

Realizing that there is a true demand on this remote shutter release for smartphone through Kickstarter. Dealers and distributors around the world approach us, exploring opportunity to bring Shuttr to retail store worldwide. We are hoping that Shuttr will hit the shelf in one of the stores near you soon.

Going from an idea to a crowdfunding project to a product available at a retail store is an exhilarating experience for a development team. However, setting up shop quickly and efficiently is extremely demanding:

Fulfilling 3000 units in 2 months time is tough, we are trying so hard to push our suppliers in this busy season (most factories in China are super busy to fill up the container ships for Xmas in US and Europe). But so far not only we didn’t slip any schedule, we managed to ship the first batch of 300 units 1 month ahead of our promise!

Muku Labs definitely has a hit on its hands – and the team seems to be capable of handling the customer support and product distribution like a well-oiled machine.

Availability and pricing

The Muku Shuttr is available from the Muku Labs website for $39 if you choose the black or white options or $49 for the Midnight Sun or Black Hole editions. All versions come with an elegant pouch and suction cup stand. With strong build quality and straight-forward setup and use, the Muku Shuttr makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Crowdfunding Roundup: Wi-Fi Petcube, Android smartwatch, JavaScript microcontroller, more

Scott Buscemi Sep 29 2013 - 5:55 pm PT

1 Comment

Petcube – stay closer to your pet (Kickstarter project) – A high-end Wi-Fi aluminum cube with an HD camera, microphone, speakers, and low-intensity movable laser. What’s not to love? Entertain and stay in contact with your pets while you’re out and about. The project is just $15k shy of its $100k goal and will surely succeed within the next 36 days remaining. Grab one for just $149 and receive it sometime around May 2014.

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China Mobile posters for the iPhone 5s and 5c leak, 4G certification imminent

Benjamin Mayo Sep 26 2013 - 3:16 am PT

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Supposed posters from China Mobile promoting the iPhone 5s and 5c have leaked out, touting “the strongest iPhone in China” (via UnwiredView). The ‘100’ visible on the poster indicates the network’s 100Mb/s maximum speed will be supported by the iPhone. Naturally, the iPhone will be China Mobile’s flagship 4G phone.

Apple has already received the necessary certification to put the iPhone on all Chinese spectrum, including the TD-LTE strand used by China Mobile, earlier this month. Now, the only holdup is getting permission from the MITT governing body to let China Mobile use the spectrum on a commercial basis.

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Valve announces Steam Machines hardware beta for SteamOS

Jordan Kahn Sep 25 2013 - 10:04 am PT

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Earlier this week Valve made the first of three big announcements being teased on its website with the introduction of SteamOS: a Linux-based, open and freely licensable operating system that will run any number of devices and deliver the Steam experience in the living room. Today the company announced the second part of the puzzle with the launch of a hardware beta program for “Steam Machines” that will run the operating system:

Entertainment is not a one-size-fits-all world. We want you to be able to choose the hardware that makes sense for you, so we are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam gaming machines to market during 2014, all of them running SteamOS.

Valve has designed a “high-performance prototype” and it will ship 300 of the boxes to Steam users for free in order to test the platform:

While these products are still in development, we need your help. As always, we believe the best way to ensure that the right products are getting made is to let people try them out and then make changes as we go. We have designed a high-performance prototype that’s optimized for gaming, for the living room, and for Steam. Of course, it’s also completely upgradable and open.

The company is accepting sign-ups for the beta program until October 25. Here’s how to apply:

THE HARDWARE BETA ELIGIBILITY QUEST:

Before October 25, log in to Steam and then visit your quest page to track your current status towards beta test eligibility

1. Join the Steam Universe community group

2. Agree to the Steam Hardware Beta Terms and Conditions

3. Make 10 Steam friends (if you haven’t already)

4. Create a public Steam Community profile (if you haven’t already)

5. Play a game using a gamepad in Big Picture mode

With SteamOS, it’s not just games. Valve could quickly be on its way to making a full fledged Apple TV competitor with the Steam Machines it will begin testing for an expected 2014 launch. The company noted that its SteamOS operating system will also include features for other content such as music, TV shows, and movies, and Valve is already in discussions with various media companies to make that happen.

Valve’s Gabe Newell expressed previously that the biggest threat to the new platform would be if Apple made a major move into the living room with a revamped Apple TV.

BlackBerry receives buyout offer from Fairfax Capital for $4.7 billion dollars

Benjamin Mayo Sep 23 2013 - 10:47 am PT

8 Comments

Blackberry has just announced (via Business Insider) that an investment firm has put in an offer for the company. At $9 a share, the deal is worth about 4.7 billion dollars in total. Fairfax already owns about 10 percent of Blackberry before the deal.

Having an investment company buy Blackberry does not have a direct impact on the smartphone market. Often though, investment firms buy out companies with the aim of selling off assets separately. For instance, BlackBerry’s patent portfolio may soon be put up for auction as a result of the deal, allowing for smartphone makers like Apple and Google to then bid for the intellectual property without the other baggage associated with buying out the failing company in its entirety.

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Crowdfunding Roundup: upgraded Easy-Macro smartphone lens, smart electrical outlets and switches, more

Scott Buscemi Sep 22 2013 - 7:03 pm PT

4 Comments

The Easy-Macro Smartphone Lens (Kickstarter project) – Taking close-up shots on the iPhone is near impossible, as the camera has trouble staying in focus. One option is to move back a bit then crop once the image is complete, but that usually results in a pixelated image. In comes the Easy-Macro Smartphone Lens.

We’ve covered the Easy-Macro lens before, but now they’re making improvements to the design and keeping up with the demand by taking advantage of crowdfunding. Now’s your opportunity to grab one for just $10, which is $5 off retail – great for your new iPhone 5s. Disclaimer/another-reason-to-back-the-project: I personally backed this project.

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Sprint announces $65/month ‘One Up’ upgrade plan

Jordan Kahn Sep 20 2013 - 8:01 am PT

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Earlier this month we heard reports that Sprint was readying its own upgrade program to combat recent initiatives introduced through the other major carriers including AT&T’s Next, T-Mobile’s Jump, and Verizon’s Edge program. Today Sprint has officially announced the “Sprint One Up” plan and explained exactly how it works:

Sprint One Up, a new upgrade program that gives customers unlimited talk, text and high speed data while on the Sprint Network plus the ability to upgrade their smartphone every 12 months starting at just $65 a month – a $15 per month savings off their Unlimited, My Way standard rate plan and Sprint’s guarantee of unlimited talk, text and data for the life of the line of service. Sprint One Up is also available for smartphones on the My All-in plan as well as on tablets in combination with tablet plans starting at just $5 a month.

Sprint notes that the upgrade every 12 months will require a new 24 month instalment plan with no down payment, while cancelling your service will cost you the remaining balance on the device.

The new Sprint One Up plan becomes available starting today, lining up with retail iPhone launches around the world.

Sprint One Up Along With Sprint Unlimited Guarantee for Life Available to New and Existing Customers on Sept. 20

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 20, 2013 – In continuing its commitment to offering customers the best value in wireless, Sprint (NYSE: S) announced today Sprint One UpSM, a new upgrade program that gives customers unlimited talk, text and high speed data while on the Sprint Network plus the ability to upgrade their smartphone every 12 months starting at just $65 a month1. The new program is available Sept. 20 to new and existing customers on Unlimited, My WaySM and My All-inSM plans.

Sprint One Up offers customers an affordable option to upgrade their device more frequently. With Sprint One Up, participating smartphone customers get unlimited talk, text and data for an introductory rate of $65 per month – a $15 per month savings off their Unlimited, My Way standard rate plan and Sprint’s guarantee of unlimited talk, text and data for the life of the line of service2. Sprint One Up is also available for smartphones on the My All-in plan as well as on tablets in combination with tablet plans starting at just $5 a month.

To participate, customers simply purchase an eligible smartphone or tablet and agree to 24 monthly installment payments for the device. For a limited time, customers can enjoy no down payment for the device. After 12 consecutive payments, customers can give back their current device and upgrade to a new smartphone or tablet.

“Sprint One Up is the best value in wireless,” said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. “The new program gives Sprint customers the ability to upgrade every 12 months and unlimited talk, text and high speed data for just $65. And, unlike other carriers, Sprint guarantees the unlimited talk, text and data for life. No other plan can compare.”

Sprint One Up for Existing Sprint Customers

Existing customers meeting upgrade eligibility requirements also can participate in Sprint One Up. In celebration of this significant launch, Sprint is rewarding current customers with the opportunity to join Sprint One Up through the holidays. Sprint customers who are not yet upgrade eligible, but have had their current phone for 12 months, can give back their current eligible phone and sign up for Sprint One Up, provided they meet the credit qualifications3.

Best Value in Wireless

Sprint continues its commitment to offer the best value in wireless with Sprint One Up and Unlimited, My Way and My All-in plans. Sprint One Up features:

Unlimited talk, text and high speed data on smartphones guaranteed for the life of the line of service starting at $65 a month (excludes surcharges and taxes)
Annual upgrades on smartphones and tablets
0% APR monthly installment payments for the device

Single Line Smartphone Comparisons

Sprint customers also will see significant monthly savings — up to $45 a month – compared to similar plans from AT&T and Verizon4.

4G LTE

Sprint continues to bring a better wireless experience to more customers across the country as it builds out its all-new 3G and 4G LTE network and is projected to provide LTE to 200 million people by the end of 2013. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint 4G LTE, visitwww.sprint.com/network. Customers can also check www.sprint.com/coverage for updated coverage maps.

Availability

Sprint One Up is available in Sprint company-owned stores to new and eligible existing customers on Sept. 20 (program currently not available in Florida and Washington, D.C.). Visitwww.sprint.com/oneup for more information.

Report: Apple could use sapphire crystal for home button on new iPads, cover glass on 2014 iPhones

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 1:06 pm PT

5 Comments

With Apple utilizing a new laser cut sapphire crystal in its redesigned home button that now includes a capacitive fingerprint touch sensor on the iPhone 5s, it’s not that surprising that rumors of a sapphire home button on future iPads are starting to pop up. We’re certainly not taking this one as fact, as it comes to us from the not-so-reliable DigiTimes, but a new report from the publication says new models of Apple’s full-sized iPad and iPad mini will also utilize the hard sapphire crystal material. The rumor apparently comes from “Taiwan-based sapphire makers.”

The report adds that Apple could also be looking to utilize the material for entire touch screen covers for new iPhones coming in 2014, but that price could be a factor, as sapphire crystal is reportedly still around 5 times more expensive than alternative materials.

In it’s latest promotional video for the new iPhone 5s home button and TouchID feature (below), Apple says the Sapphire crystal button protects the the new touch sensor and also “acts as a lens to precisely focus it on your finger.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJkmc8-eyvE

Sprint slashing iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c prices by extra $100 for new customers

Mark Gurman Sep 16 2013 - 8:12 am PT

4 Comments

According to Sprint’s website, the carrier will be offering $100 discounts on the new iPhones to customers who port their number over to Sprint from another carrier. With this promotion, the iPhone 5c will cost $0 for a 16GB model and $99 for a 32GB model. The iPhone 5s will come out to $99 for 16GB, $199 for 32GB, and $299 for 64GB. The iPhone 4s, like the 16GB iPhone 5c, will be free of charge.

Of course, this promotion means you have to sign a contract with Sprint. On September 20th (which is the day that the new iPhones launch), Sprint will rollout a “One Up” yearly upgrade program that allows users to pay the unsubsidized cost of a phone on a monthly basis. The $100 off promotion for the iPhones is a limited time offer. Last week, Sprint announced a similar program for the Moto X. Thanks, Alex!

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Just days before the launch of iOS 7, The Beatles arrive on iTunes Radio

Michael Steeber Sep 16 2013 - 8:01 am PT

4 Comments

With only days remaining until iOS 7 is released into the hands of consumers worldwide, Apple has finally managed to bring The Beatles to iTunes Radio.

Since its initial introduction at WWDC in June, users of iTunes Radio would be greeted with an absence of Beatles music, even when creating a specific “Beatles Radio” station. No explanation was given from Apple. Perhaps what’s most interesting here is that from the launch of the iTunes Music Store in 2003 until late 2010, Apple struggled to reach an agreement with Apple Corps to get The Beatles onto the store. This was due to a long series of legal battles with Apple Corps and Apple Inc, stretching back multiple decades. Until this past weekend, it appeared that The Beatles wouldn’t make it onto iTunes Radio either.

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