Apple is Reportedly Making Two Different iPhones with Plastic Casings

According to a new leak, Apple is developing two versions of its rumored budget iPhone in parallel. Both have pretty much the same specs, except for the connectivity department.

A leaked internal document from Cupertino reveals that both models, codenamed Zenvo and Zagato/Bertone internally, will sport the same 4-inch display (likely Retina), “but the difference will be in the processor and connectivity options,” according to PhoneArena.

The blog says the Zenvo phone is “the slightly more affordable one.” The reason? A ‘H5P dual-core processor,’ 1GB of RAM and supports FDD 4G connectivity. The Zagato/Bertone model will have support for TDD 4G LTE and an ‘H6P’ processor, which is probably a designation for a different version of Apple’s A-series processor powering the handsets. The latter is said to be the Chinese plastic iPhone.

Budget iPhone mockup
Image credits to pcadvisor.co.uk

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Comparison Shots Between Plastic iPhone and iPhone 5

A bunch of new plastic iPhone photos have surfaced in Japan where a magazine has decided to see how the phone stacks up against the current-generation model.

The comparison shots between Apple’s upcoming budget iPhone and the iPhone 5 show quite a few differences, but also a number of similarities. For example, the plastic case is rounded whereas the iPhone 5 is more edgy. The overall look is different too, as a result of this change. The phone has fewer holes at the bottom (where the speaker is located), while the Lightning and headphone connectors are in the same position as on the iPhone 5. The dimensions seem to be identical, meaning the screen size will probably be the same. The screw layout is in line with a recent logic board leak, and the Japanese magazine who obtained the photos says they saw cases in pink, blue, orange, black, and white.

Apple is expected to unleash not one but multiple new iPhones this year, including an iPhone 5S and this plastic iPhone which analysts believe it’ll cost much less. Dubbed “budget” iPhone by the media, this new device is likely to offer the specifications of the iPhone 5 at a lower price. The iPhone 5S, which remains unconfirmed for now, is expected to employ a number of enhancements that justify the high price Apple usually charges for its smartphone. One of these enhancements includes a rumored fingerprint sensor which Apple is said to have obtained from its AuthenTec acquisition earlier this year. Both phones are expected to debut at a special event this fall. At the event, Apple is likely to introduce a new version of the iPad (the fifth-generation model). An iPad mini refresh is not expected until next year.

Budget iPhone case compared to iPhone 5
Image credits to weekly.ascii.jp

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How to Switch to Google.com Search in Chrome

Google's Chrome, like most of the products by the company, tries to give users what they need without asking too many questions or having them fiddle with too many options. Most of the time and for most people, that's a good thing.

Sometimes though, it's incredibly annoying. For example, many users prefer to use the main Google.com search engine to the one localized for their language. The global one always has the newest features and the best results, if you're interested in English results at least. But Chrome automatically uses the localized search engine in the Omnibox. There are ways of changing the default search engine to a custom one, but they're quite fiddly and don't always work. Thankfully, Google does make it possible to revert to the global search engine instead of your local one, but you can't "tell" Chrome to change it. Instead, you have to "teach" it.

The Google Operating System blog has a simple guide on how to achieve this. First, you have to visit the global search page, either by typing in "google.com/ncr" (NCR stands for no country redirect) or by clicking on the Google.com link on your local Google homepage. Search for something, it doesn't matter what, on this global page, then close the browser. This trick works on mobile devices too, but you have to make sure to close the Chrome app, not just navigate away from it by pressing the Home button. Next, open Chrome again and start a search from the Omnibox. You'll be asked if you'd like to continue to use your local search engine or switch to the global one. Select "Switch to google.com" and you're done. The option will be persistent, so if you choose the global one, all your future queries will be funneled through that one.

change search engine dialog in Chrome for Android
Image credits to GoogleSystem

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Intel Prepares to Drop Atom Brand Name

Anyone who has previously heard that Intel was planning on dropping the Atom brand name may have thought they've heard wrong.

They didn't though. Intel really is planning on that, according to Digitimes. It won't happen right away, but neither will the Santa Clara, California-based company be dawdling. Intel will stop releasing processors from the Atom line at some point in the fourth quarter of 2014. After that, the entry-level market will be covered by Celeron and Pentium CPUs instead.

To clarify, Intel isn't dropping any CPU architecture, only the brand, for whatever reason. I suppose the lack of demand for presumably weak and not-worth-it Atom units warrants this. Meanwhile, Intel will preserve the reputation of Pentium and Celeron chips by releasing Haswell-based models as well, and units based on subsequent architectures.

Intel prepares to drop Atom brand
Image credits to Intel

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 Now Available in the US for $300/€230

Officially unveiled last month, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 has just hit shelves in the United States. The smartphone is expected to arrive in the UK as well, but the first stocks are slated for September.

As GSMArena reports, the Galaxy Ace 3 is now available for purchase via Popular Electronics for only $300/€230 outright. Negri Electronics is about to start offering the smartphone as well for a bit cheaper, $280/ €215. Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is powered by Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box and packs a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor.

The smartphone sports a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports 480 x 800 pixels resolution. It also features 1GB of RAM and 4/8 GB of internal memory. There will be three versions of Galaxy Ace 3 up for grabs in the following weeks: Galaxy Ace 3 S7270 (3G), Galaxy Ace 3 S7275 (LTE) and Galaxy Ace 3 S7272 (dual-SIM).

Samsung Galaxy Ace 3
Image credits to Samsung

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Garmin USA 2.5 for iOS Adds Themes, Performance Improvements

Navigation expert Garmin has released an updated version of its US-centric mapping application which includes themes and stability improvements.

Garmin is the first iPhone navigation app to include the company’s exclusive photoReal images of complex junctions to help users navigate with ease. The software offers rich mapping with detailed 3D buildings and landmarks, as well as lane guidance, speed/red light camera alerts, and many other advanced features for drivers.

Users of Garmin USA 2.5 will be able to choose from many different map themes to make their iOS navigation easier on the eyes. The update further includes various stability improvements and bug fixes to smoothen out your experience. Garmin USA is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation), and iPad, and requires iOS 5.1 or later.

Garmin USA screenshots
Image credits to Garmin

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HTC One Mini Gets Certified in China, Appears in Live Photos

More pictures of the smaller version of HTC One have just leaked online, along with some details on the phone’s specs sheet.

Furthermore, GSMArena reports that the phone has just received certification in China and is likely to go official in the next couple of weeks. According to the latest rumors, HTC One mini will be launched with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box and a decent enough 1.4 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor. The smartphone is said to pack 1GB of RAM, an Adreno 305 graphics processing unit and a 4 UltraPixel rear camera. HTC One mini sports a 4.3-inch HD (720p) capacitive touchscreen display, as well as 16 GB of internal memory.

Unfortunately, there is no confirmation on the microSD card slot for memory expansion, so we must assume that storage is non-expandable. Stay tuned for more details on this one.

HTC One Mini
Image credits to Tenaa

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra Arriving in the UK on September 6

The newest Android flagship smartphone coming from Sony, the Xperia Z Ultra, has already been confirmed for the UK, though information on availability has been a bit scarce until recently.

The smartphone is expected to arrive in the UK via major carriers and retailers, so Sony fans will surely get to choose their favorite network. At least one major UK-based retailer, Expansys, will start offering the Sony Xperia Z Ultra on September 6. According to AndroidCentral, Expansys has just confirmed that it will receive the first stock of Xperia Z Ultra units on the said date. Those who wish to purchase the white or black version of Sony Xperia Z Ultra via Expanys will have to come up with no less than £640 outright, which is about €740 or $975. For the time being, the handset is up for pre-order at Expansys for this price, but as we approach its release, it might go cheaper.

GSMArena also reports that Clove UK has just announced that the first stock of Xperia Z Ultra is expected in the week commencing September 13. Both black and white variants of the smartphone will be available for purchase. Clove offers the Xperia Z Ultra a bit cheaper than Expansys, as customers will be able to pick it up for £600 (€695/$915). Those who can afford this monstrous phablet will get a huge device featuring a 6.4-inch full HD (1080p) capacitive touchscreen display that packs Triluminos technology and scratch resistant glass. Hardware-wise, the smartphone packs a powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory.

On the back, the phone boasts an enhanced 8-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus and full HD (1080p) video recording. Sadly, the phone lacks any type of LED flash, so night pictures are out of the question.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Image credits to Sony

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Red Nokia Lumia 1020 Option for AT&T Customers

Nokia has announced that the Lumia 1020 will be available from AT&T later this month for only $299.99 (€229) with a new two-year agreement.

The Finnish company has confirmed that the smartphone will be available in black, white and yellow, though some Nokia fans have expected the handset maker to allow them to purchase the Lumia 1020 in cyan and red as well. Although cyan and red Lumia 1020 have yet to be announced, evleaks has just published the press image of Nokia’s flagship smartphone in red.

At this point, there’s no telling if the red color will be an option for AT&T customers who want to pick up the Nokia Lumia 1020 next month. However, if the photo is genuine, we should expect the carrier to reveal the new color pretty soon, so stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

Red Nokia Lumia 1020
Image credits to evleaks

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Acer Upcoming Products, Acer TA2 with NVIDIA Tegra 4

Besides the fact that Tegra 3-based tablets aren't old or weak enough to warrant updates, there is also another reason why Tegra 4 isn't likely to sell: pricing.

That's right, as far as mobile platforms go, Tegra 4 is expensive. It's a large part of the reason why NVIDIA has even made the Tegra 4i. Anyway, that doesn't mean there won't be devices based on the platform. In fact, Acer has one such device, the TA2 tablet, getting ready to go through the door. With the full name TA272HUL (or codename anyway), the product has shown up in GFXBench’s database. No clue yet what the real, final name will be, but the display, at least, will be good: 2560 x 1344 pixels, or maybe 2560 x 1600 or 2560 x 1440.

Ultimately, it depends on the aspect ratio that Acer finds most suitable for whatever demographic it is aiming the tablet at (consumers, multimedia lovers, business users, etc.). No indication of how large the slate will be, unfortunately.

Acer TA2 tablet inbound
Image credits to Acer

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