Photos of Nexus 7 II, Shows Android 4.3’s Default Wallpaper

Soon, Asus and Google should make official a new tablet PC in the popular Nexus lineup, none other than the long rumored successor of the Nexus 7, and some more photos with the device are now available for your viewing pleasure.

The slate is expected to arrive on the market with Google’s Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system loaded on top, and the newly leaked photos with it, available courtesy of Android Police, allegedly show the default wallpaper that the new OS version will pack inside. The new set of leaked shots also show the device from more angles, offering a better view of what Asus and Google might make official in two days, during a press event set for July 24.

The tablet should include a 1.5GHz quad-core processor inside, a 7-inch screen capable of a 1920x1200-pixel resolution, and 16GB / 32GB of internal memory.

Second-gen Nexus 7
Images credits to Android Police

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Moto X Full Phone Specs Unveiled via Benchmarks and Photos

Moto X, the upcoming new Android-based smartphone from Motorola, is getting closer to making an official appearance, and more info on its hardware specifications is now available, courtesy of a new leak.

The handset has emerged online in a series of photos that show benchmarking results for it, along with the full details on the hardware that Motorola will pack inside it. For those out of the loop, we should note that Motorola is expected to bring the new device to the market with a 4.7-inch 720x1184-pixel resolution. Furthermore, the handset packs a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm S4 Pro MSM8960DT processor inside, paired with an Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM. Additionally, the handset is said to feature 16GB of internal memory, along with Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac connectivity, NFC, and a 2200 mAh battery inside. Unfortunately, Motorola did not include a microSD memory card slot with this phone. On the back, the Motorola X smartphone, which reportedly sports the model number XT1058 and the codename of Ghost (it is expected to arrive on the market in the US on AT&T’s network), will sport a 10.5-megapixel photo snapper with flash.

Moto X will pack a 2.1MP front-facing camera to enable users to make video calls while on the go, and will run under Google’s Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. As Android Police notes, the mobile phone managed to score around 18.7k in AnTuTu, while reaching a score of 7.1k in 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme. Overall, the Moto X is shaping up as an appealing device, especially for those looking for performance inside an affordable device, yet it will be no high-end smartphone, that’s for sure. Rumor has it that Motorola might be set to make the new Android-based device official as soon as this week, during a press event set for July 24, so stay tuned to learn more on it.

Moto X
Images credits to Android Police

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Moto X Spotted in Black and White Flavor

Mobile phone maker Motorola has been teasing for the last few months the upcoming availability of a new Android-based device, namely the Moto X, which can now be admired in a new set of leaked photos.

Two press shots with the device have emerged on the web over the weekend, coming from @TheUnlockr and @evleaks and providing us with a better glimpse at what Motorola has in store for us. The smartphone is expected to be released with the stock variant of Google’s Android operating system loaded on top, though it appears that Motorola will pack it with a series of UI tweaks as well, albeit subtle ones.

No info on when the device might be unveiled has been provided as of now, but Motorola is known to have already started testing it internally, which suggests that it should not be too long before it will make it official.

Moto X
Image credits to evleaks

Moto X
Image credits to theunlockr

Moto X
Image credits to evleaks

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Apple to Release New "Store" App

As part of its new initiative to boost iPhone sales, Apple will release an updated version of the Apple Store application featuring special deals for customers.

According to people who are familiar with the matter, Apple employees will be encouraged to pre-install the app on any new iPhone sold in its stores. The updated Apple Store app will have a redesigned interface to match that of the web-based / online Apple Store and, according to one screenshot leaked by 9to5mac, paid apps will be made free on occasion (sort of like little treats every once in a while).

Apple has been pushing to sell more iPhones in its retail stores, and has even partnered with BrightStar to offer a trade-in-program, while the company’s Back to School promotion now includes the iPhone.

Leaked Apple Store app screenshot
Image credits to 9to5mac.com

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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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