News written by Matti Robinson (August, 2015)

Samsung announced the new Galaxy S6 Edge+ for those who love the dual curved screen of Galaxy S6 Edge but want something in the size of Note series of smartphones.

If Galaxy Note 5 (left) is just a larger version of Galaxy S6 then Galaxy S6 Edge+ (right) is the larger version of Galaxy S6 Edge. The specifications are virtually identical to Galaxy Note 5, just switch the stylus to a curved display. There is not a lot new here – essentially it's a Note 5 sized Galaxy S6 Edge.

Like the Note, Galaxy S6 Edge+ features an octa-core Exynos chip, a 5,7 inch QHD Super AMOLED display, 4 GB of RAM, 16 and 5 megapixel cameras, and a 3000 mAh battery with wireless charging.

The camera has the same image stabilization and live broadcasting features as Note 5. And like the Note 5 it will be available on August 21st, and preorders starting today.

Samsung has today unveiled the fifth generation of Galaxy Note at its Unpacked event in New York. The company's hugely successful phablet line of smartphones continues with the Galaxy Note 5.

Galaxy Note 5 is a direct competitor to Apple's iPhone 6 Plus and the company didn't try to hide it – quite the opposite. Even with a larger screen than on iPhone 6 Plus Galaxy Note 5 has a smaller footprint than Apple's offering.

The new Note borrows a lot from Galaxy S6 in terms of looks. With metal frames and Gorilla glass in the back and the front it is essentially a bigger Galaxy S6. What makes it Note, in addition to the size, is the improved S Pen stylus.

The Galaxy Note 5 features the octa-core Exynos chip you know from S6, a 5,7 inch QHD Super AMOLED display, 16 and 5 megapixel cameras, and a 3000 mAh battery. The camera features a new image stabilization that combines both optical and digital methods for better video stabilization. Also one of the hyped features of the camera is live broadcasting to YouTube.

The phone is waterproof and wireless charging speed has been improved (requires a new charging station). However, there is no microSD card slot and the battery is no longer removable.

If you have been following the smartphone industry for a few years it should be painfully obvious that Apple is about to release a new iPhone – or a few – in couple months. This is also what BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski says, citing inside sources.

According to Paczkowski, Apple is going to organize the event on the week of September 7, most likely on Wednesday the 9th. That would make it the same day as last year.

In addition to new iPhones Apple will reportedly reveal a new Apple TV, and even new iPads – although still maybe not an iPad Pro. Apple likes to spread the products out a bit and have a separate event for iPads but this might not be the case this year.

Apple has updated its website and the store link is nowhere to be found. The web store that sells all Apple products and selected accessories has now been integrated in to the product pages.

As you might imagine Apple doesn't want to remove its store altogether. Instead, it has made it easier to buy the products straight from the product pages. The accessories have now been moved under the appropriate Apple product.

There are some other changes as well. Under Music you can now find Apple Music, iPods, and iTunes. And there is a completely new Bag icon on the right that acts as your shopping basket, as well as Account information, Favorites and Orders.

Apple's Eddy Cue told USA Today earlier this week that the company "thrilled" about the Apple Music numbers. According to Cue, Apple Music has accumulated a total of 11 million subscribers during the first month.

Apple Music launched in early July with a three month free trial that has now been activated by over 11 million people. Two million of those accounts are so called family plans, which can be used by up to six family members.

After the three month trial expires Apple Music single subscription will cost $9.99 and the family plan five dollars more at $14.49. The numbers while "thrilling" do not really tell how many will opt to pay for the subscription and how many are just to trying it out for free.

Spotify told in July that it has currently 20 million paying subscribers and another 55 million that are using their music service's ad-supported version. Apple Music does not have a free model, but one of the Apple Music's unique features is the free to listen Beats 1 online radio.