AfterDawn: Tech news

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AfterDawn: News

Microsoft sends out invites to Surface 2 press event

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Sep 2013 9:40

Microsoft sends out invites to Surface 2 press event Microsoft has sent out invites for a press event where they will unveil the new generation of Surface tablets.

There were no other details given about the event but the invite itself shows off a cartoon version of the tablet along with a Type Cover.

The new Surface Pro is expected to have a display higher than 1080p, an Intel Haswell processor for extended battery life and efficiency, and 8GB of RAM. The new lower-end Windows RT will have a 1080p display, a Tegra 4 quad-core processor and be available in white and black colorways.

Each will ship with Windows 8.1 variants, and there will also be a new "Power Cover," a Type-cover with a built-in battery that should extend the tablet into an all-day device.




AfterDawn: News

Analyst: R.I.P iPod Classic

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Sep 2013 9:21

Analyst: R.I.P iPod Classic According to Forrester analyst Charles Golvin, this is the year that will mark the end of the iPod Classic, Apple's high-capacity storage music players.

The device does not have a touchscreen, nor does it have the new Lightning dock connector and the MP3 player has not been updated in two years.

Anthony Scarsella, chief gadget officer of Gazelle.com, which buys and sells used Apple products (among other electronics), agreed with Golvin (via Wired). "It's been a couple of years since the iPod classic has been updated. We can assume it will be phased out, unless we see it updated on September 10th."

With a heavy lineup of new products expected tomorrow during their press event, Apple is not expected to unveil an updated Classic, which offers 160GB of internal HDD storage. By comparison, even high-end iPhones and iPod Touch devices only have 64GB flash storage.

iPod sales peaked in 2008, after 7 years as the undisputed king of the MP3 player market. The sales numbers have gotten so bad that Apple did not even report the figures during their latest earnings report.

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AfterDawn: News

Fake Grand Theft Auto V torrent download packed with malware

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Sep 2013 8:11

Fake Grand Theft Auto V torrent download packed with malware A fake torrent of Grand Theft Auto V has hit the Internet, an elaborate hoax posing as a leak of the new game.

Fans of the game franchise looking to possibly begin the game earlier than its September 17th release date are warned to avoid the torrent as it is packed with malware and was created as a scam.

How the scam works is as follows: Users who download the game will get to a certain point in the installation where it says it cannot be completed until a survey is completed and a confirmation code is sent. In order to receive that code, you need to provide a valid mobile number and to send a text to a certain number provided.

With your number, the scammers sign you up for a premium service that charges your mobile bill daily until the service is cancelled.

While you are being scammed on your mobile bill, the installation finishes, installing the well-known malware, Trojan.GenericKDV.1134859 to your PC and leaving you with a pirated copy of the game 'The Cave.'

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AfterDawn: News

LTE model of Nexus 7 FHD goes on sale through Google Play

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Sep 2013 7:19

LTE model of Nexus 7 FHD goes on sale through Google Play A little over a month after the Wi-Fi-only version of the Nexus 7 FHD went on sale in North America, Google has made the 4G LTE version available through the Google Play Store.

The new tablet will sell for $349 in the Store, above the Wi-Fi model at $229.

Additionally, the company says T-Mobile will sell the model in their stores starting next week, as well.

Get it here: Google Play Store





AfterDawn: News

Sony PlayStation 4 to launch in Japan on February 22nd with 19 games

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Sep 2013 6:59

Sony PlayStation 4 to launch in Japan on February 22nd with 19 games Sony has confirmed the release date for its upcoming PlayStation 4 console in its home country of Japan.

The device will launch on February 22nd, 2014, and cost ¥39,980 ($400 USD), the same as it will in North America.

There will be three bundles available at launch, the standard, one with a free downloadable copy of 'Knack' and a one-year warranty extension and the third will include the PlayStation Camera for an additional $40.

Sony has noted that the delayed launch is the company can complete software that is tailored for the region.

Rival Microsoft has not given any timetable for a Japanese release.




AfterDawn: News

Detailed Nexus 5 mock shows off upcoming flagship

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Sep 2013 11:03

Detailed Nexus 5 mock shows off upcoming flagship Following a recent FCC leak and a Google video in which in employee was using an LG-built Nexus 5, there is now a detailed mock of the upcoming device.

The device is 131.9 x 68.2 mm, and has a screen of 126 mm with a 16:9 screen ratio.

Additionally, the phone will run on the new Android 4.4 KitKat, include LTE support, and Bluetooth 4.0.

Read the full FCC leak here.

The full mocks, via Verge:

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Microsoft update for Windows Phone 8 leaked in screenshots

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Sep 2013 11:19

Microsoft update for Windows Phone 8 leaked in screenshots Microsoft is preparing General Distribution Release 3 for Windows Phone 8, a new update aimed at upcoming hardware and current-gen high-end devices.

A poster in the WP Central forum says he purchased a device from Craigslist that includes the new update.

Taking a ton of screenshots, the poster showed off a new Driving Mode, which will mute calls and texts automatically when you are driving and connected to a paired Bluetooth.

Additionally, there is a new ability to close apps in the multitasking view, one of the operating system's most requested features. Microsoft is also adding support for custom sounds within texts, voice mails, emails, and reminders.

Finally, the OS will now allow Windows Phone 8 users to restore from backup using Wi-Fi.

Some pics:

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Fire at DRAM chip plant likely to cause slight global disruption in supply

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Sep 2013 7:59

Fire at DRAM chip plant likely to cause slight global disruption in supply A major fire at a Chinese plant run by SK Hynix is likely to cause a global disruption in supply of memory chips.

At any given time the plant is responsible for up to 10 percent of the world's supply of DRAM chips, and the plant also accounts for almost half of SK Hynix's production capability.

Hynix itself accounts for 30 percent of the world's share of DRAM chips. The company is one of the largest three suppliers, next to Micron and Samsung.

If production continues to be halted at the plant, shipments for 11 million notebooks and 10 million smartphones will be delayed.

Additionally, due to the supply crunch, prices have gone up 3 percent since the fire, the biggest one-month increase in over three years.




AfterDawn: News

Report: Amazon trying to give its first smartphone away for free

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Sep 2013 7:27

Report: Amazon trying to give its first smartphone away for free According to former WSJ reporter Jessica Lessin, Amazon is looking to give away its upcoming smartphone for free, trying to steal as much market share as humanely possible in the shortest amount of time.

Amazon has long been rumored to be working on a smartphone, but nothing has come of these rumors since 2011.

The etailing giant has had discussions with wireless companies about offering the device through their channels, but likely it will only be available through Amazon's own site. The phone will be free without a new contract, but it is unclear if it will require a subscription to Amazon Prime, which costs $79 per year.

If accurate, the move will fit exactly into Amazon's plans. CEO Jeff Bezos has long sold hardware at cost or with tiny margins in order to deliver content. An Amazon smartphone would be integrated into the company's music, video, TV, games and app ecosystem.




AfterDawn: News

Microsoft to release 'Power Cover' with built-in battery for Surface Pro, Pro 2

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 07 Sep 2013 12:12

Microsoft to release 'Power Cover' with built-in battery for Surface Pro, Pro 2 Multiple sources have confirmed that Microsoft will unveil a 'Power Cover' for its Surface Pro and upcoming Surface Pro 2 tablets.

The cover will include a built-in battery to 'significantly' increase battery life. It will also work just like the original Type Cover in that it will make your tablet a notebook by all purposes, with full typing capabilities.

Sources say the Power Cover will be compatible with the current-generation Pro, the upcoming Pro 2 and Surface RT 2, but not with the original RT.

The Power Cover will charge the Surface when in use, just like any external power supply. If connected, the Cover will charge will the Surface is charging, as well.

At 1.1 pounds, it is double the weight of the current-gen Type Cover and it is also thicker at .38 inches compared to .21 inches for the current model.

The Power Cover will ship this year, after the Surface RT 2 and Surface Pro 2 are released.




AfterDawn: News

Apple OS X Mavericks to be released by end of October

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Sep 2013 11:33

Apple OS X Mavericks to be released by end of October According to sources, Apple will release its next Mac operating system, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, by the end of October.

There had been speculation that the OS would be released alongside iOS 7 on September 20th, but this does not appear to be true.

For their last two Mac OS X releases, the company waited until the week of their quarterly earnings report. The company is expected to release their fiscal Q4 earnings the week of October 21st, which could work with the new report.

Apple, during their WWDC event, said the release will have improved features for power users, better battery life and much better responsiveness.

First, the new OS will have "Finder Tabs" with their own location and own view mode. Second, when you save a document you can now tag it, making it much easier to search for in the finder sidebar.

In 10.9, you can also access your menus across multiple displays, a big plus for developers.




AfterDawn: News

Judge hands down penalties for Apple price-fixing verdict

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Sep 2013 11:10

Judge hands down penalties for Apple price-fixing verdict A federal judge has issued an injunction against Apple following their loss in the ebook antitrust case.

In July, Judge Denise Cote concluded Apple was liable of conspiring with five major publishers to fix the prices of ebooks sold through the newly-created iBookstore.

The injunction will go in place next month and will last five years. Additionally, the court can continue to extend the injunction at the request of the Department of Justice or individual states.

As part of the penalties, Apple is now banned from "enforcing most-favored-nation clauses in any ebook publishing contracts for five years, and also forbids the company from entering into any book publishing contracts that contain them for five years." Apple had tried to get the provision to include only the publishers that had settled with the DOJ, but the injunction names all current and future publishers.

Additionally, Apple will have to stagger new contract negotiations with each of the publishers; HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Penguin and Macmillan. All of the publishers are also required to enter new contracts with retailers that allowed the retailers to discount their books for two years, but this can be extended almost indefinitely with the new injunction.

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AfterDawn: News

Report: Apple iPhone finally headed to world's biggest carrier, China Mobile

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Sep 2013 10:19

Report: Apple iPhone finally headed to world's biggest carrier, China Mobile According to the WSJ, Apple is preparing to ship cheaper iPhones to China Mobile, the largest carrier on the planet.

The companies have been negotiating for over three years, with talks intensifying in recent months as China has become Apple's third largest market in terms of sales.

China Mobile has 700 million subscribers, well ahead of European carrier Vodafone's 450 million subscribers and over six times more than the U.S.'s largest carrier, Verizon, at 115 million subscribers.

Apple is expected to launch new iPhones at an event on September 10th, and there is a separate Chinese event set for the next day.

China Mobile would not be getting the new iPhone 5S, however, but they will get the alleged new iPhone 5C, a lower-cost plastic version of the year-old iPhone 5. China Mobile's 3G network, which uses proprietary tech, is generally considered to be unreliable, and the radio was expensive for Apple to add, say sources. This seems to have been a hurdle that has been jumped, however.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Sony unveils new 4K TVs and 4K video download service

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Sep 2013 9:47

Sony unveils new 4K TVs and 4K video download service Sony has unveiled two new 4K TVs and also its previously announced 4K video download service.

The service, dubbed 'Video Unlimited 4K,' will be available in the U.S. at launch, and eventually globally. At launch, there will be 70 full-length Ultra HD movies and TV shows, and by the end of the year there will be around 100.

To use the service, you will need one of Sony's 4K Ultra HD Media Players (FMP-X1). Rentals for films start at $7.99 and purchases will lighten your wallet by $29.99.

The FMP-X1 home server costs $700, comes with 2TB of storage and 10 free films. Of course, to take advantage you will need a 4K Ultra HD TV, which will set you back at least $3000 today, as well.




AfterDawn: News

Moto X reaching Sprint tomorrow and US Cellular later this month

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 05 Sep 2013 2:50

Moto X reaching Sprint tomorrow and US Cellular later this month Motorola has confirmed that the Moto X will reach carrier Sprint tomorrow, followed by US Cellular later this month.

The device has been available through AT&T and Verizon for two weeks now.

Just like with rivals, Sprint will offer the phone for $199 with contract, and only in black and white colorways. AT&T allows exclusive access to thousands of different color combinations, including different backplates, front trim, and buttons.

US Cellular is adding a free Motorola Boom Bluetooth headset valued at $59.99 to anyone who pre-orders for them.





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