Year: 2012

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Note 2 phablet, Android camera

Samsung took the stage today at the annual IFA show in Berlin, Germany to unveil a slew of new devices. The keynote was the first in a long line of scheduled product announcements leading up to Apple's September 12 iPhone event.

Among the new gadgets Samsung debuted this morning was the long-rumored Galaxy Note II. The device follows up a fairly successful Galaxy Note, which had the internals of a smartphone and the form factor of a mini tablet.

And now, it's even bigger...

Sprint expands LTE into four more US cities

Sprint has added four more US cities to its 4G LTE network. Baltimore, Gainsville, Ga., Manhattan/Junction City, Kan., and Sedalia, Mo. were added to the high-speed network the carrier launched on July 15. Baltimore residents gain not only LTE, but an upgrade to 3G, Sprint announced.

"As consumers all over the country are becoming more dependent on their smartphones, network quality is becoming more important," according to a statement. Sprint's LTE network began by introducing LTE in 15 cities. The carrier hopes to complete its LTE build-out by the end of 2013.

Beats rumored to be working on its own smartphone and iTunes competitor

It seems like building your own smartphone is the "in" thing to do these days. Amazon is said to be working on its own handset, as are Facebook and Mozilla. And now apparently Beats Electronics is too.

If you're not familiar with Beats, you should probably get out more. It's been leading the high-end headphone market for a couple years. And now it's reportedly looking to duplicate that success in cell phones...

Apple now offering personalized online support service

Apple Store Geniuses are some of the most recognizable employees in the industry. Where as most retailers have moved to phone tech support, Apple takes pride in its in-store helpers.

So much so, in fact, that it's starting to offer the personalized support to online shoppers as well, meaning customers can now get Genius-level help without ever leaving their house...

Latest iPhone 5 hint: Apple paying to recycle your 4S

Most are confident we'll see the iPhone 5 in mid or late-September. Because Apple isn't a blabbermouth about such things, its fans are left reading tea leaves looking for hints to divine Cupertino's exact intentions. The latest signal comes from the mothership itself. Apple will pay up to $345 for your old iPhone 4S.

The Apple Store is making the offer as part of its support for recycling old technology. Your gently-used 64GB white iPhone 4S could net you a $345 Apple Store gift card, while a 16GB black 4S will recycle $285 into your pocket. Apparently, Apple is hoping you'll use your windfall to buy the new iPhone 5.

Apple’s patent war meets Star Trek in this parody video

Despite Apple's clear court victory last week, ultimately proving its theory that Samsung crossed the line with its iPhone and iPad copying, the Cupertino company is still taking heat from critics.

Some folks believe that Apple using its hefty library of patents to sue other companies will end up destroying innovation in smartphones. And, according to this video, the Starship Enterprise...

Apple’s $1B can’t buy exclusive TSMC chip deal

Nowadays, $1 billion doesn't get as much as it used to. That's what Apple reportedly discovered when it and Qualcomm each offered $1 billion for exclusive access to the production output of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest chip producer. TSMC turned both companies down flat, reports Bloomberg.

Maybe TSMC has been following the Apple-Samsung trial. Back in 2011, before the two rivals' frenemies relationship had turned downright rabid. The Cupertino, Calif. company plunked down $7.8 billion for Samsung parts, turning it into the South Korean firm's largest customer. TSMC's finance chief wanted nothing of that.

Apple vs. Samsung injunction hearing set for December 6th

Now that the high-profile trial between Apple and Samsung is over here in the US, we move onto the injunction hearing. Apple is going to use its recent victory to try and get some of Samsung's products banned from the United States.

We've already learned which devices Apple is going after. Earlier this week Apple filed a notice with the court outlining 8 of Samsung's handsets that were found guilty of infringing on its patents. And now we know the hearing date...

Purported accessories for next-gen iPhone leaked

We're just weeks away from Apple's next-gen iPhone event, and the leaked parts just keep on coming. This time it's a wall charger, USB cable and a case — all of which appear to be made for the handset and its rumored smaller dock connector.

For the first time since its inception, Apple is widely expected to change the dock connector on its iPhone this fall. Instead of the usual 30-pin setup, it's said to be utilizing a smaller, 8-pin connector that we'll also see in future iOS products...

Apple to reportedly unveil new ‘AirPlay Direct’ feature next month

Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, a new report is out today claiming that the Cupertino company is looking to launch a new version of its popular AirPlay feature next month, called AirPlay Direct.

What's the difference? Well, as it stands, the current version of AirPlay requires an active Wi-Fi network. But AirPlay Direct, however, allows for a direct connection to a device, without the need for Wi-Fi...

We’re giving away 5 copies of CleverPin

Filippo Bigarella recently pushed out an update to CleverPin — the jailbreak tweak that automatically unlocks an iOS device when it detects that it's connected to a friendly WiFi network.

To celebrate, he's decided to give away a copy of the tweak to 5 of our readers. What can you can expect from CleverPin? How do you win your own free copy? Check inside for the details...

Phiaton noise canceling headphones raise the bar [review and giveaway]

Priding itself on accomplishing the perfect combination of "natural soundstage, wearability and eye-catching appeal," Phiaton is part of the Cresyn Co., which produces components for many of the world's best-selling headphones, earphones, and speakers. The parent company's philosophy is to focus on innovation and quality, which motivates its 12,000+ global workforce.

The Phiaton PS 300 NC headphone is a testament to creativity, build quality, and practicality. From supple genuine leather ear cups and premium leather grade trim to the included custom cut travel pouch, the "Primal Series" 300's stand tall against the competition and sound great. To walk through some Pink Floyd and Skrillex, read on... we wouldn't want you to miss your chance to win one of three pairs of PS 210 earphones.