Apple's been using Corning's tough cover glass on all iPhone models, up to the point where you could safely conclude the iPhone helped Corning a great deal make a name for itself. Ahead of CES, the New York-based company announced its third-generation Corning Glass, 40 percent more scratch resistant and 50 percent stronger. Here's a nice demonstration of just how strong it really is. I'm sure it'll give you a pause, it's right past the fold...
Time to step back from the flow of news surrounding CES 2013. The social networking giant Facebook has just teased a media event scheduled for January 15 at 10am Pacific Time. The invite graphics doesn't reveal much besides asking the media to “come and see what we’re building”. The company has been on a roll lately, having updated its Messenger app with VoIP calling (it's Canada-only initially) and releasing Poke, a new app which lets you send quick messages, photos or videos...
As hard as we try, we just can't escape the ongoing 'iPhone nano' rumors. It seems that everyone in the tech industry is waiting on Apple to diversify its handset lineup and introduce a less expensive iPhone for prepaid and emerging markets.
In fact, we've already heard a report on the topic today from DigiTimes, who says that their sources have actually seen the low-cost smartphone. And this afternoon, The Wall Street Journal throws its hat into the ring with its own scoop...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8B3A2hcU5c
T-Mobile's iPhone-friendly service rolled out in fourteen new metro areas to close out 2012. The high-speed HSPA+ service on the 1900MHz band, which is compatible with the iPhone, now covers more than a hundred million people in the United States. Though it still doesn't officially carry Apple's iconic smartphone, the Deutsche Telekom-owned wireless company has nano SIMs for your iPhone 5 and provides free support to unlockers willing to bring their iPhone and sign up for T-Mobile's unlimited 4G data.
While this won't be enough to prevent customer defections that are now hurting its bottom line, it seems iPhone owners are increasingly coming to T-Mobile as its HSPA+ becomes available in more markets. Just in December, the carrier hosted 1.7 million iPhone devices on its network, but the figure has now surged to 1.9 million iPhones...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_XI3dU-kU
Though Microsoft passed on this year's CES keynote, that didn't stop the company's boss Steve Ballmer from making his trademark entrance to last night's keynote by Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs. His running out on stage wasn't on par with the previous bigger than life entrances and the now famous 'developers' chant and was in fact a prearranged surprise, but it's still kinda noteworthy. Ballmer basically praised Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors that power new Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices. Qualcomm made a number of announcements at the show and the company's keynote wasn't short on celebrities...
Mozilla, the non-profit organization behind the Firefox browser, on Tuesday released a new version of the software that finally brings out Retina support. Firefox 18, now available for download from Mozilla, adds support for Apple's high-resolution Macs nearly six months after Google's Chrome browser. In addition to the crisp UI elements on Retina Macs, Firefox 18 also enables significant speed gains for JavaScript web apps. Firefox 18 is compatible with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or later, and requires at least 512 megabytes of RAM and 200 megabytes of hard drive space...
In an effort to minimize the impact of last year's ruling by a Dusseldorf court which issued an EU-wide ban on Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet over Apple's design patents pertaining to the iPad, Samsung thinks it's found a nice way to weasel its way out of this mess. And
Samsung's answer to this is simple, really: instead of fighting Apple's re-asserted claim that its Galaxy tablets "slavishly" copy the iPad, Samsung figured it could delay the lawsuits in Germany by filing an invalidity bid in in another country, Spain. As a result, the German suits over the design of the products are scheduled to be put on hold until the process in Spain is completed. If all venues are used, the process can take as long as four years...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnUUXoFsjoY
Sharp, one of Japan's three struggling consumer electronics giants (the other two are Sony and Panasonic), showed off its IGZO panels at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Last we heard, Apple was hoping to use IGZO tech in upcoming products. It's interesting Sharp's demonstration included Corning, the maker of the iPhone's cover glass that in its third-generation boasts 40 percent higher scratch resistances and 50 percent better overall strength. Sharp's IGZO technology requires only a fraction of energy compared to traditional LCD screens and provides richer, livelier colors, deeper blacks and overall sharper images while maintaining the thinness of in-cell display tech featured on the iPhone 5...
It's a familiar story. You buy your children the hottest toy, which soon loses its magic and ends up in a pile of the other overly-priced and unused items. Disney is hoping its found the solution via your iPhone or iPad camera, an iOS app and augmented reality. The goal: extending the life of toys - especially those with the Disney logo.
Instead of just playing with a Disney piano or a licensed Little Mermaid doll, children can point the camera of their Apple or Android device at a specially-designed toy and watch as cartoon characters interact with the item. The media firm's DreamPlay technology was unveiled Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5jUBKMkg_M
Modders are gonna have a field day with this new kit from iPhone5mod, the accessory firm that brought you cheap (and unofficial, of course) Lightning cables and adapters, docks, iPhone 5 backplate replacements and what not. So, if you're afraid of dings and scratches appearing on your brand spanking new iPhone 5 the instant you look at it the wrong way - but dislike cases and sleeves for their bulk and because they hide the beauty of your 'Rolex of smartphones' - you should check out iPhone5mod's new mod kit for the iPhone 5.
That is, assuming you're okay with voiding your warranty as you should look to pros who are adept at disassembling gadgets because half a dozen parts need replacing with their scratch-proof, anti-fingerprint, see-through counterparts. As a bonus, replacements for the top and bottom panels on the back come in seven interesting colors so you can mix'n'match them for some unique styles. Oh, once pimped up, your device will be even lighter...
Apple CEO Tim Cook is fast becoming a frequent visitor to China. Cook's meeting with that country's Industry and IT Ministry to discuss the near doubling of Apple Stores follows an early visit to quiet critics of Foxconn and rumors of iPhone sweatshops. China's Ministry of Industry and Information announced Cook met with the agency's Miao Wei.
The subject of talk: Apple's business goals for China, as well as global communications. Since a trip to China in March 2012, the number of Apple Stores there have increased to 11 from 6...
One analyst earlier in the week noted Apple will simply have to recognize the untapped segment of inexpensive prepaid handsets, an area that could boost it beyond its chief rival Samsung.
Conveniently enough, now comes word that such a device is in the works and could be released to emerging markets in the second half of this year.
But here's the kicker: the so-called iPhone mini, as the media affectionately dubbed it, is anything but small. According to a rumor out of Asia, the device has a new design and larger display and is specifically being targeted at China and other emerging markets, where Apple's market share has been declining amid the onslaught of inexpensive Androids and local brands...