The La Fleur brand is no news for Samsung. It’s been doing those editions since the end of 2009. The limited-edition phones are not quite widespread or famous, but they've usually enjoyed good reception from the ladies out there.
All of them will come in the usual colors – white or pink with some additional flower decoration on both sides of the phone.
In case you are eyeing one of those, you’ll be happy to learn they’ll be released by the end of January just in time for the Valentine's day shopping decisions.
All DC and Vertigo comics, including the likes of Justice League, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Detective Comics and Action Comics will be available on the same day the paper editions go on sale.
The titles were available to purchase digitally through the dedicated DC and Vertico apps for iPhone, Android and from the readdcentertainment.com site.
Take that, Spider-Man!
By launching weekly titles on the three major digital book stores, DC has beaten rival Marvel to the punch. The publisher says its all about convenience for users.
"As e-readers and tablets continue to explode in popularity it's important for us to offer consumers convenience and choice in how they download digital comics," said Jim Lee, co-publisher, DC Entertainment.
"We're very excited to work with Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble to bring bestselling DC Comics and Vertigo periodicals to their e-bookstores."
The titles, which join the existing trade issue collections, are all available to download now from the respective ebook stores.
Samsung will unveil an entirely new brand image at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, according to reports.
According to the report from Australia's Channel News, Samsung is looking for a "complete new look" that will rival Apple's iconic and "vibrant" international brand image.
The Aussies have word that Samsung has enlisted the help of a design team that has previously worked with Nike on a host of branding initiatives.
The man said to be heading up the project is Scott Bedbury, a freelance brand consultant who has also worked with Starbucks.
Global powerhouse
According to the report, any would seek to reflect Samsung's success in moving from an Asian brand to the global powerhouse we see today.
"Even the advertising will change with products linked to lifestyle activities similar to what Nike does" said a Channel News source.
Whether the report has merit or not remains to be seen but CES in Las Vegas in January would be a great time to start afresh.
The eyes of the world are trained on the Las Vegas Convention Centre and it would certainly allow Samsung to throw down a marker and signal its intentions for the year ahead.
Samsung is reported to be planning a complete brand overhaul for CES 2013, ably assisted by Brandstream and its CEO Scott Bedbury, who was responsible for turning Nike and Starbucks in global phenomenons.
Samsung is planning something special for CES 2013, and although we’re sure many new products will be among them, a rumored overhaul of the company’s branding may take center stage.
The news comes from a report published by Channel News in Australia, and quotes anonymous sources who say Samsung is almost ready to unveil a “more vibrant international brand image.” While the specifics aren’t discussed, the familiar blue Samsung oval will be replaced, and each part of Samsung’s business will get its own individual color that will be used in its advertising.
On the subject of advertising, this will shift from being based around features and benefits, to focus instead on “lifestyle activities.”
According to Channel News’ sources, the man at the helm of this ambitious project is Scott Bedbury, CEO of brand development consultancy Brandstream. This is a fascinating choice, and if anyone can enhance Samsung’s already well-established brand image, it’s Bedbury.
During his time at Nike in the late 80s and early 90s, he directed the launch of the Just Do It campaign, which you’re probably familiar with, and turned Nike around from being a youthful, aspirational American brand to being a global, all-inclusive fitness phenomenon. After Nike, he pushed Starbucks out into the world, and introduced the comfy chairs and CDs.
Since then, he has gone on to work with companies including Nokia, Facebook, Amazon, T-Mobile and Google.
Public perception problem?
A complete brand overhaul means Samsung may have taken recent comments regarding the way it’s perceived to heart. When a judge in the UK says your products aren’t as cool as Apple’s, it’s not only bound to smart, but also raise concerns about the opinion of the man on the street too.
The really interesting thing is, Bedbury isn’t a fan of “cool.” In an interview with FastCompany.com way (way) back in 2002, he warned companies “not to worship cool,” and called it a “false god.” He said (rather prophetically, as it turns out) that companies should “be more concerned with their karma than with being cool,” and closed with the thought that “big doesn’t have to be bad, that profits are only one measure of success, and that great brands can use their unique superhuman powers for good. Now that would be cool.”
An attitude like this makes a major Samsung brand identity alteration intriguing, as it could take a very different route not only to the one it has been on for a while, but the one Apple has chosen too.
Next year’s International Consumer Electronics Show begins on January 8 and ends on January 11.
Looking for accessories to go with your brand new iPad mini? Moshi's VersaCover origami case doubles as a screen protector and an iPad stand.
Congratulations! You’ve braved the Apple line once again and got your hands on the new iPad mini. Now you want to know how to keep the Retina display safe from scratches and dust. Consider Moshi’s VersaCover origami case, an architecturally inspired cover that builds upon Apple’s Smart Cover design. Like its predecessor for the original iPad, you’ll be able to flip, fold, and tuck the VersaCover into various shapes so while it’s not protecting your iPad’s screen, it can function as an iPad stand.
The secret is between the edges of the cover, which contain little magnets to help the ridges connect and stay sturdy when folded. You can use the folds to position your iPad to stand upright or landscape are various angles. The cover itself is also made of microfibers and will support the iPad mini’s auto-wake/sleep feature for a swift access to the menu. Unfortunately, pricing is pretty steep in comparison to the original iPad version. The VersaCover for iPad mini will retail for $55 with a shipment date scheduled by the end of the year, while the original version retails for $60. Moshi’s VersaCover will be available in four color options: Aloe Green, Denim Blue, Sakura Pink, and Velvet Grey. We’re digging the pastel color scheme which makes for a soft introduction to the holiday season.
Word that Microsoft is working on an own-brand Windows Phone handset keeps resurfacing, with the latest reports saying that it's currently in testing.
The Wall Street Journal says that Microsoft is testing the mysterious Microsoft smartphone with Asian suppliers, presumably with a view to working out manufacturing processes.
The same sources also told the paper that the Microsoft phone will come with a display somewhere between 4- and 5-inches.
Time will tell
However, they also added that Microsoft isn't yet sure if the handset will make it to mass production.
Sony has brought the Xperia name to the tablet brand for the first time with the new and innovative Xperia Tablet S.
Featuring a cutting-edge processor, superb screen and the new level of Google's Android OS, the Tablet S is the device to fit your life.
Coming pre-loaded with a host of applications to enhance your world of entertainment (such as millions of tracks from Music Unlimited or a suite of movies from Video Unlimited) the Xperia Tablet S has something to offer no matter what the situation calls for – and you can even stream it to your BRAVIA TV with no fuss either.
The super slim design houses the latest Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core chip, meaning superb graphics for a great gaming experience – and delve further into the world of online gaming through the addition of the PlayStation Mobile app as well.
Want to easily share your tablet with friends and family but don't want them to have access to all your personal data? Guest Mode lets you create a specialised profile for others with complete control over which apps are accessible – and even customised wallpapers and icon layouts too.
The new album app lets you find your photos and videos more intelligently. It's easier than ever to find your favourite snap even in large libraries, with pinch-and-zoom providing a cool UI to get you closer to your pictures.
GPS tagged photos can be viewed on a map or the cool Globe View, which is great for travellers or just those that like a visual reminder of that fantastic holiday.
And with the upgraded DLNA on board, you can just 'throw' your content to the bigger screen by swiping it upwards and seeing it appear wirelessly on your TV.
From there it's a quick tap to share via social networks or upload them to cloud, meaning even if they're not in the room, your friends can still enjoy your special moments.
While some people still have reservations over tablets - choosing to never let them stray more than a few inches from the sofa to avoid damage - the Xperia Tablet S is the device that fits your lifestyle, as it even comes in a splash proof case to keep it safe even in a sudden shower of rain from the English summer.
The Sony Xperia Tablet S: the slate that fits around your lifestyle, adding gaming, music, video and fun wherever you go.
Apple's misfiring Maps app has overshadowed the iPhone 5 launch
Google has used its Motorola smartphone brand to poke fun at the ongoing Apple Maps debacle.
A new advertisement for the Motorola Droid Razr M depicts the smartphone next to the iPhone 5. The Android device shows Google Maps while the Apple smartphone features the new Maps app on screen.
While the Razr M displays a detailed satellite image of 315 E 15th Street in downtown Manhattan in Google Maps, the iPhone 5 with Maps shows the same street, appearing as an almost barren stretch of road.
The ad's caption reads: "The real world that's fit for your hands," while the wording underneath the iPhone 5, simply reads "#iLost'
Overshadowed
The Motorola Mobility Twitter account posted the posted the ad late on Friday, while the Maps mess was busy overshadowing iPhone 5 launch day. Moto has continued to push the #iLost hashtag in tweets since.
Google, of course, will probably be feeling pretty smug right now; like a jilted lover who's just seen their ex arm-in-arm with a dramatically less desirable new partner.
Amazon has put pre-orders for legacy device-enhancing adapters made by third parties on its site, offering them up for $9.99 (about £6) and $17.95 (about £11).
Two companies - Nanotch and iTronz - are schilling the products, with the latter, selling the $10 version, promising to ship it by next week.
Apple’s adapters are “available to ship” in October.
Thanks to an erroneous message, customers thought they'd get a free adapter with the purchase of an iPhone 5, but Apple quickly pulled the message and reminded customers that they would indeed have to fork over some dough for the dock adapter.
New iPod pre-orders available, too
In other Apple/Amazon news, Amazon has begun taking pre-orders for Apple’s new iPod line - the reinvented iPod nano, iPod touch, and cheaper iPod shuffle.
Apple won’t start shipping the new iPods until October, so it’s unlikely Amazon will stray from the launch plan.
There also appears to be no change on the price front, either.
The iPod touch and iPod nano both need the slimmer Lightning cable to charge and connect.
TechRadar has reached out to Apple for comment on its policy towards third-party product manufacturers and will update this story if and when information is available.
The iPhone 5 is here - so here's what you need to know
Now the iPhone 5 has been announced, here's everything you need to know about Apple's brand new handset - the successor to the popular iPhone 4S.
This thing has been long rumoured of course, and we've known for a while that we'd have a lot to talk about around this time in 2012 - Apple seems to have cemented September as its time to refresh the iPhone.
1. It's called the iPhone 5
The first thing is the name - it's called iPhone 5 rather than the "new iPhone" following on from the "new iPad" which was the official Apple name for the iPad 3. Today Apple announced it had shifted 400 million iOS devices in total including a whopping 84 million iPads.
2. iPhone 5 screen
The iPhone 5 has a bigger screen than earlier versions and looks pretty much like the leaked versions we saw - the rumour mill was exactly right. There's a fifth row of icons on the home screen, while the display is the expected four inch version, but the iPhone 5 screen is not wider than the iPhone 4S, it's just thinner.
Again it has a 326ppi Retina display but now with a resolution of 1,136 by 640 pixels and a 16 x 9 aspect ratio. Apps will have to be resized for the new device - old apps will appear letterboxed. Apple has managed to make the screen thinner as touch is now integrated into the screen layer itself.
3. iPhone 5 size, weight and colour
In terms of size, iPhone 5 is 7.6mm thick and weighs 112g. It's 20 per cent lighter and 18 per cent thinner and is made of aluminum and glass. As you'll see, it has very similar aesthetics to the iPhone 4 and 4S, albeit in a redesigned shell; the volume and mute buttons are the same, for example.
iPhone 5 has a two-tone back and comes in either "white and silver" or "black and slate". In its usual understated style, Apple says "iPhone 5 combines an anodised aluminium body with diamond cut chamfered edges and glass inlays for a truly incredible fit and finish".
4. iPhone 5 processor
The processor is a new Apple A6 as expected. It has twice the CPU speed and twice the graphics power - the chop is smaller and is more battery-friendly and is based on the new-ish dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 CPU design. It's manufactured on a 32nm process, hence the smaller physical size. Performance is also frugal - Apple says it's better on battery life than the iPhone 4S.
5. iPhone 5 cameras
The camera is smaller, but still has an 8 megapixel sensor size. It's almost exactly the same as that in the iPhone 4S in terms of spec. Apple obviously wanted to make a big thing about the stuff it did to the camera to fit it inside the new chassis, but it isn't a massive step forward although the A6 includes a better image processor.
For the record it's a 3,264 x 2,448 BSi sensor with f2.4 aperture. Apple is also bigging up its low-light performance.
It can also shoot panoramas to produce a 28MP image. It can also take pictures while shooting a video, like many other high end handsets.
The front camera is now 720p rather than VGA for FaceTime calling. There are three microphones including a new beam-forming, directional microphone for higher quality sound.
iPhone 5 now includes support for cellular wideband audio for increased clarity and more natural sounding speech. Apple says that wideband audio will be supported by over 20 carriers worldwide at launch.
There are also new headphones, too! iPhone 5 and the new iPods now have EarPods (what a name!) with a more natural fit and better durability. Apple says there will be far better sound quality with these, too. And yes, the headphone jack is now on the bottom (we don't like this, but you might).
6. iPhone 5 is 4G
As expected, we've now got a 4G LTE iPhone, primarily for the US. However, it will work on EE's new 4G UK network. The 802.11n Wi-Fi also works on 5GHz now as well as 2.4GHz.
From EE: "Our Orange and T-Mobile customers will also be able to get hold of the iPhone 5 with the biggest and best network and the fastest possible 3G network speeds. Pricing and availability to be announced in due course." So no explicit 4G talk at the moment.
O2 and Three are the other networks to announce availability so far, but nothing from Vodafone as yet. Check out iPhone 5: when will you get it?
7. The iPhone 5 dock connector is Lightning
The new 8-signal dock connector is called Lightning, though Apple says that between iCloud, AirPlay and wireless sync, you won't really need it. You can plug it in either way, while it's 80 per cent smaller than the old dock connector. An adaptor will be available for the old 30 pin type. Will it be included with the phone? We doubt it.
8. The iPhone 5 has iOS 6
The new iPhone features iOS 6 - the next generation version of Apple's mobile operating system. It includes Passbook, Apple's new e-tickets app, plus FaceTime over 3G (depending on the network) and Apple's own mobile apps (including turn-by-turn navigation).
There's also native Facebook integration. The YouTube icon seems to be missing, while the Maps icon remains the same despite the change in mapping. There's also iCloud's Shared Photo Streams so you can now share pics with other friends and family.
iOS 6 will be available on 19 September for other iOS devices.
9: iPhone 5 memory and other specs
Once again - and surprisingly - the same memory sizes are available, so that's 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. You also get Bluetooth 4.0
10: iPhone 5 release date and pricing
The iPhone 5 release date is 21 September. iPhone 5 will be available in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the US on that date, with other territories to follow. New iPhone re-orders start 14 September. In the UK, the handset will be available from the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores, and through Everything Everywhere, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone, 3 and select Apple Authorised Resellers.
In terms of iPhone 5 price, we have a starting figure of $199 in the US with a contract, but nothing contract-wise for the UK as yet. We do have a £529 outright price though.
iPhone 5 will roll out worldwide to 22 more countries on 28 September, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
By the way, the iPhone 4 and 4S will remain available, though the 3GS is now dead as a new product.
Motorola is pushing forward with the second generation of its Droid RAZR family brand and just announced the Motorola Droid RAZR HD. The trademark slender body of the handset has been changed up a big, but it's still more compact than a Samsung Galaxy S III or HTC One X.
The RAZR HD measures 131.9 x 67.9 x 8.4mm and weighs 146g, so it's thicker than the previous one, but the thickmness is more uniform.
As the name suggests, the Droid RAZR HD has a larger 4.7" edge-to-edge Super AMOLED display of 720p resolution.
The back of the device is again made of Kevlar, but this time it wraps around the edges of the headset too. The camera here is an 8MP snapper with 1080p video recording and LED flash.
The RAZR HD is powered by a Qualcomm chipset with a dual-core Krait CPU, 1GB RAM and Adreno 225 GPU. It will be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. It will be upgraded to Jelly Bean later on - of course, Motorola is a Google company and we expected nothing less.
Chrome will come pre-installed on the new DROID RAZRs, and Motorola was keen to point out how fast it is.
The battery on the Motorola Droid RAZR HD is 2,530mAh, so battery life should still be good with the power-efficient 28nm Qualcomm cores. For example, it offers 16 hours of talk time, nearly as much as the DROID RAZR.
There will be a Motorola RAZR HD MAXX too, with the same 3,300mAh battery as the previous version. It measures 131.9 x 67.9 x 9.3mm and weighs 157g. Battery life is listed as up to 21 hours of talk time, 27 hours of music streaming and 10 hours of video streaming. Impressive indeed.
Other interesting features on the HD include NFC connectivity, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and an HDMI port. The RAZR HD will have 16GB of built-in memory, while the RAZR MAXX HD will have double that. Both have microSD card slots.
The LTE-touting Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD will launch on Verizon before the holidays. There will be a GSM version of the RAZR HD too, but not the RAZR MAXX HD for now.
