Here it comes: iPad Mini sales start in New Zealand

With Apple's global launch of the iPad Mini set for 8am, November 2, plenty of consumers in New Zealand, where it's already Friday, will be busy testing out the new device.

When Apple announced that sales of the new iPad Mini would begin at 8am on November 2, residents of New Zealand hoping to get their hands on the new device knew they’d be the first to have the opportunity to do so, beating their San Francisco counterparts by 20 hours thanks to the beauty of time zones.

And so, as the sun goes down on the US on November 1, plenty of customers in the South Pacific country have already unboxed their diminutive iPad and have likely made up their mind as to whether it lives up to the hype.

As the Wall Street Journal points out, New Zealand doesn’t have an official Apple store, leaving resellers to deal with expectant Apple fans.

“I don’t know who will have what (products) where in New Zealand but the retailers will certainly be able to open their doors so people can come in and touch and play straight away,” Apple spokeswoman Fiona Martin told the WSJ.

Kiwi James Griffin tweeted a photo of himself holding aloft his new 7.9-inch iPad Mini, delivering his verdict a couple of hours later: “Love it! It’s the perfect size.”

The device marks Apple’s entry into the smaller-tablet market, taking on the likes of Google with its Nexus 7 tablet and Amazon with its range of Kindle Fire devices.

The Mini, however, is a pricier proposition than its rivals, with, for example, the $329 16GB model going for $130 more than the 16GB Nexus 7.

The latest addition to Apple’s range of gadgets is 53 percent thinner than the full-size iPad, and just 7.2mm thick. Apple decided to leave out its high-definition Retina display with the Mini’s 7.9-inch screen, going instead for a 1024 x 768 resolution with a pixel density of 163ppi.

Many industry watchers are interested to see to what extent sales of the Mini affect those of its big brother, and how that might impact Apple’s overall financial performance.

[via MacRumors]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/here-it-comes-ipad-mini-sales-start-in-new-zealand/

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New photo might show Samsung Galaxy Premier

Almost ready (credit: SammyHub)

A new image showing off Samsung phone GT-I9260, otherwise known as the Galaxy Premier popped up Friday.

The photo shows a sleek little white phone and is purportedly sourced from Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC), an agency like the U.S.'s Federal Communications Commission.

No specs accompanied the photo, though it does provide a more full-bodied image of the phone than another leak that surfaced earlier this week.

When and where this phone will land remains a mystery, though this new revelation points to a Taiwan release happening sooner rather than later.

Premier parts

According to @evleaks, which published the week's first Premier shot, the phone will have 1GB of RAM, a microSD slot for up to 32GB of extra storage, an LED flash and Samsung's TouchWiz user interface.

It should also run Android 4.1: Jelly Bean and host Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and DLNA.

What's more, users should find a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 180 x 720 and an 8-megapixel camera.

The processor is pegged as a 1.5GBz dual-core chip, and the Premier will likely include Wi-Fi and 16GB of internal memory.

Depending on how Samsung prices the Premier, it could be one hot little number.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/new-photo-might-show-samsung-galaxy-premier-1107815

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Swype-like Nexus Keyboard rumored for Android event

Farewell to tap typing (credit: Geek.com)

It's the Friday before a big tech event, so that only means three things: leaks, reports and rumors.

Among the whispers are a few rumblings suggesting a new Android keyboard could make an appearance at Google's shindig in NYC Monday, perhaps as part of an Android 4.2 update.

The new keyboard is rumored to have Swype-like functionality, where users trace their finger over letters as an alternate typing method.

It is unlikely that the keyboard would actually feature Swype, which was bought last year by voice-recognition company Nuance.

Rather, it is more fitting of Google's style to update its official keyboard while Swype remains an alternative for users to choose in the Google Play store.

Nexus Keyboard not the default?

Despite the report, changing the default Android keyboard may be too large of a shift for Google, as well as for some users. Google's new keyboard may also take the form of a separate Nexus Keyboard app.

As a separate app, the rumored Nexus Keyboard would match Google's pattern of offering alternatives to its own default Android services.

Google Maps, Google Mail and most recently Google Calendar have all broken off as independent apps to offer additional features compared to Google's default counterparts.

Perhaps more importantly to note, HTC and Sony have both begun preloading Android smartphones produced by the companies with native Swype-like keyboard.

A Nexus Keyboard app would step on far fewer OEM toes than a fundamental change to the default keyboard.

The rumored Nexus Keyboard could make its debut with the frequently leaked LG Nexus 4 handset, which is expected to be one of the featured devices at the event.

A Swype-like keyboard is on TechRadar's Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie wishlist, but Google could still surprise us with a Nexus Keyboard update before the new OS surfaces.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/swype-like-nexus-keyboard-rumored-for-android-event-1107792

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As Surface hits stores in China, Ballmer talks it up while Apple boss calls it ‘compromised, confusing’

Microsoft's new Surface tablet launches on Friday. Ballmer's been singing its praises in various interviews, while Apple boss Tim Cook has been doing what he can to dampen any excitement.

Thanks to the earth’s rotation and the sun’s rays and the time zones and the International Date Line and the general way in which the universe has organized itself, it’s consumers in China who will be among the first to get their hands on Microsoft’s new Surface tablet.

The brand new device, which marks Microsoft’s entry into an already crowded market, launches Friday, along with the Redmond-based company’s new Windows 8 operating system.

Ballmer

In an interview with the BBC this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer described the new product launches as an “epic” moment for the company. “It’s right up there in the top two or three big moments, including Windows 95 and the launch of the IBM PC, and it really starts us on this new era of computing,” Ballmer said.

Asked about the Surface, Ballmer gave a perfectly worded answer that sounded like a voiceover for an ad, describing it as “the one device you need for work and for play, that you can just take with you; you can really do what you need to do for school or for your job, you can really enjoy movies, books, entertainment, reading, games, all in one thin, light package – there’ll be nothing like the Surface with Windows 8.”

China

Consumers in China will be among the first to discover if Ballmer’s words are baseless baloney or bang on the money, with many in the country about to tear the packaging off the new tablet in the next few hours.

IDG News reported “hundreds of buyers” lined up outside one particular Beijing electronics store overnight,

One guy waiting in line, Chen Shi, reiterated Ballmer’s comment that the device is for work as well as play. “The tablet supports more software features for office work, things that you would actually use,” he told IDG. “Basically, Microsoft is reinventing the tablet, because now people are used to using their tablets as toys, and only use them to play games. These tablets lack features to do work for the office.”

Cook

Of course, Microsoft is late to the game when it comes to tablets, with Apple’s iPad dominating the market since launch day in 2010, and other big-hitters such as Amazon and Google already in the business. Apple CEO Tim Cook wasted little time in throwing in a few choice comments about Microsoft’s new arrival, telling analysts during an earnings call Thursday that though he hadn’t yet had a chance to use it, he was getting the impression from reviews that Microsoft’s new tablet “is a fairly compromised, confusing product.” But he would say that, wouldn’t he.

It’s the opinions of ordinary consumers that really matter, and these will soon begin filling forums across the Web. Only then will we have a better idea if the Surface is going to sink or swim. Or simply be used as a skateboard.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/as-surface-hits-stores-in-china-apple-ceo-calls-it-compromised-confusing/

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Apple rolls out first iPhone 5 ads, but parody ad trumps them all

Apple rolled out its first TV ads for the recently-launched iPhone 5 late Friday. The four slick 30-second skits all feature a voiceover by actor Jeff Daniels. Meanwhile, an amusing video making fun of the new design is clocking up masses of hits on YouTube.

After a series of TV ads in July which were considered by many to be a bit on the lousy side, Apple has had another try – this time with its first ads for the iPhone 5.

Called Thumb, Cheese, Physics and Ears, the slick 30-second skits, each with a voiceover from Newsroom star Jeff Daniels, focus on various aspects of the Cupertino company’s new handset.

Meanwhile, a parody ad posted on YouTube poking fun at the refreshed smartphone has clocked up almost 1.5 million hits in just a couple of days….more on that in a moment.

First, the new ads by Apple. Thumb shows how the new screen – taller but not wider – allows for single-thumb operation of the device. Perhaps fearful of consumers jumping straight for handsets with bigger screens, such as the Galaxy S3, Apple has decided to highlight one of the advantages of its widescreen design. 

Cheese demonstrates the new Panorama feature enabling ultra-wide shots; Physics shows off the dimensions of the new device, asking how something can get bigger while getting smaller; and Ears takes a look at the new EarPod headphones bundled with the smartphone.

If you want a chuckle though, head straight to the parody ad at the end of the page, created by Seattle-based production company Cinesaurus – it’s all about ‘the tallest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone.’

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-rolls-out-first-iphone-5-ads-but-parody-ad-trumps-them-all/

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iPhone 5 handset of choice for thieves too, with hundreds stolen in string of raids

Hours before the iPhone 5 went on sale Friday, thieves in two countries were busy filling their swag bags with the new handset.

The iPhone 5 certainly has its fans, with millions pre-ordering Apple’s new handset when it went on sale last week. Thieves in Japan and the UK also appear to like the look of it, with nearly 450 phones taken in raids at a number of stores in the two countries.

In the western Japanese city of Osaka, police said that early Friday morning – just hours before the new phone went on sale in retail stores there – 191 new iPhone 5 handsets were taken from three phone stores located around the metropolis.

One had its entire stock of 116 nabbed in a raid that reportedly lasted just four minutes. Camera footage from the scene showed three people taking part in the theft. The value of the stolen goods was put at 7.5 million yen (around $96,000). The store stayed closed Friday, leaving 116 iPhone customers sorely disappointed when they turned up hoping to pick up the latest iteration of Apple’s smartphone.

In a separate incident, 42 of 44 new iPhones were taken from a phone store in another part of the city. A third store had 33 taken. The three raids occurred within two hours of each other, though investigators said they won’t know if the crimes were carried out by the same culprits until they view camera footage from all three raids.

Meanwhile, police in the UK said they want to speak to an employee of a London phone store who hasn’t been seen since 252 iPhone 5 handsets went missing from the premises. The handsets were reportedly taken at around 1.30am Friday.

Theft of a new iPhone on the morning of its launch is probably another first for Apple, though not one the tech giant will be particularly proud of. Perhaps it’s simply another indicator of the level of buzz and hype surrounding its new handset, one which is likely to sell in huge numbers in the coming months.

[Source: WSJ, BBC] [Image: Yayayoyo / Shutterstock]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-5-handset-of-choice-for-thieves/

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Sprint is only US carrier with iPhone 5 pre-orders

Sprint's where you'll find the iPhone 5

Within an hour of Apple kicking off pre-orders for the new iPhone 5 at 12:01 a.m. PDT Friday, shipping dates slipped to two weeks - and show no signs of improving any time soon.

There were scattered reports of problems ordering from Apple's website when its virtual doors opened, with many buyers finding the company's Apple Store iOS app the best place to purchase.

Last year, the iPhone 4S sold through pre-order inventory in 10 hours, a record that's now been shattered 10 times over by the latest model.

The best bet for having one delivered on launch day now lies with only one of the three U.S. carriers.

AT&T, Verizon out of stock

It seems buyers are intent on having their iPhone 5 delivered rather than braving the crowds next Friday, Sept. 21, when there's likely to be ample stock at retail.

Verizon's website was the first carrier to sell out of the iPhone 5, with delivery dates already slipping to Wednesday, Sept. 26 on both colors and all three 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities.

AT&T followed suit a few hours later, with new orders on all colors and capacities now estimated to ship in 14 to 21 business days.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, Sprint stood as the lone U.S. carrier with inventory of all models still available from their online store, as well as promised delivery next Friday.

If you've got to have an iPhone 5 on launch day and don't want to brave the retail crowds, we'd suggest wasting no time by heading to Sprint.com as quickly as possible.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sprint-is-only-us-carrier-with-iphone-5-pre-orders-1097467

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Walmart taking iPhone 5 pre-orders Friday morning, cheaper than competitors

Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5 at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

Following the unveiling of the latest iPhone in San Francisco on Wednesday, it’s possible many owners of the 4S are already looking at their device like it belongs in a museum. It’s a safe bet many will be chomping at the bit to rid themselves of their ‘ancient’ handset in favor of the new one, with its bigger screen and faster processor.

If you happen to be one of these people, or if your current phone is on its last legs and the iPhone 5 seems like a fine replacement, you may be interested to know that Walmart will be taking pre-orders for the new handset at its US stores from Friday morning – for a price that undercuts its competitors.

The retail giant is offering the 16GB version of Apple’s new phone with a $189.97 price tag, as part of a two-year contract. Meanwhile, Apple, AT&T and Verizon will be selling the same phone for 10 bucks more – $199. Walmart’s prices for the 32GB and 64GB versions aren’t known.

Those choosing to buy the new handset from the store are asked to pre-order in person. In return for a $25 deposit, you’ll be given a reservation card, needed for when you collect the phone a week later.

Walmart is also slashing the price of the old iPhone 4S from $148 to $89.97, with a two-year contract. Even cheaper is the iPhone 4, going for just 97 cents with a two-year contract. That’s down from $48.88. If the iPhone 5 seems a little on the pricey side but you’d still like to bag yourself an iPhone, you have choices.

Many analysts believe sales of the Cupertino company’s new smartphone will break all records, selling 10 million units even before the end of the month. The iPhone revolutionzed the handset market when it burst onto the scene in 2007, and in the intervening years has sold a staggering 244 million units.

Users upgrading from an earlier iteration to the new model will gain a lighter, slimmer device with a larger screen, a faster processor, 4G LTE compatibility, and a better camera.

It’ll be available for pick-up on September 21.

[Source: Bloomberg, LA Times]

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/walmart-taking-iphone-5-pre-orders-friday/

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