Apple 'gifting' patent rekindles NFC for iPhone and iPad rumours

One for you, one for me

A new Apple patent hints that the next generations of iPhone and iPad will come with NFC on board.

The application is based around giving iOS songs, ebooks and films to other iOS-using friends and families.

So if you wanted to give your pals a Hanson hit, you could either make the purchase directly in iTunes, or you could locate the song (probably 'Mmmbop', let's face it, but 'Where's The Love' was a valiant follow-up) on your own iPhone or iPad and gift them a copy from there.

Plant a seed, plant a flower, plant a rose

At the moment, when you buy iTunes files as presents for other people, you send them via email - however, this new patent gives you the option to do so using NFC.

This option will be handy if you're desperate to get 'Mmmbop' on to your friends' phone but you don't have internet access - it basically transfers a locked file to their handset which is then authenticated once they're back in Wi-Fi or data range.

Of course, this is no guarantee that Apple will include NFC in any device, nor that this patent will ever be used in any way - still, it's proof that the company is having a good hard think about how it can make NFC worth its while.

• Want to know what else is heading to the iPhone? Check out all the iPhone 5S rumours here

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-gifting-patent-rekindles-nfc-for-iphone-and-ipad-rumours-1173395

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iOS 7 Golden Master coming on September 5

The final iOS 7 beta, number 6, is primed to arrive sometime next week (two weeks after beta 5), which puts the Golden Master release of the OS sometime in September, just as previously rumored.

According to sources close to BGR following the sixth beta Apple will release iOS 7 Golden Master to employees and carriers first on September 5 and then to developers on September 10, which is when we're expecting to see the next iPhone hardware announcement.

Although there's still no official confirmation from Apple regarding the rumored September 10 event it's likely that, if proven true, the company would release the GM version of its OS to developers at the same date. This would mean that the company will stick to a tradition is has kept every year since it launched iOS.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/ios_7_golden_master_coming_sept_5_to_carriers_10_to_everyone-news-6583.php

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Nokia Lumia 1020 goes to China, costs $980 unlocked

The Nokia Lumia 1020 flagship cameraphone is finally ready to expand its availability outside of the US. The PureView monster has just hit the shelves in China and is available for purchase both SIM-free and on contract.

If you use China Unicom's network, you will be able to get a shiny new unlocked Nokia Lumia 1020 for CNY5,999 which translates to around $980. That's the about as much as a 32GB Apple iPhone 5 costs in China.

Alternatively, China Unicom will be offering the Nokia Lumia 1020 for just CNY999 ($163) if you agree to sign a 3-year CNY386 ($63) per month contract.

The camera grip accessory will set you back an additional CNY499 ($81.50).

China Mobile, the largest carrier in the world, will be next in line to receive the cameraphone, but the rest of the world will probably have to wait for at least another month.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_1020_goes_to_china_costs_973_unlocked-news-6581.php

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Apple may be close to securing a deal with China Mobile

Apple has deals with two of China's three carriers – China Unicom (China's second biggest carrier, deal signed in 2009) and Chine Telecom (third biggest, deal signed last year). But the Cupertino giant is yet to enter partnership with the biggest carrier in China and in fact the world, Chine Mobile (with 740 million subscribers).

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, has traveled a second time this year to China and met with Xi Guohua, the carrier's chairman. "We are actively negotiating and both sides are keen. There are still some commercial and technology issues that need time to resolve," said the chairman.

What's changed from previous years is Apple's move to Qualcomm-made chipsets, which support China's proprietary 4G tech that most other chipsets don't. With these chipsets, Apple won't have to spend time and resources designing a China-specific version of the iPhone (which the company has been reluctant to do).

Apple really needs that deal – China is the world's biggest smartphone market but the iPhone has been struggling there - its market share has been sliding and is now far behind Samsung and local brands. Analysts from Canalys believe the lower-cost iPhone 5C that has set the rumor mill on fire will be perfect for China's market as the regular iPhone is too pricy compared to low-cost, highly-specced phones from Chinese brands.

This deal can be beneficial for both Apple and China Mobile as both giants have seen their profits slump recently.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_may_be_close_to_securing_a_deal_with_china_mobile-news-6580.php

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iPhone 5 and 5C together in perfect harmony?

Black and yellow, black and yellow

Another alleged iPhone 5C shell for your perusal today. This one comes once again from leaker Sonny Dickson, who posted a video of the casing alongside the rest of the iPhone family.

We spoke to Sonny who told us that it came from the same source he received the recently-surfaced white cover from and insists it's "the real deal".

But of course, we can't help but ask whether the case is nothing more than an iPhone intruder trying to makes fools of us all. Strap on your skepti-goggles before hitting the play button.

More blips!

There's an intruder among our Blips. Or is there? You'll have to read through to find out.

• Samsung needs help deciding what to do with flexible displays
• Robert Downey Jr. takes a confusing turn in new HTC ad
• Google Mas has a fantastic Easter egg in the shape of a familiar blue box

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/iphone-5-and-5c-together-in-perfect-harmony--1173306

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BlackBerry patent portfolio worth $2 to $3 billion, analyst estimates

As talk is escalating about the possibility of BlackBerry going on sale or possibly entering a joint-venture, some analysts are looking to the Canadians' patent portfolio as potential savior.

According to MDB Capital Group CEO, Chris Marlett, who spoke to AllThingsD BlackBerry's patent portfolio alone could muster about $2 to $3 billion in a cross-licensing deal.

And that is the estimated price if a lone bid for the portfolio arrives. If say Apple, Google or Microsoft all wanted to buy it and start a bidding war, BB's patents could amass sums between $4 and $5 billion.

BlackBerry still carries a lot of weight in the industry despite having financial troubles - its devices and services are well known, BlackBerry Messenger is used by some 50 million users. So if a major industry player like Google, Microsoft or Apple wanted to purchase BlackBerry entirely, the deal could be worth $8 to $10 billion.

BlackBerry currently has 5,236 active U.S. patent and about 3,730 active applications in wireless communication.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_patent_portfolio_worth_2_or_3_billion_alone-news-6579.php

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Samsung Galaxy Note III country distribution list pops up

Just like the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Samsung Galaxy Note III is allegedly going to launch in a couple of versions each sporting a different chipset under the hood.

Apparently, SamMobile has got hold of a list of countries to which Samsung is going to distribute the Galaxy Note III powered by the Exynos 5420 Octa chipset and the Snapdragon 800 variants.

The Exynos 5420-powered Galaxy Note III is listed under the SM-N9000 model name, while the Galaxy Note III with Snapdragon 800 goes by the SM-N9005 name and it is the one to sport LTE connectivity. Unfortunately, the Exynos-one lacks 4G network support. Both versions are going to pack 3GB of snappy LPDDR3 RAM.

Here's a quote from SamMobile's source regarding availability of both versions of the Galaxy Note III in countries where LTE is available.

If your country gets both processor variants, it is a decision based on the marketing plan of Samsung. Which means if there are LTE networks in your country, Samsung will start with the LTE variant (Snapdragon 800) first.

Here's the full list of countries and carriers that are bound to get the Samsung Galaxy Note III with Exynos 5420 chip (SM-N9000) and the Samsung Galaxy Note III with Snapdragon 800 chip (SM-N9005).

Samsung Galaxy Note III with Exynos 5420 (SM-N9000) Afghanistan Algeria Bangladesh Egypt France Germany Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kenya Malaysia Mauritania Morocco Nepal Nigeria Pakistan Poland Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa Sri Lanka Taiwan Taiwan Thailand Tunisia Turkey Ukraine (Kyivstar) United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uzbekistan Vietnam

Samsung Galaxy Note III with Snapdragon 800 (SM-N9005) Australia Australia (Optus) Australia (Telstra) Australia (Vodafone) Austria (3 Hutchison) Austria (A1) Baltic Belgium / Luxemburg Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH TELECOM) Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria (MTL) Bulgaria (VVT) Croatia (TELE2) Croatia (VIPNET) Cyprus Cyprus (Cytamobile Vodafone) Czech Republic Czech Republic (O2C) Czech Republic (Vodafone) France France (Bouygues) France (SFR) Germany Germany (O2) Germany (T-Mobile) Germany (Vodafone) Greece Greece (Cosmote) Greece (Vodafone) Hong Kong Hungary Hungary (Telenor) Hungary (VDH) Ireland Ireland (Meteor) Ireland (O2) Ireland (Three) Ireland (Vodafone) Italy Italy (H3G) Italy (TIM) Italy (Vodafone) Italy (Wind) Japan Luxembourg Malaysia Netherlands Netherlands (Vodafone) New Zealand (Vodafone) New Zeeland Nordic countries Norway (Telenor) Open Austria Papua New Guinea Philippines Philippines (Globe) Philippines (Smart) Philippines (Sun) Poland Poland (PLUS) Poland (Play) Portugal (Optimus) Portugal (TMN) Portugal (TPH) Portugal (Vodafone) Romania Romania (Vodafone) Saudi Arabia Serbia (Telekom) Serbia (Telenor) Serbia (VIP) Singapore Singapore Singapore (SingTel) Singapore (StarHub) Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia Slovenia (Mobitel) Slovenia (Si.mobil) South Africa (Vodafone) South Africa (XFM) South East Europe Spain Spain (Movistar) Spain (Vodafone) Spain (Yoigo) Sweden Sweden Sweden (Tre) Switzerland Switzerland (Swisscom) USA (AT&T) United Kingdom United Kingdom (H3G) United Kingdom (O2) O2U United Kingdom (Vodafone) VOD

Additionally, there's going to be a third Galaxy Note III variant that's going to feature two SIM card slots. According to the leaked country list, it's going to only be available in China and carriers the SM-N9002 model number. It's going to be powered by Samsung's Exynos 5420 with 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM.

Samsung will announce the Galaxy Note III on September 4 event in Berlin and we'll be covering it live so make sure you stick around when the time comes.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_note_iii_country_distribution_list_pops_up-news-6578.php

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