Samsung to Rival Apple With Stores Inside Best Buy

Samsung is reportedly set to step up its rivalry with Apple by opening Samsung store-within-a-store shops inside Best Buy, according to Geek.com.

Geek.com has been told that the first wave of high traffic Best Buy locations will soon be receiving instruction to remove two aisles next to their mobile department and prepare to install a new Samsung store. This new section will be dressed in large Samsung signage and offer custom demo stations for many of Samsung’s products. Locations with the new section will be issuing special training sessions for employees in the mobile department, focusing heavily on how to show off Samsung-specific features.

The Galaxy S 4 is said to be the main attraction of the installments; however, Samsung will also show off their other smartphones, tablets, and other devices. It's said that eventually every Best Buy will get a Samsung store installation.

Apple to Debut Ultra-HD 4K Television in Late 2013 or Early 2014?

Apple is continuing its development of a Ultra-HD (3840x2160) television to be called the 'iTV', reports DigiTimes. The television is also said to feature voice and motion control, as well as, Internet connectivity.

The sources said that Apple and Foxconn Electronics have been in discussions for quite some time in terms of the TV's mass production schedule, but that Apple has been considering where panel supply for the TV will come from, as Ultra HD TV panel makers, most of whom are based in Taiwan, are expected to be producing at nearly full capacity in 2013 in order to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.

Other manufacturers in Apple's supply chain have allocated all their capacity to the company's mobile devices. However, Apple is apparently banking on LG to be able to step up and produce the panels by the second half of this year. If LG is successful, Apple could reportedly launch the television by the end of 2013 or 'more likely' in early 2014.

SlingPlayer App Gets Support for Wirelessly Archiving Media From Your iPhone

The SlingPlayer app for iPhone has been updated with support for wirelessly archiving your personal media from your device with SlingSync.

If you like TV, it's hard not to smile when you take control of your TV and DVR right from your iPhone's stunning display. Flip through your local channels with the virtual remote control. Pause, fast-forward, rewind and even schedule DVR recordings. Watch video on demand and pay-per-view programs. Never miss another show or game – whether you're in the back yard, out to lunch or on the other side of the world. It's your TV. Don't let it be trapped in your living room. Set it free – with your iPhone. 

Watch and control video sources such as:
- Cable set-top box and DVR
- Satellite set-top box and DVR
- Telco / IPTV set-top box and DVR
- Basic cable
- Digital Over-the-Air broadcasts (Slingbox PRO-HD only)
- Tivo
- Apple TV
- Home security cameras
- Blu-ray/DVD players

COMPATIBLE DEVICES:
- iPhone (iOS 5.0+)
- iPod touch (iOS 5.0+)

COMPATIBLE SLINGBOXES:*
- SLINGBOX 500
- SLINGBOX 350
- SLINGBOX PRO-HD
- SLINGBOX SOLO

What's New In This Version:
- Wirelessly archive your personal media from your smartphone with SlingSync™. (Slingbox 500 only, attached USB storage required)

- Audio only mode for listening to your favorite shows on the go with your Slingbox 500, PRO-HD, or SOLO (Slingbox 350 support coming soon)

- Localization support

- Bug fixes

You can purchase SlingPlayer for iPhone from the App Store for $14.99.

Facebook Invites Press to 'Come See Our New Home on Android' Event

Facebook has just invited members of the press to a 'Come See Our New Home On Android' special event being held at its headquarters on April 4th, reports TechCrunch.

Sources tell us it will be a modified version of the Android operating system with deep native Facebook functionality on the homescreen that may live on an HTC handset. The evidence aligns to say this is the Facebook Phone announcement people have been speculating about for years.

The new OS is said to be a 'flavor' of Android that will build in all sorts of extra Facebook functionality. The project may even be named 'Facebook Home' in reference to a heavily Facebook-ified home screen that would display news feed stories and other data alongside easy accessible Facebook apps.

9to5Google reports that Facebook is teaming up with HTC to release a phone which will run the new software. Apparently, the companies have been working on a joint marketing campaign which will focus on the potential user of the device, not on the hardware or software.

iBye Adds Support for Backing Up and Restoring Your Data on iOS 6

iBye, a popular app for backing up and restoring your iOS device by EvilPenguin, has been updated with support for iOS 6.x.

Have you ever wanted to make a backup of your data, but iTunes wasn't around or iCloud was down? Then iBye is the application for all your data needs. iBye will backup your data to an FTP server of your choice, and restore it as well. iBye also supports Dropbox and local; more coming soon.

Removing data can be scary, and if you feel removing any data is not the way to go then how about locking the deletion of that data? iBye can lock the deletion of data from happening!

Additional Features:
● Built-in web server to download and upload your files
● Backup support for Cydia, AppStore, Notes, Mail, Safari , Photos, Calendar, Contacts, and Phone.
● Connect over EDGE, 3G, 4G LTE, and WiFi.

What's New in 3.0.1:
● Updated for iOS6.x
● Faster uploads and downloads
● Bug fixes
● Memory fixes

You can purchase iBye from the Cydia Store for $1.99.

P0sixninja Finds Exploits Needed for New Jailbreak

P0sixninja says that he has found the exploits necessary to release a new jailbreak. The hacker contributed to various jailbreak releases in the past including: GreenPois0n, Cdev Reporter, Absinthe, etc.

Well, so far it looks like the next jailbreak might be created entirely by me.

Evad3rs haven't gone anywhere, I've just discovered all the needed exploits on my own over the past few months

As of yet, p0sixninja has not demonstrated a working jailbreak; however, it's promising that exploits are still being found. It's unclear if p0sixninja intends to pursue a jailbreak release for iOS 6.x or hold back the exploits in hope of jailbreaking iOS 7.

iPhone 5S Launch Event Rumored for June 20th

While numerous analysts have speculated that Apple might launch the iPhone 5S in June/July, today a rumor predicts the launch event will be held on June 20th, notes Macotakara.

The date is said to have been revealed in the May of issue of the Japanese MacFan magazine.

The Special event of next iPhone was performed on June 20, and the Japanese periodical MacFan has published the rumor that iPhone 5S will be put on the market in July and low-priced edition iPhone will be put on the market in August.

In the special event, it is predicted rather than the hardware that an illustration of iOS which adopted a new design may take the lead.

It's believed the iPhone 5S is already in production and could feature fingerprint detection technology. It would like ship with iOS 7 which is reportedly towards a flat design style.

Apple Releases ProApps QuickTime Codecs v1.0.2 Update

Apple has released an update to its ProApps QuickTime Codecs for download.

About ProApps QuickTime Codecs v1.0.2
This update adds the following video codecs for use by QuickTime-based applications:
● Apple Intermediate Codec
● Apple ProRes
● AVC-Intra
● DVCPRO HD
● HDV
● XDCAM HD / EX / HD422
● MPEG IMX
● Uncompressed 4:2:2
●XAVC

This update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4. You can download it from the link below...

Displays: iPhone 5 vs. Galaxy S 4, S III vs. Xperia Z vs. One vs. Lumia 920

A display comparison between the Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S 4, Samsung Galaxy S III, Sony Xperia Z, HTC One, and Nokia Lumia 920 has been posted by PhoneArena.

Brightness and Visibility (Winner: iPhone 5)
"Despite the improvements that Samsung continues to do to its so-called Super AMOLED screen technology, it's still lagging behind the quality LCD screens in the brightness department. We find the LCD displays of the iPhone 5, One, Xperia Z and Lumia 920 to be a bit brighter than the one of the GS4, and even more compared to the GS3, which is dimmer than its successor."


Viewing Angles (Winner: iPhone 5, One)
Xperia Z had the worst viewing angles of all six devices followed by the Galaxy S 4 and S III. Leading the pack was the iPhone 5 and HTC One who "even manage to retain a more natural color balance."



Resolution (Winner: One)
"The HTC One leads the pack in that respect as it couples the 1080p resolution with a 4.7” screen, which makes for the incredible 468 ppi. The second places is shared by the Xperia Z and Galaxy S4, the 5” displays of which have a pixel density of 441 ppi. Third is the Lumia 920 with 332 ppi, and immediately after it comes the iPhone 5 with 326 ppi. Finally, we have the Galaxy S III with 306 ppi."


Color reproduction (Winner: iPhone 5)
The iPhone 5 and HTC One were selected as favorites. "Their advanced LCD displays output super-realistic, yet vibrant and lively colors that manage to please both the purist users and those who just want a breath-taking image. The Nokia Lumia 920 is also quite good, though it's a bit less vibrant."

You can read the full analysis over at PhoneArena but hitting the link below...

Apple to Launch Its Own Dedicated Game Controller?

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its own dedicated game controller, according to PocketGamer.

At GDC 2013, Apple has apparently been very active in speaking with developers to ensure plenty of games will support the joypad at launch. The company has been operating a meeting room at the show under a pseudonym. Speaking anonymously, multiple developers confirmed the news to the site.

It's expected Apple will formally announce its plans during its annual April press event; previously this has been centred around the iPad. Many things remain unknown, though. None of our contacts had seen or held the physical device so we don't know if the pad will take a conventional approach or employ a radical new design.

Another possibility might be that Apple plans to use this device across its product lines including the Apple TV.

Notably, Samsung debuted a Game Pad at the Galaxy S4 launch and a source also told the site that Google will be making its own announcement about an official game controller in the near future as well.

Microsoft Releases New 'Ms. Splosion Man' Game for iOS

Microsoft has released a new game for iOS entitled, 'Ms. Splosion Man'.

You got a problem? Yo, she’ll splode it. At the Big Science after-party celebrating the capture of Splosion Man, a spill of champagne shorts out the safety protocols on the splosionatrix and from it emerges Ms. Splosion Man.

Features:
• The “prettiest” platformer on mobile devices
• Native support for 4 inch Retina Displays and The New iPad
• 3D character-driven title loaded with personality, animation, humor and a crazy FMV ending!
• Easy left-right-tap controls with challenging, fast paced puzzles
• 50 levels with big splosions and 4 huge boss battles
• Physics-based gameplay mechanics
• Introducing 6 powerups like Nuclear Sploding and Sonic Speed
• Race against ghost replays
• Visit 3 exotic locations
• Introducing 1,500 challenges to complete and earn Fame
• Morph target facial animation
• AirPlay support for playing on larger displays
• Localized for 9 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, European Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese

You can purchase Ms. Splosion Man from the App Store for $2.99.

iPhone 5 Launch Got Over 5x More Twitter Buzz Than Samsung's Galaxy S 4 Launch

The iPhone 5 launch received over five times more Twitter buzz than the Samsung Galaxy S 4 launch, according to Investing Analytics.

PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster notes that this data illustrates the mass appeal Apple's handset still carries with the marketplace.

On the day of and day after their respective debuts, the iPhone 5 garnered 2.4 million tweets; whereas, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 only managed 440,000. Notably, this is an improvement for the company but it is still far from that of the iPhone.

"We believe this demonstrates that while interest in the Galaxy S 4 is growing, Apple continues to hold a meaningful lead as the smartphone with the broadest consumer appeal," Munster said.

Interestingly, 81% of tweets about the Galaxy S4 were positive compared to just 73% for the iPhone 5. This is thought to be due to leaks which left consumers unsurprised on launch day.

Apple Launches Redesigned 'Report a Problem' Tool for iTunes Store Purchases

Apple has begun the phased launch of a redesigned 'Report a Problem' tool for iTunes Store purchase issues.

Overview:
'Report a Problem' is a self-help tool for customers. Prior to March 13, 2013, Apple offered the 'Report a Problem' tool exclusively within the iTunes application on a Mac or Windows computer. After March 13, 2013, you can access the 'Report a Problem' tool from your computer or mobile device via a web browser.

When using the 'Report a Problem' tool, you view purchases and downloads made in the previous 90 days, then identify and select a purchase issue. The tool then determines whether you are eligible for a refund or regrant:
● If you are eligible, the tool automatically provides you with a refund or regrant and display an on-screen confirmation message. Apple sends a confirmation email when the refund is issued.
● If you are not eligible the tool denies your refund or regrant with an on-screen message.

The sequence appears as a seamless interaction and enables automation of some of the most straightforward customer requests.

Availability:
Apple is rolling out the redesigned 'Report a Problem' tool to customers in phases. 
● Phase 1: A subset of customers in the United States
● Phase 2: The remainder of customers in the United States
● Phases 3-4: All additional countries on a rolling basis

Apple Updates Final Cut Pro X With Numerous Improvements, 4K XAVC Codec Support

Apple has updated Final Cut Pro X with numerous improvements including support for the 4K Sony XAVC codec. Notably, Apple is also expected to launch a Final Cut Pro X marketing campaign today in an effort to win back professional users who weren't impressed with the product at its release.

Completely redesigned from the ground up, Final Cut Pro adds extraordinary speed, quality, and flexibility to every part of the post-production workflow.

What's New In This Version:
• Support for Sony XAVC codec up to 4K resolution
• Option to display ProRes Log C files from ARRI ALEXA cameras with standard Rec. 709 color and contrast levels
• Resolves an issue where some third-party effects generated green frames during render
• Resolves performance issues that could occur with certain titles and effects
• Time reversed clips render in the background
• Ability to use key commands to adjust Clip Appearance settings in the timeline
• Ability to view reel number metadata located in the timecode track of video files
• Mono audio files in a surround project export with correct volume levels
• Drop zones no longer reset to the first frame of video after application restart
• Fixes a performance issue which resulted from selecting multiple ranges on a single clip
• Fixes an issue where the Play Around function did not work properly on certain clips when viewed through external video devices


You can purchase Final Cut Pro from the App Store for $299.99.

FINAL FANTASY V is Now Available for iOS

FINAL FANTASY V has been released for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Return to the classic medieval tale of magic, monsters and friendship with FINAL FANTASY V! Twenty years after the original FINAL FANTASY V released in Japan, the classic RPG has found its way to mobile devices!

Embark on an epic adventure as four heroes driven together by fate: Bartz and his chocobo companion, Princess Lenna of Castle Tycoon, the mysterious Galuf, and the pirate captain Faris. The crystals that bring peace and prosperity to the world – earth, water, fire, and wind – have lost their power and are on the verge of destruction.

Features:
• Customize characters with an unprecedented degree of freedom with the job and ability system – 26 unique job classes!

• Veteran character designer Kazuko Shibuya has returned to recreate the characters and graphics for a completely enhanced mobile experience!

• Touch-screen controls and active-time battle system are optimized for fluid combat on mobile devices

• This new version also includes “The Sealed Temple” from the 2006 release, as well as the Tetsuya Nomura-designed optional boss Enuo, and an extraordinary soundtrack

• Game Center support and plenty of achievements to be earned.

You can purchase FINAL FANTASY V from the App Store for $15.99.

Angry Birds Star Wars has been updated with a Cloud City episode, 20 new Bespin levels, steam gameplay mechanics, Boba Fett Missions, and Twitter integration.

Angry Birds Star Wars has been updated with a Cloud City episode, 20 new Bespin levels, steam gameplay mechanics, Boba Fett Missions, and Twitter integration.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... a group of desperate rebel birds faced off against a galactic menace: the Empire’s evil Pigtroopers! Rebel birds, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Imperial Pigs. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the PIG STAR, and are racing to deliver the plans to the Rebel Birds. Now they need your help!

Features:
HOURS AND HOURS OF ENGAGING GAMEPLAY - Explore more than 100 levels in iconic locations like Tatooine and the Pig Star. Can you dodge Imperial pigs, laser turrets, Tusken Raider pigs, and the dark side of the Force to get all three stars?

NEW GAMEPLAY MECHANICS - Use lightsabers, Blasters and Jedi powers to wreak havoc on the Imperial Pigs!

LEVEL UP YOUR BIRDS - Keep playing and level up your birds to improve their skills!

SECRETS AND HIDDEN GOODIES - Can you unlock all the R2-D2 and C-3PO bonus levels?

FREE UPDATES - This is only the beginning of the epic saga!

THE MIGHTY FALCON
Stuck on a tricky level? Earn stars and call the Mighty Falcon to rain down the destruction. New goals, achievements and gameplay!

PATH OF THE JEDI
The ultimate training ground for a Young Jedi, this episode features 40 Dagobah Challenge Levels with Jedi Master Yoda! Master the Path of the Jedi to unlock the ultimate Lightsaber! Available as an in-app purchase, or by earning three stars on every level.

What's New In This Version:
Welcome to Bespin! After narrowly escaping the Hog Empire at the Battle of Hoth, the Rebel Birds are happy to lay low for a while. But Cloud City might not be as welcoming as it appears...

● Explore Cloud City in an all new episode!
● Battle your way through 20 new Bespin levels!
● Introducing steam gameplay mechanics.
● Unlock the new Boba Fett Missions by collecting all 5 hidden rocket packs, via promotion code, or via in-app purchase!
● Brag about your trophies using the new Twitter integration!

You can purchase Angry Birds Star Wars from the App Store for $0.99.

RIM's Last Remaining Co-Founder Leaves BlackBerry

Mike Lazaridis, the last remaining RIM co-founder and former co-CEO, is leaving BlackBerry, reports the WSJ. He will retire as vice-chairman effective May 1st.

“[RIM CEO] Thorsten [Heins] and his team did an excellent job in completing BlackBerry 10,” he said in a statement. “We have a great deal of which to be proud. I believe I am leaving the company in good hands. I remain a huge fan of BlackBerry and, of course, wish the company and its people well.”

BlackBerry is now without any of its three co-founders. Former co-CEO Jim Balsillie left in March 2012, and Douglas Fregin retired from vice-president of operations in 2007.

“I admire Mike for his many achievements and for his vision in helping bring BlackBerry 10 to fruition,” Heins said in a statement. “On a personal level, I am grateful to Mike for his help, guidance and advice during my first 15 months as CEO of BlackBerry. I wish him all the best.”

BlackBerry is currently launching its new BlackBerry 10 operating system alongside two new devices, the Z10 and Q10.

AT&T Announces Samsung Galaxy S 4 Pre-Orders Start April 16th for $249.99

AT&T has announced that pre-orders of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will begin April 16th for $249.99 with a two year contract.

Continuing our legacy as the first carrier to launch Samsung’s Galaxy series, we are excited to announce AT&T customers will be able to begin pre-ordering the Galaxy S 4 beginning April 16 for $249.99 with a two-year commitment. We are proud to offer this iconic device and continue to offer our customers the best smartphone line-up, with a variety of devices for every lifestyle and budget. 

The price point is a bit surprising since the device is meant to compete with the iPhone at $199. Perhaps the company feels customers will pay more for the smartphone's larger 5-inch display.

Apple Updates Motion With Performance and Stability Improvements

Apple has released an update to Motion that brings performance and stability improvements.

Designed for video editors, Motion 5 lets you customize Final Cut Pro titles, transitions, and effects. Or create your own dazzling animations in 2D or 3D space, with real-time feedback as you work.

What's New In This Version:
• Resolves an issue where some third-party effects generated green frames during render
• Resolves performance issues that could occur with certain titles and effects
• Fixes a stability issue when splitting layers in the timeline
• Fixes an issue where launching a plug-in with a check box could require multiple clicks
• Fixes a stability issue with CoreMelt plug-ins

You can purchase Motion from the App Store for $49.99. Apple also updated Final Cut Pro X today with numerous improvements.

Apple Updates Find My Friends App With UI Improvements

Apple has released an update to its 'Find My Friends' app that brings a new UI to search for and set location-based notifications.

Find My Friends allows you to easily locate your friends and family from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Install this free app on your device running iOS 5 or later and sign in with the Apple ID you use with iCloud. Adding a friend is easy — just send a request to see their location. Once your friend accepts using the Find My Friends app on their device, you will be able to see their location. And friends can request to see your location the same way. 

Features:

• Easily locate friends and family

• Temporary sharing option

• Location-based alerts (requires iOS 6)

• Simple privacy controls

• Parental restrictions 

• Free for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

What's New In This Version:
• New UI to search for and set location-based notifications (requires iOS 6.1 or later)

You can download Find My Friends from the App Store for free.

Apple Patents an iPhone With a Wrap Around Display

The USPTO has published a new Apple patent for an 'Electronic Device With Wrap Around Display'. The patent was filed on September 26, 2011 and published March 28, 2013.

The company describes how its wrap around display might work:

---
The majority of portable electronic device manufacturers utilize a common form factor consisting generally of a flat planar form factor with a single surface dedicated mainly for use as a display surface, while the other surfaces remain largely unused, save for the occasional button or switch. The conventional form factor has been used in devices such as smart phones, tablet devices, and electronic book readers. Although this form factor lends itself to electronic devices that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to handle, the requirement for a planar display and associated circuitry inherently limits the amount of surface area to single surface. More specifically, the size of the user interface is generally limited to a portion of the device that takes up less than half of the overall device surface area.

In one embodiment, utilizing a flexible display can provide additional viewing area without increasing either the size or shape of the electronic device. For example, a flexible display can be folded in such a way as to form a continuous loop such that images (still or video) can be presented in a wrap-around manner in which the images appear to be presented in a continuous loop. The flexible display can be folded into a tightly wound configuration and placed within an enclosure at least a portion of which is transparent. In some cases, the enclosure can be formed of glass at least a portion of which is made opaque (at least translucent) by the addition of ink or other masking material. In other cases, however, the entire enclosure can be fully transparent in which case the folded flexible display can unwind when placed within the glass enclosure. Once fully unwound, the flexible display can present images at any portion of the glass enclosure.
---

It will likely be a while before consumers see any products like this; however, it's interesting to see the type of futuristic devices Apple is investigating.

Check out the images below...