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Tag: Rumors

  • Apple, Samsung Creating Mega-Tablets [RUMOR]

    Apple, Samsung Creating Mega-Tablets [RUMOR]

    As Apple tacitly acknowledged with the iPhone 5’s larger screen, consumers are craving the larger screens seen in high-end Android smartphones. At the same time, a large number of consumers seem to be more interested in smaller, less expensive 7-inch tablets, rather than the 9.7-inch iPad. Now Both Apple and Samsung are betting that there is a market for tablets even larger than the iPad.

    DigiTimes is reporting that both Samsung and Apple are preparing mega-tablets with 12-inch or larger screens. The report’s unnamed “sources from the upstream supply chain” believe the companies are looking to compete more directly with notebook computers.

    The report also predicts that Samsung will be “more aggressive” than Apple in developing larger tablets, as Apple still sells high-end MacBook products with smaller screens. Samsung will be able to expand its offerings to include tablets of all sizes.

    News of Apple and Samsung experimenting with larger tablet forms comes just as smartphones are rising in size to nearly the dimensions of small tablets. Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note III is expected to have a 5.7-inch screen, and Sony’s Xperia Z has a 6.4-inch screen.

    Though tablet shipments slowed during the second quarter of 2013, Android tablet shipments still managed to double from the previous year. Much of the increase in tablet sales comes in the mini-tablet product segment. New versions of Google’s Nexus 7 device and Amazon’s Kindle Fire lineup are expected to increase tablet shipments this fall.

    (via DigiTimes)

  • iPhone 5S Rumors: Dual-LED Flash?

    According to the newest rumor, regarding the iPhone 5S, the new iPhone will be featuring a dual-LED flash. The new flash option is meant to help users take better pictures when the lighting is poor.

    Many devices have been adding a 13-megapixel camera, and it is very likely that Apple will be increasing their megapixels from 8MP to 13MP. With this added upgrade, Apple should gain more interest from the photography community. Even though Apple wouldn’t be the first to add a dual-LED flash, it could still give them a leg up on the competition since the iPhone’s are still the number one smart phone in the U.S.

    Another rumor that is circulating around the new iPhone is that the latest beta of iOS 7 contains a string of coding that suggests that Apple will be including a new and important feature to the operating system: a fingerprint sensor. Uncovered by developer Hamza Sood, the code references a biometric scanner that will be built into the future iPhone’s home button.

    It is reported that the cheaper version of the iPhone 5S, the iPhone 5C (C stands for color), will be debuting around the same time as the more expensive and newer version. The iPhone 5C uses “color” because the device is expected to have different hue options to choose from.

    According to reports, the iPhone 5C will combine the styling of the iPhone 5, iPod touch, and the iPod classic. Apple has not confirmed all the details about the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.

    I guess we will all just have to wait and see. The new iPhone is scheduled to debut on September 10.

  • Apple Is Working On Larger iPhones, iPads [Report]

    A rumor emerged last week that Apple had delayed the public unveiling of the iPhone 5S so that it could implement a larger display at the last minute. Now a new report suggests that Apple is considering larger displays for all of its devices.

    The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple’s Asian suppliers are currently testing larger displays for the company’s devices. To be more specific, Apple is testing iPhone display sizes larger than 4-inches, and it’s also looking into a 13-inch display for the iPad.

    These devices will probably not see the light of day this year, or anytime soon for that matter. The WSJ is quick to point out that Apple is only testing these new display sizes. There’s no word yet on whether or not Apple actually wants to make a larger iPhone or iPad.

    Of course, a larger iPhone is far more feasible than a larger iPad at this point. It’s been rumored for months now that Apple would be introducing a larger iPhone in 2014. Many point to increased competition from Samsung and its larger screens as the leading cause behind Apple’s decision to increase the display sizes of its own devices.

    What’s interesting about this latest report, however, is that it shows an Apple that might start offering more than one display size. Instead of alienating one consumer base in favor of another, Apple might try to be like Samsung and offer a display size for every need. What this means is that we might soon see an iPhone that’s offered in both 4 and 5-inch variants.

    As for the iPad, it’s hard to see Apple going for a 13-inch display just yet. The WSJ’s supply sources confirmed just as much by saying that the new iPad will remain at 9.7-inches. The only difference between the new and old iPad is that the new one will be thinner, and use touch sensors with a thin film instead of glass for the display.

    All of this doesn’t change the fact that we’re going to see a new iPhone and iPad this year. Like usual, we’ll be seeing the new iPhone first with its launch reportedly set for August. Production on the new iPad has just started to ramp up this month so we’ll probably not see new tablets from Apple until September or October.

  • Google Trying To Get TV Service Off The Ground [Report]

    As Google runs YouTube, increases the premium original programming available on it, expands Google Fiber, and tries to get Google TV on more devices, it only makes sense that Google try to launch a full on alternative to cable and satellite television.

    According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the company is pretty much trying to do just that. The report says Google has approached unspecified media companies about licensing content for an Internet TV service that would stream traditional TV programming, that it has pitched licensing ideas to these companies over the past copule years, and that Google has even provided a demo of such a service to at least one of the companies.

    Of course Google isn’t commenting on any of this.

    With details as sketchy and few as they are, it’s pretty noteworthy if Google actually already has a product it’s showing these unnamed media companies – presumably those that run popular cable networks. Google has tried to get a concept like this off the ground in the past, but has never been able to win over the networks. Perhaps having an actual product to show will help in the negotiations.

    It’s obviously unclear how such a service would manifest itself, as in would it be a part of YouTube (which already has apps on many popular consumer devices) or a completely new standalone offering?

    Meanwhile, Intel is working on its own TV service, and Apple is said to have been talking to media companies as well.

  • Apple Might Buy The Team That Created The Kinect [Report]

    The hardware powering Microsoft’s Kinect technology was originally created by an Israeli tech firm called PrimeSense. Microsoft has moved on to its own in-house developed hardware, but new reports suggest Apple may now be interested in the firm’s hardware.

    Calcalist, an Israeli publication with a good track record, reports today that Apple is currently in talks with PrimeSense over whether or not it wants to purchase the company. If it does, it could signal that Apple is planning to integrate motion sensing tech into its next products.

    9to5Mac says that motion sensing tech from Apple isn’t entirely out of the question as the company has already submitted patents for gesture-based technology. It would most likely be used in the oft-rumored Apple TV or other hardware that would help Apple take over the living room.

    Apple has conquered the world of smartphones and tablets, but its current Apple TV hasn’t managed to really make a dent in the living room market share yet. Microsoft has way more experience in the space and its Xbox brand is synonymous with living room entertainment for a lot of people. By buying PrimeSense, Apple could be signaling that it’s finally serious about taking back some living room market share away from Microsoft.

    This is all merely conjecture based on unverified reports for now though. There’s good reason to believe that Apple is interested in acquiring PrimeSense, however, as Calcalist has been right regarding other acquisitions of Israeli companies in the past. It’s also not too hard to believe that Apple is finally preparing an assault on the living room.

  • Galaxy Note III to Have Full HD Screen [RUMOR]

    Galaxy Note III to Have Full HD Screen [RUMOR]

    With the success of its Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note II products, Samsung proved that there are consumers hungering for ever-bigger screens. With the announcement of the Galaxy Note III expected soon, rumors about the device’s hardware have been flying for weeks now. Today’s Galaxy Note III rumor actually seems more plausible than most, and that’s because it comes from Samsung itself. Sort of.

    Sam Mobile has uncovered references to models of the Galaxy Note III in Samsung WAP files on the company’s website. The code refers to the models SM-N900T and SM-N900, which have been linked to the Galaxy Note III. In the reference, it seems to be confirmed that the device will have an ARM11-based processor and a 1080 x 1920 screen. Neither of these specs were be unexpected, but the seeming confirmation means the Galaxy Note III will be a full-HD smartphone.

    Previous rumors about the Galaxy Note III include it having a massive 5.7″ sAMOLED screen and a quad-core processor. In addition, the device could have a 13-megapixel camera. Since the next Galaxy Note III did not make an appearance at Samsung’s “Premiere 2013” event back in June, current speculation is centered on the IFA show in Berlin in September as the site of the smartphone’s announcement.

    (via Sam Mobile)

  • PC Sales Expected to Pick Up Later This Year

    Since the advent of tablet computing, PC sales have been rapidly slowing. Reports have shown that PC sales declined during the 2012 holiday season and have been continuing to drop at a rapid pace. Though Microsoft has been blaming PC manufacturers for slow sales of Windows 8 machines, it’s now clear that the operating system itself has some blame to take for slowing sales.

    Now, with Windows 8.1 and new Intel processors on the horizon, it seems that PC manufacturers are growing confident that PC sales will soon pick up. Digitimes, the Tiawanese publication that closely follows tech manufacturing supply chains, this week reported that PC chip manufacturers in Taiwan are predicting an uptick in PC sales for the third quarter of 2013.

    Digitimes cites unnamed “industry sources” as saying PC manufacturers in both the U.S. and China are “more optimistic” about the third quarter as they prepare to release PCs with new Intel Haswell processors. Several Taiwanese chip manufacturers have also revised their third-quarter estimates upward in anticipation of growing sales.

    (via BGR)

  • Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Kate Upton are NOT Dating

    Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a Ukrainian balroom dancer best-known from network TV ballroom dancing competition Dancing with the Stars is reportedly not dating model Kate Upton.

    The two had reportedly been spotted holding hands hands earlier this week at an upscale restaurant in New York City. An unnamed Us Magazine source also stated that the pair had been “set up through friends” and have “just started dating.”

    Now, though, it seems that Us’ source may have been wrong, as an unnamed source for E! News has now stated that Chmerkovskiy and Upton are “just good friends.” A second E! News source supposedly close to Chmerkovskiy also reported hearing nothing about the supposed romance.

    This is not the first man that Upton has been linked to in recent months. Back in April, rumors surfaced that Upton was dating rap producer Sean “Diddy” Combs after the model was allegedly spotted with him at a Miami Beach club “sucking face “. The rumors were later denied, with Upton tweeting that the reports simply weren’t true, and Diddy tweeting that he doesn’t even know the modle personally:

    Chmerkovskiy has appeared on most seasons of Dancing with the Stars as the dancing partner of celebrities such as Denise Richards, Hope Solo, and Kirstie Alley. He announced in February that he will not be retuning for the next season of the show.

    Upton was recently spotted celebrating her 21st birthday with her uncle, Michigan Congressman Fred Upton. The model has received numerous birthday wished via Twitter:

    (via E! News)

  • Google Reportedly Wins Waze Acquisition

    Numerous reports have come out indicating that Google is getting ready to buy Israel-based navigation company Waze.

    After hearing about Facebook getting ready to buy the company for close to a year, talks between those two companies reportedly fizzled out in recent weeks, as Google entered the conversation. Now, while still unconfirmed, this news appears to be the real deal.

    The news was first reported by Israel’s Globes, which reported the deal could be for as much as $1.3 billion.

    The New York Times also reports that the price is over $1 billion, and that the deal could be announced early this week. That report cites three people with knowledge of the discussions.

    All Things D also has two sources “close to the situation” confirming the acquisition, with one indicating the announcement will come on Tuesday.

    Apple has also been name-dropped as a potential suitor for Waze, but CEO Tim Cook recently indicated that it had made no offer to buy it. Such a deal could have been a bold competitive move for either Apple or Facebook against Google, which already has the very popular Google Maps and its accompanying navigation product, but Google’s purchase of Waze should help the company further distance itself from the competition.

    Interestingly, Waze recently launched an update that added new Facebook integration.

    Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off today, and iOS 7 is expected to be unveiled. Perhaps we’lll see some announcement regarding Apple’s much-ridiculed Maps product as part of that.

  • Katherine Webb Not Engaged to AJ McCarron

    Katherine Webb Not Engaged to AJ McCarron

    Model Katherine Webb this week put a damper on rumors that she and University of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron are currently engaged. The rumors had been sparked by photos that showed her wearing a large ring on her left ring finger while attending a golf tournament in Alabama.

    The reality star told the Associated Press today that, though she’s not engaged, she and McCarron are “doing great.” She also promised that the public will be notified “when that time comes.”

    Webb gained nationwide fame back in January when she was ogled by sportscasters during the BCS National Championship game. She gained hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers overnight and her modeling career has taken off. Since that time, she has participated in the ABC primetime reality diving competition Splash, though she was forced out of the competition by a minor injury. Webb also made headlines in May when People magazine reported that she only eats 1,120 calories per day. She has since denied the claim.

  • Jay-Z Says Baby Rumors Are Untrue

    Last week, rumors that pop star BeyoncĂ© is pregnant began heating up. The week’s rumors were capped off with what seemed to be a confirmation that the diva is expecting her second child. This week, however, BeyoncĂ©’s husband is once again tamping down the rumors, stating that the pregnancy reports are “not true.”

    A program director for the New York radio station Hot 97 this weekend reported that Jay-Z had personally told him that the rumors are not true. He quotes the would-be father as saying, “It’s not true. The news is worse than blogs.”

    Neither Jay-Z nor Mrs. Carter herself have commented officially on the pregnancy rumors. BeyoncĂ© is currently promoting her world tour, “The Mrs. Carter Show.” The tour is currently in Europe, and will continue in North America throughout June and July.

    Though the pregnancy rumors began over some blurry concert photos, the rumors ramped up last week when BeyoncĂ© canceled a scheduled concert in Antwerp, Belgium. The official word was that doctors had sidelined the pop star for “dehydration and exhaustion,” but fans eagerly postulated that the singer was having morning sickness.

  • There Won’t Be A Subsidized Version Of The Next Xbox [Rumor]

    One of the better deals in gaming today is a $99 Xbox 360 that’s subsidized with two years of Xbox Live. Rumors suggested that Microsoft would be doing the same with the next Xbox, but those plans may have been scrapped.

    Paul Thurrot reports that Microsoft has ditched its plans for a subsidized Xbox. The news comes from a recent tweet that also said Microsoft would be showing off its IllumiRoom technology at tomorrow’s next Xbox reveal:

    For those unfamiliar with the rumor, it was said that Microsoft would be selling the next Xbox for $499 with a subsidized version going for $299. The latter would be subsidized with a two-year Xbox Live subscription at $15 a month.

    Now, this might be a good or bad move on the part of Microsoft. As Thurrot later speculates, Microsoft might just offer the next Xbox at a straight up lower price than the competition. Game consoles are generally sold at a loss anyway, but it’s hard to imagine Microsoft taking a massive hit early on just to undercut Sony.

    The more likely scenario is that Microsoft will just go ahead with its plans to sell the next Xbox for $499. That would mean the company is confident that its machine will have enough exclusive content to warrant a purchase. That was at least the line being fed to gamers over the weekend during the Major Nelson podcast in which Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg said that E3 would feature “tons of exclusives and world premiers” for the new console.

    Still, many, including myself, think it’s unwise for Microsoft to ditch its subsidization plan entirely. The rise of smartphones have warped consumers’ perception of value and how much technology actually costs. The $350 price tag on the Wii U is evidence enough that consumers just aren’t up for paying that much for what many still consider a toy anymore. A subsidized model, even if it wasn’t “cheap” per se, would still perform better as people would think they were getting a deal.

    All of this is nothing but rumor and speculation for now, but Thurrot does have a solid track record when it comes to Microsoft rumors. He reported the May 21 date for the next Xbox reveal two weeks before the official announcement from Microsoft. Even if Microsoft was ditching its plans for a subsidized Xbox, we probably won’t hear about it tomorrow. According to Greenberg, tomorrow’s next Xbox reveal will be about “the team, the people” behind the next Xbox.

    Of course, we’ll be covering the next Xbox reveal tomorrow. It starts at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. EST.

    [h/t: Neowin]

  • Yahoo Could Buy or Invest in Tumblr, Talks Have Been ‘Serious’ [REPORT]

    Yahoo Could Buy or Invest in Tumblr, Talks Have Been ‘Serious’ [REPORT]

    According to a report from Peter Kafka and Kara Swisher at All Things D, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has her sights on wildly popular blogging platform Tumblr.

    Quoting “sources close to the situation,” Yahoo may be looking to invest in, partner with, or even outright buy Tumblr. According to sources, talks have been “serious,” but as you know serious talks does not a deal make. Mayer, who has been watching Tumblr since her days at Google, reportedly started up talks with Tumblr execs, including CEO David Karp, soon after taking the CEO job at Yahoo.

    One thing is for certain about a Tumblr acquisition – it wouldn’t be cheap. As Tumblr continues to grow (they just hit 100 million blogs a little over a month ago), the platform will only attract more attention. Estimates value Tumblr at $800 million at least, with some suggesting that it could be a $1 billion company.

    On the surface, it’s clear to see how a Yahoo and Tumblr deal could benefit both parties. Since Mayer took over Yahoo, the company has been going through a shift – mainly in an attempt to regain some relevance that it has lost over the past few years. Tumblr is one of the hottest things on the internet, so that can’t hurt. Plus, Tumblr would benefit from even more exposure. If there’s one thing that Yahoo does have a ton of clout left in it’s the Yahoo homepage. Yesterday, Mayer announced a partnership with Twitter to bring real-time tweets to the Yahoo newsfeed. Tumblr could benefit from this sort of increased promotion.

    Since Mayer became CEO, Yahoo has been busy making small acquisitions – Summly, Astrid, Milewise and GoPollGo. But a Tumblr buy would be a huge deal. We’ll be anxious to see how this one develops.

    UPDATE: According to GigaOm, Facebook may be circling, looking to snatch Tumblr out of Yahoo’s hands.

  • Facebook Reportedly Getting Ready To Buy Waze

    While we’ve seen nothing official, and Facebook has specifically said that it will not comment on speculation, reports have come out that the company is buying mapping/traffic app Waze for up to $1 billion.

    TechCrunch points to reports in the Israeli press from Calcalist, Ynet and The Marker (all in Hebrew) indicating that Facebook is in “advanced due dilligence on a deal,” and that negotiations have been going on for six months.

    TechCrunch’s Ingrid Lunden reports: “We have been digging too and have picked up confirmation from a source that both sides have privately confirmed that the deal is happening, and that the pricing reported first by the Calcalist [between $800 million and $1 billion] is accurate.”

    The deal would apparently be a move for Facebook to capture more mobile users, not unlike its famous Instagram deal.

    Reports of Facebook’s interest in Waze are nothing new. There was talk that the two companies were in discussions at least as far back as August, when Globes reported, “The purpose of the talks is not known, but the two companies are reportedly headed for collaboration, possibly involving the use of Waze’s application via Facebook. Alternatively, Facebook may acquire Waze.”

    Waze is an Israeli startup, but its main office is in Palo Alto.

  • Will The Next Xbox Be Called The Xbox Fusion?

    It’s pretty much a given that the next Xbox won’t be called the Xbox 720. As for the actual name, we just don’t know yet. Some have speculated that it would be called the Xbox 8 or Xbox Infinity, but a recent domain name grab from Microsoft points to an entirely different name.

    Fusible reports that Microsoft has registered multiple domains for the name “Xbox Fusion.” Now, Microsoft registers a lot of Xbox-themed domains, but what sets this one apart is the sheer number of domains it has registered. Aside from XboxFusion.com, there’s also an XboxFusion.info, XboxFusion.biz, XboxFusion.co.uk and more.

    The previous rumored name for the next Xbox was Xbox 8. That name came about after Microsoft grabbed a couple of Xbox 8-related domains from a Chinese cybersquatter in July of last year. In that case, however, Microsoft only obtained Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org. The Xbox8.com domain is still owned by somebody in China thus making the XboxFusion name that much more likely.

    Some may gawk at the name Xbox Fusion for being silly, but it really does sum up what Microsoft is seemingly attempting with its next home console. It’s no secret that Microsoft wants to take over the living room with its Xbox brand, and all the rumors we’ve heard thus far point to Microsoft fusing the world of console gaming with that of living room entertainment. That strategy is most apparent in the rumor that says the next Xbox will have an HDMI-in to route a cable box through. Doing so would provide an Xbox overlay on top of your TV setup so consumers would never have to leave the Xbox experience.

    Of course, all of this could be wrong. Microsoft may be acquiring these domains for the inevitable reveal of Fuzion Frenzy 3 for the next Xbox.

  • That Larger iPhone Won’t Be Out Until June 2014 [Rumor]

    The iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 have been the subject of rumors and speculation since the beginning of this year. Most seem to think that the former will launch this year, and the latter is being saved for next year. A new report has come in to further back those claims.

    Jefferies analyst Peter Misek is back on the iPhone 6 rumor beat with an update. He says that Apple will indeed launch the iPhone 6 in 2014 – June to be exact. He also speculates that the iPhone 6 will receive the oft-rumored display size upgrade.

    So, where does Misek’s report leave this year’s rumored iPhone 5S? While the new device may not sport a larger display, Misek says it will have a better processor, a better camera and new mobile payment options in Passbook. If that’s not enough, he also says that Apple will finally offer the iPhone in a variety of different colors.

    Even without a larger display, the iPhone 5S has the potential to shake everything up on the software side of things. 9to5Mac says that iOS 7 will sport a completely new redesign that ditches the realistic stylings of iOS in favor of a more “flat” design that you see on platforms like Windows 8.

    Some people say that Apple needs to increase the size of the iPhone’s display to better compete with Android, but the iPhone may be able to wait out one more year if iOS receives a substantial upgrade. Software is always more important than hardware, and a completely revamped iOS could make everybody forget about the bigger iPhone until next year.

    [Financial Post via BGR]

  • Modern Warfare Creators’ Game Rumored to be Xbox Exclusive, Always-Online

    The people in charge of creating the current most successful franchise in modern gaming (the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series) founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Since that time, gamers have been waiting anxiously to see what Jason West and Vince Zampella, the creators of the Modern Warfare franchise, could create with their own independent studio.

    The studio’s first game, codenamed Project Titan, has been kept tightly under wraps by both Respawn and the game’s publisher, EA. Now, Kotaku is reporting some new details on the project, with a mix of good and bad news.

    The publication is citing two independent unnamed “sources familiar with the game” as saying the title will be an Xbox exclusive, appearing only on the Xbox 360 and next-generation Xbox console.

    As for what the game is, Kotaku is reporting that it is a sci-fi shooter that has been designed around multiplayer combat. Soldiers called “Davids” can ride around in giant exoskeletons called “Goliaths.”

    Kotaku’s sources are also reporting that the game will have an always-online DRM scheme in place. That doesn’t sound far-fetched, considering that EA is the game’s publisher. If the game truly is designed around the multiplayer aspect, EA might not run into too much trouble by requiring a constant internet connection. However, if Respawn has crafted an enjoyable single-player campaign, then the always-on requirement will once again cause trouble for players, just like it did with Sim City and Diablo III.

  • Twitter May Help You Surface Tweets in Your Vicinity [REPORT]

    Twitter is reportedly testing a new feature that would make it infinitely more useful for people who use the service to find out about things going on around them.

    I mean right around them. Like, you know, near them. Geographically.

    According to All Things D, who quotes multiple sources, Twitter is currently testing a feature that allows users to discover tweets from other users within a certain radius. For instance, you could see a tweet from someone who’s right down the road, who’s eating a great omelet at a local brunch spot.

    On April 1st, Twitter kicked off its second annual hack week, and apparently that is where this idea was engendered. If so, this is a really great idea that could change the way people use Twitter.

    As of right now, Twitter’s “discovery” tab surfaces tweet about “what’s happening now, tailored to you,” according to Twitter. Although it’s unclear exactly how Twitter’s algorithms decide what to show you, it definitely has to do with who you follow and who those people follow, and so on. It’s kind of a “people in your general network” sort of deal. And to be honest, it’s not really all that helpful. There’s definitely some consideration given to location, but it’s not much.

    And really, Twitter has always felt more global than local. Sure, you can limit which Twitter trends you’re shown by city. But then again, this is only Twitter trends. And it’s only by city.

    I say test away, Twitter. And then unveil this feature. I can already imagine how useful it would be to walk outside my door, and see a bunch of tweets about things happening in my area. Can you?

  • This Is What The Cheap iPhone Looks Like [Rumor]

    Apple is either going to release the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 later this year. Alongside that device, Apple is also rumored to be releasing a cheaper iPhone for the Chinese market. We’ve heard some rumors on what it would look like, but a recent leak may have finally unveiled the cheaper iPhone’s rear shell.

    Tactus, a site that recently revealed the iPad 5 mold, has just unveiled its latest leak – the rear shell of the cheap iPhone that Apple says doesn’t exist.

    Is This The Rumored Cheap iPhone?

    As you can tell, the rear shell is made out of plastic instead of the aluminum that’s now standard in the current iPhone. It fits with previous rumors that said the cheap iPhone would be made out of plastic to cut costs. It also appears to jibe with rumors that the cheap iPhone would look like a combination of the iPod Touch and iPod Classic.

    As for hardware, it’s said that it will be powered by the A5 processor. Interestingly enough, it’s said that the A5 in the cheap iPhone will be the same A5 that powers the iPad 2 and iPad Mini. That would give the cheaper iPhone a small jump in performance over the A5 that was in the iPhone 4S.

    The cheaper iPhone is also rumored to sport a 3.5-inch display instead of the 4-inch display that’s been rumored for the past few months.

    On a final note, it appears that Apple will be treating the cheaper iPhone the same way it treats its iPod line. The device will be available in multiple colors, including blue, red and yellow on top of the usual black and white.

    [h/t: Engadget]

  • Kate Upton, Diddy Dating Rumors Denied

    Kate Upton, Diddy Dating Rumors Denied

    Rumors this week surfaced that supermodel Kate Upton and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs could be an item. The New York Daily News reported that the two were spotted at club LIV in Miami Beach, “sucking face.” The pair also reportedly had an “intimate” dinner in New York.

    Now, however, it seems that the mystery girl seen making out with Diddy may have been a Kate Upton look-alike. The model’s representative has told the New York Post that the reports of Upton-Diddy sightings are “laughable.” Upton was, according to her rep, “on vacation with her family” during the times she was reported to be in New York and Miami. Also, the rep added that the pair “don’t know each other at all.

    Both Upton and Diddy have also refuted the rumors on their Twitter accounts. Upton calls the stories “not at all true” while Diddy has stated that he doesn’t “even know Kate Upton personally.”

  • Next Xbox Is Powered By AMD Jaguar CPU, Ditches Backwards Compatibility [Report]

    During the PS4 reveal in February, Sony revealed that the console would be using AMD’s new Jaguar x86 system-on-a-chip architecture that combines a CPU and a GPU onto a single chip. There were rumors that Microsoft would be doing the same with the next Xbox, and a new report adds more fuel to the fire.

    Speaking to those familiar with Microsoft’s plans, Bloomberg reports that the next Xbox will indeed use AMD’s Jaguar SOC. The report doesn’t mention any specifics, but previous leaks have said that the next Xbox’s CPU would feature eight-cores, and be clocked at 1.6 Ghz. The PS4’s Jaguar has the same number of cores, but is clocked at 1.8 Ghz.

    The report says that Microsoft’s move to an AMD-based architecture will effectively kill any chances of backwards compatibility in the new console. The Xbox 360 employs an IBM PowerPC CPU that makes any chance of compatibility with the new AMD chip all but impossible. Of course, the next Xbox could use emulation for Xbox 360 games, but that seems unlikely. Those wanting to play Xbox 360 games will just have to keep their old consoles around.

    Bloomberg’s report is just the latest in a number of leaks that are beginning to paint a clearer picture of the next Xbox. One of the most persistent, and plausible rumors, is that the next Xbox will ship with the next generation of Kinect hardware. The surprise is that Kinect will be required at all times, even if the game in question doesn’t require it. Some suggest that Microsoft will be using the Orwellian tech it patented some time ago to enforce DRM or other protective measures based upon the number of people in the room.

    Another persistent rumor is that Microsoft’s next console will require an always online Internet connection. The latest rumor says that the console will be able to function for up to three minutes without an active connection, but will suspend all activity to open the network troubleshooter after it times out.

    Of course, all of this is mere speculation and rumors for now. We won’t anything until Microsoft decides to unveil the console. The latest report suggests that Microsoft will host its unveiling event on May 21, and then reveal more at E3 in June.