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WSJ Confirms iPhone Fingerprint Scanner

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According to the Wall Street Journal, the next generation iPhone, which is to be unveiled tomorrow, is confirmed to indeed feature a fingerprint scanner.scanning fingerprint

Rumors of a fingerprint scanner being added to the new smartphone have been circling for months but no one was sure if Apple would actually implement it. One of the first hints that Apple would be tinkering with fingerprints came about when Macrumors mentioned that Apple had purchased AuthenTec in July of 2012.

This will no doubt be one of the most secure ways to lock down your smartphone but how will people respond? With the recent growing concerns over consumer privacy, it could prove to be a rather controversial addition to the iPhone. Although finger-scanning technology has been around for many years and has been incorporated into many electronic devices, it has not been introduced into the world with such a mainstream product.

Coverage of Apples Cupertino press event will begin tomorrow at 10:00 AM Pacific.

-Thanks, Macrumors–

Xbox One Launch Date Announced

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xbox oneReleaseDate

Microsoft announced the official release date today for their next-gen gaming console, the Xbox One. The console will be launching Friday November 22, 2013 in 13 initial launch markets, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. With more to come in 2014.

Apple Sends Out Media Invitations, Colored iPhones Expected

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AAPLsep2013_eventinvite

Apple has sent out invitations to the media for a September 10th event where Apple is likely to unveil its latest version of the iPhone at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California at 10:00 AM Pacific time. We heard earlier this year that this could be the potential release date.

We are expecting to see two iPhone models launch at this event. The first model will likely be an upgrade to the current iPhone 5, perhaps an iPhone 5S with a rumored fingerprint scanner, wider aperture camera and dual LED flash.

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iPhone 5c phones on Production Line

The second iPhone is rumored to be a more “affordable” iPhone which is currently being dubbed the iPhone 5C. The name seems to be all but confirmed in these recently leaked photos (above) of a finished iPhone 5C package. The iPhone 5C will likely be made of plastic and come in a variety of colors to choose from, this seems to be somewhat confirmed in Apples choice of color in their invitations.

Apple is also likely to showcase a completed version of iOS 7 which will launch alongside the new iPhone.

Nintendo Announces 2DS

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In what initially seems like one of the weirdest moves, Nintendo has just announced the Nintendo 2DS portable gaming system. No, that’s not a typo, it really says 2DS.

The Nintendo 2DS does not fold in half like the other DS systems and as the name would suggest, it lacks 3D capability. The 2DS is a complete redesign which at first glance seems odd but after looking at it for a while, it kind of grows on you.

All of these changes were put in place to put the 2DS at a $129.99 price tag, which for a device with as many capabilities as it has and not to mention an outstanding game library, is definitely more affordable. The 2DS will play the entire library of games for the 3DS, both downloadable and packaged, along with backwards compatibility with many DS titles.

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The new handheld will be available on October 12th. You can get the full rundown on the system from Nintendo’s 2DS page.

What do you think? Love it or hate it?

 

Samsung Confirms Smartwatch

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SamsungSmartWatch
Samsung Smart watch Pantent Drawing ( Source: Korean Intellectual Property Office)

Samsung confirmed that it will be getting into the wearable technology game when Samsung’s executive vice president of mobile business, Lee Younghee, had an exclusive interview with The Korea Times and discussed a few details about the upcoming smartwatch. Lee said that the concept name for the device is called Galaxy Gear.

smart watch

According to Lee, the purpose of Galaxy Gear will be to enhance their current mobile experience and that  “Gear will add meaningful momentum to the mobile industry”.  In response to questions about a possible flexible display Lee mentions that it will not be flexible but that Samsung does hold various patents for a flexible display which would most definitely be using in future products.

There has been no shortage of speculation surrounding the possibility of an Apple iWatch to come in the near future and Samsung seems to be trying to beat them to the market. Apple has hired some notable people from the fashion industry which hints towards their intentions to get into wearable tech as well. Many people expected Apple to discuss it’s plans for an iWatch product earlier this year at the 2013 WWDC, but it seems that we may have our best chance to hear something this fall.