December, 2013

• 4 December

  President Obama says he can’t use iPhone for ‘security reasons’

  

  While President Obama uses Apple’s iPad, he admitted Wednesday that unspecified security concerns prevent him from using an iPhone. “I’m not allowed for security reasons to have an iPhone,” Obama said during a meeting promoting his health care law with young people Wednesday at the White House. However, he said his daughters, Sasha and Malia, …

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• 4 December

  Amazon offers free online storage to Android phone buyers

  

  Want a little reward for your next Android smartphone purchase? Amazon is tempting buyers with a promise of free Cloud Drive storage. As part of its latest Cloud Drive promotion, the retail giant is doling out 50GB worth of free storage in return for buying select Android smartphones. The list of qualifying phones stretches out to five pages and includes …

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• 4 December

  FCC OKs Verizon buyout of Vodafone’s company stake

  

  A Verizon Wireless store in Arlington, Texas. Verizon Wireless It’s confirmed — the Federal Communications Commission has given approval to Verizon’s $130 billion buyout of Vodafone’s stake in Verizon Wireless. This makes the deal the third largest corporate acquisition ever and will give Verizon full ownership of Verizon Wireless. “We thank the FCC for its quick action in approving our …

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• 4 December

  HTC One 2 release date leaked by judge in Nokia case

  

  Order, order! When it comes to mobile phones, leaks come from all over the place — and now a British judge has joined in the fun, apparently confirming the release of the HTC One 2, successor to the HTC One. Ruling on a patent dispute between Nokia and HTC in which he banned the sale of the HTC One Mini, …

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• 4 December

  Second

  

  Yota Devices, the mobile company that has caught the attention of the smartphone world with its dual-screen YotaPhone, already has its sights set on a second-generation device. Speaking to Pocket-lint in an interview published Wednesday, Yota chief Vlad Martynov said that his company plans on launching the second-generation YotaPhone in late 2014. Martynov didn’t provide details on the second-generation handset. …

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• 4 December

  AT&T jumps into health

  

  AT&T wants to be there for the elderly when they fall down. The Dallas-based telecommunications giant has unveiled its AT&T EverThere service, a mobile personal-emergency-response system that comes in the form of a device that goes off if the person has a sudden fall. The device would be used to ensure senior citizens get adequate help if they fall or …

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• 4 December

  Report: Samsung plans 5 smartphones for early 2014

  

  The Samsung Galaxy S5 may be among five smartphones announced in the first quarter of 2014, reports ETNews (translated). While this is but one report, and from a not-always accurate source, the rumor dovetails with recent rumblings. The last few weeks have given way to plenty of leaks and whispers about the Galaxy S5. Details such as the design of …

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• 4 December

  YotaPhone: The genesis of a dual

  

  Now playing: Watch this: Wild YotaPhone marries e-ink with Android 4:00 With a full-fledged Android display on one side and power-saving e-ink screen on the other, the dual-mode YotaPhone is emerging from the concept cocoon and spreading its wings in the real world. The YotaPhone goes on sale this week in Russia, starting at 500 euros ($678), before it expands …

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• 4 December

  LG’s curvy G Flex begins worldwide roll

  

  LG’s curvy G Flex is finally being shipped outside of Korea. It’s on its way to Hong Kong and Singapore soon, but the rest of the world will have to wait longer. (Credit: LG) LG has only been selling the G Flex in its home country of Korea up until now, but the curved OLED smartphone will be available for …

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• 4 December

  Three lets you use data, calls and texts for free in the US

  

  America is the land of the free — if you’re on Three. The numerical network has expanded its brilliant Feel At Home scheme to the US, letting subscribers use their minutes, texts and data as if they were back in Blighty, for no charge whatsoever. The scheme has also added Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Chinese region of Macau to …

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