rumors

The election is over, the iPad Mini was revealed, and that can only mean one thing: it's finally Humiliation Day time. But before we get to that, we talk business. Namely the fact that Microsoft is rumored to be working on something that would make Karyne quit her job and become a full-time gamer. It's possible that nobody is as excited as she is about this news. Anyone?

Also this week, we mention the rumor that must not be mentioned anymore because it's been talked about to death; we wonder what the point of Google Wallet is; … Read more

The unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note could get its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update in late December says the oft-reliable SamMobile. In addition to the requisite bug fixes, the update will include Samsung's Nature UX as well as Air View and Multi View on the gargantuan smartphone.

Samsung has yet to confirm both the update and its expected arrival, but the firmware in the video below looks fairly complete. Hopefully, we'll get an official announcement from Sammy soon, be it via press release or a social network status update.

It's worth noting that not all versions of … Read more

Stop us if you've heard this one before: HTC is working on a Facebook phone that runs Android at its core. In what seems like an annual occurrence, rumors have started up that suggest the social network behemoth is readying a smartphone centered around its services. … Read more

On this week's show, we investigate the logic behind the rumor of Google's delivery ambitions. We know Google had ventured far afield from its core search functionality in the past (cough, Android, cough, Google Wave, cough driverless cars) but it's hard to see how Google could invade the shopping/delivery sphere. It doesn't have any warehouses, delivery trucks, or even, to be perfectly frank, any products to sell. But those concerns may be missing the point.

We also go over the reports that Apple's now-former iOS chief Scott Forstall lost his job because his mama … Read more

The iPhone 5 makes its next big overseas sales debut next Friday, November 2 as local media have begun to report the leaks. (You can find the MacRumors roundup here.)

We've contacted Apple for comment and will update this post when more information becomes available.

The Economic Times of India, citing unnamed sources, reported that next Friday's launch "is certain" with iPhone shipments arriving over the next two or three days.

Similarly, the Bangkok Post reported confirmation of the November 2 date from an unnamed "industry source."

In Greece, the iPhoneHellas blog (translated), reported … Read more

Next week, Google is expected to unveil an update to the Nexus 7, an LG Nexus phone, a high-end new tablet, and Android Jelly Bean, but there's a rumor going around that Google has another trick up its sleeve.

What if we told you it was going to make a decidedly "low-end" Nexus tablet for $100 less than the Nexus 7 -- meaning $230 cheaper than the iPad Mini? You'd get your credit card out, right? Or scrounge around for enough change in your couch cushions?

Well, watch the show to see why you might want … Read more

More details have bubbled up about the rumored 5-inch HTC handset slated to hit Verizon this fall, including its name.

Previously thought to be the Droid Incredible X, DIX, or DLX a copy of a Verizon document suggests that the supersize smartphone will take on the name Droid DNA, according to AndroidCentral.

If the document is correct, Verizon will list the HTC6435LVW handset for $199.99 on November 20, just in time for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season.

With its expected high-end specs -- a 5-inch 1080p HD display, quad-core processor, and 2GB RAM -- I thought the … Read more

The rumored 13-inch version of Apple's MacBook Pro with a Retina Display will cost some $500 more than Apple's existing, non-Retina 13-inch model, according to a new report.

Citing "wholesale prices," 9to5Mac says the 13-inch model of the notebook will start at $1,699 when it goes on sale next week. That's $500 less than the entry-level version of Apple's 15-inch model with a Retina Display, but also $500 more than the entry-level 13-incher on the non-Retina side.

Apple, of course, has not announced the smaller version of the Retina-equipped Pro, but its arrival … Read more

Verizon Wireless is set to become the next wireless provider to offer carrier billing for Google Play purchases, according to unconfirmed reports. An internal Verizon screenshot obtained by Droid Life shows that the feature will be enabled later this week, specifically on October 18.

It it follows through, Verizon would be the last major U.S. carrier to adopt the billing strategy for apps, games, and other content. With that in mind, it appears that Big Red is going to employ a somewhat different tactic from the other players.

As evidenced in the photo, Verizon will put a $25 cap … Read more