Get Ready for iOS 7 Update

If Apple doesn’t want to keep the iOS 7 suspense going, you can expect the software update to drop in a matter of hours. And for that, you need to be prepared.

Generally, iOS software updates run smoothly, but there are those isolated instances where one unlucky customer loses some photos or certain stuff that they relied on. And that’s where backing up comes in. What you’ll need to do (and I suggest you do this sooner rather than later) is to launch your Settings application, go to iCloud, scroll down until you reach Storage & Backup, tap it, and select Back Up Now.

Alternately (if you don’t have enough iCloud storage, or the process is taking too long), you can just connect your iDevice to iTunes, right click its name in the left pane, and choose Back Up. Whatever goes wrong (though nothing should) with your iOS 7 installation, you’re now on the safe side. Happy updating!

iPhone 5s
Image credits to Tim Bradshaw

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idAmerica CrossLink USB Cable, Works with Everything

Pretty much every phone, tablet, MP3 player and other gadgets these days ship with a data cable of some sort, or a USB charger, or both. CrossLink has invented something that can replace them all.

And I'm not talking about those power cables that can detach the power socket plug and leave a normal data cable behind. What I mean is that the new product from CrossLink is compatible with all sorts of tablets and phones, and other gadgets, because of the four different connectors on the cable.

One of the ports, the USB, is the one that connects to a PC, or a detachable power plug, and the other three are arranged on the three sides of the other end, like in the picture above. I doubt Sony, Samsung, LG and everyone else will ever bundle these up with their inventions, but the CrossLink cable can come in handy for those who own several different gadgets.

CrossLink USB Cable
Images credits to idAmerica CrossLink

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Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pricing Scheme

Microsoft has just announced pricing details for Windows 8.1, the first Windows 8 major overhaul that's projected to be unveiled on October 18.

While Windows 8.1 will be offered as a free download to Windows 8 users, those who wish to buy the operating system separately can do so by paying for either a traditional packaged DVD product or a download from Microsoft's website. Either way, Windows 8.1 will be available for $119.99 (€90), while the Pro version will be sold for $199.99 (€150) in the United States. Pricing might vary by market, the company said. As you can see, pricing is very similar to the one of Windows 8, with the tech giant claiming that it wants to make the operating system available to as many people as possible. In addition, Microsoft revealed that Windows 7 users who'll want to make the move to Windows 8.1 will be able to do so by using the built-in upgrade option, which will bring along all their files, but they'll have to reinstall all desktop apps.

Windows XP and Vista users, on the other hand, will lose all their files, settings, and programs. “Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Although not designed or recommended for devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista, consumers still wanting to upgrade from Windows XP or Windows Vista should buy the retail DVD instead of using the download and boot from the DVD to do a clean install of Windows 8.1,” Microsoft said. “Note: files, settings and programs will not transfer – Consumers will need to back up their files and settings, perform clean installation, and then reinstall their files, settings and programs.”

Last but not least, customers who purchase a device running Windows 8.1 will be allowed to migrate to the Pro version for only $99.99 (€75), while the Media Center upgrade will be available for only $9.99 (€7.5).

Windows 8.1 will be available as a traditional DVD package or as a download
Image credits to Microsoft

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Asus PadFone Infinity Official Specs: 2.2 GHz Quad-Core CPU, 5-Inch Display

We reported last week on Asus’ plans to unveil its next PadFone Infinity phone/tablet combo and it looks like the company has just made it official.

As previous rumors suggested, Asus PadFone Infinity is equipped with a powerful 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and 2GB LPDDR3 of RAM. In comparison, the original model is powered by a slightly less powerful 1.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which is complemented by 2GB LPDDR2 of RAM. Another difference between the two smartphones is the fact that the new PadFone Infinity will ship with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system out of the box, while the original version still runs Android 4.1.2. Even though both Asus PadFone Infinity devices boast 13-megapixel rear-facing cameras, Engadget reports that the newer model comes pre-installed with a new PixelMaster feature, which is said to combine multiple pixels in order to form a smaller but much sharper and cleaner 3-megapixel image.

This sounds similar to Nokia’s PureView technology, but the Finish company offers a more advanced technology than Asus, at least for the moment. The new PadFone Infinity comes with microSD card slot for memory expansion (up to 64GB), something that the original model lacked. Asus PadFone Infinity sports a clear and crisp 5-inch Super IPS capacitive touchscreen display that supports full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) resolution, which is similar to the one that’s been embedded into the original model. Other highlights of the recently announced PadFone Infinity include 2-megapixel front-facing camera, 16GB or 32GB of internal memory, NFC (Near Field Communication), LTE support and 2400 mAh Li-Ion battery.

According to Asus, PadFone Infinity will be available in Titanium Black and Platinum White for no less than $640 (€480) for the 16GB model and $710 (€530) for the 32GB variant. Unfortunately, there’s no word on availability yet, so stay tuned for more updates on the matter.

Asus PadFone Infinity
Images credits to Asus

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Nexus 5 with Android 4.4 KitKat Leaks [Video]

We’ve already had our fair share of Nexus 5 leaks and it looks like the phone has just been caught on camera for the first time, if we don’t count the “oops” moment offered by Google when it launched the Android 4.4 KitKat announcement promo containing this device.

Leaked via 9to5Google, the very short video allegedly shows the Nexus 5 in action. In fact, we can only see the unlock pattern feature of the smartphone and nothing else. There are also a few new live pictures that have been leaked online and the device in these photos strongly resembles the one that was spotted in Google’s official Android 4.4 KitKat promo.

More details on Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat are expected to be unveiled next month, though we’re still waiting for confirmation. Stay tuned for more info on the matter.

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