The Samsung Galaxy S4 arrived with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Samsung’s new TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 on board ushering in a new era of Samsung Android software. The Galaxy S4 won’t be the only one getting these upgrades though. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and more will likely be getting outfitted with new software. And while details are a bit scarce, there are still several bits that have surfaced and it’s time to take a deep dive into what we know about Samsung’s upcoming Android 4.2 updates.

All the way back in November of last year, Google announced a brand new piece of Android software dubbed Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an incremental update to the Android Jelly Bean operating system and one that replaced the previous version, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. While the software was quick to arrive for Nexus devices like the Nexus 4, the software has been slow to roll out to some of the biggest non-Nexus names.

In fact, Samsung’s Galaxy S4 became one of the first non-Nexus devices to sport Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and its features when it arrived back in April of this year. HTC’s flagship, the HTC One, remains on Android 4.1, a point of contention between HTC and the early adopters of its new Android device.

We know that HTC is preparing to deliver Android 4.2 updates to many of its older devices, including the HTC One, and we also know that Samsung is looking to do the same. Samsung has a great track record when it comes to software updates and while it may not be on par with Apple in terms of keeping devices updated, it’s certainly better than most Android manufacturers.

Samsung. like other Android manufacturers, has kept relatively quiet about upcoming updates. However, we have seen some information emerge about not only Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but the new TouchWiz that arrived with the Galaxy S4.

In the build up to these software updates, it’s now time to take a close look at how the Samsung Android 4.2 update situation breaks down as we look closely at what we know about the updates for the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2 and more.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Maybe the most anticipated Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update of the bunch is the one for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, a device that arrived shortly before the debut of Android 4.2 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean stock and on board.

Samsung has not yet announced a release date for the Galaxy Note 2 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update though rumors originally put the software as being out sometime in May or June. That apparently won’t be happening thanks to the new TouchWiz 2.0 features that Samsung is evidently putting on board the Galaxy Note 2.

Read: Galaxy Note 2 & Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Updates Pegged for Q3.

Instead, the update is now rumored to be coming out in the third quarter of this year which would mean a release sometime in July, August or September. If Samsung was really intending to release the software in May or June and caught an unforeseen snag, we imagine that July would likely be the best candidate for a roll out.

Android 4.3 is expected to be out in July though it’s looking like Samsung may ultimately upgrade to Android 4.2.2 instead. As for the features that will be coming on board, nothing is for certain though we expect there to be several features taken from the Galaxy S4. The exact features are as of yet, unknown, though we imagine the new camera app and some of the smart features will likely be on board.

Samsung Galaxy Note

The Galaxy Note should get Android 4.2.

The Samsung Galaxy Note, earlier this year, was upgraded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the update that Google first released in July of last year. A short time ago, AT&T finally upgraded its Galaxy Note model with Android 4.1 though it neglected to add on some of the best features including the coveted Multi-Window View. A bad sign.

Samsung hasn’t confirmed the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update for the original Galaxy Note but given that it was only released in 2011, we fully expect the software update to come to the aging phablet. There are rumors that indicate that this will be the case though it appears that the Android 4.2 update will be the last for the Galaxy Note.

New TouchWiz features are a different story. We expect the Galaxy Note to get at least some of the features of the new TouchWiz, again perhaps the new camera app additions, but owners should not expect a significant upgrade.

As for timing, given that the Galaxy Note 2 update is slated for Q3, we may not see the Galaxy Note Android 4.2 update until well into 2013. And for AT&T owners that could mean an arrival in the winter or possibly in 2014. If at all.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung hasn’t announced the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update but all signs point to the software rolling out around the same time as the Galaxy Note 2 update. Originally, the device was said to be getting the upgrade in May or June like the Galaxy Note 2, though that has now been pushed back to Q3.

That means that it should get it sometime between July and September with July and August being the likely candidates for arrival. Again, the update was said to have been delayed by the new Galaxy S4 TouchWiz features that will be on board when it arrives. Those features are unconfirmed but again, we don’t expect the Galaxy S3 to receive the entire update.

The Galaxy S3 will get Android 4.2, likely in Q3.

More likely, it will get bits and pieces of the software and already we’ve seen that the new Smart Scroll functionality may be one of the features that arrives along with its upgrade to Android 4.2.

Look for Samsung to stick with updating the Galaxy S3 first with Android 4.2 instead of updating directly to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.

Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung surprised a few people when it updated the Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device has been out for quite awhile now and typically, Android devices lose support when they get close to two years of age. Not the Galaxy S2.

Earlier this year, American carriers began updating the Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1, the most recently being AT&T which updated its model just a few short weeks ago. That leaves Verizon as the last of the big name carriers though we imagine that it should be updating the device in the near future, given that it typically follows AT&T by a few weeks.

The Galaxy S2 appears set for Android 4.2

As for an Android 4.2 update, the Galaxy S2 is rumored to be getting it at some point though no timing is known. We imagine, given the close proximity of the Galaxy S2 Android 4.1 updates that a roll out is likely far off in the distance if one arrives at all.

If it does, expect it to come with a few features of the new TouchWiz, but not the whole boat as the Galaxy S2 is an aging device and TouchWiz requires a lot of resources.

Other Smartphones

The Galaxy S3 Mini will likely get Android 4.2.

Obviously, those are just the big name smartphones but there will certainly be other devices that get the update. The three biggest of the bunch are the Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket and the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini.

What this means is that Samsung Galaxy Exhibit and Samsung Galaxy Axiom owners in the United States should expect an update to Android 4.2 at some point down the road.

Tablets

Finally, tablets. Samsung hasn’t talked about any software updates for its tablets but rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 will be getting Android 4.2 at some point.

As for Samsung’s older Galaxy Tab line, it’s hard to say. Samsung was extremely slow at getting out Android 4.1 for a majority of those tablets so owners will want to start tempering their expectations now instead of later.

Samsung Android 4.2 Update Breakdown: Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S3 & More is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Just a week after Microsoft announced that it would aggressively move to change the nature of gaming with the Xbox One, essentially pushing both publishers and users to create next generation, albeit DRM laden games, the company is completely reneging on the deal and the things that made the console unique.

To recap, as part of the Xbox One console and its software, Microsoft previously announced that it would essentially treat games as digital works. Though users would still be able to buy Xbox One titles in store, whenever they brought that disc home, it would be installed on their console and treated as digital goods. Users would be able to share and lend titles to other users on their friends list as well as gift those games to other users permanently.

Read: Microsoft Removes Xbox One Online & Used Game Restrictions.

In exchange for these features the Xbox One would require console to games to validate once every twenty-four hours so that it could check to see if users still owned their games. In my opinion, that was a fair trade. I would get to build gaming libraries with my friends and family no matter where they were in the world and pool our resources to buy the latest titles to share. I’d be able to buy those titles on day one from the comfort of my home and essentially get rid of the disc, or at least not have to use it as the game would be installed.

With today’s announcements that sharing will work the same as it does on the Xbox 360, that’s all in the air.

Instead, we’ll be treated to the same half-step that the company took with the Xbox 360’s approach to digital games. Users will likely continue buying games from GameStop and reselling them while Games on Demand titles will be an afterthought. Even after users have installed games to their hard drives, they will be required to put that disc inside their Xbox One to play the game. Even digital titles won’t be allowed to be shared.

Another casualty of this will be the enhanced worlds that Microsoft spent most of its time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. As game developers will not have to program for users who are offline, it’s likely that we’ll see worlds that aren’t nearly as great as the ones Microsoft showed.

Read: Microsoft Xbox One vs. Sony PlayStation.

There won’t even be any sharing of games. Period. No matter if it’s digital or otherwise. No cloud sharing, and possibly no ability to play your titles from any Xbox.

So at the end of this, after all the pain of negotiating deals with development studios, after all of things that would have made the Xbox One unique, Microsoft is essentially taking the “me too” approach to next generation gaming.  In exchange for $500 users will be treated too much of the same experience as they can get on the PlayStation 4 for $100 less.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying because of these changes users shouldn’t buy an Xbox 360. I’m asking a simple question. If being able to plug the Xbox One into a cable box and play Kinect titles and the Halo franchise is the only difference between it and the PlayStation 4, why would I buy one?

Why the Xbox One DRM Compromise Isn’t Good for Gamers is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

In the next few weeks, Google is expected to make an announcement that it was expected to make at Google I/O 2013, an announcement for the heavily rumored Nexus 7 2. The device will more than likely replace the Nexus 7 on the Google Play Store as the company’s flagship 7-inch slate. And while the prospects of the Nexus 7 2 are exciting, not everyone should be waiting for the new Nexus 7 to arrive.

In May, Google took the stage in San Francisco at its annual developers conference and made some announcements. However, those announcements pertained to many of the company’s current services, rather than new brand new products. Google did announce the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus at Google I/O, but the Galaxy S4 isn’t a new device.

Read: Why You Should Wait for the Nexus 7 2.

The Nexus 7 2 may not be for everyone.

The company skipped out on two of the big announcements that seemed like distinct possibilities: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and a new Nexus 7 2 tablet. However, as we have learned in the weeks since, these products were just vapor, they appear to be very real.

Android 4.3 has been rumored for release a few weeks after the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus and it could be that it arrives alongside the Nexus 7 2 which is rumored for a launch in July, just like its predecessor, the Nexus 7.

Backing up the notion of a launch is the fact that an Asus-made tablet passed through the FCC with all signs pointing to it being a Nexus tablet. Seriously, the filing stated in plain English that the device would be marketed as a Nexus device.

So, it’s pretty clear that Google and Asus have something up their sleeves for the weeks ahead and it’s looking like it’s going to be a new Nexus 7, presumably called the Nexus 7 2 or Nexus 7 HD.

We’ve already discussed why consumers might want to wait for the Nexus 7 2 and now, it’s time to take a look at the flip side and look at some reasons why consumers might not want to wait for the Nexus 7 2 to arrive.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for the Nexus 7 2

Minor Update

The Nexus 7 2 won’t be a massive overhaul.

For some, the Nexus 7 2 will seem like a major update. It’s said to have a Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor. It’s thought to have a 1080p display. It’s also rumored to have a 5MP rear camera on board, something that the Nexus 7 did not have. However, for most users, the Nexus 7 2 is looking like an average update.

From the FCC filing, it doesn’t appear to posses any major design changes from the original Nexus 7. For many, design is a big thing and the Nexus 7 design  while good, simply isn’t as good as the metal iPad mini.

The original Nexus 7 has a quad-core processor as well in the form of the Tegra 3 which will be enough horsepower for most people and the fact that a camera will be on board isn’t an upgrade at all. Tablets still make for horrible cameras.

Content consumers will love the 1080p display but for those that simply watch a few videos per week or read lots of books, the 720p HD display on devices like the Nexus 7 will be perfectly fine.

If Google was cooking up Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie for the Nexus 7 2, things might have been different. But because the hardware is an incremental upgrade and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is thought to be a minor update, the Nexus 7 2 is likely not going to be a major upgrade in the eyes of average consumers.

Software Isn’t an Upgrade

Yes, the Nexus 7 2 will be coming a year after the Nexus 7 but that doesn’t mean it will garner any benefits in terms of update speed. In fact, those who own or are thinking about buying the Nexus 7 will get updates at the same time as Nexus 7 2 owners.

Something else to think about is that Apple devices tend to possess more longevity than Android devices, even Google supported ones, so the iPad mini, which is getting outfitted with iOS 7 later this year, might be the device that some consumers should be looking closer at.

iPad Mini

Simply put, the iPad mini is arguably the best 7-inch tablet on the market right now thanks to a solid aluminum design, a relatively cheap price, a wealth of iPad-specific apps and updates that will be arriving for years to come.

Indeed, the Nexus 7 2 will beat the iPad mini in at least one area, screen resolution. However, when it comes to software support, design, and app choices, the iPad mini is the superior device.

The iPad mini is worthy of a look.

We should also throw in the fact that those who simply live in the Apple ecosystem, whether it’s due to a Mac, an iPhone, or both, should seriously consider the iPad mini over the Nexus 7 2 because of the cross-device benefits that iOS and OS X provide.

You Don’t Like Bugs

The Nexus 7 2 is a Nexus device and that means that it’s a developer device. And like the Google developer devices before it, the Nexus 7 2 is more than likely going to arrive with a host of bugs.

Over the past year, the Nexus 7 experience has gone from fantastic, to good, to plain bad after the update to Android 4.2. The device, for some people, simply is unusable. This has happened to plenty of Nexus devices before it, including the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

These devices do offer benefits, like vanilla Android software, but they often come with pitfalls that make owners feel like they’re guinea pigs for Google. Those that don’t like bugs will want to look at other devices that aren’t called Nexus.

You Need Tons of Storage

Nexus devices do not have microSD card slots.

One of the prominent features of Google’s Nexus devices is the lack of a microSD card slot. This wouldn’t be a huge problem if Google offered Nexus devices that had tons of internal storage. It doesn’t.

Instead, it tends to offer 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of storage and the Nexus 7 2 will likely have the latter of the two. Those who need tons of storage but don’t want to depend on the cloud will want to check out other tablets, like the iPad mini 64GB or the iPad 128GB. There are also other Android tablets that possess microSD card slots for expanded storage.

For many, this won’t be a big deal, but for those that need tons of storage for gaming, movies and more, the Nexus 7 2 will be limited.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait for the Nexus 7 2 is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Today Microsoft announced that it will lift some of the DRM restrictions of the Xbox One that angered many gamers in the past few weeks.

In a blog post the head of the Xbox division Don Mattrick wrote that Microsoft won’t require an online connection for the Xbox One. Gamers will have to connect their console to the Internet once when they first set it up, but after that it will no longer require an Internet connection. There is no more “24 hour connection requirement,” the console will work just like the Xbox 360 when not connected to the web.

Read: Microsoft Shows Off 13 Exclusive Xbox One Games

Microsoft will also let gamers buy and sell used games or lend disc-based games to their friends without restriction. Publishers no longer have the option to restrict a gamer’s option to sell a game back to GameStop or another retailer. The change also lifts the restriction that let gamers only lend a game to a friend once for however long that own the game.

The Xbox one will play disc-based and downloaded games regardless of the user’s Internet connection. That means gamers can take their console wherever they want, including nuclear submarines and play any game they currently own a copy of.

Microsoft will also make the Xbox One region unlocked, so gamers can play any Xbox One game on any console regardless of country of origin. That’s great news for travelers and gamers who like to import games.

The new policies come with a few downsides, however. With the new DRM policies gamers can’t share downloaded Xbox One games. There is no word on how this will effect the announced family sharing feature, though it seems that feature is no more.

Microsoft’s new policies will also mean that to play a disc-based game that’s installed on the Xbox One hard drive, gamers have to insert the disc into the console, like they have to on the Xbox 360. That makes the gaming slightly less convenient and a bit less like Steam, though gamers who want the convenience will have the option to download any Xbox One game the day it arrives in stores.

Microsoft Removes Xbox One Online & Used Game Restrictions is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

A report from Giant Bomb claims that after the fallout surrounding the Xbox One Microsoft may completely reverse its DRM policies.

The report claims that Microsoft will issue a statement today “amounts to a complete reversal on its DRM policies for Xbox One.” Microsoft’s current Xbox One DRM policies include an always-on Internet connection that authenticates the console every 24 hours, publisher restrictions on used games and region locked games.

The alleged reversal would make the Xbox One function much more like the Xbox 360. Microsoft would reportedly no longer require an Internet connection for the Xbox One, and the console wouldn’t check in with Microsoft’s servers every 24 hours. In fact, the only time gamers would have to connect their console online would be when they first set it up.

Update: Microsoft updated the Top Questions page for the Xbox One adding “As a result of feedback from the Xbox community, we have changed certain policies for Xbox One.” It appears the DRM will change, but Microsoft hasn’t yet announced what will change.

New policies for the Xbox One would also lets gamers buy and sell used games and lend their games to friends with no restrictions. Previous plans let publishers set restrictions on used games, only let gamers lend each game they own once.

The new policies would also apply to downloaded games, letting games play them whether they’re online or offline.

Giant Bomb also says that “All game discs will work on Xbox One as they do on Xbox 360,” though it’s not clear if that means gamers can still play games without the disc or not. Microsoft’s current policies would let gamers install a game once then play it from the hard drive without the disc. On the Xbox 360, however, gamers need to insert the disc to play any game they installed on the hard drive.

If the policy change is true, Microsoft will better compete with the PlayStation 4 this holiday. While Sony’s console is more powerful on paper, Microsoft will use Azure and its cloud infrastructure to help boost the power of the Xbox One.

Microsoft also showed and impressive number of great-looking Xbox One exclusives at E3 that may convince a few gamers to come back to Microsoft instead of buying a PlayStation 4. Assuming the rumored new policies in fact are less restrictive.

Microsoft May Reverse Xbox One DRM Policies is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

While HTC’s software reputation is up for debate thanks to several blunders in the past, Samsung’s has remained relatively good thanks to timely updates and promises that have been fulfilled. It appears though that Samsung may have taken a page out of HTC’s update book and canceled the promised Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update.

In the past, we’ve seen Android updates get delayed or in some instances, get outright canceled, even after a company promised that it would be updating the device with the software. And many times, the company behind those issues has been HTC, a company that despite claims of having “one of the strongest reputations in the industry for updates to its users,” simply has failed its users when it came time to update.

Read: Why You Need to Think Twice About Buying the HTC One.

Two great examples of this are the canceled HTC Desire HD Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update and the Droid Incredible 2 Jelly Bean update that was promised by the end of June and which has yet to roll out, or be canceled. Those two instances left HTC users frustrated with the company and likely caused many to turn their backs on devices like the HTC One.

Samsung on the other hand has developed a solid reputation when it comes to Android updates. The company was one of the first to roll out Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and it was one of the first to deliver Android 4.2 Jelly Bean which came with the Galaxy S4. However, it looks like its reputation may take a bit of a hit as it appears that the company may have shut down a scheduled Jelly Bean update for a mid-range device.

Way back when, Samsung promised an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy Mini 2, a cheap device with some low-end hardware specifications.

@edd124_ Hola, la actualización del Galaxy mini 2 no va a realizarse porque no podemos asegurar la mejor experiencia de uso. Un saludo

— SamsungMobile España (@SamsungMobileES) June 6, 2013

However, thanks to a tweet from Samsung Spain that was discovered by SmartFan, it appears that the software update may have been canceled due to issues with the overall user experience. This isn’t set in stone, as the regional arms of company’s can sometimes be wrong, but from the looks of things, the update is in some trouble. At the very least, it still hasn’t rolled out, months after Samsung promised it.

It’s also possible that other regions outside Spain will get the update but that seems unlikely.

At this point, it’s looking more like Samsung may have pulled a page out of HTC’s book though we hope, for Samsung’s sake, that this doesn’t start to become a trend, particularly with Android 4.2.

Samsung Pulls an HTC, Cancels Jelly Bean Update? is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

When Microsoft first announced that it would scrap its MIX internet develop conference and hardware focused WINHEC conference to create BUILD, the stakes couldn’t have been lower. Having grown accustomed to the unceremonious nature of Microsoft press events and conferences, users of the company’s products could barely understand why the company would create a new conference, mashing up more of things they didn’t care about.

Then at the first BUILD conference held in Anaheim, California the company dropped the bombshell that was Windows 8, announcing to the world that it would no longer sit idly by and watch other companies eat away at its core businesses without a fight. At that event, the company unveiled its first Developer Preview for Windows 8 and handed out free Samsung tablets to attendees.

Just after the widespread availability of Windows 8, the company held its second Microsoft BUILD conference, this time showing off the new ways developers could harness Windows Phone and Windows 8 to create similar experiences with the same code. At the conference Microsoft’s message was clear, they wanted to tell developers and the Microsoft enthusiast community why developing for their products was easier than other platforms, a message that it would continue to push as it tried to shore up it’s application stores for both platforms.

Since the company began holding BUILD, it’s moved to quiet its PR message. Instead of spending years talking about new products that users may or may not ever see, the company now seems to be perfectly content with keeping users and developers in the dark about what could be coming down the pike. All told, it’s a more Apple like approach and in that vein BUILD is now one of the few times a year when Microsoft is encouraged — no required to put on a spectacle like Apple’s WWDC and Google I/O.

With those expectations and the relatively young nature of Windows 8 as a backdrop, users could expect a slew of announcements from the company over the entire range of its products.

Windows 8.1 for all

Microsoft has already announced that it will provide users with a preview of the Windows 8.1 update that it expects to ship this fall. As per the past two BUILD conferences, Microsoft will make that preview available to all attendees as well as those at home who are interested. In that build, Microsoft will return some form of the Start Menu back to users and add a new layer of customization to the stark, drab motif that’s dogged Windows 8 so far.

The updated Start Screen in Windows 8.1

Read: Windows 8.1 to Bring Fingerprint Reader Support, Best Apple

Windows Phone

While Google might not have chosen to talk more about its next version of Android at its event, Apple did and Microsoft will need to as well. If it doesn’t, the company faces the same criticism that’s dogged its mobile phone operating system for years now: that the company moves too slow and simply can’t compete in a market with two incumbent operating systems.

If the company does discuss future versions of Windows Phone I’d expect it to be along the lines of how much more closely the company is moving to make Windows Phone and Windows closer. From a developer perspective that could mean even less coding changes than they have to make today to get apps working on both platforms. As Microsoft is aggressively moving to sync features across Windows 8 devices using its SkyDrive service, expect to hear more about how SkyDrive makes Windows Phone unique. Windows 8.1’s version of Internet Explorer already has a setting that allows it to send website URLs to Windows Phone devices.

Read: Does Windows Blue = Windows + Windows Phone in One Software? 

Xbox for All

While the coming out party for the Xbox One this past May was hugely successful, the company’s efforts at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo utterly destroyed most of the goodwill customers had for the console due to its requirement that the console be connected to the internet at least once every day. Especially since the requirement is being put in place so that it can silently check to make sure users still own their games. Coming so soon after that debacle, Microsoft will have to assure developers that they aren’t throwing good money after bad by investing in games for their console.

Read: Xbox One – Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience

As this is the first new generation of the Xbox console to be developed under what some call Microsoft’s “Windows Anywhere” approach to computing, expect to hear even more about how the Xbox One builds on the foundation of Windows. We’d bet those streaming the event at home will also be in for a few tales of how making games for Xbox One means they can create titles for Microsoft’s Xbox on Windows platform as easily as well.

Surface

With the transition from being a software company to creating software, services and devices, Microsoft will need to continue to showcase its hardware chops and deliver more hardware, specifically tablets. This year’s BUILD kicks off just a week after the one-year anniversary of the Surface line of tablets. While not set it stone, between the packaged deals it’s offering consumers and the completely theft-like pricing that it’s offering educational institutions, Microsoft has to be gearing up for an announcement about its next generation hardware.  Rumors had pegged that the company is planning on announcing a 7-inch Surface tablet device.

Read: Microsoft Prepping Surface Tablet with 7.5″ Inch Display

What is nearly cast in stone is the absolute afterthought that Windows RT is currently in the marketplace. Microsoft will have to explain to developers and consumers alike about why they should give a care about Windows RT, an operating system that comes with great battery gains at the price of backwards compatibility.

Microsoft will kick off its BUILD keynote on June 26th at 9:00am Pacific Standard Time. GottaBeMobile will be in the audience and online, bringing users all the day’s top announcements.

Microsoft BUILD 2013: What To Expect is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

Last night Sony issued a firmware update for the PlayStation 3 that caused issues with some consoles, forcing Sony to pull the update.

PlayStation 3 firmware 4.45 was to bring some new trophies options to the PlayStation 3, giving gamers the option to turn off notifications of when they received a trophy. Instead, many gamers found the update bricked their console, rendering it all but useless for the moment.

Some gamers took to Sony’s PlayStation forums to report the problem. Some who applied the update found their console would boot as usual showing the PS3 logo and a flowing ribbon in the background, but the console would stop there. The cross-media bar interface wouldn’t load, and pressing the power button wouldn’t turn off the console.

Some found a fix for the issue that involves putting the PlayStation 3 in Safe Mode and reformatting the console’s hard drive. That method may work, but it will erase any save games or downloaded games from the console. That option is only really viable for PlayStation Plus subscribers who use the cloud save feature of the service, as it means they won’t lose their saved games.

After less than a day of complaints Sony announced that it pulled the firmware 4.45 update from the PlayStation network so it won’t affect other gamers. The company will release a new version of the firmware update as soon as possible so gamers can get back to playing their games and using services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus on the console.

Speaking to Kotaku, Sony asked that gamers with bricked consoles have patience while the company tries its best to get an update out quickly. When the update is available there will be a way for gamers to fix their consoles, likely through putting the update on a USB flash drive and plugging it into the PlayStation 3 console.

PlayStation 3 Firmware 4.45 Bricks Some Consoles is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus and HTC One Nexus have gone up for pre-order on eBay ahead of their arrival on the Google Play Store later this month. However, those in the market for the Galaxy S4 Google Edition or HTC One Google Edition should hold onto their money and simply wait for them to arrive on Google’s online shopping portal.

At Google I/O 2013, Google failed to announce a new Nexus 7 or a new version of Android. Instead, the company showed off a brand new Samsung Galaxy S4, a Nexus version of the current model, that will be arriving on June 26th alongside a HTC One Nexus. The device will have many of the same specifications of the current Galaxy S4 including a 5-inch 1080p display and quad-core processor, but the device will also have some drastic differences.

The Galaxy S4 Nexus has gone up for pre-order at eBay.

The biggest is the inclusion of vanilla Android. Instead of Samsung’s TouchWiz, the Galaxy S4 Nexus will have pure vanilla Android. It will also come with an unlocked bootloader and it will get updates straight from Google, just like the Nexus 4.

Same goes for the HTC One Nexus. It will sport similar hardware, but include vanilla Android and updates that come straight from Google rather than an individual carrier.

The devices will be touching down later this month with expensive unlocked price tags. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus will cost $650 unlocked while the HTC One Nexus will cost $600. And while they aren’t yet available on Google Play, those looking to shop early or worried about a sell out can order them right now.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus has appeared for pre-order over on eBay with an asking price of $849. That’s $200 more than the price that Google will be charging. That alone makes this pre-order a pre-order worth avoiding. Consumers will also want to take into account that this device isn’t likely to sell out on the Google Play Store.

The HTC One Nexus is up for pre-order as well.

What this means is that buyers will be paying a $200 premium for a pre-order that doesn’t provide anything other than the ability to order the device early. What this means is that smart consumers will simply skip the pre-order offer and wait for Google to provide the device on June 26th.

The HTC One Nexus is also available for $770 which is $170 more expensive than Google’s asking price. Again, interested consumers should be weary of the price.

Those who have money to burn can go ahead and pre-order now, but know that both devices will be far cheaper when they arrive later on this month when Google releases them.

HTC One Nexus & Galaxy S4 Nexus Pre-Orders Aren’t Worth It is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Apple isn’t talking about the iPhone 5S design yet, but the next best thing is chatter from iPhone case makers who are already planning on an iPhone 5S that looks a lot like the iPhone 5, but with one change that could force anyone upgrading from the iPhone 5 to buy new cases.

Last year we shared the iPhone 5 engineering sample which a case maker used to test the fit of new cases, and as we approach that same timeline with the iPhone 5S we are already seeing plans leak out that show what case manufacturers plan to do for the iPhone 5S.

These specific iPhone 5S dimensions and specifications aren’t linked up to a specific source, but as we learned in our behind the scenes look at how companies prepare for un-announced Apple products — at a certain point the rumors align enough to begin planning cases.

For the iPhone 5S, that time is now, at least at one “well-known third-party manufacturer,” who shared iPhone 5S blueprints with AppleInsider.

iPhone 5S blueprint shows the design and dimensions one case maker expects from Apple.

A set of images show the dimensions and expected iPhone 5S features, as well as  those for the iPhone Light, which is what this case maker is calling the iPhone Light. The iPhone Light is the rumored budget iPhone that Apple could use to gain a bigger foothold in emerging markets.

The leaked iPhone 5S blueprints show the dimensions and thickness of the iPhone 5S and the budget iPhone. It’s not a surprise that the iPhone 5S dimensions are nearly identical to the iPhone 5.

The only difference is the listed iPhone 5S thickness which is 7.70mm in the drawing compared to 7.60mm on the iPhone 5, but this may be a rounding error, and not an overall sign that Apple will make the iPhone 5S thicker.

A case maker plans for an iPhone 5S with a pill-shaped dual-LED flash that could mean existing iPhone 5 cases don’t fit the iPhone 5S.

The images of the back of the iPhone 5S blueprints confirm that case makers are at least planning on an iPhone 5S with a dual-LED flash. The image above shows a pill-shaped flash next to the camera, which is different than the circle flash on the iPhone 5. One common iPhone 5S rumor is a better camera and a new dual-LED flash.

Apple offers a recommended keep-out area for the iPhone 5 flash, which is already tight on many cases. This area is supposed to remain clear of the flash to let it work without bouncing off a case. The image below from Apple’s iPhone 5 blueprint outlines the area that needs to stay open, and an example of how close some iPhone 5 cases already come to this area.

Apple iPhone 5 blueprints outline safe keep out areas for the flash.

With this in mind, existing iPhone 5 cases might not work as well as new ones that leave more room for the flash to fire, especially thicker ones like iPhone 5 battery cases.

The cheaper iPhone Light is wider, taller and thicker than the iPhone 5S in these blueprints. If Apple plans to produce a cheaper iPhone it will likely appear in markets outside of the U.S.

These are not as detailed as the iPhone blueprints Apple shares with case-makers after announcing a new phone, which show many more measurements and details, but they do offer similar information.

This is what an official iPhone 5 blueprint looks like direct from Apple, offering details to case makers.

The iPhone 5S is rumored for a fall release, with multiple sources pointing to September. If case makers are planning on iPhone 5S cases based on the current leaks, and with the uptick in iPhone 5S parts leaks, this timing fits past Apple launches.

Read: Why You Should Wait for the iPhone 5S

Case makers aren’t always spot on with their pre-release iPhone designs, Hard Candy cases made 50,000 iPhone cases for the wrong design in 2011, and incorrectly predicted the launch of the iPad 5 last week. Overall these case makers keep a close eye on Apple products, because being first to market when a new device arrives can pay off.

iPhone 5S Blueprints Show What Case Makers Think Apple is Planning is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

The HTC Butterfly S made its debut today showcasing some powerhouse features. However, we didn’t hear about any carriers and from the looks of things, a Verizon HTC Butterfly S may not be in the cards as a noted HTC leakster claims that the carrier currently has no plans to offer the device meaning consumers may have to wait for a Droid DNA 2.

Earlier today, HTC finally debuted its long-rumored HTC Butterfly S, a follow up to the original HTC Butterfly that emerged last year and found its way to Verizon Wireless as the Droid DNA, a device that is seemingly being phased out in favor of the new HTC One.

The HTC Butterfly S may not be coming to Verizon.

The device is an evolution from its successor, mixing old with the new. Specs include a faster Snapdragon 600 processor, a new Ultrapixel camera, and BoomSound front-facing stereo speakers which are all features found on the smaller HTC One. The device will also have 2 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage, and a massive 3200 mAh battery that is non-removable.

It does, however, keep the same 5-inch 1080p display that was found on the original HTC Butterfly along with a design that appears to be a bit of an improvement over the original HTC Butterfly’s.

@lange544 At the moment they don’t have such plans…

— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) June 19, 2013

Unfortunately, we haven’t heard much in terms of carriers though there are some rumors circling about. One suggests that the HTC Butterfly S will be heading to Sprint. If that’s true, the Now Network did not make that known today. We have speculated that it could be Sprint’s addition to the EVO family of smartphones though that remains unconfirmed.

One place where it isn’t thought to be heading is Verizon Wireless, the carrier that hosted the original HTC Butterfly. According to @LLabTooFeR, the carrier currently has no plans to offer the HTC Butterfly S. That of course could change but at this point, Verizon customers interested in this device should start tempering their expectations.

HTC Butterfly S Could Fly Past Verizon is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

As expected, Apple introduced the new version of iOS at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, taking the shroud down from around iOS 7, an update that Apple is calling the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone back in 2007. The software is slated for a fall release but ahead of that release, it’s time to make some bold iOS 7 predictions.

In the build up to WWDC 2013, Apple was heavily rumored to be announcing a new versions of its OS X and iOS software. Apple didn’t let anyone down and took the stage to show off several new products that it had been working on including new MacBook Airs, a new Mac Pro, and of course the stars of the show, OS X Mavericks and iOS 7.

Read: iOS 7 for iPad: 5 Things to Know.

Apple saved maybe the best for last with the introduction of iOS 7, a piece of software that will be coming to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this fall to replace the current version of iOS, iOS 6. Unlike past iOS updates, iOS 7 features a drastic overhaul, not just in terms of features, but in the looks department as well. That is to say, iOS 7 looks vastly different from any previous version of iOS.

From a new color palate, to new icons, to new textures, iOS 7 is a remarkable transformation from version of iOS that is sitting on iPhones and iPads around the world right now. Virtually nothing looks the same.

Of course, iOS 7 is also a work in progress. Apple has only released one iOS 7 beta thus far, meaning it has a long way to go before the company and its developers work out the kinks of the new software.

Apple has set an iOS 7 release deadline of this fall which means that it will be hitting consumers sometime between the months of September, October and November.

Ahead of that highly anticipated release date, it’s time to make some iOS 7 predictions, 15 of them in fact, about the iOS 7 release date, its features and more.

September Release

We expect the iOS 7 release in September.

Maybe the biggest question that consumers have about the iOS 7 update is when it will be coming out for the iPhone and iPad. Apple, so far, has only said that it will be releasing the software sometime this fall, leaving a wide swath of time open for a roll out.

While no specific dates have leaked out yet, we think that iOS 7 will be heading to users sometime in September. Here are several reasons why we think this will be the case.

• iOS updates tend to stay in beta for 60-90 days. That points to August-September.
• iPhone 5S is heavily rumored for September. Makes sense since the iPhone 5 came out in September and it’s sandwiched nicely between summer and holiday shopping months.

It’s entirely possible that we could see Apple wait into the deep regions of fall to release iOS 7, remember it’s a big overhaul and not close to being finished, but our gut tells us that Apple will release iOS 7 in September.

iOS 7 for iPhone, iPad At Same Time

Interestingly, Apple didn’t release the iOS 7 beta for iPhone and iOS 7 beta for iPad at the same time. Instead of releasing it on announcement day, Apple opted to push the iPad iOS 7 beta to the summer with a release date still unknown. Despite the difference in release dates, we fully expect Apple to release the iOS 7 updates for iPhone and iPad at the same time, as it has done in the past.

No Need to Get Up Early to Install iOS 7

What would iOS 7 predictions be if we didn’t make predictions in regards to the actual time that iOS 7 will be released when it arrives this fall. Typically, Apple iOS updates arrive around the same time, somewhere in between 9AM and 10AM PST. That’s no guarantee that Apple will do the same thing with iOS 7, but we expect its release to fall sometime in the morning on a day in September, likely in between those times.

Keep in mind, Apple will make it available not only through iTunes, but Over-the-Air as well meaning iPhone and iPad owners will be able to install and download without the use of wires.

iOS 7 Download Issues Prominent

What would an iOS update be without download issues? In the past, we’ve seen Apple’s servers crumble under the pressure, causing havoc for iPhone and iPad owners. We’ve seen users complain about losing files. And we’ve seen users run into storage problems when trying to install a new piece of iOS software.

The latter of those issues will be prominent amongst 16GB iPhone and iPad owners trying to install Over-the-Air as the iOS 7 update will be extremely large and will require tons of space to install. To get around that, users will simply have to install through iTunes.

Even with workarounds available, we still predict madness when the iOS 7 update touches down with Apple’s support forums being inundated with complaints.

iPhone 5S Comes with iOS 7

There are rumors swirling around about Apple’s plans for the iPhone in 2013 with whispers suggesting that it may be coming out with a larger screen iPhone to accompany a smaller flagship. At this point, given Tim Cook’s remarks, lack of credible leaks and tons of leaks pointing to a refresh of the iPhone 5 design, we think that Apple will be launching only one flagship alongside iOS 7, the iPhone 5S.

In the past, Apple has used the same design from the previous model in its ‘S’ series. The iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S both kept the designs of their predecessors. And while people are certainly campaigning for a design overhaul with the new iPhone, particularly in the display department, we think that Apple will instead simply improve the innards of the iPhone while keeping the same design.

That said, we fully expect a new iPhone to debut when iOS 7 is released and our gut tells us that it will be the iPhone 5S, a device packing a new camera, new processor but design similar to the iPhone 5.

No New iPads with iOS 7 Release

Don’t expect an iPad 5 or iPad mini 2 with the release of iOS 7.

While we expect a new iPhone to debut alongside the iOS 7 release, we don’t think Apple is going to introduce a new iPad when it finally confirms the iOS 7 release date.

Rumors suggest that an iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 with Retina Display will be coming later on this year and given how recent we saw the iPad 4 and iPad mini emerge, we think that Apple is content with waiting until just before the holiday shopping season to strike with new iPad models.

This not only ensures quality products on shelves for the holiday shopping season but it also means that Apple can once again skip March when it comes to an iPad launch and rely on their lineup of tablets well into 2014.

No iOS 7 Jailbreak at Release

iPhone and iPad owners hoping for an iOS 7 jailbreak on its release date are going to want to start tempering their expectations. In fact, we don’t think there will be an iOS 7 jailbreak ready when iOS 7 arrives this fall.

First off, it’s a bit strange that we haven’t seen proof of an iOS 7 jailbreak soon after the beta release, which is a rite of passage for iOS betas. That doesn’t mean that those behind the popular Evasi0n jailbreak aren’t hard at work behind the scenes, but it is a little out of the ordinary. We’ve also seen a noted member of the team pod2g, proclaim his disdain for iOS 7 and claim that he may be moving to Android.

Don’t expect an Evasi0n jailbreak for iOS 7 at launch.

Evasi0n did not arrive for iOS 6 on release date either so at this point. So at this point, we don’t have our hopes up for an arrival around the iOS 7 release. We’re not saying there won’t be an iOS 7 jailbreak, we’re just saying that iPhone and iPad owners will likely have to wait beyond its initial arrival for it to touch down.

Exclusive iOS 7 Feature(s) for iPhone 5S

Because Apple is likely to announce and release an ‘S’ iPhone model this year in the iPhone 5S, it will need to go to great lengths in order to sell the device to consumers. Part of that will be the hardware including an upgraded camera and processor. However, we also think that part of that will be software.

With the iPhone 4S, Apple introduced Siri, a unique software feature that is now commonplace on Apple’s devices. Apple used Siri as a major selling point for the iPhone 4S, even introducing a series of quirky ads featuring the personal assistant.

The iPhone 5S should have unique software.

We believe Apple will offer a unique iOS 7 feature on the new iPhone as well with signs pointing to a possible tie in with a fingerprint reader that is said to be embedded in the home button.

While that’s unconfirmed, prospective iPhone 5S buyers should expect something unique when it comes to iOS 7, something that hasn’t been shown off on stage or in the iOS 7 beta.

No New Major Features for Older Phones

Don’t expect any more big features for phones like the iPhone 4S.

While we think that the iPhone 5S will be getting at least one major feature that Apple hasn’t shown off yet, we don’t think that Apple will bestowing any more major features upon owners of current iPhone and iPad models.

Certainly, there is a chance for new features to emerge when the software is made official, features that Apple kept out of the iOS 7 beta, but we don’t expect those to be big additions. Instead, we think they will be smaller tweaks to things that already exist.

The current iOS 7 is coming with a ton of new features as it is, AirDrop being on in particular, and we think that Apple will stick to the major features that it has already revealed.

iPad Enhancements

That’s not to say that we think all iOS 7 updates for older phones will be alike. In fact, we think that Apple may be coming up with some unique enhancements for its larger devices, the iPad and the iPad mini.

Several years ago, we saw Apple introduce the split keyboard for the iPad, something that is beneficial to iPad owners but isn’t necessarily something that iPhone owners would be interested in due to the smaller display.

Because we haven’t seen iOS 7 for the iPad yet, it’s impossible to say if those enhancements are already included but we would put money on iOS 7 for iPad coming with some tweaks that are unique to the iPad, tweaks that iPhone owners won’t ever see.

There Will Be iOS 7 Bugs

Yes, there is an iOS 7 beta for the iPhone and soon, for the iPad as well. The beta will be used by Apple and developers to iron out issues that are plaguing the software ahead of its release. That unfortunately doesn’t mean that iOS 7 will be void of bugs. In fact, the software will more than likely come with a number of smaller issues.

We expect to hear the usual battery drain complaints from iPhone and iPad owners but the software should also come with some other, probably annoying issues that will put iPhone and iPad owners on edge.

As we’ve seen with the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, users are still experiencing issues with Wi-Fi, even after months of updates and possible fixes. We’re not exactly sure what iOS 7 bugs will be on board but we are certain that there will be iOS 7 bugs.

Bugs are a given when it comes to software.

Developers Will Offer More Reasons to Upgrade

iOS already has a high adoption rate amongst iPhone and iPad owners but we believe that along with the features of iOS 7, developers will give iPhone and iPad owners some reasons to upgrade to the new software.

With new features and a dramatic change to the looks of iOS 7, we expect developers to come up with some ingenious ways of utilizing the new software.

Whether it’s improving the looks of an app to go along with the look of iOS 7 or offering some features that require iOS 7 to operate, we think that major applications will take full advantage of Apple’s new software and give current owners a good reason to upgrade to the new software.

Icons Won’t Change Dramatically

There is a lot of talk out there about the new icons in iOS 7. Many iOS 7 beta users hate the icons and there are even memes out there about Jony Ive and his redesign. Plenty of people will want Apple to change the looks of the iOS 7 icons with the final release and that’s a possibility. Remember, Apple likes to cater to its user base.

There is disdain for iOS 7′s icons.

We think that Apple will likely tweak some of the icons but we don’t expect the company to drastically overhaul the look of the icons. What we mean is, don’t expect the icons to revert back to anything close to what they once were. The new overall look of iOS 7 is here to stay and many of the icons that are in place right now fit in well with Apple’s new UI.

Extreme Learning Curve for Some

Young people who have grown up with smartphones will have no trouble with the upgrade from iOS 6 to iOS 7. That is to say that the iOS 7 learning curve won’t be too steep. Same goes for those that will be buying an iOS device for the first time.

However for older people, particularly those that bought the iPhone or iPad for the simple nature of iOS, the upgrade to iOS 7 may be a bit of a nightmare. There will be new gestures. Things will be in different places. Things look different. The lock screen now has several different arrows. For those people, our parents, this will be a nightmare.

Slowly but surely, these people will learn and adapt but at first, expect the loudest complaints to be from older users of iOS.

Get Used to iOS 7

iOS 7 is a new beginning for iOS and it’s a new beginning for other Apple products as well. We believe that Apple has set itself up nicely for a transition to a larger iPhone model, possibly the iPhone 6, and the software should translate well to Apple’s rumored iWatch, if it ever makes it to shelves.

While some may not like the look of the new software, it’s time to get used to it as iOS 7 is Apple’s big bet for the next five years or so as it looks to stay ahead of its competitors. That means that Apple will likely do what it did with the previous look of iOS and its various iPhone and iPad models.

Tweak it, improve it, and build.

15 iOS 7 Predictions is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

As part of “Video Game Week” on Late Night this week, Jimmy Fallon showed both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on national TV.

As The Verge reports, Microsoft was first to show off their console on Late Night on Monday. Microsoft executive Phil Spencer came on the show and showed off the Xbox One console, controller and Kinect sensor before inviting Fallon to play the new free-to-play Killer Instinct and Forza Motorsport 5.

Spencer didn’t try to explain Microsoft’s DRM policies during the five-minute segment, instead focusing on the graphics of the new games and the console’s live TV features. The console demos well, with interesting games that look better than anything on the Xbox 360.

The next night, however, Mark Cerny, the hardware lead on the PlayStation 4 and director of Knack, was able to knock down Microsoft’s console with a single phrase. When Fallon brought up used games, Cerny replied “we support used games, we don’t require an internet connection.” Fallon replied “pretty major.”

Cerny and Sony were able to say on national TV that anyone who buys a PlayStation 4 can buy and sell used games at GameStop and other stores, with the implication being that Xbox One gamers can’t do so. Although it is worth noting that Cerny didn’t mention that third-party publishers can put their own DRM on PS4 games, and he didn’t talk about the emphasis on digital games downloaded over PlayStation Network.

Cerny also highlighted the DualShock 4 controller, saying that Sony redesigned the controller with first-person shooters in mind. The controller has new triggers and sticks that should make shooters on the PS4 much better than shooters on the PlayStation 3.

Finally, Cerny showed off his new game Knack, giving Fallon a chance to play through an ice level of the game. Cerny said he wanted to make a game like Knack so everyone in the family has a game they can play on the PS4. He noted that games like Watch Dogs, Infamous: Second Son, The Division and Killzone: Shadow Fall will appeal to hardcore gamers, but younger kids and other family members like games made for them as well.

Jimmy Fallon Plays Xbox One & PlayStation 4 is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

In what could be interpreted as an effort to put its best developer-friendly foot forward for next week’s BUILD conference, Microsoft has announced the availability of a few high-profile applications in the Windows Store.

The applications were announced by Microsoft’s Chief Evangelist for Windows, Steve Guggenheimer, on Blogging Windows. They are mostly entertainment focused and include high-profile apps that can be seen other platforms like Vevo, which is an application that lets users watch music videos in HD.

In keeping with that music theme the company also announced that users would be able to download Edjing later this week. Edjing is a full-fledged DJ application complete with turn tables, sound effects, track previewing and the ability to change the pitch of anything being played back. According to today’s post the application has a more than 2.5 million users.

edjing for Windows

A number of high-profile food related applications are also making their way to the Windows Store. As of today Windows 8 and Windows RT users in the United Kingdom will be able to shop for their groceries online with the new Tesco Groceries application. Once users have purchased their ingredients from Tesco Groceries, they can turn to the new Great British Chefs application for its wealth of recipes and how-to videos for information on creating meals inspired by some of the United Kingdom’s best chefs.

Great British Chefs for Windows

Frequent travelers will no longer have to depend on the bare-bones Travel application included with every installation of Windows 8. As of now, users can download Time Out. Using location data it presents the user with a list of events and eateries that might be around them.

Video editing with friends will get that much easier with Vyclone, what’s essentially a social network where friends can capture and edit short video clips together without the need for expensive software.

Where’s My Mickey for Windows

Finally, Where’s My Mickey is making its debut on Windows 8 as well. Using gestures, the player has to solve puzzles that allude to a story involving the famed Disney character. While it’s not available yet, Microsoft expects it to arrive “soon” for a price of $4.99. It’s not yet known if that game will be an Xbox on Windows enabled title just yet. If it is, users will be able to increase their Xbox LIVE Gamerscore and earn achievements.

As today’s announcements come right before Microsoft is expected to make its case for why developers should create applications for its platforms at BUILD 2013, the company was also careful to detail the advantages its platforms have for those creating apps. According to Microsoft, due to the work it put into build Windows 8’s audio and video platforms, it says Edjing only took around two weeks to create, as opposed to the four months it took on other platforms.

Microsoft will detail its plans for the Windows Store and the Windows 8.1 update during next week’s conference. BUILD 2013 kicks off with a keynote on June 26th.

Microsoft Highlights Windows 8 Apps Ahead of BUILD 2013 is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

Apple has announced new options for users looking to get video entertainment on their Apple TV.

According to the company’s press release, users will now have access to the content libraries of HBO Go and WatchESPN, Sky News, Crunchyroll, and Qello following an update to their second or third generation Apple TV

These options will join the streaming services that are already available to Apple TV users, including live streaming sports applications for MLB, NBA and NHL.

Crunchyroll allows users to watch a stable of lesser-known Japanese animation, things that are typically offered by cable and broadcast television channels. Much like Netflix and Hulu Plus, Crunchyroll does have a monthly service fee in order for users to bypass advertisements. For that $6.95 a month users get to watch most Japanese anime the hour after it airs in Japan.

HBO Go will be the addition that’s likely more familiar Apple TV users. HBO Go will allow users to stream movies and shows from the popular cable channel for free, though it does require the user to be in the United States and also have a cable subscription and HBO subscription.

Finally, WatchESPN does exactly what its name suggests. Instead of having to switch between the content that’s on an Apple TV, users will be able to stream the channel’s content to their Apple TV as it airs on their cable provider. While the application is free, the availability of channels depends on the content deals are made between ESPN and the internet service provider of the user. Comcast, Bright House Networks, Midcontinent Communications, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications and Verizon FiOS all have deals to provide the service to their customers.

SkyNews is a live news service that’ll be exclusively for users in the United Kingdom, while Qello will bring on-demand concert streaming to Apple TV users with a paid subscription.

It should be noted that with all of these applications, Apple seems to be playing catchup to other big players in the living room space. HBO Go, WatchESPN, Sky News, and Crunchyroll are all currently available for users of Microsoft’s Xbox 360, though on that console users have to pay for an Xbox LIVE account to watch them. That’s in addition to the individual account requirements for each service.

One place Apple is in front of the competition is digital video sales directly to consumers. According to the company iTunes users have now downloaded over a billion individual television shows from the service and 380 million movies. Apple also says that the company sells about 800,000 television episodes and 350,000 movies per day.

So far, neither Microsoft nor Sony have announced digital video sales numbers.

Apple TV to Gain More Streaming Content, Like HBO GO is a post by Travis Pope from Gotta Be Mobile.

The highly anticipated Verizon HTC One release appears to be getting closer as new evidence has surfaced suggesting that stores have attached “Close Out” labels to both the Droid Incredible 4G LTE and the Droid DNA in anticipation of the HTC One launch.

Earlier this year, Verizon announced the HTC One for arrival after a lengthy period of rumor and speculation. The carrier though was mum on many of the pertinent details including the make up of the device, its pricing and its release date. The companies continue to remain silent about the details though it would appear that announcement is inching closer to reality.

Read: Verizon HTC One Release: What to Expect.

The Verizon HTC One should be coming soon.

Thanks to some evidence procured by Droid-Life, we now know that Verizon is pushing toward an HTC One release date. It appears that stores are starting to close out inventory of two of their Verizon smartphones, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE and the Droid DNA, meaning they will be trying to offload stock in anticipation of the HTC One’s arrival.

The Droid DNA and Droid Incredible 4G LTE will be retired once stock hits nil which means that a Verizon HTC One release should be just around the corner. Remember, we’ve heard that Verizon was planning on putting the phone out before the end of June and it’s possible that it could be sticking to that rumored timeline.

There is some speculation that the HTC One could arrive with Droid branding, thanks to the @DroidLanding Twitter account springing to life yesterday after being dormant since 2011, but at this point, there is no evidence that links to two. In fact, the Twitter account appears to be promoting a Droid-branded game for Android instead.

The Droid DNA and Droid Incredible 4G LTE are heading towards retirement.

Verizon also announced the phone as the HTC One and not as a Droid device though it’s entirely possible that the secrecy surrounding the phone is thanks to re-branding.

Whatever the case may be, it appears that Verizon and third-party retailers are making the final preparations for an HTC One arrival and it could be that we hear more about the device sometime soon.

The device is expected to retain the same hardware and price tag as the other HTC One models meaning it should cost $199.99 and come with a 4.7-inch 1080p display, quad-core processor, Ultrapixel camera, full metal design, 4G LTE data speeds and the new Sense 5 from HTC.

Verizon HTC One Release Getting Closer is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

A group of researchers in Germany found that it’s incredibly easy to predict the default passwords iOS generates for mobile hotspots on the iPhone and iPad.

According to a recently published paper the researchers from University of Erlangen found that Apple uses an open-source Scrabble dictionary and a few random numbers to generate hotspot passwords for iOS devices. The revelation explains why all iOS Wi-Fi passwords are just a short word and a few numbers.

The problem with Apple’s method is the researchers were able to crack the generated passwords relatively quickly. Using a GPU cluster with four AMD Radeon HD 7970s the researchers were able to crack any generated iPhone hotspot password in just 50 seconds.

It’s doubtful that hackers will carry around GPU clusters such as the one the researchers used. The paper warns, however, that with cloud computing anyone can access similar resources easily. Theoretically anyone could hack into any iOS Wi-Fi hotspot with a generated password in less than one minute.

The researchers criticize Apple’s approach along with any similar approaches for generating passwords that other companies use. The generated passwords are easy to remember, but that isn’t necessary for hotspot passwords. Once users input a password on their device, it will remember the network’s password, eliminating the need for an easy-to-remember password.

Thankfully, the Wi-Fi hotspot password is easy to change on the iPhone and other iOS device. To change it users just have to go to Personal Hotspot in Settings and tap on the Wi-Fi password. Users can then change the password to anything they want. Remember that iOS always will always show the password on-screen, so there’s no need to make the password something easy to remember.

While the researchers only tested their ability to crack iPhone Wi-Fi passwords, they noted issues with other platforms saying:

Default passwords in Windows Phone 8 consist of only eight-digit numbers. As this results in a search space of 10⁸ candidates, attacks on Windows-based hotspot passwords might be practicable. Moreover, while the official version of Android generates strong passwords, some vendors modified the wi-fi-related components utilised in their devices and weakened the algorithm of generating default passwords.

Apple’s Default iPhone Hotspot Password Easy to Crack is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

If you can’t wait for the OS X Mavericks release date later this year, you can dive into the Mavericks beta, which is better known as a developer preview.

The OS X Mavericks beta offers a variety of small changes including better multi-monitor support, tagging for system files and system-wide improvements that should boost battery life.

OS X Mavericks should run on any computer that is running OS X Mountain Lion, so there are many machines that users can try out the Mavericks Developer Preview on.

Apple only offers the OS X Mavericks beta to registered developers, but unlike the iOS 7 beta there is no requirement to register a UDID or other device ID with Apple to make it work.

Apple offers the OS X Mavericks Beta download to developers.

Where to Get OS X Mavericks Beta Access

Officially the only way to try the OS X Mavericks beta is to be a registered Apple developer. By registering as a OS X developer users gain access to the OS X Mavericks beta and other developer resources. Users must pay a separate fee to join the OS X Developer Program, it is not included in the IOS Developer Program.

Once registered in the OS X Developer program, users can download a code which allows them to download OS X Mavericks from the Mac App Store.

There are other sources to download the OS X Mavericks beta, but these unofficial sources don’t hold up the software agreement with Apple. If this is not something you care about, they are easy enough to find, and don’t require a $8 registration or a payment at this time.

How to Install OS X Mavericks Beta

Installing the OS X Mavericks Beta is fairly straightforward, and is just like installing any major Apple OS X update. If any of these directions seem difficult or sound out of your grasp, you may want to avoid running beta software at this time.

1. Register with the Apple Developer program.

2. Go to the Mac Developer Center, Click on OS X Mavericks and scroll down until you can get a code.

Install the OS X Mavericks Beta on any machine capable of running OS X Mountain Lion.

3. Click Redeem Code and the Mac App Store will open. Download the OS X Mavericks Beta installation file. This will take a while as it clocks in at 4.97GB.

4. When the file is downloaded go to the LaunchPad and click on the Install OS X Mavericks icon.

Download the OS X Mavericks beta install file to get started.

5. Follow the system prompts which will install the update on top of your existing OS X installation preserving files.

6. When prompted allow the computer to restart to finish installing OS X Mavericks.

7. When the Mac restarts with OS X Mavericks, it will even open up the windows and apps which were running when the installation began. The process takes about an hour or and hour and a half after the files is downloaded.

Users wishing to perform a fresh or clean install of OS X Mavericks can follow the steps in this video to make a OS X Mavericks USB Flash drive.

What to Know Before Installing the OS X Mavericks Beta

The OS X Mavericks beta is not intended to be used on your primary Apple computer, as it is a beta that may not function as smoothly as OS X Mountain Lion.

Users with only one computer, and no time for any downtime or bugs, should avoid installing the OS X Mavericks beta. The same goes for users with a work computer that is not owned by them, or users who run mission critical software.

Some apps may not work correctly due to changes in the API. The purpose of this preview is to give developers the time to get ready before the OS X Mavericks release later this year.

The average user can hold off for a few months and purchase OS X Mavericks for much less, probably around $20 when it hits the Mac App Store this fall.

How to Get the OS X Mavericks Beta Right Now is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

A new video from Sony shows gamers what they can expect from the PlayStation 4 user interface when the console comes to stores sometime later this year.

The video specifically highlights the social features of the PlayStation 4, showing the list of updates from friends that users will see when they turn on the console. Those updates can include progress they made in games, trophies they earned, videos they shared or even games they purchased.

Read: Sony Shows Off 15 Exclusive PlayStation 4 Games

Sony will link the PlayStation 4 to existing social networks like Facebook to make it easier for gamers who want to connect with their friends through the console. Of course, gamers can send messages to their friends while in the middle of a game. Just double press of the PlayStation button on the controller will switch from a game to read a message, and another double press will take them back to the game.

Perhaps more interesting is how the PlayStation 4 will handle game downloads. When a friend asks the main character in the video to play Killzone: Shadow Fall he buys the game from the PlayStation Network, and the store asks what mode of the game it should download first.

Gamers can choose to download the multiplayer mode first to get into the game with their friends more quickly, or they can download the single-player mode first. It’s not clear if that option is available for every game, or if only certain games will have it, however. Many games in the next generation such as The Division and Need For Speed: Rivals will combine single and multiplayer modes, so the option likely won’t exist for all games.

As Sony announced before, gamers can start playing games as they download to the console, making it easier to jump into games with friends.

The video also gives a short glimpse at the upcoming PlayStation App that will let gamers interact with their friends from their iPhone or Android phone (the ad of course shows it on a Sony Xperia Z). Gamers can chat with their friends, watch videos and buy games that will download on their PlayStation 4 through the companion app.

Sony Shows Off PlayStation 4 User Interface (Video) is a post by Shawn Ingram from Gotta Be Mobile.

The official Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charging kit adds bulk and costs $90, but users who want to add wireless charging to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 can do so for half that without adding a new back to the phone.

A new collection of Qi wireless chargers are on the market that connect directly to the small studs on the back of these smartphones without the need to put a new back on the device.

This is a third-party wireless charging kit, but it is Qi compatible so it should work with most Qi wireless chargers, like the one for the Nexus 4.

Unlike the official Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charger this one is small enough that it can slide into the existing case so there is no added bulk, and the manufacturer claims it will work through soft and hard cases, something we’ve found possible with other Qi chargers. The ability to still use a case is a big bonus, as the official charger means there is no way to use the S-View Flip Cover or the many other Samsung Galaxy S4 cases.

A Samsung Galaxy S4 wireless charger that is slim and affordable.

The MonsterWatts Qi wireless charger for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 is a small Qi charger that connects to two small openings on the back of the device, and is slim enough to fit inside the existing back case for each of these phones. Unlike the official wireless charger for the Galaxy S4, this retails for about $50 with everything you need.

Samsung did not release the Galaxy S3 wireless charger or Galaxy Note 2 wireless charger in the U.S., so this may be the best option for users looking to use wireless charging with these popular devices.

The unfortunate part about this wireless charger solution is that it is backordered by several weeks. Users looking for a faster solution, who are willing to buy a Qi wireless charger separately, can buy the small Samsung Galaxy S4 Qi attachment for $27 through Newegg or as low as $17 on Amazon.

These options on Amazon and Newegg are only for the Galaxy S4, but similar solutions are available for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy note 2. Amazon offers a Samsung Galaxy S3 wireless Qi charger receiver for $13 with Amazon Prime shipping. A Samsung Galaxy Note 2 wireless charging receiver tag is available for $13 with Amazon Prime shipping.

We’ve already ordered the Galaxy S4 wireless charger from Newegg and the Samsung Galaxy S3 wireless charger tag from Amazon to test out, and will soon share how these small wireless chargers work.

Stealthy Wireless Charger Slips Inside Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 & Note 2 is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.