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Begun, the iPhone 7 renders have
The iPhone 6 Plus is just finally getting settled into my pocket -- my front pocket, not my back pocket because I'm not 13 years old and I take care of my devices like an adult so they don't bend -- but there are already some that are looking forward to the iPhone 7. One of those people is Jimmy Benson, who has whipped up these fantastic iPhone 7 renders that show a sharper body style and a reimagined home button. Other tweaks from the existing iPhone 6 models include an edge-to-edge display, a completely solid back panel, and five app columns instead of the current four. It's a pretty slick looking device, but we all know by the time the iPhone 7 launches we'll be able to embed our smartphones into our brains anyway, so it doesn't really matter. [Photo credit: Jimmy Benson]
Final Fantasy XIV shows off early Shiva renders
The Primals of Final Fantasy XIV are kind of a big deal. In the original game, players had a chance to fight two of them, both of whom made for a rough fight, but the relaunch will include wandering versions of these pseudo-deities for players to hunt down and harness. And while astute fans have known for some time that Shiva will be among the Primals in the new version, she's finally strutting her stuff in the latest development blog post. The post contains several early renders of the completed model as well as the ice queen's concept art, all of which should look familiar to veterans of the Final Fantasy series. While Shiva is known to have worshippers much like her fellow Primals Ifrit and Garuda, it's not yet clear if her appearance means a new beastman tribe will be entering the already crowded Eorzea. The full set of pictures won't answer that question, but it will give players eagerly awaiting the beta something new to gawk at.
Samsung Stratosphere aims to be Verizon's first QWERTY-packing LTE device
Verizon's LTE network may be praiseworthy for its blazing-fast mobile broadband and high-end devices, but there's one area of the carrier's 4G lineup that's always needed improvement: variety. From renders revealed by PocketNow, it's apparent that one of the next-gen handsets slated for release soon (perhaps even this week) is the QWERTY-laden Samsung Stratosphere, also known as the SCH-I405. If true, this would be the very first LTE device that comes with a hardware keyboard, finally giving us a new option aside from the 4.3-inch slates that have dominated Big Red's offerings for so long. It's rumored to have an "awesome" screen (Super AMOLED Plus?), Android 2.3.4 preinstalled, 2GB internal storage and 5MP rear / 1.3 front cams; not much of a spec sheet to go off of, of course, but at least we know it's unique. With several other LTE handsets taking the stage between now and the holidays, there's no reason to make them all look the same... right?
Samsung Android slider leaked, likely en route to AT&T (Update: new photos)
Looking at AT&T's current lineup of Android QWERTY devices sure instills a feeling of depression, doesn't it? When the best handsets in the category are the HTC Status and Pantech Crossover, there's plenty of room available for something a bit... well, fancier. A new Samsung slider recently leaked by BGR may be on its way to remedy the carrier's ailment "in the coming months." The render (displayed above) shows off the phone's standard four-button layout, front-facing camera, and a four-row keyboard; sadly, the leak didn't include any other specs. The likelihood of this being the Attain -- the AT&T-branded version of the Galaxy S II -- is low, since the layout on front doesn't match up with the global model in the slightest. So it may not be that phone, but it'll at least do a better job of Rethinking Possible than its QWERTY brethren. Update: BGR added more photographic evidence of the mystery slider, sporting Android 2.3.4. The photos show off the model number as I927, causing speculation that this is indeed the Galaxy S II on AT&T. We still remain skeptical, since the layout is completely different from the global version: the front-facing camera is on the right instead of left, the rear camera is designed much differently, and the navigation buttons on the front are the same style as the Captivate. If it is the Attain, AT&T has mandated a complete redesign (beyond the obvious addition of the keyboard). The new images can be found after the break.
LG Optimus 3D teased again, this time shows off its dual cameras (video)
We really should send a message to phone manufacturers and stop covering these tiny little leaks of controlled information, but when it's a phone with dual cameras and a 3D display we're talking about, we can't help it. Every minute detail must be digested and analyzed. There's a fast-moving video awaiting your Sherlockian wits after the break, or you can hit the source link for a gallery of screen captures that highlight the construction details of LG's upcoming Optimus 3D. Look for it to stop being a fancy render and become a corporeal entity at MWC early next week.
Dell 'Fractal' workstation designs revealed
Look, we don't normally get too stoked over workstations, they remind us too much of "work." Also, "stations." Still, a chance to see some unreleased workstations from Dell? That actually look pretty sweet? Sure, we'll go in on that. A tipster found these "Fractal design language" renders just floating helplessly around the internet and forwarded them over. They presumably relate to the upcoming Precision T7600, T5600, and T3600 lines (refreshes for the T7500, T5500, and T3600, respectively). One of Dell's favorite design houses is responsible for the images, but that doesn't necessarily mean the final products will look like this. We also don't know anything about internals, but it seems like a brand new look would fit with those brand new Sandy Bridge chips Intel is about to push out. Oh man, CAD is gonna be so much fun next year. [Thanks, Stephen F.] %Gallery-110508% %Gallery-110509%
Earthrise offers new insights into weaponry
Weapons are useful. Nearly any MMO player will be happy to expound on the virtues of them, and so it's no surprise that Earthrise will be featuring its own selection. The development team recently released information and a few renders of the weapons that will be coming out for the post-apocalyptic game, detailing shotguns, assault rifles, and precision rifles. the forum post also details that each skill line is tied to a specific item -- meaning that shotguns don't simply encompass firing shells, but an entire suite of abilities based around using a shotgun. Assault rifles are flexible, with both burst fire and sustained fire possible, as well as grenade launchers to give them area-of-effect attacks. Shotguns, meanwhile, specialize in close-range brutality, allowing for crowd control and quick dispatching of targets. Precision rifles take the "sniper" role, allowing players to hit single targets with extreme force over long distances. The full rundown can be found on the post on the official forums, which should be welcome news for players eager to hear more on the slightly-delayed science fiction MMO.
TERAblah shows off Castanic armor gallery
TERAblah.com, a fansite dedicated to En Masse Entertainment's forthcoming TERA action MMORPG, has put together a nifty custom gallery featuring some of the game's armor. The gallery is the first installment of a planned series of articles on TERA's equipment, and focuses on the mail armor used by the Lancer and Berserker classes. "Our model of choice is a lovely female Castanic, where seemingly less equals more," writes TERAblah's ExiledRealm. "The look of the armor is usually shared amongst two or three other items, so in this case we just listed them based on their rare crafted names (yes, all these can be crafted!)" Head on over to the TERAblah forums, or link directly to the gallery.
Nokia C2 render spins QWERTY right round
Render plus logo does not a new phone make, but that didn't keep us from admiring the ridiculous form factor on this supposed Nokia C2. While the 'C' label puts the device squarely in dumbphone territory and the only specs available (320 x 240 display, 2 megapixel camera) don't belabor that point, split-horizontal keyboards have a special place in our heart, and we eagerly await their return. That said, Nokia better get cracking if they want to beat the MOTOSPLIT -- the way we see it, they're one whole leaked, possibly fake render behind the competition.
Motorola Shadow is Nexus Two with sliding QWERTY keyboard?
Fan-made render? Very possible, but we're intrigued by the notion. The gang at Mobile01 have laid out two more photos of what is being called the Motorola Shadow (not to be confused with the T-Mobile Shadow), which in a nutshell looks like Droid / Milestone with a white keyboard and wrist strap. Even more interesting is the assertion that this could be Google's next flagship device, here lovingly dubbed the Nexus Two. Now while there is no way to corroborate at this point, we could totally buy this as feasible. After all, what better way to complement the Nexus One slate than with one with physical QWERTY? And who better than the company whose Android 2.0 device increased the platform's mindshare at supersonic speeds, with a CEO willing to signify support even at the launch event for a competitor's product? Color us curious -- wrist strap-laden render after the break [Thanks, Serge]
Bajca's emoticon keyboard / jewelry-making kit might be emotionally unstable
Be honest with yourself: you've always wanted a dedicated, 16-key emoticon keyboard with "keys" that pulled doubled duty as expressive jewelry, right? Well, you got it! Bajca's Smile Keypad aims to "make real the emoticon," and as far as we can tell, they've totally nailed it. The USB-friendly keyboard has classic smiley face-looking keys which pop out using some special tongs, then are popped into pieces of jewelry -- rings, bracelets, necklaces -- sky's the limit, apparently. It's not really crystal clear if all of these pieces are going to be included, or if they'll be sold separately, or if this is ever going to make it to the market. All we can do is hope. Check out a few more emotionally charged shots after the break.[Thanks, Matilde]
New Uncharted: Drake's Fortune artwork: too good to be true?
Lead character artist for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Richard Diamant, has shown off a couple of rather spectacular looking character renders from the game during an interview with 3DTotal.com. Those of you looking for any new information on Uncharted need not read on. The interview covers his rise to glory at the top of Naughty Dog's character design team and not much else. Though this may interest you if you're interested in 3D graphics as a hobby or career.Among the artwork that adorns the interview can be found a couple of familiar faces. High resolution renders of Drake and Elena, from the neck up, take pride of place at the top of the article. These frankly gorgeous shots have stirred up a wee bit of debate on the PS3Forums as to their role within the game itself. While it is true that models, textures and shaders in this high detail could (arguably) never be processed in real-time on the PS3 hardware, there's nothing to say that they will not be utilised in cut-scenes. Not yet, at least. Comparing these shots to previous screen captures show quite a bit of improvement, though there is every possibility that they are simply concept pieces. Personally, I think we'll see them in the game, if only in cut-scenes involving facial close-ups. Failing to use these great models would be such a waste. Check out the hi-res images here and here and if you're into your 3D CGI, then read the interview here.[Via PS3 Forums]
