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BlackBerry's 'Venice' Android slider is coming to AT&T (update)
Rumors of a fully Android-powered BlackBerry device popped up again last month, and today Evan Blass aka evleaks has posted a picture showing a glimpse of the phone. Specs for the alleged "Venice" popped up on N4BB a couple of weeks ago, calling it a slider with a 5.4-inch screen, 18MP rear camera and 1.8GHz Hexa-core CPU. According to Blass, the Venice will run Android, and is coming to AT&T first. Update: We're told the picture is of the old Passport with the screen mocked up, but the "Venice" is coming, and should have a more sensible profile.
Alternate iOS 9 keyboard hints at larger iPad
Whenever someone talks about the 12.9-inch iPad, we pull the same nervous, hopeful gaze that we do when Half-life 2: Episode Three is mentioned. Deep down, we know in our hearts that neither are very likely to happen, but no matter what, they'll never be able to take the hope from us. Now, iOS expert and friend of the site Steve Troughton-Smith believes he's found a nugget of proof that the iPad "Pro" exists. Oh, put your tongues in your cheek and grab a handful of salt, because we're venturing into tangent territory, here.
AutoExpress: BMW's futuristic hybrid is getting an engine upgrade
BMW's futuristic plug-in hybrid is so popular that the company can't keep up with demand, a problem that's likely to get much worse next year. Auto Express believes that BMW is about to release a second, high(er) performance version of the i8 with a bigger engine, sportier design and fewer seats for passengers. The biggest difference will be under the hood, where the current 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine will be ditched in favor of a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit that comes with a fourth cylinder.
Rumored Apple TV service isn't ready for WWDC next week
Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference will kick off next week, on July 8th, and the company might announce a new music streaming service, a thinner set-top box and OS updates. You know what we might not see at the event, though? That subscription TV service Cupertino's reportedly cooking up. According to Recode, Apple did plan to unveil the new product at WWDC, but it had to postpone as the company's apparently not done negotiating financial terms and finalizing licensing deals with broadcasters yet. Even CBS CEO Les Moonves, who said last week at the Code Conference that his company will "probably" sign a deal with Apple, admitted that they're not finished talking about money. In addition, Apple's still working on the technology needed for broadcasters to deliver local programs to its Web TV service.
Re/code: Apple wants local stations on its web TV service
Earlier this week, folks in the know claimed that Apple's HDTV project had been junked after more than a decade of development. Now, however, Re/code is reporting that the company is still working on an online TV service for its devices, but wants to beat its rivals by being the first to offer live video from local broadcasters. Naturally, a push for regional content means having to deal with the hundreds of affiliates that operate across the country. So, instead of just shaking hands on a contract with ABC, Apple's got to get lawyers out to every station from Arizona's KNXV-TV to Wyoming's WAOW.
9to5Mac: Apple's working on iOS tweaks for 12-inch iPad
Still holding out for a larger iPad? Well, you're certainly not alone. Thanks to new details from 9to5Mac, it looks like Apple's prepping for a reveal as well. The site has a solid track record when it comes to rumors, and it reports that both hardware and software tweaks are in the works for the 12.9-inch slate. Two models, code-named J98 and J99, are reportedly in the testing phase alongside tweaks to Apple's mobile OS to outfit the extra screen real estate. As you might expect, the difference between the two is one is WiFi-only and the other carries both WiFi and cellular connectivity. Among the changes to iOS is a split-screen feature that could be announced for current iPad models as early as WWDC in a few weeks.
Alibaba tipped to invest in one of India's top phone makers
Alibaba's sitting on the better part of $20 billion, and it's using some of that cash to buy small, yet notable, pieces of the tech industry. So far, it's thrown money at Ouya, Meizu and Snapchat, but now Reuters believes that the Chinese e-commerce firm is going to buy a stake in Micromax. It's believed that the firm is looking to pick up a 20 percent stake in the Indian smartphone maker, with the deal reportedly worth around $1.2 billion. The idea, according to Reuters secret sources, is that Alibaba would use Micromax as a trojan horse, through which it could get its online sales business into the country.
NYT: New Apple TV will get a bigger remote
Tired of losing your Apple TV's slim remote in the couch cushions? The New York Times reports that an updated version of the device will finally get a redesigned remote. The new control is described as being thicker, while also adding a touchpad for scrolling around, adding up to a size that's similar to the remote Amazon ships with its Echo wireless speaker. The Apple TV remote achieves the goal of stripping out everything it can for a minimalist design -- that's a launch unit from 2007 pictured above, you can take a peek at the current model after the break -- but with the number of apps and options available, it could probably use another button or two. Rumors have indicated the new model will arrive during Apple's WWDC event packing an app store and internet TV subscription packages, which probably also plays into any design changes.
Uber's about to get into the delivery business
Uber's already got a taxi and a courier business, so it makes perfect sense that it'd want to muscle in on UPS' turf. TechCrunch has uncovered documents revealing that the outfit is currently testing a system where high-end retailers can use Uber vehicles to make same-day deliveries to impatient customers. According to the site's sources, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany's are all in discussions to sign up when the program launches. It looks as if the eventual goal is that all Uber drivers will be able to take both human passengers and commercial cargo, with all of the information routed through the same mobile app.
Next year's big Windows 10 update is codenamed 'Redstone'
You know the drill: Microsoft releases a new OS and, roughly a year later, a hefty service pack arrives with a raft of fixes and added features. Neowin is reporting that the company will put out two updates in June and October of next year, both under the codename Redstone. There'll still be the regular patches and updates, but according to ZDNet, Redstone is believed to bring support for "new classes of devices that aren't already part of Windows 10." Naturally, Microsoft has already issued a standard no comment, not that it'd be too eager to distract attention away from this summer's launch. Oh, and before you ask, Redstone is a Minecraft reference in the same way that Windows 10's codename, Threshold, was a nod to Halo. Microsoft is nothing but loyal to its first-party franchises.
Rumor claims Netflix's next TV revival is 'Fuller House'
While Netflix has been petitioned and begged to bring back any number of shows, TV Line's Michael Ausiello reports that it's already zeroed in on the next one, and it's Full House. A reboot reportedly named Fuller House (seriously) is "thisclose" to happening, as a continuation of the original show focusing on DJ Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure) and her friend Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber). Of course, these rumors sometimes work out (X-Files), and sometimes don't (Legend of Zelda). The successor to Boy Meets World is currently airing on the Disney channel, and Netflix itself just launched a new version of Inspector Gadget. Since it's the 90s that are back -- Firefly fans will have to settle for this -- and not the 00s, do you have any new requests for rebooting, or would you rather the trend flame out as quickly as it has sprouted.
If you want to buy an Apple Watch in-store, you'll need a reservation
If you're looking for an Apple Watch (and you're shopping old-school, brick-and-mortar style), you won't be able casually dip into an Apple store and get some new tech-laden wrist candy. Not so fast: According to training documents seen at MacRumors, there will be no walk-in sales, at least to begin with. Customers will have to make an online reservation ahead of getting to buy it, supporting rumors that there may indeed be supply concerns. Those who do make a reservation will then then get to try on a watch and have a play sometime between the April 10th pre-sale launch and the April 24th on-sale date. It won't be this way forever, though: According to the leak, Apple will likely offer walk-in sales at a later date.
Microsoft's next Surface could signal the death of RT
Microsoft hasn't given up on the idea of a mini-me version of its successful Surface Pro 3 convertible, according to a rumor from WinBeta. But a Surface 3 model won't follow in the Surface 2's wobbly footsteps by packing the RT version of Windows. Instead, it will reportedly take a page from the latest Macbook and come with an Intel Atom or Core M fanless CPU and a full version of Windows 8.1, upgradeable to Windows 10. That means it could hit a lower price point than the Surface Pro while maintaining standard Windows compatibility -- the lack of which effectively sunk the Surface 2.
WSJ: Apple's TV service due this fall with about 25 channels
With the thawing of the spring we have a renewal of an old favorite: Apple TV rumors. After Re/code suggested a month ago that Apple might go its own way Sling TV-style instead of working with cable companies, the Wall Street Journal is reporting similar details. According to WSJ, Apple is negotiating to launch a "slim" package of 25 or so channels for streaming this fall for $30 to $40, but there's a twist: There have so far been no negotiations with Comcast-owned NBCUniversal, thanks to a falling out between the two companies. The rumors go so far as to claim Apple felt Comcast was intentionally stringing it along while it developed its X1 cable box. So far Sling seems to be doing OK without Syfy and the rest, but we'll see if that changes after The Expanse launches. With an Apple TV price drop and similar services either launched or on the way, we'll move the Apple TV rumor alert level up to a still-skeptical (see my reasoning here) chartreuse.
IBM's planning to harness bitcoin for its own payments platform
Bitcoin may have a long march toward legitimacy, but that doesn't mean its technical design isn't about to go mainstream. Reuters is reporting that IBM is examining the cryptocurrency's inner workings in an attempt to build a new form of international payment system. The idea behind the scheme is to get people to swap cash without having to use a bank or wire service. Instead, users would use a bitcoin-style system to transmit money anywhere in the world without having to use a third party that charges service fees.
WSJ: The next iPhone will get a force-sensitive touchscreen
Apple's recently announced MacBook and Watch both understand the difference between a gentle press and a hard shove. It should surprise nobody that the company is likely to add this technology, dubbed Force Touch, to the next generation of iPhones. The Wall Street Journal has called around its circle of people familiar with the matter, who all say that it'll be the headline feature for the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. In addition, those in the know believe we'll soon get a fourth color option to choose from: pink.
WSJ: Retina Display MacBook Air is coming soon
Buried in a lot of stuff we may not believe about a 12.9-inch iPad, the Wall Street Journal believes that a new MacBook Air is on the way. According to the paper's gang of people familiar with the matter, the company's suppliers are working on a 12-inch Air with a "higher resolution display." The piece goes on to say that factories have been told to be ready to ship "large quantities in the second quarter." Now, it's hard to see Apple adding yet another laptop to its previously spartan product line, but if true, then maybe we now know that the "one more thing" at next week's event will be a Retina display MacBook Air.
Bloomberg: A 12.9-inch iPad is still coming, just later this year
If you're holding out hope for a super-sized iPad Pro, Bloomberg is still in your corner. The outlet previously reported 12.9-inch iPad production could start as early as Q1 of this year, but now says suppliers are gearing up to start production in September. Citing delays in the supply of display panels, Bloomberg claims Apple will turn around sliding tablet sales with the still-unannounced new variant. Whatever the folks in Cupertino are up to, we hope that next time around the iPad Mini gets more upgrades to match its higher price.
Apple rumored to overhaul its Genius Bar, add 'Concierge' service
Apple is reportedly readying substantial changes to how it runs its Genius Bar support service in-stors, according to 9to5Mac. While the current walk-in system requires the customer to explain the issue then be given an appointment soon after, the new 'Concierge' service (as it'll apparently be called) will tap into special algorithms to offer support for customers, giving wait time based on priority. As 9to5Mac puts it, a broken iPhone screen would receive higher priority than a small issue with iCloud when the phone itself still works fine. Employees will input the customers' issues, and the system will do the rest.
Bloomberg: Apple has 200 working on a car it can launch by 2020
In today's Apple Car rumor update, Bloomberg has chimed in with sources spouting more knowledge about the "Titan" electric vehicle project supposedly under way in Cupertino. According to the report, the team is up to about 200 people, with experts on batteries and robotic technology joining recently. While A123 and Tesla may have an idea where some of those battery experts came from, even this rumor has the caveat that execs could scrap or delay it, but that the team is working on having a vehicle ready by 2020. This has been your daily Apple Car rumor update. [Image credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images]
