Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 buyers get 200GB SkyDrive storage for two years, free international Skype calls for one year (updated)

Need another reason to pick up Microsoft’s latest iteration of the Surface tablet, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2? How’s 200GB of free SkyDrive storage for the first two years, plus what Microsoft’s calling “the best of Skype” (free international calling and WiFi hotspot access) for the first year? Because that’s exactly what you’ll get when you plunk down the $450 / $900 for the new Windows tablet line later this year.

Both of Microsoft’s services — SkyDrive for cloud file saving and Skype for online phone / text / video chat — are part of the purchase price apparently, though that comes with a limited time plan. But is it enough to entice consumers who were already burned once by the first Surface line? That’s a question that only time can answer, but we sure don’t mind the bonus stuff!

Update: Microsoft’s official PR says the deal applies to both versions of the new Surface (RT and Pro) and we’ve updated our post accordingly. Additionally, that free Skype international calling works for “calling to landlines in more than 60 countries,” and the Skype WiFi deal offers unlimited access for that first year.

Update 2: Oh, and should you decide you want to keep that capacious storage in the cloud past two years, or don’t want to buy a Surface to get it in the first place, Microsoft’s announced that users can add 200GB to their SkyDrives for just $100 a year.

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Oppo N1 puts a 13MP camera on a hinge, comes with CyanogenMod extras

Oppo N1 puts a 13MP camera on a hinge, comes with CyanogenMod extras

Oppo’s been prepping its photography-centric N1 for quite some time, but at last, the teasing stops today as the company unveils its first N-Lens series device in Beijing. We’re looking at a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 phone with a 5.9-inch 1080p display, an “O-Touch” backside touch panel (for scrolling and taking photos) and a generous 3,610mAh battery, but the focus is obviously on the camera. Not only do you get a 13-megapixel imager with an f/2.0, 6-element lens plus dual LED, but it’s also rotatable over 206 degrees! While THL’s W11 beat the N1 to being the first phone with both a front and back 13-megapixel cameras, it’s not as versatile as the latter’s implementation, and it’s ultimately all about the image quality.

In case you’re wondering, Oppo said the N1’s swivel camera has passed a 100,000-time rotation test, which works out to be seven years of usage if you rotate it 40 times a day. This is quite reassuring, given that you can also activate the camera — which takes just 0.6 seconds — with a rotation of over 120 degrees. Oppo also boasted that its camera’s been tested in over 100 scenarios, which is apparently the highest in the industry. Other features include long exposure of up to 8 seconds, an updated version of Oppo’s beautification algorithm, and support for video beautification in China’s popular IM app, QQ. %Gallery-slideshow89972%

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Source: Oppo

Apple sells nine million new iPhones in three days

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Apple just set a new all-time record for iPhone launch sales: it reports selling nine million total iPhone 5s and 5c units this weekend, well over the 5 million of the iPhone 5 launch last year. While the company isn’t breaking down sales by individual models, it notes that the initial iPhone 5s supply has already sold out. The company also mentioned that more than 200 million devices are already running iOS 7. That’s the fastest software upgrade in history, according to Apple. While it’s difficult to put the sales and download figures into context without directly comparable numbers from rivals, it’s clear that the new devices are off to a strong start. Check out Apple’s self-congratulatory release after the break.

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Source: Apple

LG Vu 3 official: 5.2-inch 4:3 display, Snapdragon 800, 13MP camera, LTE-A

LG Vu 3 official 52inch 43 display, Snapdragon 800, 13MP camera, LTEA

Considering LG’s G2 was leaked many times before it became official, we’re a little surprised that the company managed to keep the Vu 3 under wraps before today (more or less, anyway). The Korean firm’s latest Android smartphone drops the Optimus tag of its predecessor, but keeps the Vu series’ signature 4:3 aspect ratio for its 5.2-inch IPS display (1,280 x 960 resolution). Specs include a Snapdragon 800 processor, 13-megapixel camera and LTE-A radio. Aside from the stylus, translucent QuickView cases and a couple of LG software titles we recognize (like guest mode and KnockON), there’s not much else to glean from the Korean press release. If your linguistic skills (or Google Translate translation skills) are better than ours, however, the source awaits you.

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Via: FoneArena

Source: LG

Focal camera app removed from CyanogenMod, launched as standalone beta

CyanogenMod's Focal camera app goes standalone following licensing dispute

Not everyone is happy with Cyanogen as a company. Guillaume Lesniak, the creator of CyanogenMod’s Focal camera app, doesn’t like that licensing changes accompanying the new venture would limit his control. Accordingly, he has just removed Focal from CyanogenMod and launched it as a standalone beta. The app includes all the features from its ROM days, including burst shooting, a panorama mode and an equivalent to Google’s Photo Sphere. While the release is a mild inconvenience for CyanogenMod users, it’s ultimately a win for anyone who wants to try Focal — they can now give the app a spin regardless of the firmware they use. If you’re curious, you can download Focal through Google Play.

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Via: Phandroid, Liliputing

Source: Google Play

Refresh Roundup: week of September 16th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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Instapaper creator sets out to build Overcast, a better iOS podcast app

If you’re wondering what Marco Arment, creator of Instapaper, has been up to since he sold the read-it-later service to Betaworks, wonder no more. At the XOXO festival in Portland, OR, Arment announced that he’s been working on a new podcasting app for iOS called Overcast. Why? The tl;dr reason is because “podcasts are awesome” (We can’t say we disagree). The long of it, however, is because as a lover of podcasts, Arment was frustrated at the quality of the podcast apps that are out there, stating that Apple has been asleep at the podcast wheel for years and third-party solutions aren’t that much better. So he’s taken matters into his own hands with Overcast. He’s currently about half-way done with the app and hopes to release it later this year. We don’t really know that much more about it, but if Arment’s previous work is any indication, we have high hopes for this one. In the meantime, you can head on over to Overcast.fm to sign up for updates.

[Image credit: John Biehler, Flickr]

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Source: Overcast

Chaos Computer Club says it’s beaten Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint reader (video)

Already feeling secure about using just your fingerprint to unlock the new iPhone 5S? European hacker association Chaos Computer Club claims it can be circumvented with “easy everyday means.” According to CCC hacker “Starbug”, tactics laid out in a how-to from 2004 are all that are required, with just a higher res fake needed to beat the Touch ID reader. The process, requires a 2400 DPI photograph of someone’s fingerprint from a glass surface, which is then laser printed at 1200 DPI and used to create a thin latex sheet that serves as the fake. Simple, right? It’s a bit more labor intensive than the old way (just watching someone input their passcode or pattern) but users may want to consider fingerprint access as a measure intended more for convenience than security.

[Thanks, Frederic]

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Source: Chaos Computer Club

Bing updates iOS app with new shortcuts and redesigned menu

DNP Bing updates iOS app

Now that Bing is integrated with Siri, iOS users can use it without a dedicated app, but those who stick with it can expect a few new benefits. While you won’t see a complete overhaul, the search engine’s homepage now comes with four new tiles that link to the weather report, image search, trending topics and a map with nearby businesses. The Bing team also redesigned the share button, as well as added new options on the menu, including the ability to browse saved photos and other Microsoft apps. Looking for other apps to go along with your new OS? Check out our list of apps that hopped aboard the iOS 7 train to find other potential downloads.

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Source: Bing, iTunes

Nokia Lumia 929 for Verizon surfaces in press image (updated)

Nokia Lumia 929 leaks, may be a 1080p Windows Phone for Verizon

We’ve already had a peek at the back of Nokia’s reported Lumia 1520 spinoff for Verizon. Today, we may be looking at the front: frequent tipster @evleaks has posted what’s claimed to be a press image of the Lumia 929. While the 929 render hasn’t been directly linked to the earlier photo, the abundance of home screen tiles hints at an equally large phone with the 1520’s Windows Phone GDR3 software. It may not be as big as the 1520 itself, though. An RM-927 phone recently reached the FCC with both Verizon LTE and dimensions only slightly larger than the Lumia 625. If it represents the 929, the carrier may be using a roughly 5-inch screen instead of the 1520’s rumored 6-inch display. Whatever we’re looking at, there’s a chance that we’ll see more of it on October 22nd.

Update: “Popular demand” had persuaded @evleaks to post a press image of the phone’s backside (viewable after the break), which looks identical to the leaked shot we saw earlier this month.

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Via: WMPoweruser

Source: @evleaks (1), (2)