Three Business hopes digital transformation will accelerate growth

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Three has completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound investment in its B2B division’s digital infrastructure, claiming the new platform will allow it to better serve its business customers.

The operator has traditionally lagged behind its rivals in the business segment of the UK market but is now devoting significant resources to expand its share.

Back in 2020 it hired Mike Tomlinson as managing director of Three Business, while the company has recently grown its partner network to include Sprint, Business Mobiles, Yappl (A1 Comms) and Get Connected to expand its reach.

Three Business IT

Three Business says it has had to build out its IT infrastructure from scratch, but the advantage of this is that it has been able to take advantage of a wide range of digitally-native technologies. Technical partners include Amdocs, DocuSign, Adobe, Tariffcom, and Astute.

Specifically, Three claims the platform will ensure it can be flexible and responsive enough to respond to changing demands, while ensuring a consistent and improved experience across its telesales, digital sales, partner, and retail channels.

The new technological ecosystem will go live in January for all new customers with existing customers migrated over the course of the next 12 months. Meanwhile, one hundred new roles at Three Business will be created, with more expected in the new year.

“This year the market response to Three Business has been amazing and we clearly have a significant role to play over the next five years and beyond,” said Tomlinson. “To support our channel and customer experience we have completed phase one of our digital transformation providing a much improved modern, reliable business infrastructure.  We now have an innovative, digital platform upon which our future propositions will be launched and we look forward to sharing more exciting news throughout 2022.”

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Leaked Samsung Galaxy S22 photo shows off Samsung’s glossy new phone

The Samsung Galaxy S22 range must be almost here. We know that not just because it’s been almost a year since the Samsung Galaxy S21 range launched, but because of the quantity and quality of leaks we’re seeing, which now even includes a photo of the standard Galaxy S22.

The image was shared by reputable leaker UniverseIce on Weibo (a Chinese social network), along with text claiming that they suspect it’s a real Samsung Galaxy S22.

As you can see, the phone shown has a glossy black back, which is the main way in which it differs from the Samsung Galaxy S21, as that phone has a more matte finish.

A leaked photo supposedly showing the Samsung Galaxy S22

(Image credit: UniverseIce)

Beyond that it looks very similar to the current phone, with a triple-lens camera in a block on the top left corner, though that too is black rather than being a different shade as it is with most versions of the Galaxy S21.

The camera lenses here also stick out from the block they’re housed in, which they don’t with the Samsung Galaxy S21.

While we’d take this photo with a pinch of salt, especially as it’s the first live photo of the phone we’ve seen, it does line up with previous leaks and renders, and it comes from a reputable source.

So it’s probably accurate, especially as we’re now close enough to the likely January or February launch date that we’d expect there would be some more or less finished models.

Elsewhere, MySmartPrice has spotted the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra on an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) database, along with mention of an S Pen stylus. The same model number (SM-S908U) has also been mentioned on Samsung’s official Chinese website.


Analysis: the Samsung Galaxy S22 range is just around the corner

All of the leaks above strongly suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S22 range will land soon. We wouldn’t expect to see photos of finished-looking handsets until near launch, and phones usually don’t appear on the FCC’s database until they’re within a couple of months of launch either.

Seeing the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s model number on an official website is another clear sign that it’s coming soon, as while its presence there is possibly accidental, we wouldn’t think that’s an accident that’s likely to happen until the phone is on the verge of launching.

So the wait for the Samsung Galaxy S22 range is surely almost over, and we might even know the exact day that the phones will be unveiled, with one source pointing to February 8, followed by an on-sale date of February 18.

That might end up being wrong, as others only point to a vaguer February time frame, and some earlier leaks suggested January, but whatever the case, the phones probably aren’t more than a couple of months away.

Via GSMArena

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MusicMatch makes it easy to share music between streaming services

If you've ever felt frustrated trying to open a shared link from a music streaming service you don't use, you're not alone. But sharing the next best Holly Humberstone song doesn't have to be difficult. A new app, launching today (December 12), is making it easier than ever to share and play your favorite tracks.

MusicMatch, developed by Patrick Hardy and Arthur Van Siclen, is a free app now available on iPhones running iOS 15. The app allows music lovers to open shared song links in either Spotify or Apple Music within the app. You can also play song links utilizing a Safari extension, without opening the MusicMatch app.

While the app sounds simple enough, we spoke to Hardy and Van Siclen to find out what motivated them to develop MusicMatch. Here's what we know about this new music app.

How to use MusicMatch

MusicMatch is free in the App store and available to download for devices running iOS 15. Copy your song, album, or artist link to your clipboard and then open the MusicMatch app. Select where the link will open, whether Apple Music or Spotify.

A Safari extension will provide the same convenience, but within the Safari web browser. To enable this, go to Settings > Safari > Extensions > MusicMatch > Enable All Websites > Enable MusicMatch.

MusicMatch on iOS 15

(Image credit: MusicMatch)

At this time, only links from Spotify that open in Apple Music will work with the Safari extension, but Hardy and Van Siclen are working on making Apple Music links work in Spotify on the web browser as well.

Where does MusicMatch fit on iOS?

As far as creating the app, Van Siclen handled the design and development of MusicMatch while Hardy focused on the integration of Spotify, Apple Music, and the Safari extension.

We asked them why they created the app in the first place.

“I’ve clicked so many Spotify links, found the song or artist name, then searched on Apple Music so many times. Every day.” Van Siclen explains.” Every time someone sends me a link I have to go through those steps. It’s onerous. I’m almost mad thinking about it now.” 

“Arthur and I have been sharing music with each other for years, but Arthur has always been on Apple Music and I've always preferred Spotify. We would go through the process looking up a track on the other's service then searching for that same content on another platform.” Hardy continues. “When Apple announced that Safari Extensions would be available on iOS 15, we realized that there was a pathway to make this process painless and automatic. We knew the pain first hand and were sure it would be useful to a lot of people who share music with their friends.”

MusicMatch iOS 15

(Image credit: MusicMatch)

While the app is a simple way of opening a music link, the two developers also discovered Safari Extensions on iOS 15 as another use-case for MusicMatch.

“When we heard about Safari Extensions coming to iOS we quickly identified this as an opportunity to solve this problem once and for all.” Van Siclen continues. “We made the Safari Extension, but understanding that extensions are kind of an esoteric, “pro” thing to set up, we decided to make the app fully functional itself. That was a good decision – my mom was able to use the app the first time she needed it.”

To macOS and beyond?

It’s only the first day of the app’s launch, but Hardy and Van Siclen aren’t stopping there. As you will see music links shared to you on other devices such as a Mac, there’s plenty of use cases where MusicMatch can help.

“Yes, we architected the app with cross-platform applications in mind,” Hardy explains. “We would love for MusicMatch to solve this problem no matter where customers are at. Our iOS app is just the start.” 

“MusicMatch will soon come to macOS as both an app and Safari Extension. It is built with SwiftUI and has great access to Apple’s modern cross-platform infrastructure.” Van Siclen adds.

Safari 15 in macOS 12 Monterey

(Image credit: Apple)

But if you only have an iPhone, the two devs have plans for a future update on iOS.

“We’re also excited to add support for Tidal, YouTube Music, Pandora, and the other popular streaming services.” Van Siclen continues. “The key goal we identified is to be reliable, so for the first few updates we are focused on ensuring MusicMatch does its job flawlessly for everyone.”

Finally, we wanted to know if Hardy and Van Siclen were big music users on iOS.

“Yes! I listen to jazz, and when we work together, we put on London Grammar, Javiera Mena, Kamasi Washington, and a lot of cross-genre artists.” Van Siclen explains.

“Music has always played an important role in our lives.” Hardy adds. “Sharing music that's inspiring, songs to practice on the guitar, or artists to learn from has always been at the core of a rich and connected life for us.”

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Huawei Mate V foldable camera setup revealed in leaked case pictures

The Huawei Mate V could well be the next foldable phone to appear, with a rumored launch date of December 23, and newly leaked images supposedly showing the phone's case suggest that it'll continue Huawei's  focus on camera quality.

The pictures were posted to Chinese social media platform Weibo (via GSMArena) and clearly show two large cut-outs on the back of the device – cut-outs which match the triple-lens rear camera setup of the Huawei P50.

It's not clear how many rear cameras the Huawei Mate V is going to have on the back, but there's plenty of room for them. Previous Huawei foldables, like the Huawei Mate X2, have also boasted some top-notch cameras alongside screens that can bend.

Coming into the fold

The case images don't give us too many other clues about what else we can expect from the Huawei Mate V. This isn't a phone that has leaked extensively but we can see that it'll be Huawei's first clamshell foldable, in the style of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Earlier rumors haven't mentioned much besides predicting that the phone is on the way. We're still waiting for an official announcement about the device, but considering Huawei's previous form for foldables, we can well believe that a new one is on the way.

Rewind a few months and there was talk that Huawei had three foldable phones in the works, and that they'd arrive at more affordable price points. Considering Huawei's ongoing trade ban in the US though, it's not clear how widely they'll be available.


Opinion: we need more than one foldable form factor

Xiaomi mi mix fold, xiaomi foldable phone

The Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold. (Image credit: Xiaomi)

We're pleased to see Huawei embracing the clamshell foldable form factor with the upcoming Mate V handset – assuming that the leaks we've seen so far are accurate of course, and that the device will actually launch towards the end of the month.

Phones with a more conventional book-like form factor, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, tend to grab most of the headlines – and they do offer the biggest screens around, with displays close to tablet size when they're opened out.

Clamshell phones such as the Motorola Razr and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 definitely have a role to play too though – their displays might not be as big, but they're easier to use and more compact, and make clever use of smaller secondary screens too.

WIth the Huawei Mate V on the horizon, we should have another clamshell phone to add to the mix (though worldwide availability might be an issue). When big names such as Apple and Google get around to launching their own foldables, we hope that they consider releasing these innovative devices in multiple form factors too.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra benchmarks leak out – and it could get a name change

Most of the rumors we've seen so far point to a February 2022 launch for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series of phones – and we'll probably hear a lot about it before then, as this weekend's batch of leaks demonstrates.

Two variations of the Galaxy S22 Ultra have appeared on the benchmarking website Geekbench, MySmartPrice reports. In particular, they're variations running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – the chipset that should power the phone in most of the regions it's eventually launched in.

The phones post respectable single-core and multi-core scores across Geekbench 4 and Geekbench 5, but there's no doubt plenty of software and hardware optimization still to be done. We've previously seen leaked benchmarks for the Exynos processor version of the Galaxy S22 Plus handset as well.

What's in a name?

Our second Galaxy S22 Ultra tidbit of the day comes from well-known monger of rumors @FrontTron on Twitter, who says that the phone won't be called the S22 Ultra at all – but will actually be named the Samsung Galaxy S22 Note.

If you've been following the rumors around this handset for a while, you'll remember that we heard something similar a few months ago, so it's looking more and more likely that the S22 Ultra will adopt the Note name as well as borrowing a few design ideas from the stylus-equipped flagship.

We didn't get a Galaxy Note 21 this year, and it very much seems that the Note 22 and the S22 Ultra will be one and the same phone. We'll know for sure once the handsets are officially unveiled by Samsung in a couple of months' time.


Analysis: the Ultra is making moves

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20. (Image credit: TechRadar)

It looks like it's all change for the Galaxy S22 Ultra this year, as it takes on the role of the Galaxy Note, name and all. There are now multiple reports that it will adopt the Note moniker, as well as taking on a design that's very Note-esque, becoming Samsung's leading non-foldable flagship for 2022.

From what we've heard so far, it sounds as though the Galaxy S22 series is going to be more powerful than the S21 phones from early 2021, with some camera upgrades in the pipeline as well as bumps to the internal components.

At the same time, Samsung is rumored to be keeping the prices of the Galaxy S22 phones at the same level as the Galaxy S21 phones – so they should be starting at around $799 / £769 / AU$1,249 when they go on sale (most likely sometime in February).

Those of you who are in the market for something a little extra, S Pen support and all, may well want to hold out for the S22 Ultra (or S22 Note) however. It would seem that it's going to be the most interesting phone in the range, in terms of both design and specs – and it may be good enough to fill the gap left by the Galaxy Note.

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iPhone 14 Max: what is the newly rumored handset, and will it replace iPhone 14 mini?

There could be a notable new addition to Apple’s 2022 smartphone line-up, as numerous leaks suggest that an iPhone 14 Max is in the works.

Long-time Apple fans can probably take a good guess at what this is purely from the name, but below we’ll detail exactly what we’ve heard about it so far.

We’ll also look at whether this is it for the iPhone mini range, with reports also suggesting that the iPhone 14 Max might take the place of the iPhone 14 mini.

What is the iPhone 14 Max?

The iPhone 14 Max is rumored to basically be a bigger version of the iPhone 14, or to put it another way, a lower-end version of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

So just as the iPhone 14 will probably be the same size as the iPhone 14 Pro, just with lesser tech, the iPhone 14 Max will likely be the same size as the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Specifically, it will probably have a 6.7-inch OLED screen, and it will also probably have the same resolution as the iPhone 14 Pro Max (likely 1284 x 2778, as that’s the resolution of the iPhone 13 Pro Max's screen).

So how will the Max differ from the Pro Max? Well one big difference could be the refresh rate, with some sources suggesting that the iPhone 14 Max will have a 60Hz display, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max will almost certainly have a 120Hz refresh rate.

However, we’ve heard that Apple is at least considering a 120Hz screen for both phones, so the screen might end up being much the same on both.

An even bigger potential difference between the two though is the design, with the iPhone 14 Max thought to have basically the same design as the iPhone 13 range, complete with a notch, while many leaks suggest the iPhone 14 Pro Max will have a new look, with a punch-hole camera in place of a notch.

That could end up being the only significant difference though, with at least one report suggesting that both phones will have a triple-lens camera (though the specs of the cameras could differ). The Pro model may also end up having slightly more power based on past form, but that’s just speculation for now.

iPhone 13 mini

The iPhone 13 mini might be the last of its kind (Image credit: TechRadar)

Will this replace the iPhone 14 mini?

So far there’s a consensus among leaks that we won’t get an iPhone 14 mini, and that instead there will be an iPhone 14 Max.

That said, while several leakers have said as much, it’s still early days for iPhone 14 range leaks, so anything could happen ahead of launch (likely in September 2022).

It remains a possibility then that there will still be an iPhone 14 mini, either instead of or as well as an iPhone 14 Max, but we doubt it.

Aside from leaks and rumors suggesting there won’t, we can also look at sales numbers, with the mini models reportedly selling worse than the rest of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 ranges that they were a part of.

While information on the iPhone 13 mini's performance is anecdotal for now, the iPhone 12 mini accounted for just 5% of overall iPhone 12 range sales in the first half of January according to Counterpoint, and reports suggest similarly low figures at other points too.

Not only that, but Apple is rumored to be launching an iPhone SE 3 in 2022, and with that thought to have a 4.7-inch screen, it could do the job of appealing to fans of small phones.

So while we wouldn’t completely count the mini out, it looks doubtful that we’ll see a new one – but with the iPhone SE 3 on the horizon, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a new small-screen iPhone.

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The Oppo Find N foldable phone gets shown off in leaked images

Rumors around a foldable phone from Oppo have been swirling for months now, and while its existence has been confirmed – with a launch set for December 15 – we haven't been given much of an idea about what the device will look like... until now.

Ever-reliable tipster @evleaks has posted a bunch of high-quality pictures of the phone, so if you want to get an early look at its aesthetics. Considering the source and the content of these images, we'd say they're likely to be the real deal.

What we appear to have here is a phone that opens and closes like a book, reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. We can see three main camera lenses on the rear of the handset, and what looks like punch-hole selfie cameras on both the larger, internal display and the smaller, external one.

See more

Six prototypes later

There seem to be five colors shown off in total in these images: black, white, gray, pale green and lavender. Also noticeable is a USB-C port on the bottom of the phone and hinge text that reads "Designed For Find" – so make of that what you will.

What we know from Oppo's official blog post is that the Find N has been through six generations of prototypes – this is something Oppo has been working on for a while. As yet, we don't have much information on the actual specs of the smartphone though.

If you want even more Oppo Find N content, check out the teaser video that Oppo published online a few days ago: it isn't very long, but it does give us a look at the design of the phone, and how its folding mechanism actually works.


Analysis: phone makers want foldables to be the future of smartphones

The Motorola Razr 2020 lying unfolded and face up on a table.

The Motorola Razr. (Image credit: Future)

It's clear that there's a major push from phone manufacturers to make foldables mainstream. In the launch blog post for the Oppo Find N, Chief Product Officer Pete Lau says these devices are "the future of smartphones" after years of stagnation when it comes to the design of these handsets.

"In an era where everyone has a phone with similar configurations, the smartphone experience has come to a standstill," writes Lau. "If we can find a way to break through the bottleneck of smartphone displays, we could once again revolutionize efficiency and interactivity."

There's no doubt that foldables represent an exciting new direction for smartphones, offering everything that phones currently offer together with a tablet-sized screen for certain tasks when they're fully opened out (there's also the clamshell design, which gives users something slightly different).

Right now there are two barriers to us all having foldables in our pockets: reliability and price. Once manufacturers are able to make foldable phones that are robust enough to last for years, and at a price point that everyone can buy into, sales should start soaring. 

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Google Pixel 6a: here’s everything we know so far

The eventual launch of the Google Pixel 6a could be good news for people who like the look of the Pixel 6, but aren't as keen on the price tag Google has given it.

Google's Pixel a series of phones are budget alternatives to its main series - for example, the Pixel 5a was a more affordable version of the Pixel 5 - and with the Pixel 6 family being pricier than their predecessors, the Pixel 6a is doubly important.

While we don’t know anything for sure about the Google Pixel 6a yet - other perhaps than the name, which Google itself has mentioned in a coloring book - the design and some of the specs and features have started to leak, so we’re beginning to get a good idea about it.

Below you’ll find everything we’ve heard so far, along with information on the possible release date and price, and we’ll update this article as soon as we hear anything new about Google’s next handset.

Latest news

The Google Pixel 6a has appeared on a benchmark site, but thanks to the global chipset shortage its launch might be delayed.

Google Pixel 6a: cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next mid-range Pixel
  • When is it out? Sometime in 2022, perhaps May
  • How much will it cost? Expect a mid-range price

Google Pixel 6a release date and price

The first big Pixel 6a release date rumor suggests the phone will be coming in May 2022. Max Jambor, a leaker who has a good track record for smartphone information, has said the release is scheduled for May.

The Google Pixel 5a was unveiled in August 2021, and the Pixel 4a was similarly launched in August 2020. That means Google will be pulling forward its launch to earlier in the year, and it's likely to avoid the upcoming Google Pixel 7 that we expect at the tail-end of 2022.

Plus, the Pixel 5a was only sold in the US and Japan, so Google might want to soon make a more widely available mid-range model.

Google's own show (that's Google I/O) usually takes place in May, so we may see it make a debut at the 2022 version of that show. We've yet to get official dates from Google, but we'd expect it in the second half of the month. The company did similar when it announced the Pixel 3a.

We've also now heard that the Pixel 6a has been spotted on a US carrier's inventory list, which further suggests it's coming soon.

On the other hand, other sources are saying the global chip shortage could push the phone's launch back to late July. It seems as though the Google Pixel 6a release date is still up in the air.

There’s no news on what the phone might cost, but the Google Pixel 5a retailed for $449 (around £325 / AU$610), and the Pixel 4a 5G was $499 / £499 / AU$799, so somewhere in that region seems likely.

Design and display

We have a good idea of what the Google Pixel 6a might look like, as unofficial renders have been shared by OnLeaks (a leaker with a good track record) and 91Mobiles. You can see some of these below, and if you’ve seen the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro then the design here will look very familiar.

Image 1 of 2

An unofficial render of the Pixel 6a from the front and back

(Image credit: @OnLeaks / 91Mobiles)
Image 2 of 2

An unofficial render of the Pixel 6a from the front and back

(Image credit: @OnLeaks / 91Mobiles)

The design shown includes a large camera block running horizontally across the back of the phone, housing a dual-lens camera. There’s also a three-tone color scheme, a punch-hole camera on the front, and a flat screen.

You can also see power and volume buttons on the right edge, and a USB-C port along with speaker and microphone grilles on the bottom edge. There’s no sign of a headphone port.

According to the source, the Google Pixel 6a has a glass back and comes in at 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm (or 10.4mm including the rear camera bump). That would make it slightly smaller than the Pixel 6, which makes sense as this phone also apparently has a smaller 6.2-inch OLED screen.

Exactly the same design can be seen in the photos below, which show what’s purportedly an aluminum dummy unit of the Pixel 6a. Dummy units are sometimes used by accessory makers and the like to help design products prior to a phone’s launch, though it’s not clear exactly where this one came from.

Image 1 of 2

A leaked Google Pixel 6a dummy unit

(Image credit: xleaks7 / Fathom Bracelets)
Image 2 of 2

A leaked Google Pixel 6a dummy unit from the front

(Image credit: xleaks7 / Fathom Bracelets)

Elsewhere, a listing on a US carrier's inventory system apparently mentioned black, white, and green shades, so those might be the colors you can get the Pixel 6a in.

Camera and battery

While the Google Pixel 6a will probably inherit the design of the rest of the Pixel 6 range, it might not inherit their cameras, as code found in the Google Camera app suggests that this phone will have the same 12.2MP main camera as the Pixel 5a – and most other Pixels prior to the Pixel 6.

That would be in place of the 50MP one found on the latest models. However, the same code suggests that it will at least get the same 12MP ultra-wide snapper as the Pixel 6, and the same 8MP front-facing camera, so it might only be the main sensor that differs.

One big specs leak, which we'll dive into further in the next section, provides us with some battery details. It says we'll see a 4,800mAh cell inside the Pixel 6a alongside 30W fast-charging.

For reference, the Pixel 6 has a 4,614mAh battery, so the Pixel 6a could end up giving stronger battery performance than its more expensive sibling.

Specs and features

The Google Pixel 6a could live up to the Pixel 6 name, as not only might it have the same basic design as the rest of the range, but also the same chipset, as code found in the Google Camera app suggests as much.

That means it might have a Tensor chipset, designed to power advanced features like Live Translation.

We've since heard that from another source, and even seen the phone benchmarked with that chipset, along with 6GB of RAM.

See more

Elsewhere, we’ve heard that the Pixel 6a might have an in-screen fingerprint scanner, 128GB of storage, and 6GB or 8GB of RAM – along with running Android 12 out of the box. We’d expect it would also support 5G, since that’s a fairly standard feature now.

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This custom iPhone 13 Pro combines the newest and oldest iPhones – but don’t buy it

If you’re a diehard Apple fan and want to show it, then Caviar (a brand known for making custom iPhones) might have the handset for you, as its latest creation fuses the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max with the original 2007 iPhone.

Dubbed the iPhone 2G, this modified handset is functionally an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max, but the back includes a piece of a motherboard from an original iPhone embedded in the Apple logo.

The rear is made of titanium and includes an engraved diagram showing the technical elements of the device, and towards the bottom it gains black PVD coating and houses Steve Jobs’ engraved signature.

This ‘iPhone 2G’ (which despite the retro name supports 5G) can be all yours from just $6,990 (around £5,290 / AU$9,780). That’s for a 128GB iPhone 13 Pro, with the price rising for more storage or for the Pro Max. Choose a 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max and you’ll have to pay $8,610 (roughly £6,520 / AU$12,040).

Only 19 units of this phone are being made. Presumably that means 19 units of all configurations combined, not of each configuration, but that’s not totally clear.

Either way, this will be an extremely limited edition, which perhaps goes some way to justifying the price. Still, this is definitely one for the biggest Apple fans only, and even then…


Analysis: don’t buy this iPhone

We hear you, you love Apple and you want the whole world to know. Not only that, but you’ve got more money than sense. Add to that the fact that remarkably this is one of the more affordable iPhones sold by Caviar (which also sells an iPhone 13 Pro with part of a T-Rex tooth in it among other things), and this seems like a solid buy, right?

Well, not so much. For a start, the centerpiece of this phone is worth… approximately nothing. At the time of writing you can get an entire (broken but intact) original iPhone on eBay for just £55 (roughly $70 / AU$100), and a functional one for £155 (around $205 / AU$285).

So this isn’t valuable tech. Unless you’ve got a pristine original iPhone with the box and all the components, in value terms it’s a minor curiosity at most. And that’s for a whole phone – part of a motherboard (which no one except you will even know the significance of, unless you’re endlessly explaining it) is worth almost zero.

The titanium and the extremely limited nature of the handset add to the value, but even then, that dinosaur example we mentioned includes not just genuine T-Rex tooth, but also gold, amber and yes titanium too, and in the grand scheme of vastly-overpriced phones it doesn’t cost all that much more.

So if you really must buy a luxury novelty that will be out of date in two years, there are better options.

Via CNet

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Xiaomi 12 Ultra could have an absolutely bananas rear camera bump

We've been seeing a constant stream of Xiaomi 12 leaks trickle in for a few weeks, and while most have got us to gently nod or shake our head, or give gruff mumbles of 'interesting...', one leak has really piqued our interest, and caused us to yell in shock 'what?!'.

Photos of the protective cases for the entire Xiaomi 12 range have leaked - that means a vanilla, a Pro and an Ultra model - courtesy of a leaker on Chinese social media platform Weibo called WhyLab. It seems the photos have been removed by the poster at the time of writing this article, but not before GizmoChina copied them.

The standard and Pro cases look similar, and line up with what we know of the Xiaomi 12 so far - we can only see them from the back though, so can't tell about speakers or ports.

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Regarding the camera bump, on both there's one big main camera and three smaller cut-outs, one of which is presumably for the flash module and the other two are for the second and third cameras.

The real eye-catching case is that of the Xiaomi 12 Ultra though, and that's because its camera bump is absolutely wild. The camera module is a giant circle - in the center there's a gap for one lens, but there are seven other spaces for more things besides, and they're spread seemingly without rhyme or reason around the block.

It's also worth noting that, while the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra had a mini screen on the back, it doesn't seem like that's the case for the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, but we're not exactly lamenting the loss, given its limited functionality.


Analysis: what are all these spaces for?

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra only had three rear cameras, which was a little surprising given the 'more-cameras-is-better' battle of attrition that some smartphone manufacturers find themselves waging.

That was okay, though, because they were three giant sensors paired with powerful lenses, and so the phone was fantastic for photography.

Judging by this case leak, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will have plenty more cameras, but they might not be as big as the 11 Ultra's.

There are eight gaps on the back of the phone - three are almost definitely for a main and ultra-wide camera and a flash module. Judging by the shape of the gaps, another one will likely be a periscope lens for long-distance zoom, and we could also see a depth sensor too.

That leaves three cameras, and we'll have to look at Xiaomi's past to speculate on what these are. We imagine one is a Xiaomi Mi 11-style macro camera, which had a terrific lens for taking close-up pictures. Another could be a 2x telephoto portrait lens, as seen in the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, which is designed exclusively for taking good-looking pictures of people with natural-looking depth effects.

And what's left? Well, it could be a directional microphone for recording audio for videos, though it's possible it's an extra monochrome sensor for improved black-and-white photography or something entirely different.

The Xiaomi 12 is expected to launch before the end of 2021, though based on the Mi 11 series, we might not see all three phones at once. We'll just have to wait and see.

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Xiaomi 12 Ultra could have an absolutely bananas rear camera bump

We've been seeing a constant stream of Xiaomi 12 leaks trickle in for a few weeks, and while most have got us to gently nod or shake our head, or give gruff mumbles of 'interesting...', one leak has really piqued our interest, and caused us to yell in shock 'what?!'.

Photos of the protective cases for the entire Xiaomi 12 range have leaked - that means a vanilla, a Pro and an Ultra model - courtesy of a leaker on Chinese social media platform Weibo called WhyLab. It seems the photos have been removed by the poster at the time of writing this article, but not before GizmoChina copied them.

The standard and Pro cases look similar, and line up with what we know of the Xiaomi 12 so far - we can only see them from the back though, so can't tell about speakers or ports.

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Regarding the camera bump, on both there's one big main camera and three smaller cut-outs, one of which is presumably for the flash module and the other two are for the second and third cameras.

The real eye-catching case is that of the Xiaomi 12 Ultra though, and that's because its camera bump is absolutely wild. The camera module is a giant circle - in the center there's a gap for one lens, but there are seven other spaces for more things besides, and they're spread seemingly without rhyme or reason around the block.

It's also worth noting that, while the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra had a mini screen on the back, it doesn't seem like that's the case for the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, but we're not exactly lamenting the loss, given its limited functionality.


Analysis: what are all these spaces for?

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra only had three rear cameras, which was a little surprising given the 'more-cameras-is-better' battle of attrition that some smartphone manufacturers find themselves waging.

That was okay, though, because they were three giant sensors paired with powerful lenses, and so the phone was fantastic for photography.

Judging by this case leak, the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will have plenty more cameras, but they might not be as big as the 11 Ultra's.

There are eight gaps on the back of the phone - three are almost definitely for a main and ultra-wide camera and a flash module. Judging by the shape of the gaps, another one will likely be a periscope lens for long-distance zoom, and we could also see a depth sensor too.

That leaves three cameras, and we'll have to look at Xiaomi's past to speculate on what these are. We imagine one is a Xiaomi Mi 11-style macro camera, which had a terrific lens for taking close-up pictures. Another could be a 2x telephoto portrait lens, as seen in the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, which is designed exclusively for taking good-looking pictures of people with natural-looking depth effects.

And what's left? Well, it could be a directional microphone for recording audio for videos, though it's possible it's an extra monochrome sensor for improved black-and-white photography or something entirely different.

The Xiaomi 12 is expected to launch before the end of 2021, though based on the Mi 11 series, we might not see all three phones at once. We'll just have to wait and see.

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Oppo’s Find N foldable phone unveiled in new teaser video

Our first tryst with Oppo's foldable future began way back in 2019 when the Chinese manufacturer showed off a folding concept device. Then, in 2020, the company showcased a pair of concept flexible phones – one with a rollable display and one with a trifold display.

While these phones were never made commercially available, the brand is now officially ready to enter the foldable market with the Oppo Find N, which is scheduled to be unveiled during Oppo's Inno Day 2021 on December 15.

In the leadup to the event, Oppo has now offered a rather significant look at the device via a teaser posted to Twitter earlier today. You can check out that teaser below.

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Oppo Find N foldable phone

The teaser shows that the foldable phone will have a large near-bezel less external display which unfolds into a much larger primary display on the inside. 

It's worth noting that the interior display appears to be almost square-shaped, rather than the longer rectangular design found in Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3. It also looks shorter and wider when closed, likely a decision made to avoid a long and narrow front screen.

Interestingly, it is impossible to spot a selfie camera on both the displays as Oppo has used a dark coloured wallpaper. This could mean that either the phone will come with under-display camera's like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or it has a punch-hole camera that has been camouflaged due to the wallpaper.

Additionally, we can also see curved sides with a chrome finish and a massive camera bump, housing at least three camera sensors which can be spotted on the rear panel.

Pete Lau, OnePlus' CEO who is also overseeing brand synergy between Oppo, Oneplus and Realme, has mentioned that the company has ironed out issues that plague most foldable phones including a crease and durability.

Meanwhile, a report on GizChina quotes tipsters to suggest that the device, bearing model number PEUM00 was spotted on Geekbench. The same model had bagged the MIIT certification some time back. The tipster shared a screengrab of the latter's website via his Weibo account earlier in December. 

The Geekbench listing provides additional information around the device, which has since been reportedly arriving under the name Vivo Find N. Of course, the teaser carries the name with the tipster also suggesting that it could find its way to the company's annual conference scheduled for next week. 

Oppo Find N - specifications (rumored)

The listing suggests that the Oppo Find N could have the Snapdragon 888 chipset under its hood, which corroborates some of the earlier rumors around the device. We also get indications that the handset will ship with 12GB RAM and could be running the Android 11 out of the box. The data around benchmarks indicates that the new device scored 925 points in the single-core test and 3,364 points in multi-core test. 

The device is also expected to feature a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display. There were rumors of Sony's IMX766 50MP camera being the choice for the primary shooter, though we haven't heard anything concrete about the number of cameras on the back panel yet. 

The listing on Camera FV-5 website indicates a 12.6MP shooter with f/1.8 aperture, EIS support, OIS, and a resolution of 4096×3072 pixels. This effectively means that the Oppo Find N could capture 50MP images using pixel binning. On the front, the device could house an 8.1MP camera. 

There were reports that the device would sport an 8-inch OLED display (the size appears consistent in the teaser) with a 120Hz refresh rate. It was expected to draw its power from a 4500mAh battery with 65W fast charging options. 

While we now know when the device will be officially unveiled, we've yet to receive word of an exact launch date for the phone, which faces the tough task of matching up to Samsung's array of foldable devices. 

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iOS 16: here’s everything we know so far

After seeing the releases of iOS 15 and the subsequent iPhone 13 series, we’re in the midst of .1 updates that are slowly refining features we’ve been seeing since June, including iOS 15.2 and the recently-released iOS 15.4 that brought FaceID while wearing a mask, alongside Universal Control.

That doesn’t stop us from thinking of what could be in the next version of iOS, however, which we expect will be called iOS 16 at WWDC 2022.

Every iOS release has brought a major feature to the table, whether that’s widgets or dark mode. But iOS could still benefit from some new refinements to better manage how you use your iPhone every day.

But if you're wanting to find out what Android users are looking forward to for 2022, check out our guide, tentatively called Android 13.

We’ve combed through our iPhones to roundup five features we’d like to see arrive in iOS 16 next year, no matter how major or minor these may be. But first, we’ll run you through when we expect it to land and which iPhones will be supported.

Latest news

iOS 16 might include big, interactive widgets and redesigned icons.

iOS 16 release date rumors

Apple has followed a traditional schedule of announcing the latest iOS update in June at WWDC, followed by a release around September.

With iOS 15.4.1 available, Apple has been focusing on rolling out significant features across more .1 updates. In previous years, we've seen the trackpad appear on iOS 13.4, alongside ProRes in iOS 15.1 in October last year.

It wouldn't be a stretch to expect an iOS 15.5 by the time we see iOS 16, with more significant features for both your iPhone and iPad.

iOS 16 supported iPhones

Apple tries to support a variety of iPhone models in every new iOS release. iOS 15 supports iPhone 6S at a minimum, which was released in 2015.

An early leak suggests - unsurprisingly - that the iPhone 6S (along with the iPhone 6S Plus and original iPhone SE) won't get iOS 16, but that everything from the iPhone 7 onwards will.

It certainly wouldn't be a stretch to expect iOS 16 support for the iPhone 7 series at a minimum, but with some features likely held back, mainly due to the hardware limitations of the camera, or the chip inside certain iPhone models.

Every iOS release comes with a major feature, but also a bunch of minor improvements across the board. If you still have an iPhone 8 for instance, you may reap the benefits of some of the small features in iOS 16 when it arrives. But you will most likely miss out on the big feature that Apple will showcase.

News and leaks

Aside from the release date and compatibility details above, the only thing we've really heard about iOS 16 so far is that it might have big, interactive widgets.

These are apparently being referred to internally as 'InfoShack', and you can see how they might look in the image below. They'd essentially house multiple smaller widgets, of all different styles.

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That image also shows redesigned icons, so we might see that in iOS 16 too. However, the Apple TV remote icon is suspect, as it looks nothing like the actual Apple TV remote (which the current icon does), so we'd take this with a pinch of salt.

What we want to see

We don't know much about iOS 16 yet but we have a good idea of what we want from it, with the following features topping our list.

Redesigned Camera app

iPhone 13 Pro

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The iPhone camera has seen huge improvements in recent years, with more lenses being added and features such as Night Mode and Cinematic Mode being introduced.

However, this has meant that the camera app has begun to feel bloated. Accessing forced flash or exposure settings requires a few more swipes than we’d like, alongside hidden gestures that don’t feel needed.

With the release of iOS 15.2, we’ve seen a new macro button appear, which can help you more accurately set up those close-up shots when needed. This is just for the iPhone 13 series, though.

Starting afresh with the camera app could help new users take photos in a whole new way, alongside giving existing users a fresh way of taking photos and videos.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that Apple has more big plans for the cameras in future iPhone models, which will also mean new features that we’ll be switching on and off when required. Let’s see an app that’s redesigned for what came before, and lays the groundwork for what’s coming next.

QuickNote to iPhone

macOS Monterey Notes and Quick Note

(Image credit: Apple)

This is a feature that appears in iPadOS 15 and macOS 12 Monterey, where you can drag your finger from the bottom-right corner, and you can quickly type in some notes, no matter where you are on your device.

There are many gestures you can do on an iPhone, so there’s no harm in adding one more. Dragging from the bottom right corner would display a note that you could quickly type in, and save for a later date.

With your thumb being your primary point of interaction with your smartphone, it's an easy win that can really help with quickly jotting something down. It will also save the strain of your thumb instead of reaching for the Control Center on the top right, and selecting the Notes icon.

Home Automation widgets

Using the Home app on an iPhone 13 Pro in iOS 15

(Image credit: Apple)

Since widgets were given a makeover in iOS 14, alongside the ability to place them anywhere on the home screen, some other apps have not been forthcoming with their own widgets to help reduce some steps. One blatant example is the Home app.

You may have a selection of smart lights in your home where you use the app to help manage these. But if you want to quickly switch on a light, you may experience a delay if you ask Siri, or if the app isn’t responding, which has happened often in our experience.

Having a widget on your home screen for your smart lights could really help reduce the steps in quickly switching the bedroom lamp on, instead of having to find the Home app.

It’s a little strange that the widget hasn’t appeared as yet, but we’re hoping it arrives, not only to iOS 16, but future versions of macOS and iPadOS as well.

Air apps

Apple AirPods Pro

(Image credit: Apple )

If you own one of the AirPods peripherals, or an AirTag, you may find it very cumbersome to try and manage each of these. AirPods settings are only accessible through Bluetooth from within the Settings app, while AirTags settings are accessible through the Find My app.

Being able to manage these through a centralized ‘AirThings’ app could relieve a lot of confusion as to what you own from Apple.

Third-party vendors such as Sony bring out certain apps that can help you manage headphones and more to better manage the features that these bring. Being able to do the same, without having to go to Bluetooth within the Settings app, could bring a lot of simplicity to managing your devices.

Better theme options

Three iPhones running iOS 15

(Image credit: Apple)

Back in 2019, we saw an onslaught of themes thanks to a few new features that the Shortcuts app provided in iOS 13.

With Shortcuts, you can use the app to create launch commands for other apps, and place an icon of your choice on the home screen for it. This has resulted in many themes being made available for iPhone users.

YouTuber Marques Brownlee created a short guide to create your own icons with Shortcuts.

But iOS 16 could go further. A new category in the App Store could enable themes to be downloaded and then selected within the Settings app. You could also choose different colors and sounds for notifications and set them as a separate theme, which could also be enabled with Automations in the Shortcuts app.

Third-party developers could perhaps make their own sounds and themes available as well. While there would be restrictions on changing other app icons, it could further expand the individuality that users want from their devices.

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This Android phone bug stops you calling 911 if you have Microsoft Teams installed

Some Android smartphones are being prevented from calling 911 due to an odd bug involving Microsoft Teams , Google has admitted.

A recent Reddit post saw one user explain how they were unable to call emergency services on their Pixel 3. While they were able to dial 911, apparently their device “got stuck immediately after one ring” and they were “unable to do anything other than click through apps with an emergency phone call running in the background”.

In a comment on the original post, a Google spokesperson revealed that the company had conducted an investigation into the issue and was able to reproduce it under a limited set of circumstances.

Thankfully though, there is an immediate fix for the issue and both Google and Microsoft are currently working on a long term solution as well.

Emergency calling bug

In its comment on the Reddit user's original post, Google explained that the emergency calling bug is the result of an unintended interaction between Microsoft Teams and Android, saying:

“We determined that the issue was being caused by unintended interaction between the Microsoft Teams app and the underlying Android operating system. Because this issue impacts emergency calling, both Google and Microsoft are heavily prioritizing the issue, and we expect a Microsoft Teams app update to be rolled out soon – as always we suggest users keep an eye out for app updates to ensure they are running the latest version.”

Apparently, the issue only affects Android users who have the Microsoft Teams app installed but aren't currently logged into Microsoft's video conferencing software. However, the immediate fix for this issue for users running Android 10 or higher is to uninstall and then reinstall the app.

An update for the app itself will also be made available to fully resolve the issue in the near future. At the same time, Google will release an Android security patch on January 4 to fix the issue permanently on its end.

Via 9To5Google

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Instagram is introducing an incredible new way to get nostalgic

As we approach a new year, it is only natural that we start to think back to what the previous one has been like. If you're the sort of person who lies to feel the wave of nostalgia that Facebook's Memories feature can bring each day, you're going to love the new feature that Instagram is introducing.

Building on the idea of the Stories archive that was introduced a few years back, Instagram is adding a new, time-limited way to share your 2021 highlights with your friends.

The new feature is called Playback, which gives you a way to create a customized journey through your year by selecting your favorite moments from your Stories archive. It is a more personal option than many of the "look back over the previous" year features that the likes of Facebook create as you are placed in control of what is included.

While there is a lot to be said for automated "year in review" posts, what is algorithmically selected for inclusion may not match what you would have chosen yourself. And this is why Instagram's approach is so great.

Get reflective on Instagram

The new feature lets you select up to ten Stories from your archive, and if you would like to post an upbeat Playback, you can select all of the positive Stories you have posted across the year.

Equally, you might be feeling more melancholy, in which case you can opt for the slightly sadder posts. Or, of course, you can mix it up to give a fair representation of the ups and downs that 2021 has probably involved for you.

The Playback feature launches today and will be available for "A few weeks". You will see a message pop up within the app inviting you to create your Playback. You can then nostalgically shift through your Stories and select the ones that you think best sums up the year.

Instagram also says that if you see a 2021 Story posted by somebody else, you just need to click on the 2021 sticker contained within that Story in order to create your own Playback.

So take a browse through your Stories archive and share your 2021 highlights with your friends and family.

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