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Gadget makers reveal killer new tech lineups

Are they trying to make us – gasp! – Christmas shop already?

IT’S STILL OFFICIALLY summer, yet major electronic companies have already announced a slew of holiday gift ideas: iPhones of different colours, video game players and a new category of wristwatches designed to mimic the functionality of smartphones.

Smartwatches

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A visitor points at a Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch at the IFA, Berlin. Pic: AP Photo/Michael Sohn

Much of the early attention has been on smartwatches. Although the devices have been around for years, consumer interest has been low. Samsung Electronics Co is hoping to change that with its $300 (app €225)  Galaxy Gear.

When it’s linked wirelessly with newer Samsung phones and tablets, the Gear lets you set alarm clocks, check email and Facebook updates, and make phone calls on your wrist, secret agent-style.

The Gear’s unveiling came as Qualcomm Inc said it will start selling its Toq smartwatch before the end of the year. Sony Corp, meanwhile, has an updated SmartWatch 2 device coming. And Apple Inc is widely believed to be working on an iWatch.

What’s behind the sudden rise of the smartwatch? Consumer electronics companies are trying to create a new type of device for people to spend money on now that many of them already own smartphones and tablet computers.

That doesn’t mean companies have given up on phones and tablets, or other gadgets.

Here’s a look at what’s in store as manufacturers and retailers try to get a jump on the Christmas (sorry!) shopping season.

PHONES

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Pic: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

The iOS software that runs iPhones is showing signs of aging, so Apple is refreshing its look and functionality.

Recent phones can get the iOS 7 update for free, starting next Wednesday. The software also comes with the new iPhones going on sale on September 20.

In the past, Apple released one iPhone a year, in black or white. This time, the company has a regular model, the iPhone 5S (selling for $199) and a less expensive model, the iPhone 5C (which goes for $99). The 5S comes in three colours and the 5C in five.

Samsung, meanwhile, announced the Galaxy Note 3, the latest phone in a line that comes with a stylus for handwriting on its large, 5.7-inch (measured on the diagonal) touch screen. Sony will have the Xperia Z1, notable for its high-resolution, 20.7-megapixel camera and the ability to attach better lenses.

Both devices use Google’s Android operating system.

Even more devices are expected around this autumn’s release of a new version of Android, which goes by the name Kit Kat.

TABLETS

Tablets with screens that measure about 7 inches diagonally are becoming popular because they’re cheaper than full-sized tablets and are easier to carry around. Amazon.com Inc and Google Inc paved the way with their Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 devices. Apple followed with the iPad Mini last autumn.

Google updated its Nexus 7 in July, offering the basic model for $229. Amazon and Apple will likely update their devices, too.

Meanwhile, several companies are expected to release smaller tablets running Microsoft Corp’s Windows 8.1 operating system when the software update comes out in October. The current Windows 8 system wasn’t designed for smaller touch screens.

Want big? Google, Amazon and Apple are also due to update their full-size models. Lenovo, Dell and other computer makers have also unveiled Windows tablets that can convert into traditional laptops.

Meanwhile, a company that specializes in e-book readers, Kobo, plans tablets of both sizes. Many of the tablets currently available emphasize the ability to play video and music.

Kobo’s new Arc HD tablets can do that, too, but the company hopes to address the needs of readers with a mode designed to minimize battery use while reading. The 7-inch version starts at $200, and the 10-inch model goes for $400.

GAME MACHINES

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People play on Kinect Sports Rivals on the Xbox One, at the Violin Factory in south London, ahead of the consoles release in November. Pic: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire

Many people have shifted to smartphones and tablets to play games, but hard-core gamers still like standalone video game consoles.

Microsoft’s Xbox One wants to be the all-in-one device that lets you watch television, play movies, listen to music and browse the Internet —as well as play video games. It will start selling on November 22 and cost $499. A Kinect motion-control system will be included.

Sony’s PlayStation 4 is coming out November 15 for $399. It’s touted as a supercharged PC, which should make it easier for developers to create games for it. But that also means the new machine won’t be able to play older games, other than by streaming them over the Internet. The machine’s other new features revolve around social networking and remote access.

AND THE REST …

Although much of the attention is on phones and tablets, people are still buying traditional desktop and laptop computers.

  • Expect to see new PCs out with the release of Windows 8.1 in October. The update is designed to address some of the frustrations people have had with last year’s Windows 8. Among other things, the new version will make it easier to bypass Windows’ tile-based interface and use a desktop mode that’s more familiar to long-time Windows users.
  • Apple is also coming out with a Mac Pro computer for high-end, professional users. It’s notable in that it will be assembled in the United States, rather than in Asia. Apple also may refresh its popular line of MacBook Pro laptops.
  • Avid readers will have at least two major e-book readers to choose from: an updated Kindle Paperwhite device from Amazon (starts at $119) and the Aura from Kobo ($150). Both start selling this month. Many people prefer tablets because they do more, but those who only want to read digital books, e-readers are a good choice.

People will also have choices when it comes to standalone devices for watching TVs and movies.

Apple, Roku Inc and other companies have devices for streaming video from Netflix and other services on big-screen TVs. An updated Apple TV is possible this autumn.

Read: After much speculation, Samsung finally unveils smartwatch>

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61 Comments
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    Mute Brian Farrell
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:28 PM

    Apple just unveiled a panicked man with no new ideas

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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:35 PM

    Is there a panic button on the IPhone

    18
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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:43 AM

    “IT’S STILL OFFICIALLY summer”
    … Sept 14th

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    Mute Steve Monk
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:54 PM

    It’s officially summer until September 21st.

    13
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    Mute Noel Sheedy
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:38 AM

    And all ye sheep are going to run out and buy em, yet complain about having no money because of the goverment… Doesnt add up

    59
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    Mute Frank Buffalo
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:41 AM

    You don’t add up.

    93
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    Mute Brian Costigan
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:15 PM

    Sent from my smart phone.

    33
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    Mute Nydon
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:03 PM

    Shhhh.
    If it wasn’t for all the tech junkie early adopters and self esteem purchasing trend chasers, tech would be a lot more expensive for those of us who buy when the increasing need line meets the reducing bug line.

    9
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 6:57 PM

    I think its people right to have a say in what they do with THEIR money Noel. Should we just hand over everything we earn and get some food stamps back.
    God forbid we should give a shit where our money goes we have smart phones sure what more do we want …..

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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:44 AM

    Trickle feeding us technology, just imagin how far advanced we would be only for the stock market’s.

    58
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    Mute margaret
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:07 PM

    That’s a chicken and egg thing. The stock market provides the motivation to innovate. The innovations then have to be drip fed to not saturate the market so as not to depress prices so lowering incentive….

    19
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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:20 PM

    “Trickle feeding us technology, just imagin how far advanced we would be”

    A monkey with a smartphone is still a monkey

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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:42 PM

    Enjoy your smart phone bud! There are some of us out there who can see beyond the end of our noses!

    6
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:44 PM

    I’m glad you took the time to prove my point.

    4
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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:50 PM

    Have a banana Tim :-)

    15
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:00 PM

    Are you sure you can spare one?

    4
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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Not this week, the stock markets are only drip feeding them on to the market creating demand to maintain their value.
    I’ll pick up a few extra later when I go to Aldi.

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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:56 PM

    Tell you what I’ll get my own, you just wouldn’t know where you keep yours! They might be warm.

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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:12 PM

    No I keep them in the fridge along with your sense of humour :-)

    15
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:26 PM

    Ok if you were only kidding, my point is valid though, the one about the technology not the bananas :-)

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    Mute Peace for All
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:50 PM
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:57 PM

    What ever next? Touche.

    4
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    Mute Wynnner
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:22 PM

    I hate the negative press the Windows 8 gets, personally I love it the kids have no problem with it they are more adaptable to change where as older users just have hisses over the start key missing

    26
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    Mute brains for rocks
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:30 PM

    It may be great for first time users and kidding particular at it has really simplified the UI. For long time Windows users it is extremely frustrating to navigate around.

    12
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    Mute Ian McPartland
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:34 PM

    Stop being puppets to bill Gates and try linux …. forget itunes and try spotify on your phone for free…
    Sent from my ice cream sandwich

    24
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    Mute Sergé
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:03 PM

    Spotify is a rip-off for the artists. They get 0.000001 euro or something ridiculous per song streamed.

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    Mute Shane Griffin
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:06 PM

    It’s still more than the amount they get when people download it illegally.

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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:29 PM

    So who cares

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    Mute Oliver Flood
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    Sep 15th 2013, 10:43 AM

    Sandwich that you can send a comment from – cool!!

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    Mute Daniel Wilson
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    Sep 15th 2013, 12:19 PM

    Serge don’t talk utter shite. Spotify pays record publishers (EMI, Sony etc.) annual fees to have that music available for streaming. It supports the industry because that revenue drives publishers to invest in different music, and musicians get a cut themselves.

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    Mute frank mullen
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:12 PM

    Windows 8 proof that consumers will buy any crap going !!

    17
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    Mute See My Vest
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:02 PM

    I was firmly against Win8 until my laptop died and I had to buy a new one. Once i got used to the less than user friendly system i quite like it. The charms menu is a nice touch

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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:20 PM

    I’ve a feeling that support and updates are going to be discontinued for the iPhone 4 a lot sooner than was the case for the 3S.

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    Mute Peter Richardson
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:42 AM

    Hooked on credit to buy shiny new baubles might go part of the way to explain it.

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    Mute Gary Mason™
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    Sep 14th 2013, 5:06 PM

    The gold iPhone will make it easier to spot an idiot anyway

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    Mute poundhead
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    Sep 14th 2013, 7:47 PM

    Yep, like an “only god can judge me” tattoo.

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    Mute Kenneth Bambrick
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:42 AM

    Any prices for 5S or 5C in Ireland?

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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:48 AM

    The price of looking like an idiot if you buy a 5c, a worse antenna and a worse battery life for the same price as an iPhone 5(which is being taken off the market)

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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:52 AM

    Excellent comeback. I Salute you sir! :)

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    Mute Brian Costigan
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:18 PM

    The iPhone 5 is not been taken off the market. The only iPhone that is being discontinued is the iPhone 4. Apple will now only be offering the iPhone 4s in an 8gb model, then the 5 and so on…

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    Mute Paul Nolan
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:33 PM
    3
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    Mute Debi-Nikita Rathbone-Rentzke
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:29 PM

    Nothing compares to a book whose pages you can turn.

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    Mute Nydon
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:16 PM

    Well a book whose pages you can’t turn certainly wouldn’t.

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:46 PM

    At least the keyboard keys don’t stick like the pages of a magazine

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    Mute Pharmyco
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:57 PM

    Some of us read books because we want to read the story and not because we’re paper pulp fetishists. For me, ebooks are much more convenient than dead tree books.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Sep 14th 2013, 7:02 PM

    I was of that opinion untill I got a kindle, you’ll never turn back ;)

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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:33 PM

    Whats the point of prices in dollars ?

    6
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    Mute See My Vest
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:04 PM

    It’s an American article. The PS4 is out here November 29. Not November 15 as that’s the U.S. release date.

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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:36 PM

    Whats the point in the article then we don’t live i. Good old USA

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    Mute Cillian Buckley
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:46 PM

    New android system sponsored by nestle

    4
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    Mute Frank Buffalo
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Wrong.

    2
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    Mute Edward White
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    Sep 14th 2013, 12:50 PM

    What exactly does this latest piece of over-hyped, over-priced, gizmo got that the 4S or 5 doesn’t? Absolutely dada IMHO! Nope, I got that wrong, the 5S – S which presumably stands for “same” as the 5 – has finger-print recognition technology. There you go, that’s worth 600 lids, is it not?

    4
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    Mute Edward Malone
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:40 PM

    Apple and co are locked into a release cycle their forecasting and whole business depends on releasing a new phone every x months.
    This means dev teams sit around thinking of what they can add to release which usually means 1) upgrade CPU 2) better screen and 3) some novel thing.
    If they gave us the latest and greatest they wouldn’t be able to release a new phone for years and go bust.

    1
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    Mute Stacks
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:45 PM

    What has the 5s got? An incremental increase in capability and features over previous editions. Surely you are familiar with this process from other consumer goods (cars, coffee makers etc.)? It shouldn’t be that surprising a concept.

    5
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    Mute Tom Lewis
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:27 PM

    x who’s going to buy the x box 1 when they are going to charge you to play 2nd hand games on it. Microsoft you just shot j in the foot on this one

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    Mute Ian Murphy
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    Sep 14th 2013, 3:46 PM

    Sorry but they reversed that decision on DRM ages ago after the public backlash.

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    Mute Pharmyco
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    Sep 14th 2013, 6:00 PM

    The Xbone comes with an NSA spy camera (kinect) connected to an always on Internet connection. What could possibly go wrong?

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    Mute Rowan Murphy
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    Sep 14th 2013, 4:42 PM

    I’m waiting for the Galaxy Note 3 to come out, then I can get the Note 2 at a reduced price. I want to upgrade to this from the Galaxy S2 for the stylus feature. Instead of browsing on my free time, I can get back to sketching. From what I’ve read there isn’t much difference between the two to warrant getting the more expensive, newer version.

    1
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    Mute Fergal Barry
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    Sep 14th 2013, 1:20 PM

    What have Roku Inc released!?? I see Samsung bought Boxee a few months back so I’m eagerly awaiting their next gen of Smart TV, if only to drool over as crazy prices.

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    Mute Johnny Beggan
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    Sep 14th 2013, 2:54 PM

    Doin’ me head in!

    1
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    Mute Dr. Stock
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    Sep 16th 2013, 1:19 PM

    Do you want to value the stock price of Samsung or Apple?
    I advice you to check http://sharevaluecalculator.com

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