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Samsung moves beyond plastic with the Galaxy Alpha, a 4.7-inch smartphone with a metal chassis

Aug13
by on August 13, 2014 at 8:42 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Gadgets, Insider, Product Launches

GalaxyAlphaMultiFeat

Samsung has today announced a new handset for its burgeoning ranks of smartphone devices, and this time it has dropped the plastic chassis approach to include a metal frame. Key specs of the device include a 4.7-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) display, an Octa Core processor (a pairing of two 1.8Ghz and 1.5GHz Quad Core processors) and a 12-megapixel camera on the rear. There’s also 32GB of internal storage on board, but no microSD expansion slot, which could perhaps be a little disappointing. Clearly looking to revamp the appearance of its Galaxy line somewhat – the company has come under fire in…

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Amazon takes on Square with Local Register, a mobile card reader with lower transaction fees

Aug13
by on August 13, 2014 at 8:27 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

amazon

Recent reports speculating that Amazon would jump into mobile payments have proven correct, after details of Amazon Local Register — the company’s take on Square and PayPal’s card readers — surfaced online. The device is shown in an Amazon YouTube video — first spotted by Engadget — while there’s a dedicated section on Amazon.com. The company hasn’t officially announced the product, but all the important details are out there in full public view. Update: the company just announced it officially. Amazon’s service charges just 1.75 percent on each swipe which undercuts rivals Square (2.75 percent) and PayPal Here (2.7 percent), although that is an “introductory…

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a couple of laughzillas on a blue diamond background

Don’t like Instagram’s icon? This app lets you change it and any others on your phone.

Aug13
by on August 13, 2014 at 7:10 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Asia, change app icons, customize app icons

app icons

You can customize the outside of your phone, so why not the software that runs on it too? That’s the premise of Cocoppa, a service that lets you tweak the icons, look and feel of an Android or iOS device to your heart’s desire. The company has racked up an impressive 25 million downloads to date. That interest has largely stemmed from its native Japan, but it is increasingly finding popularity in the US, where it intends to increase its focus. So how does it work? Cocoppa provides alternative app icons, wallpapers and home screens for its users. It includes content licensed…

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