Will Apple Replace Google for Search On iPhones Next Year?

A big fight behind the scenes over your iPhone. Theinformation.com says Apple’s deal with Google is up next year, and Yahoo and Microsoft are scrapping to become the default search engine. Siri already relies on Bing for its (or her) search results!

Would you like to get $550 trade-in for your iPhone? Blackberry is offering up to that amount to switch to a Blackberry Passport. Thenextweb.com reports it varies by model, and $150 of it is on a Visa prepaid card, from December through next February.

The Gear VR virtual reality visor is just a start, and more joint Oculus and Samsung products are coming. Cnet.com says that’s according to Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe.He declined to be specific, except to hint about ‘storytelling.’


MS Office Mobile Gets Dropbox

Microsoft just announced partnering with Dropbox 2 weeks ago, and an update out today of Office Mobile on Android incorporates Dropbox as a storage option. Thenextweb.com says you can also create links to share OneDrive documents within the app.

Sapphire screens on iPhones aren’t here, but Corning has just rolled out Gorilla Glass 4. Theverge.com reports that this newest version survives drops of 3 feet 80 % of the time. Clarity is the same as on Version 3.

If you’re particularly concerned about governments spying on you, check out Detekt. [That’s D-e-t-e-k-t.]Cnet.com says the free open source software launched by Amnesty scans your computers for surveillance software.


New Microsoft Smartphone Reveal in Days

Microsoft will show it’s first non-Nokia Lumia smartphone next week. Venturebeat.com says it will be unveiled on the 11th, have a 5 inch screen, and come in 7 different colors.

Meanwhile, Samsung is reportedly working on a mysterious new smartphone family. After taking drubbing from Apple, bgr.com has also heard that the Galaxy S6…or Project Zero…is not an improved S5, but being designed from scratch.

You can reach out to doctors and lawyers online, now Talkspace lets you text your issues to to a therapist for $25 a week. Thenextweb.com says if you pay monthly, you get unlimited texts for that price. The app is less pricey, and more discreet than in person therapy.


That Nicer Apple Watch Will Be Pricey

If you really want an Apple watch, start saving pennies now…macrumors.com says the stainless steel model may be $500, and the gold version over 4 grand. Senior VP of Retail and Online Stores Angela Ahrendts says expect them in the spring.

Google Wallet has gotten a nice boost from all the buzz about Apple Pay. 9to5google.com reports that users have now doubled, and payments have grown by 50% since Apple Pay was introduced.

Dell’s just showed it’s updated Venue Pro 11 tablet, and engadget.com says it’s thinner and lighter than Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet! The Venue pro 11 has a 10.8 inch screen and starts at $699.


Outlook for Mac Gets an Update

Microsoft has put a fresh face on Outlook for Mac. 9to5mac.com says an updated version of Office is coming in 2015. Microsoft claims the latest Outlook gives users a more consistent experience with the iPhone and iPad versions.

The next iteration of Amazon’s Fire phone will be less expensive. Amazon has admitted they considerably overpriced the present model. Gigaom.com reports that future Fire phones will have better software and a lower price, much like Amazon has done with Kindles.

Sprint is expanding its smartphone lease program. Cnet.com says in addition to Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, you can now rent Samsung Galaxy S5 and S5 sport models. The lease is $20 a month for 24 months, then you buy or pick a new phone.


Microsoft’s New Wearable

Microsoft Band is a new fitness focused wearable. Thenextweb.com says its $199, and tracks users’ heart rate, steps taken, sun exposure, stress levels, calories burned and sleep quality, relaying the data to Microsoft Health.

As for Android Wear devices…don’t look for them to be iOS or Mac compatable this year. 9to5mac.com reports a Google project manager, speaking at a media event, confirmed no Android wearables will talk to iOS or Macs by this Christmas.

Skype for iPhone has been updated. It now saves and deletes photos, and according to venturebeat.com has improved chat load times, and has easier to use filter options. It’s available at the App store now.


Microsoft Smartwatch Out Soon, Will Work With Multiple OS’s

According to geekwire.com, Microsoft plans to release it’s own health tracking smart watch in the next few weeks. It will be unique in that it will be able to work not only on Windows, but on iOS and Android. It will also talk with Microsoft’s X Box One.

If you really, really like your books on an e-reader and not a tablet, Amazon has just dropped the Kindle Voyage. Arstechnica.com reports that it’s sharp and crisp, can last 30 days on a charge, but priced from $199 to $289!

Apple is pressing to get Beats Music prices down to $5 a month. 9to5mac.com says Apple wants to keep the Beats Music Service brand, but the pricing matches what the best iTunes customers spend a year on music. No date has been set for the relaunch.


iPhone 6 Getting Conquest Sales from Android

You may have heard Apple sold a record number of iPhone 6’s (10 million since Friday and over the weekend), but here’s something that flew under the radar…bgr.com says that the week the new Apple phones were announced, trade-in site gazelle saw Android trade-ins triple!

Techcrunch.com reports that the Windows 9 preview that was expected for the Microsoft event September 30th may not actually be released now until October. No word on what the holdup is.

The next Google Nexus 9 tablet could be beautiful. Gigaom.com says the 64 bit Android tablet will be made for them by HTC, makers of the gorgeous HTC One (M8). It’s likely to replace the $400 Nexus 10, which has been built by Samsung.


A Preemptive Strike at Apple Watch From LG

Another tech company makes a preemptive strike at the yet to be released Apple Watch. 9to5google.com says LG has cut the price of the G Watch temporarily to $180 at Google Play.

Prime Instant Video from Amazon is now available on Android phones in the US, Britain, and Germany, according to techcrunch.com. You have to update their app, and download their video player to use it, though.

Microsoft has begun quietly replacing some excessively noisy Xbox One systems. Geek.com says this is after months of complaints on their official forums.


iPhone Bargains?

If you don’t have to have the latest and greatest, Walmart has dropped prices on the 16 gig iPhone 5C to 97 cents, and the 5S to $79. 9to5mac.com says it’s only temporary, clearing inventory before the iPhone 6 launches, and is for all carriers but T-Mobile.

Microsoft will hold an event to roll out Windows 9 on September 30th, according to theverge.com. It will replace the widely panned Windows 8, and bring back a mini start menu and remove the Charms bar.

Twitter for iOS has a new feature. Thenextweb.com says you can now watch a video in a mini player window while continuing to scroll through your news feed. It only applies to videos that use Twitter’s in-app video player, though.