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Fossil & Intel show off upcoming round Android Wear smartwatch

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Watchmaker Fossil is about to launch a new Android Wear-powered smartwatch in collaboration with Intel and today we get our first look at the device during Intel’s IDF developer conference in San Francisco (via Engadget).

The Android Wear smartwatch, which is scheduled to arrive later this year, comes alongside two other wearables from the companies including other wrist worn devices — a bracelet and a more traditional-looking, connected watch that aren’t powered by Android Wear.

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It’s not exactly much to look at, as it appears to have a design a lot like the rest of the round Android Wear devices on the market. But apart from looking a lot like a Moto 360, we do get a sneak peek at some variations planned for the device including a selection of metal and leather bands.

No word on pricing or exact availability, but you can expect to hear more in time for the holidays later this year.

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Hands-on clip gives detailed look at upcoming Samsung Galaxy A3 (Video)

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A new clip has emerged on the internet showing off one of Samsung’s upcoming handsets, namely the Galaxy A3. This device is one of a pair—the other being the A5—that were announced by the Korean company earlier this year, filling a gap in the company’s lineup with some mid- to low-range thin and metal-clad handsets.


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Standalone Moto 360 leather and metal bands now available for $29.99/$79.99

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Motorola announced earlier this month that it would soon begin to offer interchangeable leather and metal bands for the Moto 360, and today, those accessories have gone up for sale. A standalone leather band for the Moto 360 runs $29.99 and is available in either cognac (brown), stone, or black.  Metal bands cost $79.99 and are available in light and dark finishes.


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Report: Samsung will follow metal Galaxy Alpha w/ more high-end A series smartphones

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According to a new report from the often reliable SamMobile blog, Samsung is about to follow up its recently introduced Galaxy Alpha smartphone with more high-end devices under the “A series” family. The report points to evidence that the Galaxy Alpha, which received much attention for its metal body and high-end specs, is just the first device with three more on the way soon:
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Samsung hints at upcoming smartphones including one w/ “new materials”

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During its earnings call with investors where Samsung announced a 31 percent drop for its profits in its mobile division, the company also slipped in a small announcement about upcoming smartphones to reassure investors going into the next quarter. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, Samsung executive Kim Hyun-Joon told investors that the company would launch a new model with a large screen and another that will be made with “new materials.”
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Drop test: Which is tougher, Apple’s iPhone 4S or Samsung’s Galaxy S II?

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The iPhone 4’s design was heavily criticized over the use of chemically strengthened glass for its enclosure. The pundits typically highlight a zero percent probability of the device landing on the “right” side in an unfortunate event of slipping out of your sweaty hands onto the pavement. Whichever way you look at it, both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S have questionable droppability compared to other handsets using chassis engineered around the usual metal + plastic combo.

The folks over at SquareTrade took an iPhone 4S for a spin and pitted it against Samsung’s Galaxy S II to see which one survives a waist high and shoulder high drop. As you can see in the above clip, Apple’s latest and greatest handset was pretty badly damaged from the outside, just like its predecessor. It did, however, fare pretty well landing on its stainless steel band. Dropped face down, however, the iPhone 4S’s screen completely shattered. Samsung’s device didn’t suffer nearly as much damage (note that being light weight is probably a factor).

In addition, the plastic back on the Samsung device has gotta be more prone to surviving the shock of a sudden impact compared to glass. By the way, if you’re concerned about your iPhone’s droppability, head over to 9to5Toys and get yourself a great case. SquareTrade is an independent warranty provider cover nearly everything – excluding, of course, intentional damage shown in the clip. Hop over to their web site for more information.

Daring Fireball’s John Gruber summed up nicely the problem with the iPhone 4’s easily breakable all-glass design. For those who don’t recall Gruber’s comment, here’s a thought he shared shortly after the device had gone on sale in the summer of 2010:


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