A new patent awarded to Apple this week has paved the way for a truly revolutionary new iPhone design, which could eventually see the device’s touchscreen stretch around the sides and the back.

Apple has been awarded a patent, which if brought to fruition could see the iPhone 7 being produced using fused glass sheets. Having initially applied for the patent back in 2012, its awarding this week paves the way for a revolutionary new approach to iDevice design.

The technology involves the creation of what would essentially be a seam-free device shell made purely from fused glass and with exceptional strength and durability. Or in other words, it would be a little like turning the entire outer-case of an iPhone or iPad into one seamless touchscreen, stretching around the sides and the back of the device.

Images and content in general would therefore be displayed across every inch of the device, effectively doubling the touchscreen real-estate developers would have to play with. Exactly how practical or necessary it would be to have a device that’s essentially one gigantic touchscreen remains debatable, but it’s inevitable that such a bold step away from convention would mean another huge hit for Apple.

After initially insisting that it would be up to the passengers themselves to pay for uncharged mobile devices to be posted to their final destinations, Virgin Atlantic and BA have agreed to pay for all such shipments made.

There’s (slightly) good news for air travellers today who might be worries about having their devices confiscated prior to flying in or out of the US. Assuming you’re travelling with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways at least, the two airlines have confirmed that when and where unchanged gadgets are denied entry to any given aircraft, they themselves will pay to have them sent on to the passenger’s destination.

Or in other words, it won’t be the passengers that foot the bill.

The new restrictions were first implemented on selected transatlantic routes over the weekend, insisting that all electric devices must be charged and ready for demonstration in order to be allowed on an aircraft. However, the measures have now been extended to cover most of the UK and thousands more weekly routes.

US and UK authorities implemented the heightened security checks following intelligence that terrorists were close to readying a bomb that could be disguised as a mobile phone and would not set off any standard security alarms.

Though understanding of how essential the new measures were and are for safety, passengers lashed out at Virgin Airlines for initially insisting it would be up to travellers to pay for any uncharged devices to be sent on. This has now been overturned and it will in fact be the airline that pays for postage.

“We have in place a range of options if customers are not able to comply, when requested, with the new regulations,” said a spokesman for BA.

“Customers can ask to be rebooked on to a later service. If you wish to carry on the item as part of your hand luggage, you will need to ensure that the device can be charged ahead of your rebooked flight,”

“Alternatively, customers can leave the device behind and hand it to a member of our customer service team. You will be asked to complete a form and the item can be collected on your return to Heathrow or forwarded to an address of your choice.”

It’s been suggested that the next HTC flagship Smartphone could have a serious one-up on its rivals by shipping with the latest version of Google’s mobile OS right out of the box – Android L.

The only thing more exciting than talk of the HTC One M8 Prime is talk of the same device launching with Android L right out of the box.

When the M8 launched just a few months ago, you’d never have believed its successor would be on the cards so soon. But here we are in July and with sales waning by the day, HTC needs to churn out something big in order to remain afloat…and soon.

Which is of course where the M8 Prime comes into the equation, which despite having not been confirmed by HTC has still managed to leak its way out of the woodwork enough times to give us all a good idea of what to expect. The latest example to date adds a rather delightful cherry to the already sweet cake, having suggested that the new HTC flagship could ship with Android L, Google’s as-yet unreleased OS.

In order to fend off the likes of the Samsung Galaxy F and the LG G3, the next M8 will have to bring some serious firepower to the table. In terms of core hardware, the general consensus seems to point toward a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage space and a 5.2-inch QHD touchscreen. It all makes for pretty similar reading to the spec-sheets of its rivals, but should the M8 Prime have been earmarked for a November launch as suggested, it could well tip the balance in its favor by beating the pack to Android L.

No word from HTC on the status or existence of the M8 Prime as of yet – we’ll be keeping our ears to the ground for more.

The iPhone 6 looks set to be the first of Apple’s recent iDevices not to feature processors made by Samsung – an historic turning point in the relationship between the two tech leaders.

It seems that year after year of petty courtroom battles have really taken a toll on the tempestuous friendship between Apple and Samsung. If new reports are to be believed, the iPhone 6 will represent a huge turning point in the pair’s business relationship as the first iDevice in some time not to feature chips manufactured by Samsung.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has turned exclusively to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for all 20-nanometer processor orders for its upcoming Smartphone. One of the key motivators behind the switch is said to be that of minimizing productions costs, though it’s unlikely this will filter through in the form of cheaper iPhones and iPads for end-consumers.

It has also been reported that Apple is working closely with TSMC on a project to create and ready next-generation 16-nanometer chips, which could come to large-scale fruition as early as 2015.

The WSJ states that the two companies have been hammering out the new deal for over 18 months now, though it remains the iPhone 6’s production that marks the most pivotal turning point. As soon as the deal is finalized and put into practice, Samsung’s fingerprints will no longer find their ways onto iDevice processors.

Of course, Apple still relies on its South Korean rival to produce screens for its most popular devices, though appears to be making decisive efforts to reduce its dependence on Samsung.

Despite having been universally panned for ignoring calls for a metallic case with the Galaxy S5 Smartphone, rumor has it the new flagship Galaxy F will once again carry Samsung’s trademark polycarbonate back-plate.

There’s been another online sighting of the Samsung Galaxy F this weekend, adding credence to ongoing rumors of a late-summer or early-fall launch. It’s probably fair to say at this stage that the S5 is pretty much yesterday’s news and isn’t set for a particularly strong Q3 – the time is ripe for something to come along and take its place.

For Samsung to release more than one Galaxy flagship in the space of a single year is largely unheard of. However, it appears that this time around the South Korean firm has decided to take a leaf from Sony’s book – Sony having gone on something of a flagship-frenzy over recent years.

And with new-generation rivals like the LG G3 and the soon-to-be HTC One M8 Prime doing the rounds, Samsung has little choice but to up its game.

Which is where the Galaxy F comes into the equation – the device that will apparently close the curtain on the Galaxy S Smartphone range and usher in a new era of excellence. The latest snapshot of the device tells us little that we didn’t already know or couldn’t have guessed, but it’s still comforting to see the thing in the flesh…or so we’re told.

With slimmer bezels and a stunning QHD touchscreen – meaning 1440 x 2560 pixels – the Galaxy F has all the makings of a true game-changer. We’re told to expect a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU under the hood mated to 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage space as standard and maybe…just maybe…Android L right out of the box. There will also be a 16-megapixel camera to the rear and top-notch dust and water-proofing, just to keep the thing safe and sound.

However, there’s one rather painful problem with the latest supposed leak depicting the Galaxy F, which concerns Samsung’s choice of materials. Nothing’s confirmed of course, but if they do indeed go ahead with a removable plastic rear-case as suggested, Samsung will be torn a new one by critics and consumers alike. The decidedly less-than fantastic plastic coating of the Galaxy S5 proved to be its downfall in many eyes and even led to some high-profile firings within the ranks.

We’d say they can’t possibly make the same mistake twice, though in this instance it’s be more like making the same mistake for a third, fourth or fifth time.

Say it ain’t so!

Reports are once again doing the rounds that the upcoming fourth-generation Samsung Galaxy Note could feature 4K Ultra-HD resolution and ship with a three-sided touchscreen.

There’s a rumor doing the rounds which despite being rather far-fetched and ambitious to say the least simple will not give up and play dead:

Is it really possible we’ll be seeing a 4K Samsung Galaxy Note 4 by the end of Q3?

Expectations are always high ahead of a new flagship device launch, but in the case of the fourth-generation Note things seem to have a gone completely over the edge. Not that Samsung for one wouldn’t be capable of measuring up to the mark, but when you take a look at what’s being toted for the new Phablet, it all seems a bit too good to be true.

For example, recent reports from the Korea Times bravely suggest that there will be two different versions of the Note 4 with two different screens. The standard version will feature a conventional flat screen of 5.7-inches, while a second variant released in selected markets only will feature a three-sided YOUM touchscreen.

What’s more, the use of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon CPU or Samsung’s own octa-core chipset will allow for full 4K Ultra-HD visuals on both variants. Samsung is yet to confirm whether or not it has any intention of taking things to such a high level, though did at least tip a ‘new form factor’ for the device when interviewed later this year.

Now, critics have panned the rumor outright for reasons of simple common sense – they just don’t see Samsung skipping the 2K touchscreen standard and diving straight into 4K. However, it’s worth remembering that there’s also talk of a 2K QHD Samsung Galaxy F in the pipeline for a mid-summer launch, which would in many ways pave the way perfectly for a 4K Phablet.

Other than this it’s all the usual evolutionary upgrades – a better camera, better water-proofing and (hopefully) a better choice of materials for the outer-casing.

Chances are the above recipe will add up to one serious investment price – it’s unlikely a 4K Note 4 would retail for any less than $400 with a two-year contract or getting on for $1,000 SIM-free.

Would you be willing to pay so much for the new Note?

A mysterious device has appeared in an as-yet unverified video leak, which some claim could to be the Moto X+1 by Motorola running Android L.

A device that could well prove to be the unannounced Moto X+1 running Android L has appeared in a newly leaked video. Despite being several months from its official launch…at least in a public sense…sightings of Google’s next-generation build of Android are being reported from all over the global tech community.

In this instance, the video depicts a 1080p handset running Android L, which even the guy responsible for the clip cannot put a name to.

“Maybe it’s a test device,” said the tipster.

He does however confirm that it’s definitely a device with a screen size larger than 5-inches.

“I can tell you it’s a lot bigger than the Moto X, and I can tell you it’s bigger than the Nexus 5,” he adds.

Following the release of a video demonstrating just how resilient the iPhone 6’s sapphire screen might be, a leading expert has stated that both the panel and the clip could in fact be authentic.

So chances are that by now you’ll have seen that video of the alleged iPhone 6 screen being stabbed to hell and back with a sharp knife right? Well just in case you haven’t, the video’s below the article so go take a look.

Anyway, the latest twist on the tale comes from a British newspaper, which after speaking to a leading expert on exactly such materials is now 100% convinced that the video and the component it features are in fact genuine.

“I think Apple have been quite cunning,” said Professor Neil Alford, a materials expert at Imperial College London when contacted by The Guardian.

“What I think they’ve done is make a screen out of sapphire, which is incredibly scratch resistant, incredibly hard and has a high elastic modulus – meaning it’s very stiff,”

“In my opinion the screen being shown off in the video could well be a sapphire screen. If you make sapphire thin enough, and it’s flaw free, you can bend it quite considerably because it has an enormous strength.”

The technology itself already appears on Apple’s highest-end devices as covers for both the Touch ID fingerprint scanner and the camera’s lens. However, this would represent the first time sapphire glass had been used to cover an entire touchscreen.

According to Mr. Alford, Apple has been planning to exactly as such for quite some time now.

“I remember the Apple folk coming to speak to me about 18 months ago to discuss sapphire screens,” he added.

“They’ve obviously been busy since then, working with a sapphire manufacturer.”

Alford explained that sapphire has been used in large quantities in electronic components for years,”

“It’s not a surprising thing to do, but it’s quite a large area they’re producing and that’s really quite a challenge. I’m pretty impressed with that, actually.”

Apple is yet to pass comment in its iPhone 6, which is expected to launch in the early fall.