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Apple is reportedly planning big changes in the way it handles warranties and repairs through AppleCare, according to details leaked from an employee briefing last week.

AppleInsider brings word Apple will soon be moving to a single subscription model, which would cover all of the customer’s Apple devices, replacing or sitting alongside the current one-warranty-per-device system.

Under the proposed system, Apple would offer exclusive 24/7 support for customers, while extending the option for One to One in-store training, to other devices beyond the purchase of Mac computers.

The changes, which may arrive this autumn in the US, before a worldwide roll-out, would also extend free after-purchase phone support, which currently stands at 90 days after purchase, for at least a year.

No more easy iPhone swaps?

Another intriguing item to leak from the Town Hall-style were purported plans for the company to fix more iPhones in Apple Store locations rather than replace them.

Currently iPhone users can return their busted handsets to the Apple Store and usually receive a straight swap for a device in similar condition.

Currently, technicians at Apple Stores can replace speakers, receivers, home buttons, the vibrator motor and the iPhone’s battery. From this summer cameras, sleep/wake buttons and logic boards will also be replaced in-store.

The Apple employee who leaked the info to AppleInsider said: "The biggest announcement, was the way repairs for iPhones will be handled soon.

"The way it is now, if almost anything is wrong with an iPhone, iPod, or iPad, the entire device is exchanged for a like-new re manufactured (sic) device, whether brought into an apple store or sent in for mail in repair. Now we are starting to actually repair the products and return the same device to the customer."

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

The Nokia Lumia 928, reported to be the company’s next top shelf Windows Phone device has emerged in purported press shots leaked online.

The device, which is rumoured to be a thinner and lighter version of the Nokia Lumia 920 device, has appeared thanks to serial tech leak artist @evleaks.

The handset is branded with the Verizon Wireless US network, which suggests it’ll be a counter to the Nokia Lumia 920, which is an AT&T exclusive in the country.

Previous rumours had suggested the device will launch on Verizon in April, but what isn’t clear is whether Nokia will bestow the device upon Windows Phone fans in other territories.

Similar internals

Previous speculation had suggested that the Lumia 928 will bring a xenon flash to complement the 8-megapixel PureView camera.

Other internal features are expected to remain the same as the Lumia 920, while initial reports that the device would tout an aluminium body were soon rebuked.

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

Today Samsung uncovered its latest rugged smartphone with the Galaxy Xcover 2.

A follow-up to last year’s Galaxy Xcover, the Galaxy Xcover 2 is built for the outdoors with a dust and sand proof case. The battery cover also has a lock mechanism to prevent it from popping off when dropped.

The case is water resistant up to one meter, which goes along with the 5-megapixel camera that can now operate underwater.

The Galaxy Xcover 2 also has a GPS enhanced with a global navigation satellite system which Samsung claims offers 20 percent more accurate location tracking.

Samsung’s tough new smartphone

While the Galaxy Xcover 2 is well-equipped for the elements on the outside, the inside is a fairly standard mid-range handset with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

The 4-inch WVGA display is covered in Gorilla Glass for added protection, packing inside a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of memory that can be expanded with a microSD card by up to 32GB.

The rear 5-megapixel camera also has an LED flash, which can double as a flashlight, while the front of the smartphone also has a VGA camera.

Most of the Galaxy Xcover 2′s specs were revealed earlier this month through Samsung’s leaked 2013 mobile roadmap, which also let us know that Samsung plans to launch the rugged smartphone in February.

Today’s announcement didn’t elaborate on those launch plans, but with MWC 2013 around the corner this likely won’t be the last heard from the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2.

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

The long awaited debut of handsets running BlackBerry 10 OS is just three weeks away, and Research in Motion claims they’ll be leaving no stone unturned when it comes to pricing.

PhoneArena reported Tuesday that BlackBerry maker Research in Motion plans to cover the entire spectrum of consumers’ wallets with its latest wave of devices – including low, middle and high price tags.

RIM Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben was on hand at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week talking up the company’s new BlackBerry 10 devices, which RIM will introduce on January 30.

BlackBerry lovers may have to be patient, however: Out of the gate, RIM is expected to only debut two new models, with others to come in the months ahead.

No exclusives

The new models are rumored to be the previously leaked BlackBerry Z10, a full touchscreen handset, and BlackBerry X10, which features RIM’s popular – and more traditional – QWERTY keyboard.

"We intend over time as we transition the portfolio to have a full range of devices," the RIM CMO told PhoneArena at CES 2013.

Boulben claims RIM will introduce at least six BlackBerry 10 models in 2013 which are currently being tested around the world by 150 carriers, none of whom will have an exclusive on the handsets in any region.

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

The long awaited debut of handsets running BlackBerry 10 OS is just three weeks away, and Research in Motion claims they’ll be leaving no stone unturned when it comes to pricing.

PhoneArena reported Tuesday that BlackBerry maker Research in Motion plans to cover the entire spectrum of consumers’ wallets with its latest wave of devices – including low, middle and high price tags.

RIM Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben was on hand at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week talking up the company’s new BlackBerry 10 devices, which RIM will introduce on January 30.

BlackBerry lovers may have to be patient, however: Out of the gate, RIM is expected to only debut two new models, with others to come in the months ahead.

No exclusives

The new models are rumored to be the previously leaked BlackBerry Z10, a full touchscreen handset, and BlackBerry X10, which features RIM’s popular – and more traditional – QWERTY keyboard.

"We intend over time as we transition the portfolio to have a full range of devices," the RIM CMO told PhoneArena at CES 2013.

Boulben claims RIM will introduce at least six BlackBerry 10 models in 2013 which are currently being tested around the world by 150 carriers, none of whom will have an exclusive on the handsets in any region.

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

The long awaited debut of handsets running BlackBerry 10 OS is just three weeks away, and Research in Motion claims they’ll be leaving no stone unturned when it comes to pricing.

PhoneArena reported Tuesday that BlackBerry maker Research in Motion plans to cover the entire spectrum of consumers’ wallets with its latest wave of devices – including low, middle and high price tags.

RIM Chief Marketing Officer Frank Boulben was on hand at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week talking up the company’s new BlackBerry 10 devices, which RIM will introduce on January 30.

BlackBerry lovers may have to be patient, however: Out of the gate, RIM is expected to only debut two new models, with others to come in the months ahead.

No exclusives

The new models are rumored to be the previously leaked BlackBerry Z10, a full touchscreen handset, and BlackBerry X10, which features RIM’s popular – and more traditional – QWERTY keyboard.

"We intend over time as we transition the portfolio to have a full range of devices," the RIM CMO told PhoneArena at CES 2013.

Boulben claims RIM will introduce at least six BlackBerry 10 models in 2013 which are currently being tested around the world by 150 carriers, none of whom will have an exclusive on the handsets in any region.

View more at TechRadar: All latest Mobile phones news feeds

Sharon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 10.1N P7500 P7510 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5100 Aluminium Case | Cover | Stand with Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard
by Sharon
(31)

Buy new: £35.99 £32.99
2 used & new from £30.99

(Visit the Bestsellers in SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

View more at Amazon.co.uk: Bestsellers in Electronics > Phones > Mobile Phones & Communication > SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones

Sharon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 10.1N P7500 P7510 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5100 Aluminium Case | Cover | Stand with Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard
by Sharon
(29)

Buy new: £35.99 £32.99
2 used & new from £30.99

(Visit the Bestsellers in SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

View more at Amazon.co.uk: Bestsellers in Electronics > Phones > Mobile Phones & Communication > SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones

Sharon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 10.1N P7500 P7510 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5100 Aluminium Case | Cover | Stand with Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard
by Sharon
(29)

Buy new: £35.99 £32.99
2 used & new from £30.99

(Visit the Bestsellers in SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

View more at Amazon.co.uk: Bestsellers in Electronics > Phones > Mobile Phones & Communication > SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones

Sharon Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 10.1N P7500 P7510 Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5100 Aluminium Case | Cover | Stand with Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard
by Sharon
(29)

Buy new: £35.99 £32.99
2 used & new from £30.99

(Visit the Bestsellers in SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.)

View more at Amazon.co.uk: Bestsellers in Electronics > Phones > Mobile Phones & Communication > SIM-free Mobile Phones & Smartphones