For those not in the know (or aren't an Apple iOS developer) then know this, Apple's iOS 7 beta 4 has been released. Apart from the new features and bug fixes, going through the change log confirms a new fingerprint scanner for the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S. This was found by developer Hamza Sood who discovered a folder labeled "BiometricKitUI". This folder contained script which described processes that show a fingerprint scanner in action. This included statements like "a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the Home button with their thumb" or "A fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process". This would be a definite change from the norm as most 'S' upgrades to the Apple iPhone have largely been software and not hardware related.

The upcoming low-cost Apple iPhone formerly known as the Apple iPhone Lite may now be known as the Apple iPhone 5C as recently discovered packaging show the name on the side of the box. While it could very well be another knock-off, the packaging jives with how the Apple iPod touch is being sold with a similar plastic container covered by a transparent top. The Apple iPhone 5C (if that is indeed the real name) will feature plastic backplates with plastic chassis and other plastic parts to help lower the price point. The good thing about this is that it may have various colours to choose from, which could also be what the C in iPhone 5C stands for as in "Colors". According to rumours, the Apple iPhone 5C and Apple iPhone 5S will be announced on 18 September but launched on 27 September 2013.

Smartphone concept renders are often indicators of what the actual smartphone maker would do but these transforming Apple iPhone 6 concept renders by designer Pritesh Chavan is a bit beyond what we're expecting from Apple. Utilising flexible screens that fold out as needed from a 4.2-inch smartphone to a 5.8-inch phablet to a 7.5-inch tablet the concept relies on technology that isn't there just yet. While we agree that it would certainly be cool this would more likely be the Apple iPhone 7 or 8 than next year's Apple iPhone 6. For more information and renders go check out the concept at the designer's site.

We've all seen quite a number of Apple iPhone Lite shots and images. However, they could very well be clever renders by some 3D renderer with too much time on their hands. Recently, the supposedly more affordable Apple iPhone Lite has surfaced in a video showing off that same plastic backplate which could mean 2 things, that the reviewer got a cheap plastic knock-off Apple iPhone backplate somewhere... or it could be that there really will be an Apple iPhone Lite soon. The video also shows the plastic backplate being compared with other Apple products and it shows a remarkable similarity with the Apple iPod. Rather than the Apple iPhone Lite could it instead be the Apple iPod Lite? Check out the video for yourself:

While a whole bunch of Apple iPhone leaked images have appeared, from the plastic Apple iPhone Lite to the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S, this is the first time we've seen the iPhone 5S in gold. Featuring the same aluminum unibody chassis with a metallic gold backplate (and teal green Apple logo and wording) the image leak is shown side by side an existing Apple iPhone (or iPhone 5S) and the supposedly plastic Apple iPhone Lite. Whether or not these are real or just cheap knockoffs can't be ascertained just yet as both the real and fake versions come from China, which is where the leaked image of the gold Apple iPhone 5S comes from as well.

In many ways, the HTC One is a pioneer, innovating upon features that most Android smartphones lack. It was the first premium Android smartphone to offer more than just a plastic casing and paid much more focus to design (almost like the Apple iPhone). It offers features like Full 1080p HD on a 4.7-inch screen, an UltraPixel camera and software features which you won't find on any other smartphone. Is this the smartphone for you though? Read on and find out.

Design / Appearance

Before the HTC One, most Android smartphones all looked the same, were basically made out of plastic and looked downright boring. The HTC One shook things up by taking the same design approach as the Apple iPhone, giving much thought and focus to a new tough metal unibody chassis with a rounded brushed metal back. In making the overall smartphone, HTC designers decided to stick to a zero-gap construction, which makes for a beautiful smartphone with no gaps in between the components. The result is a nearly sealed case apart from the earphone jack and micro-USB port. In short, the HTC One is one of the most beautiful smartphones in the market, even after so many other Android smartphones have followed or tried to follow what it did.

While bits and pieces of the upcoming Apple iPhone 5S have been appearing for quite some time now, new pics of the aluminum unibody chassis and some interesting new tech specs have recently surfaced. The new tech specs for the Apple iPhone 5S include:

• Apple A6 SoC processor (quad-core PowerVR SGX544MP4 GPU)
• 4-inch / 4.3-inch IGZO display (1136 x 640 pixels)
• 2GB RAM
• Supports NFC, fingerprint scanner
• 12MP camera (dual LED flash)

A number of other images have appeared for the Apple iPhone Lite, the rumoured more affordable plastic encased iPhone. This time it appears next to the Apple iPhone 5. While the existance of an Apple iPhone 5 does lend credibility that it is the real thing, it could just as easily be another render or mockup (or a cheap casing knockoff) so take this and the other photos with a big pinch of salt. In any case, if you wait just a little while longer, we'll see if these are pics of the real thing.

Apple really comes up with some interesting patents and one of their more recent patents sounds particularly well suited for devices with small screens, which also sounds particularly well suited for Apple's upcoming iWatch. The patent in question is for a bezel technology that disappears (and becomes touch capable) and reappears (becoming insensitive bezel) when needed. Believe it or not, bezels are quite necessary for most touchscreen devices as they help offer a place to grip, however, for a small touchscreen like on the upcoming iWatch, having a situation where you need a bit more space could come in handy.

About a month or so ago the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper decided to fire all of its 28 professional photographers and provided each of it's reporters with an Apple iPhone. These writers and reporters were instantly "promoted" to photojournalists with the responsibility of taking their own pictures for the stories they were reporting on. They were given a short course on "iPhone photography basics" and let loose.