Zach Epstein

@zacharye zach@bgr.com +Zach Epstein

Zach Epstein has worked in and around the ICT industry for more than a decade, first in marketing and business development with two private telcos, then as a writer and editor covering business, technology and telecommunications. As a writer, Zach’s work has been quoted by countless top news publications and he was recently named one of the world's top-10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Zach is now Executive Editor at BGR, where he guides the editorial team and contributes reports and analyses with an unbiased viewpoint and a widely respected voice.

mobile
May 16, 2013
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Galaxy Note III Specs

Samsung reportedly scraps plans for metal Galaxy Note III, moves back to plastic

By on May 16, 2013 at 11:15 AM.

Samsung reportedly scraps plans for metal Galaxy Note III, moves back to plastic

Earlier reports suggested Samsung might finally ditch its flimsy-feeling plastic for better build quality on its upcoming Galaxy Note III, but a new report suggests those plans have been scrapped. SamMobile says that while Samsung tested Note III designs that included a metal case and even a flexible plastic display, it ended up choosing a design that takes most of its queues from the new Galaxy S4. As such, we can expect a plastic case and a similar shape, though the report notes that the new phablet will also feature a smaller bezel around the display just like the Galaxy S4. Despite the phone’s rumored 6-inch display, it may still be manageable as a result. Samsung’s Galaxy Note III is expected to launch this fall.

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mobile
May 16, 2013
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Exclusive
iPhone 5S Photos Parts

Not just another pretty face: Apple’s iPhone 5S to see big internal overhaul

By on May 16, 2013 at 10:30 AM.

Not just another pretty face: Apple’s iPhone 5S to see big internal overhaul

Apple’s next-generation iPhone 5S is widely expected to feature the same external design as its predecessor, just as previous “S” upgrades have in the past. But looks can be deceiving. While Apple’s flagship iPhone for 2013 may appear to be the same as the iPhone 5 on the outside, the phone will feature a significant internal redesign when it launches this fall. BGR has exclusively obtained high-resolution photos of a number of components that will be included in Apple’s iPhone 5S, and they help paint a picture of things to come later this year. More →

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Tablets
May 16, 2013
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Microsoft Surface 2 Release Date

Microsoft reportedly prepping 7.9-inch Surface for June launch, Samsung to supply displays

By on May 16, 2013 at 9:55 AM.

Microsoft reportedly prepping 7.9-inch Surface for June launch, Samsung to supply displays

Microsoft is building a smaller Surface tablet according to multiple reports, and a new rumor on Thursday suggests it will feature a 7.9-inch display when it launches in late-June. Digitimes reports that Microsoft’s smaller Surface slate will make use of 7.9-inch display panels supplied by none other than Samsung Display, the one-time Apple supplier now in search of new clientele. The report also notes that despite the rising popularity of 8-inch tablets following the launch of Apple’s iPad mini, suppliers aren’t expecting much from the new Surface considering its predecessors’ sales performance.

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Legal
May 15, 2013
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Apple eBook Price-fixing Denial

Apple denies DoJ accusations, says eBook publishers were fixing prices before iBooks

By on May 15, 2013 at 5:45 PM.

Apple denies DoJ accusations, says eBook publishers were fixing prices before iBooks

The United States Justice Department recently filed documents in its case against Apple and book publishers accusing Apple of helping to facilitate the collusion that led to alleged fixing of eBook prices. Apple has denied the DoJ’s allegations in a new response, however, claiming that book publishers had already colluded to fix eBook prices before Apple even launched its iBook product. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Google Search

Google announces ‘the end of search as we know it’

By on May 15, 2013 at 2:05 PM.

Google announces ‘the end of search as we know it’

During what may be one of the longest keynotes in history, Google on Wednesday announced a number of new features for its core search product under the heading, “the end of search as we know it.” The company has updated its intelligent search feature “knowledge graph,” which now anticipates future searches based on past and current queries. So a search for “what is the population of India?” might also display the population of neighboring countries or all of Asia. Google search also now offers more personalized search results as well. For example, searching “what time is my flight?” will return an intelligent response based on flight confirmation emails in Gmail, even though the user did not offer any specific details in his or her query. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Samsung Galaxy S4 Stock Android

Google unveils new Samsung Galaxy S4 version with stock Android

By on May 15, 2013 at 12:56 PM.

Google unveils new Samsung Galaxy S4 version with stock Android

There are still two hours left in Google’s I/O 2013 keynote, but there have already been some big announcements… for developers. Product news is flowing too now, thankfully, and Google just announced a new version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 that runs a stock version of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Google will sell the phone unlocked with 16GB of memory for $649 beginning June 26th, and it will support T-Mobile and AT&T networks, including AT&T’s LTE network. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Android Activations 900 Million

Google I/O 2013 kicks off: Android is taking over the world – activations reach 900M

By on May 15, 2013 at 12:11 PM.

Google I/O 2013 kicks off: Android is taking over the world – activations reach 900M

Google just kicked off this year’s Google I/O conference and we’re in store for quite a show. The keynote is scheduled to run for three hours — yes, three hours — and Google SVP Sundar Pichai started off the show by announcing cumulative Android activations have now reached 900 million. Google also announced Google Play has topped 48 billion app installs, including 2.5 billion installs in the last month alone. Revenue per user for Android apps is now 2.5 times more than it was a year ago, according to Google. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Featured
Google I/O Keynote Live Stream

Video: Watch the live stream of Google’s big Google I/O 2013 keynote right here

By on May 15, 2013 at 11:55 AM.

Video: Watch the live stream of Google’s big Google I/O 2013 keynote right here

Google’s annual Google I/O conference is the biggest event of the year for Android and the rest of Google’s always expanding product portfolio. Google’s keynote at this year’s I/O is set to be an absolute beast, with three straight hours of announcements and demos set to kick off at 12:00 p.m. EDT, 9:00 a.m. PDT. The next-generation Nexus 7 is expected to be among the stars of the keynote, as is a new version of Android and maybe even Google’s X Phone. What else does Google have in store for us? Live streaming video of the Google I/O keynote can be viewed below, and all of our I/O coverage can be found on this page. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition Release Date

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘Google Edition’ with stock Android to be unveiled at Google I/O

By on May 15, 2013 at 11:35 AM.

Samsung Galaxy S4 ‘Google Edition’ with stock Android to be unveiled at Google I/O

Google’s action-packed Google I/O keynote now may include one less surprise. As details of Google’s big announcements continue to leak, Geek reports that one device set to debut on stage at I/O is a brand new version of Samsung’s popular Galaxy S4. The “Galaxy S4 Google Edition” will reportedly be a Pure Google version of Samsung’s flagship smartphone. According to the report, it will run stock Android (perhaps version 4.3, which is rumored to be unveiled at the show as well) and it will launch in June with support for T-Mobile’s network. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Android 4.3 Confirmed

Google accidentally confirms Android 4.3

By on May 15, 2013 at 10:45 AM.

Google accidentally confirms Android 4.3

Google plans to unveil Android 4.3, an updated version of its popular mobile operating system, at the Google I/O conference on Wednesday. The news won’t come as much of a surprise to those who follow the mobile industry closely, since rumors to that effect have been swirling for weeks. Android 4.3 is now confirmed, however, as a Google search result discovered by Verge references the new Android build in a page that will soon go live on the Android developer website. Google’s I/O keynote is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. EDT, and BGR will be bringing you all the news as it breaks. A screenshot of the Google search result mentioning Android 4.3 follows below. More →

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Galaxy S4 Shipments

Galaxy S4 becomes Samsung’s fastest-selling smartphone – 6 million shipped in two weeks

By on May 15, 2013 at 9:35 AM.

Galaxy S4 becomes Samsung’s fastest-selling smartphone – 6 million shipped in two weeks

It was all but certain even before Samsung launched the Galaxy S4, but now it appears to be official: the Galaxy S4 is Samsung’s fastest-selling smartphone ever. Korea-based  paper The Chosun Ilbo on Wednesday quoted an unnamed Samsung executive who shed some light on the blistering pace of Samsung’s S4 channel sales. In just five days following the smartphone’s launch, Samsung apparently sold 4 million units into channels. For comparison, the first Galaxy S line took 85 days for shipments to reach 4 million handsets, the Galaxy S II took 55 days and the Galaxy S III took 21 days. Through May 10th, two weeks after the Galaxy S4 began shipping, the anonymous executive said channel sales reached 6 million units. He also believes Samsung is on track to sell 10 million Galaxy S4 phones into channels by the end of May, which would be on par with analysts’ expectations.

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mobile
May 15, 2013
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Google Glass Study

Study suggests Google Glass could be a smash hit

By on May 15, 2013 at 9:00 AM.

Study suggests Google Glass could be a smash hit

Google Glass is expected to be a pretty big focus at Google I/O this year, but it’s still unclear how the public at large will receive Google’s connected eyewear when it launches next year. In an effort to assess its odds in the U.S. market, BiTE Interactive commissioned YouGov to conduct a study on the matter. According to a poll of 1,000 American smartphone owners aged 18 and above, “only” one in 10 respondents said they would be willing to wear Google Glass regularly, regardless of the device’s price. The study also found that 45% of those polled said they believe Google Glass is “too socially awkward” or “too irritating” to wear, and 44% said they simply don’t find any of Glass’ known features to be desirable. More →

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Services
May 15, 2013
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Google Maps Redesign

Completely redesigned Google Maps leaks ahead of I/O

By on May 15, 2013 at 7:50 AM.

Completely redesigned Google Maps leaks ahead of I/O

The days leading up to a big industry event like Google I/O are always packed with leaks and this week has been no different. Among the details trickling out ahead of Google’s big day is confirmation that a complete overhaul of Google Maps will debut during the keynote on Wednesday. Or, it would have debuted had Google not leaked it ahead of time. Droid Life managed to grab screenshots of the new Google Maps’ sign-up page when it accidentally went live briefly on Tuesday night, and they reveal what appears to be a terrific reimagining of Google’s popular mapping service. Changes include a brand new layout, new search features and new ways to highlight the “things that matter most.” Additional images showcasing Google Maps’ new design follow below and the rest of the screenshots can be viewed by following the source link beneath them. More →

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