iPhone 6 to slim down for a 'June launch'

While we've never been one to call the current crop of iPhones or iPads chunky little things, apparently the LEDS used to light the screen are just to big.

As such, the iPhone 6 is likely to be slimmer than the iPhone 5S, according to sources from the 'Apple supply chain'. It's also likely to not gain any weight despite apparently having a larger 4.7 inch screen.

The sources, which were reported on by LEDinside, claimed that Apple would achieve this by using a 2mm thinner '0.4t side-view type' LED backlight, rather than the '0.6t side-view type' LED that current models use.

Early riser

The same sources also claimed that Apple might bring the iPhone 6 to market as early as June. That's a date which could raise a few eyebrows given that in recent years Apple has been releasing its handsets around September.

On the other hand we've heard the June rumour before and Apple does host its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, which would be an ideal time to reveal a new phone - which could mean this new technology will be used for the much-vaunted iPhablet Apple apparently has in the works.

It's worth pointing out that these leaks have nothing to do with the fake images that appeared earlier, even though they too suggested a slimmer design.

Apple has a history of making its phones slimmer and lighter over time and it's long been rumoured that the new iPhone might have a bigger screen, so none of this comes as too much of a surprise.

The supply chain sources also referred to the next iPad, claiming that it would be larger than the iPad Air, probably coming in at 12 inches and that it too would have a smaller LED backlight module to keep it slim and light.

• The iPhone 6 might be getting tougher too.

In Depth: Xbox One: the launch games you need to play right now

So you've managed to bag yourself an Xbox One. Good work. But there's only so much fun you can have seeing if Kinect recognises rude words, so what are you actually going to play on the console? The One's launch lineup is pretty beefy, but once you've cut through it, which games are the essential ones?

We've narrowed down the list of big names to help you on your quest, rounding up the verdicts from some of our Future pals. You're most welcome.

Dead Rising 3

If welding a motorbike to a steamroller doesn't sound like fun then frankly there's no pleasing you. Dead Rising 3 is set 10 years after the last game - this time you play as Nick Ramos, who must escape Los Perdidos and its population of zombies before an impending military strike.

The game has been criticised for its technical flaws - perhaps not one to showcase next-gen power, then - but there's a consensus across the board that there's still plenty of fun to be had as you decorate the streets with the entrails of the undead, turning almost any object into a weapon as you go.

Edge said:

"Dead Rising 3 is a sandbox in the purest sense, one that urges you to experiment with its innumerable toys at your leisure. The result is an open world that, in spite of its reanimated inhabitants, feels more alive than most."

While GamesRadar said:

"Dead Rising 3 has made its brand of zombie-slaying as much fun as possible, but it needs to fix a lot more than that before it becomes king of the undead."

Forza Motorsport 5

If you're looking for something that does show off the power of next-gen though, Forza 5 is probably the best place to start. Having spent plenty of time with it in recent weeks, we can promise you that it truly dazzles running at 60fps 1080p.

But it's Drivatar that really takes things into next-gen territory as the game learns how you race and creates an online character that behaves just like you. If this is what developers are doing with Cloud power right now, just think about what else we might see further down the line.

Despite problems with car handling and the use of microtransactions, CVG agrees with most others that, flaws aside, the game is a visual feast. It said:

"Such niggles will be forgiven by many, simply because the game looks incredible. The 60 frames per second action rendered at 1080p with remarkable texture resolution is, at times, an astonishing spectacle."

GamesRadar, meanwhile, said:

"Forza Motorsport 5 prizes quality over quantity, eschewing the vehicular excess of previous entries to focus on the gameplay. The result is a leaner, more refined racer."

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

We tried to avoid putting any cross-gen-platform titles in here but it's impossible to ignore Assassin's Creed 4. The new game, which lets gamers explore pirate-infested waters, is being hailed as a return to form for the series and one of the most impressive games of the year.

Given its availability on the Xbox 360 and PS3, it might not justify picking up an Xbox One alone, but you could do a lot worse than grabbing this if you're looking to pad out your next-gen collection.

GamesRadar said:

"An ambitious start for Assassin's Creed on next-gen. The vibrant Caribbean world and bloody piracy shine brightest, while the only sour notes come from contrived series story beats and repetitive missions--both need rethinking for AC5."

While CVG said:

"Much like the first Assassin's Creed, Black Flag isn't perfect. But the treasure trove of memorable experiences on offer here put all but the very best open worlds to shame."

Killer Instinct

Rare's original Killer Instinct is almost 20 years old but its legacy is still alive and kicking, surfacing as a free-to-play game for Xbox One launch day. We heartily recommend this for anyone looking for a pick-up-and-play title that's easy to dip in and out of.

You'll only be able to play as the character Jago without putting down any cash, but you can choose to buy more characters individually or pay for the whole lot at once.

GamesRadar said: "Excellent mechanics and incredible playability make up for Killer Instinct's shortage of single-player content. Franchise fans and fighting game junkies will be most please."

Edge said: "There's a fantastic combo system at Killer Instinct's core, but right now it feels like half a game – one full of promise, certainly, but not an especially next-gen one either. The cascade of particles may not be enough to retain player interest until the rest of the game arrives."

Let's hope there's more to come.

Need for Speed Rivals

Another racer to round off our list, but how could we forget Need for Speed Rivals? It might be the twentieth episode in the franchise but it's back with a next-gen vengeance and we couldn't be more pleased.

With Hot Pursuit's cops-vs-racers setup placed in an open world in the style of Most Wanted, Rivals really throws all its best ideas into the pan and then makes it look as stunning as possible. If you want adrenaline-pumping car chases, Rivals is your ticket.

CVG said:

"Rivals is gorgeous, invigorating, progressive and anything but a makeweight in the next-gen launch line-up. It's the strongest NFS in an age and a cheeky right-hook to the jaw of the likes of Forza Horizon, Gran Turismo and Grid 2."

GamesRadar said:

"Need for Speed: Rivals is a wholly enjoyable open-world racer. The driving is solid, its streets are a joy to explore, and its racing assignments--though a bit repetitive at times--are incentive enough to keep you coming back for more."

Opinion: Why savvy console buyers are sitting out launch day

Another generation is upon us. That time once every six or seven years when the wizards of black marketing shout things at the top of their lungs, encouraging us to replace the two black boxes in the corners of our living room with two slightly shinier ones. It's NextGen™.

What are we to do with the old ones? My Xbox 360, the faithful bloodhound, barely able to stand up, solemnly rendering Los Santos with every once of its strength, is convinced it's still up to the task. After all we've been through, am I supposed to put it out of its misery? Well, not just yet.

As obvious as it sounds, a games console is nothing without games, and the problem is that they're not here yet. Your launch game is currently available in four unique flavours. You've got the bland, big-budget flashiness with nothing new to offer except the hollow promise of more polygons (e.g. Ryse, Killzone: Shadowfall).

Or you could try the half-arsed cross-generational port which functions identically to its cheaper Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version (e.g. Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed IV). We've also got some motion control nonsense (Fighter Within, Just Dance 2014), and Knack.

The problem with NextGen™ is these kind of releases are inevitable. The technology is, for the most part, brand new and development kits have only been available for around two years, even internally. So on top of simply making the game of your dreams in that time, there's also the messy business of learning how to deal with the messy innards.

With all the will in the world, there's barely been enough time to fart out a mediocre game, let alone a corker.

Just play the waiting game

So the games aren't much cop, that's fine. They'll come eventually, and in the mean time at least there's things to fiddle with. Apps! Glorious apps, turning your humble game box into a multidimensional media hub, harvesting all the fruits from the tree of entertainment.

Except that isn't true. Of the major television broadcasters in the UK, only the iPlayer, 4OD and Demand 5 are popping their heads in to the PS4, with only 4OD bothering to show up on Xbox One. Sky isn't appearing on either for the foreseeable future, both might have Netflix but so will my microwave soon.

There's all this talk of NextGen™ being about more than just the games, yet the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, at least for the moment, also have much more to offer in that department.

No television and a limited games selection make Homer something, something. Come January you'll have already got bored of shooting the men, kicking the ball or punching the thing. There's also Knack, but why would you bother?

A standalone PlayStation 4 costs £349.00 ($399, AU $549), an Xbox One £429.00 ($499, AU $599) and it'll only be a matter of months before the inevitably slimmed down and buffed up models start popping up like rabbit acne, with a larger capacity and milk teeth replaced with proper grown up ones.

There's no way in hell you or I are even close to playing all the games from this generation that we know we should. Most of you haven't even heard of Spec Ops: The Line, or a truckload of other hidden current-gen beauties (or are they last-gen now?).

With a library of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games that will still continue to grow, and the real next-gen stonkers like Titanfall, The Witcher 3 and Watch Dogs not here until March at the very earliest, ask yourself "why now?"

• Still tempted? See our rundown of the best bundles for Xbox One and the best bundles for PS4

HTC One Mini Specs Leaked, May Launch in Two Weeks

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Subscribe NowGive a giftRenew NowShopNewsReviewsFeaturesHow TosForumsPodcastVideosPDF ArchivesMaximum Tech HTC One Mini Specs Leaked, May Launch in Two Weeks HTC One Mini Specs Leaked, May Launch in Two Weeks Posted 07/15/2013 at 8:30am | by Paul Lilly 4CommentsPrint A possible replacement for the HTC One S

This is shaping up to be interesting year for smartphones, and if you're an Android user, you'll have more options than ever to choose from. One of those options is the HTC One Mini, a handset that's sure to give One S owners a bit of smartphone envy. A German website posted a handful of photos of the One Mini, along with a list of specs that include a 4.3-inch 720p display.

According to Androidnext.de, it will also sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 dual-core processor clocked at 1.4GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 4MP rear-facing camera, and 1.6MP front-facing camera. That's 100MHz slower than the One S, though the One Mini has a better GPU (Adreno 305 versus 225), higher resolution display, and updated software (Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Sense 5).

Another German website, MobileGeeks.de, pegs the launch as still being on track for July, based on information it obtained from its "internal source." The site also says HTC will follow up the One Mini launch with a One Max phablet slated for September. The HTC One Max will feature a 6-inch Full HD 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz, 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of Storage, and a 3200mAh battery.

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Tags: Hardwarehtc one minimobilesmartphoneNews Here's What You Get:Our latest Features, Reviews, and How-TosThe No BS Podcast delivered right to your inbox!Essential PC-info, sneak peeks, contests and videos Also, send me e-mail announcements and special offers from Maximum PC and trusted partners. 4 Comments + Add a Comment

appleroxinhouston July 15, 2013 at 2:39pm

The HTC One Max will feature a 6-inch Full HD 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz, 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of RAM, and a 3200mAh battery.

seriously? 64 GB of RAM? This is the third typo I've seen so far, guys. Read it out loud before posting (unless you're posting on Facebook; screw editing).

Julian Reiche July 15, 2013 at 6:10pm

I think our writters have been gaming a little to late... but fixed! :)

spaceporker July 15, 2013 at 11:01am

I wish my computer had 64GB of RAM...

xRadeon July 15, 2013 at 8:57am

I really like the looks of these phones, HTC did a good job. I really want to trade my GS3 for one of these. :)

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