From CNET News.com: As the battle between SoftBank and Dish in the takeover of Sprint increasingly heats up, SoftBank has announced that it will raise its offer to from $20.1 billion to $21.6 billion.

SoftBank said Monday that the amended merger agreement will give shareholders a greater value, including greater cash consideration and increased certainty.

Under the new agreement SoftBank said it will deliver an additional $4.5 billion of cash to Sprint stockholders at closing, which brings the total cash consideration available to Sprint stockholders to $16.64 billion. This offer would also give SoftBank a higher stake in Sprint -- going from approximately 70 percent to 78 percent.

"The amended agreement announced today delivers more upfront cash to Sprint stockholders, while still achieving our goal of creating a well-capitalized Sprint that is better positioned to bring meaningful competition to the US market," SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said in a statement. "Our transaction offers significant value for Sprint stockholders and the opportunity to realize that value in just a few weeks, without the risks associated with any other potential transaction."

Sprint has been in talks with SoftBank since last October regarding a $20.1 billion offer. But, as the closing date neared, Dish came in with a surprise counteroffer of $25.5 billion. The two companies have carried out a public war of words, each claiming it would be the best buyer for the troubled wireless carrier.

Sprint shareholders were scheduled to vote Wednesday on a SoftBank takeover but the revised merger agreement creates a new deadline of June 18, 2013 for Dish to provide its "best and final" offer.

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From DailyTech: It's already been learned that Lenovo Group, Ltd. (HKG:0992) eyes a major smartphone push into the U.S. in 2014. Now we're learning via interviews, leaks, and rumors that two other top Asian personal computer OEMs -- ASUSTek Computer, Inc. (TPE:2357) and Acer Inc. (TPE:2357) -- have ambitious smartphone plans of their own.

After testing the waters tenative with the Acer Allegro -- a low volume, low end Windows Phone released back in Jan. 2012 -- Acer is rumored to be getting more serious about small mobile form factors, looking to push out a premium Windows Phone 8.1 handset in early 2014.

The plan was leaked via a slide published by Tweakers.net, a German tech/leaks site.

Both Acer and ASUSTek are key proponents of Windows 8 tablet and hybrid (tablet-cum-laptop) devices. Both companies were hurt by the icy consumer reception of Windows 8, and the resulting slump in sales. But both companies are hopeful that Microsoft's new mobile-centric direction will be honed with Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. Schedule for release in time for the holiday season, the OS duo promises to polish the rough edges of their predecessors.

Why is Acer waiting to H1 2014 to release its Windows Phone Blue handset?

There appears to be couple reasons. First, the slide suggest that it's looking to build "a unique experience" across Microsoft PC and mobile operating systems. That suggests it may be looking to add its own user interface tweaks and/or proprietary apps/app stores.

Secondly, Acer is a strong supporter of Intel Corp. (INTC) and critic of Windows RT (the ARM-compatible variant of Windows 8). Coincidentally, Intel's 22 nm, quad-core Atom smartphone chips (core: Silvermont; SoC: ValleyView; chipset: Bay Trail) likely won't hit mass production until early 2014. Note that the same phrase "stratregic play" appears in the Windows Phone and Intel Atom sections of the slide.

Acer's slides do suggest new tablets/phablets with Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM) and MediaTek, Inc. (TPE:2454) (ARM) processors are in the works as well, but those will most likely be directed at the company's Android offerings, which are also mentioned in the slide.

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From DailyTech: Apple is definitely getting “Back to the Mac” with the announcement that it has achieved million Mountain Lion installs since launch; Tim Cook even bragged that Mountain Lion is approaching 40 percent penetration on Macs while Microsoft is struggling to meet 5 percent penetration with Windows 8.

But Mountain Lion is so last year; Apple is already working on its successor, OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Apple is moving away its "cat themed" names and is instead looking to points of interest in California to carry it through the next decade of desktop/notebook OS development.

Mavericks will of course have a ton of new features including Maps, tabbed browsing for Finder, enhanced support for multiple displays, and a big focus on improving battery life for notebooks. And although Safari isn't exactly a "sexy" piece of the OS X equation, Apple has brought a wealth of changes to the browser aimed at improving battery life and improving page rendering performance.

Apple also announced new MacBook Airs that have "all-day" battery life. The new MacBook Airs are built around Intel's new Haswell CPU architecture, and as a result offer 12 hours of battery (13" model) and 9 hours of battery life (11" model). Other than the new processors, the notebook is pretty much unchanged (well, 802.11ac is now included). What has changed is value for money -- the 11" will start at $999 with 128GB of storage while the 13" model will start at $1099 with 128GB of storage.

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From X-bit Labs: Sony Computer Entertainment on Monday announced that the PlayStation 4 (CUH-1000A series) computer entertainment system will come in “Jet Black” color and will be available this holiday season in North America and Europe. The design of the PlayStation 4 is a vast departure from the look of the PlayStation 3 and more resembles that of the PS2.

When the PlayStation 4 will become available this year, it will be sold at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $399, CAD$399, €399, and £349. Despite the fact that the PS4 is a little more technically sophisticated game console than its arch-rival Microsoft Xbox One, it will cost $100 less in the USA. At present it is unclear whether Sony will traditionally sell the hardware at a loss in a bid to outsell the main competitor, or will actually try to minimize its losses. One thing that should be noted is that Microsoft Xbox One comes with second-generation Kinect motion sensor, whereas Sony's PS4 comes without any sensor. The new PlayStation Camera should be acquired separately for $59.

The internal design architecture of the PlayStation 4 system, from the optical drive and power supply unit to the cooling mechanism, has been pursed to keep the body as slim and light as possible to enhance the flexibility of the design.

The PS4 features a simple but modern design accentuated by its linear flat form factors. The surface of the PS4 body is subdivided into four sections, as if four blocks are stacked together making one figure, with disc slot, buttons, power indicator and vent placed within the slim interspace created between the sections. The power indicator designed atop the body will glow in a PlayStation blue color when the power button is turned on. The foreside and backside of the body is slightly angled; it not only gives users easy access to the power button and disc slot when placed either horizontally or vertically but also helps conceal the connected cables.

The black-themed color along with the matte and gloss finish adds a sophisticated look to the PS4 system as the next generation entertainment system and will should fit wherever it is placed. To some degree, the design of the PlayStation 4 resembles that of Xbox One, but the product from Sony can be placed both horizontally and vertically.

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From X-bit Labs: Microsoft Corp. on Monday announced launch details for the highly anticipated Xbox One game and entertainment system. Launching in 21 markets around the world in November 2013, Xbox One will introduce a new world of games, music, live TV, movies, sports, apps and Skype, all personalized and accessible with the sound of your voice.

The Xbox One launch bundle will be available for $499.99 in the U.S., £429 in the U.K. and €499 in European markets. Every Xbox One system sold will include the new Xbox One console – which features a 500GB hard drive, Blu-ray player and built-in Wi-Fi – the new Kinect, one Xbox One wireless Controller and a free 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold for new members.

To celebrate the launch of Xbox One, Microsoft is also introducing a limited-edition commemorative bundle to fans who reserve the system at major retailers, available in limited quantities, while supplies last, for $499.99, €499. Reserving the commemorative bundle will guarantee that a customer will be able to purchase the new system on day one. Each commemorative bundle will include an Xbox One system that comes in premium black packaging with a limited edition Xbox One Day One wireless controller, as well as a unique commemorative Day One Achievement.

Gamers who reserve the following exclusive Xbox One Day One edition launch titles, available in limited quantities at major retailers while supplies last, will receive special bonus content:

In addition, as a message of thanks to the millions of Xbox fans around the world for their passion and loyalty, Microsoft announced that every qualifying Xbox Live Gold member – new or existing – will receive two free Xbox 360 game downloads per month starting July 1 until December 31, 2013, including popular titles such as Halo 3 and Assassin’s Creed II. To celebrate E3 in the month of June, Xbox Live Gold members will receive a free download of Fable III. For a limited time gamers can also get a Day One 12-month Xbox Live Gold membership and play Killer Instinct: Round One, with the exclusive Shadow Jago character, on Xbox One. Players will also receive a commemorative Day One membership card.

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From CNET News.com: Consumers looking for a small Windows 8 tablet can now preorder the Acer Iconia W3 through Amazon or Staples.

Dubbed the world's first 8.1-inch Windows 8 tablet, the 32GB flavor of Iconia W3 is going for $379 through both Amazon and Staples. Amazon also lists a 64GB version for $429.

Staples promises a delivery date of anywhere from Tuesday, June 11, to Wednesday, June 19. Amazon isn't nearly as quick, listing an estimated delivery time of three to five weeks for both models of the tablet.

Equipped with Windows 8, the Iconia W3 comes with an 8.1-inch LED-backlit LCD multi-touch screen sporting a resolution of 1,280x800 pixels. The tablet is powered by an Intel Atom 1.5GHz dual-core processor, includes 2GB of memory, and features 2-megapixel cameras in the front and back.

Beyond the built-in 32GB or 64GB of storage, a microSD card slot can handle an additional 32GB. Other slots include a Micro-USB port, a Micro-HDMI connector, and an audio jack. Acer promises up to eight hours of battery life per charge. The Iconia W3 also comes with Microsoft Office preinstalled.

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From DailyTech: We’re sure that one of the most common questions that people ask when they walk into an AT&T store or call customer service on the phone is, “When can I upgrade?” With new smartphones coming out at a furious pace, customers are often eager to upgrade to the latest and greatest well before they're eligible for a device that is subsidized by the carrier.

AT&T has announced that it is changing its upgrade policy to coincide with its 24-month wireless contracts. The new 24-month upgrade policy (which is an increase from the current 20-month period) applies to any customer whose agreement expires in March 2014 or later.

AT&T will still offer early upgrades after you've completed six months or more of your service commitment at a partial discount. And subscribers can always pay full retail price to get an upgrade any time during their service contract.

The wireless company is also providing its trade-in program allowing you to get at least $100 off the purchase price of a new smartphone.

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From DailyTech: After months of rumors circulating that Google, Facebook, and Apple were all jockeying to purchase an Israeli mapping/navigation company called Waze, sources claim that a deal has finally been struck.

According to sources, the price tag for Waze is $1.3 billion.

Reports also indicate that Facebook executives had flown to Israel to meet with Waze executives, but no deal could be reached. The sticking point in Facebook negotiations was reportedly the fact that Waze wanted its employees to continue working in Israel and Facebook wanted them to relocate.

The Wall Street Journal indicates that Google's Waze purchase is its fourth-largest by dollar value and could be announced as soon as this week. Google will no doubt use Waze to bolster its mapping/navigation efforts around the globe.

Waze currently has nearly 50 million users, and is a free application that is available on Apple and Android devices. The application operates in roughly 190 countries and draws GPS information from the device to learn about traffic flow on the road and provide drivers with better routes. Waze also has a community of 70,000 members that helps edit maps, provide fuel prices, and point out locations of accidents.

Interestingly, Microsoft is also an investor in Waze – neither Google nor Microsoft have offered an official statement on the purchase at this time.

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