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Stars Most Stylish Selfie of the Week

Stars Most Stylish Selfie of the Week

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Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Stars Most Stylish Selfie of the Week

Stars Most Stylish Selfie of the Week


Credit : Instagram
Bella Thorne is working on a new project, and it includes a lot of dance rehearsals! After her latest rehearsal she snapped this pic for her fans - how is her hair always so perfect?

Credit : Instagram
Selena Gomez showed off a gorgeous and artistic new selfie! The singer shared a photo showcasing her blue-toned hair with an aquarium view above her, and we're so impressed with the stylish shot.

Credit : Instagram
Peyton List paid a visit to Cincinnati, Ohio, and had a wonderful (and stylish!) time. Peyton told fans about her visit:
"Loved visiting Cincinnati
  1. Tried Skyline chilli
  2. Enjoyed 13 degree weather
  3. Ate Graeter's ice cream despite the 13 degree weather
  4. Met some super cool fans"
We love that Peyton's selfie shows off her bouncing curls and plump lip makeup style!

Credit : Instagram
Dove Cameron looked so cute showing off her white beanie and flowing waves in her latest black and white Instagram pic. The Liv & Maddie star makes her winter fashions look so pretty that we (almost) don't mind the freezing cold weather!


Credit : Instagram
Zendaya has proven that she is the master of taking the perfect selfie in her latest Instagram pic. Her pretty jewelry is fully on display and her makeup looks stunning. How about those eyelashes?!


Credit : Instagram
AJ Michalka wowed us with her selfie style this morning! She shared this pic of herself sporting a cute top, cool glasses and casual hat. What a classy, yet comfortable, look!

Credit : Instagram
Gigi Hadid is home and  she snapped this sweet selfie with her brother Anwar Hadid. Gorgeous!

Credit : Instagram
If there was ever a way to perfectly capture winter fashion in one photo, Miley Cyrus just did it! The singer showed off a stunning new car selfie that showcased her cozy beanie and scarf while also giving us a sneak peek of the pretty winter wonderland scenery she was driving through.


Credit : Instagram
Selena Gomez looked so stunning showing off her tight ringlet curls in a new selfie with her fashionable friend, stylist Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele. We love her glam eyelashes and the retro feel of her look!

Credit : Instagram
The singer shared gorgeous new selfie on Instagram featuring her vibrant purple hair, and we think the daring shade looks sensational on her short bob haircut.


Credit : Instagram
Zendaya recently rocked some crazy curly hair, but we can't get enough of this French-braided look! Plus, she didn't even have to use a filter to look as gorgeous as she does. Can you say flawless?!







Credit : Instagram
Ariana Grande looked so pretty in a new selfie she shared while in London for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. We love the sparkly earrings that she's wearing in the stylish snap

Credit : Instagram
You know a group selfie is going to be ridiculously cute when Rowan BlanchardDove Cameron, and Sabrina Carpenter are all together in one pic. The Disney Channel beauties looked so pretty in their snap from the Hollywood Christmas Parade, showing off their stylish winter looks.


Credit : Instagram
Miley Cyrus channeled her colorful style for her latest selfie! The singer showed off a furry purple jacket, a rose clip in her hair, sparkly leggings and glittery peace sign stickers on her face.




Credit: Twitter
One Direction visited the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, and while they were there they took probably one of the best pictures that we’ve EVER seen! “BEHOLD – the #CutestSelfieEver,” Jimmy Kimmel captioned the pic on Twitter, and we’re pretty sure he’s right !



Credit: Instagram

Miley Cyrus looked so sophisticated and glam in her latest Instagram selfie, showing off her high-fashion Chanel beanie and new printed sweatshirt.



Credit: Instagram

It sure is chilly outside, but Victoria Justice has the perfect style staple to keep her looking cute while staying warm! We're obsessed with the colorful plaid scarf she wore in her latest Instagram selfie.


Credit: Instagram
Jennette McCurdy looked so stunning wearing a cozy knit sweater in a new Instagram photo she shared from Niagara Falls! Not only is she surrounded by a breathtaking view of the water falls anda beautiful rainbow, but a ladybug even landed on her hand!



Credit: Instagram
Justin Bieber looked so stylish rocking a yellow-toned suede jacket and oversized hat in a  new Instagram selfie. We're definitely loving the autumn-ready style!



Credit: Instagram

Talk about a gorgeous group selfie! Kate UptonAmanda SeyfriedTaylor Swift, and Tay's childhood friend Britany Maack took the most stunning photo while sitting together at the Knicks basketball game.


Credit: Instagram
Demi Lovato looked so gorgeous in her latest car selfie, wearing no makeup on her way to the airport. Her skin is absolutely flawless and her bold brows are totally on point!


Credit: Instagram
Selena Gomez looked so gorgeous in her latest selfie, showing off her natural makeup, messy bun, and cozy outfit. We love her laid-back style!


Credit: Instagram
After letting her hair down at the MTV EMA, Ariana Grande just had to bring back her cat ears! The singer posted this super serious black and white selfie, showing off her bright white manicure and pretty eye makeup.


Credit: Instagram
One direction singer Niall Horan posted this selfie of him and his bandmates and all the boys were looking so cute together, we're naming them all our selfie of the week!


Credit: Instagram
The singer's make-up looks absolutely flawless in this picture. Not to mention those animal ears are pretty cute, too!


Credit: Instagram
Cute outfit alert! Alli Simpson showed off her amazing style by taking a simple outfit and making it totally cute with a few great accessories. We don't know what we like better -- that hat or those sunglasses!


Credit: Instagram
The Vamps looked super cool  in their latest group selfie! The band posted this pic on their Instagram account, just in time for us to celebrate the release of their album in the U.S. We love that BradTristan and James all rocked some chic shades while Connor decided to show us his baby blues.

Credit: Instagram
Bella Thorne looked so glamorous showing off her pale pink lips and fluttery eyelashes in a new selfie taken on Halloween night. Her hair and skin look absolutely flawless in the close-up shot!


Credit: Instagram
Thank you Niall Horan, for posting the cutest selfie of yourself, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik that we've ever seen. The guys posed for the awesome Instagram pic while promoting their new album, "Four," and they looked so stylish in their casual duds.


Credit: Instagram
Ariana Grande looked so gorgeous in her latest Instagram photo, a fun throwback selfie she took while filming her "Break Free" music video. We're obsessed with her pretty face paint and glam cat-eye makeup, and her skin looks absolutely radiant!


Credit: Instagram
Yowza! Have we ever seen Zendaya look any better? Everything from the crimped hair to the smoky-eyed makeup looks flawless. We especially love how she's rocking that darker shade of lipstick like a pro. Not to mention, that dress looks awesome on her!


Credit: Instagram
Sabrina Carpenter looked gorgeous showing off her new haircut. We're just loving her pretty blonde waves!


Credit: Instagram
Perrie Edwards looked so stunning in a glam new black and white Instagram selfie! We love her bold lipstick and trendy headwrap!


Credit: Instagram
It looks like G. Hannelius has a brand new makeup artist! Her Dog with a Blog co-star Francesca Capaldi did an expert job applying her shimmery lip gloss in an adorable new Instagram pic.


Credit: Instagram
We love the adorable Instagram pic Frankie Grande shared of his little sis Ariana Grande! Ari stole Frankie's customized jersey for a cute photo opp, and it's so cute that she made the sporty look her own by also rocking a cat ears headband!



Credit: Instagram

Niall Horan looked so cute in his latest Instagram selfie, which he took with his friend David at a Derby soccer game. We love his newly-bleached blond hair and adorable smile!


Credit: Instagram/ @scooterbraun
Ariana Grande borrowed her manager's phone to take this selfie just to show her fans how much she loves them. How cute! We love that she's wearing her adorable signature cat ears. We think its best for Halloween!


Credit:Instagram
Selena Gomez looks so pretty in her latest Instagram selfie! We love her gold eyeshadow, thick mascara and pink lip gloss. Not to mention, we love her cozy black sweater, which is perfect for the fall!


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How amazing does Keaton Stromberg of Emblem3 look in his latest selfie?! His hair looks flawless and his eyes are totally mesmerizing.


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We're obsessed with Miranda Cosgrove's fall style! The iCarly actress showed off her cute cardigan and plaid shirt in a gorgeous new Instagram selfie


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One Direction's latest Instagram pic is awesome because Niall Horan andHarry Styles look amazing in the still from the band's "Steal My Girl" music video. Plus, Harry's animal print coat is pretty much a scene-stealer on its own.



Credit:Instagram

Miley Cyrus shocked us again with her latest selfie. This time, the singer sported purple hair! Even though we're pretty sure her new 'do is just a clip-on hair piece, it still looks totally awesome with the blonde. Not to mention her bold red lipstick looks just as fierce.


Credit:Instagram
Bella Thorne, as always, looks so pretty in her latest selfie! Not only do we love her loose spiral curls, we also love her voluminous lashes that make her eyes pop. Since this pic was taken on the set of K.C. Undercover, we're looking forward to seeing the rest of her fab outfit apart from her leather jacket.


Credit:Instagram
Perrie Edwards looked so pretty posing in a new photo with her adorable dog. We love her stunning pink lipstick and glam wavy hairstyle!



Credit:Instagram
Niall Horan must have been inspired by his style twin Miley Cyrus for his latest selfie! The One Direction star showed off his messy hair and sunglasses in a silly snap while copying Miley's signaure tongue-out pose!



Credit:Instagram

Ariana Grande showed off a glam new black and white selfie on Instagram, and we love her cute new look. Her bold cat eye makeup looks totally fierce!


Credit:Instagram
Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix is giving us major cool weather style inspiration! She made her warm coat and Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater look totally glam in her latest Instagram pic, which was taken while at the recording studio.


Credit:Instagram
China McClain is ready for fall! The actress showed off her cute knit beanie and long sleeve gray top in a gorgeous new Instagram selfie, and we love her chilly weather look!


Credit: Selfie by Sea
This may be Gigi Hadid's look before getting her makeup done for a project "by the sea," however we still think her au naturel look and wavy hair is totally glam! We love that she shared this special behind-the-scenes moment with us.


Credit:Instagram
Zendaya looked so cool showing off her wavy hair in a fierce new black and white Instagram selfie. As always, love her bold eyebrow style!


Credit:Instagram
Austin Mahone looked so cute in his latest selfie! Even though his caption claimed he was exhausted from a long few days of making new music (!!!), he still looks great. 


Credit:Instagram
One Direction  showed off a cool group selfie with a caption "group selfie :) live while we're young came out 2 years ago today. time flies!". All the boys look really good.


Credit:Instagram
Alli Simpson showed off her fab eye makeup in her latest selfie! We love Alli's gold eye shadow choice to match her triangular studded earrings. And of course, her bold eyeliner helps bring attention to her eyes rather than her awesome leather top!


Credit:Instagram
Demi Lovato looked absolutely stunning in the new Instagram selfie she snapped while backstage of her tour. Her skin looks flawless in the snap, and she's keeping her lips soft and hydrated by applying eos lip balm.


Credit:Instagram
How cool does Austin Mahone look rocking his "dope" t-shirt? The singer shared his latest awesome selfie on Instagram to showcase his snapback cap and cool chains


Credit:Instagram
Ariana Grande looked so cool snapping a cute face selfies while on an airplane! We love her flawless makeup and gorgeous, shiny hair.


Credit:Instagram
Selena Gomez tried out an adorable new hairstyle on her Instagram page: long pigtails! Even though Sel said she felt like a 6-year-old rocking the cutesy hairstyle, we think she really updated the look to feel more mature and trendy.


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Look who's got their hands on the new iPhone! Shay Mitchell looks too cool with her new iPhone 6, especially since she's wearing all gold accessories in her selfie. We're loving her blue metallic shades and set of different rings!


Credit:Instagram
Jennette McCurdy looked absolutely stunning in her latest Instagram selfie, where she showcased her cute denim vest! We're totally obsessed with her flawless makeup and tousled hairstyle.


Credit:Instagram
Alli Simpson looked oh-so stylish in her latest Instagram selfie by wearing metallic sunglasses and her favorite Broadway Nails product: imPRESS Manicure. And of course, the Aussie model added silver rings to her fingers to complete her fancy nails look


Credit:Instagram
As Cher Lloyd was making her way to a music session, she shared this glam Instagram selfie—and we are so loving her gorgeous eye makeup!


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Happyland's Katherine McNamara showed off a gorgeous close-up selfie on her Instagram page, and we were blown away by her latest look! Her vibrant red hair and natural makeup look so pretty in the snap.


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Zendaya looked so stunning showing off her pretty makeup and shiny watch in a new Instagram selfie. We love her breezy wet hair look!


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We're so used to obsessing over Madison Pettis' tight spiral curls that we were totally blown away when we saw her latest selfie showcasing a loose wavy hairstyle! She looks so pretty wearing shimmery gold eyeshadow and glowing pink blush in the new pic


Credit:Instagram
Today's stylish selfie goes to Demi Lovato because truth be told, what can be more stylish than going make-up free? Going sans make-up for a selfie has become a popular trend and we love Demi for following in other stars' footsteps!
Credit:Instagram
Ariana Grande looked so gorgeous in a cute new Instagram pic she shared while blowing a kiss and winking at her fans. Her hair and makeup looks amazing in the snap


Credit: Twitter
Fifth Harmony's Lauren Jauregui looked totally awesome in the latest Twitpic she shared. Her hair and eyes look exceptionally stunning in her black and white snap.


Credit:Instagram
Miranda Cosgrove looked so pretty showing off her ombre waves in a stylish new car selfie! We love her natural eye makeup and peachy pink lip gloss!


Credit:Instagram
Bella Thorne looked so pretty showing off her stylish hat in a cute new selfie. We also love her glam makeup and colorful, cozy sweater!



Credit:Instagram

Ariana Grande shared a cute  face selfie after perfoming on America's Got Talent. We love her glam eye makeup!


Credit:Instagram
Selena Gomez shared the cutest pic of herself with her friend and Spring Breakers co-star Vanessa Hudgens sharing a laugh while at the finale of Chelsea Lately. We love Vanessa's new short blonde hairstyle and Sel's voluminous waves!


Credit:Instagram
We love the adorable BFF selfie that Gracie Benward and Olivia Holt shared! Both girls showed off their pretty pastel manis and super cute jewelry in the pic, but we wonder what funny secret they were sharing!


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 Kesha showed off their pretty hair and makeup looks in gorgeous Instagram selfie from 2014 MTV VMAs and she looked  really cool.

Credit:Instagram
Selena Gomez hid her gorgeous face in her latest selfie, but we were still blown away by her pretty style! She showed off her pretty waves in the snap, and the colorful filter makes it look like she dyed her hair rainbow!


Credit:Instagram
The ever so stylish Alli Simpson captured another fabulous pic! This time the Australian singer donned an outfit all from Delia's. "In loveeee with this @delias look!" she said. "It might just be first day of school worthy."


Credit:Instagram
We're loving the passenger selfie Selena Gomez shared because it looks so effortless. With her wavy brown hair and silver tribal necklace, Selena's pic earns today's most stylish spot


Credit:Instagram
Zendaya shared a glam black and white Instagram pic to show off her messy bedhead, but in true Zendaya fashion, she looked totally glam in the selfie.


Credit:Instagram
The Thundermans star Kira Kosarin looked so cool showing off her incredible in her latest selfie. We also love her cute striped sweater!


Credit:Instagram
One Direction shared a cute pic of Niall Horan on Instagram,We love the plaid shirt and perfectly spiked hair he wore on tour!


Credit:Instagram
Bella Thorne showed off her brand new cobalt blue Candie's dress in two cute pics on Instagram! We love her glam style because it also looks so cozy and comfy


Credit:Instagram
Perrie Edwards looked stunning in her latest selfie! The Little Mix singer showed off her sparkling blue eyes and totally glamorous makeup in her close-up shot.

Credit:Instagram
Zendaya honored superstar Madonna's birthday by rocking a cute red Girl top in her latest Instagram pic! We love Zendaya's natural curls and glowing makeup, but how incredible are her perfect brows
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Little Mix's Perrie Edwards showed off her awesome tribal-inspired face paint in a gorgeous new Instagram selfie. Her eyes and hair are absolutely stunning, and we love all of her sparkly jewelry!
Credit:Instagram
Fifth Harmony's Dinah Jane Hansen showed off her pretty hair and cute tank top in a sunny new Instagram selfie
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Selena Gomez looked so pretty taking a cute mirror selfie while reading – and answering! – her fans' tweets! Her hair looks so shiny and glossy, and how adorable is her teal phone case?!
Credit:Instagram
Little Mix's Jesy Nelson looked so pretty in a new selfie she shared on the way to the recording studio. We love her vibrant glam waves and stunning makeup!
Credit:Instagram
Selena Gomez looked so pretty posing in a new Instagram selfie with her friends! We love that she was having a total throwback fashion moment wearing a choker necklace and striped tee


Credit:Instagram
 Madison Pettis' totally glamorous new selfie! The actress showed off her silky hair and stylish sunglasses in a pretty Instagram pic, and we're loving her laid-back look!


Credit:Instagram
Cher Lloyd gives fans a sneak peek of her Teen Choice Awards make up in this pre-show selfie. We're already loving her winged-out eyeliner and bold lip color. fans can't wait to see how she looks tonight at the show!
Credit:Instagram
How can a selfie be mysterious? When you take a shadowy pic like Zendaya's latest Instagram post! The singer showed off an incredible sneak peek of her glossy red lipstick and retro winged liquid eyeliner
Credit: Twitter
Tour mates Demi Lovato and Christina Perri snapped a totally gorgeous selfie together and shared it on both of their Twitter pages. The girls' hairstyles are both so glam, and fans are totally obsessed with Demi's edgy necklace.
Credit:Instagram
Cher Lloyd showed off her totally glam eyelashes in a pretty close-up selfie! Her brows are totally perfect, and fans totally want to copy her hair's effortless loose waves!
Credit: Twitter
 One Direction bandmate Niall Horan, even calling himself Mrs. Horan. He shared funny selfie of the two of them together, and it only amplified how adorable his friendship with Niall is
Credit:Instagram
Alli Simpson looked so cool rocking a colorful floral crown in a totally glam new photo she shared on Instagram. Her summery hair and makeup are absolutely perfect in her stylish snap.
Credit:Instagram
G. Hannelius looked so pretty in a new photo she shared on Instagram while visiting her family's home in Maine.
Credit:Instagram
Zendaya's awesome new Instagram selfie! She showed off her stunning glowing makeup and pretty textured waves in a glam new snap.
Credit:Instagram
Perrie Edwards of Little Mix looked so cool in a brand new black and white selfie. She really showcased her stylish high ponytail, bold brows, and glam eye makeup in the stunning snap.
Credit: Instagram
Birthday girl Cher Lloyd shared the prettiest close-up selfie on her Instagram page! We were blown away by the singer's gorgeous sparkly eyes, glowing natural makeup, and cute gold hoop earrings.
Credit: Twitter
Demi Lovato's hair is shorter than ever! After playing around with her hair length a bit, Demi decided to style her summer chop even shorter, and showed off an amazing pic of her choppy bob! We love that she still left some of her cool purple ombre in her new look.

Credit: Instagram

Peyton List looked so cool in a pretty selfie she shared on her Instagram page. We love her shiny hair, oversized sunglasses, and crisp white mani in the stylish pic!


Credit: Instagram
"Hi cutie"  Bella Thorne showed off an adorable new selfie on her Instagram page where she showcases her wispy hair and glowing makeup! Fans also love her layered dainty necklaces and her floral top.

Credit: Twitter
Demi Lovato looked so stunning rocking a stylish hat, cool shades, and a floral top in a new Twitpic she posted. In her photo, she was enjoying a yummy green smoothie as a delicious way to eat her vegetables!
Credit: Twitter
Demi Lovato shared a selfie on Twitter showcasing her new haircut, and fans are totally obsessed with her layered, shoulder-length 'do. Her purple ombre is still going strong, but she added some major texture and volume to her bangs and shorter strands.
Credit: Instagram
Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello looked so funny showing off a silly face selfie on Instagram! fans love her gorgeous powder blue shirt with its crochet detailed sleeves, and her hair and makeup are perfect too!









Credit: Instagram
Little Mix's Perrie Edwards showcased her glossy makeup perfectly in a cool black and white selfie. Even without color in the photo, Perrie's  lipstick and eye makeup are highlighted in the shot, which also features pretty rays of sunlight.


Credit: Twitter
Can a baby be the most stylish star of the day? He can if he's Niall Horan's nephew Theo Horan! We decided to dedicate the day's stylish selfie title to Theo in honor of his first birthday today.


Credit: Instagram
Bella Thorne looked absolutely cool in new selfie she shared while at an oceanside photo shoot.

Credit: Instagram
Harry Styles looked cool rocking a printed shirt and wearing a turban-style headband to keep back his messy hair in a new photo posted on One Direction's Instagram page!


Credit: Instagram 
Ariana Grande's latest Instagram pic has us seeing double!

Credit: Instagram 
Did Taylor Swift get a whole new hairstyle? She showed off a cool new Instagram pic where her hair looks green on top and fiery red ombre at the ends! Tay explained in the photo's caption that it was actually the beautiful sunset making her hair look so colorful

One Direction's Action-Packed You & I Fragrance Video

One Direction's Action-Packed You & I Fragrance Video


One Direction just released the super cool commercial for their brand new You & I fragrance, and it's just as epic as we'd hoped it would be.
The exciting video features a high-tech vault housing the pretty pink perfume bottle, and each of the guys of 1D dressed up as mysterious burglars trying to stealthily swipe the fragrance from the safe! Yes, we know, it's incredible.



Apple Expected to Unveil iPhone 6 at Event on September 9

Apple Expected to Unveil iPhone 6 at Event on September 9

Shirley Li
The Wire 
















Apple has finally set the date for its iPhone 6 announcement: Sept. 9.
Re/Code's John Paczkowski has reported the tech giant has scheduled "a big media event" for Tuesday, Sept. 9, and is expected to formally announce the iPhone 6, almost exactly one year after the last iPhone event. Most analysts had expected a mid-September date based on the company's past history with iPhone events. Apple, as usual, had no comment on the reports.
The device, expected to feature a 4.7-inch screen, will mark Apple's entry into larger-screened device competition against the phones of Samsung and HTC, whose flagship devices use screens larger than the 4-inch iPhone 5S. There have also been rumors of a possible 5.5-inch screen size available for the iPhone 6, but other recent reports seem to be quashing that possibility. For more on what to expect, check out The Wire's coverage of previous iPhone 6 rumors.
According to Apple Insider, this year's iPhone launch could be the biggest in the company's history, with a projected 80 million units ordered through the end of the year. If that's the case, the company will certainly have a busy fall following a relatively quiet first seven months in 2014.

Sprint drops bid to buy T-Mobile after regulatory resistance: sources

Sprint drops bid to buy T-Mobile after regulatory resistance: sources

Reuters 
By Soyoung Kim, Marina Lopes and Yoshiyasu Shida

Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. carrier, and T-Mobile have not ruled out consolidation in the future but concluded that a deal is unlikely to be approved at this time, the sources said. U.S. regulators have insisted that they want to keep the number of major wireless carriers at four.
"We didn't think the opposition would be this strong," said a SoftBank executive but added: "The environment will definitely change".
In the wake of the failed talks, Sprint will appoint a new CEO - Marcelo Claure, founder of mobile phone distributor Brightstar Corp which was acquired by SoftBank last year, a separate person with knowledge of the matter said.
He will replace Dan Hesse who has been CEO of Sprint since 2007. Hesse led a rip-and-replace overhaul of Sprint's network infrastructure, causing cellular sites to go black and the company to hemorrhage subscribers.
Sources declined to be identified as the matter has not been disclosed by the companies publicly. Representatives for Sprint and SoftBank declined a request for comment. T-Mobile did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sprint shares were down 16 percent and T-Mobile shares were down 9 percent in after-hours trading.
SoftBank's shares fell nearly 5 percent in Wednesday morning trade in Tokyo to a two and a half month low, before paring losses to trade down 3.6 percent at 6,963 yen.

AGGRESSIVE ACQUISITIONS
SoftBank bought about 80 percent of Sprint last year for some $20 billion, just one of many aggressive acquisitions by Son who has built SoftBank from a small software publisher into Japan's second-most valuable listed company. He has vowed to make SoftBank the world's largest Internet media company.Roger Entner, analyst at Recon Analytics in Boston, said the announcement could signal the tables may have turned on Deutsche Telekom.
"As long as there was a Sprint offer on the table, bargaining power was with Deutsche Telekom. Now the bargaining power is with Iliad," he said.
The failure of the Sprint-T-Mobile talks was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.


Image-editing technique lets 2D objects get flipped, turned upside-down

Image-editing technique lets 2D objects get flipped, turned upside-down

Philip Palermo
Engadget 

Sure, Photoshop and other image editors are becoming increasingly good at transforming elements of a photo, but most of those tweaks are limited to two dimensions (resizing, rotating, repositioning, etc.). Researchers at Carnegie Mellon are pushing into the third dimension, using a technique that compares the 2D objects in a regular photo with 3D models freely available online. The result? The ability to manipulate part of photo as if it were a real, three-dimensional object, even exposing angles and sides that weren't visible in the original image.
The new technique takes advantage of the growing number of publicly available 3D models online (the researchers, for example, call out TurboSquid and 3D Warehouse, in particular). First, a user selects part of a standard image, like a chair or a banana. Then they search online repositories for a 3D model that's a close match. Once imported into the image, a three-dimensional mesh is rotated and tweaked until it closely matches the 2D element (after all, not every banana curves the same way and not every pear is the same size). At that point, the technique estimates lighting based on the rest of the photo and uses data from the 3D model to guess at parts of the object that can't be seen in the original pic.

Check out the video below to see some of what's possible, like changing the angle of WWII planes to face the viewer, closing the lid of a laptop or setting upright a knocked-over chair. While the team admits the technique isn't perfect (it still has issues with translucency), and further development will likely include automating the search process, the potential is already pretty apparent.

Apple, Samsung Strike Deal to End Patent Suits Outside U.S.

Apple, Samsung Strike Deal to End Patent Suits Outside U.S.

Adam Satariano and Joel Rosenblatt
Bloomberg
 

















Aug. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. are starting to wind down their global patent battle.
The companies said in a joint statement today that they have agreed to drop all suits against each other in countries outside the U.S. Claims are being abandoned in Australia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, the U.K., France and Italy.
The agreement shows Apple and Samsung may be nearing a conclusion to what has been a drawn-out and occasionally nasty worldwide patent fight, which has sprouted alongside the booming market for touch-screen smartphones. Apple has accused Samsung of copying its iPhone designs, while Samsung has countered that Apple is using pieces of its wireless-transmission technology without permission. Neither side won an overarching decision harming the other’s sales, and judges repeatedly urged the companies to settle rather than play out their dispute in court.
There had already been signs of de-escalation prior to today’s announcement. Apple and Samsung agreed in June to drop their appeals of a patent-infringement case at the U.S. International Trade Commission that resulted in an import ban on some older Samsung phones. Apple and Google Inc., which makes the Android mobile operating system that Samsung uses in many of its handsets, also announced a deal in May to drop lawsuits against one another related to Motorola Mobility.
Still, they said in the statement that they aren’t ending the legal battles completely, nor have they reached any cross- licensing agreement.

U.S. Cases

“Apple and Samsung have agreed to drop all litigation between the two companies outside the United States,” the companies said in the statement. “This agreement does not involve any licensing arrangements, and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”
Michael Risch, a law professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, said in an e-mail that the deal shows how Apple and Samsung see their “mixed worldwide results as not worth the effort.” Yet he cautioned that since there is no cross- licensing agreement, the companies may “just be taking a breather before the next skirmish begins.”
The U.S. continues to be a legal battleground, Risch added, as the smartphone market shares for Apple and Samsung are shifting and are “still really in play.” Chinese makers Huawei Technologies Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd. are gaining ground by offering feature-packed phones at lower prices.

Sales Swell

The patent fights grew out of the surging sales for smartphones. After Cupertino, California-based Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, popularizing the use of phones with touch screens and Internet access, Samsung followed suit with a wave of models with different styles and prices.
The rivalry sparked two protracted patent-infringement cases in federal court in San Jose, California. Apple scored victories in the two California suits, including a $930 million verdict in 2012 and a $120 million result earlier this year.
The hearings unveiled a trove of internal company documents on both sides, including e-mails showing Samsung’s urgency to quickly get a smartphone on the market to match Apple’s iPhone, and notes from Apple executives complaining about the effect of Samsung’s advertising on the iPhone.
Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, Samsung mobile chief Shin Jong-Kyun and other executives from both companies attended a full-day session with a mediator in the first week of February, and representatives from both sides had several follow-up phone calls with the mediator, according to a report the companies filed that month. Other sessions in 2012 and 2011 also failed to generate a deal.

Partners, Rivals

The settlement comes as Samsung grapples with declining demand for its smartphones and slumping earnings. Its global market share declined 7.4 percentage points last quarter from a year earlier, and the company lost the top spots in key markets China and India.
Samsung last week also posted its smallest quarterly profit in two years, with its China shipments dropping 15 percent.
“The whole industry paradigm is changing,” Lee Seung Woo, an analyst at IBK Securities Co. in Seoul, said by phone. “Apple and Samsung have no time to waste and it’s time to get back to work.”
Complicating the legal spat has been that Apple and Samsung are close business partners, with Suwon, South Korea-based Samsung providing critical components like semiconductors and memory chips for Apple’s mobile devices.
The world’s top two smartphone makers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees on battles across four continents to dominate a market that was valued at $338.3 billion last year, according to IDC. Samsung controlled about 31 percent of the global market last year, compared with Apple’s 15 percent, the market researcher said.

Timex built a smartwatch that doesn't need your phone

Timex built a smartwatch that doesn't need your phone

So far, smartwatches have existed fundamentally as extensions of your phone — their primary value is in alleviating the need to pull your phone out of your pocket every time anything happens. But Timex's new IronMan One GPS+ is designed to let you forget your phone at home: with a 3G radio inside and a number of built-in communication tools, it's a fully independent device.
The $399.95 One GPS+ looks a lot like Timex just strapped a chunky, ugly computer on your wrist. It has an always-on Mirasol display just like the Qualcomm Toq, and an icon-based homescreen. Timex says it's every bit as rugged and water-resistant (up to 50m) as its other IronMan models. In every other way, though, it's nothing like anything Timex has done before. It has a 3G radio built in, and can handle basic messaging right from your wrist. It comes with a year of free data from AT&T, after which you'll have to sign up for an as-yet-unannounced plan. With GPS, it can activate a "Find Me" mode with one tap if you get lost, or can live-track you as you run a marathon or just disappear into the wilderness. (Timex's example for its SOS mode in its own marketing materials suggests you could send loved ones "help! I am being chased by a bear.") Timex says it'll get eight hours of battery with GPS enabled, and three days of more regular use.

Timex has a different vision for smartwatches
Like any IronMan watch, the One GPS+ is made mostly for athletes. (Like, for instance, people who do IronMan competitions.) It can track speed and distance, and can upload your workout data to any of a number of online services — again, without needing your phone. There's even 4GB of storage and a Bluetooth radio, so your smartwatch can double as an iPod on your wrist.
Timex has a 160-year history of making watches, which led it to a decidedly different vision for a smartwatch. The One GPS+ doesn't get notifications from your smartphone, doesn't tell you what's next on your calendar. It's a connected wearable intended to help athletes and adventurers be safer, smarter, and just a little bit more connected. It's not complicated, it doesn't require anything else to work. It's not quite like anything we've seen before.

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Is There Major Drama Between One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer?

Is There Major Drama Between One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer?


One Direction is obviously one of the most popular musical acts around, but even they're getting pressure to not fall behind the times! A source told The Daily Star that Simon Cowell warned One Direction to watch their backs — or else 5 Seconds of Summer will take over their spot as top boy band.
Simon allegedly said, “It does mean 1D have to up their game a bit. We knew a lot of boy bands would follow, but the competition is tough at the moment.”
We don't think there's any major feuding going on between these two bands, but we wouldn't be surprised if Simon had a serious talk with One Direction — he's always so blunt! 5SOS has done really well lately, announcing they're embarking on their own solo tour and performing at the MTV Video Music Awards, so we understand why Simon might be worried.However, we think there's enough room for both of them! The Wanted have already blamed One Direction for their breakup, but fans can't imagine 1D breaking up because of 5SOS. Their music is very different.

Selena Gomez Visits a Lemonade Stand:

Selena Gomez Visits a Lemonade Stand:


Selena Gomez made some of her fans' dreams come true yesterday when she stopped by their lemonade stand. The "Come and Get It" singer posted the photo below with the caption, "Haha pulled over to buy some lemonade from these littles. They were the freakin cutest."