Every so often, we see sources indicating that they have leaked images of Apple’s new devices, and the iPhone 5S (or iPhone 6, or whatever you want to call it at this point) is no different. Obviously, they’re not always legit, so a grain of salt is always required.

Recently, some assembly line photos showed an alleged look at the device, but were later reported to be “likely an iPhone 5 clone”.

Now, iOSDoc claims to have received some new photos from a “very reliable source,” showing an A7 quad-core CPU and GPU, and 2GB of RAM.

iOSDoc says:

The iPhone 5S will come with a new quad-core Apple A7 processor, clocked at 1.2Ghz and iOS 7. The phone’s design will probably be very much similar to the iPhone 5, getting only hardware and software improvements. iOS 7 will also come with a highly improved Siri, able to “do a lot of new cool stuff.” Unfortunately our source didn’t want to speak very much about this aspect.

The new A7 SoC was to be expected, but we didn’t anything until now about the amount of cores or clock rate. It should be much faster than Apple’s dual-core A6, which is clocked at 1.3Ghz. A7 will also feature the PowerVR quad-core SGX554MP4 graphics processor, also featured in the 4th generation iPad. This amount of power will definitely be able to widen the possibilities of gaming, but should get us worried about battery life.

Obviously we can can’t confirm the legitimacy of the image, so take it as you will.

According to StatCounter.com, mobile internet usage has sky-rocketed up to 8 1/2 percent this year; way up from only 4.3 percent last year comparatively. The graph below shows what it looks like compared to desktop use.

CEO of StatCounter.com, Aodhan Cullen had this to say:

“While global internet usage through mobiles is still under 10%, the pace of growth is remarkable.”

Cullen went on to say:

“Following repeated requests, we’ve decided to make our new mobile vendor stats publicly available. As the mobile space is constantly evolving, we keep our detection under constant review.”

The website has been gathering and compiling data for some time now to present this information. Nokia is a front runner due to its popularity in India, they say. Globally speaking, Apple is in second place, but they remain on top in US and UK markets.

Mezzmer has put out the following infographic looking at how mobile devices might be impacting your body:

They are showing allegedly leaked documents from “an authorized Verizon retailer” which display a 12/9 release date following a 12/6 shipping date. Other info from the document includes:

- Each store will be direct shipped a minimum of 15 phones

- On 12/9, the planogram will be loaded on the intranet

Again, to be clear, we can’t confirm the legitimacy of the document, but it is certainly worth noting, especially since the date is so close.

Recently, we saw indication that Best Buy would be getting the device on December 11.

Other reports have indicated that the device will not support Google Wallet. More on that here.

Sony then wants to integrate that into its own platform of network-connected consumer electronic products.

PlayStation Network anyone?

“This acquisition makes sense for Sony and Ericsson, and it will make the difference for consumers, who want to connect with content wherever they are, whenever they want,” said Sony President and CEO Sir Howard Stringer. “With a vibrant smartphone business and by gaining access to important strategic IP, notably a broad cross-license agreement, our four-screen strategy is in place. We can more rapidly and more widely offer consumers smartphones, laptops, tablets and televisions that seamlessly connect with one another and open up new worlds of online entertainment. This includes Sony’s own acclaimed network services, like the PlayStation Network and Sony Entertainment Network.”

Stringer added that the acquisition will afford Sony operational efficiencies in engineering, network development and marketing (among other areas).

“We can help people enjoy all our content – from movies to music and games – through our many devices, in a way no one else can,” he said.

Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg said “Ten years ago when we formed the joint venture, thereby combining Sony’s consumer products knowledge with Ericsson’s telecommunication technology expertise, it was a perfect match to drive the development of feature phones. Today we take an equally logical step as Sony acquires our stake in Sony Ericsson and makes it a part of its broad range of consumer devices. We will now enhance our focus on enabling connectivity for all devices, using our R&D and industry leading patent portfolio to realize a truly connected world.”

The transaction awaits regulatory approvals, but has been approved by the “appropriate decision-making bodies of both companies”. The two companies expect the deal to close in January.

Following is a quick video round-up looking at the some highlights from the unveiling and some features:

iCloud:

iOS 5:

There was also some iPod Nano news, and CNET is sharing a video looking at that:

iOS devices, the firm reports, are in second place with 28%.

“Among those who say they are likely to get a new smartphone in the next year, approximately one third say they want their next smartphone to be an iPhone and one third say they want an Android device,” says Don Kellogg, Director of Telecom Research and Insights at Nielsen. “However, among those who say they are usually the first to embrace new technologies, “Innovators” or the earliest of early adopters, Android leads as the “Next Desired Operating System” – 40 percent for Android compared to 32 percent for iOS. (Survey respondents were asked several questions to determine their attitudes toward new technologies.)”

“Among likely smartphone upgraders, it is the ‘Late Adopters’ who are most likely to say they are ‘not sure’ which operating system they’d like in their next smartphone,” says Kellogg. “In politics as in smartphones, these ‘undecideds’ will be the ones device makers will be hoping to win over.”

Google recently reported that over 150 million Android devices had been activated.

The report, citing “people familiar with the plan” says this is designed a way for RIM to boost sales and that it would apply to devices than run on RIM’s QNX software.

The Android Market consists of 250,000 apps, as well as the recently announced movie rentals. This should be huge for the Android ecosystem and Google’s operating system in general, particularly now that the iPhone is said to be coming to another major U.S. carrier in Sprint.

Google launched a preview of the new Google TV add-on for the Android SDK this week, enabling developers to create and optimize their Android apps for TVs, which could greatly help the popularity of Google TV (along with some additional efforts in getting the TV studios on board) and also help Android itself that much more – placing into more living rooms.

RIM devices are expected to go to the QNX platform early next year, and those running Blackberry 7 will not be able to upgrade to the new OS, which the Blackberry Playbook tablet runs.

This week, RIM announced three new BlackBerry Curve smartphones running BlackBerry 7.

Today’s nugget suggests that the device will support multiple networks: CDMA (Code division multiple access) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). In other words, the device will be dual-mode.

TechCrunch writer Robin Wauters says he was “approached by a developer of some of the most popular apps on the iOS platform,” and that “according to this person, and app usage logs” he was sent, “a tiny number of people have recently registered for one of their applications from a single, brand new Apple device that is decidedly dual-mode – meaning it supports both CDMA and GSM.”

Wauters says the logs show that the app has been tested by a few people using what is “almost certainly an iPhone 5″.

This isn’t the first time rumors have circulated about the iPhone 5 being dual mode, but you can add it to the “more evidence” pile.

In other iPhone 5 rumors, some alleged iPhone 5 part photos have been leaked. Go here to see the alleged pics of the battery, a camera lens and audio jack cable.

In terms of release dates, there have been conflicting rumors placing it in late September to early October. One rumor has had it nailed down to October 7, specifically, but alas, these are just rumors.

As long as we’re on the topic, rumors have also surfaced (or is that resurfaced?) about a cheaper iPhone 4 launching alongside the iPhone 5.

The new phone, though, is the DEFY+, which runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). The company touts the device as water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof. They also say it comes with faster web browsing and social networking tools.

Pictured above is the original DEFY.

Here’s the feature list as presented by Motorola Mobility:

• Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and features more than 250,000 apps from Android Market
• 1GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster for efficient Web browsing and multitasking
• Water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof to withstand all that life throws your way
• Features scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass
• 3.7-inch high-resolution touch screen display
• Music Player connects you to all your favorite artists
• MOTOBLUR lets users stay in touch with friends, providing quick access to social media accounts and live widgets directly from the home screen
• Motorola Media Link allows users to sync their media content from their desktops at home or work
• Loaded with the ability to create group emails and communication to stay in touch with friends
• Adobe Flash Player 10 for uncompromised viewing of applications, content and videos
• 5MP camera with auto focus, flash and digital zoom
• 2GB internal; *2GB microSD card in box, expandable up to 32GB
• Access to Google Apps (Google Maps™ 5.0 with Navigation, Google Talk, Browsing)
• 1700mAH battery for 7.1 hours of talk time and 16 days in standby

“Motorola DEFY+, our latest life proof smartphone, delivers the endurance and design strength to keep up with even the most demanding lifestyles, along with the social and entertainment capabilities that put friends and fun in easy reach,” said Alain Mutricy, SVP, portfolio and device product management at Motorola Mobility. “We designed Motorola DEFY+ with all the smartphone features you need for a demanding lifestyle.”

The device will be available in Asia, Europe and Latin America in the fall.

According to Google, there have been over 150 million Android devices activated.