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Browsing the web or sending text messages while on a phone call has been a feature of GSM networks like AT&T's for some time. Now thanks to the rollout of Voice over LTE (VoLTE), Verizon customers can get into the game. Later this year, the company plans to begin offering the service for compatible devices.

The next iPhone is expected to launch with iOS 8, which will include VoLTE capabilities. Verizon has been implementing the network upgrade nationwide, which will also bring improved HD Voice quality to compatible devices. The iPhone 5 and 5s are both designed to take advantage of HD Voice, and other carriers are working on deploying the technology.

For a limited time Apple customers can get any online purchases shipped absolutely free. The sale is running until May 29, giving shoppers a few days to pick up gifts for Dads and Grads. Normally shipping costs a few extra bucks unless the order exceeds $50.

In that case, shipping is free anyway. For smaller orders or items that don't exceed the $50 threshold, now is the time to buy. Apple has run similar free shipping events in the past, usually around major shopping holidays and the like.

This week, in a note to investors, Morgan Stanley analyst Craig Hettenbach advised that the next generation iPhone will likely be equipped with an NFC chip (Near Field Communication). This, along with other technology such as iBeacon, will facilitate mobile payments.

Apple and Samsung's patent infringement lawsuit is heading to retrial. Both companies filed for retrial on Friday, and in a second filing, Apple is seeking to have all Samsung devices in question to be banned from the U.S. market.

While evasi0n will only jailbreak firmware up to iOS 7.0.6, others have already proven that later versions of Apple's mobile operating system can join the club. Developer ic0n1c (Stefan Esser) has worked his magic to jailbreak iOS 7.1.1 on an iPhone 5c, shown below running Cydia.

Describing the jailbreak on Twitter, Esser explains that the process "is not based on a long vulnerability chain. It uses a single beautiful kernel bug that goes from mobile to kernel." While all of this sounds interesting, the chances of a public jailbreak being released ahead of WWDC this June are slim. Apple is expected to reveal iOS 8 at the conference, which should prompt the jailbreak community to keep new exploits close to the vest.

Since its debut in 2011 with iOS 5, Apple's iMessage has been a convenient way to message other iOS device users (and only other iOS device users). It allows for unlimited free messaging via Wi-Fi and has additional features such as read receipts. This is all well and good unless you decide to switch to a non-iOS phone, at which point messages start getting lost in the system.

The iMessage system works by intercepting text messages, identifying the recipient (via phone number) and determining whether or not their device operates on iOS. If so, the text is re-routed through Apple's servers and sent as an MMS rather than as a standard SMS through the wireless carrier. The problem arises when someone