On Gear Live: Google announces Samsung Galaxy S 4 with stock Android Jelly Bean, drops June 26th for $649

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iPod touch 16GB fifth generation

Apple's new fifth-generation 16GB iPod touch (which doesn't include a rear camera) was announced yesterday, and is starting to show up at Apple retail stores today. Ben Pasternak over in Australia was one of the first to get his hands on one of the new iOS devices, and put together a short video showing off the two-toned iPod touch. As a refresher, the new 16GB touch costs $229, and replaces the discontinued fourth-generation iPod touch. You can get the new iPod touch now, and check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Check out Apple’s new 16GB camera-less iPod touch [Video]


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Samsung Galaxy S4 mini

Today Samsung announced the Galaxy S4 Mini, a smaller take on its flagship Galaxy S4 Android smartphone. The Galaxy S4 Mini isn't really that "mini," though, since it ships with a 4.3-inch display that is larger than that of the iPhone 5--we'd say this is more of a mid-range display size, but, hey, to each their own. Additionally, it's not as powerful as the full-sized S4, as the Mini has a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 1.5GB RAM. An 8-megapixel rear camera is paired with a 1.9-megapixel front shooter, and on the inside you get 8GB of storage (which you can expand with a microSD card.) Once nicety is that the Galaxy S4 Mini ships with Android 4.2.2, which means you get the latest and greatest right out of the gate. Pricing and availability has yet to be announced, but we're that that we'll find out next month. In the meantime, let us know if you're going for this one in the comments.

Read More | Samsung

Kuro Cube

If you want a 21st century method of deodorizing your refrigerator, get ready to throw out that old box of baking soda and pick up the Kuro Cube. the Kuro Cube is a compressed block of white charcoal that specializes in absorbing the smells that you don't wanna smell, saving your nose from the horrid sensory attack you might get hit with whenever you open the fridge. It costs $25, and lasts a good five years, as long as you set it in the sun every now and then so it can get dried out. You can place these in other areas, too, if you want to purify the air in other rooms.

Read More | Kuro Cube

Connected Data Transporter 2.0

We're big fans of Connected Data's Transporter device, which basically gives you locally stored and protected cloud storage without having to upload your files to third-party services like Dropbox or Copy, with no subscription fee. Now, on the heels of the Connected Data & Drobo merger agreement, comes the announcement of Transporter 2.0, a big software update for the NAS. Version 2.0 of the Transporter software brings a host of welcome improvements like:

  • Improved integration with the OS X Finder and Windows Explorer
  • Custom right-click options and drag-and-drop functionality
  • Share direct links to files and folders
  • Choose how folders are synced (locally or remotely)
  • Increased firewall support

Additionally, new Transporter iOS and Android apps will allow remote access and management of files stored on the device. Transporter v2.0 will be a free software upgrade for all existing customers. For new customers, Transporter starts at $199 without a hard drive, $299 for 1TB, and $399 for 2TB.


iPod touch 16gb no camera

Apple has released an addition to the iPod touch lineup, bringing in a 16GB fifth-generation unit which lacks the 5-megapixel rear camera found on the 32GB and 64GB variants. The new model replaces the fourth-generation iPod touch, which sold for $199 for the 16GB model (which did have a rear camera.) Apple has now discontinued that model altogether. Besides missing the rear camera, the 16GB fifth-generation iPod touch also does away with the Loop wrist strap. That makes sense, since the wrist strap was mainly used alongside the camera. You can pick up the new stripped-down 16GB iPod touch for $229.

Read More | iPod touch 16GB

Leaked iPad 5 case

The folks over at Tinhte.ven, who have a fairly good track record with Apple leaks, have managed to get their hands on some cases that are said to be designed for the expected iPad 5. This is becoming the norm, as we speculate that case makers pay leakers for design schematics in order to get a leg up when the Apple product goes on sale.

Rumors are pointing to a redesigned iPad 5 that has slimmer and lighter characteristics and reduced bezels, similar to those found on the iPad mini. If you're looking into buying a new iPad, we suggest waiting a bit longer if you want the latest and greatest--our guess is we will see the new models in about 3 months. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Purported iPad 5 case leak points to redesign with reduced bezel size [Video]


August lock Black

Yves Behar, the famous designer of the popular array of Jawbone bluetooth headsets, Jambox portable stereo jukebox and fitness activity monitor Up, has launched a new company, promoting a smart door lock, August. August is a keyless digital lock system for your home connected to low powered Bluetooth with an iPhone app. August does not solely rely on Wi-Fi in order for it to function, so no need to worry in the event of a power outage. The device is said to be easy to install in a two-step process compared to other locking solutions. It does not require an additional lock for the outside door and it's said to not be noticeable since the device is housed in the inside lock of the home, which it replaces. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Meet August: Yves Behar’s keyless digital lock system

Read More | August

Tweetbot Mac 1.3

Tweetbot for Mac has been updated to version 1.3, which mostly carries over a lot of the recent features introduced in Tweetbot for iOS. This includes things like media view, and support for the Twitter cover images on profile pages. Here's the full list:

  • New media timeline. Type command f and switch to the media view (next to the search box).
  • New look for Tweet detail including retweet and favorite counts.
  • Profile Cover Image support.
  • Double clicking titlebar above a profile view will scroll profile back to top. Double clicking again will scroll their timeline/mentions/faves to the top.
  • Fixed issues with unread items obscuring notification/error messages and attached post windows.
  • Fixed issue where you text was still editable after you’d sent a tweet.
  • Various other bug fixes.

You can download Tweetbot for Mac now.


Tesla supercharger network

At the D11 conference, Tesla CEO Elon Musk just announced a major expansion to the Tesla Supercharger network. According to Musk:

"There's going to be a dramatic acceleration of the Supercharging network. By the end of next month, we'll triple the Supercharger coverage area. There's a map that'll go live tomorrow. By the end of this year, you'll be able to drive from LA to NY just using the Supercharger network. We're improving the density of Superchargers in well-traveled routes, as well as the overall coverage area."

This is huge, as there is always range anxiety for owners of vehicles that are 100% powered by electricity. Rapid expansion of Tesla's Supercharger network is essential to curbing that feeling. Tesla Model S owners using the Supercharger can go from 0% to 80% charged in 30 minutes. Of course, the Model S is a very expensive vehicle, but getting Superchargers in place for when Tesla expects to have a $30,000 range vehicle for sale (in about three years, according to Musk,) will go a long way towards buyer confidence.


Drobo Transporter Connected Data merger

Here at Gear Live, we're big fans of both Drobo and the Transporter, so excuse us if we're more than a little excited about the announcement that the two companies that entered into a merger agreement. We've covered the Transporter in the past, but to refresh your memory, it's a collaborative file-sharing device that offers Dropbox- or Copy-like functionality, but stored locally with no fees. Of course, Drobo makes fantastic external storage devices, many of which we've covered extensively. It will be great to see new Drobos that offer the Transporter file-sharing abilities. Nothing official has been announced, but we can dream.


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