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Apple Magic Trackpad unboxing
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, PC, Peripherals,
A few days ago, Apple introduced their Magic Trackpad to the world. It’s a multi-touch wireless trackpad device that mimics the trackpads found on MacBook and MacBook Pro computers, but optimized for the Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Pro. We snatched one up as soon as they went on sale, and are currently in the process of reviewing it. In the meantime, though, we took a bunch of Magic Trackpad photos and put them up in our Magic Trackpad unboxing gallery. Go ahead and take a look, this thing is sexy.
You can pick up a Magic Trackpad for $69.
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Amazon introduces a thinner, lighter Wi-Fi Kindle for $139
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Wireless / WiFi,
This evening, Amazon introduced us to their new Wi-Fi Kindle ebook reader, and we’ve gotta say, we think they’ve done it again. Hot on the heels of the release of the newly redesigned Kindle DX, the new Kindle is 21% smaller and 15% lighter than the Kindle 2. You don’t lose out on screen real estate though, since the Kindle keeps its 6-inch display size, although the e-ink screen now sports 50% better contrast and 20% faster page refreshes. It now packs 4GB of storage space, which can hold up to 3,500 books. Even better, though, is that Amazon is pricing this at just $139. That’s a significant price drop from the Kindle 2. If you want the new Wi-Fi model, but also want the free 3G connectivity, Amazon will be selling a 3G model for $189, which is still a huge savings from what the Kindle 2 sells for. Here are the links for those who want to pre-order:
The new Kindle will be released on August 27th, and if you pre-order, you’ll receive it that same day. It’s available in both white and graphite.
Read More 
| Amazon Kindle
Halo: Reach introduces Forge World
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Bungie, First Person Shooters, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,
It’s no shocker that Bungie’s Halo: Reach finale is going to be epic, to say the least. But no one was prepared for just how ambitious the last Halo world would be. That is, until ‘Forge World’ was shown for the first time. In fact, epic is an understatement referring to Forge World. To envision the vastness only a word such as ‘Brobdingnagian’ is befitting. To put it simply - you are not ready.
By now you’re scratching your head wondering “what the heck is Forge World?!” Basically, Forge World is five multi-player maps rolled into one - Canyon, Island, “The Rock,” Quarry, and Coliseum. Each of these maps is set in a different location of the colossal map. In Forge World the player is god, able to customize these areas as they see fit, à la the forge editor from Halo 3. However, unlike Halo 3’s forge editor you are given more options to create developer worthy maps. In fact, Bungie had so much fun in forging these new maps that they even added six of their own Forge World creations to be put into regular game rotation in Halo: Reach’s online multi-player. One of which is a remake of the classic ‘Blood Gulch”, now called ‘Hemorrhage’. To get an idea of the scope of Forge World, Hemorrhage is like a mere sandbox in the middle of the desert.
Bungie is aiming to have gamers create their own multi-player maps with newer forge tools that allow greater creativity. In this new Forge World you will have access to about 150 transferable objects. Thankfully, the physics of objects can be altered accordingly to make mid-air and other placements easier. Also, you now have the ability to “phase” objects into other parts of the map, creating whole new structures and consequently different ways to engage in combat. Created maps can then be “tagged”, allowing other gamers to download them. Think of Forge World as your own personal Inception - “it’s pure creation”. With even more objects to place, a much larger scale world, and the player’s own creativity driving them, we can expect to see some insane multi-player maps start to surface immediately after D-day (September 14th).
Read More | Bungie.net
Windows Phone 7 Preview
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Handhelds, Microsoft,
With iOS, Android, WebOS, and BlackBerry dominating the smartphone scene, Microsoft has been noticeably absent from the game. Now they are aiming to change that with Windows Phone 7. Whether Microsoft will be able to pull a rabbit out of its hat and become relevant in the hearts and pockets of users is completely up to what Windows Phone 7 can do. The OS was recently previewed and it is promising to say the least, but is still flawed in some key areas.
The Good
- While in lock mode you will have an at-a-glance look at time and date, incoming emails, calender appointments and texts. A simple upwards slide of the screen reveals the elegant dashboard, which uses a “tile” interface that is very well done. Your tiles are completely customizable, allowing you to “pin” your favorite and most used tiles to your home interface, such as playlists, people, webpages, and apps.
- What you will notice right off the bat is that the touch screen response is incredibly fast. In fact, the smoothness of touch is right up there with iOS 4 as the most responsive UI on a smartphone ever.
- The keyboard is one of the more important aspects of a smart phone (who talks anymore?), as users will definitely need a cooperative keypad when sending texts and emails. Windows Phone 7 manages to pull it off exceptionally well. The virtual keyboard works in both vertical and horizontal modes, and as expected, is better suited for horizontal use. Though, the feel of the keyboard shouldn’t be taken too seriously just yet, as we will have to wait to get our hands on a finished piece of retail hardware to gauge its comfort in use.
Click to continue reading Windows Phone 7 Preview
Facebook Reaches 500 Million Users
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: News, Social Media,
Mark Zuckerberg announced on the official Facebook blog that the social network has reached 500 million users world wide. An incredible feat indeed, but If you think that 500 million is a lot now, then imagine just how many more will sign up after The Social Network hits theaters. Also announced was the new application “Facebook Stories”. This app allows the 500 million Facebook users to share stories of how Facebook has helped them to do something significant. “Stories” is meant to tell of the miraculous feats that can be accomplished through the open, ever changing social network that is Facebook. For instance “Ben, the 17 year old high school student”, used Facebook to get his network involved in a movement to save an old town theater in Kentucky. Now if only we can get the other 499,999,999 to stop posting meaningless drivel, and start taking advantage of using it as a source of grassroots empowerment. Perhaps Facebook Stories will spark this, but methinks it will become overrun with stories such as “Jake the 22 year old college student used Facebook to organize a fart.”
You can follow us on Facebook.
Read More | Facebook Blog
Panasonic Lumix LX5 is the new Lumix king
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras,
This morning Panasonic hit us with the details of the forthcoming Lumix LX5 camera, and we’ve gotta say, it sounds awesome. Previously, the Lumix LX3 was the Lumix point-and-shoot that was most coveted in the line, with Panasonic focusing that camera on being able to take fantastic photos, despite boasting fewer megapixels than competing models. The LX5 takes things to the next level. It keeps the 10-megapixel CCD sensor (which we like,) and improves upon dynamic range and low-light performance. It’s got a better Leica lens and a new image processing engine—again, all focused on making your photos look great.
The Lumix LX5 Leica lens is an F2.0 24mm, and has 3.8x optical zoom (the LX3 has 2.0 zoom.) Obviously, if you want more zoom, you’ll have to look elsewhere, but if you can live with that limitation, you should seriously check this one out. It also records 720p video in AVCHD, and has an LED backlit display for better color reproduction and better visibility outdoors. Rounding things out are image stabilization, face recognition, and creative movie mode. The Lumix LX5 goes on sale in August for $499.
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Apple to give every iPhone 4 owner a free Bumper Case
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,
This morning Apple took the stage for a press conference to address the iPhone 4 antenna issues that a small number of users have been experiencing. After Steve Jobs gave details on the antenna issue alongside data that Apple has collected, he announced that Apple would be sending free cases to iPhone 4 customers through September 30th. One caveat mentioned, though, is that Apple can’t seem to make enough Bumper Cases to meet demand, so to be true to their free case promise, they will source cases from their partner manufacturers as well. Starting late next week you’ll be able to sign up for your free case on the Apple website, and you can choose which case you’d like to receive. If you’ve already bought a bumper case, Apple will refund your money through September 30th as well.
Furthermore, for anyone who is dissatisfied with the iPhone 4 as a whole, Apple will allow you to return it with no restocking fee within 30 days, as long as it’s undamaged.
So there you have it!
Bleeding Edge TV 355: Orange iPhone 4 Bumper Case
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gizmatic, Accessories, Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,
When the iPhone 4 launched, there was a rush and quick shortage of the iPhone 4 Bumper Case. When Apple announced the cases, there were five colors announced (black, white, orange, blue, green, and pink,) but when the device launched, only the black case was available. The other colors are still super-hard to find, and currently have a three-week wait time when ordering them from the Apple Store. We were able to get our hands on the orange Bumper Case, and give you a quick video showing it off. Oh, and yes, we put it on backwards.
You can pick up an iPhone 4 Bumper Case from Apple for $29.
Motorola Droid X unboxing
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Galleries, Handhelds,
The Motorola Droid X gets released next week, and we were able to get our hands on the device a bit early to bring you some coverage. In case you’re unfamiliar, the Droid X will be available on Verizon, and sports a 4.3-inch 480x854 display, 8 megapixel camera, and can record 720p HD. It also has the ability to act as a mobile 3G hotspot for up to 8 devices, and can connect to an external display using HDMI. Take a look at the images in our Motorola Droid X unboxing gallery, and look out for our review soon!
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White iPhone 4 photo gallery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds,
As previously reported, Apple delayed the white iPhone 4 availability due to manufacturing challenges, and the smartphone should finally be available later this month, if Apple is to be believed. In the meantime, it looks like the white iPhone 4 is starting to roll off of the manufacturing belt, as we’ve come across a ton of images of the device by way of Japan.
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