On FilmCrunch: Thor: The Dark World trailer [Video!]

Latest Gear Live Videos

Tons of iPhone, iPad, iPod touch apps on sale today

iOS game sale

It's Memorial Day, and while we all remember those who've fought--and continue to fight--for our freedom, plenty of stores are also offering deals. For example, the Apple App Store is featuring a bunch of heavily discounted titles, some up to 90% off, for Memorial Day. We've got a list of some of the best deals below! Definitely the right time to stock up if you own an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch (oh, and don't forget, you can jailbreak them all now too!):

Universal Apps (iPad, iPhone, iPad)

iPad Apps

iPhone Apps


Advertisement

Bleeding Edge TV 431: Vonage Mobile vs. Skype

We compare the new Vonage Mobile free calling and free texting app against the Skype app for iOS and Android in this episode. Both Vonage and Skype offer apps for smartphones that enable you to communicate with others using voice or text for free, yet the apps also have some key differences. For example, Vonage Mobile uses your existing contacts and address book, rather than requiring you to set up a new username, get a new phone number, and set up a whole new buddy list like Skype requires you to do. Also, Vonage Mobile doesn't require you to set up an account with them to pay for any off-network minutes like Skype, instead you just add your minutes right from the App Store or Android Market! Another big difference is that Skype offers video chat, while Vonage Mobile is strictly for free phone calls and free texts in its current form. Check out the video for the full comparison and rundown!

Big thank you to MozyPro and JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! MozyPro provides simple, automatic, and secure data backup. As for JackThreads, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like on the site.


Bleeding Edge TV 429: Vonage Mobile review

We give you a look at Vonage Mobile and explain how you can win one of twenty $25 iTunes gift cards in this episode! Vonage Mobile allows you to make free phone calls to other users of the app (which is currently available for iOS and Android.) In addition, you can also send free text messages as well to other users of the app, cross platform. Even better, you can call any phone number, the rate is much lower than what your mobile carrier would charge, and is even 30% less than what Skype would charge you as well.

The app works over both Wi-Fi and cell service (3G and 4G) and it uses your existing contacts and address book, rather than requiring you to set up a new username, get a new phone number, etc. Even cooler, you don't need a Vonage account to pay for your calls - instead, you just add your minutes right from the App Store or Android Market! As we said, the video also explain how you can win one of the 20 $25 iTunes gift cards we will be giving away as well!

Big thank you to MozyPro and JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! MozyPro provides simple, automatic, and secure data backup. As for JackThreads, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like on the site.


Enter to win 1 of 20 $25 iTunes gift cards in our Vonage Mobile giveaway!

Vonage Mobile review

Vonage Mobile has launched, and we're giving away 20 iTunes gift cards to our readers to celebrate! In case you're unaware, Vonage Mobile allows you to make free phone calls to other users of the app (which is currently available for iOS and Android,) anywhere in the world. In addition, you can also send free text messages as well to other users of the app, cross platform, anywhere in the world. Even better, you can call any phone number, and if that other person doesn't have Vonage Mobile, then the rate is much lower than what your mobile carrier would charge, and is even 30% less than what Skype would charge you as well.

The app works over both Wi-Fi and cell service (3G and 4G) and it uses your existing contacts and address book, rather than requiring you to set up a new username, get a new phone number, etc. Even cooler, you don't need a Vonage account to pay for your calls - instead, you just add your minutes right from the App Store or Android Market!

So, how do you enter to win one of the $25 iTunes credits? We've got a few different ways for you to enter. You only need to enter once, but for each method of entry, you gain an additional entry in the contest. Here's how you enter:

That's it! Again, there is no requirement for you to perform all three methods of entry, but you do get a point for each entry that you do. At the end of the week, we'll choose twenty winners at random who followed the rules!

Click to continue reading Enter to win 1 of 20 $25 iTunes gift cards in our Vonage Mobile giveaway!


Steam Mobile app now available for everyone

Posted by John Ball Categories: Portable/Mobile

Last week, as some know, Valve released its mobile steam app for the App Store and Android Marketplace in beta mode. Now, it's open and available to all. Go pick up the Steam app today from either store for free if you want to give it a try.


Microsoft details its Windows App Store

Microsoft on Tuesday brought its Windows 8 road show to San Francisco, where the company previewed its upcoming Windows Store for app developers and media. The key ingredients of the Windows Store are easy app discovery from within and without the online marketplace, built-in app trials with quick upgrade paths, support for both x86 and ARM-based hardware, and a flexible business model, Microsoft's Antoine Leblond said.

The Windows Store will open in beta in late February of next year in conjunction with the Windows 8 rollout schedule. That trial period will feature free apps only and app submissions will be by invitation only, Leblond said.

The software giant has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of Apple and Google in developing an online marketplace for what Microsoft calls "metro-style" apps, but IDC analyst Al Hilwa said the Windows Store was a step in the right direction.

"There is a lot to like in the new app store," Hilwa said. "I like that Microsoft is launching the app store early and that enterprises will be able to side load apps as needed and that Microsoft is promising hopefully early support for this process in its management tools. For developers I like some of the second-generation features baked in and ready to roll, such as in-app payment system, the advertising network, and the developer analytics features."

Click to continue reading Microsoft details its Windows App Store


Bleeding Edge TV 391: iPad 2 Giveaway!

We are giving away an iPad 2 in this episode! We tell you all about the new Vonage Time to Call app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which lets you make 15-minute phone calls for $1.99. We also detail how to win a 32 GB iPad 2 (or a $700 Apple gift card if you prefer) by leaving a video response showing off the Time to Call app! Be sure to get it yourself for free. More details from Vonage.

As we mention in this episode, to enter to win, you've gotta be a subscriber of the Gear Live YouTube channel. Once subscribed, head over to the episode page for the giveaway, and leave us a video response. The contest is open to US and Canada residents.

Big thank you to Carbonite and JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out! Carbonite offers off-site backup of your computer, and you can get a 15-day free trial (no credit card needed!) by visiting Carbonite and using promo code TPN. As for JackThreads, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like.


Mac OS X Lion launches tomorrow, July 20

OS X Lion launch

During today's Apple earnings call, CFO Peter Oppenheimer announced that Mac OS X 10.7, better known as OS X Lion, will be launching tomorrow on the Mac App Store. Lion will be available as a 4 GB download, and will sell for $29.99. Once purchased, you can install it on all Macs that you own at no extra cost, and without any sort of authorization key. Apple is touting 250 new features in Lion, with things like Launchpad (an app launcher that is reminiscent of iOS,) Mission Control (a replacement for Expose,) Resume, touch gestures, and more included. Lion Server will also be available as a $50 add-on.


Apple releases Final Cut Pro X, now on Mac App Store

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Software

Final Cut Pro X

Apple released Final Cut Pro X this morning, bringing a new redesign to the company's flagship video editing program. The app is now 64-bit and support multi-core processing, alongside a new editing timeline. taking design elements from iMovie, the new layout is supposed to allow both novices and seasoned video editors to work at much faster speeds. You can insert clips, move them around, and place everything just how you want, without worry of audio losing sync, for example. Final Cut Pro X also includes much improved audio and color handling, eliminating the need (and existence) of the Color and Soundtrack Pro apps. You can get Final Cut Pro X now for $299.99 in the Mac App Store. New versions of Motion 5 and Compressor 4 are also available at $49.99 each.


iCloud is now live in the App Store

iCloud purchase history

iCloud, Apple's new cloud services that Steve Jobs told us about during his WWDC 2011 keynote this morning, has already made its way into the purchase history area of the App Store. Above is an image from my iPhone 4, showing apps that I have purchased, but that aren't installed on the device. I can tap the iCloud icon to download the content right from there.


Advertisement