Apple slashes pricing on MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,

Apple has announced an immediate price reduction on the entry-level 128 GB 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, slashing the price by $200 down to $1499. Additionally, for $1699 (the same price that the entry-level model used to be) you can now get the 256 GB version with a faster 2.6 GHz processor.

On the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro side of things, the $2,199 base model now features an upgraded 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7 processor (up from a 2.3 GHz chip,) while the top-of-the-line $2,799 model now sports a 2.7 GHz i7 with 16 GB RAM.

As an aside, Apple has also dropped the price of the 13-inch MacBook Air with 256 GB storage--it now sells for $1,399, $100 less than it sold for previously.

Click to continue reading Apple slashes pricing on MacBook Pro with Retina display, MacBook Air

More Microsoft Surface Pro 128 GB units in stores this Saturday

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,

Those hoping to score a 128 GB Microsoft Surface Pro have been frustrated by lack of supply, but that should be changing this Saturday. While Microsoft has been tight-lipped regarding Surface Pro 128 GB stock since launch, the company has promised that more of the tablets will be available in stores on Saturday. This includes Microsoft stores and Best Buy, with Staples being questionable--so if you want one, we recommend going with one of the first two.

Many would-be Surface Pro purchasers were disheartened to find stock so limited upon launch, since Microsoft didn't allow for pre-orders of the devices, leading many to believe that there would be plenty for everyone, which was far from reality. You can also try your luck at grabbing a Surface Pro from the Microsoft online store.

Sonos enters home theater with Playbar

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi,

Gear Live's love affair with Sonos is no secret - we love the product dearly, and with today's introduction of the Playbar, it's grown even more. With the Sonos Playbar, the company is effectively entering the home theater space, providing a soundbar that's capable of pumping out massive sound through its nine drivers (size mid-range drivers and three tweeters.) Simply connect it to your television through optical TOSlink, and you are ready to go.

The Playbar isn't just a typical soundbar speaker--it's a Sonos product, and that means it ties right in to the Sonos ecosystem. You can use it to play music streamed from your iTunes library, streaming music subscription services like Rdio and Spotify, Pandora, and many more.

It gets better, too. Sonos says you can pair the Soundbar with the Sonos SUB and/or a couple of Play:3 or Play:5 units for a full-on 5.1 surround sound experience. It'll be expensive, but it leaves us salivating. You can pick up the Sonos Playbar next month for $699, and it's available for pre-order right now.

Read More | Sonos

Skitch 2.0.3 for iOS brings improved text editing

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Productivity, App Updates, Free Apps,

Skitch for iOS was recently updated to version 2.0.3. The 2.0.3 version brings a new text editor, allowing users to add and resize image annotations more simply and effectively. There are also several unspecified improvements to the app to fix reported bugs and increase the overall functionality and speed of Skitch for iOS.

Skitch is an Evernote designed app (through acquisition) that is used for adding annotations, shapes and sketches to graphics. Download it from the App Store for your iOS device.

Read More | Skitch

TiVo Stream review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment, Product Reviews,

If there's one thing that was a glaring omission from the official TiVo iOS apps, it was the fact that they couldn't connect to the TiVo on your local network to allow you to watch content on your smartphone or tablet. Well, all that has changed with the release of the TiVo Stream. What is the TiVo Stream? Well, as you can probably guess from the name, TiVo Stream allows you to stream recordings from your TiVo Premiere DVR directly to up to three iOS devices on the same network (or four if you happen to have more than one TiVo Premiere box), simultaneously. Additionally, it also allows you to transfer recording to your iOS device for viewing when you are off the network. It's an ambitious device that provides a feature that many have been clamoring for, and it sells for $129. So, is it worth the additional investment? We've given you a look at the TiVo Stream hardware, now join us for our full TiVo Stream review for the answer.

Click to continue reading TiVo Stream review

TiVo Stream unboxing gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Features, Galleries, Home Entertainment, Portable Video,

If you own both a TiVo Premiere DVR and any iOS device (especially an iPad,) you should take a moment to check out the new TiVo Stream if you haven't already. What is TiVo Stream? In short, it's a device to connect to your home network that allows you to stream your recorded TiVo shows to your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad--up to four devices at a time. Additionally, you can also copy over shows from your DVR to watch on the go. Our TiVo Stream review will be out later this morning, but for now, we've got a few images for you in our TiVo Stream unboxing gallery. You can pick up TiVo Stream for $129.

Gallery:

The Nike+ FuelBand app not coming to Android anytime soon, dedicated to iOS

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Wearables, Google, Software,

The Nike+ FuelBand is one of the most popular fitness gadgets out there (although the verdict is still out on if fitness gadgets actually improve our health,) but there's been a complaint from Android users since it's release regarding the lack of an app for Android-powered smartphones. Despite waiting patiently for about a year, it turns out, a FuelBand app isn't even on the radar for Nike.

@mkoyerp Right now, we're focused on iOS and web. We're not working on an Android App.

— Nike Support (@NikeSupport) February 10, 2013

To deliver the best experience for all Nike+ FuelBand users, we are focusing on the FuelBand experience across iOS and nikeplus.com, where you can sync your activity, set new goals, and connect with friends. At this time, we are not working on an Android version of the mobile app.

In other words, the company is committed to having the FuelBand work perfectly within the iOS ecosystem, and doesn't have time right now to worry about the fragmented Android mess. Of course, the FuelBand doesn't require a smartphone at all, so Android users (and anyone else) can use it, they just need to sync over USB to their computer rather than over Bluetooth like you can do with an iPhone.

Read More | Giz

Monster’s 2013 headphone line-up [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2013, Design, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

We know how much our readers love Monster headphones, so we are hitting you with a video taking you through the 2013 headphones line-up. We go through each model, including Inspiration with TUMI, Diesel VEKTR, DNA, MVP Carbon, Diamond Tears, Ncredible, and more. The line includes over-ear headphones, on-ears, in-ears, gaming headset, and more. Hit the break for the video. Be sure to subscribe to Gear Live on YouTube for more tech video coverage.

Click to continue reading Monster’s 2013 headphone line-up [Video]

Spotify finally comes to Windows Phone 8

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Music, Software,

Windows Phone 8 users have been patiently waiting for Spotify to hit the platform, and the day has finally arrived. You can download the beta Spotify app to get your subscription music streaming on while simultaneously kicking Xbox Music to the curb. The wait was due to the Windows Phone 7 Spotify app being built by a third party and paid for by Microsoft, in an attempt to just get Spotify onto its phones, and since Windows Phone 8 is a totally different platform, the app needed to be rewritten from scratch. Not sure why that garish pus-yellow background needed to be included, but we guess beggars can't be choosers.

Read More | Windows Phone Blog

Nintendo Wii U ZombiU bundle drops February 17 for $390

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Survival Horror, Wii U,

Nintendo has announced its first Wii U console bundle in the ZombiU Deluxe Set. In the box you'll find the black deluxe Wii U, black Wii U Pro controller, the ZombiU game disc, and even a collectible booklet that showcases artwork from the game alongside developer commentary. Nintendo Land is still a part of the deal as well, except in the ZombiU set you get a code to download the title instead of a hard copy on disc. Expect to see this set on store shelves in the US and Canada on February 17 for $389.99.