Unannounced leaked BlackBerry Z10 purportedly demoed on video

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors, Videos,

Research In Motion's BlackBerry 10 mobile OS, formally QNX, has been widely publicized; however, little is known about RIM's other ability, hardware, until now. A video has been posted to YouTube of an iPhone-esque phone with a BlackBerry logo allegedly dub the BlackBerry Z10. To be clear, this is not the demo units that were given to developers for the purpose of making apps and taking the OS for a spin. Perhaps, this is a unit that is slated for mass production? We will soon find out as RIM has an event scheduled for later this month. Until then, check out the video leak.

Click to continue reading Unannounced leaked BlackBerry Z10 purportedly demoed on video

Read More | Telekom Presse

AT&T now allowing FaceTime over Cellular for iOS users on any tiered plan

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,

AT&T has just announced it is making good on its promise to allow devices like the iPhone 4S, as long as it's on a tiered or data share plan, the ability to utilize Apple's FaceTime video calling service on its cellular network. The rollout is slated to take several months and will be applied automatically by AT&T for eligible customers. Still, those out there like myself who have a kung-fu grip on their unlimited plans are left out in the cold. AT&T did state in their blog recently that they would assess FaceTime impact for unlimited users on its network. So, hopefully, the AT&T network isn't as fragile as they are alluding to and can hold up enough so that their most loyal customers, like myself, won't be out of the loop for too long. Fingers crossed.

When FaceTime over Cellular launched in September 2012, we explained that we wanted to roll it out gradually to ensure the service had minimal impact on the mobile experience for all of our customers.

As a result of ongoing testing, we’re announcing AT&T will enable FaceTime over Cellular at no extra charge for customers with any tiered data plan using a compatible iOS device.

This means iPhone 4S customers with tiered plans will be able to make FaceTime calls over the AT&T cellular network.  AT&T previously made FaceTime over Cellular available to customers with a Mobile Share plan and those with an LTE device on tiered plans.

Of course, FaceTime over Wi-Fi remains available for all customers who have a compatible iPhone or iPad.

We have already begun updating our systems and processes and expect to start rolling the update out to customers on an ongoing basis beginning in the next couple of weeks.  Customers do not need to do anything—the update will be applied automatically over the next few months.

Only AT&T offers benefits like the ability to talk and surf at the same time, the fastest download speeds using AT&T 4G LTE, and a variety of flexible plan options to meet customers’ needs. - AT&T

Read More | AT&T

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro Jelly Bean update now available

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

All you Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro users on AT&T, listen up! We just got word from your carrier that the long-awaited update that'll allow you to upgrade your device to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is now available. That means that your push-to-talk capable device will now let you use feature like Google Now, Quick Settings, and even DriveMode, which aims to prevent texting while driving. When you're ready to upgrade, just hit the link below.

Read More | Galaxy Rugby Pro Android 4.1 upgrade

Samsung reveals HW-F750, world’s first vacuum tube soundbar, at CES

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: CES, CES 2013, Home Entertainment, Wireless / WiFi,

Samsung's latest audio line, revealed at CES, comes with a bold claim: it's are the first in the world to use a soundbar with a built-in vacuum tube amplifier, and Bluetooth to connect to your TV, ditching the wires if you use it alongside a 2013 Samsung television (or other Bluetooth-enabled TV, we'd imagine.) As you can see, it also has a subwoofer, making it a 2.1 solution.

This feat is apparently achieved by a wireless Bluetooth speaker (DA-F60) using the apt-X audio codec and NFC to connect to devices such as your TV. Furthermore, its 7.1 channel surround sound system should also please the home theater crowd, which will work with Samsung's 2013 television line-up. The system also uses a Gallium Nitride amplifier to enhance the sound quality.

Samsung also revealed a "premium" Blu-ray player capable of upscaling DVD content to 4K.

Read More | Samsung

Peter Gabriel releases MusicTiles for simplistic remixing of your favorite songs

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Music, iPad Apps, New Apps, $2.99,

Peter Gabriel is releasing a new music app dubbed "MusicTiles," allowing the creation and sharing of fan-made remixes of popular songs.

The remixing process is handled by a simple tile interface. Each tile represents a song element, such as the individual instruments and vocal tracks, which users can blend together to form new sounds. The effects include a range of manipulation techniques, such as altering the timing of the tracks by fooling around with the arrangement.

MusicTiles sell for $2.99 -- though you'll probably spend a heck of a lot more through the in-app purchases -- and is available now for the iPad and iPhone.

Read More | MusicTiles

Sprint readies FM Radio and Entertain Me packages for Android and Windows Phones

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Music,

Sprint is bringing FM radio to select Android and Windows Phone devices this year with the NextRadio tuner app. This move makes Sprint the first US carrier to herald FM radio in such fashion, and shows the amount of faith the carrier puts in a format some might say is already dead.

Sprint also revealed an application bundle for the Sprint Zone on Android dubbed "Entertain Me." The bundle will feature Sprint TV and Movies, Sprint Music Plus, Spotify, Slacker, iHeartRadio, Shazam, and Rumpus.

Microsoft to migrate Messenger users to Skype on March 15

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,

Microsoft is officially retiring its Messenger service and will redirect users, and their contacts, to Skype.

According to The Next Web, users will retain access to Microsoft Messenger until March 15th, at which point they will then be prompted to join Skype. The migration will be made with your contacts in tow, so that alleviates some of the stress involved in the changing of hands. Mobile users of Skype will be glad to know that Microsoft account support is already mixed in with the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 8 to make the transfer as swift as possible.

How do you feel about the death of Messenger? Let us know in the comments.

Read More | The Next Web

iPhone set to launch on T-Mobile in “three to four months”, maybe

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Rumors,

T-Mobile's John Legere revealed to Reuters that his network's iPhone launch will happen within the next "three to four months" rather than the next "six to nine." This estimated time frame, while not the most accurate, coincides well with T-Mobile's LTE rollout and network reframing.

"If the old industry structure chooses to ignore what we do," said Leger, "that's a potential."

Read More | Reuters

Watch NVIDIA’s CES 2013 keynote video

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, CES, CES 2013, PC / Laptop, Video Games, Videos,

If you're weren't lucky enough to attend 2013's Consumer Electronics Show, then you can catch up on NVIDIA's keynote here. The company had a fairly talked about showing, revealing a similarly praised and criticized product in its Project Shield, Android-based gaming console. NVIDIA also revealed its new Tegra 4 processor, all of which you can see in its entirety in the video after the break.

Click to continue reading Watch NVIDIA’s CES 2013 keynote video

Read More | Twitch TV

Kno Me launches for iPad, coming soon to Windows 8 and Android

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Software,

Kno's smart textbook metrics system for students and parents, titled "Kno Me," is now launching for the iPad, Windows 8, and other browser platforms. Kno Me works by providing detailed sets of data on the way you (or your child) studies by observing patterns and durations of interaction with subject matter, pages, annotations and more. By learning how you, or your child, learns, you will have a better chance of perfecting habits which allow for improved knowledge retention.

Kno Me is currently available for the firm's interactive text books, and will be coming to Android and Windows 7 by the end of the month.

Read More | Engadget