LifeProof Fr? Car Mount quick review

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Transportation,

No doubt about it, I'm a LifeProof case fan. So, it's only natural that I use accessories to accompany the Frē Case (see our Lifeproof Fre case review.) In this case, the car mount, which I found to be well designed with great fit and finish, and takes little-to-no effort to assemble and use. In my usage tests, I admired the attention to detail that LifeProof has put in to assure that the car mount is sturdy, yet gentle enough to safely cradle your iPhone in place for hands-free GPS navigation. I prefer using a smartphone for navigation since there's a slew of GPS apps at my disposal. Users will quickly find, as I did, that the car mount can be rotated in pretty much any direction. This is a huge plus, as it makes it easy to find that sweet spot when viewing at a glance while still practicing safe driving habits. The LifeProof Frē Car Mount is $39.99 online at Lifeproof.com or at your local Best Buy.

Also, be sure to check out our LifeProof Fre Belt Clip review.

Read More | LifeProof

LifeProof Fr? Belt Clip quick review

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones,

I've been using the LifeProof Belt Clip a lot recently with the LifeProof Fre iPhone 5 case (see our LifeProof Fre review.) Yes, you read correctly. Call me old school, but I use a belt clip and I'm proud of it. I keep my pant pockets empty, with the exception of my wallet, which is why I'm counting the days for NFC e-wallet payment to become ubiquitous. LifeProof has made what I like to refer to as the quick draw belt clip. Faster than any gunslinger from those old westerns, I can quickly bust out my iPhone 5, that just moments before was snuggled safely in its holster, and send my favorite emoticon-filled iMessage with speed and accuracy. Simply put, the belt clip is rugged, yet uniquely designed with the Fre's sleek military spec motif. All in all, the LifeProof Fre Belt Clip performed exceedingly well, which is why I give it my seal of approval. The LifeProof Frē Belt Clip is $29.99 online at Lifeproof.com or at your local Best Buy.

Read More | LifeProof Fre Belt Clip

iPhone 5 now available at T-Mobile

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

This morning, T-Mobile finally started selling the iPhone 5, the first iPhone available from the company since the Apple smartphone debuted almost six years ago. Reports of modest lines at various T-Mobile locations across the country have been coming in, which is a good sign for T-Mobile, which rarely sees lines for new devices. Coupled with the its new Uncarrier plans, customers are able to pick up a new T-Mobile iPhone 5 for $99 up front. Switchers are able to trade in a used iPhone 4 or 4S to get the iPhone 5 for free up front, with a $120 credit being applied to the monthly bill as well.

Are you going to go with T-Mobile as your iPhone carrier of choice?

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Purported iPhone 5S parts leak showing push button mute switch

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors,

We are about half-way through the iPhone 5 product cycle, and that means it's time for iPhone 5S parts to start leaking. Today, iLab factory is showing what is purported to be flex cables for the iPhone 5S home button, vibrator, volume/mute buttons, and the front camera. Interestingly, the mute switch seems to have gone away, replaced by a mute button instead. As always, these should be taken with a grain of salt, but Apple is definitely set to start ramping up production of the next iPhone since it won't be long before it's introduced to the masses. These parts may also be reserved for the rumored lower-cost iPhone, rather than the iPhone 5S. Time will tell.

Read More | iLab

T-Mobile offering free iPhone 5 to users who trade in iPhone 4, 4S

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals,

T-Mobile USA is set to launch the iPhone 5 this Friday, and in anticipation of the long-awaited event, it's offering current iPhone owners a free iPhone 5 if they switch from another carrier. Here's how it works: you bring in your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S between April 12 and June 16, and you get a T-Mobile iPhone 5 at no cost up front, and a $120 credit that you can choose to apply towards your bill, extra accessories, or even an outstanding bill. The iPhone 5 would typically cost $100 up front, and an additional $20 per month over 2 years, so you are basically getting it with no up-front cost, and then a six month break on the monthly fee.

Of course, if you are mid-contract elsewhere, you have your early termination fee to worry about, which might put the kibosh on this one for you. However, if you have a spare iPhone 4 laying around, this could be an easy way to try T-Mobile's new smartphone plans out.

Read More | T-Mobile

Why Google will stop developing Android

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software,

"It's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it." - Tim Cook, Apple CEO

The same statement rings true for Google. If others are reaping the rewards, and little to nothing is left for oneself, then what's the point? If a product does not meet the expectations set before it, then developing for it doesn't make much sense. If any given product is not self-sustainable, then it is not cost effective and eventually becomes a burden to the maker--even if users appear to enjoy using it. Make no mistake about it, Google is in the business of making money, and everything else is secondary (including good will.)

Google's co-founder and now recently-minted CEO, Larry Page, bought Android in 2005. He also brought along Andy Rubin, one of its creators, over to Google, who recently renounced his post as Senior Vice President of mobile Digital Content. Basically, the guy who was leading Android. It has been said that Sergey Brin, the other tandem co-founder, was not enthusiastic about the purchase. Former Google CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt, now Chairman at Google had a similar reaction. These somewhat pessimistic receptions were also shared by Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering. However, he recanted these thoughts at Google I/O 2010.

Click to continue reading Why Google will stop developing Android

Nokia Lumia 521 coming to T-Mobile in May

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,

T-Mobile is set to release the Nokia Lumia 521, powered by Windows Phone 8, sometime next month in May. The Lumia 521 sports a 4-inch display, 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus that records 720p video, and the exclusive suite of Nokia apps like Nokia Music, Cinemagraph, Maps, Transit, HERE Drive, etc. The device will run on T-Mobile 4G (not LTE) network. T-Mobile is keeping quiet on exact pricing and availability for now for whatever reason, but the Lumia 521 won't exactly be flying off of store shelves, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding it once it lands at Walmart, Microsoft Retail Stores, and T-Mobile locations next month.

Google Play Store 4.0 update begins worldwide rollout

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

The Google Play Store is getting a fresh coat of paint beginning today with the release of the official 4.0 update. What's so great about Google Play 4.0? Well, for starters, the images are larger, making it easier to see what exactly your about to download. Content grouping has also been improved, providing better recommendations of other items you might be interested in, and the checkout process also sees a slight overhaul as well. Google Play 4.0 starts worldwide rollout today, and may take a couple of weeks before hitting your particular device. It'll run on any smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or later.

Read More | Android Blog

Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Software, Videos,

It didn't take long for the tech parody video for the Facebook Home to hit the interwebs. An exclusive interview with some of the designers of the Facebook Phone. Click through for the video.

Click to continue reading Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)

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Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software, Videos,

We told you all about today's unveiling of Facebook Home and the HTC First, and now Facebook has made the video recording of the announcement available for your viewing pleasure. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is on his A-game in this one. Check out the full video after the break.

Click to continue reading Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event