Apple debuts two new iPhone 5 ads: Turkey and Orchestra

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

In the spirit of the holidays, Apple has debuted two new iPhone 5 ads: "Turkey" and "Orchestra." The Turkey ad showcases Shared Photo Streams, while Orchestra focuses on the noise cancellation features of the iPhone 5. Watch them here after the break. 

Click to continue reading Apple debuts two new iPhone 5 ads: Turkey and Orchestra

AT&T expands 4G LTE coverage in Seattle, launches in Tacoma

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Smartphones, Wireless / WiFi,

After launching its new 4G LTE service in Seattle days before the iPhone 5 launch, AT&T is now launching its faster data service in Tacoma, Washington, as well as Federal Way, Lakewood, Puyallup, and Auburn. Additionally, LTE expansion upgrades are now live in Seattle, Bothell, Bellevue, Kirkland, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Renton, Redmond, Tukwila, and Woodinville. AT&T plans to officially announce the enhancements tomorrow. Of course, you'll need an LTE-compatable AT&T device to take advantage of the faster speeds.

HTC Droid DNA: The best smartphone display ever for $199 on Verizon

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

If having a smartphone that has the best specs on paper is your thing, you're gonna wanna sit up and pay attention to the HTC Droid DNA smartphone. The Droid DNA will launch on November 21st on Verizon Wireless, and pre-orders start today. What makes the Droid DNA the undisputed champion of the spec race? Well, for starters, it has what is unquestionably the best display ever seen on a smartphone to date. It's a 1080p 1280 x 1080 display, packing the same number of pixels into it's 5-inch LCD panel that you'd find on your HDTV at home. That equates to 440 pixels-per-inch, blowing away Apple's 326ppi found on its iPhone Retina display.

The Droid DNA will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean when it launches in ten days, and will be powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB RAM. Naturally, being part of Verizon's flagship Droid line, it'll be a 4G LTE smartphone. Beats Audio with HTC Sense 4+, wireless charging, and a new Super LCD 3 panel round things out here. You can pre-order your Droid DNA today while we work on getting a review unit in-house.

Nexus 4 Bumper case available in Google Play store for $19.99

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

Google has just put its new Nexus 4 Bumper Case up in its Google Play Store. The Nexus 4 Bumper is apparently a totally original case that protects just the sides of the Nexus 4 smartphone, leaving the entire front and back of the device open. Perhaps Apple should look into making a product with the same name, that does the same thing, for it's old iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S line of devices. Oh, wait.

Read More | Nexus 4 Bumper Case

RIM Sets Blackberry 10 launch date for January 30th

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

Remember RIM? You know, the maker of the BlackBerry, once so famous it was dubbed CrackBerry? Well, don't count them out just yet. It's made an official announcement regarding the launch of BlackBerry 10 mobile operating system and new smartphone hardware for January 30, 2013. 

Click to continue reading RIM Sets Blackberry 10 launch date for January 30th

Read More | RIM

iOS 6.1 beta 2 now available

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

Apple has just released iOS 6.1 beta 2 as an over-the-air download a few minutes ago. This release comes just 11 days after the initial iOS 6.1 beta was released to developers, alongside the public release of iOS 6.0.1. iOS 6.1 will make it easier for users to report issues with the Apple Maps data, bring better music controls to the lock screen, makes it easier to find Passbook apps, and more. If you're already running the iOS 6.1 beta, check Software Update in your settings app to grab the latest update - if not, head over to the Dev Center for the download!

FaceTime coming to AT&T cellular tiered data plans in 8-10 weeks

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

AT&T has announced on its public policy blog that FaceTime over cellular will be available to iPhone and iPad users with several caveats. Users must have LTE versions of iPads and iPhones and must be on a tiered plan. Previously FaceTime on AT&T was only available for customers on mobile shared plans. However, the rollout is not immediate. AT&T expects it to take 8-10 weeks, which is unusually slow. The decision has come after much pressure from customers, public advocacy groups, and the media.

Still, AT&T's policy change is a half-hearted attempt as it doesn't fully cave in to demands. It omits a larger group of customer that are not on LTE from using FaceTime over cellular on 3G and "4G." Also, it continues its hostility toward customers of grandfathered unlimited data plans on any cellular mode. The FCC has warned that discriminatory practices on citizen owned spectrums will not be tolerated in accordance with net neutrality regulations. AT&T is cherry picking customers based on monetary gains and not necessarily reasons of management of network congestion.

Public advocacy groups, like Public Knowledge and Free Press, have made statements regarding the changes.

Click to continue reading FaceTime coming to AT&T cellular tiered data plans in 8-10 weeks

Read More | AT&T

You can now Pay with Square at Starbucks

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

Remember the deal that Square struck with Starbucks that'll allow you to pay with the service at all of the infamous coffee locations? Well, it's all been put in place, and you can now pay with Square Wallet at over 7,000 Starbucks locations nationwide. You won't earn reward points like you would using the Starbucks official app, but you also don't need to remember to refill your virtual gift card either. Starbucks doesn't yet allow customers to use the cool Square tab feature where you just pay with your face without having to bust out a wallet or smartphone, but this deal is still in its infancy, so give it some time, m'kay? Hit the source link below for more on how it all works.

Read More | Square

Nokia Lumia 920 $99.99, Lumia 820 $49.99, both launch Friday

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft,

After a ridiculously long wait, it's finally been announced that AT&T will be selling launching the Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 Windows Phones this Friday, November 9th, with pre-orders starting tomorrow. Pricing has also been revealed, and things are looking good there as well, with the flagship 920 costing $99.99 with two-year contract, and including a wireless charging dock. If you'd prefer the 820, that one will sell for $49.99 on contract. Now that the pricing is public, anyone planning on picking up one of the new Nokia Windows Phone 8 devices?

iA Writer 1.4 brings responsive design, Retina display optimization

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, PC / Laptop, Software,

iA Writer, our text editor of choice for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone, has been updated today to version 1.4 for Mac. The update brings:

• Responsive design: resize the windows to change the font size
• In-app preview panel
• Optimized for Retina displays
• Formatted QuickLook preview
• Standardized Find and Replace
• Selection-sensitive word count

The responsive design aspect is a nice touch. iA Writer is currently on sale for $4.99 on the Mac, and 99 cents for iPhone/iPad. We highly recommend it.