Microsoft is working on a first-party Windows Phone device

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

Last week we received a tip from a fairly close source that Microsoft would likely be introducing its own first-party Windows Phone device. We decided not to report on this one, because it seemed to make no sense. Why would Microsoft release a first-party phone that will be in direct competition with the Windows Phone 8 devices that its partners will be selling later this month?

Click to continue reading Microsoft is working on a first-party Windows Phone device

Nest Learning Thermostat gets a redesign, new software features

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Smart Home,

You may have seen our videos of Nest, the learning thermostat that aims to change home heating and cooling. If you haven't, check out our Nest thermostat unboxing and Nest thermostat installation video. It's been about a year since Nest launched, and Tony Fadell and company haven't been resting on their laurels. Instead, the company has just announced the next version of the Nest Learning Thermostat. What's changed? Well, the new model is noticeably thinner, doing away with the front ring wheel and instead incorporating it into the body of the thermostat. It also works much a much wider array of heating and cooling technologies, as well as whole home humidifiers.

If you own an Android tablet, you'll be happy to know that Nest has finally made an app available to control the device remotely, while the existing iOS and Android apps are seeing updates to support all the new hotness. You can pre-order the new Nest now for $249, or you can grab the first-generation model for $229. All of the software features that the new model sports are also supported by the older version, so it appears the only difference between the two is the size of the actual device.

Read More | Nest Blog

Go Now: Green Valley Book Fair

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

I love a book sale and one of the best ones in the country is the annual book clearing house that goes on several times a year in Mt Crawford, VA. It’s the Green Valley Book Fair.

I’ve written about them before, and what a great place they are for a variety of terrific remaindered books. In addition to all the usual categories, they always have a nice selection of graphic novels and trades at discounted prices and it’s impossible to get out of there without dropping $50 (at least).

Opening day is October 6 and the sale runs through October 21 and then it’ll close for a while so they can restock.

Click to continue reading Go Now: Green Valley Book Fair

iPhoto 9.4.1 now available

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

Apple has released iPhoto 9.4.1, an update primarily focused on killing a few bugs and overall performance. Here's the rundown of changes:

• Improves the reliability of syncing to iOS devices via iTunes
• Fixes an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly when using the Export command
• Addresses an issue that could cause iPhoto to quit unexpectedly when upgrading multiple books, cards, and calendars
• Resolves an issue with downloading and viewing photos synced from Facebook albums

Fire up Software Update to grab the new version. You can get iPhoto on the Mac App Store.

Bleeding Edge TV 457: Private tour of Apple Store Bellevue Square

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,

The Apple Store at Bellevue Square Mall was the first that the company opened here in the Pacific Northwest region of the country, way back in May 2003. At the time, it was a bold and innovative move, but as time went on and Apple's popularity surged with the introduction of the iPhone and iPad, the location became overcrowded. So what did it do? Rather than refurbishing the existing location, Apple began work on building a new, groundbreaking location on the upper level of Bellevue Square, right above the original and across the hall. As is typical when Apple has something under construction, the location was covered up under a shroud of  mystery until opening day. We were on hand as Apple opened its new, much larger Bellevue Square Apple Store, and were able to get a private tour of the location. As you'll find out in the video, the Bellevue Square Apple Store sports the largest glass-front display of any mall location, the first domestic skylight in an Apple Store mall location, and the first 360 degree Genius Bar, with 40 seats in total. All in all, the new location is about three times larger than the previous one. Check out the video for all the new hotness, and try and count the number of times that Duke Zurek uses the word "opportunity."

Be sure to also check out our Apple Store Bellevue Square Grand Re-opening hype video, and our Apple Store Bellevue Square gallery. While you're at it, take a peek at our iPhone 5 review as well!

[Camera credit: Eric Vitolo]

Joss Whedon’s SHIELD: Who Will Die?

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Marvel Comics,

Joss Whedon has announced some of the SHIELD agents that will be appearing in his adaptation of Marvel's favorite spy comic (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby).

Kimberly Roots at TV Line has the rundown and it includes: Agent Grant Ward, Agent Althea Rice, Agent Leo Fitz and Agent Jemma Simmons, along with a female character called Skye who's described as "fun, smart, caring and confident" which makes her a TW, Total Whedon.

But now that some of the characters have been made public, there's only one thing left to do: make up your own deadpool.

Which male character will die in the first season, and will it happen in the first episode, or will the sacrifice be made later, like, say, the season-ending cliffhanger?

Your move, Whedon fans. I've already made my chart.

[Artwork: Nick Fury]

Mars Attacks Popeye!

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Movies, IDW Publishing,

It was only a matter of time before these two crazy kids got together. IDW has just announced Mars Attacks Popeye, a special comic written by Martin Powell and illustrated by Terry Beatty that's scheduled for January 2013.

It combines the concepts of two titles that IDW already publishes, Popeye and Mars Attacks.

Click to continue reading Mars Attacks Popeye!

Mister Miracle #19: Why I Hate This Comic

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Reviews, DC Comics,

When my local comic book store bellied-up over the summer, I picked up some back issues at bargain prices.

One of them was Mister Miracle #19, a comic that I absolutely hate not because of the creative inside, but because of what it represents: everything wrong with corporate comics.

Mister Miracle #19 (September 1977) is the first issue of a reboot of the Jack Kirby title nearly 3 years after the series was cancelled at #18 (March 1974). When DC revived an old title back in the day, they preferred to keep the numbering intact because of the demands of newsstand distribution. Quite the opposite of what happens now.

It’s a fun revival by Steve Englehart and Marshall Rogers, who’d achieve greater impact with their work on Detective Comics at around the same time. Their story in MM #19 picks up pretty much where #18 had left off and it reveals how comics used to be written.

Click to continue reading Mister Miracle #19: Why I Hate This Comic

Invitations for Apple iPad mini event going out on October 10?

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,

Fortune is reporting that it has received word from a "major Apple investor" that press invitations will go out on October 10th for Apple's much rumored iPad Mini event, hot on the heels of the release of the iPhone 5. The iPad mini is said to sport a 7.85-inch display with thinner side bezels. Mock-ups have appeared on YouTube of the upcoming mini tablet, which is prepped to go up against the newer crop of smaller tablets like the recently released Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus 7. We'd say this is perfect timing, as the holiday shopping season is right around the corner.

Read More | Fortune

Verizon fixes iPhone 5 glitch that consumed data while connected to Wi-Fi

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

It appears that iPhone 5 users on the Verizon network were using up their allotted data while connected to Wi-Fi networks. Fortunately, there is a carrier setting update that resolves this issue. As such, this is a highly recommended update for all users on Big Red, even those on unlimited data plans and, of course, those who are on the tiered or shared data plans. It appears that no other carrier is affected by this but, just in case, keep a close watch on your data usage for any funny business.

Click to continue reading Verizon fixes iPhone 5 glitch that consumed data while connected to Wi-Fi

Read More | Apple Support