How the iPad mini will look next to the iPad and iPhone 4S

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Design, Handhelds, Rumors,

Earlier today we gave you a look at what the 7.85-inch iPad should look like based on leaked schematics. That said, sometimes you need context to get a true feel for these things, and 9to5Mac put together another image that shows how the iPad mini mockup stacks up against the third-generation iPad and the current iPhone 4S. As you can see, it's enough of a difference to make it a standalone produce, resting between the iPhone display size and the larger iPad. Anyone else excited about this one yet? We're expecting to hear more about the iPad mini during Apple's September 12 iPhone event.

Read More | 9to5Mac

7.85-inch iPad mini render based on leaked schematics

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Design, Handhelds, Rumors,

Based on recent reports on the design of the upcoming 7.85-inch iPad mini, take a look at the new renders of the device. As you can see, the iPad sports a thinner bezel on the sides of the display which makes it look more similar to an iPhone or iPod touch than it does its larger iPad brethren.

Designer Maurizio Vitale put the image together using purportedly leaked schematics.

Read More | 9to5Mac

Avatar 3D Limited Edition Blu-ray arriving October 15th

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Movies,

Avatar has been available in 3D on Blu-ray for years. The problem is that it's been a Panasonic exclusive, available to buyers of Panasonic 3D HDTV sets, and later to buyers of Panasonic 3D glasses as part of a bundle. Those who were left out had to forage eBay and pay a lot of money to get access to what many call the best 3D movie of all time. Now, finally, Avatar 3D Limited Edition is set to hit retail stores in October. It'll be released globall on October 15, and appear in stores in North America the following day, October 16th.

Me? I'm more excited about E.T.: The Extraterestrial coming to Blu-ray.

Click to continue reading Avatar 3D Limited Edition Blu-ray arriving October 15th

Want To Write for Gear Live? Here’s Your Chance!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements,

Okay, we get it - we suck. You read Gear Live daily, and constantly say to yourself “I could so have written that story better.” Okay hot shot, now’s your chance. Gear Live is looking to bring in a couple more writers who know their stuff as it pertains to gadgets, video games, and social networks (like Twitter and Facebook.) You need not be a professional journalist to apply, but you should be able to write like one. What do we mean? Well, for starters, you have to have a strong command of the written English language. You also need to be passionate about the subject matter at hand. If you think you fit the bill, we want to hear from you. We are looking for writers, as well as editors.

Drop us an email at gigs[at]gearlive.com, and provide three sample posts written in the Gear Live style. These need to be original and timely, not something you wrote for the school paper a few years back. Also let us know why we should pick you, and what you can commit to. This is a paid gig, so bring your A-game.

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT to launch Oct. 26 for just $199?

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

When Microsoft revealed Surface to the world, we were pretty impressed. It looked like a highly-capable platform that, if it lived up to its promises, would be a major player in the tablet space. However, we also know that the iPad rules the roost. In fact, most consumers don't want tablets so much as they want iPads. What would Microsoft do with Surface to gain attention as a solid differentiator? It looks like it's gonna compete on price.

Click to continue reading Microsoft Surface for Windows RT to launch Oct. 26 for just $199?

Read More | Engadget

Joe Kubert, RIP

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, DC Comics,

It’s hard to believe that Joe Kubert passed away. His work was such a large part of my comic book experience and his war comics are so ingrained on my psyche that it feels like the passing of a great man of literature.

From Sgt. Rock, to Enemy Ace, to Tarzan and dozens more, his work never disappointed. His covers were dynamic, fluid, and never looked like anyone else’s. I could spot Kubert art a mile away. I loved his covers on Son Of Tomahawk, and I really liked a tryout series of his called Firehair, about a red-headed boy raised by native Americans.

And as much as I loved his war comics, it was his Tarzan that was a revelation to me. I’d read the Gold Key stuff which I found stiff and unexciting, but when I picked up the first issue Kubert did for DC, I was amazed at how he got me to like a character I was never really interested in.

Years later, I was fortunate enough to be involved in the publication of one of Joe’s graphic albums, Abraham Stone, at Malibu Comics. Here’s how that came about.

Click to continue reading Joe Kubert, RIP

Report: Next-generation iPhone 5 pre-orders to begin September 12

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

Apple is set to begin pre-orders of the next-generation iPhone 5 on September 12, according to iMore. You might recognize that date as being the same day that Apple will unveil its next smartphone to the world, so it looks like pre-orders will begin later that day. The smaller 7.85-inch iPad is also heavily rumored to make an appearance on 9/12 as well. The next iPhone is expected to see a September 21 release, with international sales kicking off on October 5.

Read More | iMore

Sprint Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE packs QWERTY keyboard, $199 on August 19

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google,

If you're a Sprint customer who's been waiting on a new Android device, and you demand that a real QWERTY keyboard be a part of the action, then the Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE is exactly what you're looking for. Aside from the keyboard love, it also packs support for LTE, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 8-megapixel rear camera, and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. You can pre-order the Photon Q today, and it hits stores on August 19th for $199.

Read More | Sprint

Amazon set to release new line of Kindle hardware, older models discounted and discontinued

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Rumors,

Amazon is seemingly set to unleash an update to its Kindle ebook readers across the board, as evidenced by the fact that the entire e-ink line is either discounted or discontinued. While the entry-level Kindle is still in supply, the $99 Kindle Touch isn't shipping for 3-5 days, while the $139 version that comes without ads is simply no longer available. The $149 Kindle Touch 3G is also unavailable, and the larger Kindle DX was discounted by $110 on Friday. Supply constraints and discounts like these aren't typical for the Kindle line, except in the instances where Amazon is set to refresh the line. Word on the street is that we'll see a Kindle event sometime in the next week or two that'll highlight updated models.

Read More | Gizmodo

Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.1 now available to developers

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

Apple has seeded the first build of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.1 to developers through its Mac Developer Portal. Interestingly, there are no known issues despite it being the first build, so we'd imagine that the 10.8.1 update will be released to the public in short order. Apple has focused on improving Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange in Mail, PAC Proxies in Safari, SMB, USB, and WiFi and Audio when connected to the Apple Thunderbolt Display for the first Mountain Lion update, which weighs in at just 38.54 MB in size. If you haven't upgraded yet, you can download Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store.