Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX Ice Cream Sandwich update roll-out starts now!

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

Motorola said a while ago that the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX would get an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade by the end of the second quarter. Well, it came down to the wire, but starting today RAZR owners will start receiving the Android 4.0.4 update. In addition to the new ICS feature set, the upgrade will also enable the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX with Global Ready mode, making the Verizon's first 4G LTE devices with that distinction. Go ahead and check for an update.

Read More | Motorola

Belkin AC1000 and AC1200 802.11ac routers available this month

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wireless / WiFi,

Belkin is set to release its new routers, compatible with the 802.11ac standard, at the end of the month. The Belkin AC1000 and AC1200 are both dual-band routers that support 802.11ac/b/g/n and each has four Gigabit Ethernet ports built in as well. The differences between the two? The AC1000 will sell for $139 and provides maximum throughput of 665Mbps on 5 GHz, while the AC1200 will cost $20 more and provide max throughput of 867Mbps. Only problem now is that, even if you pick one up, you'll have to get a compatible phone or laptop (only ASUS offers one at the moment) if you want the maximum Wi-Fi speeds that these things can provide. Just consider it an investment in the future.

Flipboard for Android is now available

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

Sure, it Flipboard for Android leaked weeks ago during its period of exclusivity to the Samsung Galaxy S III, but for those less adventurous, you can now grab the unique newsreader the old-fashioned way. Just head on over to Google Play to download Flipboard for your Android device.

Read More | Google Play

Nintendo 3DS XL with 4.88-inch 3D display hits stores August 19 for $199

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Portable/Mobile,

This morning Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo 3DS XL (or 3DS LL in Japan.) The console takes everything about the standard Nintendo 3DS, and makes it bigger. What you end up with is a 4.88-inch 3D display on top, and a 4.18-inch standard touch display on the bottom. Buyer also get a free 4 GB SD card included. In Japan, the 3DS LL will hit stores on July 28th for about 18,900 Yen ($235) while us 3DS XL buyers will have to wait until August 19th to get in on the action, where it'll cost $199.

Read More | Nintendo

Check out these high-quality iPhone 5 3D renders

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

We've had a bunch of leaked images of the purported next-generation iPhone (iPhone 5? iPhone 2012? The new iPhone?), and if the rumors are true, then these 3D renders that were created using the leaked images, should tell the tale of what the device will actually look like--and we think it looks fantastic. The black iPhone gets blacker, with a dark frame, while the white model maintains the chrome frame and aluminum colored back. Get a look at more of the images in our gallery. If you want the 3D model for yourself to play with in your favorite 3D program, you can grab it from Martin Hajek for $50.

Read More | TurboSquid via Gizmodo

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Bleeding Edge TV 454: USB 3.0 Time Machine restore on MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, PC / Laptop, Podcasts, Storage, Videocasts, Videos,

In this episode we give you a look at the speed differences between backing up using Time Machine over USB 2.0 with a MacBook Air and then restoring that same backup data to a MacBook Pro with Retina display using USB 3.0. This is a great look at the speed enhancements that USB 3.0 bring to the Mac notebook lineup. Sure, it isn't a direct read/read or write/write comparison, it still shows the blazing differences you can expect as it pertains to performance on the new line of Mac laptops. Also, be sure to check out our MacBook Pro with Retina display review if you're considering one. You can get the MacBook Pro with Retina display from Apple.

Big thank you to GoToMeeting for sponsoring Bleeding Edge TV. GoToMeeting provides rich, super-simple collaborative virtual meetings - be sure to check them out!

Ask Andru: Is Wii U really a next-generation console?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Features, Video Games,

Today we received a question about Nintendo's upcoming console release, Wii U, with GeekWire reader Alex wondering why the company continues to release new peripherals for a console that's seen better days.

Question: What's up with the Wii U? Why is Nintendo releasing yet another expensive peripheral for the aging Wii?

Nintendo originally announced Wii U in June 2011 in a vague manner, leaving much of the pertinent details left to the imagination. Because of this, many assumed that Wii U was the name of the new tablet-esque controller, and that it would interface with the Wii console that originally hit stores in November 2006. Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth.

Click to continue reading Ask Andru: Is Wii U really a next-generation console?

Google Android 4.1 Jellybean to launch on Galaxy Nexus HSPA+

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

Looks like Google may have let the cat out of the bag on Android 4.1 a little early. We're guessing that Jellybean, the next version of Android, is set to be fully previewed at Google I/O next week, alongside the next Nexus device, the Google Nexus HSPA+. According to the Google Play store, the Nexus HSPA+ will be the first device graced with Android 4.1 Jellybean. Now, we wait.

Read More | XDA Developers

Drobo Mini: Portable Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 powered storage array

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Storage,

Aside from the awesome Drobo 5D, Drobo is also announcing its new Drobo Mini storage array. Supporting up to four 2.5-inch drives (either HDD or SSD, or any mix thereof,) this is the first portable Drobo that the company has released. It looks slick too. To insert the drives, you simply push it in, then push it again to remove, almost like a SIM card or CableCARD slot. Drobo even built its own custom power supply for this thing to go with its rugged design, ensuring maximum portability. You also get the same SSD port that the 5D has, allowing you to accelerate data speeds even more. Dual Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 round out the offering here. The Drobo Mini will be available in July, no pricing details have been revealed just yet. Check out the video below for more details.

Click to continue reading Drobo Mini: Portable Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 powered storage array

Drobo 5D features dual Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, SSD support

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Storage, USB,

If you're like us, you love Drobo, but you've been wondering for over a year when it would release a unit that was compatible with the super-fast Thunderbolt technology. Well, we've got our answer. Feast your eyes on the Drobo 5D. The Drobo 5D is a huge step forward for the directly-connected external storage data robot. First, the ports. The 5D has dual Thunderbolt ports (so it supports daisy chaining) as well as a USB 3.0 port. You get five hard drive bays, as well as a new SSD port for added data acceleration for even more speed. Even without the SSD, this Drobo is five times faster than its predecessor, supporting up to 16 terabytes of SSD-accelerated data. No price or specific launch date has been set yet, but it'll be available next month. Check out the video Drobo put together that explains the 5D after the break.

Click to continue reading Drobo 5D features dual Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, SSD support