Google bumps Gmail storage to 10 GB free

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet, Storage,

Google is busy handing out free storage to its users today, first with the launch of Google Drive, and now with a Gmail storage bump.  Yep, when Gmail launched back in 2004, everyone got 1 GB of email storage for free. Today, eight years later, that figure is 10x larger. Prior to the storage increase, users had about 7.5 GB of Gmail storage for free, so this adds another 2.5 GB gratis.

Read More | Google

Mass Effect 3 is 50% off on Amazon today

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Video Games,

If you've been looking for an epic AAA title to get your hands on and haven't yet played Mass Effect 3, today is the day that you should make that consideration. It's a huge game with awesome atmosphere, and it's selling for half-off today on Amazon. Yep, you can get the latest Bioware blockbuster for 50% off for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, right now. Hurry though, because tomorrow the price returns to normal.

Read More | Amazon

Google officially launches Google Drive cloud storage service

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Google, Internet, Storage,

Google Drive, the long-awaited cloud storage service from Google, has just launched. Everyone gets 5 GB of storage for free with their Google account, with more storage available for purchase at surprisingly cheap rates (for example, you can upgrade to 25 GB storage for $2.49 per month.) Google Drive is currently available on the web, PC, Mac, and Android devices. iOS apps for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad are coming soon.

Click to continue reading Google officially launches Google Drive cloud storage service

Read More | Google Drive

FitBit Aria Wi-Fi scale now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2012, Smart Home,

Back at CES, the peeps at FitBit announced the FitBit Aria Wi-Fi scale, which aims to compete with the Withings scale we've been using for a couple of years now. The Aria is fairly similar, although it's about $30 cheaper than the Withing model ($130 vs $160,) and it syncs up with the FitBit web portal, which shows you a bunch of charts and data as it pertains to your weight patterns, as well as info from the FitBit and FitBit Ultra tracker (if you happen to use one of those.) The two are definitely meant to act as companions, providing you a nice, deep snapshot of your health and fitness profile. Check out the video interview we did with FitBit at CES, where we got a first look at the Aria scale, after the jump.

You can pick up the FitBit Aria now.

Click to continue reading FitBit Aria Wi-Fi scale now available

Price of Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus slashed by $100

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

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a fantastic Android device, shipping with a nice, untouched version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and now, it's $100 cheaper than it was yesterday. This brings the price of the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus in line with the upcoming CDMA Sprint model, which makes perfect sense.

Read More | Verizon

Hulu to offer more original content for 2012

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Internet,

Network and cable TV has been the primary source for new sitcoms and shows, historically. Now, with the adaptation of the internet, that is slowly changing. What started as a mere hub used to catch up on television shows, Hulu is now expanding into producing original, first-run shows on its own.

For those that use Hulu, you may have already known that Hulu had original programing like Battleground, Up to Speed, and A Day in the Life. Hulu’s programing is now expanding to include new shows, titled We Got Next, The Awesomes, Don’t Quit Your Daydream, and Flow.

Click to continue reading Hulu to offer more original content for 2012

Read More | TechCrunch

Leaked Samsung Galaxy S III surfaces in Vietnam

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors, Videos,

Normally we wouldn’t trust leaks that come out of Asia since you have to take them with a grain of salt due to the fact that there are so many realistic fakes out there, but on occassion, there are some newsworthy items. Such is the case for the Samsung Galaxy S III, which was spotted on Vietnamese site Tinhte.

Currently, the smartphone goes by the mundane name of GT-I9300. However, if Samsung plans on sticking to its current naming scheme it’ll be called the Galaxy S III, and it should be fantastic. According to Tinhte, the phone boasts a 4.6-inch display with 720 x 1184 resolution. The phone is powered by a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smoothly. The phone features 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of built-in storage that's expandable using the micro SD slot. For those that are addicted to Instagram, you’ll be able to shoot away using the 8 megapixel camera, and the phone is also equipped with NFC.

Since this is a prototype, expect the external look of the phone may change slightly. We’re assuming that Samsung will drop the tacky plastic rim around the handset, for example. Samsung has gone on the record by neither denying nor claiming the GT-I9300 as the next Galaxy S III, only stating “We will be able to tell you more at the 2012 Samsung Mobile Unpacked.” So we’ll just have to wait and see. Until that time, enjoy the video of the leak above.

Read More | Tinhte

Comic Book Jobs: Chicago High School for The Arts

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

You know what's almost as good as drawing comics? Teaching about drawing comics.

The Chicago High School for the Arts is looking for a "part time sequential instructor" for the 2012-2013 school year. You'll be part of the school's Visual Arts department.

They're looking for "a specialist in the field," someone who "will have the passion and skills to create a learning environment that will offer a rigorous pre-professional arts training that challenge students to achieve at high levels." The lucky teacher will be teaching Sequential Art as it's applied to "character design, storyboarding, comic illustration, narrative illustration."

But it's strictly part time: a 3 hour studio class to take place "on Tuesdays or Thursdays."

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Chicago High School for The Arts

Read More | Chicago High School for the Arts

Weekend Reading: Before Watchmen, Mark Waid, Pogo & Ultraverse

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

Welcome, weekend warriors! The internets have released a bounty of digital delights, so let's check 'em out!

John Rogers (Leverage) talks about his role in Mark Waid’s digital comics venture, and also talks about digital comics in general. John's a very smart guy, so he's well worth listening to.

One of my favorites, SF author Jay Lake (Rocket Science; Mainspring), is profiled in the Sunday Oregonian.

Over at John Scalzi’s Whatever, author Justin Jordan writes about the trade collection of his Image comic, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, inspired by those Charles Atlas ads in old comics. After reading about it, it’s now something I need to get.

Heidi nails what’s going on over at Disney, with link to Nikki Finke.

David Brothers nails Before Watchmen. I love the phrase “ethical rot.”

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Before Watchmen, Mark Waid, Pogo & Ultraverse

Shia LaBeouf Writes His Own Comics

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Conventions, Movies, Independent,

Shia LaBeouf writes his own comic books. The Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull actor has drawn three comics, Stale N Mate, Cyclical and Let's... Party, and last week bought a table at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo to sell his work and autograph copies for fans.

"I just did it for fun. I had some downtime and I've always been a big fan of comic books. I've said it's like singing in the shower. It's very free and without edit," he said.

Of attending expo, he added the best thing was "having an opportunity to blend in with 5,000 fans all enjoying the same thing."

However, Shia - who is currently filming two movies, The Company You Keep and The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman - has no plans to give up acting and take up his hobby full time: "I do love acting. But this is a fun escape once in a while."

Click to continue reading Shia LaBeouf Writes His Own Comics