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Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple readying Facetime-capable iPad mini?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
Our pals over at iLounge have gotten a few iPad-related tibdits from one of their sources, and we thought it was interesting enough to pass on. They are hearing that, in conjunction with the regular September ipod event that Apple conducts each year, that the company may announce a smaller version of the iPad. They say it’ll have a 7-inch display, making the screen closer to that of the Amazon Kindle (Amazon released a new Kindle last week.) We’ve also been hearing that a smaller iPad was on the horizon, but we didn’t hear anything about a date. Other sources are claiming that the next iPad will definitely ship with a front-facing camera as well, turning them into Facetime devices (the next iPod touch will likely include similar functionality.) Even if it doesn’t happen in September, we fully expect to see a smaller iPad by January.
If Apple wants Facetime to catch on, they definitely need to get it into more devices than just the iPhone 4, and this would be a good way to accomplish that. A smaller iPad with increased functionality launching so soon after the original could result in buyers remorse for some, but it’s not like Apple hasn’t made similar moves in the past, especially with the iPod a few years ago.
Read More 
| iLounge
Gallery: Apple readying Facetime-capable iPad mini?
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iPhone 4 unlock now available with ultrasn0w!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software,
We knew that once the iPhone 4 jailbreak dropped, it would be just a matter of time before the unlock method would be made available. Well, two days later, it’s here. Ultrasn0w, the software unlock we’ve come to know and love over the years, has been updated to version 1.0-1. With that update comes support for the iPhone 4 baseband 01.59 and iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS basebands 04.26.08, 05.12.01, and 05.13.04. If those numbers confuse you, no worries, this basically just means that any iPhone 3G/3GS/4 device that you have in your hand as of today is unlockable. Just download ultrasn0w through Cydia, and you’re all set!
Read More | Dev-Team
Gallery: iPhone 4 unlock now available with ultrasn0w!
ATT Samsung Captivate review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Product Reviews,
We’ve been playing with the Samsung Captivate for a couple of weeks now, so we wanted to bring you our full review of the device that’s the best Android smartphone available on the AT&T network. The AT&T version of the Galaxy S features a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, 5 megapixel camera, 720p video recording, 7.2 Mbps HSPA, 802.11b/g/n, and Bluetooth 3.0. It ships with a highly customized version of Android 2.1 (Eclair.) It’s available now from AT&T for $199. Is it worth it? We let you know our thoughts after the break.
Click to continue reading ATT Samsung Captivate review
Gallery: ATT Samsung Captivate review
BlackBerry Torch launches on ATT on August 12 for $199
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Software, Videos,
This morning Research in Motion formally announced the much anticipated BlackBerry Torch (formerly the 9800,) and we must say, we’re kind of excited about it. The Torch has got a bunch of features that make it a formidable competitor in the smartphone space. Things like a full QWERTY keyboard portrait slider, 5 megapixel camera with flash, 3.2-inch touchscreen display (480x360,) 802.11n support, GPS, and much more. It’s got 4GB of internal storage and ships with a 4GB microSD card as well. 512MB RAM and a quad-band 3G radio that’ll let you use it across the world. One of the more interesting features is MEdia Sync, which lets you sync your content to the device right over WI-Fi. Oh, and did we mention that it runs the new BlackBerry 6 operating system? AT&T has got the exclusive on this one, and it launches in nine days on AUgust 12th, available for $199 with a two-year contract.
Wanna see it in action? Hit the break for a couple of BlackBerry Torch introductory videos!
Click to continue reading BlackBerry Torch launches on ATT on August 12 for $199
Read More | AT&T
Gallery: BlackBerry Torch launches on ATT on August 12 for $199
How to jailbreak your iOS 4 devices
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks,
We know that ever since iOS 4 hit the scene, many users have been clamoring for a jailbreak release so they can install hacks and apps that Apple won’t approve, or frowns upon. Well, that time has come, as an iOS 4 jailbreak has arrived—and it’s super-simple. To do the deed, just head on over to JailbreakMe.com. You’ll see the image above. All you need to do is swipe, and the jailbreak process will begin, directly on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. After a couple of minutes, the process will be complete. Couldn’t be easier!
Gallery: How to jailbreak your iOS 4 devices
Ballmer unhappy with iPad sales figures, says Windows slates are job one
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds, Microsoft,
Microsoft is frustrated by the success of Apple’s iPad. Well, who wouldn’t be if you were once the greatest thing to ever happen to computer technology? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer let the world know that he is quite jealous of the iPad’s success in the market, quoted as saying that the iPad sold “certainly more [units] than I’d like them to have sold.”
This open admission of envy doesn’t come without a back up plan however, as Ballmer unseals his lips just enough to mention a future Microsoft tablet in the works. The only other tidbit of info he let slip was that “the operating system is called Windows.” That’s a no brainer.
Whether or not Microsoft’s Windows 7 tablet will be able to capitalize on the iPad’s success and beat it at it’s own game is unclear at this point, but Ballmer has high hopes. “It is job one urgency. No one is sleeping at the switch,” states Ballmer in reference to the Microsoft tablet. Expect this Windows 7 based tablet to hit the market in time for the holiday sales rush.
Read More | Cnet via The Next Web
Gallery: Ballmer unhappy with iPad sales figures, says Windows slates are job one
Newegg Deal: $50 off iPod touch
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Hot Deals, Music,
Newegg‘s got a great deal on the 8GB iPod touch going on right now. If you buy an iPod touch in conjunction with the Newegg promo code “APPLE727B” they will knock $50 off of the total cost, bringing the total down from $199 to $149. That’s a nice bargain for entry level access to the world of the App Store. Go ahead and check out the Newegg iPod touch sale yourself. The deal ends on August 8.
As always, you can find all sorts of Newegg promo code and deals on our forums.
Read More | Newegg iPod touch promo code
Gallery: Newegg Deal: $50 off iPod touch
Amazon introduces a thinner, lighter Wi-Fi Kindle for $139
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Wireless / WiFi,
This evening, Amazon introduced us to their new Wi-Fi Kindle ebook reader, and we’ve gotta say, we think they’ve done it again. Hot on the heels of the release of the newly redesigned Kindle DX, the new Kindle is 21% smaller and 15% lighter than the Kindle 2. You don’t lose out on screen real estate though, since the Kindle keeps its 6-inch display size, although the e-ink screen now sports 50% better contrast and 20% faster page refreshes. It now packs 4GB of storage space, which can hold up to 3,500 books. Even better, though, is that Amazon is pricing this at just $139. That’s a significant price drop from the Kindle 2. If you want the new Wi-Fi model, but also want the free 3G connectivity, Amazon will be selling a 3G model for $189, which is still a huge savings from what the Kindle 2 sells for. Here are the links for those who want to pre-order:
The new Kindle will be released on August 27th, and if you pre-order, you’ll receive it that same day. It’s available in both white and graphite.
Read More | Amazon Kindle
Gallery: Amazon introduces a thinner, lighter Wi-Fi Kindle for $139
Sakshat: The $15 Tablet PC for Students
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Science,
In a recent announcement by India’s Human Resource Development Minister, Kapil Sibal, (who subsequently can now be referred to as ‘The Indian Steve Jobs’) an innovative tablet PC is headed for the market in 2011 - with a retail price of only 15 dollars! The remarkable device, dubbed Sakshat, is made with students in mind, acknowledging the problem of high cost devices essential to a higher education. Developed by the Indian Institute of technology and the Indian Institute of Science, Sakshat costs a mere $30 to manufacture. While even at such an astonishing price already, Sibal seems hopeful that it can be lowered to an unheard of $10.
Click to continue reading Sakshat: The $15 Tablet PC for Students
Read More | IBN Live
Gallery: Sakshat: The $15 Tablet PC for Students
iPhone 4 Case Program app gets you your free iPhone 4 case
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds, Software,
Apple‘s program for getting free iPhone 4 cases has officially started today. Earlier this week, Steve Jobs said you’d be able to sign up on the Apple website for your free case, but they’ve made a change that makes the process much easier for the user and much easier for the company to handle. Since the program only applies to the iPhone 4, Apple has released the iPhone 4 Case Program app, which allows you to verify your iPhone 4 eligibility, looks through all the available cases, check up-close photos of each case, and select the one you’d like to have shipped to you. The app has you log into your iTunes account upon launch, so when you check out, it has your name and address info all pre-filled for you. Couldn’t be easier.
Here’s a list of the cases that are available currently. If you wanted the official Apple Bumper Case, they are only offering the black one. All cases are listed as shipping in 3-5 weeks:
- Apple Bumper Case: Black
- Incase Snap Case: Smoke
- Incase Snap Case: Clear
- Belkin Shield Micra: Clear
- Griffin Motif: Diamonds/Smoke
- Griffin Reveal Etch: Black/Black Graphite
- Speck Fitted Case: Black Tartan
- Speck PixelSkin HD
If you’ve already purchased a Bumper Case from Apple, you are eligible for a refund. That’ll happen automatically if you ordered from the Apple Store Online. If you bought it at a physical Apple Store, just head on in with a receipt to claim your refund.
Read More | iPhone 4 Case Program app
