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Latest Gear Live Videos
Apple begins to issue Bumper Case refunds
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,
Apple has started issuing automatic refunds to customer who purchased iPhone 4 Bumper Cases from the Apple Store Online. As you can see above, Apple is notifying customers by email that their refund is processing, and should take 3-5 business days to clear. We are still waiting for official word on when customer who bought a Bumper Case at a retail store can come in for a refund.
Apple is giving free cases to iPhone 4 customers and refunding those who purchased a Bumper Case as a make-good for the iPhone 4 antenna issue that has plagued some users.
Gallery: Apple begins to issue Bumper Case refunds
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Windows Phone 7 Preview
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Handhelds, Microsoft,
With iOS, Android, WebOS, and BlackBerry dominating the smartphone scene, Microsoft has been noticeably absent from the game. Now they are aiming to change that with Windows Phone 7. Whether Microsoft will be able to pull a rabbit out of its hat and become relevant in the hearts and pockets of users is completely up to what Windows Phone 7 can do. The OS was recently previewed and it is promising to say the least, but is still flawed in some key areas.
The Good
- While in lock mode you will have an at-a-glance look at time and date, incoming emails, calender appointments and texts. A simple upwards slide of the screen reveals the elegant dashboard, which uses a “tile” interface that is very well done. Your tiles are completely customizable, allowing you to “pin” your favorite and most used tiles to your home interface, such as playlists, people, webpages, and apps.
- What you will notice right off the bat is that the touch screen response is incredibly fast. In fact, the smoothness of touch is right up there with iOS 4 as the most responsive UI on a smartphone ever.
- The keyboard is one of the more important aspects of a smart phone (who talks anymore?), as users will definitely need a cooperative keypad when sending texts and emails. Windows Phone 7 manages to pull it off exceptionally well. The virtual keyboard works in both vertical and horizontal modes, and as expected, is better suited for horizontal use. Though, the feel of the keyboard shouldn’t be taken too seriously just yet, as we will have to wait to get our hands on a finished piece of retail hardware to gauge its comfort in use.
Click to continue reading Windows Phone 7 Preview
Gallery: Windows Phone 7 Preview
Google Nexus One officially sold out
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,
A few days ago, Google made it known that the Nexus One Android smartphone would be reaching the end of life status in short order, but we didn’t think that meant a day or two later. However, as you can see from the image above, Google’s online store is fresh out of Nexus Ones, and they won’t be restocking any more of them. Many argue that the Nexus One was, and still is, the best Android smartphone on the market. It was available directly from Google as an unlocked device as well, and always had first crack at the newest Android release. Here’s hoping we see a Nexus Two of some sort in the future.
Read More 
| Google
Gallery: Google Nexus One officially sold out
iPad comes to nine more countries this Friday
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Handhelds,
Apple has just informed the world that the iPad is set to launch in nine additional countries this Friday. We don’t have any solid numbers yet as far as pricing in these territories goes, however, on July 23rd you’ll be able to buy Apple’s tablet device in the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, and Singapore. Don’t fret if your country has been left off the list, as Apple has also promised that “many more countries” will get the iPad before 2010 ends.
Gallery: iPad comes to nine more countries this Friday
Apple explains smartphone antenna performance
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
Following this morning’s iPhone 4 press conference, Apple has put up a page detailing the attenuation and signal loss of the antenna. They include videos of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II (basically, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Android, and Windows Mobile) all showing the same issue, and explain why it happens.
Don’t forget, Apple is offering free cases to all iPhone 4 purchasers through September 30th, and if you’ve already bought one, they will even give you a refund.
Read More | Apple
Gallery: Apple explains smartphone antenna performance
White iPhone 4 shipping at end of July in limited quantities
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
During this morning’s Apple press conference, where the company announced they’d be giving free cases to iPhone 4 customers (as well as refunds for anyone who already purchased a Bumper Case,) we also got an update as to the whereabout of the white iPhone 4. Originally, Apple said it would ship in the second half of this month. Today, Steve Jobs said it would arrive at the end of this month in limited quantities. Still no solid date, but we are guessing we’ll see it in about two weeks.
Gallery: White iPhone 4 shipping at end of July in limited quantities
iOS 3.2.1 update for iPad now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Software, Wireless / WiFi,
In addition to releasing iOS 4.0.1 earlier today, Apple has also given us iOS 3.2.1, the first software update available for the iPad. Some changes and improvements in 3.2.1:
- Improved Wi-Fi connectivity
- Fixed an issue that could prevent copy and paste of single-page PDF attachments in Mail
- Addressed an issue that could cause video playback to freeze
- Improved reliability of video-out when using iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
- Added Bing as an option for Safari’s search field
Just connect up your iPad and check for the update in iTunes, and you’ll find it ready for you.
Gallery: iOS 3.2.1 update for iPad now available
iOS 4.0.1 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Software,
Apple just released iOS 4.0.1, which they say “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display,” and also gives the signal bars a visual facelift as well. You can download it now. Let us know how it goes!
Gallery: iOS 4.0.1 now available
FaceTime on iPad and iPod touch to use email to connect
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cameras, Handhelds, Rumors,
FaceTime currently establishes a connection on the iPhone 4 using your phone number as a means to authenticate. This is a problem for Wi-Fi iPads and the iPod touch, since they don’t have a cell service to verify who you are. However, that isn’t gonna stop Apple from bringing FaceTime to those devices. BGR has a couple of images showing that Apple will likely use your Apple ID—the email address you use when you register Apple products—as the means of authentication on those devices. From there, you’d get a push notification whenever someone wanted to have a FaceTime chat with you. Works for us, but of course, we likely won’t find out any more about this until September, when Apple introduces the next iPod touch. One more image after the break.
Click to continue reading FaceTime on iPad and iPod touch to use email to connect
Read More | BGR
Gallery: FaceTime on iPad and iPod touch to use email to connect
ColorWare offering custom-painted iPhone 4 with antenna fix
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Design, Handhelds,
The folks over at ColorWare are at it again, this time offering their custom color design services for the iPhone 4. The interesting bit here, though, is that while they aim to make your iPhone 4 more stylish, they are also in the process of confirming that letting them add a bit of style to your device will also solve any death grip antenna woes you may be experiencing. Now, a $29 Bumper Case from Apple will do the same thing, and that’s a hell of a lot cheaper than the $250 ColorWare will charge you while also offering protection from damage—however, some of us choose style over function, and that antenna fix is just a nice value-added bonus to getting a spiffed up custom device.
Read More | ColorWare iPhone 4
