Apple now selling unlocked iPhone 5

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

Apple has begun selling unlocked iPhone 5 smartphones in the U.S., starting at $649. The unlocked and off-contract iPhone 5 works on GSM, HSPA+, and LTE networks in certain countries.

The subtle move popped up in a low-key option on Apple's iPhone page, and doesn't offer any extra perks for the hefty price tag. Besides that, you can expect the same colors and features you're used to in the standard carrier models.

Read More | Apple Store

Weekend Reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Doctor Strange, Alan Moore and Ward Kimball

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

It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season is fast approaching, yet every day is a holiday on the internets.

If you were going to cast the Doctor Strange movie, and want to argue about it, you could do that at Longbox Graveyard where Paul O’Connor, Chris Ulm and I layout a scenario.

JT Lindroos at Bookgasm looks at a chunk of UK graphic novels to add to your holiday shopping list: Tank Girl, Rogue Trooper, and Torpedo.

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Doctor Strange, Alan Moore and Ward Kimball

Danny Fingeroth: Jews and the Comic Books

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

This is kind of last minute, but it sounds like it would be fun.

If you're going to be near, on or around Staten Island on Sunday morning, December 2 and 10 o'clock, Writer/Storyteller/Comics Historian Danny Fingeroth will be speaking on "Jews and the Comic Books" and the creation of the comic book super-hero based on the Jewish immigrant experience. Plus, the talk comes with a lox and bagels breakfast.

Admission is just $7, and Fingeroth will be speaking at Temple Emanu-El at 984 Post Ave. For information, call 718-442-5966.

Fingeroth is a great speaker, a knowledgeable historian and a good guy. If you can make it, you'll have a good time.

[Artwork: Disguised As Clark Kent: Jews, Comics And The Creation Of The Superhero by Danny Fingeroth]

Read More | Danny Fingeroth

Give the Gift of Comics

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Action Figures, Editorials, Reviews,

Looking for something to get your comic book fan for the Holidays? It's a tricky business. Comic book fans often have the stuff you'd want to give them or may not like the thing you want them to have. So it requires a very thoughtful approach. Here are some places to help you out.

Action Figure Times has listed their Top 10 Christmas gifts for action figure fans. #1? Captain Action, simply one of the greatest action figures of all time.

Forces of Geek has unleashed their Holiday Gift Guide.

And John Scalzi’s reader-driven gift guide is essential for finding stuff that’s off the beaten path.

The grand master of all holiday gift guides is, of course, Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter. His is full of win.

Click to continue reading Give the Gift of Comics

Bleeding Edge TV 461: iPad mini Smart Cover review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Features, Podcasts, Product Reviews, Videocasts, Videos,

Apple released a Smart Cover accessory for the iPad mini, a smaller version of the iPad Smart Cover that costs the same $39 that the larger version costs. We thought the original model was great, and in this episode we let you know how we feel about the mini version of the display protector and tablet stand combo. We've got a few complaints about the functionality of the iPad mini Smart Cover. Check out the video for our thoughts!

Time Warner CEO wishful for an Apple TV set

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Rumors,

Time Warner CEO, Jeff Bewkes, reiterates wishful sentiments from the cable company that Apple make their own branded television set, and shake up the entire industry, when the question was asked of him at a conference.

"I hope they do," he said, "I think Apple is a great device company."

The Time Warner CEO thinks that Apple can solve the go-to-market-strategy problem with the cable/content business.

"They bring good interface and navigation skills,"

Perhaps an à la carte hardware system is already in the making at the secretive Cupertino labs. Who knows, maybe television and content executives are already privy to the details while deals are being established. Gear Live has reported that Time Warner COO, Rob Marcos, stated that the cable company would be willing to cede control of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) as long as they can still maintain a relationship with customers.

"It's really all about maximizing the capabilities to get Time Warner customers the best possible experience."

Read More | Business Insider

Merril Lynch Analyst: T-Mobile possibly getting iPhone next week

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Rumors,

Apple could get access to an additional 33 million users as speculation circulates that T-Mobile could get the iPhone by next week. Scott Craig of Merrill Lynch is saying "speculation is heightening" as parent holder Deutsch Telecom is slated to ink a deal with Apple to bring iPhone to T-Mobile stateside. This past year, T-Mobile has been very busy making its networks iPhone-compatible to utilize HSPA+.

Perhaps this is a change of heart as just last week T-Mobile COO Jim Alling stated, "Make no mistake about it: We would love to carry the iPhone," … "However, we want the economies to be right for us." Still, it's a double edge sword not having the iPhone. "We recognize that it has been a point of churn for us".

T-Mobile would have had the iPhone last year if the U.S. Dept. of Justice hadn't opposed AT&T (T) proposed acquisition of the company on antitrust grounds. - Philip Elmer-Dewitt, CNN Money

Read More | CNN Money

Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro drops in January for $899

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,

If the Surface with Windows RT isnt sporting the power and flexibility you need (check our Microsoft Surface review,) then the Surface with Windows 8 Pro would be more your jam, and Microsoft has finally announced pricing for the beefed up slate. Surface with Windows 8 Pro will be available in early 2013 (read: at least 3 months later than it should have been release) in two configurations: a 64GB standalone version priced at $899 and a 128 GB standalone version priced at $999. Both models will include a Surface pen with Palm Block technology.

What do you think? Have you been holding out for the Surface Pro? How does that price range hit you?

Read More | Microsoft Blog

Apple releases Remote 3.0 with iTunes 11 support

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Entertainment, App Updates, Apple, Free Apps,

Along with arrival of iTunes 11, Apple has released version 3.0 of its popular univeral Remote app for iOS. The updates has iTunes 11 support and is said to be simpler and easier to use. Plus, Apple included a redesigned experience for the iPad version which has better search and album expanded views.  More after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases Remote 3.0 with iTunes 11 support

New Tiers added to Xbox Community Ambassador program

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Xbox Live,

The Xbox Community Ambassador campaign now has five more tier levels added to it, which include awards ranging from free Avatar swag to the Xbox Live gamer spotlight. The Xbox Community Ambassador program rewards Xbox Live members who assist other members through chat or the forum, acting as a reputation system that awards XP that can be redeemed.

The new tiers are listed below:

• Level 11, gold star avatar t-shirt.
• Level 12, gold star avatar hat and 10 tickets for periodic ambassador sweepstakes.
• Level 13, gamer spotlight, ilomilo on Xbox Live Arcade.
• Level 14, one month Xbox Live subscription and 10 ambassador sweepstakes tickets.
• Level 15, avatar spacesuit, 800 Microsoft Points.

If you're interested in becoming an ambassaor, you can apply here.

Read More | Xbox Community Ambassadors