Do the rumored AppleCare changes mean worse iPhone customer service?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Editorial, Rumors,

The rumor mill has been buzzing with regards to significant changes that will be coming to AppleCare, Apple's popular standard and extended warranty program. Interestingly, it appears that AppleCare support for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad is about to become much more of a pain for customers. This marks a significant change where Apple will seemingly make a decision to make the customer service experience worse rather than better, all in the name of saving a ton of money.

Click to continue reading Do the rumored AppleCare changes mean worse iPhone customer service?

1Password 4.2 released with better browser, improved search, much more

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Software,

1Password is one of our favorite apps here at Gear Live, and today version 4.2 for iOS was released with a slew of new features. Let's talk about some of our favorites.

On the iPad, you get a newly-optimized browser (called 1Browser) that now includes the Strong Password Generator. You can also autofill your logins if you prefer, and the browser even recognizes a URL that you have waiting in your clipboard and offers to take you there. The iPad also picks up the Go & Fill bookmark feature, that let's you bookmark your favorite sites, and when you visit, 1Password will automatically log you in.

Search has been expanded, now allowing users to search across all 1Password data fields, and you can even share password items using Messages and email--1Password offers to let you share either in plain text, or in an encrypted format.

We've got the full changelog for you after the break. You can download 1Password 4.2 now.

Click to continue reading 1Password 4.2 released with better browser, improved search, much more

Giveaway: Tickets to see Prince at Ogden Theatre in Denver!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features, Music,

The legendary Prince is currently traveling the country with his Out Loud tour, teaming up with 3rdEyeGirl, and they'll be making a stop at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, Colorado on May 12. Tickets cost $250 each, and they're sold out, so it's near impossible to get in. Thankfully, though, we've got your hookup. Continuing with our concert ticket giveaways, we are hooking you up with two tickets to see Prince live in concert on May 12th, courtesy of our friends at Monster and AEG Live!

How do you enter? Simply use the widget below! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated. Also, note that one of the options grants you ten entries. Might wanna give that one a look:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Photos of Megan Fox as April O’Neil in new Ninja Turtles movie emerge

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Movies,

If you weren't aware, there's a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in production, and April O'Neil is played by none other than Megan Fox. In fact, images of Fox on set have emerged, showing that she is sporting brown hair and a yellow jacket that  stands in place of the jumpsuit of the same color that April is known for by fans of the franchise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is being directed by Jonathan Liebesman, and stars Megan Fox in the role of April O'Neil, Alan Ritchson as Raphael, Jeremy Howard as Donatello, Pete Ploszek as Leonardo, Noel Fisher as Michelangelo, Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick, and Danny Woodburn as Master Splinter.

Read More | Super Hero Hype

Mother’s Day Giveaway: LG Optimus G Pro

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Smartphones, Features,

That's right, we are giving away a brand new LG Optimus G Pro for Mother's Day! After all, it's time to thank the moms in your life for their hard work, and the LG Optimus G Pro is just the phone to do that with. In fact, here are a few reasons why we think she'll love it:

• The LG Optimus G Pro sports a 13 megapixel camera, letting mom capture all those important and impromptu family moments, and includes features like VR Panorama, Cheese Shutter, and Time Catch Shot.
• It's got a 5.5-inch display. That puts it almost in tablet territory. Mini tablet, if you will. So watching videos, reading books, and surfing the web are done without having to suffer through tiny fonts.
• The device has almost no bezel. That keeps it thin and easy to hold, despite the larger display size. Very comfortable in the hand. 

The LG Optimus G Pro can be had for $199.99 with two-year contract from AT&T, but we are giving you the opportunity to win one right here from Gear Live, courtesy of AT&T. So, how do you enter to win? Simply use the widget below to keep track of your entries! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By the way, if you wanna pick up an Optimus G Pro on your own, AT&T is currently selling them for $199.99 with two-year contract.

See also: LG Optimus G review

Giveaway: Tickets to see Blackstreet tomorrow at Showbox Sodo in Seattle!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Music,

Blackstreet was one of the hottest R&B acts in the late 90s and early 2000s, highlighted by their smash hit album, Another Level. Everyone knew the song No Diggity by heart. If you're in Seattle and wanting to take a trip back (way back...back into time...) then you'll wanna be at Showbox Sodo tomorrow night to see Teddy Riley & Blackstreet live in concert.

Lucky for you, our friends at Monster and AEG Live wanna get you in the building, and we have tickets to give away to get you there. How do you enter? Simply use the widget below! We've got a lot of ways for you to enter, but don't check off any that you don't actually perform. If you do, you'll be eliminated. Also, note that one of the options grants you ten entries. Might wanna give that one a look:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Tesla Model S Consumer Reports review: Best car we have ever tested

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Product Reviews, Transportation, Videos,

The Tesla Model S has just received the highest form of praise from Consumer Reports--best car it has ever tested. That is quite an achievement, and an amazing vote of confidence for the small California-based car manufacturer. Consumer Reports even made sure to reiterate that it didn't just mean best electric car, but rather, the Tesla Model S was simply the best car Consumer Reports has ever tested, period. Standout features like a battery that allows the driver to go 200 miles before needing to be recharged (although that is a $10,000 add-on option,) incredible handling due to the weight and low placement of the battery, and the ability to go from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. The vehicle tested would retail for $89,650, and to be honest, we'd expect a car that costs that much to be in the running for "best car tested" in any media outlet.

Get a look at the Consumer Reports Telsa Model S video review after the break.

Click to continue reading Tesla Model S Consumer Reports review: Best car we have ever tested

Google Glass XE5 update brings Google+ integration, refinements

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

Google has pushed out a new update for Google Glass Explorers, the early testers and purchasers of the ambitious wearable tech. Most notable in the XE5 update is the addition of Google+ functionality in Glass, specifically allowing you to comment on, and +1 entries on Google's social network. You can also receive incoming Google Hangout invitations. Here's a full rundown of the changes:

• Change to sync policy: require power + WiFi for background uploads
• Crash reporting
• Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
• Incoming Hangout notifications
• Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
• Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
• International number dialing + SMS
• Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
• New On-Head Detection calibration flow
• Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
• More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
• New recipient-list mosaic

As you can see, Google is steadily improving the Glass experience, even as it's just in the beta Explorer stage. With a year-or-so before it hits mass market, the company has a lot of time to refine the technology to get it ready for the meanstream. They'll need to, in order to quiet the jokes.

Custom Daft Punk LEGO minifigs tide us over until the album drops

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Music, Toys,

The next Daft Punk album, Random Access Memories, is set to be released in a couple of weeks, and for those who can't wait, there are custom Daft Punk LEGO minifigs. Jake Meier, LEGO minifig extraordinnaire, put the duo together with custom turntable, helmets, and a bunch of assumedly electronic music vinyl in a box. Well done.

Click to continue reading Custom Daft Punk LEGO minifigs tide us over until the album drops

Read More | Jack Meier LEGO

T-Mobile sells over 500,000 iPhone 5s in under a month

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

Despite being the last major carrier to pick up the iPhone, T-Mobile is still seeing massive success thanks to the Apple smartphone. In fact, the company revealed that it has sold over 500,000 iPhone 5 units since the device went on sale on April 12th, less than a month ago. On that day, T-Mobile locations had lines out the door, which is almost unheard of for the carrier. Technically, the iPhone 5 went on sale after the end of the first quarter, so those 500,000 sales weren't accounted for. We will have to wait until next quarter to see how the iPhone is affecting T-Mobile revenue.

Read More | T-Mobile