Giveaway: Win a pair of UFC Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey’s favorite headphones!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Three nights ago, Ronda Rousey used her signature armbar to become the first UFC Women's Champion--but did you notice her headphones? The Ronda Rousey headphones were mentioned time and again on Twitter and other social media channels, and if you've paid any attention to Gear Live and our CES coverage, you probably can guess what they were. In fact, if you can, you may just walk away with a pair of your own...and we've made it super-easy, as you can tell.

Here's a hint: They're Monster branded, and Rousey's win was truly INSPIRATIONal. We can't make it easier than that.

That's right! All you need to do is let us know the brand and model of the headphones. If you get it right, you are entered to win one of three pairs that we are giving away! Here's how you enter--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. If you choose to tweet, include the headphone brand and name. If you choose to follow us on YouTube, leave a comment there with the same. Or leave a comment right here on this Gear Live post. Or do all of the above. You get multiple entries. On to the widget:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ford is first to introduce Spotify in-car integration

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Music, Transportation,

Ford and Spotify have announced a partnership that sees the popular streaming music service make an appearance in Ford vehicles. Spotify is now compatible with Ford SYNC AppLink, streaming its catalog of over 20 million tracks over the car radio. You'll need to download the new iOS or Android Spotify apps to take advantage of the new hotness. You be able to access your songs, playlists, and custom stations, and can even control things with voice commands. Aside from Spotify, Ford SYNC AppLink allows you to access other service, like Pandora, Amazon Cloud Player, MOG, Slacker, and Rhapsody.

Read More | Ford

Slacker Radio comes to Xbox 360

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Music, Video Games,

We recently reported on the Slacker Radio redesign, and the company is keeping the freshness going, debuting on the Xbox 360 today. You can download the Slacker app for free, and you've gotta be an Xbox Live Gold subscriber in the US or Canada for the privilege. You get the same overhauled color scheme, music guide, and Kinect voice controls. Head over to the Xbox Live Marketplace to grab the 116 MB download.

Windows 7 users can now download Internet Explorer 10

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Software,

If you're a Windows 7 user, you'll be glad to hear that Internet Explorer 10 is now available for you. IE 10 launched alongside the release of Windows 8, so all other users have been left out in the cold until now. Why upgrade? Well, according to Microsoft, Windows 7 users can expect much-improved JavaScript performance, integrated spell-check with auto-correct, more stability, and better battery life on laptops and notebooks. Go ahead and give it a download.

Read More | Microsoft

Twitter for Windows Phone gets a substantial update

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Microsoft, Software,

Twitter has finally (finally!) released a substantial update to Twitter for Windows Phone. The new version brings the design of the app in line with what you'd find in the iOS and Android variants, with the Home, Connect, Discover, and Me tabs included in the app. Additionally, Twitter for Windows Phone includes Live Tile support, so you can pin specific Twitter accounts, lists, and searches right to your Start Screen. You can grab the update right now.

Read More | Twitter

Samsung confirms Galaxy S IV event for March 14 in NYC

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

Looks like the rumors of a Samsung Galaxy S IV March 14th announcement have come to fruition. Samsung has released an image inviting press to an event in New York City on March 14th that features the text "Ready 4 The Show: Come and Meet the Next Galaxy" which is pretty much a dead giveaway. However, if you're still suspicious, how about this quote from JK Shin, Samsung's mobile division chief:

"We introduced the Galaxy S III in London last year, and this time we changed the venue (to New York)... as we were bombarded with requests from U.S. mobile carriers to unveil the Galaxy S IV in the country."

We've also got the tweet from Samsung Mobile's Twitter account that backs all of this up.

Click to continue reading Samsung confirms Galaxy S IV event for March 14 in NYC

App.net introduces free accounts with an invitation system

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Revenue, Social Media, Social Networks, Startups,

App.net has decided to remove the cost of entry for some users, as it now allows those with paid accounts to invite up to three people to the service for free. If you're unfamiliar with App.net, it's a Twitter-like service that is free of advertising, instead allowing members to pay a $36 annual fee to be a part of it. Members own the data they put into it and don't need to give up any rights, and that includes the 10 GB cloud storage that tied to the App.net File API. Free users will have some limitation, though. For one, you'll only be able to follow a maximum of 40 other users, and instead of the aforementioned 10 GB of cloud storage, you get 500 MB instead. Lastly, paid accounts are allowed to upload files up to 100 MB in size, while free accounts have a 10 MB size restriction.

If you want to get in on App.net and don't feel like paying, hit up your paid user brethren and beg for an invite.

Read More | App.net

Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 now available for $99.95

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,

Hot on the heels of the Juice Pack Helium, Mophie has announced the Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5, its second battery case that works with the Lightning-equipped Apple smartphone. The Juice Pack Air packs in 1700 mAh of power, enough to double the battery life of your iPhone 5. As with other Mophie Juice Pack cases, you get charging pass-through, the ability to switch charging on and off on demand, and enhanced sound by redirecting the audio towards you. The Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 also ups the ante by upgrading the charge output from 0.5A to 1.0A, which means you get a faster charge. As for colors, you can choose between monochromatic soft touch black, glossy white, or metallic red - a Product (RED) device. Check out the video after the jump.

Click to continue reading Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5 now available for $99.95

Read More | Juice Pack Air for iPhone 5

Google Glass to launch this year, cost less than $1500

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

After Google released it's latest video highlighting Project Glass, many were left salivating for when they'd be able to buy a pair of their own. Google launched the #IfIHadGlass contest to allow a number of people the ability to be the first purchasers of the "Explorer" edition of the ambitious headset, but even though the price there is $1500, you need to be one of a selected few. Today, The Verge got info direct from Google that it hopes to get Google Glass on the market for all consumers to by before the end of 2013. The price? "Less than $1,500." Pretty vague, but we are still a full 10 months away from the end of the year, and there's still much work to be done.

What price are you hoping to see Google Glass launch at? Any predictions?

Read More | The Verge

Facebook 5.5 for iOS introduces free voice calling, easier sharing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,

Facebook 5.5 for iOS has just been released, and with it comes free voice calling for North American users over Wi-Fi and cellular networks. The feature came to Facebook's separate messaging app a couple of weeks ago, and is now baked in to the full-fledged Facebook iOS experience for users across the US and Canada. After updating, simply open your chat pane by tapping the icon on the upper-right, select a friend, and then select "Free Call." As you'd expect, the person on the other end also needs to be located in North America, and also needs to have the latest Facebook app installed. It's a nice way to make voice calls without tapping into your voice minutes--just make sure to keep an eye on your data plan when you're away from Wi-Fi, no need to try to save on voice minutes, only to rack up massive data usage fees, you feel me?