Latest Gear Live Videos
iPhone 5c review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Product Reviews,
The iPhone 5c is Apple's first mid-range iPhone handset to be introduced as a new model alongside a higher-end version. Available in five distinct colors, the device sports last year's internals with a fresh coat of external paint. As such, it's clear that the iPhone 5c is going after a different demographic than the top-of-the-line iPhone 5s--one that isn't necessarily looking at the specs of the device, and instead cares about the look and feel, and wants access to Apple's App Store without breaking the bank. That said, don't think of the 5c as the cheap iPhone--in fact, we'd bet that the "c" is gonna stand for cash, because Apple is poised to make a lot of it with the introduction of the 5c.
Is the iPhone 5c the right phone for you? Join us as we answer that question in our full iPhone 5c review.
Click to continue reading iPhone 5c review
Advertisement
Enter our Playstation 4 Monster Games & Accessory Pack Giveaway!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Video Games,
The next generation of gaming is upon us, with both the Xbox One and Playstation 4 launching in about six weeks time. Our friends over at Monster are looking to hook you up, and we've teamed up with them to bring you this awesome Playstation 4 accessory pack giveaway. Basically, if you're getting a PS4, you'll wanna win this, since we'll be hooking you up with games (Madden 25 and FIFA 14,) a pair of Monster MVP Carbon gaming headphones, and a bunch of other swag. Here's the full list:
- Monster MVP Carbon High-Performance gaming headphones
- Monster Video ISF 2000HD Hyper (12 ft HDMI Cable)
- Monster GreenPower HDP 1400G PowerCenter
- Monster ScreenClean
- Monster Swag Clothing Package
- EA Sports FIFA 14
- EA Sports Madden NFL 25
Cool, right? Ready to 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:
Apple iPhone 5S: Touch ID, 64-bit processor, new camera for $199 on September 20
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
.jpg)
The iPhone 5S is now official, and Apple says it is the "most forward-thinking smartphone ever made." What makes that so? Firstly, it's the first and only smartphone to ship with a 64-bit processor in the new Apple A7 processor with desktop-class architecture. That means that iOS 7 will run in 64-bit, and that will be a vast performance improvement. CPU performance is 40x faster than the iPhone 5, and graphics are 56x faster as well...depending on what you are doing. All-in-all, the iPhone 5S is about 5x faster than the iPhone 5.
The camera remains at 8 megapixel, but with larger pixels that are 1.5 microns in size, with advanced true tone flash. One flash is a cool color while the other is warmer, and iOS 7 can automatically set the right tone for the flash to make better photos that don't have that harsh flash look. Image stabilization is present, as well as a burst mode that can shoot up to 10 images per second. On the video front, you can now record in 120 fps super-slow motion in 720p.
Another big, and expected, feature on the iPhone 5S is Touch ID. It's a fingerprint sensor that is built-in to the Home button, which now has a detection ring around it so it knows when to read, with no need to actually press down on the home button to unlock the phone. The home button is now covered in sapphire, so it won't scratch. Aside from using Touch ID to unlock the iPhone, you can also use it to authenticate for things like buying apps, rather than using your iTunes password, which is awesome. Multiple fingerprints can be stored for devices that are used y more than one person.
The 5S will be available in three colors: Gold with white, Silver with white, and Space Gray with black. Pricing starts at $199 for 16GB, with 32GB costing $299, and 64GB at $399 with two-year contract. Pre-orders begin on September 13, and the phones go on sale September 20th.
Apple announces iPhone 5C: $99 plastic iPhone available in five colors
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds,
Apple has announced the new iPhone 5C, which will be available in green, white, pink, yellow, and blue plastic variants. It's a unibody plastic design, with the back and sides made from a single part without seams, part lines, or joins. The device has a 4-inch Retina display, the A6 processor that was in the iPhone 5, as well as the same 8 megapixel camera with five-element lens. As for pricing, it starts at $99 for the 16GB model, with a 32GB version selling for $199, both with two-year contract. If you prefer to buy it without contract, that will cost you $549 for the 16GB model, and $649 for 32GB. So, not cheap. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 13th, and the phones are released on September 20th, alongside the new iPhone 5S. Check out the intro video after the jump.
Click to continue reading Apple announces iPhone 5C: $99 plastic iPhone available in five colors
Samsung Galaxy Gear: A 1.63-inch AMOLED smartwatch launching with 70 apps for $299
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Corporate News,
Samsung is the first major company to release a smartwatch, revealing the Galaxy Gear during today's Unpacked event. The rumor mill was quite a ways off from what was presented today. The Gear sports a 1.63-inch 320 x 320 Super AMOLED display, with a 1.9-megapixel BSI auto-focus camera on the outside wrist strap (used to capture low-resolution images and 10-second video clips at 720p,) and a speaker on the inner wrist strap.
Galaxy Gear is also a platform unto itself, and it will have 70 apps on deck for launch, including familiar names like RunKeeper, Path, Evernote, TripIt, MyFitnessPal, eBay, and many others. That sounds great, but the device will ship with limited smartphone and tablet compatibility, working with only the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 at launch, although Galaxy S 4 and Galaxy S III integration will be coming in October. With a compatible device, the Galaxy Gear will be your companion, allowing you access to Find My Device, S Voice, pedometer, call answering, and more.
Google announces Android 4.4 KitKat
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,
Google Android (and Chrome) head Sundar Pichai has announced the next version of Android: KitKat. Yep - Android 4.4 will be known as KitKat, a name Google got the rights to use in partnership with Nestle, and continues the tradition of Android versions being named after sweet confections. While Google had been using the name "Key Lime Pie" internally for Android 4.4, "very few people actually know the taste of key lime pie," according to Android director of partnerships John Lagerling. Not sure why that matters, but obviously KitKat is a bigger marketing play.
No new features of KitKat have been announced just yet, but at least we know the name, and have a new Android icon with integrated chocolatey KitKat goodness integrated in.
Google is currently running a promotion that lets buyers of specially-marked KitKat packs to have a chance to win a free Nexus 7 or some Google Play credit.
Read More 
| Google Android KitKat 4.4
Nintendo 2DS plays 3DS games in two dimensions for $129.99
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Video Games,
Nintendo is looking to go back to the well this holiday season with the introduction of the entry-level Nintendo 2DS handheld console. This is basically a Nintendo 3DS in a candybar form factor (no hinge so it doesn't close) that plays all 3DS games in 2D. At launch it will be available in red and blue hues, and is outfitted with the regular (not 2DS XL) sized dual screens, cameras, mono speaker, headphone port, and a 4 GB SD card. In other words, it's just like a Nintendo 3DS, except there is no 3D, and it doesn't close, and you get it all for $129 - $50 cheaper than the 3DS console. You'll be able to pick one up on October 12th.
Click to continue reading Nintendo 2DS plays 3DS games in two dimensions for $129.99
Microsoft to gift Xbox employees with exclusive white Xbox One console
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Microsoft, Video Games,
Wanna get your hands on an exclusive white Xbox One console? Well, if you're a full-time Microsoft Xbox One employee as of July 12, 2013, and still working at Microsoft when Xbox One launches, you get one for free! Along with the specially inscribed white console (which reads "I MADE THIS") you get a white controller, and the regular (black) Kinect sensor. Additionally, a year of Xbox Live is thrown in, as well as an exclusive achievement as well, all delivered on launch day. Not a bad perk for helping create the next generation of gaming. In the meantime, we'll let you know if we spot any white Playstation 4 consoles pop up for Sony employees.
The White #XboxOne console will be Exclusive Free for Microsoft employees pic.twitter.com/U2uiU9EBrj
— Bobby Young (@lazer789) August 26, 2013
If you haven't yet locked in your Xbox One console, you can pre-order on Amazon or The Microsoft Store now!
iPad mini with Retina display could ship this fall with LG panel
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,
Recently there have been reports that Apple may not release the next iPad mini with a Retina display due to yield issues with the panels, and that customers would need to wait until 2014 before the smaller Apple tablet brought the high resolution goodness. However, today DigiTimes is changing its tune, reporting that LG has solved the issue, and will be shipping Retina display panels for the iPad mini later this year:
The sources also added that LG is reportedly making new headway in producing Retina panel technology for use in the next-generation iPad mini, and expects to ship about 2-3 million units a month in preparation for Apple's expected October release date.
It should be noted that it was just earlier this week that DigiTimes reported that the Retina iPad mini wouldn't be seen until 2014. To backtrack on that report this quickly would imply that they got news to the contrary. In addition to the iPad mini news, DigiTimes is also still reporting that the fifth-generation iPad will be streamlined with thinner side bezels, lighter, and ship with a faster processor this fall.
Read More | DigiTimes
Google Maps 2.0 for iOS brings iPad support, indoor maps, and more
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Navigation, App Updates, iPad Apps, Google, Free Apps,
This evening Google released Google Maps 2.0 for iOS, and with it comes a bunch of new features, including full iPad support. That's a welcome change to owners of Apple's tablets, but the new Google Maps brings a bunch more with it.
Enhanced turn-by-turn navigation now includes live traffic updates and incident reports. When you are looking for something specific, Google Maps now drills down into popular categories like restaurants, playing, shopping, and sleeping. Google now owns Zagat, and as such, Zagat ratings are included and listed within the results. Google Offers also gets integrated into Maps, showing you results that have deals as well.
What may be seen as the coolest addition to the Google Maps app is the inclusion for indoor mapping. That means that you can now launch Google Maps to get indoor directions at places like malls, airports, bus and train stations, and more.
You can download Google Maps 2.0 for iOS now from the App Store.
Click to continue reading Google Maps 2.0 for iOS brings iPad support, indoor maps, and more
