Apple Back to School promotion live, $100 gift cards with Mac purchase, $50 with iPhone or iPad

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Hot Deals, PC / Laptop,

Despite the fact that kids just got out of school, Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion. This year, those purchasing a Mac, iPad, or iPhone for education will receive an App Store gift card along with the purchase. Macs get a $100 gift card, while the iOS devices get $50. In order to qualify, the purchaser needs to be a college student, a student accepted into college, a parent buying for a college student, or a teacher. Apple's Back to School promotion runs through the summer, and the App Store gift cards are good for anything in the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBookstore.

Read More | Apple Back to School

Apple releases iOS 7 beta 2 with iPad support

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

Apple has just released iOS 7 beta 2, which can be found in the Developer Portal right now. iOS 7 beta 2 build 11A4400f brings with it support for the iPad, which was left out of the initial beta released at WWDC 2013 two weeks ago. Additionally, the Voice Memos app has returned to the iPhone and iPod touch in this build. Additionally, the new Siri voices are now present in this build, giving Apple's digital assistant a less robotic tone. If you're already running iOS 7, you can update over-the-air by going into Settings > General > Software Update. Or you can go and grab the necessary download at http://developer.apple.com.

Watch this: ‘Jobs’ full-length trailer [Video]

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Movies, Videos,

The first trailer for the upcoming feature film Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher, was released yesterday. Jobs chronicles the life of the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs. If you've seen Pirates of Silicon Valley, then this will add a fresher up-to-date take on the visionary's life, which was oftentimes a turbulent journey, leading to the iconic success we know him to be. From his days tinkering with computers with Steve Wozniak in his parents garage, to the rise of Apple and his subsequent oust from the company, to his triumphant return to Apple, it seems to all be here. In the trailer, you'll quickly see some of Steve's famous obsession with perfection. Jobs is set to be released August 16th. Until then, catch the trailer after the jump.

Click to continue reading Watch this: ‘Jobs’ full-length trailer [Video]

Read More | Yahoo Movies

Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation, Videos,

Last night Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk teased that the company would show off its battery swap service this evening, and lived up to the promise with an impressive demonstration. Tesla owners will be able to pull into a battery swap facility with their charge is running low, and a staff member will swap out the low battery with a full one. The kicker here is that the swap is performed faster than it takes to fill an empty gas tank at the pump--less than 90 seconds. Owners don't need to leave their vehicles, and the service is priced to be competitive with gas station services. The first swap stations will cost about $500,000 to build, and will appear in some of the busier Tesla corridors, including I-5 in California.

Swapping will take 90secs. You'll never get out of your car. Return the pack on your journey back or keep it & we'll bill you the difference

— Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) June 21, 2013

Check out the video after the break for the live demo, recorded from the crowd.

Click to continue reading Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]

Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote video now on YouTube

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,

While Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote video has been available on the company website, iTunes, and Apple TV, many prefer YouTube for their web viewing, and now you can watch it there, too. This was a major event for Apple, the first where Tim Cook shined as a CEO stepping outside of the shadow of Steve Jobs. Get a look at the debut of iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, iTunes Radio, iWork for iCloud, the updated MacBook Air, and a sneak peek at the all-new Mac Pro in the video--we've embedded it after the jump.

Click to continue reading Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote video now on YouTube

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active hits AT&T stores tomorrow

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you're a bit harder on your gadgets than most and are looking for a new smartphone, then Samsung Galaxy S4 Active may be just what you need. The Active packs in a 1080p LCD display rather than the OLED panel seen in the regular Galaxy S4, and the camera has a lower megapixel rating. The water-resistant (and dustproof!) device will be available beginning tomorrow from AT&T for $199 with two-year contract, and will be available in both gray and blue variants.

Apple TV 5.3 update brings HBO GO, ESPN, Sky TV, Qello, Crunchyroll apps

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Software,

Apple has just announced a new software update for the Apple TV that brings HBO Go and WatchESPN to the platform. Additionally, live UK Sky News streaming, access to Crunchyroll (an anime video site) videos, and Qello, a music/documentary streaming service.

“HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We continue to offer Apple TV users great new programming options, combined with access to all of the incredible content they can purchase from the iTunes Store.”

In order to activate HBO GO and WatchESPN, you'll need to be subscribed to the right cable provider, and you'll activate them using a code from your provider. Sky News provides free streaming in the US, UK, and Ireland.

You can download Apple TV 5.3 software update now for your second- and third-generation Apple TV to get the new hotness right away.

Read More | Apple

Unboxing Live 114: Samsung Galaxy S4

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Videocasts,

In this episode we open up the Samsung Galaxy S4, the latest flagship Android smartphone from the company. The Galaxy S4 features a 5-inch display, and is available on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, making it as widely available as the iPhone 5. We give you a look at the Galaxy S 4 hardware in this episode of Unboxing Live, showing you all the contents of the box as well.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live on YouTube!

Bleeding Edge TV 485: JAKKS EZ Pro DJ

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2013, Features, Music, Podcasts, Toys, Videocasts, Videos,

Have you always wanted to be a DJ, but didn't have the skills? JAKKS Pacific introduces the EZ Pro DJ, a $50 accessory that works with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad that allows you to mix beats while sounding like a pro. You get the two turntables and fader in a unit that connects to your device over USB. It can pull in tracks from your iOS device, letting you manipulate them to your hearts content, even automatically matching up the beat of both songs. There's also an optional microphone accessory that lets you bring your voice into the mix, and a headphone jack so you can sport the right cans to complete the look.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel!

Apple iPad running iOS 7 [Video]

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Software, Videos,

It appears that a somewhat legit-looking leaked video of an iPad running iOS 7 managed to make it to YouTube. The video was uploaded by Rozetked, sounds like he's speaking in Russian. If the video is indeed true, how he managed to get the unreleased beta operating system for iPad is of question since Apple has yet to release it to developers. Take a gander at what's supposedly expected to be released.

Click to continue reading Apple iPad running iOS 7 [Video]

Read More | 9to5Mac