iPhone 5S display and logic board leaked in images?

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

We all know the iPhone 5S is coming, likely with a fall release, and now that the time is near, the typical leaks are starting to occur. The iPhone 5S (or whatever it ends up being called) is being manufactured over in China, where most of these leaks occur. Today we get a look at the display and logic board. Interestingly, these two pieces fit with the previously-leaked camera and flex cable modules. Nothing too exciting here, though, as most of the magic is in the software. If real, this just tells us that Apple has a new iPhone in the works...but we already knew that anyway, right?

Read More | MacRumors

Adobe Creative Cloud suite now available for download

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

Earlier this month, Adobe showed off its vision for its software future. It's called Creative Cloud, and it's available now. Just head over to the Creative Cloud site and you'll be able to download what you need--no longer are you able to just buy a suite of software, like Creative Suite 6 or CS7. Instead, you pay a monthly subscription fee of $50 and get access to everything. Adobe is offering an incentive to owners of CS3 and above--the first full year subscription will cost just $30.

Being that documents are now cloud-storable, Creative Cloud offers new ways of storing and sharing that the older suites were incapable of. The question is, will users pay perpetually for monthly access?

Read More | Adobe

Tesla to show off Model S battery swapping this Thursday

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,

Tesla will be showing its new technology that allows Model S owners to swap battery packs in their vehicles as its design center in California on June 20th. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement on Twitter, reinforcing previous statements that Tesla would allow its customer to driver longer distances without the need to wait for the battery to charge at a Supercharger location.

We aren't sure if this applies to current Models S cards, or if this is a redesign that will be part of future models. Apparently, switching out the batteries takes just minutes--about the same amount of time that it takes an average car to be filled up with gas.

Live pack swap demo on Thurs night at 8pm California time at our design studio in Hawthorne. Seeing is believing.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 18, 2013

Poster for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug released

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Movies,

The movie poster for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has been released, and it's straight-up ominous. Bilbo is gonna go through that dangerous-looking door, and we'll be going along for the ride when the movie hits theaters on December 13th.

Ask Andru: Will OS X Mavericks be compatible with my Mac?

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

Apple announced OS X Mavericks a few days ago during the WWDC 2013 keynote, and we've been getting a bunch of questions about which Macs will work with the new operating system, like this one from Anette:

Q: OS X Mavericks looks cool, despite the silly name. However, it seems that when new software is introduced, a bunch of hardware is left out of the mix. Apple didn't make it clear which Macs will be able to run Mavericks. Do you know? Here's hoping my 2010 MacBook Air isn't left out in the cold!

A: Thankfully, it appears that Mavericks will be pretty forgiving, and won't need super-new hardware in order to run. In fact, it will run on some Macs that are as much as 6-years old. Here's the list:

• iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
• MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later), (17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
• Xserve (Early 2009)

As you can see, anyone who has bought a Mac within the past four years is covered and will be able to run OS X Mavericks. Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook aluminum buyers as far back as 2008 are also good. In fact, some MacBook Pro and iMac buyers from back in 2007 can even get in on the Mavericks action. We'd say that this is a pretty large blanket of Mac users that will be able to enjoy the next generation of OS X.

OS X 10.9 Mavericks is set to launch later this fall, and will be available exclusively on the Mac App Store. No pricing has been announced just yet, but if history is any indication, it will cost between $19.99 and $29.99.

Want To Write for Gear Live? Here’s Your Chance!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements,

Okay, we get it. You read Gear Live daily, and constantly say to yourself “I could so have written that story better.” Okay hot shot, now’s your chance. Gear Live is looking to bring in a couple more writers who know their stuff as it pertains to gadgets, video games, and social networks (like Twitter and Facebook.) You need not be a professional journalist to apply, but you should be able to write like one. What do we mean? Well, for starters, you have to have a strong command of the written English language. You also need to be passionate about the subject matter at hand. If you think you fit the bill, we want to hear from you. We are looking for writers, as well as editors.

Drop us an email at gigs[at]gearlive.com, and provide three sample posts written in the Gear Live style. These need to be original and timely, not something you wrote for the school paper a few years back. Also let us know why we should pick you, and what you can commit to. This is a paid gig, so bring your A-game.

Mario Kart 8 set for Spring 2014 Wii U release [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Driving, E3, Nintendo, Wii U,

Nintendo has announced that the next verion of Mario Kart is set for a spring 2014 release. Mario Kart 8 will be released on the Wii U, bringing new 3D effects and anti-gravity racing to Nintendo's struggling home console. Expect things like underwater racing, air gliging, motorcycles, and more. Nintendo even says that Miiverse will be deeply integrated into the title. Jump past the break for a look at the official trailer out of E3.

Click to continue reading Mario Kart 8 set for Spring 2014 Wii U release [Video]

OS X Mavericks includes offline dictation with live feedback

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

While looking through the various settings in OS X Mavericks, we uncovered a feature that went unannounced during the WWDC 2013 keynote. Apple will feature Enhanced Dictation in OS X 10.9 Mavericks, allowing users to use the feature when offline, and also providing the ability to get live feedback, so you can see what OS X is interpreting before it takes action, rather than having to fix it after the fact. Enabling Enhanced Dictation will require a 785 MB download, and the feature isn't yet enabled in the currently-available Developer Preview.

We'll report back with any other interesting Mavericks features we stumble across as we make our way through the next version of OS X.

Pre-order your Xbox One Day One Special Edition console now!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,

If you are interested in being one of the very first to own the Xbox One this November, you'll be happy to know that you can pre-order the Xbox One right now. In fact, if you pre-order your Xbox One now, you'll get a special Day One Edition console. The system functionality itself won't be any different, however, you'll get a custom controller (pictured above) along with a special Xbox Live achievement that lets others know that you were there on day one. Additionally, Microsoft will also be selling a Day One Edition Xbox Live Gold 12-month pass that includes an exclusive Killer Instinct character. Pretty cool.

Ready to pre-order? Here are the links:

• Pre-order Xbox One from the Microsoft Store
• Pre-order Xbox One from Amazon

As we reported earlier, you can also pre-order the PlayStation 4 right now as well.

Sony PlayStation 4 goes on sale this holiday season for $399, pre-order now!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Video Games,

Yesterday Sony revealed the price of the PlayStation 4 console, which is set to launch this holiday season: $399. The PS4, which has no restrictions on used games, renting games, or lending games to friends, will cost a full $100 less than the Xbox One, which will impose each of those restrictions on its users. For your $400 you get the PlayStation 4 console, one DualShock 4 controller, HDMI cable, microUSB cable, and power cable. The PlayStation 4 Eye will be sold separately for $59.

Now that the price has been revealed, what do you think? Are you going with the Xbox One? PS4? Both?

You can pre-order the PlayStation 4 right now for release date delivery. You can also pre-order the Xbox One right now as well.