Xbox SmartGlass now available for Amazon Kindle Fire tablets

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Xbox 360,

This morning Xbox SmartGlass made its long-awaited debut on the Amazon Appstore. You can now download Microsoft's second-screen app for the Amazon Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, fitting perfectly on the display of all Fire and Fire HD tablet models. With Xbox SmartGlass, which has been available for iOS, Windows, Windows Phone, and Android for the past six months, users can navigate and control their Xbox 360 consoles right from the tablet or smartphone.

Read More | Xbox SmartGlass for Kindle Fire

Bleeding Edge TV 475: Sheila E on Monster Diamond Tears headphones

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2013, Features, Music, Podcasts, Portable Audio / Video, Videocasts, Videos,

Monster Diamond Tears headphones are definitely a fashion statement, and we talk with recording artist Sheila E in this episode about how music accessories are becoming fashion pieces just as much as they are listening devices. You may remember Sheila as the drummer for Price, or from one of her many solo albums. She is now a Monster Ambassador for the Diamond Tears headphones, a partnership with JYP Entertainment. Don't forget, we're giving away a pair of Monster DNA White Tuxedo headphones.

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

Bleeding Edge TV 474: Tyson Beckford on Monster headphones fashion

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Music, Podcasts, Portable Audio / Video, Videocasts, Videos,

We chat with fashion model Tyson Beckford about the proliferation of fashion and headphones. Monster headphones have become almost as much a fashion statement over the years as they have been known for their sound. We also speak with Monster CEO Noel Lee about the company direction into creating great looking headphones that also provide great sound. Don't forget, we're giving away a pair of Monster DNA White Tuxedo headphones.

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

HTC One now available on AT&T and Sprint

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

The HTC One is finally and officially on sale, beginning today, at AT&T and Sprint locations. As we previously mentioned, you can get the 32GB model from both carriers for $199.99 with two-year contract, but the 64GB version is an AT&T exclusive at $299.99. As of today, you can get the white model--the black version won't be available for a number of weeks. If you're holding out for the T-Mobile version, you're gonna have to wait a few more days, as the HTC One doesn't drop on Magenta until April 24th.

Hemlock Grove now live on Netflix

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet,

Following the success of House of Cards, Netflix has launched its next original series, Hemlock Grove. All thirteen episodes of Hemlock Grove were made available to Netflix subscribers early this morning albeit to lackluster critic reviews. Hemlock Grove is based on a 2012 novel penned by Brian McGreevy, a supernatural thriller that is set in a small town in Pennsylvania. The plot revolves around the murder of a teenage girl, and the odd and unorthodox residents who are potential suspects. The show stars Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgard, Landon Liboiron, and Penelope Mitchell.

The horror genre is more forgiving than many others, and as such, even with the series being panned for not having much of a storyline, it may find success with the Netflix audience. Netflix invested $45 million in the production of the first season, and so far over 1,400 Netflix members have rated the show an average of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

What's next for Netflix? The fourth season of Arrested Development. All 15 episodes of the cult hit will hit Netflix on May 26th.

Circle Pad Pro for Nintendo 3DS XL drops tomorrow for $20

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Portable/Mobile,

Nintendo 3DS XL owners have been clamoring for the Circle Pad Pro for the past eight months, and Nintendo is finally set to deliver. The company has listed the Circle Pad Pro device, and it is set to ship tomorrow. The trade off? Look how ugly and uneven it looks. Sure, you get an extra analog controller over on the right-hand side of the device, but we have a hard time understanding why Nintendo couldn't have built-in this functionality right on the 3DS XL itself. Still, unsightly or not, you get a more ergonomic design. You'll be able to pick up a 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro for $20--it's compatible with select titles, including Kid Icarus: Uprising, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Resident Evil Revelations, and more.

Read More | Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro

Showtime announces that Dexter season 8 will be the last, starts June 30

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment,

Showtime has announced that the upcoming eighth season of Dexter will be the last for the popular series. The announcement came alongside the reveal that Dexter season 8 would begin on Sunday, June 30th. Showtime broke the news first on the Dexter Facebook fan page alongside a two-minute sneak peek where Dexter and Deb have a particularly intense conversation. If you haven't yet finished season 7, you'll wanna skip this one, since it has some pretty obvious spoilers in it. We've embedded the clip for you after the break.

What do you think of the news of Dexter coming to an end?

Read More | Dexter Facebook

Rear plastic shell of upcoming budget iPhone leaked?

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

The big iPhone rumor this year is that Apple will release a lower-cost model with a polycarbonate plastic backing, similar to the one found on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Today, an image has cropped up that purports to show the rear shell of the budget model iPhone. As you can see, it's similar in size to the iPhone 4, and is mostly flat, rather than the rounded 3G/3GS design. Tactus, the company that is making the claims, also has other details:

I’ve also heard on the grapevine that the alleged budget iPhone will have an A5 processor like the iPad Mini with a 32nm diecast. It’s also rumoured it will have a 3.5 inch retina screen, much like the 4S, but not as big as the iPhone 5 … I’ve also discovered the factory producing this secretive project have confirmed the device will be available in Black, White, Blue, Red and Yellow.

A multi-colored low-cost iPhone? What do you think?

Read More | Tactus

First day with Google Glass review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Google, Product Reviews,

Google is giving out a few dozen Google Glass Explorer Edition units each day, rolling them out to developers as they are being made, rather than waiting until all are done to get them out at the same time. The result? A bunch of excited devs getting their hands on Glass, and giving their opinions on the future tech. We're already seen images of the Google Glass box contents, and now Brandon Allgood gives a great first impression on his Google+ account. Here's a snippet:

I wore Glass all day today.  It was light and didn't bother me to do so.  The battery truly lasted all day.  I didn't however take long videos or hangout for very long.  I am also not very popular on G+ and most of my email goes to my business account so I didn't mind the "ding" when I got an email or G+ comment.  Most of my co-workers were excited about seeing Glass.  Some were a little uncomfortable about it.  Overall the reaction has been positive and people aren't bothered by me wearing it in meetings and such.  I do live in Silicon Valley, so your experience may differ.  I found that my habits will nee to be modified.  For example I just need to tint my head back (which turns on the display) and I can see the time.  No more looking for a clock or pulling out my phone.  I also don't need to check my email on my phone or computer.  I found myself from time to time hearing the chime and then pulling my email up on my computer and not Glass.  I am over that now.

Hit the link below to head on over to Brandon's Google+ post for the rest. It's a good read on what it's like when you first get Glass, and the process of getting used to using it, the expected, and the unexpected.

Read More | Brandon Allgood Google+

Yahoo! Weather for iPhone quick review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Weather, Reviews, Free Apps,

Yahoo! Weather was released this morning for iOS, and we've gotta say, it's gorgeous. The company has brilliantly tapped it's Flickr community for imagery that's used in the app, along with nice, lightweight typography.

The app pulls in your location after you give it permission to do so, and combining that with the time and weather conditions, it will then select images to show in the background of your location that nearly match all those parameters. If it is nighttime and snowy, you'll likely get an image of a place somewhere near you taken in similar conditions. Pull up on the display, and you get an hourly forecast for the day, as well as a five-day forecast, and other details like wind level, humidity, visibility, weather map, and even sunrise/sunset details. It all looks really good.

Click to continue reading Yahoo! Weather for iPhone quick review