T-Mobile offering free iPhone 5 to users who trade in iPhone 4, 4S

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

T-Mobile USA is set to launch the iPhone 5 this Friday, and in anticipation of the long-awaited event, it's offering current iPhone owners a free iPhone 5 if they switch from another carrier. Here's how it works: you bring in your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S between April 12 and June 16, and you get a T-Mobile iPhone 5 at no cost up front, and a $120 credit that you can choose to apply towards your bill, extra accessories, or even an outstanding bill. The iPhone 5 would typically cost $100 up front, and an additional $20 per month over 2 years, so you are basically getting it with no up-front cost, and then a six month break on the monthly fee.

Of course, if you are mid-contract elsewhere, you have your early termination fee to worry about, which might put the kibosh on this one for you. However, if you have a spare iPhone 4 laying around, this could be an easy way to try T-Mobile's new smartphone plans out.

Read More | T-Mobile

Why Google will stop developing Android

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software,

"It's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it." - Tim Cook, Apple CEO

The same statement rings true for Google. If others are reaping the rewards, and little to nothing is left for oneself, then what's the point? If a product does not meet the expectations set before it, then developing for it doesn't make much sense. If any given product is not self-sustainable, then it is not cost effective and eventually becomes a burden to the maker--even if users appear to enjoy using it. Make no mistake about it, Google is in the business of making money, and everything else is secondary (including good will.)

Google's co-founder and now recently-minted CEO, Larry Page, bought Android in 2005. He also brought along Andy Rubin, one of its creators, over to Google, who recently renounced his post as Senior Vice President of mobile Digital Content. Basically, the guy who was leading Android. It has been said that Sergey Brin, the other tandem co-founder, was not enthusiastic about the purchase. Former Google CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt, now Chairman at Google had a similar reaction. These somewhat pessimistic receptions were also shared by Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering. However, he recanted these thoughts at Google I/O 2010.

Click to continue reading Why Google will stop developing Android

Scientifically-accurate Spider-Man is gross [Video!]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Television, Marvel Comics,

Look, Peter Parker may be a wimpy nerd and not so superhero-like, but just be glad that the majority of his spider powers are internal. Scientifically-accurate Spider-Man is an alternate take on what the spiderfication of Mr. Parker could have looked like if were moer true to form. You know, stuff like extra eyes, a bunch of hair, and webbing coming out of a different orifice. Check out the video below for a hilarious look at Scientifically-accurate Spider-Man. Just put the kids to bed first.

Click to continue reading Scientifically-accurate Spider-Man is gross [Video!]

Seagate shipping first 4 TB hard drive with 1 TB platters

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Storage,

Seagate is now selling what it deems to be the world's first 4 terabyte hard drive to use 1 terabyte platter technology. The result is a four platter design that means a boost in performance while reducing material costs, resulting in a better drive for less money. According to Seagate, you can store 450 hours of video, 800,000 photos, or 1 million songs on its newest internal drive. As far as data rate is concerned, expect 146 MB per second, and boasts 64 MB cache and 7200 RPM speed. You can pick up the Seagate 4 TB drive on Amazon for $189.

Read More | Seagate 4TB hard drive

Nokia Lumia 521 coming to T-Mobile in May

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

T-Mobile is set to release the Nokia Lumia 521, powered by Windows Phone 8, sometime next month in May. The Lumia 521 sports a 4-inch display, 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus that records 720p video, and the exclusive suite of Nokia apps like Nokia Music, Cinemagraph, Maps, Transit, HERE Drive, etc. The device will run on T-Mobile 4G (not LTE) network. T-Mobile is keeping quiet on exact pricing and availability for now for whatever reason, but the Lumia 521 won't exactly be flying off of store shelves, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding it once it lands at Walmart, Microsoft Retail Stores, and T-Mobile locations next month.

Google Play Store 4.0 update begins worldwide rollout

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

The Google Play Store is getting a fresh coat of paint beginning today with the release of the official 4.0 update. What's so great about Google Play 4.0? Well, for starters, the images are larger, making it easier to see what exactly your about to download. Content grouping has also been improved, providing better recommendations of other items you might be interested in, and the checkout process also sees a slight overhaul as well. Google Play 4.0 starts worldwide rollout today, and may take a couple of weeks before hitting your particular device. It'll run on any smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or later.

Read More | Android Blog

HBO GO 2.1 for iOS adds Airplay, multitasking, Game of Thrones enhancements

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Entertainment, App Updates, Free Apps,

HBO went along and updated its content streaming app and is making good use of the iOS multitasking API when using AirPlay. So, users can venture off into other apps such as Tweetbot to tweet about their favorite Game of Thrones moments as they stream it to their Apple TV. Speaking of Game of Thrones, HBO has added more enhancements to its interactive experience when watching the show on iOS.

What's New in Version 2.1

• Includes AirPlay multitasking capability -- other apps can be used while video continues to stream via AirPlay.
• Enhancements to the interactive features experience for Game of Thrones
• General performance enhancements

Read More | HBO Go

SOL REPUBLIC Master Tracks over-ear headphones now available for $199

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Wearables, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Our friends over at SOL REPUBLIC have finally released a pair of over-ear headphones. Dubbed the Master Tracks, the over-ear cans feature the same nearly indestructible build (thanks to the FlexTech polymer material,) with interchangeable headbands and cables, allowing you to customize the look and colors of the headset. The company refers says that the X3 Sound Engine is exclusive to the Master Tracks line, and that's what drives the bass, clear highs, and provides vocal accuracy.

You can get a pair of Master Tracks in black, white, or metallic blue, with additional separate Ion Green, Progressive Purple, and Flouro Red headband colors. Grab a pair for $199 on Amazon.

No one is buying the Wii U

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Nintendo, Wii U,

It looks like Nintendo's Wii U, the follow-up to the highly successful Wii, is continuing to falter in terms of sales. In fact, Gamasutra is reporting that it received a tip from someone with access to the latest NPD sales data for January, and it shows Wii U sales were well under 100,000 sold. In fact, it estimates that the number lies somewhere between 45k-59k for January. That is bad. To put that into perspective, the Wii U is not even four months old yet, and it has already sold less in January than the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, or Nintendo Wii sold in any month, ever. Nintendo is going to have to do something about this fairly quickly. The Playstation 4 has already been unveiled, and the next Xbox is reportedly set for an unveiling next month, and you can bet that both of these consoles will offer "true" next-generation experiences.

Read More | Wii U

Google Fiber is coming to Austin, Texas

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Corporate News, Google, Internet,

Google Fiber is officially coming to Austin, Texas, giving people yet another reason to want to live in the edgy city. Google has not yet revealed the rollout schedule, but don't let that fool you--they'll likely be splitting the city up into different "Fiberhoods" like what happened in Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri in order to gauge the areas of highest interest. Google Fiber offers 1 Gbps broadband Internet, television service, and phone service through a direct fiber to the home connection. This marks the thirs city that Google Fiber is making an appearance in, as Google's Eric Schmidt recently said that Fiber is a "real business"--here's hoping we see quick expansion to additional neighborhoods in the US.

Read More | Gig-U