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

Bleeding Edge TV 470: Lytro light field camera

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Features, Handhelds, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos,

Lytro is an amazing camera that allows you to take pictures that can be refocused after the fact, as it captures the light field within the image. We talk with Eric Cheng of Lytro and get information on how it all works, giving you a look at the images that this light field camera can take, as well as the actual camera itself! You can pick up a Lytro camera on Amazon.

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

Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)

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

It didn't take long for the tech parody video for the Facebook Home to hit the interwebs. An exclusive interview with some of the designers of the Facebook Phone. Click through for the video.

Click to continue reading Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)

Read More | YouTube

Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software, Videos,

We told you all about today's unveiling of Facebook Home and the HTC First, and now Facebook has made the video recording of the announcement available for your viewing pleasure. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is on his A-game in this one. Check out the full video after the break.

Click to continue reading Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event

HTC First: Facebook Home, 4.3-inch display, LTE, $99 on April 12

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

During today's Facebook Home announcement, HTC and AT&T announced the HTC First, a new smartphone set to launch in just over a week that was built from the ground up to run Facebook Home as its main interface. Aside from being the, um, first phone to launch with Facebook Home built-in, it'll also be the first smartphone to ship with Instagram pre-installed (although the Samsung Galaxy Camera does, too, but it isn't technically a phone.) The phone itself is a beautifully simple device from a design perspective, and on the inside runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor keeping things humming along, and status updates flowing across the 4.3-inch display. It also runs on AT&T's 4G LTE network, which Ralph de la Vega made sure to pimp as the fastest LTE network in the country. You'll be able to pick up the HTC First on April 12 (hey, the same day that the iPhone 5 hits T-Mobile!) for $99.99 in the US, and you'll have a choice of four colors: black, white, sky blue, or red.

Read More | HTC First

Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,

This morning Facebook revealed a new Android-based mobile initiative called Facebook Home. Mark Zuckerberg was on hand to talk about what would happen if your phone was made to be about "people, not apps," and the result is Facebook Home.

While many assumed that Facebook would be releasing its own hardware device (despite our assurance that it wouldn't!), Home is, instead, a suite of Facebook apps that work together to put Facebook front and center across your entire Android device, making it feel like a "Facebook Phone." For example, in the Coverfeed app, it takes over both the Android homescreen and lock screen, and then provides a regular stream of updates from your friends--all without you tapping a Facebook app icon or even swiping to unlock. From the home screen you can even comment and like the updates that flow across your display.

Click to continue reading Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone