BlackBerry Z10: 4.2-inch display, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Plus, LTE, $199

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

This morning BlackBerry (formerly known as RIM) unveiled the first fully touch-based BlackBerry 10 device, the BlackBerry Z10. It's a handsome device, available in black and white, and matches what was previously leaked. They say that it's what's on the inside that counts, so let's dive in.

The BlackBerry Z10 sports a 4.2-inch 1280 x 768 display with a pixel density of 356 ppi (better than the iPhone 5 Retina display.) It's not a huge phone like the Galaxy Note II, but it does measure in at 5.13- x 2.6- x 0.37-inches, so it's a bit bigger than the Galaxy S III and iPhone 5 in terms of hardware dimensions. That said, it's a nice and light 138 grams. The Z10 is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus processor with 2 GB RAM to keep it speeding along. A removable 1800mAh batter is a nice touch, and you get a microSD slot that supports up to 32GB of additional storage, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. For optics, you can expect an 8-megapixel 1080p camera on the back, and a 2-megapixel shooter up front that records in 720p. This will also be the first BlackBerry with 4G LTE support for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless.

The BlackBerry Z10 is set to launch in the US in March for $199.99, with the white version being touted as a Verizon exclusive.

Click to continue reading BlackBerry Z10: 4.2-inch display, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Plus, LTE, $199

Ask Andru: Where is Apple’s innovation? It takes time

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Handhelds,

The day after Apple's latest earnings call, I got an email from a reader that asked if the days of Apple leading the world in consumer electronics innovation has come to an end, and if the playing field is leveling out:

Q: What's up with Apple? It seems the stock is down, profits are great, and products are stagnant, only seeing revisions rather than new product categories. Have they gotten too big to be as nimble as they used to be?

Coincidentally, I was browsing Facebook earlier, and I came across a post where a friend was very unimpressed by Apple's announcement of the 128 GB iPad:

Maybe it's the jet lag, but the latest 'New Thing' is a 128GB iPad?

This is it?

Where's Apple innovation?

I dunno, it seems that people expect way more from Apple than any other company. They update their iOS products on a yearly cycle, and they even updated the iPad mid-cycle last time (which people got upset about too, because it was too soon. Wait, what?)

Do people forget that the original iPod was released in 2001, and then the iPhone 6 years later, and then the iPad another three years after that? The iPad isn't even three years old yet, and people are saying Apple has lost something. Big, game-changing products like this take time.

Click to continue reading Ask Andru: Where is Apple’s innovation? It takes time

iPad 5 rear shell leaked, matches iPad mini style?

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Rumors,

This is the alleged iPad 5 back plate, and as you can see, it's similar in design to the iPad mini's rear shell. At the present moment, the leaked parts are not 100% substantiated as actual parts designed by Apple or made by their manufacturing partners, but nothing is ever confirmed until Apple takes the stage and makes an announcement. The report from 9to5Mac also claims that the thinness almost matches the iPad mini, an impressive feat. For many, it is somewhat obvious that Apple would follow the similar trend of the new iPhone 5 and iPad mini design for the 5th generation iPad, as they're Jonathan Ive creations; and as witnessed in the past, this is the time of year when leaked parts that end up being true start appearing.

Read More | 9to5Mac

Monster Diesel VEKTR on-ears get new Military Green, Chrome color options

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2013, Design, Music,

Monster announced some new additions to its Diesel VEKTR on-ear headphone line at CES 2013. Being the fashion brand that Diesel is, you can expect a couple of new colors to be added. First, the matte-finish Military Green with gun metal accents. If that's not your thing, there's also the new Chrome VEKTR, with it's eye-catching mirror finish. Both new models will sell for $279.95 when they go on sale later this Spring. If you're looking for something for traditional, a white model just went on sale for $269.95. All of these are in addition to the black Diesel VEKTR that launched last year.

Click to continue reading Monster Diesel VEKTR on-ears get new Military Green, Chrome color options

Facebook 5.4 for iOS adds in-app video recording & audio messaging

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,

Facebook has updated its main iOS app to version 5.4, adding in-app video recording and audio messaging. Users can now record their cat videos without leaving the Facebook app and have the ability leave cryptic audio recordings when messaging their besties.

Share your moments with voice messages and video recordings right in the app.

• Send voice messages when you have more to say
• Record and share videos right from the app
• Share and connect with your favorite places using the improved Nearby tab

Read More | Facebook

Apple releasing 128 GB iPad with Retina display on February 5

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Handhelds,

Apple has announced a new 128 GB storage capacity option for the current iPad with Retina display, set to go on sale February 5th. The higher capacity model will sell for $799 for the Wi-Fi model, or $929 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Now, the only question left is if Apple will do the same for other iOS devices, like the iPhone, iPod touch (which has had double the storage capacity of the iPhone in the past,) and iPad mini. Full press release after the jump.

Click to continue reading Apple releasing 128 GB iPad with Retina display on February 5

Read More | Apple

Guy born with total color blindness can now hear colors

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Science, Software, Videos,

Neil Harbisson was born with achromatopsia, which means he can't see colors. He lives in a world of black and white. Not satisfied with having to remember that the sky is blue, or that lemons are yellow, he teamed up with Adam Montandon to develop a brain implant that they call the Eyeborg, which turns colors into sounds. In 2010, the Cyborg Foundation was born--an organization to help humans become cyborgs. Check out the fascinating details in the video after the jump, and be on the lookout for other projects from the Cyborg Foundation, including the Earborg (turns sounds into colors,) and the Speedbord (detects movement through earrings that vibrate.)

Click to continue reading Guy born with total color blindness can now hear colors

iOS 6.1 is now available

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

After a longer than normal beta period, Apple has finally released iOS 6.1. You can download it now and update your device over the air, or by using iTunes, and can expect various bug fixes and improvements, including:

• LTE support for more carriers
• The ability to purchase movie tickets with Siri
• iTunes Match users can now download individual songs from iCloud
• New button to reset the Advertising Identifier

Let us know if you find any other hidden goodness in this release!

Canopy Sensus Touch Case makes your iPhone touch-sensitive on back and sides

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, CES, CES 2013, Videos,

We got a look at the Canopy Sensus Touch Case at CES 2013, and walked away impressed. The Sensus Touch Case gives iPhone users 10-point touch input along the back and sides of the device, which means you can do things like play games by swiping along the back of the iPhone, leaving the display free and clear of your fingers. You can also do things like snap images by tapping the side of the phone, or zoom in and out of objects with a slide of your finger. Expect to see the case launch later this summer, priced somewhere between $59 and $99.

Click to continue reading Canopy Sensus Touch Case makes your iPhone touch-sensitive on back and sides

Read More | Canopy

5 ways to tweak your PC for extra productivity

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Features, PC / Laptop,

When it comes to using a PC, most users prefer to complete their tasks as quickly and easily as possible. Although most computers are designed to handle multiple tasks, there are still options available for users to allow them to work more efficiently. Here are five easy steps that you can take to add extra productivity when using a PC.

Click to continue reading 5 ways to tweak your PC for extra productivity