iPhone 5 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison video

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Videos,

Check out this performance comparison between the iPhone 5 and the upcoming BlackBerry Z10 running BlackBerry 10 OS. The hardware is rocking a 4.2-inch 1280x768 display at 355 dpi. It also has HDMI and USB conectivity, as well as micro SIM and micro SD, with an 1800 mAh battery. In addition, some are suggesting that it includes two 2GB of RAM and 1.5 dual-core processor and 8MP camera. Check out the video after the break.

Click to continue reading iPhone 5 vs BlackBerry Z10 comparison video

Read More | Telekom Presse

Amazon MP3 Store now optimized for iPhone & iPod touch

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Internet, Music,

Amazon has just launched a version of its MP3 catalog that is made ready to use for the iPhone or iPod Touch mobile Safari with use of the open standards of HTML5. This is a way for Amazon to avoid the App Store cut of 30% with selling music to iOS users. Customers can view purchases and stream the music via the Amazon Cloud Player app avaible in the App Store.

For the first time ever, iPhone and iPod touch users can discover and buy digital music from Amazon’s 22-million song catalog using the Safari browser. Customers also have access to favorite Amazon features like personalized recommendations, best-seller lists and Amazon customer ratings. Music purchases are automatically saved to customers' Cloud Player libraries and can be downloaded or played instantly from any iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone or tablet, Roku, Sonos home entertainment system,  any web browser, giving customers the freedom to enjoy more music, from more devices than any other major cloud music service."

Since the launch of the Amazon Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a top request from customers has been the ability to buy music from Amazon right from their devices. For the first time ever, iOS users have a way do that – now they can access Amazon’s huge catalog of music, features like personalized recommendations, deals like albums for $5, songs for $0.69, and they can buy their music once and use it everywhere. - Amazon

Read More | Amazon

Temple Run 2 now live in the App Store

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Games, New Apps, Free Apps,

The very popular Temple Run game has been made into a sequel. Temple Run 2 is now available in the App Store in the US and boosts 3Dish animated landscapes. The great news is that the game is free! Here is a list of other features.

FEATURES

• Beautiful new graphics
• Gorgeous new organic environments
• New obstacles
• More powerups
• More achievements
• Special powers for each character
• Bigger monkey!!!

Read More | Temple Run 2

Facebook Messenger iOS App adds free VoIP audio calling

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

Hot on the heels of Facebook's event announcing its new Social Graph feature, Facebook Messenger iOS app has been updated to VoIP audio calling functionality for US users. It's interesting since, technically, Facebook uses Skype backend, which is owned by parent company Microsoft. Thus, the collaborative user base is pretty vast. It appears that it is limited only to audio calls, but it is safe to assume that video calling is in the pipeline. VoIP may not use your monthly allotment of cell minutes but it will definitely use your mobile data plan, of course it will not effect your carrier plan if users use a WIFI acces point. The app is a free download available in the App Store.

What’s New in Version 2.1.1

• Back by popular request: Now you can swipe right to archive a conversation again
• Other improvements and bug fixes

*Free calling uses your existing data plan, and will be rolling out over the next few weeks.

Read More | Facebook Messenger

GM reveals the Cadillac ELR plug-in hybrid EV

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2013, Corporate News, Transportation,

General Motors unveiled the long-awaited 2014 Cadillac ELR this week, the first plug-in extended range EV hybrid for the brand. For all intents and purposes, the ELR is a Chevy Volt that's been souped up with Cadillac luxury touches. Originally revealed as the Cadillac Converj, the ELR will feature a redesigned interior cabin that will supposedly define future Cadillac models, with features like Regen on Demand buttons on the steering wheel that let the driver capture the energy generated by the vehicle's momentum, conserving it for a bit more battery juice. The ELR also packs in the awesome Cadillac CUE infotainment dashboard system. The vehicle puts out 207hp, more than 25% more than the Chevy Volt. No final word yet on EV range, though, but the Volt gets about 35 miles before gasoline kicks in, and the ELR is a bit heavier. GM says that production on the ELR is set to begin later this year in preparation for a 2014 North American launch.

Click to continue reading GM reveals the Cadillac ELR plug-in hybrid EV

Read More | GM

Unannounced leaked BlackBerry Z10 purportedly demoed on video

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors, Videos,

Research In Motion's BlackBerry 10 mobile OS, formally QNX, has been widely publicized; however, little is known about RIM's other ability, hardware, until now. A video has been posted to YouTube of an iPhone-esque phone with a BlackBerry logo allegedly dub the BlackBerry Z10. To be clear, this is not the demo units that were given to developers for the purpose of making apps and taking the OS for a spin. Perhaps, this is a unit that is slated for mass production? We will soon find out as RIM has an event scheduled for later this month. Until then, check out the video leak.

Click to continue reading Unannounced leaked BlackBerry Z10 purportedly demoed on video

Read More | Telekom Presse

AT&T now allowing FaceTime over Cellular for iOS users on any tiered plan

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,

AT&T has just announced it is making good on its promise to allow devices like the iPhone 4S, as long as it's on a tiered or data share plan, the ability to utilize Apple's FaceTime video calling service on its cellular network. The rollout is slated to take several months and will be applied automatically by AT&T for eligible customers. Still, those out there like myself who have a kung-fu grip on their unlimited plans are left out in the cold. AT&T did state in their blog recently that they would assess FaceTime impact for unlimited users on its network. So, hopefully, the AT&T network isn't as fragile as they are alluding to and can hold up enough so that their most loyal customers, like myself, won't be out of the loop for too long. Fingers crossed.

When FaceTime over Cellular launched in September 2012, we explained that we wanted to roll it out gradually to ensure the service had minimal impact on the mobile experience for all of our customers.

As a result of ongoing testing, we’re announcing AT&T will enable FaceTime over Cellular at no extra charge for customers with any tiered data plan using a compatible iOS device.

This means iPhone 4S customers with tiered plans will be able to make FaceTime calls over the AT&T cellular network.  AT&T previously made FaceTime over Cellular available to customers with a Mobile Share plan and those with an LTE device on tiered plans.

Of course, FaceTime over Wi-Fi remains available for all customers who have a compatible iPhone or iPad.

We have already begun updating our systems and processes and expect to start rolling the update out to customers on an ongoing basis beginning in the next couple of weeks.  Customers do not need to do anything—the update will be applied automatically over the next few months.

Only AT&T offers benefits like the ability to talk and surf at the same time, the fastest download speeds using AT&T 4G LTE, and a variety of flexible plan options to meet customers’ needs. - AT&T

Read More | AT&T

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro Jelly Bean update now available

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

All you Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro users on AT&T, listen up! We just got word from your carrier that the long-awaited update that'll allow you to upgrade your device to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is now available. That means that your push-to-talk capable device will now let you use feature like Google Now, Quick Settings, and even DriveMode, which aims to prevent texting while driving. When you're ready to upgrade, just hit the link below.

Read More | Galaxy Rugby Pro Android 4.1 upgrade

Samsung reveals HW-F750, world’s first vacuum tube soundbar, at CES

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: CES, CES 2013, Home Entertainment, Wireless / WiFi,

Samsung's latest audio line, revealed at CES, comes with a bold claim: it's are the first in the world to use a soundbar with a built-in vacuum tube amplifier, and Bluetooth to connect to your TV, ditching the wires if you use it alongside a 2013 Samsung television (or other Bluetooth-enabled TV, we'd imagine.) As you can see, it also has a subwoofer, making it a 2.1 solution.

This feat is apparently achieved by a wireless Bluetooth speaker (DA-F60) using the apt-X audio codec and NFC to connect to devices such as your TV. Furthermore, its 7.1 channel surround sound system should also please the home theater crowd, which will work with Samsung's 2013 television line-up. The system also uses a Gallium Nitride amplifier to enhance the sound quality.

Samsung also revealed a "premium" Blu-ray player capable of upscaling DVD content to 4K.

Read More | Samsung

Peter Gabriel releases MusicTiles for simplistic remixing of your favorite songs

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Music, iPad Apps, New Apps, $2.99,

Peter Gabriel is releasing a new music app dubbed "MusicTiles," allowing the creation and sharing of fan-made remixes of popular songs.

The remixing process is handled by a simple tile interface. Each tile represents a song element, such as the individual instruments and vocal tracks, which users can blend together to form new sounds. The effects include a range of manipulation techniques, such as altering the timing of the tracks by fooling around with the arrangement.

MusicTiles sell for $2.99 -- though you'll probably spend a heck of a lot more through the in-app purchases -- and is available now for the iPad and iPhone.

Read More | MusicTiles