Ubuntu coming to smartphones in 2014

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smartphones, Software,

Canonical, makers of the open source Linux Ubuntu desktop OS, is in the process of turning Ubuntu into a mobile operating system and has sets its sights on a 2014 launch. The OS boasts an intuitive take on the lock screen, and uses gestures for navigating through the device. However, will this be enough to take on the juggernauts that iOS and Android have become? As of now, even with the power of Microsoft behind it, Windows Phone is still catering to a niche market, and RIM is still staggering to regain its footing as it revamps the BlackBerry operating system (formally QNX, now dubbed BlackBerry 10.) Will the Open Community come through and help propel Ubuntu's mobile OS?

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Read More | Ubuntu

Apple posts “Do Not Disturb TV ad amidst New Year DND bug

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

Apple posted a new TV ad showcasing a feature in iOS 6 dubbed "Do Not Disturb" on New Year's day. Coincidently, users have reported that the feature didn't work as it should on the on the 1st. Some have speculated that it was a bug similar to the Daylight Savings glitch that plagued some users during the time change a few years back, albeit this issue being a year change. Apple made a statement today on its support page regarding the problem, suggesting that users manually set it until said date as a temporary remedy. The timing is perfect, sarcasm! Catch the video after the click.

Click to continue reading Apple posts “Do Not Disturb TV ad amidst New Year DND bug

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Sonos Playbar set to enter your home theater

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2013, Home Entertainment, Music, Rumors, Wireless / WiFi,

We've declared our love for Sonos multiple times here on Gear Live, which is why we're excited about the prospect of the company bringing its product line into home theater. An FCC filing reveals that Sonos has indeed submitted documents related to a soundbar with integrated Wi-Fi (like all other Sonos products) that should play nicely with the Sonos SUB that was released earlier this year. Perhaps we'll get a look at this one at CES next week, pretty please?

5th gen iPad to take design cues from iPad mini

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

In what may be the most obvious Apple rumor in quite some time, the company is reportedly working on the next iPad with Retina display (5th generation), and will be taking design cues from the iPad mini. This means a thinner, lighter full-sized iPad with anodized aluminum backing and thinner side bezels. What isn't so obvious, though, is the timing of the rumor. When Apple released the 4th generation iPad just 7 months after the 3rd generation model, many wondered if it meant that the company would be moving to a semi-annual release schedule. We'll know for sure if the 5th gen tablet drops in March.

Get Well Wishes for Peter David

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

Peter David and I worked together oh-so-briefly back in the early '90s, but I was already a fan of his comic book work, his many novels, and his work writing about comics. He's been one of the good guys since day one.

Peter had a stroke over the holidays, and while he's recovering and being evaluated, please keep him in your thoughts and wish him well.

I'm sure progress will be posted at his website - it's crashed a couple of times from all the traffic, so just keep trying.

Get well soon, Peter.

(And if you know anyone who might be at risk for a stroke, check for the possible warning signs.)

[Artwork: Jim Starlin's Dreadstar, written by Peter David, and swiped from My Comic Shop]

Read More | Comics Beat

Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2012

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, USB, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games, Videos,

2012 is set to come to a close in just a few hours, and we are just in time with our annual top 10 list of the most-watched Gear Live video episodes. Over the past year, as expected, there was a bunch of Apple gear that made the list, and it's dominated by smartphones and tablets, with the exception of two Monster headphones, a look at the Boeing 787, and a USB 3.0 hard drive.

Oh, and if you wanna be sure to get our new video episodes as they come out in 2013, be sure to subscribe to us in iTunes, on YouTube, or in your RSS reader!

Also, you can check out the top ten videos from 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 - and when you're done, be sure to check out the top 10 most popular Gear Live stories of 2012 as well!

Click to continue reading Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2012

Top 10 most read Gear Live stories of 2012

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Wearables, Features, Internet, Mods / Hacks, Portable Audio / Video, Software,

Sure, we've given you a list of our top 10 most popular stories of 2012, but we figured we'd go a bit more broad than that. We also thought it would be interesting to give you a look at the top ten most read stories on this site this year, period, regardless of what year they were posted. We must say, we're just as surprised as you are at what did (and didn't) make the list! For example, you guys seem to really like Monster's Beats by Dr. Dre audio line. Here we go:

1. ColorWare now offering custom-painted Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones
2. White iPhone 4 vs. black iPhone 4 comparison
3. iPhone 3G vs iPod touch 2G in pictures: Odd that an image gallery featuring the iPhone and iPod touch from two years ago made our top ten list, but there it is!
4. Exclusive: Pink Beats by Dr. Dre Charles Hamilton customs
5. Limited Edition white Beats by Dr. Dre headphones hands-on: You can't deny that Monster has a hit on their hands with the Beats by Dr. Dre line of headphones.
6. iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S vs. Original iPhone in pictures
7. iPhone 5: White & SIlver or Black & Slate? (gallery)
8. iPhone 5 White & Silver unboxing gallery
9. Bleeding Edge TV 190: How to Replace Your iPhone Battery
10. iPod touch picks up 4-inch display, better cameras, new colors, and Siri

Any surprises? We've also compiled a list of the stories that have dropped out of the top ten between 2010 and 2011, which you can check out after the jump, and don't miss the ten most popular Gear Live videos of 2012 either!

Click to continue reading Top 10 most read Gear Live stories of 2012

Top 10 Gear Live stories of 2012

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Editorial, Features, Google, Handhelds, Mods / Hacks, Software, Videos,

We've come to the end of another year, and as we wave goodbye to 2011, we figured it was only fitting that we share the most popular stories published on Gear Live this year, as determined by our readers (we've also got the top ten most read stories regardless of publish date, as well as the ten most popular Gear Live videos of 2012!) These are the ten stories that were read the most, and when you consider that fact, it's pretty surprising to see what made the list. Let's kick it off with our most read story of the year:

iPhone 5 vs. iPhone 4S vs. iPhone original:
iPhone 5 certainly got a lot of attention this year, and our image gallery comparing it to previous iPhone designs served as our most popular post in all of 2012.

Click to continue reading Top 10 Gear Live stories of 2012

Bill Morrison Mobilizes for Metro Entertainment

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials,

Bill Morrison at Bongo Comics is putting together a huge benefit to aid Metro Entertainment, a Santa Barbara comic book store that’s hit a rough patch.

Bill wrote about it on a recent Facebook post: “I've received donations of art from some of the best artists in the comic book business (I don't like to drop names, but...NEAL ADAMS!!!) and I'm blown away by the generosity of my fellow artists. But I need more heavy hitters to come to the rescue if I'm going to reach the goal!”

Later, Bill ran down the list of those who have already helped out: "So here's a list of artists I've received donations from, or who have already put something in the mail to me! Neal Adams, Geof Darrow, Gilbert Hernandez, Herb Trimpe, Eric Powell, Bruce Timm, Paul Smith, Evan Dorkin, Al Jaffee, Dave Gibbons, Kelley Jones, Dean Yeagle, Humberto Ramos, Jim Woodring, Tone Rodriguez, Tom Richmond, Tim Burgard, Peter Krause, Robert Pope, and John Rozum. More to come, I'm sure!"

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Read More | Robot 6

Weekend Reading: Stan Lee, Alois Nebel, Adam Beechen and Stuntman!

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Reviews, DC Comics, Independent, Marvel Comics,

Whew! What a year! Let's see what the internets hold for the final few days!

Happy birthday to the Funky Flashman himself, Stan Lee, who turns 90. Buzzfeed has his life in pictures.

Here’s what I like about the internets: finding a feature length animated film adapting a graphic novel I’ve never heard of. In this case, it’s Alois Nebel, “a Czech feature length animation directed by Tomas Lunak and based on a trilogy of graphic novels by Jaroslav Rudis and Jaromir 99.” There’s a preview of it at the link.

Adam Beechen talks with Newsarama about Batman Beyond, and beyond.

My pal Richard Pachter reviews a nifty bunch of books including Happy, The Nao of Brown, Building Stories, Marbles, Fashion Beach, and more!

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Stan Lee, Alois Nebel, Adam Beechen and Stuntman!