Jumat, 04 Februari 2011

What's new on SlashGear.com

What's new on SlashGear.com

iPad Game for White Tigers Mimics Kitten Mittens Vibe

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 03:25 PM PST

This is one of those bits of content that I think noone saw coming. This video and explanation for an app just showed up in our mailbox and despite, or perhaps because of it’s utterly unbelievable preview video, it is amazing. The name of the app that the following wacky commercial is about is “Game for Cats.” Sound good so far? No? Sounds kind of weird and for cat people, people who love cats? Do press on.

The following video depicts several wild jungle cats playing a video game app on the Apple iPad. It’s a game specifically for iPad, it’s got a free preview up in iTunes (yet not in the App store?) and you can purchase the full version for $1.99. And now without further ado, the masterpiece ad spot entitled: “‪White Tiger Plays iPad – Game for Cats Gone Wild! Lions, servals, and more!‬”

If you head over to the official Game for Cats homepage, you’ll instantly notice the similarities between it, the video above, and the video below. The video you’re about to see below is from the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Enjoy.

[Via Game for Cats]

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Corning Analyst: 180 Million Tablets Sold, 2014

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 03:03 PM PST

The tablet market is poised for a meteoric jolt towards ubiquity. It’s hard to look at all the sweet new tablets due out this year and expect anything but growth for the form-factor. But the folks at Corning are actually in a position to know about the growth of this market- they make Gorilla Glass.

Corning expects the number of tablets using cover glass to quadruple over the next four years. Total tablet sales are estimated to leap from 20 million units (2010) to 180 million units in 2014. An 800% increase over the next four years. Tablet PCs are already the driving force for growth in the PC industry. 7.33 million iPads sold in Q4 of 2010, and the market doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

[Via All Things D]

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RadioShack Begins HTC Inspire 4G Pre-Sales

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 02:33 PM PST

Today retailer RadioShack announced their exclusive pre-sale of a new Android smartphone. The Inspire 4G will be $99 with a 2-year contract. Pre-ordering customers will receive $30 credit towards accessories on the Inspire in exchange for a $50 deposit. The phone itself launches on February 13.

During fresh phone February, RadioShack customers will get $50 off the purchase of a new phone when they trade in their existing device. The Inspire 4G has a 4.3″ touchscreen, Android 2.2, HTC Sense and access to AT&T’s HSPA+ network. It has an 8 MP camera and Dolby Mobile and SRS WOW HD surround sound. Not bad for $50.

[Via PhoneScoop]

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Hogs and Kisses, an Angry Birds Expansion, Will Launch Next Week

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 02:11 PM PST

The Angry Birds Valentine’s Day Edition expansion pack will be coming to a smartphone near you a little earlier than expected. The much caked and cloned Angry Birds series will surface next as “Hogs and Kisses”. It will launch in HD for iPad and in normal Android/iOS versions at some point next week.

We’d originally expected the holiday-themed title to launch on Valentine’s Day. This early release will keep the title relevant- and selling- for longer. Expect falling hearts, winged blocks, flying bow-armed pigs and a handful of new bonus hearts. There’s no word yet on whether or not we can expect a Honeycomb version, but the Xoom’s Feb. 24 launch makes that a definite possibility.

[Via Android Community]

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PlayStation Network Going Back To The Future

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 02:08 PM PST

The 80's classic Back to the Future will be landing on the PlayStation Network this February 15th. Telltale Games will be bringing PlayStation 3 gamers back to the adventures of Marty McFly and his self-lacing sneakers.

Gamers can purchase Back to the Future for $19.99. However, the game spans five episodes and customers will only receive the first episode after the purchase. The subsequent episodes will follow monthly.

The game picks up after the events in Back to the Future III, the final movie of the trilogy. The game has been available on PC and Mac since December. Telltale Games will also release the game on the Apple iPad. So grab your hoverboard and turn up your Huey Lewis on that WalkMan.

[Via USA Today]

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Apple To Launch iOS 4.3 on February 14?

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 01:40 PM PST

The next edition of iOS may be heading out at the very start of the 2011 Mobile World Congress. A Class C flurry of rumors has tipped February 14 as the launch date for iOS 4.3. The update will begin going out at 10 AM PST.

iOS 4.3 was originally tipped to launch in mid-December. Recently, the release of the third beta of 4.3 and the approval of apps with direct support for that version of the OS gave bloggers cause to speculate on an imminent release.

4.3 is expected to include bug fixes- especially surrounding early issues with AirPlay. App subscriptions will also come to the OS. We may also see multitouch gesture support and a Find My Friends feature. The expanded gesture support is believed to be the first step towards removing the home button from iPhones altogether.

[Via MacStories]

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Samsung Silhouette World’s Lightest 3D Glasses Available March

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 01:38 PM PST

You would be hard pressed to walk by a TV display in any electronics store and not find a 3D display touting the benefits of the technology. However, this latest trend to hit the TV market also requires the viewer to wear unflattering and even uncomfortable 3D glasses. And so, Samsung and Silhouette Eyewear joined forces to solve this dllemna with a pair of 3D glasses that will make you forget you were wearing them at all.

Silhouette is known for their rimless eyewear designs and their new model, the SSG-3700CR, is no exception. First introduced at CES in January, the glasses have no hinges or screws to disturb the smooth design and weigh it down. Wrapping nearly around your head the SSG-3700CR's 3D active shutter allows for reduced LCD response time and improves contrast, giving the viewer a sharper and brighter 3D image. Bluetooth is also built in so that the pair can filter out interference from surrounding sources.

"For nearly five decades now, we've been producing rimless eyewear following the motto 'with a pair of Silhouette, vision becomes an experiences without boundaries' through innovation and reduced, refined design. We applied that mantra in designing the new 3D active shutter eyewear too and are happy to see that not just vision, but also 3D television is becoming an even greater experience thanks to Silhouette," said Arnold and Klaus Shmied, co-owners and members of Silhouette's Executive Board.

The SSG-3700CR weighs in at 27 grams and weighs 25 percent less than previous models. For those who worry about fitting the 3D glasses over their regular prescription glasses, Silhouette is planning on releasing a prescription model as well. The SSG-3700CR will be available in March 2011 although specific pricing informaiton has yet to be confirmed.

[Via PR Log]

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RIM Announces BlackBerry Trade-Up Program

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 01:14 PM PST

Phone swapping must be all the rage right now. We just mentioned AT&T's brand new trade-in program in partnership with FlipSwap and now we bring you news that Research In Motion (RIM), father of BlackBerry, is announcing its own "trade-up" program. Depending on the model and condition, you could be getting up to $120 from RIM for trading in your old BlackBerry for a new one.

The BlackBerry trade up website offers two links—one for those with less than 5 BlackBerry smartphones to trade-in and the other for corporate or government accounts that have 6 or more. However, if you do have 6 or more for some odd reason, the whole process seems a bit more complicated as you'll have to call in for assistance.

The RIM website states that the trade-up program is only for a limited time. Also, it seems that they are currently offering an additional $30 promotional credit on top of your trade-in value.

[Via BlackBerry Trade-Up]

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Samsung Galaxy S 2 (I9100) Specs Leak: Dual Core 1.2 GHz Processor?

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 01:00 PM PST

Today we have our first clear look at the Galaxy S 2 smartphone’s specifications. Samfirmware.com spoke with some “insiders” who revealed that the company is testing two different display form-factors: 4.3″ and 4.5″. Samsung is also testing two different versions of the dual-core Orion processor, 1 GHz and 1.2 GHz.

That big (probably) 4.5″ display will be Super AMOLED Plus, and the launch OS will be Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Expect microSD storage for up to 32 GB and an 8 MP camera with an LED flash, plus a 1.3 MP front-facing camera. There’s also an NFC chip, Bluetooth 3.0 and the standard micro-USB slot and 3.5 mm audio jack.

There’s no expected launch or reveal date for this new flagship smartphone, but MWC 2011 isn’t a bad guess for the first unveiling.

[Via Android Community]

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AT&T Confirms Hotspot Tethering for iPhone

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 12:42 PM PST

The competition between AT&T and Verizon over the iPhone has already lead to a benefit for users. Yesterday we reported on an accidental leak by David Pogue in a NYT review. He spilled that AT&T’s iPhone would get tethering to match Verizon’s on February 13. While AT&T hasn’t addressed that rumor, they did confirm that WiFi tethering was in the future.

An spokesman for the carrier would not give any details, but he did say that “we’re working with Apple,” to make it happen. AT&T is also giving away free microcells to increase reception. On Feb. 13, their data cap for tethering customers will expand to 4 GB. Will that be enough to stop iPhone-lovers from fleeing to Big Red?

It doesn’t seem likely. The subscriber-only iPhone pre-orders set a new first day sale’s record for the world’s largest carrier. The next round of orders- on February 9- won’t be kind to AT&T’s bottom line.

[Via AppleInsider]

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First Blogger App Now On Android

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 12:41 PM PST


The popular blogging platform aptly named Blogger has just announced their very first Android app. This first version allows you to easily compose posts on the go, attach photos taken on your phone, and save drafts or publish posts immediately to your blog. The app is free and available now at Android Market.

The Blogger app is capable of handling multiple accounts and blogs allowing you to easily switch between accounts. You can write and save or publish as well as assign labels. And photos can be taken directly through the app to be included in a post or you can browse your gallery for photos to include.

Sharing to Blogger from your gallery or browser is also very easy as Blogger will show up as a sharing option on your Android device. Location information can also be shared with your location information automatically included in your post.

[Via Blogger]

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Android Market Web Store Has Dangerous Security Hole

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 12:18 PM PST

The Android Market Web Store- announced earlier this week- has a potentially ruinous security hole. Hackers who find their way to your Gmail password can now- potentially- purchase apps for your devices without your knowledge.

The new web store’s most vaunted feature is the ability to browse and purchase apps online and have them push directly to your device. Security blogger Vanja Svajcer took a look at what goes on behind the scenes when that request is made. He believes the web store uses the INSTALL_ASSET intent (first used by Google to remove trojans placed by a researcher) to remotely push applications to the handset.

This means that your Google account information is the only thing necessary for someone to start buying applications on your device. Imagine what would happen if, say, an angry ex “guessed” their partner’s Gmail password and decided to start browsing apps by “most expensive” and downloading them all?

Spammers could also use it as an opportunity to force downloads of malware. Svajcer suggested that requiring the handset user to approve each download manually would help. That would upset the neat, one-step app-buying experience Google showed us on Wednesday. But they should at least enable it as an option for those of us who want a little extra security.

In the mean time, change your password and be super nice to everyone you think knows you well enough to guess it.

[Via Naked Security]

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AT&T Rewarding Loyalty With Free Microcell

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 12:07 PM PST

AT&T has recently been sending out emails to some of its customers offering free microcells as rewards for staying loyal customers. Could this be another attempt to thwart the mass exodus they fear with the already record setting sales that is the Verizon iPhone 4 pre-order numbers? The e-mail from AT&T offers a coupon with a barcode for loyal customers to pick up a free 3G microcell from their local AT&T store. AT&T has not officially announced this offer.

The 3G microcells($199.99) went on sale from AT&T last year and are mainly popular for those living in low coverage areas. The microcell works like a signal extender boosting your broadband connection by actually creating a new 3G signal using your broadband connection.

A few caveats to the deal are that in order to accept it you must sign on to an additional 12-month contract. If the customer decides to break or cancel the agreement before the 12-month contract ends, they will have to return the microcell to AT&T or pay the pro-rated cost for it. This agreement won't have any effect on your handset contract end date or your ability to upgrade your phone.

The reason why the deal is not widespread may be because AT&T is only targeting the iPhone users who have contracts ending soon. There’s no explanation yet as to why certain customers received the e-mail and some did not. Wiith the record sales numbers Verizon is reporting for their iPhone 4, it seems likely that AT&T is nervously trying to pull out new tricks from their hat.

[Via ArsTechnica]

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Burn the Rope 1.2 Bursting Up iPhone Soon

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:41 AM PST

If playing with fire is your thing then a safer alternative might be to play the popular iPhone game, Burn the Rope. Feeding the fire to burn as much rope as possible is the aim of the game. Along the way there are various bugs and critters that complicate the matter in enough fun and challenging ways to warrant 80 levels of game play. For those already loving the game, rejoice the fact that version 1.2 is coming soon and details on the enhancements are out.

The list of new features includes:

• New bugs: Firebug – which explodes when it catches on fire, destroying all rope and other bugs within a certain radius when it goes boom; Electric bug – which come in pairs and burns as a duo, with the flame and the flame color jumping to the other electric bug on the screen; Water bug – which puts out your flame when it dies.
• Bonus rounds after every few levels where you will be burning as many bugs as possible for bonus points before the timer runs out.
• Dark Mode – as soon as you set your flame, the lights go out leaving only the area around the flame lit as you burn the rope.
• Redesigned levels and graphics to incorporate all the new bugs and include support for the Retina display.
• Flame acceleration – by pressing and holding the screen you can speed up the flame, which is great for long straight-aways.
• Cottage area with sixteen brand new levels!

Burn the Rope 1.2 will be available on iTunes for $0.99.

[Via IntoMobile]

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Drug Cartels Selling Counterfeit Microsoft Software

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:38 AM PST

Nobody likes drug cartels. Even the people who love drugs have no trouble admitting that the cartels are crazy, blood-thirsty murder-faces. No one wants to support these people. But you may be, if you’re purchasing counterfeit software from the wrong shady street vendor. Microsoft recently announced that a Mexican drug cartel has been found selling Windows software on “the streets”.


Above: Cash seized from the Familia cartel after an unrelated bust.

In one example, an Office 2007 disk was found stamped with the logo of Mexico’s Familia cartel. They are believed to have 180,000 points of sale around the globe. That’s $2.2 million sold every single day, with much of that money going back home to fund more terrible things.

Buying counterfeit software isn’t just shady as all hell, it’s also likely to load your computer up with viruses and spyware. Torrents have that same risk, but at least they don’t directly fund mass murderers. Be smart kids. If you’re going to break the law and steal software, at least avoid giving money to psychopaths.

[Via The Microsoft Blog]

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Giving Tree Charging Station Concept Design

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:21 AM PST

Designers have caught our attention again with another simple and elegant concept. Dubbed the Giving Tree, this cute multi-connector charging station in the abstract form of a tree bears fruits of iPhones ready to be plucked once batteries fully ripen.

The design as it is offers three branches from where green charging cables extend to juice up your devices. Three may not be enough for most folks, but this design concept is just a starting point. I imagine this could evolve into many different forms with possibly even modular add-on branches.

Perhaps a mini Christmas tree version bedecked with ornaments of iPhones?

[Via Yanko Designs]

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Palm Pre 2 from Verizon on February 17th?

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 10:38 AM PST

Looks like the Palm Pre 2 is going to be available in less than two weeks, if you believe an internal product page from a third party retailer. This would be great a couple months ago, but the first webOS 2 device seems a little late to the party.

The problem is that HP is having a Palm event on the 9th where it is expected to be highlight webOS devices like tablets and smartphones. Somebody should have checked their calendar. The Palm Pre 2 is supposed to be launch on "all channels" but I don't think the rush of customers will be there.

With the Verizon's iPhone dropping on the 10th and the HP event on the 9th, the Palm Pre 2 looks to be a minor blip on the radar of consumers. I guess Verizon had to eventually put the Pre 2 out there but this is awfully bad timing if the rumor is real. So if you desperately want an webOS 2 device AFTER possibly (most likely) seeing newer gadgets be unveiled by HP only days before then get the Pre 2.

[Via Unwired View]

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AT&T Offers New Trade-In Program For Old Phones

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 10:08 AM PST

Were you thinking of switching to Verizon with all this hype about them now having the iPhone 4 minus the spotty service plus unlimited data plan? Well, not so fast because AT&T is pulling out all the stops to keep you–well kinda. Besides their secret unlimited data plan, AT&T is announcing today a new trade-in program in partnership with FlipSwap that will allow you to turn in your old devices for credit towards new ones.

“This is a new option we’re bringing into our stores to offer even more value to our customers,” said John Dwyer, senior vice president, Retail Sales Operations, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Customers can now trade-in phones they no longer need and use the trade-in value to offset the expense of their new device or other services. We’re excited to make this available across all of our company owned stores.”

The trade-in value of your old devices will be determined by FlipSwap. So if you’ve got enough old devices laying around, you may rack up some nice change on that trade-in voucher, but you’ll have to stick with AT&T to redeem it. The service will be available at all AT&T stores across the nation starting on February 13.

[Via Hot Hardware]

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Paul Frank Julius Dance Machine Chimping Out Your iPod

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 09:27 AM PST

Need to revamp your iPod docking setup and unleash your inner fashionista? American fashion designer Paul Frank has teamed up with SpeakerCraft to bring an awfully cute iPod docking station featuring their iconic monkey mascot, Julius, embracing your iPod with love.

“By juxtaposing our two very unlike companies together we are combining inspired technology with inspired design. The end result being a blend which enhances the audio and visual aesthetics for the customer and creates something pretty delicious, ” says Ryan Heuser, president and co-founder of Paul Frank.

The chimped out docking station features stereo loudspeakers for the ultimate portable party machine. It has an interchangeable dock (adapters not included) making it compatible with any and all iPod devices and up to 6 hours of play time on one charge. Available now for $99.95 at every Paul Frank retail shop in the US or online at PaulFrank.com.

[Via Pocket-lint]

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Aava Mobile TWIST concept origins revealed [Video]

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 09:01 AM PST

We’ve already told you that Aava Mobile will be bringing its slick second-gen Medfield-based smartphone to MWC 2011 shortly, and now we know a little more about its design providence. Core77 worked with Aava and AGENT designer Alberto Villareal on TWIST, an angular, origami-inspired concept that, the smartphone company tells us, turned out to be the basis for the second-gen Aava Core hardware.

Video after the cut

A benefit of TWIST’s unusual shape is that it can stand up on its narrow edge, unlike many modern phones, and there’s a clever dock as well which changes its display according to whether a handset is in place or not. Now, it’s worth noting that Aava Mobile has made some changes to the final product design, so it won’t look exactly like this, but already it’s enough to make us wish the company would offer the Aava Core to the end user, rather than shopping around the internal chipset technology to OEM/ODMs.

Core77 also has details on a rather slick looking smartphone/docking station pair, called the Lampi, by designer Thomas Valcke. No word on whether Aava Mobile also has intentions on commercialising that, however.

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Google Cr-48 gets Gobi 3G unlock for GSM support

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 08:43 AM PST

One of the lucky minority with a Google Cr-48 Chrome OS notebook? Maybe you were one of SlashGear’s lucky winners a few months back, or came up trumps in Google’s invitation-only program. Either way, there’s a new Google update out which apparently enables GSM functionality on the Cr-48′s integrated modem. Hexxeh spotted the update to the Qualcomm Gobi modem, and quickly figured out some instructions as to how to get it all to work on AT&T.

There are a few drawbacks at this stage, one of which being that no log of data usage will be stored, unlike with the native Verizon CDMA/EVDO Rev.A connection. That might make it easy to go over your data limits each month. Full instructions here.

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SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up: February 4 2011

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 07:56 AM PST

First and foremost, Android Community would like to wish you a Happy Chinese Android New Year! Next, grab the release dates for both the Motorola XOOM and HTC ThunderBolt, and see how Android Ice Cream will bring Honeycomb functions to handsets. Then hear a cryptic message from ASUS as their CEO promises a “secret weapon” to VANQUISH iPad 2. Meanwhile Apple’s doing quite well as the iPhone launches on Verizon, setting first day launch records in just two hours – perhaps due in part to their clever beatdown of AT&T via a “Can You Hear Me Now?” ad spot. Oh an that iPad magazine The Daily? It’s already hacked and free. All this and MORE on SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up!

R3 Media Network

Editor’s Choice
Happy Chinese Android New Year!
USA Today offers augmented reality Super Bowl coverage on Android devices
Motorola XOOM and HTC ThunderBolt Release Dates Confirmed
How Honeycomb and Android Market's New App Syncing will Sink Apple
Schneider-Kreuznach "working intensively" on Micro Four Thirds lenses
Nintendo 3DS: sturdier than DS Lite and grease-phobic
Massively stupid thief leaves smartphone charging in house he robbed
Texas high school student attends classes using Vgo telepresence robot
LG Optimus Pad a Barcelona lock-in; Honeycomb ahoy!
App Store filtering added as Apple boosts discovery options
Froyo extends Android lead as legacy versions dwindle
The Daily Indexed bypasses News Corp's iPad paywall

SlashPhone
Verizon iPhone 4 Advertisement Attack AT&T Wireless Connection
Best Buy Free Phone Fridays: Samsung Fascinate, Captivate, and Vibrant
Vodafone & Three Verified LG Optimus 3D
Motorola CLIQ XT Will Stuck With Cupcake Forever
Vodafone Get Pressured by Egypt to Send Propaganda Text-Message
Dell Venue Comes in Android via T-Mobile

Android Community
Happy Chinese Android New Year!
Motorola CLIQ XT to stay on Android 1.5
Call function for Dell Streak 7 dug up
LG Optimus Pad confirmed for MWC 2011 with Honeycomb
USA Today offers augmented reality Super Bowl coverage on Android devices
Froyo on 57.6% of Androids in latest Google distribution stats
Motorola XOOM and HTC ThunderBolt Release Dates Confirmed
Android Ice Cream to Bring Honeycomb to Phones
Dell Venue Unlocked on Sale Now
How Honeycomb and Android Market's New App Syncing will Sink Apple

SlashGear
Schneider-Kreuznach "working intensively" on Micro Four Thirds lenses
ASUS CEO promises "secret weapon" to vanquish iPad 2
Nintendo 3DS: sturdier than DS Lite and grease-phobic
Verizon iPhone 4 pre-orders set new first-day record in just two hours
Massively stupid thief leaves smartphone charging in house he robbed
Motorola CLIQ XT owners: No Android 2.1 for you!
Nokia commits to "embrace change" as WP7 rumors bump shares
Texas high school student attends classes using Vgo telepresence robot
Pentax K-r Bonnie Pink Model DSLR: limited edition, limited taste
Nokia Bubbles proves Nokia can be innovative, Symbian 1.1 update lands
Hidden voice call function on Dell Streak 7 is hidden for good reason
LG Optimus Pad a Barcelona lock-in; Honeycomb ahoy!
Sony's Kaz Hirai talks NGP with Official PlayStation Blog
Kenko C-mount camera system and lenses break cover
App Store filtering added as Apple boosts discovery options
Spy Net Video Watch kids gadget will fit adults too
Mitsubishi reminds us all Super Bowl XLV has no Jumbotron
Verizon Presto 4G LTE Hotspot is Samsung's SCH-LC11, due February 17?
USA Today brings augmented reality Super Bowl coverage to Android and iPhone
Motorola XOOM and HTC ThunderBolt releases dated by Best Buy
Audiovox to acquire Klipsch, Klipschiovox?
GreenPois0n iOS 4.2.1 untethered jailbreak released
Dell Venue on sale in AT&T and T-Mobile flavors
Froyo extends Android lead as legacy versions dwindle
Hotmail disposable email: Would you throw away Gmail for this?
The Daily Indexed bypasses News Corp's iPad paywall
Apple HDTV rumors reignite: Did Apple spend $3.9bn on displays?
Verizon iPhone 4 pre-ordering closed; first handsets already shipping
Verizon iPhone Commercial Strikes AT&T with Heavy Sarcasm

To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash] or here: [SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up]

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Toshiba glasses-free 3D TVs sales dramatically underperform

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 07:49 AM PST

Glasses-free 3D TVs sound like they should be ideal: all that 3D fun, with none of the pesky eyewear demands. Sadly for Toshiba things aren’t going so well in reality; the company’s REGZA GL-1 Series TVs went on sale in Japan back in December, and according to the Japan Times have seen less than half the anticipated demand.

Masaaki Osumi, Toshiba’s visual products company president, admitted in a recent TV interview that, while the company had expected to sell 1,000 of each of the 12- and 20-inch glasses-free 3D sets per month, in actual fact only 500 20-inch 20GL1 (at 240,000 yen each, or around $2,934) and even fewer 12-inch 12GL1 models have been bought. ”What the numbers say to me is that if you offer bigger sets, you get a better, more positive reaction” Osumi suggests, pointing to interest in larger 3D displays such as the huge 56-inch prototype demonstrated at CES 2011.

Still, Toshiba can take some satisfaction in knowing that it’s not alone in seeing mediocre sales. Sony execs have admitted that 3D sets are “trailing expectations”, while Samsung has said demand is “relatively weak.” Osumi claims Toshiba is still aiming to bring large-screen glasses-free 3D HDTVs to market in the second half of 2011.

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Schneider-Kreuznach “working intensively” on Micro Four Thirds lenses

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 07:14 AM PST

If you’re even a little familiar with the world of camera lenses then you’re likely aware of Schneider-Kreuznach, and so you’ll probably be excited to hear that the company has signed up as a new member of the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group. It’s not just out of vague interest, either; “We are working intensively on a corresponding series of lenses” CEO Dr. Josef Staub confirms.

Micro-4/3 “offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer” he suggests, though the company is yet to reveal what sort of lenses they’re actually working on. Still, given the platform’s cross-manufacturer compatibility, this is good news for anybody looking to add to their camera kit-bag.

[via 43rumors]

Press Release:

SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH now a member of the "Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group"

BAD KREUZNACH, 4 February 2011. Schneider-Kreuznach has joined the "Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group" – a consortium of companies with the objective of improving the possibilities and quality of compact digital cameras. Developed by Olympus and Panasonic, "Micro Four Thirds" is a standard for lens mounts that is tailored to digital system cameras. "This standard has great potential. It simplifies and improves the options for compact digital cameras and offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer. We are working intensively on a corresponding series of lenses," says Dr. Josef Staub, CEO of the Schneider Group.

The standard defines the sensor size, the lens mount together with the communication protocol, the aspect ratio and the flange back distance, as well as the optical requirements for production and construction. The industry standard has been developed deliberately without taking into account conventional lenses, cameras or sensor sizes. In this way, compatibility problems with older components are avoided as is the need to compromise when designing new components.

The forum standard policy means that any member company can make and distribute accessories for the system that meet the standard. It is therefore possible to combine components from different manufacturers.

About the Schneider Group: The Schneider Group specializes in developing and producing high-performance photographic lenses, cinema projection lenses, as well as industrial optics and precision mechanics. The group comprises Jos. Schneider Optische Werke, founded in Bad Kreuznach in 1913, and its subsidiaries Pentacon (Dresden), Schneider Kreuznach Isco Division (Göttingen), Schneider-Optics (New York, Los Angeles), Schneider Bando (Seoul), Schneider Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) and Schneider Optical Technologies (Shenzhen). The company's main brand is "Schneider-Kreuznach". It has around 620 employees worldwide, with 330 based in its German headquarters. For years now the group has been a world market leader in the area of high-performance lenses.

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ASUS CEO promises “secret weapon” to vanquish iPad 2

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 06:52 AM PST

If you can’t beat Apple outright, hint that you can. That seems to be the strategy adopted by ASUS CEO Jonney Shih, who claims the company has a “secret weapon” it is readying to take on the second-gen iPad 2. Refusing to detail the surprise, Shih told Computerworld that the company’s clandestine advantage is “something we have not shown at this time but closer to the launch time we will show.”

Pressed as to whether the “secret weapon” is a component or a tablet, Shih played coy, allowing only that “I think it’s best not to say now. You will have to wait until the launch.”

Interestingly, Shih also alluded to knowing some of the iPad 2 details already, including “what kind of processor they chose,” though it’s unclear whether this is based on ASUS’ own investigations or the same rumors publicly circulating. Still, the CEO reckons NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 – as in the Eee Pad Slider and Eee Pad Transform – still puts them ahead of the game, particularly when it comes to graphics, and that “to really compete it will take [Apple] some time.”

[via NetbookNews]

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Nintendo 3DS: sturdier than DS Lite and grease-phobic

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 06:13 AM PST

Nintendo has been talking about the physical design decisions made around the upcoming 3DS, including how the Japanese company made the 3D gaming console easier to open than the DS Lite but still avoided hinge cracking. According to Yui Ehara, from Nintendo’s research and engineering department, the ice-cream sandwich style three layer stack is purposefully tapered so as to give a gamer’s fingers somewhere to grip, unlike the slickly-abutted edges of the DS Lite. Meanwhile, there’s also been work on new materials and coatings to boost durability.

For instance, while the tapering aspect helps you open the 3DS, it also increases the likelihood that, if dropped, all the impact force will be on a single point. To counter that, Nintendo used a new glass-fiber resin for the chassis, and rearranged the internal layout of the electronics to minimize damage. The new hinge design apparently took six months of prototyping, but Nintendo is now confident it will not only open readily but avoid the stress-cracks many DS Lite owners have complained of.

The buttons – now with a premium metal feel – and the circle pad have also been reworked for durability, while aesthetics get a look-in too; the battery cover now consists of the entire base plate of the console, so that the 3DS looks better to anyone watching you play. Meanwhile a new coating should mean that fingerprints brush straight off. They’re probably not elements that most people will consciously notice, but then again that’s arguably the sign of good design.

[via Kotaku]

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Verizon iPhone 4 pre-orders set new first-day record in just two hours

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:58 AM PST

Verizon has announced record sales of the CDMA iPhone 4 yesterday, describing it as the carrier’s most successful first day sales in history. While actual numbers of handsets pre-ordered are in short supply, CEO Dan Mead did say that “in just our first two hours, we had already sold more phones than any first day launch in our history.”

Despite complaints from some would-be shoppers about the stability of Verizon’s website, Mead claims that “unprecedented customer orders” were placed online with them. Sales began at 3am and by 5am had already exceeded Verizon’s previous first-day records.

Pre-orders are now closed and the next round isn’t expected until February 9. Until then, you can console yourself with our full Verizon iPhone 4 review.

Press Release:

Verizon Wireless has Record Sales on First Day of iPhone 4

Available to General Public on Feb. 10

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — At 8:10 p.m. EST yesterday, Verizon Wireless ceased online orders of iPhone 4 to existing customers and ended the most successful first day sales in the history of the company.

“This was an exciting day,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer for Verizon Wireless. “In just our first two hours, we had already sold more phones than any first day launch in our history. And, when you consider these initial orders were placed between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., it is an incredible success story. It is gratifying to know that our customers responded so enthusiastically to this exclusive offer – designed to reward them for their loyalty.
“I am proud of our employees who worked tirelessly to strengthen and scale our systems, enabling unprecedented customer orders through our website. Overall, it was a very good day,” he added.
Mead also said customers will have another opportunity at being among the nation’s first to own an iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network.
“Yesterday’s launch set the pace for next week when we open up sales to everyone across America.”
The general market launch of the iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network will occur on Feb. 10. The company will open its more than 2,000 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores at 7 a.m. It will also be available at all Apple store locations, Best Buy, select Wal-Mart stores, and online at www.verizonwireless.com and www.apple.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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Massively stupid thief leaves smartphone charging in house he robbed

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:57 AM PST

A man has been arrested and is suspected of robbing ten or more homes in the Montgomery county area of Washington. The man is Cody Wilkins and he was caught after a homeowner walked in and saw the man rifling through his belongings.

The homeowner called the police after the thief leapt out a window and ran away. When the police got there they found a mobile phone charging in an outlet that didn't belong to the homeowner. The police used the phone to call a number and told the person who answered that Wilkins had been in an incident and needed his name.

That information led the police to the man who was arrested and is being held a $1 million bond in jail. Moral of the story is if you are going to steal from people, leave your phone at home.

Via Washington Post

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Motorola CLIQ XT owners: No Android 2.1 for you!

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:41 AM PST

Motorola CLIQ XT owners have been waiting for a long time now for their smartphones to get the update from Motorola 1.5 to 2.1. That update has been expected to land any time now for a long time. Motorola has finally given up the truth – the update isn’t coming.

The Android Nazi, otherwise known as Motorola, has officially announced on the support forums that the update isn’t coming and the announcement was made by a forum manager going by Matt. The announcement said, “After comprehensive testing of the Android 2.1 upgrade for the CLIQ XT, we have concluded that this device will remain on Android 1.5. We realize many of you were anxiously awaiting this upgrade, but we aim to deliver software upgrades only when it will provide a better customer experience.”

I guess the CLIQ XT just can't run Android 2.1 for some reason. Motorola says the delay in telling users it wasn't coming was so it could coordinate with T-Mobile and alert call center agents. I would bet there are lots of angry calls coming in from owners.

Via Android Community

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Nokia commits to “embrace change” as WP7 rumors bump shares

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 05:29 AM PST

Speculation over Nokia’s potential adoption of an OS other than Symbian and MeeGo continues, with the company’s share price buoyed amid rumors of a surprise announcement at the Finnish company’s pre-MWC investors event and after a European analyst publicly called for the adoption of Windows Phone 7. Triggered by CEO Stephen Elop’s recent comments that Nokia “must build, catalyse or join a competitive ecosystem,” interpreted by many as a sign that the company might be reconsidering its dedication to current platform strategy, rumors of a WP7 or Android announcement have been little quelled by Nokia’s tight-lipped secrecy ahead of the event next Friday.

Usually, the NYTimes suggests, analysts are briefed well in advance of announcements, but Nokia has reportedly been unusually reluctant to give out any details of the February 11 meeting. Elop’s history with Microsoft – before joining Nokia in 2010, he was head of Microsoft’s business division – has led to suggestions that Windows Phone 7 software running on Nokia’s well-esteemed hardware is the most likely strategy for Nokia to better take on the North American smartphone market.

That intent certainly seems to be high on Nokia’s agenda, with the company opening a new office in Silicon Valley this week, and VentureBeat reports that CTO Steve Green has been “very impressed with Nokia’s willingness to embrace change and turn the ship around.” Green suggested that the February 11 event will see “big news that will signal the direction of the company in the future,” though declined to comment any further on its actual content.

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