CTIA 2012: Hands on: Toshiba Excite 13
In the tablet game, there seems to be only one question - what's the right size? Samsung with their Galaxy Note figured a 5-incher qualified only as a hybrid. The iPad proved people would buy a 9-incher en masse, the HP reaffirmed it, and the Blackberry thought it stumbled on something magical with its 7.7-inch tablet.
But Toshiba has unequivocally answered the question nobody was asking - "what size is too big?" The Toshiba Excite 13 inch tablet is the answer to that question.
The Excite line already had the basics covered - a 7.7-inch and 10-inch tablet - when they decided to go pull a Galaxy Note.
The official PR line on the Excite 13 is that it offers "more screen for more of everything" and this certainly holds true. Whereas a 13-inch computer might not seem Godzilla-sized in your hands, the Toshiba Excite 13 does.
This also leads to a feeling that you're somehow doing something superior, like every video is an IMAX film, and that your tablet is technically superior through screen real estate alone.
Fortunately, the illusion isn't quickly shattered by looking over the spec sheet. the 13.3-inch tablet has an LED backlit display boasting a 1600x900 resolution (at 16:9 aspect ratio - tailored perfectly for HD videos).
A quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with GeForce graphics keeps the processes snappy and the gaming good, while 1GB of RAM insures the processes never make the device feel sluggish. In our tests, the tablet could respond as quickly as we could possibly hope.
Swiping between home screens can be done quickly with the swipe of a finger, though we have to admit even that slight swipe seems astronomically huge to what we've experienced on other tablets.
Holding the damn thing is also a bit of a problem, as it's a "two hands at all times" type tablet. The Excite 13 isn't so much heavy as it unwieldy. But once you get yourself acquainted to the idea that what you're holding is more computer than tablet, you can start to excitedly imagine all the possibilities a tablet this size could offer. HD Videos would rock, a bluetooth keyboard would make the device the sleekest laptop imaginable, Angry Birds with eagles displayed in their real-life size .
We're excited to review the monstrosity in all it's gargantuan glory, so keep an eye out for our full-length review.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: Samsung Focus 2 review
If you want an LTE-capable Windows phone on AT&T with a bottom bargain price, up until now you've been a bit stuck. Fortunately, at CTIA 2012, Samsung unveiled the Samsung Focus 2.
The Focus 2 is a $49 Windows phone that performs admirably - even when compared to heavyweight contenders like the Nokia Lumia 900.
While the Lumia 900 will certainly beat it in a variety of tests, like best display, most internal storage, as well as outdoor reading tests - because Microsoft so strictly regulates Windows Phone specs it was only a matter of time until cheaper alternatives overtook the industry.
The Samsung Focus Flash packs LTE, and comes pre-loaded with WP 7.5 Mango. It has a 4-inch Super AMOLED, a 1.4GHz single-core processor (all Windows Phones are single-core), 8GB memory and a 5MP rear facing camera and an industry-standard front-facing camera.
The device feels solidly constructed in the hands, and we found the ridges to give it a sense of durability. The lights that illuminate the home buttons initially seem like an awesome addition, but quickly deteriorate into semi-gimicky and give the device a slightly cheaper feeling.
But at $49, none of that really matters. This is the phone you can recommend to your mom's friend who knows nothing about phones. It's solidly constructed, boasts an impressive OS, and looks unique in its all-white (a decidedly un-Samsung design decision).
The only real problem is that the Samsung Focus 2 isn't alone at the $49 price range, where it is joined by the Lumia 900 (at least in street price).
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CTIA 2012: Kingston Wi-Drive 64GB
Today at CTIA Kingston announced an even more potent version of their Wi-Drive portable wireless storage device: a 64GB version.
For those not in the know, Kingston's Wi-Drive is a portable, wireless storage device that is compatible with pretty much any wireless-capable device you may own, from iPhones and iPads, to Android devices and even Windows Phones.
Simply put, the Wi-Drive lets you store any content that you may be interested in accessing remotely from any wi-fi enabled device. In our demo, a representative from Kingston uploaded everything from music, pictures, documents and even movies, and with what apppeared to us to be little if any lag, was able was able to stream this content to an iPad as well as an iPhone simlutaneously.
While Kingston states that you can use Wi-Drive with up to three devices simultaneously, that limitation isn't hard-wired. Simply put, you can access the Wi-Drive from any number of devices simultaneously. The thing is, the more devices accessing the device, and depending on the type of content being accessed, things could bog down.
The device charges via USB and lasts up to eight hours on one charge.
The new Wi-Drive that was announced today at CTIA boasts a whopping 64GB of storage and while the MSRP for the 64GB has yet to be announced, the 32GB version is currenty available for $89.95.
Users can easily access the data on their Wi-Drive via a web browser or with the free to download Wi-Drive app for various mobile devices.
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iPhone 4S on sale at Target stores
For savvy shoppers who want an iPhone 4S but want to save some cash, Target has a deal for you.
The retailer is advertising a limited time offer to slash iPhone prices by $50.
That drops the 16GB iPhone 4S to $149.99 while the 8GB iPhone 4 is reduced to $49.99.
Both deals are available with the purchase of an iPhone and two-year contract from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint.
The sale is only available at brick and mortar Target stores, with the Target Mobile website still listing the 16GB iPhone 4S at the standard $199. As such, supplies may be limited by store.
Shoppers will want to act fast though - the sale only runs through this Saturday, May 12.
Hold out ... if you can
Of course, with rumors of the iPhone 5 possibly coming as soon as June, it would be understandable to want to wait.Each new version has historically been accompanied by deeper price cuts than Target's deal.
But with the sale ending right before Mother's Day, savvy shoppers should take note that smartphones and tablets are one of mom's most requested gifts this year.
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Microsoft launches $99 subscription-based Xbox 360
Want a cheaper alternative to the Xbox 360? Well, today is your lucky day. Microsoft officially launched its subsidized low-cost Xbox 360 bundle for $99, but you may want to read the fine print before you buy.
The $99 bundle was rumored to come out just last week, including a 4GB Xbox 360 system, Kinect sensor, and two years of Xbox Live Gold membership.
To offset the low cost, Microsoft is asking buyers to sign a two-year contract with a $15 monthly charge, and early termination fees for cancelling the contract prematurely.
While just under $100 seems like a steal for a new game console, when all is said and done after two years of monthly fees the bundle's real cost comes out to $459.
Considering that a 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect and a two-year Xbox Live membership only adds up to $420 when paid upfront, the subscription bundle starts to lose some of its appeal.
Dreams of streaming dashed
We hoped that Microsoft might sweeten the deal by including subscriptions to some of the video streaming services available through Xbox Live, or a tie in with the company's upcoming Woodstock music streaming service that will be revealed next month.However, now that the deal has been officially announced there are no additional subscriptions or services included.
The deal is currently only available through Microsoft's own retail stores across the country, requiring potential buyers to print out a coupon and bring it in to the store.
No end date has been given for the bundle promotion, though the coupon says that Microsoft "may terminate this Offer at any time."
With limited distribution to Microsoft stores, the subscription bundle is being seen as a way for the company to gauge consumer interest in low-cost subsidized game consoles.
What's more, since rumors are swirling that the next Xbox 720 has already entered production, this could be an indication of what is to come in the future of console gaming.
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Color, Verizon team up to provide livestreaming on 4G LTE smartphones
Thanks to a new partnership between Color - a livestreaming app - and Verizon, 4G LTE users will be able to stream up to 30 seconds of live video directly from various Verizon smartphones to their Facebook profiles.
Facebook friends can use the app to receive notifications when their friends stream live video and can "like" pictures uploaded in real time within the app.
What's more they can send a livestream request to a Color user's smartphone.
The idea is that users upload photos of their activities, giving their friends the ability to request and view a live video stream.
The Color app is already available on iOS and Android phones, but Verizon's fast 4G LTE network should allow users to stream more and better-quality video than ever before -- in effect solidifying that LTE really is the fastest 4G data standard available today.
What does Verizon bring to Color
Color was created by serial entrepreneur Bill Nguyen after he sold his music-sharing app Lala to Apple for $85 million in 2009.A partnership with Verizon could provide Color with a much-needed boost, as the app reportedly floundered since its impressive $41 million funding push in 2011.
Even its integration with Facebook later that year didn't much improve the startup's fortunes.
Verizon 4G LTE users will gain the ability to add audio to their broadcasts, something that's not possible in other versions of the app.
"Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network is a huge opportunity for creating new applications," Nguyen said in a press release today.
"It is revolutionary for app developers," he continued. "Color plans to develop additional features exclusively with Verizon Wireless to showcase its 4G LTE network."
From the horse's mouth
TechRadar spoke with the company today on the phone. According to Color, Verizon's networks - both 4G LTE and 3G - are the highest-quality networks in the country.With the partnership, they'll be able to optimize Color's video and audio output.
In addition, Color will come pre-installed on some of Verizon's upcoming 4G LTE-enabled smartphones, though the company was unable to say specifically which ones.
As far as the "additional features" teased in the press release, the company said they're always working on improving video quality.
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The Pirate Bay issues warning against copycat pirates
The Pirate Bay's days of facilitating file-sharing in the UK may be numbered, but the Swedish torrent site seems more concerned with protecting its site from copycats.
The site, which will be blocked by five of the UK's top ISPs following last-week's high court order, says rivals are setting up proxy sites and using its name and index, while also charging users.
The site welcomes some of these proxies, as they will offer access to the site once the blockades are in place, but others are seeking to profit from TPB's vast archive of music, movies and TV shows.
Not all proxies are nice
In a somewhat ironic post on the company blog, TPB says: "A lot of proxies in support of TPB are popping up, which is a good thing. But not all of these proxies are nice!"We've noticed at least 3 sites that are tricking users to buying access or similar. We do not condone this behaviour, The Pirate Bay is a free service!
"We'd want to encourage you to look for a reliable source on where to find a good proxy that works for you."
So, the message is clear, beware of those illegal torrent sites, which are illegal copies of other illegal torrent sites.
Via: The Reg
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: HTC Evo 4G LTE review
If acronyms were awesome features, then the HTC Evo 4G LTE would be aptly named. The gorgeous Evo has everything you could want in a phone.
The first thing we really noticed about the phone was the gorgeous 4.7-inch display. At 1280 x 720p resolution, the screen looks absolutely gorgeous - a fact propounded upon with the HTC Sense UI 4.0 overlay, which gives Ice Cream Sandwich a sense of depth.
The phone can handle any number of animations without slowdown, due to its impressive 1GB of RAM and 1.5GHz S4 dual-core processor.
HTC Evo 4G LTE design
In typical Evo fashion, the Evo 4G LTE comes with a kickstand - but this one goes beyond a novelty design decision. Unlike the disastrously designed last Evo's kickstand - you can actually charge your phone while you prop your phone up - and even better - the Evo 4G LTE allows you to position your phone in any number of ways.
This might seem like a moot point if you don't see the utility in a kickstand, but it's really not. The spring-loaded kickstand is wonderfully useable and feels strong and actually pretty professional.
It also forms one of the HTC Evo 4G LTE's biggest design decisions - a red band that sweeps across the black frame of the phone and gives it a strong contrast.
The top half of the phone is a black plastic that allows for NFC payments, but it also smudges easily. If you can't tell from our photos, the top half was constantly smudged, while the bottom, which is made of industrial aluminum, is never smudged.
The top half can be popped off for easy access to the battery and a MicroSD slot, which allows the phone to be upgraded to 32GBs of internal storage.
The speaker on the bottom half of the phone is also one single slit, as opposed to other HTCs with dotted speakerphones. This increases volume and looks pretty slick.
What we didn't expect was just how thin and lightweight the Evo 4G LTE would feel in the hand. It feels absolutely fantastic.
HD Voice
We didn't have a chance to test out HD Voice today, but we'll go back later this week to give it a shot and report back to you.
As you may have read, the technology has been rolled out in select markets of Europe, but up until now hasn't been brought to the States.
HTC Evo 4G LTE camera
We wrote previously about the HTC Evo 4G LTE's awesome 8MP rear-facing camera (which is the same one as equipped on the HTC One X), but the camera's awesome features don't stop with its hardware.
One of the new Evo's coolest features is its camera software. You can take continuous photos by simply holding down the camera button. As soon as you lift your finger, you'll be presented with an option to choose the best photo. Doing so will delete the remaining photos. But what if you want to keep them all?
The HTC Evo 4G LTE has a great, brushed metal dedicated camera button.
Simply ignoring the prompt will allow you to keep all of the photos - and keep your photo library clean. The Evo knows which photos were taken in burst mode and will only display a single thumbnail for any group of photos captured in this manner.
HTC Evo 4G LTE release date
The HTC Evo 4G LTE is available for preorder, and it'll set you back $199 and a two-year contract with Sprint. but there's still no word on official release date. One HTC employee hinted that we might see an official release date sometime this week, so we'll let you know when we know.
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T-Mobile upgrading network for iPhone compatibility
The verdict is still out on whether or not fourth-place U.S. carrier T-Mobile will get the iPhone 5 when it arrives later this year, but 3G data network incompatibilities will no longer be a hindrance toward becoming an Apple partner.
T-Mobile is no stranger to the iPhone - the carrier has had customers with unlocked handsets on its network almost from the beginning, despite Apple's device lacking the necessary radio for obtaining 3G data speeds on its network.
Thanks to the carrier's $4 billion investment in 4G LTE, that problem will soon be a thing of the past.
4G LTE or bust
T-Mobile is now working with Ericsson and Nokia Siemens to build out their 4G LTE network, which includes additional spectrum the carrier received as part of the failed merger with AT&T.The deployment of 4G LTE is expected to cover 75 percent of the carrier's 25 largest markets, as well as additional upgrades to its existing HSPA+ network, which T-Mobile dubs as "the largest 4G network" in the U.S.
Unofficial iPhone carrier
While T-Mobile's existing HSPA+ network currently covers more than 220 million customers in 229 markets, users with unlocked iPhones have had to make do with the carrier's older, slower 2G EDGE network for data.As part of the $4 billion upgrade to launch 4G LTE next year, the carrier will add the necessary 1900MHz spectrum which makes HSPA+ speeds possible on the iPhone.
With a new iPhone on deck for later this year, the upgrades could finally bring much-needed attention from Apple.
But since AT&T now unlocks older handsets from its network, T-Mobile will offer an attractive alternative for those users, with or without the official blessing of Apple.
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Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson apologises for CV-gate
After being exposed for lying about false qualifications on his CV, Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson looked to dampen the row by apologising for the distraction it has caused the company.
The boss wrote an email to staff, expressing his regret for the issue which saw a computer science degree he did not earn appear on his resume.
The fake qualification, which appeared alongside a legitimate business administration degree on his Yahoo biography page, has caused many to call for his head.
The Yahoo board says it is reviewing the situation.
Deep regret
In the email Thompson says the row has damaged attempts to take the company forward since he replaced former CEO Carol Batrz, who was fired late last year.He wrote: "As I told you on Friday, the board is reviewing the issue and I will provide whatever they need from me. In the meantime, I want you to know how deeply I regret how this issue has affected the company and all of you.
"We have all been working very hard to move the company forward, and this has had the opposite effect. For that, I take full responsibility, and I want to apologize to you."
While Thompson's fate remains undecided, the saga has now claimed its first victim. Patti Hart, the director in charge of the search to hire a new CEO, says she will not stand for re-election.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: Droid Incredible 4G LTE review
The long-awaited Droid Incredible 4G LTE was finally announced at CTIA 2012.
The incredible Droid Incredible has always been one of HTC's best offerings, whenever it's been offered before. But the landscape has changed dramatically since the Droid Incredible 2 was released, and the Droid Incredible, at least aesthetically, really hasn't.
While it's certainly not one of HTC's flagship phones (that award goes to the HTC One X and upcoming HTC Evo 4G LTE), it's still nothing to scoff at.
The tiny phone has a long list of enviable specs, including Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, a 960 x 540 Super LCD, and Beats Audio integration.
There's a microSD slot that can boost the Incredible 4G LTE to 32GB memory, which is one of its few edges on the One series.
Regardless of whatever marketing Verizon and HTC start rolling out around this phone, there's definitely the sense that this isn't one of their favored handsets. It's tiny, and plastic, and looks and feels quite a bit like its predecessors (though there is absolutely no denying the gorgeous display). Instead, it's an option for those that value a smaller screen size (or have a weird nostalgia for DIncs).
The plasticky frame feels surprisingly chunky when compared to the One series (an unfortunate side-effect of having to cram impressive specs into a smaller handset)
Droid Incredible 4G LTE release date
The Droid Incredible 4G LTE will be available at the end of May, yet there's still no word on pricing.
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Apple, Samsung ordered to reduce patent claims against each other
Apple announced that they're willing to drop about half of their claims against Samsung in the California court on May 7, including ones that concern their devices' status bars, touchscreen shielding and body styles.
Samsung, meanwhile, has gone back on five of their 12 patent filings, including some related to mobile networks and world time displaying technologies.
California's Judge Lucy Koh ordered both companies last week to reduce the scope of their cases against one another, deeming the size of each side's filings "cruel and unusual punishment to a jury."
Jack Lerner, a USC Law School professor specializing in intellectual property law, said it's not uncommon for "excessive" cases to be trimmed down so a jury can handle them.
"But it is not very common," he said.
The companies complied yesterday, but that doesn't necessarily mean things will go more smoothly.
"The judge presiding over the case said each side's filings are 'cruel and unusual punishment to a jury.'"
Apple's gripe with Samsung
Apple and Samsung's rivalry springs from a suit brought by Apple in April 2011 alleging Samsung's devices copy the "look and feel" of Apple's iPhone and iPad products.Neither that nor Samsung's countersuits in courts across the U.S., Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Australia stopped Samsung's Galaxy line of Android-powered tablets and phones from gaining in popularity recently.
There's a slim chance that peace between the two could be close, as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Samsung Vice Chairman Gee-Sung Choi are scheduled to speak face to face on May 21 and 22 about settling their differences.
But given Judge Koh's measures to prepare the case to go to trial and be heard by a jury, the court isn't putting much faith in the leaders' ability to make amends.
Lerner said Judge Koh's reaction could be indicative of a greater issue facing patent laws today.
"It cannot be good for innovation to have patents so broad and complex that they are almost impossible to try," he said. "Imagine being a startup and having those patents asserted against you."
The Apple doesn't fall far
Cook said previously to investors that he "hates litigation" and "just wants people to invent their own stuff" rather than copying Apple's designs.Despite Apple's compliance with Koh's recent order, the company's representatives reportedly stated that they feel the reduction of their claims is unnecessary and invalid.
"Obviously, Apple is not willing and should not be required to waive any right to a jury trial on claims and defenses that arise from Samsung's continued assertion of patents that Samsung contends are essential to practice the UMTS telecommunication standard," the company wrote yesterday.
Outside the California court, The International Trade Commission (ITC) announced yesterday that they're disregarding a 3,000 page attachment that Apple added to their case there against Samsung.
ITC Judge E. James Gildea reportedly called the number of pages "unacceptable" and gave Apple one day to consolidate their content into a single page.
TechRadar contacted Samsung and Apple for comment, so check back for updates.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: Kyocera Rise review
Kyocera unveiled two new handsets at CTIA 2012, and both will appeal to niche audiences. We covered the water-resistant Kyocera Hydro, but if water resistance isn't exactly your thing, there's also the Kyocera Rise.
The Rise is a QWERTY keyboard phone with Ice Cream Sandwich. While those are obviously its main selling points, it has a long list of other features that will appeal to low to medium-level users.
The 3.5-inch LCD display felt refreshingly quaint in our hands and kept the overall size of the chunky device somewhere between "chunky" and "decent."
There's a rear-facing 3.2-megapixel camera which will suffice in need, but won't win you any "best of Instagram" awards.
The keys are nicely spread and plenty responsive, but you'll definitely sacrifice a svelte frame for the added keyboard.
Kyocera Rise release date
The Kyocera Rise is set for a summer release, but little more is known - including which carriers it might appear on, various internal specs, and price.
While we already know the Kyocera Rise isn't going to start any revolutions, we're always happy to welcome another QWERTY phone to the selective ranks.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: The OtterBox Defender for the new iPad and Samsung Galaxy Note
Today at CTIA OtterBox revealed their Defender series of cases for the new iPad as well as the Samsung Galaxy Note.
Described by OtterBox as "serious protection for serious super-users," the Defender cases completely incase the devices. If you're hard on your toys like we are, you'll no doubt love the complete level of protection these cases offer.
A screen protector keeps your screen scratch free and considerng how much protection it seemed to be offering, we were impressed by how little the protector impacted the use and experience of the retina display on the new iPad.
Boasting a polycarbonate shell, the Defender also rocks port and button covers ensuring that your device will be nice and safe.
In addition to protecting your devices from scratches and dings, the impact absorbing silicone also protects from drops as well as shock.
The OtterBox Defender case for the new iPad has an MSRP of $89.95 while the company has yet to release the price for Defender case for the Samsung Galaxy Note. Expect to see it hit store shelves this summer.
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Star Wars: The Old Republic losing wannabe Jedi as subscribers fall
Electronic Arts has announced that subscribers to its Star Wars: The Old Republic title have experienced a sharp decline in the last two months.
Gamers actively playing the MMORPG dropped from 1.7m in February to 1.3m at the end of April, the publisher revealed.
That represents a startling drop-off of 25 per cent, which upon the news saw EA's shares drop by 10 per cent.
Republic credits are no good here
However the company said the fall remained in line with its projections and mostly accounted for casual gamers dropping out after trial period, rather than pay £8.99 ($13.99) a month to keep playing.EA's interim chief financial officer, Peter Moore said: "a substantial portion of the decrease [was] due to casual and trial players cycling out of the subscriber base, driving up the overall percentage of paying subscribers."
The company, which has spent heavily on promoting the game in new territories like Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore in recent months, is counting heavily on the success of the game.
One analyst suggested back in January that EA had pumped $500m into the game, so it will be looking for a serious return on its investment.
With competition from Skyrim, Game of Thrones and a new WoW expansion pack coming soon as well as a general decline in MMORPG subscriber numbers, it looks like tough times ahead for The Old Republic.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: Kyocera Hydro C5170
In a world full of obscure product names, the Kyocera Hydro C5170 is actually, aptly named.
We got a hands on look at the Kyocera Hydro on the show floor at CTIA 2012 and according to a Kyocera spokesperson, the handset is "Certified waterproof for IPX5, protection against water jets and IPX7, protection against water immersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1 meter."
What this means to the average user is that gone are the days of dropping your cell phone in the toilet and having your trusted sidekick literally go belly-up.
Expected to come out in the second half of 2012, aside from being waterproof for up 30 minutes in 1 meter of water, the Kyocera Hydro is a rather standard model.
Boasting Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich, it also sports a 3.2 MP camera and video camcorder.
The handset feels nice in the hand, and navigation, thanks to Android 4.0 is simple and clean. That said, with flashier models like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Nokia Lumia 900 either currently on the market or expected to come, we don't expect the Kyocera Hydro C5170 to win any design awards.
Of course, if you're prone to dropping phones in toilets and hoping and praying that it'll work once you fish it out, you may want to give the Kyocera Hydro C5170 a good look.
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CTIA 2012: Hands on: iWow-U review
The SRS iWow has had a major overhaul in the just-announced iWow-U. The iWow-U aims to deliver "substantial bass enhancement" and enhance your audio experience - no matter what you're listening to - digitally. While we're not usually too fond of digitally altering our music, there's just no denying this thing's utility during movies.
Action movies especially benefit from the dongle, which makes for much more immersive audio, and you'll hear the difference as grass breaks, cars squeal to a stop, and guns are fired.
Unfortunately, a show floor might not be the best place to test the intricacies of an audio enhancer, so we'll continue testing in more audio-friendly environments and update as necessary.
iWow-U design
Both the design and the connectivity has gotten a major overhaul in the iWow-U. Whereas previously the iWow connected through a 30pin dock connector and therefore was (obviously) limited to Apple products, the iWow-U uses a standard 3.5mm headphone jack which means pretty much everything with a headphone jack can benefit from what iWow is calling "HD-quality" sounds.
The iWow-U design is simple and much better designed than its cartoonish precursor (the equally embarrassingly named iWow 3D). If silver's not your thing, the iWow-U comes with five interchangeable faceplates that make the unit red, blue, pink, black, or silver.
There's a single button and light on the iWow-U. When the light's off, the unit's off. When you press the button once, the light turns blue and is optimized for headphone playback. Twice and the light's green, making it better for pumping out auxiliary audio systems (like a car).
iWow-U release date
The iWow-U will be released in late May, where it will retail at $70 (about £43).
At $70, it's not cheap, but we received confirmation that the expected street price would be lower - possibly around the $30 range.
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Opinion: Thorsten Heins is not RIM's patsy
Questions marks were raised when Thorsten Heins was appointed CEO of RIM 12 weeks ago, with doubts over whether he would be able to drive new life into the firm.
We had concerns here at TechRadar once we learnt that former joint-CEO, Mike Lazaridis, was set to become Heins' right-hand man, making us question how much actual control Heins would have on the company.
Heins' arrival at the top didn't seem to signal a new chapter for RIM, with the straight-talking German looking to continue where his predecessors had left off, leading to concern over whether the firm could break out of its downturn.
However, having witnessed Thorsten first hand during BlackBerry World 2012, he seems to have all the credentials, at least in terms of honesty and presence, to prove he is the man to pull RIM out of the mire and back into the thick of the mobile game.
Sickening level of arrogance
Too often we see company representatives waxing lyrical about their products and skirting around the difficult and uncomfortable topics, as they exude an unhealthy and quite frankly, sickening level of arrogance.Heins, on the other hand is calm, collective, a man who clearly has his head screwed on, knows where he and his company stands and is not afraid to highlight the issues RIM needs to overcome.
Of course, during his keynote presentation on Tuesday morning, Heins expressed great enthusiasm for the BB10 platform which he has worked tirelessly on for the past year and a half.
It wasn't forced enthusiasm and hype, however. Heins expressed a boyish pride for his product, coming across even slightly embarrassed as he explained his genuine belief that BB10 is going to be an excellent mobile computing platform.
Sure, the phase "super awesome" was bandied about a little too much for my liking, but you can put that down to excitement from a team who really believe they have created a product set to rival iOS and Android. And, to be fair, I reckon they've at least got a chance.
Honesty and composure
For all the excitement over the new platform, Heins is keeping his feet on the ground and in his press session the following day you saw just how focussed and driven he is.The session itself was unique, as it was the first time a RIM CEO had attended an open press event, which Heins explained was part of his plan to build new relationships.
"RIM is looking to engage more with the stakeholders around us, including the press, and really start communicating a bit more about what's going on in RIM, what we are doing and where we're heading."
Heins went on to highlight the problems the company faced after it saw massive growth from 2007 onwards, which lead to it losing focus, direction and efficiency.
He admitted that the firm tried its hand at too many things and the BB7 platform had run its course, with focus now on the next decade and BB10.
We are all aware of the issues RIM has had, but when the CEO comes out and talks openly and honestly about them it gives you more confidence in the company – as you feel it isn't trying to hide anything.
Uphill battle
Heins highlighted that RIM has an "uphill battle in the US", where he admitted the firm's lack of LTE devices and over-done touchscreen innovation saw it lose market share."In the US we are behind, but I am convinced we will be a strong contender again and I absolutely expect us to regain market share in the US."
Heins: "We are here to win. I'm not here to just be in the game"
RIM is performing well in other markets, especially those which are emerging, with its budget BlackBerry handsets proving popular.Heins is clear on RIM's goal: "We are here to win. I'm not here to just be in the game. The whole team wants to win and the whole team deserves to win."
It's a bold statement, but the way Heins delivered it, with his measured explanation of the BB10 target, makes you believe in the company and its fortunes going forward.
Unflappable to end
Confirmation of my confidence in Heins' ability to get RIM winning again occurred while I was having a quiet evening beer on the hotel terrace.Heins appeared with his son, taking a leisurely stroll round the grounds when they were interrupted by a disgruntled developer who unleashed a rude and aggressive verbal attack towards the RIM CEO.
It wasn't clear what had ground this developer's gears, but the way in which he voiced his problems would have certainly infuriated the majority of people.
Heins reaction however was commendable, staying calm and polite, managing to diffuse the situation before continuing the walk with his son.
It's genuinely pleasing to see a CEO in a truly human light. All he wanted to do was enjoy the evening with his son. There was no pretentious entourage, being whisked away to exclusive venues or any looking down on others.
Hold yer horses
Let's not great carried away though. Heins' task is huge, as the dominance of Apple, Google, Samsung, HTC and co. in the mobile market is going to be a tough nut to crack for a firm which has struggled in the past couple of years.While I don't question whether Heins is the man for RIM, I do question the achievability of RIM becoming the top mobile company.
It's not going to be easy to claw back sales and re-ignite interest in an audience which has started to view the BlackBerry brand in a slightly negative light – with RIM partly, but not solely, to blame, as the media has added insult to injury in recent times.
So RIM has a difficult year ahead of it, with no guarantee it will pull through, but in Thorsten Heins at least it has the right person at the top to make that dream a possible reality.
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Apple iTV to look like you'd expect and 'have Siri and FaceTime'
New details of the possibly upcoming but not yet official Apple iTV have emerged, including a description of what the thing will look like.
And surprise, surprise, the Apple iTV set will look very similar to one of Apple's monitors – the Cinema Display monitor to be more exact. Except bigger. Much bigger.
This is according to Cult Of Mac, a blog that's bundled together its information on the telly and come up with some interesting tidbits.
According to its unnamed source – we're guessing it's not Tim Cook – the television "resembles an Apple monitor, only much larger".
The source also reckoned the TV will make FaceTime calls, which is a bit of a no-brainer considering Skype has been appearing on any connected TV worth its salt.
And you will also be able to ask the TV questions thanks to Siri also being on board.
Projecting your voice
Now, we shout at the TV on many an occasion – normally when sport is on – so the idea of chatting to your TV isn't too far fetched but we've used voice recognition on other televisions and the results are far from perfect.The FaceTime calls are said to be done through a built-in iSight camera situated on top of the TV's frame.
We're also guessing the television will have Apple TV functionality inside – something we have seen already in the form of the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay V1.
Well, it has a space for Apple iTV in the back of the television set, which kind of counts, right?
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Rovio profits from Angry Birds
How much money can you make from an app? The answer is a lot, but it's probably not as much as you would expect, however, the profits are huge.
Rovio, owner of the Angry Birds brand announced their financial results yesterday and the sums created from the Angry Birds franchise for the last year were a surprisingly moderate €75.4 million (£60.7 million). However earnings before tax were a very healthy €48 million (£38.6 million) or a staggering 64% of total revenue in 2011. Compare that with earnings before tax at Tesco (6.2% of total revenue), Amazon.com (1.8%) and Microsoft (38%) and you begin to realise just how good 64% is.
Revenue for Rovio comes from three sources; the merchandising of the Angry Birds characters, the revenue from paid downloads on iOS, Android, Windows etc platforms, and from in-game advertising.
In-game advertising and downloads accounted for around 70% of revenue, and derived from Rovio's three Angry Birds offerings in 2011 — Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio. Between them the three games were downloaded 648 million times, with the total number of active monthly users, across all platforms, reaching 200 million.
The Consumer Products business area, which includes both merchandising and licensing income, generated revenues that represent about 30% of total revenue in 2011. The company was working together with more than 200 licensing partners on developing new products and services within the Angry Birds franchise.
The company expects business to continue to grow well into 2012. "We are very optimistic about 2012 due to significant investments in product development, cutting-edge branding, brand protection and corporate infrastructure," the CEO, Mikael Hed said.
Results for next year should be even higher if downloads of Rovio's latest Angry Birds instalment, Angry Birds Space, carry on at their initial rate. The firm confirmed that Angry Birds Space was downloaded a whopping 50 million times in 35 days, making it the fastest growing mobile game of all time. However in the last year Rovio increased its workforce from 28 to 224, so that 64% earnings before tax, probably won't hit 64% next year.
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More Canon mirrorless rumours emerge
It seems that hardly a week goes by without someone wanting to know when Canon will finally reveal a compact system camera, here are some of the latest rumoured specs.
It's long been thought that the large sensor found in the Canon G1 X premium compact camera is what will eventually make its way into the company's mirrorless offering - with the G1 X acting as a sort of "test" model.
However, there are also rumours that an APS-C sensor will be the favoured device, especially after a Canon patent for APS-C compatible lenses was discovered.
Could it be that Canon will introduce two new models, with two different sensor sizes this year?
Sensor size
Latest rumours suggest that the resolution of the two cameras would be 14 and 24 million pixels - the latter being greater than any other current Canon DSLR in its range.There are also suggestions that 3-5 optics will be announced at launch, but EF lenses will also be compatible via an optional accessory.
This would seem to follow a similar path to other companies, including Nikon and Sony. The Pentax K-01 compact system camera allows for K-Mount lenses to be attached directly to the camera, but it comes at the price of a large body which is not that much smaller than a DSLR.
Another rumoured specification is the inclusion of an electronic viewfinder on one of the models. Again, this would be similar to Nikon which features an EVF on the Nikon V1, but not on the J1. Sony meanwhile features an EVF on its top of the range NEX-7, but not on other models including the Sony NEX 5N.
Many believe that 2012 will definitely be the year that Canon steps up to the mirrorless challenge, with Photokina - which takes place in September - seeming like a likely announcement date.
Keep following for more details as and when they arrive.
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News in Brief: One More Thing: Google Play hits 15 billion app downloads
You can't, you won't and you don't stop – …downloading apps. The artist formerly known as the Android Market, Google Play has hit 15 billion app downloads since its inception in 2008. Here comes the inevitable Apple comparison: the iOS App Store is sitting pretty on more than 25 billion downloads. But hey, Google, it's still good. [TechCrunch]
Fight for your right – …to use the –ville suffix. Zynga's decided it's the only one allowed to use that particular assemblage of letters. The social gaming company is currently suing the developers behind PyramidVille because "Facebook users are likely to believe that PyramidVille is a member of Zynga's 'Ville family of games". Watch out, Pleasant-, Psycho-, Jackson-, Gaines-, Amity-, Small- and Cruella de-. [Kotaku]
Some action from the back section – With no help from you and no help from me, this Transformer toy actually transforms. Presumably it's powered by the matrix that gives the autobots life. Or by magic. One of the two. [Kotaku]
In the next millennium I'll still be old school - Remember when it was about to be the millennium and everyone was all "OMG you guys! Millennium Bug! TOTAL NUCLEAR MELTDOWN!" and then everything was fine? That's how we see this whole toxic-caterpillar-threatens-Olympic-Games story playing out. [Gizmodo UK]
Putting all kinds of shame in the game you got – …if your game is driving or taking public transport when you could have walked, that is. Re:route is a new iOS app from Recycle Bank that promises to find you a greener, less congestion-y route to your London-based destination. You'll get points for taking the greener options which equate to money off at M&S, Planet Organics and Champneys. You can also share journeys with friends on Facebook if you want. Please don't though. [iTunes]
More rhymes than Jamaica got mangoes – The idea of digging a hole all the way through the earth may appeal to anyone who's ever balked at a long-haul airfare, but the reality is that digging is boring and, as Antipode Map shows, start anywhere on the British Isles and you'll just come up in the middle of the Indian Ocean. [Antipode Map]
Dip-dip-dive, so-socialise – Rockstar has relaunched its Social Club with a bunch of new social features, including redesigned profiles, new messaging systems, Facebook and Twitter integration and more. What a treat. [PR]
Money makin, money money makin – Rovio made $106 million (about £65.6 million) from Angry Birds and its associated merchandise in 2011. Lend us a fiver, will you Rovio? [BGR]
Time to get ill – The National Physical Laboratory released this video to explain the fundamentals of the first atomic clock waaaay back in 1955. Warning: contains education. [Via Boing Boing]
Beard like a billygoat – People spend more time on Facebook on their phone than they do on the computer. Could that be because they have their phone with them all the time but only spend a certain amount of time in front of a computer? If OMT had a beard, we'd be stroking it thoughtfully right now. [Cnet]
Bonus tech video of the day - Smartphone camera showdown!
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HTC One series failing to gain traction
HTC's new range of handsets have been well received, but the company is still struggling to match its sales from last year.
There was a very strong start for HTC last year as it made record revenue in six straight months, but Samsung and Apple both fought back and pushed the Taiwanese manufacturer down the sales charts.
Although month-on-month HTC increased its revenue in April by $10 million (about £6 million), it is still down 20% on April last year – by $261 million (over £160 million).
It only gets tougher
The flagship One X, along with the One S and One V, are the phones tasked with getting HTC back to the top in the mobile game, but they have a real fight on their hands.Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S3 handset last week, hitting stores on May 30, and if demand is anything like its predecessor the Galaxy S2, this next-generation mobile will fly off the shelves.
We also expect to see the iPhone 5 grace us with its presence later this year, followed by a slew of Windows Phone 8 Apollo and BlackBerry 10 devices which leads to one truly congested market.
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Apple 'investigating' iPad multiple-user support
Apple has revealed that it is looking into opening up the iPad to multiple users, noting that it is a 'known issue' for the device.
Apple has never been enamoured with supporting multiple users on the iPhone or the iPod – then again these devices don't exactly lend themselves to be used by numerous people. Unless, of course, you are one of those weird couples that actually share the same taste in music.
The iPad is a little different, though, given it's much more of an at-home device and it does seem that Apple is seriously considering offering up a multi-user option on the device.
Currently being investigated
When asked about the lack of multiple-user support by a developer, Apple actually responded with what sounds like an acceptance that this feature was something that should be added to the iPad."After further investigation it has been determined that this is a known issue, which is currently being investigated by engineering," said the official response from Apple Developer Connection's Worldwide Developer Relations, obtained by Apple Insider.
The response came from a request put into Apple's Bug Reporter by an unnamed developer, and is likely to be the first time a response has been given to something that wasn't strictly a bug.
The reply does read like an automated one, and it may well be that because numerous people have requested this option a reply was actually sent out.
But it could also be that Apple is set to 'fix' a missing feature that's been bugging iPad users since day one.
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Kodak Gallery sells to Shutterfly
The sale of Kodak Gallery has been completed, with online sharing website Shutterfly making the purchase.
Kodak Gallery has been in operation for over a decade, with the sale of the service to Shutterfly thought to be for $23.8 million.
The beleaguered icon of photography announced earlier in the year that it was to stop producing cameras in favour of printers after filing for "bankruptcy protection".
Over the past few months and years, the company has been selling off various patents and divisions of the company in a bid to raise extra cash.
Although $23.8m may seem like a large fee, it of course pales in comparison to the recent Facebook acquisition of Instagram for a whopping $1billion.
Unlimited
Shutterfly is a service that enables users to store and share images online, as well as creating custom printed photobooks, cards and albums. It offers free, unlimited photo storage with a "100% customer satisfaction guarantee".Current users of the Kodak Gallery will have their images transferred across to Shutterfly - unless they choose to opt out of the service. Images will no longer be viewable after July 2.
Writing on the Kodak Gallery website, its general manager Victor Cho said, "We are absolutely committed to making this transition as smooth and easy as possible."
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