China-bound Sony Xperia Neo L with ICS gets handled, holds nothing back

It was only a couple of months ago that we first crossed paths with Sony's Xperia Neo L, and now the Ice Cream Sandwich handset is back with a vengeance - at least in terms of exposure. As you may know, details were revealed in abundance (read: 1GHz Snapdragon S2 CPU, 512MB of RAM) during our first MT25i encounter, but thanks to Taiwanese site ePrice, we're able to gander at the device posing in an array of different angles and leaving very little to the imagination. For now, pricing still remains a mystery, though we do know Sony's 4-inch (854 x 480) Neo L is expected to hit Chinese shelves later this month.

Sony SmartWatch and accessories pop up at Verizon Wireless

By and large Sony's wrist-born Android info center, the SmartWatch, has given enough utility to end up on a few of our wrists. Connecting to any Android 2.1 or higher smartphone via Bluetooth, the device has a capacitive screen for input and acts as a notifier for calls, messages or social networks. With a new SDK under its belt, it also supports 60 apps so far including an open-source music player and eight new games. Now you can grab one for $149.97 at Verizon Wireless' online or brick and mortar stores, along with accessories for it like extra straps and chargers. So if you've been looking for a way to stay on top of your social life at a glance, find your phone when it gets lost - or even just check the time,

RIM Pulls Out 16GB BlackBerry PlayBook

 What used to be unverified rumors turn out to be true. Research In Motion has indeed pulled the plug off its entry-level BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB model. RIM explained in its press statement that the decision was made because the 32GB and 64GB varieties offer a better value. The $199 16GB model has a much smaller profit margin compared to the other two variants.

The 32GB model costs $249, just $50 more than the 16GB, while the 64GB version is $50 more than the 32GB moral.

It is a shame, however, that it took forever before the PlayBook became a viable product since its release. With its newly-minted BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, as well as its multiple product updates, the tablet finally became a product worth noticing. Now, if only the PlayBook would offer BlackBerry Messenger.

ASUS Padfone now available in the US for $860, includes Padfone Station

The ASUS Padfone is one of the most unique devices out there. Though its specs are nothing special among high-end devices, its multi-functional nature makes the smartphone/tablet very enticing. It is indeed a captivating offer. Many of us have been waiting for it to come to the US. If you are part of that group, it can now be yours for the good $859.50 that Negri Electronics sells it for. This is the international, imported version. This usually means that the price will be much higher… and it is. But Negri Electronics is also throwing in the ASUS Padfone Station (tablet accessory), making it a much more reasonable deal than what it seems at first look. “Asus Padfone Features 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD display, Snapdragon S4 with the new Adreno 225 GPU, and 8MP camera with LED flash and f/2.2 aperture, as well as 16GB of internal storage plus microSD slot, and comes with the Padfone Station, a 10.1″ tablet display; it has what we would expect from a modern high-end.” – Negri Electronics You would be among the first to own the ASUS Padfone, so it might very well be worth it if you were already planning on getting it. If you are interested, just head over to Negri Electronics’ website and check out all the details. What do you guys say? Would you pocket out that amount of cash for a device that doubles as a phone and tablet?

Huawei Activa 4G Arrives Stateside

 
As much as Huawei is a successful smartphone brand in Asia, it has yet to make waves in the United States and they hope its latest smartphone would make American consumers take notice. Without much fanfare, the company has unveiled its very first 4G LTE handset.

The Huawei Activa 4G features a 3.5-inch runs on Android Gingerbread and features a 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and a VGA front camera for video calls.

The prepaid device will be distributed exclusively on MetroPCS. We think this is a good marketing strategy because at least the Activa would not have to compete with other flagship devices from the likes of AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

The Huawei Activa 4G is now available in MetroPCS stores and online for only $149 without any binding contract.

Verizon's and AT&T's Samsung Galaxy S III won't come with 50GB of free Dropbox storage

The Samsung Galaxy S III will be released in the US starting later this month, via five mobile carriers: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. While the handset looks the same regardless of its carrier, there are things that differentiate the five versions.

For example, Dropbox has confirmed that AT&T and Verizon opted not to offer 50GB of free cloud storage with their editions of Galaxy S III (despite the fact that, when the smartphone was initially announced in Europe, Samsung suggested all users would benefit from this offer). There's no word on why Verizon and AT&T did that, but customers will not like it anyway.

Both Verizon and AT&T are already taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S III. However, they won't release it at the same time. AT&T should start selling the handset on June 18, while Verizon could do it either on June 28, or in early July.

Windows Phone-Powered ZTE Tania Rolls Out in China

 
Smartphone makers have been racing in the Chinese market with its mobile handsets that run on Windows Phone. After HTC and Nokia introduced their wares, ZTE unveils the Tania.

The ZTE Tania is similar to other Windows Phone handsets hardware-wise, such as the 800 x 480 display and 512MB RAM, but it steps up the competition with its 1.4GHz processor, 4.3-inch screen, a 5-megapixel rear camera, 4GB of internal storage, and even black and white color options.

The Tania will be distributed exclusively by China Unicom.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer believes the Xbox 360 has more than two years left in it

 
We're sure that there were many gamers who were looking forward to seeing new consoles unveiled by Sony and Microsoft at E3 this year. Unfortunately this was not the case thus leaving many to speculate that these next-gen consoles would instead arrive in 2013. While that remains to be seen as far as Sony's PlayStation console goes, it might not be the case for the Xbox platform. Speaking to the folks at GameSpot, Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer was quoted as saying, “Right now the Xbox 360 is really healthy and it's doing incredibly well. I think the 360 has a lot more than two years [left]. It has legs for a long time.”

Of course this does not completely rule out a next-gen console. As GameSpot had pointed out, when Sony launched the PlayStation 3 support for the PlayStation 2 remained. However when the Xbox 360 was launched, the original Xbox had been removed, thus suggesting different practices when it came to new hardware. Assuming Microsoft's practices remain the same, this could mean that as far as a next-gen Xbox is concerned, we've got at least two years to go before we finally see it. So what do you guys think?

Skyrim patch 1.6 now live for the Xbox 360

 
Good news Xbox 360 gamers, if you have been looking forward to the Skyrim 1.6 patch, you're in luck as the patch has gone live. It seems to available only for the Xbox 360 at the moment but we expect it to roll out for the PlayStation 3 and the PC in due time. The patch will be bringing a new feature in the form of mounted combat along with a plethora of bug fixes and what not, so if you have yet to update Skyrim on your Xbox 360, fire the game up and you should receiving the notification informing you of the update. Check out the list of bug fixes after the break (taken from the Steam version).

Bug fixes

• General stability and memory optimizations.
• General AI pathfinding optimizations and bug fixes.
• Optimizations and crash fixes for data leaks.
• Fixed rare crash with lighting.
• Fixed crashes related to loading and saving games.
• Fixed crash with summoned creatures/NPCs.
• Fixed rare issue where saves would be corrupted.
• Improved logic for when ranged kill cams are played.
• Fixed issue with ranged kill cams while killing a dragon.
• Fixed rare issue with certain ranged kill cams not playing properly.
• Fixed issue with nirnroot lighting not properly cleaning up.
• Fixed issue where bow damage was being calculated incorrectly.
• Fixed rare problem with werewolf kill moves would not finish animating properly.
• In "The Break of Dawn" fixed rare issue where Meridia's Beacon would disappear from player's inventory.
• Fixed occasional issue where followers would disappear after player pays off a bounty after committing a crime.
• Fixed issue where certain creatures and NPCs would fail to respawn properly.
• Fixed rare issue with dialogue subtitles not displaying properly.
• Fixed issue with water appearing blurry when loading a saved game after creating a save underwater.
• Fixed issue where map cursor would occasionally disappear after closing a message box with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360).
• Fixed rare issue with shouts only performing the first level and not other unlocked levels with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360).
• Fixed issue where the shout buttons would stop working properly if users mashed LB and RB during cooldown with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360).

What is Apple going to announce at WWDC? iOS 6, a TV SDK, Retina Macs

Plenty has been said about Apple's WWDC 2012 conference, which takes place starting on Monday next week, but if you haven't been furiously digging and following along, here are our best guesses based on what we've heard from our sources, what other sites have reported, and common sense. iOS 6 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. We've covered this at length, but this is a sure thing - iOS 6 is coming next week, and most likely will be available for developers to start getting apps ready for the fall. Look for a redesigned Maps app with 3D maps and no Larry Page, Facebook integration, a refreshed UI, possible widget support, enhancements for enterprises including new mail, calendar and contact features, and much more. The Apple TV If Apple makes a TV-related announcement, which we reported they will, this might be a game changer. Apple has dabbled with the company's current TV offering, and it's not doing too bad - the Apple TV sold more than 2.7 million units this year so far. If Apple announces something TV-related though, it's going to be big. Steve Jobs I've cracked it, licked it, kicked it huge. Again, if Apple makes a TV announcement, we don't know if an actual TV will be shown or just the operating system and SDK support, but this could easily be the biggest announcement from the WWDC 2012 keynote. Retina computers This isn't confirmed, but it seems that Apple is finally ready to start adding Retina display-equipped Mac computers to the company's lineup. New MacBook Pros In addition to the MacBook Pro getting a Retina display, it's likely that the MacBook Pro will get aired out with a thinner case, no optical drive, fewer ports (ethernet and FireWire), and more. New Mac Pro A popular assumption has been that Apple will simply get rid of the company's most powerful computer, simply because most people tend to purchase an iMac over a Mac Pro at this point and the current iMac's are incredibly fast. Speculation aside, it is now being reported that Apple will finally refresh the Mac Pro instead of killing it off. New iMac If Apple is going to update its aging Mac Pro, the company might not want to leave the iMac in the dust either. Recent reports have suggested that the iMac could be due for a facelift, making the computer much thinner and lighter, and possibly getting rid of the optical drive in the process. A Retina display for the iMac is rumored as well. We're totally in.   Maybe Tim Cook was right when he said Apple “was just getting started” a few months earlier this year during the new iPad introduction event.

The LTE enabled Huawei Activa 4G goes official for MetroPCS

Huawei has chosen a low key approach for its first LTE phone in the United States with the introduction of the Activa 4G for MetroPCS. The smartphone offers entry level specs, paired with zippy network connectivity and low commitment free price tag. In terms of specs, the Huawei Activa 4G will hardly offer you the stuff dreams are made of. You get a 800Mhz CPU, 3.5" HVGA, 5MP camera, 150MB of internal memory, microSD card slot (4GB card is included in the box), and 1880mAh battery to help the handset carry the LTE burden. The software on tap is Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The Huawei Activa 4G is already available for purchase in the web store of MetroPCS with a $249 list price. Should you decide to pick one up today however, you will be set back only $149.99 after an instant discount and a rebate. Source

Sony Xperia Mini Pro gets Android 4.0

While we're not surprised by this story considering Sony Ericsson confirmed all 2011 phones except the Xperia Play would be getting Android 4.0, we're no less excited.

The little bundle of joy named the Sony Xperia Mini will be getting an upgrade to Android 4.0. While you'll find that the corner-endowed Timescape UI will remain intact,Android 4.0 will bring about some minimal interface and feature changes with certain apps.

But you'll also get to take advantage of the many apps which use the new Android 4.0 design guidelines. The companion app for PC is all you'll need to get started, but note that this upgrade is for unlocked, unbranded versions of the device, and that carrier-specific versions will be updated according to the carriers' wishes and schedule. Get started here. [via The Verge]

Henge Docks Clique Review

The Clique from Henge Docks is a thin, rigid plastic tray with form-fitted recessions engineered to unite your Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. The Clique not only combines your Apple peripherals, but allows you to use your keyboard and Trackpad without needing a flat surface to place them on, making it perfect for your couch, chair, or bed.  Let's give it a look. This is a typical scene in our media room. I cannot tell you how many times that Apple Magic Mouse has crashed to the floor. I have wanted a solution to the clutter, difficulty manipulating the devices, need of a flat surface, and constant threat of droppage for a long time now.  The Clique seems to be the ideal answer to my situation. As you can see, the Clique has two slots specifically designed to securely hold the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad together and in place. Inserting the wireless devices into the Clique is literally a 10 second effort/snap/click. Once inserted into the Clique, the keyboard and Trackpad combine into a single unit. As I stated above, the supportive tray design is excellent for using the Apple keyboard and Trackpad in a media or bedroom type of setting. The bottom of the Clique has soft rubber pads to protect whatever surface it is sitting on. Turning the Apple keyboard and/or Trackpad on and off is a snap. Henge Docks engineered a spring-loaded power button into the right side of the Clique that can be pressed to turn the Trackpad on and off. There is also a small slider switch underneath the keyboard that is used to turn the keyboard on and off without having to take the it out of the Clique. The Gadgeteer Kid is a lefty, and even though he is muddling through (we delegate control/navigation of the Mac Mini to him usually), Henge Docks is (thankfully) taking preorders on the Clique v.L, a left-handed version of the Clique. The Henge Docks Clique is well made, effective, and perfectly fitted to mate your Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. At $24.95, I think it is a worthy bang for the buck, especially if you need to unite or use your Apple wireless input devices and/or use them on a non-flat surface.

Verizon's HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE will be priced at $149.99, leaked document claims

Despite what one Verizon website claimed at one point (for just a short while though, after which it was taken down), the upcoming HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE may end up costing $149.99 with the obligatory two-year contract.

At least that's the pricing that has been revealed in the latest MAP list leak originating at Verizon. In this Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) list you can clearly see the new Droid Incredible being priced at that level.

Of course, this could be the pricing after a mail-in rebate, Droid Life speculates. In that case you'd actually end up paying $199.99 in-store, and then you'd get $50 back after mailing in that rebate form.

These MAP list leaks are usually pretty reliable, so it's entirely possible that we now know what the Droid Incredible 4G LTE will cost when it launches.

Microsoft debuts on{X} for Android, promises to 'automate your life'

Well, we can't exactly say we saw this one coming. Microsoft has today taken the wraps off a rather ambitious project dubbed on{X}, which is available exclusively for Android smartphones initially (support for more platforms is planned), and offers a range of tools that promise to help "automate your life." Developed by the company's R&D Center in Israel, the service consists of a website and an app, the former of which lets you select from a variety of scripts (or "recipes," as Microsoft calls them), while the latter executes them on your phone. The kicker is that anyone can create their own recipes and share them with others, and they can take all of the capabilities of a smartphone into account - performing an action when you arrive at a specific location, for instance, or setting reminders based on the weather forecast (all the actual processing is handled on the phone). Much like Kinect, Microsoft is hoping that folks will take the platform and run with it, developing new features that it hasn't even thought of.

Microsoft expanding $99 Xbox program to Best Buy, GameStop

$99 Xbox 360 consoles just got a little bit easier to find. Xbox Live programming director Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb said on Tuesday that Microsoft is expanding its pilot program that lets customers pay just $99 for a 4GB Xbox 360 as long as they sign a two-year service agreement to pay $14.99 a month for an Xbox Gold subscription. While the $99 Xbox deal was initially only available in certain Microsoft retail stores, Hryb said it will soon be available in select Best Buy and Game Stop locations as well. Hryb made sure to emphasize that the $99 Xbox deal is still a pilot program and that gamers shouldn't come to expect $99 consoles to become the new norm just yet. “This next phase of the pilot program will be limited in terms of both timing and the number of units available - we're excited to forge new ground and explore a new retail model for Xbox 360, but also want to emphasize that this is a pilot period for the program,” he said. “Call your local Best Buy, GameStop or Microsoft Store if you'd like more information about how and where to purchase.”

AMD shows off its first Windows 8 concept tablet, we go hands-on

If Intel and Microsoft have been the royal couple of Computex 2012 (aka the world's biggest Windows 8 Ultrabook tradeshow), AMD has been the third wheel. That doesn't mean it's opted out of the festivities, though. Nope, it's chosen this week to show off its next-gen Trinity chips, and it even has its first Windows 8 concept device on display. The reference design, made by Compal, has the same form factor we've seen over and over again this week: an 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 tablet paired with a keyboard dock. The main differences are that it has a kickstand, and packs one of AMD's Trinity A6 APUs. The chassis is on the chunky side, at a shade under 20mm, and the screen's a fingerprint magnet, but then again, we don't put too much stock in prototype designs; such details are subject to change. Performance seemed smooth so far as we could tell, but then again, we haven't had the chance to put it through its paces, streaming HD video or attempting anything of productive value. We wish we could tell you a bit about rated battery life, but alas, AMD isn't ready to make any public claims just yet. As for the accompanying dock, the keyboard is far more spacious than what we're used to.

PC Koubou Librage BTO SL540aA8 Slim Desktop PC

Here’s the newest member to PC Koubou’s slim desktop PC line-up, the Librage BTO SL540aA8. This BTO (Build To Order) system comes with a 3.0GHz AMD A8-3870K APU (4-core) processor, an AMD A75 chipset, a Radeon HD 6550D graphics card, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS (Standard Configuration). Price is set at 49,980 Yen (about $625). [Product Page]

AOC AMI2252W0M-GP3R 21.5-Inch Full HD Monitor

AOC will launch a new Full HD monitor in Japan called the AMI2252W0M-GP3R. Featuring an IPS panel, this new 21.5-inch LED-backlight monitor provides 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, 20,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 5ms response time and 178/178 degree viewing angles. In addition, it also comes with two built-in 2W speakers and features DVI, D-Sub and HDMI connectors. The AMI2252W0M-GP3R will go on sale from February 25th for 14,800 Yen (about $185). [AOC]

Plextor M3P SSDs

Links International has released a new line of SSDs from Plextor called the M3P. Coming in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes, these slim 2.5-inch SSDs (7mm thick) are equipped with 24nm MLC NAND Flash memory chips, a SATA 6.0 Gbps interface, a Marvell 88SS9174 controller, a MTBF of 1.5 million hours, TRIM support and capable of delivering read/write speeds of up to 535/350 MB/s (128GB Model), 540/420 MB/s (256GB Model) and 535/450 MB/s (512GB Model), respectively. The 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models are priced at 19,800 Yen (about $248), 38,800 Yen (about $485) and 59,800 Yen (about $748), respectively. [Product Page]

A-Data DashDrive UV100 USB Flash Drives

Here we have a new line of USB flash drives from A-Data, the DashDrive UV100. Available in three different storage capacities: 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, these extremely compact flash drives feature a capless design, a USB 2.0 connection interface and a strap hole which makes the drive easy to carry on a lanyard or keychain. Unfortunately, there’s no word on pricing yet. [A-Data]

Teclast A15 Android Tablet

Teclast is proud to bring you their newest Android tablet, the A15. Specs-wise, the device sports a 9.0-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive multi-touch display, a 1.2GHz RK2918 processor, a GC800 GPU, a 1GB DDR3 RAM, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a front-facing camera, 1080p Full HD video playback support, WiFi, OTG function and runs on Android 4.0 OS. The A15 is available now for 999 Yuan (about $118). [Teclast]

Intel Atom D2550 Cedar View-based Processor Unveiled

Word has it that Intel will launch the Intel Atom D2550 processor on February 26, 2012. This Cedar View-based CPU supports the Hyper-Threading technology with the TDP remaining at 10W. The Intel Atom D2550 also features a 1.86GHz clock speed, a 512KB of L2 cache on each of the two cores and an integrated GPU with clock speed of 640MHz. No word on pricing at this time. [VR-Zone]

Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router

The Securifi Almond is not an ordinary Wi-Fi router because it has a built-in 2.8-inch (320 x 240) touchscreen display that provides easy access to settings and info on the device itself. Priced at only $69.99, the device provides only a pair of LAN ports and supports a single-band N-router, so it won’t work on the 5Ghz spectrum. The Securifi Almond Wi-Fi router will be released in March 2012. [Gear Patrol]

Plustek OpticFilm 120 Film Scanner

Plustek is ready to release a new film scanner namely the OpticFilm 120. The desktop film scanner features an automatic film advance mechanism, high-quality scanner optics and newly designed film holders. It can handle both 35mm and medium-format negatives and transparencies up to a frame size of 6cm x 12cm. The Plustek OpticFilm 120 is equipped with the latest software from LaserSoft Imaging: SilverFast Ai Studio 8 with a built-in IT8 calibration and a matching IT8 target. No word on pricing at this time. [PhotographyBLOG]

Transcend SSD500 Solid State Drive Shipped

Transcend has started selling the SSD500 2.5-inch solid state drive in Europe. The storage device uses the SLC (single-level cell) NAND Flash memory, offering up to 100,000 erase/write cycles with read/write speeds of up to 260/230MB/s. The Transcend SSD500 also supports a SATA 3.0 Gbps interface. Available in a 16GB, a 32GB, or a 64GB of storage space, the Transcend SSD500 retails for 164.01 Euro ($220), 314.07 Euro ($422) and 596.89 Euro ($801), respectively. [PCLaunches]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch Tablet

Samsung has announced the availability of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch tablet. Powered by the Google Android 4.0 operating system, the gadget features a 10.1-inch WXGA PLS TFT display with a 1280×800 pixel resolution, a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 1GB of RAM, a 3MP rear-facing digital camera and a front-facing camera for video calls. The tablet supports a 720p HD video recording and a full HD video playback. Additional specs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HSPA+ support, A-GPS, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB) and a 7000mAh rechargeable battery. The Wi-Fi model is priced at 399 Euros ($536), while the Wi-Fi+3G version is priced at 499 Euros ($670). [SamsungHub]

Sony VAIO VPCJ236FJ All-In-One PC

Sony has once again expanded its line of all-in-one PCs by showing of the VAIO VPCJ236FJ. Available in both white and black color options, this space-saving machine is packed with a 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.20GHz Intel Pentium B960 processor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 1.5TB hard drive, a webcam, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 + HS, two USB 3.0 ports an runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The VAIO VPCJ236FJ will go on sale from March 3rd for around 120,000 Yen (about $1,495). [Sony]

I-O Data RHDM-U500HR 500GB Portable Hard Drive

I-O Data is preparing to drop another portable hard drive ‘RHDM-U500HR’ for the mass market. Coming in 500GB capacity, this portable hard drive features a USB 2.0 connection interface, an 8MB of cache buffer, 5400RPM spindle speed, TV recording support and is compatible with Windows 7/Vista OS. The RHDM-U500HR will start shipping from early March for 12,500 Yen (about $156). [I-O Data]

Evergreen DN-68571 13-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Evergreen offers you their newest 13-port USB 2.0 hub, the DN-68571. This plug and play hub is equipped with 13 USB 2.0 ports, an ON/OFF switch button and comes with an AC adapter. The DN-68571 is available now for just 999 Yen (about $12). [Product Page]

Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E CPU Cooler Goes On Sale In Europe

Thermalright has begun selling their latest CPU cooler ‘Silver Arrow SB-E’ in Europe. Coming in a dual tower design, this high-end CPU cooler has eight 6mm nickel-plated copper heatpipes, a tweaked heatsink and two TY PWM fans (1x 140mm x 1x 150mm). Not only that, it also supports for both Intel (LGA2011, LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775) and AMD (AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1) processors. The Silver Arrow SB-E retails for 64.99 Euro (about $86). [Product Page]

Cooler Master Elite 372 Mid-Tower PC Case

Cooler Master has unleashed a new mid-tower PC case for the European market. Called the Elite 372, this steel case supports for both micro ATX and ATX motherboards, and features a front-placed I/O panel with 2x USB 2.0, 1x mic and 1x audio ports, three 5.25-inch external drive bays, one 3.5-inch external drive bay, five 3.5-inch internal drive bays, seven expansion slots and can be equipped with up to seven fans. The Elite 372 sells for 39.90 Euro (about $53). [Cooler Master]

Panasonic SC-AP01 AirPlay Speaker

Panasonic today unveiled the new SC-AP01 AirPlay speaker. Measuring 59mm x 430mm x 128mm, the speaker adopts the Nano Bamboo technology to create a high quality sound. This technology enables the speaker to create direct vocal sound that produces a three-dimensional sound fields. The company will launch the SC-AP01 AirPlay speaker on April 20th, 2012. No word on pricing at this time. [Slashgear]

NuForce Air DAC Wireless System

The NuForce Air DAC Wireless System enables you to stream music from your computer or iOS devices to up to four different receivers throughout your home or office. The device doesn’t require any WiFi routers or IP addresses. You just need to plug the wireless transmitter (iTX or uTX) into your computer’s USB port or iOS devices and the radio receiver (Air DAC) in any available sound system. Both the wireless transmitter (iTX or uTX) and radio receiver (Air DAC) operate in the 2.4GHz radio band. The Air DAC uWireless System for computer is available now for $179 (receiver and transmitter bundle). The receiver is also available separately for $149 each, while the transmitter for $59 each. The NuForice iTX Transmitter for iOS devices will be released very soon for $199 (receiver and transmitter bundle). [Product Page]

Docomo Releases Medias Tab N-06D Android Tablet

Docomo has recently released the MEDIAS TAB N-06D 7-inch waterproof tablet. Powered by the Google Android OS, the gadget supports NOTTV. It is a new terrestrial broadcasting service for smartphones and tablets that will begin transmission on April 1, 2012. The Medias Tab N-06D features a 7-inch WXGA display, a dual-core processor, a mobile wallet service, a One-Seg mobile TV tuner and an infra-red data transmission. [Akihabara]

Samsung F457 Washing Machine

The Samsung F457 is not an ordinary washing machine because it can be monitored and controlled via an app. The washing machine features an 8-inch touchscreen control panel and an industry-leading capacity that enables it to wash up to 33 bath towels in one load. The Samsung F457 also adopts the vibration reduction technology for quiet operation. Too bad, there is no info on pricing at this time. [Uncrate]

The Organic Air Scrubbing Purifier

Online store Hammacher has started selling the Organic Air Scrubbing Purifier that can eliminate 99.9 percent of all pollutants such as mold, viruses, and pet dander. The gadget is also able to reduce odor in your room. The fan produces only 12 decibels. The Organic Air Scrubbing Purifier is priced at $399.95. [Product Page]

ProMaster FL100 TTL Flash Unit

ProMaster has introduced the new FL100 TTL flash unit for Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic, Pentax and Sony DSLR cameras. The flash unit features a guide number of 30 (in metres at ISO 100x21°), a manual zoom head and a fast recycle time at “3-10 seconds”. The ProMaster FL100 TTL draws its power from four AA batteries. The company will launch the ProMaster FL100 TTL flash unit in Spring 2012 for $99.95 each. [PhotographyBLOG]

Android mini figurines now available at several retailers

If you have had a hard time getting your hands on the limited edition Android figurines that make an appearance from time to time, you will want to head out to the nearest Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, or FYE as soon as possible. A non-limited edition run of Android characters have gone on sale. You can find ‘Droids painted up as a bear, a businessman, or even the abominable snowman all for $10 each. Even though the plan is to produce more than one run of these little guys, these will likely be flying off shelves. Grab one (or several) soon before they become harder to find than the Yeti himself.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 arriving next week?

Looking forward to PlayBook OS 2.0 for your BlackBerry PlayBook? According to rumors online you won't be waiting for too long, in fact we might be seeing the update as early as in a week's time. N4BB.com has reported that its sources have confirmed February 21st to be the expected release date of PlayBook OS 2.0. However, there's really no way of confirming the rumor besides waiting for the day to arrive or getting someone in the know to disclose that information. We've previously heard rumors about a February 17th release date, so this new date marks a slight delay for its release – but just as long as RIM sticks to its February deadline, I'm sure nobody will get too upset. The PlayBook OS 2.0 is supposed to turn the PlayBook into what it should have been when on launch day. It includes native email, calendar and contacts apps. BBM still won't be present (you'll need to use BlackBerry Bridge for that), but hopefully the support for running Android apps can make up for it. Who's still looking forward to PlayBook OS 2.0?

PlayStation Vita unboxing + hands-on

The PlayStation Vita will be released in the US market on February 22, but one has landed in our office, and we gave it the unboxing and hands-on treatment.  The packaging is classic, nothing new there, but the PlayStation Vita, or PS Vita, is a beautifully crafted device. In my opinion, it looks more “polished” then the PSP ever was. The device fits rather comfortably in my hands and all the controls fall right under my fingers. I will have to use it for a period of time to see if the first-impression sticks in terms of ergonomics. As you may be aware, there are two memory slots: one for a small card with the permanent user storage, and another one (larger) for games and purchased apps. You may also download most if not all the apps and save a bit of money.The display, which is the main point of focus of the console, has a resolution of 960×544, which is not the highest pixel density out there (far from it), but it looks surprisingly sharp. I think that Sony and the game developers did a good job of getting the best of this screen. I haven't had time to try all the games yet, but so far titles like Wipeout 2048 do have a quality and speed that is beyond most of the smartphone games that I have seen. The responsiveness of the general user interface is also excellent. You can tell that PlayStation developers try to live by the 60FPS rule. Although the PS Vita competes for the same dollars than a smartphone, it clearly doesn't address the same need. Chances are that PS Vita users will also own a smartphone, so can Sony still turn this into a good business? The numbers will tell us, but in the meantime, the productivity at the office just came to a halt. Stay tuned for a complete review! [PS Vita specifications]

Still Time Left To Enter To Win A Droid 4 From Motorola's Facebook Contest

There’s not much time left, but if you hurry, you can get in on Motorola’s Valentine’s Day contest being held on their official Facebook page. To enter, all you have to do is simply download the image of the cute Android cupid on their Facebook page, place the image in a photo of you and your sweetheart and you will be entered to win the all new Motorola Droid 4 on Verizon Wireless. Pretty easy, right? Good luck, everyone! Thanks, Thomas!

HP Introduces Z1 All-In-One Workstation

HP beefs up its desktop category with a new all-in-one. The HP Z1 workstation works for both casual consumers, performance-demanding professionals, and Windows PC enthusiasts who love to tinker with their computers. Unlike many all-in-ones, its 27-inch IPS display (with 2560 x 1440 resolution) snaps open so parts swapping and hardware upgrading are a breeze. The machine features a quad-core Intel Xeon CPU and NVIDIA Quadro graphics chipset for the most premium model, as well as your choice of 160GB or 300GB of internal storage. The HP Z1 is expected to be shipped around April in the United States, starting at $1,899.

ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 Coming to UK

If you do not mind buying a Gingerbread device and you live in the United Kingdom, well good news! The ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 is now available in Great Britain. This tablet sports a 7-inch TFT LCD capacitive touch screen with 1.4GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8255 processor, Android 2.3, dual cameras (3MP at the back; 0.3MP in the front), FM radio, WiFi, 3G connectivity (no word on service provider), and a battery life that lasts up to 5.5 hours while movie watching. Also included is the 4GB internal storage with a microSD slot for expanded memory. It comes pre-installed with popular apps like YouTube and Google Talk. No word on whether the device can be upgraded into Ice Cream Sandwich. The ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 is also available in Spain, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.

main page top 10 events archive tags search e-shop cell phones cameras icolour ifashionable contact us Origin EON17-X Laptop

There are people who look for different features in gadgets. Some look at design while others look more closely at the specs. For the latter, always having the best in terms of specs is the only way to go. For those looking for laptops of such kind, nothing so far can beat this monster of a laptop in the Origin EON17-X. The Origin EON17-X Laptop is not just any ordinary laptop. It is not even comparable to the more popular ones out there in terms of specs. It is a gamer's dream of a laptop in terms of the hardware it comes with. Just consider having a laptop that comes with an Intel Core 3.9GHz Quad Core CPU, a dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M graphic cards, 32GB 1333Mhz Corsair quad channel memory, and up to 3 hard drives worth a total of 3TB of storage. Now that is a monster of a laptop. It comes with a 17 inch screen and weighs a heavy 12 pounds, considering the hardware that it carries inside. But specs-wise, the Origin EON17-X may just be one of those ridiculous laptops that make sense to only the most serious of gamers around. It is available at Origin PC at a starting price of US$3,159.

HD-A80 HD Camcorder

Light In The Box offers you their newest HD camcorder, the HD-A80. Priced at just $81.99, this budget-friendly camcorder sports a 5.0MP CMOS sensor, an 8x digital zoom, a 3.0-inch TFT LCD display, a 32MB of internal memory, a SD/SDHC card slot (up to 16GB), a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, a TV-out and 720p HD video recording capabilities (30fps). [Product Page]

Stop Everything You're Doing and Download Zenonia 4 – Now Available In The Android Market

It was almost a month ago to this day that I showed you guys leaked images of Gamevil’s upcoming sequel to one of the best action RPG franchises Android has to offer — Zenonia 4. I think it’s safe to say we were all pretty much floored with what we’ve saw. Well, I have great news for all you Android gamers out there. Zenonia 4 is now officially available in the Android Market. Featuring all new, high-resolution graphics, Zenonia 4 finally brings the franchise into the wonderful world of HD. Have to admit, I almost wept after seeing the bright new visuals on my wonderful SAMOLED Plus display. Can’t say I’ve never been a more proud father, than I am right now. Zenonia 4, which actually launched a few short days ago, has been receiving near perfect reviews from user in the Market despite  being considered a “freemium” title — but it’s freemium done right. Players who wish to enhance their gameplay experience (or cough: cheat) can do say through the use of in-app payments that will yield extra items and upgrades. Keep in mind, unlike most freemium titles, this is by no means necessary to progress along in the game. So, really. Stop everything you’re doing, and get to downloading this shining example of how far gaming has come and where it’s headed on on our Android smartphones.

Motorola Defy Mini To Hit UK In Late March

Motorola has made a new announcement today that their latest Android smartphone ‘Defy Mini' will hit UK in late March. The handset will retail for about 175 GBP (about $275) unlocked. To refresh your memory, the Defy Mini packs a 3.2-inch 480 x 320 scratch proof Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen display, a 600MHz processor, a 512MB RAM, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), a VGA front-facing camera, a 3.0MP rear-facing camera, HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a micro USB port, a 3.5mm headset jack, a 1650mAh battery and runs on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread OS. [Press Release]

Apple tops Google in cooperate reputation, study shows

Apple has edged out Google to become the most reputable company of 2012, according to a study from marketing research firm Harris Interactive. The firm's 13th annual Reputation Quotient (RQ) survey had Apple coming ahead of Google, which held the top spot in 2011′s poll. Coca-Cola, Amazon and Kraft Foods rounding out the top five. “We are seeing the emergence of a group of companies that garner reputation equity by being positively associated with multiple industries,” said Robert Fronk, executive vice president of Harris Interactive. “Companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon.com combine innovation and leadership across multiple business areas, giving them true competitive advantage.” Apple recorded an RQ score of 85.62, the highest in the survey's history, and was the top ranked in four of the six key dimensions of reputation - financial performance, products and services, vision and leadership and workplace environment. The Cupertino-based company was topped by Whole Foods in social responsibility, and by Amazon in emotional appeal.

Apple prepping updated Mac Pro with NVIDIA graphics, report claims

Apple may be switching back to NVIDIA for the upcoming Mac Pro's primary GPU, according to an anonymous source speaking with MIC Gadget. The new Mac Pros will reportedly feature Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge chipset, which features 22 nanometer transistor technology and is more efficient than the previous Sandy Bridge processors. The site also suggests that the Cupertino-based company has been testing new processors with 8 cores and 20MB of cache. The overheating issues that have plagued previous models have been solved thanks to the 30% increase in heat dissipation efficiency afforded by Intel's new chips. For graphics in the new Mac Pro, Apple has reportedly chosen NVIDIA's “Kepler” platform, which is set to be released around the same time as Intel's new CPUs. Apple is expected to launch its refreshed Mac Pro line in the third quarter this year, MIC Gadget stated.