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The Ubuntu homepage is teasing a countdown to what hints at a touch-based version of its Linux variant. The banner on the site reads, “So close, you can almost touch it,” setting the stage for a major announcement, or possible reveal, of the next iteration of the popular OS. The countdown is expected to run its course by 8AM ET on Wednesday, January 2nd, when all will be revealed.
Apple's online store today features discounts on refurbished iPods, iPads and more. The refurb. 8GB iPod nano (6th gen.) has been reduced by $30 to $99 and is available in blue, green, pink or graphite. Or for $149 upgrade to the 8GB iPod touch (4th gen.) in black or white. The 32GB Touch has been reduced by $40 to $209 while the 64GB Touch has seen a $50 cut to $279.
Logitech has added a touch-enabled remote control to its catalog. An extension to its existing remote control line, the Harmony Touch is a universal remote that has a 2.4-inch color touchscreen for extra control options, complimenting the more standard back-lit navigation and volume buttons above and below the display.
A team at Disney Research has created a new wearable tactile technology that effectively changes the sensation felt when touching physical objects, using electricity. Revel can add artificial tactile sensations to almost any surface or object, without having to use the motors and actuators currently employed by touchscreen haptic feedback found in phones and tablets, and force feedback rumbling found in game controllers.
Enflick, developers of the cross-platform PingChat! IM app and TextNow, has now launched an app simply dubbed Touch. It can be downloaded on its own, or existing PingChat! users can upgrade to it and retain their existing contacts. The app is available for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices.
Apple and Samsung are among the companies expected to bid on the manufacturing assets and patent portfolio of RPO, a California-based company that had developed Digital Waveguide Touch technology, an allegedly superior touch option that eliminates the need for a touch-sensitive layer as is currently used for touchscreens. Both companies have reasons to be interested in controlling the portfolio, reports patent litigation firm iRunway.
RIM dropped a strong hint on Monday that it was about to unveil more BlackBerry 7 devices. The company promsied that "new BlackBerry devices are coming with our new OS" and invited users to check back on Tuesday for details from a BlackBerry 7 Fan Night. When asked if it involved more than the Bold 9900, one follower was told only that they would "have the answers tomorrow" with a wink.
RIM co-CEO Mike Lazaridis at the company's annual shareholders' meeting hinted that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 was very close to a launch. He expected a launch "over the next month." The launch plans were even more aggressive than usual with 491 certification programs and 191 carriers.
More photos of the BlackBerry 9860 running Blackberry 7 have surfaced. The latest shots of the device have shown up on the Greek blog GreekBerry. There have been several names associated with the 9860, including Monza, Monaco, and Volt.
Two new promo videos have leaked [below] for RIM's upcoming BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 and Touch 9860. Both are relatively scant on hardware features. They nonetheless hint at the features found in the two devices and BlackBerry 6.1, including HD video recording.
BlackBerry's rumored Touch 9860 handset, which has been referred to by the monicker Monaco, has surfaced in another video. The latest leak, which was posted by BBNews.pl, shows the device in the wild, providing a preview of the touch-based interface and corroborating the overall design that was presented in earlier renderings.
RIM's BlackBerry Storm3 has turned up in controlled conditions through a leak and simultaneous hands-on. The phone, also known by its Monaco (CDMA) and Monza (GSM) handles, will now drop the Storm name entirely and may just go as the BlackBerry Touch. The design is "thinner, faster and sexier," than most BlackBerry phones, BGR said, and would drop the often disliked SureType screen, in part to get the multi-touch needed for BlackBerry 6.1.
Apple's online store continues to carry a decent selection of refurbished first generation iPads starting at $479 for the 16GB Wi-Fi and 3G model. Currently the 3G iPads go up to $659 for the 64GB configuration. A Wi-Fi only 64GB iPad is also on the list for $529 after a $70 price break.
Research In Motion appears to be working on a new touchscreen handset, code-named Malibu, that shares a similar shape with the existing Curve. The mystery device will allegedly arrive with the official name Curve Touch, sources have told CrackBerry. The leaked roadmap, which is tied to CDMA offerings, suggests the smartphone is targeted to ship in the first quarter of 2012.
Eye-Fi, best known for its Wi-Fi SD cards, has revamped its free iPhone/iPod touch app to work exclusively with iOS 4.x, allowing wireless transfer from the handheld devices to both a user's computer and some of the popular photo- and video-sharing sites on the web. The free app is only functional for registered owners of an Eye-Fi card (even though the card is not used in conjunction with the app) who have set up a free account with the company's website.
Apple's online store today has a wide range of iPod models available in refurbished condition like the 2nd gen. 16GB iPod touch, which is now $199 after a $50 price cut. The first-gen. 16GB Touch carries an even lower price tag of $189, a 30% drop from the original price of $279. A 2nd gen. 32GB Touch is also on the list, now $249.
The HTC Hero smartphone may skip Android 2.0 entirely in favor of Android 2.1, according to recently leaked photos of the device's screen with what appears to be an upcoming Android build. HTC had previously said it won't incorporate Android 2.0 into its handsets until it can fully optimize its compatibility with HTC's own Sense UI touch interface.
The Princeton Review and Modality Inc. have released The Princeton Review's Vocab Challenge for the iPhone and the iPod touch. The application measures a user's knowledge of 250 words which are frequently included in SAT examinations. The app features four types of timed challenges with questions relating to positive or negative connotations, synonyms, antonyms and definitions.
Currently Apple's online store is offering a wide selection of refurbished iPods including special limited time pricing on the current-generation 8GB iPod nanos of $99. Also available are 16GB models for $149. Both configurations come in black, blue, purple, orange, green, silver, yellow, and pink. One and two gigabyte iPod shuffles are priced at $39 and iPod touch models are available in 8GB ($179), 16GB ($259), and 32GB ($349) configurations while previous-generation options only include the 16GB model for $219, and the 32GB model for $279. Refurb. Apple accessories include the wireless Mighty Mouse for $59, the Wireless Keyboard for $69 and the Apple Time Capsule in 500GB and 1TB configurations for $239 and $399.
Apple's online store is offering a variety of refurbished iPods at reduced prices. Fore a limited time the 8GB iPod nano is available for only $99, which is $30 off their regular refurb. price. The 16GB model has also been reduced to $149. Both models are available in black, pink, silver, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. First-generation iPod touch models are being offered starting at $159 for the 8GB and also include the 16GB model for $219 as well as the 32GB model for $279. Current-generation Touches are priced at $199 (8GB), $259 (16GB), and $349 (32GB). One and two gigabyte iPod shuffles are available in a wide array of current-generation and previous-generation colors for $39 and $59 respectively. The iPod classic is available in 80GB and 120GB capacities for $169 and $209 each.
Today's featured DealNN deal is on the Maxtor OneTouch 4 1TB external hard drive. It is regularly priced at $179.99, but has been reduced to $99.99. This drive has 1TB of storage space for files, folders, music, games and more with data transfer rates of 480Mbps compatible with both Mac and Windows based systems. Included is a five year limited warranty from Maxtor.
A vast selection of refurbished iPods are currently on sale at Apple's online store. Starting at $39 is the 1GB iPod shuffle, in current-generation pink, blue, or green. The 2GB model is also available in the same color options for $59. The previous-generation 4GB iPod nano, in silver, is now priced at $79. Get a 4th generation, 8GB iPod nano in orange, green, purple, pink, silver, black, yellow or blue for $129. The 16GB model is priced at $169 and is available in the same colors as the 8GB model. Also priced at $169 is the 80GB iPod classic in black or silver. For just $40 more get the 120GB Classic, now $209. First-generation and current-generation iPod touch models are available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB configurations. First-gen. configurations are priced at $179, $219 and $299 respectively while the current-gen. configurations are priced at $199, $259, and $349.
Apple's online store is offering a variety of refurbished iPods at reduced prices. Three iPod touch models are featured; the 8GB model for $179, the 16GB model for $219 and the 32GB model for $319. Two iPod shuffle models are also available; the 1GB model is $39 and the 2GB model is priced at $59, both models come in purple, silver green and blue. 8GB iPod nanos are priced at $99 and come in green, blue, silver, and black. Lastly is the 160GB iPod classic priced at $249 and is available in black or silver. Other refurbished items include the 40GB Apple TV for $199, the wireless keyboard for $69, AirPort Express base station for $79 and the MacBook Air external SuperDrive for $79.
Holiday sales continue as online retailers drop prices on Apple products from MacBooks to iPods. For today only CircuitCity.com has reduced the price on the 8GB iPod touch from $229.99 to $219.99 plus get a FREE $10 gift card. MacConnection.com has sold out of a few clearance priced MacBook models, but many remain including aluminum cased 2.4GHz MacBook for $1,399 and the previous generation 2.5GHz, 15-inch MacBook Pro for $1,549.
Apple's online store is currently offering a variety of refurbished iPod models at reduced prices. Starting at $39 is the 1GB iPod shuffle that holds up to 240 songs and comes in in green, purple, green, blue and silver or for $59 is the 2GB Shuffle, that can hold up to 500 songs, in the same colors as the 1GB model. The iPod nano is $99 for the 8GB model that holds up to 2,000 songs and is available in silver, blue, green, or black. 80GB iPod Classic models hold up to 20,000 songs and are $169 while 160GB Classics are $249 and hold up to 40,000 songs, each comes in either black or silver. Lastly is the iPod touch in three capacities, 8GB (1,750 song) for $179, 16GB (3,500 songs) for $219 and 32GB (7,000 songs) for $319.
Apple's online store currently has a variety of previous generation refurbished iPods. Starting at $39 is the 1GB iPod shuffle in green, purple, green, and silver or for $59 is the 2GB Shuffle in the same colors with one addition, blue. The iPod nano models start at $79 for 4GB in silver or $99 for the 8GB model in silver, blue, green, pink or black. The 30GB iPod with 2.5-inch color display is priced at $159 and is available in black or silver. 80GB iPod Classic models are $169 and 160GB Classics are $249, each comes in either black or silver. Lastly is the iPod touch in three capacities, 8GB for $179, 16GB for $219 and 32GB for $319.
Currently the Apple store is offering a variety of refurbished previous generation iPods from the Shuffle to the Touch. The 1GB iPod shuffle is first on the list priced at $39 and comes in silver, blue, green or purple with the 2GB Shuffle a close second at $59 with silver, blue and green being the only remaining colors. The 8GB iPod nanos ($99) are also available in black, blue, green, pink or silver. The iPod classic is available in two configurations 80GB ($169) or 160GB ($249) with two colors to chose from, black or silver. Three iPod touch configurations complete the collection: 8GB (179), 16GB ($239), and 32GB ($319).
HTC's Touch Pro smartphone, promised for North America before the end of 2008, appears to be headed toward AT&T as the Fuze, a report claims. The Pro is distinguished primarily by its sliding QWERTY keyboard, and a 2.8-inch VGA (480x640) touchscreen; an alleged photo and list of specifications for the Fuze appear to echo these facts, with the notable difference of AT&T-specific markings on the keyboard. The phone is, however, lacking an AT&T badge in its current depiction.
Americans will not have access to the Touch HD phone, maker HTC has announced through its Twitter feed. The company says that although it "looked into it," it has decided that by the time the HD could be converted and imported into the US, the device would be "old news." It is promising "other cool stuff" later down the line, but has not specified what this may mean.
HTC has quietly added a new color for its Touch Diamond handset, according to a Tuesday report on The Unwired. Joining the red backing offered exclusively on Sprint‘s version and the original all-black handset, the Touch Diamond will soon be available in a snow white color. Apart from the new color, no other changes to the company’s best-selling handset were announced, so the same 2.8-inch touchscreen, 4GB of internal memory, aGPS and Wi-Fi features can be expected.
Following its low-key posting of the Touch HD, HTC today has also tipped its hand regarding two more conventional touchscreen phones. The Touch 3G is a direct sequel to the original Touch with a slightly slimmer design and its namesake 3G Internet access over HSDPA. It also brings a sharper 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS but is separated from the Touch Diamond by its lower-resolution 240x320 screen, the absence of Wi-Fi and a dependence on microSDHC cards.
HTC this morning quietly published details of the Touch HD and set the foundations for a clearer attempt at fighting the iPhone. The posting confirms a late leak and shows a device that depends more heavily on its display than most rivals: the 3.8-inch touchscreen is both larger than the Apple model and also sharper, at a near DVD-level 800x480. Such a dense LCD is a decisive edge for watching movies and browsing photos, HTC claims. The smartphone is also HTC's first Touch to scrap the directional pad altogether and has just four physical buttons on its face, shifting most of the attention to the TouchFLO interface that sits on top of Windows Mobile.
The replacement for the HTC Touch, earlier reported to be named the HTC Touch Opal, will officially be called HTC Touch Viva instead, a Friday report suggests. The name is not set in stone, but at the same time, the report confirms specs gleaned earlier. What is new is an initial Asian release, though no guesses are made as to an exact date. Europe should get the new HTC Touch handset on September 30, with prices set at an equivalent of about $425.
HTC is gearing up to launch yet another Touch phone that would outperform most of its touchscreen competitors, a MoDaCo leak suggests. So far known only as the Touch HD, the Windows Mobile 6.1 handset would revolve around an extremely high-resolution 800x480 widescreen while using new design elements to keep the design small. The directional pad of the Diamond and upcoming Opal disappears entirely and leaves just the normal calling, back and home buttons.
Sprint marked the opening of CTIA with a slew of new phones, headlined by two HTC Windows Mobile devices aimed at giving the provider a greater edge in touchscreen phones. The HTC Touch Pro is a surprise entry and brings the touchscreen-plus-QWERTY slider design to the carrier's CDMA phone network, likely with EVDO Revision A-based 3G Internet access. In Sprint form, the device keeps the TouchFLO interface and 3.2-megapixel camera of the reference model but adds a 1GB microSD card to give the phone built-in storage.
Shares of Apple stock have continued to drop for the past two weeks, ahead of Tuesday's "Let's Rock" iPod event. New Macs on the horizon may lift the stock in the months ahead however. Barron's reports that analysts are warning that the Sept. 9 event may be 'underwhelming', with a new iPod Nano and slightly redesigned iPod touch at a lower price-point. New Macs are not expected for the Sept. 9 event and investors have been unimpressed with the rumored iPod releases.
HTC hopes to become one of the top five phone manufacturers in the world, company chief Peter Chou tells the Taiwan area Commercial Times. While not setting out a timeframe to achieve the goal, the executive believes his company will sit between third and fifth place regardless of the phone class. The target would require that HTC multiply its predicted 2008 sales of 15 million phones by more than six times to beat Motorola, which wants to sell over 100 million phones by the end of the year.
Current generation refurbished iPod classics in two configurations are now available at Apple's online store. The 80GB model ($179) holds up to 20,000 songs with up to 30 hours of music playback or up to five hours of video playback on a single charge while the 160GB model ($279) holds up to 40,000 songs with up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback. Both models come in black or silver and include Apple earphones, USB cable, and dock adapter. The iPod touch is also available with three memory capacities to choose from: 8GB (up to 1,750 songs) for $199, 16GB (up to $3,500 songs) for $299, and 32GB (up to 7,000 songs) for $399. Eight gigabyte iPod nanos are $149, hold up to 2,000 songs and come in silver, blue, green, black or pink.
Izotope released a beat making application, iDrum, for the iPhone and iPod touch today. The application allows users to create rhythms using professional sound content and patterns. The iPhone's unique inputs are used for different controls. Tapping virtual pads will create beats, slide and flick gestures navigate through the program, while shaking the handset clears the beat. Visual patterns show the relationships between the rhythms.
Apple on Tuesday quietly unveiled the iPod touch 1.1.5 update, as well as an updated set of HP printer drivers for Mac OS X. Macworld reveals that the iPod touch update comes free for users, unlike the 2.0 update which costs $20, but doesn't appear to actually change anything on the device. Writer Christopher Breen notes that some users have found slight performance boosts, but suggests the effect could be largely placebo, since he compared side-by-side against a 1.1.4-enabled Touch, with no perceivable difference in performance.
Telus today made a surprise announcement that it will be the first North American provider to carry the Touch Diamond, HTC's new flagship touchscreen phone. The news jumps Telus ahead of expected announcements from Sprint and Verizon and makes the Canadian firm the first known to get the CDMA version of the Diamond, which should have advanced 3G access through EVDO Revision A while keeping nearly all other features.
Microsoft is attempting to convince Australian users to use its Live search engine by offering products from industry competitor Apple as bait through a local venture with the Nine Network, Ninemsn. The Brisbane Times reveals that the software giant is offering the iPod nano, Shuffle, and Touch to users who perform searches through Ninemsn. Ninemsn head Alex Parsons said that it would have run the contest using the Zune, but the Microsoft-made player does not currently sell in Australia.
The first images showing what appears to be a Sprint-badged and therefore first CDMA version of the iPhone-fighting Touch Diamond from HTC have leaked on the Internet today. While the rumors of a Sprint Diamond date back to April, the phone is expected to be delayed. Little other details are confirmed, except for an unsubstantiated claim that the Diamond will launch ahead of the Touch Pro.
Rogers Wireless is justified in its limited data plans as many other iPhone-carrying nations are doing the same or are more restrictive, a company spokeswoman tells Electronista. The Canadian company argues that a "majority" of international iPhone carriers have capped data and believes its plan to be better than these, citing as example Orange France plans that include a 500MB 'reasonable use' limit versus the 2GB maximum on Rogers' best iPhone plan. The company also tries to justify the caps by claiming that unlimited use would require customers pay for more than they need.
In brief: We have posted a review of The Edge, a new MacBook case, a directory of iPhone and iPod Touch Web pages debuts, two screen sharing tutorial books have been released, and the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group is celebrating 8 years ... We have posted a review of The Edge, a versatile MacBook case. Unlike a briefcase, you can throw it in your backpack, or, you can carry it under your arm for short trips. Much like the MacBook it is designed to protect, the Edge is clean, simple, and easy to use. It’s about as basic as laptop protection gets because you just open the triangular Velcro flap and slide in your laptop.
Nokia shares are no longer recommended after the launch of the iPhone 3G, analysts at American Technology Research said late yesterday. Experts at the financial group dropped their valuation for Nokia from Buy to Neutral in the belief that a raft of "third-generation smart-phone introductions" due for the second half of 2008 and early 2009 are liable to hurt Nokia without clear signs that it can match the same pace. The smartphone industry is increasingly competitive and puts added pressure on the Finnish company, which leads the world smartphone market.
Rivals to the iPhone 3G are turning to experience over sheer feature set to promote their devices, according to statements made by the respective companies. Palm in particular defends the slower load times of its 3G-capable Treo, which was outperformed by the 62 percent faster iPhone in load times, by arguing itself a veteran. Palm has had 3G-class devices "for years," according to an official from the company.
Apple on Tuesday is set to confirm reports from last week on its 2008 Back-to-School promotion, which will provide students with a $299 voucher to use towards an 8GB iPod touch when purchasing an applicable Mac. According to AppleInsider, the rebate will also apply to the higher capacity models, such as the $399 16GB Touch or the $499 32GB model. Students could also opt out of the Touch, and instead use the credit for a $199 iPod Nano.
HTC on Friday announced that it has begun shipping the HTC Touch DUAL to Best Buy, the official home of the unlocked device in the US. The combo touchscreen and slider phone is the first device Stateside to run Windows Mobile 6.1 and is the first to natively handle 3G access over HSDPA on the 850MHz band used by AT&T; without the carrier restriction, however, DUAL buyers can also use EDGE and all other features on T-Mobile's network.
HTC is boosting its shipments for the Touch Diamond based on a sharp spike in the likely demand for the device, company chief Peter Chou has said at a Tokyo conference. The Taiwan-area phone creator now plans to increase shipments of the Windows Mobile phone from its earlier two million-unit forecast to about three million, or a full 50 percent higher than before. Where it took the original Touch 11 months to reach three million, the Diamond should only take the 7 months of June through December to reach that goal, according to Chou.
