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AfterDawn: News

Seagate HD media players add streaming video

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Apr 2010 2:12

Seagate HD media players add streaming video Seagate has announced today that their FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Players will soon be updated to include streaming video such as Netflix and YouTube.

The media players allow for easy playback of video files on user's TVs, and the company says besides the big two, streaming access is also available for vTuner and Mediafly.

The new features will come via a firmware update in the near future, and the firmware will be pre-installed on all future media player shipments.

The FreeAgent players allow for video playback from memory drives, hard drives, the web, or streamed from a computer network.




AfterDawn: News

Dell Mini 5 tablet headed to T-Mobile?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Apr 2010 1:43

Dell Mini 5 tablet headed to T-Mobile? Users looking through FCC filings have found what seems to be proof that the Dell Mini 5 tablet will eventually head to T-Mobile, with the filing showing off the WCDMA bands of the carrier.

The Mini 5 has already been approved for AT&T, so it seems that the company is looking to reach as many consumers as it can with GSM, distributing through a couple of carriers.

The Dell Mini 5, the company's first true tablet, will have a larger 5-inch display with WVGA (800x480 resolution) which is fully multi-touch supported.

It is unclear which Android firmware it will run, with reports differing from 1.6 all the way up to the latest, 2.1. The device will use a powerful 1 GHz processor. As with all tablets, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support is standard. Separating it even further from the iPad is the addition of a front-facing camera, allowing for video conferencing.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide details revealed

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 6:35

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide details revealed The specs for the upcoming myTouch 3G Slide have been revealed this week by an employee who was given the phone to test, and it seems that G1 users finally have their successor.

The phone includes a 600 MHz ARM processor, Android 2.1 with HTC Sense and multi-touch support, 512MB of RAM, 512MB internal storage, a 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash, and a free 8GB MicroSD card.

The only feature missing from the 2.1 included with the new Slide is "live wallpapers," interactive backgrounds that can be found on high-end devices such as the Nexus One and HTC Incredible.

The smartphone will also come with Swype as the default keyboard, giving users the chance to use the record-breaking text input system that has been in closed beta for some time now.

Additionally, the game "Abduction" will come pre-installed, as well as a music streaming service that is similar to Pandora.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Radio Shack to drop Palm phones

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 6:13

Radio Shack to drop Palm phones According to a blurb in Barron's, Radio Shack will begin to phase out its available Palm Pre and Pixi supply for two new smartphones.

Sprint, the carrier of the phones, has confirmed the new move:

"This is in line with Radio Shack’s normal product planning process - there is a designated amount of space in stores for handsets and they work to keep the line up of devices as current as possible,"
says Sprint spokesman Scott Sloat.

It is unclear what two phones will replace the Palm devices, but Sloat says one will be "a BlackBerry device" and the other will be a "message-centric device."

Palm, the struggling smartphone maker that has put itself up for sale in a last-ditch effort to avoid possible imminent bankruptcy, has seen its share price collapse over the past few months, and just this week reported that Michael Abbott, their software and services chief has resigned, another blow to the company's future.




AfterDawn: News

HTC Incredible now up for pre-order through Verizon

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 3:40

HTC Incredible now up for pre-order through Verizon Earlier this week, Verizon finally launched the much-hyped HTC Incredible, an Android smartphone that will become the company's new "flagship" model.

Today, the device has gone up for pre-order through Verizon, with a delivery date of April 29th. The phone sells for $200 with two-year agreement, or you can buy it without contract for $530.

The phone has a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, an 8MP camera with dual-LED flashes, Android 2.1 built-in and the latest HTC Sense UI.

Additionally, the phone has a 3.7-inch multi-touch 800x480 screen, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and is seen as the sequel to the popular Desire smartphone.

Incredible buyers will also be some of the first to use the Skype VoIP app, allowing for instant messaging and long distance calls with a Skype account.




AfterDawn: News

Video Daily: The McDonalds Nintendo DSi

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 3:29

Video Daily: The McDonalds Nintendo DSi Kotaku has showed off a screencap pic of the McDonald's Nintendo DSi, a fully branded handheld used by Japanese McDonald's restaurants to train new employees.

There are two DSi units for every McDonald's restaurant in Japan, all 3700 of them.

The giant fast food company says the handhelds cut training time in half, at the same time giving new employees a more interactive way to learn the business.

Collaborations between the two companies is not new, with Nintendo loaning out Mario in the late 80s for McDonald's ads.

The following video is from Bloomberg and shows off the training software in action.




AfterDawn: News

Apple delays iPad 3G launch until May 7th

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 2:54

Apple delays iPad 3G launch until May 7th According to the official company site, the iPad 3G model will begin shipping "by" May 7th, a slight delay from the formerly promised "end of April" launch.

All three versions, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB will be available.

The Wi-Fi-only "cheap" versions of the tablet remain on sale, with a minimum price of $499. Apple says over 600,000 units have already been sold.

Thanks to such strong demand, Apple had to delay the international launch of the iPad, pushing the launch to late May.

The new Wi-Fi + 3G models retail for $629 at minimum and $829 for the higher capacity model.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Gizmodo reveals upcoming iPhone model

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 2:29

Gizmodo reveals upcoming iPhone model Gizmodo has broken what promises to be the most popular story of the next few weeks today, revealing what they believe to be a prototype of Apple's upcoming "iPhone HD," the fourth generation model of the extremely popular smartphone.

The report says the phone was found on the floor in a bar in Redwood City, with a case that camouflaged it to look like a current generation iPhone 3GS.

The hardware, as well as the form factor is very different than the last three models of the phone, and I will post a few of the pictures of the hardware after the article.

New to the "iPhone HD," are a front-facing camera for video conferencing, a better standard camera (including larger lens and flash), a Micro-SIM slot (just like the iPad), 960x640 resolution, a second mic, metallic exterior (not plastic) and split side buttons for volume.

The form factor is very different as well. The back is flat and not rounded, slightly smaller screen, a more "square" design all around with less wasted space, a larger battery, and smaller internal components.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Osama Bin Laden Facebook fan page shut down

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 12:59

Osama Bin Laden Facebook fan page shut down A Facebook fan page for Osama Bin Laden has been shut down today, after 1000 "fans" signed up to watch posts linking to speeches and recordings of the Islamic extremist.

The page went up in late March, and refers to bin Laden as the "Prince of Mujahideen."

Although it is unclear who started the page, Facebook says they doubt there is any direct link, and the page was likely put up by supporters in the Middle East.

Adds the social networking site: "People often attempt to register fake accounts under the name of famous or infamous people. There is no evidence to suggest that the account in question or the other dozens of people who have tried to present themselves as Osama bin Laden have any relation to the terrorist. As is our standard practice, we have disabled the account."

Spokesman Andrew Noyes says the company has access to the IP addresses and email addresses used by a profile or a group.

"These pages do pop up,"
Noyes adds, via ABC. "Sometimes they are able to slip through the cracks, but we do end up taking them down."




AfterDawn: News

Video Daily: HTC Incredible in action

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 12:42

Video Daily: HTC Incredible in action Earlier this week, Verizon finally launched the much-hyped HTC Incredible, an Android smartphone that will become the company's new "flagship" model.

The phone has a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, an 8MP camera with dual-LED flashes, Android 2.1 built-in and the latest HTC Sense UI.

Additionally, the phone has a 3.7-inch multi-touch 800x480 screen, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and is seen as the sequel to the popular Desire smartphone.

The Incredible will go on sale on April 29th, with pre-orders starting on the 19th.

The smartphone will sell for $200 with contract, the same price as the Droid initially cost when it launched last November.

Today, BGR has posted a video walk through of the phone, and it looks very good:

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Adobe Flash for Android, WebOS delayed again

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 19 Apr 2010 12:27

Adobe Flash for Android, WebOS delayed again Last year, Adobe confidently proclaimed that it would bring a Flash Player for the smartphone operating systems Android and WebOS, saying they would have the launch ready for the Q2 of 2010.

Today, the company has said the player is not ready and will not be available until the "second half" of the year, putting a damper on the hopes of many Android and WebOS owners.

The player, Flash 10.1, will likely not be available until at least September says CEO Shantanu Narayen, adding that a BlackBerry version will also be made available at the same time.

The full player, which is available for Windows and Mac machines, will support all Flash video, as well as sites that use Flash for navigation or have Flash splash screens.

Adobe says the software will take advantage of the differing capabilities of the phone it is being run on, including multi-touch support and hardware acceleration.




AfterDawn: News

Palm's software chief to leave company next week

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Apr 2010 4:06

Palm's software chief to leave company next week Palm, the struggling smartphone maker that has put itself up for sale in a last-ditch effort to avoid possible imminent bankruptcy, has taken another hit today reporting that Michael Abbott, their software and services chief will leave the company at the end of next week.

Abbott resigned on Monday and will leave on April 23rd, reads the SEC filing.

The chief was a lead proponent of the WebOS operating system.

In the same regulatory filing, Palm said it was paying two key executives a $250,000 bonus to stay on board. Each will also receive restricted stock. Both perks pay out over two years, given the company is still alive and the execs are still working for Palm.

Over the past few days, since Palm confirmed it was up for sale, a plethora of big names of been noted as possible buyers including rivals RIM, Lenovo and Dell, each of which have smartphones in the market. The latest in the list is Huawei of China.




AfterDawn: News

Israel explains iPad ban

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Apr 2010 3:39

Israel explains iPad ban On Thursday we reported that the Israeli newspaper Haaretz had reported that the Apple iPad has been blocked from entering Israel, with customs officials confiscating all devices upon entry.

Today, the Israeli Ministry of Communications has elaborated on their reasoning behind the ban.

Says spokesperson Yechiel Shavi: "This device's wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel."

Shavi added that if Apple releases a new version that complies with EU Wi-Fi standards, the ban will be overturned. Apple, in rebuttal says: "The iPad complies with international industry standards for Wi-Fi specifications."

The ban makes little sense to anyone outside of Israel. Apple uses a standard Wi-Fi chip that is industry-wide. From a technical standpoint, the ban doesn't make sense, says Richard Doherty, an analyst with the technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, via the WSJ.

We will certainly keep you updated on any development, as this story keeps getting stranger and stranger.




AfterDawn: News

Dell Aero, Mini 5 devices to launch for AT&T in June?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Apr 2010 3:17

Dell Aero, Mini 5 devices to launch for AT&T in June? According to new reports, AT&T will launch the Aero smartphone and the Mini 5 tablet in June.

Both will run some iterations of the Android operating system but that is where the comparisons end.

The Aero, Dell's first American smartphone since the death of their Axim line in 2007, features a 3.5" nHD display with 360x640resolution, a 5MP camera, Flash Lite for better Internet video support and full GPS.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

141,000 DSi XL units sold in U.S.

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Apr 2010 2:36

141,000 DSi XL units sold in U.S. The new, larger iteration of the DS handheld series, the DSi XL had a strong debut month in March says video game analyst Michael Pachter.

Although it was only available for four days in March, Nintendo still sold 141,000 units, with the full line (DS Lite, DSi and the XL) selling 701,000 units for the month.

If accurate, the number is very high considering the XL sells for $190, a premium price from the DS Lite (MSRP $130) and DSi (MSRP $170).

The screen of the XL is 93 percent bigger than the DSi, and Nintendo has said it is aimed at users that want to use the Internet more, making the text easier to read.

Read more...



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