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One day after the Wall Street Journal reported that a Verizon iPhone 4 was coming on Tuesday, sources speaking to Reuters have confirmed the claims.

Sales of the device are expected to launch in early February.

As with all prior reports, Apple and Verizon have not commented on the "speculation."

AT&T has been the exclusive American carrier for the iPhone since its inception in 2007. Analysts have warned that losing the exclusivity pact, and the strong growth driver that is the iPhone, may affect the company's bottom line for some time. Other analysts have warned that frustrated AT&T iPhone owners may jump ship to Verizon, who is known to have the most reliable network of the major carriers.

On the other hand, analysts also claim that a majority of AT&T's iPhone owners are part of family plans, which are much harder to cancel as they involve, on average, three family members.

Furthermore, many are new upgraders or purchasers, and AT&T charges very heavy early termination fees.

DigitalTrends managed to get a really nice 9-minute video from a Motorola executive who was showing off the Motorola Atrix smartphone; which doubles as a full notebook computer.

The Atrix runs Android 2.2 on a powerful Nvidia Tegra 2 1GHz AP20H dual-core processor, alongside 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, a huge 1930 mAh battery, and a 4-inch multi-touch screen with Gorilla Glass.

Additionally, the smartphone has a 5MP standard camera and a VGA front-side camera and AT&T 4G LTE support.

Unique to the device is a biometric fingerprint reader, which can be used to literally block anyone who isn't you from turning on the device.

The notebook (Atrix dock) is incredibly thin and has a stated 10-hour battery life.

When connected, the notebook runs off the Atrix phone, allowing owners to use a Linux-based OS, or just run the phone's features in full-screen (15-inch) mode.

Verizon has announced the upcoming HTC Thunderbolt with LTE 4G support, a likely successor to the very popular HTC Incredible.

The smartphone has a large 4.3-inch Super LCD display, a 1GHz processor, and run on Android 2.2 with HTC Sense 2.0. The updated Sense has the new "Fast Boot" for quicker booting of the OS.

When connected to Verizon's LTE 4G, the carrier says users should expect down speeds of 5-12Mbps and up speeds of 2-5Mbps.

The device has Mobile Hotspot capability for sharing the 4G connection with up to 8 Wi-Fi devices, as well.

Additionally, the smartphone has an 8MP standard camera and a 1.3MP front-side camera, along with Dolby and SRS surround sound.

Skype video conferencing is built right into Sense and the Thunderbolt has DLNA streaming multimedia support.

Says Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas (via Engadget):

Apple has pulled the popular VLC media player application from the iOS App Store, following an argument over the GPL with VLC developer Rémi Denis-Courmont.

Denis-Courmont had filed a lawsuit against Apple in late 2010.

Under a standard GNU General Public License (GPL), VLC is available for Macs, Windows and Linux machines for free, and while it was free for iOS, the open-source nature of the application was compromised by Apple.

Says Free Software Federation's Brett Smith (via PCM):

The GPL gives Apple permission to distribute this software through the App Store. All they would have to do is follow the license's conditions to help keep the software free. Instead, Apple has decided that they prefer to impose Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) and proprietary legal terms on all programs in the App Store.

Nintendo has posted the final hardware specs for the 3DS handheld this week, and one glaring issue appears to be the battery life.

In the past, the Nintendo DS line has had very good battery lives, with the original DS lasting 10 to 14 hours, the DS Lite lasting 15 to 19 hours, the DSi lasting 9 to 14, and the large-screened DSi XL lasting 13 to 17 hours.

For the upcoming 3DS, battery life when running a game in 3D, is only 3-5 hours, with some warning that the actual time may be closer to the lower end of that range unless Wi-Fi is turned off.

Battery life is a measly 5-8 hours when running regular DS games.

President Satoru Iwata said back in October:

Launched on January 6th, the Mac App Store is already seeing its apps pirated or modified, thanks to lax security from developers and Apple.

Some of the paid apps "do not properly validate App Store receipts," allowing users to download the programs and not pay for them.

App Store receipts from any previous purchase (even on free apps) can be copy-and-pasted to validate the new downloads.

John Gruber (of Daring Fireball), does note that the 'hack' "isn't true for all paid Mac App Store apps."

It does affect apps where the "developers were lax about applying Apple's recommendations on validating store receipts. The app checks to ensure there is a valid receipt, but it doesn't check that the ID listed on the receipt belongs to the app," elaborates eW.

Although it is unclear how many apps are affected, insanely popular game 'Angry Birds' is one that can be pirated.

Apple said there were over 1 million downloads on the first day of the Store.

New figures from comScore say today that Android has finally surpassed Apple's iOS for second place in the U.S. smartphone OS market.

For the three month period ended November 30th, RIM's BlackBerry led the way at 33.5 percent, followed by Android at 26 percent and iOS at 25 percent.

At the end of August, BlackBerry had 37.6 percent share, with Android taking the lion's share of what RIM lost. Apple only added 0.8 percent to its share during the period.

Furthermore, a Nielsen report shows that 31 percent of Americans now use a smartphone, leading to a strong increase in competition from smartphone makers.

If the WSJ is accurate, Apple will launch a CDMA Verizon iPhone on Tuesday, which is expected to add over 10 million iOS sales in the Q1 2011.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is showing off a line of new camcorders at CES, including the new HMX-H300 series, which it called the Ultimate HD Family Camcorder series.

The HMX-H300 series is designed to automatically deliver stable video in crystal-clear HD, allowing the user to enjoy the moment without worrying about correcting settings or focusing. With its long recording time, a battery life of up to three hours, and built-in USB charging, the camcorder allows users to relax while filming, as they're guaranteed to capture every special occasion from start to finish.

Another key feature is the 30x Optical Zoom, available on the HMX-H300 series lens, which records in greater definition than any of the competitors in its class, and creates incredible close-ups from long distances. The HMX-H300 series is also built with a 5 Megapixel 1/4" (1/6.3", 1.75M Effective) BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, which is twice as sensitive as a regular CMOS sensor.

Some key features and benefits of the HMX-H300 Series include...

Samsung is showing off new camcorders at CES, two of which it dubs "point and share" devices.

The Full HD HMX-P300 and HMX-P100 have been designed specifically for people who like to record and share video content regularly. Key developments including a 5M BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, which dramatically improves low-light recording and HD movie recording, are available in the P100.

The HMX-P300 and HMX-P100 are also the ultimate point-and-share camcorders for those who want to upload their videos quickly and easily. Through the new One Touch Sharing feature, users can select which website they want to upload files to directly from the LCD screen.

The 3" 230K pixel Touch LCD screen can also rotate to give multiple shooting angles that allow the user a full, clear view of their subject without sacrificing the shot through portrait or landscape orientation. To make sure that you don't miss any of the action, the Samsung HMX-P100 is also built with an LCD screen that has an 80-degree viewing angle, so no matter how you're holding your point-and-share camcorder, you'll enjoy a clear view every time.

Some specification and key features of each include...

SanDisk Corporation has shown off two new USB Flash drives along with security and backup software at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

SanDisk SecureAccess software protects files against unauthorized access on SanDisk's entire retail USB portfolio using an encrypted, password protected folder on the drive. Additionally, up to 2GB of contents can be backed up online with the software.

SanDisk SecureAccess Software specs include...

• Password-protected "vault" automatically secures files with 128-bit AES encryption, protecting against unauthorized access in case the drive is lost or stolen.
• Secure partition lets consumers determine which files remain private when sharing a USB drive with colleagues or friends.
• Additional protection against computer crashes and data loss is optionally available for users with up to 2GB of secure online backup from Dmailer. Remotely access online data anytime, anywhere, and easily share large files over the cloud.
• Easy to use drag and drop functionality; the vault's capacity on the USB flash drive adjusts automatically as content is added or removed.
• Currently shipping on select SanDisk USB drives.

SanDisk has unveiled the fastest and highest capacity CompactFlash card at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Aimed at professionals, the SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash card features 128GB of storage and up to 100MB/s write speeds. Featuring a Power Core controller and UDMA-7 interface, the card is perfect for use with demanding DSLR cameras and other devices.

"No other product on the market can match our new card's combination of speed and storage capacity," said Susan Park, director, product marketing, SanDisk. "By consistently pushing the boundaries of flash innovation, we are able to develop advanced products not found anywhere else."

Some key features of the new card...

• Up to 100MB/sec write speed enables shorter wait times and faster continuous burst shooting.
• Video Performance Guarantee allows for superior Full HD video recording at a sustained 20MB/sec write speed.
• 128GB capacity offers more room for capturing RAW+JPEG photos, sequential bursts, even Full HD and 3D video content.
• SanDisk's proprietary Power Core controller distributes data across the card more rapidly and efficiently, and the UDMA-7 interface allows for maximum data transfer between card and camera.
• Best-in-class quality assurance offers photographers peace of mind knowing that the card is backed by rigorous stress, shock, vibration, humidity and moisture testing procedures and a lifetime limited warranty. The card features RTV silicone coating for added protection.

Lady Gaga and Polaroid have launched a new pair of sunglasses at the CES event today, ones that come with a built-in camera.

The platinum selling artist was named a Polaroid creative director at last year's event.

Under the "Grey Label" (GL), the company debuted the GL20 Camera Glasses, the GL10 Instant Mobile Printer and GL30 Instant Digital Camera.

The glasses are fully functioning, and will take a picture of what you are looking at, with the ability to display it back on a small 1.5-inch LED screen on the lens.

There was no word on pricing or availability.

(Pic via Ars)

Toshiba's Digital Products Division has showed off some of its latest 3D technologies and products at the Consumer Electronics Show.

It's 2011 3D LED TV line-up for 2011 features exclusive CEVO Engine Technology that includes enhancements for 3D picture quality. The products sport new ultra-thin cosmetic designs with chrome. "For 2011, Toshiba is incorporating the new CEVO Engine to create stunning 2D images, immersive 3D images and more advanced and interactive connectivity," said Scott Ramirez, Vice President of Product Marketing and Development.

"CEVO takes 3D to the next level and to make sure it is available to everyone, we are offering it in both Dynamic – active – 3D and Natural – passive – 3D in a variety of screen sizes."

The CEVO engine features 2D to 3D Conversion, letting viewers watch their favorite 2D Blu-ray or DVD movies, or play their favorite 2D video games, with a 3D effect. 3D Resolution+ upconverts 3D sources that are not full HD to produce the highest quality effect. Finally, 3D Cross Talk Canceller technology mitigates any cross talk ghosting to create the clearest possible dynamic 3D images.

Vivitek is showing off three new projectors at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, featuring 2D to 3D conversion technology.

The D512-3D, D536-3D and the D538-3D can take existing 2D content and convert the image into 3D without having to use an external converter. The can take standard DVD and Blu-ray Disc content via HDMI and convert it from 2D to 3D via DLP Link from Texas Instruments.

The three projectors can also display 3D content from 720p/1080i at 50/60Hz and 1080p at 24Hz from 3D BluRay players or other 3D sources, such as cable or satellite boxes. All three feature BrilliantColor technologies for bright and detailed digital images.

Here are some key features and specifications...

• Resolutions: D512-3D native SVGA (800x600) | D536-3D native XGA (1024x768) | D538-3D native WXGA (1280x800)
• 2600 lumens (D512-3D) | 3200 lumens (D536-3D and D538-3D)
• 3000:1 contrast ratio
• Connectivity options include: HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Composite, RS-232, Mini-Jack audio-in, RCA audio-in
• Keypad lock feature to avoid accidental change to the settings
• Rapid on/off feature
• Enhanced color and display adjustments
  4.2 pounds

Samsung and Adobe announced that Samsung Smart TV will come with Adobe AIR and soon Adobe Flash Player 10.1.

The integration of AIR for TV with Samsung's Smart TV platform will create new opportunities for a growing community of more than three million Adobe Flash Platform developers who can use Adobe Creative Suite 5 to author content for AIR for TV.

Both companies also plan to bring Adobe Flash Player 10.1 to the Smart TV browser, extending the company's current support for Flash Player 10.1 on Samsung smartphones and tablets. The addition of Flash Player 10.1 means users will enjoy a more complete web browsing experience on the TV.

"Content publishers want to extend their reach from smartphones to the largest screen in the home – all without sacrificing the unique context and experience of each screen," said Shantanu Narayen, president and CEO of Adobe.

"Samsung is the first device manufacturer to embrace Adobe AIR for TV, and together we will enable developers to extend media applications, social games and other forms of rich content to televisions and a wide range of Samsung devices."