Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

Analyst Predicts That T-Mobile Will Get the iPhone

Just in case you were getting tired of all those iPhone-to-Verizon rumors, Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu has thrown a change-up by predicting that T-Mobile will be the next American iPhone carrier. According to All Things Digital, Wu told his clients:

Currently, T-Mobile’s 3G service (UMTS/HSPA) supports 1700 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies while AT&T supports 850 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies. Interestingly, both the new iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS support 3G at the 2100 MHz frequency and, from our understanding, the technical hurdle to support T-Mobile is minor compared to supporting CDMA technology at VZ and Sprint.

I would love an iPhone 4 on T-Mobile. A (seemingly) great phone coupled with T-Mobile’s excellent pricing?!? Sign me up — especially if the phone takes advantage of T-Mo’s HSPA+ build-out. That said, T-Mobile has the smallest footprint of the four major American carriers. While it would advantageous for Apple to be on multiple carriers, Sprint or Verizon would probably be better choices.

At the end of the day, I’m totally writing this off as more garbage spouted by an analyst. This information is only slightly more meaningful than a Sprint CSR telling a customer that the iPhone is headed for Sprint in Q3.

Would any of you be interested in an iPhone on T-Mobile?

Source

Mortal Kombat is Koming Back in 2011: Do You Kare?

Warner Bros. has announced that it will be publishing Mortal Kombat for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. The game is being developed by NetherRealm Studios, Ed Boon’s new company that’s full of old Midway peeps. Here’s some official information from the press release:

The newest chapter of the iconic fight franchise marks a triumphant return to the series’ mature presentation and a reinvention of its classic 2D fighting mechanic. Driven by an all new graphics engine, the fan favorite Fatality is back and presented in more gory detail than ever before. In addition, Mortal Kombat introduces a number of new game-play features including tag team and the deepest story mode of any fighting game. Players can choose from an extensive lineup of the game’s iconic warriors and challenge their friends in traditional 1 vs. 1 matches, or take on several new game modes.

I’ve alway been a fan of the Mortal Kombat games, characters, and universe. It’s cool, but isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself. That said, I wonder if MK will mean anything to gamers in 2011. What say you? Do you care that Mortal Kombat is coming back next year?!?

Coffee Talk #159: The Stereoscopic 3D Conspiracy

During my lunch meeting yesterday, one of my friends dropped this conspiracy theory on the big push behind 3D movies and 3D gaming. He said that television technology has gotten so good that early adopters have nothing to adopt. Televisions purchased in the last year or so will be good for at least another four. Considering there are some people that buy new televisions every two years, this is unacceptable for TV manufacturers. Ergo, the push for stereoscopic 3D content.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift iPhone app, AT&T giving out your email, or Malfoy vs. Edward, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

During my lunch meeting yesterday, one of my friends dropped this conspiracy theory on the big push behind 3D movies and 3D gaming. He said that television technology has gotten so good that early adopters have nothing to adopt. Televisions purchased in the last year or so will be good for at least another four. Considering there are some people that buy new televisions every two years, this is unacceptable for TV manufacturers. Ergo, the push for stereoscopic 3D content.

I’m usually not big on conspiracy theories…but this one actually makes sense. It’s getting harder and harder for TV manufacturers to entice consumers with new products. In the last year, it seems like biggest differentiating factor was whether a television ran at 60Hz, 120Hz, or 240Hz — a factor that most general consumers don’t understand or can’t even discern. 3D?!? That’s easy to understand! Look at Avatar. Look at all the cool games Sony will be showing at E3 2010.

What do you think of the big stereoscopic 3D conspiracy? Is it really a push towards the future? Or is it a gimmick being exploited by consumer electronics companies in order to sell more televisions?

T-Mobile Giving Away Free Phones on June 19?

Here’s an interesting bit of news for anyone that’s looking for a new mobile phone provider — according to Tmonews, T-Mobile will be giving away phones on June 19 to anyone that signs up for a family plan. The standard two-year contract applies. The site claims to have found scripts for a commercial that hypes the promotion.

While T-Mobile’s current lineup of phones isn’t the most interesting, the HTC HD2 and myTouch Slide 3G are two of the better choices. My personal suggestion is to take one of the free phones, sell it on eBay, and buy a Google Nexus One.

Anyone interested in this rumored promotion? T-Mobile has some really sweet family plans. If the network works well where you live, work, and play then it’s worth considering. Hopefully it turns out to be true!

Source

Jeri Ryan Explains the Mortal Kombat YouTube “Trailer”

Actress Jeri Ryan tweeted a few explanations regarding the excellent Mortal Kombat movie trailer floating around the Internet. The woman formerly known as Seven of Nine wrote:

Okay, so… Mortal Kombat.

It’s not a game trailer. Actually was made for the director to sell WB on his vision for a reimagined MK film.

More MK FAQs: I did it as a favor to a friend. No idea yet what WB’s reaction to it was. And I’m not sure how you can contact WB…

…(cont.) to push them to make it. But you guys are resourceful…! ;-)

Ryan later urged fans to send tweets to @wbpictures to encourage them to make the movie. And yes, one of the reasons I posted this story was so I could put up a sexy picture of Jeri Ryan.

Source

3D Gaming Arrives on the PlayStation 3 Tomorrow

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that WipEout HD, Pain, Super Stardust 3D, and Motor Storm Pacific Rift will be playable in 3D starting June 10, 2010…if you happen to have a television capable of stereoscopic 3D. Just in case you don’t — raise your hand if you do (I can’t actually see your hands!) — Sony was quick to point out that Bravia 3D-capable televisions are available for pre-order and will be delivered this month. The prices start at $2,099.99and go as high as $4,999.99.

So, how many of you are going to buy a 3D television tomorrow?!? Is your interest in 3D stereoscopic gaming piqued? Or do you need to see more games before pulling the trigger on a new TV? As for me, I will probably buy one at some point this year because I’m due for a new TV and I can write stories about 3D gaming. *sigh* If only I could afford one of these new Bravias.

Source

Windows Phone 7 and Xbox Live: What Features Do You Want?

One of the most fascinating aspects of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 is its connectivity with Xbox Live. Way back in Coffee Talk #86 I told you a bit about Windows Phone 7’s game hub. Here’s the official word from Microsoft, just in case you need a refresher:

This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox Live experience on a phone, including Xbox Live games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox Live unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.

The games hub is a potentially cool way for Windows Phone 7 to differentiate itself from Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, and Palm’s WebOS. If you think of Xbox Live as a social network, Microsoft already has millions of customers to draw from. That said, I’m not sure about Windows Phone 7’s timing — perhaps it’s too late. Let’s not focus on that right now. Let’s think about it in terms of gaming.

I’d like to know what features you’d like to see in Windows Phone 7’s game hub. What would enhance your Xbox Live experience? Any predictions on any connectivity features Microsoft will announced at its E3 2010 press conference? Do you think Windows Phone 7 will have a portion of the presser? Remember, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s future supposedly rests on the future of the company’s mobile products. Perhaps he’ll nudge the games team to highlight the WP7 games hub.

Sprint CSR Tells Customer iPhone Coming in Fall 2010

A Sprint customer service representative allegedly told a customer that the Apple iPhone is coming to Sprint in Fall 2010. Last month I told you about a rumor that Apple has ordered 10-million CDMA iPhones from Pegatron, which is mobile technology Sprint uses. The peeps at Skattertech have also speculated that the iPhone is destined for Sprint. Before I get ahead of myself, here’s what supposedly went down with the Sprint CSR according to a poster on Sprint Users:

Denise went ahead to say go ahead and get the iPhone, that is a toy compared to the EVO. She then said if you leave you will not be able to take advantage of Sprint getting the iPhone in the Fall. I think that she only told me that to retain me.

Personally, I think this rumor is bunk. I’m leaning towards the CSR being dishonest with the customer. There’s also a chance that the customer made the whole thing up. Either way, I don’t see the iPhone 4 going to Sprint…

…but how crazy would that be?!? Even though Sprint is third out of the big four, I consider it the biggest loser of the bunch. Getting the iPhone would take it from zero to hero. Sprint’s pricing is second-best out of the big four and its network is arguably second best (especially when you factor in its roaming agreement with Verizon). Imagine an iPhone with reasonably priced service on a network that doesn’t blow chunks?!? Yeah…that’s too crazy to be real.

Source