Verizon sent out a teaser tweet that indicates it will show off an LTE iPhone at CES 2011 (next month!). If you live in a city covered by Verizon LTE then you should definitely keep up with this exciting news. The power of an Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) phone with the speed of Verizon’s LTE network sounds awesome, don’t you agree?
I’ve been playing around with Google Maps 5 for Android for the last 30 minutes and I’m completely fascinated with it. The 3D capabilities are really cool and potentially useful. I’ve been entertaining myself by checking out my friends’ locations on Google Lattitude and reaffirming my own location (*snicker*)…in 3D! The tech is cool and surprisingly fun. Here are some official highlights:
Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!
It looks like my wish for an iPad 2 with Retina Display technology and dual cameras will come true. Well, that or the peeps are Reuters are being annoying teases. The company hit up four of its sources and discovered:
One of those said the revamped model would feature cameras on the front and rear, while the other said the new model would be slimmer, lighter and have a better resolution display.
Camera module makers Genius Electronic Optical Co Ltd and Largan Precision Co Ltd were also starting new supply deals with Apple, two sources said, but neither could confirm for which product the modules were intended.
A front-facing camera was a given considering Apple’s aggressive plans for FaceTime. A high-resolution rear camera for photos would be a huge plus for me. Apple’s vaunted Retina Display would make the iPad 2 a joy to look at and give the company a convenient way to maintain current price points. I hope all these rumors pan out! Any of you excited for an iPad 2 with the aforementioned features?
Here’s a cute use for the excellent Google Voice service: you can send loved ones a voice message from Santa Claus! I’m sure parents and kids will get a kick out of this. I’m also sure that some people are going to use it to create perverted voicemails from Santa. Will those of you that are kids give it a shot by creating a nice message? Will you deviants out there give it a shot by creating a naughty message? Ha!
According to DigiTimes, Chinese manufacturer Foxconn will be shipping the Apple iPad 2 as soon as February 2011. The original iPad was released on April 3, 2010. Apple has been very good at sticking to one-year product cycles with its iPhone and iPod Touch products, so it’s surprising that the iPad would be refreshed so soon. Then again, the market will be flooded by Google Android, Microsoft Windows, and RIM BlackBerry tablets in 2011, so perhaps Apple’s hand is being forced. Here’s the skinny:
Foxconn Electronics’ (Hon Hai Precision Industry’s) plants in Shenzhen, China have recently been notified they will ship Apple’s iPad 2 within the next 100 days with initial shipments to reach 400,000-600,000 units, according to sources from Taiwan-based component makers. However, Foxconn declined to comment on its products or clients. The sources pointed out that the iPad 2 will ship as soon as the end of February in 2011.
I’m super amped for an iPad 2, especially if the rumors of it having dual cameras and a Retina Display screen pan out. I would love for it to come sooner rather than later. How about you? Are you excited for the second coming of the iPad? Do you think Apple will stick to an April release date or will it ship earlier?
The fine folks at Android Central spotted some new control functionality in Android 2.3 that would be perfect for a PSP Android phone like the Sony Ericcson Z1. The image above shows control functions like L1, L2, R1, R2, select, and start buttons. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen an Android phone with those buttons. Although the functions could be tailored to any phone, it seems obvious that they’re for Android handsets with a gaming slant. As someone that’s high on portable gaming and Android, this is wonderful to see. What say you?
In a recent episode of Pach Atttack starring Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter (I’ll give you a few moments to soak that all in), your favorite videogame analyst and mine (not really) said that Apple’s iOS is the future of mobile gaming.
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, if the NY Knicks have finally gotten past years or mediocrity, Verve Roasters’ Ethiopia Nigusie Lemma, or your holiday shopping, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
In a recent episode of Pach Atttack starring Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter (I’ll give you a few moments to soak that all in), your favorite videogame analyst and mine (not really) said that Apple’s iOS is the future of mobile gaming. In fact, he felt so strongly about the iPod Touch that he doesn’t see a bright future for Nintendo’s and Sony’s next portable systems. Check it out:
I think the ubiquity of the iPod Touch is cutting into the handheld market, I think the PSP was dead on arrival and I think the PSP2 is going to be dead on arrival. It looks to me like young kids are just as happy playing with an iPod Touch or a Nano. The Touch is cool, it plays games, plays music, they’re going to put a camera in it and you’re going to get all kinds of cool stuff.
The 3DS will prolong the handheld market for the game manufacturers, but ultimately, I think handhelds are in trouble. After the 3DS has had its little rush I think the handhelds will continue to decline.
What do you think of Pachter’s stance? Is he on the money? Or is he just talking out of his ass to get more attention? Will the multifunction wizardry of the iPod Touch beat out the sheer power of the PSP2 and the 3D wonder of the 3DS? Can’t we live in a world where all of them do reasonably well? Share your feelings like a Care Bear (please)!
Google has officially announced the Samsung Nexus S, which will be available online and in Best Buy stores on December 16, 2010. This unlocked phone will be the champion product for Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Unlike the previous Google flagship phone — the HTC Nexus One — the Nexus S doesn’t blow the competition away in terms of specs. The Nexus S features:
It looks like a great phone, but it’s not much better than what’s already available. While I’m envious of the front-facing camera and larger screen, the Nexus S doesn’t bring enough to the table to make me want to give up my HTC G2 (especially with T-Mobile’s WiFi calling and HSPA+ network speed).
Check out the additional video and let me know what you think of the Nexus S (please)!
After a comical string of delays, it looks like the white iPhone 4 is finally coming…in Spring 2011. *snicker* CrunchGear spotted an Apple Store sign that shows a release date for the white model. Of course when that date rolls around, the iPhone 5 will be months away. Do you think anyone (aside from fashionistas) will give a damn about the white iPhone 4 in Spring 2011?
Here’s a nice “spy” video of the Sony Ericcson Z1 — the PlayStation Portable phone powered by Google Android. This video is much better than the one I posted earlier in the week. The user slides out the controls, revealing a d-pad and face buttons. You can also spot a PlayStation app in the menus. Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!
