AT&T offering a free month of Zune to folks who buy a Windows Phone 7 handset this year
October 19, 2010 No Comment
We already knew AT&T was giving away ilomilo and a free month of U-verse Mobile to folks who buy one of its glorious Windows Phone 7 phones. What else? Well, AT&T is tossing in a free month of Zune Pass for good measure. Now, Microsoft already offers 14 day free trials to the Zune-curious, and there’s nothing stopping other carriers or Microsoft itself extending this deal to the rest of the world — we think the “first one’s free” method of addiction generation is particularly great for subscription music. Still, it’s nice to know AT&T has such an offer sewn up. Now that the Xbox is getting a native Zune UI at long last, how about a free month of Zune for Xbox Live subscribers as well? Microsoft can afford it . [Thanks, Morgan G.] AT&T offering a free month of Zune to folks who buy a Windows Phone 7 handset this year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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iPhone 3,2 rumored to be in near-final testing phase, cue the CDMA speculation
October 19, 2010 No Comment
Apple’s all aglow with its fiscal triumphs, but that’s nothing new. Here’s something else that follows the Cupertino company like night follows the day: Verizon iPhone rumors. Boy Genius Report claims it’s heard from one of its “solid Apple sources” that iPhone 3,2 (seen previously in iOS code ) has hit “AP testing phase,” which reportedly means final hardware and near-final software. Said source also claims it has a SIM card slot, which would be fine except for BGR’s assertion that 3,2 is the oft-rumored CDMA iPhone — you know, the one that Wall Street Journal is all but certain is coming next year . So how might these two apparently contradictory elements form some tangible paradox machine? One possibility the publication is suggesting is a CDMA / GSM dual-mode “global” phone that’d work on virtually all major carriers. Then again, it could just be a GSM iPhone 4 with some design finagling ( antenna revision ?). If any of this pans out, that is, but at least you can say you witnessed the Verizon iPhone rumor merging with existing iPhone 4 to form a mythical “carrier Voltron” device. Or something like that. iPhone 3,2 rumored to be in near-final testing phase, cue the CDMA speculation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Bose enters single-ear Bluetooth headset market with expected swagger and price tag
October 19, 2010 No Comment
“It’s not every day you see a company release a Bluetooth headset ” is something we’d like to say, but alas, it was not meant to be. Bose is the latest, launching what it claims is its first single-ear Bluetooth headset. The aural implant carries the family name and touted audio quality / proprietary technology, but functionality-wise, it’s not much different than your run-of-the-mill earpiece. Of course, that branding carries a lot of weight with some folks, and for them, plan on paying just shy of $150 (before tax) when it comes out late November. Your weekly dose of bravado can be found in the press release after the break. Gallery: Bose enters single-ear Bluetooth headset market with expected swagger and price tag Continue reading Bose enters single-ear Bluetooth headset market with expected swagger and price tag Bose enters single-ear Bluetooth headset market with expected swagger and price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Steve Jobs drops knowledge on earnings call: calls out Google and RIM, says 7-inch tablets are ‘DOA’
October 18, 2010 No Comment
Steve Jobs hit today’s earnings call with the power of words. In a tone that could be described as “righteous anger” or perhaps just “reppin,” Steve launched into a five minute rant that hit hard against RIM’s entire business model, Android sales numbers and software fragmentation, and the impending wave of Android tablets. With the iPhone surpassing RIM, Steve says that he “[doesn't] see them catching up in the foreseeable future.” As for Android sales, Steve takes issues with the market share figures that are currently floating around, saying that 275k iOS devices were activated on average per day last month, compared to Android’s most recent estimate of 250k per day — though he does admit that Android outshipped iPhone in the June quarter, during the “transition” to iPhone 4. That wasn’t Steve’s only problem with Android, he takes major issue with the fragmentation and the onus he believes it puts on the user: “we believe integrated will trump fragmented every time.” Oh, and 7-inch tablets? You’re in for a bag of hurt . Steve pretty much outright killed any potential for 7-inch iPad rumors, saying that the software just isn’t right for that size (“This size is useless unless you include sandpaper so users can sand their fingers down to a quarter of their size.”), and that users have no need for a pocket sized tablet when they already have a smartphone. He called the iPad’s upcoming competition in the space “DOA.” After he calmed down a bit, the call entered a Q&A period, where Steve was happy to point out that the iPad has already surpassed Macintosh in sales, and that it’s going to affect laptop computers: “it’s not if, it’s when.” We’ll get a copy of the audio and put it up as soon as possible… like most CEO outbursts , this is not one to be missed. Hit up our liveblog of the call for a bit more context, and you can try the source link for Apple’s stream of the entire earnings shindig. Steve Jobs drops knowledge on earnings call: calls out Google and RIM, says 7-inch tablets are ‘DOA’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Microsoft has just announced that Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie is leaving the company, in the form of an open letter from Steve Ballmer to Microsoft employees. Ray, who succeeded Bill Gates in his currently held position, is famous for his focus on moving Microsoft into the cloud. As recently as June we saw Ray on stage at D8 with Steve Ballmer, and there’s no indication given in the open letter as to Ray’s reasons for leaving, though Steve does point out that much of Ray’s vision for the cloud is already in progress at Microsoft. Ray will stick around for a transition phase of unspecified length, and Ballmer doesn’t plan to fill the “unique” role of Chief Software Architect when he’s gone. Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect, is calling it quits originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Deep within the heart of Apple’s fiscal earnings call Q&A session, straight from the mouth of CEO Steve Jobs: “I can report that we’ve sold a quarter million Apple TVs .” Quite an impressive number for a device that’s only been out for 18 days but by no means on par with the likes of some other Apple debuts (the iPad, for instance, sold 300,000 on day one). Still, not bad for the once ( and possibly still ) hobby. Apple TV hits 250,000 in sales, says Steve Jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple’s Q4 earnings are out, records set for revenue, earnings, and sales
October 18, 2010 No Comment
Another Apple earnings report, another winner quarter for the company. Apple says its 2010 fiscal fourth quarter results are its “highest revenue and earnings ever,” with records set for Mac, iPhone and iPad sales. Hit up the press release after the break. Developing… Continue reading Apple’s Q4 earnings are out, records set for revenue, earnings, and sales Apple’s Q4 earnings are out, records set for revenue, earnings, and sales originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs
October 18, 2010 No Comment
As promised , the new discless Netflix app for Sony’s PlayStation 3 is rolling out across the land, so all should see a convenient icon under the video tab on the XMB, leading directly to movies in 1080p with 5.1 audio. As for those old discs? Just in case you were feeling attached to the old way of doing things there is a 31 day transition period before they expire and stop working completely, however our tipster informs us once he downloaded the app he was never able to use the disc again. It certainly seems like an easy trade, but you may want to consider… nothing, there’s absolutely nothing to consider. Click the X button to download, then enjoy your new coaster and National Chocolate Cupcake Day. No, really . [Thanks, Chris] PlayStation 3 Netflix update hitting XMBs across the USA, say goodbye to the discs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Whoever said being on hold was a bad thing? Verizon customers who call in and get stuck in limbo right now are being treated to a minor device scoop: an ad for the mythical Droid 2 Global , which has leaked out here and there but hasn’t yet been officially announced. The ad doesn’t reveal much apart from the existence of the CDMA / GSM slider and the fact that it’ll work in 221 countries, but that’s all we needed to hear — listen for yourself after the break. Update: Ha, as commenter Spider-Man points out below, that 221 number is mighty suspect, as there are only between 191-195 countries in the world today, depending on how you count them. Sounds like Verizon needs to take this one back to the studio. Thanks, Spidey! [Thanks, Anonymous] Continue reading Droid 2 Global ads now running on Verizon’s 800 number Droid 2 Global ads now running on Verizon’s 800 number originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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