Section: Audio, Portable Audio  This news hardly comes as surprising, but according to Jim Cady who is the current president of Slacker, the G2 will be phased out sometime during the second half of 2010.
According to the details given, the hardware player does not “fit with the company's long-term strategy” which is shifting towards the online music service as well as mobile apps. In other words, Slacker is ditching the G2 and not coming back with any new hardware based player to replace it. Slacker currently offers a streaming service that is browser based as well an app for Windows based PC’s. Additionally, they also offer mobile apps for devices to include the iPhone and BlackBerry. Both mobile apps are nice, however the iPhone does not allow the ability to cache music for offline use, the BlackBerry on the other hand does. In terms of making money, Slacker is currently ad-supported, but they also have a paid option available that costs $3.99 per month. Those that subscribe lose the ads and also get the complete song lyrics and the ability to skip an unlimited amount of tracks. Finally, for those still interested in the hardware G2 player, it is still available and selling both on the Slacker website and also at big-box retailer Best Buy. Read [WSJ] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Portable Video  Coby Electronics has announced a recall of nearly 20,000 rechargeable batteries sold with its portable DVD players between January 2007 and September 2009. The electronics manufacturer says they may overheat, creating a fire hazard. So far they have had 10 reports of such an incident and 8 of them resulted in fires. Fortunately no one has been injured.
The players involved in this recall have an 8.5-inch screen and the product number TF-DVD-8501. The recalled batteries all have serial numbers starting with "HY." If you have one of the affected batteries remove it from the player immediately and call Coby at 877-305-2629 for a free replacement. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking anyone who has suffered injury or property damage as a result of an overheating battery to contact them here. You can also call their hotline at 800-638-2772. Read[PRNewsWire] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile  Pantech and AT&T kick off the holiday line up of quick messaging phones with the release of the sleek slider Reveal. One of the only phones I am aware of that has both number keys and qwerty keys always active, the Reveal is destined to become a hit with the texting crowd. The phone will cost $79.99 after 2-year contract, AT&T mail-in rebate.
Those looking to attempt scoop one of these phones for free can do so via Pantech’s contest on Facebook. To enter, simply become a fan of Pantech and make a Reveal-related post on the fan page wall. A new winner is chosen every day. AT&T’s new HTML mobile browser and att.net home page are preloaded on the Pantech Reveal. The browser is reportedly very fast and should be a standout feature. Other features include 3G service, GPS (with available turn-by-turn directions for a monthly fee), Napster and eMusic compatible as well as video and still pictures. Pantech is sending out a review unit so check back in as I share my thoughts on this new gadget. Product page: [AT&T] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Business News, Apple, Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones  Just as Apple prepares to introduce the iPhone in China, they were hit with a lawsuit from Nokia alleging patent infringement. The suit pits the world's largest manufacturer of cellphones against the maker of the most popular smartphone in history. Nokia says Apple refused to enter into a licensing agreement, unlike the 40 other cellphone makers who use Nokia's technology.
“By refusing to agree to appropriate terms for Nokia’s intellectual property, Apple is attempting to get a free ride on the back of Nokia’s innovation,” said Ilkka Rahnasto, Nokia’s vice president for legal and intellectual property.
The technology is multi-faceted and includes wireless data, security, encryption, and speech coding. Nokia says it doesn't want to stop iPhone sales, it simply wants to be compensated for the use of its patents. Just last year Nokia reached a settlement with Qualcomm which required it to pay over $2 billion and arrange future royalties for use of Qualcomm's 3G related technology. The companies say they plan to develop phones and mobile devices together. Apple has refused comment on the lawsuit. Read [Wall Street Journal] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Business News, Web, Websites, Online Music/Video  The rumors that started in June appear to be becoming a reality. Hulu will soon start charging for content. Hulu board member Chase Cary said it's time for the site to adopt a "meaningful subscription model.” He was quick to add that the entire site would not be fee based but was unsure exactly what the pay wall would contain. He suggested maybe the site would offer special programming or advanced screenings.
When the news broke, Twitter erupted. Angry users began throwing the idea of a site boycott around and blasting the decision. "Hulu will be the next Megavideo. Don’t companies get it? We don’t pay for media anymore. If we appreciate the song/movie, we’ll buy it!" said one user. "The good times are over," lamented another. "Screw you, Hulu!" Hulu isn't the first online media outlet to decide to implement a pay model. Newsday, a Long Island based newspaper, has announced it will begin to charge non-subscribers $20 a month, or $5 a week, to access the paper's website. With newspapers dying and more and more people relying on the Internet to get their news, entertainment and other information, such moves make sense. The old media is starting to realize not only the large audiences the net offers, but also the need to embrace new media sources to keep their bottom line up. However asking people to pay for something they are used to getting for free is never easy. Hopefully, Hulu will find a way to soften the blow and make the change easy to swallow. If Hulu does decide to make more than just special programming available for a fee, it may well drive business to such sites as Amazon and iTunes. They both offer TV shows for purchase either per episode or full season, but unlike Hulu which doesn't let you save content to your hard drive or mobile device, they do. That's a big deal to a lot of folks. There are some third party programs that claim to let you download and save Hulu content but they aren't free and likely violate Hulu's ToS. Offering such a download and save feature might be just what Hulu needs to make their transition to a pay service have a better chance at success. Read [LA Times] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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