Section: Audio, Portable Audio, Video, Portable Video 
Microsoft has confirmed that a 64 GB version of its Zune HD MP3 player is on the way. The latest device will double the Zune’s previous highest storage capacity and cost $349.99. Interested? Well, get your checkbook ready because the Zune HD 64GB is set to debut April 12 at ZuneOriginals.com. In addition to announcing the new Zune, which comes in multiple color choices, Microsoft has taken a few bucks off the 16GB and 32GB models of the Zune HD. The 16GB has been reduced to $199.99 and the 32GB model has been slashed $269.99. That could lead to even bigger discounts if third party retailers like Amazon decide to give consumers an even bigger break on the Zune.
Of course, all this is no surprise. We already reported on Monday that an HD 64 model was spotted online before the page quickly went down. Now we’ve got official word and a decision to make if you’re someone in the market for a new MP3 player. Full Story » | Written by Andrew Kameka for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones  The iPhone is often blamed for AT&T’s much-maligned network in big cities like New York and San Francisco. As many have suggested in the past, AT&T has confirmed that it has worked with Apple to optimize data consumption on its network and lessen the bandwidth demands of Internet-happy iPhone users.
AT&T CTO John Donovan says the company sent a team of executives to Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino to give the iPhone makers a “crash course in wireless networking” on several occasions. The meetings resulted in the iPhone being tweaked to lessen the strain on AT&T’s network and reduce the number of dropped calls and overall network congestion. The meetings continue and Apple’s employees are “in a Master’s class” on networking according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. AT&T’s network has improved its network in major cities, and it better if it hopes to keep profits pouring in thanks to its exclusivity on the iPhone. If longstanding rumors that Apple will release a CDMA iPhone prove true, a flood of users could migrate to Verizon, which has a much better reputation for network coverage and strength. You can bet those “There’s a Map for That” commercials will become more fierce once that happens. Read [WSJ ] Via AppleInsider Full Story » | Written by Andrew Kameka for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Mobile Computers  The iPad has the advantage of being linked to a big name brand like Apple, but don’t think that will stop competitors from trying to provide some competition in the tablet market. Computer manufacturer Asus has confirmed that it will offer not one, but two iPad rivals within a few months.
In an interview with Forbes, Asus Chairman Jonney Shih said that his company will release “at least two” tablets, likely to debut at the Computex trade show hosted in Taipei this June. One tablet would probably be Windows-based - Windows 7 Starter Edition or CE - and the other would be powered by Google’s software - Android or Chrome. “There will be an Apple camp [in tablets], but Asus always tries to address the open camps of Google and Microsoft,” Shih said. He added “Content will play a very important role on tablets. The Google tablet will have a lot of media.”
Asus won’t have the brand recognition of Apple and are unlikely to put a dent in the iPad’s expected massive numbers. However, Asus has the potential to attract users who have been less than impressed by the iPad’s current limitations. Two tablets attracting users familiar with Windows and excited by Google's software could help Asus piggyback on those two strong brands and earn strong sales. Read [Forbes.com] Full Story » | Written by Andrew Kameka for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Apple, Communications, Cellphones, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle  I like Starbucks a little more than I should, but really they have coffee and Wi-Fi, two things that seem to be necessary in my line of work. The good news here is that Starbucks has recently increased the pay-by-iPhone-app ability from 16 stores to over 1,000. It should be noted that those 1,000 include the locations that are inside of a Target. Of course, in the long haul 1,000 plus is still nothing as compared to the 74 billion locations that Starbucks has around the globe. But hey, 1,000 is better than 16 and it seems like a valid start. Sadly though, I do not have a Starbucks Target close to my house, and my local Starbucks is not included in that list. But just in case yours is, all you will need to do is load up the Starbucks Mobile Card app on your iPhone and then present the little QR Code that will display on your screen. And yes, you will have to at least show your iPhone so the barista can scan the code.
Via [MobileCrunch] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Email / IM, Smartphones, VoIP, Mobile  Verizon has let go of the Android 2.1 release to selected users as part of a larger roll-out plan that will continue for the next several days. Released in batches the update is an OTA (over the air), according to Engadget a total of 10,000 users received the update yesterday and no one will be receiving new updates today. The roll out will continue on 4/1 with 200,000 devices slated for update each day until finished.
We’ve heard mixed stories on the delay. Some say it was Skype compatibility that was holding it up, while others contend it was something else. Verizon made a go of the update last week and then pulled the plug at just 1,000 users. It is still unclear to us if the limited release was to plan or an issue was encountered. The delayed release looks to be worth waiting for: support for Yahoo Mail, multitouch in Browser, Maps and Gallery (the places you’d actually use it), Speech to text for text boxes, and a new 3D gallery. Read [Verizon update PDF] via [JK ontherun] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Netbooks, Software / Applications, Wireless 
They say timing is everything. For Joojoo, the tablet computer, the timing couldn’t be worse. Six months earlier and this post would have been completely different. With launching the same month as Apple’s iPad, court documents show the device managed to sell a disappointing 90 units. To make matters worse, the company behind Joojoo is entrenched in a legal battle with Techcrunch. The 75 buyers who’ve not been given a refund have held on through Apple’s announcement and subsequent hype. While the tablet looks to be a compelling offering a the same price as the iPad, the company’s future remains uncertain. By contrast, Apple’s pre-order was successful enough to move the shipping date for more pre-orders back, clearly hitting some internal target. As more and more companies announce a tablet, iPad demand seems unfazed. Will other tablets fade into the background buzz or will the iPad open the floodgates. Read: [Gizmodo] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Broadband Cards, Mobile, Computers, Laptops, Wireless Look what we have here, it seems as if Sony is planning to roll out an updated Vaio P. A recent FCC listing is showing off a Vaio with model number PCG-11111L and it is noted as coming with support for CDMA850 and CDMA1900. In short, a mobile broadband capable Sony Vaio. Other little tidbits that were revealed in this listing include the Vaio having Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. Finally, and this is just making an assumption based on the confidentiality request date, it looks like this updated Vaio P could be available with Sprint or Verizon as of May 13. Read [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  New information is suggesting that Rogers will soon be offering the BlackBerry Bold 9700—in white. Shocking, I know. After all, we saw the same thing with the release of the BlackBerry Bold 9000. Rogers had the Bold 9000 available in black and then they released it in white.
Basically, at this point the information is coming by way of a tipster and has not been officially confirmed. Hence the reason for listing this post as a rumor. That said, it seems more than likely to be true. As far as pricing, that looks like it will be the same $149.99 that you would currently pay for the black Bold 9700. Of course, in the past Rogers lowered the pricing on the black Bold 9000 to $99.99 on contract when they unveiled the white Bold 9000. So maybe we can see that happen again. As of yet, nothing in terms of a guess as to when Rogers will make this official. **Note, white BlackBerry Bold image off to the right hand side is actually that of a white BlackBerry Bold 9000, and not the 9700, which just goes to show I have little skill in Photoshop. Read [MobileSyrup] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Web, Web Browsers, Google Watch out, Firefox; Google Chrome is inching towards another one of your great features. Based on a few lines of code spotted in the Chromium source code, Chrome will eventually support the ability to sync themes. Google’s browser already includes support for bookmarks, auto fill, and preferences, but themes would be a big help to the visually-inclined Chrome users. Firefox already includes the ability to sync bookmarks, history, themes, and other settings through its Mozilla Weave add-on. Chrome is inching towards catching up to the No. 2 browser in this feature set. That’s great news for Chrome users who have raved about the program’s speeds but opted to stick with Firefox for its features. Past history indicates that new features that test well in Chromium show up sooner or later in Chrome. The increasingly-mobile population will be able to have speed, function, and fashion once this new feature is available. Read [Download Squad] Full Story » | Written by Andrew Kameka for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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