Section: Web, Web 2.0 / Social Networking, Websites, Google It seems like it’s been a long time since Google announced it would be launching a new URL shortener: Goo.gl. Today, after month of waiting, we can all finally use the service, if we’re willing to move away from the multitude of other shorteners. Google is advertising Goo.gl as the “stablest, most secure, and fastest URL shortener on the web.” Google claims that it has seen “near 100%” uptime of Goo.gl since the initial launch months ago. Fo the speed claims, it seems in the past nine months the speed of the service has been more than doubled. For security, Google says that it’s shortener uses the same sort of filters you’d find on Google Search and Gmail, so you’ll be warned if you’re being led towards malware or just plain spam. If nothing else, that feature puts it above some other services that can be used to send out malicious sites or just spam sites. As with Bit.ly and other URL shorteners, Goo.gl provides analytics for your links which can then be shared with others. Now all we need for the service, is for it to be built into a few Twitter clients. Part of the reason Bit.ly is so popular is because its the default on many Twitter clients, and it’s easiest for most users to just use that rather than using a separate URL shortener in a browser. Read [Goo.gl] via [TechCrunch] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Broadband Cards, Mobile  Sprint continues it’s roll out of 4G service lighting up Minneapolis, St. Paul and Pittsburgh as the latest lucky cities to gain the uber-fast service. Sprint says their 4G service is up to 10x faster than 3G service. That means faster web, faster video up and down, faster faster faster.
Sprint 4G service is now available in 55 cities in 23 states. Interestingly (to me anyway), Sprint mentioned Apple’s iPad twice in it’s press release regarding the new cities with 4G. Sprint is making a fair play to gain the notice of iPad owners looking to gobble down data. "Since 2008, Sprint has provided customers 4G service and we're proud to extend our leadership to two more cities today," said Matt Carter, president of Sprint 4G. "Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to make 4G a reality for our customers, with Sprint 4G now available in 55 cities across the country. Customers in the Twin Cities and Pittsburgh can now take advantage of 4G speeds and devices from Sprint that allow them to turn an iPad into a 4G device, download a presentation or a music file faster, record and watch HD-quality videos and more." Read: [Sprint] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile  Palm’s (and now HP’s) webOS has finally clicked past 5,000 apps according to PreCentral. A quick look around shows us about 100,000 apps for Android, 250,000 for Apple and 10,000 for BlackBerry. With aging hardware, HP needs to get a new model out quickly to keep webOS moving forward on the app count.
PreCentral reaches 5,000 by included apps from various feeds and direct downloads. The number bumps to 7,000 if you include homebrew apps, themes and patches. Palm encouraged everyone to become a developer by providing a way to share homebrew apps that were not quite ready for primetime. The common point made among fans of smaller app stores is, “we’re looking for quality, not quantity.” Take RIM for example, Alan Panezic, RIM’s VP or Platform Management had this to say, "We don’t need 200 fart apps in App World." It’s an interesting defense, not without merit. Read: [PreCentral] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Apple, Audio At the Monster Beats Fall Preview event, the company had on stage Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records Jimmy Iovine. Throughout the event, Iovine was very adamant about the fact that the digital revolution has left us with poor quality music, suggesting that Apple might be fixing that soon. When talking about how many people end up listening to poor quality music, Iovine said that about 80% of pirated music files have terrible sound. This of course comes from the files being copied many times over, and also being at low bit-rates. During his rant, Iovine claimed that Apple could be doing something about this soon by bringing out better quality files. When Apple got rid of DRM on it’s music, it did come at an increase in bit-rate from 128 kbps to 256 kbps. However, many artists such as Trent Reznor are offering music at 320 kbps on their website (though Reznor is also known for releasing music in Apple Lossless and OGG Vorbis as well). Could it be that Apple is trying to offer the same thing? the only rumors we’ve been hearing have been increased track previews, but a move to 320 kbps could be even more exciting for others such as myself. Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Headphones Let me start out by saying: by getting into this line of work, I had hoped I wouldn’t have to write about too much pop culture. Especially not flavor-of-the-month teen pop stars. However, Monster made that impossible by contacting Justin Bieber to market headphones to pre-teen and teen kids. As part of their Artist Series, Monster is bringing out JustBeats, a pair of purple-colored beats Solo. JustBeats means Justin Bieber joins the ranks of Lady Gaga, Sean “Puffy” Combs and Lebron James as a famous person with their own line of Beats. Justin Bieber is also behind a purple pair of iBeats. The whole goal of Monster is to bring good-sounding headphones to kids. The iBeats help, wit their lower price point, and the obvious iPod riff in the name. Painting them and Beats Solo purple and putting Bieber’s face behind them gives Monster pure marketing gold. What better way to make kids want something than to put their can-do-no-wrong pop idol on stage wearing it? As much flack as Bieber and Monster get in their respective industries, I have to admit that the idea is a decent one. Getting kids to use decent headphones, rather than whatever’s cheaper or comes packed-in is a good start. The only problem is that parents might not see the use in buying $100+ headphones for their kids just because they’re purple and Justin Bieber says they’re good. I hope the effort pays off in that more kids will care about the quality of the headphones they use, even if it might not change the quality of their music files. Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile The last we heard was that the N8 was going to see a slight delay, well, things have changed and Nokia has officially announced that the handset is now shipping. In terms of the handset itself, the N8 features a 3.5 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display, 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, 16GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, Symbian ^3 and support for AT&T and T-Mobile 3G. And at least for those in the US, if you plan to make a purchase you can expect to pay $549. Read [Nokia Conversations] Keep reading to check out the full press release… Nokia N8 shipments have started Espoo, Finland -Nokia’s latest entertainment smartphone, the highly anticipated Nokia N8 with Ovi services, has started shipping. Customers who have placed a pre-order for the Nokia N8 in Nokia Online Shops and Nokia retail stores will be the first to receive their Nokia N8. Market availability will vary by country and by operator, with broad availability in the coming weeks. “With the N8, and the new Symbian software, we are bringing a familiar, faster and more intuitive user experience to the world’s most popular smartphone platform. The Nokia N8 has received the highest amount of consumer pre-orders in Nokia history and we are thrilled to start shipments of the N8, the first of Nokia’s new Symbian smartphone range,” says Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President, Smartphones, Nokia. “To appeal to today’s high-end buyers, smartphones have to be enjoyable, useful and beautiful. Ease of use, excellent multimedia performance and elegant design are all essential elements of the package,” says John Delaney, Research Director, IDC. The first of a series of smartphones based on the new Symbian, the Nokia N8 is fast and easy to use and supports true multitasking, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously and switch between them easily. Dubbed the world’s best camera phone, the Nokia N8 lets you take the highest quality photos and shoot HD-quality videos in supreme clarity with the 12MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics. You can edit photos and videos on-screen and choose from multiple ways to share them; transfer large files to an external hard-drive with USB-on-the-go, or upload photos to social networks like Facebook, Twitter or RenRen straight from the homescreen. All this is delivered in a robust aluminum body in a range of vibrant colors with a real-glass 3.5” AMOLED display. The Nokia N8 has a black belt in entertainment. Its WebTV apps from channels like E! Entertainment, National Geographic and CNN and the intuitive music player inject an element of fun into idle moments. Plug the device to the home entertainment center to watch HD-quality videos from the big screen with full Dolby Digital Plus Surround Sound. The latest version of Ovi Store, available first on the Nokia N8, gives easy access to more apps - from social networking services like Foursquare to games like Need for Speed Shift or productivity apps like Tesco in the UK. Like other Nokia smartphones, the Nokia N8 comes with free Ovi Maps walk & drive navigation in more than 70 countries worldwide, with no hidden costs. The latest beta release of Ovi Maps is also available for download from Nokia Beta Labs for the Nokia N8. It features visibility to public transport in 85 cities around the world, as well as real-time traffic, safety camera alerts, visibility to parking and petrol stations, and speed limit warnings. About Nokia
At Nokia, we are committed to connecting people. We combine advanced technology with personalized services that enable people to stay close to what matters to them. Every day, more than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia device - from mobile phones to advanced smartphones and high-performance mobile computers. Today, Nokia is integrating its devices with innovative services through Ovi (www.ovi.com), including music, maps, apps, email and more. Nokia’s NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, while Nokia Siemens Networks provides equipment, services and solutions for communications networks globally.
Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Headphones It seems like the Monster BeatsPro have been a long time coming, though when we first saw similar headphones, they went by the name Beats Spin. Now it looks like the Beats Pro are set to bring about similar functionality, with a higher price. The BeatsPro, as the name implies, is meant to be a headset for professionals, whether they be producers, DJs, or musicians. The BeatsPro are said to offer high-quality sound without noise cancellation which can be known to produce some artifacts. As with the Beats Spin, the beats Pro will allow the wearer to spin out one or the other cup to listen to what’s around them. They also allow you to plug the wire into either ear, with the other ear’s jack open so a friend can listen in on your music. Said wire is fairly long, and offers a coiled section so you can have an extra bit of length should you need it. I had a few minutes to test out the BeatsPro, and I’m unsure what to think of them so far. Without noise cancellation, it was hard to get a good feel for them as the BeatBox was being played a few feet to my right as I tried them. From what i was able to tell, they produced a good sound, especially with bass, which is to be expected. Given more time, perhaps they would grow on me, but after those few seconds, the $449 Monster is charging for them is a bit much. Read [Beats By Dre] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Apple, Gaming, Portable The ever popular Angry Birds game for the iPhone has been updated, and this is likely one that any currently addicted players will want to grab. Sadly though, as of now the update is only available for the iPhone and iPod touch version and not the iPad version, but hopefully an update is coming for that as well. Anyway, this latest update brings the app up to version 1.4.2 and it remains priced at $0.99 for those who have not yet made the purchase. And yes, the update is free for those who already had the game. In terms of what iPhone users can expect in this update, - Game Center Support
- Retina Display Support
- An Awesome New Golden Egg Sound Board
- Localization For Efigs, Chinese and Japanese
- Optimized Memory Usage
And while that list sounds good so far, there were also “15 tough new levels” added. Download [Angry Birds (App Store link)] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Headphones If you follow sports personalities, or at least followed it around the time of the 2008 Olympics, you probably know that Lebron James seems to really like the Monster Beats by Dre. It makes sense, then that “King James” would have some sort of input in future Beats, and now we have them. The first pair of headphones we get from Monster that Lebron had input on are the PowerBeats. PowerBeats are Monster’s answer to sports earphones. It seems both Dre and Lebron wanted to work out while listening o music, but haven’t been able to do so. These earphones have a loop that secures them around your ear, and earbuds that don’t seal inside your ear, so the seal doesn’t move. It also means that you won’t be hit by a bus while running with them, because you’ll actually be able to hear them. Speaking on stage, Dr. Dre assured us the PowerBeats get great sound because they fit two drivers inside each earpiece. The PowerBeats will retail for $149, which is fairly cheap for Beats-branded products, though not nearly as cheap as the iBeats. For the price, they should be good especially if you enjoy hip hop and you listen to music while working out/running. Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Websites, Google Google may have killed off the Google Phone Store and sales of the Nexus One, but it looks like they have put that old URL to good use. The website, www.google.com/phone, which once sold the Nexus One to eager geeks is now the Google Phone Gallery. As to what the gallery is offering, a seemingly complete look at Android smartphones which can be broken down and viewed by manufacturer, carrier and even compared side by side. If you are shopping for an Android phone (or just want to geek out for a few minutes) then this seems like a website to visit. Read [Google Phone Gallery] and [Google Mobile Blog] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Headphones Its easy to hate the earbuds Apple includes with the iPod, or even the iPhone. They aren’t very good, and as Jimmy Iovine puts it, “they’re just there to make sure the iPod works.” Monster’s answer is with the appropriately named iBeats. The iBeats are simple in-earphones that carry the “Beats profile.” They are aimed at kids, specifically. The idea is to get kids who are listening to the music for the first time to listen to it with a good pair of headphones, rather than spending a at least $100 on an iPod and only $12 on a cheap pair of earbuds. The earphones will probably appeal to anyone who wants a Beats sound without having to spend all the extra cash. At $99 they aren’t a bad deal at all. The iBeats weren’t available for testing, though that makes sense as you wouldn’t want someone else’s earwax all over the buds when you go to try them out. It wouldn’t be too surprising if they sound just a bit better than Monster’s Li’l Jams, the company’s other iPod/iPhone earphones line. Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Gadgets / Other, ebooks It looks like the team behind the Kobo Reader is making even more progress as they have recently announced that they will be the default ereader app shipping on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet once it is released. Of course, this comes in addition to the news that they were the default app on another tablet, the Android based Samsung Galaxy Tab. Not to mention, the new hardware reader with Wi-Fi for $139 as well as the mobile apps for iOS, Android, the BlackBerry and even webOS. With that, and while Kobo may not have the name recognition of the Amazon Kindle just yet, it does appear as if they are working super hard at making that happen. Keep reading to check out the full press release… Kobo to be Pre-loaded on New BlackBerry PlayBook SAN FRANCISCO—September 29, 2010 — Kobo, a global eReading service, today announced plans for its application to be preloaded on the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet, giving users easy access to the Kobo experience including Kobo's store of more than 2.2 million books. Earlier this week, Kobo also announced plans for an industry-first social eReading application that will leverage the new BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger) Social Platform. "We are thrilled to be extending our extensive relationship with RIM into the tablet space," said Michael Serbinis, CEO of Kobo. "Readers will love the elegant design, crisp display and portable size and weight of the BlackBerry PlayBook, which is perfectly suited for long reading sessions. I am also excited by the possibilities of the BlackBerry Tablet OS, which will allow us to bring today's bestsellers and classics, as well as other rich content, to BlackBerry PlayBook users." The 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook is an ideal size for eBooks, allowing both comfort and convenience for readers. The new BlackBerry Tablet OS also features a WebKit browser engine, preferred by Kobo and used across its applications to deliver feature-rich and high-performance eReading applications. "The new BlackBerry PlayBook is a multitasking powerhouse for apps and content services and, together with Kobo's eBooks app and service, it will provide users with an exceptional eReading experience," said Jim Tobin, Senior Vice President, Value-Added Services, Research In Motion. "Kobo is an excellent partner for RIM given the global nature of both our businesses and because Kobo provides a great customer experience, including regionalized apps, content and pricing." Key features of the Kobo eBook app on the BlackBerry PlayBook are: · Integrated shopping. The Kobo store offers more than 2.2 million titles and the catalogue includes bestsellers, new releases and over 1 million free books. International stores feature region-specific content and pricing. · Find books easily. Extensive categories and recommended reading lists help readers find their next great read. · Choose library view. See your collection of books in a list, or on Kobo's beautiful virtual bookshelf. · Customizable reading options. Personalize text size, font and style. Switch between day and night reading mode or customize a specific brightness setting. · Easy navigation. Tap to turn pages, scroll quickly through a book, or use the Table of Contents to jump between sections. · Switch views. Kobo will automatically switch from landscape to portrait view as the BlackBerry PlayBook is turned. · Read anywhere. Kobo also offers free reading applications for BlackBerry® smartphones, computers and other devices, which all sync together across a users account. Kobo members can pick up and read on any device without ever losing their place. · Open platform. Kobo supports open standards, including EPUB, PDF, allowing customers to buy once and read anywhere, or read free choosing from over 1 million free titles from Kobo or visiting public eBook libraries. · Social shopping and shared eReading will be introduced upon availability of the BBM Social Platform. Watch a video of what Kobo is planning at www.blog.kobobooks.com/BBM.
Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Home Audio, Speakers 
Monster, while known for having crazy expensive cables, has been quite successful with its Beats by Dre line. The line started with a collection of headphones and earbuds, and now for the first time is expanding to speakers. Monster today announced the BeatBox, a Beats-branded iPod speaker. Unlike most iPod speaker docks, the BeatBox isn’t portable, according to Noel Lee, that’s because if you wanted to power the 300 W amp in the device, you’d need a car battery. The BeatBox carries the same “Beat profile,” and is said to fill a room with sound. The models Monster were showing off were in a rather noisy hallway, but they did sound good. It’d be easier to test in a room without multiple speakers going. Also like all Beats product, they have a heavy bass that works well with Dre’s sort of hip hop music, though we were assured it would also work well with rock music. The BeatBox will be coming in the next month and will cost $399. Not the most affordable iPod speaker, but it should sound pretty good. According to Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records Jimmy Iovine, he’s been using the BeatBox in place of his very expensive stereo system that he took 15 years to get perfect. Sounds fairly impressive, but we wouldn’t mind testing it out for ourselves. Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile 
Today is September 30th, and as expected the R2-D2 Edition Droid 2 is now available for purchase. And interestingly enough, the listing with Verizon seems to mention the phone as a special edition rather than a limited edition. I wonder if that means it will be around for a little longer. Anyways, the handset is basically the Droid 2, but with a special Star Wars theme going on. The handset has the R2-D2 image on the back over the battery and comes with goodies to include special widgets, wallpaper, ringtones, videos and more. In addition, there is also the Blockbuster Mobile App, an 8GB microSD card and Android 2.2. In terms of pricing, the handset will set you back $249.99, which comes along with the usual two year agreement. Or those looking to purchase a collectible and go contract free can shell out $599.99. Product [Verizon] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
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