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Samsung announces Galaxy Camera 2 Android-powered point-and-shoot
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
A little over a year ago, Samsung released the Galaxy Camera, a mash-up of Android and a point-and-shoot (see our Samsung Galaxy Camera video review.) Today, the company is announcing Galaxy Camera 2, a more refined version that's been tweaked to highlight the things customers loved most about the original.
As expected, the Galaxy Camera 2 is faster and more powerful, sporting a quad-core 1.6 GHz processor (up from the dual-core 1.4 GHz chip found in the original) and 2 GB RAM (similar to the original.) Samsung has also increased the battery capacity from 1650 mAh to 2000 mAh, almost a 33% increase.
Click to continue reading Samsung announces Galaxy Camera 2 Android-powered point-and-shoot
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2013 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway: HMDX JAM Bluetooth Speaker
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Music, Wireless / WiFi, Techies, Teens, Under $100, Under $250, Under $50, Under $500,
Enjoy sweet sound in a sleek, portable design with this Jam rechargeable Bluetooth wireless speaker by HMDX Audio, the next item in our 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Use the wireless speaker just about anywhere--from the kitchen or living room to a dorm room, office, back deck, or den. It can even be taken along to the beach when relaxing in the summer sunshine with friends. The Jam wireless speaker features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides up to four hours of wireless play. The speaker also comes with line-in capability, which allows you to connect your non-Bluetooth-enabled devices directly to the speaker. Using the line-in connection, jam to all your favorite tunes for up to 12 hours. Oh, and when you open the packaging, it actually smells like opening a jar of jam. Seriously.
You can pick up the Philips Hue Connected Bulb Starter Pack now from Amazon for $29.95. Also? We're giving one away! Wanna win it? Just use the included widget below!
Read More 
| HDMX Jam Speaker
Fitbit Force fitness band features iPhone call notifications
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Wireless / WiFi,
The Fitbit Force is a new fitness tracking wristband from the company that started this whole quantified self fitness gadget craze. About half a year ago, Fitbit launched its first fitness tracking wristband, the Flex, which was a little feature-barren when compared to its other offerings. The Force changes that, as it does everything that any other Fitbit can do, plus more. That means that it will keep track of your steps, distance traveled, how many minutes you were active, how many floors you've climbed, how well (and how long) you are sleeping, and even call notifications from your iPhone, as long as yo are running iOS 7 on an iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, or iPhone 5s--that last feature will be introduced soon through a software update.
The Fitbit Force should last for about 7-10 days on a charge, thanks to its Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy profile and low-powered OLED display. You can order it now in one of two colors (black and slate blue) for $129.95.
Click to continue reading Fitbit Force fitness band features iPhone call notifications
Read More | Fitbit Force
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SOL Republic x Motorola Deck review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Music, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi,
The world of the portable Bluetooth wireless speaker is a crowded one, but SOL Republic is confident that its Deck speaker can stand above the rest, what with it's unique feature set. The SOL Republic Deck is a $199 speaker that comes out of of a collaboration between the company and Motorola (which took care of the Bluetooth connectivity side of things,) resulting in a flat, eye-catching design that can pump your beats with relative ease. Is it worth your time and money? Join us for our SOL Republic Deck review as we answer that question.
Click to continue reading SOL Republic x Motorola Deck review
Tile, world’s largest lost and found accessory coming soon
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Wireless / WiFi,
Tile may be a small Bluetooth accessory, but it is an ingenuous idea, currently being crowdfunded, that helps users find their lost items like keys, wallet, purse or anything you might attach Tile to.
Tile connects to iOS devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 with Bluetooth Low Energy. At this time, Tile is selling for $18.95 each in a KickerStarter-style pre-order system. The price will jump to $25 dollars when it officially goes on sale. One of the cool features includes a crowdsourced search that enlists the help of others to retrieve items that have been lost or stolen. Battery life is about a year, and when it's time to get a new one, they even send you an envelope to send the old TIles back for recycling. So far, Tile has over 25,000 backers and has surpassed its goal of $20,000 by $1.3 million dollars with 5 days left to go. Check out the video after the break for an in-depth look at how it all works.
Click to continue reading Tile, world’s largest lost and found accessory coming soon
Read More | Tile
In move to expand spectrum, AT&T acquires Leap Wireless
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Wireless / WiFi,
AT&T just announced that it had come to an agreement with Leap Wireless, operator of the Cricket pre-paid mobile brand, to acquire the company for $15 per share in a cash deal. The purchase includes all Leap Wireless assets, which brings all 5 million Leap subscribers into the fold at AT&T. Aside from giving AT&T more spectrum and more customers, it also increases its retail store footprint. Full release after the break.
Click to continue reading In move to expand spectrum, AT&T acquires Leap Wireless
Pebble Smart Watch comes to Best Buy on July 7 for $150
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Wearables, Wireless / WiFi,
The Pebble Smart Watch was a Kickstarter sensation that is still struggling to fulfill the orders of its initial backers, but that's not stopping the device from launching in Best Buy in just a few days. Initially you'll be able to get the e-ink display-powered Pebble in Jet Black at Best Buy while the company works to get the other colors into the hands of those who pre-ordered the device. Once those are fulfilled, you can expect to see other colors hit Best Buy as well. In fact, the Cherry Red model will hit store shelves in August.
Now is the time for the Pebble Smart Watch to try and get some attention on a larger stage, and Best Buy may be the place to do that. If you're unfamiliar, the Pebble connects to your iPhone or Android device and allows you to interact with it from your wrist. I have one, and it's convenient to see my messages, texts, and notifications pop-up on the Pebble without having to check my phone. I can also control apps like Music and Runkeeper right from my wrist as well. With Apple and Google expected to announce smart watches of their own sometime soon, some might argue that time is running out for Pebble to make an impact and fain traction. The Best Buy deal should help. You'll be able to order the Pebble from Best Buy for $149.95.
Click to continue reading Pebble Smart Watch comes to Best Buy on July 7 for $150
Read More | Pebble Best Buy Page
Meet August: Yves Behar’s keyless digital lock system
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Smart Home, Wireless / WiFi,
Yves Behar, the famous designer of the popular array of Jawbone bluetooth headsets, Jambox portable stereo jukebox and fitness activity monitor Up, has launched a new company, promoting a smart door lock, August. August is a keyless digital lock system for your home connected to low powered Bluetooth with an iPhone app. August does not solely rely on Wi-Fi in order for it to function, so no need to worry in the event of a power outage. The device is said to be easy to install in a two-step process compared to other locking solutions. It does not require an additional lock for the outside door and it's said to not be noticeable since the device is housed in the inside lock of the home, which it replaces. Check out the video after the break.
Click to continue reading Meet August: Yves Behar’s keyless digital lock system
Read More | August
AT&T enabling FaceTime over cellular for unlimited data customers beginning next month
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi,
AT&T will finally be lifting its almost 3-year ban on FaceTime (and other pre-installed video chat services like Google Hangouts on ANdroid) for its customers on grandfathered unlimited data plans. Over time, AT&T has made stock video chat apps available on its cellular network only to customers on tiered data plans, or its newer Mobile Share plans, while unlimited users looked on in disappointment. That all changes starting next month, when customers with LTE devices get access to pre-installed video chat services:
For video chat apps that come pre-loaded on devices, we currently give all OS and device makers the ability for those apps to work over cellular for our customers who are on Mobile Share or Tiered plans. Apple, Samsung and BlackBerry have chosen to enable this for their pre-loaded video chat apps. And by mid-June, we’ll have enabled those apps over cellular for our unlimited plan customers who have LTE devices from those three manufacturers.
So if you've got an iPhone 5, you're in luck. If you are on an older iPhone 4S or iPhone 4, you have a bit more of a wait ahead of you. In fact, it appears that even if you have a current LTE device that isn't made by Apple, BlackBerry, or Samsung, you've got a wait ahead of you. Recent buyer of the awesome HTC One? Sorry:
Throughout the second half of this year, we plan to enable pre-loaded video chat apps over cellular for all our customers, regardless of data plan or device; that work is expected to be complete by year end.
We've been getting reports that some AT&T customers with unlimited plans and LTE devices are already seeing FaceTime over Cellular enabled.
Read More | The Verge
Wi-Fi and cell service now available in 36 NYC subway stations
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi,
New York City subway passengers now have access to Wi-Fi, voice, and data services in 36 subway stations. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has outfitted several major stations with the service, including Times Square, Columbus Circle, Rockefeller Center, and a bunch of stops on the West Side starting at 18th street, all the way up to 96th street. Wi-Fi is sponsored by Boingo, while cell service is limited to AT&T and T-Mobile at the moment, with Sprint and Verizon on the way soon.
Up next, Wi-Fi and cell service will come to Queens and the midtown area by 2014, followed by the Bronx and East Side Manhattan following. Here's hoping that it all holds up and doesn't crack under the pressure of the daily New York City commuters similar to the problems with the BART Wi-FI service in San Francisco.
[Photo courtesy of Hernan Seoane/Flickr Creative Commons]
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