Monster Diesel VEKTR headphones giveaway!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Announcements, Features, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

We're giving away a pair of the long-awaited Monster Diesel VEKTR headphones, and we're making it super-easy for you to enter and win. The Diesel VEKTR on-ear cans bring premium fashion alongside premium sound, co-developed by Monster Products and the Noise Division of the Diesel clothing line. The design features strong lines in a diamond cut, definitely unorthodox for a headphone. Wanna win them? Here's how to enter:

• Subscribe to the free Gear Live newsletter
• Follow the Gear Live Twitter account and post this exact tweet: “Hey @gearlive hook me up with those @MonsterProducts Diesel headphones! http://gear.lv/e-vektr” (Click here to tweet this now)

That's it! One of our newsletter subscribers will walk away with a pair of Monster Diesel VEKTR headphones for free. The contest is open through Friday June 15th at 11:59 PDT, and you must be a US resident to win.

Click to continue reading Monster Diesel VEKTR headphones giveaway!

iOS 6 confirmed for WWDC 2012

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Software,

We've speculated for weeks now that Apple will unveil iOS 6 on Monday at WWDC 2012 because it just seems natural based on the past. Now, it's confirmed. Above is an image of a banner being erected at Moscone Center, the site of WWDC, that simply states that iOS 6 is "The world's most advanced mobile operating system." Looks like we know what at least one of the major topics on Monday morning will be...now, about those Retina display Macs...

Read More | 9to5Mac

Apple approving Retina display apps for Mac App Store

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

Interestingly enough, Apple is starting to approve Mac apps that include Retina graphics. We are just a few days away from WWDC, where we expect to see the MacBook Pro pick up a Retina display, a first for a Mac computer. This morning, FolderWatch version 2.0.4 was approved and released on the Mac App Store, listing Retina graphics as its headline feature. You can download it right now for $11.99.

Vonage Mobile 1.5 brings Bluetooth and messaging enhancements

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Productivity, Free Apps,

Vonage has released an updated version of its Vonage Mobile app, 1.5, for the iPhone and iPod touch, which includes Bluetooth support and a bunch of messaging features as well. Vonage Mobile allows users to make free VoIP calls to other users on the app on iOS and Android, as well as directly to landline numbers in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico for free (up to 3,000 minutes per month.) The new update allows you to use any Bluetooth headset that works with iOS, and the messaging feature has been enhanced to allow for sharing of contacts, photos, and locations. Call quality and connectivity has been enhanced as well. You can grab Vonage Mobile for free from the App Store.

Click to continue reading Vonage Mobile 1.5 brings Bluetooth and messaging enhancements

Enhanced Bing voice search for Xbox to debut this fall

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, Video Games,

Earlier this week during the Microsoft E3 Media Briefing, the next version of Bing voice search for Xbox 360 was shown off. We were able to see searches performed in both English and Spanish in order to find video content to watch.  You are able to use your voice to search for genres (like comedies, horror, etc.) as well as for specific titles. Bing will then search across all video services, showing you the results that it finds in a grid. So if you look for Rango, it'll show you that you can rent it, but also that you can watch it for free as part of your Netflix subscription. Bing search will also allow you to search for YouTube content as well. This will all come as part of the fall 2012 dashboard update, supporting six languages in the US, and hitting dozens of other countries as well.

Images of the purported leaked next-generation iPhone design

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Features, Handhelds, Rumors,

Earlier today we brought you a look at a hands-on video of the purported next-generation iPhone, which seems to match all the rumors and speculation we've been hearing to date. Now, we've got some images as well. Check out the new iPhone leaked pictures gallery to get an up-close look, and let us know what you think. Is this the new iPhone that we'll see launch this fall?

Gallery:

Virgin Mobile to offer $30 per month pre-paid iPhone plan

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds,

Cricket recently announced its pre-paid iPhone plan, and now Virgin Mobile has stepped in with details of its own, and it looks to be a steal. Beginning on June 29th, you can buy an unsubsidized iPhone 4S (16 GB for $650) or iPhone 4 (8 GB for $550) from Virgin Mobile, and from there you'll pay $30 for 300 minutes with unlimited texting and unlimited data. If you actually use your device for talking and need more talk time, you can pay $40 for 1200 minutes or $50 for unlimited talking. For $15 more, you can enable mobile hotspot on your device as well.

Click to continue reading Virgin Mobile to offer $30 per month pre-paid iPhone plan

Pirq 1.5: Refreshed UI, more new features coming soon

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Lifestyle, App Updates, Reviews, Free Apps,

We were able to get a look at the new Pirq app update, which is focused on bringing beauty to the free restaurant discount app. In addition to making the app look a bit more slick, Pirq also worked on bringing restaurant information directly into the app itself in a Yelp-like fashion, and finally, the company wanted to make it even easier to go through the process of finding a restaurant to eat at, to redeeming the free deal (no pre-printed coupons or pre-payments are needed, unlike apps like Groupon or LivingSocial.)

The tour of the app begins with the magazine philosophy. In order to get users to tap on a restaurant deal, a magazine approach is used. Big, polished, glossy images of delicious food, all from the restaurants. The app even pulls in featured menu items that are popular at the different restaurants. Read on for all the details.

Click to continue reading Pirq 1.5: Refreshed UI, more new features coming soon

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S III on all carriers now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

Hey, are you looking to pick up the new Samsung Galaxy S III on day one here in the USA? If so, pre-ordering is your best bet, and all four major carriers now have their Galaxy S III pages live and ready to accept your cash, and US Cellular will do the same on June 12th. Here are the links:

AT&T: Available on June 18th
Sprint: Available on June 21st
T-Mobile: Available on June 21st
Verizon: Available by July 9th
US Cellular: Pre-orders begin on June 12th

Foursquare 5.0 brings new design, improved recommendations, and more

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Social Networking, App Updates, Free Apps,

Foursquare has released a major revision and revamp of its iOS and Android apps, introducing a brand new user interface. Foursquare 5.0 aims to make it easier to find places to go and activities to do, as it now takes into account the time of day, the local weather, and your location before recommending something to do. It also now incorporates a Like button on venues, which it will then use to find more places that it thinks you'll like when you are using the Explore function. You can grab Foursquare 5.0 now from the App Store and Google Play.