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Latest Gear Live Videos
Zune HD size comparison gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Displays, Features, Handhelds, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video,

The Zune HD launches today, and we know a bunch of you are considering picking one up, but want to know how it stacks up agains other items like the iPod touch, and even the older hard drive based Zune 120 (since they’re all on clearance now.) We’ve taken the liberty of putting together a size comparison gallery that puts the Zune HD up against those very items. Yup, check out our Zune HD size comparison gallery for all the goods.
Read More | Zune HD size comparison gallery
Gallery: Zune HD size comparison gallery
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Microsoft Zune services offline in preparation for Zune HD and software launch

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video, Software,

While not as exciting when the Apple Store online goes down, you should still be aware that Microsoft has taken all Zune services down in preparation for the launch of the Zune 4.0 software, and the release of the Zune HD tomorrow. We are guessing things will be functional again around midnight tonight. In fact, you may wanna stop by Gear Live around that time as well. Just sayin’.
Gallery: Microsoft Zune services offline in preparation for Zune HD and software launch
Toshiba’s JournE touch multimedia tablet

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Portable Audio / Video,

Toshiba showed off their JournE touch multimedia tablet at IFA 2009, and it definitely looks interesting. This device is 14mm thick and weighs about a pound. It only has 1GB worth of built-in storage, and comes with a SD slot for expansion. As you can see, there is a lot of application icons, almost akin to a giant iPhone. That’s about all we know for now, as it will be available in Q4.
You can check out a video after the jump.
Click to continue reading Toshiba’s JournE touch multimedia tablet
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: Toshiba’s JournE touch multimedia tablet
Motorola introduces CLIQ Android smartphone, MOTOBLUR

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds,

Motorola has unveiled their smartphone strategy going forward, and it all begins with the Motorola CLIQ, The CLIQ is an Android-powered smartphone that will be available on T-Mobile later this fall. The CLIQ packs in 3G, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, GPS, and a tie-in to social networking contacts that they’ve named MOTOBLUR.
MOTOBLUR is interesting. The CLIQ logs in to your various social networks and points of communication - things like email, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Picasa, Photobucket, RSS, and more. It takes all the activity in all these services, and shows you content in a single feed on the main screen, and you can respond to any of these by tapping on them.
On the hardware side, the Motorola CLIQ has a 320x480 3.1-inch display, along with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that also has a D-pad, so you know you can even get your gaming on with this phone. The 5 megapixel camera has autofocus, and records video at 24 and 30 frames per second. There’s also a headphone jack, GPS, and 3G, as previously mentioned. As far as wireless goes, the CLIQ packs in Wi-Fi, alongside Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. You’ll be able to get your hands on a Motorola CLIQ later this fall.
Gallery: Motorola introduces CLIQ Android smartphone, MOTOBLUR
iPhone OS 3.1.1 now available

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

Amidst all the other Apple news from today’s “It’s Only Rock and Roll” music event is the fact that iPhone OS 3.1 (or, technically, 3.1.1) is now available. With it comes things like support for Genius Mixes, pre-cut ringtone downloads at $1.29 a pop, app organization support in iTunes 9, and Genius recommendations for apps. There’s also a bunch of polish, bug fixes, and ease of use features as well. Just connect your iPhone or iPod touch and check for an update.
Gallery: iPhone OS 3.1.1 now available
iPod touch 3rd gen: $199 8GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Music, Portable Audio / Video,

Apple has just announced the third generation of the iPod touch at their “It’s only Rock and Roll” event this morning. The first order of business is that the 8GB iPod touch is now just $199. In addition, the 32GB model will now sell for $299, and the newly announced 64GB model (which I am drooling over) will sell for $399. The iPod touch has hit that magical $199 price point, and based on that, we think Apple can expect sales to shoot even higher.
The new touches also have iPhone 3GS innards, since they support OpenGL 2.0, which means games will look and perform even better.
The negative? No camera. That is the one thing we were hoping to see added to the touch, and it didn’t happen. Oh well, there’s always next year.
Gallery: iPod touch 3rd gen: $199 8GB, $299 32GB, $399 64GB
HTC Tattoo budget smartphone runs Android

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you’re on a budget, but want to get in on the hot Android action, pay attention to the HTC Tattoo. Not only does it run on Google Android’s operating system with the Sense UI, but it also packs in a Qualcomm MSM7225 528MHz processor, 256MB RAM, and Quad-band GSM/EDGE. It also has a 2.8 inch touchscreen LCD display, Bluetooth 2.0, a microSD slot, GPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity. To us, that’s one of the most feature-packed phones we’ve seen for the budget market. The HTC Tattoo will be available in Europe at the beginning of next month, and will come to the US soon thereafter.
Read More | Press Release
Gallery: HTC Tattoo budget smartphone runs Android
HTC Touch Pro2 available for purchase from Sprint

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

It looks like the HTC Touch Pro2 is now available for purchase from Sprint. Head on over to a Sprint store, or the Sprint online store, and be ready to drop $350 on their newest smartphone. Yes, that $350 is after both the carrier subsidy and rebate, but no one ever said that living on the cutting edge of mobile tech would be inexpensive, right? The HTC Touch Pro2 has a 3.6 WVGA display and an EVDO-Rev A connection that can be supplemented by WiFi where available.
Oh, and if you wanna save some money on this one, Verizon Wireless will be selling it for $199 after mail-in rebate, in just 3 days.
Gallery: HTC Touch Pro2 available for purchase from Sprint
Canon Vixia HF S11 records 24 hours of HD video

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Cameras, Handhelds, HDTV,

Canon has got a new camcorder ready to hit the market in the Vixia HF S11. The Vixia HF S11 comes with 64 GB worth of internal memory, alongside an SDHC slot, and can record 24 hours worth of video in high definition. It also has an 8.59 Full HD CMOS image sensor, a Digic DV II image processor, and also takes 8 megapixel photos. You can choose between shooting in 24p cinema mode as well as 30p progressive mode. The Canon VIXIA HF S11 retails for $1,600, but you can pre-order it on Amazon for $200 less.
Read More | Amazon
Gallery: Canon Vixia HF S11 records 24 hours of HD video
Sony announces Reader Daily Edition: Touchscreen, free library ebook checkouts

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds,

Earlier this morning, Sony announced their Reader Daily Edition, which sits at the top of the line of the Sony Reader ebook reader family. The Sony Reader Daily Edition boasts a seven-inch touchscreen with 16 shades of gray, and like the Amazon Kindle, it has 3G access built-in for purchasing books from the Sony eBook Store. The 3G connection is provided by AT&T.
You’ll be able to get your hands on the Sony Reader Daily Edition this December for $400, and it’ll be compatible with the new eBook Library 3.0 software, which now supports Macs. Even better though, and what sets this apart, is that there is a built in library finder services, and it lets you check out ebooks from local public libraries, at no cost. You just need a library card, find the books you want, and go to the library to get them loaded onto the Reader Daily Edition. The New York Public Library is one of the big launch partners, but “thousands more” will be available as well. When you check out a book, you get between 2-4 weeks to read it before it expires on the device. A huge advantage over what the Kindle offers, which is 100% paid content.
I don’t know about you, but we are fairly excited about this one.
Read More | Sony Reader Daily Edition Release