MetroPCS intros 4-inch ZTE Avid 4G, brings LTE and ICS for a mere $149

Despite announcing a couple of budget-friendly handset options in recent months, it's clear MetroPCS doesn't plan to stay put, as the company today let it be known that it's making yet another addition to its affordable Android lineup. And while the newfangled Avid 4G will come on the cheap, it could still be seen as a much better choice than that other pricier ZTE offering on MetroPCS -- albeit the former is carrying a slightly smaller 4-inch, 800 x 480 display, though it does come with a similar (unspecified) 1.2GHz dual-core CPU and a much fresher version of Google's OS (Ice Cream Sandwich). In addition, ZTE's Avid 4G also features a 5-megapixel camera on the back (VGA on the front), the ability to turn into a mobile hotspot with a few extra bucks per month and, naturally, LTE connectivity. For the relatively small amount of $149, and without any contracts attached, it wouldn't surprise us if the new Wireless for All smartphone on the block ends up gift wrapped in some places come next week's festivities. Speaking of which, folks interested can snag the Avid 4G now from the carrier's site, otherwise a quick trip to the nearest MetroPCS retail store should suffice.
Continue reading MetroPCS intros 4-inch ZTE Avid 4G, brings LTE and ICS for a mere $149

PSA: Nintendo TVii now live on Wii U in North America, no download required

Nintendo TVii is now available on Wii Us in North America, arriving right on time with Nintendo's 24-hour window of "December 20." The service -- which promises to unify the console's disparate media services under a single application, dubbed "TVii" -- doesn't yet support the promised TiVo or Netflix integration it was announced with, but the former is said to arrive in January, while the latter is expected in "early 2013." To start using it, just turn on your Wii U and select Nintendo TVii -- if you're already all up in Acorn Plains with your Raccoon Suit on, just head into the Home menu. Also, maybe take off that Raccoon Suit you're wearing before the family gets home.

Polaroid CEO: Android-powered interchangeable-lens camera will launch at CES

It looks like that Russian Polaroid social media advert may not be far-fetched, after all. In an email to Imaging Resource, Polaroid CEO Scott Hardy confirmed that "there will be an Android-powered, interchangeable-lens camera introduced by Polaroid at CES 2013." He didn't elaborate on specs, pricing or availability, but the earlier leak lists an 18-megapixel sensor, 3.5-inch touchscreen, 10-30mm lens and built-in WiFi -- all of which seem like reasonable inclusions for an entry-level mirrorless camera. The company's chief executive added that specifications would be confirmed at CES, at which point we'd also hope to see the new compact ILC in the flesh. The practicality of an Android-powered mirrorless model remains up for debate, but curious early adopters eager to open their wallets may now have but weeks to wait to add the world's first such device to their camera collection.

Hisense Pulse with Google TV priced at $100, now available from Amazon

It's been a while since we saw it at IFA, but it looks like the Hisense Pulse with Google TV is finally available for purchase a month after its promised release date. You can finally snag the Google TV set-top box from Amazon for $100 -- it misses that "under $99" mark mentioned in its initial announcement, but it's certainly close enough. The compact entertainment box supports 1080p output and has WiFi, HDMI, USB and Ethernet ports, letting you pump in content through a host of connections. Much like other Google TV products, the remote that ships with the device is double-sided -- there's a QWERTY keyboard on the bottom and more traditional controls (along with a trackpad) up top. We didn't think much of the touchpad's small size at the initial hands-on, so hopefully the manufacturer's solved that in the final product. Hisense is certainly cutting things close with this late-December release, but if you click "add to cart" now, it may just arrive in time to make its way underneath a tree.

Samsung AllShare SDK could bring better connected apps to your Galaxy

Samsung's AllShare apps are the only implementations of the company's DLNA-based platform to date, but now it wants external developers to help realize the tech's potential. The AllShare Framework SDK has been released, meaning its APIs can be integrated into third-party software for the creation of "AllShare-enabled" apps. Developers will be given access to AllShare features including media streaming, screen sharing with compatible devices (or an AllShare Cast dongle), and remote control functions. Now devs can start using these tools, expect to see more AllShare-enabled apps boosting the functionality of your Galaxy device in the near future.

Porsche Design P'9981 BlackBerry gets cool matte black paint job, keeps crazy price

Is it even possible to get more exclusive than RIM and Porsche Design's P'9981 Blackberry? We're not sure, but the phone's coming back (at least to Porsche Design's boutique stores) in a matte black finish. For high-flyers with low expectations, the device packs a QWERTY keyboard in the same exotic typeface, 2.8-inch 640 x 480 touchscreen and Porsche Design's UI, running on a 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor. but if you're willing to shell out around $2,350 for this particular phone, you probably don't care about any of that. The Vertu-baiting smartphone will appear in shops mid-January 2013 -- unfortunately right before RIM takes the wrappings of its new OS and new hardware.

HP EliteBook Folio 9470 review: a business Ultrabook turns out to be one of our favorites

More Info

• HP unveils second business Ultrabook, the EliteBook Folio
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon review
• HP Folio 13 review

It's sort of wild to think that at this time last year we had only reviewed a handful of Ultrabooks. So few, in fact, that we could count them on one hand: Acer, ASUS, Lenovo and Toshiba. HP made five, with the Folio 13, an ultraportable that was aimed at the business market, but that ended up being our top all-around pick thanks to its stellar battery life, comfortable keyboard and wide port selection. Since then, of course, HP's gone a little overboard with the ultraportables, with glass ones, metal ones, expensive ones, budget ones. Ultrabooks that aren't actually Ultrabooks! It's a vast, sometimes confusing selection.
Now, though, almost a year after we reviewed the Folio 13, HP is back where it started with another business offering. The EliteBook Folio ($1,049 and up) has a 14-inch screen this time, and is the first Ultrabook in HP's high-end EliteBook line, typically aimed at corporations and other businesses with IT departments. We know, we know: "pre-boot authentication" aren't exactly the sexiest words in the English language, and indeed, we usually just review laptops aimed at consumers. The thing is, though, the EliteBook Folio isn't your typical corporate box: with a magnesium frame and soft-touch finish, it's attractive enough that it could pass for your personal laptop. So does it perform well enough to use as a work-play machine? Read on to find out.

Gallery: HP EliteBook Folio 9470 review

Continue reading HP EliteBook Folio 9470 review: a business Ultrabook turns out to be one of our favorites

Motorola reportedly engineering 'X phone' and 'X tablet' to rival iPhone and Galaxy devices

Remember that era where the original RAZR elevated Motorola's name in the mobile realm to god-like status? Evidently, folks in that inner circle are angling for that to happen once more. A breaking report from The Wall Street Journal has it on good authority that engineers at Moto are toiling on a so-called "X phone," which is obviously being built under the stewardship of Google. The goal? To produce a singular handset that can immediately rival the iPhone and Samsung's flagship Galaxy handsets.
It's unclear at the moment what exactly will make this guy such a marquee piece, but we are told that the effort is being headed up by former Google product manager Lior Ron. Reportedly, the company even went so far as to look into producing the phone with a bendable display and a ceramic-based exterior, but it's unlikely that those dreams will pan out. Strangely, there's no mention of whether the phone will slot into Google's Nexus range -- phones that run unadulterated editions of Android -- but it's made clear that an X tablet will be following the phone. At some point post-Apocalypse, obviously.

Archos 97 Titanium HD tablet combines Retina display prowess with an obtuse name

Can a single company produce too many Android tablets? Archos surely doesn't think so. Earlier today, the French electronics maker unveiled its awkwardly named 97 Titanium HD. Aside from a kooky moniker, the company's forthcoming slab features a 9.7-inch 2,048 x 1,536 IPS display, a 1.6GHz dual-core A9 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD support (up to 64GB), a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Absent from today's big reveal were details about price and availability. While its Retina-like display sounds promising, the device's other specs scream budget-friendly. In the meantime, we'll reserve our excitement until Archos tells us how much this thing actually costs.

TransPhone modular smartphone / tablet goes Pro, still looks like a beginner

ASUS' PadFone 2 may be the only notable contender in the phone-in-tablet space, but it does have a cheapo me-too in TransPhone. The latest "Pro" version of this budget hybrid comprises a 7-inch 1,024 x 600 TransPad dock, which swallows up a 3.5 inch 960 x 540 smartphone powered by a dual-core 1 GHz MediaTek chip. The set carries a $240 price tag on pre-order, though since this company doesn't have much of a track record, you may want to hold on to your cash until it becomes a real entity sometime in March 2013 -- even if it'd set you back an extra $50 at that point. There are more details in the PR, if you're up for a gamble.
Continue reading TransPhone modular smartphone / tablet goes Pro, still looks like a beginner

Dropbox beta lets Android photographers share, organize photos in bulk

If you hadn't noticed, Dropbox is on a major photography kick lately, and it's not stopping just because the holidays are nearly in full swing. Its new Android beta helps users deal with their photos by the bushel, either sharing or scrapping multiple photos at once as well as organize them into photos. Anyone less than photographically inclined will still see a few interface tweaks that partly mirror the earlier iOS updates, as well as a new option to receive betas as soon as they're posted. There's inherent risks to using unfinished code, so take that into account before getting involved; it's still hard to resist when Dropbox has been handing out free storage to Android device buyers like candy.

ZTE's 5-inch 1080p Grand S leaked, teased and confirmed for CES debut

Earlier today a kind anonymous tipster shared the above product shot of a ZTE Z753, which is allegedly the Chinese manufacturer's contribution to the ever-growing list of five-inch 1080p devices -- including those from HTC, Sharp, Oppo and eventually Nubia, Huawei, Lenovo plus Sony. Conveniently, ZTE's also been teasing its upcoming Grand S flagship on Sina Weibo ahead of its CES debut, and we've been able to confirm that this is indeed the aforementioned Z753 -- not that we don't already know the Grand S' main selling points thanks to a brief description on CES' website: "the world's thinnest for 5 inch FHD smartphones." There isn't much information about the guts at this point, but we do know that the phone will feature a unibody design, along with a slight bump around the off-center camera on the back. Until we make it to CES next month, you can see more in the official sketches after the break, courtesy of ZTE's Sina Weibo account.
Continue reading ZTE's 5-inch 1080p Grand S leaked, teased and confirmed for CES debut

FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

The perpetual challenge of developing an iPhone-friendly gamepad (or any phone-oriented gamepad) is the bulk, either for a gargantuan case or else a separate controller. If Justice Frangipane's team and iDevices have their way, that clunkiness will be a distant memory. Their proposed FlipSide case for iPhones (we see a prototype here) centers on Bluetooth 4.0 gamepad controls that stay clipped to the back when just checking email, but attach to the front for playtime. They'll save us from hunting down a wall outlet, too; the combination of a sensitive solar cell and a thin film battery from Infinite Power Solutions should keep the case powered up through even indoor lighting. The only real challenge is getting the case produced, as Frangipane is looking for crowdfunding to make the FlipSide a reality. Provided his group makes its donation target, though, there's the prospect of an Android version -- so those who don't play the iOS way could still reap the rewards if they chip in at the source link.
Continue reading FlipSide case for iPhone packs stealthy game controls, plays on solar power (video)

Huawei's 6.1-inch 1080p Ascend Mate flaunted by exec, leaves little surprise for CES

How big is too big? Well, that's clearly not Huawei's concern, as it's about to introduce a 6.1-inch 1080p Android phone at CES. But even two weeks (before the company's CES press day) is too much for the impatient Richard Yu, who went ahead and whipped out his beastly device in front of fans at a Huawei store in Guangzhou yesterday -- there's a video of the intimate moment after the break. According to earlier rumors, the Ascend Mate will feature a 1.8GHz HiSilicon K3V3 quad-core chip, along with a massive 4,000mAh battery, 9.9mm thickness and a price tag of just under ¥3,000 (about $480). Yu wrote on Sina Weibo saying the final specs may differ slightly, but the 43-year-old executive did add that the 361ppi display is of LTPS (low temperature polysilicon) nature. As with the Ascend W1 and the Ascend D2, all will be unveiled at CES.
[Image credit: fengse (Sina Weibo)]

Gallery: Huawei's 6.1-inch 1080p Ascend Mate flaunted by exec, leaves little surprise for CES

Continue reading Huawei's 6.1-inch 1080p Ascend Mate flaunted by exec, leaves little surprise for CES

BMW's Car Hotspot LTE means Bavarian Motor WiFi

The dedicated car phone may be a thing of the past, but the in-car hotspot is becoming increasingly common. BMW isn't shy when it comes to in-vehicle tech, so the fact that it's launching its own solution should come as no surprise. We initially heard about the ConnectedDrive LTE integration back in summer, but now it looks like it's almost here. The BMW Car Hotspot LTE is essentially a purpose-built WiFi router that houses an LTE SIM (it also supports 3G and EDGE). It's compatible with any BMW with a telephone docking station and allows connections from up to eight client devices. Authentication can be done via code entry or NFC (or there's WPS too). Rather than just rebranding an LTE dongle, the system is designed to integrate with the vehicle's aerial for better signal, while the dock keeps it charged. As you might surmise, this does indeed mean there is an internal battery, making it useful beyond the confines of the automobile too (for about an hour according to the car maker). No official word on price or release, but it's suggested it'll be landing in Europe as soon as this week.

Adobe Lightroom 4.3 now available, brings support for Retina displays and more

It's been but a mere few days since Adobe added some much-welcomed Retina support to its Photoshop and Illustrator CS6 apps, but that's not stopping the outfit from coming back with more updates today. This time out, however, it's the creative software giant's Lightroom, which leaves its 4.3 beta stages behind and is now available in full, bringing with it compatibility with high-res screens while developing / viewing pics, RAW image support for about 20 new cameras and a number of bug fixes that should solve issues with the application being unfriendly with some lenses. The new version of Lightroom is up for download now, and you can grab it by checking for updates from within the app or via Adobe's own site.

Facebook takes SDK 3.0 for Android out of beta, brings native login and better API support

Android developers seeking to piggyback on Facebook's social network hooks should find that job easier now that its SDK 3.0 is out of beta. Facebook announced that the beta was downloaded over 80,000 times already in six weeks, and brings a slew of new features to the platform, just as it launches an improved version of its official app. Just like its counterpart on iOS, 3.0 lets users easily log into and authorize ties with their Facebook account without leaving the app they're in, select and find friends who are also using said app, and select profile pics from their albums. Another feature that will be key for its relationships with developers is the ability to measure clicks and installs for mobile app install ads. If you've deactivated your account and / or are wary of the network's growing influence across different outlets they may seem like more reasons to stay away, but interested developers have about a billion reasons to give it a shot.

BBC promises iPlayer and Media Player for Android will get better... soon

The BBC's Android efforts have, for several reasons, trailed its iOS offerings. Most notably iPlayer and Media Player have been stuck with low-quality, non-adaptive streams and a stripped down feature set. The national broadcaster is promising to fix that in the near future, however. The changes wont be happening all at once, but iPlayer head David Price promises that big improvements are coming to its Android offerings. One major upgrade will be to the playback experience by offering not just higher-resolution streams, but various levels of video clarity based on device capabilities, screen size and data speeds.
The new video backend should be launching before Christmas, while an update launched today that adds support for Jelly Bean 4.2, provides a UI facelift improves video over WiFi and brings BBC Alba. The more ambitious goal of reaching feature parity with iOS will have to wait till some time next year. Price says he has beefed up his staff to make offline playback a reality on Android devices as soon as possible, but no timeline is being given. Lastly, the apps will finally be getting properly tweaked tablet versions -- hopefully sooner rather than later. For more check out the source link.

Vodafone Sure Signal now plugs directly into the wall, doles out more 3G at once

Femtocells are rarely subtle devices, including Vodafone's earlier Sure Signal models. That's what makes a newly revamped version of the Sure Signal so noteworthy -- it's very nearly unintrusive. The new edition plugs directly into a wall outlet and doesn't occupy more space than a night light, letting it dish out 3G in low-reception areas without becoming a conspicuous part of the landscape. It's also a better pick for offices, or just crowded homes, now that it can handle as many as eight 3G connections at the same time. UK locals who face the unenviable dual problems of cellular dead zones and tight spaces can solve both at once by spending £100 ($161) today.

Alcatel's One Touch View with Windows Phone 7.8 somewhat teased in promo video

To say Alcatel just teased its Russia-bound One Touch View would be a mild overstatement, as most of the company's new promotional vid has a certain "Ricky" taking much of the precious screen time. Still, it's nice to get a slightly better look at the company's upcoming Windows Phone 7.8 handset, even if that means only seeing it make a full and very colorful appearance right towards the end of the ad. The rest of the video, meanwhile, doesn't exactly focus on the One Touch View's previously announced specs (4-inch, WVGA screen, 1GHz CPU, 5-megapixel camera, to mention a few) -- instead, it hints at how Ricky himself can easily keep up with his every-day things on Microsoft's tile-based, soon-to-be-here mobile OS, which isn't exactly a surprise in itself. We'll say no more, though -- you can enjoy the video yourself right after the break.
Continue reading Alcatel's One Touch View with Windows Phone 7.8 somewhat teased in promo video

EE introduces the UK's first 4G Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE available starting today

Adding to its catalogue of flagship 4G slabs, EE's launched its first tablet for its relatively young network. You can read up our thoughts on how the stylus-friendly tablet handled in our review, but the addition of some high-speed data should add another temptation -- if you're willing to pay for it. Prices for the Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE start at £99 upfront with 8GB of monthly data at £36 monthly, or you can pick up the 5GB plan (after an initial payment of £200) at £30.99 per month. Choosing the smaller 3GB option will set you back £250 to start with, followed by 24 rounds of £26.
EE's also has the Nexus 7 for sale, pairing the WiFi-only device with its own MiFi dongle. One-off payments are £30 for both the 8GB and 5GB services, or £50 for the 3GB option. Monthly costs match the Samsung tablet above, and you'll be able pick up either device (alongside that two-year contract) starting today.
Continue reading EE introduces the UK's first 4G Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE available starting today

Acer Iconia W700 review: a Core i5 Windows 8 slate that doesn't skimp on battery life

Until PC makers figure out what consumers want in their Windows 8 PCs, they'll be throwing different designs at the proverbial wall to see what sticks. One thing's for sure, though: laptop / tablet hybrids have already made it. So far, we've seen a mix of models, some with low-power Atom processors, and others with laptop-grade Core i5 CPUs inside. Basically, a choice between amazing horsepower and long battery life.
In Acer's lineup, specifically, we've already had a chance to play with the Iconia W510, an Atom-powered device with a keyboard dock. Now we're taking a look at the Iconia W700 ($800 and up), an 11-inch tablet that's essentially an Ultrabook with no keyboard attached. Based on that brief summary you'd think it had the same form factor as the smaller W510, but you'd be wrong. Whereas the W510 has a keyboard dock with a built-in battery, the W700 has a cradle with a modular kickstand you can use you to prop up the tablet in landscape or portrait mode. There's no battery inside the dock, and the keyboard is a standalone product; you'll have to pack it separately if you decide you need it on a trip. So is there any advantage to having a design with so many different pieces? And how does that Core i5 processor fare, anyway? Let's see.

Gallery: Acer Iconia W700 review

Continue reading Acer Iconia W700 review: a Core i5 Windows 8 slate that doesn't skimp on battery life

Lava Xolo A800 reaches India, delivers big screen and dual SIMs on a budget

Most of us who know Lava's Xolo badge will associate it with one of the first Atom-based smartphones, the Xolo X900, but it's branching out to models that don't require an Intel Inside label. Its just-launched, India-oriented Xolo A800 is all about keeping the cost of a big-screened phone down through a low-cost ARM processor: the Android 4.0 smartphone combines a 1GHz, dual-core MediaTek MT6577 chip with a 4.5-inch, 960 x 540 IPS display that you won't often find in this device class. There's a few other surprises in store. While the dual 2G and 3G SIM slots aren't unusual given local market tastes, the A800 also stuffs in a very modern backside-illuminated 8-megapixel rear camera, a front VGA camera and a total of 12GB of storage out of the box. The grand total for Indians buying today is just 11,999 rupees ($220) off-contract -- a good deal that makes us hope Lava takes the A800 abroad.

Dropbox 2.0 launches for iOS with new Photos tab and a streamlined UI

Most of us would call the Dropbox mobile app very utilitarian, built for browsing files and not much else. It's becoming more of a media viewer in its own right with its just-arrived Dropbox 2.0 for iOS users. The cloud storage service gains a dedicated Photos tab that takes advantage of all those automatic uploads from the past few months: the panel organizes photos by the time taken and offers an unintrusive full-screen mode for reliving memories. Hitting the major milestone has also given Dropbox an incentive to rework the interface as a whole, simplifying uploads to specific folders alongside removing the visual clutter. The developer hasn't yet given Android the same treatment, although the company's tendency to keep its major apps on an equal footing suggests it won't be too long before everyone gets a clearer view of their images in the cloud.

Sony 16-50mm retractable zoom lens to ship in February for $349

Sony NEX-6 kit owners have been shooting with it for weeks, but the company's 16-50mm retractable zoom lens isn't quite yet available as a standalone purchase. That's set to change early next year -- reps have told us that the lens should hit stores by mid-February, while the optic's own product page now lists an estimated ship date of February 3rd. The lens, which ships with the NEX-6 for a $150 premium (compared to the $850 body-only price), delivers a focal range similar to that of Sony's larger 18-55mm optic, matching that version's f/3.5-5.6 aperture as well. It's compatible with E-mount cameras, including select Handycam camcorders and discontinued models like the NEX-C3. It was also slated to ship as part of an NEX-5R kit for $800, but the company has scrapped plans for that particular package. For now, you can hit up Sony's site at the source link below to hop on the pre-order list.

Brammo expects 2013 Enertia Plus to reach US in January, puts new Empulse R on the road

Brammo hasn't always had the smoothest delivery schedules, which has us somewhat relieved that its latest generation of electric motorcycles is hitting the road in earnest. To start, the company now anticipates that the 2013 Enertia Plus should ship to the US in mid-January. That leaves one last wait for a commuter e-bike that can peak around 60MPH and last up to 75 miles on a 7.5-hour charge. Others are getting a quicker fix, in more ways than one: as of a few days ago, the 2013 Empulse R has reached a first owner in San Francisco who's more than happy with his $18,995 outlay. He can confirm both the brisk performance and a realistic range of 75 to 80 miles. Between his new ride and the Enertia Plus, it may be a good season for eco-friendly driving on two wheels.

Samsung ATIV S goes on sale at the big three Canadian carriers

Samsung's ATIV S has only just started trickling out into the marketplace, but Canadians will be happy to know they're some of the first to get their feet wet: Bell, Rogers and Telus have all made the Windows Phone 8 headliner available from today. We're seeing a wild variety in pricing that doesn't often happen with smartphones, however. Bell is offering the phone for $100 on a lengthy 3-year contract, but the amount drops to a momentary $80 at Rogers and just $30 at Telus' discounted price. Landing the ATIV S off-contract either costs $600 (at Bell and Rogers) or $650 on Telus. Locals shouldn't count on a walk-in purchase when there's talk at MobileSyrup of tight supply; they'll likely still be glad when they at least have the chance a week or more before their British counterparts.

Braven's budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker to debut on QVC for $100

With its sleek styling and double act as a portable USB charger, there's plenty to like about Braven's line of Bluetooth speakers. Indeed, we listed the 625 in our back to school guide earlier this year as an alternative to the pricier Jambox. But if you were hoping to snag something even cheaper, you might want to check out the Braven 570, which is set to debut this Sunday on QVC for $100. Similar in looks with its Six Series brethren, the tiny music machine has six watts of power and a slightly lower capacity 1,200mAh battery -- the previous models were 1,700mAh and up -- all wrapped in an "impact-resistant" material. QVC will be offering the Braven 570 in Lunar Black, Arctic White, Fiji Green, Rio Purple, Monaco Blue and Sahara Red. But if you'd rather subject yourself to mall crowds or prefer the Zen-like experience of online shopping, you can get the retail version in black or white this coming January for $130 each. If you decide to go the QVC route, just don't get suckered in by overpriced celebrity steak knives, okay?
Continue reading Braven's budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker to debut on QVC for $100

Verizon's limited edition Droid DNA puts the company colors in employees' hands

Verizon's limited edition Droid DNA puts the company colors in employees' hands:

There are more perks to being a Verizon employee than just discounted phone plans -- like limited edition versions of the carrier's hottest handsets. Much like it did for the Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx, Verizon's gearing up to offer its staffers a special, red-backed version of the Droid DNA that adheres strictly to the company's signature colors. Apart from the obvious red and black cosmetic change, each phone is set to ship with a serial number denoting its exclusivity and type on the back marking it as a "Verizon Employee Limited Edition." According to DroidLife, these one-offs have already begun to enter into circulation. So, don't be surprised if you see any related listings surfacing on eBay in the near future.

Lincoln becomes the Lincoln Motor Company

In an effort to distance itself and stand independent, Lincoln has been re-branded as the Lincoln Motor Company. Of course, Lincoln is a division of Ford, and all of its vehicles are thinly-disguised Fords. This will make it difficult to set the division apart, yet the change is no small matter, and gives Lincoln the edge it needs to prove it is its own unique brand.


Lincoln was founded by Henry Leland in 1920; he sold it to Ford after a couple years. Before it was sold, however, it was known as the Lincoln Ford Company. The division aims at the high-end of the market, offering cars that are supposed to outshine anything Ford offers. By changing its name, the Lincoln Motor Company hopes to be viewed as a source of luxury vehicles all on its lonesome.
This name change comes alongside the company’s plan to launch a new luxury vehicle, the MKZ sedan. The sedan is priced at a hefty $35,925, which climbs higher as you configure it to meet your specifications. Says the company, this is the first of several refreshed or new Lincoln vehicles that will be available over the next two years.
The MKZ features a push button transmission, panoramic glass roof, a split-wing grill, as well as a wider and longer body. Back in the early 1990s, Lincoln was a best-selling luxury brand in the United States. This popularity declined as Ford amassed additional luxury brands, including Volvo, while at the same time neglecing Lincoln. Sales numbers are low, with only 69,000 Lincoln vehicles having been sold in the US this year.

Sharp and Qualcomm ink $120m IGZO/MEMS mobile display deal

Sharp and Qualcomm subsidiary Pixtronix have inked a $120m deal which will see the two companies collaborate on energy-efficient IGZO displays for mobile devices, as Sharp struggles with falling market share. The deal – which will see Qualcomm inject up to 9.9 billion yen into Sharp - follows rumors of the display firm courting Qualcomm among other US companies, after long-term negotiations with Apple production partner Foxconn stumbled. As a result, the companies will set up a joint development on panels combining IGZO and MEMS display tech.


Those displays will be developed and produced at Sharp’s LCD panel plan in Yonago city, Japan. The technology will be a combination of Sharp’s indium gallium zinc oxide manufacturing, which uses a different semiconductor for reducing power consumption and increasing potential pixel density, and Qualcomm subsidiary Pixtronix’s micro electro mechanical systems, which use so-called “digital shutters” to improve picture quality while also dropping power demands.
Qualcomm acquired Pixtronix at the start of the year, though at the time it was expected that the company would use MEMS in its own mirasol low-power screens for ereaders. However, mirasol was sidelined midway through the year, with production plans frozen amid low yields, and Qualcomm instead exploring technology licensing instead.
“MEMS display to be developed jointly by the two companies is a display using ultrafine process technology and existing display manufacturing infrastructure” Sharp said of today’s deal, “with features including high color reproducibility and low-power consumption.” Sharp and Pixtronix have already been working together for the past 18 months.
Sharp is hoping the deal – which is expected to see it earn Qualcomm’s cash piecemeal, as different stages toward commercialization are reached – will jumpstart its small- to medium-sized LCD business. However, the company warns, while development and initial investment will begin immediately, the point at which actual production will begin is unclear; Sharp says it will only take that step when it makes financial and technological sense.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm and Sharp are keeping the door open to possible future collaboration, including working together on chipsets.

Story Timeline

• Sharp expected to sell shares to Foxconn for less amid decline in value
• Sharp begins production on 5-inch 1080p displays
• Sharp 5-inch 1080p display eyes-on: You want this in your next phone
• DoCoMo SH-02E ZETA first phone to use Sharp's frugal IGZO screen
• Sharp AQUOS TAB SHT21 with IGZO screen hands-on
• Sharp $240m talks tipped with Dell, Intel and Qualcomm: IGZO the prize

Genius unveils new vehicle recording dash camera

Genius has announced a new product called the DVR-FHD560 that is a full HD video recorder with a wide-angle lens. This is one of the cameras that is designed to mount to your windshield and record what’s going on as you drive. The idea behind the device is to provide evidence in the case of an accident.


The camera has a 128° viewing angle allowing drivers to capture the entire road and the lens allows rotation through 180°. The 180° rotation of the lens allows drivers to record traffic on either side of the vehicle. The camera uses a low light enhancement sensor for recording in the dark.
The camera also features a 2.4-inch LCD screen for viewing video in real time or playing back later. That screen rotates 270° allowing drivers to see the video from almost any angle. The camera mounts to the windshield with an included adjustable mounting unit and the camera can be removed from the windshield mount.
When removed from the windshield mount, the digital video recorder section can be used as a typical camcorder. The camera stores video to SD or SDHC cards of 32 GB in capacity and it has an HDMI output. An internal rechargeable battery allows the camera to record with no power available and the camera ships with a DC adapter to power the car. The camera is available right now for $149.

Velocity Micro unveils new Edge AIO computer

Velocity Micro has been a boutique computer manufacturer for a very long time. In years past, the company was best known for making high-end and very expensive computers for gamers and enthusiasts. The company is back with a new product called the Edge AIO.


The Edge AIO has a 23.6-inch screen supporting full 1080p HD resolution. The machine is fully customizable to meet individual needs and budgets. The Edge AIO starts at $799.99 and price goes up significantly depending on the options you choose.
The case of the computer has a pearl white finish and the machine has a number of options including discrete graphics cards, a quad core processor, and additional RAM. Tech support for the company is 100% based in the US, which is getting to be a rarity in the market today. Processor options include a range of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 offerings.
There are a number of solid-state storage options and the machine comes with integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The front web cam supports 720p resolution for video conferencing and chats. The machine also features a SD memory card slot and USB 3.0 ports. Velocity Micro also integrates a DVD burner into the machine along with an Ethernet port. The machine is available to order right now.

Facebook Messenger for Firefox launches

Back in October, we mentioned that Firefox was looking for users to help the test its new Firefox Social API. At the time, the testing involved using the Facebook Messenger for Firefox add on that was in beta. This week Facebook Messenger for Firefox is officially available for all users.


To activate Facebook Messenger for Firefox, users need to download the latest version of Firefox. Once the latest version is downloaded and installed, users need to click the “Turn On” button for Facebook Messenger for Firefox. Once the feature is turned on, you’ll be able to chat with your Facebook friends right in your browser even if you’re not on the Facebook website.
The messenger will also deliver new comments and photo tags as well as friend requests and notifications for messages directly to the Firefox toolbar. For times when you don’t want to talk to your Facebook friends, you can hide the sidebar or disable the feature altogether. Mozilla notes that it plans to add more features and access to multiple providers in the future.
That should mean that support for other social networks will be directly integrated into Firefox soon. The full Firefox Social API is available for developers to use to build their own creations now. Check out the video below to see Facebook Messenger for Firefox in action.

Amazon Lovefilm service launches on Nintendo Wii

Amazon has announced that its Lovefilm video streaming services now available on a new game console. The console the service is now available on is the Nintendo Wii. Amazon also says that the streaming video service will launch soon on the Nintendo Wii U.


Amazon says that users of the service on the Nintendo game console will be able to stream instant movies and TV shows using the Nintendo Wii Remote. Amazon estimates that the rollout of the service to the Nintendo Wii console will allow 8 million UK fans access to Lovefilm.
The service will cost £4.99 per month. Obviously, the Nintendo Wii console needs to be connected to the Internet to be able to stream content. Movies that are coming to the service this month include Sherlock Holmes, Inception, and Breaking Dawn – Part 1.
The service will also offer European TV favorites including Downton Abbey and Grey’s Anatomy. The Lovefilm app for the Nintendo Wii is available to download today on the Wii Shop Channel. There is no specific date offered for launch on the Nintendo Wii U.

Story Timeline

• UK streaming movie service LOVEFiLM heads to PS3
• Amazon buys LoveFilm for European postal/streaming media
• Samsung adds LOVEFiLM streaming to Blu-ray players in the UK
• Lovefilm lands rights to Sony Pictures content streaming
• LOVEFiLM and BBC Worldwide tie up for streaming deal
• Lovefilm lands UK streaming rights to popular ABC shows
• LOVEFiLM signs exclusive multi-year streaming deal with NBCUniversal

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout begins for Droid RAZR HD, RAZR Maxx HD

All it took was two months and a weekend. True to its word from this past Friday, Verizon's begun rolling out the much anticipated Android 4.1 update to both the Droid RAZR HD and Droid RAZR Maxx HD. As our tips box can attest, OTA update notifications are slowly, but surely hitting users' devices, bringing with it Project Butter, Google Now and ISIS enhancements. But don't fret if you're not seeing anything just yet -- Big Red's noted that Jelly Bean will arrive "in phases," so you'll have to practice some patience. Or continue to mash that system update button. Your choice.