GottaBeMobile.com

iPad 3 Rumors Point to an LED Backlit LCD Display

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 04:49 AM PDT

While the iPad 2 is still fairly new, having been only made available for purchase in the U.S. several months ago and is still being rolled out internationally, Apple is already looking to secure components for the next-generation tablet, perhaps dubbed as the iPad 3.

Taiwan news DigiTimes is reporting that LED backlight units from several component makers are getting certified from Apple for the iPad 3. If true, this would mean that Apple's next tablet would not utilize an AMOLED-base display from Samsung as previously rumored. Instead, it may use an LED backlit LCD display if the DigiTimes' sources are correct.

One such component-maker receiving certification for the LED backlit unit is Radiant Opto-Electronics. The certification for the actual display panels is being said to be "still in progress."

Currently, display panels for the current iPad 2 are made by Samsung and LG Displays. Chimei Innolux is still undergoing the final phases of certification to provide the LCD screens for the iPad 2.

Similarly, rival Motorola is seemingly already working on its second-generation Xoom tablet, dubbed the Xoom 2. Evidence of the tablet was found on the site re-design, and it's not un-common for manufacturers like Apple and Motorola to work on next-generation products while they have just released current-generation devices.

After Music, Apple Focuses on Movies, TV Shows for iCloud

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:19 AM PDT

After having announced that the iCloud service will be announced at WWDC, Apple is now rumored to be leveraging its rumored cloud storage and streaming service for movies and TV shows in addition to music.

The iCloud service has long been rumored as a transition to move iTunes to the cloud. The latest speculation has it that the service will mirror songs already on the user's hard drive, regardless of where the user had acquired the songs, and would not require users to upload content to the cloud like rival services from Amazon Cloud Player or Google Music.

As Apple is said to be nearing completion of negotiating its music deals and partnerships, the iOS-maker is said to be eying the video market with talks with Hollywood studios to allow movies and TV shows to be stored in the cloud and streamed, just like music.

The movie and TV show streaming would be a natural extension of Apple's cloud-based strategy following music. As movies and TV shows consume more storage space on a user's device–like an iPad or iPhone–moving that content to the cloud may be even more beneficial to users than music. In addition, streaming high quality videos can potentially be enabled with a good user experience as carriers around the globe explore next-generation 4G LTE technologies, which is being touted by Verizon Wireless as being able to offer 10 times the speeds of 3G. However, as carriers begin to clamp down on wireless broadband data consumption with tiered and metered plans, streaming of video would most likely have to be done with a WiFi connection else a user could risk overage charges.

Apple already currently allows users to download–via purchases or rentals a la carte–of its video library over WiFi or 3G. Video streaming on-demand would also make sense as Apple expands its reach into the living room with the Apple TV as that device lacks a hard drive to store content–Apple TV allows users to either stream what's on other devices over Air Play or to stream rentals on demand. The potential for video streaming via iCloud can make Apple TV an even more attractive living room companion as it would negate the need to use Air Play and set up local network streaming.

The hangup with video streaming right now is with cable companies, like HBO, which has a window that bars videos from being streamed while the shows are in season. It's unclear if Apple can resolve its differences with cable companies to announce video streaming alongside music streaming at the June 6th keynote.

Via: Apple Insider

Acer Iconia M500 to Sport MeeGo OS, Intel Atom

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:01 AM PDT

At Computex, Acer announced an Iconia Tab M500 tablet that will run on the MeeGo operating system, which was co-developed by Intel and Nokia, and will also sport the Intel Atom-based Moorestown processor. The device is similar in appearance to the Android-powered A500 tablet with a 10-inch display bearing a 1,280 X 800 resolution. The MeeGo-powered M500 will utilize a custom MeeGo user interface that Acer is describing as a 'snackable UI.'

The tablet will debut at the end of the year and pricing was not disclosed. Hopefully, it will be priced, like the Iconia A500 Android tablet, at under $500.

Via: Engadget

AT&T Goes Rugged, Sporty with Pantech Crossover

Posted: 01 Jun 2011 12:29 AM PDT

AT&T will be joining rivals Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless in offering a rugged Android smartphone in the form of the Pantech Crossover, slated for debut on June 5th according to the company's press release. The device was seen previously with little information going through the FCC for certification, and now we know it's a more rugged handset that comes with a landscape-oriented sliding form factor that keeps up with users' active lifestyles.

The $70 smartphone–with a two-yaer service agreement through AT&T will come with an AllSport GPS to track your workout. Geared at the mid-range market, it will launch with a 600 MHz applications processor–high end phones today are either launching with single- or dual-core 1 GHz CPUs–a 3.1-inch display, Android 2.2, and also a 3-megapixel camera. Though rugged, it's unclear if this phone passes military specs for ruggedness like the Sprint Nextel Motorola i1 on the iDEN network.

The phone will compete in the same market segment as the Motorola i1 mentioned, the Motorola Defy on T-Mobile, and the newly launched Casio G'zOne Android smartphones. In addition to basic Android functionality, users can also tether via the mobile hotspot app–with the appropriate data plan–on the Crossover on AT&T's network.

Via: Phonedog

Droid X Gingerbread Update Now Available to Everyone

Posted: 31 May 2011 10:56 PM PDT

The day that Motorola Droid X owners have been waiting for has arrived. As promised, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update is finally available to all Droid X owners, not just those involved in the "soak test."

For those of you that have not seen the update, all it takes is a couple of steps before you'll be installing Android 2.3. Those steps, as many of you might know, look something like this:

Menu -> Settings -> About phone -> System updates

Once you do that, you should be prompted by a menu alerting you to the presence of an update. Once installed, your phone will not only have all the perks of Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but it will also come with a bunch of other enhancements including a download manager app, multi-touch key chording, and more. The whole list of what the update brings can be found here.

Enjoy the update and let us know how it's working out for you.

HTC Sensation 4G Launching June 12th at Walmart, June 15th at T-Mobile

Posted: 31 May 2011 07:26 PM PDT

It looks like that June 8th launch date for the HTC Sensation 4G on T-Mobile was a little premature as the carrier has announced that the dual-core smartphone will be out on June 15th at retail stores and through T-Mobile.

It had been rumored that the Sensation 4G might be headed to shelves in early June but that's not going to be the case as T-Mobile latest and greatest will be up for sale at select Walmart stores starting June 12th and will be available everywhere else three days afterwards.

Oddly, T-Mobile didn't announced any sort of pricing with the device. Considering all the problems T-Mobile has had with the G2x and its price, this isn't too surprising. However it's probably a little bit frustrating for those of you that have been saving up to get a hold of this beastly smartphone and want to know exactly how much you're going to have to pony up to get it.

We've heard that it might be $199.99 when it lands so that's a possibility.

It's also unclear as to whether or not the bootloader is going to be locked or unlocked when the device arrives but we're sure that we'll find out that little tidbit at some point before launch.

As for the specifications of the Sensation 4G, like we said it's a beast, and it employs a 4.3-inch SLCD touchcreen with 540×960 resolution, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1080p video recording, and Android 2.3 Gingerbread right out of the box. All of those easily make it one of the most exciting devices to ever hit T-Mobile.

T-Mobile Offering G2 for Free through June 2nd

Posted: 31 May 2011 04:49 PM PDT

In case you missed out on T-Mobile's offer last week, the Magenta carrier has you covered as it is currently offering up the HTC-made G2 smartphone for the low price of free to new customers signing a new contract.

There are a few caveats, other than the contract, that you should know about as well. First, the offer isn't going to last forever. It will last through June 2^nd and then the G2 will likely jump back up to its usual asking price of $150.

Two, the deal is only available to new and add-a-line customers which means that those of you looking to upgrade will have to look elsewhere for a device.

T-Mobile's price drop of the G2 comes shortly after the carrier increased the price of its popular LG-made G2x whose price now sits at a lofty $250 through T-Mobile's website.

Via: TMoNews

How to Turn Off Twitter Emails for Replies, Retweets and Favorites

Posted: 31 May 2011 04:19 PM PDT

Twitter just turned on a new feature that will email you every time someone retweets or favorites a tweet of yours on the service. If you don't want to get an email every time someone interacts with you on Twitter we are going to show you how to turn off Twitter reply, retweet and favorite email notifications.

How to Turn Off Twitter Emails for Replies, Retweets and Favorites

Log in to Twitter
Go to Notification Settings (If you are Logged in Click Here)
Uncheck the email notification options including the recently enabled retweet notification.

Be sure to save your settings and you are good to go. If you still want to know about retweets and replies without clogging your inbox, we recommend you check out an app like Tweetdeck for your computer, iPhone or Android device which will show you replies, mentions and retweets in an easy to follow layout. There are many other great Twitter apps as well, so if you haven't tried something other than the Twitter website, it would be worth your time to look around for alternatives.

Motorola Site Redesign Reveals Two Super-Thin Android Phones, Xoom 2, And Targa

Posted: 31 May 2011 03:51 PM PDT

Whoops, looks like Motorola's redesign of its Motorola Mobility webpage has revealed a bunch of unannounced devices including the new Xoom, two extremely thin smartphones, what appears to be the upcoming Targa smartphone, and a Dick Tracy style watchphone.

The site redesign, which was prompted by Motorola's split into two separate companies earlier this year, shows off a bunch of new devices but offers little as far as details are concerned. However, a leak is a leak and it's exciting to see that Motorola has come fun stuff coming in the future. So, let's run down the list.

Running down the photo above, we have the Motorola Tracy XL which appears to be some sort of watchphone. Then we see the Motorola Slimline which is a sexy looking, ultra-think Android smartphone.

Next, another slim smartphone, the Motorola Zaha , and then below that we see what possibly might be the Motorola Targa which very well could be the phone released this summer as the Motorola Droid Bionic. Finally, along the bottom we have the Motorola Xoom 2 and a phone that is being dubbed Pearl.

Other than that those photos and names though, there is nothing. No release windows, no specifications, nothing. One thing is for sure though. This is not the last we have heard from any of these devices.

Anyone else excited about the Tracy XL?

Via: PocketNow

Fed Going Apple Might Not Be Great for Consumers

Posted: 31 May 2011 03:13 PM PDT

The Washington Post tells us that the Federal Government is going Apple pointing to agencies such as the Army, Congress and even the President himself using iPads now. They also mention that tech upgrades are moving more quickly, driven by the desire of their users to have technology at work as good as what they are using at home. The result is the various government entities are upgrading faster and going with less traditional technology like Windows PCs and Microsoft Office. But is this change good for consumers?

Sixteen years ago Microsoft introduced Windows 95 with great fanfare and the momentum they achieved with the release has propelled them to become the number one operating system and office suite maker for businesses and consumers alike. Most people who buy a new computer still buy a PC. However, Microsoft has become as slow as the IBM monolith they replaced. Their various technologies update at a glacial pace. Even their new Windows Phone 7, which is not even a year old, has been updated less than iOS and much less than Android. There are two reasons – size and enterprise support.

Microsoft's size makes it hard to move the company forward. They got this big by becoming the primary supplier of computer operating systems and office suites for businesses and governments. That leads to the second reason for the slow Microsoft pace. They can't update Windows as fast as consumers might like because their bread and butter support is from the enterprise. IT budgets don't allow for a $50 to $100 upgrade of the OS or office suite every year for every user. So Microsoft waits for three years, more in the case of the interval between Windows XP and Vista. What does this do for the average consumer? Innovation doesn't happen very quickly. This is why Microsoft has had a hard time competing in the tablet world even though they invented it.

Now that Apple is gaining popularity in the consumer market with the iPad, iPhone and their expensive notebooks, they are getting more government and enterprise business. Will this enterprise and government business put pressure on the company to slow down their innovation so as not to overwhelm IT buyers?

In the age of Steve Jobs, I believe Apple has the will to keep innovating no matter what these buyers say. However, if IT directors with limited budgets make up a larger percentage of Apple's bottom line in the future and Steven Jobs steps down, will Apple continue to have the will to move quickly with fresh ideas and innovation? I'm not saying they won't, it is a strong possibility. History often repeats itself with new characters center stage. In ten years we could be reading blog posts calling for the next CEO of Apple to step down because, even though Apple is dominating, they are not as exciting as Google and their cool Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks?

Then again, the faster upgrade pace may continue and cloud computing advances could change the typical business upgrade cycle.

Nexus 3 Photo Was A Fake

Posted: 31 May 2011 03:02 PM PDT

If you were looking forward to that HTC-made Nexus phone that leaked out last week, it's time to move on, because the photos of the button-less device are apparently fakes with the source of the photos admitting that they were likely duped.

TechHog made waves last week when it posted photos of what was said to possibly be the Nexus 3. Google apparently was taking submissions from both LG and HTC and what we saw was supposedly HTC's submission.

Almost immediately, the cries of fake began and sure enough, a story of deception and betrayal came to the surface courtesy of TechHog's Editor-in-Chief, Michael Blake. In the post, Blake says that while he is not 100% sure the photos are fakes but that his gut is telling him that they are.

Along with the numerous errors within the photos that have been pointed out ad nauseum, the source that submitted the photos – a friend of Blake's for over 10 years – apparently isn't the person that Blake thought him to be.

The reason that Blake posted the photos was because he believed his friend was a Google employee. It's now become clear that his friend likely never was a Google employee. Blake proceeded to try and contract his friend and was met with silence.

As Android Community points out, it's likely that this photo was the one used to produce the fake Nexus 3 images:

So, now that that's cleared up, we can get back to waiting for the Nexus 3 which currently doesn't have any photos but has, in fact, been confirmed by Google's Andy Rubin.

T-Mobile Announces That Some ‘Sensational’ News is Coming Tonight

Posted: 31 May 2011 02:58 PM PDT

T-Mobile USA, which is expected to land the HTC Sensation 4G Android handset with a 4.3-inch qHD display on its HSPA+ network, has turned to Twitter to pre-announced that it has more news coming about the handset.

The company tweeted, "We have some "sensational" news coming later tonight. Keep an eye on the @TMobile Twitter stream," alluding to the HTC Sensation 4G handset.

Earlier today, there was already a leak about an event on June 8th for the HTC Sensation 4G.

The handset will also come with a fast 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor and will bear similar specs to the HTC EVO 3D for Sprint, but would come without the glasses-free 3D capabilities nor the rear-facing dual cameras for 3D recording.

The 5 Best Big Screen Android Phones

Posted: 31 May 2011 02:30 PM PDT

So, you're looking for a new Android smartphone. One of the big decisions you're going to have to make is how big you want the display to be. You can go compact at 3.8 inches, you can grab a medium sized one at 4 inches or you may want a smartphone with a big screen.

There are many advantages to having a smartphone with a large screen. Movies are big and vivid which makes a big smartphone a perfect traveling companion especially for those that haven't invested in a tablet. Another advantage of having a large screen is the comfort that it brings when reading an e-book or browsing the web.

The great thing is that many Android smartphones on the market are able to employ big screens without sacrificing quality or form factor. The Samsung Infuse 4G for instance has a 4.5 inch Super AMOLED Plus display, one of the best on the market, and it measures a mere 8.9mm thin at its thinnest point. So, if think that a large screen device is in your future, whether it be for reading or for viewing media, here is a look at five devices we think are currently the best of the best.

In regards to the list, the phones that are listed here are phones that are currently on the market here in the United States.

HTC EVO 4G

The age-defying creature known as the HTC EVO 4G is back at it again. Yes, we realize the HTC EVO 3D is coming out next month but that doesn't take away anything from the fact that the EVO 4G is still one of the best large screen Android devices out there. The EVO is one of the original 4.3 inch smartphones and for almost a year, it has been dazzling owners with its display.

While its TFT (thin-film transistor) LCD quality screen might not be top of the line, it's still perfect for gaming, movies and reading. Throw in the fact that it has 4G speeds and this should certainly still be a relevant smartphone amongst those looking for a big display.

Specifications: 4.3-inch TFT display (480 x 800), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8MP rear facing camera with 720p HD video recording and dual LED flash, 1.3MP front facing camera, 512MB of RAM, Bluetooth 2.1 w/ EDR, TV-Out, HDMI, 1500 mAh battery.

Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo

Carrier: Sprint

4G: Yes, WiMax

Release Date: June 4th, 2010

Price: $100

HTC ThunderBolt

Like the HTC EVO 4G, the ThunderBolt owns a 4.3 inch TFT display. In fact, the HTC EVO and the HTC ThunderBolt are essentially one in the same. Only difference? The HTC ThunderBolt is capable of 4G LTE speeds on Verizon's network. That of course is the trump card that it can play over many bigger screened devices on the market and one that makes it extremely attractive for those seeking out a top of the line big screen handset. Those speeds should also help make streaming content run like a breeze on the ThunderBolt's large display.

Specifications: 4.3-inch TFT display (480 x 800), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8MP rear facing camera with 720p HD video recording and dual LED flash, 1.3MP front facing camera, 768MB of RAM, 8GB of on board storage, Bluetooth 2.1 w/ EDR, DLNA, 1400 mAh battery

Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo

Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: March 17^th, 2011

Price: $130

Motorola Droid X2

The Motorola Droid X2 may be a 3G phone but it packs one of the nicest displays of any smartphone on the market. Big or small. The Droid X2 employs a 4.3 inch display that checks in with qHD resolution. That means it sits at 540 x 960 pixels. While that might not seem like much of a boost from 480 x 800 on those TFT devices, it definitely is.

We tested the Droid X2 against the HTC ThunderBolt outside and the Droid X2 absolutely blew it away as far as readability is concerned. So, if you want your big screen to have high resolution and you want to be able to use it efficiently outdoors, the Droid X2 is definitely a phone to take a look at.

Oh, and let's not forget the fact that it has a dual-core Tegra 2 processor on board as well.

Specifications: 4.3-inch qHD display (540 x 960), 1GHz Tegra 2 Dual-Core Processor, 8MP rear facing camera with 720p HD video recording and dual LED flash, Bluetooth 2.1 w/ EDR, DLNA, HDMI, 1540 mAh battery.

Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo

Carrier: Verizon

4G: No

Release Date: May 19th, 2011

Price: $150

Samsung Droid Charge

Besides rocking 4G LTE speeds, the Samsung Droid Charge also employs one of the best displays that money can buy. A 4.3 inch, Super AMOLED Plus screen. If you feel like the 4.5 inch Samsung Infuse 4G is too big, this is the phone to have a look at. What exactly does AMOLED Plus mean? It means that the Droid Charge's display has has 50% more sub-pixels than a regular Super AMOLED display. Translation: Everything should be better and that's exactly what we found. From its vibrant colors to its rich blacks to the non-pixelated look of text, the Droid Charge's display is perfect for web browsing, videos, gaming, and reading.

Specifications: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Display (480 x 800), 1GHz Hummingbird processor, 8MP rear facing camera with 720p HD video recording and auto focus, 1.3MP front facing camera, Bluetooth 3.0, DLNA, HDMI, 1600 mAh battery.

Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo

Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: May 16th, 2011

Price: $200

Samsung Infuse 4G

The Samsung Infuse 4G currently sits in a league of its own. It's the only Android device in the United States with a 4.5 inch display and Samsung hasn't sacrificed in terms of quality with the size. The mammoth screen is of Super AMOLED Plus quality which means that it has crisper edges, is highly visible under bright lights and has brightest colors and better contrast than just about every smartphone display out there.

How good is it? It's arguably better than both qHD and the iPhone 4′s Retina Display.

When it comes to size, this is as big of a display as you're going to find right now so this is the device to think about if you feel like a 4.3 inch display isn't big enough for the things you want to do on your phone.

Specifications: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (480 x 800), 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor, 8MP rear facing camera with 720p HD video recording, 1.3MP front facing camera, Bluetooth, DLNA, HDMI, 1750 mAh battery.

Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo

Carrier: AT&T

4G: Yes, HSUPA

Release Date: June 4th, 2010

Price: $150

Ahead of WWDC, iPhone 6 Rumors Abound

Posted: 31 May 2011 02:21 PM PDT

Ahead of Apple's annual congregation of developers at WWDC 2011 in San Francisco, California, a destination where the company is expected to showcase the latest features of iOS 5 and Mac OS X Lion, rumors of the next-generation iPhone hardware are picking up momentum.

The next iPhone to succeed the current generation iPhone 4, whether it will be called the iPhone 4S as some have reported or the iPhone 5 as others believe, will sport the same form factor as the current generation flagship smartphone. This means that there won't be a 4-inch edge-to-edge screen, and more importantly that Apple is sticking to its 3.5-inch display and not going with the trend that Android is pushing with larger screens, pushing on 4.5-inch as the Samsung Infuse 4G on AT&T is doing.

What's interesting is that the latest rumor states that Apple will go with a SIM-less design–no replaceable or user-serviceable parts as even the GSM model won't have a SIM card. This, of course, goes against what we had previously reported; Orange CEO says that the carriers have so far dissuaded Apple from going with a SIM-less phone model due to security concerns.

The phone will utilize several bands and a singular model will support CDMA and GSM models. This means that one iPhone can potentially work on either Verizon or AT&T if it's sold unlocked. Thus far, no iPhone model has been sold in the U.S. unlocked. To enable a world-phone iPhone, Apple would be utilizing a Qualcomm radio. It's unclear if Apple would utilize a single-core or dual-core CPU with an applications processor based on the ARM Cortex A9 reference design.

What's curious is that the report mentions that this latest iPhone model comes with three or four internal antennas to support the world-phone capabilities. In the release of the iPhone 4, Apple CEO Steve Jobs highlighted that the company had moved the antenna externally and that the antenna was embedded into the stainless steel bands going around the sides of the phone. Not only do the band add structural support, but they also serve to improve reception, according to the Apple CEO.

The iPhone model is expected to be announced in late July or early August, which is ahead of the September announcement that was previously rumored alongside Apple's fall music event.

Interestingly, an iPhone 6 mention was also included, which suggests that Apple could unveil that smartphone in early Spring 2012, creating uneven refresh intervals between smartphone launches. That smartphone is expected to carry a display from Sharp, which is also responsible for the glasses-free qHD display on the HTC EVO 3D.

Historically, Apple launches smartphones based on a yearly refresh cycle with phones available for purchase in late June. With the iPhone 4S/5 model, Apple is stretching the life of the iPhone 4, perhaps to give the iPhone 4 CDMA model on Verizon a decent shelf life, by introducing the refresh later in the cycle towards late summer/early fall as speculations posit. If Apple unveils an iPhone 6 in early Spring, it would then contract the lifespan of the iPhone 4S/5 model by introducing a refresh about six months out.

In addition to the radio change of the iPhone 4S/5 model, Apple may also improve camera support on the flagship iOS smartphone by introducing an 8-megapixel camera. It's unclear if Apple would be moving video capture to support 1080p capture or if it will still maintain 720p HD video recording support with the new camera.

The latest speculations come by way of Japanese blog Macotakara, which had accurately predicted the iPad 2′s features and launch date ahead of Apple's unveiling of the tablet.

Via: AppleInsider

T-Mobile Showing Off Three New HTC Phones on June 8th

Posted: 31 May 2011 02:05 PM PDT

We already knew that June 8^th was shaping up to be a big day for T-Mobile but it looks like it might have just gotten even bigger. Phandroid has pulled up a job listing for an event on June 8^th where T-Mobile will apparently be showing off three new HTC devices.

June 8^th has been rumored to be the launch date for three devices already, a list that includes the HTC Sensation 4G, the Samsung Exhibit 4G and the Samsung Gravity Touch 2. As there is only one HTC device listed there, its possible that we could see two more devices launch of the 8th.

One possible device could be oft-leaked HTC Doubleshot aka myTouch 4G Slide. The other device remains a complete mystery although there is a possibility that they could be showing off something that's already been announced, say, the HTC ChaCha.

In any event, it looks like we'll likely be seeing something new from HTC on T-Mobile on June 8^th. Let's just hope that it's something new and fantastic and not something that has already been announced.

What's everyone hoping for?

–

GC Marketing Services has the following job listing in your area. Please read the job posting carefully and apply only if you are able to complete the engagement and if you fit the criteria specified by our client.

Brand:
T-Mobile
Event / Name of Promotion:
T-Mobile Showtime Events Featuring HTC
Dates / Times:
Wed 06/08/11 1:00pm-8:00pm
(You must be able to work all dates and times)

Location:
Houston, TX
Pay:
$XX.00 per hour
Engagement Description:
Looking for Tech Savy BA's!!
T-Mobile, together with HTC (their phone manufacture) is sponsoring an upcoming Showtime Event. The objectives of the training event are to: Launch event to showcase 3 new HTC phones, Hands-on demonstration of HTC devices, Increase awareness and mindshare of HTC products & Generate excitement around the new HTC portfolio.

Booked reps will be onsite assisiting with the following:

-Must be able to write legibly.
-Will be assisting with light event setup/breakdown.
-Are to greet and direct attendees to registration tables and refreshments and/or hand out any welcome materials.
-Assist with needed event wrap up such as: clean up/pack up registration materials.
-Will Pass out/pick up materials as needed from attendees and/or stage presenters.
-Assist trainer during lecture as needed for demonstrations, prize drawings, etc.
-Be present in lecture room throughout event – sitting on sidelines & visible to majority of attendees; upbeat and energetic â€" cheerleader for team.
-Maintain schedule for assigned group â€" ensuring they stay on task
-Possibly participate in on stage activities with participants in front of crowd during Game Show.
-Be present at exit areas as training ends to thank attendees for coming & wish them well/safe travels, etc.

** Please note you will be on your FEET for the entire length of event **

iHome iDM12 Rechargable Bluetooth Speaker System Offers Decent Wireless Sound [Review]

Posted: 31 May 2011 12:30 PM PDT

The iHome iDM12 Rechargeable Bluetooth Speaker System is a small portable Bluetooth speaker system that works with any iOS device as well as Bluetooth enabled notebooks or smart phones. It offers portable audio with decent sound quality that is truly wireless – as in you don't even have to plug it into a power socket if you charge up the battery. This makes mobile audio a breeze due to its compact size, decent quality, and ease of use. We could see this being a simple audio solution for playing audio with your friends at picnic or for use in a board room PowerPoint presentation with audio.

DSC 0007

Sound Quality

The primary concern for any speaker system is sound and the iDM12 delivers so long as you are not looking for something to replace your multi-thousand dollar sound system. We tested the speakers out playing everything from video to various kinds of music and spoken word podcasts and books. All of them sounded decent considering the small size. The iDM12 has two active speakers and one passive radiator powering the sound, which is quite loud.

IMAG0036

We took the iDM12 outside and walked halfway across our backyard and the sound was loud enough at about half level to still hear clearly. There wasn't a lot of ambient sound in our yard that day, but there were enough birds chirping to give the speakers some competition. Turning them up all the way will result in plenty of volume.

IMAG0038

There was a little distortion at full volume while playing some loud rock music. We turned down the volume just a little bit and it went away.

Serious audiophiles will not be satisfied with these speakers, but the rest of us should be pleased. The 80s big hair rock and the more up-to-date Christian rock we played sounded good. More ethereal music like classical sounds decent. Highs are clear and there is enough bass to satisfy most who like that sort of thing. In fact the speaker system vibrated enough to scoot across the aluminum case of our MacBook Pro when playing some rock music while it rested on top of the computer's wrist rest.

Design

The iDM12 speakers look like a round tube when the iPad stand is attached to the front of the system. The stand comes off to reveal the actual speakers with the iHome name in the center. Above the name is a pair of LEDs. The green light is solid when it is on but unplugged. When you plug it in it will be solid only if the battery is fully charged. The amber light glows when it is in pairing mode. It flashes until it is paired and then turns solid for a moment before turning off.

DSC 0011

The size is perfect for carrying around in a large computer bag or backpack. It is almost small enough to slide into big pockets, but this would get awkward.

Media Playback Buttons:

On the back there is a flip out stand that keeps the iDM12 upright while in use. There are buttons on the top of the iDM12 – from left to right there is a Power button, volume down, volume up, play/pause.

DSC 0009

Connections:

On the back is a switch which changes the speakers from Bluetooth mode to Auxiliary mode. Next to that is a micro-USB port. The included cable has the micro-USB connector on one end and a full-size USB and 3.5mm stereo jack on the other side. The stereo jack allows you to plug the speakers into a non-Bluetooth audio device. We tested the jack on a few different devices and the audio sounded great – even better than the Bluetooth audio.

DSC 0010

On the bottom are two rubber feet to keep the speakers from moving too much. As we said above, they aren't totally skid proof since the bass made the iDM12 speakers wiggle enough to scoot across the aluminum case of our MacBook Pro.

The design is compact and weight is light making it a good mobile solution. Like most iHome products the iDM12 is not at all cheap feeling. It should hold up to normal use.

Video Review

Functionality

The controls on the top of the iDM12 speakers work with a few issues. First, the power button has to be held down for a couple of seconds before it turns on. Second, the play/pause button will control the sound of your A2DP Bluetooth Audio enabled device. Pressing it plays and pauses the audio or video, but there is a slight lag before it reacts. This is a minor issue and you can get used to it.

Pairing the speakers is done by doing the following:

Switch the device to Bluetooth mode via the switch on the back.
Turn on the device by pressing and holding the power button for a couple of seconds.
Press the play/pause button until the amber light flashes and the iDM12 beeps.
Use your device's pairing feature to start pairing.

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On my iPhone, iPad 2, Android HTC Thunderbolt and MacBook Pro, the pairing worked well so long as I remembered to follow the above steps. One issue we faced was trying to switch the iDM12 from Bluetooth to Auxiliary mode while the power was on. It wouldn't switch modes until we powered off and then flipped the switch and then powered back on.

The Bluetooth connections were solid. I tested the distance and you can see in the above the pictures of the iHome outside my house how far I got from the device before it started to drop signal. Also, I took my phone into another room and the connection to the speakers stayed strong through one wall. Two walls caused it to drop signal.

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The part that connects to the front of the iDM12 comes off to turn into an iPad stand works well. It stays put when you store the device. It removes easily and with the feet rotated out it holds the iPad just fine in both portrait and landscape mode. Landscape mode is more sturdy than portrait mode, so don't tap the screen too hard when the iPad is in portrait mode. Both the original iPad and the iPad 2 fit and work fine.

The small flip out stand on the back of the iDM12 that holds the device itself up works great. It is recessed enough to keep it from getting hooked on something in your bag and being pulled out or off.

Battery Life

Battery life on the iDM12 speakers is great! iHome didn't advertise what to expect so we were not sure how long they would last. The first time you use the system they recommend charging for up to eight hours before use. It didn't take that long for the full-charge solid green indicator light to come on saying we were finished. We paired an Android phone with the speaker and played some audio via Bluetooth. We started this about 3 PM and by the time our smartphone battery was winding down the speakers were still going strong. The speakers lasted for many hours on day two and at this point still is not showing the flashing light indicating a depleted battery. All day battery is a plus. The iPad promises and delivers about ten hours. These speakers will keep up without a problem. The battery is built in and not one you can replace.

Compatibility

The device works with any Bluetooth device that supports A2DP. As we said we tested it with an iPhone 4, iPad 2, MacBook Pro and HTC Thunderbolt Android phone. All four devices worked great with the iDM12 speakers.

If you don't have a Bluetooth device, you can still use the iDM12 speakers via the 3.5mm jack. We only tested a few devices, but all of them played audio through the cable just fine.

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Recommendation, Value and Pricing

We think the iDM12 is a good value and wholeheartedly recommend it for your mobile Bluetooth audio playing needs. It is versatile.

Can be used plugged into your computer's USB, a USB to AC adapter, or unplugged with battery power
Can be used as a Bluetooth or Auxiliary jack
Works with iOS and Android
Works with any other Bluetooth device supporting A2DP

It is light and small enough to be easily mobile and the sound is decent. We really enjoyed using it. They are perfect for a long day at the beech playing music from your smart phone or for hooking up a computer to a projector and playing movie audio through the speakers or for any other presentation audio in a small room of 10-20 people.

You can buy the speakers directly from iHome for $69.99. The best price we could find elsewhere was TigerDirect for $61.99.

Pros

Good sound quality
Loud volume
Better than expected bass
Compact design
Build quality is good
Versatile – compatible with computers, iOS devices and Android phones
A2DP support for music over bluetooth
Wireless signal is strong even at a distance of 25-30 feet
Good value for price

Cons

Slight distortion at maximum volume
Power and play/pause buttons take a while to perform their given functions
Have to power off to switch between Bluetooth and Auxiliary modes

Droid Pro Gingerbread Update Starts Rolling Out, Droid 2 Owners Watch in Agony

Posted: 31 May 2011 11:56 AM PDT

Over the weekend, some lucky Motorola Droid Pro owners began to see the Android 2.3.3 update available for installation on their device. And while it doesn't appear to be a full-blown roll out, it's reminiscent of the Droid X's current Gingerbread "soak test" which means that an update to the masses should be coming at some point in the near future.

Consider us surprised because we would have pegged the Motorola Droid 2 and the Droid 2 Global as the devices that would be getting the Gingerbread update next. And while nothing is official here, we have a feeling this is going to leave Droid 2 owners that lack patience a little bit peeved.

It appears that the Droid Pro's Gingerbread update is a trial run similar to the Droid X's "soak test" roll out that is happening right now after starting last Friday. If true, most Droid Pro owners won't see the update until later on this week at the earliest. Still, it's nice to know that the update is on the way.

As for Droid 2 owners, you're apparently going to have to wait a little bit longer for your Gingerbread to arrive. Motorola first confirmed Gingerbread for all four Droid devices back on May 23rd.

Via: Droid-Life

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Finally Arrives on O2 UK

Posted: 31 May 2011 11:34 AM PDT

After weeks and weeks of waiting, O2 UK has finally launched the PlayStation Phone, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, on its network.

It took nearly two months but it seems that O2 and Sony have finally worked out the bugs that prevented the device from being released on its original launch date which was, if you must know, April 1st.

The device is now showing up on O2's website and the carrier will be offering it in two different flavors, black or white, both of which will cost you the same prices on and off-contract. For those looking to get it without signing on the dotted line, it's going to be £429.99 off-contract.

For those that don't mind, the Xperia Play will be free with a new contract of £37 or more. For those of you that don't remember Sony's gaming smartphone, here is a quick rundown of the specs.

It features 4" multi-touch, scratch-resistant display, 5.1MP auto focus camera with LED flash, an 8GB micro SD, and it's powered by Google's almighty Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

HTC EVO 3D Not Launching Until Late June?

Posted: 31 May 2011 10:27 AM PDT

Over the weekend, it became apparent that Sprint's HTC EVO 3D might not be arriving until after that presumed June 4^th launch date. And now, there is even more evidence to back that up as it appears that the highly anticipated smartphone might not be launching until the fourth week of June.

On Sunday, Sprint's PlayBook had the HTC EVO 3D listed under "Week 4" which led many to believe that it would be coming in week four. Yet, it seemed to refer to the training cycle rather than the actual release date of the device.

Today though, a rebate schedule has leaked out and the device is not seen at all between the dates of June 5 to June 23^rd. A quick look at the calendar reveals that June 23^rd is the Thursday during the fourth week of June which means that the 23^rd, 24^th 25^thand 26th of June are now the like likely candidates for an EVO 3D launch date.

Of course, it's possible that all of this could change and we could see the device roll out much earlier, but all signs are pointing to the fourth week of June and those four dates are probably the ones you want to circle on your calendar.

For now, you can only pre-order the HTC EVO 3D and you can do so at Sprint, Best Buy and Radio Shack.

Via: Android Central

Apple Confirms iOS 5 Announcement Coming at WWDC

Posted: 31 May 2011 10:09 AM PDT

Apple, in addition to its iWork for iPhone announcement, has confirmed that it will be introducing the next version of its mobile software, iOS 5, at this year's WWDC. Not only that but the company will also be unveiling its next-generation OS X software dubbed Lion.

An iOS 5 announcement at WWDC had been assumed and today, Apple put those assumptions to rest. However, they didn't help out any of the speculation out there about the possible features that are going to be coming with the next incarnation of iOS only saying that it will be announcing it. What? It'd wouldn't be an Apple event without some surprise and build up now would it?

Luckily, there are some rumors out there to hold us over until June 6th. Some of those rumors include an overhaul in regards to the iOS notification system, the addition of Widgets, upgrades to Voice, and possibly the inclusion of OTA iOS updates. In other words, WWDC is going to be extremely exciting, even if an iPhone doesn't make an appearance.

In addition to OS X Lion and iOS 5, Apple will also be announcing iCloud which is the company's cloud service that has been rumored for quite some time now.

All of these announcements will take place at the first keynote of WWDC which takes place at 10AM on June 6th.

Admin 01 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.twegty.com/2011/06/gottabemobilecom.html
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011