Apple has Apple Stores, Samsung has... this!

You know those heady dreams of a new Samsung product launch? Well consider them popped. There's no new gadget to announce, but instead a teaming-up with UK retailer Phones 4u, offering a dedicated space for Samsung to dip its toes into retail waters. Located on London's Oxford Street -- and just around the corner from an Apple Store -- the shop-within-a-shop displays all of the Korean makers' big hitters, with several tables housing Galaxy Tab 10.1s, Galaxy Notes and Galaxy S IIs. The rest of that expansive galactic family dot the periphery of the room, but then you'd probably come here primarily to test-drive the aforementioned flagships. The tables themselves are dressed down; no pricing or carrier information clogging up the surfaces, just the devices and some Galaxy branding. Samsung's claimed the whole top floor and the shop is already training up dedicated Samsung staff to answer pressing questions like what's the point of the Galaxy Ace Plus whether that phone has Gorilla glass and when we can expect to see a Galaxy S III in the flesh.

IKEA puts away your TV cables, introduces a new TV

If your home has ever been touched by the space-saving hand of IKEA, you'll be familiar with its clever, wallet-friendly wares. Now, the Swedish furniture giant is bringing its quirky ideas into the technology market. Frustrated with cables ruining the otherwise sharp lines of its TV storage units, the Scandinavian firm has taken it one step further, and built the TV right in to the furniture. "Uppleva" is an all-in-one TV and stand with storage built in co-operation with China's TCL Multimedia. Not only that, it also incorporates a Blu-ray / DVD player and surround sound (with wireless sub woofer.) Details on the TV itself are sparse, but there's a brace of USB inputs and four HDMI ports (so you can re-add in some wires), plus FM radio and internet connectivity, but beyond that I'm left guessing. More importantly -- for the casual IKEA customer I assume -- will be the array of colors and designs it will ship in. The delivery man will be kicking up Autumn leaves by the time you can get your hands on one, with prices starting at 6,500 Swedish crowns (around $960). 

What Would YOU Change about the LG Viper?

Todays post of What Would YOU Change features Sprint's middle-tier yet to be released LG Viper. Preorders are out now for this 4-inch, 1.2 GHz dual-core phone, So what would YOU change about the LG Viper?

Apple has Apple Stores, Samsung has... this!

You know those heady dreams of a new Samsung product launch today? Well consider them punctured. There's no new gadget to announce, but instead a teaming-up with UK retailer Phones 4u, offering a dedicated space for Samsung to dip its toes into retail waters. Located on London's Oxford Street -- and just around the corner from an Apple Store -- the shop-within-a-shop displays all of the Korean makers' big hitters, with several tables housing Galaxy Tab 10.1s, Galaxy Notes and Galaxy S IIs. The rest of that expansive galactic family dot the periphery of the room, but then you'd probably come here primarily to test-drive the aforementioned flagships. The tables themselves are dressed down; no pricing or carrier information clogging up the surfaces, just the devices and some Galaxy branding. Samsung's claimed the whole top floor and the shop is already training up dedicated Samsung staff to answer pressing questions like what's the point of the Galaxy Ace Plus whether that phone has Gorilla glass and when we can expect to see a Galaxy S III in the flesh.

Sony outs Xperia Play ICS beta for unlocked phones, wants to know which games work

While the promised Sony Xperia Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade rollout is quickly running out of March and into April for all models, the company has just unleashed a new beta version of the upgrade for Xperia Play owners. Following the alpha release in December and a beta update in February for the Arc S, Neo V and Ray, Sony has pushed this version for the Play to find out which games may need some work to be compatible with Android 4.0. The usual drawbacks remain however, so because this release requires unlocking your bootloader -- which will keep users from upgrading to the final ICS update when it comes out -- and it lacks such creature comforts as Google Mobile Services apps (Gmail, Google Maps, Face Unlock) it's intended for developers only. If your gamepad-equipped handset is staying official-upgrade only, you can safely check out a video of the beta ROM running on an Arc S embedded and take this as a heads up that the final release is that much closer.

Chrome hits version 18, improves graphics performance

The big one-eight. Another few months and another version of the Google browser is now up for grabs. With GPU-accelerated Canvas 2D now enabled, you can expect to see even smoother interactions with games and other media-heavy content. WebGL also gets a look-in with a new software-based addition that should help older computers access simple 3D web content. Anyone that's already furnished with Chrome should get auto-updated to the latest version.

HTC One S to join T-Mobile's lineup this April 22nd?

Does your smartphone bill wave a Magenta flag? If so, then you should circle April 22nd on your calendar because rumor has it that's the day HTC's One S could touch down. Whispers of that purported launch date recently surfaced over at TmoNews, pegging the carrier's exclusive dual-core S4, ICS handset for a Spring bow, although that tentative window could easily slip. I do know for sure that the OEM's committed to a Q2 release, so fret not eager Sense-beavers, you'll have that piece of silicon in your sweaty palms in no time.

What Would YOU Change about the Samsung Galaxy S2?

Todays post of What Would YOU Change features Samsung's Galaxy S2 released last year. When it first came out it had the best specs of the time( 8MP camera, 4G HSPA+, Dual-core processor) but now has aged to a middle-tier smartphone. So what would YOU have changed about the Samsung Galaxy S2?

What Would YOU Change about the Nook Tablet?

Todays post of What Would YOU Change features Barnes & Nobles Nook Tablet, what would you have changed about this new "tablet" that has succeeded the Nook Color?

What Would YOU Change about the iPad 3?

Starting today I will be posting a What Would YOU Change? question once a day, this will be about a recent technology product and will ask how would you rather have it. Different size? Different screen resolution? Maybe a different processor(single-core, dual-core, quad-core, shadow-cores)? It doesn't matter, anything you would change about the product.

Todays What Would YOU Change? features the newly released quad-core iPad 3 by Apple. So what do you think, what would you change about it?

Apple's March 7th Event Roundup

iPad 3:

The new iPad is official, with Retina display, LTE and A5X CPU. Available March 16th

So, what'd you have in the bag? iPad 3, iPad 2S, iPad HD? Doesn't matter, really. All that matters is that it's here! This is the next generation of Apple's iOS slate and, as usual, it's a beaut -- and yes, it's still rockin' a physical button. As was rumored this thing is packing a Retina display, potentially making this the most pixel-packed slate on the market. The 9.7-inch screen plays host to 3.1 million pixels in a 2048 x 1536 arrangement -- that's 264ppi. It's not just a higher resolution though, the screen also boasts improved color saturation. Of course, what would a new iPad be without some updated guts. The new model has an A5X processor and quad-core graphics chip. Apple even claims its newest sliver of silicon can deliver four times the performance of a Tegra 3.

Ever since Siri showed up on the iPhone 4S, she's been put to work in a variety of non-Apple approved ways and unofficially ported to other iDevices, including the iPad and iPod. Now Apple's next-generation iPad has made it's debut in San Francisco with a splash of Siri on board. It's not the full voice assistant, but the new tablet does have voice dictation software that supports US English, British, Australian, French, German and Japanese. Not only that, but the dictation feature is available in third-party apps as well, so you'll be able to speak your tweets and status updates on Apple's new tablet.

There's also a new iSight camera on board that's quite similar to the version inside the iPhone 4S. It's only five-megapixels, but it does have a backside illuminated sensor with a five element lens. It's also capable of capturing 1080p video, which should come as no surprise. I'm also excited to see the keyboard sporting a brand new dictation key that lets you speak instead of type -- yes, just like on Android. The new software inside will also let you use the slate as a portable WiFi hotspot... so long as the carriers are game. It even has the ability to recognize at least some bezel gestures, as revealed during its iPhoto demo.

Perhaps most exciting though, is the new connectivity options -- you guessed, LTE! The new iPad is sporting 21Mbps HSPA+, but it's also rocking an LTE radio capable of pulling down 73Mbps on both Verizon and AT&T here in the US. Outside of the states Rogers, Bell and Telus will also be scoring 4G flavors of the iOS tablet. Amazingly enough, even with an LTE antenna on board, Apple is still claiming to get 10 hours of battery life. That's probably partially do to the slightly increased weight of 1.4lbs, though the 9.4mm thickness is nothing to sniff at.

The new iPad will be available March 16th, starting at $499 for the 16GB WiFi model and scaling up to $829 for the 64GB version with 4G. So, on the price front, nothing has changed. Pre-orders start today in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, with much of the rest of the globe to follow on March 23rd.

IOS 5.1:

Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait long for that iOS 5.1 update. The update is already rolling out to iPhones, iPads and compatible iPod touches. That brings with it a number of improvements and bug fixes, including the previously-announced Japanese language support for Siri, a redesigned camera app for iPad, the ability to delete individual photos from Photo Stream and, somewhat curiously, an "updated AT&T network indicator." What's more, as previously rumored, the camera shortcut is now also always visible on the lock screen for iPhone and iPod touch users.

As a number of commenters have pointed out, it turns out that update to the AT&T network indicator is a change to display "4G" in the status bar, even though the device's connectivity of course remains the same speed as ever.

Apple TV:

Apple has now announced the latest version of Apple TV and it can do 1080p video. The new UI inches slightly closer to iOS territory, with a splash of new color and a whole range of third-party apps willing to play with the new box. This includes access to Photo Stream alongside old favorites like Netflix, Flickr and YouTube. Expect improved connectivity to the iCloud (including your movie content) and better integration of your iTunes playlists directly from the refreshed UI. The good news: the price is going nowhere -- the new model matches the 2010 version at $99. The bad? You'll have to wait until next week to get your hands on one. Pre-orders are now active.

iTunes 10.6:

It's not just iOS device users getting a software update. Apple has also now made iTunes 10.6 available for download, which includes support for 1080p movies and TV shows to match those available on the new Apple TV. The update also brings with it a number of improvements to iTunes Match, including better song matching, and improvements to the way album artwork is downloaded and displayed.

iPhone 4S:

Ever since T-Mobile and AT&T began touting their HSPA+ networks as "4G," the debate on the term's legitimacy has raged on. Regardless of how you feel about the matter, one thing's for sure: Apple's finally taken sides on the argument, and the company's all for it. In today's iOS update, Cupertino features an "updated AT&T network indicator," which means you'll see a 4G icon whenever you're in HSPA+ coverage. Granted, this doesn't actually mean you'll enjoy faster speeds -- you'll just have a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that another G just got added to your screen. Such an action makes me wonder if Apple's slowly losing its ability to stand up against AT&T's wishes, not to mention the demands of other US carriers.

iPad 2:

Facing soaring demand for budget tablets Apple has announced it will sell the iPad 2 alongside the new iPad, with last year's model tumbling to a more edible price of $399 for the WiFi-only model, or $529 for the 3G version. That entry-level price in particular puts it in more direct competition with a slew of mid-range tabs that previously undercut the iPad, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and others. Specifically, though, Tim Cooks hopes that that lower price will attract not just thrifty consumers, but schools looking to issue iPads in large numbers -- a move that dovetails with the release of iBooks textbooks and the iBooks Author OS X app earlier this year.

Though this is the first time the company's offering two iPads at once, this strategy is old hat for Apple, which has long been taking that tack to sell more iPhones. What's notable is that usually the trade-off (aside from year-old specs) has been that users have had to settle for devices with minimal built-in storage, which you naturally can't expand with a memory card, this being an iDevice and all. In this case, though, the iPad 2 will still be offered with 16GB of built-in storage, as opposed to, say, eight gigs. Still, depending on the size of your library, this might be a good time to get acquainted with iCloud, if you haven't already.

iPad 4G plans and pricing revealed

Wondering how much you'll have to cough up each month, and just how much data it would net you if you opted for a 4G model of Apple's new iPad? Well, the image above should tell you all you need to know. AT&T will have three options, starting at $15 for 250MB, $30 for 3GB and going up to $50 for 5GB. Verizon simply skips out on the bargain bin plan, assuming you'll be wanting more if you dropped the extra dough on an LTE-enabled iPad. Big Red kicks things off with a $30 2GB option before jumping to $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10GB. Now, that may sound like a lot of money but, remember, there's no contract to sign here.

Update: AT&T has reached out to to identify an inaccuracy presented in Apple's graphic. The $30 price tier comes with a 3GB data plan, rather than 2GB as originally stated in the article. Apple has yet to update the information on its website.

Apple ups over-the-air download limit to 50MB for iOS

This tid-bit didn't warrant a lot of attention during Apple's presentation today, but it's definitely worth noting: the limit on downloads from the App Store is now 50MB over-the-air, instead of a paltry 20MB. Now, anything larger than that and you'll still need to hop on a WiFi network, but you probably don't want to chew through your data plan that quick any way. So, enjoy downloading Temple Run without the aid of 802.11.

AppleCare+ extended to new iPad, adds two years of support for a fee

When the iPhone 4S was announced last year, the folks over in Cupertino outed an extended, premium protection plan, dubbed AppleCare+. That service, which boosts the standard 90 days of coverage to two years, in addition to ensuring "up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage," will now also be available to prospective new iPad owners for an additional fee. The company's set to charge $99 for the package -- though you'll have to fork over an extra $49 apiece for hardware service -- but as for a release, there's still no word on a firm date; simply a promise that the plan's "coming soon." Until then, prepare to handle that A5X monster with gloves.

Got an AT&T iPhone? iOS 5.1 now gives you '4G'

Ever since T-Mobile and AT&T began touting their HSPA+ networks as "4G," the debate on the term's legitimacy has raged on. Regardless of how you feel about the matter, one thing's for sure: Apple's finally taken sides on the argument, and the company's all for it. In today's iOS update, Cupertino features an "updated AT&T network indicator," which means you'll see a 4G icon whenever you're in HSPA+ coverage. Granted, this doesn't actually mean you'll enjoy faster speeds -- you'll just have a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that another G just got added to your screen. Such an action makes me wonder if Apple's slowly losing its ability to stand up against AT&T's wishes, not to mention the demands of other US carriers.

iTunes 10.6 now available for download, includes support for 1080p videos

It's not just iOS device users getting a software update today. Apple has also now made iTunes 10.6 available for download, which includes support for 1080p movies and TV shows to match those available on the new Apple TV. The update also brings with it a number of improvements to iTunes Match, including better song matching, and improvements to the way album artwork is downloaded and displayed. 

iOS 5.1 software update now rolling out to iPhones, iPads and iPod touches

Well, it looks like we didn't have to wait long for that iOS 5.1 update. The update is already rolling out to iPhones, iPads and compatible iPod touches. That brings with it a number of improvements and bug fixes, including the previously-announced Japanese language support for Siri, a redesigned camera app for iPad, the ability to delete individual photos from Photo Stream and, somewhat curiously, an "updated AT&T network indicator." What's more, as previously rumored, the camera shortcut is now also always visible on the lock screen for iPhone and iPod touch users.

Update: As a number of commenters have pointed out, it turns out that update to the AT&T network indicator is a change to display "4G" in the status bar, even though the device's connectivity of course remains the same speed as ever.

Apple drops iPad 2 price to $399 for the 16GB WiFi-only model, $529 for the 3G version

Facing soaring demand for budget tablets Apple has announced it will sell the iPad 2 alongside the new iPad, with last year's model tumbling to a more edible price of $399 for the WiFi-only model, or $529 for the 3G version. That entry-level price in particular puts it in more direct competition with a slew of mid-range tabs that previously undercut the iPad, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and others. Specifically, though, Tim Cooks hopes that that lower price will attract not just thrifty consumers, but schools looking to issue iPads in large numbers -- a move that dovetails with the release of iBooks textbooks and the iBooks Author OS X app earlier this year.

Though this is the first time the company's offering two iPads at once, this strategy is old hat for Apple, which has long been taking that tack to sell more iPhones. What's notable is that usually the trade-off (aside from year-old specs) has been that users have had to settle for devices with minimal built-in storage, which you naturally can't expand with a memory card, this being an iDevice and all. In this case, though, the iPad 2 will still be offered with 16GB of built-in storage, as opposed to, say, eight gigs. Still, depending on the size of your library, this might be a good time to get acquainted with iCloud, if you haven't already.

Apple introduces iPhoto for iPad, updates Garage Band, iMovie and iWork

Apple's busy introducing a whole bunch of new apps to go along with its shiny new iPad, and iPhoto is near the top of the list. The "reinvention" of the iconic photo software will be available today for $4.99, and offers a plethora of features, such as bezel gestures, effects, multi-touch editing and direct beaming. You can also easily tweak white balance, exposure and saturation, and you can add geotags, notes and captions. Another highlight of the new iPhoto is the Journal, which allows you to pick and choose certain images to push to iCloud for web viewing. Interestingly, the announcement comes right on the heels of Adobe's competitive offering.

To complete the circle of iLife at today's event, Apple announced significant updates to iWork, iMovie and Garage Band. iWork's refresh utilizes the new iPad's Retina display and offers 3D charts, and each individual app -- Keynote 1.6, Numbers 1.6 and Pages 1.6 -- will be ready for purchase today for $9.99 (or free, if you already have the apps). Next up is iMovie, available for $4.99, which now offers the ability to turn your HD movies into trailers and adds a few more advanced editing tools. Finally, Garage Band introduces a new feature called Jam Session, which lets you and three of your friends connect iOS devices together wirelessly and play together in real-time. Just as before, new buyers can get the updated app for $4.99.

New iPad has 'world ready' 3G, LTE for Verizon, Rogers, Bell, Telus and AT&T

At Apple's press conference, it was revealed that its new retina display-equipped iPad will feature high speed LTE connections on Verizon, Rogers, Bell, Telus and AT&T networks, as well as 3G that works around the world. It brings "the most bands ever", but it looks like we'll still be looking at separate devices that work with either Verizon and AT&T, but not both. Besides the 3.1Mbps EV-DO and 7.2Mbps HSPA that were on the iPad 2, the new slates add 21Mbps HSPA+, 42Mbps DC-HSDPA and 73Mbps LTE connections. Not sure you need that speed on your tablet? Maybe your other devices will appreciate it, since these also have personal hotspot functionality built-in.

iOS 5.1 available now, brings Japanese-language Siri

Some information you guys might have missed is that at apple's event in San Francisco Tim Cooks  announced additional language capabilities for Siri. That disembodied helper, ushered in by the iPhone 4S, is now getting a localized Japanese equivalent as part of the iOS 5.1 update rolling out today and slated to hit Japan over the next few weeks. Looks like those prior leaks were not lieing at all. Now we'll just have to wait and see if that camera slider makes the cut.

Siri sort-of comes to the new iPad, does voice dictation only

Ever since Siri showed up on the iPhone 4S, she's been put to work in a variety of non-Apple approved ways and unofficially ported to other iDevices, including the iPad and iPod. Now Apple's next-generation iPad has made it's debut in San Francisco with a splash of Siri on board. It's not the full voice assistant, but the new tablet does have voice dictation software that supports US English, British, Australian, French, German and Japanese. Not only that, but the dictation feature is available in third-party apps as well, so you'll be able to speak your tweets and status updates on Apple's new tablet.

The new iPad puts the camera back in focus: 5 MP sensor, AF lens, 1080p video

Are you tired of taking average shots with that 1280x720 non-AF camera module in your iPad 2? Well you can celebrate in happiness as the new iPad packs a five megapixel backside-illuminated sensor, five-element f/2.4 autofocus lens with IR filter and captures video at 1080p -- slightly better specs than the iPhone 4. Apple's built the ISP (Image Signal Processor) right into the new A5X chip, enabling features like face detection and image stabilization -- just like the iPhone 4S. I'm expecting some pretty impressive performance from the iSight -- as it's now called so let's hope that none of us are let down.

Apple reveals 1080p Apple TV: $99, arrives March 16th

It seems that I was a little iPad-blinded a little by that decidedly iPad-esque invite, because Apple has something more for all of us -- it has now announced the latest version of Apple TV and it can do 1080p video. The new UI inches slightly closer to iOS territory, with a splash of new color and a whole range of third-party apps willing to play with the new box. This includes access to Photo Stream alongside old favorites like Netflix, Flickr and YouTube. Expect improved connectivity to the iCloud (including your movie content) and better integration of your iTunes playlists directly from the refreshed UI. The good news: the price is going nowhere -- the new model matches the 2010 version at $99. The bad? You'll have to wait until next week to get your hands on one. Pre-orders are now active.

PlayStation Suite open to all developers from April, full SDK coming 'later'

It's been many months since I first heard about this PlayStation SDK, which entered closed beta for a chosen few back in November. Now we're told the open beta will arrive in April, allowing any interested developer to create content for the PS Suite, which will ultimately be accessible to all PlayStation-certified Android smartphones and tablets as well as the PS Vita. This beta of the SDK will be free of charge, while the official version will come "later this year" and require a $99 annual subscription in return for allowing devs to make their wares commercially available on Sony's platform. This should herald good times for users too: People still have to go to crazy lengths just to access homebrew on their Sony handheld. 

Inception brings root privileges, rush of adrenaline to Nokia N9 community

So, here's the thing: Aegis, the security framework on the Nokia N9, has been busted wide open -- thanks to an exploit known as Inception. Much like root access on Android, the software allows developers to write apps (and users to install apps) that take full advantage of the N9's capabilities. Naturally, exploits such as these aren't for everyone -- in particular, Inception requires a familiarity with the command terminal -- but if you've ever wanted to load custom kernel modules, activate disabled hardware features or apply community-provided upgrades, a quick and relatively painless method is now here. A few words of caution: users mustn't upgrade their firmware beyond PR1.2 without first confirming that Inception is compatible, and because the exploit allows applications to gain full access to the phone, users should only install apps from trusted sources. 

Nokia Lumia 800 update reportedly triples battery life

Earlier this week a Vodafone-branded update for the Lumia 800 with a designation of 1600.2487.8107.12070 was leaked. Among the enhancements, the new software version was said to provide longer battery life -- a welcome improvement, no doubt -- but we could've never guessed the significance of the gain. The folks at WPCentral recently forced the update onto their own phones and, get this, they assert the new software has nearly tripled(!) their battery life. While my head is still spinning at the assertion, they claim the improvements are in part due to better management of the screen's brightness and cite an approximate discharge of 70mA when idle. Meanwhile, reports in the forums of xda-developers claim that battery drain is in the neighborhood of 80mA and 90mA when idle -- not quite as stunning, but still a huge improvement in comparison to the approximate 150mA discharge with the previous version. While your mileage may vary, this latest update could prove to be a true godsend for Lumia 800 owners.

Microsoft Office 15 revealed, simpler UI with touch-friendly features

Microsoft started seeding its Office 15 technical preview to a select few partners earlier this year to get it ready for public consumption, and The Verge managed to get a sneak peek at some of the software's new features. As you would expect, the newest Office version got a dose of Metro style, and now has a cleaner interface and touch mode to make browsing documents and presentations as easy on a tablet as it is on a desktop PC. Word also received improvements, like double-click to zoom, smoother scrolling, video embeds and the ability to share documents online through a browser. Excel received some formatting controls and chart animations, among other improvements, while PowerPoint has made it easier to drop Excel charts into presentations without futzing with formatting. Outlook now has weather forecasts built in, in-line replies, and greater multiple email account support, and OneNote received improved tables support. So, it looks like the gang in Redmond is trying to stay a step ahead of its open-source competition, but we I won't know for sure until Office 15 gets in the hands of the people this summer.

Windows Embedded Standard 8 preview now available for download

I'm guessing it won't get to a million downloads quite as quick as the Windows 8 consumer preview did, but Microsoft has now made another upcoming operating system available for download in "preview" form: Windows Embedded Standard 8. That OS is at the heart the company's big push into so-called "intelligent systems," which includes everything from digital signage and kiosks to manufacturing systems and medical equipment. As you might expect, the OS is also closely tied to Windows 8 proper, including the same Metro-style applications and what Microsoft describes as "all the key functionality of Windows 8." 

Android finally gets an official TED app

TED -- it's exclusive, endlessly fascinating, pretentious and addictive as caffeine. Sadly, for those of you out there rocking Android devices, getting your fix on the go required you download the talks as podcasts or use one of many unofficial and highly unreliable apps from the market. That source of frustration comes to an end now, though, with the launch of the official TED app for Android. It's free, it works on tablets and phones and it's available now -- what more could you ask for?

More Nokia 808 PureView sample shots spotted: 41MP sensor laughs at the notion of motion blur

Nokia's 808 Pureview was one of the major stories of last week's MWC. I'm desperate to get to grips with a final retail model and push that 41-megapixel sensor to its limits -- but until then, a handful of extra sample shots will have to suffice. This sharp, detailed mid-air shot bodes well for some high-speed image capture on Nokia's new cameraphone chimera. (However, at the peak of a board trick, you're largely static.) While several more of these unearthed photos are already embedded into Nokia's own 808 landing page, the unobscured image files appear to be a treasure trove for phone tinkerers, with one Pentax Forums member able to eke out plenty of detail from a previously silhouetted sample shot. I've chopped together a before-and-after to accentuate those differences right after the break. Otherwise, you can take a look at the source for a full-size rundown of those hidden images. 

After 25 billion downloads, Apple unveils the App Store's greatest hits

I doubt you've wasted much time contemplating which iOS apps are the most popular, but Apple wants to tell you anyway. Over the past year Cupertino's been keeping its greatest hits up to date in the App Store, and it's made another adjustment to the page in celebration of reaching the 25 billion download mark. The best of the best shouldn't come as much of a surprise -- Angry Birds and its 12 versions are in there, as well as Fruit Ninja, Pandora and Facebook. But if you're even the slightest bit curious as to what else made it to the top of the charts, feel free to scope out the complete listing at Apple.

Square takes on New York taxis with new iPad-based payment system

Anyone who finds themselves in a New York taxi over the next few weeks stands a slim chance of getting their hands on Square's latest experiment. As The New York Times reports, the company will soon begin rolling out the first phase of its new mobile payment system for taxis, which will see 30 cabs equipped with an iPad encased in a metal housing that also includes a credit card reader. That will let folks swipe their card, sign their name on the screen with their finger, and then receive a receipt on their phone either by text or email; taxi drivers are also able to interact with the system, dubbed "Checker," using their own iPhone app. Unfortunately, details beyond that initial roll out remain a bit light, although Square is happy to point out that the system is completely silent and offers no other distractions.

Nintendo 3DS celebrates first birthday, sells 4.5 million consoles in the US

Nintendo of America has lifted the lid on how many 3DS handhelds were purchased in the first twelve months of life in the US of A. 4.5 million of the devices have been taken home since March 27th of last year, surpassing the 2.3 million classic DS units sold between 2004 - 2005. Whilst the company's playing coy with how many units were sold worldwide, given that the Japanese arm of the company recently passed the five million mark, we can reasonably expect Ninty Nintendo's outlook to be healthier than it has been for a while.

Sony VAIO Hybrid lands U name in leaked ad, not much else

Remember that Sony laptop / tablet hybrid spotted on the CES show floor? Well it appears that it will be sporting the VAIO U label when it hits retailers, along the same lines as the outfit's previous UX ultraportable tag. The folks over at Pocketnow ran across an ad with the transforming device being listed as such -- unfortunately, that's about all the info the graphics offered. If you recall, it was discovered back in Vegas that the kit would feature both capacitive touch input and an included stylus alongside a keypad that indicated Windows for the OS. You can rest assured, I'll be keeping an eye out for further details to slide out from cover.

Samsung details pricing and availability for its 2012 Smart TV lineup

I've already seen pricing leak out for some models, but Samsung has today gotten official with the pricing and availability for its complete Smart TV lineup for 2012 (which includes more TVs than I can mention this post). On the LED side of things, those start out with the 26-inch EH4000 on the low-end, which runs $329.99, and top out with the company's 65-inch ES8000, which will set you back a hefty $5,099.99, although it's one of the few models that remains TBA in terms of availability. The company's plasma TV offerings for the year are comparatively fewer (but still include 16 different sets), and range from the 43-inch PN43E450 at $549.99 to the 64-inch PN64E8000 at $3,949.99. 

Google Play replaces Android Market, new source for apps, books, movies and music

The Android Market has morphed significantly since its start, which now allows users to purchase books,music and rent movies, all from within a hub that was originally designed for just apps. To recognize this fundamental shift -- and emphasize the availability of content for sale -- Google is launching a new platform known as Google Play. The move hints at a strategy shift from just Android to the cloud as a whole, and establishes an umbrella brand for the diverse content sold by Google. For example, its Books, Music and Videos apps will now become Play Books, Play Music and Play Movies, while the Android Market itself will take on the title of Play Store. Users of Android 2.2 (and above) should notice the software update within the next few days, although other than the new name, initial changes should be minimal. Also be on the lookout for a new "Play" tab within the top toolbar of Google's website. To mark the occasion, the company has announced a promotional "Seven Days to Play" sale, which will tease would-be shoppers with discounted apps, books,movies and music throughout the week.

AT&T urging customers to upgrade to 3G, possibly killing off 2G

In a move that is sure to surprise no one, it appears AT&T is getting ready to send its trusty 2G GSM network riding off into the sunset. MarketWatch is reporting that some Ma Bell customers have received letters, urging them to upgrade to a 3G or 4G device and warning that service may degrade in some areas as spectrum is repurposed. While the letter stops short of saying the 2G network is being shut down, it seems the writing is on the wall. With the collapse of the T-Mobile acquisition and Verizon's sizable lead in the race to acquire spectrum, AT&T is left with little choice but to use its GSM channels for HSPA+ and LTE service. So far the notices have only gone out to customers in the New York metro area, but it seems safe to assume other locales will follow. The only question is whether the carrier will lean on hold-outs the same way it did when the time came to kill off TDMA -- with a tax on primitive technology.

Apple iPad event confirmed for March 7th in San Francisco

You've heard all the rumors, and now Apple has finally confirmed the details of its next iPad launch event. It will take place on Wednesday, March 7th at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco. The company is keeping things suitably vague beyond that, of course, promising only that it has "something you really have to see. And touch." Now we can all keep our fingers crossed that are some good improvements.

'4G' Sony Tablet P coming to AT&T on March 4th for $400

Sony's odd, dual-screened, folding Tablet P is finally getting a "4G" version here the US, courtesy of AT&T. In this case, those 4G speeds are being "delivered" by an HSPA+ radio, a fact that carrier managed to bury in the PR. The Honeycomb device will be bringing its unique set of 5.5-inch screens to Ma Bell starting March 4th for the rather steep price of $400 with a two year contract. If you don't want to sign your soul over you can pick one up unsubsidized for $550, which is still quite a bit less than the cost of importing one of its £500 UK siblings. 

Duracell Powermat WiCC could bring wireless charging to any smartphone

Powermat may have a bright future, but the company's products to date have been expensive, slightly clunky and a generally imperfect solution for bringing wireless power to mobile devices. That could all change with WiCC. The Wireless Charging Card (WiCC) is an IEEE Power Matters Alliance (PMA) standard, with the potential to integrate Duracell Powermat technology within every mobile gadget. The incredibly thin device resembles those wafer-like SmartMedia cards once used in early digital cameras, with a similar form factor, but significantly more practicality. Each WiCC includes all the PowerMat circuitry found in the company's charging cases, while also doubling as an NFC antenna. The card's success is of course contingent on cooperation from device manufacturers, who will need to add a slim connector above the battery leads, including two for power, two for NFC and two for data -- an app will monitor charging. Powermat reps say that such a connector would cost pennies to implement, however, making it a potentially easy sell.

Powermat President Daniel Schreiber sees this as a major breakthrough for the smartphone industry, saying "we're going to do for wireless power what the memory card did for storage in mobile phones." Because the phone's battery is slightly recessed, both the card and battery fit below the device's original backplate -- the WiCC lies flush with the phone's camera lens. Overall, I think there's some serious potential here, assuming device manufacturers are game to come on board. Still, don't expect to see these hitting stores anytime this year -- the company expects its other products to come to market long before the Wireless Charging Card. 

Samsung unveils new Galaxy Beam smartphone / projector combo with dual core CPU

Samsung has finally started to reveal its new products at MWC 2012, starting with this refresh of the Galaxy Beam packing Android 2.3 and a 1GHz dual-core CPU. Just like its predecessor it brings an integrated projector capable of 15 lumens of brightness, enough to shoot a high definition image that's up to 50 inches wide. There's a dedicated app that activates the projection, letting users pump out video and pictures, as well as interact with games when the 4-inch WVGA screen just isn't big enough. It has a 2000 mAh battery to keep the party going -- handy when you're stuck somewhere inconvenient with a few dozen of your coworkers -- 8GB of built-in storage and a claimed 6GB of RAM (we're double checking that, consider it a likely typo until you hear otherwise). There's more details and specs in the press release after the break, but no word on release date or market availability of this HSPA phone just yet.

Update: I've just confirmed that the Beam isn't loaded with with a whopping 6GB of RAM as we initially reported. As it turns out, the device is actually packing 768MB of RAM (which is 6 gigabits, by the way). 

ZTE Light Tab 2 launches in the UK, proudly sporting Gingerbread

If you don't mind your Gingerbread a bit stale, the ZTE V9A Light Tab 2 is now available in the UK. To jog your memory, for £235 you can snag the 7-inch, Android 2.3 slate complete with a 1.4GHz single-core processor, dual cameras, WiFi and 3G connectivity (no word on service providers). You'll also be getting 4GB internal storage alongside a microSD slot for added space. If you're looking to splurge in hopes of a tasty OS upgrade, there's still no word on ICS for the tablet.

HP rolls out more open webOS components, new Isis browser and some organization

While we thought a tasteful retrospective was the way to go, it looks like HP's not finished picking over those webOS bones. The company has now released the UI widgets for Enyo 2.0 (following its source code release last month), details on how webOS deals with the Javascript core and a new Isis web browser. The browser will apparently add "enhanced support" for plug-ins and Flash -- even if its days are numbered. HP also plans to corral dev efforts, organizing projects and assigning management committees -- based on a "meritocracy" -- to different parts of the code. We're promised yet more OS components to reveal themselves in the next few months, with the full open webOS release expected to roll out in September.