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Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012
05 hours
by Zachary Lutz
in Smartphone
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 14th, 2012.
(more...)Wedding Roundup: Quirky Invitations, DIY Decor, Easy Eats, and More Inspiration For Your Big Day
06 hours
by Brittney Stephens
in Geek
4 Photography Apps For Busy Photographers [Mac]
06 hours
by Emmanuel Banks
in How To
After a busy photo-shoot, the next thing to do is to organize your photos into their respective albums. Depending on your photo-editing skill, you might also want to do some touching up to the photos before you save them to the archive. If you are a Mac user, here are some photography apps, ranging from basic usage to professional grade, that you can use to make your photos look better.
1. iPhoto for Mac
(more...)Microsoft exec says Windows Phone outselling iPhone in China
07 hours
by Jon Fingas
in Smartphone
Going by Microsoft's Greater China COO Michel van der Bel, the launch of Windows Phone in China is off to an auspicious start -- enough to give Apple the shakes. He claims that devices like the Nokia Lumia 800c have helped Windows Phone reach seven percent of the Chinese market, or just enough to get past the six points of the iPhone. We're waiting on hard data before we take van der Bel's word: the top smartphone makers worldwide aren't depending much or at all on Windows Phone, and the iPhone has a thriving gray market in China that masks some of its real numbers. Having said this, we've seen signs of Windows Phone enjoying a bit of a surge even in an iOS- and Android-loving Europe, so we'll be watching to see if there's an uptick in the number of buyers saying ni hao to Microsoft in the near future.
(more...)Facebook likes Karma app, buys the whole darn thing
09 hours
by Jason Hidalgo
in Smartphone
What does one do after generating billions from an initial public stock offering? Go shopping, of course. After falling short of expectations following its somewhat helter-skelter IPO debut, Facebook simply shook off the whole thing and acquired itself some good Karma. No, we're not talking about that Karma. Instead, Facebook purchased the startup responsible for the Karma social gifting app. The move was apparently made to bolster Facebook's mobile chops -- an area the company considers ripe for opportunity. Just recently, Facebook also acquired mobile stalwart Instagram and the Lightbox team, for example. As for its newest purchase, Karma will be allowed to "continue to operate in full force" despite its recent status change, according to a blog post by co-founders Lee Linden and Ben Lewis. Details weren't disclosed about how much the deal was worth but judging from celebratory nature of their post, it doesn't look like Linden and Lewis will "Unlike" the agreement any time soon.
Facebook likes Karma app, buys the whole darn thing originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
(more...)China Clears Google’s Motorola Acquisition
011 hours
by Eric M. Zeman
in Smartphone
Chinese antitrust regulators approved Google's proposed acquisition of Motorola on Saturday. The deal, first announced in August 2011, makes Google the owner of Motorola Mobility, and is valued at $12.5 billion. The acquisition has already cleared regulatory hurdles in the U.S., the European Union, and other markets. Approval from China was the last step needed before Google could finalize the acquisition. The companies expect that the deal will close early next week.
China clears Google acquisition of Motorola, eliminates last barrier to Googorola bliss
011 hours
by Jon Fingas
in Smartphone
The final significant roadblock to Google's buyout of Motorola has been cleared, as Chinese regulators have just given their rubber stamp. Their approval follows a few months after the simultaneous American and European clearances, and virtually all that's left now is to formally close the deal and start integrating the two mobile giants. It might still come too late for the combined entity to present a united front at Google I/O, but at least they won't have any awkward glances at each other across the room. We're just trying to decide on whether or not Googorola is the best pet name for the loving, $12.5 billion-dollar Android union. Update: Google has since told the AP that the deal will likely wrap up early next week, so Motorola should be part of the family well in advance of Google I/O.
(more...)Love It or Leave It: The Flote iPad Stand
012 hours
by Anna Monette Roberts
in Geek
Companies know that peering down to play or work on a tablet can cause back and neck strain, so now they're rolling out ergonomic stands for the iPad. Whether your tablet of choice is Android- or iOS-based, Flote Tablet Stand ($270) works as a floor or bed stand and is designed to bend and move to meet your ergonomic needs.
(more...)How to Watch Sunday’s Solar Eclipse
013 hours
by Kelly Schwarze
in Geek
Lucky residents of the Western US will be looking to see the sky this Sunday, May 20 when an annular solar eclipse passes from northwestern Texas through New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, southern Utah, Nevada, northern California, and southwestern Oregon. Living on the other side of the country doesn't mean you have to miss out on the celestial wonder; NASA, naturally, has got you covered.
(more...)Insert Coin: CordLite illuminated iPhone cable (video)
014 hours
by Zach Honig
in Smartphone
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
