In another indication that Samsung’s event next week will indeed be the Nexus Two, a rumor out of IntoMobile today indicates that next Thursday the 11th will mark the launch of Google’s Android Ginbread (2.3) SDK. The Nexus Two will undoubtedly sport the latest iteration of Android, so the timing seems perfect for everyone.
Microsoft is preparing to launch the Microsoft Kinect motion-based add-on for the Xbox 360 tomorrow, and has upped the number of units it expects to sell over the next two months. According to CNET, a Microsoft spokesman revealed: “…we’re increasing our forecast from 3 million sensors sold this holiday to 5 million. That’s bigger than any launch in Xbox history.” So be good kids, it looks like there’s a good chance that a Kinect will be waiting under your tree next month.
We’re barely in the iPhone 4 era, and already there’s big rumors about the next iPhone. According to a rumor on Cult of Mac today, Apple plans on leveraging Near Field Communication (NFC) chip technology toward making the iPhone a remote computer capable of sharing wirelessly with Macs.
Used in such things as electronic payments, NFC technology enables short-range communications between compatible devices. In August, it was rumored that Apple was testing NFC technology in the iPhone. At the time, it was thought to be for electronic payments.
Today’s rumor goes further than that, indicating that Apple wants to use the chips to enable short-range sharing between Macs and the iPhone, letting users update contacts, bookmarks and other settings between devices. The technology would work not just with your computer, but with any Mac, turning it into a pseudo version of your personal Mac.
Surprise, surprise. It’s been about three and a half months since ESPN 3D launched during the World Cup, and things aren’t going so great. I guess launching a service before there’s much of any way to take advantage of it–especially when that service entails specific, expensive hardware–isn’t the most solid business plan, despite the perception that people need to see juiced-up jocks battling in full 3D.
With Microsoft Kinect set to launch next week, and Sony Move already out there, the motion-based gaming wars are officially underway. After four years, Microsoft and Sony can finally compete on the same playing field as Nintendo. But Nintendo still has a couple of legs up in one aspect of motion-based gaming: strange, outlandish accessories designed to make gaming more true to form. Here are some of the oddest Wii peripherals and designs that we’ve seen over the years.
After the Nexus One failed so miserably earlier this year, despite all the hype that preceded it, I’d have thought that the Nexus name was dead. But not so according to a new rumor. There’s a Nexus Two in store. It’s manufactured by Samsung, bears the Google phone name and is coming in less than two weeks, November 8 to be exact. Samsung already had a press conference scheduled in NYC that day, and this big announcement is supposedly what it’s all about. Android and Me first reported this rumor based on conversations with multiple sources.
At this point, you might as well just wait for the iPhone 5 if you’re holding out for a white iPhone. The phone that was originally supposed to launch with the black version in June was delayed first until July, then until year-end and now until next year. ‘Early’ next year is the official line that Apple’s giving. On the plus side, the way Apple is going, if the white iPhone ever does come out, it could be right in time for the annual iPhone update price drop.
It’s been a while since we were really excited about a cell phone–they’re all starting to look pretty similar–but the Sony PlayStation phone definitely breaks the mold and sparks some new buzz around the mobile. If Sony’s commercials with the wise-crackin’ little kid are any indication, the company realizes that it has one big advantage over the iPhone and other handsets: mobile gaming. So it’s not surprising to see it attempting to leverage that advantage in the cell phone market.
Right on cue, Barnes & Noble launched a 7-inch color Nook, an e-reader that it’s positioning as a light tablet. The new Nook doesn’t offer any new screen technology in terms of color e-reading, so you’re stuck with the less-than-optimal LCD screen. But you will get access to advanced features like social media applications, music streaming and email. The Nook Color is based on Android and will be available as a Wi-Fi only model beginning November 19. Price is $249.
