Gadget God

*****Converting Normal People Into Gadget Gods***** Whispering the technology industries biggest leaks and secrets to the disciples of the world

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You all wanted the top 50 stories of 2011! So here they are! Thank you to everyone for making this an awesome year of Gadget God goodness :)

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GRAND THEFT AUTO V - REVEAL TRAILER HD

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Android slates with high-profile pre-installed video games? We must be talking Sony here, right? Wrong. Turns out, this is what GameStop had in mind when they spilled the beans about the company's plans for a certified gaming tab. Making good on that word, but falling short of actually producing a newdevice, 200 of the retailer's brick-and-mortar shops are now home to an array of tablets from the likes of Acer, ASUS, Samsung and Motorola -- all members of Google's tablet OS brigade. These familiar Honeycomb faces carry their same retail prices, but come customized with seven free games and, in the case of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Iconia Tab A100, the company's proprietary Bluetooth controller. You can always snag that last bit separately, although if you're already committed to shelling out this much cash, what's another $39? While the verdict's still out on whether this move is a hit or miss, it sure is no wonder why PlayStation Suite's eyeing greener hardware pastures.

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New Wii Bundle loses GameCube Backwards-compatibility, retains same $150 price tag. The horizontal Wii launches in the US on October 23rd.

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We managed to get our hands on a brand new Apple iPhone 4S a little early, and while we haven’t spent enough time with the device to write a full review yet, here are some initial impressions:

The iPhone 4S is noticeably faster. Having used an iPhone 4 since launch day, the experience now closely matches the iPad 2 in terms of UI speed. Apps open faster, browser performance is improved, and other system functions like installing apps from the App Store while you navigate to another app are much snappier.

The camera… is amazing. As noted above, the camera app opens much more quickly and taking pictures is faster as well. More importantly, the photos that are captured look worlds better than what the iPhone 4 offers, which was already quite good. We’ll dive deeper into the camera in the review, but if photography is important to you, this is something that’s incredibly impressive.

Siri: mind-blowing. Not because Siri can answer anything you throw at it, but because every other voice input system we’ve ever used has been command-driven, and Siri breaks that mold. Apple repeatedly mentioned that Siri can understand the meaning of your request, the context and more, and that the system will only get better. It’s already leaps and bounds above anything Google offers, which is a pretty impressive solution on Android handsets.

The iPhone 4S uses the same vibrate system as the Verizon iPhone 4 but it’s not quite as aggressive. It still does the job as well as the iPhone 4, just with a bit less force. It’s just a little thing, but something we’ve noticed nonetheless.

We’re in the process of putting a full iPhone 4S review together, but in the meantime check out my other posts!

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The blue Wii will be part of a bundle that includes Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games.

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As rumored, Apple just took the wraps off the fruits of its Siri acquisition and it’s called… “Siri.” The feature enables you to interact with your device much as you would with a human assistant; you can speak to your phone naturally and it will perform as a personal assistant. Apple demonstrated different voice tasks during its press conference on Tuesday, such as asking what the weather is like today, or do I need a raincoat today? More voice tasks? Wake me up at 6AM tomorrow and Siri will set your phone alarm. What’s the time in Paris? How’s the stock market doing today? Find me an italian restaurant in New York? Give me directions to a location? Siri will even read your text and email messages to you. Siri will become available to the public when iOS 5 launches on October 12th.

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Phil Schiller VP of Worldwide Marketing just announced on stage that there’s a brand new update to the iPod touch, now the world’s most popular portable game player. The update? It’s now available in white, as rumored. The 8GB version now starts at just $199, the 32GB sells for $299 and the 64GB version comes in at $399.

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During the “Let’s Talk iPhone” keynote on Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California today, Apple updated the iPod nano with a new multitouch display. Building on a number of watchband accessories that were made available for the last-generation nano, Apple has also created 16 different clock faces on the media player. Users also do not need to purchase additional accessories to take advantage of the nano during workouts; it will automatically begin tracking your walk or run. The new nano is available now and Apple is stocking seven different colors. The 16GB model is priced at $129 and the 16GB mode is priced at $149.

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Apple’s iOS 5 will be released on October 12th for the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, iPad 2 and the last two iPod touch generations. We’re expecting the Gold Master to be released for developers later today. Apple’s free iOS 5 software update brings over 200 new features to the platform including some big ones like redone notifications, iMessage, built-in Twitter integration, Newsstand and more.

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It’s official: Apple’s brand new flagship handset, the iPhone 4S, is here. While confusion was sprinkled throughout the industry on exactly what Apple would announce, most seemed to agree that the iPhone 4S would be the smartphone that Apple ultimately would unveil. The iPhone 4S features an upgraded Apple A5 dual-core processor that is twice as fast at executing tasks, and it offers performance up to 7x better than the previous iPhone in terms of graphics. Even with the increased performance of the new A5 chip, Apple is stating battery life has increased to 8 hours of 3G talk time. Hit the break for more.

In addition, Apple is touting a brand new antenna system where the phone will “intelligently switch between two antennas” to offer up even better call quality. Data speeds are increased by almost 2x thanks to HSPA+ 14.4 support. The iPhone 4S is also a world phone, working on multiple carriers and networks globally.

An 8-megapixel camera can been dropped into the new iPhone 4S, offering up 60% more pixels, with a CMOS backside illuminated sensor supporting a staggering 73% more light than the iPhone 4 sensor, and it’s 33% faster. In addition to face detection and a 2-3x reduction in the time it takes to capture a photo compared to competitors’ smartphones, the iPhone 4S will take 1080p HD video with image stabilization in real-time.

If that wasn’t enough, Apple is including the ability to use AirPlay Mirroring right on the iPhone 4S in addition to the iPad 2, which already supports this feature.

Apple also introduced Siri, a personal voice assistant for your phone that includes a voice dictation feature. Simply talk to the phone and Siri will transcribe your spoken voice to text in any text field where there is a keyboard.

Black and white versions of the iPhone 4S will be available on the 14th when the phone launches, and they come in 16GB, 32GB and finally… 64GB capacities. Prices? $199, $299 and $399 respectively. The iPhone 4, as rumored, will be available for $99 with 8GB of storage, and the iPhone 3GS? Free on contract.

In terms of launch, the iPhone 4S will be available starting October 14th with pre-orders starting October 7th for the U.S., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Japan. Oh, and Sprint will be getting the iPhone and it only had to offer $20 billion in guaranteed sales over four years to make it happen.

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iPhone 4S hits Apple website, on sale October 14th

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With Apple set to unveil its next-generation iPhone(s) on Tuesday, the rumor trough is overflowing with more Apple juice than even the most dedicated fans can handle at this point. According to the mill, Apple is set to unveil about a dozen various iPhone models this week, ranging from a modest update to be hawked on the cheap to a teardrop-shaped overhaul that will feature a 4-inch display and a unibody aluminum design (perhaps similar to the mock-up seen above). In fact, all leaks accounted for, we’re looking at a tweaked entry-level iPhone 4 with 8GB of storage and a budget-friendly price tag, an iPhone 4S due in black and white with 16GB and 32GB variations, and an all new iPhone 5, also in black and white, with 16GB, 32GB and maybe even 64GB capacity options. Oh, and that’s all in addition to a 3G-enabled iPod touch with iPad-like data plans.

Totally plausible, right?

If you’ve been snoozing this weekend, here’s a quick rundown of what you missed:

Here it is, folks — the somewhere-between-free-and-$350 8GB iPhone 4, model N90A, that’s ready to decimate the entry-level, mid-range and prepaid smartphone competition. Maybe. Gizmodo Brasil hasimages of parts reportedly taken inside Foxconn’s Brazilian factory.

Wondering if “iPhone 4S” is just a name dreamed up by blogs as a placeholder for Apple’s supposed A5′d iPhone 4? Nope — apparently it’s real, and 9to5Mac found references to the device in the latest iTunes beta.

Well if there’s a new cheaper iPhone 4 and an iPhone 4S, that means the mythical redesigned “iPhone 5″ is nothing but a pipe dream, right? Wrong again! Engadget has a screenshot of RadioShack’s inventory system, which clearly now includes 16GB and 32GB iPhone 5 models headed to AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint. They should fit nicely in the iPhone 5 cases now appearing in AT&T’s inventory system.

Also, TUAW snagged a couple screenshots of a Cincinnati Bell snafu; the regional carrier accidentally posted entries for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 in its prepaid phones section. That’s right, not only is Apple pushing its new iPhones to regional carriers now — but still not to T-Mobile — but the new handsets will also all be available with prepaid plans.

Oh, and once these dozen or so iPhones hit the market this month alongside iOS 5, we can also look forward to “Assistant” voice controls and iOS app rentals. Sweet.

Skeptical that all these leaks paint an accurate picture of the iPhone landscape come Tuesday? You’re not alone. There have been enough rumors, leaks and plants this time around to make anyone’s head spin. The only thing we can safely say for sure, of course, is that the mystery will be behind us shortly after 10:00 a.m. Pacific, 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. Be sure to tune in to Gadget God on Tuesday for all the official iPhone news as it breaks.

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It’s official: invitations for Apple’s iPhone event are now being sent to the media. As had been rumored, this year’s iPhone unveiling will be held on Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California as opposed to Apple’s standard venue, the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The press conference will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, and BGR will be bringing you all the news as it breaks.

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AMAZON KINDLE FIRE HANDS-ON! [VIDEO]

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We are live from Amazon’s Kindle Fire press conference in New York City where the online retailer is about to announce a $199 Kindle Fire tablet. The Kindle Fire is equipped with a 7-inch display and can connect with Wi-Fi networks but will not ship with a 3G chip, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. Customers will also receive a 30-day trial to Amazon Prime when they purchase the Kindle Fire. Amazon Prime allows customers to stream movies from Amazon’s Unbox service, which now offers content from FOX, and provides free 2-day shipping. The device is largely expected to look like the BlackBerry PlayBook. Amazon is also expected to reveal a $79 entry-level Kindle. BGR will be bringing you more details on the tablet in the coming hour and we expect to deliver a hands-on shortly, too. Stay tuned. 

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Sony PlayStation Vita debuts in Japan on December 17th, partnering with NTT DoCoMo for 3G. USA & Europe wait until 2012.