Radio Shack prices HTC EVO 3D at $199.99 on contract, $99.99 with trade-in

When launched, the HTC EVO 3D won't have to back down from any other handset available in the market. The Gingerbread flavored Android handset has a dual-lens 5MP camera in the back, offering users a 3D experience on the 4.3 inch qHD display without needing special glasses. While the phone has been available for pre-order as we reported, there has been no launch date announced.

As far as pricing is concerned, we do know what Radio Shack plans on selling the HTC EVO 3D for. A leaked promo for the retailer was leaked to Good and Evo and it shows the phone priced at $199.99 with a 2 year contract and $499.99 off contract. Come in to Radio Shack and trade in a EVO 4G or EVO Shift 4G and you can buy the EVO 3D for only $99.99. In this case, trading up can save you $100.

While we still don't know when the EVO 3D will be launched, thanks to the leaked ad, we know that the unit comes with The Green Hornet 3D pre-installed and "while they last", the retailer will install the Black Eyed Peas song "Phenomenon" on your new HTC EVO 3D for free.

source: GoodandEvo via AndroidCentral

When launched, the HTC EVO 3D will cost $199.99 with a signed 2-year contract at Radio Shack

HTC Flyer Stylus Demonstration

Ever since the original iPhone came out to popularize capacitive touchscreens over resistive ones, we’ve been seeing far less devices relying on pressure sensitive displays. And with that in mind, the thought of using a stylus has decreased in the last few years since most devices nowadays prefer utilizing displays that run on capacitive technology. However, it seems that the HTC Flyer is attempting to popularize the stylus once again since the optional accessory provides an additional set of new functionality for the tablet.

First and foremost, it’s mind boggling to find that the stylus, which is merely referred to as the “HTC Pen for HTC Tablet,” is an optional accessory priced at $79.99! Yes, that’s an extreme premium you’re going to dish out in order to experience the additional functionality it’s able to muster up, but then again, it would’ve been nice for HTC to price it somewhat more attractive. Still, the aluminum constructed stylus is powered by a single quadruple-A battery that’s surprisingly included with the packaging (thank goodness). Naturally, it’s not like any ordinary plastic stylus that you find with other devices – that’s because it’s based off N-Trig’s DuoSense capacitive touch technology.

Interestingly enough, our initial thought is that we can use the stylus to execute common functions like making selections or scrolling. However, as soon as the tip of the stylus hit the display, it emits the distinguishable snapshot tone, which ultimately captures the image of whatever is on-screen and displays it within the “Scribble” app. From here, we can start scribbling on the image by using a variety of pens, bushes, pencils, and more. Hitting the Scribe button on the bottom right corner of the tablet, it pops up all the available options with the stylus – such as managing the color, size, and type of scribbling pen you want to use. Also, we notice that the stylus is pressure sensitive seeing that lightly gliding over the display produces lighters tones. Conversely, pressing hard down on the stylus produces a more distinguishable color.

Scribble app

Besides the “Scribble” app, you can enter the notepad app that can be synced with your Evernote account. Just like the Scribble app, you can paint, draw, and write down whatever you want on your virtual notepad, but at the same time, you can use the on-screen keyboard to jot down some things as well. Meanwhile, you can hold down the bottom button on the stylus to highlight certain text, while pressing down on the top button, it merely allows you to quickly erase things. Naturally, one of our concerns when trying to write out words with the stylus is that our hand needs to rest comfortably on the display. Taking into account that it’s a capacitive touchscreen, we’re thoroughly surprised to find the tablet is still able to recognize where the stylus is hitting the display.

Indeed the stylus for the HTC Flyer has some interesting new functionality that we don’t find with other tablets, but its steep price tag is undoubtedly its biggest drawback right now. Hopefully, we’ll see either a price drop with it or find some other third-party ones that are competitively priced to make it a no-brainer purchase.

HTC Flyer Benchmark Tests

In an age where dual-core processors are increasingly becoming a must-have with most tablets, especially when they intricately focus on various multimedia functions, some might be irked to find other tablets deciding to stick it out with single-core processors instead. Nonetheless, the HTC Flyer is able to step it up from the usual set of Snapdragon processors we find used by most smartphones since it clocks in at a mind blazing 1.5GHz.

Just quickly operating the tablet, it’s more than evident that speed is something that’s prevalent with the HTC Flyer when it comes to normal operations such as kinetic scrolling and navigation. Still, we’re sure there are some people out there that take pleasure in knowing what kind of benchmark scores it’s able to dish up.

Running the Quadrant benchmark app a few times, we’re able to get scores between 1,810 and 2,263, which is definitely pretty good versus some of the other smartphones relying on single-core processors. In contrast though, it’s still not as impressive when comparing it to the results we’ve seen put out by some of today’s high-end smartphones and tablets using dual-core CPUs. Additionally, we ran the AnTutu Benchmark test where it managed to pull in an overall score of 2,761, which again, is clearly behind the numbers put up by devices like the Motorola XOOM and LG Optimus 2x.

In any event, you still can’t judge a device merely on the figures it’s able to generate with these benchmark tests. Honestly, it still exudes a good amount of speed and responsiveness when it comes down to normal operation, which is undeniably what matters the most. On the other end of the spectrum though, we’re curious to see what kind of battery life it’ll be able to achieve.

AnTutu Benchmark results.

Quadrant Benchmark results.

HTC Flyer Unboxing

Regarded as one of the premier titans in the smartphone industry, it’s almost hard to imagine not seeing HTC joining the foray that’s easily surrounding the highly competitive tablet market right now, but chiming in at the nick of time, the HTC Flyer is finally here giving the Taiwan based company their offering. Although it can be seen as a late venture, especially when you factor in the wealth of tablets out there now, the Flyer is trying to differentiate itself from the pack by attempting to bring back an accessory once perceived to be a must-have with touchscreens – the stylus.

Being a 7” tablet and all, we’re presented with a much more compact looking white packaging that’s relatively light with branding around its sides, but of course, an accurate sized image of the tablet is tastefully displayed right in front for all to see – thus giving the consumer a good idea of what to expect with its size. Flipping it over to its back, useful information such as its highlights and specifications are displayed to really place emphasis on what’s so great with it. However, opening up the box, we don’t find anything out of the ordinary that we’d commonly expect nowadays – like its usual set of documentation, wall charger, and microUSB cable.

For starters, the first thing to come to mind holding the HTC Flyer Wi-Fi is that it bears a resemblance to devices like the HTC Desire HD and Inspire 4G – mainly because of its unibody aluminum construction. Obviously, the high quality materials in use with it surely supplement its overall solid construction, however, it does make the tablet slightly on the heavy side. Regardless, we’re quite pleased thus far with it, and even more when most other 7-inch tablets we’ve seen are made out of plastic more than anything.

Even though the HTC Flyer is packing a single core 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, as opposed to the dual-core tablets we’ve been seeing of late, it still manages to run smoothly in the short time of us handling it. Some of its other features include a 7” display with a resolution of 1,024 x 600, 1GB RAM, 5-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, aGPS, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, microUSB port, and a microSD card slot. Despite not offering the tablet-optimized experience with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the HTC Flyer is able to spruce things up with its latest version of Sense running on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Moreover, it differentiates itself from most other tablets with its HTC Scribe technology – one that intricately makes use of an optional stylus.

Of course, we’ll be checking out what the HTC Flyer has to offer, but considering that it’s coming out of the gate with Gingerbread on board, as opposed to Honeycomb, we’ll see if its customized interface combined with Scribe technology can really still give us a decent table experience. Expect our in-depth review soon!

Apple responds to Amazon's claim that 'app store' is a generic term

Brace yourselves for more corporate banter. Apple has submitted a rebuttal to Amazon.com's most recent filing, denying Amazon's claim that 'app store' is a generic term. On March 21, Apple filed suit against Amazon, claiming that their 'Amazon Appstore for Android' infringed on Apple's trademarked property.

Apple concedes that there are generic elements to the name: "the current edition of the Oxford English Dictionary defines 'app' as, in part, '[a]n application, esp. an application program...Apple further admits that the current edition of the New Oxford American Dictionary defines 'store' as, in part, a retail establishment selling items to the public: a health-food store."

But Apple takes issue with the combination of 'app' and 'store', claiming that the 'appstore' term isn't used to describe mobile software storefronts. Nice try. It's the same kind of uphill battle Kleenex faces every time they try to argue that people don't generically refer to tissues as 'Kleenex'.

Surprisingly, Amazon might have the more complicated case to prove. They do have strong evidence, i.e. Steve Jobs using the term "app store" to describe all mobile download venues. But Amazon is also trying to trademark their own 'Amazon Appstore for Android' name. So how will they simultaneously claim that 'app store' is generic, and then apply for their own trademark? One step at a time.

source: Justia via L.A. Times

Earn a reward for just walking into a Best Buy store starting today

Suppose you could get rewarded for just walking into a store. That is the case with the shopkick mobile app which is available for the Apple iPhone and Android handsets. For example, starting today you can walk into any of the 1300 Best Buy locations and receive a reward for just entering the store. Instead of being tracked with your phone's GPS signal, a special shopkick signal is sent out inside the store which only your phone can hear. Once it verifies that you are indeed at the store, you are given rewards. Other rewards are given when you scan an item, check-in or make a purchase. The rewards include gift cards, free movie tickers, charitable donations and more, including a currency called "kicks" that can be used to make purchases.

While Best Buy originally tested the service at 257 locations, they obviously have been pleased with the results considering the nationwide rollout today. Other stores involved include Target, Macy’s, American Eagle, Sports Authority, Crate & Barrel and other retailers. Shopkick is in use at locations in New York City, LA, SF, Dallas, Chicago, BOS, ATL, Houston, D.C., Miami, Seattle and St. Louis. None other than The Wall Street Journal calls it the #1 shopping app. The download is free for both platforms although the Android version requires a phone running Android 2.1 or higher.

source: AndroidMarket, iTunes via IntoMobile

The shopkick mobile app allows you to earn rewards for just walking into a specific store

Latest on the Motorola DROID 3: No LTE aboard

Back last week, we reported on specs for the Motorola DROID 3 that were found on benchmarking website Nenamark. You might recall that the third-generation model of the phone that started Androidmania is expected to have a PowerVR SGX540 GPU and a TI dual-core OMAP4 1GHz CPU under the hood. The screen is said to be 4 inches of qHD pleasure with both rear and front facing cameras expected, along with a 5 row physical keyboard.

A "reliable" source at TechnoBuffalo has filled in some of the missing pieces. The Motorola DROID 3 will come to market, according to the tipster, with an 8MP camera in back and a 1.3MP camera in front. And while the informant wasn't as sure as Nenamark about whether the handset would sport the TI OMAP4430 or the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, he was sure about one thing that will make DROID fans upset-like its larger stablemate-the Motorola DROID X2-the DROID 3 will be launched sans 4G. Speaking of the launch, the release is expected sometime next month.

source: TechnoBuffalo via IntoMobile

T-Mobile delays its "insomnia sale" to Wednesday; will the carrier's jingle survive the merger?

Is it good news or bad news that T-Mobile has decided to push back its late night "insomnia sale" from this Monday to Wednesday at midnight EDT? Well, it's good news for those who need the extra two days of sleep that they will now get because of the delay. But it is also bad news because the featured devices include the T-Mobile G2x, still one of the hottest Android handsets available in the States, and who wants to wait a minute without having its dual-core speed in your palm. The other featured phone is the T-Mobile G2. All of this news came from a tweet sent out from the carrier.

Speaking of T-Mobile, whether you love it or hate it, the carrier's jingle is one of the most instantly recognizable advertising staples on the American airwaves and as a ringtone on its handsets. Once the jingle is heard, the listener automatically thinks T-Mobile and you can't put a price on that level of brand identity. But will those living in the U.S. still hear the familiar notes after the merger with AT&T? A screenshot of an internal T-Mobile document says that in response to that very question, Deutsche Telecom owns the trademark to the jingle and no decisions have been made regarding the future of it in the States. Unless AT&T decides to make a payment to Deutsche Telecom for the U.S. rights to the jingle, you can assume that in a post-merger world, those notes will be history in the U.S.

source: TmoNews (1), (2)

This tweet sent by T-Mobile announces a two-day delay for the carrier's late night "insomnia sale"

Rooting your Android device will prevent you from seeing movies rented from the Android Market

Earlier this month, we reported that some Android device holders will be able to rent movies in the Android Market. Right now, only those owning a Motorola XOOM with Android 3.1 have access to the service, but soon those with a device powered by Android 2.2 or higher will have the opportunity to pay $1.99 to $3.99 to rent a movie for up to 30 days with a 24 hour viewing clock that counts down once you start watching the movie. Well, that is, unless you have rooted your Android phone or tablet.

Those with the Android 3.1 flavored Motorola XOOM who have rooted their tablet are seeing an error message that reads, " "Failed to fetch license for [movie title] (error 49)" when trying to rent a movie from the application. In a response to a question about the error message, Google says that, "rooted devices are currently unsupported due to requirements related to copyright protection." What doesn't seem to make sense is that Google blames the movie studios for creating this policy while other rental services like Netflix and iTunes will work on rooted devices.

source: AndroidMarketHelp via Engadget

Motorola DROID X2 HDMI-out Demonstration

Being more common nowadays amongst high-end Android smartphones, the Motorola DROID X2 follows the trend by offering users a mirrored experience that allows them to connect the handset to a high-definition television set. Previously, its successor in the original Motorola DROID X was one of the few to boast a microHMDI port that enables users to easily share multimedia content – though, it’s limited with its functionality.

Well, that’s not a problem for the fine and dandy Motorola DROID X2, since it’s able to envelop owners with a wide variety of functionality – all from the comfort of their couch. Connecting a microHDMI type D cable to the handset, and the other end to our television set, we’re instantly greeted to a mirrored experience. Naturally, we’re able to execute just about every function we can think of – like navigating through its homescreens to opening up various apps.

Naturally, it comes in handy when dealing with web browsing since the sheer display size of our television is more than ideal for it. Although text can look rather small on the big screen, especially when we’re sitting back a good distance, it doesn’t become an issue when you execute a pinch gesture to zoom in further. In addition, Flash support with the handset is able to provide us with that desktop like experience.

When it comes to multimedia content, it’s nice being able to quickly share an abundant of things like photos, videos, and music. And rightfully so, we’re able to accomplish just that seeing that we’re able to play music stored locally on the handset. Moreover, the same can be said about playing high-def videos since there are no issues when loading 720p videos. Sure the 4.3” display of the Motorola DROID X2 is more than perfect for video watching, but it’s much better viewing them on the big screen – and even more when it exhibits plenty of details and smooth playback rates.

Lastly, gamers will also appreciate the level of comfort that the HDMI-out functionality has to offer with the Motorola DROID X2 because it essentially turns the handset into the gamepad – while all the action is viewed on your television. Frankly, it’s pretty much the perfect set up since there is barely any evidence of delay when playing games. All in all, its goes to show that this is one unique feature that we will continue seeing with future Android devices.

Google Music Beta Demonstration

Time after time, we’ve seen Google move into new ventures where their presence isn’t as widely recognized as other, but it’s not all the time they’re able to make an indelible mark in those new areas. Much like how Google is attempting to intrude into Twitter’s space with their Google Buzz service, we’re now seeing that with the music streaming service with their new Google Music Beta cloud service. Unlike other competitive services like Pandora, Slacker Radio, Napster, and Rhapsody, Google Music Beta allows users to stream their own library of songs to just about any internet connected device out there. Right now though, attendees of Google I/O and some Verizon Motorola XOOM owners have the prestigious opportunity of checking it now, but let’s hope others will have their time down the road.

First and foremost, users will be required to transfer their songs stored locally on their computers to Google – and this is accomplished by download and using the Google Music Manager software. Basically, it’ll scour your hard drive to fish out all your music, and once it’s able to tally them all with your approval, it’ll commence uploading them to the clouds. Naturally, it’s probably recommended for you to have a fast internet connection because the whole process can definitely be time consuming to say the least – especially if own a ton of songs. Thankfully though, you don’t have to upload all your songs at one-shot since you can continue from the same spot you left off previously.

Google Music App for Android

If you happen to own an Android powered smartphone, you can download the new Google Music app from the Android Market, which complements the default music player on your device – and in our case, we used the Samsung Infuse 4G. Launching the app for the very first time, we’re asked if we’d like to try out the new streaming feature associated with our account, and rightfully so, we accepted it unconditionally. In terms of presentation, there isn’t anything out of the ordinary with the app, mainly because it looks and feels like the stock Android music player we’re normally used to seeing. Aggregating songs stored locally on the handset, it’ll even display those that have been uploaded to our account.

Granted that songs are streamed at up to 320kbps quality, we’re actually quite content with its quality, which sounds more than acceptable to the ear without the slightest indication of any degradation. Seeing that we’re getting solid speeds with the Samsung Infuse 4G, the buffer time isn’t long at all, and in fact, it’s actually almost instantaneous. Conversely though, we also used a Samsung Transformer using Sprint’s network, but there’s some time needed to get songs to begin playing due to the slower connection speeds – though, audio quality is still acceptable.

Web based Google Music Beta interface on the Apple iPhone 4 (L) & BlackBerry PlayBook (R)

Fortunately though, you don’t necessarily need an Android powered device to be able to stream your songs in the cloud. That’s because you can still access and play them using just about any internet connected device – and in our case, we used AT&T’s Apple iPhone 4 and the BlackBerry PlayBook. Launching their respective web browsers, we’re able to log in and load the web based music player interface, which provides us the same experience as with Android’s dedicated app. Again, there’s a little bit of buffer time, though not long at all, but we’re quickly able to start playing some of our songs on both devices with no problems.

Needless to say that we’re undeniably excited about Google Music beta, but it’s even better knowing that the service is entirely FREE! Meaning, we’re able to upload all our music to the clouds and access them using just about any device out there with a web browser – and the best part of it all is that no cost is associated with it. Sure you have free services like Pandora that streams certain songs, but not all of them might be something that’s preferable to you. Granted that it’s only the beginning right now, we’re already curious to know what Google will do down the road to improve and innovate the service.

Updated Apple iPhone app to allow users to custom-order a Mac

As part of the Apple Store 2.0 makeover, the store's iPhone app is about to change. Speculation is that the new app will allow users to custom-order a Mac like you can now on the store's web site. Besides configuring a Mac to your liking by picking your choice of a processor, memory, hard drive and other hardware selections, you should also be able to make a one-on-one appointment, add AppleCare or order a printer. Right now, the app allows you to order only a stock configuration of a Mac. The revised app is expected to launch tomorrow.

The Apple Store 2.0 overhaul is expected to replace paper price signs with Apple iPad 2 displays. Store workers will have a new RetailMe app to work with as well as being issued an iPad 2 to use in the store.

As far as updating the Apple Store app for the iPad, it is expected that Apple will keep the status quo on the tablet due to the device's larger sized screen which makes navigation on the iPad a lot easier than on the Apple iPhone.

source: MacRumors via electronista

Starting tomorrow, you can custom order your nerw Mac from your Apple iPhone

Pre-order the HTC EVO 3D and the HTC EVO View 4G starting today at Sprint

A $50 gift card purchase starting today at Sprint can reserve for you the HTC EVO 3D or the HTC EVO View 4G tablet. One problem is that neither product has been officially priced by Sprint. The  Wi-Fi only variant of the HTC Flyer, which is similar to the HTC EVO View 4G (minus the 4G, of course) has just been launched at a price of $499.99 at Best Buy.

The HTC EVO 3D has some pretty hot specs including a 1.2 dual-core Snapdragon MSM8660 under the hood and Android 2.3 on board. Around the back is a 5MP dual-lens camera to snap those pictures that come out in 3D without glasses on the 4.3 inch qHD display. A 1.3MP front-facing camera lets you smile for a picture yourself, or can be used to video chat. A microSD slot will accept up to a 32GB card.

As far as the HTC EVO View 4G is concerned, the tablet offers a 7 inch display with a 5MP camera on back and a 1.3MP camera in front. Android 2.3.3 is powering the tablet which has a 1.5GHz Qualcomm single-core Snapdragon processor inside. The HTC EVO View 4G connects you to Sprint's WiMax 4G network. An optional stylus is available that will allow you to use HTC's Scribe Technology which you can use to write all over the tablet's screen. Take notes, highlight text, doodle funny pictures, any picture or words that you put up on the screen can be written on. As we reported, the stylus is being offered for the HTC Flyer at a price of $80, so we would assume that Sprint will charge somewhere in that range for the pen.

If you don't mind making a $50 bet that the bottom line for either device will come in as you expect, then you can plunk down $50 toward the handset, the tablet or both. And in the worse case scenario and Sprint ends up pricing both products above your budget, well, you at least will have a gift card or two that you can use another time. And if things go as planned, you will soon have one of the hottest Android phones in your hand and/or a fine Android tablet that with a few extra dollars, will allow you to take notes or just scribble all over the screen.

source: Engadget