Category: News

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Verizon Surprises Lumia Icon Owners with Denim Update

***UPDATE: We now have a full review of the 4K video quality embedded below!***nokia lumia icon denim update verizon wireless somegadgetguyComing down the pipe this morning, if you happen to own the oft neglected Nokia Lumia Icon, you’re in line for a BIG update.

Jumping the line over all the missed updates and patches, skipping over the Lumia Cyan firmware, VZW will be skipping directly to Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 with Lumia Denim. Go directly to GO, Collect $200. Fantastic.

In the updates arms race between AT&T and Big Red, Windows Phone users have been left out in the cold of late. The Lumia 1520 phablet still a ways behind it’s international brethren, but now Icon owners have a little something to brag about.

We’ll be tearing into the new Lumia Camera app soon, as we can’t wait to try out the new 2160/30p shooting mode.

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An OTA should be pushing out soon, but if you don’t want to wait (and you don’t mind completely wiping your phone) you can use the Lumia Software Recovery Tool.

You can see our real world benchmark test of the Icon shooting UHD video below!

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LG to Release Free Plastic Version of Google Cardboard VR Headset to G3 Owners

LGE_VR+G3_5002We’ve seen a few companies build out variations on Google’s “inexpensive” solution for using a phone as a VR screen.

Based on that template however, LG will be building a plastic rig, designed specifically for the G3, and if you’re looking to buy LG’s current QHD screened flagship smartphone, chances are you can score a headset for free. We don’t have details yet on how or when LG might start shipping, but you can read their full press release below for more info!

Continue reading “LG to Release Free Plastic Version of Google Cardboard VR Headset to G3 Owners”

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Tech Chat: New Cameras Announced – Samsung NX500 & Canon 5DS R!

Exciting news this past week coming from Samsung and Canon.

Samsung took the wraps off of their new NX 500 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, and it looks like the rumors of an “NX1 Mini” were true!

Also from the Canon camp, the next versions of the 5D will feature an insane 50MP image sensor, and the 5DS R will remove the low pass filter for sharper images.

I spent some time chatting about the announcement with Enobong Etteh from BooredAtWork.com, which you can watch below.

What are your thoughts on these new cameras? Will you be shopping one of these systems?

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Samsung Officially Reveals NX500 Mirrorless Camera – NX1 Features at Half the Price!

We’re wrapping up our review of the MONSTER NX1, but in the meantime, we can also whet your appetite with a smaller mirrorless camera coming from Samsung boasting many of the same specs.

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The NX500 is officially official, and looks like it will live up to the rumors of Samsung delivering an NX1-Mini.

We see the same 28MP APS-C Backside Illuminated sensor, with full support for Cinema 4K Video (4096×2160), and the flip up touchscreen display. Absolutely monster specs for a camera in this segment. You can already pre-order this beastie on Amazon for $799 with the 16-50mm kit lens.

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For those interested, we have Cinema 4K video samples from the NX1 below, and under that you can read the full Samsung press release with full product specs and a few more images of the NX500.

Continue reading “Samsung Officially Reveals NX500 Mirrorless Camera – NX1 Features at Half the Price!”

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OtterBox Leak Points to Camera Refinements on HTC One M9

HTC One M9 Otterbox LeakWe still don’t have a lot of information on what will be coming for HTC’s next flagship phone. No confirmation on screen size or resolution. We don’t even know yet if it will use Qualcomm’s new 810 chipset.

This leaked line up of cases from OtterBox however do show some detail as to what we might expect from HTC. Cut outs show they’ll be keeping the front facing stereo speakers. Also the button arrangement looks like HTC will yet again be “inspired” by Nokia, which would be a welcome change from the top mounted power buttons on the M7 and M8.

Most interesting however is the large square-ish cutout for the rear camera. We don’t see a secondary port for a duo camera sensor.

My biggest complaint with the M8 came from the camera quality, walking away from Optical Image Stabilization (a feature which greatly improves video and low light photos) in favor of a fun gimmick which developers never really embraced. We obviously don’t know the particulars of what will go into HTC’s next camera, but a return to a single sensor with OIS would be a welcome change.

And I’m always glad to see accessory manufacturers ready to support new phones. OtterBox’s Commuter case has seen regular rotation on my M8.

We’ll need to wait until March for the full scoop! What are you hoping to see in HTC’s next flagship phone? Drop us a comment below!

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T Mobile price cut on the LG Optimus L90!

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Are you looking to save some dough on a new phone? T Mobile just cut the price of the LG Optimus L90 from $168.99 all the way down to $49.99! The LG Optimus L90 features a 4.7 inch qHD screen, a quad core 1.2GHz processor, LTE ready, a front facing camera and a 5mp rear camera with LED flash.

The LG Optimus LG90 is running Android 4.4 Kit Kat with 1 GB of ram and a 4GB expandable memory slot.  The back cover features self healing powers if you scratch it although if you gouge it with your car keys it may not heal. Not a bad little phone for $49.99 to have as a back up phone or for someone who is new to the smart phone world!

Grab the LG Optimus L90 here from T Mobile!  Continue reading “T Mobile price cut on the LG Optimus L90!”

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Informal Poll: Do You Have Broadband Internet at Home?

SAMSUNG CSCLast week the FCC redefined broadband internet, moving it from 4Mbps download / 1Mbps upload, to a far more modern 25Mbps down / 3Mbps up. With the stroke of a pen, now almost 20% of the population here in the United States no longer had access to “broadband” internet access?

Were you one of those folks? Has your service provider been able to keep pace with infrastructure and data needs? Drop us a comment below!

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Google Earth Pro is Now Free for All

gep-post-pdx-resizedGoogle Earth was one of those services that really showed off what a company could do with mapping data, and I’m sure many man hours have been spent doing virtual flyovers of spots around the world.

While there was a free consumer version of Earth, for professionals needing high resolution imaging, a subscription for Earth Pro used to cost $399 a year. Now everyone can join in the fun by requesting a free license, which will also allow for high res printing and the ability to create animated videos.

Will you be signing up? Because it’s free… So why wouldn’t you?

Google’s full PR is below.

Continue reading “Google Earth Pro is Now Free for All”

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