Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

If you were this close to snapping up a new Zune after Microsoft pushed out its 3.1 software update, boy, are you glad you held off. At least, if you've been eying a Zune of the flash-based variety. Beginning today, the US Zunes are coming a little more in line with their Canadian brethren by falling from $129 to $99 (4GB), $149 to $139 (8GB) and $199 to $179 (16GB). The Car Pack / Dock Pack are also seeing a $10 decrease while the Home / AV pack is being reduced $20. You already purchased two in the time it took to read this, didn't you?

Microsoft ratchets down pricing on flash-based Zunes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software, Macbook Pro, MacBook, MacBook Air

There are several applications available that will help find a lost or stolen Mac. Here at TUAW, we've talked about LoJack for Laptops, Orbicule's Undercover, MacPhoneHome, and iAlertU from Slapping Turtle. Most of these apps "find" the computer by determining the IP address of the machine, and using that data to narrow down the physical location where the laptop is in use. That information can be shared with police and ISPs to find the thieves, recover your laptop, and make an arrest.

There's a new Mac recovery app available called MacTrak that's different -- it uses the same Skyhook Wireless positioning technology used in the iPhone to accurately determine the location of your Mac within 10-20 meters. If your nice new MacBook Pro is lost or stolen, you simply log into a special web page with your predetermined credentials, and click on one button to start tracking your Mac. Every 30 minutes, MacTrak takes a picture with the iSight camera, then sends detailed information including its latitude and longitude to you via email. At the same time, it uploads that same information in a "Wanted Poster" view to your Flickr account. You can then work with the proper authorities to have your Mac returned to you. Read on for more info about MacTrak.

Continue reading TUAW Review: MacTrak Theft Recovery Software

TUAWTUAW Review: MacTrak Theft Recovery Software originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Section: iPhone + Communications, iPhone Accessories, iPhone

As if you haven’t already heard enough announcements about new iPhone battery extender and case combos, another one from Incase is ready for your holiday checklist. One of the interesting things about this case is that it’s designed to allow you to charge the phone without removing the case, a feature that will save some time struggling to remove the case. To do this, Incase ships their own USB cable extender with the iPhone that will fit through the case.

This case is also said to extend the battery life of your iPhone to double that of the iPhone regularly. It has a five light LED on the back that reminds you of how much charge you have left. If this case is anything like other Incase products, you can be sure it is going to do a great job of covering and protecting your phone. Be sure to get it in time for the holidays to make sure your phone doesn’t run out of battery during any of those important memories!

Product [Power Slider]

Full Story » | Written by Josh Holat for Appletell. | Comment on this Article »

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Filed under: Cellphones

MMS-capabilities coming soon to a Swedish iPhone? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: GPS

Continue reading Goodyear announces five more GPS units in time for Christmas

Goodyear announces five more GPS units in time for Christmas originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Software Update, Apple

If you're a regular visitor to the Apple support downloads website, then you might have noticed a change last night. In addition to releasing two updates, Apple also redesigned the site.

If you've used the update website before, then you know what a challenge it was to find any useful information. Before, Apple just showed a list of updates (with the newest ones at the top); now you are able to browse by specific product. By clicking a product link at the top, you can see updates for iPhone, iPod, Desktop Computers, Portable Computers, Mac OS and Software, Peripherals, Servers and Enterprise Software, and Internet (.Mac, MobileMe, Safari, Photo Services).

Two interesting notes on the new design: First, Apple doesn't use the word "Mac" after Desktop and Portable, but instead uses "Computer." Second, Safari is categorized under their "Internet" group alongside MobileMe; they also still have updates for .Mac despite the branding change to MobileMe. You can see the new site, and get your new updates, by clicking here.

TUAWApple redesigns Support Downloads pages originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Storage

Not just everyone can get away with consumer-level kit, and if you plan on keeping that Counter-Strike server running for another four years without so much as a hiccup, you should probably look into some industrial-strength materials. To that end, we present to you a new pair from TDK: a U.DMA 6-compatible CompactFlash card and a line of PATA SSDs, both of which boast a maximum capacity of 16GB. Both lines combine the original GBDriver RA8 U.DMA 6-compatible NAND Flash memory controller with a high-frequency SLC NAND Flash memory module for read speeds of up to 50MB/sec and write speeds up to 30MB/sec. You'll also find an error correction function scalable to 15 bit/sector ECC to provide high data reliability -- remember, zero hiccups -- and a static wear leveling function to greatly increase the write life span. Sadly, no pricing figures are disclosed, but both crews should start shipping next month.

[Via SlashGear]

TDK trots out industrial CompactFlash cards / SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays

If you're in the market for a reasonably sized, widescreen LCD display, Dell just added one more choice to the platter. The SP2309W, which we saw officially announced back in September, is now available on the company's site. The screen boasts a 1920 x 1080 (16:9) resolution, 300 nits of eye-searing brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and all the DVI, HDMI and VGA ports you could ever need (well, one of each actually). The display retails for $379, and don't even think about stealing it. Seriously. Steven's watching, wise guy.

[Thanks, Lee]

Dell SP2309W hits for $379: your old display is marked for death originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: iPhone

China Mobile, the service provider in talks with Apple to distribute the iPhone in the world's most populous country, is still expressing interest in selling the handset, but has plans to open its own online app store.

According to Macworld, Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's chairman and CEO, said at a recent conference that "We will set up our own shop, and we hope, welcome all content providers to sell their software applications and games and songs and any other products in our application shop."

Cult of Mac's Ed Sutherland notes that Apple and China Mobile are still in talks to bring the handset to China, according to Wang.

Dan Nystedt of the IDG News Service speculated that China Mobile's app store would sell apps for Linux- and Symbian-based mobile phones, but it's unclear how this will affect China Mobile's burgeoning relationship with Apple.

Apple, of course, already has the iTunes store, which offers music, games and apps for the iPhone platform. China Mobile's store is unlikely to interfere technically with the iPhone/iTunes ecosystem, but it would compete financially with Apple's offering. Not that there's anything wrong with competition, of course.

An agreement with China Mobile would mean having the iPhone available to a market of 400 million existing subscribers, and perhaps millions more new subscribers. For comparison, the total population of the United States last year was just over 300 million people.

TUAWChina Mobile making things complicated? originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online game site Zynga is offering their Texas Hold’Em Poker for iPhones. Play with others on Hi5 Live, Facebook, MySpace or Bebo. Play casual games or try getting into a tournament with the Live Poker game that runs on Wifi and the 3G Network. Download the basic version for free from the iTunes Store or pay $9.99 and get more chips. Zynga claims that 1.4 million gamers are already playing (undoubtedly when they should be working or studying.)

Tags: hi5 live, ipone, ipone, live poker, mobile games, tournament, video games, zynga texas hold 'em,