CrowdGadgets Episode 13
Download: CrowdGadgets Podcast Archive
This week on the show, we talk about Amazon’s new book borrowing service for Kindle users, more iPhone news, Windows Phone Facebook integration, and privacy concerns on HTC EVO devices, among a few other things. Also, don’t forget that our holiday prize giveaway is currently in full swing, so make sure you are subscribed to the newsletter!
00:00:25 – CrowdGadgets holiday giveaway reminder
00:01:12 – Amazon opens up Kindle book borrowing service
00:04:14 – Barnes & Noble launching Nook Tablet in November for $250
00:05:55 – Apple iPhone 4S review
00:06:44 – iOS 5.0.1 will fix battery drain issues, give iPad 1 multitouch gestures
00:09:20 – Mysterious service update on HTC EVO 3D seems to bump up 3G speeds
00:11:02 – Best Buy offers HTC EVO 4G for free with game purchase
00:13:11 – Dell Streak 5 certified for DOD personnel, is first Android device to be so
00:16:46 – HTC Radar 4G impressions
00:17:24 – Tip: Have Windows Phone notify about new friends’ Facebook updates
00:18:36 – Why you should care about privacy on your HTC EVO
00:22:50 – Zune syncing sucks on the Mac
00:24:46 – AT&T pushes estimated time for completion of T-Mobile merger back to summer of 2012
00:25:30 – US Cellular turns down carrying the iPhone due to “unacceptable terms”
Hosts: Calob Horton, John Freml, Stuart Cope, and William Devereux
Podcast Editor: Calob Horton
Newsletter Editor: John Freml
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CrowdGadgets is the official podcast of the CrowdGather Gadget Network, which includes Anythingbutiphone, Anythingbutipod, Good and EVO, Nothing But Tablets, Pocketables, StreakSmart, and ZuneBoards. Read the latest news from the network below.
News from around the CrowdGather Gadget Network
Anythingbutiphone
The HTC Sensation XL is on its way to the UK, and a set of bug fixes are coming soon for Motorola Droid Bionic owners. Meanwhile, Ericsson is selling off its half of the Sony Ericsson partnership while forging a new one with Nokia over dual-core processors. Ubuntu is, shockingly, looking into developing a smartphone OS. We also have our impressions of the new HTC Radar 4G Windows Phone, straight from the device’s launch party.
Good and EVO
EVO owners rejoice, as HTC has now become the best-selling smartphone manufacturer in the US, beating out both Samsung and Apple. EVO 3D users are also happy after a mysterious, unannounced Sprint service update seems to have really boosted 3G data speeds this past week. However, we also received disconcerting news about a possible future class-action lawsuit against HTC based on the HTC weather app sharing location data without permission, presumably for advertising purposes.
Nothing But Tablets
HP has been busy with its Windows 7 business tablet announcement: The Slate 2. Accessories are available, which enable the tablet to become a “POS,” or Point Of Sale for the businessperson on the go. Meanwhile, Motorola has announced the XOOM 2 and the XOOM 2 Media Edition. There is not a lot of difference between the two devices, but it is believed that, fortunately, they will be shipping with all the hardware built-in.
Pocketables
We reviewed the Apple iPhone 4S this week on Pocketables, and while we found it to be the best iPhone yet, it’s certainly not worth an upgrade from the previous generation, the iPhone 4. Still, if you’re rocking the 3GS, it might just be the perfect time to upgrade. In other news, there was a leak last week from Barnes & Noble that detailed its successor to the Nook Color, the Nook Tablet.
StreakSmart
Although it’s been discontinued for a while now, the Dell Streak 5 still has some purpose in life and has been named as the first Android device to be certified for use by United States Department of Defense personnel. The government agency has been purchasing the device directly from Dell because it’s a very secure device, so maybe those sales will spur Dell on to start selling the tablet/smartphone hybrid to the masses once again.
ZuneBoards
ChevronWP7 has been released for Windows Phone 7, which gives users the chance to side-load unsigned apps. This is a great step forward for the community as previously only certified developers could create applications. Additionally, Mango has now been released for every eligible device, bringing the new OS to all. Also, for anyone who applied for the Beta Xbox Preview Program, console registration is now available and hopefully this week should see some updates.
