Myriam and Brad are behind the mics once again, ready to tackle the latest topics from this past week. What's on the agenda? We'll be chatting about the HTC Butterfly s, Sony Xperia ZU, the upcoming Nokia EOS (which is quickly becoming the world's worst-kept secret) and plenty more. Also, we won't be covering this on the podcast, but you should probably check it out anyway. Join us in 45 minutes!

Update: We're going to have to push the podcast back to around 4:15 (give or take). Our apologies, and appreciate your patience!

Filed under: Announcements, Mobile

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The Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), a consortium working to establish a new wireless charging standard, hasn't been around for terribly long -- Samsung and Qualcomm joined forces to create the organization just over a year ago -- but it's planning to make waves as quickly as possible. One of the most effective ways to do exactly that, then, would be to persuade large players in the mobile industry to join along, and Intel certainly meets that qualification. The company announced this afternoon that it has officially joined the A4WP's Board of Directors. This move doesn't guarantee that we'll be soon seeing Intel-powered devices with built-in wireless charging capabilities, but it's at least a solid indication that the folks in Santa Clara are mindful of (and intrigued by) the potential that near-field magnetic resonance tech holds.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Mobile, Intel

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Look at the people with smiling faces in the above illustration. It's not too difficult to figure out what's going on: it's their birthday, and they're all happy because they're about to get presents. What if they knew that you had totally spaced on the fact that they were celebrating the anniversary of their birth? Fortunately, there are plenty of services that will remind you of friends' and family members' DOBs, and Amazon is now joining their ranks with a Facebook-integrated program called Birthday Gift. The idea is simple: you can order an Amazon gift card for a Facebook friend ahead of time, and the company will make sure it gets delivered on their momentous day. What's more, you can also send invites to mutual friends to see if they want to pitch in a few bucks. This way, nobody feels terribly cheap for plunking down a couple dollars, and you won't settle for the standard Wall post birthday wish. Check out the video below to see how it all works.

Filed under: Amazon, Facebook

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Via: AllThingsD

Source: Amazon

The pre-order process for the BlackBerry Q10 is already well underway, but AT&T has kept quiet on its official retail and online availability until now. The company has now confirmed to us that the QWERTY-laden device will be ready for public consumption -- both online and in corporate locations -- starting June 21st for $200. If you didn't get your pre-order in but still want to get it hot off the shelves, keep an eye out for it this weekend. Official statement below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, AT&T, Blackberry

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The ChromeBook Pixel is a stunningly beautiful piece of machinery. With costs ranging from $1,300 to $1,500, however, it means you're shelling out even more than most standard ultrabooks and laptops. It also comes with 12 free Gogo passes and a full terabyte of Google Drive storage to sweeten the deal, fortunately, but who wants to buy a computer of any kind when you can win one instead? Gogo's hooking two lucky readers up with a 64GB LTE Chromebook Pixel (this particular model is valued at $1,500), so this is one giveaway you'll definitely want to sign up for. You can grab up to three entries: you get two just for showing up, and the third is yours if you Like Gogo on Facebook. Head to the widget below and take a chance!

Filed under: Announcements, HD, Mobile, Alt, Google

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Interested in grabbing a Sony Xperia Z here in the US? If so, we hope you like T-Mobile. The UnCarrier announced this morning that it will not only be carrying the flagship device, it will be doing so exclusively (it's been available unlocked, but T-Mo will be the only network to officially carry it). The water-resistant phone will initially be available in both black and purple finish, though the latter color will only be offered for a limited time. No word on pricing or pre-order opportunities yet, but we'll keep our eyes peeled for more info as it comes out. Check out the press release below the break, or head to T-Mo's Xperia Z product page where you'll be greeted with a place to sign up for email alerts.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sony, T-Mobile

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HTC has been relatively quiet with its plans to push Android 4.2 to the One (aside from a few unofficial leaks), but Three UK is hoping to start the conversation. In a recent tweet, the mobile operator answered a customer's query regarding the update, stating that HTC pulled the firmware, with no specific details on when (or if) the new version of Android will arrive. We reached out to HTC and received confirmation that Android 4.2 is in fact still coming, although users may need to wait a little longer before it becomes available. We'll continue to update as soon as we hear more official news from the manufacturer, but at least we know it's still in the plans.

[Thanks, Josh]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, HTC

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Source: Twitter

Oh, the tales FCC employees could tell -- if they were allowed to discuss them. A Nokia device, known only as the RM-877, has passed the agency's approval process. This mystery unit contains AT&T-compatible LTE bands (2, 4, 5 and 17, to be specific), pentaband HSPA+ / WCDMA (though AWS appears to be disabled in this particular variant) and quad-band GSM / EDGE. Additionally, it also sports NFC, Bluetooth and dual-band WiFi. According to the above diagram, the handset measures 130.35mm tall and 71.4mm wide, which makes it a millimeter taller and wider than the Lumia 925. We're still combing the documents for any more clues, but we've already seen reports that appear to match this model number with the EOS that we're expecting to see on July 11th.

Update: As we continue to look through the documents, we've noticed mention of the device being tested with a "camera grip" (model PD-95G). It definitely gives us more reason to believe this is the EOS. Additionally, we've also noticed that a wireless charging cover was involved in testing, which means it's likely optional, much like the Lumia 925.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Nokia, AT&T

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Source: FCC

In case you're interested, June 20th is a Thursday. It's more than that to Facebook, though: apparently that is the day the social network will show off a new product, or as the company puts it, a "big idea" coming from a small team. As to what this particular event -- to be held in Menlo Park -- could bring to the table, you now know exactly as much as we do; with recent talk regarding Facebook's interest in building an RSS reader, that rumor would certainly be a good stab in the dark. What's even more odd, however, is the method by which the press is receiving the invitation: the good old-fashioned postal service. Let us know in the comments if you have any particular theories on what it could all mean.

Filed under: Facebook

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Source: ABC News

Folks in cities like Singapore and Sydney are already enjoying Uber's online private car hire service, but the company doesn't intend to just stop its expansion in that corner of the globe. According to job postings and newly minted Twitter accounts, Uber is planning to extend its coverage to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Seoul, Taipei and Auckland. We haven't heard any official details on availability, but it appears that at least one city (Taipei) should be ready to go in just a few weeks. This wouldn't be the first time these municipalities have enjoyed similar services, but Uber certainly has a lot of weight and momentum behind its growth; besides, who doesn't love a little competition?

Filed under: Mobile

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Via: The Verge

Source: SGE

We just received invites from Nokia to an event in New York City taking place on July 11th. The name of the event, curiously, is "zoom reinvented" and the imagery features a magnifying glass. Given the recent barrage of EOS leaks, we naturally have to wonder if an 808 PureView-like Lumia device will be the star of the show, though it could be something as simple as the Lumia 925. We've pinged Nokia for more information and will update you as we learn more about this mystery event.

Update: It turns out that a lot of invites have been sent out to international media, not to mention high-level Nokia employees are teasing the EOS on Twitter, lending credence to the rumors that next month's event will likely feature a Lumia device with much greater imaging capabilities than anything else in Nokia's Windows Phone lineup.

Filed under: Mobile, Nokia

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It appears that we were spot-on about yesterday's teaser, as AT&T has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active this morning. Available in stores or online starting June 21st, you'll be able to grab one of your very own for $199.99 on a two-year commitment. As we mentioned yesterday, the "life-proof" IP67-certified handset will come in Dive Blue (pictured above) and Urban Gray; there's no mention of Flame Orange, sadly. As a recap, the Active features Android 4.2, a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1080p TFT LCD panel, microSD slot with support for up to 64GB, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage (no word on how much is user-accessible), a 2,600mAh battery and an 8MP rear camera with 2MP front-facing cam. Dimension-wise, the Active measures at 139.65 x 71.25 x 9.1mm and weighs 5.29 ounces (150g) -- not too shabby for a tough device.

While AT&T acknowledged that the device shouldn't be considered "rugged," it's still technically a durable smartphone that takes advantage of a sealed water-resistant cover which will protect the phone in up to one meter of H2O for thirty minutes, and even features a special camera setting called Aqua Mode which is designed to let you take some nifty underwater shots. If you're eager to get the sales process started as soon as possible, AT&T will be offering pre-orders of the device beginning tomorrow.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, AT&T

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Source: AT&T

Broadcom is no stranger to the budget-friendly lineup for carriers and OEMs around the globe -- especially in emerging markets -- but quad-core chipsets are just gaining traction in this arena. Granted, companies like MediaTek have already begun cranking out low-cost four-core Cortex-A7 SoCs for markets like China and India, but a little friendly competition doesn't hurt anyone, right? This is the case with the BCM23550, a 1.2GHz A7 quad-core processor capable of HSPA+ speeds up to 21Mbps down and 5Mbps up and is optimized to run on Android 4.2 devices. The new piece of silicon also supports HD Voice and 12MP cameras with H.264 1080p video capture and playback, and offers the usual litany of connectivity options such as NFC, Bluetooth, 5G WiFi, RFID and GPS. It even features dual HD (720p) display support which is compatible with Miracast. Lastly, it's also pin-to-pin compatible with Broadcom's dual-core BCM21664T, which means manufacturers already using that particular chipset can reduce the amount of time spent on R&D and handset design. If you're curious, expect the chips to begin production in early Q3, right around the corner.

Filed under: Mobile

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Are you ready for another Angry Birds title? Rovio thinks you are, and it's teasing "Angry Birds, but not as you know it." And we believe it: from the short teaser animation and associated imagery, it appears that this particular game will involve racing of some sort. We haven't been given any details on when to expect it, but Rovio promises more updates over the summer, suggesting either a late summer or early fall launch. Head here to check out the teaser.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: Rovio

As if there could be any doubt, the introduction of iOS 7 at this week's WWDC will likely take up a significant portion of our podcast today. There may be some talk of a Galaxy S4 zoom -- as if you could even try to keep Myriam from talking about it -- and a few other miscellaneous pieces of mobile news as well, so this is definitely a podcast worth tuning into. Join us at 4PM ET!

Filed under: Announcements, Mobile, Apple

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A teaser of a Samsung phone capable of spending some time underwater with a curiously familiar set of hardware buttons underneath the screen? Sure looks like the Galaxy S4 Active to us, and AT&T is ready to unveil its rendition of the water-resistant device to the nation tomorrow, according to a video it released on YouTube today. The teaser shows a few angles of the phone shrouded in darkness, as well as some shots of it hanging out in a glass full of water. Finally, it wraps up its 57-second presentation telling us that we'll find out more on June 13th. Take a look-see for yourself below the break, and then keep your eyes peeled for more news about the Active tomorrow

Update: we just received a screenshot from an anonymous tipster that also confirms the Active is coming, and will be offered in two colors at launch: Dive Blue and Urban Gray. [Thanks, Anonymous!]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, AT&T

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Facebook wants to help you make your conversations just a little more discoverable (if you so desire), and it's decided to finally include a long-missing feature -- clickable hashtags -- to the News Feed. If you've ever enjoyed hashtag searches on Twitter, Instagram or other social networks (some of our friends enjoy them a little too much, if you ask us), you'll now have the same feeling of exhilaration on Zuckerberg's service as you are now able to click on each one. Up until today, any hashtags from imported tweets or Instagram posts just showed up as regular text, with no backlink to accompany them. When it comes to the visibility of your own hashtags, Facebook won't allow any unintended audiences to see your private updates, so you remain in control of your desired privacy. The company also plans to roll out trending hashtags and other related features in the coming months, but this is a good start for now. The company's official blog post can be found below.

Filed under: Facebook

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Source: Facebook

We already knew Samsung's 8-inch Galaxy Note would be coming to the United States, but only as a WiFi variant. Fortunately for US hopefuls craving a version that's capable of getting an actual data connection outside the safety of the nearest wireless hotspot, AT&T will be bringing an LTE-enabled version to its network in the coming weeks -- though this appears to be an exclusive to the operator. We're still waiting to hear about pricing, but anyone interested in grabbing this particular tablet should be taking a close look at their bank accounts right about now. Full press release and video after the break.

Filed under: Samsung, AT&T

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Source: AT&T

We've seen enough images of the Huawei Ascend P6 to know that the thing exists, but the speculation on its specs hasn't been confirmed by any stretch. Smartphone rumormeister @evleaks has a few specs to throw our way: the P6 will supposedly feature a 4.7-inch 720p display, a remarkably thin 6.18mm profile, 1.5GHz quad-core (likely in-house) processor and Emotion UI (seen above). Additionally, we're now expecting to see an 8MP BSI rear camera with a 4cm macro, accompanied by an impressive 5MP front-facing cam with a feature called Face Enhance. We're just a week away from having official confirmation of all these specs, but this is just enough to tie you over until then -- or, until the next leak appears online, at the very least.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: @evleaks (Twitter)

Microsoft may have been the E3 matinée, but Sony's late-night showing was quite impressive -- offering a gaming device that's $100 less, with plenty of other notable features to help it stand out of the next-gen crowd. And if you were waiting around until after the PlayStation press conference tonight before deciding which console to grab, it's finally time to settle on your top choice (if you plan to go with only one, that is). Now that the PS4 has been priced at $399 and a general timeframe of availability has been set for this holiday season, it's now time to head to online retailers to pre-order a unit of your very own. So far we've seen the page pop up on Amazon, though we imagine it will only be a matter of time before several other retailers follow suit. If you know without a doubt that this is the next-gen gaming console for you, you know what to do below.

Update: Well, would you look at that. Like clockwork, GameStop and Best Buy have jumped into the PS4 pre-order fray too.

Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

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Source: Amazon, Gamestop, Best Buy

Sony's feeling pretty unstoppable right now, and it's adding to the momentum by announcing that the PlayStation Plus edition of Driveclub will be free for the first year to Plus members. The game, which was announced alongside a litany of other PS4 titles in February, is a team-based driving game that features realistic vehicles modeled after their real-life counterparts. Alongside Driveclub you'll find Don't Starve, Outlast and Secret Ponchos as part of the PS Plus instant game collection as well.

Follow our liveblog for all of the latest news from E3 2013.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

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Sony's making a whole bunch of announcements at tonight's E3 press conference, and GTA V is on the list. The company just unveiled a bundle and headset for the PlayStation 3. Included in the package is a 500GB PS3, a Blu-ray copy of the game, 30-day trial PlayStation Plus membership, a custom GTA V Pulse and a special audio mode. If you're still in the market for the current-gen console despite tonight's revelations of the PS4, expect the bundle to arrive on September 17th, and it'll cost you $299 for the whole package.

Follow our liveblog for all of the latest news from E3 2013.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

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Source: Sony

November is still several months away, of course, but that doesn't mean you have to start camping out at your nearest electronics outlet just to get your hands on an Xbox One before the holiday season. Fortunately, a large number of online retailers are already offering the ability to pre-order the $499 console -- a Day One Edition, no less. We received an email from Microsoft pointing us to the page on its own online Store, but companies like Amazon, ShopTo, GameStop, GAME and Best Buy are following suit. So if you know for sure that you're ready to make the commitment, head to one of the above outlets to make your claim.

Update: If you're a Wally World patron, you'll be glad to know that Walmart is now accepting pre-orders as well.

Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft

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Via: Joystiq

Source: Walmart

Mac OS X Mavericks. iOS 7. Haswell-equipped MacBook Airs. Mac Pro sneak peeks. Videos of retail store openings. Yes, all of the above were showcased in this year's Apple WWDC keynote, but what if you weren't able to get online in time to see it live? While our liveblog and events hub are both great opportunities to get caught up, it's hard to say no to a live and professionally made video. Point your Safari browser (no other browser will work, as far as we can tell) to Apple's events page and you'll be treated to a visual smorgasbord of new firmware and hardware, if you so desire.

Update: If you have a penchant for consuming your media through iTunes, you might be glad to hear that the keynote has made it to the service as a podcast. Jab the second source link below to snag it.

Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Mobile, Apple

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Source: Apple Events, iTunes

Apple's delivered a whole bunch of new features for iOS 7, and the App Store is one of the beneficiaries. For instance, users will now be able to take advantage of automatic app updates, a feature that's been on our wish list for quite some time; additionally, Eddie Cue showed off a few new location-based options that give you recommendations for certain apps solely based on either your current whereabouts or local events that you're attending (say, a ballgame or concert). Last but not least, Apple has also thrown in a Kids category that is sortable by age. Solid enhancements overall, though we're still personally holding out hope for a transition away from the card-based search.

Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple

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