Xbox 720 Rumours: Release date, specs, pictures and games

Discover the latest Xbox 720 rumours, including release date, specs, games and features, for all the latest on Microsoft's next-gen games console

 

Whilst the current Xbox 360 console is largely regarded to be just hitting its prime, impatient gaming fans are calling out for its replacement with a flurry of Xbox 720 rumours having circulated the web in past weeks, months and even years.

Although some of the Xbox 720 rumours doing the rounds are a little more speculative than others, as the Xbox 360 enters its seventh year of life, the eagerly awaited next-generation console edges ever closer to reality with a flurry of reports suggesting we could see the Xbox 720 release formally unveiled later this year.

Samsung Galaxy Beam Release Date and Price confirmed

Despite not hosting a press conference at MWC 2012, Samsung has opened the show with a key new announcement in the Samsung Galaxy Beam

 

Samsung has kicked MWC 2012 off in style officially unveiling the Samsung Galaxy Beam, a new Android handset that comes sporting an inbuilt projector.

Apple iPad 2 price drop in preparation for iPad 3 launch

Further adding to the rumour mill, a number of US retailers have slashed the price of the current iPad 2 device adding weight to a possible iPad 3 launch

 

With the Apple iPad 3 release date expected to be unveiled on March 7th, retailers including Radio Shack have begun slashing iPad 2 prices in the US.
Radio Shack has joined the likes of Best Buy in cutting the price by $50 despite denying that it has anything to do with a possible iPad 3 launch.
Following news earlier this month that American retailer Meijer had offered up one of the largest iPad 2 discounts since the device launched last March, cutting $70 (£44) from the 16GB Wi-Fi only offering, electronics chain Best Buy has got in on the action dropping its iPad 2 prices by $50 (£31.57).

Apple iPad 3 Rumours: Release date, price, specs & features

Discover the latest Apple iPad 3 rumours, including release date, specs, price and features, for all the latest on Apple's next-gen tablet

 

Apple has sent out invites for a 'Special Event' which is set to take place on March 7th, widely expected to be official unveiling of the Apple iPad 3.
While the invite itself does not explicitly confirm that the third generation of the Apple tablet will definitely be shown off, the message accompanying it which reads, 'We have something you really want to see. And touch.' suggests this is not as cryptic as iconic Apple event invites have been in the past.
Looking back to the announcement of the Apple iPad 2, the second gen iPad was unveiled by the late Steve Jobs on March 2nd and hit UK stores March 25th suggesting that the iPad 3 UK launch could follow suit.

Apple nears half a trillion dollar valuation following iPad 3 invites

Apple closes in on $500 billion valuation with share prices rising 1.8 per cent following the arrival of the official iPad 3 announcement invites

 

Following the issuing of the official invites to the March 7th Apple iPad 3 release announcement, Apple has seen its stock prices soar as the Cupertino based company narrows in of a half a trillion dollar valuation.

Samsung Galaxy S3 specs leak with 4.8-inch 1080p display

The Samsung Galaxy S3 might have missed out on an MWC 2012 unveiling but the handset is still grabbing headlines as its specs leak online

 

Although not making an appearance at MWC 2012, the Samsung Galaxy S3 has threatened to steal the show as new Samsung Galaxy S3 specs leaking online.

Amidst the unveiling of a flurry of quad-core handsets and Samsung’s offering of the Galaxy Beam projector phone and the stylus touting Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet, the Samsung Galaxy S3 has been a noticeable omission from the MWC line-up with new reports claiming to out the upcoming handset’s specification.

Angry Birds Space launch to hit Samsung Galaxy Note

Having confirmed the upcoming March 22nd Angry Birds Space release date, Rovio and Samsung have revealed the app will hit the Galaxy Note

Following Rovio’s recent confirmation of the upcoming Angry Birds Space release, Samsung has revealed the latest instalment to the bird flinging mega app will land exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Note.

Featuring the soon to be famous parody tagline “Houston… We have a slingshot,” Samsung has launched a Galaxy Note Angry Birds Space trailer with little information currently available around the next Angry Birds offering beyond its March 22nd release date.

Windows Phone App News: Skype Beta finally arrives

It's been a long time coming but Microsoft has finally launched Skype for Windows Phone. It's probably the best looking Skype app yet and the best is yet to come

After a seemingly illogical wait, Microsoft has launched the Skype client for Windows Phone devices, bringing an attractive Metro-based app with an innovative new feel and video calling over 3G and Wi-Fi.
The Beta launch arrives almost ten months after Microsoft purchased the company for a whopping $8.5bn and will come as a huge boost to expectant Windows Phone owners, and those waiting for the right time to jump on board.

41MP Nokia 808 PureView UK release date and price revealed

Debuting at MWC 2012, Nokia's new 41-megapixel camera touting smartphone the Nokia 808 PureView has been dated and priced for launch

 

Following the handset’s officially unveiling at MWC 2012 yesterday, Nokia’s new camera happy smartphone the Nokia 808 PureView has been made available for pre-order in the UK.

Capturing headlines for its staggering 41-megapixel camera inclusion, the 808 PureView was unveiled with no official word from Nokia regarding a release date or pricing information but has since hit online retailers ahead of launch in a matter of months.

Hottest tablet launches of MWC 2012

Whether it's the iPad 2 or even the iPad 3, we pick out the best tablets from MWC 2012 that hope to give Apple a run for its money this year
There was a time when Mobile World Congress was simply all about serving up the hottest new phones but then the iPad landed created a new product genre, and that changed everything. The Barcelona phone expo is fast becoming a catwalk for the latest and greatest slates, and once again its Android that is taking center stage.
As Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich prepares to spread across more devices in the coming year, we round up the best tablets unveiled at MWC 2012 so far.
Don't forget to bookmark our MWC 2012 page to read all the latest rumours, news, reviews and see video from this year's expo

Mobile World Congress 2012 – Day 1

The GSMA Mobile World Congress 2012 (MWC 2012) held in Barcelona, Spain, is one of the biggest technology trade shows, basically focused on showcasing new mobile phones (smartphones) powered with some of the latest technologies. The event began on 27 February, and Day One of MWC 2012 didn’t seem disappointing at all!
The event kicked-off with a bang of new and high performance smartphones. Of course, new smartphones with amazingly new multimedia features making quad-core processors phones stealing the show.
The predominant theme of the day were phones with more powerful quad-core processors, however, it continued to march on towards Google’s newly launched mobile OS Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. No doubt the popularity of Android smartphones is reaching new heights, but also is getting better in terms of hardware and software.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 confirmed at MWC 2012

Samsung expands its array of tablet offerings at MWC 2012 as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 enters the realms of reality with S-Pen stylus inclusion

 

Samsung has brought an end to weeks of rumours officially unveiling its latest touch and pen tablet at MWC 2012 in the form of the repeatedly leaked Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.

Sony PS Vita Facebook app removed for PlayStation Store

Following last week's Sony PS Vita UK release, the Facebook Vita application has been removed from the PlayStation Store due to a number of bugs

 

Just days after the Sony PS Vita went on sale in the UK; the console’s Facebook application has been pulled from the PlayStation Store.

Orange Santa Clara to be first Intel powered smartphone

Orange and Intel have joined forces to launch the first smartphone with Intel innards as the Orange Santa Clara is unveiled at Mobile World Congress

 

The first handset to land sporting an Intel CPU has been unveiled at MWC 2012 with the network branded Orange Santa Clara taking the honours.

Panasonic Eluga Power unveiled at MWC 2012

Following the recent unveiling of the Eluga, Panasonic is back on the smartphone scene outing the Panasonic Eluga Power at Mobile World Congress

 

Panasonic has expanded on last week’s smartphone unveiling confirming the upcoming release of a second device dubbed the Panasonic Eluga Power at MWC 2012.

iPhone 5 to see Apple ditch 30-pin dock connector?

The traditional 30-pin iDevice connector may be on the way out as Apple looks to save vital space to incorporate new features for the iPhone 5

Apple is considering casting aside the 30-pin connector for the iPhone 5 in order to make the device smaller and save space for new features like a 4G LTE radio, according to reports.

Sony Xperia Ion to launch in the UK summer 2012

Amid a pair of new Android releases at MWC, Sony Mobile says it will also bring the impressive Xperia Ion handset to the UK

While Sony outed two impressive looking Android phones in the Xperia P and the Xperia U on the eve of MWC 2012, we also learned the company will be bringing another one of its recently-announced devices to the UK.

HTC One X quad-core smartphone unveiled

HTC has gone back to basics by concentrating on three core handsets that sport Beats audio along with improved camera tech and slick designs

HTC has unveiled the One Series of mobile phones, comprising the flagship HTC One X, along with the brand's slimmest device to date - the HTC One S -  and the HTC One V, the design of which is based on the popular HTC Legend.

Sony Xperia P launched at MWC 2012

Sony has just unveiled the Sony Xperia P at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Sony has revealed the brand new addition to the Sony Xperia family - the Android-powered Sony Xperia P - at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona.

The latest mobile phone in the Sony smartphone range features a fetching aluminium unibody, a 4-inch reality display and an 8 megapixel camera using Sony's fast capture tech.

It joins the Sony Xperia S, launched back at CES in January, and the new Sony Xperia U in extending the product line-up carrying the single Sony brand.

Sony Xperia P Features

The Sony Xperia P screen boasts what Sony calls White Magic Display technology which aims to make the screen viewable even in the sunniest of conditions. Sony claims it's the smartest and brigtest display on the market.

The Sony Xperia P also works with a Motorola Atrix-style smart dock that makes it easy to connect to your TV and offers a laptop computing experience with the capacity to connect other peripherals including keyboard and mouse.

As with the Sony Xperia S the Xperia P is compatible with Sony Smart tags, giving us the power to open apps, change settings and launch services with a sinlge tap against customisable NFC tags.


Sony Xperia P UK Price and Availability

The Sony Xperia P will be available in three brushed aliminium finishes and will start shipping around May 2012. No Sony Xperia P UK price has been announced.

Huawei launches Ascend D quad core phone at MWC 2012

Huawei has launched a quad-core smartphone, the Huawei Ascend D quad, running Android 4.0 ICS Ice Cream Sandwich.

One of the first widely-anticipated quad-core phones, the Huawei Ascend D quad is powered by Huawei’s K3V2 quad-core 1.2GHz/1.5GHz processor, which the company claims is the fastest on the market.

Skype surpasses 32 million simultaneous users milestone

Hitting new heights, VoIP service provider Skype has revealed it has surpassed the 32 million simultaneous users milestone for the first time

 

VoIP specialist Skype has announced it is surpassed a new milestone, recording more than 32 million concurrent users for the first time in its history.

Although the company has failed to reveal how many of these users were making use of the service’s voice and video call features, the new record simultaneous user figures marks a major success for the world’s largest voice over internet protocol provider.

App Week: Microsoft Office for iPad, Angry Birds Space revealed

In another bumper week for App News, The Simpsons are coming to iOS, Angry Birds are planning to leave Earth, Spotify is enabling DJs and there's a big story on Office for iPad

iPad App News: OnLive Desktop Plus brings IE9 to iPad
OnLive continues to be among the finest innovators in the tech world and the new subscription-based version of its Windows 7 cloning app for iPad might be its finest work yet. The OnLive Desktop Plus app brings full access to Windows 7 on your iPads screen, including Microsoft Word. The new app adds a Flash-enabled IE9 into the mix, along with priority access to its gigabit internet service. It'll arrive in the UK soon.

Samsung Galaxy B handset to land with bezel-free display?

Although not set to host a press conference at MWC 2012, Samsung is tipped to be readying the release of a bezel-free smartphone

 

New rumours have suggested Samsung is currently putting the finishing touches to an all new handset with the Samsung Galaxy B tipped to land as the world's first bezel-less smartphone.

BlackBerry App News: No Netflix for RIM phones or PlayBook

BlackBerry PlayBook owners, buoyed by the release of new software are brought back down to earth with news that Netflix is blackballing RIM devices.

Transatlantic streaming giant Netflix says it has no plans to launch a mobile app for RIM's portfolio of smartphones and tablets.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Introduction

The Call of Duty franchise can proudly go into the record books as one of the most successful first-person shooter franchises in gaming history. The latest installment, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) has already got its own spot as the biggest entertainment launch of all time, selling more than 6.5 million copies in the US and UK alone. It is not just the solid history of the franchise and the amazing marketing that went into Modern Warfare 3 but also more importantly, the content of the game itself. MW3 combines a heart pounding cinematic campaign with a challenging multiplayer system, while driving to emotionally connect players to the game.
The plot maybe rather cliché and overly dramatic but you usually get too engrossed in the stunning environments and fast-paced action to give it too much thought. After you are done, you simply move on to the multiplayer mode and start battling it out online. In fact, something you have to love about this series is the way in which players can effortlessly shift their attention from the intense single player campaign to the multiplayer system and still enjoy the game for several months; a good balance that few other games have mastered.

Xbox 720 – The Used Games Rumor

Recently there has been a rumor going around about the Xbox 720 and its ability, or lack thereof, to play used games. Various sources, forums, fans, and non-fans are all speculating about this rumor; used games will not function on the new Xbox 720 console.

Xbox 720 & Used Games – Who it Hurts

If you were to ask consumers who Microsoft will hurt by not allowing the Xbox 720 and used games the ability to work together, the majority would tell you (with strong opinions) it hurts them, the consumer.
There are also others that could be hurt. Used game retailers and the video game rental industry are two markets that could potentially take a big hit, depending on how the specifics would play out.

Apple TV refresh to arrive at iPad 3 launch event?

Apple TV supplies are drying-up fast amid speculation that Cupertino may launch a refreshed version of its famous 'hobby' project alongside the iPad 3

A new version of the Apple TV set-top box could arrive as soon as next month's likely iPad 3 launch event, as more and more retailers extinguish stocks of the existing set-top box.
Reports say that PC World is unsure whether it will be able to replenish its supply of the £100 AirPlay-enabler and is apparently telling staff not to accept orders from customers who're hoping to obtain the device.
Although the current generation model, which has been a popular product despite a distinct lack of connected apps, is still labeled as 'In stock' on Apple's official website, US retailers Best Buy, Target and Fry's are no longer able to sell the device.

Orange and EAT give away free food

A new deal between network operator Orange and food outlet Eat mean those with Orange NFC phones can pick up free food and upgrades in store  
 

Those with Orange NFC enabled phones will be able to get free baguettes, porridge, coffee and other free stuff from food outlet EAT.

LG Prada Phone 3.0 review

The Prada phone by LG 3.0, to give it its full and preposterously clunky name, is the third handset to emerge from LG's collaboration with Prada

LG Prada Phone 3.0 review

Love

• Slim, slick design
• Monochrome UI
• Large, bright screen

Hate

• Plasticky back panel
• Limited Android key backlight
• Slightly disappointing camera

Apple buys Chomp to assist iTunes redesign?

Apple's acquisition of Chomp could be the clearest sign yet that Apple is indeed working on an iTunes overhaul and that we could see a release soon

Apple has bought the app discovery service Chomp for $50 million. It's believed that purchase is part of Apple's ongoing efforts to prepare for an upcoming iTunes redesign this year.

Apple disables push email for iCloud and MobileMe in Germany

With push email for iCloud and MobileMe users now disabled Apple will surely be looking to resolve the current dispute as quickly as possible

Apple has disabled push email for both iCloud and MobileMe customers in Germany in response to an earlier iCloud ban by the German courts.

iPad 3 Retina Display claims verified in new video analysis

Tech repair site iFixit has been analysing the purported iPad 3 display obtained by MacRumors last week. New analysis backs-up the claim that it is indeed a Retina Display

If there's one thing we can almost say for sure will be appearing on the iPad 3, it's a new super high resolution Retina Display. More evidence that the most speculated new feature will in fact become a reality has arrived courtesy of the iFixit website.
The site was sent the purported iPad 3 display obtained by MacRumours and subjected it to further analysis under the microscope.

PS Vita: 10 Things you need to know

The PS Vita UK launch is here. Not sure if you should buy one? Here's ten things you need to know about the Sony portable gaming handheld

We have had to wait a little longer than our Japanese counterparts, but the Sony PS Vita portable games console has finally landed in the UK bringing with it hopes of breathing new life into the handheld gaming market.

Future Gadgets: Hottest concept tech of 2012

We've seen the concept cars we would love to drive and iPhone 5 concepts aside, we turn our attention to the future gadgets we want to see made now
At T3, we like concepts. They represent the very cutting edge future of technology and product design. A concept is a dream; brimming with the features and design you want with nary a polite ‘hello’ to the physical limitations that’d make it impossible in the real world.

Best Android phones to buy in 2012

Looking for the best Android phone to buy in 2012? Whether it's dual core power, the best for Android apps, or a great touchscreen, these are the Android smartphones you need to look out for
With Mobile World Congress 2012 now just days away, the Barcelona expo which has been a breeding ground in recent years for new Android phones, the latest rumours suggest we are set to see more Google-powered smartphones.
As the army of Android smartphones continue to swell their ranks, we help you decide which of the latest Google OS phones is the perfect Android phone for you.

Sony PlayStation Vita released in the UK following midnight launch

Following a period of exclusivity in Sony's native Japan, the Sony PS Vita UK has now launched in the UK with the portable console priced from £229.99

 

Almost nine months after the device was originally unveiled at E3 2011 in Los Angeles and following a period of exclusivity in the manufacturer's native Japan, the Sony PS Vita has gone on sale in the UK.

Hitting a host of retailer at one minute past midnight this morning, Sony’s next-generation portable gamer is now available to buy as a PSP replacing, graphics savvy competitor to the Nintendo 3DS.

Quarter of Brits have homemade porn on their smartphones

Far from the reserved nation we are made out to be, a new study has found that more than a quarter of Brits have used their phone to make porn

 

Detailing the unavoidably smutty outcome of adding cameras to smartphones, a new study has found that more than a quarter of Brits have homemade sex photos on their mobile handset.

The new figures, compiled by mobile phone comparison website GoodMobilePhones.co.uk, have found that of the 1,976 smartphone touting Britons over the age of 18 who were polled, 26 per cent admitted to taking a photo or video of themselves and a partner engaging in sexual activity on their mobile device.

Panasonic’s 2012 line up: Eluga, Smart TVs, and the digital home

ANALYSIS: Following the news that Panasonic is jumping back into the European smartphone market, we bring you a full run down of the themes and products to come out of Panasonic’s European Convention. 

 

Consumer electronics giant Panasonic this week gave dealers and journalists a hands on look at its extremely broad 2012 range of products – and in the process laid out its mission statement for smart TVs, and announced its return to the European smartphone market.

PS Vita 2: What the PS Vita is missing

Sony's PlayStation Vita is officially old news. T3's tech wizards don their predicting hats and channel the ghost of the PS Vita 2 that has yet to come

Sony's PS Vita has finally touched down in the UK, and it's everything we could have hoped for: an AMOLED touchscreen, proper analogue sticks, a blisteringly fast processor and a plenty of games at launch.

So, with the PlayStation Vita the subject of scrutiny for every tech blog and gadget site on the planet, it's time for T3's gaming boffins to look to the future, assemble round the font of knowledge (it's a coffee machine) and scry for information on the next iteration of Sony's Vita. What can be improved? What was missed altogether? We invite you on a wonderful journey of expert analysis and wild speculation. Strap in.

Canon G1 X review

The Canon PowerShot G1 X is a metal-bodied premium compact crammed full of features, but does it live up to the standards set by the Canon G12?

Canon G1 X review

Love

• Solid construction
• Angle adjustable LCD
• Full range of manual controls

Hate

• So-so battery life
• Lens is fixed
• Expensive

Panasonic TX-P50GT30 review

The Panasonic TX-P50GT30 3D plasma is one of the brand's star attractions and it’s significantly cheaper than the flagship TX-P50VT30 flagship, arguably, with a better picture

Panasonic TX-P50GT30 review

Love

• Stunning 2D hi-def images
• File-friendly media streaming
• Crosstalk free 3D performance

Hate

• No 3D glasses in the box
• No integrated Wi-Fi
• Design lacks wow factor

From build quality to feature set, the Panasonic TX-P50GT30 is a thoroughbred. Attractions include a Petri dish of cultured picture processing, best in class Active Shutter 3D and a content rich Smart portal. Its nearest competitors are the Samsung 55D8000 and the 55-inch Sony KDL-55HX923. But does the TX-P50GT30 have what it takes to be one of the best TVs around?

Sony Google TV NSZ-GS7 review: Hands-on

Google TV launched in the US back in 2010 now it's the UK's turn, with one of the first products to arrive being the Sony NSZ-GS7

Along with the Sony NSZ-GP9 network Blu-ray player, the Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV set-top box will be among the first UK products featuring the search engine giant's TV service ( we still don't know when the LG Google TV will be arriving).  We were recently treated to a brief demo of the service but it's only now that we've had the chance to get our hands on the box itself and the innovative remote at Sony's HQ in Tokyo.

New COD: MW3 multiplayer map 'Overwatch' released today

The next Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 DLC has been detailed with multiplayer map 'Overwatch' to be released via COD Elite today

 

Premium subscribers of the Call of Duty Elite service are to gain a second COD: MW3 DLC multiplayer map today with the Overwatch map to land on Xbox 360

Sony PS Vita price drops to £197 ahead of launch

Ahead of tomorrow's Sony PS Vita UK release date retailer Asda has become the first to drop the console below the £200 price mark

 

With just hours to go until the eagerly awaited Sony PS Vita UK release, Asda has kicked off the inevitable price wars revealing it will offer the next-gen portable games console for just £197.

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 unveiled alongside Galaxy Mini 2

Continuing two successful brands Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 budget Android smartphones ahead of MWC 2012

Samsung has unveiled two new handsets ahead of next week’s MWC 2012 showing with the Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 landing alongside the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2.

Far from the Samsung Galaxy S3 powerhouse expected to be unveiled by Samsung in the coming months the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 will service the upper and lower ends of the entry level smartphone market respectively when they touch down in the UK this April.

“The Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Mini have both been hugely successful handsets for us since they launched last year so we’re excited to be bringing our customers refreshed versions of both devices,” said Simon Stanford, head of Samsung’s UK and Ireland Telecommunications & Networks Division.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection review

Konami has rolled out the much-anticipated Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection, but does it do enough to earn some of your hard-earned cash?

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection review

Love

• Pretty new graphics
• Great value for money
• Nostalgia

Hate

• Sketchy AI
• 
  
• 
  

In gaming, much like in the film and music industries, developers and publishers are not shy of going back to their trusted success stories for a quick buck. But rarely if ever has there been such hype and so much anticipation for a re-mastered edition as there has been for the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.
This is an illustration of the spell that Metal Gear Solid holds over such a huge portion of gamers. The franchise appeals on so many different levels, and the mixture of socio-political commentary and high-octane action that unravels as you progress, results in one of the most compelling stories ever told in a series of video games.

Apple iPad 3 design leaked with camera and screen updates

Latest Apple iPad 3 leaks have claimed the next-gen tablet will sport a new camera, improved battery and a Retina display based on its new shell

Ahead of the tablet’s eagerly awaited official unveiling, new reports have claimed to have leaked photographs of the new, thicker, Apple iPad 3 case.

The latest in a long line of claimed iPad 3 component leaks, a touted iPad 3 shell has hit the web with the marginally thicker casing snapped alongside its existing, official, iPad 2 counterpart.

Sony SA-NS510 review: Hands-on

The Sony SA-N510 networked speaker is set to take on Sonos in the multi-room music stakes, and it also boasts Apple iPad and Android tablet integration

While Sonos has long had the multi-room market to itself, Sony is looking to change that with its new Sony SA-N510 network speaker. The brand will also be launching the smaller Sony SA-NS410 and Sony SA-NS310, with all three speakers sporting 360-degree sound. We went up close and personal with the new gadget at Sony's HQ in Tokyo.

Microsoft mulls plan for new music service (exclusive)

The software maker has spoken with some of the major record companies about creating a music service to serve Xbox and an upcoming Windows-based phone.

The software maker, which has a spotty record in digital music, has discussed creating a delivery service that would supply tunes to the Xbox as well as an upcoming Windows-based phone, according to sources with knowledge of the talks.
It was unclear exactly how this will differ from Microsoft'sZune Music Pass, which is the music service currently available to Xbox subscribers.

Photos claim to expose inside, outside of iPad 3

Are we peering inside theiPad 3, while seeing design tweaks to the outside too?

A couple of reports today claim to expose more pieces of the iPad 3's design puzzle.
The first is a purported photo of the next-generation iPad's circuit board. If legitimate, the chip inside the next iPad--let's call it the iPad 3--is dubbed the "A5X" not the A6 as has been rumored.
So, who cares what the chip is called you might ask? Well, barring a Photoshopped rendering of the board, this could lend credence to the speculation in some quarters that the iPad 3 won't be quad-core but a souped-up dual-core chip.

Fifty years on, Glenn's flight remains a giant leap

John Glenn, the enduring face of America's early space program, blasted off and into history 50 years ago today, kicking off NASA's bid to catch up with the Russians in the Cold War space race.

John Glenn climbs into the Friendship 7 Mercury capsule on Feb. 20, 1962, to await launch on America's first orbital spaceflight.

Seconds away from liftoff, astronaut John Glenn monitored the instruments in his cramped Mercury capsule, listening intently as fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter called out milestones in the final moments of a tense countdown.
Earlier attempts to launch Glenn on America's first orbital spaceflight had been scrubbed by technical snags and bad weather. But this time around, the Atlas rocket, the Friendship 7 capsule, and the weather cooperated, clearing the way for the long-awaited, high-stakes attempt to reach orbit.

Clean-tech startup GreatPoint scales up in China

In a $1.25 billion deal, GreatPoint Energy's coal-to-natural gas technology will be built in China, the first large-scale plant for that technology in the world.

GreatPoint Energy built a demonstration plant in Massachusetts for its coal-to-natural gas process.

GreatPoint Energy has completed a $1.25 billion deal to build the first large-scale plant for converting coal to natural gas in China, a sign of how U.S. energy technologies are often being commercialized overseas.
The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported that China Wanxiang Holdings will invest $420 million in Cambridge, Mass.-based GreatPoint Energy, the largest equity investment by a Chinese company in a venture-backed U.S. company. Wanxiang will finance construction of the plant, with the first phase to be completed by 2015, according to the Journal.

Barnes & Noble reportedly readying 8GB Nook Tablet

The tablet would have half the memory of the current model, and could be hitting Wal-Mart stores this Wednesday.

The current Nook Tablet.

Barnes & Noble is prepping a new version of its Nook Tablet to better compete against Amazon's Kindle Fire.
The book retailer will launch an 8-gigabyte version of its tablet through Wal-Mart on Wednesday, according to The Verge.

The Nook Tablet made some noise after its launch as part of a new wave of affordable tablets better suited to competing with the higher end iPad from Apple. But while the Kindle Fire has sold well and drawn much of the attention of the consumer and media, the Nook Tablet hasn't seen the same level of adoption.

iPhone 6 Rumors And Predictions: Specs, Features, Design . .

Although the Apple iPhone 5 is yet to be announced, users over the Web have already started searching for the iPhone 6 features, specifications, and more enthusiastically the design. It’s quite funny to know how obsessed people have become with Apple products, especially with the iPhone and iPad.
With such a huge popularity, Apple doesn’t really have shell out cash for advertising or marketing their products. They have enough word of mouth to deliver their products to success.
I must confess that it has become more like a competition between fans to find information of the unannounced products. As I was doing my research on this, I found a number of blogs dedicated to the iPhone 6 already, and to my surprise, they are update quite regularly.
The Apple iPhone 6 is far away from its actual release. With Apple releasing different versions of the iPhone (“S” launches), it’ll definitely take a few more years before Apple announces the iPhone 6.
At this point of time, there is very little information available about the features, specifications and designs of the iPhone 6. We don’t even know if the 6^th generation of the iPhone will be even called ‘iPhone 6′ or something else. However, what we know and have analyzed that fans across the Web have a lot of expectations especially with designs.

Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

NASA simulates fly through of ginormous crack in Antarctic glacier, takes you for virtual ride

Swooping through the trenches of the Death Star likely ranks high on every geek's bucket list, but even an earthbound version won't really do the trick. Fortunately, the folks at NASA have rigged up a passable alternative -- flying through a massive 19-mile crack across Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier. The crack was discovered last October and measures 60 yards wide and 50 yards deep, certainly more than enough clearance to accommodate adventurous fliers. Using data gathered by NASA's Operation IceBridge science flight team, the agency generated an animated fly through that, well, mostly flew over the crack -- but we're sure that was a defensive maneuver. After all, you just never know when a TIE fighter flown by someone's father might sneak up from behind. See the icy flyover yourself after the break.