Hasta La Gadget!

RepairsUniverse claim that they have in stock replacement parts for the newly released iPhone 5, not to mention are capable of performing repairs on this particular smartphone as well. In addition, they released an iPhone 5 repair guide video that showcases the full nudity of the iPhone 5, stripped and all, including instructions on replacing the iPhone 5 display. Needless to say, that would be of interest to many people considering how the display of most smartphones is the most common part to be damaged.

You need not fork out a single cent for the repair guide video, as it is free not only on their website, but over at YouTube as you can view above. According to Paul Weatherley, founder of RepairsUniverse.com, “It’s great that the design of the iPhone 5 makes it easy to repair. Following our free video instructions people will be able to save themselves a lot of money if they ever have the misfortune of damaging their phone”.

Some say that the iPhone 5 is in its own way, easier to repair compared to the iPhone 4S since it opens up from the front, giving you instant access to the innards, while letting you swap out the screen in a jiffy. [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iPhone 5 sells 5 million units in three days, iPhone 5 back too susceptible to scratches?,

Sony has reassured the gaming industry that they fully intend to stick to their plan for a 10 year lifecycle for the PS3 console, having recently introduced a slimmer model at the recently concluded Tokyo Game Show. This means those who are late to the game need not fret that the next console (a PS3 in this context) they purchase will not be obsolete in a year’s time, or two. After all, there were whispers going around that Sony fully intends to roll out a new PlayStation console in time for the holiday season next year, which means it would not make much sense to purchase a new PS3 at this point in time.

Sony VP of hardware marketing John Koller intends to rest any rumors and concern concerning the next generation PlayStation, and prefers to state and underline Sony’s support for the PS3 console which is said to uphold the 10 year lifecycle commitment, carrying the PS3 to 2015 at the very least. This would mean three more years of gaming goodness on the svelte new PS3. Do you think that the Xbox camp will blink first and release a successor to the Xbox 360 before the next generation PS?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: New Sony PS3 (2012) announced at Tokyo Game Show , Polish retailer advertises unreleased super slim PS3,

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

Sometimes your gadget needs are a bit more diverse. For those who are in need of devices that do more than enhance your current computer, this round of links may be just what you’re looking for. From living room speakers to a 50-inch plasma HDTV, there’s a duo that could make football season more enjoyable. If you’re home entertainment setup is already covered, perhaps a new 24-inch display or a digital SLR kit could get some use in your arsenal. Enough with the chatter, though, head on past the break to take a look — but keep a careful eye on those discount codes and rebates.

Continue reading Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 24th: Dell UltraSharp display, 50-inch LG HDTV and a Canon Rebel T3 bundle

Filed under: Cameras, Displays, Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 24th: Dell UltraSharp display, 50-inch LG HDTV and a Canon Rebel T3 bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Allow me to explain how two discussions started off in very similar ways, and ended… shall we say, differently. This is me, attempting to muster any sort of pleasantness in my voice at some ungodly hour of the morning on a Google Voice connection from Dubai back to the US:

“Hey! I’m having to cut a trip short due to an emergency back home. I actually purchased a trip protection plan when I checked out online — would it be possible to provide a refund for this flight now that I need to cancel it?”

From here, I was told that this was too vague. That I would need medical proof of an injury or illness, and that if it were a pre-existing condition — something like reoccurring cancer — that simply wouldn’t do. Oh, and if it’s a home emergency, you’ll need proof from your home insurance company that your abode is “uninhabitable.”

“So… I’m basically hosed here? This trip protection plan doesn’t really protect very much, does it?”

“… Do you want to file the claim?”

“No. That’s okay. Thanks for your time.”

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Continue reading The extremes of technology customer service: how common sense and empathy create unmatched loyalty

Filed under: Misc

The extremes of technology customer service: how common sense and empathy create unmatched loyalty originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM is facing its first ever quarter with zero subscriber growth, industry experts predict, as it feels the pain of the delays around BlackBerry 10 and the increasing appeal of iOS and Android. Having managed to eke out more users despite aging software until now, RIM’s customer base is expected to plateau, The Globe and Mail reports, with enterprise customers defecting from BlackBerry devices. However, some aren’t even confident that BlackBerry 10 is sufficient to stem the user defections.

“This is the first quarter we are expecting zero subscriber growth – a loss in enterprise [customers] offset by a small gain in international consumer subs,” National Bank Financial’s Kris Thompson warned. “Starting next quarter, we see the sub base in a downward spiral with Blackberry 10 potentially slowing [the losses], but we’re not holding our breath.”

RIM’s headaches can’t be boiled down to solely software, hardware, or services, but instead are a combination of all three. BlackBerry 7 devices look tired in comparison to Apple’s iPhone and recent Android smartphones, while Microsoft is making a play for the enterprise market with Windows Phone 8.

A rise in developing market adoption and a surprise degree of appeal among young users has failed to bolster subscriptions for BlackBerry Exchange Server (BES), with low-cost messaging and cheap, prepaid plans instead providing the core appeal. Most recently, RIM announced it had 78m BlackBerry subscribers worldwide, though it has not broken that number down into specific demographics.

Recent leaks suggested BlackBerry interest in the US had dwindled significantly, with stores no longer replenishing stock.  Analysts aren’t always right, of course – the recent over-enthusiastic predications around Apple’s iPhone 5 sales are evidence of that – but with little to show for the past three months, the next quarterly results are very unlikely to be positive news.

[timleine]

BlackBerry growth stagnant warn experts (and BlackBerry 10 might not fix it) is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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