Google Play carrier billing for Verizon confirmed

Remember the other day we reported that thanks to a leaked screenshot, it seems that Verizon was set to (finally) introducing carrier billing for their subscribers who purchased apps on the Google Play store. Well the good news is that Google has since come forward and confirmed that and revealed that this feature is expected to roll out to customers over the next few weeks. Unfortunately apart from the confirmation, not much else was revealed regarding the new service. However if the previously leaked screenshot is to be believed, Verizon will be imposing a $25 cap per month that their customers can use to purchase apps from the Google Play store. It might seem limiting but we guess it’s to prevent bill shock from kids who might not be aware that some apps are paid and rack up bills worth hundreds of dollars.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google could introduce a malware scanning feature in the Google Play store according to APK, Google to introduce in-app subscription trial feature for apps,

Microsoft Stores issuing Surface launch day reservations

Microsoft Stores are reportedly taking reservations for the company’s Surface tablet, promising to hold stock for eager early-adopters hoping to pick up one of the Windows RT slates on Friday next week. The voucher, apparently being handed out at Microsoft Stores and pop-up stores according to WPCentral, is only valid on October 26 and doesn’t appear to specify which Surface it can be exchanged for.

That would apparently mean that even those with reservation passes may need to get to their local store early if they want to be confident of snagging the Surface bundle of their choice. Microsoft will be offering three versions of that bundle: the cheapest 32GB model, at $499, followed by a $599 with the 32GB tablet and the black Touch Cover, and then finally the $699 64GB version only available with the black Touch Cover.

If you want a different colored Touch Cover, that’s sold separately at $119.99, and right now there’s no way to get a 64GB Surface and a different color touch-keyboard. The reservations process is only valid until 12pm and only at the store which issued the voucher, with one voucher accepted per person.

Online demand for Surface has already seen the cheapest version sell out online, though with no confirmation on exactly how much stock Microsoft had, it’s unclear whether that’s a great sales success or otherwise. There’s more on the development of Surface in our behind-the-scenes tour with Microsoft.


Microsoft Stores issuing Surface launch day reservations is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


What Windows RT Can’t Do

You probably know that Windows 8 comes in two different versions—Basic x86 Windows (this is what you use now) and Windows RT. They have similar names. They look the same. But there are serious differences between the two—ones you should know about before you plunk down your cold hard cash on a Microsoft tablet. More »

iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller for iPhone/iPad/Android

You can say that the handheld console market has definitely taken a hit with the advent of the iPod touch and iPhone as viable alternatives for portable gaming entertainment, although granted, the touchscreen-enabled smartphone and portable media player do not really offer that much depth compared to a dedicated handheld console. Well, one thing about touchscreen controls is this – they do not end up too accurate, especially in a First Person Shooter setting, and that can end up to be rather frustrating. Change things for the better by grabbing fate by the neck with the $29.99 iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller for iPhone/iPad/Android.

Yes sir, you now have a pocketable D-Pad style device for your portable gaming needs, regardless of whether you ply your trade on the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Android-powered device. This classic retro-styled game controller will fit into your pocket nicely, and sports an 8 button control setup that includes a quartet of face buttons, Select, Start, and two shoulder buttons, and of course, the D-Pad for movement purposes. It works wirelessly via Bluetooth, and has an auto power save mode to prolong its gaming lifespan. Fully compatible with all iCade games, make sure you have a couple of AAA batteries around as spares always, just in case it runs out of juice.

[ iCade 8-Bitty Retro Wireless Game Controller for iPhone/iPad/Android copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


Distro Issue 62 arrives with Apple’s iPod duo, a superslim PS3 and Wacom’s multi-touch display

Distro Issue 62 arrives with Apple's iPod duo, a superslim PS3 and Wacom's latest pen display

At its event in San Francisco a few weeks back, Apple had more up its sleeve than just an aluminum-clad smartphone. In the latest issue of our weekly, we put both the new iPod nano and iPod touch through their paces to find out how they fare against their elder siblings. If a duo of PMP reviews doesn’t snag your attention, we also throw down the review gauntlet on Wacom’s Cintiq 24HD touch and this year’s slimmed-down PlayStation 3. Eyes-On peeks at an ultrathin ultrabook, Weekly Stat examines emoticon use and Time Machines tallies up some more gadget history. The week’s end is mere hours away and the usual download links that follow can help you settle in for a bit of leisurely gadget reading.

Distro Issue 62 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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Distro Issue 62 arrives with Apple’s iPod duo, a superslim PS3 and Wacom’s multi-touch display originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mathematics Journal Approves Paper Filled With Computer-Generated Gibberish Equations

It turns out that not every single paper submitted to scientific journals gets thoroughly proofed before it’s approved for publication. Shocking, right? The creators of an online tool called Mathgen that automatically generates research papers full of mathematical nonsense wanted to test just how believable the random creations were. More »

Sony’s 2011 Xperia lineup will not receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Good news Sony customers, the company has recently announced which of their 2012 Xperia handsets will be getting the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. This includes the Sony Xperia T, Xperia TX, Xperia V, Xperia S, Xperia arco S, Xperia ion, Xperia P, Xperia go and the Xperia J. However it should be noted that the newer handsets like the Xperia T, Xperia TX and the Xperia V will only receive the update in 2013, although there was no word on when the remaining models will receive the updates. We will keep our eyes peeled so do check back with us from time to time to see when the updates begin rolling out.

Now on to the bad news – if you own a 2011 Sony Xperia handset, the company has announced that their 2011 Xperia lineup will not be on the receiving end of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. According to Sony, this is because they do not believe that users will be able to get the same kind of experience that they did with Android 4.0. This does not mean that Sony will abandon their 2011 lineup, quite the contrary as Sony has affirmed that support will still be given and that firmware maintenance releases will be available.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony C650X Odin spotted on candid camera?, Sony Yuga camera might be a 13-megapixel shooter,

Samsung Galaxy S III coming to MetroPCS October 22

Regional carrier MetroPCS announced last month that Samsung’s Galaxy S III would be hitting its network sometime in October, and the carrier has kept up on its promise. The handset will be arriving to MetroPCS on Monday, which means you’ll have a long weekend ahead of you if you’re wanting in on the fun.

Come October 22, you’ll be able to grab one of Samsung’s Galaxy S III devices on a cheap carrier, and they even announced pricing today as well so that you can start counting those pennies in your piggy bank. Off-contract pricing for the GS III will be $499, with LTE plans running anywhere from $30 to $70 a month.

The Galaxy S III will be MetroPCS‘s most powerful smartphone to date. The handset has a huge 4.8-inch SuperAMOLED 720p display, and beneath that is a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB of RAM. On the back there’s an 8MP rear camera that’s capable of shooting 720p video. It also has WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and a barometer.

While the Galaxy S III is currently running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Samsung has said that a long-awaited Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is on its way within the next couple of months. We highly recommend that you read our full review of the device if you’ve never played around with one, and also check out our hands-on video above to see the phone in action.


Samsung Galaxy S III coming to MetroPCS October 22 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Softbank not ruling out possible Sprint bid on MetroPCS

With Softbank announcing that they will be purchasing a majority stake in Sprint, naturally many assumed that Sprint’s ambition to outbid T-Mobile on the MetroPCS deal would go away. As it turns out that isn’t the case and according to the Wall Street Journal, both Softbank and Sprint’s CEOs have come forward with statements saying that the possibility of bidding for MetroPCS could still be in the cards. Apparently this is thanks to the nature of the deal between Softbank and Sprint, in which Softbank will be giving Sprint some cash to work with if the opportunity to bid for MetroPCS is available.

According to Dan Hesse, Sprint’s CEO, “Think of it almost as an insurance policy. It’s some money in the bank until the deal closes that, for some reason, if we wanted to do something we could.” Hesse also spoke about assumptions that Sprint and T-Mobile could merge in the future to take on AT&T and Verizon – “We’ve got a transaction that’s pending with Softbank, and then when we get together we’ll take a look at the landscape and make our decisions then. If it’s accretive and makes sense for our shareholders, I would do what it takes.” In any case it looks like major changes will be taking place amongst the major US carriers and it will be interesting to see how this will impact and benefit consumers in the future.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: AT&T releases statement regarding Softbank-Sprint deal, Softbank to purchase 70% stake in Sprint for $20 billion,

Next Mass Effect title will not feature Command Shephard

When it comes to the Mass Effect franchise, Commander Shephard is a name that many gamers are probably familiar with. It’s akin to thinking of Master Chief when talking about Halo, which is why we wouldn’t be surprised if there are many gamers out there who will expect Command Shephard to be in future Mass Effect titles. If you’re a fan of the Commander, you might want to brace yourself as come Mass Effect 4 (or whatever the next Mass Effect title will be), the game will be featuring a new hero as opposed to the one that gamers have grown accustomed to. This was revealed by BioWare Montreal when they spoke to the folks at VG247. According to the studio’s producer, Fabrice Condominas: (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Mass Effect Trilogy announced for PS3, Mass Effect 3 key Red Ending detail confirmed by BioWare,