Hasta La Gadget!

Previously known as the HTC M7 that we’ve heard so much about, some more details about the HTC One have leaked out, specifically a new rendering and a sample image from the new device, courtesy of EVLeaks. The render claims to show off a full frontal of the rumored smartphone, while the sample image gives us a potential glimpse of what to expect from the camera when HTC’s new flagship arrives, presumably a little over a week away.

What’s most interesting about this render is that it looks to be the exact same image that we saw last month, except this time we see the navigation buttons at the bottom, as well as the display and latest iteration of HTC Sense. So, technically, we’re not learning too much new information at this point, but it is curious to note that this render only sports two buttons at the bottom: Back and Home, with the HTC logo in the middle.

Other than that, you have your front-facing camera, earpiece, sensors, and the microphone at the bottom, which could possibly double as a front-facing speaker considering the size of the vent. As for the sample image, it’s nothing special, and it isn’t at a particularly high resolution.

Previous rumors have suggested that the phone will sport “ultrapixel” technology and even indicated a 13-megapixel sensor, so this particular sample may have not been shot at full res. Alternatively, it could just be a fake image altogether.

In any case, it’ll be interesting to see what else we find out in the coming days. HTC will be hosting an event that’s just right around the corner on February 19, so we may end up seeing the new HTC One for the first time, but in the meantime, we’re keeping sensibly skeptical and will let you know about any further developments. Stay tuned!

HTC One render and sample image leak is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro is apparently in short-supply, though whether that means the Windows 8 tablet is in hot demand or merely hardly seeded is already prompting controversy. The stylus-enabled slate – which we reviewed last week – went on sale over the weekend, only to be swiftly followed by claims that the larger, 128GB version had already sold out at multiple retailers.

Microsoft’s own webstore also shows the 128GB version of the tablet as out of stock, with no indication as to when it might return to availability. The 64GB model – particularly criticized for the relatively small amount of storage space left over, once the OS, preloaded apps, and default recovery partition have their way – is still listed as in stock.

That could indicate a surprising degree of demand for Microsoft’s own-brand tablet; however, as Business Insider flags, there are also counter suggestions that Microsoft merely failed to anticipate interest in the slate, and didn’t provide enough to retailers. Comments at Microsoft’s own Surface blog and at Reddit complained of minimal stock, with some Staples and Best Buy stores supposedly claiming to have only been provided with two units each, none of which were the 128GB variant.

If that’s true, it’s unclear whether Microsoft faced production delays or simply didn’t make enough to cater to demand. The Surface Pro – like its RT sibling, released last year – uses a precisely machined “VaporMg” case material, which could be causing the company problems in manufacturing. Meanwhile, initial reception to the $899+ price of the full-Windows tablet had been lukewarm, and it’s possible that Microsoft had been hedging its bets in case of minimal demand.

Meanwhile, pre-launch reviews also proved mixed. While we were impressed by the usability of the stylus and the flexibility of the Surface Pro’s battery life, others were less convinced.

Shortages do make for good headlines, but they don’t help contribute to Microsoft’s market share, and when the company is trying to compete with the best-selling iPad and iPad mini – both for end-users and for developer consideration – that’s not good news. Microsoft is unlikely to comment specifically on its supply chain, but whether the lack of devices is down to production mishaps, poor planning, or even artificial limits, the company is probably kicking itself now over the loss of goodwill incurred.

Did you buy a Microsoft Surface Pro at the weekend? If so, did you get a 64GB or a 128GB? Let us know in the comments!

Where are all the Surface Pro tablets? is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s not quite as traditional as baseball and apple pie, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Following last year’s success, Google is once again hosting a Presidential Google+ chat days after the State of the Union address, on February 14th at 4:50PM Eastern. The Fireside Hangout will see President Obama answer the most voted-for questions from Americans live, with a seasoned panel joining him for the discussion. It’s arguably one of our better chances at getting answers about policies that we wouldn’t get from a formal speech — as such, those who can put aside nostalgia for old-fashioned Fireside Chats will likely get their fill at the source link.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Source: Google Official Blog

Are you unimpressed by the current crop of portable battery chargers on the market? Boy, you’re hard to impress. But even with your high standards, there’s a good chance you’ll be interested with the Epiphany OnE Puck. It doesn’t need electricity, light or salt water. All it needs is a hot or cold object, and it’ll pump out electricity in return.

Epiphany Labs claims that its device is a Stirling engine, which works by cooling down fluid trapped inside it. In the process of cooling, some of the thermal energy from the heat source is eventually transformed into electric energy. The company didn’t go into details about the specific components of the OnE Puck, only that if you apply sufficient heat – say, from a cup of steaming hot coffee – on its red side or if you significantly cool down its blue side – as shown above – then it will be able to generate up to 5W of power, enough to charge most smartphones.

A pledge of at least $115 (USD) on Kickstarter lets you reserve your own OnE Puck. As of this writing, the fundraiser has already raised more than half of its $100,000 target with 55 days to go. But if I were you, you might want to wait until Epiphany Labs provides more details about the device before pledging. After all, they haven’t answered the most important questions: What are its minimum and maximum temperature tolerances? Can you hang it over a bonfire or place it in your freezer? And exactly how hot (or cold) does an object have to be to cause the device to generate enough charge? Can Lambert of Technabob get one for free? So many questions.

[via CNET]

Some people really don’t need a cell phone. Seriously. A 5 year old kid does not need to have a phone. Elderly folks are another market that does not necessarily benefit. If your parents or grandparents are like mine they have an old school cell phone but never have it on. Hhhhmmmm, sort of defeats the purpose. But there are definitely reasons that young ‘uns or elderly may have a need to communicate. In emergencies or when they get lost a phone can be a savior. Many manufacturers have attempted a minimal button phone. Yet none have taken off. Are they still too complicated?

An Irish company wants to try to keep the hassle to a minimum for children or the elderly with a simple, cell phone-like device that eliminates any complexity. The Swish Mini Phone claims to be the smallest cell phone in the world. About the size of a 6^th generation iPod Nano, Swish contains 4 simple buttons.  Two are programmable to the numbers of your choice. One button is used for hangup. The fourth button (SOS Panic) will continuously dial your two programmed numbers until a connection is made. To make a call simply press a button and the device automatically goes to speaker mode. The kids can reach mom or dad with a single button touch or elderly can call their caretakers when needed. The Swish also comes with built in GPS, so the users location can be detected. 72 hour standby time or 90 minutes of talk time before charging give plenty of life.The Swish Mini Phone operates on GSM networks and can be purchased at the site of Swish Arthouse Studio for €285 (about $380 US). Pop in a SIM card and you can give yourself and the more vulnerable people in your life a little peace of mind with The Swish.
[ Small Phone, Big Peace of Mind copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]