Size counts. If you want proof, just look at the way our society develops technology, how obsessed everyone seems to be with making everything smaller and more portable. Today, we’re going to take a look at this obsession. Today, we’re going to examine some of the smallest computers ever created.
Well folks, it seems the rumblings we heard earlier this week were indeed true. CNBC has confirmed that Apple’s iPhone trade-in program — officially labled the iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program — is starting up in the outfit’s retail stores today. According to 9to5Mac, trade-ins will be offered for iPhone 3G up to the iPhone 5 with customers receiving a gift card for the determined value of their devices. Phones will then be handed over to BrightStar for recycling. It’s worth noting that these number fluctuate, so there’s no way of accurately calculating what a local shop will offer up. Of course, timing is everything, and folks looking to recoup some funds ahead of the anticipated iPhone 5S announcement now have an option.
Update: We reached out to Apple on the matter and here’s the response:
“iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Source: CNBC (Twitter), 9to5Mac
For years now, McDonald’s has thrown in a toy either promoting the release of a new film, cartoon series or just for the heck of it in their Happy Meals. Children and some adults have enjoyed playing with these toys for years, but they may be getting a huge upgrade if its latest experiment, called the Happy Table, actually makes it into McDonald’s restaurants.
The Happy Table requires the child, or adult, to have a smartphone that supports NFC capabilities along with a free application which will turn the device into a car driven by one of the fast-food chain’s famous mascots. The underside of the Happy Table will have a number of NFC stickers located at certain areas of the underside of the table, which are used to trigger hazards at different sections of the race track, but can also be used to trigger mini games.
Happy Tables are slowly making their way to McDonald’s restaurants across Asia, although it’s unknown at this time if or when they’ll be making their way to other markets. If it comes out in the U.S., we’re sure many of you will check it out at least once, to never go back to McDonald’s again at the realization just how awful you’ll feel after eating their food. Or, at least, that’s what will happen when I go.
McDonald’s Happy Table Turns Your Smartphone Into Digital Playgrounds original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Apple will be expanding its iPhone trade-in program nationwide starting today, according to a report from CNBC’s Jon Fortt which we’ve confirmed with our sources. The program allows customers to walk into physical retail stores and exchange an older model device for credit towards a new one. The program has already been piloted at a number of select locations over the past few weeks, TechCrunch reported previously.
The program works by giving iPhone owners a chance to trade in non-water damaged devices in good working order, for between $120 and $250 or so depending on the condition of the device, what model it is and other factors. As part of the stipulations of the trade-in, customers have to walk out with a new contract as well as a new device. It only applies to customers shopping for a new iPhone, so you can’ t just trade an older model in for store credit or towards a different purchase, according to our original sources.
Apple’s intentions for building its own in-store trade-in program were originally outed back in June, when it was revealed that it would partner with Brightstar Corp., a distributor of mobile devices, in order to offer the deal to users. Apple has previously offered up iPhone trade-ins via PowerOn thanks to its “Apple Recycling Program,” but this is in retail stores instead of only working via mail, and specific to iPhones, rather than covering a range of Apple hardware.
The program is launching well ahead of the rumored debut of the next version of the iPhone, which is supposedly slated to be revealed at a September 10 event and could go on sale around September 20. Apple likely wants to give its retail staff and users time to get used to the program and become aware of its availability, as well as perhaps help clear out inventory channels ahead of the launch of new devices in the fall
We’ve reached out to Apple for additional comment and will update if they provide more info.
Update: Apple has provided the following statement regarding the program’s launch today –
iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone.
BREAKING: Apple tells @jonfortt that $AAPL‘s trade-in program to roll out nationwide today; customer must leave store with new contract.
— CNBC (@CNBC) August 30, 2013
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The animated GIF is a medium born of the digital age. But this artist’s mechanized flipbook project is a combination of frame-by-frame animation and kinetic sculpture—an infinite loop for a simpler time.
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Prior to the announcement of the Xbox One, gamers knew a new title was already in the works for the next-generation console which would allow us to play as Master Chief as he battles whoever is the current risk to the galaxy. We knew there’d be a new Halo, but for those of us who actually care more about its story over its multiplayer, we didn’t exactly know what the game would be about. Thankfully, Microsoft has finally accidentally shed a little bit of light on where the next Halo will take us. (more…)
Halo Xbox One Story Details Leaked On Microsoft Store original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Huawei’s first two Honor smartphones were straightforward mid-range devices; with today’s unveiling of the Honor 3, the company is going the semi-rugged route. The third-generation model is IP57-rated for resistance to dust and water, and its high-sensitivity touchscreen will recognize wet hands. There’s also an HTC One-like infrared blaster to control TVs and home appliances. The Honor 3 is otherwise a modest upgrade, however — it carries a slightly larger 4.7-inch 720p in-cell touch LCD, a mildly faster 1.5GHz K3V2 quad-core chip, a higher-resolution 13-megapixel rear camera, a 1-megapixel front camera and Android 4.2. The 2GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable storage haven’t changed since last year, although they’re acceptable when the Honor 3 is already on sale for just ¥1,888 ($309) in China.
The smartphone will soon have company. Huawei is teasing a new TV set-top box, the MediaQM310, that should offer both cloud services and China Network Television’s online video. The media hub should be uncommonly powerful for its diminutive size with a quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip, Bluetooth and dual-band WiFi. There’s no mention of a price just yet, although that should come when Huawei ships the MediaQM310 to China sometime in September. Check out a photo of the device after the break.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Source: Huawei (translated)
President Obama’s order to the intelligence community is starting to produce results. On Friday, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper announced on Tumblr that the intelligence community will begin issuing annual transparency reports… on Tumblr of course.
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Even though the most recent iterations of the franchise have been somewhat lacking, Capcom’s Resident Evil series has always been one that will send a wave of goosebumps all over a person’s body as they recall their scariest experience with the game. The creepiest holiday of them all, Halloween, will soon be upon us, which is why Universal Orlando will be making one of its haunted houses into a Resident Evil-themed house of terror. (more…)
Capcom’s Resident Evil Becomes Haunted House At Universal Orlando original content from Ubergizmo. 
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