Hasta La Gadget!

Normally the early bird gets the worm, but in the case of Windows 8, purchasers of Windows 7 PCs will have until February 28th, 2013 to snag their promotional upgrade. The Windows Upgrade Offer, which provides upgrades to Windows 8 Pro for a mere $14.99, is now open for registration to all those who purchase a Windows 7 PC between June 2nd, 2012 and January 31st, 2013. All those who wish to take part will need to provide their 25-digit Windows 7 product key as part of the online registration process, and beginning October 26th, Microsoft will send out promo codes via email, which can then be applied upon checkout within the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. Now the only question that remains is whether you’re willing to fork over $14.99 for the privilege of losing your Start menu.

Filed under: Software

Microsoft opens $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade registration for purchasers of Windows 7 PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to a leaked screengrab hosted up at MacRumors, Apple retail shops now have the authority to price match carrier and rival retail discounts on iPhone. Specifically, the note informs employees that prices from Best Buy, “carriers,” Radio Shack and Target can be matched, with $49.01 seeming to be the savings across the board. Curiously, places like Wirefly, Amazon, Negri Electronics and even Walmart aren’t mentioned, so we wouldn’t recommend trying to work the price down based on ads seen from any of those. The note also mentions the iPhone 4 and 4S exclusively, and we’re fairly sure this sort of goodwill won’t ever been applied to iPad, Mac hardware or pretty much any other Apple kit. Of course, crazier things have happened. We’ve reached out to Apple for comment, and will update this article should it choose to reply.

Filed under: Cellphones

Apple reportedly price matching iPhone discounts from carriers and other retailers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 15:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is this Kodak’s moment? It’s sure shaping up to be, as Bloomberg reports the once prominent imaging company has just earned a slight, though significant courtroom victory against Apple. At stake is the ownership of ten patents related to digital imaging, two of which have been deemed incontestable by a Manhattan bankruptcy judge due to Cupertino’s late stage ownership filing. Citing potential disruptions to next Wednesday’s auction, Judge Gropper ruled against Apple’s claims, while also striking down Kodak’s request for a summary judgment on the eight remaining IPs and leaving the door open for further dispute. So, though it may seem like the Rochester-based company is finally out of the woods, this certainly isn’t the end of its woes — Apple has now filed counterclaims and is seeking a transfer of the case to district court. And if the House that Steve built’s legal track record is any indication, it’s not going down without an interminable fight.

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Judge rules against Apple in Kodak patent dispute, cites disruption to next week’s auction originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports have surfaced from multiple sources apparently confirming that HTC’s new flagship phone, the HTC One X, will be dropped to the awesome low price of just $99 from the folks at AT&T. The price drop has been officially confirmed, along with RadioShack also stating Sunday, July 29th, the price will take effect in their shops.

Some are stating the new price point from AT&T is available right this minute, with RadioShack matching it come this weekend. There is no special requirements either, as HTC and AT&T has made this the new price for the One X for those looking to update and sign a new 2-year contract as usual.

Dropping the HTC One X down to $99 makes this phone a steal, as it was already awesome at $199. This will also cause some problems for Motorola and their new Atrix HD (see our review) as it offers similar specs and a smaller screen. This could also undercut Galaxy S III sales. The HTC One X features a 4.7-inch SLCD2 display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core S4 processor, and that impressive 8 megapixel camera on the rear. Hit the timeline below for One X news and our full review. If you’re interested in a new AT&T phone the HTC One X should be near the top of your list.

AT&T HTC One X drops to $99 this Sunday is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This year’s Steam Summer Sale starts with no less than titanic games such as Portal 2, Call of Duty MW3, and pack collections from Bethesda and the masses of creators behind the Star Wars gaming franchise. This Valve-run sale requires that you have a Steam gaming account and that you not hold your wallet closed too tightly – deals are to be had at every turn! Grab the legendary Indie Bundle (version I) for $9.99 instead of $40, get Total War: Shogun 2 for $7.49 instead of $30, and get a collection of games from RockStar for $49.99 instead of a massive $120! Click your mouse as fast as you can and stock up for the year!

This sale is a now-yearly beast of a set of deals in which a massive amount of games are put on sale for digital download for astounding amounts off their original price. There’s a collection of games in the “Pack Deals” section from the development group known as THQ, for example, that is an unbelievable 84% off its original price. Where if you’d have purchased all of the games in this set before today individually you’d have payed $399.85, you’re now paying $49.99. That’s a deal and a half by anyone’s standards.

At the very least, your one must-buy if you do not already own is Portal 2, a game that’s so much fun your head will explode. It normally costs a completely fair $19.99 and will today cost you $4.99, less than a mixed drink at your favorite club you never go to. And you’ll never leave the house again if Steam has anything to say about it!

There’s also a portal through which you’ll be voting on games that will or will not go on sale. Do you want Batman: Arkham City to be on sale for 60% off, or do you want some other game that’s a little bit less well known to go on sale? I think you know the answer to that one!

This is the first day of the giant multi-day sale in which prices change constantly, so get out there to Steam’s online shop and make it happen immediately!

Steam Summer Sale begins with a bang is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.