Hasta La Gadget!

As the world waits for Apple to release the iPhone 5, Reuters is reporting that Cupertino may be refreshing the iPhone 4, as well. According to two anonymous sources “with knowledge of the matter,” an unnamed Korean manufacturer has already begun producing parts for a cheaper, 8GB version of the smartphone, slated to launch within the next few weeks. As for that next-gen handset, the insiders went on to say that the iPhone 4S / iPhone 5 will feature a more spacious touchscreen, better antenna and eight megapixel shooter, and that Apple is indeed aiming for a late September launch, after having already asked manufacturers Hon Hai and Pegatron to prep their facilities for the production of 45 million units, altogether. Details, as usual, are still scarce at this point, but we’ll let you know as soon as we get more information.

Apple to release cheaper, 8GB iPhone 4 within weeks? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the world waits to find out what the fifth-generation iPhone looks like, TechCrunch reports an anonymous app developer has pulled information from their registration logs confirming the existence of a new device that’s rocking both CDMA and GSM radios. That conclusion is based on registrations that came from the same device that show mobile network codes and mobile country codes from both AT&T and Verizon. This is hardly shocking however, since the Verizon iPhone 4 already has a dual mode chipset from Qualcomm with the GSM side turned off, and we’d heard back in January that Apple was planning to go the one-size-fits-all route this time around. Who this does matter for however, could be world travelers that will find keeping their device connected between countries and networks much easier with a world iPhone, whenever the new phone is revealed later this year. The bad news is still the same however, as this probably also means there’s no plans for speedy LTE access — pencil in a pithy explanation from Steve about why it’s not necessary here.

App logs reportedly confirm dual mode CDMA / GSM iPhone 5 in testing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We didn’t exactly get the most extensive look at Oppo’s new Android-based X903 smartphone when the company announced it with Leonardo DiCaprio’s help earlier this month, but our pals from Engadget Chinese thankfully managed to come through on that front in a big way. As you can see, the phone’s brushed metal exterior certainly makes this one an eye catcher, although that apparently also contributes to a weight that’s a tad on the heavy side (there’s also a full QWERTY keyboard tucked underneath, albeit one that apparently suffers a bit from some short key travel). Those trade-offs also extend to some of the phones specs; you’ll get a high-end 4-inch IPS display, for instance, but you’ll have to make do without a front-facing camera. Hit the source link below for the full preview.

Oppo’s Android-based X903 smartphone gets previewed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not content to rest on its milestone-achieving laurels, Verizon’s trek towards an America blanketed in 4G continues to plow ahead. Hot on the heels of the operator’s last expansion, comes another 15 markets that get to surf along at blazing wireless speeds. Launching on September 15th in the western areas of the US, Big Red plans to flip the LTE switch on in the likes of Reno, Nevada; Moorhead, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; Iowa City, Iowa; Canton, Lima and Mansfield Ohio; three counties in California and five additional markets in Illinois. At this pace, it looks like VZW might just hit that promised 185 million mark by year’s end. Be sure to hit the source below for the full pressers.

Verizon Wireless’ LTE expansion keeps on trucking, 15 new markets on September 15th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arduino, Android and the iPhone usually get all the DIY love, but Mike Linnen, he has taken the road less traveled by — turning to Windows Phone 7, Azure and a Netduino Plus to get his home hacking on. The .NET-powered microcontroller is the heart of Linnen’s new sprinkler system which can be scheduled to turn on and off automatically or manually triggered remotely from his WP7 handset. The system also monitors weather forecasts and, if the chance of rain is above 39-percent, any sprinkler activity for the day is canceled to avoid over watering the grass and plants. It’s all pretty neat, and there’s some DOS command line action thrown in for good measure. Check out the lengthy demo video after the break, and hit up the source for more detail and the necessary code to set up your own.

Continue reading Netduino and WP7 used to remotely control sprinkler system, show off Microsoft’s DIY credentials

Netduino and WP7 used to remotely control sprinkler system, show off Microsoft’s DIY credentials originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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