GeekSugar

Is a Camera Finally Coming to the iPod Touch?

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:33:59 -0800

I know, I know, you've heard this one before, but now The Examiner is quoting an inside source at Apple who says a camera will be coming to the iPod touch this Spring. Rumors and theories have been circulating ever since the Nano was released with a video camera, and the iPod Touch was not. In September, Steve Jobs explained the reasoning behind the missing camera, that the iPod Touch is meant to be primarily a gaming device, and Apple's goal was to keep the price down as much as they could.

The article, later quoted in the New York Times says:

"We have heard from an inside source who claims the camera version of the iPod Touch 3G will be released this Spring. The source confirms to us that the iPod Touch 3G with camera had actually been planned for release this past September, but had problems passing quality control."

According to the source, the iPod Touch camera will be the same as the current Nano camera, which takes video but not still photos. There's no word on a possible release date, though I'm curious if Apple would release another iPod Touch upgrade so soon after the latest version's September debut.

Lots More Apple Tablet News, but Do You Care?

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:44:45 -0700

The mystery surrounding the Apple Tablet is hitting a fever pitch, and this time word is that Apple is shopping the yet-to-be-seen Tablet to Australian developers to gauge interest. In other news, you can now buy SIM card trays for a so-called iTablet online, but then again, a New York Times editor supposedly "spilled the beans" by calling it the Apple Slate in a recent speech. My head is spinning already!

I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a fan of Apple and its innovation, but I can't help but get the feeling that the more we talk about this product, the more we risk serious disappointment. Of course, there are those Mac fans that will buy whatever product Apple puts on the shelves, and are already making room on their desk for the Tablet.

For me though, I'll need to wait until the rumors become a reality before I start saving up for a new purchase. But it leaves me to wonder - are you totally enthralled in the minute-by-minute Apple Tablet news, or are you ready to ignore all the updates until a product is actually announced?

Apple May Soon Be Announcing Cheaper MacBooks

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:30:20 -0700

Less than a month after the announcement of new Shuffles and Nanos with cameras, it's rumored that Apple could be gearing up to unveil its most cost-effective lineup of Macs including iMacs and MacBooks.

According to the Apple Insider, the new models could arrive just in time for the holiday season and attract customers who are looking for an affordable laptop. The new MacBook is said to be thinner than the current 13-inch model, but no other details have been leaked.

Does this news make you excited? Would you pick up a cheaper MacBook?

Source: Flickr User pgh_shutter

Daily Tech: Dell Brings Back White For the XPS

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:10:33 -0700

If you like the sleek and sexy look of white, you can pick up a white Dell XPS in 13 or 16 inches - Engadget
Gmail makes it easier to send messages to people you haven't emailed in a while (or whose names you've forgotten) - TechCrunch
Floridians get access to the PS3 Slim before everyone else in the US - Gizmodo
Here are 10 surprising facts about games and education - Green Pixels
It's rumored that Sony may be coming out with a PSP-4000 to replace the PSP-3000 - CrunchGear
This 1970s telephone bag from laPochette can be yours for $295 - Gizmodiva

Have No Fear: White Plastic MacBooks Not Going Anywhere

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:45:02 -0700

With the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air all starting to use the same design - aluminum exterior with edge-to-edge black glass, there was a certain amount of fear the white plastic MacBooks were going to be discontinued.

I certainly thought it was only a matter of time, but Apple Insider has assuaged all our fears and reports that Apple is going to keep the white polycarbonate design and refresh them soon to boot, according to a source.

The $999-priced 13-inch laptops are doing exceptionally well in sales, and I love its look, even if it doesn't "match" the rest of its brethren. Perhaps a face-lift will give it a tiny shift toward looking similar (but like I said, tiny). Now if only they'd do the same for the BlackBook.

Beatles Rock Band to Have an All Singing Mode, No SingStar

GeekSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:35:07 -0700

Until Sept. 9, I'm fairly sure I won't not be freaking out about every little tidbit of information on Beatles Rock Band, and the following is no exception: Kotaku reports that the game will feature an all-singing mode.

This news comes after previous rumors of a Singstar version with Beatles songs, which have also been dispelled.

While that would have also been awesome, the all-singing feature still sounds hot; in fact, there may even be special microphone packs for the Beatles game. Stay tuned.

The Next iPod to Have a Built-in Camera

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:40:21 -0700

I'm not exactly gasping in shock that the next generation iPods and iPod Touches will come with cameras. It's what people want and need these days.

A online store in Portugal has come out with these Nano and iPod Touch case designs, which look pretty spot on to what we can expect in the upcoming months.

And the Apple Tablet? Sounds like we'll have to wait until 2010 before an official announcement on that front. I guess it'll be iPods all the way at the keynote in September.

iTunes 9 Could Have Twitter and Facebook Integration

GeekSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:33:20 -0700

I don't usually get too excited about an iTunes update, but Boy Genius Report has some possible screenshots of iTunes 9, and they imply Facebook and Twitter integration.

Social networking integration and built-in Last FM were already rumored features, and the questionable shots show a "Social" tab.

What could a social networking aspect mean for iTunes? It could mean a way to combine your different social networks, or share music socially. I would love for them to expand on the Shared Playlist aspect, already something I enjoy and use now.

What do you think it could mean?

All Fingers Pointing To an Apple Tablet Coming Next Year

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:45:03 -0700

With Amazon's success with the Kindle and Barnes & Noble recently announcing their partnership with Plastic Logic to develop an eReader by early next year, Apple has decided to dive into the wireless reading device market by creating their own tablet.

Set to make an early 2010 launch, the multi-touch, 10-inch, 3G enabled tablet will closely resemble a jumbo iPod Touch and no doubt offer the convenience of downloading books via iTunes. It's also rumored that Apple could work with Verizon to subsidize the tablet and therefore make it more affordable for students.

I'm curious to know if those who haven't splurged for the Kindle would consider purchasing an Apple tablet? And if you're already an iPhone owner, do you think the tablet would be worth owning in addition to your iPhone?

Source

Would You Keep Using Netflix If It Was Owned by Amazon?

GeekSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:47:23 -0700

I know it's kind of silly, but I've always been proud to be a Netflix subscriber, because I felt like I was supporting a local company. The San Francisco-based company has gotten huge, but its roots are in the Bay Area, where I am - and I like to think of it as a hometown company, a local affair that triumphed over the Goliath of BlockBuster.

That little local-biz-makes-good fantasy could be coming to a close, though, as rumors are swirling that Amazon could be taking over the mailed movie service.

The speculation - which is not new, an Amazon acquisition was rumored a couple of years ago - came about because Netflix's stock had gotten a little push.

What does this mean for us customers if it's true? It could mean that nothing changes, and it could mean that everything changes; we can't know.

What we do know is that my sweet little notion of supporting a local company would be done for. Would that make me stop using Netflix? Probably not. Would Amazon owning Netflix affect the way you felt about it?