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Best gadget news

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• Sony Tablet S release date: Hands-on pictures
• Android app news: Google Propeller to rival Flipboard
• T3 Gadget Awards 2011: 6 days left to vote and win
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection officially revealed
• Weird News: Apple trainers and the tin-man Ironman
• BlackBerry PlayBook native email coming next month
• Google+ posts down 41%
• Nokia Windows Phones still in line for 2011 release
• Windows 8 will give Microsoft 15% tablet share
• iPhone 5: new home button design spied
• Tech Today: iPhone 5 case suggests huge redesign

Sony Tablet S release date: Hands-on pictures Posted: 16 Sep 2011 09:20 AM PDT Posted by Luke Johnson on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Following today's Sony Tablet S release we have gone up-close and personal with the Android Honeycomb powered device to bring you a series of hands-on Sony Tablet S pictures Hitting stores at 7am this morning following its official unveiling at IFA 2011 late last month, Sony’s first foray into the tablet market is a true iPad challenger with the vast array of impressive Sony Tablet S specs seeing a 9.4-inch touchscreen display land alongside a dual-core processor.   With 1GB of RAM joining PlayStation certification and a rear-mounted camera the Tablet S is one of the first iPad competitors to move away from the standard design form implemented by Apple sporting a curved aesthetic that makes the device appear like it has been folded.   Sony Tablet S pictures: Click here to launch the hands-on gallery Related links Best tablets: iPad alternatives Sony S1 and S2 tablets revealed Sony S1 now known as Sony Tablet S Sony Tablet S release date Available to buy now a 16GB Wi-Fi only Tablet S will set you back £399 whilst a Wi-Fi + 3G model touting 32GB of internal storage hosts a £499 price tag.   Set to follow the Sony Tablet S release date is the arrival of the Sony Tablet P, a clamshell device which boasts dual 5.5-inch displays and 4GB of internal storage.   Stay tuned to T3.com for a full Sony Tablet S review next week.   Has the arrival of the Sony Tablet S tempted you to forgo the standard iPad route and plump for a different type of tablet? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Android app news: Google Propeller to rival Flipboard Posted: 16 Sep 2011 08:48 AM PDT Posted by Chris Smith on Fri 16 Sep 2011 The Big G wants to take over social news sharing with iPad and Android app. Google is plotting a social news aggregator application that it will call Propeller and be available for both iPad and Android, according to reports.   The so-called Google Propeller app will take aim at established apps like Flipboard, that bring content in from various news feeds and displays articles that your social networking buddies are working on.   According to Silicon Valley sources the Propeller app is one of a number of social ventures Google is planning to tie-in to its Google+ network and early indications are that the company has knocked it out of the park with this one.   Related links Best iPad apps Vote in the shortlist for App of the Year Flipboard for iPad review Best Android news apps “I heard from someone working with Google that Google is working on a Flipboard competitor for both Android and iPad,” posted digital in-the-know Robert Scoble. “My source says that the versions he’s seen so far are mind-blowing good.”   Kara Swisher of the influential AllThingsDigital blog also did a little digging around at Google and chimed in: "Sources said Propeller is apparently one of a number of new socially focused announcements Google is prepping, including new apps. But the timing for their launch is unclear.   "Here’s what is: Propeller is a souped-up version of similar reader apps such as Flipboard, AOL’s Editions, Yahoo’s Livestand, Zite (which was just bought by Time Warner’s CNN) and Pulse."   Google's decision to launch a smartphone and tablet based social news aggregator follows a failed bid to buy Flipboard last year. We'll be keeping our noses close to the ground on this one.   Mashable: CNET (via AllThingsD) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

T3 Gadget Awards 2011: 6 days left to vote and win Posted: 16 Sep 2011 07:21 AM PDT Posted by Luke Johnson on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Apple iPad 2, Xbox 360 with Kinect and a Motorola Xoom all to be won by voting in the T3 Gadget Awards 2011 There are now just six days to go until voting closes in the 2011 T3 Gadget Awards, with a selection of tech prizes to be given away to those casting their verdict across the 19 awards categories.   More than 880,000 reader votes have already been cast across the awards’ 19 categories with the titles of Gadget of the Year, Gadget Personality of the Year and Phone of the Year expected to be three of the closest thought battles come awards night on October 10th.   Vote now for the chance to win an Xbox 360 with Kinect, a Motorola Atrix and an iPad 2.   Related links T3 Gadget Awards 2011 Vote now T3 Gadget Awards 2011 | Phone of the Year T3 Gadget Awards 2011 | Gadget of the Year With public voting set to close on September 22nd, you, the T3 reader, have just two weeks left to give your opinion and cast your votes on which gadgets should walk away with the moniker of Home Gadget of the Year, App of the Year and TV of the Year.     For taking the time and effort and to vote in the T3 Gadget Awards 2011 you will be entered in to a number of competition prize draws with a Motorola Atrix, Apple iPad 2 and an Xbox 360 console with Kinect all up for grabs.     What tech do you think should leave this year’s T3 Awards gong in hand? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds and make it officially by voting via the T3 Gadget Awards website. Already voted? Fret not you are more than welcome to vote again, and again, as many times as you like infact.   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection officially revealed Posted: 16 Sep 2011 07:15 AM PDT Posted by Nick Cowen on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Konami has revealed its expansive plans for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on the PS Vita, 3DS, PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles Fans of Solid Snake can rejoice. Japanese publisher Konami has revealed that Hideo Kojima’s groundbreaking stealth series is getting the HD treatment in a rather robust package for both Sony's PS3 and the Xbox 360.   The game’s creator himself was on hand at the Tokyo Game Show to confirm that the collection will also be made available for the PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS in 2012. The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will be released in Japan on PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 23rd. No European release date has  been announced yet.   Related links Call of Duty: Moern Warfare 3 video trailer Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 release date Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 price It’s unclear at this stage if the home console versions will have exactly the same content as those produced on the handhelds. Konami says, however, the entire package will be released on a single Blu-Ray disc for the PS3 and will be split across two discs for the Xbox 360.   Metal Gear Solid HD will contain some of the franchise’s most popular titles including Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker. It will also include ‘converted versions’ of the first two MSX Metal Gear games as well as the VR Missions that were released alongside Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance.   Konami says the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will allow many PS3 and Xbox 360 users to experience these ground-breaking titles for the first time, but with the new visual and aural improvements modern gamers expect.   Are you excited about the upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD release or keeping your gaming eye solely on the imminent Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 arrivals? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Weird News: Apple trainers and the tin-man Ironman Posted: 16 Sep 2011 06:00 AM PDT Posted by Adam Bunker on Fri 16 Sep 2011 A look at the more eccentric side of tech's last 7 days Apple trainers The wonderful world of weird fake Apple stuff is a burgeoning one. The other week we brought you news of a fake Apple Store that’d been set up in China, and now – from the same country – shots have emerged of Converse-style sneaks baring the Apple logo. Quite what kind of legal hellstorm is about to rain upon whoever’s shifting these remains to be seen, but lets just say that they’re probably se tot become a collectors item. Star Wars Origami Star Wars merchandise mania is back again, thanks to the release of the complete saga on special edition Blu-Ray. You can even nab yourself a Star Wars notepad, as is excellently advertised in the origami TIE fighter clip linked above. We approve. The thief-proof bike lock Anyone who’s ever had some industrious tea-leaf bike away with their precious two-wheeled speed machine will know that sometimes locks just aren’t tough enough. Enter Andrew Leinonen, who’s designed a lock made up of the forks of the actual bike. Break the lock? You’ve broken the bike. Thanks for playing. Wooden Sega Saturn If you’re going to completely mod a console beyond all recognition and replace the casing with nothing but some fine wood, which console would you choose? Something current like the PS3 or Xbox 360? Or something classic like the Mega Drive? Modder Ben Heck has gone for neither option, instead he’s swathed in wood one of the biggest console failures of all time, the Sega Saturn. Each to their own. Thinnest smartphone battle heats up The ultimate smartphone pissing contest that is thinness has been a bit back and forth this week. The Samsung Galaxy S2 has been running around telling everyone that it’s the most waiflike in town, but the advertising standards agency begs to differ, claiming that its bulges are bigger than those on the iPhone 4. Bet you can sleep tonight now you know that. Ironman does the Ironman Your days are numbered, humans. The Japanese have made a little tiny robot that’s so capable at running, biking and swimming, that they’ve entered it in an Ironman race. For those not in the know, the event is a 230km slog. Given that the bot’s about as big as tell as a biro, they’ve got the pools open at a finisheing time somewhere round the 168 hour mark. Stevie Wonder, he likes Apple Musicians often give shout-outs to people at gigs, but it’s rare that the person mentioned is anyone other than a friend, lover, producer or fellow star. Stevie Wonder’s different to most singers, though. In this clip, he takes a moment mid-gig to thank none other than Steve Jobs, citing that ‘there’s nothing you can do on an iPhone or iPad that I can’t.’ Bold claim, but fair enough. And Finally… The biggest unboxing of the year We like it when an attempt at viral marketing gets it right, because it’s rare. This ad for the Toyota Yaris ain’t rude, racey, sweary or loud, but it is clever – simply because it taps into the zeitgeist of tech unboxings perfectly…   This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

BlackBerry PlayBook native email coming next month Posted: 16 Sep 2011 02:59 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Fri 16 Sep 2011 News of BlackBerry PlayBook update comes after another set of poor financial results for makers RIM. The BlackBerry PlayBook will finally get native email, contacts and calendar apps next month. The update will be shown off at next month’s DevCon event, which kicks off on 18 October in San Francisco. Related links Blackberry PlayBook unboxing video Blackberry PlayBook: 10 things you should do first Blackberry Playbook review: hands-on Blackberry Playbook in T3 Hot 100   As well as the much-needed software boost, which has been promised ever since the slate first hit shelves in October, there’ll be a new BlackBerry Video Store and the Android app player. The latter is a huge deal, with BlackBerry looking to bolster the selection of decent add-ons available for its tablet.   The news came during an earnings call last night, which followed another set of average financial results for makers RIM. A mere 200,000 PlayBooks were shipped (not sold) in the last quarter, well below analyst estimates and putting it over 9 million shipments behind Apple’s iPad.   Will this software boost be enough to convince you to buy a PlayBook? Tell us now over on our Facebook and Twitter pages.   Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google+ posts down 41% Posted: 16 Sep 2011 02:27 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Fri 16 Sep 2011 New data suggests Google+ is failing to catch on, despite rush to sign-up at launch. Posts to Google+ are down a massive 41 per cent, according to a company which offers users the chance to link their Twitter and Google+ accounts. The decrease comes despite the huge clamour for invites when the service first launched over the summer.   Related links Google+ video review Google+ explained: what's it all about Google+ social network revealed Tech Today: Google+ invites and how to get one Google+ for Android: app review   The makers of the ManageFlitter Twitter to Google+ tool say their data shows that publicly shared posts have fallen from 0.68 a day to 0.40. The company says this doesn’t account for privately shared information though, but it will still make bad reading for the Big G.   Google had hoped that Google+ would give it the edge over Facebook, with its neats Circles function giving users the ability to sort which followers saw what info. It seems things haven’t quite turned out as planned.   Are you still using Google+? Or have you decided to stick with Facebook and Twitter? You can let us know now on our own Facebook and Twitter pages.   Via 89n.com This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nokia Windows Phones still in line for 2011 release Posted: 16 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Espoo leaving it late to make self-imposed deadline for new Nokia Windows Phones. Nokia announced its plans to release blowers packing Microsoft’s Windows Phone software way back in February. Fast forward seven months and there’s still no specific release date for the devices, which have already been gazumped by HTC’s new Titan and Radar handsets. Related links Apple Nokia iPhone settlement: £371 million Microsoft to acquire Nokia in buyout? Nokia Windows Phone 7 tie-up Windows Phone 7 review   However, Nokia has taken to Twitter to reassure anxious fans that the company is still planning to unleash the next-gen phones before the year is out. The @nokia account tweeted, “We cannot confirm local availability but the 1st Nokia w/WP (Windows Phone) devices will ship in Q4 and with volumes in 2012 cc @NokiaAustralia.”   This at least assuages fears that Espoo, renowned for delaying its best smartphones for months after their announcement, is at least on track. However, its interesting to note that Nokia Australia was copied in. Is this where the first Nokia Windows Phones will be released? It’d be a bizarre move by the Finns if so.   Are you still holding out for a Nokia Windows Phone? Or has all this waiting put you off? Tell us what you think on our Facebook and Twitter pages.   Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Windows 8 will give Microsoft 15% tablet share Posted: 15 Sep 2011 11:49 PM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Tech watcher claims developer and business support will help Windows 8 in tablet fight. Windows 8’s share of the tablet space will be as much as 15 per cent by 2014. That’s according to one analyst, who reckons that the Big M’s existing support from big business and a large community of developers will help it take on the iPad. Related links Windows 8 details revealed Windows 8 out in 2012 says CEO Windows 8 release date leaked   Robert Breza, who works for RBC Capital Markets, said the fact that 1.2 billion machines already run Windows will also give Microsoft a helping hand in making its OS a winner for tablets as well as PCs.   “Microsoft’s tablet strategy leverages both desktop and mobile,,” he said. “Unlike traditional Windows 7, ‘Smart Tiles’ leverages multi-touch for a clever way to conveniently access most frequently used files and data.”   The fact that Windows 8 is designed to work on a range of different devices, and not just traditional desktops and laptops, could see it give iOS and the iPad, not to mention OS X, plenty to think about in the future.   Via BGR This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

iPhone 5: new home button design spied Posted: 15 Sep 2011 11:30 PM PDT Posted by Joe Minihane on Fri 16 Sep 2011 Latest iPhone 5 gossip points to bigger form factor and new home button, as chatter about design goes into overdrive. As the iPhone 5’s launch finally nears, the rumour mill has got itself into a total tizzy about a string of new leaks. The biggest of these focuses on leaked shots of a new iPhone screen protector, seemingly showing a new, larger design and an elongated home button. Related links iPhone 5 release date imminent? iPhone 5 release date UK imminent? iPhone 5 specs: Metal backplate? iPhone 5 pictures: Are these real? iPhone 5 rumours: The latest Best iPhone apps   The images, unearthed by Unwire.hk, back up earlier leaked design drawings, which showed off the new look home button. How this will work in practice remains to be seen. Will it be a standard key for returning to the main menu, or a multitouch button for swiping through menus?   It all comes after new case designs showed off the new device’s new rounded back plate, which its makers claimed would be made out of aluminium. This first in with previous gossip about the handsets iPad 2-like looks.   Expect to hear endless tittle tattle about the iPhone 5 in the next few weeks, before Apple finally puts everyone out of their misery. That should be in the first week of October. Tell us what you think of the latest rumours on our Facebook and Twitter pages.   Via MacRumors This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Tech Today: iPhone 5 case suggests huge redesign Posted: 15 Sep 2011 08:19 PM PDT Posted by Chris Smith on Fri 16 Sep 2011 It's the tech news that broke after you logged-off. Apple iPhone 5 design to mimic iPad 2, if cases prove accurate While the recent rumour mill has suggested no iPhone 5 design overhaul, an accessories manufacturer has released a new case which hinted at quite the opposite. The Case-Mate design, if reliable, would see the iPhone 5 adopt a curved aluminum back just like the Apple iPad 2. Surely we can't be far away from putting all this speculation to bed? Put us out of our misery, Apple! Link: MacRumors New York Times claims fairly different iPhone 5 announcement, just weeks away On a similar note, a report in Friday's New York Times, which usually has a decent track record in these circumstances, has suggested that the iPhone 5 WILL be different from the previous generation and will be announced in just a few weeks. An Apple employee, who obviously declined to be named, reckons that the cases mentioned above seem "potentially authentic." So in other words he doesn't know jack. Link: AppleInsider Done with Google+ already? 41 per cent drop off suggests so New figures have claimed that the Google+ buzz (excuse the pun) has already worn off, with posts per day, per person down 41 percent over the last four weeks. The social network, which was supposed to spark Google's first social success story sparked a rush to sign up, but apparently, not many people are that keen on making their presence known. Put it this way; when was the last time you posted anything? Link: 89n.com Steve Ballmer unperturbed by Windows Phone uptake "We haven't sold quite as many as I would like," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer of the year-old Windows Phone platform, but the big man remains optimistic. "I’m not saying I love where we are but I am very optimistic on where we can be. We’ve just got to kick this thing to the next level." Ballmer cited the launch of Nokia Windows Phone Mango handsets as the shot in the arm needed to tackle Android and iOS. Link: AllThingsD   Cheap BlackBerry PlayBooks incoming! Wall Street is in a panic over RIM's future (again) despite the BlackBerry-maker posting decent Q2 profits of $329m and a turnover of over $4.2 billion. Apparently that was on the low-end of estimates so RIM's share price dropped 9 per cent. The Canadians say they will drop the price of the BlackBerry PlayBook and integrate new software in order to improve that device's uptake. Link Engadget       This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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