Eclectic Electronics

Apple lists down Top 10 iPhone/iPod Touch applications by category

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 03:30 PM PDT

Not sure which iPhone/iPod Touch application to get? Let Apple help you with its list of Top 10 applications, sorted by category. Ten categories are available and you have the choice to toggle displaying between the Top 10 paid and Top 10 free applications.

Apple 1 Billion App Countdown Apple is currently holding a 1 Billion App Countdown promotion. You can enter to win without making a purchase. Please don’t forget to read the official rules.

As of today, nearly one billion apps have been downloaded around the globe. So we just want to say thanks — a billion. Download an app and you'll automatically get the chance to win a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card, an iPod touch, a Time Capsule, and a MacBook Pro. Just go to the iTunes Store, browse the App Store, and download your best app yet.

JVC Victor GD-463D10 46-inch 1080p 3D LCD TV

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 12:30 PM PDT

JVC GD-463D10 46-inch 1080p 3D LCD TV

Specifications include 1920 x 1080 native resolution, 2000:1 native contrast ratio, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 3 HDMI input ports and dual 10w speakers. It supports 1080/24p, 50p, 60p, 50i, 60i. According to JVC-Victor Japan, the unit includes 2 circular polarization glasses.

It will be showcased at the NAB Show, a conference/exhibit for the digital media industry. The NAB Show will run from April 18-23, 2009.

It’s just too bad that there’s a hefty premium on the price. It will retail for ¥700,000 (approximately $7,000 USD). Release date is on July 2009 (in Japan). Plus! Will content providers ever truly shift to 3D material? I am doubtful, but let’s see what the future holds.

[via CyberTheater and Coolest Gadgets]

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Circuit City possibly reopening?

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 10:00 AM PDT

Is Circuit City rising from its recent death? The company closed all remaining stores last March 8, 2009. But information on their site indicates that the main page was modified last April 1, 2009 and is stating that “we anticipate the website will reopen in the coming weeks.”

Systemax is seeking to acquire the Circuit City brand for $6.5-million, strategically similar to what they did with CompUSA (Systemax is more commonly known to consumers as TigerDirect and CompUSA).

Systemax seems to have the habit of ressurecting known brands rather than conceptualizing a totally new one. They seem to be handling CompUSA just fine. Maybe they have something good for Circuit City, who knows. Other possible bidders will be entertained in acquiring the Circuit City brand until May 11, 2009.

[via CrunchGear]

Buy.com selling “never-locked” Apple iPhone 3G 16GB for $799.99

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 07:45 AM PDT

Looking to get yourself a “never-locked” Apple iPhone 3G? Search no further! Buy.com is selling “never-locked” Apple iPhone 3G 16GB’s for a whopping $799.99!

There is no mention as to what color is available and Buy.com claims that it comes with full Apple warranty. It also seems to be selling well because it’s currently ranked 79 at Buy.com.

I actually checked yesterday and it showed Temporarily out of stock. I guess they replenished their inventory today. Are people actually shelling out $799.99 for a “never-locked” Apple iPhone 3G?! Wow!

AT&T FamilyMap lets you stalk family members and loved ones

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 07:20 AM PDT

FamilyMap is a new tracking service from AT&T. It allows you to stalk watch over family members and loved ones.

The service tracks users in two ways: A-GPS (if your phone has one) or alternative location tracking technology (probably through triangulation via the cell sites where your phone is getting a signal from).

A-GPS is more accurate because the FamilyMap service will be able to track the receiver module inside your phone. It is said to be accurate within a few yards.

Alternative location tracking technology is less accurate because the FamilyMap service will track the location based on the cell sites the phone is currently acquiring a signal from. It is said to be accurate to within a few hundred yards.

The person you are tracking will be periodically notified that they are trackable, these is a random message which is usually sent out via text message once a month. If you are tracking your children, you have the option to notify him/her every time a

Stolen phones can also be tracked but the device has at be turned on and within AT&T’s network coverage area. But then, it would alert the thief via text message that he is locatable through the FamilyMap service. Now why would it do that? I certainly don’t know.

The first 30 days of usage is free, you will be charged $9.99 every month thereafter if you don’t choose to cancel the service. $9.99 lets you track two family members. Upgrading to $14.99 allows you to track up to 5 family members.

The AT&T FamilyMap service is not available for prepaid and Go Phones.

For answers to some frequently asked questions, click here.

[via PhoneArea]

AT&T wants to extend iPhone exclusivity until 2011?

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT

Currently, AT&T has exclusive rights to the Apple iPhone, from its release in 2007 to until 2010. AT&T is the second-largest telecommunications provider in the United States. Verizon remains on top.

Reports are popping up all over the web that AT&T is negotiating with Apple to extend the deal to 2011 (possibly more if Apple gives in to them). This comes to no surprise as the iPhone is selling like hotcakes across the United States. As of March 21, 2009, over 17 million units have been sold.

If Apple decides to partner with another service provider (with a different standard like CDMA or a different band), they possibly have to shell out additional money in order for the iPhone to work. On the other hand, AT&T is seemingly enjoying their partnership with Apple, because it has given them additional subscribers due to the iPhone frenzy.

Meanwhile, these extension negotiations aren’t really clear, because initial reports during 2007 say that AT&T has exclusivity over the iPhone for five years. But now they’re talking about just extending it to 2011.

What’s the catch here? Was the partnership between Apple and AT&T extended or shortened?

[via Art of the iPhone and Business Insider]

Apple iPhone 3G also available at Best Buy and WalMart

Posted: 15 Apr 2009 12:00 AM PDT

Apple really seems to be loading out remaining stocks of the iPhone 3G. Other than Apple stores and AT&T stores, Best Buy and WalMart are also selling iPhone 3G’s with AT&T contracts (in-store only).

Prices at Best Buy range from $149.99 to $299.99 depending on iPhone capacity (and of course, bundled with new line activation or eligible upgrade with AT&T contract).

Microsoft Windows XP enters “Extended Support” phase; continues until April 8, 2014

Posted: 14 Apr 2009 07:30 PM PDT

Windows XP, possibly be considered the most popular operating system the company has ever conceived, has recently entered “Extended Support” phase.

Even though Microsoft introduced XP’s successor, Windows Vista, during the start of 2007, many people declined to update to the latest operating system because of resource hogging issues along with immense hardware requirements.

Today, April 14, 2009, marks the end of the “Mainstream Support” for Windows XP.

What Microsoft essentially means by “Extended Support”:

Extended Support does alter the range of support a bit, but for the vast majority of customers the essential core remains the same. For example, customers will continue to receive free security updates and can call in for paid support until the second Tuesday in April of 2014. Enterprise customers with Premier Support who may need non-security hotfixes (such as design change requests) should consider enrolling in an optional support program named Extended Hotfix Support (EHS). EHS is required by very few customers as the product has matured to the point where design changes are relatively infrequent. For more information on obtaining Extended Hotfix Support, enterprise customers should contact their Microsoft account representative.

Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001. For a detailed timetable of product lifecycle information, please visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page. “Extended Support” for Windows XP ends April 14, 2014.

[via Microsoft Lifecycle Support Blog]