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Sprint details Q4 CDMA Direct Connect launch plans and handsets, quietly waves goodbye to iDEN

We're guessing that this isn't the riveting Q4 announcement that Dan Hesse promised us last week at Sprint's Kansas headquarters, but it's a shock to the system nonetheless. The outfit's legacy iDEN network is still kicking around (and in turn, eating up valuable resources to run it), and while we're told that those push-to-talk users are some of the most loyal, it looks as if 2012 will be the year they're forced to try something new. The company's CDMA-based Direct Connect alternative is officially slated to launch this winter, with those who buy in treated to triple the square miles of the company's current push-to-talk coverage area, broadband capabilities and a smattering of new devices.

The Kyocera DuraMax and DuraCore will be joined by an unannounced Motorola smartphone, all of which should be rugged enough to handle the expected field work. Furthermore, Sprint will be adding international push-to-talk (alongside "additional capabilities") in early 2012, and users should see a marked improvement in in-building coverage. Finally, we're told that voice and data capacity is expected to increase significantly as Sprint leverages its spectrum holdings in 800MHz, 1.9GHz, and -- through its relationship with Clearwire -- 2.5GHz. And with that, we'd say your iDEN handset stash just became quite the collector's item. Full details are tucked away in the PR just past the break.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/sprint-details-q4-cdma-direct-connect-launch-plans-and-handsets/

Casio's Bluetooth 4.0 G-Shock is water and shock-resistant, FCC-approved

The latest G-Shock watch from Casio boasts the usual array of shock and water-resistant claims, and now it can add FCC acceptance to the list, having passed through that government agency's approval process. So, why did this wristwatch hit the FCC in the first place? Well, the rugged little timekeeper is packing Bluetooth 4.0 in its bag of tricks, which lets the wearable gadget communicate with your smartphone. No word on a release date, but Casio did mention a fairly broad "some time in 2011" window when it was first announced back in March. Here's hoping that its FCC debut will speed the shock-filled process along.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/casios-bluetooth-4-0-g-shock-is-water-and-shock-resistant-fcc/

Canon's second quarter profits dip 20 percent amid supply constraints, strong yen

Canon had some good news and some bad (but not unexpected) news in its second quarter earnings released today. On the upside, the company has raised its profit outlook for the rest of the year, and says that the recovery from the earthquake that forced it to halt camera production has been "quicker than expected." That halt to production did take a considerable toll on the company, however, and contributed to a 20 percent drop in net profits to ¥53.86 billion, or $685.7 million, compared to a year ago -- a figure that was compounded by a strong yen that further cut into its earnings overseas. That revised profit outlook comes in part from an updated shipment forecast for interchangeable lens cameras -- it now expects to ship 7.3 million instead of seven million, although its forecast for compact cameras remains unchanged at 20 million. Could that also include a few mirrorless models? Perhaps, although all indications are than an actual release will have to wait until sometime next year.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/canons-second-quarter-profits-dip-20-percent-amid-supply-constr/

Microsoft sued for patent infringement over Kinect controller tech

Microsoft is being sued for patent infringement over motion-sensing technology used in its blockbuster gaming accessory, the Microsoft Kinect. Ohio-based Impulse Technology has filed a complaint alleging that Microsoft’s Kinect controller infringes on seven of its technology patents. One patent referenced in the lawsuit covers "wide variety of games where the movement of a player is tracked in three dimensions…and certain exercise games where the motion of the player is tracked to effect movement of a virtual avatar, and the exertion of the user is monitored, including where the tracking of the player is done by the use of a camera.” A separate patent describes an "education system challenging a subject's physiologic and kinesthetic systems to synergistically enhance cognitive function.” Impulse Technology is seeking a permanent injunction to block the import and sale of Microsoft’s Kinect, and it is also suing Electronic Arts, Konami and Sega for developing Xbox 360 games that utilize Kinect and infringe on its patents. Impulse is seeking damages, treble damages, interest, and attorney fees from Microsoft as well. The Kinect motion-based video game controller has been a smash hit for Microsoft, having set numerous sales records since its launch. This past March, Microsoft announced that it had sold 10 million Kinect controllers since the device’s launch just before the holidays last year.

Source: http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/25/microsoft-sued-for-patent-infringement-over-kinect-controller-tech/

Apple releases iOS 4.3.5, inches towards iOS 5

Less than ten days after iOS 4.3.4 parachuted in to fix that nasty PDF exploit, Apple's gone and dropped another. So what'll Cupertino's latest fix today? Build 8L1 -- or 8E600 on 4.2.10 if you're rocking CDMA -- apparently nixes a vulnerability with "certificate validation," or you know, Apple's just really fond of keeping all you hackers on your toes. Either way, time to fire up iTunes, unless of course, you're already living in the future.

Update: Turns out you can still (tethered) jailbreak with Redsn0w. Peep the more coverage link below.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/25/apple-releases-ios-4-3-5-gets-us-ever-so-closer-to-ios-5/

Apple’s Siri-based iOS voice controls dubbed ‘Assistant’

It has been about 15 months since Apple acquired Siri for a reported $200 million, and it looks as though we won’t have to wait much longer to see the deal bear fruit. In line with earlier reports, 9to5 Mac has been sent evidence that Apple will introduce voice controls in iOS 5. At present, the voice control features within iOS are lumped together in a service called “Assistant,” though this is not confirmed to be the launch name. A screenshot said to have come from an iPhone test unit shows a toggle to activate the Assistant service — and old style toggle rather than the slider from the new iOS 5 UI, interestingly — and 9to5 Mac claims to have verified the service by analyzing Apple’s latest iOS 5 SDK. “‘Assistant’ does not work only based on a user's voice inputs, but Apple will take information – securely – from user's devices like location, contact's information, and music metadata to formulate the best information to serve a user's request,” 9to5 Mac’s Mark Gurman writes. “Since Apple will be taking information such as phone contacts and location, we truly think that ‘Assistant’ will work just like the Siri iPhone application does; but fully integrated into the operating system.” The source of the screenshot says that the feature just went into testing, however, and it may not be ready in time for the initial release of iOS 5 this fall.

Source: http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/25/apples-siri-based-ios-voice-controls-dubbed-assistant/

Redsn0w Can Jailbreak iOS 4.3.5 On iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad, iPod touch. Here’s How To Use It! [Tutorial]

Apple has unexpectedly pushed out an incremental update for iOS 4.3.x, and it is dubbed as iOS 4.3.5. This minor release is no more than a security update, aiming to patch issues with certificate verification.

iOS 4.3 WM

The good news is that we have tested it and can confirm that the current version of Redsn0w can jailbreak the just released iOS 4.3.5 on iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 1, and iPod touch 4G/3G. But it will be limited to tethered boot, which means you will have to reconnect your device to your computer every time you reboot your iOS device. iPad 2 is obviously not supported. This has also been confirmed by MuscleNerd of iPhone Dev Team:

@zaone @m1ckey29 ah ok thanks for checking! So those who really do want tethered 4.3.5 can use redsn0w pointed at 4.3.4 (except iPad2)

4.3.5 Jailbreak[4]

Note: Those relying on a carrier unlock must stay away from Redsn0w.

How to Jailbreak iOS 4.3.5 (Tethered)

Step 1: Download iOS 4.3.5 and iOS 4.3.4 (required by this version of Redsn0w) firmware file for your device from the links given at the end.

Step 2: Download Redsn0w 0.9.8b4 for Windows or Mac. Also make sure you are running the latest version of iTunes, which is version 10.4.

Step 3: Now start Redsn0w, browse for the iOS 4.3.4 firmware file (NOT the 4.3.5) that you downloaded in Step 1 and point it towards Redsn0w. Refer to the screenshots below:

4.3.4-Jailbreak

4.3.2-Untethered-Jailbreak-2

Step 4: Once Redsn0w is done recognizing the firmware file, click Next and there you'll be taken to a new window. Simply check the "Install Cydia" box as shown below and leave other options as it is for now. Once done, click Next.

4.3.2-Untethered-Jailbreak-3

Step 5: On this screen, Redsn0w will instruct you to power down your device and plug it in to your computer. Follow the onscreen instructions and then click Next to continue.

4.3.2-Untethered-Jailbreak-4

Step 6: On this screen you will have to put your device in DFU mode with a combination of the Power button and the Home button for a certain amount of time, simply follow the onscreen instructions on how to do so. The combination is usually like this:

Hold down Power button for 5 seconds.
Now without releasing the Power button, hold down the Home button simultaneously with the Power button for 10 seconds.
Let go of the Power button but keep on holding the Home button for another 15 seconds.

If you performed the above mentioned steps correctly, then your device should be in DFU mode.

4.3.2-Untethered-Jailbreak-5

Step 7: Redsn0w will now jailbreak your device, don't do anything weird at this point, just let Redsn0w finish. We would recommend that you don't do anything with your PC or Mac at all during the process. Sitting idle and waiting for the process to end on its own is much advised.

Since this is a tethered jailbreak, therefore whenever your iOS device loses power, it will go into the dreaded Apple logo boot screen loop. To get out of that, simply start from Step 3 again and in Step 4, uncheck "Install Cydia" and instead check "Just boot tethered right now" option and hit "Next" with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch connected to your PC or Mac. And yes, you will have to do this every time when your device reboots or loses power.

Redsn0w-1

Source: http://www.redmondpie.com/jailbreak-4.3.5-ios-iphone-4-3gs-ipod-touch-4g-3g-ipad-1-using-redsn0w-how-to-tutorial/

Download iOS 4.3.5 For iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad 2, 1, And Pod touch [DIRECT LINKS]

Just months before iOS 5 is released and ten days after iOS 4.3.4 came out, one wouldn’t expect to ever hear about iOS 4.3.5. It now turns out that yet another update for iOS 4.3 has been uploaded to Apple’s servers, allegedly fixing a critical security issue.

IPSW

No concrete information about this update has been provided about this update, other than it seems to fix an issue with certificate validation, as pointed out on Apple’s change log:

A security issue has been resolved with certificate verification.

iOS development has been on fire lately, with new updates being rolled out for both iOS 5 and iOS 4.3. Over the weekend, iOS 5 Beta was released, containing several enhancements to Apple’s upcoming iOS 5 as the release draws closer and closer. A week earlier, iOS 4.3.4 was released, which contained a security fix for Mobile Safari for a vulnerability that allowed a popular jailbreak method, JailbreakMe 3.0, to function. With 4.3.4 behind us, many has expected iOS 5 to be the next step for iOS but Apple has proven us wrong once again.

While it’s still unclear why Apple hasn’t stopped maintaining iOS 4.3 just several weeks before it’s fully replaced, the only possible explanation could be the gravity of the security vulnerability that was found. Although it might have been Apple’s intention not to update iOS 4 any further, the Cupertino company might have been forced to do it given the circumstances before hackers spotted the vulnerability first and started exploiting it.

If you have a jailbroken device, you are advised to stay as far away from this update as possible.

Non-jailbreak iPhone, iPad, iPod touch users are strongly encouraged to download this update as soon as possible. You can do so by plugging your device into your computer, locating it in the iTunes sidebar and clicking on the "Check for Updates" option. The update should then immediately begin downloading and installing.

Source: http://www.redmondpie.com/download-ios-4.3.5-for-iphone-4-3gs-ipad-2-1-and-pod-touch-direct-links/

HTC Bliss leaked image confirms our report of female-focused Android phone

We had a very strong feeling that the Bliss (or what the TIMN staff calls HTC's Lady Phone) was indeed a real handset when we first reported on it back in May, but we also had doubts that HTC would specifically design a phone for the XX chromosome set. Well, the picture above of the so-called Bliss, dug up by PocketNow, pretty much puts all our doubts to rest. Matching our initial description to a T, the phone in the leaked picture is adorned in a sea foam green (remember it's supposed to be "calming!") and is said to be released with a number of matching accessories. In this case, the phone seems to be in some sort of encompassing dock, and though there aren't any details on it, we'd venture to guess that it's the wireless charging dock that we detailed in our first report. Unfortunately there aren't any signs of that charm indicator, which still seems to be this phone's only addition for women.

Of course, there's always a chance that this image was an older render — however, PocketNow has also spotted some images with the name "HTC Bliss" noted in the EXIF data. We're pushing our own sources on additional details right now, but either way, it looks like HTC's really moving ahead with its effort to dress Android up for women.

Source: http://thisismynext.com/2011/07/25/htc-bliss-leaked-image-female-phone/

Mac mini review (mid 2011)

For those familiar with last year's Mac mini, what you're peering at above isn't likely to strike you as jarring. Heck, it may even seem somewhat vanilla at this point. In truth, Apple did exceedingly little in terms of design changes with the mid 2011 Mac mini, but given the relatively recent cosmetic overhaul, it's not like we were genuinely expecting anything above a top-to-bottom spec bump. And that, friends, is exactly what we've received. The mini remains quite the curious beast in Cupertino's line -- it's the almost-HTPC that living room junkies are longing for, yet it's still a country mile from being the headless mid-tower that Apple steadfastly refuses to build. It's hardly a PC for the simpleton (given that it's on you to hunt down a mouse, keyboard and monitor), and it's actually taking a giant leap backwards on one particularly important front. Care to hear more? You'll find our full review just past the break.

Gallery: Apple Core i5 Mac mini unboxing (mid 2011)