info gadget

Free iPhone 3GS coming your way?

When it comes to Apple products, rumors are never too far away, constantly swirling around the Internet while sowing seeds of discord and confusion. Well, it is more or less confirmed that there will be a next generation iPhone coming your way (Apple won’t kill their goose which lays golden eggs, would they?), although speculation remains as to whether it will be known as the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5. Still, an analyst believes that Apple might just sell the iPhone 3GS for free with contract when the next generation model comes around. If you decide to go off-contract, that might mean the smartphone would retail for around $350 to $400, while the iPhone 4 might see a drop to $100 – or $500 sans subsidies.

Might this move actually result in the 3GS being the budget iPhone? Even though the iPhone 3GS is said to be able to work with iOS 5, that does not mean all features of the updated operating system will be supported, so those who opt for the iPhone 3GS might end up being disappointed if they expect longer support from Apple in the future.

Motorola Droid HD spotted?

Is there a new Motorola Droid model that we are not aware of? Perhaps, if this leaked Flickr photo is anything to go by. As you can see above, the image says, “..using a motorola (sic) DROID HD”. Some might discount this to be a prankster who was just messing around with EXIF tags, but going through other photos from the same Flickr user also showed that several images posted were shot using the DROID 3. Not only that, all of the photos were geo-tagged from within Motorola’s offices in Libertyville, IL, which is just off of Motorola Parkway.

No idea on what the Droid HD is yet at the moment, as it could be the new Bionic model or a totally different redesign. Some might even say it is pointing towards a large HD display, while several commenters with a sense of humor have called it “Huge Delay” or “Heavily Delayed”. What do you think?

HTC EVO 3D with GSM bands arrive at the FCC

Wait a minute here – it seems that there is yet another model of the HTC EVO 3D which has just arrived at the FCC, where it will play nice with GSM bands instead. No exact idea on just where this smartphone is headed to, but we do know that the European version is currently in the final phases of preparation before it is rolled out. HTC themselves are not exactly the model of predictability in recent times, so perhaps this could be a model that might be heading towards North America for another carrier. What do you think? It will still cost you some dough, so you might be better off saving up for one right now before there is any official announcement made.

Teenage girl in China said to sell virginity for iPhone 4

Word has been going around that a teenage girl in China has put up her virginity for sale, as long as someone can help her get an iPhone 4 (a new one, of course) in exchange. It seemed as though this girl decided on Weibo as her “advertising” vehicle of choice, which is a Chinese microblogging service that is not too different from Twitter. The reason behind this? To own an iPhone 4 after her father refused to get one for her.

Sources say that the girl did put up a (non-nude) photo of herself on Weibo in addition to additional personal information, and she has mostly received brickbats to her request since an iPhone 4 is not worth the trade – while others felt (or rather, joked) that she should hold out for an iPhone 5 which is on its way soon.

Interestingly enough, you don’t read about folks doing crazy stuff for an Android-powered device. What does this say? Android owners are more level headed, or has Apple’s marketing juggernaut done too good a job to make their offerings desirable beyond comprehension?

moduIR Case System for iPad 2 now shipping

moduIR has just announced that the update of its popular iPad case, the moduIR Case System for the iPad 2 is now available in stores. In case you didn’t know, the moduIR Case System is a hardshell case that wraps around your iPad to keep it protected from being accidentally damaged or scratched in your day to day usage. In addition to just protecting the tablet, the moduIR Case System works with additional accessories to give the case additional functionality.

The moduIR Case System can connect to a hand strap, shoulder strap, wall mount, display and typing stand, and a car headrest strap – which basically lets you use the iPad anywhere you want in any way you want. Be it in the office, in the car, on the move, or at home – the moduIR Case System has the right accessory for each situation. And for those of you who love your Smart Cover – fret not, the moduIR Case System is compatible with it too – there’s no need to sacrifice one cover for another.

The moduIR Case System for the iPad 2 is available now with prices starting from $39.99 for the case + hand strap pack to $69.99 for the “anywhere pack“.

Motorola Droid Charge with leaked Gingerbread ROM

For those who have the intestinal fortitude, here is something which might whet your appetite –
the Motorola Droid Charge’s leaked Android 2.3 Gingerbread ROM update, ready and waiting for you to install.
Before you lose your head, do take into consideration of some caveats – this is not an official Android 2.3 Gingerbread build,
so some of the more notable features would not work. SMS is broken as you cannot send texts, while receiving them is somewhat like Russian roulette – it is a hit-and-miss situation.

Apart from that, HDMI-out also does not work for the moment, but we suspect that this would be the least of your troubles. There is also the standard assortment of issues which tend to rear itself on pre-release builds, including apps in the Market not recognizing your smartphone’s software revision.

Samsung wants to ban Apple product sales in the US

Samsung Electronics recently filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) as they seek a ban on the sale of key Apple products in the US. In a nutshell, the South Korean consumer electronics giant intends to prevent the iPhone, iPad and iPod models from being imported and sold in the the US. Sounds rather outlandish, and we do think that this filing will not go through or get approved – after all, to think that there will be no more iPads or iPhones in the US is just unimaginable. To date, both companies have no love lost between them, as they have accused one another of copying designs and technology.

Samsung’s statement mentioned that “Samsung will vigorously defend our intellectual property to protect our role as a leader and innovator in the mobile communication business in order to better serve our customers.”

Apple’s iPad Helps A 9 Year Old Girl With Eyesight Problems

Melbourne schoolgirl Holly Bligh, aged 9, has albinism which is a genetic condition that affects not only the pigment in her skin, hair and eyes, but also her vision. Normally for Holly to read, she would require a hefty magnifying glass, and work sheets given out by her teachers would have to be magnified when photocopied specially for her. Well now thanks to the iPad, it seems that most of her reading problems have been solved, as all she would have to do is swipe and pinch to flip through pages and to enlarge text. Her attention span reportedly has also increased and her “visual fatigue” now apparently takes twice as long before it sets in.

Samsung Mobile To Provide New Charging Stations At Washington Airport

Will you be travelling outstation for the 4^th of July weekend? If you are, Samsung has provided the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with all new mobile phone charging stations, which will allow travelers on the go to stop and charge their mobile devices. This will help to ensure that when they land at their destination, they will have a full bar of battery ready to go.

HTC Status for AT&T announced on Facebook, risks being tagged in embarrassing pics

The HTC Status (formerly known as the ChaChaCha, the ChaCha, and "the Facebook phone that's not a Facebook phone") is inching ever closer to its AT&T debut. It's already been pictured, sashayed its way through the FCC, and now it's been revealed for all the world to see, appropriately enough, on Facebook. As we were already aware this social networking-focused, QWERTY candybar has had its CPU bumped up to 800MHz, but otherwise it's the same Sense and Gingerbread packing device we saw back in February. Unfortunately, all we can tell you is that the Status will land on AT&T shelves at some point -- price and availability are still as much of a mystery as ever. There's some refresher PR after the break.