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US Update: white iPhone 4, Windows 8, PSP 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab sales top two million units
Sony PSP 2 to run Windows 8?
Two unofficial HTC smartphones spotted
Windows Phone 7 developers receiving first payments
Sony Xperia tablet: X Tab concept
White iPhone 4 to cost extra?
US Update: Samsung Smart TV, PSP 2, HTC Facebook phones
Teatime Tech: Sky 3D stats, Google Maps fail and just how big is the Sony PSP 2?
Ride-in Dalek: Motorised kid-mover

US Update: white iPhone 4, Windows 8, PSP 2

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 07:00 PM PST

Fire up that pot of joe, it's time for your daily dose of tech news. In today's US Update we break down the latest on the white iPhone 4, review a Sony Ericsson Xperia tablet concept design, uncover two new HTC smartphones and more.

Starting off the morning, Orange France has listed the white iPhone 4 on their website. Currently priced €20 more than the black model, Apple could be looking to bring back the premium pricing they once used on their MacBook line up. A fresh new concept design for a Sony Xperia tablet, dubbed X Tab, looks to be the perfect seven inch tablet. Equipped with a Reality display and Sony mobile Bravia engine, this could be the tablet we've been waiting for.

Reports are coming in this morning that Windows Phone 7 developers have started to receive their payments from Microsoft. It looks like Redmond's camp is keeping their word on the late January payment schedule. Two unofficial HTC smartphones have been spotted in China today — a HTC Verizon smartphone, possibly the Droid Incredible 2, and HTC's next flagship device. Both handsets match the renderings we leaked last week in the HTC 2011 MWC device line up.

The Sony PSP 2 was unveiled yesterday, but today we've heard rumors that it may run Windows 8. According to winrumors, the PSP 2 Arm processor is capable of running the next-generation operating system, but will Microsoft make it happen? Last up this morning is news on the Samsung Galaxy Tab. According to Yonhap News, the Galaxy Tab has just passed the two million units mark after only three months since launch.

That wraps up the morning news from this side of the globe. Until tomorrow, this is Nick saying over and out.

Samsung Galaxy Tab sales top two million units

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 06:00 PM PST

With only a few weeks away until Samsung unveils the Galaxy Tab 2 and Galaxy S 2 at MWC 2011, the original Galaxy Tab is still breaking headlines — and more importantly, sales records. Samsung has confirmed via press release this morning they've sold more than two million Galaxy Tabs in the three months since launch.

As we anxiously await the Motorola XOOM and the other Android 3.0 tablets set release next month, Samsung continues to maintain strong sales with the Android 2.2 Galaxy Tab. With availability in 94 countries and nearly 200 mobile carriers, Samsung has carved out a market for a seven inch tablet — even though Steve Jobs suggests no market exists.

According to Yonhap News during the past two months, 500,000 Galaxy Tabs were sold in Europe, another 350,000 in North America and 330,000 in Asia. These sales, combined with the one million units sold in the first thirty days, position the Galaxy Tab as the best selling seven inch tablet.

With dozens of Android tablets planned for 2011, including the second-generation Galaxy Tab, the question remains — what does the future hold for the original Galaxy Tab? We'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if you currently own the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Will you retire your tablet in favor of the newer and faster Galaxy Tab 2?

via Unwired View

Sony PSP 2 to run Windows 8?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 05:00 PM PST

Earlier today Sony unveiled PSP 2 next generation portable (NGP), now we're hearing word that it might be able to run Windows 8. According to winrumors.com, the Arm processor used in the PSP 2 is compatible with an early build of Windows 8 which Microsoft demonstrated at CES 2011.

Tucked behind the beautiful five inch OLED display, dual analog sticks and front-facing camera on Sony's PSP 2 is the quad-core Arm Cortex A9 CPU. At CES 2011 Microsoft unveiled an early build of Windows 8, build 6.2.7867, which supports ARM chips. With Microsoft partnering with ARM-based manufacturers (Nvidia, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments), the Sony PSP 2's ARM processor is certainly capable of powering the next generation OS.

For now, we know the Sony PSP 2 is expected to ship in time for the holiday season – timing which goes nicely with the launch of Windows 8. Early reports suggest Microsoft is compiling two builds of the OS – a tile based user experience similar to Windows Phone 7 codenamed "Mosh", and a standard PC oriented build similar to Windows 7.

Of course, neither Microsoft nor Sony have confirmed plans of bringing Windows 8 to the PSP 2 next generation portable. However, never underestimate the power of the Playstation community — if there's a will, there's a way. It's only a matter of time before a team of underground developers port the OS. Anyone else ready for a Windows 8-powered PSP 2?

via Winrumors

Two unofficial HTC smartphones spotted

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:30 PM PST

Live images have surfaces of an unnamed HTC smartphone with Verizon branding and what appears to be HTC's next flagship. The two smartphones match previous renderings, confirming HTC's 2011 Mobile World Congress line up. Here's the latest on the upcoming smartphones.

Last week we unveiled renderings of HTC 2011 Mobile World Congress line up. Today, a collection of images have surfaces in the mobile01 forums of the Verizon HTC smartphone and HTC's flagship smartphone.

Judging by the design, the Verizon HTC smartphone could be the successor to the Droid Incredible, possibly the Droid Incredible 2? Along the bottom of the phone you can faintly make out a series of capacitive buttons and on the back is the "with HTC Sense" logo. Unfortunately we do not have any details on which version of Android will ship with the device, but expect more details in the coming days.

The second device, the HTC flagship smartphone was photographed by a mobile01 member while waiting for a Taipei metro system. The phone is running Android and matches up with our renderings. It looks like HTC is returning to the styling of the Nexus One

With just a few weeks before we hit Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, expect even more HTC device leaks. We'll continue to sort through details so stay glued to the site. If you happen to spot some details we missed on either of these two handsets, feel free to drop us a comment below — we love the feedback.

via Engadget

Windows Phone 7 developers receiving first payments

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Today is a big day in the world of Windows Phone 7 development. According to various reports on Twitter, the first batch of payments are currently being dispersed to WP7 developers.

It appears Microsoft has made good on their promise to issue payments during the fourth week of January for Windows Phone 7 developers. Developer Andy Beaulieu confirmed to mobilitydigest.com that he had received a direct deposit to his account "sometime yesterday".

Timely payments are a great way to keep developers motivated for a software platform. Let's hope that Microsoft keeps these payments coming and there will be no shortage of Windows Phone 7 apps. Any other developers out there received their first pay out?

via Mobility Digest

Sony Xperia tablet: X Tab concept

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 03:00 PM PST

With the next generation of Android tablets looming on the horizon, a fresh new concept of a Sony Ericsson Xperia tablet has been released. Dubbed the Xperia X Tab, the Android-powered tablet packs a seven inch Reality display with Sony mobile Bravia engine.

The esato forums are a great place to discover device concepts. Within the latest thread, the Sony Ericsson Concepts 2011, we bring you the Xperia X Tab. Based on the current line up of Xperia handsets, the X Tab features a seven inch Reality display with Sony mobile Bravia engine.

The X Tab will offer two cameras: a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and a rear 8.1 megapixel camera with Exmor R sensor, Sony Lens and LED flash. Needless to say, the combination of cameras should deliver some impressive photos.

To help store the 8.1 megapixel shots and HD video, the X Tab packs 62 GB of internal storage plus a microSD card slot, supporting up to 32GB capacities. A possible, combined total of 94GB, should be plenty for even the robust user.

After seeing Sony Ericsson's fourth quarter results, concepts like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X Tab are a move in the right direction. We know the Playstation Phone and Xperia Arc will do wonders to increase handset shipments, but entering the tablet game is essential.

Let us know what you think about the Xperia X Tab. Does this concept design hit the mark or would you like to see a different design, possibly with a larger display? Sound off.

via concept-phones | esato

White iPhone 4 to cost extra?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 01:34 PM PST

Say what? A quick look over at Orange France's website reveals the white iPhone 4 is priced at €20 more than the black model. Is Apple looking to cash in on the mythical white iPhone 4 like they once did on the black MacBook?

Before we jump the gun, we should point out that the white iPhone 4 is currently listed as "unavailable" on Orange France. However, the phone is listed with a €219 price tag, €20 more than the existing black model.

With the CDMA iPhone 4 approaching launch, it seems that Apple might finally release the white model. There's been plenty of evidence supporting a January launch, but until we see the product live on Apple's website — we won't be holding our breath. What do you think about Apple charging a premium for the white iPhone 4?

via 9to5Mac

US Update: Samsung Smart TV, PSP 2, HTC Facebook phones

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 12:58 PM PST

We've got an action packed morning in tech news today, ready to get you through that mid-week crisis. In today's US Update, we cover the IPTV capabilities of Samsung Smart TVs, look at LG's Android plans for 2011, dish the latest scoop on the PSP 2 and more.

First up, the Samsung Smart TVs. In a press release this morning the company announced new IPTV apps for the platform, capable of replacing the set top boxes normally used for Internet protocol television. LG announced their fourth quarter financials, handset sales fell nearly 15.2 percent. LG plans to attack the high-end Android market in 2011, we've got the devices.

The Sony PSP 2 is set to be unveiled at an event in Tokyo today. We've rounded up the latest on the device, read on for the scoop. According to British paper, City A.M., HTC is making two Facebook phones — set to debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. Will Facebook also launch the INQ Cloud Touch?

Last in this morning is a pre-order page for the Sony Xperia Arc (X12). The Android-powered smartphone is currently priced at £459.99, with free delivery. The latest release date is listed as April 1st, are you ready to commit?

That wraps up things this fine morning from the states. Thanks for spending your morning with us as we break the headlines fresh off the press from our side of the world. Until tomorrow, this is Nick saying over and out.

Teatime Tech: Sky 3D stats, Google Maps fail and just how big is the Sony PSP 2?

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:29 AM PST

Since Thursday is the new Friday, we’re calling the start of the weekend early. Tuck in right now and check out everything you missed this afternoon in our gadget news roundup.

First up, let’s talk gaming: we asked you whether you’d prefer the newly official Sony PSP 2, or the heavily leaked and presumably soon to be released Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, or PlayStation Phone as it’s been dubbed. We also showed how the Sony PSP 2 compares to the competition – see how they size up in our graph.

Online meanwhile, Google Maps quietly lost what many thought would be a killer feature: real estate listings. Sky meanwhile announced how many 3D subscribers it’s amassed so far, and they’re not half bad.

Still want more news? Click on over to the homepage and help yourself to it all as it breaks!

Ride-in Dalek: Motorised kid-mover

Posted: 27 Jan 2011 09:21 AM PST

Clap your eyes on these ride-in Daleks. Makes us wish we were four years old again. They’re made by Zappies, and they are blow up, with battery powered motors and dinky little steering wheels so you can actually drive around in one, although bursting accidents may occur should mums/dads/teenage cousins/grandma attempts to climb in and have a go too. Cick through for the full video!

These Dr Who Daleks are collectible and fully functional, powered by 6v battery. The Daleks, like Kylie Minogue, are much smaller in real life than they seem on the telly, and stand at 128cm tall. It’s got impressive 360 degree steering and on top of all this, the driveable Daleks have lights and ten Dalek sounds. What’s not to love?