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Dolby 3D glasses, 3DS black screen of death, 3G FaceTime: US Update
Japan gets first dibs on LG Optimus Pad: lands March 31
3G FaceTime calling returns: iOS 4.3.1 jailbreak released
Real-life Punisher gun lands $65m in funding from US Army
Nintendo 3DS hit with black screen of death BSOD?
Take a peek into the future with Dolby 3D glasses
iPhone 5, win a Nintendo 3DS and Virgin Media TiVo reviewed: Teatime Tech
Five things Apple could unveil at WWDC 2011
iPhone 5: not arriving in June, not launching at WWDC?
Win a Nintendo 3DS: Design the weirdest accessory!

Dolby 3D glasses, 3DS black screen of death, 3G FaceTime: US Update

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 05:02 PM PDT

Bringing it to you fresh and direct, it's the US Update. In today's morning news headlines we showcase the new Dolby 3D glasses coming to a theater near you. We take a look at the Nintendo 3DS issue causing a black screen of death and then jump into iOS coverage with the latest jailbreak news. All this and more in today's US Update.

The next-generation of 3D glasses were unveiled by Dolby today. These lighter weight glasses fit perfectly over 98 percent of prescription eyewear and even feature a 3M multilayer scratch resistant optical film lens with anti-reflective coating. 7

Speaking of 3D, some Nintendo 3DS owners in the UK and US have reported a black screen of death (BSOD) issue. Others are having error messages while playing Super Monkey Ball 3D and Super Street Fighter IV 3D. What's the deal?

The US Army has just awarded a Minneapolis, Minn. weapons maker a $65.8 million contract to make the 'Punisher' gun a reality. Let's take a look at this beast. A tethered iOS 4.3.1 jailbreak is now available for Mac owners in the audience. We've got the step-by-step tutorial to get you up and running with 3G FaceTime calls.

Last up this morning is news on the LG Optimus Pad release date. Japan will be first to nab the Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet, sales kick off this week, March 31st. That wraps up your morning dose of tech news. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Japan gets first dibs on LG Optimus Pad: lands March 31

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:45 PM PDT

NTT Docomo customers hoping to get their hands on LG's Optimus Pad will have their shot March 31st when the Android tablet hits Japan. Powered by Android 3.0, an 8.9-inch display and two sexy CMOS cameras, we'd be lying if we didn't say we’re jealous.

You've read our first impressions from MWC 2011 where we handled the LG Optimus Pad, for those riding the mobile highway via NTT Docomo in Japan, your journey begins this Thursday. With a 1280 x 768 pixel 8.9-inch display, the higher pixel density when compared to the Motorola Xoom definitely caught our eye.

According to the documents released by NTT Docomo, the LG Optimus Pad will carry the L-06C model number and feature 3G HSDPA/HSUPA support of 7.2 Mbps and 5.7 Mbps respectively. GPS, disaster message board service, bluetooth, WiFi, Adobe Flash and the domoco market have also been confirmed. Without going into specifics, docomo lists Adobe Flash as subject to change with a download required.

For those keeping score, the LG Optimus Pad will launch in the US as the T-Mobile G-Slate on April 20th for $529 after $100 mail-in rebate. At MWC, a loose-lipped NVIDIA exec confirmed the tablet would be hitting shelves in April or May, with Carphone Warhouse stocking units.

March 31 | NTT Docomo | TBD

3G FaceTime calling returns: iOS 4.3.1 jailbreak released

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:26 PM PDT

iOS 5 might not be due out until Autumn, but that's not stopping the jailbreaking community. A tethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.1 is now available via Pwnage Tool by the iPhone-Dev team. In order to make your jailbreak a reality, you'll need a Mac and a few key pieces of software. Shall we being?

In the world of jailbreaks there's two choices: tethered and untethered. Today we focus on the former, but we expect the latter to debut very soon. Assuming you're running iOS 4.3.1 and you have access to a Mac, you'll need a copy of PwnageTool 4.2, iTunes 10.2.1, the latest iOS 4.3.1 firmware (image), PwnageTool bundle for iOS 4.3.1, tetheredboot utility and Unviersal Ramdisk Fixer.

Quite a bit of downloading, I know, but luckily our friends at Redmond Pie have put together a step-by-step guide. With WWDC just around the corner there's no telling what Apple may have up its sleeve. For now, rest well knowing your iOS 4.3.1 jailbreak is ready and waiting. As always, proceed with caution, but if you decide to take the plunge feel free to report back with your results.

via Redmond Pie

Real-life Punisher gun lands $65m in funding from US Army

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:10 PM PDT

We love comics almost as much as we love tech. Apparently the United States Army agrees and just awarded ATK, a Minneapolis, Minn. weapons maker, a $65.8 million contract to make the 'Punisher' gun a reality. Officially known as the XM-25 grenade launcher, this weapon is a semi-automatic, shoulder-fired beauty, capable of launching rounds that explode at a set distance compliments of a laser rangefinder.

The 'Punisher' clocks in at 12 pounds and measures a hair under 29 inches. Designed for 24mm air-bursting rounds with a range of 500 meters for precision targets or 700 meters when firing on an area, this weapon can defeat the most demanding barriers. The company that landed today's contract, ATK, has also developed door-breaching and armor-piercing rounds for the XM-25, making it an enemy's worst nightmare.

According to report, the U.S. forces in Afghanistan have been testing XM-25s since November. As of this month only five units are in existence. AFK has confirmed the Army wants 36 more units, with an initial batch being deployed in a year. Somewhere Frank Castle is smiling down on us.

via Cnet

Nintendo 3DS hit with black screen of death BSOD?

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 03:42 PM PDT

Four little words that have quickly become the nightmare for some Nintendo 3DS owners in the UK and US this weekend – black screen of death (BSOD). According to reports from users at GoNintendo, various problems are being experienced affecting the portable gaming console's display.

For now, there are two separate issues affecting some Nintendo 3DS consoles. First, a black screen of death which, judging by the image above, looks to be the early stages of a dimmed display. Over time it may result in a black screen, but for now it only appears to be affecting the upper display.

The second issue is an error during game playback. The error (seen below) has appeared during playback of two games: Super Monkey Ball 3D and Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. The current solution is to restart the 3DS by holding down the power button. Let's hope that this is simply a software fix.

There's no telling how widespread these issues are for now, but we'd love your feedback. If you are the proud owner of a Nintendo 3DS (or soon to be in our giveaway), please let us know if you've experienced the BSOD or an error while playing a game (Super Monkey Ball 3D or Super Street Fighter IV 3D in particular).

via Geeky-Gadget

Take a peek into the future with Dolby 3D glasses

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 03:25 PM PDT

The next-generation of 3D glasses are upon us. Today, Dolby Laboratories unveiled its new line of 3D glasses for use with Dolby 3D Digital Cinema systems. Complete with a 3M multilayer scratch resistant optical film lens and anti-reflective coating, these bad boys are every moviegoers dream.

Box office sales don't lie — we love 3D movies. The next-generation Dolby 3D glasses feature a new mechanical design with a nylon frame for wide side temples. There's also a shelf along the top edge of the frames to keep out unwanted light and reduce internal lens reflections. The end result is a lighter, more comfortable pair of glasses.

Dolby has even made an effort for those in the audience with prescription eye glasses. The company claims the new 3D glasses fit comfortably over 98 percent of prescription glasses and are well-suited for all ages (youth to adult).

Theaters also have reason to celebrate. The glasses include individually serialized RFID tags for inventory tracking and management. Next time you think about leaving the theater with a fresh new pair of 3D glasses, you might want to think again — you're on the grid my friend.

Coming Soon | Dolby | $12.00/each

iPhone 5, win a Nintendo 3DS and Virgin Media TiVo reviewed: Teatime Tech

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 09:53 AM PDT

It’s been a bizzay afternoon in gadgetry – see what we mean with our action packed roundup of all the top stories here in teatime tech.

First up, let’s talk Apple. The company has announced the dates for its annual WWDC event, where it’s widely thought we could see the iPhone 5 debut. But will we? One report claims otherwise – in the meantime, here’s your primer on what else to expect from the event.

Moving on to HD TV, we set loose our full review of the Virgin Media Tivo box, so if you’re in a fibre optic area and want to know whether it’s worth switching, check out our verdict.

Finally, we’ve got a cracking competition lined up for you – the chance to win a Nintendo 3DS and games. All you have to do is come up with a bonkers peripheral that would make Nintendo proud.

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

Five things Apple could unveil at WWDC 2011

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:35 AM PDT

Apple has today announced the date for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), traditionally the launching pad for a brand new iPhone. That’s not the only brand new Apple product we could see unveiled on 6 June in San Francisco however, especially since Apple promises to unveil the future of Mac OS alongside iOS for portable devices. We’ve been reading the tech tea leaves to see what that might just be: read our guide right here for what to expect.

iPhone 5
WWDC has been the birthing place of the three previous iPhone models, the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, so we’d be surprised if the iPhone 5 didn’t rock up into officialdom this time round too, regardless of whether Steve Jobs is on hand or not to compere proceedings – even if we’re hearing reports otherwise.

What can we expect from the iPhone 5? A dual core processor like the one inside the iPad 2 seems a shoe in, but there are some other bits and bobs we’ve divined from leaks and patent applications – check out our iPhone 5 rumour roundup for all you need to know.

Best iPhone apps of all time: Top 100

iOS 5
Apple has unveiled a new version of its iPhone operating system in the Spring with a Summer launch for the last two years running, but a new report suggest the next iteration, iOS 5, will arrive later than usual, with a roll out in the Autumn. However, that could well mean iOS 5 is first revealed at WWDC, since Apple tends to give developers several months with beta access to make sure their apps are bang up to date. As for what we’ll see, we’d expect iTunes cloud features of some kind, and possibly even NFC support for new iOS devices to make wireless payments.

New MacBook Air
Apple’s revamped MacBook Air has received widespread acclaim, but despite being impossibly thin, it’d still be even better with a second generation Intel Core processor inside, as some ultra portable Windows 7 laptops pack, rather than older Core 2 Duo chips. Now that Intel’s got its Sandy Bridge silicon to market, could we see an even more powerful MacBook Air line?

New Mac OS X Lion features
Apple already has a preview of its big update to OS X for Macs available to developers, but it could still be hiding surprise features. It’s possible we’ll see even closer integration with iOS, as this was one of the big pitch points Apple made with Lion when it was announced last year. Cult of Mac reports that Apple is even working on a system to allow you to log into any Mac with an NFC equipped iPhone (Such an iPhone does not yet exist), and load up all your settings and applications from the cloud.

iPad 3
This one’s a rank outsider since it’s unlikely that Apple would miss the chance for separate launches for the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 and even more press coverage. But there have been reports that an iPad 3, or whole new type of iPad (smaller, larger, it’s unclear) could debut much sooner than next Spring – perhaps to capitalise on the Christmas sales rush. Could we see an announcement at WWDC and a launch alongside Apple’s 2011 iPod line up, likely to be released in early September? Don’t rule it out.

iPhone 5: not arriving in June, not launching at WWDC?

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:22 AM PDT

Apple has outed the invite for WWDC 2011 and invites attendees to join it “for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X”. So that’ll be iOS 5 and OS X Lion then but now reports are suggesting that iPhone 5 won’t be outed there as recent version of the iPhone have been. Jim Dalrymple at The Loop says his sources are telling him that WWDC will be a software show, not a hardware event this year…

Dalrymple also quotes Garner anaylst Michael Gartenberg who says: “You get cuaght up in patterns, and it holds true, until it doesn’t. There is no reason for Apple to follow a predictable yearly pattern and it keeps their competition off guard a little bit.”

WWDC is a developer conference and not a consumer show. Apple pulls in developers to get them up to speed on the latest versions of iOS and OS X. But let’s be honest, we’ll all be a little disappointed if iPhone 5 doesn’t drop.

Hit the comments and let us know: what’s your bet on the iPhone 5 unveiling? Will Apple change its modus operandi? Or are these rumours a bluff from the alleged kings and queens of controlled leaks.

Out TBC | £TBC | Apple (via The Loop)

Win a Nintendo 3DS: Design the weirdest accessory!

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 07:45 AM PDT

We wouldn’t blame you if you missed it during the iPad 2 carpet bomb of a launch on Friday, but Nintendo’s own long awaited handheld, the Nintendo 3DS, also went on sale that fateful day. We’ve got one of these five star rated, stereoscopic mini arcade machines to give away thanks to Gamesbasement.co.uk, and all you have to do is design your own outlandish Nintendo peripheral. Read on for the details.

We’ve teamed up with the folks at Gamesbasement to give away a Nintendo 3DS and two games, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D and Rayman 3D, to one lucky reader. All you have to do is show us what bonkers peripheral you’d create for the Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo’s famed for creating and encouraging barmy controllers and peripherals for its consoles, from steering wheels to creepy heart rate monitors. For this competition, we want you to come up with a wacky Nintendo 3DS add on.

It could help play games in four dimensions, let you taste titles, or even zap you as punishment for killing your character on screen. Just be inventive, and draw us your blueprint or idea of what it would look like. Bonus points will also be awarded for anyone who makes their prototype and sends a photo or video.

Hold fire though – there are a few steps to making sure your entry is valid, so be sure to follow the rules below, and good luck!

How To Enter:

1. Design your Nintendo 3DS add-on – a video, drawing, photo. Whatever you like, so long as you can post it on Facebook, and we can look at it without coming to your house. The weirdest, wildest and most entertaining one as judged by the staff at Electricpig wins.

2. Post it on the Electricpig Facebook wall, and call it NINTENDO 3DS COMPETITION adding any necessary explanations, images and links.

3. We'll pick the best one in a month's time (after March 2), and notify you through Facebook so keep an eye on your inbox.

4. Do it again if you like! You're allowed as many entries per person as you can come up with!

5. Keep an eye on your Facebook message inbox – if you win, this is how we will contact you.

Nintendo 3DS Competition closing date: 28 April 2011.
All entries that we receive after the closing date are not valid.
Competition Rules
Terms and conditions

Made for Life

Tuesday, 29 March 2011