GM now willing to buy back Volts from worried owners

According to the Associated Press, GM CEO Dan Akerson has said General Motors will buy back any Chevrolet Volt from owners who are concerned about the vehicle's fire risk. Akerson said that his company isn't making the move because the plug-in hybrids are unsafe, but because GM is committed to keeping its customers happy. The CEO also said that GM is prepared to recall the 6,000 Volt models currently on the road if the federal government deems such an action necessary. As you may recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that the Volt could catch fire several days after a severe side-impact crash and rollover.

Autoblog, GM now willing to buy back Volts from worried owners

Subaru BRZ GT300 looks even better in motion

. Subaru worked up something special for fans of the company's BRZ GT300, releasing a video of the wide-body terror prowling around a race track. As you may have heard, Subaru is retiring the current Legacy race car that's competing in the SuperGT series, and the BRZ GT300 will carry the Subaru flag moving forward.
With its wild bodywork and side-exit exhaust, the BRZ GT300 looks menacing standing still. We can only imagine the thrill of watching it go fender-to-fender with the rest of the field. Subaru says that the BRZ GT300 will join the SuperGT fray early next year. Proud of Boxer, indeed.



Autoblog, Subaru BRZ GT300 looks even better in motion

Tank Riders by Polarbit Blasts Onto The Android Market – Multiplayer Tank Battling Fun

If you couldn't tell by now. I have an addiction to app games. Take my long time love for video games and combine that with easy to purchase digital content like apps and I can watch the size of my wallet dwindle in realtime. Thankfully when it comes to (most) Android games, my wallet doesn't have to suffer too much. Like the newest title from Polarbit called Tank Riders.

As it so often goes in the Android Market, Tank Riders is very reminiscent of another tank battle game — Tank Hero — that launched on Android ages ago. The problem I had with that title is it involved tiny toy tanks with boring visuals and landscapes.





Android Phone, Tank Riders by Polarbit Blasts Onto The Android Market â€" Multiplayer Tank Battling Fun

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gets New Teaser Trailer

Here's the latest teaser trailer for Activision's upcoming third-person shooter video game ‘Transformers: Fall of Cybertron'. For your info, the game will hit both PS3 and Xbox 360 in Fall 2012.



TechFresh, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Gets New Teaser Trailer

T-Mobile now selling the HTC Amaze 4G for $229.99, it's $30 cheaper at Amazon

T-Mobile launched the HTC Amaze 4G in October, and it's undoubtedly one of the highest-end Android smartphones available right now. It was certainly priced as the top dog in TMo's portfolio back when it hit the streets. Some time has passed though, and the magenta carrier seems to have realized that $259.99 is a bit much for a smartphone bought with a two-year contract requirement in this day and age, high-end as it may be. So T-Mobile has thankfully decided to cut the price of the Amaze 4G. Granted, it's not by much – $30 – the price now being $229.99.

Unwired View, T-Mobile now selling the HTC Amaze 4G for $229.99, it's $30 cheaper at Amazon

Think Carrier IQ is bad? Wikileaks founder says all smartphones can be hacked with ease

. During a recent speech to delivered at the City University in London, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said that most smartphones can be hacked remotely with ease. “Who here has an iPhone. Who here has a BlackBerry? Who here uses Gmail? Well, you're all screwed,” Assange said during his talk, which followed the release of 287 documents related to mass surveillance. Assange explained to the crowd that more than 150 private organizations in 25 countries can easily track phones and intercept messages, browsing history, email accounts, phone calls and more remotely, ZDNET said.

Boy Genius Report, Think Carrier IQ is bad? Wikileaks founder says all smartphones can be hacked with ease

Happy Holidroid Contest: 1-Minute Video App or Game Review

If you’re unsure what this whole "Holidroid Contest" thing is all about, be prepared to get excited. From November 24th through December 25th, Phandroid is giving away a Kindle Fire every single day along with other great prizes like the Galaxy Nexus Galaxy Tabs, JAMBOX, SmarTouch Gloves, Android Phones, Android T-Shirts, Seidio Vouchers and more. Read our announcement post for details. Yesterday’s Winner.




Android Phone, Happy Holidroid Contest: 1-Minute Video App or Game Review

Draco Design DRACO IV Case for iPhone 4x4S Review

It seems like every day there's a new case out for the iPhone, and today is no different.  Today I submit for your perusal a review of an aluminum bumper-style case from Japanese design firm Draco Design, the Draco IV.  Is there enough here to differentiate it from the competition, or is it just another also-ran?  Read on to find out.







The Gadgeteer, Draco Design DRACO IV Case for iPhone 4x4S Review

Verizon scores new spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for $3.6 billion

Verizon has a pretty serious head start in the LTE race. To make sure it stays at the front of the pack, Big Red has entered an agreement with SpectrumCo (a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House) that sees 122 AWS spectrum licenses transfered to the carrier for $3.6 billion and some commercial agreements. The deal will allow the companies to become authorized retailers for each others products, eventually giving the cable companies the ability to offer Verizon Wireless service as wholesalers.

Engadget, Verizon scores new spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for $3.6 billion

iOS 5.1 beta apparently does not solve battery woes

The iOS 5.1 beta was seeded to developers not too long ago. Many had expected the update to address the battery draining issues that quite a few iOS owners were experiencing, but as it turns out that is not the case as there are still reports from those on the beta that the battery draining problem is still present. For those unfamiliar with the issue, this problem came about when Apple released the much awaited iOS 5 which brought about many upgrades and new features. Unfortunately for some, the update caused their phones to start draining more battery than usual.

Ubergizmo, iOS 5.1 beta apparently does not solve battery woes

Motorola DROID RAZR MAX to come with a bigger battery?

So, what is the Motorola DROID RAZR MAX. The first confirmation about this mysterious device comes from a user who was told by a Verizon Store employee that a new Motorola DROID RAZR MAX is coming soon. It is supposed to be thicker, with a beefier battery and hence, longer battery life. Then the name Motorola DROID RAZR MAX has come up again in some EXIF data.

ThatÂ's twice we hear the RAZR MAX moniker, so we guess there is a chance it might turn out a real device. Or the RAZR MAX might be a codename for one of the recently leaked (the XT928 has already gone official) China-bound RAZR versions.

GSM Arena, Motorola DROID RAZR MAX to come with a bigger battery?

Toyota FCV-R concept unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

The fuel cell vehicle concept is entirely dead and buried just yet, and the Toyota FCV-R has been unveiled at this year's Tokyo Motor Show that is happening in Japan even as we speak. Bear in mind that a hydrogen infrastructure is still far away from reality now as it was half a decade ago, but perhaps in the next five years, we might see a notable breakthrough. Toyota's engineers actually sneaked in the fuel cell unit right underneath the passenger cell in order to maintain passenger and cargo capacity.

Ubergizmo, Toyota FCV-R concept unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show

Memorex MMP9590BLU 16GB Touchscreen MP3 Player

Take your favorite tunes with you on the go with Memorex's touchscreen MP3 player ‘MMP9590BLU'. This compact player has a 2.8-inch touchscreen LCD display, a 16GB of internal storage, a built-in FM radio tuner and a built-in rechargeable battery. The MMP9590BLU retails for just $39.97.

TechFresh, Memorex MMP9590BLU 16GB Touchscreen MP3 Player

Comic covers get animated to life

Animated GIFs – we hardly give much thought to those other than associating them with lame attempts at sprucing up a website in terms of looks. Well, Marvel Comics might have gotten a little help from comics creator Kerry Callen, where he decided to inject a semblance of movement into iconic superhero art. Take Tony Stark for example – this is one hero who has issues in life, especially the problem with the bottle where all the power in his Iron Man suit is unable to prevent him from drowning his sorrows in booze.

Ubergizmo, Comic covers get animated to life

White Galaxy S II Skyrock Landing at AT&T Dec. 4

Dreaming of a white Christmas. How about a white Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. AT&T is getting in the holiday spirit with a new deco for their LTE-enabled handset. The all-white Skyrocket doesn't change any of the features of it's darker counterpart, and with that pricing remains the same at $249 on a two-year contract.

Android Phone, White Galaxy S II Skyrock Landing at AT&T Dec. 4

Lenovo LePad S2005 Tablet Phone Arrives in China

Lenovo has announced the LePad S2005, a tablet-smartphone hybrid that caters to the Chinese market. The 5-inch device features a Qualcomm dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 1,680mAh battery, and a 480 LTPS display with 178-degree viewing angle. The LePad 2005, which will be branded as IdeaTab S2005 in other countries, runs on Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 and will unlikely be updated into Ice Cream Sandwich. The hybrid device only has standard connectivity ports such as micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports.

Gadget.com, Lenovo LePad S2005 Tablet Phone Arrives in China

V-MODA Faders tuned earplugs form the Ear Armor backbone

When it comes to headphones and earphones, the name V-MODA ought to ring a bell with most of us – if this is the first time you have heard of V-MODA, then welcome to the club as I share with you the latest from their Ear Armor range, which would be the V-MODA Faders tuned earplugs. Made out from top grade metals as well as featuring medical-grade silicone fittings, Faders will be able to protect your hearing through the reduction of harmful noise by 12 dB evenly across the frequency spectrum.

Ubergizmo, V-MODA Faders tuned earplugs form the Ear Armor backbone

Urban Ears Plattan headphones prove that quilted isn't just for toilet paper anymore

Talk about padding out a product line. Urban Ears announced a new, quilted addition to its Plattan line of over-the-ear headphones. The Quilted Plattan Edition feature an extra padded headband and ear cushion.

Engadget, Urban Ears Plattan headphones prove that quilted isn't just for toilet paper anymore

Two iPhones Go Up in Smoke and Flames

An iPhone is worse for wear after combusting on an Australian flight. Image: Rex Media. Two users recently received a scare when their iPhones began glowing, smoking and emitting sparks. One iPhone in Brazil, and then another in Australia, recently self-combusted.

The Australian incident, which was reported first, took place Nov. 25 on a Regional Express flight from Lismore to Sydney. After the plane landed, one of the passengers' mobile phones “started emitting a significant amount of dense smoke, accompanied by a red glow,” according to the airline's official statement.


Gadget Lab, Two iPhones Go Up in Smoke and Flames

Galaxy Nexus LTE Images Uncovered in Verizon Site Source Code

We have no idea when Verizon actually plans to launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (though there is plenty of speculation), but whatever is going on Big Red is most definitely getting things prepared. Android Forum member Ytram did some digging in the Verizon website’s XML manifest and uncovered the images that will eventually make up the 360 degree preview of the handset.




Android Phone

See also:
technologypulse, Galaxy Nexus LTE Images Uncovered in Verizon Site Source Code

Lenovo LePhone K2 is Another High-End Phone for China

Lenovo's been busy this week. To my count, they have announced three different tablets and three different phones. That third phone is the Lenovo LePhone K2, a high-end handset for their main market, China. It'll sport a 4.3 inch IPS display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and an 8 megapixel camera. We're still running on Android 2.3.5 but we assume this piece of hardware has the capabilities necessary to run Android 4.0. It looks great, but considering Lenovo's past with mobile outside of China we won't get our hopes up to see it in Europe or North America.

Android Phone, Lenovo LePhone K2 is Another High-End Phone for China

Smart Car transforms into a food truck

Food trucks generally lean towards the larger side, but not content with such an ungainly vehicle and the fact that parking is harder to come by for trucks, a pair of German students studying at the University of Texas have managed to take all the essential components that goes into a food truck and stuck it all inside a Smart Car (as pictured above). What they have managed to do is to modify the interior of the vehicle. This was done by removing the passenger seats at the back and replaced with a power system that is powered by a couple of truck batteries.

Ubergizmo, Smart Car transforms into a food truck

FCC accepts AT&T's request for withdrawal

In a conference call to press yesterday afternoon, the FCC announced that it will grant AT&T's request to formally withdraw its application to acquire T-Mobile US. In addition, the agency will also release a 109-page report today that discusses what it found over nine months of reviewing the merger. In short, the FCC found that the cons of the deal outweighed the pros, and AT&T is likely to build out its LTE network regardless of what happens with the carrier's buyout of T-Mobile.

2DayBlog.com, FCC accepts AT&T's request for withdrawal

You can now try out Windows Phone on your Android or iOS device

Have you ever been curious about the Windows Phone operating system, but currently own an Android or iOS device and are just too lazy to go to a Microsoft Store or to your local carrier store and try one out. Well, Microsoft has made it incredibly easy for you to try out Windows Phone Mango(7.5) on your own Android or iOS device. All you have to do is visit this website http://aka.ms/wpdemo on your mobile browser, and you will access an interactive HTML 5 web page that gives you a full tour of the operating system.

Unwired View, You can now try out Windows Phone on your Android or iOS device

Google Maps 6.0 for Android adds indoor mapping, more [video]

. Google Maps 6.0 for Android was released on Tuesday with several enhancements, the most notable of which is indoor map support. Google hopes the update will help Android users more easily navigate shopping malls, airports and other public spaces. Users are able to search throughout floor plans, too, which means a traveler can search for a coffee shop or the nearest restroom in an airport. Google said floor plans will appear when a user is zoomed-in fully on a building where mapping data is available; the differences between indoor and outdoor maps can be seen in the image above.



Boy Genius Report, Google Maps 6.0 for Android adds indoor mapping, more [video]

Gogo goes global: partnership with Inmarsat to give you the internet on international flights

Ahh, Gogo, what a fantastic addition you've been to domestic airline travel. Besides keeping rowdy kids entertained with internet access, it affords well-traveled tech bloggers the ability to do what we do at 30,000 feet. And now, Gogo's wondrous WiFi will do the same for international passengers thanks to Inmarsat's Global Xpress satellite internet service. The partnership adds speedy Ka-band satellite technology to Gogo's existing air-to-ground service starting in 2013.

Engadget, Gogo goes global: partnership with Inmarsat to give you the internet on international flights

Transparent rear glass panel for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

iFixit has torn apart so many handsets and tablets in the past, that it makes perfect sense for them to select a transparent rear glass panel so that you can view all the innards of your device without having to worry taking the device apart. Currently, this transparent rear glass panel will cater only for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4. Of course, there is also the question – why would you want to have a transparent rear panel for your Apple device. I suppose it is out of curiousity's sake, or to be able to have a really, really cool case that you can show off to the rest of your mates.

Ubergizmo

See also:
technoleap, Transparent rear glass panel for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

These days, even a truck gets aerodynamics for the lulz... I mean, better fuel economy

Every time you drive by a semi and feel your car get pushed away from the rig, it reinforces the reality that tractor trailers punch a big, ragged hole in the atmosphere. It takes a lot of power to force those big boxes through the wind, and Mercedes Benz is working to please both fleet operators and the environmentally conscious by taking some of these heavy haulers for a spin in the wind tunnel for a much-needed aerodynamic tuneup.




2DayBlog.com, These days, even a truck gets aerodynamics for the lulz... I mean, better fuel economy

LG Nitro HD coming to AT&T in December for $250

We have been hearing about the LG Nitro HD for a while now but AT&T has finally gone ahead and made it official. The LG Nitro HD will be the first phone on AT&T's network to have an HD display and will be their third LTE phone, after the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and the HTC Vivid. The LG Nitro HD has a 4.5-inch, 1280 x 720 resolution AH-IPS display, dual core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB built-in memory + 16GB microSD card supplied with the device, 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, Wi-Fi Direct and LTE.


GSM Arena, LG Nitro HD coming to AT&T in December for $250

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus pre-orders said to begin tomorrow

. Verizon may allow its customers to pre-order its highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the world's first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich-powered smartphone, on Tuesday, November 29th. Computerworld has reportedly confirmed with a seemingly reliable unnamed source that customers will be able to order the device on Tuesday, and that it will land on store shelves and in customer hands on December 8th - a date that corroborates with earlier rumors. The phone is expected to cost $199.99 with a new two-year contract, though it is unclear whether or not that price is part of a limited-time promotion.

Boy Genius Report, Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus pre-orders said to begin tomorrow

As Testing Continues, Official Galaxy Nexus Volume Bug Fix Leaks

As is too often the case with big handset releases, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched with an erratic volume bug that was deemed a big enough problem for shipments of the device to be halted.  Google’s team of Android engineers has been busy cooking up a fix for the problem, one which is now available to Galaxy Nexus owners courtesy of Paul O’Brien of MoDaCo. O’Brien got his hands on an early version of the official fix, which has been packaged up for installation on bootloader unlocked Galaxy Nexus handsets.

Android Phone, As Testing Continues, Official Galaxy Nexus Volume Bug Fix Leaks