More US Customers Are Returning The New BlackBerry Phone Than Keeping It, Analyst Report Says

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/more-people-are-returning-blackberry-z10-2013-4

BlackBerry's stock is tanking this morning following a report from ITG Investment research that says sales of the company's new BlackBerry Z10 phone are weak in the US.

In many cases, ITG says more people are returning the Z10 than keeping it and overall demand for the phone in the US is very weak.

The Z10 launched in late March on Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T, but early reports say those carriers haven't done a great job at promoting the phone. AT&T was the first carrier to sell the phone and many stores didn't even have demo units on display on launch day.

BlackBerry's stock is down 5.4% as of this writing, trading at $13.89 per share.

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Status Board: Get Control Over More Information Than You Know What to Do With

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5994326/status-board-get-more-control-over-information-than-you-know-what-to-do-with

Information-hungry iPad users are in luck with Panic's newest release: Status Board, a customized, at-a-glance display of more tidbits than you could possibly consume.

While the $10 price tag might seem steep, you're immediately treated to a friendly, soothingly-soundtracked setup assistant who guides you through the entire process of picking and choosing your knowledge-to-be. You can still adjust after the fact though, adding things like email, weather, reminders, news feeds, Twitter—anything, really. The app is your oyster.

And you can even use whatever personal data you have handy to throw into a widget. So if you happen to own a business (which is where it seems they're really going with this feature) you can use it to display all sorts of fun stats (company earnings, major goals, which employees are closest to getting fired to incite healthy competition—whatever you want!) and on an even bigger screen for all to see.

So while this probably isn't going to be useful for the more casual consumer, those who do need it (and you most likely know who you are) will highly benefit. You can get it at the iTunes store here.

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Beamz teams up with Virtual DJ on interactive music system, we go lasers-on (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/beamz-teams-up-with-virtual-dj/

Beamz has been firing lasers in the name of limb-flailing performance for a few years. Today, it's announced it's working with popular music-mixing software Virtual DJ to provide the aural filling in its laser sandwich. The controller is the same four-beamed multi-button affair we've seen before, but now with a custom version of the aforementioned DJ application to call its own, and make the set-up a cinch. On screen you'll see two representations of the Beamz controller (instead of decks) with instant visual feedback to let you know which beam is mapped to what. You can configure four different triggers at one time, controlling cue points, looping and so on. To add functionality, you can then use the large buttons at the base of the device to rotate through different mappings. The emphasis, of course, is on performance here with nary a rotary nor fader in sight (we imagine you'd be using your other controller for that, right?). The software and hardware combo are being bundled together as a deal, and if you want in, you can do so right away for $200. Not sure if it'll fit in your workflow? Perhaps head past the break, and see if that video doesn't change your mind.

Filed under: Misc, Peripherals

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LG Optimus G Pro update features detailed in a walkthrough video (update: arrives April 12th)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/lg-optimus-g-pro-value-pack-video-preview/

While the biggest question concerning LG's 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro -- when will it ship in the US -- remains officially TBA, the company has posted a video preview (embedded after the break) of the software update it's sending Korean early adopters this month. There's also no launch date for the "Value Pack" upgrade listed, but the video does give a clear demonstration of things like Smart Video that recognizes when the viewer looks away using eye tracking technology, Dual Camera using the front and back cameras at the same time for stills (it previously did this for video), and Pause & Resume recording that brings Vine-style seamless video cuts. Check out the video to experience it for yourself, we'll see if LG's phablet can beat the Galaxy S4 -- and, presumably, the next Galaxy Note -- to market in the US with these features.

Update: We've got the English press release now, which details all the new features mentioned above plus a few more that are getting upgraded, and reveals the update will start going out to users on April 12th. Check out the full text after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG

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Source: LGMobileHQ (YouTube), LG Newsroom Korea

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Samsung puts 128-gigabit 3-bit cell flash into production, plans to build more memory cards

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/11/samsung-nand-flash-production/

Flash memory advancements usually sing the same tune: faster, smaller and high-density. Improve one of these attributes, and you've go the makings of a better chip on your hands. Samsung is focusing on the latter, announcing the mass production of its 10 nanometer 128-gigabit three-bit multi-level-cell NAND flash. That mouthful translates into flash chips with more memory per cell in a small form factor. Sammy says the new chip is capable of 400Mbps, and claims the highest density in the industry. The new silicon will be used to expand the company's supply of 128GB memory cards and high-volume solid state drives. It's also well positioned to be a better part for devices with embedded NAND storage, which Samsung hopes will keep it competitive. You'll find Samsung's announcement and all the granular details after the break.

Filed under: Storage, Samsung

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Source: Samsung Tomorrow

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