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Newegg's $50 Premier is like Amazon Prime, but without the video streaming
While Amazon's debating whether or not it should hike Prime subscription fees in the US, now its decision may have to take into consideration a potential competitor. This morning, Newegg introduced Premier, a $50 shipping service that aims to cope with the likes of Amazon Prime. For that yearly fee, Newegg promises to get stuff to your doorstep in three days or less, as well as a number of other benefits including no restocking fees, free returns and dedicated customer service. You will, however, miss out on the Instant Video streaming offered through Prime, but this also means you'll end up saving $29 per year -- which is something that could make sense to folks who are already subscribed to Netflix. Or, there's always Newegg's free option, Super Eggsaver; just be prepared to wait a lot longer for your online purchases to arrive.
Photoshop and Premiere Elements 12 now available, learn editing preferences
Adobe's Creative Cloud not your thing? Photoshop and Premiere Elements 12 have just arrived to please your subscription-averse (and beginner-level) nature. The latest version of the outfit's photo suite features Content-Aware Move for shifting objects within a photo and having the resulting gaps filled in, the ability to correct flash reflections in animals' eyes and 64-bit support for Macs. Elements Mobile Albums are new to this release as well, and they let users view, edit and share photos on mobile devices through the firm's Revel solution. Premiere Elements boasts motion tracking to move graphics, text and effects with objects, upwards of 250 sound effects and more than 50 soundtracks that rearrange themselves to fit the length of footage. Both the video and photo editing packages sport Auto Smart Tone, which learns a user's editing preferences and serves them up in a one-click option. While both programs have picked up a healthy share of upgrades, the pricing model remains unchanged. Mac and Windows versions are now available online from Adobe for $100, or $150 when purchased in a bundle. Upgrades are set at $80 for each, or $120 when the pair are snapped up together. As for boxed copies of the software, they'll be available soon form brick-and-mortar shops and online retailers.
Sprint axes Premier program, no more annual upgrades for Gold customers
Well, hope as you might that it was untrue, Sprint has killed off its Premier program and is putting an end to annual upgrades for Premier Gold customers. Premier subscribers will still be able to take advantage of the perks provided by their accounts through the end of the year, but once the calendar flips to 2012 you'll be thrown back in with the rest of the riffraff. Gold members, who previously enjoyed discounted handset upgrades every year, will have through the end of 2012 to take advantage of one more subsidized phone. But, after that, they'll be on the same 22 month schedule as everyone else. Sorry folks, dem's da breaks. Check out the FAQ at the source link for more details. [Thanks, Eric]
TiVo Premiere App for iPad gets modest update
TiVo might not be rolling out enough updates to appease TiVo Premiere owners, but the TiVo Premier App for iPad updates keep on rolling. This latest addresses a couple of the beefs we pointed out in our review -- we'd like to think we have influence, so let us believe -- such as the inability to search for a channel by name, and resuming quicker and more consistently from standby or other apps. The yearn for a sports mode still goes unfilled though, right along with a full screen grid guide; but those pushes the limits of their storage will appreciate the new space indicator, and everyone can get behind speed improvements. If you're already using the App, then no reason not to upgrade, but for those still on the fence this isn't the big release you're waiting for.
Kyocera Echo available right now for Sprint Premier customers, tests your patience
If you're a Sprint Premier customer and are planning to purchase the company's eccentric dual-screen Android smartphone, listen up. Yes, it's due to launch in just three days, but the wireless company is now offering its loyal customers a chance to order the Echo right now. If you decide to jump the gun, you'll be happy to know that Sprint is waiving upgrade fees and will ship you the device for zero bucks. So, if this offer sounds tempting -- and you qualify -- hit the source link to get a 72-hour advantage on everyone else. [Thanks, Eric]
Mobile broadband shocker: AT&T looking at tiered data pricing and speeds for upcoming LTE service
We all know AT&T just loves its tiered pricing models, so it's no surprise to hear that the carrier intends to turn its forthcoming LTE service into a tier-vana of great new sophistication. BGR has come across an internal document detailing how AT&T plans to segment its 4G pricing on the basis of both speed and data allowance, meaning that your price will reflect both the amount of data you consume and the rate at which you gobble it down. To add further complexity flexibility, Top Ups will be available that'll allow users to amp up their connection speed for a limited time or increase their allowance on a per-month basis. We're hearing trials of this new offering will commence in May, which fits in neatly with the currently planned LTE rollout in the second half of this year. So it's not all set in stone yet, but irrespective of the number of data options AT&T throws our way, the paramount question will always be the same: how much?
Sprint Premier getting new premium tier on April 1st, many customers won't get early upgrades?
Launched in early 2009, Sprint's Premier loyalty program has been one of the more generous (and easy to understand) perks programs in the American wireless industry: just keep a certain minimum spend per month or stick around for ten years, and boom, you're eligible. Most importantly, Premier customers are currently able to get new contract pricing after just a single year into their existing contracts, which makes gadget freaks on the network far, far less likely to go bankrupt. Well, mirroring some of the other early upgrade changes we're seeing in the business lately, it looks like these guys are planning on dialing things back come April 1st (and no, the irony is not lost). Though some Premier customers will still get upgrades after a year, that privilege will be dialed back to members of the new Gold tier which will require ten years of service with Sprint. Yes, that's right: you'll have needed to have a line on these guys since before the Matrix Phone came out to get the biggest benefit of the program. If you don't qualify, you still could get in on the Silver tier, which gives you miscellaneous perks like accessory discounts... but not the full upgrade discount after a year. Instead, you'll need to wait 22 months, which -- at the current rate -- is about 47 major versions of Android. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: As before, you'll be able to skirt the 10-year requirement with a minimum spend and at least six months of service; that minimum will be $89.99 a month for individual lines at $169.99 a month for family plans. Whew!
Sprint 'about to serve up something big'
Sprint Premier customers are being told that the carrier is "ready to change the game once again" with some sort of big announcement tomorrow morning, though it's anyone's guess what it is. It clearly isn't the Pixi (if it is, someone forgot to give the Premier department the memo), though the note's mention of Simply Everything and Right Plan Promise suggest that the news is going to be plan-focused, not hardware-focused. There's a curious "anymobile" subdomain dug up by a Boy Genius Report tipster that could have something to do with it -- right now it just leads to a "Coming Soon" page -- but otherwise, your guess is as good as ours. Free unlimited data for everyone, perhaps? Ooh, a sudden reversal of strategy with a move to LTE? [Via Boy Genius Report, thanks Matt G.]
Palm Pre: takeaways from Premier night
Tethering is not supported and Sprint has no plans to offer a tethering add-on. The company says it just isn't a very good user experience and would prefer folks added on a data card line instead. About 1,000 invitations were sent out to randomly-selected Premier customers for this evening's events at ten locations across the country. We've heard intermittent reports of folks getting in with no invite, but the Chicago store was staying firm. We were told that no store selling Pres this evening would be out of stock for tomorrow, but all bets are off once the floodgates open on Saturday. Company-owned stores got the lion's share of stock while Best Buys and Radio Shacks were held to lower levels, so your best bet over the weekend is likely a Sprint store. We played with our keyboard and then a Sprint employee's immediately after that had been in use for two weeks; the keys had lost some of their "stickiness," which we take as a good sign. Fresh Pres have a slightly odd feel across the key surfaces. Got any other interesting tidbits from your adventures this evening? Throw 'em in comments!
Palm Pres available tonight to invited Premier customers at launch events
This won't apply to many of you, but just a little public service announcement to members of Sprint's elite Premier corps: you can get your Pre tonight if you've received an invitation to do so and you're willing to make the trek to one of ten stores around the country where launch parties are being held. Our understanding is that this is strictly an invite-only event and that non-Premier riff raff (and non-Sprint customers) will be turned away, but honestly, if we were in the market for a Pre, we'd probably loiter for a bit just to see what's up and get a gauge on whether they're willing to bend the rules -- particularly if the Pres end up not selling out by the time the night's over. Either way, if you want a Pre this weekend you'll need to leave your basement at some point because the phone won't be sold online initially -- so let us know how it goes out there in the trenches, folks, and we'll do the same. Stay tuned![Image via PreCentral]
Sprint launches Premier program for insanely loyal customers and big spenders
Many carriers have informal, rarely-discussed policies in place for sliding goodies under the table to their most valuable, longest-tenured customers, but Sprint's taking it to the next level with its new Premier program. Designed to dispense "perks, privileges and discounts that drive higher satisfaction," Premier automatically kicks in after 10 -- yes, ten -- years of loyal Sprint service and includes new customer handset pricing once per year, special offers on trips and tickets to events, free gifts on their service anniversary, early access to new devices, and discounts on accessories. All told, it's a nice little package -- but considering that you need a full 120 months of paid Sprint bills under your belt before this materializes and or you need to be on a plan of $69.99 or higher, the overwhelming majority of us don't need to be worrying about it too much.[Via Phone Scoop]Update: You need to be a customer for ten years, or you need to be on an individual line of $69.99 or higher or a family line of $99.99 or higher for at least three months. Makes it a little more palatable, eh? Thanks, everyone!
Premier Mounts offers up fully-integrated motorized lift system
If you're looking for a way to have a big screen flat-panel and keep things neat and tidy for the SO, Premier Mounts is about to become your new best friend. The outfit has just announced that it will be introducing a fully-integrated motorized lift system at CES, enabling buyers to hide away HDTVs in existing or customized cabinets. With just the touch of a button, owners can hide and reveal their flat-panel; the LIFT1 (single system) holds panels up to 52-inches and 180 pounds, while the LIFT2 (dual system) manages screens up to 58-inches and 360 pounds. 'Course, for $2,499.99 / $4,199.99 (respectively), maybe the eyesore isn't so intolerable after all.
Diebold comes clean, admits that its e-voting machines are faulty
For years, Diebold has embarrassed itself by claiming that obvious faults were actually not faults at all, and during the past decade or so, it mastered the act of pointing the finger. Now that it has ironically renamed itself Premier Election Solutions, it's finally coming clean. According to spokesman Chris Riggall, a "critical programming error that can cause votes to be dropped while being electronically transferred from memory cards to a central tallying point" has been part of the software for ten years. The flaw is on both optical scan and touchscreen machines, and while Mr. Riggall asserts that the logic error probably didn't ruin any elections (speaking of logic error...), the outfit's president has confessed to being "distressed" about the ordeal. More like "distressed" about the increasingly bleak future of his company.[Via Techdirt]
Voigtlaender rebadges Premier offering, dubs it Vito 65
Premier should just start reselling its designs to ho hum resellers rather than spending the loot to brand its own products, as it seems to be the object of desire for companies like Ricoh and Voigtlaender. Nevertheless, Germany's own has rebadged the DM6365 and slapped a Vito 65 logo on it, but didn't bother tweaking the specs. Touting a 3.48- x 2.17- x 0.75-inch enclosure, this compact features a played-out six-megapixel CCD sensor, 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 32MB of internal storage, SD slot, 30fps movie mode, 3x optical zoom, built-in red-eye reduction, USB 2.0 connectivity, and PictBridge compatibility. Per usual, Voigtlaender manages to pack a humdrum feature set into a fairly overpriced package, with the Vito 65 coming in at a less-than-attractive €199 ($265).[Via LetsGoDigital]
Cingular Premier customers can pre-order BlackBerry Pearl
Apparently today was the agreed upon date to launch (or "prelaunch," anyway) svelte new mobiles that we'd been waiting ever so patiently on, as this discovery comes just hours after Motorola officially released its MOTOFONE F3. While we've known the BlackBerry Pearl was coming, sneaked a few peeks of it in action, heard all about the pre-release reviews, and had strong suspicions (twice) that it was headed to Cingular, today we can finally say it's here -- well, almost. Accessible through Cingular's Premier web portal, the Pearl is available for pre-order as an interestingly-labeled prelaunch affair. While the design nor the specs have changed up on us, we're finally getting some concrete info on the price; it'll run you $579.99 straight up, or around $179.99 after corporate and web discounts, and while we're sure plain ole consumer pricing will be similar, you'll (probably) only snag this jewel for under $200 if you sign away your cellular soul for a couple years.[Thanks, Scott V.]
