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"Leaked" iPhone images show video chatting, slimmer iPhone?
Late last night, several rumor websites, including CrunchGear, reported that they had received copies of "leaked" iPhone advertisements. These ads depict matte black and Product (Red) iPhones. Most of the sites that were sent these images are calling them fakes, including our own Engadget. There are two major flaws that stick out in these images, the first of which is the lack of a sleep/wake button on the red iPhone in the image above. The second of which: where the iChat details are shown, the requirements state "Windows Xp." However, Apple always states "XP" as just that; not upper case, then lower case letters. We do have to agree with Engadget when it comes to the video chat images. Ryan Block states, "No Apple design would be laid out the way this guy's got his page laid out here." We have to agree -- Apple designs are normally clean and minimalist; not jumbled as these images are. [via CrunchGear]
Dell's XPS One (RED) slashed by $400
Get it while you can. A new coupon is available which cuts the original $1,599 price of Dell's XPS One (PRODUCT) RED to just $1,199. That's $100 less than the entry level XPS One. Now, let's race to see who can void the offer faster 'cause this is one hell of a deal. Instructions after the break. Ready... go!P.S. US only.[Thanks, Bud W.]
Dell's XPS One (PRODUCT) RED is a charitable rip off
The whole consumer motivation for (PRODUCT) RED is that a donation is made to those in need at no (obvious) additional expense to you. It's The Man who makes the donation, you're just pulling the trigger with the purchase of something presumably wanted anyway. But the (PRODUCT) RED XPS One confuses this whole system, at best. The RED XPS One costs an extra $300 over the regular XPS One's base configuration. For that, you do get a bump -- but it's software only. More specifically, your $300 premium upgrades you to Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (found online for ~$100 or less) and Vista Ultimate (~$300 or less), instead of stock Microsoft Works 8.5 (~$15) and Vista Home Premium (~$200 or less). Based on those retail prices, you're locked into almost $200 in add-ons that Dell and Microsoft will happily mark-up to $300 -- $80 of which is donated to the Global Fund. Never you mind that the full-featured Vista Ultimate (even with RED-themed desktops, screensaver, and widgets) adds very little value to the vast majority of home users when compared to Vista Home Premium. Or that Microsoft says that "Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktops." So why bother with Ultimate on the XPS One in the first place, except to up the perception of greater value? It's not like this all-in-one desktop will ever step foot inside of an enterprise cubicle. Our advice: save your $300 and just give some cash directly, it might work out better for your taxes anyway.[Thanks, Justin M.]
Dell and Microsoft get official with (PRODUCT) RED gear
We knew Dell and Microsoft would be giving some of their gear the Bono treatment this week, but the two companies and the AIDS-in-Africa relief project unveiled their partnership in style today at Davos. Just like we'd heard, the XPS m1530, m1330, and XPS One machines are all going crimson, as well as the 948 AIO printer. Microsoft's kicking in a special (PRODUCT) RED-themed edition of Vista Ultimate to keep things special on the OS tip, and obviously you'll feel better about things with donations of $50 - $80 of each machine's purchase price going to RED, and $5 on the printer (hey, those margins are low enough as it is). All the new stuff should be available by the end of the week in the States, and by January 31 in 30 additional countries -- or right now for your viewing pleasure in the gallery. %Gallery-14555%
New iPod Shuffle lineup comes in colors (again)
Among all the updates to the iPod lineup today, this one might have gotten lost in the... well, I'm not gonna say it, but you know what I mean. It would seem that January's iPod Shuffle color choices were so nine months ago; the new Shuffles are stumbling in with a somewhat more subdued, 'pro' palette and adding a Product (RED) version that sends a contribution to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.The new Shuffles are retailing for $79 and include 1 GB of flash storage. Get them before they change again!
Apple announces (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, new colors
Here it is, just like we expected: the 1GB (PRODUCT) RED shuffle. Same $79, available today. Buy it and make little Oprabono cry. Put on your Easter Bunny suit and check all the pastel action in the gallery below. Red, Ah... Lavender, Ew.%Gallery-6922%
(PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle coming on the 5th?
AppleInsider totally called it last time with the Oprah-launched (PRODUCT) RED iPod nano, so we're inclined to believe that they may have the inside line on Bono's latest attempt to cozy up with the Jobsian Empire, in the form of a signature-red shuffle refresh purportedly being announced at the upcoming "Beat Goes On" event. For those of you tracking these sort of things, this (PRODUCT) RED shuffle claim follows the nano Phatty, iPod Touch, Beatles on iTunes, and portable Coverflow rumors on the list of possible announcements to be made on September 5th at the Moscone Center -- among many others that we probably haven't picked up on. Okay, back to your regular programming, but don't get too comfy, because the next 'inside scoop' could be just minutes away...[Image courtesy of AppleInsider, thanks jungzandvliet]
Engadget Mobile relaunch giveaways - (PRODUCT) RED V3m for Sprint
Feeling cheritable? So are we -- yet again -- so this should work out swimmingly. Motorola's red MOTORAZR V3m was created in collaboration with (PRODUCT) RED to help fight AIDS in Africa -- and, coincidentally, to help fight boring-looking cellphones with a bright red shell that you're not likely to miss. It's offered on Sprint and features a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, EV-DO data, and microSD expansion.A few rules (yeah, there are always rules): You may only enter this specific contest once. If you enter this contest more than once you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and don't submit more than once, ok? You may enter our other EngMob relaunch contests, but you can't win more than once; if you happen to win more than once (which is pretty unlikely, but still) we'll ask you to choose just one of your prizes. The prize is open to US entrants only. Hey, it's a US phone, you couldn't do anything with it anyway. Contest is open until 11:59pm EDT on Tuesday, June 12th. We'll be shipping all the phones to winners once all the relaunch giveaway contests are over. (Yeah, we know it bites to have to wait, but dems the breaks!) Thanks and good luck to everyone! Have a look at our other contests, too, before it's too late: Motorola T305, Samsung u620, (PRODUCT) RED MOTORAZR V3m for Sprint, Sprint UpStage by Samsung (number two), Samsung BlackJack, Nokia N75 (number two)
NTT DoCoMo gets in on (PRODUCT) RED, too
We're still a little distracted by the plethora of 904i series handsets, but NTT DoCoMo is taking the opportunity to beef up the midrange, too. The brilliantly-named M702iS(RED) is the same M702iS that NTT rolled out last year -- essentially a RAZR equipped with FOMA -- but adds that (PRODUCT) RED branding Motorola has tended to be so very fond of lately. We'd have preferred to see Moto do something cool here like launch a FOMA-compatible KRZR K3 instead, but at this point it's looking like the company will be facelifting the original V3 and its variants to the bitter, bitter end.
Canada to get coolest looking Motorola KRZR yet
Cooler than the KRZR Fire? Yeah, we'd say so, if for no other reason than the fact that buyers do some good with their purchase of this one. According to Motorola's own site, the (PRODUCT) RED-branded KRZR K1 will be launching in Canada, though no details are given as to what carrier might be getting it. Seeing how this is a K1, the GSM variant, we're going to go ahead and take an educated guess that it'll find its way to either Rogers or Fido. Look for it to hit shelves "soon" -- in the meantime, we'll be pestering AT&T and T-Mobile to pick 'er up, too.
Go RED for less
If you've been wanting to grab one of those Product RED iPod nanos, this is a good time. Apple has a quantity of refurbished 4GB models available for $169US each (typically they're $199US). Since Apple's donation to the Product RED fund is a flat fee on these nanos ($10) and not based on their retail price, you can be assured that your purchase will result in the same donation as a full-priced model. Everybody wins!Thanks, Greenline!
Got cash in the new phone budget? Do some good
'Tis the season for giving, which leaves the rabid phone fans among us in a tight spot: how do we get in on a little new mobile tech for ourselves and help those less fortunate at the same time? Our friends over at Phone Scoop are hoping to fill the bill by auctioning off a handful of hot, current handsets graciously provided by carriers and manufacturers with all proceeds going to benefit The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria -- the same fund (RED) benefits. Loot includes a T-Mobile Dash, LRG Sidekick 3, Motorola MOTOKRZR K1, unlocked Samsung i320, M500 for Sprint, and BlackJack, and a Helio Drift (see, we told you the goods were hot). Bidding will take place via Phone Scoops' forums, with all auctions ending this Friday. Bid generously, and bid to win!
Best Buy Mobile opens up shop in New York
While Best Buy's been selling mobiles (and holding out on Wii hopefuls) for some time now, the big blue retailer is diverting a bit more fundage towards the cause. Aside from continuing to offer phones and plans in typical stores, Best Buy is opening up a smattering of New York-based Mobile stores to handle your cellular needs (and probably hassle you for an extended warranty as well). While details about the store layout and initial offerings are a bit scant at this point, we do know that nine locales will be opening up in the Big Apple alone, with a red (as in, not black) PRODUCT (RED) RAZR being their "exclusive" offering. The stores will partner with Verizon Wireless, Amp'd Mobile, Sprint-Nextel, and Cingular, and should have a plethora of promotional goodies surrounding each and every door to snag your attention.
Motorola V3i goes black for RED
We're sure you all immediately recognize the irony in a black phone made specifically for Product RED, so we'll spare you the jokes (though rest assured, it's killing us). The RED V3i eschews the red casing of its V3m cousin in favor of a more understated black, which, let's face it, is only marginally more understated than the phone's original dark gray. Specs appear to be unchanged, too, save for the whole bit about saving the world through charitable donation. Brits can look into rocking their little piece of Bono now through Carphone Warehouse, which is offering the RED V3i free with a contract through O2.[Thanks, Jewburg]
iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition now available in 8GB version
Apple has upped the charitable goodness ante with a new 8GB version of the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition, which is now available for $249 (same price as the 8GB black version) exclusively at Apple's online and Retail stores. $10 from the sale of each 4GB iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED goes to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. No word yet on whether the 8GB version is kicking back more cash to the cause.Still waiting on those (PRODUCT) RED MacBooks and (PRODUCT) RED iMacs. I say go all out and introduce an entire (PRODUCT) RED "Candy Apple" lineup!Thanks, Tom!
MacBook (PRODUCT) RED already in production?
Color me crazy, but the MacBook in this music video looks a lot like it could be one of those (PRODUCT) RED MacBooks that have been rumored before. Of course, it could also just be a ColorWare job to stir up some hype - though who exactly is doing the stirring is anyone's guess. You'll know more as soon as we do.
More rumors of other RED Apple products
It seems that due to the release of the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED last week, September's rumors of other Apple products going the RED route are circulating again. Think Secret has a few 'sources' reporting that Apple and Bono have been kicking around the idea of RED iMacs and MacBooks, though their fate is probably very dependent on the success of the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED (man, I really wish I didn't have to type all that). Unfortunately, Think Secret doesn't have even speculation as to how soon we could see other RED Apple products, or even if they could land before the holiday season. Guess you'll just have to play your cards right until we hear more.
Apple brings (a little) web 2.0 to iPod nano RED site
I've been getting somewhat annoyed with Apple's aging website for a while now, as it still even contains the striped elements of Jaguar in its navigation at the top. Not that I have any problem with Jaguar, mind you (though I have a hard time with the possibility of giving up Tiger), but for a company who's so progressive, and even a CEO who says you should upgrade iPods at least once a year, I'm just surprised we haven't seen some sort of Tiger/Unified update to just the navigation, if anything (the rest of their site, admittedly, is designed darn well).Setting aside my gripes for a moment, reader Mark Fleser noticed that the new page for the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED which was just announced shows that all this fancy new web 2.0 stuff hasn't been lost on Apple. Granted, this new use of AJAXy goodness seems to be only present on the Technical Specifications button at the bottom of the page, but it's a pretty handy implementation and possibly a sign of good things to come.
iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition officially official
We really didn't need any more vindication that this product exists -- what with photos of them sitting on store shelves and all -- but Apple would never leave us without a nice official announcement: the officially-dubbed iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is now detailed on Apple's website, verifying all the facts we reported on yesterday ($10 per iPod donated to The Global Fund, same $199 price, it's red!, etc., etc.).Not much else to add, other than "buy one, you cheapskate -- it's for a good cause." Oh, and check out "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today for what will probably be the official officially official live announcement by Bono and Oprah.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]Update: In my haste to get this post out before I had to abandon the computer, I neglected to mention (as reader Greg notes) that Apple will also begin selling new iTunes RED gift cards for $25 (though they don't mention how much is donated to the charity).
