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Apple iPad Air 2 and Retina iMac event now available for on-demand viewing
Apple just wrapped up its October press event, which saw the unveiling several new products including the iPad Air 2 and the Retina iMac. If you missed the original broadcast, you can now watch a rebroadcast of the full event on Apple's dedicated Events page. The on demand stream also can be found in the Events channel on the Apple TV.
Apple sends out invitations for October 16 event
Apple today sent out invitations for an upcoming event to be held on October 16th in the company's Cupertino Town Hall Auditorium. The show will begin at 10 AM Pacific. Apple likely will use the event to unveil its next generation iPad lineup and announce the release date for OS X Yosemite. The company also may use the event to introduce updated Macs. TUAW will be liveblogging the event and covering the announcements as they happen. We'll provide the details for the liveblog as the event date nears.
Watch today's Apple event on Apple TV
Apple has added its Events channel to the Apple TV ahead of today's press event. The channel appears before each major event and is dedicated to streaming the presentation live. It will remain on the Apple TV for a short time after the event for on-demand viewing of the announcement. The Events channel should automatically appear among the other channels on all second and third generation Apple TV models. If the channel is not present, you can restart the device to force a refresh by going to Settings > General > Restart. Apple also is providing a live stream via its website that is available to Safari users on the Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. You also can follow our coverage both on our press event live blog, which will serve up the event details as they happen, and our main website where you will find more comprehensive coverage of Apple's announcements.
Battlegrounds, arenas, and warplots: How PvP works in WildStar
PvE is a staple of MMORPG gameplay, but if you prefer the challenge and adrenaline rush of fighting against another human being while bashing on a keyboard and circle-strafing to dizzying effect, then you, my friend, are a PvPer. And if you've PvPed in other games, you'll be familiar with WildStar's battlegrounds and arenas. But warplots? What's a warplot? That's just one of the PvP-related questions I asked at a press event last week at Carbine Studios with the WildStar team. Battlegrounds Designer Kevin Lee and Lead PvP Designer Jen Gordy explained to me that PvP is one of the key focuses of the game; all PvP content in WildStar will be on a cross-realm queue. Your level and gear stats will be normalized to provide an equal playing field. WildStar's telegraph system ensures that PvP is extremely reactive, which is typical, but what's not typical is being able to see where your enemy is aiming that AoE or conal attack.
Invitations go out for Apple's October 22 press event
As expected, Apple is sending out invitations to a press event that'll be held on October 22. Though the invites don't reveal the topic for the event, rumors suggest the Cupertino company is preparing to unveil new iPads and new MacBook Pro models. We also expect to get a final launch date for OS X Mavericks and possibly an on-sale date for the new Mac Pro. The Loop shows the invitation, which says "We've still have a lot to cover." The press event will start at 10:00 AM PT and will be held at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco.
Google set to host press event July 24th featuring Sundar Pichai
Google's always cooking something up, and the company has our undivided attention when the press gets invited over for a breakfast featuring Sundar Pichai, the man in charge of Chrome and Android. While the invite doesn't indicate anything specific, we're expecting to hear some sort of announcement next Wednesday, when the event takes place. We'd love to get some more details on the elusive Android 4.3 or perhaps a new Nexus 7 (heck, a new Nexus anything would be just fine with us), but we'll just have to wait and see what Sundar has in store.
Facebook to host new product launch on June 20th
In case you're interested, June 20th is a Thursday. It's more than that to Facebook, though: apparently that is the day the social network will show off a new product, or as the company puts it, a "big idea" coming from a small team. As to what this particular event -- to be held in Menlo Park -- could bring to the table, you now know exactly as much as we do; with recent talk regarding Facebook's interest in building an RSS reader, that rumor would certainly be a good stab in the dark. What's even more odd, however, is the method by which the press is receiving the invitation: the good old-fashioned postal service. Let us know in the comments if you have any particular theories on what it could all mean.
Hands-on with WildStar's Scientist path and Esper class
There is something exciting about taking your first steps into the mysteries of a new planet. I was anxious to mingle with the locals, analyze artifacts, and even pick a few plants -- that is, until I saw a flower burst from the ground as a giant vine-like beast. As it chewed up the slinky Aurin next to me, I decided to leave the flowers for the next Scientist. So began my hands-on experience with WildStar, the exciting and often comical new MMO from NCsoft and Carbine Studios. The half-day event gave me time to play the Esper class, build some structures on the Settler path, and hurtle myself through the air in the name of science. There is so much to talk about! Except plants. 'Cause allergies. *ahem*
Nokia hosting Lumia event on May 14th, invites us to 'see what's next'
The next couple months are gearing up to be pretty busy, and Nokia's joining the fun with a press event on May 14th. The Finnish company is putting out a rather hefty teaser to get us intrigued, stating that the Nokia Lumia story continues, and we'll get to "see what's next." The timing of this new device is rather curious, given the fact that the flagship Lumia phones typically get shown off later in the fall. Is this the rumored 41MP PureView Windows Phone we've been hoping for ever since the 808 came out? Perhaps we'll see the Lumia 928 that we hear is supposed to hit Verizon in May (though London would be an odd and unlikely locale for a US-only handset unveiling). Could it simply be a lower-end device along the lines of the 520 or 620? We doubt that as well, but either way, we'll be there to get the scoop as Mr. Elop (we'd expect) shows off the latest Windows Phone coming out of Espoo.
LG invites press to 'share the genius' event on May 1st
We're not quite sure what it is yet, but LG has just invited us to save the date May 1st for a special event held in New York city, in which it asks us to "share the genius" and "capture the spotlight in true brilliance." If this is indeed a new device, it alludes to a higher-res display and greater sound; is this a US version of the Optimus G Pro or simply the next-generation Optimus G? Hard to say at this point, but we're keeping a pretty close eye out for more details. In the meantime, this is at least one more thing to look forward to in a couple weeks.
Final Fantasy XIV's Yoshida on PvP, chocobos, and mobile apps
The recent Final Fantasy XIV press event in San Francisco didn't just mean a chance to sit down and play the game amidst a lushly decorated room, although that was certainly on the agenda. It also meant a chance to ask director and producer Naoki Yoshida some questions about the game going forward and the plans for development down the line, diving beyond what we see and into more fine details about the game's mechanics. While players will have access to a sizable chunk of the revamped game when the beta goes live on February 25th, there's still a lot that's hidden behind a veil of secrecy. Yoshida's answers help illuminate more details about what's going on in Final Fantasy XIV that might not be playable right now but will be in the near future. And even beyond the foundation that's visible from the beta, the promise of more expansion only adds to the game's overall quality.
HTC and Verizon to hold a press event in New York City on November 13th
Between Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and a few other odds and ends, this fall has been jam-packed with splashy press announcements leading up to the holiday shopping season. Looks like we're not done just yet: Verizon and HTC announced they'll be holding a press event in New York City on November 13th. Now, the $64,000 question is: what OS will be on display? Will it be the Android-powered Droid DNA that just passed through the FCC? And here's another question: does "our latest collaboration" imply an exclusivity agreement? Or what if this is just a coming-out party for HTC's 8X Windows Phone flagship? It's not a far-fetched idea: we already know it's coming to Verizon, but the exact pricing and on-sale date have yet to be revealed. Then again, the 8X has already been shown off at a press event or two, and we're not sure a Verizon-branded variant would merit such a high-profile news conference. We'll find out next week, where several of us Engadget editors will be reporting live.
T-Mobile schedules new product event on October 29th (Update: canceled)
T-Mobile has just sent out invites to the press for a product launch event on the evening of October 29th. We weren't given any clues as to what this new item (or items) could be -- aside from the fact that it will include T-Mobile's full fall lineup -- but we certainly have a few suspicions considering the timing of such an event. Microsoft and Google are both holding press events earlier in the day, after all, which means we're either going to be treated to T-Mobile's Windows Phone 8 lineup or (this is less likely, but anything's possible) a T-Mobile Nexus. Feel free to put your wagers in the comments below, and we'll work to sort out the craziness that will most certainly ensue that day. Update: T-Mobile has joined Google in canceling today's event due to Hurricane Sandy. Don't be too disheartened, though -- we'll still have a feast of Windows Phone 8 news to digest.
Apple likely to reveal iPad mini on October 23rd, reports AllThingsD
Rumors about the iPad mini are really starting to heat up and alleged leaks of the body are hitting the web with machine gun-like regularity. Now AllThingsD claims to have another piece of the puzzle -- when. According to "people familiar" with the matter, Apple is scheduling a press event for October 23rd, where it will likely take the wraps off its latest (and smallest) tablet offering. The outlet reported a similar rumor ahead of the iPhone 5 launch, insisting that the littlest slate would be held until October. Now, here we are -- it's October -- and we're still waiting for our invitations. As usual, you'll be the first to know when ours arrives and we can confirm the when and where (and we think you already know the what). As for the how and why? Well, that we're just going to have to wait and see. Update: Others are now chiming in to say they've confirmed the date with their own sources, including Reuters and Jim Dalrymple of The Loop.
HTC's Windows Phone 8 press event now available to watch online (video)
Love you some Windows Phone? Big fan of HTC? Well, then, we imagine this has been a good week for you! If you missed our coverage from New York as it happened, first of all, shame on you. But, we'll forgive you, and as a special treat even point you to a video of the whole event online. Simply head past the break for the goods, and if you don't want to know what happens, don't click on any of the earlier links in this post. Too late for spoilers? Okay, they announce new phones!
Live from HTC's NYC press event!
It's a fine autumn day in NYC. The air is cool, it's a little breezy and a certain Taiwanese manufacturer has invited us over to check out some cool new gadgets. What exactly does HTC have in store? Well, that's anyone's guess, but suspicions are focused on Windows Phone 8 and a certain leaked handset with the codename Accord. Check back in at the time below to get all the news as it happens live. September 19, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
We're liveblogging HTC's big reveal tomorrow at 11am ET! (update: teaser)
HTC isn't betraying too much with its event invite, but we've got our suspicions about what the Taiwanese company has up its sleeve. Maybe there will even be a few surprises in store for us, who knows? That's why we had to accept HTC's invite and will be there live, in person to experience the reveal ourselves. Since you can't be there (and we wouldn't want you to be square), join us tomorrow morning at 11am ET and follow along in the liveblog right here -- we'll know you're with us in spirit. Update: How about that: the company just whittled down the possibilities through an official teaser on its Facebook page. All we see is the corner of a Windows Phone, the event date and a promise that it's a day "when beautiful hardware meets stunning software." It doesn't take much sleuthing to deduce that this is HTC's turn at a Windows Phone 8 device launch, and that we may well see devices like the 8X when the New York City gathering gets started. Jon Fingas contributed to this post.
Live from Motorola's 'main event' in NYC!
It's a busy day to say the least. We hope you've had a chance to catch your breath after Nokia and Microsoft's little powwow, cause now it's time for what Motorola has rather presumptuously dubbed "the day's main event." The big news is undoubtedly a brand new LTE device, as betrayed by the Verizon logo emblazoned on our invite. Could it be the oft-leaked RAZR HD? You'll just have to check back at the appropriate time to find out. September 5, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
Live from Nokia and Microsoft's Windows Phone event!
Nokia and Microsoft plan to offer us the first taste of Windows Phone 8 today, refreshing the phone-maker's Lumia line in the process. We've had glimpses of what we're about to see, but we're expecting more details on that new software at this decidedly blueish event. Join the liveblog after the break.
Nokia and Motorola press events go down tomorrow, get your liveblogs here
Tomorrow is a busy, busy day folks. Things would be exciting enough with just one of these events going down, but you get a joint conference from Nokia and Microsoft at 9:30am (ET) followed by a Motorola announcement at 2pm (ET). Lucky you! We'll be on hand, as usual, bringing you live updates from the floor. So, check back in Wednesday, September 5th to get all the nitty-gritty details. You'll find your liveblogs here and here for Nokia and Motorola, respectively.
