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HTC talks up its Thunderbolt in four minutes of self-congratulatory oratory
The first LTE smartphone to ever grace Verizon's networks finally got released from captivity yesterday, and its maker HTC has decided to mark the event with a little promo video. You won't find much here that you don't already know about the 4.3-inch Thunderbolt, but you do get to hear from a bunch of HTC's bright lights, including Sense UI designer Drew Bamford, on the motivations behind the company's designs. And hey, there's no harm in seeing that marquee device in the flesh again, is there?
SOE offers bonus Station Cash for using game cards
Paying for subscriptions with a credit card is definitely fast and easy, but if you're a regular Sony Online Entertainment game subscriber, you might want to consider switching to a game time card this month! As a way of rewarding players for picking up and paying with universal game cards, Sony Online Entertainment is giving players $10 worth of Station Cash (1,000 SC) just for redeeming a $15 universal game card. The nice thing about these cards? They can be redeemed for either a month's subscription to an SOE game or 1,500 Station Cash. However, to get the bonus cash, you'll have to redeem your card between 3:10 a.m. EDT (12:10 a.m. PDT) on March 17th and 2:59 a.m. on March 21st (11:59 p.m. PDT on March 20th). Along with getting an extra Station Cash reward for using a universal game card during those days, players will be entered into SOE's Luck of the Irish sweepstakes, the details of which should be out sometime this week. We'd also note that SOE's disclaimer indicates that the promotion is only available to gamers in the United States/District of Columbia and excludes Puerto Rico and other outlying territories. Keep your eye on the forums or the SOE Facebook account for all the sweepstakes information and official rules.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 showcased on video, doesn't look all that inadequate to us
We have no small amount of respect for Samsung for coming out and admitting that its Galaxy Tab 10.1 slate won't necessarily be the best thing since sliced Apples, but we wouldn't go so far as to describe it as "inadequate," which is what company VP Lee Don-Joo recently called it. It's a handsome, svelte and undeniably powerful device, a set of qualities that is in full show during AndroidHD's 11-minute long video of a day spent in the company of a Tab 10.1. Now, this isn't a hands-on video so much as a commercial made by someone other than Samsung. You can tell Sammy didn't author it because nobody tries to fit this Galaxy Tab inside a pocket. Jump after the break for the ocular feast. [Thanks, Taylor]
Sprint handing out $50 and $125 service credits for number ports
If you've been looking for the right opportunity to bring your number into Sprint, we suppose you could consider this a sign from the heavens. Through April 16th, the carrier's offering incoming subscribers a $125 service credit applicable toward your bill after 60 days as long as you buy a smartphone, but dumbphone buyers aren't being left out in the cold: they'll still be able to pick up a $50 credit. There's a registration process involved -- the free money doesn't just happen automatically -- so if you're going to take advantage, be sure to read the rules and regs. [Thanks, Seth]
Conan O'Brien produces a more honest iPad 2 promotional video
Feeling a little underwhelmed by this week's iPad 2 launch? This promotional video recently unearthed by Conan O'Brien goes some distance in explaining why this might be... and why you're probably not alone. But just in case you did buy into the hype, don't feel bad: it's easy to get suckered by a smooth talker with "a non-specific ethnic accent." See for yourself after the break.
T-Mobile adds 1,500 minute plan with unlimited messaging and data for $80
Options are good -- especially when those options include all-you-can-eat data. T-Mobile has beefed up its individual plan portfolio in the past few days with a limited-time Even More package: 1,500 minutes plus unlimited text / picture messages and data for $79.99 a month, $20 less than what you'd pay for unlimited voice minutes -- and considering how passé voice calls are becoming in some crowds (we won't name names), this seems like a pretty awesome sweet spot. It's even $10 less than the normal price on T-Mobile's 1,000-minute plan, so this is one you're going to want to get while the getting's good. No word on how long it'll be available just yet.
T-Mobile offering all phones for free on contract this weekend
T-Mobile has a reputation for offering some of the more steeply-discounted promotions among the big four US carriers, but this one takes the cake: as long as you're willing to sign on for a new contract, you can get any phone they offer for free this weekend. Billed as a Valentine's Day deal, shoppers on Friday and Saturday will be eligible to get literally any handset in the store -- including the myTouch 4G, HD7, G2, and Vibrant -- gratis, albeit with their names inked on a new two-year deal. You still might be contending with a mail-in rebate to bring the net cost down to free, but it still ain't bad -- and if you already have a line of service, you can get in on the offer by agreeing to a full upgrade. Follow the break for the press release.
Motorola lifts our spirits with new Atrix 4G video
Been feeling down this cold and dreary January? Well, let Motorola "introduce" you to its new smartphone! The CES conqueror we already know as the Atrix 4G has received a fresh promo video from the mothership, highlighting its laptop and HD multimedia docks (giving us a decent peek at the docked UI for both), dual-core processor and related gaming credentials, and, of course, that gorgeous qHD screen resolution on the handset itself. It's all set to a very uplifting soundtrack, connoting all the beautiful opportunity and potential that our collective smartphone future holds. [Thanks, engadgeteer]
Star Trek Online: Deep space exploration on a budget
It's never been a better time to be a fan of the final frontier, particularly with Star Trek Online's recent Season 3 update. But if you've been biding your time on STO, just waiting for that perfect deal, today might be your lucky day. Amazon is selling the digital download version of STO for a mere $2.50 -- and that includes a full month of gameplay. Seeing as how a month's subscription runs around $15, it's quite a steal. But we'd advise you to go for the deluxe edition of STO on Amazon instead. For $5, you not only get the game and 30 days of play, but also a classic series uniform set, the Joined Trill race and a handful of other goodies that would cost you well over $10 to buy separately on the C-Store. Speaking of Cryptic's in-game store, the company has announced that all C-Store items (excluding the two newest additions) are 20% off from now through January 3rd, 2011. Since a wise starship captain is frugal with his ship's budget, this seems like the perfect time to snatch a few bargains without worrying about breaking the bank. [Thanks Omali!]
Windows Phone 7 viral reeks of the Old Spice Guy (video)
Never above appropriating an internet meme for its own nefarious purposes, Microsoft is shipping Isaiah Mustafa (Old Spice Guy, to you and us) over to Australia to pimp out Windows Phone 7 with his rippling muscles and dreamy eyes. Does your phone look like this phone? Come October 21, it could do. [Thanks, Ed]
Samsung Galaxy Tab feature tour reminds of just how pocketable it isn't (video)
Sony tried to convince us that its VAIO P was a pocketable computer, so we quite naturally pointed, laughed and mocked. It seems only fair, therefore, to give Samsung the same treatment when it tries to sell us on the idea that we'd be perfectly comfortable stashing its Galaxy Tab slate in the back pocket of our denims. Listen, the only way we're ever going to put hundreds of dollars' worth of money into our rear pocket is in note form, protected by our Jules Winnfield-endorsed faux leather wallet. But then again, if you actually like your gadgets to protrude a little bit, maybe this is just the Tab for you. Follow the break for the full video tour.
MacUpdate bundle gets Toasty, TUAW readers can win
The MacUpdate Promo bundle is back again -- this edition features the marquee player of Roxio's Toast 10 Titanium, for all your CD and DVD burning needs. Blu-ray and HD capabilities, if you need them, require the separate US$19.95 plugin from Roxio, but that's still only $70 for all the mojo of an app that would normally run $130. Plus, the bundle includes other winners like MindNode Pro, ShareTool [TUAW review] and Voila. Total retail value of the apps: over $400. There are two giveaway apps for the first 20K buyers (Vitamin-R and Compartments) but it looks like those are almost sold out already. TUAW has a couple of bundle licenses to give away, and we're eager to do so. All you need to do: enter a comment below, telling us which of the apps in the bundle is most intriguing, or most useful, or appealing, or which one makes you say "I can't imagine ever using that, but to each their own." Two comments will be selected at random as winners. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and of Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 and older. To enter leave a comment on this post discussing the MacUpdate bundle offerings. The comment must be left before Wednesday, September 22, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing. Prize: One bundle license for the MacUpdate Promo September 2010 bundle (ARV $49.95) Click Here for complete Official Rules.
Halo: Reach promo stunt has Spartan flying over Trafalgar Square
Spartans are supposed to do "Legendary" things. But apparently this wannabe Spartan stuntman went for the easy setting. Jet-packing over Trafalgar Square without a single plasma shot fired at you? Weak.
Motorola Milestone 2 makes official, albeit unintentional, debut (video)
Sometimes it takes a crafty, steel-nerved individual to leak an unreleased phone's details ahead of time. And then sometimes all it takes is a negligently uploaded video. An official promo for the Milestone 2 has popped up on YouTube before quickly being yanked by Moto. The Droid 2's international sibling unsurprisingly looks to be its carbon copy by another name: it features a 1GHz OMAP SOC, 512MB of RAM, a 5 megapixel imager, and Android 2.2 as the OS (complete with Flash Player and Froyo's native hotspot ability). We'll go out on a limb here and guess that this means the rest of the world will be getting its dose of Moto's latest and greatest QWERTY slider in very short order. [Thanks, Thomas] Update: Oh hello! Someone managed to rip the video before Motorola's retraction, so we've naturally got it embedded for you just past the break. And yes, whether you like it or not, Motoblur lives on. Thanks, qakgob!
Video: Activision, circa 1981
It was a wonderful time for America and an even more wonderful time for video games, which would, in a few years, emerge as the most important thing ever. But, back in 1981, Activision, a young scrapper in a booming industry who would one day become champion of the video game world (after defeating Apollo Creed, of course), created a now-hilarious video as a means to market the company and its products -- and that's probably the best part of this little spiel: the products. Peppered throughout the video are brief commercials for some of the company's games, including Kaboom!, Stampede and Ice Hockey -- ads very different from how Activision would market something like, say, Call of Duty: Black Ops, today. Man, remember when you could just go and call a game Ice Hockey? The times, they've done changed! [Note: Embedding has been disabled, so you'll have to head on over to YouTube to watch the video.]
Sony giving away PlayStation Move for block parties, along with completely wild freebies
Looking for a free PlayStation Move setup and a bunch of useless schwag? Too bad you didn't sign up for Sony's Ultimate Block Party. In the vein of the hilarious Windows 7 and TiVo promo giveaways of yesteryear, PlayStation's thrown a virtual bash that actually requires a modicum of interaction to properly enjoy this time. As this isn't a retail Move package, there's no traditional unboxing to be had, but soon-to-be-host Phil does show off a demo disk (with eight titles and uproarious setup guide) that we pray will be included in the final kit. Other than that, the promo box includes your standard array of party supplies -- PlayStation Move cocktail napkins, Sports Champions mini-frisbees, plastic soda can handles, and the gift that keeps on giving: a bag of Kevin Butler button badges. Because real boxers don't do Tupperware. Spot all the goodies at our source link.
TUAW giveaway: HexaLex for iPhone
We featured HexaLex as our daily app a little while back. It's an excellent Scrabble alternative, and it mixes up the tried and true formula just enough that, if you and your friends are looking for something different to play, it's worth checking out. And we're here to make that easy for you. TUAW's got 10 promo codes to give away to 10 lucky readers, so you can download a copy of HexaLex for free! To enter the giveaway, leave us a comment telling us the highest word score you've ever earned in a word game (or make one up if you've never played before). Here are the official rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, leave a comment telling us the highest word score you've ever earned in a word game. The comment must be left before midnight on Monday, August 2, 2010, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Ten winners will be selected. All will receive one promo code for HexaLex, valued at $1.99 each. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Good luck!
20 great, free iPad comics
CNET's Crave blog compiled a great list last week of twenty great, free comic books to read on your iPad. For me, more than anything else, the iPad seems perfect for a visual, interactive medium like comics. Movies are better on my big screen, and books can be read on a Kindle (or just on paper -- weird, I know), but for the iPad, having the ability to zoom in on a great piece of comic art or download new comics straight to the device to be read on that big, colorful screen seems perfect. Enter this list, which has some great free samples from both the DC and Marvel comics apps, or a few other free Comics reader apps available on the store. There's some really good stuff out there for the low price of absolutely nothing, from some classic books that are hard to find in print to some newer promo books for current series or comics that have been made into movies. Man cannot live on free alone -- if you're really into comics, you'll probably want to buy a few from their official apps (though it's a shame that pricing and selection isn't quite there yet, but hopefully Marvel and DC will eventually figure that out). And this article doesn't even mention the tons of great single-app books you can find on the App Store, for both the iPhone and the iPad. The iPad was designed for consuming media, and comic books are one of my favorite media around.
Sony confirms ten free game offer for UK PSP Go buyers, North America gets less awesome deal
Well, we've got some good news and some less good news for potential PSP Go owners. The good news is that Sony has now officially announced the ten free game offer for PSP Go buyers in the UK, which is just as we had heard and is available in quite a few countries besides the UK as well (hit up the link below for the complete list). Not among those, however, is the United States or Canada, which is where the less good news comes in. While Sony has also announced a similar promotion for US and Canadian consumers, it only covers folks that buy a PSP Go starting today (not anyone that bought one after April 1st, as in the UK), and you'll only be getting three free games, not ten -- those include LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3. What gives? We're not entirely sure, but the only other incentive Sony is offering for North America is a new line of "Favorites" titles that will be priced at $9.99 apiece.
Dead Space's Isaac Clarke playable in Skate 3
Got Skate 3? Want to bust kickflips as everyone's favorite outer space engineer, Isaac Clarke? By inputting the code "deadspacetoo" into the Cheats area under the Extras section, you'll unlock the Dead Space protagonist for use in Free Play mode. Who knew he could be so nimble in that outfit? Keen observers may notice Clarke riding on a futuristic board. That's because, by inputting the code, you'll also gain the new deck. Sorry, it's non-transferable between skaters -- we tried.
