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Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL coming to the US on March 24th, is super-effective against your eyes
Poor American Pokémon trainers that have been eying up eBay listings and import sites can breathe a sigh of relief. Nintendo has announced that the special edition yellow 3DS XL -- emblazoned with Pikachu, no less -- will arrive in the States before the end of the month. Priced at $200 and packaged with a 4GB SD memory card, it'll arrive the same day as the latest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game -- that's March 24th if you've got your pokédiary out. Walmart, Target, GameStop and Toys R S will all be stocking the handheld, although quantities are limited, so get your trucker cap, pokéballs and unerringly small backpack ready to brave those chains in a few weeks.
WSJ and NYT accuse Chinese hackers of infiltrating their newsgathering systems
And the saga continues. Just a year after Bloomberg News was reportedly targeted by Chinese hackers, both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have independently published reports suggesting that they too are being probed. Both organizations seem to think that it's all part of a larger scheme, with Chinese hackers sifting through newsgathering systems of outlets that are reporting on touchy subjects. As the Times puts it: "The attacks appear to be part of a broader computer espionage campaign against American news media companies that have reported on Chinese leaders and corporations." When asked about such a possibility, China's Ministry of National Defense (unsurprisingly) denied the allegations, noting that "to accuse the Chinese military of launching cyberattacks without solid proof is unprofessional and baseless." As it stands, the FBI is already looking into various attacks of this nature, but strangely, the hacking attempts aren't being universally viewed as malicious. Paula Keve, chief spokeswoman for Dow Jones & Co., stated: "Evidence shows that infiltration efforts target the monitoring of the Journal's coverage of China, and are not an attempt to gain commercial advantage or to misappropriate customer information." As you'd expect, both outfits are stepping up security in a major way in hopes of fending off any future attempts.
Netflix wants users to be able to share viewing habits on Facebook, US Senate agrees
We knew Netflix was big, but big enough to change the law? Apparently so, as an amendment to the Video Privacy Protection Act backed by the streaming service has been cleared by the US Senate. If the alteration gets a final sign-off from Obama himself, it'll allow Netflix users to easily share their streaming activity on Facebook -- something already implemented in regions outside the US. The current law, which makes such sharing tricky, was passed in the late 80's after a judge saw his video rental history leaked to a newspaper. There wasn't anything embarrassing in this list, but the episode begat the Act which requires a person's legal consent every time there's a request to publish such data. Instead, Netflix is proposing a one-off authorization which streamlines the whole process. We imagine the president's signature is just a formality, in which case you'll soon know exactly how many times we've watched Step Up 2: The Streets.
Forrester report finds US tablet ownership doubled this year
Forrester Research has come out with its annual report on technology consumption in the US, and tablets are certainly gaining popularity. Although slightly lower than Pew Research's figures, Forrester deduced from its nigh 60,000-strong survey that 19 percent of 'mericans over the age of 18 own at least one tablet -- double the number the research outfit noted last year. While tech penetration is lowest among adults aged 47 and up, 14 percent of this demographic now have slates, which again is twice the figure recorded in 2011. Another notable stat that's risen is daily internet use, with 84 percent of adults hopping online every day (up from 78 percent last year), and approximately half of those owning a smartphone of some variety. TVs are pretty well connected also, as 43 percent of the plugged-in population has accessed the net from their living rooms, with games consoles being by far the most popular intermediary. The whole report isn't available to the public, but why not use the time you would've spent reading it inspecting what's under the tree, and hoping you'll be responsible for upping those tablet stats in next year's report.
Sprint makes formal offer of $2.1 billion to acquire Clearwire
Sprint Nextel has just put a $2.1 billion offer on the table to fully purchase wireless provider Clearwire, verifying recent reports of "active negotiations" between the two. The network already owns a majority stake, but would like complete control of the company (and its spectrum), including roughly 12.4 percent collectively held by Intel and Comcast. However, Japanese carrier Softbank, which wants to buy 70 percent of Sprint, needs to clear the offer before it's truly official. Sprint said in a regulatory filing that the Clearwire deal also hinges on Softbank's purchase going through (expected March or April next year), so there are still a few boxes that need ticking before any formal acquisition process can begin.
Bloomberg: Foxconn plans US expansion to fill demand for American-made products
Apple CEO Tim Cook caused quite a stir when he announced that at least some Macs would soon be made in the US, and it looks like one of the world's biggest device manufacturers is now set to follow suit. As Bloomberg reports, Foxconn is planning to expand its operations in the US to fulfill what it sees as a growing demand for more Made in the USA products. While not providing many details beyond that, Foxconn spokesperson Louis Woo said in an interview with Bloomberg that "supply chain is one of the big challenges for US expansion," adding that "any manufacturing we take back to the US needs to leverage high-value engineering talent there in comparison to the low-cost labor of China." Of course, while the timing of the news is a bit coincidental, there's no indication yet that Foxconn will be working with Apple on its US manufacturing plans, nor is there any word on any other clients it's lined up.
No midnight launch for Wii U at EB Games Canada
Before you pack up the 3DS, blankets and folding chair to go wait in line for Wii U in the Great White North, know that EB Games Canada has decided not to hold midnight openings for Nintendo's new console. Rather than opening in the evening for the Wii U launch, locations in five provinces across Canada plan to open early – at 9am or 10am local time – on Sunday, November 18.Joystiq has reached out to GameStop for clarification on its Wii U launch strategy stateside after several U.S. readers sent word that their local stores will not open at midnight for the console's arrival. We know of at least 500,000 people here who are directly affected by the uncertainty.
Sprint matching its peers, getting Windows Phone 8 devices next year
Sprint was notably absent from the list of carriers adding Windows Phone 8 devices to their line-ups, but it seems the mobile network is not being left out altogether. PCMag has received a statement from Sprint which claims that it's allying with Microsoft to make WP8 handsets available "next year." Despite rumors an LTE model was destined for the carrier, nothing materialized, and the WP7-loaded HTC Arrive even disappeared from its ranks. It looks like these weren't signs the relationship had gone sour, and now at least, customers can be assured they won't need to switch providers to get their hands around a WP8 device. However, "next year" is a pretty big window, so we'd be hesitant to assume something's coming mere weeks into 2013. Waiting a while might not be so bad, though -- it could even mean an exclusive handset or two might find its way to steadfast patrons.
Sprint sits out Windows Phone 8 launch in the United States after tepid WP7 reaction
Microsoft may be readying an all-out marketing blitz to get Windows Phone 8 all up in your cranium, but those loyal to Sprint won't be getting anything but perturbed. During today's Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile were "all in" for Windows Phone 8. Strangely, however, America's number three carrier is evidently "all out." While Sprint was a carrier for Windows Phone 7 handsets like the HTC Arrive, the carrier was showing cold feet as far back as January of this year. Given that the Arrive was its "most returned phone," though, it's hard to cast blame. It could very well be due to the way Sprint's 4G drama has gone done -- at the time, Microsoft likely didn't want to create WP8 devices that supported by WiMAX and LTE, and now that Sprint has foregone the former in order to grab the latter, it's all a bit too late. Of course, it comments made to PhoneScoop earlier this year by spokesperson David Owen are to be believed, Sprint may join the WP8 party early next year. Sort of seems like a familiar refrain, actually. For more, check out our Windows Phone 8 event liveblog!
Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut arrives on PS3 in Q1 2013 [update: Move confirmed]
Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut is pulling into PlayStation 3 in the first quarter of 2013 for North America and Europe, Rising Star Games announced. The enhanced re-release includes new content, and will receive new downloadable content. It also features a high definition face-lift and reworked controls.Deadly Premonition creator SWERY65 announced the remastered PS3 edition of his 2010 cult favorite back in March, telling us it would feature new content and Move controls. The press release from Rising Star makes no mention of Move, so we've reached out to the publisher for confirmation.Update: Rising Star confirmed to us Move support is still planned.
International Telecommunication Union: worldwide mobile subscriptions hit six billion in 2011
Last year, the UN's International Telecommunication Union (ITU) told us there were five billion mobile subscriptions worldwide at the close of 2010, and now it's reporting that at the end of 2011, that figure hit a staggering six billion. China and India account for one billion a piece, and it brings us ever closer to having the equivalent of one subscription for every person on the planet. (According to the CTIA, there are already more cellular plans in the US -- around 322 million -- than there are inhabitants.) In a stat-heavy release from the ITU, it also ranked the most advanced telecoms countries, with South Korea placing first, Japan eighth and countries in Europe filling the remaining spots. Interestingly, the number of global mobile broadband subscriptions now outnumbers fixed ones by two to one, and mobile internet services showed the biggest growth rates in 2011: 40% worldwide and 78% in developing markets. The ITU attributes the latter figure to the relatively high price of fixed access in these countries, and the increasing availability of mobile alternatives. The CTIA also commented on mobile broadband use, reporting that from July 2011 to June this year, Americans consumed 104 percent more data -- no doubt due, in part, to people taking advantage of expanding 4G coverage. As usual, we've given you the cheat sheet, so if you'd like the full reports and have got a thing for statistics, there's plenty more in the source links below. [Image credit: Chris Jordan]
Galaxy Note II coming to T-Mobile on October 24th, say leaked documents
Samsung's Galaxy Note II is happily filling hands in Korea and the UK without so much as a release date announced stateside. We may now have one, thanks to the folks at TmoNews, who appear to have snagged an internal document which suggests the phablet will arrive at the Magenta carrier on October 24th. Coincidentally (or not), Samsung is holding an event the same day, marrying with our previous speculation that it'll be unveiling the various carrier editions of the 5.5-inch beast there. Our suspicions are flagged, however, at the mention that Need for Speed: Most Wanted will come pre-installed, a game that isn't slated for release until October 30th -- not that we haven't seen similar release partnerships from the Note crew before. Although we can't confirm the legitimacy of this leak, we can suggest you start building up that grip strength just in case.
Presidential flamewars, er, debates start tonight at 9PM ET on YouTube
Web video sites and civilized discourse have never been particularly compatible concepts, but that's not stopping YouTube from giving it a shot. Roughly a month ahead of the next US presidential election, YouTube be the host to the first of three presidential debates. You can tune into the first tonight at 9PM ET via the site's Elections Hub, courtesy of the folks at ABC news. Further debates can be streamed on the site on the 11th and 22nd at the same time, with then Vice Presidents getting their moment in the web video spotlight on the 11th. Click on the source link to tune in, but stay away from the comments if you're interested in retaining any faith in the political process, and or humankind.
Pew Research finds 22 percent of adults in US own tablets, low-cost Android on the rise
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that more Americans than ever now own tablets, but if you'd ever wanted some quantifiable data to go along with that homespun wisdom, then the Pew Research Center is glad to help. According to its latest report, 22 percent of US adults now own a tablet of some form. While the iPad remains the dominant player in the space with a 52 percent market share, this figure starkly contrasts the 81 percent share that Pew reported in 2011. As you might expect, Android tablets have made significant inroads and now account for 48 percent of the overall tablet space. Leading the Android charge is the Kindle Fire, which alone accounts for 21 percent of all tablets sold. It's worth pointing out that Pew's survey was conducted before the release of either the Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD, which means that even the most recent information is a bit behind the curve. You'll find a press release after the break that provides a much broader take on Pew's latest findings in the mobile space, but those who want to go straight to the meat should hit up the source link below.
ComScore: iPhone grew to 34 percent US share in a pre-iPhone 5 world, Android still on top at 52 percent
Apple is all too used to the rumor cycle affecting its sales: the company just saw a dip in sequential iPhone shipments this spring as customers waited for what would ultimately become the iPhone 5. If you believe ComScore's US smartphone market share estimates, though, Apple wasn't the worse for wear this August. While the iPhone was in the doldrums this spring, it jumped almost a whole point versus an already positive July to hit 34.3 percent; we're wondering if last-minute discounts played a part in keeping iPhone 4S sales healthy. Google didn't have much to fear and saw Android climb to 52.6 percent, even if its ascent wasn't as rapid as that of its Bay Area neighbor. RIM took the brunt of the losses and dipped to just 8.3 percent of the market in what's increasingly a two-horse race, although Microsoft's Windows Phone held its ground at 3.6 percent. The wider US cellphone market tells a familiar story, with Samsung on top. There's signs that the narrative is very close to changing, however: LG and Apple are now close enough, at one point's difference, that Apple could seize second place by the time we see ComScore's figures for September. Before interpreting Apple's performance as some sign of a wider reversal of fortune, just remember that most of its challenges are on the world stage. There's no guarantee that the Android-focused markets beyond American borders have been as receptive to iPhone price drops and updates.
Lenovo building PC production facility in North Carolina
North Carolina is fast becoming a haven for tech behemoths, with Chinese giant Lenovo becoming the latest to plant its flag in the Southeastern soil. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is readying a PC production facility near its US headquarters which will kick off operations next year. Aside from securing bragging rights over competitors which no longer manufacture in the US, the factory is intended to satisfy stateside customers who "demand for flexible supplies and product customization." While it's initially a small operation -- employing slightly over 100 people -- the aim is to expand in the future, meaning that elusive "Made in America" sticker may become a little more commonplace.
Toyota plans dialed-back launch of eQ and iQ EV city cars in December
Toyota's just-arrived RAV4 EV will soon get a much smaller cousin -- albeit a very elusive one. An electric version of the iQ city car will arrive in Japan (as the eQ) and the US (as the iQ EV) this December, but the automaker is significantly scaling back its 2010 promises of several thousand cars sold per year to just 100 fleet-oriented vehicles. The charging times, costs and range of EVs "do not meet society's needs," vice chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada says to explain the smaller ambitions. It's easy to understand the cautious approach after seeing the car's final details. While they're not out of line with the specs of other EVs, the eQ's 3-hour fast charge, 62-mile range and ¥3.6 million ($46,130) price wouldn't have regular customers flocking to dealerships. Most of Toyota's energy is instead being funneled into its tried-and-true hybrids, with 21 due on the market by 2015, as well as plans to deliver the company's first hydrogen fuel cell car by the same year. Eco-conscious drivers may be disappointed that Toyota isn't moving as aggressively into a pure electric realm as some of its rivals, but we'd rather see smartly planned baby steps than an overly risky plunge.
Nintendo maintains region-locking policy with Wii U
Nintendo today disclosed that the Wii U is region-locked. Speaking to CVG, the company confirmed the new console won't support games purchased outside of its region, meaning North American Wii U systems can only play games bought in North America. Nintendo then closed its arms and grumbled furiously under its breath, before finally blowing us an unnecessarily long raspberry (or so it seemed to us.)While Sony and Microsoft leave the decision to region-lock games with publishers, Nintendo typically takes matters into its own hands. The GameCube, Wii, and 3DS are all region-locked, although the DS isn't. We should know, we've played plenty of Ouendan on ours. Such good times (sigh.)
iPhone tops J.D. Power satisfaction survey ... again
Every year at about this time, J.D. Power and Associates releases the results of the U.S. Wireless Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study. For the eighth consecutive year, Apple is at the top of the list in terms of customer satisfaction for smartphones. On a 1,000-point scale, Apple ranked first with a score of 849, performing well in all key factors used to determine the overall score. Physical design, which makes up 23 percent of the overall satisfaction figure, and ease of operation (22 percent) were given particularly good marks by iPhone consumers. HTC was in second place with a overall score of 790, while rival Samsung trailed the average for the study with a score of 782. Apple was the only company in the survey to gain a Power Circle Rating of "Among the best," while Samsung was "About average" and beleaguered BlackBerry manufacturer RIM was just among "The rest." via The Loop
Shocker: smartphone users like bigger screens, market share may respond accordingly
There's been a trend towards big smartphones. Sometimes, really big. Even so, concerns have persisted that the cart is driving the horse -- that customers are buying big phones because that's what's available, not because they have a preference. Kantar Worldpanel ComTech might not put that issue to bed once and for all, but its latest study suggests that there's at least some appeal to all that extra glass. Among Android phones sold in the past three months across eight countries, 29 percent of them had a screen larger than 4.5 inches. Their owners were unsurprisingly more active as well, using the internet and watching videos more often than those whose phones have more modest displays. Market share might be following suit. Throughout the countries Kantar is tracking, Android still has roughly half or more of the market, ranging from 46.8 percent in Brazil to a staggering 86.8 percent of Spain. In Europe alone, it was up by just over a fifth from a year ago. We know iOS is taking a beating outside of the US as a result. Before anyone calls the trend irreversible, however, remember that we're on the edge of an unpredictable period: we know some mobile fans have been holding out for a new iPhone, and all the apparent rumors have Apple choosing a bigger screen that might satisfy some outstanding gripes with screen sizes. We're also anticipating at least a few Windows Phone wildcards that could shake up the status quo and make this a three-horse race.
