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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Verizon ramps up trade-in, upgrade programs in advance of iPhone 4 launch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/verizon-ramps-up-trade-in-upgrade-programs-in-advance-of-iphone/

Not exactly a huge surprise here, but it looks like Verizon will be doing everything it can to pair folks with a new iPhone 4 when it launches on the carrier next month, even if they've just purchased a new phone on Verizon or another carrier. During an investor meeting this week, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo revealed that the carrier will be using its existing trade-in program (which launched in October) to lure would-be customers, with a Verizon rep further detailing that it will be "more actively" promoting the plan in the lead up to the iPhone 4 launch -- under that program, a 16GB iPhone 4 from AT&T will net you a $212 credit. In addition to that, Verizon is also rolling out a new "Special Upgrade Offer" that will let existing customers trade in a phone they've recently purchased for a Visa debit card ($200 for a smartphone trade-in, or $75 for a feature phone). Only those that have purchased a phone between November 26th, 2010 and January 10th, 2011 will be eligible, though, and you won't exactly get that cash right away -- you'll first have to first buy and activate your iPhone 4 at the full retail price, send in your trade-in phone within 30 days of activation, and then wait four to six weeks to receive the debit card.

Verizon ramps up trade-in, upgrade programs in advance of iPhone 4 launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer debuts Ferox portable gaming speakers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/razer-debuts-ferox-portable-gaming-speakers/

Well, it's not exactly the announcement we were hoping for following Razer's impressive showing at CES earlier this month, but the company has just gotten official with another product that will soon be available: its new Ferox portable gaming speakers. Described as a "sophisticated, modern day boombox for gamers," the speakers promise to deliver some "room-filling," 360 degree omni-directional sound, 12 hours of battery life from the built-in rechargeable batteries and, of course, full compatibility with anything sporting a 3.5mm jack. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look, and look for the speakers to be available by the end of the month for $60.

Gallery: Razer Ferox speakers

Continue reading Razer debuts Ferox portable gaming speakers

Razer debuts Ferox portable gaming speakers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon's 4G LTE dongles get Mac support in February

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/verizons-4g-lte-dongles-get-mac-support-in-february/

Verizon's LG VL600 LTE modem received a software update today, but there's no need to wake your MacBook from its peaceful slumber -- there still aren't any drivers for Apple computers, over a month after we were promised a relatively imminent update. That said, Verizon told PhoneScoop today that the carrier's LTE dongles will indeed support Apple at some point next month, which is itself only days away. Pantech UML290 owners can bide their time with a workaround, but we LG users will take what we can get, eh?

Verizon's 4G LTE dongles get Mac support in February originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soundfreaq's SFQ-01R Sound Platform goes red and black for Valentine's Day

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/soundfreaqs-sfq-01r-sound-platform-goes-red-and-black-for-valen/

Remember that SFQ-01 Bluetooth audio system you were swooning over late last year? If you twiddled your thumbs on buying one, here's a shot at redemption: Soundfreaq has just pushed out a limited edition red and black version just in time for Valentine's Day, and outside of the color change, everything else remains the same. It's up for pre-order now at Amazon for a penny under $200, and trust us, your significant other will love it. Even if said SO is... you.

Continue reading Soundfreaq's SFQ-01R Sound Platform goes red and black for Valentine's Day

Soundfreaq's SFQ-01R Sound Platform goes red and black for Valentine's Day originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen's XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 313MPG fuel efficiency, questionable aesthetics

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/25/volkswagens-xl1-concept-plug-in-diesel-hybrid-has-313mpg-fuel-e/

Steaming down the autobahn could be about to get a whole lot more efficient. Volkswagen has carted out its newly updated Super Efficient Vehicle concept, now dubbed the XL1, which -- after a great deal of fuzzy math, we're sure -- is rated at a 313MPG fuel efficiency and produces only 24g of CO2 per kilometer traveled. There's an electric motor and a TDI diesel engine making all the buzzing and roaring noises inside, while the overall body design is focused on making the car as light and as aerodynamic as possible. Volkswagen has achieved a 795kg curb weight by using carbon fiber, magnesium, ceramics, and aluminum to shave down any excess portliness from the XL1, while wind-tunnel testing and optimizations have resulted in a rather exemplary 0.186 drag coefficient. It's rare to see such attributes on anything outside the supercar realm, but then there's a reason why this PHEV is still only a concept. FOF.

Continue reading Volkswagen's XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 313MPG fuel efficiency, questionable aesthetics

Volkswagen's XL1 concept plug-in diesel hybrid has 313MPG fuel efficiency, questionable aesthetics originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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