Weibo services 'punished' for Beijing coup rumors, comments temporarily disabled

For a country who doesn't really do April Fools' Day, you know China means business when it lays the smackdown on its weibo services. Here's the background story: about a week ago there was a rumor on the Chinese web about a military coup on one of the main streets in Beijing, and coincidentally I was in town around the time (for the Windows Phone launch).

Engadget

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gadgetsdaily, Weibo services 'punished' for Beijing coup rumors, comments temporarily disabled

Infographic: Do you use your smartphone for job searching?

. Smartphones have become our go-to devices for a plethora of tasks. Undoubtedly, we have become much more productive when on-the-go. And according to an infographic provided by JIBE, this is also the case for those that are looking for employment.
It is usual to find companies that have gotten rid of paper applications. But the process has started to turn mobile, as well.


Android Phone, Infographic: Do you use your smartphone for job searching?

T-Mobile apologizes for inadvertently sending out notification bar ads

I’ve mentioned my hatred for ads pushed to notification bars before. They’re downright intrusive, and I’ll uninstall any app that does it, no matter how good it is. Unfortunately, you don’t quite get that kind of option with your carrier, so I really hope all of them learn from T-Mobile’s little error. The carrier sent out notifications to users regarding their free VIP zone, mistakenly by the sound of their response.

Android Phone

See also:
techage, T-Mobile apologizes for inadvertently sending out notification bar ads

Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)

One of the more irritating aspects of touchscreen gaming is almost certainly the inevitability of blocking the screen as you play - particularly with smaller devices like smartphones. A new peripheral being developed by Kelo University takes an interesting approach to the problem - using the device to transform the gadget's camera into a three-axis joystick of sorts by detecting the movement of markings on the add-on. According to its creators, the accuracy of the joystick depends largely on the precision of the phone's hardware.

Engadget, Add-on turns a smartphone camera into a joystick (video)

Windows 8 won't have start button in the final version?

When the consumer preview of Windows 8 was released, a lot of people noticed that one of the most prominent features of Windows that was present since Windows 95 was missing: the Start button. Well, it looks like it's going to stay that way in the final version, according to a report from the Seattle Times. Tami Reller, head of marketing and CFO of the Windows and Windows Live Division of Microsoft apparently told Nomura, an investment banking firm, that the Start button which was removed in the preview editions of Windows 8, will not be placed back in the operating system when it is finally released.

Ubergizmo, Windows 8 won't have start button in the final version?

Fiat 500X crossover will debut next year

What started as only a cute little hatchback, the Fiat 500 will now be growing into a full range of models. The new cabriolet and Abarth versions have already launched here in the United States, and we just got our first glimpse at the larger 500L (pictured above) during the Geneva Motor Show. But now, Automotive News reports that an even larger 500 crossover, dubbed 500X, will be heading into production next year. Like the 500L, the 500X will use a widened version of Fiat's small car architecture that currently underpins the Punto in other markets.

Autoblog, Fiat 500X crossover will debut next year

DevCon5 is Returning to Santa Clara this Spring

. DevCon5 is an HTML5 and Mobile App Developer Conference that will take place at The Network Meeting Center, Santa Clara, CA. April 25-26, 2012. This conference is for any developer, designer, architect, as well as technology leaders and business strategists who want to learn how to use HTML5 to create dynamic user experiences, develop new mobile business models and profit from this revolutionary new language.



Ubergizmo, DevCon5 is Returning to Santa Clara this Spring

Watch Google's autonomous car drive a blind man to Taco Bell

Do you consider yourself a driving enthusiast. If so, does the thought of handing control of your car over to a series of computers scare you to death. We understand. But perhaps it's time to remember that those of us who love to drive aren't the only ones who want to use the road.
As you'll see in the video after the break, autonomous cars hold out hope for some men and women who are simply unable to drive themselves. Take, for instance, Steve Mahan, who lost 95 percent of his vision over the course of several years, leaving him clinically blind.



Autoblog, Watch Google's autonomous car drive a blind man to Taco Bell

Imangi Studios Says New Environments, Characters, Objectives and Power-ups to Come to Temple Run

Since its launch on Android (literally only a few days ago) Temple Run has enjoyed tremendous success on the Google Play Store. With somewhere between one million and five million downloads, I'm better they could be happier with the way things turned out. The buck doesn't stop here, of course. PocketGamer had a quick chat with Imangi Studios regarding the hit game, and one interesting tidbit to come out of the interview was regarding new content.

Imangi confirmed that they are indeed working on new characters, power-ups, objectives, and environments are all being worked on.

Android Phone, Imangi Studios Says New Environments, Characters, Objectives and Power-ups to Come to Temple Run

Verizon DROID Incredible 4G Enters the MAP Process

We’ve long heard rumors of one HTC Droid Incredible 4G ready to make its way to store shelves, but outsides mere mention of the device’s name we’re not exactly sure what to expect. We’re expecting a variant of the HTC One X with LTE, of course, but anything could be the case. The device has just been subjected to MAP (minimum advertised price) which usually means Verizon is getting close to figuring out an advertising campaign (and, by association, that the device is nearly finished and ready for mass production).

Android Phone, Verizon DROID Incredible 4G Enters the MAP Process

Stealth Tablet Envelope

With tablets becoming a popular gadget people use almost anywhere, it also becomes a popular gadget for thieves to steal. Nothing attracts thieves more than a tablet lying around with its owner not minding it. But tablet owners can be one above them by having this Stealth Tablet Envelope to store their tablets in. The Stealth Tablet Envelope is designed to make those tablets as less attention getting as possible. It is designed to look like an old and worn out manila envelope that had its own share of a tough life.

Gadget.com, Stealth Tablet Envelope

Liquor stores will laugh in the Face.com at your fake ID

Okay, it's only 3 months till your glorious 21st birthday, so near, yet technology has to come along and rain on your parade. You might think you look legal, but if claims by engineers at Face.com are to be believed, they're not having it. Using the firm's face recognition technology and a new API, they believe it can determine age based on a photo. The technology is open to all developers who might want to add age restriction into their apps, although it's unlikely that you would want to rely on this as your sole method of verification.

Engadget, Liquor stores will laugh in the Face.com at your fake ID

Apple and Foxconn agree to drastically improve working conditions following Fair Labor Association report

The Fair Labor Association has released its findings from the lengthy investigation of working conditions at Foxconn's Chinese plants where Apple products are made. While the PR and report largely avoid over the top rhetoric and direct condemnations of the companies, they hardly paint a rosy picture. The watchdog found that in the last year all three factories violated not just FLA code for hours worked, but Chinese legal limits of 36 hours of overtime per month. During peak periods, employees worked more than 60 hours a week on average and many more than seven days in a row.

2DayBlog.com, Apple and Foxconn agree to drastically improve working conditions following Fair Labor Association report

Flutter offers hand gestures to control iTunes and Spotify

When Nintendo first game up with the idea of the Wiimote, Sony laughed at them, calling it “waggle controls”. You know what they say – he who laughs last, laughs best, and Nintendo certainly had the last laugh as they saw Sony's poor attempt with the Sixaxis controller followed by their lollipop known as the PS Move. Microsoft, who had chosen to remain quiet, worked on their Kinect which has yielded a fair number of impressive results when gaming with your body as the controller itself. Now, you will be able to use hand gestures on a Mac to control music on your computer sans keyboard or mouse.

Ubergizmo, Flutter offers hand gestures to control iTunes and Spotify

Production of new 15-inch MacBook Pro could start in April, 13-inch model in June

. Apple has reportedly scheduled mass production of its new 15-inch MacBook Pro to begin in April, and production of a new 13.3-inch model will ramp up in June, according to a report from Digitimes. The site's unnamed sources from Apple's supply chain said that the Cupertino-based company has ordered a far greater number of 13.3-inch models than 15-inch laptops, and it is anticipating higher demand for the smaller device. The source also indicated that the 15-inch model's monthly production capacity is expected to start with between 100,000 and 150,000 units and rise gradually.

Boy Genius Report, Production of new 15-inch MacBook Pro could start in April, 13-inch model in June

Sleeping Dogs Gets New Gameplay Trailer

Here we have a new gameplay trailer ‘Driving' from the upcoming Sleeping Dogs title. As mentioned before, this action, open world video game will hit PS3, Xbox 360 and PC later this year.



TechFresh, Sleeping Dogs Gets New Gameplay Trailer

Tricorder designs go open source: can detect magnetic fields, reveal Trekkies (video)

We're still working on our own plans to grab that $10 million Tricorder X-Prize from Qualcomm and our progress has just been given a shot in the arm from Dr. Peter Jansen, who's released the designs for his tricorders. Making all the specifics open source, his Mark 2 model runs on Linux, while the hardware includes an ARM Atmel microcontroller squeezed into a clam-shell with two OLED touchscreens. Schematics, board layouts, and the firmware is all available at the source below and also includes the initial proof-of-concept device.

Engadget

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trendygadgets, Tricorder designs go open source: can detect magnetic fields, reveal Trekkies (video)

Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus

It's no secret that Sony's A77 and A65 SLT cameras have suffered from noticeable lag when it comes to adjusting exposure settings, among other things. For those irked, you'll be pleased to know that the company has just updated both cameras to firmware version 1.05, claiming it'll "sharpen their responses." Specifically, you'll be noticing faster cold startups, quicker response times from the front and rear dials and faster access to images in auto review.

Engadget, Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus

IDC: Android Devices to Outpace Windows Devices by 2016

Once upon a time, it was a shocker to think that Android could completely overtake iOS by 2015 like some analysts predicted. Not so crazy now, is it. In fact, it's all happening at a more rapid pace than they imagined. Imagine my surprise when IDC reported that Android devices were on pace to overtake Windows devices by 2016. Notice what I wrote following the names of both operating systems: “devices.”

Yes, they believe that Windows PCs, tablets, phones and more will all succumb to defeat at the hands of Android devices of the same variety.

Android Phone, IDC: Android Devices to Outpace Windows Devices by 2016

Fisker Nina caught peeking out before New York reveal

Who wants to wait until the official unveiling of the Fisker Nina plug-in hybrid next week when we can see spy shots right this second. Neither do we. So, what do the shots reveal. For starters, we can see that the Nina is indeed shorter than its Karma big brother. This is expected, but the impression we have is that the Karma's design language translates quite well into a vehicle about the size of a BMW 5 Series. The front end, too, sports a moustache-like grille that's similar to the one on the Karma. On the back side, the "EVer" badge is still proudly in place, but the non-functional diamond-shaped exhaust outlets are missing.

Autoblog, Fisker Nina caught peeking out before New York reveal

HTC One X, S, V launch in Europe, Asia on Monday

The hotly anticipated HTC One trio is just about to hit the shelves. The HTC One X and One S flagship devices and the HTC One V mid-ranger will be available across Europe and in some parts of Asia starting Monday, April 2. Customers in just about every major European market, from Austria to the UK will get a chance to lay their hands on a shiny new HTC One smartphone come Monday.

GSM Arena

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at2359, HTC One X, S, V launch in Europe, Asia on Monday

Travel in traffic estimates return to Google Maps, promises not to suck this time

You might remember that, once upon a time, Google Maps offered you two estimates for your travel time - ideal and in traffic. The problem was, Big G's estimates weren't so great. So, the web giant quietly removed the feature last year and simply started providing traffic-free travel times. Well, trip times in traffic are back, and this time Google promises their guess work won't suck. Using both live and historic traffic data Google Maps now offers an estimate of how long your trip will take in current conditions, directly under the congestion-free time.

Engadget

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bigcrunch, Travel in traffic estimates return to Google Maps, promises not to suck this time

Daily dose of sexy brought to you by HRE Wheels, Ferrari 458 Italia (video)

We've spilled equal parts ink and drool over the new Vintage Series wheels from HRE. The pieces invoke all sorts of bedroom poster memories from our misspent youth, and seeing them bolted to some of our favorite modern supercars is enough to invoke a guaranteed smile. The guys at StanceWorks have featured a particularly moving combination. One Ferrari 458 Italia owner opted for a set of 505s in matte bronze as an homage to the legendary P4x5.

Autoblog, Daily dose of sexy brought to you by HRE Wheels, Ferrari 458 Italia (video)

Barefoot World Atlas iPad App

With the Apple iPad getting to be quite a popular gadget to have, it does provide people the means not to just be entertained wherever they go but also as a portable learning tool. With apps ever getting more and more sophisticated in terms of design and features, it can only get more and more interesting for the everyday user. Just consider this Barefoot World Atlas iPad app that lets you explore the world around you through your tablet. The Barefoot World Atlas app is an interactive 3D globe allows users to explore the different places found in it.

Gadget.com, Barefoot World Atlas iPad App

Animated LED necklace

When it comes to technology and fashion, sometimes the overlapping of categories end up with disastrous consequences, but I am rather pleased to say that with the advent of better and better technologies, you know for sure that things are starting to look up. Case in point, the Animated LED necklace from Silvia Yang is definitely something worth looking into – or rather, wear around your neck.

Ubergizmo, Animated LED necklace

NVIDIA's CEO hints at $199 Tegra 3 Android tablets for the summer

Android tablets come in a range of different prices, some high-end ones like the ASUS Transformer Prime, while some going as low as $100 (although you might have to go China for those). In any case, Amazon's Kindle Fire priced at $199 seemed like a pretty competitive price and its a price that NVIDIA's CEO, Jen-Hsun Huang believes will be the cost of future Tegra 3 tablets. The CEO was quoted in a New York Times interview as saying:. "We took out $150 in build materials, things like expensive memory," he said.

Ubergizmo, NVIDIA's CEO hints at $199 Tegra 3 Android tablets for the summer

Google gives Go 1 the green light, maintains 'experimental status'

Ready to get your Go on. Google Programming Language, or Go for short, just added a number 1 to its moniker, representing the first official release. Go 1 includes some bug fixes, but it's not a major redesign, though added support for the Windows opens the language up to a broader group of programmers - you'll also find distributions for Linux, FreeBSD and OS X. Google gives you its word that Go 1 programs "will continue to compile and run without change. on a time scale of years," so you can rest assured that your efforts will not be in vain. There's also a new version of the Google App Engine SDK, which utilizes none other than Go.

Engadget, Google gives Go 1 the green light, maintains 'experimental status'

Opera Mini 7 comes to Google Play, treads lightly on your data plan

As any Opera loving Android user will tell you, good things come to those who wait - and folks waiting for the latest version of Opera Mini to hit their devices can now relax. It's here. Like its predecessors, Opera Mini 7 promises to slash your device's data usage and speed up its browsing by compressing data on a proxy server, pushing a lightweight, reformatted page to your device.

Engadget

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techabout, Opera Mini 7 comes to Google Play, treads lightly on your data plan

Researchers working on thermal cloak, Predators trill their disapproval

Slathering yourself with mud to avoid head-hunting aliens is great and all, but it ain't exactly the paragon of good personal hygiene. Fortunately, researchers have concocted a cleaner and less cakey defense against Predators that's more likely to be mom approved. Fresh on the heels of the microwave invisibility project at the University of Texas at Austin, French researchers have found a way to make a cloak that can hide a subject from thermal imaging devices. The concept uses alternating materials with varying rates of diffusion to move heat around and create a thermally invisible region.

Engadget, Researchers working on thermal cloak, Predators trill their disapproval

Snapdragon Powered Smartphone Travels Around The World In A Single Charge

We've already seen Qualcomm's dual-core S4 processor outperform Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 in a few benchmark tests over the weekend. But how well does their little S4 perform when it comes to one of the single most important features of our smartphones — battery life. To show the world exactly how much their new processors will impact your upcoming smartphone's battery, Qualcomm took a phone outfitted with their S4 processor around the world in a single charge, and uploaded the results to their YouTube channel. Yes, we know — this sounds a bit more dramatic than it really was.



Android Phone, Snapdragon Powered Smartphone Travels Around The World In A Single Charge

DV136ZB Digital Camcorder

Priced at only $41.99, this budget-friendly digital camcorder ‘DV136ZB' from Light In The Box offers a 1.3MP image sensor, a 4x digital zoom, a 1.5-inch TFT display, a 32MB of internal storage, an SD/MMC card slot, a USB port, a TV-out and 640 x 480 VGA recording capabilities (30fps).

TechFresh, DV136ZB Digital Camcorder

ASUS Transformer Prime Update Features Outed; Face Unlock, New Lock Screen Notifications, And More

Remember yesterday when ASUS teased an awesome new update for the Transformer Prime. Well, it seems we've already gotten a sneak peak into what to expect. The new information is courtesy of the ASUS Italy Facebook page. According to them, we'll finally be getting Face Unlock, a feature that is standard in Android 4.0.
There will also be new lock screen notification control. They don't describe what this means, but it could just be the ability to access the notification pane while the screen is locked (something not currently possible).

Android Phone, ASUS Transformer Prime Update Features Outed; Face Unlock, New Lock Screen Notifications, And More

Adobe Flash Player 11.2 released with silent updates

Adobe has just rolled out its Flash Player 11.2 which will ensure that a couple of critical arbitrary code execution vulnerabilities are fixed, in addition to a silent update option. Before we move on in greater detail concerning the silent update option, let us take a closer look at the patched vulnerabilities. They start off from previous versions of the Flash Player checking out URL security domains which affect only the Flash Player ActiveX plug-in for Internet Explorer on Windows 7 or Vista. These vulnerabilities can result in memory corruptions, and can be used as a backdoor to execute arbitrary code remotely.

Ubergizmo, Adobe Flash Player 11.2 released with silent updates

Samsung Galaxy Tab Price (Updated)

Since I found more and more people asking me about the Samsung Galaxy Tab price, I want to make it simple and easy for everybody, including you. As we know, Samsung has announced and exhibited the Galaxy Tab 2 series at MWC last month. The new series include a 7″ version and a 10.1″ version. Eventhough the company stated that the new series will be launched in global market this month starting from UK, I can't find it at Amazon.co.uk yet, but it should be at the local stores there. Meanwhile, what I can do right now is displaying the price list of previous models, but I'll keep you updated from time to time.

Trendy Gadget, Samsung Galaxy Tab Price (Updated)

Insert Coin: Soundlazer speaker plays music with extreme focus

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.Here's a neat little project - a parametric speaker that can only really be heard from the front. According to its inventor, the Soundlazer utilizes ultrasonic carrier waves, focusing its output in a single direction. The Soundlazer has a 20 to 30 foot range. You can hear it from head-on, but if you move to the side or shift the direction of the speaker a bit, the output drops off. The project has 52 days to go, to reach its goal of $48,000.

Engadget, Insert Coin: Soundlazer speaker plays music with extreme focus

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition for iPad detailed further

Fans of the Baldur's Gate franchise have no doubt heard about the Enhanced Edition that will not only be making its way onto the PC, but will also be arriving on the iPad come summer of 2012. So apart from the iPad version featuring multiplayer capabilities and costing below $10, what else can we expect from the game, especially since it will be played via a touchscreen interface.

Ubergizmo, Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition for iPad detailed further

Toyota teases upcoming Avalon sedan ahead of New York International Auto Show

If you're planning on attending the New York International Auto Show which will be held on the 5th of April 2012, Toyota is one the manufacturers present at the show that you might want to keep an eye out for. The company is expected to debut its all-new US designed Avalon sedan at the show and has since teased us with a picture of the vehicle, showing off its elegant and athletic design, a design that Toyota is boasting although based on the teaser image, we can't help but agree. Unfortunately additional details of the car were not revealed but we guess Toyota is saving that for its official unveiling at the show.

Ubergizmo, Toyota teases upcoming Avalon sedan ahead of New York International Auto Show

Xero to treble its size in the UK

- 18 million pound investment and acquisition fuels new UK HQ, - more jobs & new cloud based tools for accountantsMilton Keynes, UK - Cloud software company Xero has announced the expansion of its UK operation. Buoyed by record UK sales of its online accounting software in 2011, plans include more local sales and support staff, further development of its network of accounting partners and extending its cloud software offering for accountants.

Press Release Distribution, Xero to treble its size in the UK

FTC wants new privacy framework: asks for simple controls, transparent policies

There's plenty of people bothered by the dossiers of data companies like Facebook and Google can (and do) compile on their users, particularly in places across the pond. Now, the Federal Trade Commission has come up with a privacy framework to help address consumer concerns and provide companies with best practices to proliferate better privacy policies. This new plan is articulated in the FTC's recently released privacy report, and seeks to persuade companies to adopt Privacy by Design ethos.

2DayBlog.com, FTC wants new privacy framework: asks for simple controls, transparent policies

Ubiquiti Networks beefs up outdoor wireless broadband networks with AirFiber

We won't be satisfied until we live on a planet where wireless internet waves travel at all points where oxygen is readily available, and it sounds as if Ubiquiti Networks is right there with us. The outfit has just rolled out a new outdoor wireless backhaul radio platform dubbed AirFiber, which represents its first proprietary in-house radio design effort that was purpose-built for the Wireless ISP Industry. It hums along in the license-free 24GHz band, and provides optical fiber network performance without the significant capital costs associated with fiber cable network deployment.

Engadget, Ubiquiti Networks beefs up outdoor wireless broadband networks with AirFiber

Two more Archos Arnova tablets roll through the FCC

When it rains Archos tablets, it pours Archos tablets. A day after The Arnova A9 G3 tablet strutted its way through the commission's approval process and into our hearts, two more members of the line the are ready for their cold, governmental closeups.

Engadget, Two more Archos Arnova tablets roll through the FCC

BlueStacks App Player for PC Now in Beta

Our friends at BlueStacks have announced that their App Player for PC, an app that allows you to run Android applications on your Windows desktop, is now available in beta form. The alpha, which ran late last year, was a very interesting release that showed us it's possible to run Android apps on a PC, but beta-1 takes it to a whole new level. BlueStacks is announcing that this release utilizes their patent pending LayerCake technology to make applications run as smoothly as if they were running directly on ARM devices.

Android Phone

See also:
at2359, BlueStacks App Player for PC Now in Beta

AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon investigating steering wheels with haptic feedback for navigation

Any device or system that draws a driver's attention away from the road is inherently distracting, but some navigation systems are better than others. Now, AT&T Labs is said to be hard at work developing a steering wheel with haptic feedback that may allow more drivers to keep their eyes off of the center console screen. According to MIT's Technology Review, the system uses 20 small actuators to to create a pattern of vibrations in the wheel. When the wheel buzzes clockwise, the driver is meant to turn to the right, while counterclockwise vibrations suggest turning left.

2DayBlog.com, AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon investigating steering wheels with haptic feedback for navigation

Training Budgets Look Optimistic Despite Economic Doom and Gloom, Claims SkillSoft Research

31 per cent of businesses plan to increase training budgets this yearCamberley, UK - 27 March 2012 – A staggering 93 per cent of British business leaders plan to either maintain or increase their training budgets over the next 12 months, according to research published today by global e-learning giant SkillSoft.

Press Release Distribution, Training Budgets Look Optimistic Despite Economic Doom and Gloom, Claims SkillSoft Research

From Super Duty to Call of Duty: Ford could power U.S. military's future

The future of the U.S. Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program might be powered by a Ford Motor Co. V-8. BAE Systems, Northrup Grumman and Meritor Defenses said this afternoon that their proposed light fighting vehicle, which is called the Valanx, will have a Ford Power Stroke 6.7-liter diesel engine under its steel hood.

Autoblog, From Super Duty to Call of Duty: Ford could power U.S. military's future

Israeli army's Injured Personnel Carrier is a human backpack

Because the Israeli army is often involved in very dangerous close-quarter urban combat, having wounded or incapacitated soldiers is bound to happen, and evacuation is often very problematic. To put it in perspective, it can already be difficult to navigate urban terrains when fully-loaded with weapons, ammo, water and other gears, so transporting a person on top of that may at least take out another soldier (if not two) from the fight, and that can be extremely dangerous if the tactical unit was small to start with.



Ubergizmo, Israeli army's Injured Personnel Carrier is a human backpack

T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G BOGO deal now at Costco, pay $69.99 and get two

Costco has a great deal if you're interested in picking up a Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G for T-Mobile. The new Galaxy S smartphone with support for TMo's 42 Mbps HSPA+ network can be yours for just $69.99 with a new two-year contract. That's $80 cheaper than if you'd get it at T-Mobile directly. But wait, there's more. Costco's also throwing in a Buy One Get One free (BOGO) deal.

Unwired View, T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G BOGO deal now at Costco, pay $69.99 and get two

Fisker plans to replace the battery packs on 640 Karma sedans

Fisker Automotive hasn't exactly had the smoothest of launches for its all-electric Karma sedan, and it's now been dealt yet another small setback. As Wired Autopia reports, Fisker now plans to replace the battery packs on nearly all of the Karmas that have rolled off the assembly line - apparently due to the same issue that caused the car to break down during Consumer Reports' test of the car. That includes some 640 cars in all (up from 239 in an earlier recall), although Fisker notes that it has only seen the issue on a "handful" of vehicles.

Engadget, Fisker plans to replace the battery packs on 640 Karma sedans

BMW South Africa shows off first F30-based 3 Series racer

The BMW 3 Series and racing go together like slicks and dry asphalt, so it's no surprise that the world now has its first competition-prepped version of the new F30. According to BMWBlog, BMW South Africa has partnered up with ADF Motorsport to create the 335i racer you see above. The sedan is set to debut at the Wesbank Super Series at Killarney in Cape Town on March 31. All told, the vehicle took less than two months to build with a price tag of $260,000.
The N55 turbo straight six is bereft of power-adding tweaks due to series regulations thta include a restrictor plate on the turbo and limited boost.

Autoblog, BMW South Africa shows off first F30-based 3 Series racer