When the words “tech” and “apparel” come together, some cockamamie things can often result. But this Manfrotto Pro Field Jacket is different. It doesn’t make the wearer look like a cyborg wannabe, nor does it use brash or obnoxious “hipster chic” bright colors. This item, designed for DSLR-slinging ladies, is a garment that actually puts the woman before the device.

Any gal who’s slung a heavy tote or go-bag knows how awful it is to deal with a strap that digs into those delicate shoulders. The form-fitting Pro Field deals with that via shoulder pads — yes, shoulder pads — that relieve and soften the weight without making her look like a “Dynasty” reject. Straps and tabs fasten the camera straps to her person, to prevent any flopping about. And there aren’t just pockets, but modular compartments that seat snugly inside larger pockets, to hold up to two different lenses.

The coolest thing is the attention to detail: The jacket even features a Micro-Fiber lens and screen cleaning fabric sewn right in, tucked into the sleeve’s interior. Now that’s smart thinking.

I’ve seen many female journalists don field jackets designed for men, just for the sheer practicality of the garments. But this one’s pretty refreshing, as it seems to offer all the necessary functionality, but none of the frivolous and “precious” stylings often reserved for female-oriented tech accessories. This is utilitarian wear geared for real women who want to get serious business done. If you or someone you know would can appreciate a stylish, but super functional garment like this, take note: The $349 Manfrotto Pro Field Jacket sells with a $100 mail-in rebate until July 31st.

[via ChipChick, source Press Release]

Renaissance Blood THD, a first-person shooter, is now available in Tegra Zone and from Google Play for Tegra 3-powered tablets and smartphones. The game, which was built using the Unreal 3 Engine, was specifically crafted to take advantage of Tegra 3 and offers dynamic character lighting, gamma correction and advanced physics simulation. Here’s the gist: You’ll be fighting against Renaissance era baddies with variety of weapons, including crossbows and machine guns, in an effort to find Leonardo da Vinci’s lost blueprint for a machine on a quest throughout Europe.

There are currently two levels, Bart’s Hideout and Arena but three other levels are listed as “coming soon.” We gave Bart’s Hideout a quick whirl and noticed there’s not much of a tutorial — we were gang rushed by two of the guys you see in the above image the second we started the game. It’s not hard to pick up, though, you’ll just have to fire your gun a few times to riddle the bad guys with bullets before the game carries you along on its track.

We prefer free-roam first-person shooters to track-based ones, but the graphics are certainly impressive and we’ve had a ton of fun playing Renaissance Blood THD so far. The best part? It’ll only set you back $3.99.

[via Google Play]

When Samsung announced the Galaxy S III earlier this month, there was an additional news story that broke within the GSIII’s unveiling: The once iOS-only Flipboard application was making its way to Android, but Samsung’s new flagship would be treated to a timed exclusivity. One of the motivating factors in Flipboard’s decision to make its Android debut on the Samsung’s crown jewel was the ability to work with a single display size and resolution.

We’ve got some good news for you if you don’t have plans to pick up a Galaxy S III but would still like to see what the Flipboard hype is about. Since Android phones come in a variety of shapes and sizes, Flipboard has decided to launch a beta for its Android app and is accepting signups as we speak. If you elect to participate in this program, we’d like to remind you that this is a beta build and bugs are highly expected.

[via: Engadget]

We’ve already paid tribute to an epic marriage proposal, but heck — June is traditionally the wedding month, so let’s give another nod to the nuptial theme. And what better way to do it than by giving a shout-out to this gamer geek wedding?

Theme weddings are nothing new — Star Wars nuptials are so old-school that they’ve practically become a cliché now. So when a couple manages to take a fresh tack on the geek wedding and give it a modern spin, they deserve some credit. And so we salute Matt and Asia, and their pixeltastic Minecraft wedding. Before you go thinking that this had to have been all his idea, it turns out that Matt and Asia bonded over the game (which really only cements their good match). So when Matt proposed, he chose to do it at MineCon, which even loaned out a few props for the wedding.

So as you while away hours on those building blocks of goodness, take heart: There’s someone for everyone, even the hardest-core gamer geek. Maybe somewhere out there, a gamer chick might be building monuments, battling creepers and holding out for her own MineCraft hero.

[via Geekosystem]

Don’t forget to check out the TechnoBuffalo Minecraft server at Minecraft.TechnoBuffalo.com!

If you’re an avid Android user looking for a new tablet in this “Post-PC era,” then Lenovo’s IdeaTab S2109 might be right up your alley; the company announced Wednesday that the IdeaTab S2109 can soon be yours for the price of $349. Aside from its name being more than a mouthful, the IdeaTab S2109 features a 9.7-inch, a 1024 x 768 IPS display, a TI OMAP 1GHz 4430 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, four SRS surround sound speakers, micro-HDMI output and Android 4.0. If the aforementioned specs sound appealing, this humdrum slab will be available directly through Lenovo and or Office Depot in early June.

Jon Q. is back to attack and highlight another epic mobile application. This week, JQ checks out Airphones – a simplistic one-function app that allows you to stream your desktop’s audio to your iDevice via WiFi. A niche app and function for sure.. but does it work? How well does it work? Find out in this episode of WTA!

Check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments below! And be sure to check out all the videos in the ”What’s the Apps?” series for more application reviews. Also be sure to check out the show every Wednesday on the TechnoBuffalo Revision 3 channel at 5 PM PST.

Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Full Sail University.

[via Google Voice Blog]

Samsung confirmed the news on Wednesday and pre-order pages have gone live, at least for Rogers customers. The specs are what we expected: a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display, an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, Android 4.0, Snapdragon S4 and 16GB and 32GB variants. Only TELUS has. the pricing: 16GB for $159 and 32GB for $209, both with 3-year contracts.

We got our hands-on with the Galaxy S III a few weeks ago and enjoyed the experience, but the device has some pretty stiff competition in the One X and EVO 4G LTE. We’re reserving judgement regarding the winner until we spend more time with the Galaxy S III. Now all we need now is a release date for the U.S.

[via Android and Me]

Google Maps has received an update today, which introduces as new tab to check out local hotspots, appropriately named “local.” In addition to keeping you abreast about what’s happening around town, this new update introduces Zagat scores and summaries to the mix. So, you can see utilize a wide range of local opinions before risking your lunch hour on that new deli that you’ve been debating on giving a try. Speaking of trying, you can give this new version of Google Maps a whirl by heading to the source link below.

[via: Google Play Store]

Huawei’s Ascend P1 S may hold the crown of “world’s thinnest smartphone,” but that may very well be changing soon. Fellow Chinese manufacturer ZTE is cooking up a low calorie smartphone of its own and it’s a bit of a doozy. Said to be carrying the codename “Athena,” ZTE’s latest project will reportedly have a lean form factor of 6.2mm thin. Not just a phone on a diet, this unannounced device will allegedly feature a 720p display, an ARM Cortex-A15 processer, up to 64GB of internal storage,  ZTE’s in-house Miflavor UI and Android 4.0. Carrier details remain unknown, but we’re willing to bet that the U.S. of A isn’t getting first dibs on this thin handset. Too bad the pictures aren’t good enough to provide us a decent look at the phone, but hopefully we’ll hear and see more soon.

[via: Engadget]

Now’s my chance to revel in the glory of being right. Sean and I were team leaders in that yelling match. Sean said Apple would be making a console soon, I said they have no need for one. Guess what? Here’s Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, when asked about big screen gaming:

“I view that we are in gaming now in a fairly big way. One of the reasons people buy an iPod touch is gaming. Some buy it for music. I realize that is not the big screen you are talking about. Gaming has kind of evolved a bit. More people play on portable devices. Where we might go in the future, we’ll see. Customers love games.

I’m not interested in being in the console business in what is thought of as traditional gaming. But Apple is a big player today, and things in the future will only make that bigger.”

That quote comes from Cook during yesterday’s All Things Digital event.

A while back, it was rumored that Tim Cook was spotted at the Valve offices. The idea then was that the two companies might be getting together to create a new gaming console. Consider that one officially debunked.

[via All Things Digital]

Attention T-Mobile HTC One S owners: A mild software update is heading your way. Starting on May 31st, this whopping 24.2MB over-the-air update will begin rolling out to customers who dock their HTC One S on T-Mobile USA’s network. In order to qualify for this update, your device must have more than 50 percent battery life, 350MB of storage space and cannot be rooted. For a complete breakdown of what software version 1.84.531.2 710RD brings to the table, feast your hungry eyes on the changelog below.

• Resolves goodbye splash not appearing when powering off due to low battery
• Resolves voicemail indicator not appearing while using Wi-Fi calling
• Improvements to Wi-Fi Calling
• Improvements to camera stability
• Resolves signal fluctuation

The Ford Focus Electric receives its power from a 23kWh battery that benefits from regenerative braking, meaning the car actually puts energy back in to the battery while coming to a stop. As promised to me back in Dearborn, MI by Chad D’Arcy, Ford Focus Electric Marketing Manager, the Ford Focus Electric provided instant torque upon acceleration.

The Ford Focus Electric is capable of 100MPGe, though its typical range can see a base number of around 78MPGe, which is still better than the Nissan Leaf’s average. Charging via a 240V outlet takes between 3-4 hours, while using a standard 120V outlet takes double that time. The Focus Electric also benefits from a digital LCD dash that displays fuel economy, regenerative braking progress and other information, as well as an optional touchscreen LCD dash display with Ford Sync.

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric can reach a top speed of 80MPH, though Jon did not get a chance to take it to the drag strip.

The iPhone 5, the next iPhone, Apple’s iPhone 6 — whatever you want to call it — Apple’s going to announce its next generation iPhone soon, that much is clear. We’ve seen tons of leaks and have heard plenty of rumors and speculation around the device. Every time I go to dinner with friends or meet up with family I’m asked two questions: What’s the iPhone 5 going to be like? Should I wait for it? I’ll answer the former question, and leave the latter up to you. With this guide, however, you’ll be able to speak like a true expert rumor monger when anyone asks you what to expect from the iPhone 5. Sure, none of the below is definite until Apple takes the wraps off of the new iPhone, but we’re willing to bet at least a few bits of the information below are accurate.

What We Already Know About the iPhone 5

We already know Apple has plans to launch a new iPhone that’s going to run the latest version of the company’s iOS mobile operating system. We’re expecting Apple to unveil and discuss iOS 6 in detail during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.

It’s possible, but also unlikely, that Apple will announce the new iPhone at that time. We know that iOS 6 will offer enhancements over iOS 5, but exactly what is still unclear. During a talk with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher at the D10 conference on Tuesday, Tim Cook said Apple is “doubling down” on Siri, and we’ve also read reports that the company plans to introduce a Siri API in iOS 6 so developers can take additional advantage of the voice engine. I’ve already discussed what I want out of iOS 6, so head over to my earlier article for more information on my dream features.

Finally, 4G LTE support. Verizon has already said that it will no longer offer phones that do not support its 4G LTE network, which basically confirms the new iPhone will run on 4G LTE networks. Plus, Sprint, AT&T and Verizon have all started to roll out the new networks. A 3G iPhone would be embarrassing, it simply won’t happen.

So, in other words, we know very little about what the iPhone 5 will offer. That’s Apple’s secrecy at work here, folks and why rumors are, in a way, a nice window into what we can anticipate.

What We Expect from the iPhone 5

I expect a number of improvements from the new iPhone, thanks to the photo leaks and written rumors, which I’ll discuss in depth in the other sections below. A better camera, a larger screen, a brand new thinner form factor with a possible metal backside, new 3D maps with voice-guided navigation and a fresh operating system are all expected.

I think Apple will continue its tradition of lowering the price of older iPhone models, which means you might be able to pick up an iPhone 4 for free with a contract and the iPhone 4S for just $99.99 — if its current pricing scheme remains untouched.

Apple will indeed adopt a new smaller port connector, which could be bad news for anyone who owns a ton of accessories (or a 900 pound dock) that take advantage of the current port. Hopefully it has a solution available for that conundrum, however.

Also, I expect Apple to continue offering a microSIM instead of its new planned nano-SIM standard, which it’s still battling out with RIM and Motorola. Apple has never offered a removable battery or the ability to add extra storage with a microSD slot and we don’t see the company adding those features any time soon.

The iPhone 5 Photo Leaks

Last week TechnoBuffalo published a story detailing all of the leaked photos that are allegedly part of the iPhone 5. We’ve already seen several leaked back panel images this week (in both black and white), which reportedly reflect what Apple is testing internally. Those images are in addition to leaked photos of the SIM tray, the 3.5mm headphone jack, the earpiece, the home button and the front panel. The photos are all said to come from parts suppliers, which suggests that details on the phone have already trickled their way to the companies that will provide replacement parts. Still, these leaks can’t always be trusted. Case-Mate, for example, leaked “iPhone 5″ cases ahead of the iPhone 4S launch that were in no way, shape or form related to the actual product. That’s why we have to take these leaks with a grain of salt.

On Wednesday (today), a schematic of the iPhone 5 leaked. It shows the measurements of the phone, reconfirms that there is indeed a home button and reveals that the device should be about .275-inches taller than the current iPhone 4S. Again, this is another rumor that points to a larger iPhone.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t take some interest in the images, though. Photos of devices begin to spill ahead of any launch and give a good insight in what to expect. We begin to get a better picture (pun intended) of what the device will look like as more and more photos line-up in their similarities. We saw this ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S III launch and ahead of plenty of other flagship launches before it.

Without further ado, here are much of the photos that we’ve seen so far, including new ones that have been added since our gallery last week. (There’s more after the gallery!)

iPhone 5 Photo Leak Gallery

The Written iPhone 5 Rumors

Photos are worth a thousand words, when they’re legitimate. Written rumors can often hold a bit more water when they come from trusted sources. The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, for example, recently independently confirmed that Apple’s new iPhone will have a screen size that measures at least “4 inches” in size. Journalists typically have to vet their stories through two sources so, assuming each publication had their own, that’s four sources that confirmed that screen size.

9to5Mac, another trusted site, however, had different sources and a more detailed back story that said Apple was testing an iPhone with a 3.999-inch display. That’s basically 4-inches, folks, but it contradicted 9to5Mac’s own report that the phone will offer a 3.95-inch screen with a 1336 x 640-pixel resolution.

Tim Cook, however, also suggested that Apple might stick with its 3.5-inch screen in order to avoid fragmentation. “We have one phone with one screen size, one resolution,” he said during an interview at D10 on Tuesday. “So it’s pretty simple if you’re a developer.” That’s not to rule out that Apple isn’t going to launch a larger screen size, however. Cook was quick to shoot down any questions about future products and it’s possible he used this statement as a means to keep anyone from speculating around the new iPhone. As The Verge pointed out, it’s possible for Apple to increase the screen size of the iPhone without making development harder on developers.

Apple will also reportedly veer away from Google Maps in iOS 6 and will instead adopt technology developed by Poly 9 and C3, two mapping companies that the company scooped up. The new maps application will allegedly provide 3D map images as well as voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, a feature that Apple is currently lagging behind Android with.

We’ve also heard that Apple will use a new super strong Liquidmetal technology in a “breakthrough” product, which is presumably the iPhone 5. While I first believed the entire backside of the phone would use this new technology, I’m not presuming that Apple will use it in key areas of the device that need to be strengthened, such as the borders around the display. The metal is also expensive, so Apple will likely keep costs down by using as little of it as possible.

The new iPhone is also said to be thinner. A report from iLounge said the device will measure 2mm thinner than the current iPhone 4S. We’ve heard this rumor dozens of times, however, and quite frankly we’re not so sure we really care if the iPhone is much thinner than the current model. It is by no means fat.

Wrap-Up

New rumors spill out every day, so we’re sure these aren’t the last of them. In fact, there are probably a few that have slipped through our fingers (or that we chose not to pay attention to). Hopefully this guide gives you a better understanding of most of the rumors swirling around the iPhone 5 so that, should your friends or family ask you what to expect, you can provide them with a few answers.

Yesterday, several photos of what are allegedly pictures of the iPhone 5 backside were leaked. They looked convincing enough: the back appears to have some sort of metal coating, there’s a smaller dock connector, a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom and a body that suggests the phone will also offer a larger screen. 9to5Mac said Wednesday that those images, indeed, match “what is being tested internally” at Apple. That’s exciting news if you’re pleased with what the phone’s design looks like so far. As the image also suggests, Apple will release a white and a black model of the its next generation iPhone.

[via 9to5Mac]

You’re down to the final hours to enter the contest that will see one lucky winner walk away with an unlocked and customized 32GB iPhone 4 with “Buffalo Blue” accents along with a matching power cord and charger!  This contest is brought to you by TechnoBuffalo and our friends over at Fixlogik.

To enter you need to remember:

1. Contest runs through 11:59 PM PST on Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
2. Limit of one comment/entry per day.
3. Only comments on the original contest post count towards entering.  (comments on this reminder post are turned off to avoid confusion)
4. The winner will be chosen at random from the comments by entering the final number of comments into Random.org and choosing them randomly.

Head on over to the contest post, and good luck to all of you have already entered or plan to enter!

Sprint ended up in the crossfire of an Apple versus HTC patent war, which resulted in the delay of its highly anticipated HTC EVO 4G LTE’s release date. Things eventually cleared up and the Now Network was able to ship devices to customers who had pre-ordered. Sprint also did a bit of damage control to try and make up for the inconvenience by offering free covers for the EVO 4G LTE. Now, here we are several days removed from this fiasco but anxious customers are still feeling the burn, as the HTC EVO 4G LTE ‘s stock remains extremely low and Sprint waits to receive its full inventory. Aware of the impact on its customers, Sprint has taken to its community forums and provided a status update on this sensitive situation.

While Sprint customers who pre-ordered their HTC EVO 4G LTE received their device last week, Sprint continues to wait for our full inventory from HTC.

We recently learned that HTC devices have been released by U.S. Customs. We expect shipments of HTC EVO 4G LTE to enter the U.S. in the next few days.  An exact availability date for HTC EVO 4G LTE will be communicated as soon as possible.

We’ll continue updating this post as we have new information to share.

Thank you everybody for your interest and continued patience.

Though this message may not give a specific date, it does suggest that new shipments of the HTC EVO 4G LTE are in route. Hopefully this will result in Sprint stores having the elusive device in stock before the month’s end, but considering the laundry list of holdups attached to this device’s release history, we’ll believe it when we see it.

[via: Sprint]

While we hesitate to color the details you’ll find below 100% confirmed, but we do know that Battlefield Premium is a real thing. In fact, the Battlefield folks have always confirmed its existence by way of Twitter.

Excitement for ‪#BF3‬ Premium can’t be contained! More details & info coming to http://Battlefield.com  and this feed June 4th.

Here’s the leaked fact sheet that…can’t be contained.

We assume all of this will be explored further during E3 next week. As more comes, we’ll have it.

[via GamersUnity.de]

The benchmark might not look like much to you and I, but there are apparently some very big giveaways that hint at what’s in store. Just as we suspected, the tab will come equipped with a 7-inch display with a reported 1280×768 screen resolution. The device codename, “grouper,” is also significant because it follows Google’s tendency to name Nexus hardware after fish. Cute.

But the most interesting reveal in the benchmark is the mysterious device’s software. The JRN51B build number seems to indicate the Nexus tab will run Jelly Bean right out of the box. According to AndroidPolice, the JRN build was listed as Jelly Bean only a few weeks ago, but with no reference to the OS version. The benchmark clearly shows Android 4.1, leading us to believe that that’s the version of Google’s code that’ll be Jelly Bean.

(If Jelly Bean is set to hit next month, how long before devices like the Transformer Prime receive the update? A few weeks? A few months?)

We’ve heard from our own trusted sources that Google’s Nexus tab will come equipped with NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 chip, and carry a very price-friendly tag of just $200. So let’s get this straight: Tegra 3, $200, 7-inches, Jelly Bean. That has winner written all over it.

[via Android Police]

Seems Gordon Ramsay might have one less reason to get all red in the face. Plans for his upcoming Las Vegas eatery (Gordon Ramsay Steak, in the Paris casino) seem to be going well. Not only is there buzz around this opening, still slated for a spring launch, but this will be his first U.S. restaurant to get the techy treatment: There will be 20 Apple iPads used as interactive wine lists. Loaded with an app called SmartCellar, the tablets will offer wine and spirits information as well as help with food pairings.

Of course, I couldn’t see a Michelin-starred chef firing his sommelier, so this is probably more of an extra that’s designed to give patrons a modern experience while deflecting questions like, “Does white zinfandel go with sea bass?” and other horrors.

I love seeing restaurants embrace tablets. It makes a lot of sense, since menus/wine lists can change frequently. And if customers can use them to enhance their experience, then it’s all the better.

Have you dined in any restaurants that used iPads or other mobile tablets/interactive gadgets? What did they use it for, and did it add anything to your experience there? Weigh in.

Didn’t like the recent Ratchet & Clank cooperative adventure? Neither did I. In fact, neither did a lot of fans. Most asked that Insomniac drop the locked camera and basic gameplay in favor of the series’ classic roots.

Guess what… They’re doing just that with a brand new, “fun-sized” adventure for the PlayStation 3 this fall.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ratchet & Clank franchise. As such, we already know that we’ll be getting an HD collection of classic Ratchet titles for the PlayStation 3. Now, by way of the PlayStation Blog, Insomniac Games has announced Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault for the PSN.

This will be a downloadable only title (much like Quest for Booty) and will stand as a return to form for the Ratchet gang.

Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault is a fun-sized Ratchet adventure which will be available for download exclusively on the PlayStation Store. We’ve returned to the series’ classic feel, camera, controls and weapons, while innovating and giving you a whole new way to play. Even better, the addition of online features means you can experience Full Frontal Assault with your friends, so stay tuned! We’re really excited about this game, and we hope even these small tidbits about it get you excited too.

We assume this pre-E3 announcement will be further detailed during Sony’s press conference and subsequent booth time at E3 itself. If we can manage some hands-on time with the game, we’ll bring you our impressions straight away.

Google’s Sergey Brin recently sat down with California’s lieutenant governor Gavin Newsom to give a quick demo of Google Glass, the company’s augmented reality glasses project. Sergey surprised Newsom by snapping a photo of him while sitting across the room and said that, while Project Glass has been in development for about two or three years, he has only been a large part of the project for the past year or so.

Newsom asked Brin when the public will be able to get its hands on the glasses. “I have some hopes to maybe get it out sometime next year,” Brin replied. That contradicts reports that the glasses would go on sale this year, but at least we know Google is hoping to get them out as soon as possible.

[via Business Insider]

DirecTV announced today that its current vice president of Content Strategy and Development will leave his post at the end of this year, and will be replaced by an executive from AT&T.

Derek Chang has been the vice president of Content Strategy and Development for six years now, but will depart the company at the end of the year.  Stepping into his position will be Dan York, former president of Content and Advertising Sales for AT&T.  Mr. York will join DirecTV in early July as executive vice president of Programming, and Chief Content Officer.

York’s position will see him looking after the programming and content rights for the satellite provider, as well as overseeing the ROOT Sports team.

AT&T U-verse, which York was involved in developing, grew to $9 billion in annualized sales during his tenure.

A new schematic has shown up that appears to be for the iPhone 5 and tells us a lot about what we can expect from the next iteration of Apple’s phone.

The image above (click for a larger view) appears to be a design schematic for the iPhone 5. While there is no way to tell if this is official, it does match up nicely with the multitude of iPhone 5 back panel images that leaked out yesterday.

What can be discerned from the schematics is that the “active area mark” measure 90.1mm (3.55-inches) by 51.42mm (2.02-inches).  This would leave an opening for the display of 4.08-inches when measured diagonally, but when you add in bumpers to hold the panel it would drop it closer to the 4-inch measurement we’ve heard rumored so many times.  This would also line up with the display aspect ratio of 16:9 that we’ve been hearing circulated quite often as of late.

While the schematic doesn’t list the external height of the device, MacRumors did some math and figured out that based on pixels the phone would be approximately 7mm (.275-inches) taller than the iPhone 4S.

If this isn’t the iPhone 5 at this point, or at least one of the designs Apple is considering, then someone has gone through a lot of trouble to fabricate fake back panels and draw up schematics.  We won’t know how real any of this is until Apple unveils the device, but the evidence does seem to be piling up.

[via MacRumors]