Leaks have put Sprint's version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus coming within one week in mid-April. Electronista has heard from credible sources that the target date is April 15. While unconfirmed, it corroborates both different tips to S4GRU and fits in with Sprint's habit of launching phones on Sundays.
Motorola has started up a return program after a minor but still significant privacy gaffe during a Woot auction. About 100 of 6,200 refurbished Xoom Wi-Fi tablets sold during auctions between October and December are believed to have still had some private data stored inside. These could have included anything from account logins through to personal files, Motorola said.
Early Black Friday deals for gamers have started early and include a $145 Nintendo 3DS at Target and a $199 Xbox 360 bundle at Sam's Club. The usual price for a 3DS is $170, making the discount relatively steep for a system that's otherwise the same as usual.
T-Mobile silenced rumors Thursday afternoon by detailing its version of the HTC Wildfire S. Its adaptation of the starter Android 2.3 phone is largely stock other than a distinctive white-and-chrome hue as an option alongside a more sober black. The edition's customizations are light and mostly cling to HTC's own Sense 3.0 layout.
Lodsys tested its limits on Friday by expanding its lawsuits beyond app developers. A new complaint serving as a preemptive strike against possible patent invalidation has targeted 10 companies, including Adidas, Best Buy, CVS, Sam's Club, and others, accuses them of violating two patents mentioned in Lodsys' campaign to sue iOS app developers for in-app purchases. All but Sam's Club were sued for allegedly copying one patent by having surveys on their websites, while Sam's Club, Black & Decker, and Vitamin Shoppe were sued for just using "feedback soliciting FAQs" or live help chat.
Toys R Us has quietly confirmed its plans to carry the iPad 2. The company now has a shopping page telling buyers which stores should carry the tablet. No online store entry exists, though one wasn't expected since no third-party resellers can currently offer it for sale online.
Motorola on Wednesday at last confirmed plans to launch the Xoom in a Wi-Fi version for the US. True to leaks, the non-3G tablet will ship to the US through Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Radio Shack, some Sam's Club stores, Staples and Walmart on March 27. Pricing will be dramatically lower and put it at $599 for a 32GB version.
A new sighting at Sam's Club may have put the price of a Wi-Fi only Motorola Xoom much lower than its 3G counterpart. A meeting and an early floor stand show the tablet costing $539, or a dramatic $261 lower than what Verizon charges for its contract-free version. Droid-Life's sources showed that the Walmart-owned chain would give users special bundles with a silicone "Protective Gel Case."
Walmart's sub-brand Sam's Club today said it will offer shoppers free Wi-Fi in its stores this holiday season. Wi-Fi will be in about 500 stores by November, and the chain primarily hopes this will let shoppers experience the Wi-Fi connection on the Samsung Internet-connected TV sets it carries. Users will be encouraged to access Facebook or stream videos from Vudu.
