SlashGear » Walmart

Sony’s ModNation Racers on PS Vita already on sale at Walmart

Mark Raby — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:10:32 +0000

You won’t be able to do anything with it for nearly three weeks, but if you feel so inclined you might be able to go down to your local Walmart and pick up a PlayStation Vita game. There are reports of the launch title ModNation Racers: Road Trip already being stocked on the shelves of the discount retailer. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t count on being able to find an actual Vita until it goes on sale on February 22.

This isn’t necessarily retailer error, though with Walmart we wouldn’t automatically give them the benefit of the doubt. It’s possible Sony didn’t put an embargo on the game because giving out early units isn’t that big of a threat (you still need the Vita before you can play it). Or perhaps it’s a way to grab some early sales from customers who would otherwise have had no interest in ModNation Racers but jump are too anxious for their Vita to turn away an early copy.

A third possibility is that the early copies are only available to Walmart. Game publishers have been known to give special bonuses or perks to the world’s biggest retailer because it is such an important part of any game company’s bottom line. In any event, it doesn’t really matter *why* it’s there, just that it is there. So if you absolutely positively need to hold something Vita-related in your hand before February 22, head down to Wally World.

[via Kotaku]

Sony’s ModNation Racers on PS Vita already on sale at Walmart is written by Mark Raby & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple received more online traffic than eBay or Walmart last month

Paul Fang — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:45:44 +0000

The word is in that Apple received more traffic online last month than Walmart or eBay. In fact, Apple is the sole retailer other than internet shopping sites Amazon and eBay to be in the top fifteen most visited websites in the United States in November, according to ComScore. The research company believes that pre-holiday shopping may have been what largely helped facilitate Apple’s huge push past some of the largest online stores for internet-based visitors.

How does a single mere technology company pass some of world’s largest online retailer in internet traffic? The answer is simple, and comes down to a single word; iTunes. The digital media store consists of roughly 30 percent of Apple’s almost 80 million U.S. unique visitors last month. Ad Age reports that Apple receives almost as many online hits as the largest newspaper site, that of the venerable New York Times.

Together, Apple’s website and iTunes had over 79.2 million unique visitors in November, enough to push it past eBay (72.1 million) and even retail behemoth Walmart (58.5 million). Other major shopping sites it edged out were Best Buy (36.5 million) and Sears (31 million). Apple was ranked 13th overall in terms of U.S. unique visitors in November, behind only major online sites like Google, Facebook, and Yahoo.

[via AdAge]

Apple received more online traffic than eBay or Walmart last month is written by Paul Fang & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Netflix price-fixing suit tossed out of court

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:00:22 +0000

Netflix has been involved in an always dating back to allegations in 2004 that alleged it and Walmart had colluded to fix prices in the online movie market. Walmart had apparently decided the case was lost and had sent out emails telling subscribers they would receive payment over the suit settlement. It appears not that Netflix will not be paying after all.

A federal judge yesterday dismissed a class action suit against Netflix. The allegations claimed that the price fixing resulted in Netflix subscribers paying more for DVDs between 2005 and 2010. Walmart had announced that it was setting aside $27 million to pay the class. It was assume that Netflix would be paying out as well.

The crux of the case was that the deal allegedly resulted in Walmart deciding to leave the DVD rental business. The judge presiding over the case was US district Judge Phyllis Hamilton and she said that Walmart leaving the DVD online rental business and an alleged agreement was not enough for an automatic antitrust violation.

[via PaidContent]

Netflix price-fixing suit tossed out of court is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

T-Mobile outs $30 4G plan for Walmart shoppers on a budget

Chris Davies — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:29:57 +0000

T-Mobile USA has announced a new data 4G plan, to be exclusively offered at Walmart at just $30 for 5GB of HSPA+ data with no annual agreement. The plan – which will revert to 2G speeds after the 5GB allowance is up – also includes unlimited text messages and 100 voice minutes. Walmart will be offering it with its six-strong range of T-Mobile devices, including a new pre-pay phone.

Of course, when T-Mobile USA says “4G” it really means HSPA+, so you shouldn’t expect speeds on a par with LTE. Still, it’s one of the cheaper ways to get online while mobile, while calls outside of the 100 minute allowance are charged at 10 cents per minute.

The new prepaid plan will launch on October 16 across Walmart stores and online. No details at this stage of which new T-Mobile handset Walmart will be offering, though we’ll update when we find out more.

T-Mobile outs $30 4G plan for Walmart shoppers on a budget is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch pre-orders at Walmart for only $99

Rue Liu — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:02:37 +0000

Walmart has begun pre-orders for the Now Network’s version of the Samsung Galaxy S II known as the Epic 4G Touch and it’s offering it up at an awesome price. Originally said to cost $199 with a new two-year contract, the handset can now be had from Walmart for only $99 on contract.

The much anticipated Samsung Galaxy S II made its US debut on August 30 and is expected to arrive on the nation’s third largest carrier on September 16. It will be the first of the three US version to launch. The other two will be from T-Mobile and AT&T, each with slight differences in hardware, mainly in the exterior look and screen size.

As the WiMAX-toting Epic 4G Touch, the device will feature a larger 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display and a slightly more rounded chassis. Inside, all the powerful specs are about the same with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB onboard storage. It also has a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with auto-focus, LED flash, and 1080p HD video capture.

The device will have Samsung’s Touch Wiz UI running on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread and can function as a 3G/4G mobile hotspot for up to eight devices. For more details, make sure to check out our hands-on and video.

[via Android Community]

Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch pre-orders at Walmart for only $99 is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung Galaxy Precedent Makes Off-Contract Android Ultra Cheap

Chris Burns — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:13:37 +0000

The folks at Samsung have revealed a device by the name of Galaxy Precedent, a device that would certainly have appeared to be a decent little phone on the top of the mid-range in 2010, but now certainly has the specs that work with its price at $150. But here’s the thing: this isn’t the price you’ll be paying if you buy the phone connected to a two-year contract, it’s the price you’re paying OFF contract. That means that this is a good deal, for real. This device is the Samsung M828C, what’s very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Prevail, and is available at places like Walmart and places where TracFone are sold.

This device is not yet available, but once it is, you’ll have the ability to connect it to a no contract unlimited $45 30-day plan which includes talk, text, web, and calls to 411. Of course this plan is subject to quite a few limitations, as a truly unlimited plan for $45 a month would otherwise be the best deal in the USA without question. Instead there are a few limitations as outlined in the Terms and Conditions at the StraightTalkAndroid website, Straight Talk being the group you’ll be working with to get voice and data on the device:

The Straight Talk Unlimited Plans MAY NOT be used for any other purpose. Examples of prohibited uses include, without limitation, the following: (i) continuous mobile to mobile or mobile to landline voice calls; (ii) automated text or picture messaging to another mobile device or e-mail address; (iii) uploading, downloading or streaming of audio or video programming or games; (iv) server devices or host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing; or (v) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections. This means, by way of example only, that checking email, surfing the Internet, downloading legally acquired songs, and/or visiting corporate intranets is permitted, but downloading movies using P2P file sharing services and/or redirecting television signals for viewing on laptops is prohibited. A person engaged in prohibited uses may have his/her service terminated without notice or a refund.

This device has Android 2.2 FroYo installed on it out of the box, has an unnamed 800mhz processor inside, a 3.2-inch touchscreen display at 320 x 480 pixels, a 2 megapixel camera on the back, 384MB of RAM, microSD card slot capable of holding up to a 32GB microSD card, and Bluetooth. You’ll be working with Straight Talk as a carrier and you will indeed have the Android Market installed out of the box as well. A little monster for those without the bigtime cash to have a 2-year plan.

Samsung Galaxy Precedent Makes Off-Contract Android Ultra Cheap is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Vizio Tablet Gets Price Cut To $299

Rue Liu — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:02:22 +0000

The budget-friendly Vizio Tablet has just become even friendlier on your wallet. The 8-inch Android slate was originally released on Vizio’s own website and to limited retailers with a price tag of $329. But now it’s finally hitting the store shelves of Walmart, Sams’s Club, Costco, and Amazon, sporting a new low price of $299.

The Vizio Tablet is designed with the best value in mind for the general consumer. But more so, it’s meant to be the ultimate companion for your home theater. It boasts some unique features such as an integrated IR blaster for controlling up to 95% of your home theater electronics. It also has three speakers that adjust to provide proper stereo sound no matter what orientation it’s held.

Additionally, it provides standard micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports for convenient connectivity as well as a microSD card slot that can expand the internal 2GB memory with up to an additional 32GB. It supports Bluetooth, WiFi, and Flash. If you’re curious to know more about this budget tablet, make sure to check out our full review.

Vizio Tablet Gets Price Cut To $299 is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Walmart leak pegs Vizio 8-inch tablet launch 6-weeks out

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:39:33 +0000

Earlier this week, we saw the Vizio tablet in video when NBA star Blake Griffin was hooked up by the Vizio man with a new home theater and a tablet to control the system. I like how the tablet can integrate with the Vizio home theater and work like a universal remote control. I also really liked the cool stereo speaker setup that Vizio used so you get stereo sound in portrait and landscape modes.

If you like the tablet, you may have been pumped when the price of $349 was leaked this week for the little tablet. That will make it a bargain offering. The only thing we don’t know is when the tablet will launch. Another leak has surfaced from a kindly Walmart worker that shows a photo of the screen of the inventory system at Walmart.

The screen shot shows that Walmart will be launching the Vizio 8-inch tablet at the start of week 26. That puts the launch of the tablet at 6-weeks out. We don’t know if it might show up before then at other sellers or not. I am betting the Vizio tablet sells pretty well at $349, if that price turns out to be true.

[via Android Community]

Walmart leak pegs Vizio 8-inch tablet launch 6-weeks out is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

HTC Sensation 4G On Sale Early At Some Walmarts

Rue Liu — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:33:11 +0000

HTC’s new flagship phone, the HTC Sensation 4G, is reportedly going on sale early at some Walmart locations. The phone was recently knocked for having an iPhone-like “death grip” signal strength problem, which the company quickly dismissed as false. If the issue doesn’t perturb you and you’d like to grab one early, then be on the look out at your local Walmart.

According to some pictures taken and sent in to Android Community, the HTC Sensation is already being sold at Walmart for a low price of $148.88. The pictures were sent in from two readers based in Texas, who claim that they had just picked up two of the phones. They said that the manager even checked the system to make sure it was okay to start selling them.

The pictures show the devices along with the boxes and the receipts. But it’s not clear if Walmart is selling the HTC Sensation 4G with contract only or also offering them off contract. But if you’ve been wanting to get your hands on this phone, then you might try heading to your local Walmart right now and hope that you’re just as lucky.

[via Android Community]

HTC Sensation 4G On Sale Early At Some Walmarts is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Walmart Drops Price on iPhone 4 to $149 in Select Stores

Ammon Carpenter — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:58:54 +0000

The hard part will be finding one in the store. We were unable to confirm which stores will participate in the price drop or how many were still in stock. Walmart has sold out of the iPhone on-line at $199 in both Black and White. Verizon still has the iPhone 4 at $199 with new 2-year agreement. With the Holidays so far away, we can only guess that this move was based on the mounting rumors about the iPhone 5.

Walmart only caries the 16GB Black and White versions of the iPhone 4, and the price drop applies to AT&T and Verizon versions. Consumers will be required to get a new 2-year agreement from one of the carriers to get the new discounted price. The price move seems to be a little premature, since the focus of Apple’s WWDC seemed to be on other announcements. It is especially interesting when other retailers don’t seem to be clearancing their own stock.

The sale will run from now until June 30 (if any remain in stock by then). Earlier this year AT&T made a similar move when they dropped the price of the iPhone 3GS to $49. With the release of the iPhone 5 still on the horizon, now would seem like the time to grab the iPhone 4 at this discounted price if you can find one at your local Walmart. We still can’t help but wonder: Is this just an attempt to get rid of some overstocked merchandise, or does Walmart know something we don’t? There certainly isn’t any history between the two retail giants to indicate the latter.

[via pcmag]

Walmart Drops Price on iPhone 4 to $149 in Select Stores is written by Ammon Carpenter & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

HP TouchPad to hit Wal-Mart June 12, OfficeMax in July?

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:17:19 +0000

Fans that have been looking forward to the HP TouchPad WebOS tablet have an unofficial date to look forward to for the tablet to land in stores. We previously reported that the TouchPad would hit Wal-Mart for $599 when it finally lands with 32GB of storage onboard. While HP has still not offered up an official launch date for the device, it’s looking like that rumored June launch will be true. The QuickSpec sheet for the TouchPad has turned up.

On the bottom of the spec sheet for the tablet is a date for the worldwide launch of the tablet and that date is pegged as June 12. Apparently, all the QuickSpec sheets that are offered for various HP devices have the launch date on the bottom like that. Another rumor has surfaced that claims OfficeMax will stock the TouchPad starting in July. It’s not uncommon for OfficeMax to be behind on stocking new products like the Touch Pad.

The TouchPad also has another new rumor that is interesting and confusing. The OfficeMax document that surfaced pointing to that July launch date also lists 3G and 4G versions of the tablet. We aren’t sure if the 4G will be the real deal LTE or the fancied up 3G network with the 4G name. It could also be a mistake on the OfficeMax document.

[via PreCentral]

HP TouchPad to hit Wal-Mart June 12, OfficeMax in July? is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

HP TouchPad 32GB To Hit Walmart For $599

Rue Liu — Thu, 19 May 2011 23:47:37 +0000

The HP TouchPad is set to launch sometime this summer, but so far HP’s kept pretty quiet on the details. A leaked lineup sheet back in March revealed that the TouchPad may arrive sometime in June with prices that correspond to those of the iPad 2. Today, a leaked screenshot of a Walmart inventory page shows that its pricing remains the same and that various accessories will also be available.

Walmart will be selling the 32GB WiFi-only version of the HP TouchPad for $599. Walmart will also be carrying a TouchPad-specific Touchstone Dock/Stand for $79.88. The dock/stand will be powerful charger that has two sets of inductive charging and communication coils. Other accessories include a webOS Bluetooth keyboard for $69.88, and an official TouchPad protective case for $49.88.

The HP TouchPad will sport a 9.7-inch 1024x 768 resolution touchscreen, running on a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, but with only a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera. Not having a rear-facing camera at this point in the tablet market seems a bit odd, but they must be wagering on the enthusiasm for its webOS platform.

[via PreCentral]

HP TouchPad 32GB To Hit Walmart For $599 is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

iBUYPOWER gaming PCs arrive at Walmart

Chris Davies — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:33:21 +0000

Walmart may not be the first place you think of stopping by when you need a new gaming PC, but iBUYPOWER is hoping to change that. The manufacturer has made a name for itself for high-powered, generally overclocked desktops, and now those computers are also available through Walmart’s online store.

Systems can be configured with a choice of AMD Athlon X6 645, AMD Phenom II X4 840 or X6 1075T, Intel Core i5-2500K or Intel Core i7-2600K processors, along with various AMD or NVIDIA graphics cards. RAM is up to 8GB while storage is up to 2TB, and there are various optical drives and cases to pick between.

Unfortunately this doesn’t mean you can head down to your local bricks & mortar Walmart and sign up for an iBUYPOWER PC, but perhaps if online sales are strong enough then it’s something they’ll consider branching out to. The Walmart iBUYPOWER gaming PC range kicks off at $578.

Press Release:

iBUYPOWER Partners With Wal-Mart to Launch Custom Configurator on Walmart.com – Build Your Own Gaming Desktop Bundle
26 Apr 2011

With many components to choose from Wal-Mart customers can configure hundreds of different iBUYPOWER gaming systems

El Monte, CA – April 26, 2011 – iBUYPOWER, a leading innovator in gaming PCs, is excited to announce it has partnered with Wal-Mart to launch the retailer’s first custom configurator on Walmart.com – Build Your Own Gaming Desktop Bundle Wal-Mart customers will now be able to configure a desktop to meet their specific gaming needs.

“There are few brands in the world that are as recognizable as Wal-Mart,” said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER. “It is an honor to be chosen to join forces with them to offer custom built PCs, and will introduce the iBUYPOWER brand to an entirely new segment of gamers.”

Wal-Mart customers will have 5 cases to choose from, both AMD and Intel “K” processor options, 3 different memory options, 3 hard drive sizes to choose from and both AMD Radeon and NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards options, 3 different optical drives to choose from and three versions of the Windows 7 operating system. The result is over 10,000 different possible hardware configurations (see complete component list below).

The new customizable iBUYPOWER systems from Wal-Mart start at $599 All iBUYPOWER systems come standard with 1 year limited warranty and lifetime technical support.

iBUYPOWER gaming PCs arrive at Walmart is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

iPad 2 Advertised at BestBuy, Walmart

Samia Perkins — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:21:44 +0000

As we suspected when the original iPad was pulled from Best Buy’s inventory on Tuesday, the iPad 2 (and its nifty cover) will be available in the store on Friday, March 11. One would suspect then, that Best Buy will begin selling the iPad 2 at 5pm on March 11, just like at Apple Stores. The graphic below is what is shown on Best Buy’s website.

Walmart also has the device listed, but it is “out of stock, coming soon”. No date is posted, so it will probably take a bit longer for Walmart to get it. Amazon has not yet listed the iPad 2, even as a pre-order.

According to Apple Insider, Apple could be doing a much quicker expansion of distribution with the iPad 2, selling it soon after launch at Verizon, AT&T, and Target stores. It may even be available at place like Kohls and Bed Bath and Beyond, as NPD Vice President of Industry Analysis Stephen Baker said he believes that expanded distribution of the iPad 2 will help Apple find continued success with its touchscreen tablet in 2011.
[via Apple Insider]

iPad 2 Advertised at BestBuy, Walmart is written by Samia Perkins & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Verizon iPhone 4 Available At Walmart Tomorrow

Rue Liu — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:17:01 +0000

With the Verizon iPhone 4 launch feeling like just yesterday—preorders started a week ago—the device on the new carrier is already heading over to Walmart. The retail giant has been carrying the device for AT&T but just made an announcement today that the Verizon version will now be available in select stores starting tomorrow–February 10th.

“We’re excited to bring iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless, one the most anticipated mobile phone launches in recent history, to Walmart customers,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Walmart U.S. “As customers continue to embrace smart phone technology, we’ve added nearly 20 smart phone models to our assortment, including the new iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless.”

The device will be available at about 600 Walmart stores starting at $199 for the 16GB model. Various other iPhone 4 accessories will also be available at those stores.

[Via PR Newswire]

Verizon iPhone 4 Available At Walmart Tomorrow is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Samsung Galaxy S 4G Heading to Walmart

Rue Liu — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:41:17 +0000

Last week T-Mobile announced they would carry the new Samsung Galaxy S 4G and now comes evidence that Walmart will be selling the smartphone for $148.88. To get the device you will need to sign a two-year agreement, or upgrade. If you choose Flexpay with a two-year agreement, the phone will cost you $248.88 or you can pay $650 with no contract.

The Galaxy S 4G will be running Android 2.2 (Froyo), 16 GB SD card, 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, and a 5 MP camera with 720P video capabilities.

In addition the phone will support Bluetooth and comes with a hefty 1650 mAh battery. The Galaxy S 4G is expected to make it to Walmart’s shelves by the end of the month.

[Via Android Community]

Samsung Galaxy S 4G Heading to Walmart is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sprint’s HTC EVO Shift 4G gets premature Walmart listing

Chris Davies — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:42:02 +0000

Walmart has prematurely listed the HTC EVO Shift 4G, ahead of what we’re guessing will be an announcement for the QWERTY slider at CES 2011 later this week. Confirmed as headed to Sprint complete with 4G WiMAX support, according to the listing the EVO Shift 4G has a 3.7-inch touchscreen, runs Android 2.2 Froyo and comes with an 8GB microSD card.

There’s also an 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash listed, though at places the spec sheet is contradictory. We’re guessing someone at Walmart’s web team simply copied over the core listing from the HTC EVO 4G.

Still, it’s a fresh batch of EVO Shift 4G photos, with all angles catered for, and we can’t really as for much more than that.

[Thanks Paul!]

Sprint’s HTC EVO Shift 4G gets premature Walmart listing is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

SlashGear Morning Wrap-up: November 15 2010

Chris Burns — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:29:40 +0000

Good morning everybody in technology land, welcome back to SlashGear’s Morning Wrap-up. Today there are several rumors including a possible Motorola Motopad being a 7inch Android 3.0 debut, a possible 20+ custom Adam applications for the Notion Ink, Froyo for Dell Streak by the end of November, and maybe even a couple of opening bats for Honeycomb? Then we’ve got a review of a US version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab (T-Mobile version), a weeklong adventure with HTC HD7′s hardware, and a few words on why Don Reisinger can’t wait to get rid of his DVR. PLUS: Dual Core dreams in Galaxy 2. Now all we’ve got to do is plug our fingernails into our kneecaps as we wait and see if Android 2.3 Gingerbread is released today at this years Web 2.0 Summit. Hooray!

R3 Media Network

SlashPhone
LG Vortex Heading To Verizon
Walmart Give Away $100 Giftcard For Purchasing a Smartphone

Android Community
Motorola MOTOPAD to be 7-inch Android 3.0 debut?
20+ custom Adam apps claim Notion Ink
Black Flyday helps you find shopping deals for holiday season
PC World yank Toshiba’s Folio 100 over poor buyer feedback?
Another Dual-Core Samsung Phone Confirmation (Plus More Anzu)
Gingerbread Comes Out Tomorrow(?) at Web 2.0 Summit
Dell Streak to get Froyo at end of November

SlashGear
Apple iTunes announcement “you’ll never forget” promised for Tuesday Nov 16 [FEATURED]
Android 3.0 MOTOPAD is Motorola & Google’s Honeycomb opener?
Nokia production line death sparks Indian investigation
Nokia E7 clears FCC, pentaband WCDMA intact
AMD join MeeGo project with Intel & Nokia: will use it with APUs
Rumor pegs Sony Ericsson Xperia X7 and X7 Mini inbound in Q1
Palm Pre 2 lands in UK
Stun Fone was a viral marketing campaign
HTC EVO Shift 4G trademark filing tips upcoming Android tablet?
Free MeeGo IdeaPad S10-3t for developers as Intel get open-source serious
T-Mobile Samsung Tab Review [REVIEW]
A Week with the HTC HD7: Hardware [FEATURED]
Verizon Ad Leaks Look at Pantech and LG LTE Modems
Jolicloud Jolibook Official Press Photos Now Available (2 Sizes?)
Why I can’t wait to get rid of my DVR [COLUMN]

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

SlashGear Morning Wrap-up: November 15 2010 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

VUDU offer streaming Toy Story 3 to Walmart disc buyers

Chris Davies — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 09:28:06 +0000

VUDU and Walmart have partnered to provide digital versions of content bought in DVD or Blu-ray format, though to begin with only Disney’s Toy Story 3 will be on offer. Anybody buying a physical copy of the film in Walmart stores will be able to enter a bundled download code at VUDU’s site, and access a digital copy that streams to your VUDU hardware or software player.

That includes the company’s PC and Mac clients, or indeed the Boxee Box when that arrives this month. Toy Story 3 is available to buy from Walmart now, priced at $15.98 for the DVD version or $24.98 for a four-disc Blu-ray box-set.

VUDU offer streaming Toy Story 3 to Walmart disc buyers is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

B&N NOOK arrives in Walmart from Oct 24

Chris Davies — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:46:41 +0000

Always wanted a NOOK but refuse to step into a Barnes & Noble store or shop online? You’re in luck, then, as the bookseller has just announced its wireless ereaders will be showing up in Walmart stores (as well as through their online store) from October 24 2010.

Both the NOOK 3G – which has WiFi and AT&T 3G connectivity integrated – and the NOOK WiFi – which only packs WiFi – will be available, and while there’s no pricing information we’re guessing Walmart will be matching B&N’s own numbers. That means around $149 for the WiFi-only unit, and $199 for the WiFi/3G version.

Press Release:

BARNES & NOBLE ANNOUNCES AWARD-WINNING NOOK™ EBOOK READER WILL BE SOLD AT WALMART

NOOK Devices to Be Sold in Walmart Stores and on Walmart.com Beginning Next Week

New York, NY – October 21, 2010 – Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, today announced its award-winning NOOK eBook Reader will be sold in 2,500 Walmart stores (NYSE: WMT) and online at www.walmart.com. The popular NOOK devices are expected to arrive on Walmart shelves beginning as soon as October 24, in advance of the holiday shopping season.

The NOOK eBook Readers will be prominently featured as the premier eBook Reader in the consumer electronics area. Many Walmart stores will feature a NOOK-branded eReading area where shoppers can see and touch a demonstration device.

Walmart will offer both great choice and value with two NOOK by Barnes & Noble eBook Reader models — NOOK 3G, which offers free AT&T 3G wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as NOOK Wi-Fi, a Wi-Fi only model. Both offer a crisp, paper-like E-Ink display for reading and a beautiful color touch screen for navigation, and access to shop the Barnes & Noble expansive eBookstore with more than one million eBooks, magazines and newspapers, most available for $9.99 or less and more than half a million free titles. Digital content from Barnes & Noble is downloaded wirelessly in seconds. NOOK devices are also the only to offer sharing of eBooks with friends through Barnes & Noble’s breakthrough LendMe™ technology.

“Sales of NOOK devices continue to exceed our expectations, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with Walmart, one of the world’s greatest retailers, to expand the distribution of our award-winning NOOK eBook Reader,” said Chris Peifer, Vice President, Digital Business Development at Barnes & Noble. “Walmart’s millions of shoppers will have an easy and convenient way to try NOOK devices in many stores and to learn why NOOK is the most full-featured eReading device on the market, and the perfect gift solution for anyone who loves to read.”

B&N NOOK arrives in Walmart from Oct 24 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

iPad hits Walmart on Friday October 15

Chris Davies — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:36:31 +0000

Walmart has confirmed that it will be offering Apple’s iPad tablet from Friday this week, the latest big-name retailer to carry the 9.7-inch slate after Best Buy and Target. The roll-out will cover several hundred Walmart stores initially, before being broadened to around 2,300 stores by mid-November. However, don’t go down there expecting a bargain.

That’s because Walmart says it will be offering the various iPad models at the same prices that Apple itself does – and the same prices that Target and Best Buy are sticking to – so there’s no chance of a discount. Online orders will also be supported, but only for in-store pickup.

iPad hits Walmart on Friday October 15 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft Kinect Bundles Priced at Walmart: $200 with Game and $30 Gift Card

Evan Selleck — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:49:18 +0000

All that we’re missing at this point, is an official statement from Microsoft about how much their motion-based gaming peripheral is going to cost. Yeah, that’s right. We’ve got pricing from just about everyone else by this point, but Microsoft has still yet to “announce” anything. And that’s even after their very own Microsoft Store listed the Kinect at $149.99. And considering everywhere seems to be boasting the same price, we’d be pretty surprised if that wasn’t the final decision. But, if you are thinking about getting a bundle, Walmart’s already got you covered.

If you plan on getting the Kinect, then going with the bundle from Walmart may not seem like a bad idea. You’ll be getting the Kinect (obviously), which is probably going to cost $149.99. And then you get a game, one of the launch titles (which includes: Kinectimals, Kinect Sports, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, Joy Ride, Dance Central, and Kinect Adventures) which will run you $59.99, and a $30 eGiftcard. So, obviously the deal’s pretty good, especially if you’re already planning on getting the Kinect.

[via Joystiq]

Microsoft Kinect Bundles Priced at Walmart: $200 with Game and $30 Gift Card is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The Daily Slash: June 22nd 2010

Evan Selleck — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:55:05 +0000

Did it feel like Wednesday to anyone else? We had to check our calendar’s a few times today, just to make sure it really was Tuesday. You’ll have to forgive us — we don’t get out much, as you can probably imagine. In any event, welcome to tonight’s edition of The Daily Slash, Tuesday-style. Tonight, in the Best of R3 Media, we’ve got some more Cease and Desist letters being handed out, Apple’s sold a ton of iPads, and the iPhone 4′s showing up at Walmart. As for the Dredge ‘Net, the iPhone 4′s getting torn down (legally), there’s rumors about iOS showing up on other things, and we’ve got a German robot.

The Best of R3 Media

Fancy Widget Gets Cease & Desist Letter: So, HTC’s got a lot of Cease and Desist letters being tossed around. While hackers are getting their fair share for having some ROMs stored somewhere, it looks like developers are getting the fair share, too. The developers of the widget, which is dangerously similar to the clock/weather widget found on HTC Sense UI-based devices, have been told that their time in the Market is almost up. In doing so, the devs have informed their customers that only one more update would be made available, before Fancy Widget disappears forever into the memory of vanilla Android owners everywhere. [via Android Community]

Apple Sells 3 Million iPads in Less Than 3 Months: Ridiculous. While many would say that this does, indeed, suggest that there’s a tablet market out there, we’d dare to say that this just means there’s a market out there for iPads. Three million in 80 days puts most analyst guesses in the tank, and it looks like Apple’s not slowing down any time soon. Of course, they’ve just released another iDevice, so maybe that means their magical and revolutionary tablet device will slow down in the sales department. Probably not, though. We’re expecting another press release as soon as they reach 4 million. [via SlashGear]

iPhone 4 Shows Up at Walmart: We already know that there’s plenty of few people out there who managed to get their hands on the iPhone 4 early, but that’s not stopping people at Walmarts from showing off their own models, still tucked away nicely in their packaging. No, it’s not the white one, but we can still dream. There’s no telling whether or not how many iPhone 4s there are going to be at Walmarts across the nation, but you can bet there’s going to be some lines. Especially considering AT&T’s not handing them out to walk-in customers until June 29th. So, tread softly. [via PhoneMag]

The Dredge ‘Net

iFixit Tears Down the iPhone 4: Yes, there is a lot of iPhone 4 news. You might even assume that it’s being released any day now. Oh, that’s right — it is. With that being said, the guys over at iFixit have managed to get their hands on the iPhone 4 (and they even managed to get over to Japan, too). They got their hands on one, and as of this writing, they’re still in the process of tearing it down. As of right now, they’ve found: the vibrator (which is in the right-hand corner), and they’ve also confirmed that the iPhone 4′s A4 processor does indeed have 512MB of RAM, which beats out the iPad’s 256MB. The tear down’s still happening, so we imagine that there’s going to be more to unveil tomorrow, so if you’re interested in finding out the final details, stay tuned until tomorrow. [via iFixit]

iOS Showing Up in iMacs? Yes, you read that correctly. According to several rumors coming out of several different locations, but seeming to centralize at LOOPRumors, apparently Apple is getting ready to showcase iOS on something other than an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Their “sources” suggest that, within the next 60 days, Apple’s going to showcase the mobile Operating System on the iMac. This is going to be a hybrid OS, and not something that stands-alone, so that’s why we’re interested in such a thing. Basically, at the very least, apparently the iMac should have the standard OS X, as well as a touch-based interface from iOS. [via Mac Daily News]

Germany Shoots Out a Humanoid Robot, Minus the Human: Robots are definitely becoming something of the present, and not so much of the future. They’re getting more advanced, and in the process, some times really creepy. For example, we’ve got the Myon from Germany, a humanoid robot that the designers created specifically to look like a five year-old boy. It does have some awesome aspects though, and we’ll admit that it looks cool enough to want right now. Manufactured out of Berlin’s Humboldt University as part of European ALEAR (Artificial Language Evolution on Autonomous Robots) project. He features 48 joints, 35 torsional springs for biological movements, six independent (modular) body parts, and upwards of 192 sensors. He’s got skin, too, which is manufactured from a transparent layer of Bayer makrolon and a layer of glass fiber-stabilized polycarbonate. All designed to protect him, if he falls over. Basically, he’s advanced, and he looks cool. Now we just have to hope he doesn’t try to rule the world. [via CrunchGear]

The Daily Slash: June 22nd 2010 is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

iPhone 4 lands at Walmart

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:45:41 +0000

A tipster has sent Engadget the first pic of an iPhone 4 replete with its cardboard box. The handsets are supposedly on hand at many Walmart stores.

I have to say buying something like this from Walmart makes me nervous. The typical Walmart worker at my local store in the electronics area seems challenged simply opening the game case to make a sale.

I shudder to think about them trying to explain to a new iPhone user exactly how to use the device. I guess if you know what you want and can work the iPhone buying there is safe enough. Before you get all excited, that CDMA box in the background is not from the iPhone.

iPhone 4 lands at Walmart is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Apple iPhone 4: Where to Pre-Order, White Model May Not be Included

Evan Selleck — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:23:28 +0000

Time certainly does catch up with you, doesn’t it? Hopefully you were all having fun, so it flew by and what not. Just feels like yesterday that we all sat here, and brought you the announcement of Apple’s latest iPhone iteration, the iPhone 4. And in all the hub-bub, we also told you that Walmart, RadioShack, and Best Buy would be part of the third-party retailer brigade offering up their own models for pre-order and sale. Well, tomorrow’s the big pre-order day, so jump after the break to find out where you can go to pick one up, and what you need to do to make it happen.

First and foremost, and probably the easiest way to do it, would be to get on your computer, head on over to Apple’s website, and get your pre-order on right then and there. You won’t have to worry about lines, crazy customers or employees, and you’re guaranteed delivery on its release date. So, again, no lines or general craziness. Though, you will have to sit at home and listen to all those people who got it before you, because they did brave those lines and what not. But, we’re sure you can handle it. You could also head into an Apple Store, but they’ll just put you at a computer, where you’ll pre-order it from Apple’s website. So, pick your poison.

Now, the other “direct” option would be to go into an AT&T shop and pre-order that way. However, here’s something to consider: you’ll have to pay the full amount for the iPhone 4 right then and there. Furthermore, you’re not guaranteed launch day arrival at all. In fact, some AT&T employees are reporting that you might even have to wait until June 25th, anyway. So, we’ll just go ahead and say it: probably not the way to go.

As for third party retailers, we’ll start from the bottom of the pile. Walmart is going to sell the iPhone 4 on June 24th, that much is a given. However, there doesn’t seem to be a clear, concise, confirmed approach to the whole pre-order business. Basically, no one knows. So, unless you absolutely need to be at Walmart at 5:30am tomorrow morning, we suggest if you’re going to go to a third party retailer, you head somewhere else.

RadioShack is offering up the same pre-order deal they were for Sprint’s EVO 4G. You’ll need to drop $50 right there on the spot to make sure that you get a launch day device, and that $50 will also come off the total price of the handset. RS is also throwing in an accessory credit, too, so you basically get a free gift for stopping into their stores. That’s awful nice of them. Some RadioShacks around the nation will be opening for launch day.

And finally, Best Buy. They’re doing the same deal as RadioShack more or less. You’ll need to put down $50, and you’ll be guaranteed a handset when it hits store shelves on June 24th. You’ll be able to enter some Best Buy locations early, as most will be opening their doors before normal opening hours to handle all the hustle and bustle. However, on pre-order day, stores won’t be opening early.

Now, for the last bit. Unfortunately, due to some leaked AT&T documentation, ModMyi is reporting that there won’t be any white iPhone 4′s available at launch. As the documentation states, the white version will be coming out “at a later date.” So, probably some time later in the Summer, if anything else. This could also mean that third party retailers, and even AT&T, aren’t getting the white version, but that Apple corporate stores may still be getting the lighter hued hardware. There’s quite a few of you out there who want the white one, so we’re wondering if the denial of that version would mean your purchase would get squashed. Let us know in the comments! As soon as we know more, like whether or not this rumor changes, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Apple iPhone 4: Where to Pre-Order, White Model May Not be Included is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Walmart Wants to Sell the iPad by the End of 2010

Evan Selleck — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:45:04 +0000

And why wouldn’t they? They’re already selling the iPhone, thanks to their cell phone department. And they’ve got a pretty good hold on the iPod line-up as well, thanks to their MP3 player section. And if you’ve been into a Walmart, you know that they’re beginning to take their electronics department pretty seriously (even if it isn’t up to Best Buy’s standards). But they want to make sure that they start getting taken seriously, and in their efforts to keep expanding that particular section, they want the iPad.

The iPad is still selling out here in the States, and many believe that it’s going to happen around the world as well, so whether or not Walmart gets their chance at selling the tablet device from Cupertino is still up in the air. Of course, outside of Best Buy, Apple hasn’t come forward and said anything about who else might get to sell their beloved netbook replacement, but if it was going to be anyone, Walmart would probably be high on the docket.

Gary Severson, Senior Vice President of Walmart’s US stores said that he expects to be selling the iPad sold in Walmarts around the country some time later this year. Walmart’s planning on expanding their electronics stores throughout the rest of the year, as they see the convergence of technology, and front-room entertainment as something they simply can’t ignore. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with this one, but we can’t imagine allowing the iPad to be sold in Walmart stores would hurt sales numbers.

[via 9to5 Mac]

Walmart Wants to Sell the iPad by the End of 2010 is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

3D TV Could Become Mainstream Thanks to Walmart

Evan Selleck — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:33:00 +0000

We’re not getting away from the 3D revolution any time soon. In fact, it’s looking more and more like everyone is ready to just accept the technology into their living rooms. And when that starts happening, it’s all down hill from there. Then again, if it starts becoming wildly popular, maybe we won’t have to pay ridiculous prices at the theaters anymore. We can dream, right? Thanks to Walmart, we are going to see a huge incline in the desire to own a 3D TV. Mostly because it will be affordable.

At least, that’s the plan. Walmart’s die-hard intent to create the “best prices” for its customers has lead for many to believe that if Walmart does indeed start selling 3D TVs by this holiday season, that the overhead, premium costs, and general perception of the technology could be altered. In a good way. According to the rumor, select Walmarts across the country are planning to start selling 3D TVs in their electronics department as soon as this holiday season. Perfect timing for that Christmas shopping.

The big problem with 3D TV so far, has been the price. At this point in time, the technology is still considered a novelty or fad, so paying upwards of $2,000 just isn’t the thing to do. But, we can expect that if Walmart gets their hands on 3D sets, then those are going to go for practically a steal, compared to other retailers. That may be mostly because they won’t be all the brands, or even a brand you’ve been interested in, but it’s a good start nonetheless. If they become mainstream enough, the prices will start to go down. Is anyone interested in 3D TV out there? Let us know what you think.

[via CrunchGear]

3D TV Could Become Mainstream Thanks to Walmart is written by Evan Selleck & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Vudu online movie service acquired by Wal-Mart

Paul Fang — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:45:06 +0000

The word’s out today from the NY Times that that Wal-Mart is set to acquire Vudu, the online movie streaming service in an acquisition set to be worth approximately $100 million. Additional information and the full press release can be found after the break.

Vudu had been known recently for its Vudu Box and Vudu XL service, used to distribute movies over the web via a hybrid peer-to-peer technology, in which they were the first to stream video at 1080p high-def. Wal-Mart is evidently betting that the majority of consumers will gradually move toward the online distribution of media content, leaving DVDs and physical media behind in the dust.

Because DVD sales have declined in recent years, retailers and studios have looked to digital distribution to slide back in line with profits. Wal-Mart, who happens to be the largest DVD retailer in the country, may seem like it has shot itself in the foot with this move. But with digital distribution being an increasingly more economical medium, like the iPad partnership between the NY Times and Apple, this move may very well determine and reestablish their business model for the future.

Walmart Announces Acquisition of Digital Entertainment Provider, VUDU

Company takes next step to enhance home entertainment and information delivery options for consumers

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 22, 2010 — Walmart announced today a definitive agreement to acquire VUDU, Inc., a leading provider of digital technologies and services that enable the delivery of entertainment content directly to broadband high-definition TVs and Blu-ray players. The deal is expected to close within the next few weeks.

VUDU is a revolutionary service, built into a growing number of broadband-ready TVs and Blu-ray players, that delivers instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows directly through the television. Customers with broadband Internet access and an Internet-ready TV or Blu-ray player can rent or purchase movies, typically in high-definition, without needing a connected computer or cable/satellite service. New movies and features will be added continually, enabling customers to enjoy a product that continues to become more robust long after they have left the store.

“The real winner here is the customer,” said Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman for Walmart. “Combining VUDU’s unique digital technology and service with Walmart’s retail expertise and scale will provide customers with unprecedented access to home entertainment options as they migrate to a digital environment.”

VUDU has licensing agreements with almost every major movie studio and dozens of independent and international distributors to offer approximately 16,000 movies, including the largest 1080p library of video on-demand movies available anywhere. Via their broadband Internet connection, users have the ability to rent or buy titles and begin viewing them instantly.

VUDU will continue developing entertainment and information delivery solutions such as VUDU Apps, a platform that delivers hundreds of streaming Internet applications and services to TVs and Blu-ray players with built-in Internet connectivity. VUDU has partnered with some of the leading names in Internet and media entertainment to offer applications on its platform including Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, The New York Times and The Associated Press.

“We are excited about the opportunity to take our company’s vision to the next level,” said Edward Lichty, VUDU executive vice president. “VUDU’s services and Apps platform will give Walmart a powerful new vehicle to offer customers the content they want in a way that expands the frontier of quality, value and convenience.”

VUDU, based in Santa Clara, Calif., will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart. The company is not disclosing financial terms of the agreement as the acquisition is not material to its first quarter earnings for fiscal year 2011.

[via New York Times]

Nexus One “coming soon” to Walmart Wireless

Chris Davies — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:37:50 +0000

Analysts blamed Google’s comparatively lackluster first-week Nexus One sales on the Android 2.1 smartphone only being available through their online store, but all that could be changing. A Walmart Wireless product page for the Nexus One has been spotted, suggesting that the smartphone is “Coming Soon”.

Unfortunately there’s no indication of when “soon” might be, though you can leave your email address and have Walmart Wireless get in touch when the Nexus One is approaching. Although we’ve seen prematurely-posted product pages before, Walmart’s is particularly comprehensive in this case; that’s leading us to believe that this hasn’t been posted in error.

No word on whether the Walmart Wireless Nexus One will be an online-only deal or available in-store – hands-on experience with the smartphone would do a lot to boost its everyday awareness with consumers – but we’re hoping the latter.

[via Android Community]

Walmart announces Cyber Monday shopping deals

Shane McGlaun — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:03:17 +0000

If you missed out on the deals that you were hoping to find on Friday, you still have a shot to get some good deals online today. Black Friday begets Cyber Monday as online retailers vie for their own piece of the shopping pie.

Walmart.com has announced some good deals that are starting today and run until Friday. The electronics deals include a 12MP Kodak digital camera kit with free shipping for $89. Walmart.com is also offering a 10-inch Acer netbook bundle with a case and flash drive for $268. There are five different netbook colors to choose from.

Walmart is also offering some nice deals on game systems with a DSi bundle at $189 with a game and accessories. A Wii bundle with the console, two controllers, a game, and accessories will sell for $249. Shoppers wanting a PS3 can get the console, two games, a Blu-ray movie, and a Blu-ray remote for $369.

Sony PS3 Slim Being Sold Early to Those Who Look Hard Enough

Evan Selleck — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:47:26 +0000

So, we’ll admit that that title may be a bit misleading. Why? Because it looks like people aren’t having to look that hard at all to find a few random (or perhaps not too random) pieces of Sony’s new hardware floating around in retail stores. If you’ll remember right, Sony said that the Slim wouldn’t be sold until September 1st, but it’s beginning to look like that release date might not have been as set in stone as originally thought. Well, let’s hope that’s the case, or there’s a lot of stores out there breaking that one cardinal rule.

Street dates are a pretty serious thing when it comes to the electronics world, or the world of technology in its entirety, and while it may not be totally unheard of for companies like Best Buy or Walmart to break street date on a product, it usually revolves around a video game or movie hitting store shelves a day early, or maybe even just a few hours before midnight the day of the official release. This time around though, we’ve got a full week of separation, and we’re not really sure on the reasoning. It could be just as simple as Sony wanted to surprise consumers with a quiet release, but let’s face it: that’s not Sony’s style.

So what do you think? Did Sony sneak a fast one on all of us? Or are some managers getting a little too antsy for their own good? The answer’s probably really cut and dry, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. But, the most important question has yet to be asked: did you get one yet? Let us know.

[via IGN]

Walmart recall 1.5m bargain DVD players over fire risk

Chris Davies — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:03:08 +0000

At just $29, Durabrand’s DVD players were selling like hot cakes at Walmart stores. Unfortunately it turns out that they’re also going up in flames like hot coals, so the retailer is having to recall around 1.5m of them. Apparently there have been twelve reported cases of the Durabrand player overheating, with five going on to catch fire and cause “property damage”.

The player was on sale between January 2006 and July 2009, so there are plenty of people potentially affected. Walmart themselves haven’t confirmed anything, but it’s believed that UK supermarket subsidiary ASDA also sold the players; we’re yet to hear whether they, too, are being recalled.

If you have an affected Durabrand DVD player, the advice is to stop using it immediately and take it back to your nearest Walmart store. Of course if it’s already on fire then you probably shouldn’t pick it up.

[via Engadget]

37-inch Sony Flat Screen HDTV Turns Out to Be Something More Oven Fresh

Evan Selleck — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:48:25 +0000

In San Leandro California, things aren’t always what they seem. At least not when it comes to high definition televisions. One man thought he had a full-proof plan to make some quick cash, but as police quickly showed him, things don’t always work out the way you’d expect.

The culprit was caught red-handed as he tried to sell a 37″ Sony HDTV out of a Wal-Mart parking lot for a low-cost of $100, where he was telling would-be customers that he had purchased the television personally from a tag sale for $60. The man had taken a door off of his oven, covered it in stickers, wrapped it in celophane, stuck a Best Buy price label on the front, shoved some power cables and an installation book into the packaging, and then finally put the lot of it in an actual Sony TV box.

So yeah, the guy’s a bit crazy, but there’s a lot of ingenuity in there somewhere. We’re sure people would be pleasantly surprised if this guy started using some of that creativity for good and not evil. We’ll just have to wait and see if he changes his ways after this little incident.

[via Gear Diary]

Toshiba Satellite L355 down to $348 in latest Walmart deal

Chris Davies — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:08:09 +0000

It doesn’t exactly hold up to their last laptop deal – which saw a Compaq discounted to $298 – but if you fancy a 17-inch display and another big-brand name then Walmart’s latest notebook promotion may tick your boxes. Up for $348 is the Toshiba Satellite L355-S7915, a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 machine with 1,440 x 900 display, 3GB of RAM and a 250GB 5,400rpm hard-drive.

There’s also a DVD burner, Intel GMA 4500M graphics, WiFi b/g and an ExpressCard 34/54 slot. Ports include three USB 2.0, VGA, audio in/out and an old-fashioned modem, and OS is Windows Vista Home Basic with Microsoft Works pre-loaded.

The L355 will go on sale – in stores and online – from Sunday August 16th, and will be in limited supply so we wouldn’t hang around if you’re interested. Needless to say, if you’ve considered a netbook because of its cost-effectiveness, but lamented the smaller display, this Toshiba delivers plenty more performance and usability for the price. Don’t just take our word for it, either; Laptop Mag have reviewed the L355 and found that a relatively compact hard-drive, missing webcam and HDMI port aside, it’s a surprisingly strong performer.

Walmart $298 Compaq laptop: who needs a netbook?

Chris Davies — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:11:27 +0000

If there’s one thing this dour economy is good for, it’s pushing down prices. Walmart have just announced that they’ll be offering a $298 notebook, the Compaq Presario CQ60-419WM, complete with a 160GB hard-drive and 3GB of RAM, from July 26th at 8am. The promotion is part of the retailer’s back-to-school sale, and they’re unsurprisingly warning that stocks will be limited.

In fact some adverts apparently suggest that bricks & mortar Walmart stores will have just ten of the laptops in stock, although it will also be available online. The particular machine has a 2.10GHz AMD Sempron processor, NVIDIA GeForce 8200M graphics and a DVD burner, together with WiFi b/g and a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 display.

To be fair, you’re not going to be doing much gaming on such a machine, but if you can get to the front of the queue then you could pick up a basic bargain. Make sure to check out the size, though; according to the official spec sheet the dimensions are listed as “CHINA”, and that’s a pretty big country. For the rest of Walmart’s deals, check the press release below.

Press Release:

Walmart Increases Assortment of Affordable Laptops with Performance for Back to School

Retailer Introduces First Ever $298 Compaq Notebook with 3 GB Memory this Weekend

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (July 23, 2009) – With student needs rapidly changing and affordability a top priority, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is making a commitment this summer to provide a wider variety of laptops at unprecedented savings. Building its assortment around student needs and budgets, Walmart worked closely with trusted brands such as HP, Dell, Acer and Toshiba to deliver new products holding not just great value in price but high quality, performance, and variety.

Shoppers will find notebooks and netbooks under $300, new accessories, and units with entertainment features, long-lasting batteries, lighter weights and more colors this year. In addition, Walmart will introduce items with market-leading prices starting this weekend.

“We know all students need solutions that integrate work, entertainment and portability,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president, Entertainment, Walmart U.S. “Our increased assortment delivers more targeted offerings from great brands at dramatically affordable prices.”

· Starting July 26: $298 Compaq Presario Notebook*
For the first time, a 3 GB memory laptop from a well-known brand has ventured below $300. The Compaq Presario CQ60-419WM offers great functionality with a 160 GB hard drive, CD and DVD drive, and Windows Vista pre-loaded in the notebook for the unprecedented price only at Walmart of $298. This price event begins 8 am July 26 in all stores and on Walmart.com while supplies last.

· Also Available July 26: $548 Acer 8-hour battery laptop
Perfect for the mobile student who has a full day of classes, Walmart will lower the price of this popular long-lasting Acer unit by $50. Pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium (qualified for free Windows 7 upgrade), the Acer 15.6 inch AS5810-4657 All Day Computing Laptop with Intel ULV SU2700 has a 3 GB memory, 320 GB hard drive and an eight-hour battery. Its Intel Display Power Savings Technology reduces backlighting with minimal visual impact. Engaging the Acer PowerSmart key and other advanced settings makes this unit up to 40% more efficient than the typical laptop.

· August Additions: More Netbooks, Laptops
The new ultra-portable 10.1 inch HP Mini 110-131NR netbook arrives in stores in early August. This small and light netbook is ideal for the connected student who loves browsing the Internet, enjoying multimedia and chatting on-the-go.

For the entertainment guru, Walmart will introduce in mid-August a 17-inch screen Toshiba L355-18.3 with 3 GB memory and 250 GB hard drive great for work, movie watching and PC gaming. Also in mid-August, Dell will bring to Walmart stores its 4 GB memory, 500 GB hard drive notebook at great savings. (Prices on all to be announced.)

· In stores and Online Now: Personality, Size and Color
Currently Walmart offers the small and mighty 12.1 inch HP dv2 notebook fully loaded with a powerful 4 GB memory and 500 GB hard drive at $698.

This month Walmart also introduced a new colorful assortment of the Dell Inspiron 1545 Laptop at $398 in black, blue, pink, red, purple and aqua to match Walmart’s back to college color pallet for dorm room décor. The notebook also qualifies for a free Windows 7 upgrade this fall.

Available in a variety of colors, matching computer accessories in stores include:
· Western Digital 250 GB hard drive ($60) – Available in black, blue, pink and red
· Logitech V220 Cordless Optical Mouse ($25) – Available in black, blue, pink and red
· Logitech LS-11 Stereo Speaker System ($19 each) – Available in blue or pink
· Sandisk 4 GB flash drive ($12) – Available in blue, pink, red, aqua, orange and green

In addition Walmart aims to add more value to the overall purchase extending savings on necessary components and accessories, such as the Kodak All-in-One color printer for $89, Linksys wireless Router under $54 and $19 laptop podiums in various colors.

· Walmart.com varieties and bundles
Walmart.com offers more than 200 notebook and desktop computers, with a wide variety of choices in bold, bright colors and the added savings of free shipping with Site to Store. Some of the most popular computers only available online include:

o Red Dell Mini 10 inch netbook (4 additional colors only available online) – starting at $348
o Dell laptop bundles (1545 Inspiron with 6 additional exclusive colors with optional bundle selections such as printer, laptop case, mouse, speakers, flash drive, external hard drive and more – starting at $598.
o Acer netbooks from pink, blue, white, red, and black at $298.
o Red computer accessory bundle with Logitech speakers and wireless mouse, and Sandisk flash drive. Mix or match from 6 colors – starting at $50.

For the buyer searching mostly for the ideal entertainment laptop, Walmart.com has the HP 17 inch Pavilion dv7-1261wm entertainment laptop available at the rollback price of $848. Also a strong entertainment and workhorse laptop, the sophisticated looking Toshiba 17 inch Satellite P305D-S8900 laptop PC with ATI Radeon graphics and Harman/Kardon virtual surround sound system is $698 and ideal for casual gamers and entertainment enthusiasts looking to replace a desktop computer.

Walmart advises, when looking for a laptop for gaming and entertainment consider a large bright widescreen display which enhances movies, music, and gaming, as well as a powerful processor, DVD player, a large hard drive to store media and generous memory.

Easy Pick-up at Walmart
To lighten the load on shipping, students can use Walmart’s Site-to-Store pick-up for their consumer electronics and dorm room accessory needs by sending their orders made at Walmart.com directly to the Walmart near their school, with no shipping charges.

* Prices and availability may vary in AL, HI, OK, WI and at Walmart.com

ASUS notebooks & Eee PCs headed to Walmart?

Chris Davies — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:25:31 +0000

ASUS are eyeing up US retailer Wal-Mart as the next potential point of sale for their notebooks, according to the latest rumors coming out of Taiwan, as the company explores ways in which it can break the 1m US sales barrier. That means buyers will soon be able to find ASUS notebooks and netbooks, most likely at the budget end of the spectrum, on the shelves, as ASUS attempts to push past Acer’s netbook lead.

In 2008, ASUS sold 650,000 notebooks – including Eee PC netbook models – in the US. That’s compared to Acer’s 16-percent market share, with shipments in Q4 2008 alone amounting to between 1.4 and 1.5 million notebooks and netbooks.

There’s no definite timescale on when you’ll start seeing Eee PC netbooks appearing in Wal-Mart. However, given the increase in sales performance when the budget ultraportables first shifted from being online-only to having some retail presence, expect ASUS to be pushing hard.

Wal-Mart to sell 3G iPhone gets Official, only $2 cheaper

Daniel Lim — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:15:08 +0000

An official announcement today confirmed the leak of an internal Wal-mart memo detailing its iPhone 3G rollout and nullified any $99 4GB iPhone speculation from the mega-retailer. Starting Sunday, Wal-mart will sell the Apple phones for $2 less than the regular price with a two-year contract to be available at its 2,500 chained-store.

The “Every day low price” of the 8 GB iPhone 3G will be selling at $197 and $297 for the 16 GB version, not much of a deep discount we were hoping from the giant retailer. In fact, you can pick one up at local Best Buy for $7 less! But here’s the catch, Wal-Mart said they’ll match any local retailers cheaper price; that could promote more wiggle room on its company and others retailer to cut into their own margin in order to discount the Apple phone.

Not the best timing of the year considering the announcement came days after the holidays, but Wal-mart will bring iPhone to many areas and places where there are no Apple store nor an official AT&T store around.

Walmart iPhone 3G 8GB & 16GB on sale Dec 28th

Chris Davies — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:04:12 +0000

A letter purported to be from an internal source at Walmart seems to confirm that the iPhone 3G will launch at the retailer from December 28th. That tallies with the last tip we heard; however, contrary to earlier rumors, the model on sale will not be a cut-price $99 4GB iPhone 3G, but the same 8GB and 16GB versions already available elsewhere.

Walmart will apparently be selling the 8GB iPhone 3G for $197, while the 16GB will retail for $297; that’s just a few dollars less than the handsets are available in Apple stores and elsewhere. Both require a two-year AT&T contract.

The launch will be preceded by a pilot program in which 488 Walmart stores will offer employees the opportunity to buy one of five iPhone 3G’s each. Those handsets are expected to be activated on December 17th, and the whole arrangement looks to be planned to test out Walmart’s infrastructure in advance of public availability.

Walmart iPhone 3G rumors continue: 8GB for $197 on Dec 28th?

Chris Davies — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:30:50 +0000

More iPhone 3G rumors swirling today, as conflicting news about Walmart becoming the next official handset retailer comes to a head. Last week, the word was that a $99 iPhone 3G with just 4GB of storage would go on sale at Walmart; today, both Reuters and Bloomberg are suggesting the same thing, with a December 15th launch date tipped from a Californian Walmart clerk. However, Mac Rumors reports that leaked promo material confirms that, while Walmart will be selling the smartphone, it will be the existing 8GB model with a mere two dollar saving.

According to Mac Rumors, they have received training material and advertising from a source connected with Walmart that lists only the 8GB iPhone 3G. This would therefore be the same model on offer at Best Buy, AT&T and of course Apple Stores, only Walmart would apparently be selling the handset for $197: two dollars less than the standard MRSP.

They go on to suggest that the actual launch date will be December 28th, almost two full weeks after the Bloomberg tip. That would miss the Christmas sales period. Right now, we’re not sure of anything other than the fact that it really does look like Walmart will be getting the iPhone 3G.

$99 4GB iPhone 3G coming to Walmart?

Chris Davies — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:55 +0000

Rumors of Apple’s smartphone hitting Walmart at a discount price have been circulating for some time. Now, The BGR is reporting that Walmart are preparing to sell an entry-level iPhone 3G with 4GB of storage for just $99. The price would be the lowest ever for the best-selling handset.

It’s not all finalized and confirmed, however. BGR’s source isn’t one of their regular, super-trusted tipsters, so there’s every possibility that bargain shoppers won’t be offered Apple’s finest. A key complaint might be the storage; the original 4GB iPhone was dropped relatively early into the handset’s life-cycle but, as is pointed out, at the time Apple were charging $399 for it.

The handset would be otherwise functionally identical to existing 8GB and 16GB versions, and require a two-year contract with AT&T. Presumably the monthly price plans wouldn’t be any more “budget” than they are now, either.