This week in gagagadget: June 16 – 23

by John LaPine on July 23, 2010 · 77 comments

This week in gagagadget:

Apple continued to face criticism about the iPhone 4′s reception problems. The scrutiny came from both users and reviewers of the smart phone alike. Although the antenna and reception issues are seen as a blunder and an oversight by many, we cannot forget that Microsoft has had plenty of flops, as recently as the failed social networking phone KIN, which was launched (and shortly after, discontinued) this spring. To temporarily alleviate the situation, Apple distributed free cases to all iPhone owners, now through September 31. Despite the effort, however, Consumer Reports still cannot officially recommend the iPhone until a long-term antenna fix is enacted.

In other Apple related, Steve Jobs (kind of) confirmed the long-term, on-again-off-again, iPhone-on-Verizon rumors that have been floating around for years. Jobs revealed during a press conferences that Verizon towers now accompany the AT&T towers in the Apple campus.

iPhone fanboys and Android fanboys, fight no more! Skies of Glory, as well as a few other smart phone games, are helping to bridge the gap between Apple and Google by providing a cross-platform multiplayer experience. Will the Windows 7 phone be the next to the play nice?

It will soon be easier than ever to get media online. With an UltraViolet account, users will be able to rip their physical or digital media to an online media locker to watch on a number of devices, regardless of format. They have the blessing of almost 60 huge names in Hollywood and technology. The two major holdouts? Disney and Apple. PS3-owners will soon be able to stream Netflix movies without a disc, in a similar style to the way in which Xbox 360 owners already can. This news comes only weeks after Hulu launched the competing Hulu Plus, and rumors of Apple TV developing its own similar service. Likewise, D-Link’s Boxee Box will be available by November, allowing owners to watch web video directly on their TVs.

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