WSJ: Microsoft gathering parts for a watch-like device

The modern smartwatch market hardly even exists, and yet it's already starting to feel very crowded. Hot on the heels of plans (official and otherwise) from Apple and Samsung, the Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft has also been shopping around for parts to build a "watch-style device." While details are scarce as to what that would entail, unnamed supplier executives tell the newspaper that Microsoft has been asking for 1.5-inch touchscreens. We wouldn't count on seeing an ultra-small Surface anytime soon, however -- these executives say they've visited Microsoft's campus, but they don't know whether the Windows developer is fully committed to its wrist-worn endeavor or just experimenting. If the project exists at all, of course. Still, there's finally a glimmer of hope for anyone who's still mourning the loss of their beloved SPOT watches.

Source: Wall Street Journal

More Coverage: The Verge

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By: Unknown On 9:46 AM

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Sprint LTE also live in parts of Florida, New York City and Washington, DC (updated)

Sprint was clearly up to something good when we noticed LTE in parts of San Francisco. It turns out that this was just the tip of the iceberg -- the carrier has since confirmed that it's also flicking the switch in New York City, parts of New York state, Washington DC, and Florida cities that include Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa. The faster access is going live on a site-by-site basis in given areas rather than all at once, which bears out what we're hearing from readers and a Sprint spokesperson we reached for comment: LTE appears to be available in pockets in at least New York City and San Francisco. Sprint won't have a formal news release until it believes the coverage is complete, but we suspect most customers will be too busy testing the speed of their long-underused EVO 4G LTE or iPhone 5 to notice.

[Thanks, Derek and Revie]

Update: The full Sprint statement is after the break.

"Yes, we are hearing more and more reports of Sprint customers discovering LTE on their 4G LTE devices in San Francisco and New York City.

"This is exciting for all of us. As we prepare the Sprint 4G LTE network for its 'official' launch in big cities like LA, San Francisco and NYC, cell sites are being turned on with the new service. This is done in order to test and prepare the network. It is one of the many ways our network team ensures that Sprint 4G LTE meets our standards. Many of these sites will remain turned on and customers can access the service on their devices. The service will get better and reach more and more neighborhoods as we continue our buildout – this is a taste of what's to come.

As we prepare for the 4G LTE launch of San Francisco and New York City, customers may bump into a 4G LTE signal and we hope that they find the experience enjoyable."

Source: The Verge

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By: Unknown On 7:09 PM

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#Ridiculous, or why the French have renamed the hashtag: a play in no parts

FADE IN:

INT. L'Académie Française -- DUSK

A group of forty immortels, dressed head-to-toe in YSL Rive Gauche robes en velour, are seated upon several dozen Maurizio Galante Mother-in-Law sofas. Saint Etienne's Good Humor can be heard playing the background as the soundtrack to their wordless debate. Forceful exhalations and heavy sighs punctuate the lounge-like ambiance. Suddenly, the eldest of the group stands, silences his Mobiado Grand Touch Executive and speaks.

IMMORTEL No. 1

Let's have a kiki. I wanna have a kiki.

IMMORTEL No. 31

Lock the doors, tight!

IMMORTEL No. 1

A kiki is party for deciding on new words. We're drinking Chablis and dishing des bons mots to be absurd. And though the sun will soon be rising, no one may get up to leave. So tweet that ish and we'll all bid adieu to le hashtag.

Kiki! Hashtag?! Oui Oui ou Non?

ALL IMMORTELS (in unison)

NON, NON!

IMMORTEL No. 1

Let's call it a 'mot-diese.'

IMMORTEL No. 40

This kiki is marvelous!

IMMORTEL No. 31

Dive, turn, work!

IMMORTEL No. 1

And so, it is done. Fin.

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By: Dilusha On 11:56 AM

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