BGR reviewed Apple’s third-generation iPad earlier this week, and we said the new model was better than the iPad 2 in almost every way. As it turns out, there is indeed at least one area where Apple’s previous-generation iPad outshines the new tablet — albeit by a slim margin — and third-party consumer electronics warranty provider SquareTrade recently took to the streets to prove it. In an effort to illustrate why its warranty services can come in handy, the company performed a series of dro...

Apple on Wednesday announced its AppleCare+ extended warranty service for the iPad. Like other Apple products, when purchasing an iPad the device comes with a one year limited warranty, however accidental damage is not covered. With AppleCare+, users can breathe easy knowing their $499+ slate is safe from water damage, drops and hardware malfunctions for two years — although users are only allotted two incidents of accidental damage, each of which will require a $49 service fee. AppleCare+ is priced at $99 ...

As promised, ASUS has released a bootloader unlocking tool for the Transformer Prime. The tool is packaged in an APK that can be downloaded from the company’s website. Once downloaded and installed, the Transformer Prime will have the ability to run custom ROMS, however ASUS warns that unlocking your bootloader will void your warranty. “Once you activate the [unlock app] you will not be able to recover your ASUS product (“Original Product”) back to original locked conditions,” AS...

Via a press release today, AT&T announced a new, comprehensive insurance offering dubbed Mobile Protection Pack. As the company explains, the new offering is a combination of three services: mobile insurance, enhanced support, and mobile locate. Mobile Protection, which will retail for $9.99 per month, covers subscribers against equipment loss, theft, accidental damage, liquid damage, and out-of-warranty malfunction. It also provides users with the ability to locate, lock, and trigger an alarm on a mi...

The Motorola DEFY might be rugged enough to withstand a long drop, a dust storm and even a monsoon, but it looks as though countless units around the world couldn’t even endure the manufacturing process. Hundreds of DEFY users from markets across the globe have taken to forums complaining of the same problem — the ear speaker stops working within the first few days of use. Owners are able to hear callers fine when using the handset’s loudspeaker, but the ear speaker remains nonfunctional. Some u...

Following widespread reports, Nokia confirmed on Thursday that some of its N8 smartphones are faulty. The response comes following reports from N8 owners around the world claiming that their devices inexplicably died. Users all complained of similar symptoms — the device wouldn’t reboot, take a charge or even power on after the failure. As some speculated, Nokia confirmed that the issue is related to power management.There have been some reports in media on the Nokia N8 quality. Niklas Savander, head ...

Apple has made changes to its policy regarding the transferability of AppleCare Protection Plans, a source told BGR. Starting immediately, an Apple customer will have the ability to transfer AppleCare Protection Plan coverage to a new device without having to cancel the current plan and purchase a new one. Though no formal announcement has been made to the public, Apple notified its employees of the new procedure on Monday. The policy change, which applies only to eligible purchases made within the 30-day per...

The antenna issues plaguing the iPhone 4 have infuriated many iPhone users (and rightfully so), but have you ever wondered how Apple is training its employees to deal with the fiasco? Well thanks to one of our Apple connects, we now know the exact procedures AppleCare reps must follow when dealing with any reception complaints regarding the iPhone 4. Hit the jump to check them out. (more…)

Mac aficionados that also enjoy a pack of Marlboros every now and then might want to keep their smoke as far away from their computer as possible for it appears Apple doesn’t take kindly to the habit. Yesterday, Consumerist ran a story about two customers that were denied warranty repairs to their MacBook and iMac by Apple (both had purchased extended AppleCare warranties) simply because the machines were exposed to second-hand smoke. Both appealed to the office of Steve Jobs to no avail. The strangest ...