IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 05/05/2010

WSJ confirms Apple under preliminary antitrust investigation over iPhone
We'd heard a somewhat sketchy report from the New York Post yesterday that the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission were considering launching an antitrust inquiry into Apple and its various iPhone-related practices, and now it's being confirmed by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, which say the inquiry was triggered by complaints from Apple's competitors and app developers. The DOJ and FTC are currently deciding which agency will take the lead in any inquiry, but if and when it gets underway there are a few issues at play: the first is obviously Apple's decision to block Flash and other middleware from app development, and the second is Apple's new iAd platform, which comes with its own changes to the iPhone developer agreement that could potentially lock out third-party ad and analytics services like AdMob -- itself under regulatory scrutiny due to the Google acquisition -- and Flurry.

We'd also imagine regulators will take a close look at Apple's App Store policies in general, but from a distance looks like the focus is on mobile advertising: both Apple and Google have made aggressive moves into the space in recent months, and both have come under regulatory scrutiny. We'll just have to wait and see how this one plays out -- there's still no official word from either agency on what's happening, and the timeline of any potential investigation and lawsuit will be measured in months and years.

WSJ confirms Apple under preliminary antitrust investigation over iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Legend coming to AT&T, according to FCC

That ugly, pixelated label doesn't really look like much, does it? Ah, but there's so much going on here! A closer examination reveals that the label is a dead ringer for the label found underneath the endcap of HTC's lovely unibody aluminum Legend -- but this isn't exactly the Legend with which we're already well acquainted. Instead, this FCC filing is for a phone that operates on the 850 and 1900MHz WCDMA bands, a pretty strong sign that it'll be coming to AT&T (and / or Rogers, Bell, and Telus) at some point. Further evidence lies in the FCC ID itself: the original Legend bears an ID of PB76100, while this puppy is the awfully similar PB76110. Sure, it's no gigahertz-class, WVGA ultraphone, but we've got to admit -- the Legend's sexy enough to have us a little excited.

HTC Legend coming to AT&T, according to FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zotac's ZBOX HD-ID11 tiptoes into the wild, should ship soon

When you've got a footprint of just 7.4- x 7.4- x 1.73-inches, it's hard to make too big of an impression. That said, Zotac's new ZBOX looks to be just the thing for those scouting a diminutive HTPC or bedroom machine that can handle the best Glee re-runs and all of that YouTube HD footage that your long-lost siblings continue to email you from the wilds of Wisconsin. Originally launched back in March, this pint-sized PC is just now starting to make its way out to reviewers, which hopefully means that it's ever closer to shipping to end users, too. The benchmarking lords over at Hot Hardware took the time to unbox and preview the device, giving you the opportunity to wade through a gallery of images while it undergoes all sorts of torture. Head on down and have a look if an Ion-based machine that can fit inside your shoebox sounds even marginally appealing.

Zotac's ZBOX HD-ID11 tiptoes into the wild, should ship soon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin' it real fake: Nokia's N8 beaten to release by lackluster knockoff

All together now: "Already?" KIRFers overseas are getting quicker and quicker with their knockoffs, and at this point, it's safe to say that you'll have an easier time wrapping your hands around a commendable Nokia N8 impostor than the real-deal. The outside looks an awful lot like Nokia's first major Symbian^3-based handset, but the specifications are decidedly lackluster: you'll get a 400 x 240 resolution display (3.2-inches), an MP4 player, FM radio, Bluetooth, webcam and a battery that'll last three to five hours. Glaringly absent is a 12 megapixel camera, WiFi module and built-in 3G support, but it's not like that stuff really matters -- after all, what else would you expect for an unsubsidized price of just $105? Head on past the break for a video, rockstar.

[Thanks, Alain]

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake: Nokia's N8 beaten to release by lackluster knockoff

Keepin' it real fake: Nokia's N8 beaten to release by lackluster knockoff originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS ships $400 Eee PC Seashell 1005PR, complete with Broadcom Crystal HD chip

You've waited long enough, and now it's finally time for you to treat yourself to the HD-savvy netbook you've been craving. You deserve it. You really do. Motivational speeches aside, ASUS would sure love for you to feel that way, as the company's Eee PC Seashell 1005PR has finally departed the "coming soon" stage -- according to ASUS, anyway. Amazon's product page still indicates that stock is incoming, but it seems as if the 10.1-inch machine should be filtering out to various sales channels as we speak. In case you've forgotten, $399.99 nets you an Intel Atom N450 processor, 250GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, a battery good for "11 hours" of life, a 1,366 x 768 resolution panel and Broadcom's Crystal HD accelerator. Kind of sells itself, no?

ASUS ships $400 Eee PC Seashell 1005PR, complete with Broadcom Crystal HD chip originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Energy Star 4.0 goes into effect for HDTVs, puts 'em on a diet
Your next Energy Star-approved HDTV? Chances are it'll be a little greener than your last one, thanks to the new 4.0 ratings going into effect. These drastically reduce allowable consumption for displays, offering on average a 40 percent improvement in efficiency compared to 3.0 models, meaning a 50-inch set can consume, at most, 153 watts (compared to 318 in the 3.0 world). Beyond that, a display that has been turned "off" can consume no more than one solitary watt whilst waiting for your next command. All sets produced as of May 1 must meet these new regulations to earn that prestigious blue badge, and then in 2012 the 5.0 rules come into effect, dropping maximum consumption by roughly another 40 percent -- good news for those who love the planet as much as they love watching Nature on peripheral vision-filling display.

Energy Star 4.0 goes into effect for HDTVs, puts 'em on a diet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flying Finn Juha Kankkunen demonstrates Nokia's Car Kit CK-200 (video)

More and more cars offer integrated Bluetooth from the factory, but absolutely none offer an integrated Juha Kankkunen. The four-time World Rally Champion isn't even an option at any manufacturer that we know of, but regardless of make and model you can add a little Bluetooth integration with Nokia's CarKit CK-200. It's a display that sits on your dashboard and connects to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, and through the wireless controller that clips onto your steering wheel (at right above) you can navigate contacts, make calls, and even scroll through text messages. We're not so sure about the texting part, but it should be a great way to enable hands-free calling from one device and Bluetooth music streaming from another at the same time, if that's your thing. Not sold? The video after the break of Kankkunen doing his thing in a rally-prepped VW while taking calls will make you a convert. You know what they say: if it's good enough for Juha, it's good enough for you-a.

Continue reading Flying Finn Juha Kankkunen demonstrates Nokia's Car Kit CK-200 (video)

Flying Finn Juha Kankkunen demonstrates Nokia's Car Kit CK-200 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Nokia Conversations | Nokia | Email this | Comments
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Fraunhofer's 3D posters make your fish-based advertising really pop

The pinnacle of 3D-based content? Glasses-free, of course, and Fraunhofer has reached that level for static images -- and it plans to use it for advertising, of course. The company is talking up its new 3D posters that rely on 250,000 lenses embedded in a grooved sheet, each lens with a 2mm diameter. The effect is said to be similar to those simple "3D" lenticular postcards and cereal boxes we've all seen, but Fraunhofer promises that improved accuracy used in manufacturing here will make the resulting images far clearer, enabling the effect to be clearly seen on these five meter posters even from across the street. That's good, because when was the last time you walked up to a billboard to get a closer look?

Fraunhofer's 3D posters make your fish-based advertising really pop originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 3D-Display-info.com | Fraunhofer | Email this | Comments
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Nokia Ovi Maps let you do navigation instructions with your Own Voice

Yo TomTom, wake up and smell the competition. While the original gangster of navigation devices is still mulling over an app store, Nokia has raised the smartphone pathfinding bar a little higher by letting people record (and share) their own voice instructions. It's not the most complex process in the world, you just get the extra Own Voice app to go with the latest version of Ovi Maps and set your vocal talents free. At the end you'll get a neat little voice pack to utilize on your handset or to share with the world, which is surely just dying to hear your Mr. T impressions. Let the silliness commence!

[Thanks, Brent R.]

Nokia Ovi Maps let you do navigation instructions with your Own Voice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electronic House crowns 2010 Home of the Year award winners

It's that time of the year again, when the folks from Electronic House recognize the most impressive and downright jaw-dropping homes and home theaters they've seen since the last awards were handed out. While the categories cover everything from more modest home theaters to the best kitchens and outdoor spaces, the standout has to be the award for best home theater over $250,000, which this year went to the theater pictured above put together by First Impressions Home Theaters. While the exact price doesn't appear to have been disclosed, the home theater was apparently four and half months in the making, and centers around a 174-inch screen (which can be adjusted for scope ratio) and a TITAN 1080p-250 Pro Series projector that itself weighs in at 200 pounds. That, of course, is just the beginning -- the room also includes a Crestron automation system that automatically adjusts the lighting and changes the sky on the ceiling when folks enter, sound-proofing that lets you "hear your heartbeat," a completely concealed Genelec surround sound system, a custom dog bed, and Italian leather CineLounger seats complete with LED-lit glowing cup holders, to name just a few standout features. Hit up the source link below for the complete details, and the rest of the award winners.

Electronic House crowns 2010 Home of the Year award winners originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple granted design patent for iPhone 3G, 3GS

Hot on the heels of the "ornamental design" patent covering its original iPhone and iPod touch, we've got a second USPTO patent granted to Apple covering what looks to be the more curvaceous iPhone 3G and 3GS. Jonathan P. Ive and Steve Jobs are among the inventors credited with the usual list of references including the LG KE850 Prada and Meizu M8 look-a-like devices. Don't get too hung up on the missing "home" button -- a US design patent covers any device "substantially similar" to the images above. What that means only a judge can say.

Apple granted design patent for iPhone 3G, 3GS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 07:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bell Novatel MiFi 2372 deemed unsafe for human use, recalled

We knew there had to be a catch with the Novatel MiFi 3G routers -- they were just too convenient. But, little did we know that catch involved danger to our health and wellbeing! Bell Mobility has been sending couriers around (real people holding envelopes, not unicorns) to owners of the Novatel MiFi 2372, delivering dire-sounding letters (a copy can be found after the break) telling them to discontinue use of their routers due to faulty battery packs and, if that wasn't enough, they were all remotely deactivated yesterday morning. Owners are told to send their MiFis back to the company for replacement, a process said to take a whopping six to eight weeks. Novatel is sending U998 Turbo Sticks to those affected for use in the interim, but that doesn't do you much good if your device lacks USB ports, like our unfortunate tipster's iPad. We can understand the frustration of giving up your gadget for two months, the alternative doesn't sound too appealing either.

[Thanks, Justin]

Continue reading Bell Novatel MiFi 2372 deemed unsafe for human use, recalled

Bell Novatel MiFi 2372 deemed unsafe for human use, recalled originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Qlasp earbuds wrap around your lobes, appeal to your sweet tooth

Sony's candy-colored PIIQ headphone lineup isn't for everyone, but at least the new lollypop-styled Qlasp earbuds have a useful feature: an integrated flexible clip designed to keep them firmly affixed to your head as you skate, swing and slide through your active hipster day. Sure, you could just slap a pair of Lobies on your Klipsch and get the same effect with better sound, but at the cost of uglification; for a mere $25, these low-end Sony units might get the job done without telegraphing your geekiness to the world. Taste all five flavors of Qlasp at the source link.

Sony Qlasp earbuds wrap around your lobes, appeal to your sweet tooth originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MP3 Insider (CNET) | SonyStyle (1), SonyStyle (2) | Email this | Comments
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Bill Gates: Microsoft pursuing 'a lot of' tablet projects, pen-based input will be 'mainstream for students'

Few people would've taken the news of the Courier's demise lightly, and while Microsoft sought to comfort us, it's never quite as reassuring as when you hear it from the progenitor himself:

"Microsoft has a lot of different tablet projects that we're pursuing. We think that work with the pen that Microsoft pioneered will become a mainstream for students. It can give you a device that you can not only read, but also create documents at the same time."

So yes, Microsoft ain't quttin' on tablets just yet, and don't you even dare question the utility of the stylus. Bill Gates has been an unashamed promoter of pen-based computing for the longest time, and it's fun to see that even cold hard facts are insufficient to shake his confidence. Having spoken out against the iPad's lack of keyboard or pen input back in February, Bill has seen the American market gleefully embrace Apple's touchscreen device, something he acknowledges by agreeing that "both in general and in the specific, Apple's done a great job." But he still expects students to be drawn to pen-friendly mobile devices. Well Bill, give the other Steve a call and get him to bring one out and we shall see, eh?

Bill Gates: Microsoft pursuing 'a lot of' tablet projects, pen-based input will be 'mainstream for students' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 05:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latitude E4310 sneaks onto Dell's e-tail pages, 'coming soon'

In its own inimitable style, Dell has just updated its Latitude range with the E4310 model we saw floating through the FCC bearing the fancy codename of Lafite. As part of the company's "E-Family," this 13-incher promises rock solid durability and rugged design without compromising on the spec sheet goodies. Processor options are provided by Intel's 2.4GHz Core i5-520M or 2.53GHz Core i5-540M, while memory can stretch up to 8GB of DDR3 and storage space can be maxed out at 500GB. Alternatively, you can plump for the 256GB SSD, with a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader and UWB radio filling out the optional extras. Prices aren't yet available, but we can surely expect them very soon. In other unannounced news, the E6410 and E6510 models recently spotted on Dell's UK site are now available via the US branch as well, with prices starting at just over $1,100 for base systems equipped with Core i5-520M CPUs. Hit the links below to learn more.

[Thanks, Jason]

Gallery: Dell Latitude E4310

Latitude E4310 sneaks onto Dell's e-tail pages, 'coming soon' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 04:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chinese iPhone approved with WAPI WiFi

You might not be aware of this but the official Chinese iPhone offered by China Unicom since October 2009 doesn't include WiFi -- part of the reason for a continued Chinese grey market for iPhones sourced from neighboring countries. Now we're seeing a China-approved 3G / GSM / Bluetooth device from Apple capable of using China's homegrown WAPI (WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure) protocol. The new device -- presumably a 4th generation iPhone -- will join Dell's Mini 3i as one of a few foreign handsets to feature the Chinese national standard for WLAN. See the 26 April approved regulatory filing after the break.

Update: The reference to "A1303" in the chinese language filing means this is likely a WAPI version of the iPhone 3GS, not a 4th gen device.

Continue reading Chinese iPhone approved with WAPI WiFi

Chinese iPhone approved with WAPI WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator 5: Revenge of the Microsoft Fanboy (video)

We know things can get pretty hairy in the war between man and machine. Even in times of peace a foul-mouthed forum troll slagging off your favorite consumer electronics company can be too much to bear. But violence is never the answer. Yes, we're looking at you Mr. Down-on-his-luck series 800. Watch the Leon Wang created story unfold after the break.

Continue reading Terminator 5: Revenge of the Microsoft Fanboy (video)

Terminator 5: Revenge of the Microsoft Fanboy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 02:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Android-powered S-Pad tablet with 7-inch Super AMOLED in August?
Know what's hot like 2001? Tablet computers. Just like that a product category has been reborn and proven viable as a money making machine. Now the scramble is on to fill the void by companies big and small. Samsung, a big name in the UMPC debacle (that's the Q1 to the right) with its own confirmed tablet ambitions, looks prepped to deliver product this summer if Korean pub Etnews is to be believed. First up, the OS: Android. Samsung's so-called "S-Pad" (the tentative name spawned under its S-Project initiative) will display Google's smartphone OS on a supposed 7-inch Super AMOLED display with WiFi and 3G data connectivity -- the latter supplied by SK Telecom who will supposedly help distribute the device. It'll also bring an iPad-esque USB dock and content from Kyobo books (Korea's largest bookstore) and Samsung's own Samsung Apps application store. If true, we should expect to see Samsung's S-Pad launch in August. While no price has been given you can expect the cost to be exorbitant thanks to that extra large Super AMOLED display unless SK Telecom can push it down through ample subsidies.

[Thanks, JH Yee]

Samsung's Android-powered S-Pad tablet with 7-inch Super AMOLED in August? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeapFrog teases future mystery device, inadvertently spills beans in the past

"There's like a billion things you can do with this! Play games, read books, download apps, make your own animation," the child actors cry. "When is it coming out?" All should be revealed June 7th, according to teaser trailer at LeapFrog's website -- that's when the company will unveil its new mystery device. You won't need to wait nearly that long, though, because CEO Jeffrey Katz has already been more than forthcoming with the company's investors.

The new device is called the Leapster Explorer, and it's a Linux-based ARM-powered touchscreen computer that doubles as a gaming platform and e-book reader, integrated into both the company's Learning Path parent monitoring system and LeapWorld virtual world. We hear tell it will have a content marketplace for app and video downloads... and there's a digital camera and video accessories planned for the kid-friendly gadget's future. To spite LeapFrog marketers further, the Explorer is already available for preorder -- spotted at J&R this afternoon -- and both the online retailer and a sweepstakes running at the LeapFrog website confirm the Explorer will retail for $69.99. But when is it actually coming out? Katz just told investors they'd "see it in stores around the first of July."

[Thanks, Dylan S.]

LeapFrog teases future mystery device, inadvertently spills beans in the past originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide official: Android 2.1, QWERTY, coming in June (we go hands-on)

Hey, CLIQ, better check that rear-view mirror, because you've got an interesting competitor coming right up on your tail. T-Mobile is launching another midrange Android QWERTY slider -- some might argue the G1's true successor -- christened the myTouch 3G Slide (not quite the "myTouch Slide" we've been hearing for a few months) with a 3.4-inch HVGA display, 5 megapixel camera, and a pretty heavily-customized skin based on Android 2.1. How custom are we talking, exactly? Well, it's not quite like anything we've seen on a production Android device before, featuring a host of custom apps including the "Faves Gallery," a social aggregator for your most dearly beloved contacts; "myModes," a profile manager that can change the phone's themes and settings based on time or location; the Swype keyboard in place of Google's option; and the so-called "Genius Button," which seeks to extend Android's already decent voice command and text-to-speech systems by allowing you to do just about anything on the phone using your voice, hear messages read back to you, and so on. In the myTouch 3G tradition, the Slide will come in a selection of colors when it launches in June -- black, white, or red -- for a to-be-announced price. Check out T-Mobile's full press release along with our impressions of the device after the break

Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide official: Android 2.1, available in June

Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide hands-on

Continue reading T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide official: Android 2.1, QWERTY, coming in June (we go hands-on)

T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide official: Android 2.1, QWERTY, coming in June (we go hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ABC Player for iPad updated, 3G streaming is a go

Well that was fast. That ABC Player for iPad update we heard about this morning has already made its way through Apple's approval process and is now available for download. Orientation lock is now, erm, on lock controls are more responsive, but most importantly, (lower bitrate) 3G streaming is now a go. With that settled, now no bus ride will ever get between you and an island chockfull of confusion and smoke monsters.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

ABC Player for iPad updated, 3G streaming is a go originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony selling 'PlayStation Protection Plan' warranty extension for PS3, PSP

Sony makes some pretty resilient game consoles, and while you'll certainly hear about the occasional glitch, they aren't exactly plagued with RRoD. That said, there's always room for worry, and if you're willing to pay for peace of mind, Sony has a brand-new service agreement with your name on it. Dubbed the "PlayStation Protection Plan," it simply extends the full warranty on your PlayStation 3 or PSP for another year or two, and optionally covers your handheld's five-foot swan dive onto solid concrete for an additional fee. While replacement won't quite be no-questions-asked and the warranty explicitly fails to cover dead pixels, liquid damage and loss of data (among other things), we can still imagine some will pony up the $30 to $50 for extra insurance. Not us, though. Since you can only buy if you're still within the original warranty period, it won't help us replace our backwards-compatible 60GB PS3... and honestly, we think we've had enough of Sony's protection.

Sony selling 'PlayStation Protection Plan' warranty extension for PS3, PSP originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Internet Explorer market share falls below 60 percent for first time, according to NetApplications

NetApplications has just released its browser market share stats for the month of April, and there is something notable here: Internet Explorer has fallen to a "historic low" of 59.95 percent market share, losing about 0.69 points since last month. Google's Chrome continues its assault on Safari, reaching a 6.73 percent share (while Safari nabbed 4.72). Of course, Internet Explorer is still so far ahead of the rest of the pack it's hard to make these losses -- however significant -- into a tragedy of epic proportions story for Microsoft, so we're not going to do that. Keep in mind, as well, that NetApplications is not the only measurement of market share -- and StatCounter, by comparison, currently estimates IE's share at about 51.42 percent. Hit up the source link for the full battery of data.

Internet Explorer market share falls below 60 percent for first time, according to NetApplications originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket

If you're like us, one of the first things you wanted to do after getting your iPad was to find a great case for it. Right off the bat, we weren't really that into Apple's offering, which is strangely 90's in its design aesthetic, though it does have a number of decent features if you're looking for a do-it-all scenario and don't have strong feelings on looks. For us, however, the goal was finding something that kept a low profile, shielded the slate from unnecessary grime, and made it easier to deal with. Oh, and we wanted it to look like a book. After reviewing the options, we've come up with two choices that we think are your best bets for turning your iPad into something a little more familiar, so here's our quick take on M-Edge's Trip Jacket, and the stunning, hand-made Dodocase.

Gallery: Dodocase and M-Edge iPad Trip Jacket hands-on

Continue reading A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket

A tale of two iPad cases: the Dodocase and M-Edge Trip Jacket originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WarMouse Meta review

A mouse with eighteen buttons! Does the WarMouse Meta - or what used to be known as the OpenOffice Mouse - need any further introduction? We didn't think so, and ever since we laid eyes on this thing we've been dying to know how you'd even go about using the programmable point-and-clicker. There's no doubt that the $79.99 Meta with its 512K of memory is the most advanced mouse we've ever seen - each of its 18 buttons along with their double-click functions can be configured for different applications, and its analog joystick can be customized to perform eight different commands. Indeed, it's as overwhelming as it sounds, but have we always needed an extra sixteen buttons on our mouse? The answer may shock you. Or it may not. You'll never know unless you hit the break for our full review.

Gallery: Warmouse Meta hands-on

Continue reading WarMouse Meta review

WarMouse Meta review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Droid Incredible's mysterious OTA update actually fixes Exchange bug
Saturday afternoon, reports came in that Verizon's new Droid Incredible had already received its first OTA update. Nobody knew quite what it did and few even received it, but some figured it probably fixed the smattering of random reboots and radio bugs experienced by some early adopters. We reached out to Verizon on the matter, and we're afraid to say that's not the case -- the new 1.22.605.2 CL161494 software build merely fixes a bug in Microsoft Exchange support. As such, you'll only see the update if you've got a corporate handset, and those who do can expect their carbon-copy email fields (which would apparently fill with unintended addresses beforehand) to be fixed sometime around May 6th. On the off-chance that fix magically transforms your mobile world, feel free to let us know in comments. Full statement after the break.

Continue reading Droid Incredible's mysterious OTA update actually fixes Exchange bug

Droid Incredible's mysterious OTA update actually fixes Exchange bug originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fly Mouse takes to the air with QWERTY keyboard, gyro, USB wireless

You know that when we saw this ad we had to take a second look. The Fly Mouse (or, if you prefer Google Translate's version, "Air Flying Squirrel Lazy Mouse," is a wireless keyboard / mouse for HTPCs and the like. With its QWERTY keyboard, arrow keys, and a built in gyro, you'll be Googleing and YouTubeing up a storm, via the 2.4GHz wireless signal. Available for about $50, get a closer look after the break. And while you're at it, maybe you can explain the guy in the cowboy hat?

Continue reading Fly Mouse takes to the air with QWERTY keyboard, gyro, USB wireless

Fly Mouse takes to the air with QWERTY keyboard, gyro, USB wireless originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Everything USB | Taobao.com | Email this | Comments
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ABC said to have 3G-compatible iPad app on the way

We had a pretty clear indication that a 3G-compatible ABC iPad app could just be a matter of a relatively simple fix, and it looks like that is indeed the case -- Silicon Alley Insider is reporting that ABC has already submitted an updated app that adds 3G streaming to Apple for approval. Barring some unforeseen issues, that seems to be all but assured, and it will presumably function much like the Netflix app by knocking things down to a lower bitrate when you leave your WiFi comfort zone. Still no official word from ABC on this, but we'd suggest keeping a close eye on the app store if you've been craving some Dancing with the Stars on the go.

ABC said to have 3G-compatible iPad app on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AUO scores patent lawsuit decision over LG Display
LG Display may want to be more careful where it aims those patent lawsuits next time, after a dispute it kicked off with AUO has lead to a finding by a U.S. District court that it actually violated AUO's patents and not the other way around. Say hello to patent Nos 6,778,160, 6,689,629, 7,125,157 and 7,090,506, covering "technologies help to improve response time, improve reliability of LCDs, solve the problem of defects in the displayed images, and provide a very compact structure useful for small handheld devices, respectively." So far AUO is indicating that it will seek an injunction preventing LG from shipping its potentially infringing HDTVs, monitors, notebooks and even phones to the U.S, plus some other legal tough talk for good measure. After LG's almost inevitable appeal this could drag out for years and/or be resolved in a sudden alliance of cross licensing so while there still may be time to grab that Chocolate Touch you've been eyeing, we'd keep a casual eye on LE9500 shipping dates in case of slippage.

Continue reading AUO scores patent lawsuit decision over LG Display

AUO scores patent lawsuit decision over LG Display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screenshots emerge of Steam Linux client, BeOS wonders if it's next

There's some old adage referring to smoke and fire meant to explain this phenomenon, but frankly, we're too focused on the promise of the future to go and look it up. Merely weeks after the Steam for Mac beta proved that Linux support may be in the works, along comes this: two glorious screenshots proving as much. 'Course, nothing much about this situation has changed, but having pictorial evidence that a Steam client exists in some stage for Linux is a boon for hopefuls. A Phoronix reader managed to snag a capture of the client working its magic early on, and while it's pretty obvious that it's not ready for primetime, we're just stoked to see that there's legitimate reason to believe such an app is on the way. Hang tight, Penguin Nation -- your Steam should be just about the bend.

Screenshots emerge of Steam Linux client, BeOS wonders if it's next originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG confirms Android-powered Ally, coming May 20th

Well, this hasn't exactly followed the usual smartphone launch route, but LG has now officially confirmed the existence of its new Android-powered LG Ally handset, although it's still not doing much talking about the phone itself. It has, however, revealed that the phone will be available on May 20th (presumably on Verizon, though LG oddly doesn't mention a carrier in its press release), and that it will naturally feature plenty of Iron Man 2 tie-in content, including an augmented reality application of some sort. Otherwise, LG is only saying that the phone will have a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keypad, and it's pointing folks towards an Iron Man 2 tie-in site (linked below) that, last we checked, still says to check back on April 30th. We should be getting some more details on the phone soon enough, however, as LG is holding an event in New York on May 11th where it will be showing off the Ally and other "Stark-worthy" technology.

Continue reading LG confirms Android-powered Ally, coming May 20th

LG confirms Android-powered Ally, coming May 20th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 May 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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