Thursday, September 16, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 15/09/2010



Did iOS 4.1 introduce in-car USB playback problems for you?
As with almost any software update, Apple has seemingly introduced a few new issues while ironing out a couple of others. Automotive forums around the web are ablaze with talk that iOS 4.1 has introduced any number of playback problems, with the bulk of complainers citing scratching, crackling or random disconnects when piping audio from their device to their vehicle via the dock connector. We've tested two iOS 4.1-equipped iPhone 4 handsets in two separate vehicles here at Engadget HQ, and we saw no quirks whatsoever, but we've no doubt that the issue is real to some extent. Prior firmwares have caused permanent incompatibilities between our iPods and vehicles before, and we're about at our wit's end. We know it's impossible for the software engineers at Cupertino to test new builds on every car adapter out there, but we're starting to wonder if they bother to plug 'em into any vehicles at all. Tell us below if you've pulled any hairs out in recent days, won't you?

[Image courtesy of Murphy5156 / TiPb]
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Did iOS 4.1 introduce in-car USB playback problems for you? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung adds two free pairs of glasses to sub-$1,000 3DTV package
Don't think there's some give in those 3DTV prices? Now that Samsung's sub-$1000 50-inch PN50C490 plasma HDTV is on store shelves, it's improving the offer by throwing two pairs of those (normally $149 retail value each) active shutter 3D glasses in for free. Since it comes with the IR emitter already built in, that's all anyone will need to get every pixel available of the 3D games on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 or any of ESPN 3D's broadcasts. Of course, the 720p resolution will give up a few pixels on 1080p Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D discs, but if you absolutely must be 3D ready before next week's Auburn/Clemson game and only have $1,000 to spend, this is your day. Of course, even among the fraction of the crowd interested in 3D now or in the near future, we're wondering what kind of deals might be floating around once Black Friday hits. The bundle deal's been spotted online at Amazon, Best Buy and Vanns, as well as in-store at hhgregg, so you shouldn't have too much trouble sniffing it out -- or avoiding it, if that's your deal -- locally.
Samsung adds two free pairs of glasses to sub-$1,000 3DTV package originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LaCie ships 2big USB 3.0 RAID drive and d2 USB 3.0 external HDD
Talk about taking your sweet time. LaCie actually announced that it would be shipping a USB 3.0 version of its 2big USB 3.0 RAID monster in December of last year, but as you well know, the adoption of SuperSpeed has been less than blisteringly fast. At long last, the storage mainstay has decided to start shipping the aforementioned device, available with a pair of 7200rpm HDDs (up to 4TB total) and a promised maximum transfer rate of 205MB/sec. In case that's too heavy for your soul, the now-available d2 USB 3.0 might be the perfect alternative. The design won't be unfamiliar to LaCie loyalists, but the single-drive unit is making its way out in 1TB ($149.99) and 2TB ($249.99) sizes with a maximum transfer rate of 130MB/sec. So, you in? Or do you still think eSATA may swoop in and destroy USB 3.0, Blu-ray style?
Gallery: LaCie ships 2big USB 3.0 RAID drive and d2 USB 3.0 external HDD
Continue reading LaCie ships 2big USB 3.0 RAID drive and d2 USB 3.0 external HDD
LaCie ships 2big USB 3.0 RAID drive and d2 USB 3.0 external HDD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Blio for PC will be available on September 28, iOS and Android apps soon after
The fact that Blio was preloaded on our Toshiba Libretto W105 was a good hint that the company was getting ready to release its software to the digital reading masses, and sure enough in just a few weeks that's exactly what's going to happen. The full-color program, which was designed to mimic the look of a book with fancy 3D page turns, will be available for download starting on September 28 directly from Blio's website. Sure, Blio's no Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but they're promising a million free titles at launch and they've partnered with Baker & Taylor to provide another 10,000. We're also intrigued by the software's advanced text-to-speech capabilities -- hey, don't forget Ray Kurzweil is the founder! Not too far after the launch of the PC software, Blio will be releasing Android, iPhone and iPad apps. It's also promising that there will be numerous partnerships with device (i.e. tablet, laptop) manufacturers, retailers, and carriers, so it looks like we'll be hearing quite a bit about the company in the weeks to come. We'll hit you back with our impressions of the apps sometime soon, but in the meantime you can peruse the screenshots and press release after the break.
Gallery: Blio for PC screenshots
Gallery: Blio for iPhone screenshots
Continue reading Blio for PC will be available on September 28, iOS and Android apps soon after
Blio for PC will be available on September 28, iOS and Android apps soon after originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia Charging Plate DT-600 hands-on: 'charge in style' is all you need to know
Nokia's official marketing documentation for the just-announced DT-600 says that you can "charge in style" and "enjoy the life with full battery." After checking it out here at Nokia World, we don't think we could say it any better ourselves. The device is basically a rubber tray for setting your battery-dependent gadgets with a squid-like array of charging cables coming out of the corners; there are very similar products to this on the market already, but Nokia's got a couple trump cards up its sleeve. Actually, one of them is less of a trump card and more of a Wild Draw Four: although one cable is micro-USB, two of the others are permanently connected 2mm Nokia jacks, an odd decision considering that modern Nokias are moving away from those to micro-USB -- as are most manufacturers -- so we guess they're expecting you to keep a few antiques juiced up.

The other differentiator, though, is that you don't need to snake your own chargers through the mess -- the fourth cable is interchangeable and connects to one of two USB ports on the side, and you can use the other port for a fifth cable that isn't routed through one of the four corners' holes. Nokia includes mini-USB, LG, Sony Ericsson, and two flavors of Samsung connectors for this one; Apple's noticeably missing, but we're sure these guys had zero interest in licensing the 20-pin design -- and obviously, you can just use your own cable if you like. In a nod to Mother Nature, the DT-600 burns no power when devices aren't connected, but if you're in the US, tough luck -- there's no plan in place for availability there. Hit up the gallery for a few in-the-wild shots (taken at Nokia's Experience Lounge coffee bar, by the way, so the phones weren't the only things getting juiced up).
Gallery: Nokia Charging Plate DT-600 hands-on: 'charge in style' is all you need to know
Nokia Charging Plate DT-600 hands-on: 'charge in style' is all you need to know originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire HD first hands-on!
Alright, Europeans, say it with us: "finally!" Yes, having played extensively with the EVO 4G over the last few months, we can definitely say that the Desire HD is an authentic recreation of the American blockbuster, though it lacks the kickstand around back -- likely in an effort to reduce thickness, we suppose. In fact, HTC has eliminated the battery cover entirely, replacing it with a Legend-style slot (side-mounted this time) -- take a look at a shot of it both open and closed after the break. The phones HTC had on display here felt extremely smooth and snappy... though, as we all know, Android tends to bog down a bit over time, so the proof will be in the pudding after these things have been in customers' hands for a month or two.
Gallery: HTC Desire HD first hands-on
Continue reading HTC Desire HD first hands-on!
HTC Desire HD first hands-on! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire Z hands-on (more video)
We've just gotten to grips with HTC's luscious new Desire Z slider (you'll know it as the T-Mobile G2 in the US) and it is indeed a slab of finely crafted metal. That Z hinge that the company is touting feels pretty robust, requiring a reassuring amount of torque to get it to spring open. And it really is a spring, it flips from closed to open instantaneously. The QWERTY button array feels pretty terrific, giving us just the right amount of responsiveness, while separation between keys feels a lot more spacious than the images would lead you to believe. It's also worth noting that, exactly as HTC promised in its keynote, the Desire Z has one of the most accessible top rows in the slider smartphone business. We honestly didn't think there was a difference between typing on it versus any of the other rows. That's quite the feat, and easily positions this as the best competitor to Nokia's newly announced E7. Are we witnessing a QWERTY renaissance? We sure hope so. Check out the gallery below and hands-on video after the break.

Update: Added a second video to demonstrate the Z's ridiculously fast startup and more under Android 2.2 Froyo.
Gallery: HTC Desire Z hands-on
Continue reading HTC Desire Z hands-on (more video)
HTC Desire Z hands-on (more video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Audyssey Audio Dock: South of Market Edition offers high-end Bluetooth music streaming for your phone
It's not every day our interest is piqued by an iPhone / iPod speaker dock, but when the folks at Audyssey told us they were entering the space with their new South of Market Edition, our ears perked up. You're probably familiar with Audyssey if you're into home theater at all -- the company's automatic EQ system is in all sorts of receivers -- and the SOM dock promises the same sort of tuned audio performance you'd expect from the company. It also offers a little twist: you can pair your phone or computer via Bluetooth for both streaming music and making speakerphone calls with the built-in mic. Neat -- although at $399 it's definitely pricey.

We spent a few minutes playing with a review sample, and it certainly does what's promised, although we were told our voices sounded quite muddled when we made a speakerphone call. Music-wise, the SOM gets quite loud and the two large bass drivers certainly offered plenty of punch; audio quality over Bluetooth was definitely passable, and we managed a pretty respectable 30-foot line-of-sight range when streaming music, although plugging directly in definitely improved the sound. Of course, spending $399 on a Bluetooth speaker dock for your iPhone right now when AirPlay-compatible devices are right around the corner definitely seems like a bad idea, but if you're just looking for an attractive and great-sounding speaker dock to charge your iPhone in the office and you can swing the price, the SOM is well worth a look. More images in the gallery and PR after the break.
Continue reading Audyssey Audio Dock: South of Market Edition offers high-end Bluetooth music streaming for your phone
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HTC launches the Desire HD: an EVO for the rest of world
The Desire HD is official, folks, finally bringing a 4.3-inch LCD to European Android fans. The handset is made from a solid block of aluminum and comes packing a 1GHz 8255 Snapdragon processor, 8 megapixel camera with dual-LED flash and 720p video recording, Dolby Mobile, and HSPA+ data with 802.11n WiFi when it lands in Europe and Asia sometime in October. It's also one of the first HTC devices to feature the enhanced HTC Sense experience with HTCsense.com services.
Gallery: HTC Desire HD

Continue reading HTC launches the Desire HD: an EVO for the rest of world
HTC launches the Desire HD: an EVO for the rest of world originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire Z is the QWERTY slider your Android's been waiting for
HTC has just announced the Desire Z, an Android-friendly QWERTY slider. Like the T-Mobile G2, the Desire Z features a "pop-out" (don't call it a slider) QWERTY keyboard with user assigned keys and system-wide shortcuts that let you quickly launch your favorite apps. Around back you've got a 5 megapixel camera with flash that's HD video capable while an 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 processor pumps away efficiently inside with HSPA+ and 802.11n radios providing the data. Unlike the US G2, however, the Deisre Z comes loaded with HTC's enhanced Sense UI and new HTCSense.com services. Look for it to land in major European and Asian markets in October before hitting North America sometime later in 2010.
Gallery: HTC Desire Z press pics
Gallery: HTC Desire Z
Continue reading HTC Desire Z is the QWERTY slider your Android's been waiting for
HTC Desire Z is the QWERTY slider your Android's been waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTCSense.com will backup and remotely locate / wipe HTC devices
HTC's announcing more than hardware this morning, it's also announcing an enhanced HTC Sense experience. At the heart is HTCSense.com, a series of dashboard-connected services for backup, security, and control of your HTC handset. A new locate feature triggers the handset to ring loudly (even when set to silent) while flagging its location on an online map. If the phone was lost or stolen, owners can remote lock and/or wipe the phone. Backups will automatically archive your contacts, text messages, call history, customizations and data. Sense is also adding advanced multimedia capabilities to help ease the way we capture, share, and upload our content. HTC's also added on-the-fly capture effects and filters to manipulate depth of field or for adding distortion and vintage effects.

Update: We've got a gallery's worth of interface shots from the new Sense experience!
Gallery: HTC's New Sense Experience

Continue reading HTCSense.com will backup and remotely locate / wipe HTC devices
HTCSense.com will backup and remotely locate / wipe HTC devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 07:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Live from HTC's London 2010 launch event
Guess where we are. Yes, the HTC event important enough to be crashed by Nokia's guerilla marketing crew is just about to get started and your favorite tech blog is here to bring you the moment-by-moment account. Join us past the break as we set out to discover what desirable new handsets HTC has on tap!Continue reading Live from HTC's London 2010 launch event
Live from HTC's London 2010 launch event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Algiz XRW: 10-inches of rugged, well-specced laptop nirvana
Come on tough guy, step right up. $20 says a roundhouse kick to the casing won't even scratch the bad boy you're peering at above. Well, unless you're rockin' a pair of Kenny Powers' K-Swiss Tubes. Asides aside, Sweden's own Handheld Group has just introduced its latest rugged offering, the 10.1-inch Algiz XRW, which is powered by Intel's 2GHz Atom Z550 and Windows 7 Ultimate. Other specs include a 64GB SSD, 2GB of DDR2 memory, a pair of USB 2.0 sockets, inbuilt Bluetooth / WiFi, GPS, 2 megapixel webcam and an optional (but totally necessary) Gobi 2000 WWAN module. The whole thing tips the scales at just 3.3 pounds, and that's including the IP65 / MIL-STD-810F rated enclosure, which is fully capable of rejecting dust, water, debris and mythical powers of persuasion. We're told that the internal battery can keep things humming for eight solid hours, and in case you're wondering, that 1366 x 768 resolution panel is of the daylight viewable variety. Mum's the word on pricing, but the first shipments should head out in December for those with a brutal winter ahead.
Gallery: Algiz XRW 10-inch rugged laptop
Continue reading Algiz XRW: 10-inches of rugged, well-specced laptop nirvana
Algiz XRW: 10-inches of rugged, well-specced laptop nirvana originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HP's Pavilion dm3t gets a well-deserved refresh, now available with Core i3-330UM
It sure looks as if HP's Pavilion dm3t is still rockin' that godforsaken aluminum-sheet-of-a-trackpad, but if you're a perennial mouse user, you may still appreciate the revised innards that have recently slid into one of HP's most stylish ultraportables. The 13.3-incher is now available with Intel's 1.2GHz Pentium U5400 or a 1.2GHz Core i3-330UM, both of which include integrated graphics alongside an HDMI and VGA output. You can also equip it with up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 640GB hard drive (or 160GB SSD, if you're feeling froggy), a six-cell battery and a 1366 x 768 BrightView LCD. The baseline machine sits at $549.99, but you know you'll be pushing it north of that once you spot the backlit keyboard option.
HP's Pavilion dm3t gets a well-deserved refresh, now available with Core i3-330UM originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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PlayOn update brings iPad compatibility, streams over 3G and WiFi
Tired of using PlayOn's web app to enjoy content on your iPod touch and iPhone? Tired of being left out altogether if you're on an iPad? Fret not, dear content consumers -- PlayOn has today released a highly anticipated update to its own software that adds iPad compatibility, enabling users to stream material from Hulu, Netflix, Comedy Central, ABC, CBS, MTV and ESPN3 (among others) over WiFi and 3G. Unfortunately, those of you in that first camp will have to remain there until Apple gets its approval act in order, but at least those who splurged on a tablet can now make better use of it thanks to Safari and HTML5. Hit the press release after the break for access details.Continue reading PlayOn update brings iPad compatibility, streams over 3G and WiFi
PlayOn update brings iPad compatibility, streams over 3G and WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia crashes HTC's London event with red balloons, hate
So picture this scenario: Nokia has its global conference and developer event -- the aptly-named Nokia World -- scheduled and set in stone for months. HTC swoops in just weeks ahead of time and schedules a conflicting press event in the same city (which we're covering in just a few moments). You might imagine there's a little bit of bad blood there, yeah? Well, Nokia's taken it to the next level here, sending a phalanx of young folks with giant red balloons reading "I know where I'm going with Nokia's Ovi Maps" to stand directly outside the entrance to HTC's event. We know where we're going, too, Nokia... and it's HTC. Sorry! We'll be back to Nokia World soon, we promise.

Update: Oh, and Nokia handed out "HTC press conference survival kits," too. Pitiful, really. Peek it after the break.

[Thanks, Jonas]Continue reading Nokia crashes HTC's London event with red balloons, hate
Nokia crashes HTC's London event with red balloons, hate originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina display fight, part deux: sunlight edition (video)
You asked for it, so here it is: the iPhone 4's retina display versus a prototype Nokia E7 with new AMOLED Clear Black Display in direct sunlight. With both displays set to 100 percent brightness, we'd say that the EPD had a very very slight edge as it offered the best visibility under the most extreme viewing angles. Having said that, both are equally uncomfortable to use in intense sunlight, even as that's defined on a cloudless morning in London. Feast on the gallery below and video after the break to see the two under a variety of viewing angles.
Gallery: Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina fight, pard deux: sunlight edition (video)
Continue reading Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina display fight, part deux: sunlight edition (video)
Nokia CBD vs. Apple Retina display fight, part deux: sunlight edition (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 06:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' digital cameras get 2GB model, no more enthralling
Look out, Wu fans -- Mr. Jason is at it again. But if you were expecting an entirely refreshed lineup of branded cameras from General Imaging, you'll be sorely disappointed here. In fact, the only thing Wu's bringing to the masses here in September is a more affordable lineup, with the 'Create by Jason Wu' collection now being available in a 2GB model (as opposed to 4GB). Thankfully, the inbuilt USB plug remains, and the barrier to entry has been ratcheted down to $129.99 (a $50 savings over the big brother, if you must know). After all -- when you've got style, who needs capacity?Continue reading GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' digital cameras get 2GB model, no more enthralling
GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' digital cameras get 2GB model, no more enthralling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NASA's revolutionary launcher dreams could improve mass transit systems, boost astronaut applications
If there's one thing we hate waiting for, it's getting to space. Those 18 hour jaunts from Newark to Singapore just seem so brisk compared to getting from ground zero to the stratosphere, you know? All jesting aside, a team of engineers at NASA are pursuing a revolutionary new launcher that would rely solely on existing technologies. The catch? Said technologies need to be pushed forward a good bit, but if it all pans out, the result could lead to more efficient commuter rail systems, better batteries for motorcars and roller coasters that force a waiver upon you prior to riding. The proposal details a "wedge-shaped aircraft with scramjets to be launched horizontally on an electrified track or gas-powered sled," and once launched, the craft would soar at Mach 10 in order to breach the atmosphere and allow a rocket's second stage to fire. It's pretty riveting stuff -- we'd recommend giving that source link a look for the full skinny, but not if you're hoping to see this materialize in the next decade score.Continue reading NASA's revolutionary launcher dreams could improve mass transit systems, boost astronaut applications
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Nokia's VP of Design has a plan to crack the US market with MeeGo, and we're all accomplices
One look at the N8 and E7 should be enough to convince the casual observer that Nokia is serious about design. The man behind Nokia's hardware and software design for the last year is Marko Ahtisaari, Senior Vice President of Design and former CEO and co-founder of Dopplr. We asked Marco what it would take to be successful in the US market. His response, while not direct, was still illuminating and gives us implicit insight into how MeeGo, not Symbian, might be Nokia's near-term play to conquer the American smartphone market. While gesturing to the N8, Marko had this to say:
"In the US I think it will require a somewhat more consequent approach in the high end. No matter how smooth and fast we make this, and we improve the camera -- this is the best camera right -- it still won't cut though enough until we do an operating system level innovation. It will do extremely well in the market but it's not a breakthrough device."
Marko later added this clarfication:
"In order to cut through in the media environment, I think you need to do operating system level innovation. The products will be cut-through successes in the market, in people's hands, in share of palms and share of thumbs it will be successful. But in order for it to cut through and people to say, whoa, why didn't somebody else think about that and that's kind of what Nokia should do, it will be easier to cut through, from the media point of view, with MeeGo."
In other words, it's the media (read: us), in Marko's opinion, that will affect consumer opinion by influencing enthusiasts (read: you) who will in turn evangelize Nokia's products throughout the US. MeeGo, not Symbian, is the product that will generate that degree of buzz and excitement. Marko finished by adding, "My goal is that very soon it will be cool to upgrade to the Nokia."

So, what will Nokia's high-end MeeGo devices look like? Click through to find out.Continue reading Nokia's VP of Design has a plan to crack the US market with MeeGo, and we're all accomplices
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Logitech's Wireless Trackball M570 rolls out for $60, doesn't bow to fancy touch mice
Oh yes, that up there is Logitech's newest Wireless Trackball M570, which apparently caters to an "overwhelming demand of dedicated trackball users." Well, we'll be damned! At this point, we'd figured that trackballers would have switched over to an MX or something by now, but we do have to say the new sculpted shape is mighty comfortable, and if spinning a big blue ball to navigate the desktop is your thing it doesn't seem like a bad deal. The $59.99 peripheral will be available immediately, and packs 2.4GHz wireless and a small USB Unifying receiver that tucks into the bottom of the mouse for safe keeping. Logitech sent us one to play around with, and though we're not exactly the most nimble at using the trackball to jump from window to window, the scroll wheel felt calming enough and there are two back / forward buttons to get you from tab A to tab B. Guess we really have to hand it to 'em for sticking with what works. Hit the gallery below for some more eye candy, and hop on past the break for the full press release.
Gallery: Logitech Wireless Trackball M570
Continue reading Logitech's Wireless Trackball M570 rolls out for $60, doesn't bow to fancy touch mice
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Panasonic debuts new line of Viera Pure TVs with color-changing finish
We can't say that a luminescent color-changing finish is among our top concerns when shopping for a new TV, but if it's high on your list (or is now), you might want to consider one of Panasonic's new Viera Pure LCDs, which promise to change color slightly depending on the lighting the room. In addition to that standout feature, you'll also get side LED backlighting on all four models (19, 22, 32, and 37-inch), plus an a built-in iPod dock on the two smaller TVs, and Panasonic's own Viera Cast service (complete with Skype) on the two larger models. Unfortunately, there's no word on a release over here just yet, but all four are apparently available in Europe immediately, and start at £400 (or just over $600). Head on past the break for the full press release.
Continue reading Panasonic debuts new line of Viera Pure TVs with color-changing finish
Panasonic debuts new line of Viera Pure TVs with color-changing finish originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Verizon gearing up for Android V Cast App store?
We're guessing Verizon has been pretty happy with the results of its V Cast App store for BlackBerry, as it looks like the carrier's now accepting submissions in the Android category for software that'll propagate its eventual marketplace on that mobile platform. According to a purported letter obtained by Android and Me, Big Red has been sending out letters to developers extolling the virtues of using its store in lieu of Google's: no testing fee, 14-day turnaround, carrier billing (with the promise of an eventual subscription billing option), 70 / 30 split favoring the developer, etc. Froyo is the flavor of choice, and the only version of Android that'll be supported from the onset -- so that includes both flagship Droids, Droid Incredible, and Droid X. Verizon's Developer Community Conference is the end of this month (21st and 22nd, to be exact), and we imagine the skinny will be gotten by then.

[Thanks, Ryan]
Verizon gearing up for Android V Cast App store? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ocosmos OCS-1 and O-Bar eyes-on, plus a smattering of prototype sliders (video)
Though arguably the most exciting thing about Ocosmos's five-inch Oak Trail handheld is the promise of a pocket Zerg rush, there's a good bit more to the OCS-1 than gaming prowess -- it claims to be able to replace a full mouse and keyboard with just the two "OMOS Keys" on the front. Though they look like Sidekick II-era directional pads, they're actually stacked two levels tall, with a D-pad on top of an PlayStation Portable-style analog nub that click and slide in each of eight directions (and press in like gamepad analog sticks) for 34 functions in total. That's before we consider there's also a pair of shoulder buttons, a volume rocker, a sliding QWERTY keyboard and a capacitive touchscreen to boot -- and did we mention that the OMOS Keys themselves have multiple user / game profiles?Continue reading Ocosmos OCS-1 and O-Bar eyes-on, plus a smattering of prototype sliders (video)
Ocosmos OCS-1 and O-Bar eyes-on, plus a smattering of prototype sliders (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nikon D7000 brings 39-point AF, 1080p video, and magnesium alloy construction to $1,200 price point
If you don't want to hate your current camera, look away now. Nikon's 16 megapixel D7000 has landed into the world of officialdom with a bang, bringing with it an almighty 39-point autofocus system, 100 percent viewfinder coverage, 1080/24p and 720/30p video options, dual SD card slots, 6fps burst mode for up to 100 shots, and magnesium alloy top and back covers for that extra bit of metalized durability. The continuous video autofocus that debuted in the D3100 is here too, though bear in mind there's a 20 minute cap on uninterrupted recordings. Video nuts might not like that, but at least there's a stereo mic input and an added control dial for adjusting shooting modes. It's looking like a thorough upgrade from the D90, but remember that Canon's direct competitor -- the 60D -- costs a Benjamin less than the D7000's $1,200 body-only asking price (or $1,500 with an 18-105 kit lens) , so take the time until this becomes available in mid-October to weigh up your options well. Oh, and the outfit's also throwing out two new pieces of high-end glass alongside a new flash: an AF-S 200mm f/2G ED VR II for $5,999.95, an AF-S 35mm f/1.4G for $1,799.95, and an SB-700 Speedlight for $329.95.
Gallery: Nikon D7000 press images
Continue reading Nikon D7000 brings 39-point AF, 1080p video, and magnesium alloy construction to $1,200 price point
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Olive Media finally goes 'affordable' with sexy $999 O3HD music server
We'll hand it to 'em -- Olive Media sure knows how to design a music server. For the niche crowd out there wishing to blow big bucks on a not-at-all-multifaceted jukebox, the company has just introduced its first "affordable" HD music server, the O3HD. It's designed after the OH4D, which retailed for a buck under two large when it debuted last November. This guy, on the other hand, is listed for the low, low price of $999, and it's pretty obvious to see which corner was cut the most. The aforesaid 4HD packed a 2TB HDD, and while Olive isn't saying how large (or small, as it were) the hard drive is in the O3HD, it's built to hold just 1500 CDs versus 6000 in the 4HD. Ideally, you'd rip all of your discs directly to the system, where it would store them as FLAC (lossless) files and then pump them out over the 24-bit DAC. There's also a color touchpanel on the front, support for internet radio and a gratis iPhone / iPad controller app, just so you know. She's on sale starting today should you find yourself with copious amounts of disposable income.Continue reading Olive Media finally goes 'affordable' with sexy $999 O3HD music server
Olive Media finally goes 'affordable' with sexy $999 O3HD music server originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Turtle Beach crams 7.1 channels into Ear Force DX11 gaming headset
5.1 channels of faux surround sound not enough for your two ears? Fret not, dear gamers, as Turtle Beach has outdone itself once more. The Ear Force DX11 gaming headset launched today for Xbox 360 and PC gamers, providing a pair of 40mm drivers, a fold-down microphone (with accompanying 'fro, naturally), a breakout Dolby 7.1 processor, bass boost, S/PDIF-to-analog converter, front panel USB pass-through port and independent volume controls for game and voice signals. It's available to pre-order right now exclusively from Best Buy, with a rather lofty $129.99 price standing between you and multi-channel nirvana.
Gallery: Turtle Beach Ear Force DX11 gaming headset
Continue reading Turtle Beach crams 7.1 channels into Ear Force DX11 gaming headset
Turtle Beach crams 7.1 channels into Ear Force DX11 gaming headset originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTurtle Beach, Best Buy  | Email this | Comments
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Augen's 10.2-inch GenBook 108 goes on sale at Kmart for $190
Didn't get in on one of those $199 netbook closeouts earlier in the year? If you're willing to deal with Android (an Android that lacks bona fide Android Market access), you can redeem yourself right now. Augen's 10.2-inch netbook, dubbed the GenBook 108, is now on sale through Kmart, offering a 1024 x 600 resolution display, an 800MHz ARM11 processor, 256MB of DDR2 memory, 802.11b/g WiFi, an SD / MMC card slot and a 2100mAh battery. The whole shebang weighs just 1.8 pounds, and Augen even throws in a (p)leather carry case, a USB cable and a 93 percent full-size keyboard. Get in on the fun for just $189.99 -- but you may want to read about our disappointment with the outfit's Gentouch 78 and $99 netbook before carelessly pulling the trigger.

[Thanks, Nick]
Augen's 10.2-inch GenBook 108 goes on sale at Kmart for $190 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceKmart  | Email this | Comments
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Kensington's PowerBack kickstand case doubles as iPad battery pack
At this point, the only thing standing between you and one of many, many iPad cases is your indecision. In other words, it's not for lack of choices. But Kensington has managed to concoct something interesting here in the PowerBack, which is effectively a Juice Pack for your iPad. At first glance, it's simply a kickstand-infused case used to protect the back and sides of your dear tablet, but the integrated 4400mAh battery pack provides up to five extra hours of juice should you actually decide to prove Steve wrong and read for over ten hours. Surely it's worth the $129.99 just to say you told him so, right?Continue reading Kensington's PowerBack kickstand case doubles as iPad battery pack
Kensington's PowerBack kickstand case doubles as iPad battery pack originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceKensington  | Email this | Comments
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Veebeam's Wireless USB-based media streamers are 'content agnostic,' fairly cheap
The universe needs another media streamer like it needs another BP running "cleanup" in the Gulf, but like it or not, Veebeam's fully intent on shipping its newest duo. Announced today over at the DEMO Fall 2010 conference, the media-focused company has announced the Veebeam SD and Veebeam HD, with the latter obviously catching the brunt of our attention. The idea here is to create a "content agnostic" streamer that simply pipes whatever content you have playing on your Mac or PC (yeah, it plays nice with both) to your HDTV. Sounds great in theory, but the problem is the protocol. Both units rely on Wireless USB to handle their streaming, and unless the standard has seen some huge improvements since our Atlona test a year ago, we're willing to bet the actual playback performance is less than incredible -- particularly if you try to send 1080p content over it. The setup itself is fairly simple; just plug a transceiver into your computer and the base station into your tele. From there, it's pretty much plug-and-play. The pair is up for order today, with the SD version selling for $99 and the HD model (complete with HDMI, digital audio and two USB sockets) for $139. We'd personally wait for a review before buying in blind -- nothing against Veebeam, but we haven't been overly impressed with WUSB's ability to handle high-bandwidth applications in the past.Continue reading Veebeam's Wireless USB-based media streamers are 'content agnostic,' fairly cheap
Veebeam's Wireless USB-based media streamers are 'content agnostic,' fairly cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVeebeam  | Email this | Comments
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The Engadget Show: live tonight with NASA's Bobby Braun, Tim Wu, TAT, and more!
Keep your eyes tuned to this post -- because at 8:00 PM ET, we'll be starting The Engadget Show live, with NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun, Tim Wu, Rick Karr, TAT, and more! Josh and Nilay on hand, plus we'll have music from Starscream and much, much, more. You seriously don't want to miss it. Check out the live stream after the break!

Update: That's a wrap, folks! We'll be cutting up the footage and getting it online as soon as possible for those who missed our live taping.

Continue reading The Engadget Show: live tonight with NASA's Bobby Braun, Tim Wu, TAT, and more!
The Engadget Show: live tonight with NASA's Bobby Braun, Tim Wu, TAT, and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Twitter unveils new website with picture and video content embedded on site (update: hands-on!)
Twitter's been trending on its own social network this week over a much-hyped announcement... and now it's been revealed. So what do we have? A relaunch of the Twitter.com, as it turns out. The format seems to follow the two-column style we saw recently in its iPad app, with the left side showing the stream and the right providing all the other content. The biggest addition here is embedded content: depending on the link, it'll now open in-line in the right column. Sixteen media providers are on board, including YouTube, Vimeo, Ustream, and all popular picture services. The search bar and settings has been given placement at the top of the site in its own header. Rollout begins today to select members, but there's no current announcement on when everyone will get the new experience. With any luck, it won't be long. In the meantime, you know the drill... pics below!

Update: ... and we're in! So we've spent a few minutes going through the interface, and we have to say, it's quite sleek. The in-line content makes the experience all the more enjoyable. Conversation threads are vastly improved, but it only shows one reply back at a time -- you can go through an entire timeline, but it takes far too many clicks. The best thing about it? Quite snappy. It isn't perfect, though: it seems the @mentions thread updates much more slowly -- that's particularly irksome, having to refresh for a quicker response. At the risk of sounding vain, the "My Tweets, retweeted" section could benefit from actually showing the number of retweets in the left column -- we'd love to know at a glance which of our recent messages were most popular without having to click on each individually. Usual rules apply, no extension to the 140 character limit and no support for multiple accounts. No word on a new fail whale, but not to worry, we'll let you know as soon as you see it.

We're not quite ready to give up our dedicated Twitter clients (Tweetie, TweetDeck, and so forth), but it's definitely up there now as one of the best-designed Twitter interfaces. Really, though: fix the @mention refresh and conversation threads, and we're sold. Pictures below.
Gallery: New Twitter hands-on
Gallery: Twitter relaunches main site with content embedded on-site
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AMD throws down gauntlet, pits Zacate netbook chip against Intel's Core i5 in City of Heroes duel (video)
We knew AMD planned to upstage Intel in San Francisco this week, but we didn't realize just how far Chipzilla's rival would go -- the company's demonstrating the power of its new Zacate APU by having it trounce an Intel Core i5-520M in a graphical superhero showdown. Though we've never really thought much of Intel's integrated graphics anyhow (though we're giving Sandy Bridge's technique the benefit of the doubt), watching a netbook part beat a 2.4GHz Core i5 at anything is truly something else. While AMD won't speak to the clockspeed or price of its new dual-core chips, it says the 18W Zacate and 9W Ontario should appear in devices with over 8 and 10 hours of battery life respectively when they likely ship to consumers early next year. Video after the break.
Gallery: AMD Zacate and Ontario, eyes-on
Continue reading AMD throws down gauntlet, pits Zacate netbook chip against Intel's Core i5 in City of Heroes duel (video)
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HTC finally throws T-Mobile G2 up on its site, lays out the final specifications
We've theoretically had nearly all of these numbers confirmed piece by piece, but there's something eerily comforting about HTC tossing it all together on a single page for our perusal. As anticipated, the HTC-built T-Mobile G2 will be powered by an 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 processor, and it'll boast Android 2.2, 4GB of ROM, 512B of RAM, a 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen as well as a five megapixel camera with auto focus and flash. There's also aGPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and a 1300mAh battery, all of which may or may not cause you to drool. Hit the source link if you need to see for yourself.

[Thanks, David]
HTC finally throws T-Mobile G2 up on its site, lays out the final specifications originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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DARPA seeks out remote controls for soldiers' minds
DARPA is always on the lookout for the newest, zaniest gadgets but this time, we think it's gone too far. According to the Department of Defense's recent blog post, the military is interested in developing remote control techniques using ultrasound... for soldiers. Arizona State University neuroscientist William Tyler has been working on the project for several years, and now, DARPA is getting involved as well. Tyler and his team have developed a transcranial pulsed ultrasound capable of stimulating brain circuits from outside of the brain, and it can target deeper parts of the brain than past devices. The prototypes are small enough to be placed inside of a helmet, and the plan is to improve its spatial resolution with DARPA's new infusion of funding. We know they're probably looking to do cool stuff like make soldiers think they're nice and cool when they're actually frying in the sun, but we can't help but get the creeps from this one.
DARPA seeks out remote controls for soldiers' minds originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wired  |  sourceArmed with Science  | Email this | Comments
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Acer reportedly planning 5-inch Android 3.0 tablet, too
We'd already heard that Acer had some 7- and 10-inch Android tablets in the works, but it looks like it's not stopping there. DigiTimes is now reporting that the company is also prepping a 5-inch tablet which, like the others, will be based on Android 3.0 and will roll out sometime in the first quarter of 2011. Of particular note here is that the 5-inch model will reportedly boast both "handset and tablet PC functionality," which would pit it up against the likes of the Dell Streak. Details otherwise still seem to be pretty up in the air for all three, though -- in fact, DigiTimes says that Acer is still deciding between Qualcomm's Snapdragon and NVIDIA's Tegra 2, and that it will even release an Intel-based Windows 7 model before the Android tablets in order to "test the water in the market."
Acer reportedly planning 5-inch Android 3.0 tablet, too originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments
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HTC Droid Incredible nearing switch from AMOLED to SLCD?
HTC already transitioned its Desire and Nexus One units from AMOLED to Super LCD, and it looks as if the outfit may soon be doing likewise on the highly popular Droid Incredible as it struggles against a long-running AMOLED shortage. The Verizon memo you see above clearly lays out the firm's intentions, with an entirely new SKU (ADR6300VW3) expected to flush through retail channels "around the end of September." In other words, those who purchase an Incredible after the end of this month will all but definitely be guaranteed an SLCD unit. We pinged HTC to see if it wanted to deny or confirm the claims, and here's what we received:
"We haven't announced any moves towards changing the Incredible display from AMOLED to SLCD."
Yeah, a textbook denial. Oh, and if you're wondering whether to rush or retard your impending Incredible purchase, have a look at our Desire head-to-head here. Decisions, decisions...
HTC Droid Incredible nearing switch from AMOLED to SLCD? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceAndroid Central  | Email this | Comments
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HTC is launching its next big thing tomorrow, and we'll be there live!
The drama, the excitement, the fanfare. No, those aren't new HTC model names, they're just what you can expect tomorrow. HTC is hosting a little shindig in London the day after today in order to announce the latest hardware it has "dreamt up" -- and since we're suckers for hot new smartphones, we'll be there to liveblog the hell out of it. The event kicks off at 12PM British Summer Time or 1PM Central European Time. In American parlance, that's 7AM for the East Coast and a frightful 4AM for West Coasters. Our intuition says to expect the Desire HD and Desire Z to make their debuts, but there's only one way to be certain: keep it locked to Engadget and we'll demystify everything as soon as superhumanly possible.
HTC is launching its next big thing tomorrow, and we'll be there live! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Zeitgeist attendees comped with Google TV gift bag: Sony Blu-ray player, Dish Network and free installs
We suppose one way around Google TV's initial reliance on IR blasters to communicate with some set-top boxes is to just give away everything necessary for a good experience -- Sony HDTV, Google TV (it's unclear whether the first two are separate or one item), six months of Dish Network service and a free installation from Best Buy's Geek Squad -- which, according to AllThingsD, is exactly what the 600 attendees of today's Google Zeitgeist event received. That even the great minds of our time presumably require a custom installation just to get everything going may not be a great initial sign for the product, but as the post points out, Aaron Sorkin probably isn't used to plugging in his own HDMI cables anyway. With those 600 units in the wild and a retail release presumably around the corner, we should see some first hand reports leaking out just about any time now.

Update: Search Engine Land reports users actually received 3 months of complementary service from Dish and a Google TV-equipped Blu-ray player from Sony, not a an HDTV -- which certainly makes more sens than suddenly tossing new flatscreens into random households.
Permalink eHomeUpgrade  |  sourceAllThingsD  | Email this | Comments
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Droid Does website points to imminent Froyo update for Droid X... but what does it mean?
Just as Paul Vasquez would have us do, we're questioning the true meaning behind a curious page that has popped up over at the Droid Does website -- a very authentic portal that Verizon Wireless itself has been pushing for nearly a year. Put simply, the splash page details "great news!" surrounding a heretofore unannounced Android 2.2 update for the arguably gigantic Droid X. In fact, we're even told about all the amazing features that Froyo brings, but alas, our own X has yet to get any sort of notification from Big Red. The image you're peering at above was purportedly texted to a tipster from VZW, but unfortunately, the links led to the previously referenced splash page rather than a download. Still, we're guessing that this means a bona fide release is just around the corner -- Verizon's already a few weeks late at this point, so hopefully the finishing touches are nearly done.

[Thanks, Kellen]Continue reading Droid Does website points to imminent Froyo update for Droid X... but what does it mean?
Permalink Droid-Life  |  sourceDroid Does  | Email this | Comments
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