Thursday, September 23, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 22/09/2010



Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for $7.99 per month
As expected, Netflix has kicked off its first offering outside the United States by opening up a Watch Instantly portal for Canadians this morning at Netflix.ca. With no discs available at all, the only option is a $7.99 Canadian ($7.80 US) plan for streaming that works on PCs, PS3, Wii, iOS family and many other devices -- interestingly the Xbox 360, Samsung TVs, and Blu-ray players from VIZIO or Insignia are off the compatible list until later this fall. Content availability also seems to be different for our neighbors to the north (English only for now, French is on the way Quebec), with the Netflix blog specifically calling out Superbad and Mad Men as up for streaming, which aren't currently available on Watch Instantly in the US. Unlike our recent Caribana experience we weren't able to cross the border and check it out for ourselves, but owners of Maple Leaf-certified IPs are invited to check out the selection (one month free trials are available) and let us know exactly what we're missing -- more details including Canadian distributors and device availability are in the press release after the break.Continue reading Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for $7.99 per month
Netflix launches in Canada today: streaming only service for $7.99 per month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy S meets Froyo by month's end for T-Mobile UK customers
Android phones and their eternal struggle to get the latest version update, it's a book that needs to be written. It was only last night that we were hearing that the Froyo upgrade for Spanish Galaxy S users would be pushed back till late October, yet today our emotions are swung back the other way by news of T-Mobile UK promising the exact same update by the end of this month. If our solar calendars are accurate, that means there'll be no more than a 10-day wait left for T-Mo customers using this 4-incher. We'll bug the other UK networks as well to see whether their 2.2 updates are in the mail or still lost somewhere in the frozen isle.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S meets Froyo by month's end for T-Mobile UK customers
Samsung Galaxy S meets Froyo by month's end for T-Mobile UK customers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Windows Phone 7 confirmed for all five major UK mobile operators
This will hardly be the most surprising thing you'll hear today, but Microsoft has officially confirmed that all five major operators in the United Kingdom -- Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Orange, and Three -- have signed up to offer its Windows Phone 7 handsets when they make their long-awaited debut in the coming weeks. Additionally, the Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U will also be stocking WP7 devices.Continue reading Windows Phone 7 confirmed for all five major UK mobile operators
Windows Phone 7 confirmed for all five major UK mobile operators originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Desire HD detailed in appropriately HD video
Feeling like you're insufficiently saturated with Desire HD info? HTC's got your back, as usual, with one of its expansive video overviews, setting the specs and features you already know about to a background of soothing music and cutesy visuals. Nothing wrong with that, we say, and it makes for a great sales pitch if you're trying to convince your significant other of the life-changing benefits of purchasing said handset. Skip past the break, set your eyeballs to 720p mode, and enjoy the show.Continue reading HTC Desire HD detailed in appropriately HD video
HTC Desire HD detailed in appropriately HD video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motorola exec struts Medios TV guide platform capabilities in IBC video
After seeing Motorola's sweet-looking NYXboard QWERTY remote last week, we were itching to know if the hardware was part of a bigger plan. A new video featuring exec Malcolm Latham now answers that question, highlighting several key features in the company's Medios TV guide platform. We've known that at its core the HTML-based software was created to provide a similar viewing experience across phones, TVs, and computers, but more meaty bits like cross-platform bookmarking, a content recommendation engine, and so-called "Social TV" have been revealed. We're certainly all for our devices playing together nicely and new content suggestions, but Social TV has us a bit skeptical. The idea is similar to any instant message client in that it allows your friends to know when you're on Medios and then view what exactly you're watching. Sure, there might be some value in it -- Ping is betting that's true with music, -- but the potential for getting caught watching Gossip Girl is a serious deterrent. What's worse is that your friends can then rag you about it via chat right on the screen using their handy NYXboard remote. To see where we're coming, from check out the video after the break.Continue reading Motorola exec struts Medios TV guide platform capabilities in IBC video
Motorola exec struts Medios TV guide platform capabilities in IBC video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 07:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hasselblad CFV-50 adds 50MP digital sensor to your V-System camera
We know you're a hardy crowd and aren't impressed by mere megapixels, but how about this: the 50MP sensor inside Hasselblad's new CFV-50 digital back is physically twice as large as a full-frame imager. Yeah, now we've got your attention. Intended as the attachment that finally makes film shooters break down and go digital, the CFV-50 comes with Hasselblad's DAC lens correction features that'll hunt down and ruthlessly obliterate any distortion, vignetting, lateral chromatic aberrations, or stray feelings of buyer's remorse. Yours for only €11,990 ($15,750) plus whatever taxes your local bureaucrat elects to slap on top. Full press release and a closeup of the CFV-50 await after the break.Continue reading Hasselblad CFV-50 adds 50MP digital sensor to your V-System camera
Hasselblad CFV-50 adds 50MP digital sensor to your V-System camera originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hasselblad H4D-31 cuts the entry price for medium format excellence to $13k
It might cost as much as a small car at €9,995 ($13,132) before tax, but believe it or not, the H4D-31 represents one of Hasselblad's most affordable offerings to date. Promising to bring all the goodness of the H4D-40, but at a more reasonable price point, this new shooter offers 31 megapixels of resolution and a choice of either an 80mm prime lens or a CF-lens adapter to let you attach V-System gear you've already got in your inventory. As such, it's attempting to perform the fine balancing act of appealing to both system stalwarts looking to go digital and DSLR enthusiasts tempted to step up to a larger sensor. We're still in love with Nikon's D3S, but you've got to admit, that H-embossed focusing ring sure looks sexy.Continue reading Hasselblad H4D-31 cuts the entry price for medium format excellence to $13k
Hasselblad H4D-31 cuts the entry price for medium format excellence to $13k originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony's PlayMemories app brings 3D photos to your PlayStation 3
This wasn't mentioned among the other 3D-related PS3 announcements Sony made during its Tokyo Game Show press conference last week, but it looks like the company has another little bonus in store for those that just can't get enough 3D. It's just announced a new PlayMemories application that will be available as a free download in "late September," and will let you view both 2D and 3D photos captured with a 3D-compatible camera (including Sony's NEX-5/NEX-3, WX5 and TX9). No peek at the app itself just yet, unfortunately, but we're guessing it'll be available any day now -- it is technically late September, after all.Continue reading Sony's PlayMemories app brings 3D photos to your PlayStation 3
Sony's PlayMemories app brings 3D photos to your PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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iPhone Awareness! app selectively filters outside noises into your headphones, saves hipster lives
Apps are funny things. They tend to provide narrow utility -- focusing intensely on one specific thing -- but once you get used to them, you wonder how you lived without them. Take this Awareness! app, for example: it gauges environmental noise levels, sets up a threshold, and then pipes in anything louder than that into your skull alongside your music. Reasons why you'd want that to happen include oncoming SUVs, mothers screaming because their babies are in peril (from oncoming SUVs), or something as benign as your teacher yelling at you for not paying attention in class. There's a nice set of options too, such as manually adjusting how loud a sound must be to be allowed entry into your cranium, as well as pausing of the app or of your music. Awareness! is available for five bucks on the iPhone and iPod touch, and will soon jump on to the iPad, Android, Symbian, and even the Mac and PC.Continue reading iPhone Awareness! app selectively filters outside noises into your headphones, saves hipster lives
Permalink Yahoo! News  |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments
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HTC HD7 schematic illustrates our Windows Phone 7 future
First thing's first: there's no way to verify that the above image is a legitimate HTC doc. The tipster seems reliable, having provided WMPoweruser with the HTC Mozart video yesterday, but until we witness Peter Chou holding the damn thing up in front of an audience struggling to get a WiFi signal, we'll remain cautious. Anyhow, what we're looking at above is the claimed first visual of that ephemeral HD7 from HTC, replete with a dedicated camera button and what looks like a dual-LED flash, along with a MicroUSB data/power port and headphone jack at the bottom (identical to the HD2 and Desire HD). It's reassuring to see much of the glorious HD2 heritage being carried over into this successor atop HTC's Windows phone line, though if you're not all that keen on jumping on what looks like yet another superpowered 4.3-inch slate, there's always the rumored Trophy handset as well.
HTC HD7 schematic illustrates our Windows Phone 7 future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 03:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Porsche stuffs modern NAV into retro radio, tips hat to loyal 911 owners
Porsche knows better than anyone that it'll take a miracle for owners of many older 911s to upgrade, so rather than crying over it, it's figuring out a new way to milk stale customers. The head unit you see above is described as the "Classic Radio Navigation System," and apparently, it's designed to fit within the dashes of 911 motorcars built between 1963 and 1977. In short, it offers a modern-day navigation experience within a radio that still fits the motif of those gorgeous pieces of iron, and at €595 ($776), it shouldn't be a tough sell to any true collector. Word on the street has it that it'll hit Porsche dealers next month, ensuring that you'll finally be able to make that Thanksgiving jaunt to grandmother's house without getting turned around. Now, if only we knew what kind of mapping software it'll ship with...
Porsche stuffs modern NAV into retro radio, tips hat to loyal 911 owners originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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SiMo BoomCase vintage suitcase speaker rocks your androgynous hair style
Lube up the fixie and adjust your oversized glasses kids, the perfect hipster accessory for your journey of ironic self destruction has arrived. Created by the San Francisco-based Mr. SiMo, BoomCase is a series of portable speakers with batteries and headphone jacks pieced together from vintage suitcases. The one-of-a-kind case above features two main speakers and a top-side tweeter bunged into an old Samsonsite. The 8-pound case pushes a total of 30 Watts for up to 10 hours off an internal rechargeable battery when fed audio from your portable device's headphone jack. $295, that's how much. And for $20 more, Mr. SiMo will integrate a USB charger. Check the gallery for other variations although only the case above is currently for sale.
Gallery: SiMo BoomCase vintage suitcase speaker rocks your androgynous hair style
SiMo BoomCase vintage suitcase speaker rocks your androgynous hair style originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink ChipChick  |  sourceMrSimo, Etsy  | Email this | Comments
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Apple sues HyperMac battery maker for using patented MagSafe and iPod connectors without approval
Most Mac-wielding Engadget editors have had huge crushes on their HyperMac batteries ever since Apple moved to sealed-in MacBook Pro cells across the line, but there's a chance the party is over: Cupertino filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against HyperMac manufacturer Sanho earlier this month, claiming that it's using the patented MagSafe power connector and 30-pin iPhone / iPod dock connector without a license. Ouch. What makes this all the more interesting is that Sanho's always said it's using original Apple MagSafe connectors, which would theoretically defeat Apple's patent claims -- once a patent holder sells a product that contains a patented technology, it can be difficult to claim that the patent is being infringed by the use of that product, even if there's modification involved. (Legal nerds might want to look up "patent exhaustion" here.)

The iPod connector claims might be a little easier for Apple, since we don't know if Sanho's using original parts in those cables -- and whatever savings it might have accrued by using knockoff connectors are probably going to be wiped out by the costs of this lawsuit. If we had to guess, we'd say Apple's simply unhappy that Sanho hasn't joined the lucrative Made for iPhone / Made for iPod / Made for iPad licensing programs that govern use of the connector, and that the MagSafe claim is just additional ammunition to force a settlement -- we'll see what happens, but we'd predict things come to a quick end once Sanho's lawyers send in the first bill.
Permalink AppleInsider  |  sourceComplaint (PDF)  | Email this | Comments
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Motorola Droid X now getting OTA Android 2.2 update
Good way to start Wednesday, indeed. Right on schedule (and not a minute too soon), the over-the-air Android 2.2 (aka Froyo) update for Motorola Droid X has started propagating the radio waves. We've received dozens of tips already, from those who both checked manually and received notification in the status bar. In addition to a new Android, there's also improves visual voicemail with Bluetooth support, a refreshed mobile hotspot app, and a fix to prevent data connections from dropping as you move between WiFi and 3G coverage. Go on, check your phone now -- and don't forget to pick up the new Gmail when you're done updating.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola Droid X now getting OTA Android 2.2 update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Trophy with Windows Phone 7 caught in the wild?
HTC Trophy isn't an entirely new name 'round these here parts -- in fact, we've seen it twice now on two documents that have propagated the internet before their respective time. But this is the first claimed sighting of such a device, and according to Pocketnow, what we're looking at is indeed the Trophy itself, packed with Windows Phone 7. And that's about all we can say here, as there's no indication of price, release date, or if this is actually one of the many other WP7 devices HTC has cooking. At any rate, have no fear, the manufacturer's all but guaranteed to bring you numerous options from which to choose.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC Trophy with Windows Phone 7 caught in the wild? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sanofi-Aventis debuts iBGStar blood glucose meter for iPhone
It's not the first to announce a blood glucose meter that connects to an iPhone, but Sanofi-Aventis has just rolled out what's surely the most streamlined solution to date. Unlike the LifeScan Bluetooth glucose meter shown off during Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 preview event way back in March of last year, this one connects directly to your iPhone (or iPod touch), and it can even be kept permanently attached with the aid of a custom (and fairly stylish) case. Otherwise, it functions just as you'd expect, with it able to display all the basic info on the device itself (it can also be used without the iPhone), and a ton more info on the accompanying app. No word on availability just yet -- that still hinges on FDA clearance -- but the device is "expected" to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $80.
Sanofi-Aventis debuts iBGStar blood glucose meter for iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Diabetes Mine  |  sourceSanofi-Aventis  | Email this | Comments
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Rumored Nintendo 3DS specs include two separate 266MHz ARM11 processors, 1.5GB storage
The mystery of what's actually under the hood of the Nintendo 3DS is likely to elude us until launch date, when the inevitable teardown commences. That isn't stopping IGN, however, from pooling together its rolodex of sources to report what it believes the specs are: two 266MHz ARM11 CPUs, a 133MHz GPU, 4MB dedicated VRAM, 64MB RAM, and 1.5GB flash storage (in addition to the previously-known SD card expansion). If based on ARM11 architecture, it'd certainly be in good (if not wildly disparate) company: iPhone (original and 3G), the first two generations of iPod touch, all Amazon Kindles, Palm Pixi, a plethora of Nokia handsets, and... the Kin One and Zune HD. Two separate processors isn't too far fetched, either, as the original DS had both a 67MHz ARM9 and a 33.5MHz ARM7 (quite an uptick, eh?). Digital Media Productions took credit for the GPU back in June, claiming its Pica200 would be the chip of choice. That's got a maximum speed of 200MHz, which according to this rumor is being underclocked.

So, nothing that runs counter to the admittedly little we got via the 3DS' FCC leak, and still nothing to keep the Tegra 2 hopeful in check (poor souls). Those with a need to know so passionate it runs through their very being will, as we said before, probably have to wait until it hits retail. And we should find out when that is next week.
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Virgin Mobile scooping up Samsung Intercept
One great thing about being owned by Sprint is that you can sneak a handset here and there into your own lineup, which is exactly what Virgin Mobile has done in adding the midrange Intercept from Samsung to its range. Actually, it's not in the range just yet -- Virgin's Facebook page says that we should "stay tuned over the next few weeks" to find out the details, which leads us to believe we might see a launch (or at least a launch date announcement) around CTIA early next month. Not the awesomest Android phone in the world, sure, but for a carrier traditionally dominated by low-end prepaid gear, it's a solid addition, we'd say.

[Thanks, Brian]
Virgin Mobile scooping up Samsung Intercept originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVirgin Mobile USA (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments
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WSJ says BlackBerry tablet could be announced as soon as next week
The Wall Street Journal is saying that RIM's now very close to being ready to show off this long-rumored tablet they've been cooking up -- and the public unveiling could come as early as next week when the company will be holding its Developer Conference in San Francisco. The QNX operating system rumor is apparently correct, as is the talk that the only means of connectivity will be WiFi and tethering through a BlackBerry; in other words, you won't need a dedicated service plan for the tablet and it won't be sold on contract (good call). The manufacturing wizards at Quanta are rumored to be on tap for manufacturing it with some sort of Marvell power under the hood, and even if the tablet ultimately fails Foleo-style, it could still be a huge launch: WSJ's sources are also saying that RIM will end up migrating all of its phones to QNX in the long term.

As for the name? WSJ doesn't seem to know, though it does report that "BlackPad" is being thrown around internally; we're kind of partial to "SurfBook" ourselves, especially since "BlackPad" will make it tough to sell the thing in any color other than black. Seriously, who wants an orange BlackPad? Follow the break to sound off in the poll!Continue reading WSJ says BlackBerry tablet could be announced as soon as next week
WSJ says BlackBerry tablet could be announced as soon as next week originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Olympus Zuiko-equipped compact camera eyes-on: optical zoom, HDMI spotted
Olympus' PR branch left us digging for details when announcing the outfit's new Zuiko-equipped camera, a concept piece that's actually on track for the real world in early 2011. It seems as if this, along with Fujifilm's FinePix X100, is carving out a new niche in the compact space. It lacks the flexibility of Micro Four Thirds / mirrorless, but it packs a bigger quality punch than any other point-and-shoot on the market. At least with this guy, though, you'll be getting an optical zoom. During our gaze session at Olympus' Photokina booth, we spotted "optical zoom" labeling as well as a toggle switch for pulling the lens in and out, and we also found an HDMI output, video record button, hot shoe accessory port and a pop-up flash. Join us as we go round and round in the video after the break.
Gallery: Olympus Zuiko-equipped compact camera eyes-on at Photokina 2010
Continue reading Olympus Zuiko-equipped compact camera eyes-on: optical zoom, HDMI spotted
Olympus Zuiko-equipped compact camera eyes-on: optical zoom, HDMI spotted originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Clear WiMAX is live in New York City (updated: semi-live)
Sprint and Clearwire's WiMAX service has been making occasional cameos throughout the five boroughs since at least June, but now it's official: the service has been launched, closing up one of the most conspicuous holes in coverage so far. This matches up nicely with the San Francisco go-live we reported on earlier today, so you'll now be able to take your red eye from the Big Apple to the City by the Bay without fear that your EVO's going to get slow when you go wheels-down. Plans run from $25 a month (for the iSpot) all the way up to $55 for a mixed-mode WiMAX and EV-DO data stick, which works out to somewhere between 0.00001 and 0.0003 percent of your housing costs in Manhattan. Glass is half full, y'know.

[Thanks, Marcus]

Update: We've just been contacted by Clear and told that New York's still in the "operational readiness" phase of the go-live, which means hardware's only being offered to customers in limited areas and not all hardware is available (notably, the iSpot isn't yet being offered). Same goes for Los Angeles. San Francisco, meanwhile, isn't yet there -- we're told there might be some limited pockets where service is showing up, but Clear hasn't commercially launched there, even on a limited scale. For what it's worth, all of these areas are still expected to go fully live in 2010, they're just not quite there yet.
Clear WiMAX is live in New York City (updated: semi-live) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony VAIO laptops start getting PS3 Remote Play update in the US
It's been available for some VAIOs in Japan, and some intrepid individuals have even gotten it working on non-VAIO computers, but it looks like VAIO users in the US can now finally get some official PS3 Remote Play support. We're still trying to track down a complete list of the computers supported, but it looks like the update at least covers the VAIO EA series, and includes all the functionality you'd expect -- streaming, Bluetooth keyboard support, etc. Be sure to let us know in comments if the update has hit your VAIO.

[Thanks, Adam]
Sony VAIO laptops start getting PS3 Remote Play update in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC director confirms Windows Phone 7 phones launching next month
It's unclear whether the dude was speaking out of turn, but an HTC regional director responsible for North Africa and the Middle East has gone on record with gulfnews saying on no uncertain terms that the company "will be launching Windows Phone 7 handsets next month." Of course, that lines up nicely with just about everything we've been hearing lately -- not to mention the torrent of HTC-specific leaks we've seen -- and if true, it gives Microsoft a pretty generous buffer ahead of its holiday 2010 guidance for the platform's commercial release. He goes on to say that HTC will be releasing "around five more models by end of the year," though it's not clear how that mix will fall between Android, Windows Phone 7, and possibly even Brew MP; the Desire HD and Desire Z seem like a nice way to close out the year on the Android side of things if you ask us, which leaves plenty of room for awesome WinPho hardware. Sliding landscape loudspeakers, anyone?
HTC director confirms Windows Phone 7 phones launching next month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Spreadtrum technology enables three SIM cards in one phone, jetsetters rejoice
You know that dual-SIM handset you picked up last year to make those frequent jaunts between Belgium and Luxembourg so much easier? Might as well throw The Netherlands in there to complete the Benelux triangle, as Spreadtrum has just announced a new single chip that enables support for three SIM cards within a single handset. The SC6600L7 solution allows for a trio of SIMs to run simultaneously, and as you'd expect, it's aimed at the multiple-operator-market and at double agents who need on-the-fly access to a range of phone numbers. According to the company, trials have just wrapped up in a variety of nations, but there's no published word on when any phone makers will begin integrating this into their lineup. Tomorrow would be nice, eh?Continue reading Spreadtrum technology enables three SIM cards in one phone, jetsetters rejoice
Spreadtrum technology enables three SIM cards in one phone, jetsetters rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Mobile Spain pegs Galaxy S update for late October
Samsung's indicated in the past that all versions of its ubiquitous Galaxy S would be getting Froyo upgrades in harmony (more or less) -- and it had also indicated that those updates would be happening in September. Well, you know how these things tend to go: plans change, bugs crop up, engineers go on vacation at inopportune times, and delays happen. On that note, Samsung Mobile's Spanish division is now saying that the Galaxy S will be getting Froyo in "late October" through the Kies desktop app, though we don't know whether España speaks for the rest of the world -- it's entirely possible that this is a Spain-specific announcement. More on this one as we get it, but for now, we wouldn't count on many (if any) of these bad boys getting official updates in the next few days.
Samsung Mobile Spain pegs Galaxy S update for late October originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink oled-display.net  |  sourceSamsung Mobile España (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments
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Shocker! Jorno folding Bluetooth keyboard available for pre-order
Of all the Bluetooth keyboards that have been released for portable devices lately, this is certainly one of them. Cervantes Mobile's Jorno doesn't look particularly comfortable, but it does fold up into a tiny square, it's got a cradle that will fit most handsets, and it's compatible your favorite Bluetooth HID profile-enabled devices. It will be out early next year for $99, although if you pre-order it now you can get it for a smooth $79 -- which is probably the upper limits of what we'd pay for it. That is, if we were going on a modern day On The Road-type odyssey with nothing but a backpack and our dreams, and an iPad to keep a journal of our thoughts. Which we aren't. PR after the break.
Continue reading Shocker! Jorno folding Bluetooth keyboard available for pre-order
Shocker! Jorno folding Bluetooth keyboard available for pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NVIDIA CEO: Tegra 3 almost done, Tegra 4 on the way, expect a new Tegra annually
Though NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference is primarily about the applications of GPU computing, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang hasn't shied away from revealing new silicon, and he just promised something quite unexpected to attending press: new Tegra chips. Though the Tegra 2 has yet to leave a single dent on the consumer marketplace -- the Boxee Box famously tossed it out -- Huang told us that not only is a Tegra 3 almost done and a Tegra 4 currently underway, but that we should expect a new Tegra SOC "every single year." Forgive us for being a mite skeptical of the company's ability to attract customers, but the only notches we see on Tegra's belt are the Zune HD... and Microsoft's failed Kin.
NVIDIA CEO: Tegra 3 almost done, Tegra 4 on the way, expect a new Tegra annually originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Teac goes retro (again) with CD burner-equipped SL-D920 radio
It may not boast some of the more newfangled features like built-in WiFi, but we're guessing that Teac's new SL-D920 radio packs enough retro flavor to attract plenty of interest nonetheless. In addition to that familiar throwback design (available in red, white or black), the radio packs a built-in CD burner to either play CDs or record from the radio, a USB port to connect an MP3-filled storage device, and a line-in jack to accommodate the media player of your choice -- plus a pair of 5W speakers and a 10W subwoofer. Unfortunately, there's no word on a release over here, but this one's available in Japan right now for ¥20,000 or about $230.
Teac goes retro (again) with CD burner-equipped SL-D920 radio originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Coolest Gadgets  |  sourceTeac  | Email this | Comments
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Gmail for Android updated, becomes Market app
We've always said the native Gmail app is one of the best parts of Android, and it just got even better: it now supports Priority Inbox, has a "show quoted text" button, and features a floating message actions toolbar like the browser-based mobile Gmail webapp. The bigger news, though, is that Google's releasing Gmail directly to Android Market, where it'll be a separate download that can be revved with new features independently of Android itself. That's a pretty great move, as anyone still waiting for a carrier-approved Froyo build can attest, but there's irony afoot: the new Gmail won't run on anything less than 2.2. Wah-wah.
Gmail for Android updated, becomes Market app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments
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Motorola Droid X getting Android 2.2 update starting tomorrow
Motorola's teasing that it's "still on track for a summer launch of Android 2.2 for Droid X," and considering that tomorrow is the last day of summer (sadly), that lines up nicely with new information on Droid Life today that Moto's beast for Verizon will get blessed with the update starting tomorrow at noon Eastern Time. Verizon's actually already posted the update document, and it's a doozy: besides 2.2, you get improves visual voicemail with Bluetooth support, a refreshed mobile hotspot app, and a fix to prevent data connections from dropping as you move between WiFi and 3G coverage. Looks like you'll be able to grab this of your own accord rather than having to wait for Verizon to bless you with the OTA, so gear up and enjoy one last evening with your Eclair-based Droid X. Go ahead, take it out somewhere nice, it's treated you well.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Verizon has independently confirmed that the update is indeed available tomorrow. Good way to start your Wednesday, we'd say.
Motorola Droid X getting Android 2.2 update starting tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVerizon, Droid Life, Motorola Owners' Forum  | Email this | Comments
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Early third-generation Kindle software update improves web browser, provides new way to feel e-litist
What better way to read up on your Republic of Gilead lore (whether or not such country allows you to read in the first place) than on a digital screen via firmware that's just a tinge futuristic. Amazon is offering an early preview of software update 3.0.2 for the latest generation of its Kindle reader. It's as simple dragging-and-dropping a file onto your device, jumping through the right menus, and waiting patiently for several minutes. What does it offer? "Web browser and general performance improvements," according to the site, and while the browser did seem a tad snappier, that could very well be a phantasmagoria of our optimism. Still, you do get to show all your friends you've got a newer version, and that's what really matters, right?
Permalink A Kindle World  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments
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NVIDIA reveals Fermi's successor: Kepler at 28nm in 2011, Maxwell in 2013
Not a lot of details to be had, but NVIDIA wants you to know Fermi isn't the company's be-all, end-all GPU -- "hundreds of engineers" are already hard at work on Codename Kepler, expected to go to production this year and ship in 2011. Kepler's based on a 28nm process, we're told, and will thankfully deliver an estimated 3 to 4 times the performance per watt compared to Fermi, and hopefully run cool. If you built your last PC to last, however, you might wait for Maxwell in 2013, supposedly bringing a sixteen-fold increase in parallel graphics-based computing just two years after that, including advanced features like the ability to autonomously process some content independent of a CPU.

Update: Does this roadmap mean we should expect new GPUs from NVIDIA every two years? Jen-Hsun Huang wouldn't commit to that, but said that there will be "mid-life kicker" product launches in-between each new NVIDIA chip to keep the wheels turning.
NVIDIA reveals Fermi's successor: Kepler at 28nm in 2011, Maxwell in 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony reveals 'color variation concept' models of NEX-5 and NEX-3 (eyes-on)
In typical Sony Style, the outfit's booth was comically large at this year's Photokina. Not that we're complaining or anything, particularly when it's using the show to demonstrate an eight-pack of colorful new mirrorless concepts. Tucked away in the NEX corner were four NEX-3 and four NEX-5 cameras, all doused in colors that aren't available anywhere at the moment. We're guessing that Sony's doing its best to beat Colorware to the punch here, and a kind booth representative noted that these were simply "ideas" and that the company wasn't yet committed to making any of them. If you're accepting opinions, Sony, the whole red-black-silver thing is getting a bit tired, so why not throw out a few more options for the style-conscious among us? We'll take two -- an orange and a white. Dankeschön.
Gallery: Sony's colorful line of NEX-3 and NEX-5 concept cameras at Photokina 2010
Sony reveals 'color variation concept' models of NEX-5 and NEX-3 (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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NVIDIA teams with PGI for CUDA-x86, gifts its brand of parallelism to the world
NVIDIA's GPU Technology Conference 2010 just kicked off in San Jose, and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang has shared something interesting with us on stage -- thanks to a partnership with The Portland Group, it's bringing the CUDA parallel computing framework to x86. Previously limited to NVIDIA GPUs -- and the lynchpin of NVIDIA's argument for GPGPU computing -- CUDA applications will now run on "any computer, or any server in the world." Except those based on ARM, we suppose. Still no word on NVIDIA's x86 CPU.
NVIDIA teams with PGI for CUDA-x86, gifts its brand of parallelism to the world originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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QPC's Articulated Naturality Web looks to one up augmented reality
We've already heard QderoPateo Communications (or QPC) talk up its notion of "articulated naturality" on smartphones, but it looks like the company has really gone all out for the World Economic Forum's recent Summer Davos Conference. That's where the company laid out its ambitious vision for an "Articulated Naturality Web," which promises to take the concept of augmented reality to a whole new level. Described as a "complete renaissance in the way we approach technology," the system would let you check hotel room availability simply by looking at the outside of the hotel, try out different furniture in an empty office space, look at items from a museum before you go inside, and get a weather forecast just by looking at the sky, to name just a few possibilities. Ambitious to be sure, but is it actually attainable in the near future? We certainly hope so. Head on past the break for the video.

[Thanks, Marius]Continue reading QPC's Articulated Naturality Web looks to one up augmented reality
QPC's Articulated Naturality Web looks to one up augmented reality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVimeo  | Email this | Comments
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LaCie pushes serious pixels on 24-inch 324i professional IPS display
Need a few new pixels to display your shiny new digital images on? LaCie's got you covered, with its new 324i offering a premium feature set to accompany a premium price. Aimed specifically at creative pros with the pockets to appreciate a 10-bit P-IPS panel, exceedingly wide color gamuts (102 percent NTSC; 98 percent Adobe RGB), a slew of input connectors (DVI-D, HDMI, component and DisplayPort), 178-degree viewing angles and an anti-glare coating. The 24-inch panel boasts a 1920 x 1200 resolution, and the multifunction stand enables users to pivot the display for horizontal or vertical viewing. We gawked at it for a few minutes here at Photokina, and while the design is thoroughly corporate, the picture quality is indeed stunning. Other specs include a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a trio of USB 2.0 ports and an integrated cable manager; she's on sale today for a stiff $1,249.99, but man, we'd almost pay it for that anti-glare action.
Gallery: LaCie 24-inch 324i professional IPS display
Gallery: LaCie 324i professional LCD at Photokina 2010
Continue reading LaCie pushes serious pixels on 24-inch 324i professional IPS display
LaCie pushes serious pixels on 24-inch 324i professional IPS display originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony 'Advanced Model' (Alpha A77?) DSLR emerges at Photokina, E-mount firmware coming soon
We've heard Sony use the term "Advanced Model" when dealing with concepts before, and it seems that it's using said code once more to disguise what may end up being the A77. Rumors have been flaring over the past few weeks, noting that this particular Alpha DSLR would be showcased at Photokina before being officially unveiled at CES 2011. Few details were given, but we're able to tell that it'll shoot HD video in AVCHD and will be compatible with a vertical grip. Moreover, it'll ship with a translucent mirror (as found in the A55 and A33) and an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. At the company's Photokina press conference, an executive noted that the cam will be "far more powerful than the a55," and that it'll be aimed at "serious enthusiast photographers."

A slew of concept / prototype lenses were also encased (including a comically large 500mm f/4 cannon) at Sony's booth, not to mention a few that'll definitely be available from 2011 and 2012. Back at the presser, we were informed that a grand total of ten A-mount (Alpha DSLR compatible) lenses will be on sale by 2012, and it's also considering working with a number of partners in order to develop third-party E-mount lenses for the NEX range. Moreover, a firmware update is slated for mid-October to bring autofocus support to A-mount lenses used on E-mount cameras, aperture control in video mode and customizable keys, while the NEX-VG10 Handycam will see an A-mount lens firmware update in November. Speaking of E-mount cameras, Sony's also developing its own micro flash for use in low(er)-light situations, and considering that it recently grabbed a full 50 percent of the mirrorless market share in Europe, we'd guess it's nowhere near slowing down on the innovation. Smiles all around, right?
Gallery: Sony's concept box at Photokina: 'Advanced Model' Alpha DSLR, flexible flash, lenses
Gallery: Sony's Photokina 2010 press conference
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MetroPCS launches LTE network in Las Vegas, Samsung Craft along for the ride
MetroPCS was quite serious when it said it wanted to have commercial LTE up and running in 2010 -- and indeed, it has made good on its word today with an official launch in Vegas. Of course, you need hardware to go along with a new network, and that's not much of a surprise either: the long-discussed Samsung Craft becomes not just MetroPCS' first 4G handset, but the first LTE phone to launch commercially anywhere in the world. It's not a smartphone, but it's got a 3.3-inch AMOLED display, 3.2 megapixel camera, and a full QWERTY slide. Interestingly, MetroPCS is not offering tethering (or any modems) at this time, which means the only way you're going to be able to enjoy those blazing speeds is on the handset itself. The carrier is offering basic unlimited service for $55 for a month, while another $5 will net you unlimited on-demand video streaming from 14 networks. The Craft, meanwhile, runs $299 contract-free -- and since it's dual-mode, it'll work just fine on MetroPCS' CDMA network once you leave the blackjack tables. Follow the break for Samsung's press release.Continue reading MetroPCS launches LTE network in Las Vegas, Samsung Craft along for the ride
MetroPCS launches LTE network in Las Vegas, Samsung Craft along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMetroPCS  | Email this | Comments
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Google Earth 3.1 for iOS gets its ocean layer, Eric Schmidt's undersea base conspicuously absent
Google's recent addition of ocean layer content and ocean bathymetry (which, we were shocked to discover, had nothing to do with bathing) meant that Android users finally got access to underwater locales on the Google Earth. No need to feel left out anymore, iOS users -- Google Earth 3.1 for iPod Touch, iPad and the iPhone is finally yours as well, with over a hundred pictures and videos and native support for the Retina display. Check out the App Store to get started, or (if it's your wont) simply snap the QR code after the break.
Continue reading Google Earth 3.1 for iOS gets its ocean layer, Eric Schmidt's undersea base conspicuously absent
Permalink   |  sourceGoogle LatLong Blog  | Email this | Comments
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CE-Oh no he didn't!: Anssi Vanjoki says using Android is like peeing in your pants for warmth
You've been asking and imploring, so Anssi Vanjoki -- straight shooter, that he is -- now has an answer. Why doesn't Nokia switch to Android? Because Google's software represents only a short-term solution that will lead to bigger quandaries down the line, says he. Anssi was even graceful enough to illustrate this point with a vivid example, saying that mobile manufacturers who go the Android route are doing no better than Finnish boys who "pee in their pants" for warmth in the winter. Yeah. We don't know where to go from here either. To be honest, there's a legitimate point behind this trash talk, as the FT notes some analysts agree with Anssi that relying on Android as the universal OS may lead to "permanently low profitability" with users failing to distinguish among different brands if they all offer the same experience. Then again, tell that to HTC.

[Thanks, Maark]
Permalink   |  sourceFinancial Times  | Email this | Comments
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