IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 18/02/2011

Samsung Epic 4G officially signed up for Froyo starting February 21st

Weary Epic 4G owners, wonder no more about your phone's long-overdue update to Android 2.2, because the rumors were true: it's nearly here. Sprint has thrown up a support page detailing the build EB13 upgrade that will kick off on February 21st, saying that all customers "should" have it by the 25th through a phased over-the-air rollout. Besides the usual Android 2.2 goodies, the update promises "GPS enhancements," which is something that pretty much every Galaxy S owner around the world is always on the lookout for with every new firmware version. Of course, we'll believe this all when it actually starts happening -- but it's a good sign.

Samsung Epic 4G officially signed up for Froyo starting February 21st originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for 'violating' its policies

Without elaborating, Twitter has just posted a help document titled "I'm Having Problems Logging In to UberTwitter or twidroyd" that gives little hope for an immediate fix: turns out the company has outright suspended both apps -- among the most popular Twitter apps for the BlackBerry / iPhone and Android platforms, respectively -- for "violating [its] policies." They go on to say that they suspend "hundreds" of apps on a daily basis for policy violations, but decided to call out these two in particular because of the high number of users potentially affected. Considering the popularity factor, we imagine this'll be solved one way or another before too long -- but in the meantime, you might want to fall back to the official apps for all three platforms.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Twitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for 'violating' its policies originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer's Aspire One D257 attempts to send ripples through MWC

Despite its variety of new tablets, Acer's already told us of its plans to continue on with its Aspire One netbooks, and the new D257 is all the proof we need of that. At this point, we don't know much about the latest 10.1-inch laptop, except that it does have one funky lid. It looks like a stone was dropped smack in the middle of the O in the Aspire One logo to create a ripple-like effect, and it's more than just an interesting paint job -- the plastic has actually been molded. It's a noteworthy design move, but we've never really been big fans of the huge logo in the first place. We were actually hoping Acer would nix it after the AO521. Spec-wise, Notebook Italia is reporting it will be powered by Intel's dual-core Atom N570 or N550 processors and the placard on display at MWC said that it will dual-boot Windows 7 Starter and Android. Ironically, the model on hand wouldn't boot at all, but we'll be listening out for an official announcement on this one.

Gallery: Acer's Aspire One D257 hands-on

Acer's Aspire One D257 attempts to send ripples through MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google, Best Buy, Sony and others form alliance to defend FCC's proposed 'AllVid' standard

We've already seen Sony, TiVo and others come out in support of the FCC's proposed CableCard replacement, known as AllVid, but it looks like they're now stepping up their game considerably. In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the group -- which also includes Google, Best Buy, Mitsubishi and others -- has announced that they've formed the "AllVid Tech Company Alliance" in a concerted effort to defend the proposed AllVid standard, and counter arguments from those opposed to it -- namely, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (or NCTA) and the cable companies that are a part of it. As you might expect, the Alliance isn't making a lot of new arguments, but it is stating its position pretty frankly, telling the FCC that "it is essential for the Commission to break down the wall separating the home network from MVPD [or pay TV] networks - not just poke a few holes in it, or rely on progress on the peripheries." You can find the complete letter (in PDF form) at the source link below.

Google, Best Buy, Sony and others form alliance to defend FCC's proposed 'AllVid' standard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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inPulse smartwatch turns programmable, and it can almost play Doom (video)

Once upon a time the inPulse was a BlackBerry peripheral, but no more -- now, it's a fully programmable device-agnostic Bluetooth wrist computer. That's because its manufacturer Allerta released an SDK this week, which lets the 52Mhz ARM7 processor and 8Kb of RAM within display whatever you'd like on the 1.3-inch, 96 x 128 pixel screen. Like the time of day... or this tiny, practically unplayable 3D game. Yours for $149.

inPulse smartwatch turns programmable, and it can almost play Doom (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thrustmaster T500 RS review

For a long time -- a long, long time -- Logitech and Gran Turismo have gone together like rubber and asphalt. Like carbon fiber and fender flares. Like drivers' privates and their Nomex underpants. The two were tight, but with GT5 came a changing of the guard. Thrustmaster, a company world-renowned for its high-end flight controls and its giggle-inducing name, stepped in and bought the license. The purpose? To release the decidedly high-end T500 RS wheel, the controller designed to abolish memories of all the plasticy racing controllers that have come before from the company. Does it succeed, and is it worth the pucker-inducing price of $599? These questions and more answered below.

Gallery: Thrustmaster T500RS

Continue reading Thrustmaster T500 RS review

Thrustmaster T500 RS review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Android Gingerbread release brings NFC and Bluetooth together for tappable sharing

Sending a webpage from an HP Pre 3 to a Touchpad is as easy as tapping them together, a technique we've not previously seen -- but something that's now possible in the latest flavor of Gingerbread: Android 2.3.3. This adds some expanded functionality for working with the NFC chip found in the Nexus S (and, presumably, others soon) enabling, among other things, NFC to work with Bluetooth. As demonstrated a few weeks ago, the NFC chip can be used to send networking and establish a connection when the two phones touch, so no more manual pairing required, just sweet tapping and sharing.

Latest Android Gingerbread release brings NFC and Bluetooth together for tappable sharing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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House of Representatives votes to block net neutrality

The net neutrality debate was sadly destined to be swallowed up by left-right posturing once the FCC voted 3-2 to impose a compromise set of access rules on the ISP industry, and it appears the ensuing political theater is nearing its zenith: the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted yesterday to block funding for the FCC's proposed rules. We call it theater only because it's largely for show -- in order to take effect, the budget amendment would have to pass the Democratically-controlled Senate and be signed by the President, and neither of those things is likely to happen. What's more, the actual rules passed by the FCC have already been challenged in the courtroom by Verizon and MetroPCS, so it's not like the industry needs any additional help at the moment. Still, there's a part of us that's happy this issue is even being talked about at the highest levels, rather than being left to languish in administrative rulemaking hell like so many other FCC initiatives -- and we have a feeling we'll be talking about this for a long time to come.

House of Representatives votes to block net neutrality originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)

Yesterday at MWC we got our hands on the Huawei IDEOS X3, an Android 2.3 phone slotted right between the IDEOS / Comet we reviewed recently and the X5 we saw at CES. While the original IDEOS took Android significantly downmarket, and the X5 is looking to bring high-end features to the mid-end, the X3 is aimed squarely at bread-and-butter devices like the LG Optimus T. Spec-wise, you'll find a 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU (likely 600 MHz), 256MB of RAM, 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, front-facing camera, WiFi b / g / n, and dualband HSPA plus quadband EDGE radios, all powered by a 1200mAh battery. Contrary to its siblings, the X3 is not a Google Experience device, and runs a custom skin on top of Gingerbread. See our pictures in the gallery below and jump the break for our first impressions and hands-on video.

Gallery: Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)

Continue reading Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)

Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caption Contest: Obama has dinner with tech industry CEOs

Barack Obama is a president well known for being in touch with technology, so it's no surprise to see him wining and dining the industry's biggest decision makers. Larry Ellison, Eric Schmidt, Carol Bartz, Mark Zuckerberg, and yes, even Steve Jobs joined el presidente for an informal dinner on Thursday to discuss important things like jobs, education, and research spending. We're not here for that, though, we're here to drop zingers about one all-powerful dude and his big-time CEO buddies.

Thomas: "Here's to project Soylent Green."
Joe: "This sure beats the Four Loko Summit we held last summer on the White House lawn."
Chris: "So let's just jam through this dinner real quick."
Josh T: "I hope no one authorizes a 'kill switch' on this party."
Paul: "At this very moment we're millions of miles from a doomed planet Earth!"
Nilay: "Gentlemen, Ballmer has neutralized the Finnish threat."
Richard Lai: "Drink up, kids -- it's Dance Central time!"
Tim: "Zuck, it's like Final Club, except with the President."

Caption Contest: Obama has dinner with tech industry CEOs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NoteSlate teased with new product shots, moves one step away from vaporware status

Look, you can't say no to a $99 electronic ink drawing tablet, but to believe that that his here NoteSlate has any chance of retailing at that price you'd also need the naiveté of a child who accepts free candies from strangers. While we remain skeptical, said tablet's website has just been updated with a new stash of product shots and an in-depth walkthrough, which are kinda convincing if you ignore the price tag. The mono-color models are here to stay as well, though we should point out that there's a $30 alternative, already available, from Improv Electronics for those who need nothing more than just doodling. Otherwise, keep an eye out for the NoteSlate come June.

[Thanks, Eddie]Filed under: Tablet PCs

NoteSlate teased with new product shots, moves one step away from vaporware status originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan ESFLOW pictured in the flesh ahead of Geneva unveil

Rendery concept images not doing enough to pique your interest in the future-Z concept ESFLOW from Nissan? Maybe you'd be into some honest to gosh pictures of the real thing sitting pretty on a white-walled photo stage, prepping for its glamour shoot. All Cars Electric has a suite of photos of the inside, highlighting its sweeping lines and decidedly fanciful interior. The car is said to manage the 0 - 60 sprint in under five seconds while also delivering 150 miles of range from its Li-ion battery pack, helped by a lightweight composite body and aluminum chassis. Whether the car ever hits production remains to be seen, but there's no doubt it's looking good already.

Nissan ESFLOW pictured in the flesh ahead of Geneva unveil originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Ericsson breaks out white Xperia Play, makes it an O2 exclusive in the UK

We'll confess, we did see Sony Ericsson execs flashing white Xperia Play handsets during the company's MWC 2011 press event, but curiously enough none of those made their way to the demo areas. Now we've finally got ourselves some fully fleshed out press shots, along with the news that O2 will be the sole carrier for this alabaster gaming smartphone in the UK. Other markets have yet to announce availability of the white Xperia Play, but you'll know more just as soon as we do. Skip past the break to see how the front end looks.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Sony Ericsson breaks out white Xperia Play, makes it an O2 exclusive in the UK

Sony Ericsson breaks out white Xperia Play, makes it an O2 exclusive in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE

We're not sure how they feel in lands where fiber optic connections flow like wine, but in most of the developed world a up to 42 megabit per second internet connection feels mighty fine. Fine enough, in fact, that it can make sense to share it with your peers, and that's why Netgear's new MBR1310 and MBR2000 routers are here. They're quad-band DC-HSPA+ units that dole out that precious 3G data over 802.11n WiFi or via four 10/100 wired ethernet ports, with the MBR2000 adding ADSL2+ for a wired backup option. If you're lucky enough to be working with LTE in Europe, there's the MBR1517 as well, virtually identical to the model announced for Verizon but presumably with different carrier support. No word on when, where, or how much any of these fallback connectivity options will cost. PR after the break.Continue reading Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE

Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour

It'd be no exaggeration to say that Google's Android booth here at MWC 2011 has been the most popular of them all. The Mountain View secret to this preeminence has been some combination of putting cutesy costumes on its now iconic robot logo, installing a slide for weary geeks to reconnect to their childhood with, and operating a fully fledged smoothie bar that offered up free Honeycomb elixirs. In short, Ye Olde Google has aimed to be fun first and foremost and the crowds have responded by keeping its booth constantly busy. Heck, we even saw our buddy Stephen Elop walking by, though his panther-like quickness was too much for our cameras to document the moment. Never mind, we've still got a ton of photos and video for you below, so why not dig into those while they're still hot?

Gallery: Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour

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Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AdÃ©u, Barcelona: Mobile World Congress 2011 is over

We've still got a handful of posts in the pipeline, but with the gates closed and everyone in the air heading back to their respective homes, our adventures at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona have come to a close. The good news is we can return to our regular four of hours of sleep each night (a figure that was cut in half this week). The bad news is the heartache of leaving behind gorgeous scenery and delicious paella. Take a look at some of our highlights below!

United States gets a National Broadband Map, finds much of its nation doesn't have broadband

The FCC of the Obama administration has been very keen to highlight the fact that many Americans today still aren't riding the information superhighway, a mission of awareness-spreading that was advanced a little more yesterday with the introduction of the National Broadband Map. Mostly the work of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, this $200 million project provides broadband data for thousands of providers with over 25 million searchable records -- all of which can be visualized in map form, categorized by connectivity type, or downloaded in full to your computer. APIs have been made available for anyone interested in remixing / using the NBM elsewhere, while information updates are promised every six months. In terms of the maps' content, we're still seeing unsatisfactorily wide swathes of broadband-free countryside, but we suppose the first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have one.

United States gets a National Broadband Map, finds much of its nation doesn't have broadband originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Energy will replace fossil fuels by 2050 if you really really want to

The year 2050 is what the year 2000 was to futuristic thinkers like Walt Disney and Arthur C. Clarke. It's the new year that everything will change: robots will outperform us on the field of play, computers will outwit us in matters of reason, and nerds will never be lonely again. It's also the year that 100 percent green energy will be possible according to a bunch of neo-maxi zoomdweebies from Stanford and the University of California-Davis. That's right, in 40 years we could be saying goodbye to fossil fuels in favor of renewables like solar and wind power. The biggest challenge to achieving the goal, say researchers, isn't related to the underlying technologies or the economics required to fuel the change, rather, it's whether we earthlings have the collective will and political gumption to make it happen. Interesting... we'll look into that claim just as soon as we're done with our Nero fiddling and telling all our friends about this amaaazing story we just read in the National Enquirer.

Green Energy will replace fossil fuels by 2050 if you really really want to originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia giving developers free E7 and Nokia WP7 handsets

Nokia's fighting an uphill battle to retain its community of developers as it switches focus to Windows Phone and Microsoft's Windows Phone Developer Tools from what was a joint Symbian / MeeGo smartphone strategy unified under the Qt development framework. As such, Espoo just notified its Launchpad members that they'll be receiving about $1,000 in free hardware in the form of Nokia's new flagship E7 QWERTY slider and a "Nokia WP7 device" just as soon as it's available. Nokia's also tossing in a few other incentives like free access to the next Nokia World / Nokia Developer Summit, three months free tech support for all Nokia technologies (limited to 10 tickets), a free User Experience evaluation for one app, business development assistance, and help publishing apps on the Ovi store. This is also great news for us as the chance of seeing leaked pics of that first Nokia WP7 device have just increased dramatically.

Nokia giving developers free E7 and Nokia WP7 handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple maintains lead in mobile app store revenues, but its share is shrinking fast

Growth. You don't have to be Gordon Gekko to recognize that exponential growth in revenues is the mark of both a buoyant industry and, on an individual level, a healthy participant within it. Kudos must, therefore, be handed out to all the top four app stores globally, as each one expended its total revenues by over 130 percent between 2009 and 2010. Interestingly, Apple's growth looks to be slowing down as the App Store begins to reach a saturation point on smartphones, while Nokia's Ovi Store and Google's Android Market blossomed during 2010 by multiples of 7.2 and 8.6 times their 2009 size. Apple's share at the top has shrunken as a consequence, a trend that looks likely to continue when Windows Phone 7's Marketplace and the Ovi Store are melded into one through this year and beyond.

Apple maintains lead in mobile app store revenues, but its share is shrinking fast originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP CEO says company is taking 'too long to get to market' with innovations, we wholeheartedly agree

Leo Apotheker, HP's successor to the infamous Mark Hurd, has sat down for a chat with the Wall Street Journal recently, and while most of it is innocuous corporate-speak -- "we need to fire up our innovation engine" -- there was one quote that piqued our interest. The new chief believes HP needs to get its products to market faster, rejecting Sam Palmisano's suggestion that HP has lost its innovative touch and insisting that his company's weakness has been in just not getting the products out to store shelves quickly enough. Of course, you could say that that's an error HP is repeating again with the launch of its new webOS devices -- the TouchPad, the Pre 3 and the Veer -- none of which are expected to arrive before this spring. However, to be fair to Apotheker, he's still relatively new to the job and these words from him could well signal a change for the better in future product cycles. Full interview at the source.

HP CEO says company is taking 'too long to get to market' with innovations, we wholeheartedly agree originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Stanford gurus enable two-way radio communications. Over.'

Call it the holy grail of radio transmissions if you must, but even if you're not about to toss that label on it, there's no question that the work being done in Stanford's engineering labs could destroy quite a few preconceived notions about wireless interference. Demoed as a concept last year, a newfangled wireless technology developed in Palo Alto is proving that signals can indeed be sent and received at the same time. Outside of the cellular telephony world, this seemingly simple occurrence doesn't really happen -- typical wireless signals have to take turns when it comes to listening and transmitting. As an example, it's impossible for a WiFi router to "shout" out signals while also being intelligent enough to quiet its own voice in order to hear "whispers" from a connected device. The breakthrough came when researchers found that radios could be tweaked to filter out the signal from its own transmitter, something that already happens within noise-canceling headphones. If this can be packaged into a commercially viable platform, it could instantly double the amount of information sent over existing networks, and on an even grander scale, it could allow airplanes to radio into control towers simultaneously (a feat that's shockingly impossible with today's physics bearing down). Head on past the break for a downright enlightening video on the matter.Continue reading 'Stanford gurus enable two-way radio communications. Over.'

'Stanford gurus enable two-way radio communications. Over.' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer jumping on the Windows Phone 7 bandwagon this fall?

One manufacturer who has not boarded on the Windows Phone train to commerceville is Acer, who is certainly all over when it comes to Android. Why no WP7 love? No word on that front, but we're told that may be changing this fall. The company is reportedly looking at releasing one or more handsets for the platform to coincide with the first major Windows Phone update, currently given the saucy nom de guerre "Mango." That's right about when we're expecting our first Nokia WP7 handsets, which means things could be getting interesting in Microsoftia this September.

Acer jumping on the Windows Phone 7 bandwagon this fall? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia's Jetstar Airways takes the training wheels off iPad rental program, wants the tablet 'on every aircraft'

Here's a quick and easy way to escape the mediocrity of those tiny low-res LCDs embedded in the seat in front of you: slap down 10 Australian dollars and upgrade to the iPad's IPS goodness for the duration of your Jetstar Airways flight. This rental option has been available on the Australian airline's flights since June, but only in pilot form (insert your own jokes here), and the feedback has been good enough for the company to make it a fleet-wide policy. "Movies, music, magazines, books and games" will all come preloaded, so you shouldn't fret about having to shell out extra hunting around for content. Licensing agreements are expected to be finalized shortly, with the rental program rolling out in full this April.

Australia's Jetstar Airways takes the training wheels off iPad rental program, wants the tablet 'on every aircraft' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi starts calling its vehicular broadband plans 'Audi connect,' partners with Alcatel for LTE internet

Audi's had grand designs on the connected car for years now, and is presently looking to upgrade to LTE, but first it's time to address the most important consideration -- marketing the stuff effectively. To that end, Audi's unifying its infotainment initiatives under the brand Audi Connect, so it will be absolutely clear how you can pimp your ride with tech when you walk into an Audi dealership. That is, if you don't already have Audi Connect, because the company claims it's already present in the A8, A7 and A6. Those three automobiles can presently add an optional UMTS modem for online apps, though Audi's also working with Alcatel-Lucent to bring faster LTE connectivity by 2014. Expect a software update sooner than that: this summer, Audi hopes to add live traffic data and voice commands to control a suite of Google services as well. Find more details at our source links.

Audi starts calling its vehicular broadband plans 'Audi connect,' partners with Alcatel for LTE internet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fujitsu's HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean -- humankind next in line? (video)

They've taught them how to flip pancakes and shoot arrows, and now they're teaching humanoids to erase your whiteboard. That's right, the same folks who brought you iCub in a feathery headdress are back at it with Fujitsu's HOAP-2, a humanoid robot that looks like it's related to the Jetsons' maid, and can wipe a dry erase board clean via upper-body kinesthetic learning. While scientists force the robot's arm through a number of erasing movements, an attached force-torque sensor records the patterns, allowing HOAP-2 to mimic its previous actions, and voilà! You've got a blank slate. Sure, this little guy looks perfectly harmless in comparison with the bow-and-arrow-wielding iCub, but replace that eraser with a switchblade and the human race is in a whole world of hurt.Continue reading Fujitsu's HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean -- humankind next in line? (video)

Fujitsu's HOAP-2 robot wipes whiteboards clean -- humankind next in line? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more

Lookie here, digital bookworms -- Google has just refreshed its Google Reader app for Android, adding a couple of "your most-requested features" along the way. Things like a unread count widget and news ticker widget are coming to those with Android 2.2+, while a 'Mark Previous As Read' is making its way back to all users with v1.6 or higher. Oh, and if you're into reading Russian feeds, there's now official support for Russian translation. Head on down to the Market below to get the install going, and do your best not to be ashamed when the number in your unread count stretches three home screen panels.

Google Reader Android app gets updated with unread count widget and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lenovo LePad set for a global June LeLaunch

Lenovo's ready to get specific with dates now that Google's got itself an honest to goodness tablet OS. A company spokesman said that its LePad tablet -- first announced by that name back in June 2010 but previewed at CES all the way back in January 2010 -- will ship in its home country of China in March before making its way to the global stage in June. Unfortunately, Lenovo isn't saying anything about final specs or which countries are first on its list -- we already knew it was coming to the US in 2011. The company's also not talking price. Last time we saw LePad in January it was sporting Android 2.2 with a custom "LeOS" skin riding a 1.3GHz Snapdragon processor and 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 pixel display with a price just north of $500. Question is: will Lenny set it free with vanilla Honeycomb or will it feel compelled to apply the LeOS skin in order to avoid becoming just another Android tablet?

Lenovo LePad set for a global June LeLaunch originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: what's the thinnest, lightest, sleekest 17-inch laptop?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Shimon, who clearly longs for the best of both worlds. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I am looking to replace my 17-inch MacBook Pro. I am looking for a 17-inch ultraportable laptop, or as close as I can get to one. Key features: light, thin, good battery life, high resolution screen, no lap burn, no noisy fan and doesn't break the bank. Thanks!"

Seems as if Mac / PC isn't an issue, so we're assuming they're all on the table. Considering that he's leaving a 17-inch MBP, what else out there can compare given the needs? Any suggestions from 17-inch laptop owners out there? Go on, answer away in comments below -- you've got the time (and screen real estate) to spare.

Ask Engadget: what's the thinnest, lightest, sleekest 17-inch laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Imagination Technologies unveils Series 6 PowerVR GPUs -- promises desktop caliber graphics in mobile devices (update)

Imagination Technologies may not be a household name, but they created the PowerVR GPUs that are the gold standard in mobile graphics, and are a part of the ARM SoCs you find in mobile devices like the iPhone 4, Galaxy S, and the Droid 2. Not one to rest on its laurels, the company unveiled its new Series 6 PowerVR chips -- affectionately known as "Rogue" -- that are 20 to 100 times more powerful than its previous handheld offerings. That's right, these GPUs will have the same horsepower as today's desktop computers while needing only a milliwatt of juice to deliver face-melting graphics -- the catch is that this bit of black magic won't be showing up in devices for a few years. Guess we'll just have to settle for the Series 5 chips -- like the quad core beast found in the Sony NGP and the upcoming OMAP 5 platform -- which the company promises will make their way into select smartphones "within three months." Be still, our gaming hearts.

Update: Three months? Hardly, ST-Ericsson has announced a series of new SoC processors, including the Nova 9600 that has "Rogue" baked in. The chip delivers HD video at 120 frames per second and can pull off pro-quality 3D video recording as well. Press release is after the break.

[Thanks, Rich]Continue reading Imagination Technologies unveils Series 6 PowerVR GPUs -- promises desktop caliber graphics in mobile devices (update)

Imagination Technologies unveils Series 6 PowerVR GPUs -- promises desktop caliber graphics in mobile devices (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pocket Gamer, Linux Devices | source

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US Justice Department and FTC looking into Apple's new subscription policy

Apple unveiled its new app store subscriptions earlier this week with a decent amount of controversy and even an official statement from Rhapsody saying it would not comply with the new regulations. The new policy requires any company offering subscription services to offer the same service, at the same price (or less) through Apple, with Apple skimming 30 percent off the top. It also no longer allows apps to have links to external sites where purchases can be made. Now, reports the Wall Street Journal, antitrust enforcers in the US are having a preliminary look into the new arrangement. So, what does that mean? Well, these kinds of pre-investigations are pretty common, so it could mean nothing at all. Or, it could lead to a more formal investigation into if the policy violates antitrust laws. When asked for comment on the story, unsurprisingly, no one at Apple, the FTC, or the Justice Department would comment. We'll keep our eyes on this one and let you know if anything more exciting happens.

US Justice Department and FTC looking into Apple's new subscription policy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Met's upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested

We don't mean to sound negative or anything, and we're not 3D naysayers by any means. But the news that the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Siegfried will include mind-blowing 3D background effects is, well, mind-blowing. While you're undoubtedly familiar with 3D effects, you may not be acquainted with Wagner's 1876 opera which portrays the story of Sigurd, a hero of Norse mythology. Robert Lepage, the director of the operation, expects theater-goers to find themselves engulfed in a three-dimensional world of his creation, which will be projected on the 45-ton set. Lepage, who is directing Wagner's entire Ring cycle at the Met, worked with Geodezik -- famous for the stage shows of famed opera performers Pink and Justin Timberlake -- to create the show's effects. The 3D you'll be seeing if you hit the theater won't be like the technology you're familiar with, however, as it makes use of fractals, and the moving parts of the set to 'trick' your eyes into seeing in three dimensions. We don't want to say this sounds like a bad idea until we've seen if of course, but we've got our reservations. Hit up the New York Times link to see one rather small image of the set.

[Image: Lincoln Center]

The Met's upcoming opera to boast glasses-free 3D effects that nobody requested originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gizmodo | source

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Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views

After DirecTV, Comcast has been among the most aggressive in pushing 3D programming, so it's no surprise to receive word it's begun scheduling round-the-clock 3D content on the Xfinity 3D channel just days after DirecTV launched 3net alongside ESPN 3D and its own n3D network. While viewers can tune in to see what's playing (mostly some documentaries and varied computer animated content) right now, the official kick off comes this weekend on February 20th when it airs the 2011 Tim Horton's Classic outdoor NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, followed closely by a Kings of Leon concert in Germany presented from MTV's library. After early 2010 featured a sparse lineup of one-off 3D events it looks like the channel guide is at least starting to fill up -- as to whether or not anyone is watching, Comcast also announced it's served up over 1 million views of 3D shows and movies over video on-demand with more sports, music and movies to come.Continue reading Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views

Comcast launches its own 24/7 Xfinity 3D channel, crosses 1 million 3D VOD views originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel's Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe

Dell means business with its upcoming Windows 7 slate, if the whispers we're hearing are true -- we have it on good authority that the recently-leaked Rosemount will be a Latitude. An inside source says that the 10-inch tablet will not only sport Dell's storied business brand but will be geared towards enterprise through and through, with features like serviceable components (including a removable battery), software encryption and the ability to perform a remote wipe, and that it'll have a dual-digitizer to support both touch input and a stylus for fine details. We don't know about performance or battery life quite yet, but the slate will reportedly use an Atom chip, specifically Intel's Oak Trail, so we'll let you imagine the possibilities.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Dell Rosemount tablet will have Intel's Oak Trail inside, stylus, removable battery and remote wipe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York DOT now adding 2-point driver's license penalty for talking on the phone while driving

It has been illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in New York for years now, but the state has just steeply upped the penalties associated. The $100 fine which is currently imposed has been joined by a 2-point penalty on the driver's record -- which should serve as a real deterrent for most. The DMV has estimated that one in five crashes now involve so-called distracted drivers, resulting in about 5,000 deaths last year. So please, keep your eyes on the road.

New York DOT now adding 2-point driver's license penalty for talking on the phone while driving originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jalopnik | source

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Motorola Xoom manual now available for download, ready to expose the ins and outs of Honeycomb

Wish you had your Xoom tablet already? Yeah, us too. We can't get you there, but thanks to Droid Live you can at least pore over every page of the thing's manual. 64 pages, actually, covering everything from how to turn it on to, well, how to turn it off again. Looking for other excitement? You'll find a hipster on a bench on page 10, what appears to be Joanna Newsom on page 30, and a disgustingly happy couple on page 33. Oh, and lots and lots of details bout Honeycomb too. Check it out!

[Thanks, Andy]

Motorola Xoom manual now available for download, ready to expose the ins and outs of Honeycomb originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon makes Home Phone Connect service available nationwide

Verizon just began trials of its Home Phone Connect service in New York and Connecticut in December, but it looks like it's already ironed out any kinks there might have been, as it's now made the service available across the entire U.S. As with the trial, it will run you $19.99 a month for unlimited domestic calling or $9.99 a month to share minutes on your existing family plan, each option of which will let you make calls using any old landline phone that's connected to the Home Phone Connect base station (included for free with a two-year contract). You'll also, of course, get all the usual features you'd expect from a phone service, including caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voice mail, and 911 service. Hit up the source link below for all of the fine print.

Verizon makes Home Phone Connect service available nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yahoo! News | source

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NYT: Apple considering a cheaper iPhone, but not a smaller one right now

Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal seemed pretty sure that an iPhone nano was inbound, but the New York Times' anonymous sources dispute that tale -- the paper writes that "Apple is not currently developing a smaller iPhone," and that the company is "not planning to introduce a smaller iPhone anytime soon." While the publication doesn't outright deny the existence of such a device at any point in the story, it does quote an anonymous Apple executive as saying that it doesn't make sense for the company to create multiple iPhone form factors at any given time, and an anonymous Apple engineer as saying that cheaper components, not a smaller size, would make for a cheaper overall price.

One thing's for sure: either Apple's making one, or it's not.

In related news, the Times' sources corroborate the idea that Apple will make MobileMe free, and say that the next full-sized iPhone is nearly complete. Woo!

NYT: Apple considering a cheaper iPhone, but not a smaller one right now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RadioShack offers Atrix 4G for $150 on launch day, undercutting AT&T?

We'd heard rumors that Motorola's Atrix 4G would cost $150, but after AT&T priced the handset at $200 we figured they were all for naught. The Shack begs to differ: it's just revealed it will sell the modular Tegra 2 superphone on Feburary 22nd for that original $150 price. That's with a two-year contract, of course, and a data plan on top, but that means you'll shave $50 off the sum AT&T is asking, or $20 off the combo deal with the (somewhat disappointing) laptop dock. Still, if history's any judge, we don't expect savings like this to be exclusive to RadioShack for long.

[Thanks, Andrew F.]

RadioShack offers Atrix 4G for $150 on launch day, undercutting AT&T? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox

Welcome to the wonderful world of smartphones, Chevrolet. The company has just announced (on our very show, no less) a system it calls MyLink. It's a definite competitor to things like Ford's AppLink and the recently unveiled Toyota Entune system. Offering compatibility with iOS, BlackBerry, and Android it allows for a driver to interact with apps running on their smartphones using controls in their car. Connectivity is totally wireless for the last two, with data going over Bluetooth, but as of the current version iOS devices need to be physically tethered to the car. That's a bit of a bummer.

Currently there are only two compatible apps: Stitcher and Pandora, the latter maintaining its status of the world's most popular infotainment app. Naturally, more are coming. Drivers can interact with the apps using voice, courtesy of Nuance, or using the touchscreen displays found in the Volt and Equinox, the first cars that will offer this system and which will also offer PowerMat charging, meaning you can not only stream tunes wirelessly but also charge your device. No word yet on cost or what option packages this system will be available in, but we'll be bringing that to you as soon as we can. Until then, enjoy the video demo after the break.

Gallery: Chevrolet MyLink show

Gallery: Chevy MyLink official pictures

Continue reading Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox

Chevrolet launches MyLink smartphone integration for 2012 Volt and Equinox originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 18/02/2011

Microsoft

Nokia

HTC

Samsung

Google

LG

Sony Ericsson

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