IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 4/23/2012

Ask Engadget: best sub-$150 mechanical keyboard?

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 inquiry is coming to us from Andrew, who wants to get a proper keyboard, for doing serious business on. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"Hi, I'm thinking about getting a mechanical keyboard for my desktop. I'm a student so I'll need to do a bunch of word-processing and also moderate FPS gaming in the downtime. I've got a budget of $150 and prefer Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches, do you have any suggestions?"

No "thank you?" Man, the kids of today. Anyway, it's a weird coincidence because we've also been pondering swapping out our chiclet daily-driver for something more serious. We played with Matias' One at CES, while Andrew himself has one eye on the Razer Blackwidow or the Das Model S Pro / Stealth. But that's us, what we want to know is what y'all out there are using when it comes to properly made keyboards -- stick your comments below and let's get this doing done.

Ask Engadget: best sub-$150 mechanical keyboard? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Google pushes IMM76I ICS build to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, reportedly quells connectivity woes

If you've been facing signal issues with your HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus since that recent Android 4.0.4 update, you'll be happy to know that Google's apparently readied a minor update that might help. A small amount of owners have noticed a new build of Android 4.0.4, listed as build IMM76I, showing up on their devices. As The Verge notes, Google hasn't publicly come out with what's been changed from the previous IMM76D build, but many folks over on the forums at XDA-Developers and Android Central have noticed that their handsets' cellular connectivity has improved. Furthermore, Android Central says that devices set to auto brightness aren't experiencing lag on the lock screen as some have had issue with. Mum's the word on when the update will hit every HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, but move your cursor over to links below for all the information that's currently available.

Google pushes IMM76I ICS build to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, reportedly quells connectivity woes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  Android Central, XDA-Developers (forum)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Mobile Miscellany: week of April 16th, 2012

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon announced that its LTE service now covers two-thirds of the US population, and T-Mobile dropped its 'nice girl' image in attempt to position its HSPA+ network as a viable competitor to LTE. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of April 16th, 2012.
Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of April 16th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of April 16th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 20:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Youzee: Spain's streaming startup answer to Netflix

A new streaming service has shed its beta cloak, only this one isn't made for U.S. eyes. Youzee, a Madrid-based start-up, aims to offer Spaniards the best of both pay models, offering up a monthly subscription service alongside separate à la carte pricing. According to the company's site, its catalog of films and TV shows will be made available in a range of dubbed and subtitled versions to suite language and viewing preferences. You'll have to pony up 6.99 Euros (about $9 USD) monthly for access to those selections, but for any titles -- new releases or otherwise -- that reside outside of its collection, there's a one-time fee required, ranging from either 2.99 Euros (about $4 USD) for 480p DVD-quality or 4.99 Euros (about $7 USD) for 720p HD. Plans are also on deck to grow the outfit's content library of paid content with an assortment of free exclusives. So, if you call the Iberian peninsula home and the return of the Bluths on Netflix just isn't enough to tide you over, well, now you have an alternative online video fix.

Youzee: Spain's streaming startup answer to Netflix originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Youzee  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

HTC EVO Design 4G coming to Boost Mobile 'end of this quarter'

Boost customers might soon be able to bite off another bit of Android, according to Pocket Now. It's reporting that the HTC Evo Design 4G will be landing on the prepay network before the end of this quarter. It was running Gingerbread when we first got our hands on it, but will apparently be landing with Ice Cream Sandwich squeezed into its 1.2GHz single-core configuration. It's been a while since a new smartphone was offered up to the Boost faithful, so when the EVO 4G turns up it should be king of the pile, though we're not sure if it'll be asking an equally regal ransom when it does so.

HTC EVO Design 4G coming to Boost Mobile 'end of this quarter' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Pocketnow  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

First ASUS G55VW gaming laptop configuration spotted and priced

ASUS's G-series has been warming the laps of gamers for a while, whether it's the smart G74 or the elder statesman G73JH. The newest splinter of the G-team, however, is the G55 line. Right now, it's the G55VW-DS71 that's just had its specifications splayed out for all to see. It'll be a quad-core i7-3610QM Ivy Bridge chip calling the shots, with a 2GB NVIDIA GTX 660M providing graphical backup. A solid 12GB of DDR3, 1,333MHz RAM and a 750GB HDD will come with the configuration mentioned here. There are two drive bays, though, so you can set it up to your liking, and higher spec versions of this 15.6" machine will be coming in the future. It's only up for pre-order at the moment, but $1,475 will make sure it finds its way to you once released, hopefully around the end of this month -- the Intel gods willing.

First ASUS G55VW gaming laptop configuration spotted and priced originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Laptoping  |  HID Evolution  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Cablevision's Optimum Online live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac

It's been a little over a year since Cablevision launched Optimum for iPad with live streaming of all of its channels to the tablet, and now subscribers can experience the same thing on their computer with the Optimum for Laptops app. Available for Mac or PC it has a brand new interface and searchable guide, as well as the ability to manage DVR recordings and change the channel on cable boxes in the house. According to Cablevision its iOS app has been downloaded over a million times, we'll see how popular this followup is -- and if it spurs any new lawsuits from channel owners.
Continue reading Cablevision's Optimum Online live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac

Cablevision's Optimum Online live TV streaming now available on Windows and Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Optimum  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Sprint discontinues HTC EVO 3D online, limited quantities remain at retail stores

It's not like we're gonna argue with Sprint's rationale, but the EVO 3D has met its end at the Now Network. Visitors to the carrier's online store will notice that the gee-whiz smartphone is no longer available for sale, and Sprint reps have confirmed to us that it's not coming back. Those who insist on owning an EVO 3D will be glad to know that the handset is still available at Sprint's retail outlets, but according to the carrier, quantities are rather limited. Given a phone that debuted less than a year ago, its abrupt and unceremonious demise comes as a bit of a shock, but with the mighty EVO 4G LTE on the horizon, we can't blame the carrier one bit.

Sprint discontinues HTC EVO 3D online, limited quantities remain at retail stores originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Police  |  Sprint  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Study shows more people watch TV on tablets than computers, still nothing on

Is your notebook still your preferred second TV? Well, it seems you're now in the minority. The hip new way of consuming the drug of the nation -- after the 'ole tube itself -- is on a tablet, according to a recent Viacom study. Over 2,500 people were polled nationwide, and the results show a shift away from computers and smartphones to slates. Tabs made up 15 percent of full-length TV show viewings, with the increase of streaming services and companion apps being cited as contributing factors to the trend. We don't know what the fuss is about, we watch all our telly on a tablet.
Continue reading Study shows more people watch TV on tablets than computers, still nothing on

Study shows more people watch TV on tablets than computers, still nothing on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Polaris' pool-cleaning robots get updated with added intelligence, four-wheel drive

It's been almost exactly a year since Zodiac Pool Systems last expanded its line of Polaris-branded pool-cleaning robots, and it's now back with two more additions that fill out the top and bottom end of its lineup. That includes the company's most advanced robot to date, the $1499 Polaris 9400 Sport (pictured above), which adds four-wheel drive for the first time, as well as the company's new accelerometer-enhanced ActivMotion Sensor technology -- something Polaris says allows the robot to continually sense where it is in the pool and optimize its cleaning action accordingly. The 9100 Sport, on the other hand, gets neither of those new additions, but it'll "only" set you back $799, and will still clean pools up to 40 feet long in about two hours. You can get a closer look at those, as well as the company's existing offerings, at the source link below.
Continue reading Polaris' pool-cleaning robots get updated with added intelligence, four-wheel drive

Polaris' pool-cleaning robots get updated with added intelligence, four-wheel drive originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Polaris  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

RedSn0w updated for Mac and Windows: adds Corona A5 jailbreak, other tools

What better way to finish off your night than by updating your favorite jailbreaking tool? Now, you'll be able to do just that after the whiz-kids from the iPhone Dev-Team have pushed out a new copy of their famed RedSn0w application. In what's perhaps the biggest inclusion, version 0.9.10b7 now adds implementation of that untethered Corona jailbreak for A5 devices, making it easier for the iOS 5.0.1 crowd to do bits like reinstalling the tweaked software. In addition, the app's now capable of grabbing SHSH blobs (you know, those tiny files that grant your phone freedom) straight from Cydia, while also giving users the ability to see if their slab carries a vulnerable bootloader or if it's exploitable. RedSn0w 0.9.10b7 is out now for both Windows and Mac, and you can grab it at the source link below.

RedSn0w updated for Mac and Windows: adds Corona A5 jailbreak, other tools originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 06:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  JailbreakUntethered  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Facebook flips the switch on its North Carolina data center, cooled with balmy mountain air

Since breaking ground in Western North Carolina some 16 months ago, Facebook has been running at full speed to get its newest data center online. This week, Zuckerberg & Co. flipped the switch. The new facility, located in Forest City, touts the "first major deployment" of the outfit's Open Compute Project web servers and will be the first "live test" of the OPC's outdoor air-cooling design. It tends to get pretty warm around those parts and humidity levels are a bit outside of ideal data center conditions. The Carolina facility will mirror the projected power utilization effectiveness (PUE) of FB's Oregon data center at just a smidge above 1 - somewhere between 1.06 and 1.08 to be exact. In other words, this means the ratio of power used by the structure and the actual power sent to the hardware is almost perfect with minimal energy loss. No matter, it'll still be using plenty of power. A second identical building is slated to open on the site later this year, but for now, hit the source link for a bit more info on the initial launch.
Continue reading Facebook flips the switch on its North Carolina data center, cooled with balmy mountain air

Facebook flips the switch on its North Carolina data center, cooled with balmy mountain air originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired  |  Facebook  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

3DS firmware update promises folders, less cluttered home screens on April 25th

Are all those ambassador games crowding your 3DS' home screen? Sit tight, Nintendo's got a fix. During the outfit's Nintendo Direct conference livestream, head honcho Satoru Iwata announced that folder organization is coming to the 3DS. Fastidiously organized gamers can expect the firmware update to land on April 25th, bringing with it the joy of creating directories, stuffing them with up to 60 items and ascribing them fitting names. Iwata also detailed a handful of upcoming titles, including New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Tobidase Doubutsu no Mori (or, "Leap out Animal Crossing") for the 3DS and a Kirby compilation for the Wii. Follow the source link below for a full playback of Iwata's spiel, or check out Joystiq's coverage of the event for more details.

Gallery: Nintendo 3DS folders

3DS firmware update promises folders, less cluttered home screens on April 25th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq (1), (2)  |  Nintendo Direct  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

HTC talks smartphone design: from inception to final product

At the Frequencies media summit in Seattle over the last two days, HTC walked us through the fine details on how its smartphones are developed, going from the boring rectangular ABS block to the more refined plastic mockups that are presented to carriers and focus groups -- the findings of which then shape the final product. Sadly, we weren't allowed to take photos of the One X mockups that were shown to us, but do read on to learn the general process of how an HTC phone goes from inception to the final product.
Continue reading HTC talks smartphone design: from inception to final product

HTC talks smartphone design: from inception to final product originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Google app review video shows Share to 'Drive' option

To close out each week, the Android Developer Relations team hosts a Friday App Review video. This Friday, however, the focus is far from whatever apps are being showcased (psst... it's Handy Scanner); instead, all eyes are on the Share to 'Drive' option, seen just below the 'Bluetooth' logo in the screen capture above. It's shown at the 32:53 mark in the video just after the break, and while this certainly isn't confirmation that Goog's own cloud storage service will be hitting the masses soon, it's one of the more tangible pieces of evidence that Google Drive is at least a real initiative. Come to think of it, we've got a couple of passes to Google I/O 2012, which just so happens to get going in around two months. Anyone else feeling that tug of puzzle pieces coming together?
Continue reading Google app review video shows Share to 'Drive' option

Google app review video shows Share to 'Drive' option originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge  |  Android Developers (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Visualized: Shopping bag crash helmet protects your head, not your image (video)

The Grappa is a tote-style shopping bag that you can wear on your head (once it's empty) during a natural disaster. It's less insane than it sounds, because the base of the bag is made from the same EPS foam found in hard-hats, and is rated to cope with falling debris at least as well as similar emergency hoods already on the market. Constructed with the cheapest materials possible, each unit costs around 1,000 Yen ($12) with the hope that companies will buy them, slap a logo on the side and hand them out as a promotional tool that could save plenty of lives. Bet you feel guilty for laughing at the picture now, don't you?
[Thanks, Don]
Continue reading Visualized: Shopping bag crash helmet protects your head, not your image (video)

Visualized: Shopping bag crash helmet protects your head, not your image (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  DigInfo  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Amazon Germany weighs in on Samsung Galaxy S III with 4.7-inch screen and 12 megapixel camera

May 3rd is no doubt going to be a monumental day for Samsung, but April 20th is certainly turning out to be quite memorable for potential specs of the Galaxy S III. Not only did we happen to come across a purported leak of the device itself, which suggested the handset would pack a 4.6-inch display and an 8 megapixel camera, but now a placeholder has popped up on Amazon's German site with a few contrasting specifications -- most notably, a 4.7-inch screen and a 12 megapixel camera. We're still a bit skeptical, because this is far from official, but the fact that the smartphone is shipped and sold by Amazon itself adds a wee bit of credence to the product listing. Only time will tell which set of specs -- if any -- are the correct ones, but the build-up to the Galaxy S III just got a whole lot more interesting.

Amazon Germany weighs in on Samsung Galaxy S III with 4.7-inch screen and 12 megapixel camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Verge, BestBoyZ (translated)  |  Amazon.de (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

WPC updates Qi standard, increases inductive charging distance to 40mm

It seems that Power Matt just got a bit more, er, powerful. The Wireless Power Consortium announced today that it's improved the Qi inductive-charging standard to "include longer range magnetic resonance wireless charging." Effectively, this means charging stations that are up to spec will be able to transmit up to 5 watts of power from distances of 40mm (up from 5mm, previously) to Qi-enabled devices. The WPC says it's ideal for pushing power through the likes tables and counter tops, and that it currently has 12 types of compatible transmitters ready for action. All in all, it certainly seems like a solid step for finally getting rid of all that cable clutter at your workstation -- especially if it'll rid users of those less-than-pretty looking charging bases. Maybe a last-minute add-on to your Uppleva, IKEA?
Continue reading WPC updates Qi standard, increases inductive charging distance to 40mm

WPC updates Qi standard, increases inductive charging distance to 40mm originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

500px launches Android app, adds iPad update on the side

Confined to the imposing shadow of a certain filter-heavy Facebook purchase, 500px is another photo-sharing network making the eco-system leap to Android. 500px is built around collections of high-quality images that are automatically updated and streamed, with a full search option to seek out specific images. Alongside the ability to share photos on the likes of Twitter and Facebook, professionals can attempt to make their fortune by selling their images through the app and companion website. If you're just there for the sumptuous landscapes and close-ups, however, you can collate slideshows from photostreams and build up your own collection of favorite images. 500px has unleashed an update to its iPad version at the same time, cranking up the resolution to make the most of the new retina display and adding the ability to download full-size HD versions of your purchased photos. Anyone concerned with the little ones perusing some of the more risqué images can also breathe a sigh of relief -- 500px has added an improved NSFW filter. If you're overwhelmed with Instagram's new influx of enthusiastic patrons, you can try 500px's slightly different approach to photo sharing at the download links below.

500px launches Android app, adds iPad update on the side originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Cult of Android  |  Google Play, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Sifteo and Surface team up for magical marriage of meaninglessness

Sifteo and Surface are definitely two of the cooler, but more useless gadgets we've had the pleasure of handling over the years. So, what happens when you get these questionably useful toys (both literally and figuratively) together? Well, a whole lot of nothing particularly important. By combining the proximity sensors on the Cubes with the object recognition of the SUR40 the devs were able to whip up a simple game that has you recreating patterns of colored cubes. Sound a little dull? We won't lie, it's not the most thrilling thing on Earth, but there's a video of it none-the-less awaiting you after the break.
Continue reading Sifteo and Surface team up for magical marriage of meaninglessness

Sifteo and Surface team up for magical marriage of meaninglessness originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  rseltrecht (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Google Sync for BlackBerry swept away in spring cleaning

It's springtime, and you know what that means for Google: out with the old and in with the new. Unfortunately, many BlackBerry fans might not like how Google's rearranging the furniture. During its routine tradition, the company announced that Google Sync for the BlackBerry will no longer be available for download as of June 1st. Put simply, the company identified its app as redundant, as RIM provides the same contact and calendar sync services to its customers with native software. Also in the spirit of spring cleaning, Google is encouraging users to uninstall the Sync app and properly configure their BlackBerry handsets to take advantage of these services. Fortunately, those content to keep with the status quo will be glad to know that Google Sync will continue to function properly -- so even if you're feeling lazy on this fine day, it's all good. Those with motivation, however, will find instructions of how to make the switch in the source below.
[Spring cleaning photo via Shutterstock]

Google Sync for BlackBerry swept away in spring cleaning originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phone Scoop, Google Blog  |  Google Apps Help  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

ASUS Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit hands-on

Software updates can only get you so far, and in the case of ASUS' Transformer Prime, they didn't even get it down the street. The Taiwanese tablet has been fighting satellite blindness since its inception -- it was only a matter of time before the Tegra 3 slab caved in and got a prescription. The Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit was quietly announced on ASUS's member site, a freebie Prime owners could snag for registering their slates. The accessory's promised mid-april shipping date arrived, and so did the kit: read on to see what our newly equipped tablet could see.

Gallery: Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit hands-on

Continue reading ASUS Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit hands-on

ASUS Transformer Prime GPS Extension Kit hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Hands-on with HTC's colorful One X cases

We just got our hands on a couple of new cases that HTC's making specifically for its One X flagship. The colorful accessories are made of a flexible PTFE-like (polytetrafluoroethylene) material and are designed to both protect and enhance the appearance of the device. Different patterns will be available, but we only got to see the one. Sadly, there's no info on pricing or availability at this time. Take a look at our gallery below.

Gallery: HTC One X cases

Hands-on with HTC's colorful One X cases originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Nokia's White Lumia 900 reportedly available now at AT&T stores

We'd previously heard AT&T's White Lumia 900 was slated for a release on April 22nd, but photos tweeted by the outfit's Chris Weber would suggest the Mango device is up for grabs now. By the looks of it, at least a pair of customers were able to walk into a Rethink Possible shop and grab a pale piece of the Lumia pie for themselves. Naturally, AT&T's site still doesn't have the Windows Phone handset listed, while the Cyan flavor remains out of stock. Perhaps, now it's a good time to head to your local AT&T store and cough up those 99 bucks, or get it gratis through tomorrow. Be sure to drop us a line if you were able to take one of Nokia's own unicorns home with you.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nokia's White Lumia 900 reportedly available now at AT&T stores originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WMPoweruser, Mobility Digest  |  Chris Weber (Twitter) (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

HTC One X available today on Rogers for $170 with a three-year contract

We know Yanks using AT&T's network will be getting their own flavor of the HTC One X early next month, thus it's only appropriate for the neighbors up north to get a taste of the same smartphone medicine. Thanks to Rogers, those of you in Canada will be able to get your hands on this Sense 4, ICS-filled handset as soon as today. Rogers says HTC's One kin is coming as an exclusive to its shop, currently listing it for $169.99 on "select" three-year deals or $624.99 without any attachments. Keep in mind, this specific model's loaded with the Snapdragon S4 chip, which is slightly different than the One we reviewed a few weeks back. However, if all those cores don't make a difference to you, then all that's left to do is head to the source below and pull the trigger.
[Thanks, Sean]
Continue reading HTC One X available today on Rogers for $170 with a three-year contract

HTC One X available today on Rogers for $170 with a three-year contract originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileSyrup  |  Rogers  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Google+ expands SMS support to over 41 countries, lets you stay social over text

On the off chance your cell phone is of the decidedly dumb variety, Mountain View's engineers have worked out an alternative solution to keep your Google + circles intersecting. Initially available only for the U.S. and Indian markets at the time of the social service's launch, the search giant's expanding the reach of its SMS feature to over 41 additional countries, giving users the option to post updates, as well as receive and reply to notifications via text. The feature isn't standard, so if you want to opt-in, you'll have to enable it in the settings menu first, provided your carrier is supported. Luddites that like to have their online cake and eat it too, might want to make sure they're packing an appropriately capacious mobile plan before those thumbs get to banging away. Of course, the rest of you modernists are more than welcome to join the party, but why would you?

Google+ expands SMS support to over 41 countries, lets you stay social over text originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TheNextWeb  |  Google India  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

LG Viper 4G LTE review

They said it wouldn't last. And they -- pundits, analysts, bloggers, GSM fanatics -- were right. WiMAX, that flavor of 4G found in the 2500MHz band, has proven to be more of a hindrance than help during Sprint's transition from underdog to reinvigorated titan. Then there are the kerfuffles it's endured standing on the sidelines -- namely, watching one-time LTE partner LightSquared squander its regulatory good graces. Beleaguered would be putting it mildly; Sprint faces a treacherous climb uphill to the mobile Olympus where Verizon, AT&T and now-spectrum-rich T-Mobile sit -- after all, it's hard to change the tide of public perception, overcome the limitations of a dreadful 3G CDMA network and move away from weak third-party 4G signals. Yet, with all of those negatives working against it, a planned rollover to LTE technology might just be the panacea Sprint has so badly needed.
Right now, at least, a wish and a hope are all Sprint can dole out to existing subscribers toying with the idea of switching carriers. Its nascent LTE network, currently in testing across six US cities, hasn't been cleared for launch, which makes its first 4G handset, the Viper 4G LTE, a dress rehearsal of sorts. And what a low-key affair it is: no cutting-edge aesthetics or kickstand here, just mid-range specs and a humble design made from recycled materials. But for anyone itching to surf those faster waves, LG's dual-core, NFC-enabled workhorse could be a tempting buy when it goes on sale Sunday for $100 (with a two-year contract). So will the dangling carrot of faster 4G persuade consumers to choose this over all those other mid-tier Android phones? Let's find out.

Gallery: LG Viper 4G LTE review

Continue reading LG Viper 4G LTE review

LG Viper 4G LTE review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Time Warner Cable brings ESPN, Fox and Turner sports live streaming to apps, website

The newly-available-on-Android live streaming feature of Time Warner Cable's TWC TV app (and TWCTV.com website) has just gotten a major content upgrade, adding many national and regional sports feeds. It looks like ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, MLB Network, NBA TV and NHL Network are available in most regions, along with the applicable Fox RSNs. The full lineup of areas and channels is in the press release after the break. Of course, if you'd like to keep telling your significant other sports channels haven't been added yet and they will need to watch their reality show on the tablet while you use the big HDTV, then we can all just pretend this never happened.
Continue reading Time Warner Cable brings ESPN, Fox and Turner sports live streaming to apps, website

Time Warner Cable brings ESPN, Fox and Turner sports live streaming to apps, website originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  TW Cable Untangled  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Nissan adopts 15 EV chargers, is first on nappy duty (video)

Nissan's concerned that Leaf owners aren't getting around enough. So, until IBM's super-batteries arrive or Exxon starts installing charging points in its gas stations, the car maker's got to do it itself. In partnership with charity Adopt-A-Charger, it's paying for 15 charging points in California, three at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and twelve at the Music Concourse in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Customers will have totally free access, with Nissan pledging to pay for the upkeep and electricity that the public uses. After the break we've got a video whose narrator probably makes Chris Hansen jealous of his voice.
Continue reading Nissan adopts 15 EV chargers, is first on nappy duty (video)

Nissan adopts 15 EV chargers, is first on nappy duty (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

IRL: Logitech UE Air Speaker, the Canon Rebel XT and an Arduino non-starter
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Welcome back to IRL, and if we do say so ourselves, this week's edition is a doozy. On one end of the gadget-loving spectrum, Jason is still happily using his Canon Rebel XT, while Darren remains thoroughly unsatisfied with his $400 AirPlay speaker (it was easy to set up, at least -- he'll give it that). And, just for good measure, we threw in an Arduino fail. So, which piece of audio gear is on our "do not buy" list? Who needs to take a course in wiring-based coding? And does Jason have anything negative to say about his DSLR? Head past the break to find out.

Continue reading IRL: Logitech UE Air Speaker, the Canon Rebel XT and an Arduino non-starter

IRL: Logitech UE Air Speaker, the Canon Rebel XT and an Arduino non-starter originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

SanDisk profits declining thanks to a 'glut' of flash memory on the market
SanDisk's Q1 results revealed that the company made only $114 million in profit, compared to $224 million in the same period last year. It's also reduced the outlook for the second quarter, saying that revenue will fall from $1.30 billion to $1.05 billion for the second three months of the year. It's pointing to a "glut" of flash memory in the market; due to consumers tightening their purse strings and too many chips being made. However, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra was optimistic that as consumers clamor for new computers, smartphones and cameras toward the holiday season, demand will increase -- unless they just buy-up all the currently existing inventory on the cheap, that is.

SanDisk profits declining thanks to a 'glut' of flash memory on the market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Reuters  |  SanDisk  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Cadillac road tests self-driving Super Cruise tech, could hit highways by mid-decade

If the standard options on the Cadillac XTS or ATS sedan just aren't enough to get you to pull the trigger, perhaps this will. GM and some fellow researchers are road testing Super Cruise self-driving technology in hopes of making those grueling road trips a bit easier on the ol' chauffeur. Capable of auto steering, braking and lane centering on the open road "under certain optimal conditions," the system is meant for highway use in both free-flowing and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Super Cruise implements a mixture of radar, ultrasonic sensors, cameras and GPS info. However, when "reliable data" can't be gathered by the system, you'll have no choice but to take the wheel yourself. Although the basics of the new tech have already been implemented on the 2013 Cadillac XTS and ATS autos as a piece of the Driver Assist Package, the full rollout could happen by the middle of the decade. For a look at Super Cruise in action, hit the video just past the break.
Continue reading Cadillac road tests self-driving Super Cruise tech, could hit highways by mid-decade

Cadillac road tests self-driving Super Cruise tech, could hit highways by mid-decade originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  General Motors  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Engadget Podcast 290 - 04.20.2012

Slow news week? "No problemo," say the Engadget Podcasters, who turn earnings reports, spotty non-announcements, and nonexistent eyewear into an hour-plus extravaganza of gadgety greatness unparallelled by anything since Johnny Mnemonic came out.
Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Dana Wollman
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never

00:01:00 - The Engadget Show returns Friday, April 20th -- get tickets to the taping!
00:02:00 - The Engadget Show is nominated for a Webby Award!
00:03:18 - Nokia's Q1 2012 financials: $9 billion in sales can't stop a $1.7 billion loss
00:18:34 - Samsung will unveil the next Galaxy phone May 3rd in London
00:22:30 - HTC One S for T-Mobile review
00:24:00 - HTC One S shows up on T-Mobile's site, reveals its $599 price (update: $200 on-contract at Best Buy)
00:25:14 - Verizon announces Global Data Plan, 100MB for $25 a month starting April 23rd
00:28:09 - Spotify: the iPad app is 'in the works'
00:30:50 - Spotify previews overhauled Android app
00:37:40 - RED 9-inch touchscreen, OLED EVF and Meizler Module eyes-on (video)
00:38:30 - Canon Cinema EOS C500 camera hands-on (video)
00:39:40 - Oakley cooking up its own smart glasses, hoping to trump Project Glass with improved style
00:46:00 - Listener questions

Hear the podcast

Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace.

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Contact the podcast

Send your questions to @tim_stevens.
Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)
E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com
Twitter: @bheater, @tim_stevens, @danawollman

Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 290 - 04.20.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later

Remember LightSquared? Of course you do, it was the noble yet doomed attempt to build a nationwide 4G LTE network. Days before Sprint dumped it, billionaire Philip Falcone's enterprise defaulted on a $56 million spectrum allocation payment to British satellite operator Inmarsat. Now LightSquared's biggest creditor has offered a stay of execution to give the company time to overcome the regulatory hurdles (we'd suggest praying Julius Genachowski gets another job elsewhere) and get the project back on track. Cynics might suggest it's only been given the breathing room because it's not worth being pushed into Chapter 7 bankruptcy, to which we say shame on you, you naughty cynics.
Continue reading Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later

Inmarsat hands LightSquared a lifeline, hopes to get that $56 million back later originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Senate black box bill could see 2015 car models ship with data recorders
Black boxes aren't just for airplanes anymore, it seems. Though car companies have been installing the devices at their discretion since the early aughts, a new bill, ominously entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, has just passed Senate approval containing a provision that would mandate the inclusion of these Event Data Recorders in all automobiles produced from 2015 and on. Privacy fans may already be reaching for those protesting pitchforks, but keep in mind this legislation still needs to pass the House of Representatives on its way to becoming law. And given its other, more controversial elements (i.e. revoking passports for unpaid back taxes), it could still head back to the recycle bin. If it does pass Congressional muster, you'll still have ownership of any collected data, so long as the court doesn't require you to hand it over. Regardless of the outcome, we wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet -- your car might be snooping on you as we speak. Just check your owner's manual.

Senate black box bill could see 2015 car models ship with data recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PCWorld  |  InfoWars  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Fifth Avenue Frogger brings everyone's favorite roadkill to New York City (video)

For all their charm, the arcade games of the 80s didn't really offer much in the way of gritty realism -- not like today's titles, certainly. Tyler DeAngelo's new take on video game hall-of-famer Frogger certainly goes a ways toward lending the gaming classic some grit. DeAngelo installed a webcam trained on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, using code to translate that footage into data that allows players to experience a real-time, real world traffic flow in a modded version of a Frogger machine. The creator has been known to drag the machine onto the famed New York street, generator in tow, letting people experience the game it was meant to be played: on a sidewalk in plain view of traffic. Check out a video of the game after the break, including a desperate plea from a talking frog who really wants a trip to the Smithsonian.
Continue reading Fifth Avenue Frogger brings everyone's favorite roadkill to New York City (video)

Fifth Avenue Frogger brings everyone's favorite roadkill to New York City (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  5th Ave. Frogger  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic

This isn't the easiest time to be an AMD fan. The company's eight-core FX-8150 desktop chip was widely panned on the review circuit, and then NVIDIA's GTX 680 graphics card ran off with Radeon HD's thunder. Even when you look at notebook processors, where AMD has long excelled with its Fusion APUs, the hype wars currently favor Ultrabooks and Ivy Bridge. Affection for the gamers' brand and its ATI back-story may make this stuff uncomfortable, but the predicament is already starting to mess with AMD's balance sheet. Which raises the obvious question: what's to be done?
Sasa Marinkovic, AMD's Head of Desktop and Software Product Marketing, bravely took up the challenge of providing his side of the story -- even after we warned him that we'd try to disrupt his flow with accusatory glances. In the end, we did get him to acknowledge some recent hard knocks, particularly with respect to the FX chips and their (lack of) single-threaded performance. But we also got some insight into the mind of a chap who remains genuinely and abundantly confident about his employer's future. Read on and see for yourself.
Continue reading The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic

The Engadget Interview: AMD's Sasa Marinkovic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

The Engadget Show is live tonight!

That's right, we're back! Newly emboldened by our Webby nomination, we've got a heck of a show for you this month. We put our crew on a flight to Asia, where we'll talk to representatives from ASUS and Huawei and check out the markets of Taipei, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. As always, we'll be showing off the month's hottest gadgets, including the Nokia Lumia 900, a slew of HTC One handsets and some special surprises, including a whole lotta KIRFS. All that plus a performance by Brooklyn band, Suckers. And you, of course -- keep your browsers locked to this handy URL, and you can watch along live at 6PM ET. We'll see you tonight!

The Engadget Show is live tonight! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Samsung's S-Cloud tipped to arrive alongside the Galaxy S III next month

Korean newspaper Maeil Business believes that Samsung's finally ironed out the kinks in its S-Cloud service and will unveil it alongside the Galaxy S III at next month's event. The Korean giant will reportedly offer an "unlimited service" with less of the content or storage restrictions imposed by iCloud. It'll also apparently come with a VOD-store, offering up audio and video content for a fee, presumably beside what's available in Google Play. It's also reporting that the company's Media Solution Center has asked Microsoft to join KT and Amazon in developing the infrastructure to ensure a smooth launch. Either way, it's not long now until we know for certain, so be sure to join us on May 3rd for the whole story.

Samsung's S-Cloud tipped to arrive alongside the Galaxy S III next month originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET, The Verge  |  Maeil Business (Translated)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

---

Available Tags:Google , Galaxy , HTC , 4G , ASUS , gaming , TV , Windows , Mac , 3D , other , Facebook , smartphone , Amazon , Samsung , Android , iPad , BlackBerry , Google+ , LG , Nissan , Logitech , Canon , profits , Engadget , Engadget , Engadget ,