Wednesday, May 9, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 09/05/2012





Ematic announces eGlide XL Pro Android 4.0 slate for $220
Ematic announces eGlide XL Pro Android 4.0 slate for $220
Ematic clearly isn't aiming to differentiate itself when it comes to tablet designs, but then again, the company is a devotee of that tried-and-true method of undercutting its competitors' prices. (Remember that impossibly cheap PMP?) Its just-announced Android 4.0 slate, the eGlide XL Pro 2, may not be a "standout device" as the outfit proclaims, but it does look and act like a tablet -- for a Walmart-friendly $220. The 10-inch Pro 2 runs a 1GHz processor and a 400MHz GPU with 4GB of storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD card), and it isn't penny-pinching to the point of forgoing an HDMI connection. While it lacks Google services such as access to the Play market, the eGlide XL cushions its pre-load with the Ematic App Shop, a voice assistant and the Kobo eReader app. If you're in the market for any old tablet, get more acquainted with the Pro 2 in the presser below.
Continue reading Ematic announces eGlide XL Pro Android 4.0 slate for $220
Ematic announces eGlide XL Pro Android 4.0 slate for $220 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Email widget takes on viral rumors, fact checks for you
Email widget takes on viral rumors, fact checks for you
If you're one of those people who actually believes that Facebook is going to start charging users tomorrow, you're probably going to want to skip this post. LazyTruth is working on a Gmail widget -- something that could've easily been borne out of Google Labs -- that will automatically vet your messages and determine if they're full of viral misinformation. When it detects specific unique phrases that are consistent with known fallacies, it immediately circles back to Snopes.com and Factcheck.org (a pair of myth busting portals, if you couldn't guess) to provide original source links and even rebuttals. It seems like it could be a great way to make us all even lazier more efficient when it comes to debunking some of the wilder rumors that tend to affect our most gullible friends. Of course, given that there's no set release date just yet, perhaps the source link could use a scrubbing itself. We kid... we think.
Email widget takes on viral rumors, fact checks for you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony unveils Crystal White PlayStation Vita, limited digital diva edition
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Remember that line-up of colorful consoles we eyed back at TGS? One of eight of those mock-ups is about to become a reality, at least in Japan. On June 28th, color conscious gamers will be able to pick up a WiFi or 3G Crystal White PlayStation Vita for ¥24,980 and ¥29,980, respectively (that's about $312 and $375 if you're counting in greenbacks). If the absence of color is a bit too bland for you, a limited edition Hatsune Miku handheld will hit shelves two days later, commanding a ¥10,000 ($125) premium for the privilege of plastering Sega's digital diva on your Vita's rear touch panel. On the plus side, Vocoloid's poster girl packs a 4GB memory card to offset the limited edition's larger sticker price. No word yet when or if these Vita variants will hit the western world, but we'll let you now if we hear anything. Until then? Try to satiate yourself with the video after the break.
Continue reading Sony unveils Crystal White PlayStation Vita, limited digital diva edition
Sony unveils Crystal White PlayStation Vita, limited digital diva edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS packs 12-megapixel sensor, f/2.0 lens, ruggedized housing for $399
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Ruggedized cameras have always been delivered with some kind of compromise -- an inflated price tag, bulkier body or sub-par image quality. Now, much as the E-M5 did to tighten the gap among mirrorless cameras, Olympus is introducing a full-featured pro-worthy Tough model. The Tough TG-1 is effectively an XZ-1 in a ruggedized shell -- its 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor, 25-100mm, f/2.0-4.9 4x zoom lens and 3-inch 610k OLED display are all wrapped in a reinforced body, capable of flawless shooting at depths of 40 feet, in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and after a 6.6-foot fall. With the TG-1, the company is aiming for the pro's gear bag, bringing features like 30 fps full-res rapid-fire shooting (for 50 consecutive shots, or 220 in a 3-megapixel 60 fps mode), the same TruPic VI image processor previously available only on current-gen PEN models and super-fast E-P3-like focusing speeds to an affordable, pocketable compact.
The TG-1 is also a capable video shooter, offering 1080/30p captures on land and under the sea, with Linear PCM audio recording and a powerful Multi-Motion Movie image stabilization feature. A shutter range from bulb to 1/2000 second boosts versatility, while tools like GPS, an e-compass and pressure-measuring manometer combine to provide data-rich pictures while also aiding in-camera tools, like a compass with 3D renders and a power-efficient GPS that helps to identify more than 700,000 landmarks around the globe. It's hardly approaching ILC territory, but the camera includes some lens accessory compatibility, with an available conversion adapter with fisheye and telephoto attachments that work (and can be swapped in and out) underwater. Double-locking battery and HDMI port doors will keep dust and water away from compartments, and a repellant coating helps fight water build-up on the lens -- there's 40.5mm filter compatibility as well. The Olympus Tough TG-1 is set to ship for $399 in mid-to-late June, and we're fairly certain it will be worth the wait. Full PR is just past the break.
Continue reading Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS packs 12-megapixel sensor, f/2.0 lens, ruggedized housing for $399
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Lenovo swings out diminutive ThinkCentre M92p Tiny, bevy of all-in-ones and VoIP-ready ThinkVision display
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Lenovo's going all-out on Ivy Bridge-based ThinkCentre pro desktop updates this evening, and the centerpiece is the smallest of the lot. The ThinkCentre M92p Tiny -- yes, it's officially nicknamed Tiny -- is about as thick as a golf ball at 1.4 inches and ready to tuck behind your display, but packs up to a third-generation Intel Core chip, vPro for IT control and your choice of spinning or solid-state hard drives. The M92p Tiny and a lower-end M72e should arrive in June, although what the respective $799 and $499 prices will get you are still mysteries.
There's no shortage if you prefer your desktops slightly more upsized. The all-in-one pack is topped by the 21.5-inch ThinkCentre Edge M92z, an uncommonly thin (2.5 inches) desktop using an IPS-based LCD with optional multi-touch that's due in July for $699. The 20- and 23-inch M92z AIO models start off at $799 for their June releases and pack up to 1TB of storage and dedicated AMD Radeon HD graphics, while a more modestly equipped, 20-inch M72z AIO will appear the same month for $599. And if you've just got to have a traditional box, Lenovo will gladly sell you the budget ThinkCentre Edge 72 ($439) or slightly uprated ThinkCentre M82 ($599). Everyone has the option of the 23-inch ThinkVision LT2323z display, which touts an IPS-based LCD and a webcam with Lync VoIP-certified, noise-cancelling microphones. The screen's price hasn't been set, but it does have a locked-in June release. You can delve into the full details of Lenovo's massive ThinkCentre revamp in the releases after the break.
Continue reading Lenovo swings out diminutive ThinkCentre M92p Tiny, bevy of all-in-ones and VoIP-ready ThinkVision display
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Nevada lets Google's driverless car hit the open road, requires it to bring a driver
Nevada lets Google's driverless car hit the open road, requires it to bring a driver
Driving through Las Vegas can be distracting -- bright lights, sun-powered death rays and international Consumer Electronics Shows have a tendency to catch a geek's eye -- good thing, then, that Nevada's deemed Google fit to test its autonomous automobile on public streets. The state's Department of Transportation was tasked with penning a set of safety standards for self-driving cars last June, and is now letting the cars run amok on city streets, with a few restrictions.
Mountain View's three test vehicles, for instance, will need to haul a carpool of at least two passengers before driving down the strip, one person to take the wheel in case of an emergency, and another to monitor a computer screen that details the car's planned route. Test vehicles will also don red license plates and an infinity symbol to mark them as self-driving prototypes. Nevada DMV Director Bruce Breslow says those plates will be green once the vehicles are ready for market, something he hopes to see in three to five years.
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T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users
T-Mobile rolls out more HSPA+ 42, picks vendors for LTE and notches 1 million VoIP users
With CTIA 2012 getting under way, T-Mobile is the latest company to check in with an announcement, proudly informing the world of the latest developments in its 4G expansion efforts and Bobsled VoIP service. On the 4G (not faux G) front, it's selected "Release 10" hardware from Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks to support the $4 billion LTE rollout the company is undertaking (using AWS spectrum acquired from AT&T) starting this year and will continue through 2013. While nationwide LTE should be reality next year, right now T-Mobile is delivering HSPA+ to new markets, with HSPA+ 42 live today in Fayetteville and Little Rock AR, Lake Charles LA and Springfield, MO. Due later in the year, as expected, is 4G HSPA+ on the 1900 MHz band that should bring faster speeds, better building penetration and 4G access for the iPhone. While we're still not sure how the free Bobsled VoIP service figures into the company's plans, the company announced it has already broken through one million users. According to its stats, 95 percent are not T-Mobile wireless customers and 80 percent of calls originate from outside the country, however 90 percent of text messages sent are domestic. All the numbers and locations are in the press releases after the break, if you want to hunt down some high speed data action for yourself.
Continue reading T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users
T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42, picks LTE vendors and notches 1 million VoIP users originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 22:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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New Magellan RoadMate GPS units navigate by landmarks, steer clear of pesky traffic cameras
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It's been a long while since Magellan comprehensively updated its RoadMate GPS mapping units, so the company's making up for lost time in style by introducing no less than seven new models in one shot. The RoadMate 2210, 2210T, 2220-LM, 2230T-LM, 5220-LM, 5230T-LM (pictured) and 5235T-LM all bring in a new Landmark Guidance option to give directions based on landmarks, not just those occasionally impenetrable street numbers. Traffic Camera Alerts are just as new and help you stay on the sunny side of the law when speed cameras and traffic light cameras are nearby, albeit at the cost of $30 a year after the first year is up. As Magellan is wont to do, the new GPS range is dictated by screen size and what features you'll get for life: the 2200- and 5200-series units carry respective 4.3- and 5-inch screens, while the LM and T badges signify lifetime map updates and traffic alerts. The range's prices start off at $100 for a RoadMate 2210 and scale up to $170 for a fully decked-out 5235T-LM.
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Hands-on with Escort SmartRadar
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Escort has long enabled heavy footed -- but ticket shy -- drivers a little more freedom with just how quickly they're able to complete the daily commute. Escort's SmartRadar is set to extend that fun and cut the cord by including Bluetooth connectivity in the detector itself and enabling users to have a mostly out of sight installation -- as your handset becomes the interface to the radar. The SmartRadar integrates with Escort's Live ticket protection app which shares other users of the system's radar / laser hits and updates them in real time on your phone's display. Check the gallery for some pics of it installed behind the rearview mirror and a simulated laser notification.
Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
Hands-on with Escort SmartRadar originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Clarion Next Gate hands-on (video)
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CTIA, while focused on mobile technology, often gives us the chance to peek at other devices that bridge into our beloved mobile world. Clarion's Next Gate is one such device, running on a 7-inch WVGA display and interfacing with your iPhone via the dock connector. Once you're hooked up -- which should be straightforward as it only needs plugging in -- the Next Gate allows control of apps on your device. First off, we like the idea that your iPhone is controlled by the Next Gate -- in fact when firing up an app in the demo you can see it cycle open on the iPhone display -- but its lower resolution display, hung adjacent to an iPad, made us immediately yearn for an upgraded display. The selection of usable apps includes such niceties as Twitter, Facebook, streaming radio, and of course navigation. All the apps we saw seemed to perform quite well, though we weren't on the open road in bright sunlight with the top down and the quadruplets screaming bloody murder in the back seat, thankfully. Have a peek at the video and gallery below for a tour of the interface and some of its functionality.
Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
Continue reading Clarion Next Gate hands-on (video)
Clarion Next Gate hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Kyocera teases bone conduction audio technology for mobile phones at CTIA
Kyocera teases bone conduction audio technology for mobile phones at CTIA
Can you hear me now? It's a common phrase in the mobile industry, but if Kyocera has its way, the saying could quickly become a thing of the past, thanks to bone conduction technology that it plans to integrate into future handsets. Rather than operating with a traditional earpiece, we were told the display itself vibrates to create sound waves. The end result is an aural experience that can be perceived with your facial tissues and bones, and it's said to dramatically improves perceived audio quality within noisy environments.
Bone conduction technology was initially created for those with hearing difficulty, and while Kyocera isn't the first to reveal an implementation within mobile phones (a distinction that belongs to KDDI), the technology is Kyocera's own. During our brief hands-on demo, we were rather impressed by the noticeable difference created by tissue conduction in comparison to a traditional handset -- this applies to both quiet and noisy environments. In case you're curious, no, the vibrations aren't jarring, and yes, we'd genuinely like to see the technology take to the mainstream.
Kyocera teases bone conduction audio technology for mobile phones at CTIA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hands-on with Edgewater's WiFi3
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Edgewater may not be a familiar name for even the most tech savvy, but its WiFi3 chipset is poised to propel the wireless industry beyond the limits of traditional access point tech. Aiming to leap past the low power solutions provided by the likes of Cisco, the company's developed a proprietary standard that delivers multiple channels per radio -- three channels over 2.4GHz in the showfloor demo -- versus the typical single channel currently employed. The chipset's not necessarily an end consumer product as it's intended for use by carriers, enterprise and ISPs, but it does stand to clear up the clutter when network congestion gets unwieldy. Check out our galleries below for a closer look at the outfit's next gen step in wireless infrastructure.

Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
Hands-on with Edgewater's WiFi3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hands-on with SuperTooth Disco2
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Move over Jambox, there's a new portable audio contender entering the market. The Disco2, shown off at this week's CTIA 2012, is SuperTooth's smaller, more compact sequel to its O.G. 28 watt powerhouse of the same name and a direct threat to the niche market occupied by Jawbone. Housed in a colorful hourglass-shaped design that should please the style-minded, this rechargeable speaker connects over Bluetooth to your device of choice, outputting 16 watts of 360 degree sound through two speakers and a subwoofer. It's set to hit the market mid-month priced at $99, but for consumers that want a bit more of an aural punch, an additional unit can actually be paired up to deliver a fuller stereo effect. Judging from its powerful performance on the noisy showroom floor, however, you'd probably be fine with just the one. Click on below to take a better look at the company's curvy offering.
Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
Hands-on with SuperTooth Disco2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 21:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video)
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This handset didn't surprise anyone when it was officially announced at CTIA Wireless 2012, but we're still happy to spend time with the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon Wireless regardless. After catching enough glimpses of the smartphone over the past few months, we already had a good idea of what to expect: Big Red's latest LTE device will have Ice Cream Sandwich dressed in Sense 4, a 4-inch Super LCD qHD panel, a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 (Krait), 1,700mAh user-removable battery, microSD support and an 8MP BSI f/2.2 camera with a 28mm lens.
If you're familiar with either the OG HTC Droid Incredible or its sequel, you'll instantly recognize the trusty hump on the back of the third iteration -- Verizon and HTC haven't strayed too far from the design formula here. Aside from the Sense 4 firmware hiding inside the phone, the Incredible 4G LTE has little in common with its cousins, the One X and One S. Frankly, we're still left pondering if the carrier will come out with a version of its own, since we've seen the other three national powers get a high-profile device from the Taiwanese manufacturer.
We had a very similar feeling when holding the new Incredible, one easily related to how we felt with its predecessors. It's quite light, and it actually feels thinner than it really is. All in all, the phone is very comfortable to hold, and from our few minutes of using it, it seemed to be rather smooth. Naturally, as we expected, Verizon reps warned us that it's running on preliminary firmware at the moment, so we don't take a lot of stock in its performance, good or bad. All in all, it's exactly how we thought it would be -- a refreshed version of the Incredible 2, with a much better processor and a few other notable bumps in specs. Head below to check out a few images of Verizon's newest darling.
Update: Our hands-on video is now live after the break.
Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
Continue reading HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video)
HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Engadget interview: AT&T's Glenn Lurie talks Digital Life at CTIA 2012 (video)
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We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Glenn Lurie -- president of emerging enterprises and partnerships -- about AT&T's Digital Life product which was recently announced and then launched today at CTIA 2012 here in New Orleans. Our takeaway? AT&T wants to tag everything in your home with an IP address and tie it all together seamlessly in a blaze of digital glory. Don't believe us? Watch our video and judge for yourself.
Continue reading The Engadget interview: AT&T's Glenn Lurie talks Digital Life at CTIA 2012 (video)
The Engadget interview: AT&T's Glenn Lurie talks Digital Life at CTIA 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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India launches antitrust investigation against Google
India launches antitrust investigation against Google
Google remains tied up in a censorship case with the Indian government, and things aren't looking rosy for the search giant in the interim period before its May 23rd court hearing. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Competition Commission of India is launching an antitrust investigation of Google to examine the company's alleged "discriminatory and retaliatory practices relating to AdWords." The antitrust probe follows a complaint from Consim Info Pvt. Ltd., an Indian web conglomerate which apparently requested that the Competition Commission step in to ensure fair competition in online advertising. The exact reach of this investigation is unclear; the commission will initially focus on AdWords, though it's keeping the door open for examining other Google services as deemed necessary. Hear that sigh? That, friends, is the sound of Google gearing up for one long Indian summer.
India launches antitrust investigation against Google originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 19:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition makes your coffee astromech-style, puts brew into 'homebrew' (video)
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Has there been a gaping R2-D2-shaped hole in your gadget life ever since the Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition bowed out? The good crew at Instructables knows your plight and has designed the R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition to give your astromech desires an almost literal jolt of energy. The team's do-it-yourself project modifies a BUNN industrial coffee maker -- no slow-drip home unit here -- with a float valve and a generous mix of aluminum, brass, copper and steel welded on top. If you're particularly ambitious, you can even make R2 bleep his delight when you've got a fresh pot lined up. Constructing a Dark Roast Edition requires a good amount of electrical and metalworking savvy, but it might be worth your time while you wait for C-3PO to reach stores.
Continue reading R2-D2 Dark Roast Edition makes your coffee astromech-style, puts brew into 'homebrew' (video)
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Gogo grabs 1MHz spectrum from JetBlue subsidiary LiveTV, beefs up in-flight bandwidth
Gogo grabs 1MHz spectrum from JetBlue subsidiary LiveTV, beefs up its in-flight bandwidthIn-flight internet provider Gogo's been increasing its domestic presence of late, so it makes sense for the company to snag some additional spectrum as well. Its new wireless license is for a chunk of 1 MHz spectrum that Gogo got from Live TV, the subsidiary of JetBlue that handles all of that airline's in-air entertainment and communications services. Gogo's new spectrum will augment its existing Air-to-Ground network here in the US -- pending FCC approval, of course -- and provide road (sky?) warriors with a bit more bandwidth once above 10,000 feet. For all you jet-setters, we should mention that your Gulfstream's Airfone bill will be going to Gogo from now on, as LiveTV tossed the venerable voice service in the deal, too.
Continue reading Gogo grabs 1MHz spectrum from JetBlue subsidiary LiveTV, beefs up in-flight bandwidth
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MasterCard introduces PayPass Wallet Services, Online and API at CTIA 2012
MasterCard introduces PayPass Wallet Services, Online and API at CTIA 2012
MasterCard's PayPass is certainly one of the bigger players in the contactless payment scene. But, simply putting a few thousand branded payment terminals in stores across the nation isn't enough. The next step is expanding that empire, not only in terms of locations and handsets, but by turning the phone into just an accessory in a larger ecosystem. PayPass Wallet Services is a new umbrella product that includes an online payment system, a branded service and an API that allows developers to integrate PayPass into their own proprietary offerings. Simply put, PayPass is no longer a product, but a platform. The service remembers not only credit cards, but shipping addresses and other identifying info that streamlines the shopping process, while the API means that others can build value added offerings around PayPass. There's even a dedicated Android app.
The company is hoping to have the system ready for a broad roll out by the third quarter of the year. When that time comes, a pile of partners have pledged to support it in various ways. The names on that list should ring at least a few bells: Intel, Barnes & Noble, Newegg, MLB and American Airlines. It all seems pretty impressive (though, we'll reserve judgement till we get to try it out). Your move, Google.
Zachary Lutz contributed to this report
Continue reading MasterCard introduces PayPass Wallet Services, Online and API at CTIA 2012
MasterCard introduces PayPass Wallet Services, Online and API at CTIA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Join us for the CTIA keynote with the CEOs of the big four US carriers, tomorrow at 5:30PM ET!
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In what seems to be turning into an annual tradition, the CEOs of the largest mobile operators in the US will be matching wits with Jim Cramer -- and each other -- in tomorrow afternoon's CTIA keynote. This year, however, we'll get to hear from T-Mobile chief Phillip Humm in addition to the usual trifecta of Dan Mead, Dan Hesse and Ralph de la Vega. We'll be liveblogging the show to soak in all of the latest news, quotes and groaners that may come out as a result. Join us! And while you wait, stay caught up on the happenings in New Orleans by checking out our event hub.
May 8, 2012 5:30 PM EDT
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Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video)
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It's the first night of action at CTIA Wireless 2012, and we're not wasting any time finding the best of what New Orleans has to offer. To start things off properly, we got some time with the Samsung Focus 2, announced by AT&T earlier this morning as the latest addition to the network's healthy Windows Phone lineup. Of course, the phone's no stranger to being in front of the cameras -- this is just the first time it's occurred without any shroud of secrecy surrounding it. So what kind of specs come with the Focus 2? The $50 handset, due out on May 20th, offers a 4-inch Super AMOLED WVGA display, a 1.4GHz CPU with unspecified RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera capable of recording 720p HD video, a VGA cam on the front and LTE connectivity.
The Focus 2, without a doubt, feels completely tiny in our hands when compared to Nokia and HTC's latest Windows Phone entries. And at 4.3 ounces, it's incredibly light as well -- sadly, the device's 11.98mm thickness was a slight disappointment for us. Aside from the inclusion of LTE and a 1,750mAh user-removable battery, we're not quite sure the reasoning behind it. With that said, anything with a display smaller than 4.3 inches these days seems immensely easy to grip, regardless. When handling the phone, we couldn't help but think of the similarly-designed Galaxy Blaze 4G, as the two devices appear to have come from the same mold.
Overall, this isn't a device meant for power users, and it faces some heavy competition against the Nokia Lumia 900 in price point (though the Focus 2 is slightly less expensive than the Lumia's normal subsidized cost). But for anyone who enjoys a Windows Phone with a smaller display and was disappointed in the lack of LTE connectivity on the Focus Flash, this will be the ideal handset for you. If your curiosity is getting the best of you, go below to see the full gallery.
Update: Hit the break for our hands-on video.
Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
Continue reading Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video)
Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)
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24/7 Wild
The US rebroadcast of BBC's Planet Earth Live gets started tonight on National Geographic Wild, retitled 24/7 Wild. With a focus on simultaneously following many different groups and types of animals all around the world during this spring, it should bring an all new look at life for documentary fans, and some spectacular HD shots.
(May 7th, 9PM, National Geographic Wild)
Fringe
This week on Fringe the team... ok, we're really not sure what's going on anymore. Somewhere in the twists of alternate universes and timelines we get left behind, but William Bell is back and that's probably not a good thing. Season four wraps up this week, tune in on Friday to get your last taste before the network closes things out with a short 13-episode run next season.
(May 11th, 9PM, Fox)
Continue reading Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)
Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model
Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model
It's been a little less than a month since Toshiba unveiled its trio of Ice Cream Sandwich slates, the Excite 7.7, 10 and 13, and starting today you'll be able to grab one of these for yourself. Unlike we'd previously heard, though, Toshiba's pricing the 16GB, 10.1-inch Excite at $449.99 -- which is 50 bucks less than what we were told back when it was announced. Meanwhile, if you're looking for the more spacious 32GB and 64GB models, you'll have to drop about $530 and $650, respectively. In exchange for that cash, you'll be getting an NVIDIA Tegra 3 SoC CPU and a taste of vanilla-flavored Android 4.0, among other things. We know Toshiba's got you excited, so head over to one of the source links below to pop your order in. Otherwise you can wait until the other two slabs go on sale next month.
Continue reading Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model
Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceToshiba, Amazon  | Email this | Comments

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802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking
802.11 abgnxywtfbbq
It's hard to believe that 802.11 WiFi has only had three major revisions since it was started up 15 years ago. The IEEE must be equally surprised, as it's introducing a new 802.11-2012 standard that unites 10 technologies from various amended WiFi versions under one big tent. Among the picks are new support for 3.65 and 3.7GHz bands, to avoid clashing with 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, as well as better support for direct linking, faster cellular hand-offs, in-car networks, roaming and mesh networking. You can pay $5 to have a peek at the 2012 WiFi spec today, although we'd brace for a significant wait before smartphones and routers ship with the new 802.11 format -- we know how long it can take for a WiFi standard to become a practical reality.
Continue reading 802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking
802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly
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When you look at the latest, greatest devices from Apple, Samsung, Motorola and the like all day, it can be easy to forget that not everyone out there is sporting a smartphone. But feature phone users have thoughts and feelings that need to be tweeted at all times, too. It's a good thing then, that Twitter's seen fit to update its mobile site to help offer a more uniform experience to users with old browsers, low bandwidth and handsets that don't quite fit under the "smart-" moniker. The new mobile site, available at mobile.twitter.com, rolls out today.
Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It's Monday, and we're back to our regular time and day where you get to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participating in the live chat as you listen in.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)
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O ye unfaithful, believe. For those of you who saw Rimac's preview of its Concept_One electric supercar and were skeptical of that claimed 2.8-second 0-62MPH time given all the leisurely putting around, the Croatian automaker has followed up with a video proving that this isn't your daddy's EV. It turns out that the 1,088HP-equivalent motor is quick enough to leave a lot of rubber on the tarmac, thank you -- both from a very enthusiastic start and from a healthy amount of drifting. This won't change the need to both drop $980,000 and get in quick on that 88-unit production run, but if you were worried that there wouldn't be a torch-bearer for high-speed EVs during the Tesla Roadster's hiatus, Rimac just put that anxiety to bed.
Continue reading Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)
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HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half
HTC One X spills its source code, but only for its quad-core half
Not to be derailed by the "restricted" bootloader found on its US variant, One X users elsewhere can now potter around kernel version 2.6.39 and its unlocked bootloader. It's the latest release from HTC Dev, which now houses bootloaders for phones as far old as the venerable Dream, and means that the official channel has caught up with its eager modding community. Well, it's just a couple of months late. Those looking to load their boots can hit up the source below.
HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Join us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET
Ain't no party like a Genachowski party, cause a Genachowski party don't stop. So long as you've got the spectrum and bandwidth to keep your your Niki and the Dove Pandora station bumpin'. The festivities here at CTIA Wireless 2012 in New Orleans are already underway, unofficially, but the true fun really kicks off tomorrow with a keynote from FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. The event will also feature appearances from Gary Flood of MasterCard, Joe Kennedy (the president of Pandora) and Cellcom CEO Patrick Riordan. What's the topic du jour? You'll just have to check back here at the time listed below to find out.
May 8, 2012 10:30 AM EDT
Join us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk
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Rovio has announced that in 2011, it made a huge $106.3 million turnover and a whopping $67.6 million in profit (before tax), showing that flinging feathery fowl is a very serious business. Fueled by the success of Angry Birds, Seasons and Rio, the company grew by a factor of eight in the last year, from 28 employees all the way to 224. The company adds that the three games were downloaded 648 million times and are now used by 200 million daily users, while sales of merchandise contributed to around 30 percent of the total revenue. The report adds that the only barrier to future profits is if people stop buying new smartphones, but we're not sure that's likely to be the case for a while.
Continue reading Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk
Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We're live from CTIA 2012!
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The International CTIA Wireless show is a magnificent showcase of the best in the mobile industry every spring, and we've got a full team of editors ready to scour the show floor in the hopes of finding some precious gems. Unlike last year, we won't expect the show to be mired by news of major acquisitions, but we're still anxious to see what goodies await us here in New Orleans. Are you as excited as us? Stay tuned right here for the latest and greatest!
Tip: check out our CTIA Wireless 2012 event hub and our CTIAwireless2012 tag for all of the action.
Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
We're live from CTIA 2012! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line up
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If you live north of the 49th parallel, you're no doubt frustrated that Samsung teased a summer launch for the Galaxy S III in North America but made no initial mention of its Canadian plans. Don't fret, as virtually every Canadian carrier and its mother has now pledged to carry the giant Android 4.0 smartphone while you're on your summer vacation -- the first carrier commitments in North America that we've seen. Bell, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile and Wind Mobile have all stepped up as national providers, while regional carriers such as SaskTel and Videotron have also signed on. The Galaxy S III is a special milestone for Virgin, as it's the first 4G LTE phone on the Bell-run budget network. We're still waiting for Mobilicity and other cellular services to hop on the Galaxy S III bandwagon, and details like pricing and exact ship dates are still elusive, but odds are that Canucks will have a wide choice of carriers when the 4.8-inch flagship hits stores. Update: Sure enough, Mobilicity is also onboard, which along with Wind Mobile makes it pretty clear that T-Mobile-friendly AWS frequencies are baked in.
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line up
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Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flake
ImageKickstarter has proven an incredibly effective venue for connecting project creators with monetary support -- inventors pitch directly to consumers, indie filmmakers meet indie producers and food trucks get the financial push necessary to take their restaurants to the road. With the latter two, backers don't necessarily expect goods in return, save for an overvalued t-shirt, bumper sticker or film credit. When it comes to electronics, however, funders are often promised a first-off-the-line gadget -- one that may never arrive at their door.
One oft-overlooked, yet critical detail should help curb expectations, while also serving to filter out pledges that are motivated by the pre-order promise, from those that offer financial support without a guaranteed return. Like it or not, all transactions fall into that second category. Pre-order offers may go unfulfilled, and some pledges may be reduced to donations, if a project creator ends up unable to deliver an item as intended. And such situations may not prompt a refund, souring the experience for an increasing number of hopeful device owners. Join us past the break for an explanation from the Kickstarter team, and a closer look at some recent examples.
Continue reading Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flake
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Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012
We're back, and we have opinions. Strong ones. Veer into the rim of our ga1aXy for a glimpse of what's now and what's next in mobile.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen, Joseph Volpe
Guest: Mat Smith
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)
00:02:15 - Samsung Galaxy S III preview: hands-on with the next Android superphone (video)
00:11:20 - Samsung Galaxy S III vs. rival flagships: iPhone 4S, HTC One X, Lumia 900
00:15:06 - Samsung Galaxy S III software impressions (video)
00:43:15 - HTC One X for AT&T review
00:58:17 - BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha hands-on
01:00:30 - BlackBerry 10 dev alpha unit unveiled: 4.2-inch screen, 1280 x 768 resolution
01:04:00 - RIM shows off BlackBerry 10 touch keyboard with gesture support
01:08:00 - RIM demos simple app switching in BlackBerry 10, slide to reveal
01:10:40 - Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind? (Update: Yes)
01:14:50 - LG announces Optimus LTE2, coming to Korea mid-May with True HD IPS and 2GB RAM
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Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs, jailbroken already
ipad update ios 5.1.1
Plugged your iDevice into an iTunes-equipped machine lately? You should. Apple has just let loose iOS 5.1.1, a seemingly minor point update that actually promises to fix quite a few (potentially) substantial quirks. Coming two months to the day after the iOS 5.1 software update, the extra 0.0.1 is said to improve reliability of the HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut, address bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks and solve a few issues that were affecting AirPlay video playback "in some circumstances." There's also improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List, and Apple has purportedly fixed an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase. Sucked the update down yourself? Let us know how it goes in comments below, and peek the full changelog just after the break.
Update: Looks like iOS 5.1.1 has already been jailbroken. Huzzah!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs, jailbroken already
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Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones
Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones
Pilots aren't the only ones updating their workflows with modern technology. Amtrak conductors have been getting schooled on how to use iPhones to scan passenger tickets on select routes since November -- forcing hole punches to collect dust on a lonely shelf at the station. By the latter part of this summer, 1,700 conductors will be using the aforementioned smartphones on the outfit's trains throughout the US which allows them to track passengers with more ease than manual ticketing. The $7.5 million system affords passengers the choice of printing the tickets or loading a bar code on their smartphone of choice before getting the iPhone's scan. Inside the dedicated app, riders can book and modify reservations easily without having to worry with a refund from an agent first. There's only one small hiccup: currently Amtrak's app is only available for iPhones. But, the government-owned corporation says that an Android release is in the hopper and should see daylight this fall. For now, non-iOS users must load their tickets though a mobile site in order to save a tree or two.
Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one
ipad apple mac
Deflated. Disappointed. Let down. Unsurprised. All of those emotions ran through my being at one point or another following Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments regarding "converged" devices, but if anything, his denial has made me all the more hungry for this particular device. For months -- heck, maybe even years -- I've waited for Sir Jonathan Paul Ive and co. to finally nail the concept of a laptop / tablet hybrid. In many ways, Apple managed to get right on a smartphone in 2007 what I felt was wrong holding a BlackBerry. I still think the iPad's screen is about 2.7-inches too large for my own personal tastes, but the world at large has affirmed that it nailed that design, too. Oh, and the MacBook Air? C'mon -- we all know it's the thin-and-light you always wanted, and given that it'll run Windows with poise, it's arguably the sexiest Windows laptop currently on the market.
The point? Apple has waited for companies to flounder about with certain designs before, all while perfecting its own take for a future release. Windows-based tablets were flooding out in the early noughties, and believe it or not, Toshiba was already giving the tablet / laptop hybrid thing a whirl in 2003 with the Portege 3500. Apple waited over half a decade to usher in the iPad, and the rest -- as they say -- is history. The iPhone followed a similar path; companies came before it and did their best to produced pleasing, long-lasting, highly usable smartphones, but the iPhone completely changed the trajectory of everything that came after. Love it or hate it, it's hard to imagine a 2012 with Windows Phone in it had Apple not pinned Windows Mobile in a corner back in '07.
So, if Apple has shown an ability to thrive with designs that others have experimented with, why is the "converged" laptop / tablet a nonstarter?
Continue reading Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one
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Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required
xbox 360 subsidzed deal
Whoa, Nelly! As rumored, Microsoft is indeed shattering the home console pricing paradigm by trying something that US wireless carriers have been doing for years. As of now, the official Microsoft Store is hosting up a coupon that'll enable prospective Xbox buyers to snag a 4GB console bundle for just $99 (a $200 savings versus the outright unit)... so long as you agree to pay $14.99 per month for two solid years. That monthly fee -- which amounts to some $360 over the 24 month term -- gets you on the Xbox Live network with a Gold subscription, but remember, Microsoft's maintaining the ability to "terminate this offer at any time." Looking to score one yourself? Hit the source link and visit that "Find a store" icon; hopefully there's a B&M Microsoft Store near your neck of the woods.
Update: In case you're curious, yes, early termination fees will apply if you cut out of your two-year deal early. It's a prorated affair, with users asked to pay less the longer they maintain the contract. Those who part ways after only a month will have to pay $250, while those who cancel with just a month remaining will owe $12. All told, someone buying this and keeping true to the contract terms will pay $459 for the bundle and Live access, whereas those buying outright could snag it for $420 (or less, if scouring the web for cheaper Live subscriptions). The full ETF schedule is shown after the break.
Update II: Joystiq has confirmed that, for now, this is simply a pilot program. These machines will be sold only through the 16 US-based Microsoft Stores, and we can only assume the marketing and finance folks at the company will be watching reception like hawks.
Continue reading Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required
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PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly
PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, release date still unknown
In case you took a pass on that Sprint-branded GNex or the LG Viper 4G in order to wait it out for HTC's EVO 4G LTE, well, now's the time to get your wallet ready and unleash the cash. As promised, The Now Network has the LTE-friendly EVO priced at $199.99 (50 bucks less on Wirefly) with a beloved two-year contract, while those ineligible for an upgrade will have to shell out around $550. That being said, chances are you won't get to surf those Long Term Evolution waves when you get device, but at least you'll be all set once the rollout finally commences. While Sprint's yet to give an official release date, Wirefly (somewhat reliable in the past) does say the ICS / Sense 4 slab will be shipping on May 18th. Be sure to hit either of the source links below to get your pre-order on.
Update: And just like that, Wirefly's May 18th date has mysteriously vanished. What does it mean?
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly
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Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
Clarion is primarily known for its aftermarket car audio and navigation solutions, but it's increasingly moving into the realm of smartphone integration. Looking to court iPhone users who'd appreciate the connectivity and convenience of Pioneer's AppRadio, but don't care to fuss with the installation, Clarion's Next Gate can be easily mounted to one's windshield. It offers access to popular apps such as TuneIn and Pandora, along with navigation, hands-free calling and voice-dialing functionality. Scarily enough, users will even be able to access Facebook and Twitter via the voice-activated Vlingo app -- please, just promise to keep your focus on the road. The display itself is a 7-inch, WVGA affair, and as you'd expect, the unit is powered by the vehicle's 12 volt accessory jack -- otherwise known as the cigarette lighter receptacle. Similarly, the Next Gate connects to the iPhone via Apple's dock connector, which means that users will need to manage a bit of cable clutter.
All in all, the Clarion Next Gate could certainly be a compelling solution for some, and its $270 price is within the realm of reason. While we're a bit concerned about what it entails for driving distractions, the unit shouldn't be any worse of a diversion than the ol' smartphone itself. In fact, we're most disappointed that there's no support for Android. Those in the privileged iPhone community will be able to purchase the Next Gate as of June 1st, and you'll find the full PR after the break.
Continue reading Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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