Sunday, July 8, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 08/07/2012





Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway)
DNP Verizon 'forced' Samsung to lock Galaxy S III boot loader
Based on Samsung's hacker-friendly track record, you'd generally expect one of it smartphones to come with an unlocked bootloader, making it easy to update or tweak with unofficial ROMs. That's not the case with Verizon's imminent version of the Galaxy S III, however. As the folk at XDA know only too well, this particular iteration of Sammy's flagship comes with a sealed bootloader, which makes it resistant (though not impervious) to hackery.
Of course, Sammy has nothing to gain from snubbing the modding community in this way, so it stands to reason that VZW pushed the Korean manufacturer to supply them with a locked bootloader -- despite the fact that all other variants have been left open. We've reached out to Big Red for comment, but in the meantime a clever soul over at Rootzwiki claims they've already found a workaround for root access. (At this point, though, we'd better provide our usual disclaimer: be very careful before you poke around in there, because going up against a locked bootloader can be risky. The apparent safety of modern life is just a shallow skin atop an ocean of blood, guts and bricked devices.)
Verizon Galaxy S III has locked bootloader (but it's been rooted anyway) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceXDA Developers Forum, Rootzwiki  | Email this | Comments

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BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale
BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale
Almost without fail, BitTorrent downloads have had to spread through a dedicated client, whether it's on the desktop or a router. Thankfully, BitTorrent Torque has just come in alpha form to liberate the peer download service from its software chains. All that's needed now is a web browser that can parse a JavaScript app. Going the new route gives some freedom to enable sharing that hasn't always been practical: among the tricks in the company's Torque Labs are drag-and-drop sharing, conversion of torrents into traditional downloads and easing the burden on a server for video streaming. The alpha stage leaves Torque with awhile to go before it's ready for the limelight, but experimenters can hit the source link to start tinkering with distributed file sharing today.
BitTorrent Torque alpha puts file seeds on the web, makes desktop apps look stale originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 06:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink BitTorrent Blog  |  sourceBitTorrent Torque  | Email this | Comments

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Georgia Tech scientists developing biology-inspired system to give robot eyes more human-like motion
Georgia Tech scientists develop biologyinspired system to give robot eyes more humanlike motion
Having difficulty getting your robot parts to work as planned? Turn to nature -- or better yet, look inside yourself. After all, where better to find inspiration than the humans that the machines will one day enslave, right? Researchers at Georgia Tech have been working to develop a system to control cameras in robots that utilizes similar functionality as human muscle. Says Ph.D. candidate Joshua Schultz,
The actuators developed in our lab embody many properties in common with biological muscle, especially a cellular structure. Essentially, in the human eye muscles are controlled by neural impulses. Eventually, the actuators we are developing will be used to capture the kinematics and performance of the human eye.
The team recently showed off their work at the EEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics in Rome. When fully developed, they anticipate that the piezoelectric system could be used for MRI-based surgery, rehabilitation and research of the human eye.
Permalink TG Daily  |  sourceGeorgia Tech  | Email this | Comments

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Apple pulls out of EPEAT green registration, may not be able to sell computers to federal agencies
apple-pulls-out-of-epeat-green-registration
Apple has withdrawn all its laptop and desktop computers from the EPEAT environmental rating system, including older MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. According to iFixit, who recently tore down a MacBook Pro and its retina screen, that's likely related to a design direction favoring smaller, lighter notebooks and longer battery life. Doing so required them to glue the cells to the aluminum shell, making it impossible to recycle the case and other parts -- iFixit couldn't pull the batteries out without spilling the (highly toxic) battery guts all over. Cupertino's decision means that many federal agencies might not be able to buy those products, since 95 percent of its electronics purchasing must conform to the EPEAT standard. On top of that, many educational institutions that require the certification would also need to opt out of Mac purchases, as well as large corporations like HSBC and Ford. Currently, iPhones and iPads are exempt from that certification, but considering recent ads from Apple specifically touting its conformance to EPEAT, the company might have some 'splaining to do.
[Image credit: iFixit]
Permalink WSJ  |  sourceiFixit  | Email this | Comments

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Japanese group transmits electricity through 4-inch concrete block, could power cars on roads
Japanese group transmits electricity through 4inch concrete block, demonstrates potential for powering cars on roads
The decision to invest in an electric vehicle would be much easier to justify if the car in question offered unlimited range. That appears to be the concept behind a Toyohashi University research group's wireless power prototype, which can successfully transmit electricity through a 10 centimeter-thick concrete block. During a demonstration in Yokohama, Japan, the team sent between 50 and 60 watts of power through a pair of concrete blocks to two tires, which then juiced up a light bulb (you can see the rig just above). The project is called EVER (Electric Vehicle on Electrified Roadway), and could someday be used to keep cars moving along a highway without any need to pull over for a recharge, thanks to a constant stream of electricity coming from below the road. There are some serious obstacles to overcome before EVER can get some wheels turning -- namely, a need to pump nearly 100 times the current maximum load through concrete that's twice as thick as what they've managed today, not to mention improving undisclosed efficiency levels -- but the group reportedly said that it's up to the task, making us fairly optimistic that such a solution could one day get us from A to B without petrol. Until then, you'll probably want to plan out a pit stop or two before you leave the garage.
Permalink TechOn, The Verge  |  sourceToyohashi University of Technology  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung finds exploding Galaxy S III was due to 'external source', owner says it was a 'mistake'
Remember the melted Samsung Galaxy S III that surfaced in an Irish forum a few weeks ago? Samsung said they were looking into it and, along with a third party investigation, have decided it occurred as a result of "external energy" being applied to the device, not anything from within the phone itself. The damage is apparently consistent with the phone going in the microwave. The original poster dillo2k10 has posted an update on Boards.ie, indicating it was a mistake by someone else in an attempt to recover the phone after it got wet. The Samsung Tomorrow post linked cites a report from Fire Investigations UK finding that the phone itself was not responsible for generating the heat that caused the damage, so GSIII owners (and the pockets of their skinny jeans) should be able to breathe easier.
Permalink   |  sourceSamsung Tomorrow, Boards.ie  | Email this | Comments

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nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a little larger
nTelos starts selling iPhone without contract, Apple's prepaid sphere grows a little larger
Virginia's nTelos was part of a big regional carrier push for the iPhone in April. At the time, though, the only real option at the carrier was to spring for one of the company's full-fledged smartphone plans, usually on-contract -- not a bad value at $80, but a tougher case to make when there's Cricket and Virgin Mobile iPhones available with a cheaper rate. As of today, nTelos is offering a much sweeter deal for the commitment-phobic. If the $550-plus full price of an iPhone 4 or 4S stays palatable, the option is now open to go prepaid at $55 a month for unlimited voice, messaging and data with nTelos' FRAWG Nationwide Unlimited Everything plan. You'll still want to reside in the state for nTelos to truly make sense, but if you regularly cheer the Hokies with pride, going the Apple route just got a lot more flexible.

[Thanks, Garrett]
Permalink   |  sourcenTelos  | Email this | Comments

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100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin
100-million-china-smartphone-voip-Weixin If you're in China and use a free chat app called Weixin on Android or iOS, you're about to get no-charge VoIP as well thanks to an imminent update. The company is set to join the likes of Skype, Viber and Korea's Kakao Talk in providing free cellphone calls to the nation and ought to make a huge splash given the massive 100 million user install base. The Tencent-owned service is also adding Bluetooth support, a matching VoIP web service and a complete redesign of its site, according to TechNode. There's no release date yet or word on whether the English version WeChat will get it, but if so, it might make those pricey cellphone calls to friends and family overseas a lot freer.
Permalink TNW  |  sourceTechNode  | Email this | Comments

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Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community
Mozilla reportedly giving Thunderbird the effective axe, leaving its fate to the community
Mozilla's Thunderbird mail client just hasn't enjoyed the same level of stardom as its Firefox cousin. Their developer must be feeling this discrepancy more than most, as the company has confirmed plans to take the organization out of active Thunderbird development. The shift is officially being spun as an adaptation that lets the Foundation center its energy on Firefox OS and the usual browser plans, but when Mozilla proper will only be handling bug fixes and security updates for a client that's "not a priority," we'd say it's putting Thunderbird on ice. Accordingly, leaked details from TechCrunch show Mozilla moving some of the team out of the project at some point; any new features will have to come from the community, which suggests the future upgrade schedule will be more than a bit unpredictable. The writing is on the wall soon enough that existing owners could have food for thought well before a final strategy is due in early September.
Mozilla giving Thunderbird the (effective) axe, leaving its fate to the community originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TechCrunch  |  sourceLizard Wrangling  | Email this | Comments

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Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada
Nexus 7 gets midJuly arrival dates from Staples in North America
It's no secret that both the 8GB and 16GB variants of Google's Nexus 7 have been set to ship in two to three weeks from pre-orders placed at its Play store. While retailers like Gamestop are also remaining mum on specifics, Staples has stepped up with actual arrival dates on its US and Canadian websites for the 16GB model. Apparently, fast fingers within the United 50 that lay out $250 to reserve one of the Jelly Bean-loaded slates by July 10 can expect it to arrive as early as the 13th -- that said, Staples notes that this "limited quantity" of initial stock is set to ship "between July 12th and July 17th." Heading to Staple's site for the Great White North, the tablet is listed to hit shelves in-stores and online on the 23rd for 259 Canadian dollars, however, there's no word on when online orders might ship. We'd still advise you to take these dates with some NaCl at this point, but it's likely a safe to bet that you'll have yours before August if you place an order soon.
Google Nexus 7 tablet gets mid-July arrival dates from Staples in US and Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceStaples (US), (Canada)  | Email this | Comments

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Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes
Prometheus Bluray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes
While Ridley Scott's Prometheus is still in theaters, it's been available for preorder on Blu-ray 3D since before the flick debuted, and now Amazon France has exposed the full list of extras on the way. The bad news, pointed out by Movies.com and Prometheus Forum, is that those anticipating a classic Ridley Scott Director's Cut to fill in plot holes appear to be in for a disappointment -- while there are 15 minutes of extended / cut scenes, there's no indication that you'll be able to watch the movie with them reinserted. There are a lot of other extras, including a director's commentary, extensive making-of featurettes, many of the short viral videos that were posted previously and production materials, along with a Second Screen iPad app. The specific set listed includes the other Alien flicks, but since we're sure you've already snagged the Anthology with its MU-TH-UR interactive mode you'll probably be looking for a more limited release. The release date for the set remains October 9th, hit the source link for the listing or check out the full list of features and a trailer after the break.
Continue reading Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes
Permalink Movies.com, Prometheus Forum  |  sourceAmazon France  | Email this | Comments

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PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores
PSA Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T hits stores
Samsung's current US trinity is now complete: the AT&T Galaxy S III is sitting on store shelves. After the somewhat bumpy launch, it's possible to traipse by any of Big Blue's stores and pick up the Android 4.0 flagship in marble white or pebble blue for $200 on a contract. It's the definitive GSM version for the US, with LTE giving it an edge over the HSPA+ T-Mobile model; we just wish there was an AT&T variant with 32GB of storage built-in, although that's nothing a microSD card won't fix. We just need to wait for US Cellular and Verizon to complete the launch and put Nature UX in seemingly every pocket.
PSA: Samsung Galaxy S III for AT&T now in stores originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAT&T  | Email this | Comments

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JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL's extratiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL is known for its portable speakers, but an FCC filing has revealed that it's willing to make speakers that are almost inconspicuous. The Soundfly BT would represent your everyday Bluetooth speaker save for the very uncommon ability to optionally plug directly into a wall outlet, skipping the power cord. Shades of the previous-generation AirPort Express, anyone? There's not much mystery in other areas, but the 20W stereo output is unusually powerful for something small enough to hang off of a hotel room's power port. Between the manual and live photos, about the only riddles left are the Soundfly BT's official release date and price.
JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments

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Furby gets a reboot for 2012, we go hands-on (video)
DNPFurby handson video
Of all the childhood toys to update for the early 21st century, the Furby seems like a no-brainer. After all, the hairy ball of amalgamated animal strangeness packed in electronics so baffled the general public that it managed to get itself banned from the Pentagon as a threat to national security. After the Furby was first decommissioned in 2000 (managing to sell an impressive 40 million units in its first three years), Hasbro attempted to revamp the line in 2005 with Emtro-Tronic Furbies, bigger versions of the toy that brought increased facial emotions and voice recognition, failing to recapture the success of the original line.
The latest addition to the line marks a much more significant update for our old furry pal, bringing him up-to-date for a generation growing up with smartphones and tablets, with revamped aesthetics, new innards and an appetite for Apple's iPad. We managed to get our hands on the squirming and verbose little Mogwai-esque creature -- four of them in fact -- for a bit, when Hasbro popped by our office with a furry blue army packed in a duffel bag. Check out some impressions of the reborn furball after the break.
Gallery: Furby reboot hands-on
Gallery: Furby on white
Continue reading Furby gets a reboot for 2012, we go hands-on (video)
Furby gets a reboot for 2012, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ITU wants to bring smartphone makers to peace talks, hash out patent wars
ITU wants to bring smartphone makers to peace talks, hash out patent wars
The United Nations defines the stereotype of a peace broker, so it's not that far-fetched to hear that its International Telecommunication Union (ITU) wing is hoping to step in and cool down the rapidly escalating patent world war. The organization plans to convene a Patent Roundtable on October 10th -- in neutral Geneva, Switzerland, of course -- to have smartphone makers, governments and standards groups try and resolve some of their differences. Those mostly concerned about Apple's actions won't be happy with the focus of the sit-down, however. Most of the attention will surround allegations that companies are abusing standards-based patents, which will put the heat largely on a Google-owned Motorola as well as Samsung. Still, there's hope when the the ITU's Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun Touré talks of desiring a "balancing act" between what patent holders want and what customers need. Our real hope is that we don't have to hear talk of customs delays and product bans for a long while afterwards.
[Image credit: Patrick Gruban, Flickr]
ITU wants to bring smartphone makers to peace talks, hash out patent wars originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink BBC  |  sourceITU  | Email this | Comments

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Facebook's App Center pokes its way into the UK, now available to you and your friends
Facebook's App Center pokes its way into the UK, now available to you and your friends
It's been nearly a month since we saw Facebook officially introduce us to its newly minted App Center, and now Zuck & Co. are taking the application-loaded service to internet grounds over in the UK. Facebook's App Center in the Kingdom (or, as UKers call it, App Centre) won't be much different in comparison to its American counterpart, thus you'll still be able to grab all those big-name apps like the network's own Instagram, Draw Something, Spotify and Pinterest -- of course, there's over 600 others to choose from. In addition to these, though, there are some Euro-specific additions to the application mix, including Deezer's music streaming goods. Eager to find out what all the App Centre fuss is about? Then head over to the source below, where you'll be able to poke around it yourself.
Permalink Telegraph  |  sourceFacebook  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung gets temporary stay on Galaxy Nexus ban in US while waiting for Apple response
Galaxy Nexus
Samsung is getting just a bit of respite from the ban on the Galaxy Nexus, after all: Judge Lucy Koh has granted Samsung's request for a temporary halt to the ban while waiting on Apple's response on the subject, due July 12th. That's not much of a break, but it lets Google resume selling the phone on Google Play for several more days before there's a more definitive consideration on the merits of a preliminary injunction. We're still seeing the Android 4.1 phone listed only as "coming soon," but it may just be a matter of hours before Jelly Bean lovers get another taste.
Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

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Droid Incredible 4G LTE review: Verizon gets an excellent smaller-sized Android phone
DNP HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE review a compact superphone debuts at Verizon Wireless
It's hard to underestimate the value of brand loyalty. Just ask Verizon Wireless. It's with satisfied Incredible and Incredible 2 owners in mind that the carrier is promoting the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, a 4-inch, $149 device that -- as you may have guessed -- rides along VZW's fast LTE network.

More Info

Interestingly, the Incredible 4G LTE is landing at a time when many consumers might have preferred, say, the HTC One X. In fact, though, Verizon's decision to instead update the Incredible (also made by HTC) introduces a rather enviable proposition to Verizon customers. Remember that in a short matter of time, the Samsung Galaxy S III will soon make its debut at Verizon, at which point, it's expected to become the network's premiere smartphone. Still, its large size will deter many shoppers, and when viewed through this lens, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE begins to make sense. Put simply, it's a compact handset that stands as the antithesis to the assumption that size equals power. While the handset doesn't quite approach the capabilities or elegance of the One X (or the One S, for that matter), the latest Incredible is a worthy successor and deserves consideration as your next smartphone -- regardless of your current provider. Read on to learn why.
Gallery: HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE review
Continue reading Droid Incredible 4G LTE review: Verizon gets an excellent smaller-sized Android phone
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Facebook and Yahoo! friends again, agree to patent cross-license
Facebook and Yahoo! friends again, agree to patent crosslicenseAnd so, the Facebook v. Yahoo! courtroom tussle has come to an end. The two Silicon Valley giants have agreed to a legal truce and cross-licensed a bit of each other's IP, meaning that's one less legal donnybrook we have to worry about upsetting consumer sensibilities. Not only have the two settled their differences over their respective advertising and social networking patents, but they've also agreed to an ad sales partnership, too. Now, if only all those other, myriad tech litigants could amicably settle their differences with such alacrity. Perhaps they should all take a gander at the PR after the break to see how it's done.
Continue reading Facebook and Yahoo! friends again, agree to patent cross-license
Facebook and Yahoo! friends again, agree to patent cross-license originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!
Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!
Lots of fireworks and a dearth of crazy developer summits this week doesn't mean it can't make for a very interesting podcast. Episode 145 is upon us, so please join Myriam, Brad and Joseph as we talk about the week that was wireless!
July 6, 2012 5:00 PM EDT
Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Twitter brings search autocomplete to the web, helps find Biebs tweets in record time
Twitter brings search autocomplete to the web, helps find Biebs tweets in record time
Twitter had been hinting at a big search update today, and that's just what it delivered. Instead of the (quite frankly clunky) search results page, a search box at top now provides autocompleting search results that split into keywords and people. The system is smart enough to check for spelling gaffes and related searches, and results can drill down just to followed users rather than the entire social network. Autocompleting has been a mainstay of the Android and iOS apps for some time, but we're glad to hear that web users can now track down their favorite recently graduated teen pop stars faster than ever.
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Scientists take mind-controlled robot for a stroll (video)
Image
What if you could control a robot -- wait, don't answer yet -- with your mind? Pretty great, right? That's what the Virtual Embodiment and Robotic Re-embodiment (VERE) group is working on, and it's made some pretty good, you know, strides. New Scientist details a test utilizing fMRI brain activity-sensing technology to control a robot in France from a laboratory in Israel. The volunteer was able to perform tasks like walking around a room, following a person with the small 'bot and locating a teapot, using visuals from a camera embedded in the robot's head. There's a "small" delay in the technology, but researcher Ori Cohen insists that it's possible to anticipate and compensate for it.
The technology, which one scientist compared to Avatar, naturally, has some truly beneficial potential applications, and the scientists have plans to test it out with paralyzed subjects, giving them the opportunity to control a surrogate with their mind. The fMRI technology, meanwhile, may be swapped out for an electrode-based electroencephalogram system, and the scientists plan to try things out with a Japanese robot that is roughly the height of a human for future testing. Check out a video of the project in its current state after the break.
Continue reading Scientists take mind-controlled robot for a stroll (video)
Scientists take mind-controlled robot for a stroll (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceNew Scientist (Registration Required)  | Email this | Comments

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Engadget Podcast 300 - 07.06.2012
300 episodes ago, the Engadget Podcast existed, before podcasts themselves really even existed, amongst Treos, StarTACs, and O.G. RAZRs. This one is hanging out with Qs, 7s, and Beans. What hardware will 600 be accompanied by? Where on the time-space continuum will the hosts record from? Will their cortical stacks be podcasting for them? These are the questions of Generation Engadget Podcast.
Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Dana Wollman
Guests: Ryan Block, Darren Murph, Phillip Torrone, Josh Fruhlinger
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never
08:10 - Nexus 7 review: the best $200 tablet you can buy
21:21 - Nexus Q social streaming device hands-on
28:25 - Jelly Bean, Android 4.1 revealed by Google, rolling out in mid-July
36:55 - Google's Project Glass gets some more details
50:30 - RIM announces Q1 earnings: $518 million net loss, 5,000 job cuts, BB10 not due until Q1 2013
51:00 - RIM's Thorsten Heins denies company's 'death spiral,' predicts successful transition to BlackBerry 10




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
Engadget Podcast 300 - 07.06.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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EA opens SimCity Social on Facebook, really, really hopes you'll 'like' it
EA Launches SimCity Social on Facebook, really, really hopes you'll Like it
Sure, it may not have been the most, you know, explosive launch at this year's E3 -- but if Facebook "likes" are any sort of metric (which, granted, is debatable), EA's newly reborn and heavily-socialized SimCity has a bright future ahead of it. SimCity Social opened up shop on the Zuckerbergian social network this week, letting players plan and build cities, harnessing the site's massive user base to build friendly relationships or form rivalries between towns. The 800k or so likes the game has currently racked up clearly aren't enough, so EA is offering up exclusive content for those who click the friendly thumb. And seeing as how sitting in front of your computer wouldn't be complete without some fried breakfast pastries, Dunkin' Donuts is getting in the act, allowing players to gift coffee and doughnut "Boosts" in-game. Continue reading EA opens SimCity Social on Facebook, really, really hopes you'll 'like' it
EA opens SimCity Social on Facebook, really, really hopes you'll 'like' it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy S III OTA update adds brightness widget to drop-down menu
Samsung Galaxy S III OTA update adds brightness widget to dropdown menu
While we didn't have many complaints with what Samsung offered us in its 2012 flagship, several users noted that the auto-brightness setting wasn't really making the most of that 4.8-inch screen. The Galaxy S III's latest OTA update tries to fix this by throwing in a new brightness gauge and auto toggle within the drop-down notification menu. There's also a handful of stability fixes included in the 73MB update and according to SlashGear, the update can now be pushed to global models by hitting up the update section in the settings menu.
Samsung Galaxy S III OTA update adds brightness widget to drop-down menu originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google slips out YouTube Android Player API, third-party apps get full Nyan Cat experience (video)
Google slips out YouTube Android Player API, thirdparty apps get the full Nyan Cat experience video
For all of Google's emphasis on integrating its own services across Android, playing YouTube videos outside of the official YouTube app has usually required losing some piece of the experience, whether it's backwards compatibility, mobile optimization or just keeping viewers in the same app where they started. As it turns out, Google was well aware of this problem during Google I/O this year and teased a solution while everyone else was still recovering from their Nexus 7-induced fevers. A new YouTube Android Player API will let third parties integrate a full YouTube player into their Android apps with adaptive streaming, orientation and other special tricks intact. Any Android 2.2 or later device (including Google TV boxes) can come along for the ride, and views will count towards producers getting paid. Full details are only coming in the next few months, but app developers who've been craving a chance to slip in some viral videos can get an early look at the API near the start of the session video below -- or just load the Google I/O 2012 app, which has the code baked in. Continue reading Google slips out YouTube Android Player API, third-party apps get full Nyan Cat experience (video)
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Central  | Email this | Comments Read More ...
IRL: Fujifilm X-Pro1, Garmin Edge 200 and Otterbox's Universal Defender case, revisited
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.
If we've never explained where the idea for IRL came from, now might be as good a time as any. Our own Tim Stevens, a car nut in his own right and a one-time auto editor for Engadget, wanted to test gadgets the way auto mags do vehicles. That is to say, on an ongoing basis, over a long period of time. That mission rings particularly true this week: Jon's taken hundreds of test shots with Fujifilm's X-Pro1, Terrence has been commuting with the Garmin Edge 200 cycling monitor and Brian has owned the Otterbox Universal Defender case so long that he's actually taking back the praise he gave in a prior IRL. All that and more after the break.
Continue reading IRL: Fujifilm X-Pro1, Garmin Edge 200 and Otterbox's Universal Defender case, revisited
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Nexus Q review: Google's mysterious little social streamer
DNP Nexus Q review Google's mysterious little social streamer
When setting up a gadget for review, delicately unboxing and smelling the carcinogenic whiff of freshly molded plastics, we typically feel some amount of excitement and anticipation to see how it stacks up against the competition. It's either that or a resigned sense of duty as we run yet another iterative evolution of this or that laptop through the same benchmarks to see just how this year's model stacks up to the older model now being sold on discount. With the Nexus Q, though, we felt something different altogether: genuine curiosity. Why? Well, it's a high-end device with a $299 MSRP, a price that's multiple times higher higher than media streamers like the Apple TV, anything from Roku and, indeed, Google's own Google TV. And yet, the Q has considerably less functionality than any of them. Largely because of this, many who witnessed its unveiling at Google I/O were quick to write it off. Despite having our own doubts we pledged to give it a fair swing, a week of solid use at home and with friends. How did it do? Does this high-concept device with high-end componentry make up for some decidedly low-end capabilities? There's only one way to find out.
Gallery: Nexus Q review
Continue reading Nexus Q review: Google's mysterious little social streamer
Nexus Q review: Google's mysterious little social streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Cisco climbs down another rung over unpopular Connect Cloud service
Cisco climbs down another rung over unpopular Connect Cloud service
Cisco has already tried to soothe angry customers by scrapping a key section in its new Linksys privacy agreement -- a clause which allowed the company to monitor a person's internet history via their router. However, realizing that probably wasn't enough to quell the sense of intrusion, it's now gone one step further. Writing on an official blog, Cisco VP Brett Wingo has declared that Linksys customers will no longer be pushed into signing up for Connect Cloud, the service which lay at the heart of the problem:
"In response to our customers' concerns, we have simplified the process of opting-out of the Cisco Connect Cloud service and have changed the default setting back to traditional router set-up and management."
In other words, you'll no longer have to hook up to a convoluted cloud service just to access advanced settings on your router, and neither will you have to sign away an even greater chunk of your personal space -- which is just how it should have been (and indeed how it was) in the first place.
Cisco climbs down another rung over unpopular Connect Cloud service originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motorola DEFY Pro heads to Brazil, offers tough and tactile Android action
Motorola DEFY Pro heads to Brazil, tough and tactile Android action
You got to give it to Motorola, it's pretty specific with its handset releases. Today's announcement? It's the DEFY Pro doing the Samba towards Brazil. The "lifeproof" phone is designed to battle the elements (water, dust and carnival spirit,) and is the first touchscreen / QWERTY Android handset from the firm. There's 2.7-inches of Gorilla Glassed screen to poke at, an SD card slot to upgrade the 2GB onboard memory (upto 32GB) plus GPS and WiFi (so you can find your way home with the morning after). How much for this party of a phone? We don't know just yet, but the fun starts on July 15th, when it becomes available. Update: Motorola reached out to us with some clarification on its claim of being the first touchscreen / QWERTY Android handset:
The release denotes that the DEFY Pro is our first life-proof device to feature both a QWERTY and touchscreen. Motorola's life-proof devices are water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof, ready to handle life's daily challenges, indoors and out. Admiral and Titanium have similar features but are categorized slightly differently since they are iDEN-based products and have different mil-spec certification.
Continue reading Motorola DEFY Pro heads to Brazil, offers tough and tactile Android action
Motorola DEFY Pro heads to Brazil, offers tough and tactile Android action originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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As others leave, Lenovo reportedly plans $30 million factory for Brazil
Lenovo announces plans for $30 milllion factory in Brazil
While HTC might be closing its doors in South America, there's still plenty more companies looking to set up shop. The latest addition appears to be Lenovo, which, according to ZTOP, is readying blueprints for a 325,000-square meter site in São Paulo. The factory will apparently recruit up to 700 locals when it reaches full capacity. While the company only has a minor market share at the moment, Brazil looks likely to be another growth market and perhaps success in South America will be enough to claim the PC-making top spot.
As others leave, Lenovo reportedly plans $30 million factory for Brazil originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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