Tuesday, October 9, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 10/10/2012




Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you'll see Metro on the metro
New York City subway stop
Microsoft is about to launch a giant media blitz for Windows 8, and it wants to guarantee that even those of us heads-down in our laptops and smartphones take notice. It's sponsoring Boingo's WiFi, making it free at popular locations in New York City and San Francisco through the holidays to pitch both its new OS and the Windows Store. The San Francisco locations are already active and mostly cover signature locations such as Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, but Microsoft is going all-out for the New York City campaign starting November 1st: the free WiFi will reach over 200 locations in Manhattan as well as the six NYC subway stations offering underground wireless. While some might not enjoy the hard sell on Windows 8 while they're checking into Foursquare, we'd say it's at least relevant that Microsoft pushes its urban sign UI in the city that was arguably the software's major inspiration.
[Image credit: pspyro2009, Flickr]
Continue reading Microsoft backs free Boingo WiFi in NYC and San Francisco, hopes you'll see Metro on the metro
Filed under: , ,
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

AMD enters Windows 8 tablet fray with Z-60 chip: 'all-day' battery life, graphics 'you would never expect'
AMD wades into Windows 8 tablet war with Z60 chip '10 hours' battery life and graphics 'you would never expect'
If you know AMD mainly for its laptop and desktop processors, then some readjustment may be in order: as of now, the company is rushing head-long into the market created by Surface fever and the need for ultra lean tablet chips that can handle Windows 8. Specifically, we're looking at the official launch of the Z-60, formerly known as Hondo, which AMD says will arrive in tablets "later this year" and satisfy even our most unreasonable demands for Windows 8 hybrids that last 10+ hours in tablet mode and which turn into full-scale PCs when docked. And if you're thinking that Intel made much the same pledge during its recent Clover Trail announcement, then you're dead right -- we actually have all the makings here of a proper old-fashioned chip fight. Read on for a spot of pre-match banter.
Gallery: AMD Z-60 official slides

Continue reading AMD enters Windows 8 tablet fray with Z-60 chip: 'all-day' battery life, graphics 'you would never expect'
Filed under: ,
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

LG E960 Mako surfaces in photos, may be the future Nexus phone
LG E960 Mako surfaces in photos, may be the future Nexus phone
Rumors have been swirling that LG will get its first crack at a Nexus phone this year. If there's any merit to that claim, we might have just received an early peek. An XDA-Developers forum goer has posted a collection of photos for the E960, which appears to be a variant of the Optimus G -- until you realize that it's using software navigation keys, doesn't quite resemble the international or AT&T Optimus G models and is oddly badged as the "Full JellyBean on Mako." Given that Google likes to name its reference Android phones after fish, it doesn't take much to suspect that a device codenamed Mako is more likely to become a Nexus than an Optimus. The completely stock but unreleased Android 4.1.2 build of Jelly Bean certainly helps fuel the rumor mill. If the E960 does carry Google's honorific, though, some may be in for a disappointment knowing that the model that reached the FCC last week doesn't have LTE. We won't rule out that this is one of multiple Nexus variants, if it's a Nexus at all, but the 3G edition's filing hints that Google may not rock the boat for its 2012 flagship.
Gallery: LG E960 leak

Filed under: , , ,
LG E960 Mako surfaces in photos, may be the future Nexus phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Verge, Droid-Life | sourceXDA-Developers (sign-in required), FCC, Google Pad | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

HTC DLX specs purportedly slip, stuff Snapdragon S4 Pro and 12MP camera into a 5-inch frame
HTC DLX specs purportedly slip, stuff Snapdragon S4 Pro and 12MP camera into a 5inch frame
Talk of HTC's rumored, giant DLX has veered between the plausible and not-so-plausible. We might just toss the newest tip into that former category. Football4PDA, who's developing a reputation for uncanny accuracy in leaks, has posted what's claimed to be the core specifications of HTC's first phablet. The DLX would mirror earlier expectations of a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro and a 5-inch, 1080p display, but push past the OneX+ in more ways than just physical heft: the extra space might just help it afford 1.5GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front shooter and a larger-still (but non-removable) 2,500mAh battery. We're not as much of a fan of the threadbare 16GB of storage that's supposedly in the cards, though, even with a new Android 4.1.2 build in store. Provided that there's more to the story than just 136 characters, the real point of contention is the ship date -- having mostly cleared the decks between its September event and its One X+ introduction, HTC hasn't left much time for the possibly Verizon-bound flagship to show its face.
Filed under: , ,
Permalink Gadgety.co.il (translated) | sourceFootball4PDA (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Ben Heck builds Arduino-based automatic sunglasses, beats David Caruso to the punch (video)
Ben Heck builds Arduinobased automatic sunglasses, beats David Caruso to the punch
CSI: Miami might be out of production, but that doesn't mean we'll be deprived of casual eyewear flipping. Not if Ben Heck has a say in the matter, at least. His latest DIY project automatically swings a pair of clip-on sunglasses into view whenever it's too sunny outside: a photocell attached to an AT Tiny microcontroller checks the light levels and, through an Arduino-based AVR MKII language, tells a rotor to spin the glasses into place. No one will be labeled a fashionista with the requisite battery pack strapped to their heads, but the construction doesn't require CNC milling and won't destroy a favorite frame. We're only disappointed that the sunglasses won't play The Who on command... yet.
Continue reading Ben Heck builds Arduino-based automatic sunglasses, beats David Caruso to the punch (video)
Filed under:
Permalink | sourceElement14 | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Samsung announces Android 4.1 availability for Galaxy S III in South Korea
Samsung announces Android 41 availability for Galaxy S III in South Korea
It was pretty much inevitable, and true to its promise, Samsung has announced the availability of Android 4.1 for the Galaxy S III. Now before you get too excited, it appears that the upgrade applies only to the SHW-M440S variant, which is specific to Samsung's home turf in South Korea. Nonetheless, if the translation is correct, the new Jelly Bean release is said to bring usability improvements to the home screen, along with the the ability to pause movies during recording and a smart rotation feature to the camera. Samsung's Kies software is specifically mentioned in the announcement post, although it looks as if an over-the-air install may be possible as well. Hopefully this news is a sign that certification for the global model and its domestic counterparts is just around the corner.
Filed under: , , ,
Samsung announces Android 4.1 availability for Galaxy S III in South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceSamsung Tomorrow (1) (translated), (2) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Ematic outs 7-inch FunTab Pro with ICS and a Zoodles mode for kids, available for $150
Ematic outs 7inch FunTab Pro with ICS and a Zoodles mode for kids, available for $150
Even though the market's currently populated with slabs such as Archos' ChildPad or LeapFrog's LeaPad 2, the race to become the go-to child-friendly tablet could still be considered as wide open. Having previously introduced its FunTab for kids, Ematic's not exactly a newcomer to this territory, and this time out the company's looking to build on that with the announcement of a slightly more powerful "Pro" model. Inside the 7-inch, 800 x 480 FunTab Pro, parents and children alike will find an undisclosed 1GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, a taste of Google's Ice Cream Sandwich and 8GB of onboard storage which can be expanded up to 32GB by way of microSD. Additionally, Ematic's placing emphasis on the built-in Zoodles features that "create a safe and educational online learning experience for children," plus the inclusion of pre-loaded apps like Skitch, School Assistant, Cut The Rope and none other than Angry Birds. The FunTab Pro will be available at Walmart (and other retailers) for $150 -- and, yes, that includes the colorful, interchangeable faceplates you see in the gallery below.
Gallery: Ematic FunTab Pro press shots

Continue reading Ematic outs 7-inch FunTab Pro with ICS and a Zoodles mode for kids, available for $150
Filed under:
Permalink | sourceEmatic | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Boxee TV streaming / OTA set-top box and DVR pics leak out
Boxee TV streaming OTA settop box and DVR pics leak out
If you've been wondering "what will Boxee do next?" there appears to be an answer. A tipster has sent The Verge pics of a new set-top box, still built by D-Link, that ditches the original's angular design for a more conventional shape and integrates live TV tuning support as well as DVR capabilities. There's no word on the storage capabilities, but the box advertises an included antenna and remote (lightly refreshed, losing the QWERTY keyboard) and implores owners to "stop wasting money on stuff you don't watch." Boxee's healthy support for internet content, both streamed and locally stored, is still intact and a survey suggests support for viewing content on mobile devices. Not mentioned? Cloudee integration or any cable TV support, encrypted, ClearQAM or otherwise. There's a few more pics beyond the source link, we'll start updating our CES watchlist now.
Filed under: ,
Boxee TV streaming / OTA set-top box and DVR pics leak out originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceThe Verge | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:30PM ET
It's Monday, which means it is time for you to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 8:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, and then participating in the live chat too.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:30PM ET
Filed under:
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Google drafts checklist for making top-notch Android tablet apps
Google drafts checklist for making Android tablet apps
Google's Senior Mobile VP Andy Rubin has been cool towards tablet apps, arguing that mobile titles shouldn't be tuned to a specific form factor. Whether you agree with that assessment or not, his company has produced an (arguably overdue) tablet app checklist to help developers with big screen ambitions. The step-by-step walkthrough tells developers how to make the most of all that free space and optimize for the larger hardware, touch input targets and widgets. There's a difference between having guidelines and getting app writers to follow them, but the checklist is an important step towards keeping that Galaxy Note 10.1 or Nexus 7 well-fed.

[Thanks, Christopher]
Filed under: ,
Google drafts checklist for making top-notch Android tablet apps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Developers Blog | sourceAndroid Developers | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Moto pulls phones and tablets from German site pending software update
Moto pulls phones and tablets from german site pending software update
We wouldn't quite call it an unexpected turn of events, but it certainly qualifies as dramatic -- Motorola has pulled almost every Android device in its roster from its German site, leaving only the RAZR HD and RAZR i behind. German site Areamobile first reported the disappearance, and received word from Moto PR that the devices were removed while the OS was "being reworked." Though the company did not say it expressly, it appears the removal is related the various lost patent suits and injunctions awarded to its competitors. The manufacturer has been promising software fixes to address those complaints since early summer, but has yet to deliver them. We're sure the Xoom family and its sizable stable of mid-range phones will return to the site in good time, though, it wouldn't be a tragedy if the only surviving options were the newest members of the RAZR family. They're certainly the most compelling products currently offered (or soon to be offered) by the Google property.
Filed under: , , ,
Moto pulls phones and tablets from German site pending software update originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Police, FOSS Patents | sourceAreamobile, Motorola (Germany) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Verizon teases black and brown Galaxy S III models for the subtle crowd
Verizon teases black and brown Galaxy S III models for the subtle crowd
AT&T might have nabbed Verizon's color for the Galaxy S III, but that doesn't mean Big Red subscribers will be left out. The CDMA carrier has just posted a rotating teaser on its home page promising the low-key black and brown versions of Samsung's flagship sometime "soon," with availability sign-ups on hand for the impatient. That's all we know for now, although history suggests there won't be a premium over the $200 contract price of the existing blue and white models. We're hoping the new shades of Galaxy come soon -- Verizon's offering will be the first chance most Americans have to get the Android phone in muted colors and relive the glory days of brown electronics.
Filed under: , ,
Verizon teases black and brown Galaxy S III models for the subtle crowd originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Droid-Life | sourceVerizon | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better
UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better
The UK is almost ready to flip the switch on its first LTE network, but it's determined to be at the forefront of the next-generation, setting up a "5G Innovation Centre" at the University of Surrey. The government announced it's putting up £11.6 million (around $18.6 million) in funding, but another £24 million (around $38.5 million) will be coming from an industry group comprising the likes of Huawei, Samsung, Telefonica, Rohde & Schwarz, Fujitsu and others. The money will allow research to go beyond concept and theory, with the aim that all partners work together to develop and standardize 5G technology, which the university has been looking into for a number of years already. They will focus on energy and spectrum efficiency as well as speed, and although it's early days, 10Gbps has been banded around as a per-tower target, translating to roughly 200Mbps for each connection. Unfortunately, we've also got a number to kill your geek buzz -- it's upwards of a decade away. Still, at least you've got a long time to think about which case you'll be picking up for your 5G-ready Galaxy S XV.
Continue reading UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better
Filed under: , , , ,
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Must See HDTV (October 8th - 14th)
Must See HDTV October 8th 14th
The fall premiere season is hardly over, with CW taking the wraps off of if its new comic book adaptation, Arrow (preview video embedded after the break) while NBC and ABC unveil Chicago Fire and Nashville. Of course, some old favorites are returning too, and web series Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog is making its TV debut Tuesday night. Oh, and some little flick called E.T. is coming home on Blu-ray for the first time. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
The Walking Dead
After season two's exciting finale we are once again all in on AMC's zombie apocalypse series. Fans of the comic are looking forward to seeing characters like Michonne and The Governor, but first our ragtag band of survivors will apparently try to take control of a prison. Should be a piece of cake. Check out the season three trailer embedded after the break and set your DVR for Sunday night.
(October 14th, AMC, 9PM)
Prometheus
The sci-fi movie that has produced more divisive opinions than any other in 2012 finally hits Blu-ray this week. Complete with a 3D edition and requisite iPad companion app, the hook is promises of extra scenes and background information that may help fill in this story. Unfortunately, unlike one of director Ridley Scott's other flicks, Blade Runner, the extras aren't smoothly integrated as an XL-sized director's cut, at least not in this edition. Still, if you dig it there should be plenty to keep you watching once the movie is over, and while it's playing the visual effects will entertain.
($24.99 on Amazon)
The League
Whether you're as obsessed with fantasy football as we are or not (hopefully not, it's just unhealthy at some point) this series about a group of friends and their league is one of the most consistently funny shows of the last few seasons. Last season ended with the Shiva trophy getting a viking funeral at sea, and while we have on idea how they'll top that, we suspect Rafi will be involved somehow. Of course, it's not the only show on FX Thursday night, as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns ahead of it this week, with shows from Russell Brand and W Kamau Bell bringing up the rear.
(October 11th, FX, 10:30PM)
Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 8th - 14th)
Filed under: ,
Must See HDTV (October 8th - 14th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing
Editorial Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing
Last week's release of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite offered an opportunity to look back on the rapid growth of e-reading, and look forward to what the digitization of publishing will mean to four major market forces: publishers, bookstores, authors and readers. As during any technological disruption, winners and losers trade fates until the upheaval settles and a new cycle of status quo begins.
Amazon is not the only bookstore represented in the scramble for new-era survival, but its major role has multiple dimensions: seller, publisher, enabler, inventor and primary instigator of disruption. Amazon is banking on being a winner, and was recently handed an advantage by the U.S. government in its uneasy relationship with publishers.
While industrial forces work their way through the dislocation of new paradigms, individuals -- both book consumers and book authors -- stand to be the biggest winners, and that is a good thing.
Continue reading Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing
Filed under: , , ,
Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops
Kinect for Windows SDK update arrives with accelerometer and infrared input, spreads its wings to China
Microsoft had hinted that there were big things in store for its update to the Kinect for Windows SDK on October 8th. It wasn't bluffing; developers can now tap a much wider range of input than the usual frantic arm-waving. Gadgets that move the Kinect itself can use the accelerometer to register every tilt and jolt, while low-light fans can access the raw infrared sensor stream. The Redmond crew will even even let coders go beyond the usual boundaries, giving them access to depth information beyond 13 feet, fine-tuning the camera settings and tracking skeletal data from multiple sensors inside of one app. Just where we use the SDK has been expanded as well -- in addition to promised Chinese support, Kinect input is an option for Windows 8 desktop apps. Programmers who find regular hand control just too limiting can hit the source for the download link and check Microsoft's blog for grittier detail.
Filed under: , ,
Permalink Kinect for Windows Blog | sourceKinect for Windows | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start of a selective rollout
64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website
It looks like Samsung is making good on its promise to produce a 64GB Galaxy S III in the second half of the year, but it's going to be a lottery on if you can get one. Rather than releasing the handset worldwide, it's picking and choosing the regions which will get the benefit of the capaciously endowed smartphone. A listing has appeared on Italian retailer ePrice, with the 64GB unit setting users back €800 ($1,040). The company's confirmed that the listing is legitimate, but also that its UK and US divisions haven't announced plans to bring it to the UK or US -- so perhaps it's time to claim Italian citizenship if you're desperate for that much storage.
Filed under: , ,
Permalink Android HDblog | sourceePrice (Translated) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.
DNP TMobile to Offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the US
T-Mobile announced on Monday that it will exclusively offer the Nokia Lumia 810 in the United States. Set to be available "in the coming weeks," the 810 features a 4.3-inch OLED WVGA Clear Black display, an 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss optics rear-facing camera, a 1.2-megapixel Skype HD-certified front-facing shooter, Windows Phone 8 and support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ faux 4G network. If those specs sound a little familiar, they should -- the 810 seems quite a bit similar to the already announced 820. There are some details absent from this release, however, including CPU, storage, RAM and pricing, but we expect this to be remedied in the coming days. Now that T-Mobile and Ma Bell have called dibs on some of Nokia's first wave of Windows Phone 8 devices, we're left to wonder if America's other two major wireless carriers will soon get with the program.
Continue reading T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.
Filed under: , ,
T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S. originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?
PlayStation 3 Slim 3rdgen review

More Info

What else can be said about the PlayStation 3 at this point that hasn't already been said? Since launching in 2006, there have been approximately 400 different permutations of the console: variations on hard drive sizes, functionality, physical shape and, of course, price. The latest model, the PlayStation 3 Superslim, is no different. It comes in just two permutations: 250GB ($270) and 500GB ($300). With the latter launching at the end of October, we've spent the last week with the already available 250GB model. Is it time to finally jump in to the PlayStation 3 party, or upgrade that aging 2006 model? Head below to find out.
Gallery: PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012)

Continue reading PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?
Filed under: ,
PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner
Microsoft Points dropped on Windows 8 Marketplace, Xbox Live still using them for now
Microsoft's real money to "Points" conversion has always been a point of contention among consumers, but that may all be about to change -- if the Windows 8 Zune Marketplace is any indicator, that is. Movies and music purchased via Windows 8 no longer default to the bizarre indirect system Microsoft set in place years ago with its Xbox Live platform, instead allowing actual currency for payment as well as MS Points (Windows 8 exclusively used the MS Point system for media purchases throughout beta). In fact, the system even automatically selects hard currency as the standard, reports The Verge.
The MS Point system converts 80 MS Points to $1, and points much be purchased in a minimum of 400 point blocks -- a practice criticized as both deceptive and consumer hostile. Points were first implemented on Microsoft's Xbox 360 for purchase of games and associated content on Xbox Live Marketplace; the practice has since expanded to Microsoft's Zune music and movie platform, as well as Xbox.com. Direct payment is available as well, but only for select content, such as Games on Demand.
As of this morning, the change hadn't affected the Xbox 360 Marketplace, though rumors earlier this year indicated that MS Points may be wholesale phased out by the end of 2012. Microsoft had yet to respond to a request for comment as of publishing.
Filed under: , ,
Permalink | sourceThe Verge | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Google Play Music and Movies purchasing reaches Google TV, patches a media strategy hole
Google Play Music and Movies reach Google TV in full, patch a hole in Google's media strategy
It's been one of the more conspicuous omissions in the media hub space: despite Google Play being the cornerstone of Google's content strategy, you couldn't truly use the company's music or movie services through Google TV without depending on content you'd already paid for elsewhere. As of a new upgrade, the ecosystem has come full circle. Viewers with Google TV boxes can at last buy or rent directly from Google Play Movies and Google Play Music, and the content will be indexed in the TV & Movies section alongside third-party video services and traditional TV. The upgrade also helps Google's TV front end play catch-up with its mobile counterpart by adding automatic app updates and subscriptions. While device owners may have to wait a few weeks as the upgrade rolls out, the addition signals a big step forward for a platform that has normally leaned heavily on others for help.
Filed under: , ,
Permalink The Verge | sourceOfficial Google TV Blog | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines
Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines
A network outage that leaves folks without data for a few hours is one thing, but some Sprint problems today are causing some bigger issues than usual in one part of the US. Alaska Airlines is reporting flight delays at several airports, including Portland International Airport, as a result of the outage that is says began at 7:30AM Pacific time when a fiber cable was cut in Wisconsin. The AP is further reporting that Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden says the airline expects to have a full resolution by 5PM local time, and that it may have a partial solution by noon. The reports that we've received from Sprint users also suggest that the outage is largely confined to the Northwest.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: We've gotten an official statement from a Sprint spokesperson on the matter, confirming that two separate fiber cuts have disrupted service in parts of Oregon, Washington and Northern California. The complete statement is as follows:
Some Sprint customers in parts of Oregon, Washington and Northern California are experiencing a disruption in data and voice services. This is the result of two separate fiber cuts on Sprint's network in the northwestern and midwestern U.S. Sprint network technicians are working to repair these cuts and re-route network traffic so service can be restored as soon as possible.
Update 2: Alaska Airlines says its flights are now running close to normal. Travelers, rejoice!
Filed under: ,
Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Yahoo News | sourceAlaska Airlines, MyNorthwest | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month
Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month
What if, instead of handing over some hard to remember combination of 10 digits when it came time to exchange numbers you could just give someone your name? Sprint is actually willing to let you enjoy the luxury of having your own vanity phone number, so long as you're willing to fork over $3 a month for the privilege. This isn't the sort of service enjoyed by businesses, though -- no one will be dialing 1-800-Joe-Schmoe. Instead the carrier is offering "StarStar" numbers from a company called Zoove. So now, friends will just punch a couple of asterisks into their handset followed by your name, Twitter handle or anything else you might desire to get in touch with you. Of course, in the age of smartphones, we're pretty sure memorizing phone numbers isn't a skill anyone actually uses anymore. So might be that your $3 a month and clever new number will never be recognized by anyone.
Filed under: ,
Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PhoneArena, All Things D | sourceSprint | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan
Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan
Back when Google ecstatically unveiled its 7-inch Nexus tablet a few months ago, the company decided to keep things simple by only introducing 8GB and 16GB models -- much to the dismay of folks who prefer a device with a bit more storage space. One lucky customer in Japan, however, claims to have unexpectedly received a Nexus 7 loaded with more built-in storage than Mountain View currently advertises, having been delivered Google's Jelly Bean-packing slate with 32GB instead of the 16GB unit that was ordered. Interestingly enough, the surprise delivery comes at a time when Google is rumored to launch a new, more spacious 32GB model as soon as October 24th -- though only time will tell if that's actually going to be the case.
Filed under: ,
Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Notebook Italia | sourceTwitter (Oppese) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall
TMobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries supersized, lowcost Android this fall
We knew it was coming -- we just didn't expect official news quite so soon. T-Mobile has confirmed that its edition of the LG Optimus L9 will be available this fall. The magenta network's supersized yet entry level Android 4.0 phone won't be significantly different than its international cousin in hardware outside of the necessary 3G frequency switch, but the American GSM variant will support WiFi Calling, allow five-device hotspots and ship with a preloaded copy of Slacker Radio. Any pricing and an in-store date will have to wait; even with that 4.5-inch screen and 2,150mAh battery, though, it's easy to picture the L9 costing less than many of T-Mobile's smaller smart devices.
Continue reading T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall
Filed under: , , ,
T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer
Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long.
If you weren't able to get all of your gadget shopping done this weekend, a handful of new tech deals could do the trick. A 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad laptop and Canon PIXMA wireless all-in-one printer might be just what you need to enhance that home office setup with just a few clicks. There's also three more links eager to accept your funds, so head on past the break to take a look. Remember to watch out for those coupon codes and rebate forms.
Continue reading Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer
Filed under: , , , , ,
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Samsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux kernel
Samsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux kernel
Has the lack of NAND flash storage-optimized file systems been bugging you? Then you've got something in common with Samsung, which has developed F2FS (or "Flash-Friendly File-System") for the memory of choice for mobile devices and its specific "internal geometry." It's based on a log-structured method, but tackles problems associated with older file systems intended mainly for retro, spinning-disk storage. The company isn't keeping its hard work behind lock-and-patent either -- it's gone open-source and submitted the file system to the Linux kernel, meaning you could see it implemented in Android hardware of the future. It's nice to see Sammy contributing code for the greater good, and if you've got the skills to understand it, a low-down of F2FS is available at the source below.
Filed under: , , , ,
Permalink Phoronix | sourceThe Linux-Kernel Archive | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Cisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings
Cisco Cius tablet hands-on
ZTE might already be feeling heat from Congressional suspicions, but the company could soon take a more direct hit to the pocketbook. Cisco has reportedly dropped an already rocky seven-year deal with ZTE after it learned that the Chinese firm had been selling Cisco's networking gear to the Telecommunication Company of Iran as recently as July of last year. Being implicated in an end-run around US trade sanctions isn't great for business, as you'd imagine. While Cisco CEO John Chambers wouldn't directly confirm the severed link in a chat with Reuters, he noted that we would "not see that [sort of deal] happen again" -- an indication that his company at least isn't happy with the current state of affairs. ZTE isn't waiting for any public acknowledgment to voice its frustration and says it's "highly concerned," although it's not helped by allegations from its own US general counsel that there was an attempt to cover up the Iranian link. Nothing is definite until the investigations go public, but the Iran connection could make it that much harder for ZTE to keep US customers regardless of its distance from the Chinese government.
Filed under:
Cisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink ZDNet | sourceReuters | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking?
Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III Mini, insider info or wishful thinking
While it's not as complex as one of the region's twisty crime dramas, the story surrounding the Galaxy S III Mini has taken another turn. Retailers in Europe's northernmost countries are now listing such a device with the codename GT-I8190 in blue and white, with or without an NFC chip, for $540 and $560, respectively. Given that the company is planning an announcement about a "little sensation" on Thursday, it's certainly less likely that we'll see the Galaxy Ace III turn up.
Filed under: , ,
Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceNetShop, TechNytt (Translated) | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Just Mobile talks about working with Apple and why it manufactures in Taiwan exclusively
Just Mobile talks about Apple product certification, previews its AluRack, AluBase and HeadStand
For the average Joe that have managed to stay out of the Apple circle, the Just Mobile brand might not immediately ring a bell, but chances are you would've come across one of its peripheral designs at some point. The only problem is unless you knew the company in the first place, you'd easily assume that the aluminum or even plastic knock-offs are just based on generic designs, because there are simply too many of them. It's no wonder Just Mobile co-founders Nils Gustafsson and Erich Huang take imitations of all forms very personally (especially the ones they and their lawyers see at CES), but fortunately, we were spared from prolonged ranting when we visited the duo's office in Taichung, Taiwan recently. What we were treated to instead was an insight into how an accessory maker works with Apple and why Just Mobile manufactures exclusively in Taiwan, as well as getting a preview of the upcoming AluRack, HeadStand and AluBase that are due out this month.

Gallery: Just Mobile Taichung office tour


Gallery: Just Mobile AluRack, AluBase and HeadStand hands-on

Continue reading Just Mobile talks about working with Apple and why it manufactures in Taiwan exclusively
Filed under: ,
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

BBC announces YouTube original content channels for science, nature
DNP BBC YouTube
Hot on the heels of YouTube's launch of 60 new original content channels, the BBC has announced that it will be partnering with Google's video service to present two of those. The UK broadcaster said it will introduce a nature channel, with content coming from its BBC Earth Productions unit, and a science channel featuring Top Gear presenter James May "and his crack team of scientists." The new portals will come online in 2013, and "Auntie Beeb" has also redesigned its six current YouTube stations and added new clips from Top Gear (season 18) and other original programs, too. All that comes along at the same time as the refreshed iPlayer -- another way the company's been creative with technology, lately.
Filed under: , ,
BBC announces YouTube original content channels for science, nature originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceBBC | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Samsung Galaxy Note II review
Samsung Galaxy Note II review

More Info

Samsung's first crack at a smartphone larger than five inches came last year in the form of the Galaxy Note. It was wildly different than most phones we'd seen before: it was massive, for one, and involved the use of a stylus pen, a sorely outdated concept at the time. Who would be willing to buy this thing? Yet, despite its enormous size, this tablet / phone (forgive us: phablet) captured more hearts and wallets than even Sammy had probably expected. The S Pen showed that it was more than just a simple stylus, artists and tech enthusiasts alike loved it and a successful marketing campaign helped push millions of units. The Note was an undeniable hit.

Did Samsung realize at the time that it was sitting on a gold mine? It's hard to know for sure, but its success meant only one thing: an inevitable sequel. The Galaxy Note II, introduced a year after its parent, has some big shoes to fill. We believe it's up to the task, though: it boasts a quad-core Exynos processor, twice the RAM, an even larger display and a whole new bag of S Pen tricks. It sounds compelling, but does the new version truly trump the old? Is it worth another sound investment (pricing varies, but it starts around £530 for a SIM-free version) just a year down the road? We'll satisfy your curiosity after the break.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Note II (N7100) review

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Note II review
Filed under: , , ,
Samsung Galaxy Note II review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Larklife fitness tracker syncs your data over Bluetooth, knows when you're running instead of walking
Larklife fitness tracker syncs your data over Bluetooth, knows when you're running instead of walking
In case you haven't noticed, fitness gadgets are having something of a moment right now. The past year alone has seen the launch of Nike's FuelBand, the ill-fated Jawbone Up and a refreshed line of Fitbit trackers. Now another product is arriving that promises to do basically the same thing -- namely, track your activity, sleep patterns and food intake using a wearable gadget and mobile app. That thing you see up there is called Larklife and for now, at least, it works exclusively with iOS devices. It's a splash-resistant (but not waterproof) band that has a pedometer inside, counting your steps throughout the day. It can also tell how long you sleep each night, as well as how long it takes you to nod off. There's even a vibrating alarm built into the band -- something we first saw on the Up earlier this year. (As it happens, Lark's earlier products were sleep aids, so the inclusion of this feature actually makes a lot of sense.) As for monitoring your dietary habits, Larklife doesn't automatically track your food intake, but the app does include a food diary where you can manually enter your meals.
Additionally, Larklife uses Bluetooth Smart to automatically sync with your iPhone so that you don't have to plug the band into a PC just to update your fitness stats. (The new Fitbit trackers work this way this too.) Additionally, the band uses a proprietary technology that can discern when you're running or walking, which means the app will log workouts even if you forget to enter them. The last intriguing bit is that the app dishes out smart, contextually aware advice. Didn't get much sleep last night? Larklife will remind you to eat more protein than usual at breakfast, so that you have enough energy to get you through the day. The app also rewards good behavior in the form of iOS notifications and colorful on-screen badges, though competing products admittedly take a very similar approach when it comes to keeping users motivated.
Larklife is up for pre-order starting today, and is priced at $150 -- a rather large premium over the new Fitbit One, which will sell for $100. As for precise availability, all we know is that retailers will start stocking Larklife "before the holidays." Whether that means Halloween, Thanksgiving or some gift-giving celebration will be revealed some other day.
Continue reading Larklife fitness tracker syncs your data over Bluetooth, knows when you're running instead of walking
Filed under:
Permalink | sourceLark | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Native Facebook app for Android is in the final phases of internal testing
Facebook for Android is in the final phases of internal testing
Remember when Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook's HTML5 Android app was a mistake? Well, one of our tipsters, embedded deep inside the Social Network, has let us know that the native version for Google's mobile OS has entered final testing. As such, it won't be long before the software is ready for consumption by the public at large, give or take an angry Winklevii or two.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Filed under: , ,
Native Facebook app for Android is in the final phases of internal testing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 08:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Apple begins shipping its Lightning to 30-pin adapter at the speed of... freight
Apple begins shipping its Lightning to 30pin adapter at the speed of freight
iPhone users with a flotilla of 30-pin devices, desperate to restore connectivity with their newest handset's natty connector, can rest easy. Cupertino has contacted several Australians who pre-ordered the 30-pin to Lightning adapter to tell them they can expect the first units to arrive tomorrow. The Stateside store is still promising a generic "October" launch, but it can't be too far away if the Antipodeans are getting theirs.
Filed under: , ,
Apple begins shipping its Lightning to 30-pin adapter at the speed of... freight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 08:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceMacRumors | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

BBC launches iPlayer Radio: a separate radio-only mobile app and web UI
BBC revamps radio on iPlayer new desktop UI, separate radioonly mobile apps
No one can accuse the BBC of neglecting radio in its quest for streaming nirvana -- not when the number of radio listeners on iPlayer has shot up 56 percent in a year (and 300 percent on tablets). Nevertheless, from tomorrow morning, iPhone users will find a brand new way to listen to their favorite content: a dedicated radio app with a spinning dial which -- compared to the regular iPlayer app -- will put much greater emphasis on live shows rather than catch-up. There'll also be mobile-friendly features like an alarm clock which will wake you up to your choice of show, reminders for shows you just can't miss, and the ability to identify current and recently-played songs at a glance. The app will reach Android too, as soon as some Flash-related difficulties have been ironed out, and its alarm function will benefit from slightly better multi-tasking on Google's OS, so you won't have to leave the app open before you fall asleep. If you don't want to wait or if you're outside the UK, check out the desktop iPlayer at the source link, or the gallery below, and you'll see just what the Corporation's philosophy about treating radio differently -- rather than as "TV minus video" -- actually looks like.
Gallery: BBC iPlayer Radio -- desktop UI and iOS app

Continue reading BBC launches iPlayer Radio: a separate radio-only mobile app and web UI
Filed under: , , , ,
BBC launches iPlayer Radio: a separate radio-only mobile app and web UI originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceBBC iPlayer Radio | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Samsung releases Galaxy Note II source code, gives modders a big fish to fry
Image
If you've managed to stretch your hands around a Galaxy Note II smartphone already, but were hoping to get a custom ROM on it, there's good news: Samsung has just released the source code. It's now been posted for the international GT-N7100 model, giving developers a peek at the 5.5-incher's inner workings and allowing them to get to work on new mods. The company has been faithfully posting its Android code for handsets like the Galaxy S III shortly after they've gone on sale, letting developers like CyanogenMod release custom ROMs scant weeks afterward. So, if you get tired of TouchWiz or want root control of the pen-enabled behemoth, you can be sure someone's on the job right now.
Filed under: , , ,
Samsung releases Galaxy Note II source code, gives modders a big fish to fry originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 07:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Sammobile | sourceSamsung open-source repository | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Feel the Force: Angry Birds Star Wars coming November 8th to iOS, Android, WP, Kindle Fire and computers
Feel the Force: Angry Birds Star Wars coming November 8th to iOS, Android, WP, Kindle Fire and computers
Rovio teased a certain film-inspired Angry Birds picture a long, long last week, and as expected, it's another new game -- Angry Birds Star Wars. Our furious feathered friends are assuming the likenesses of characters from the epic saga, with the trusty Red Bird taking on Luke Skywalker's role. It wouldn't be the Rebel Alliance without a dark side to fight, which is where the Pigs fit into the storyline; even the music and levels for gravity-based play will hark back to the film franchise. In addition to the software, details of related merchandise have also been uncovered, including table games, toys and costumes. The game is out on November 8th for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Kindle Fire and computers, and if it follows the original storyline, we wonder how Red Bird's going to feel about his porcine family history.
Continue reading Feel the Force: Angry Birds Star Wars coming November 8th to iOS, Android, WP, Kindle Fire and computers
Filed under: ,
Permalink Joystiq | sourceUSA Today, Idle Hands blog | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

Engadget UK Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note II courtesy of MobiCity
Engadget UK Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note II courtesy of MobiCity
Samsung's Galaxy Note II is one of the biggest phones this year, both figuratively, and literally. The OG Note stretched palms when it arrived last 12 months ago, with its 5.3-inch display, and it proved so popular that Samsung did it all over again -- and a little bit more. Not only is it hot off the production presses, we've also got one to give away to a lucky UK reader, courtesy of the kind people at online retailer MobiCity. That's where to send the thank you card if it's your name out of the hat. And if it's not? Well perhaps peruse their many SIM-free handset deals and treat yourself all the same. Want to know if you're eligible to win? Head south for the rules, and then get involved!
The rules:
  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning.
  • This contest is open to all UK residents -- aged 18 years or over! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one (1) new Samsung Galaxy Note II. Service does not come included with the prize.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Mobi-city and Engadget / AOL UK are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
  • The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
  • Entries can be submitted until 10th of October, 2012 at 23:59 GMT. Good luck!
Filed under: , ,
Engadget UK Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note II courtesy of MobiCity originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Read More ...

UK engineers developing harpoon that could help space junk meet a fiery end
UK engineers developing harpoon that could help space junk meet a fiery end
Sure, we can pull space junk out of orbit with lasers or use it to cobble together new satellites, but if engineers at space firm Astrium UK have their way, space trash could be disposed of with the help of harpoons. Currently in a conceptual stage, the system is designed to shoot defunct satellites or other debris with a harpoon mounted on a "chaser satellite" and use a tethered propulsion pack to send the rubbish in an atmospheric descent where it'll burn up. Since the projectile could shoot straight through targets and result in even more garbage, it's been fashioned with a crushable portion to reduce its speed upon impact. There's no concrete word on when the outfit's solution might be put in action, but they'll present their work on Wednesday at the 63rd International Astronautical Congress in Naples (Italy, not Florida, mind you). If you can't wait to see the harpoon at work, head past the break to catch tests of an Earth-based prototype.
Continue reading UK engineers developing harpoon that could help space junk meet a fiery end
Filed under: ,
UK engineers developing harpoon that could help space junk meet a fiery end originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 05:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Ars Technica | sourceBBC | Email this | Comments

Read More ...



Available Tags:Microsoft , Windows 8 , AMD , Windows , tablet , LG , HTC , Samsung , Android , Galaxy , TV , Engadget , Google , UK , Windows 8 , Kinect , Nokia , Windows 8 , Google TV , Lenovo , Canon , wireless , Linux , Cisco , ZTE , Apple , BBC , YouTube , Facebook , Apple , BBC , Kindle ,
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 8:49 AM
التسميات: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)