Sceptre teases 2013 lineup that includes near-borderless TVs, WiFi sound bar
Sceptre isn't waiting for CES to give a peek at what its home theater roster will bring. This year, the budget-focused company is hoping to take on the extra-minimalist TVs we've seen from
Samsung and LG. Its 32- to 55-inch Rimless series wraps an LED-backlit LCD with a 4mm-thick bezel. Some of its overall TV line should also have MHL-capable HDMI ports to take video from mobile devices or a
Roku Streaming Stick. Scepter's audio focus may be the most unique part of its lineup, however: it should have the first compact, 2.1-channel sound bar with WiFi, turning older TVs into connected models. There's more coming, including a 1080p in-car camera, so check after the break for the lineup we know so far.
Continue reading Sceptre teases 2013 lineup that includes near-borderless TVs, WiFi sound bar
Filed under:
Home Entertainment,
HD
Comments
Source: Sceptre
Read More ...
5-inch ZTE U887 enters the low-end phablet fray
Hot on the heels of the
Samsung Galaxy Grand, a lower-end
Galaxy Note II alternative announced yesterday, ZTE is trotting out a dual-core phablet of its own: the U887. According to
Gizchina and the TENAA certification database, the device sports a 5-inch 800 x 480 display and runs a dual-core 1.2GHz MT6577 chip with 512MB of RAM. It's also dual-band for China, sporting support for both TD-SCDMA and GSM networks. Looks-wise, the U887 isn't a far cry from ZTE's higher-end
Nubia Z5 -- at least based on the image we've seen -- although it packs a 5-megapixel rear camera rather than the 13MP shooter on the quad-core Z5. As with the upcoming Galaxy Grand, pricing and availability info for the ZTE U887 remains MIA, but that's sure to surface in the coming months.
Filed under:
Cellphones
Comments
Via: Mobile Magazine
Source: Gizchina,
TENAA
Read More ...
ESPN brings new interface to ScoreCenter for Android and iOS
Attention all sports fans and degenerate gamblers: earlier today
ESPN released an update for its Android and iOS
ScoreCenter apps. Version 3.0 introduces a new user interface, iPhone 5 support, live scoring alerts, video sharing and additional game coverage. Keeping sports fans in the know, the update also adds calendar support, which allows users to check scores and stats from previous games, as well as preview the upcoming schedules of their favorite teams and athletes. You can download the latest version of ScoreCenter directly through your device, or by pointing and clicking on your platform's respective source link below.
Filed under:
Software,
Mobile
Comments
Via: ESPN MediaZone
Source: Google Play,
iTunes
Read More ...
Deezer, Eurosport and Napster coming later this month to LG Smart TVs in the UK
Over the past few months, we have seen LG slowly but surely increase the amount of entertainment content in its Smart TV platform, with apps such as
Verizon FiOS (in the US) and
Disney rentals among the latest inclusions. Today, the Korean outfit announced there are more of applications coming to its 2012-range
television ecosystem, although these newcomers won't be available worldwide -- that said, owners in the UK will soon be able to enjoy what Napster, Deezer and Eurosport have to offer from the comfort of their own couch, which should make a nice addition to
LG's current app repertoire. All three new applications are said to be available in "mid-December," so you should expect 'em to show up on that sleek TV of yours any moment now.
Continue reading Deezer, Eurosport and Napster coming later this month to LG Smart TVs in the UK
Filed under:
Home Entertainment,
Software,
HD,
LG
Comments
Source: LG
Read More ...
Valve opens Steam for Linux beta, asks users to track bugs via GitHub
Not
"experienced" enough to qualify for Valve's first
Steam for Linux beta? That's okay -- patience pays off. Poised as an early Christmas present, Valve has opened Steam's Linux beta to all users. The team is tweaking how it handles buck reports too, eschewing the existing forum-based system for a public
GitHub repository -- though the Linux forums will remain open for community discussion. New and updating beta testers will be treated to a few minor fixes -- correcting excessive CPU usage from the client while running
Team Fortress 2 and adding a few needed details to the Linux variant of Big Picture mode. With just under 40 games working on the Penguin-suited OS, Newell's
Windows 8 alternative is starting to gain ground. It's going to be interesting to
see where it goes.
[Thanks, Devon]
Filed under:
Gaming
Comments
Source: Steam Community
Read More ...
US military exploring Kinect for low-cost physical therapy routines
When Bill Gates first demoed his BASIC interpreter for the Altair, it seems a safe bet that he could've never guessed that his company would eventually be collaborating with the US military to introduce new forms of
physical therapy. Thanks to
Kinect, however, Microsoft and the Air Force are now hammering out the details of a system that could assist injured soldiers through the recovery process. Curiously, all of this may be accomplished with a PC, Kinect and off-the-shelf software such as ReMotion 360 -- all of which could help keep costs low -- although a proprietary system remains a possibility. In addition to reducing treatment costs, it's thought that a home-based approach could be a convenient alternative for those who don't live near care facilities.
Even beyond physical therapy, Microsoft is also exploring Kinect's usefulness for the treatment of PTSD, which could allow the afflicted to anonymously take part in group sessions through the use of
avatars. To learn more of how Microsoft is flexing Kinect's muscles with the military, feel free to hit up the source link.
Filed under:
Misc,
Microsoft
Comments
Via: The Verge
Source: Defense News
Read More ...
Toyota 2013 Avalon Limited packs Qi wireless charging
Few if any of us are fans of buying 12V adapters to keep our phones powered up in the car. Those who buy the just-arriving 2013
Toyota Avalon Limited, if they choose the Technology Package, won't have to. A lid in the upgraded center stack provides
Qi wireless charging to keep that
Lumia 920 or
Nexus 4 topped up without cluttering the console. As always, convenience carries a steep price tag: a gas-only Avalon Limited with the package costs $42,195 before the usual added fees and taxes, while a hybrid bumps that to $43,945. We wouldn't go out of our way just to skip the wires, then, but the wireless power may tip the balance for smartphone fans in the market for an entry-luxury sedan.
Continue reading Toyota 2013 Avalon Limited packs Qi wireless charging
Filed under:
Cellphones,
Transportation
Comments
Source: Toyota
Read More ...
Visualized: Cassini probe gets a glimpse of Saturn's shadow
The Cassini space probe has collected quite a few memories of Saturn in its eight years, swinging by the
planet's moons and even listening to
lighting storms. Even so, we're being treated to an uncommon sight today: the dark side of
Saturn. A newly processed set of 60 images, originally taken in October, shows what the gas giant is like from near the center of its shadow. The slightly trippy color scheme stems from a mix of visible, near-infrared and violet light in the collage. Sitting in the darkness allows for more than just pretty pictures, as well -- it reveals details about Saturn's atmosphere and rings that would otherwise be obscured by sunlight. Just be sure to etch this mosaic in your memory. The last time Cassini had an opportunity for this kind of snapshot was in 2006, which rules out any quick retakes.
Filed under:
Science
Comments
Via: SlashGear
Source: NASA
Read More ...
Tumblr updates its app with iPad support and Explore tab, ends day of Android envy
More than a month after launching its
native iOS app and a day after releasing a
tablet-friendly layout on Android, blog network
Tumblr has updated its app to support Apple's tablets. It's also added markdown support and a new Explore tab, but the big bonus for iPad owners is sharing
Community GIFs and other memes without having to slog through that silly 2x zoom of an iPhone menu. The free app is in iTunes now, check for the latest update or just hit the link below to try it out yourself.
Filed under:
Tablets,
Apple
Comments
Source: Tumblr,
iTunes
Read More ...
This is the Modem World: You Use THAT?
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.
That's what she said to me.
"You use THAT?!" she repeated, pointing at my humble
iPhone 4.
"Is that even a 4S?" she stepped back as she glanced for backup.
"Aren't you some techie?" her friend joined in. I felt like I had been caught with my pants down. I had to prove my tech worthiness to these girls. I had a reputation to protect.
Continue reading This is the Modem World: You Use THAT?
Filed under:
Cellphones,
Handhelds
Comments
Read More ...
Vudu launches movie streaming / downloads to Android tablets, Xbox 360 app supports 1080p
Coming about a year after its launch on iOS, Walmart-owned
Vudu has opened up access to its (
UltraViolet-connected) movie library on Android. Interestingly, it's included a key feature not currently available in the
iPad and iPhone Vudu Player app: users can download videos for offline viewing
just like they do on PCs, not just streaming over WiFi in the browser. A free app ready for download to "select" Android tablets, there's no word on when or if it will appear on phones, but we're told the list of supported devices will continue to grow.
Vudu also notes in the press release (included after the break) that as of last month, its
Xbox 360 app has been updated to support
1080p HDX streaming video. Do you really need another reason to give it a shot? If so, try this one on -- all new users who activate an UltraViolet account between now and March get 10 free movies. There's still the pain of creating multiple logins for the virtual locker, but between Vudu and
Flixster offers you should be able to snag a bunch of free flicks watchable anywhere on your Android device without spending a cent (or hunting through torrents and the like, your choice).
Continue reading Vudu launches movie streaming / downloads to Android tablets, Xbox 360 app supports 1080p
Filed under:
Home Entertainment,
Tablets,
HD,
Mobile
Comments
Source: Google Play
Read More ...
Humble Bundle goes indie once more in seventh iteration, includes Indie Game: The Movie
In recent months, the notorious Humble Bundle has gone from
indie, to
literary, to
mainstream, and back again, with today's announcement of the newest Indie bundle and its smattering of games. If the six indie titles included aren't adding enough indie cred, the bundle also includes a digital copy of
Indie Game: The Movie -- surely you remember the documentary from
its appearance on The Engadget Show, no? As per usual, two of the bundle's games are tied to a pay tier (currently just under $6), and all titles are PC / OS X compatible -- you'll even snag soundtracks for everything, DRM-free. And should you pony up over $1, the games all transfer to Steam. To be clear, you
should be paying more than $1 for all this stuff anyway.
Filed under:
Gaming,
Software,
HD
Comments
Source: Humble Bundle
Read More ...
Opera confirms its Devices SDK is behind Boxee TV's HTML5 apps
It's been available since last month, but browser-maker
Opera has only today confirmed that it's Opera Devices Software Development Kit is providing the backend for the
Boxee TV's HTML5 apps. Those already include the likes of YouTube, Spotify and Vimeo, but Opera says one of the big advantages of Boxee using the SDK is that future apps built with it will be able to be easily ported to the Boxee TV -- no word on any big additions just yet, though. Boxee's COO Tom Sella also notes that using the SDK "enabled us to add a lot of apps to Boxee TV without a lot of effort on our part." If that sounds a bit familiar, it's because it largely echoes Opera's promise from last year to provide smart TV and set-top box makers with an easy-to-deploy solution filled with cross-platform apps. You can find the full announcement after the break.
Continue reading Opera confirms its Devices SDK is behind Boxee TV's HTML5 apps
Filed under:
Home Entertainment,
HD
Comments
Via: The Next Web
Source: Opera
Read More ...
LogMeIn prices Cubby cloud storage in Basic and Pro tiers
LogMeIn's launch of its
Cubby cloud storage service has been a protracted one (we've heard about its beta
since April), but we're close enough to an early 2013 launch that we now have pricing. A Basic tier is free, and delivers 5GB of space as well as the usual syncing and sharing across desktop, Android, iOS and web apps. The higher-end Cubby Pro service focuses on teamwork: paying $84 per year ($48 for beta users) ups the capacity to 100GB, pools together multiple users' storage capacity, adds direct device-to-device syncing and toughens up the encryption controls. As such, Cubby Pro is potentially a better value for those who don't need
Bitcasa's Infinite Drive -- when it's available, that is.
Continue reading LogMeIn prices Cubby cloud storage in Basic and Pro tiers
Filed under:
Storage,
Internet
Comments
Source: Cubby
Read More ...
The Daily Roundup for 12.19.2012
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Continue reading The Daily Roundup for 12.19.2012
Comments
Read More ...
Google sells Motorola Home cable and internet box business to Arris for $2.35 billion
Ever since
Google announced it would acquire Motorola Mobility last year there have been questions about
what it would do with the company's large internet and TV set-top box business, and now that question has been answered: it's selling Motorola Home to Arris for $2.35 billion in cash and stock. Another maker of cable boxes and modems,
Arris says the acquisition will both increase its product offering, and increase its patent portfolio thanks to a license to "a wide array" of Motorola Mobility patents. The transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies, and they expect the deal to close in Q2 2013.
The potential of slipping Android / Google TV into the cable box business through the back door was a tantalizing, but unfortunately probably not a dream shared by the operators that are Motorola's customers. Naturally, Google will be hanging onto the mobile device business and related patent library that spurred the $12.5 billion acquisition in the first place, but will own about 15.7 percent of Arris. We'll be hopping on a conference call to find out any more details in a moment, check out the press release after the break. Now, who holds the rights to that
Motorola home automation tablet?
Update: Listening to the call, Arris explains one of its reasons for the move is that until now, two (unnamed) customers comprised half of its business, but afterwards, five customers will make up half of its business. Also important is an included "low" cap that limits Arris' liability in the case of IP damages from lawsuits like the one
currently ongoing with TiVo.
Continue reading Google sells Motorola Home cable and internet box business to Arris for $2.35 billion
Filed under:
Home Entertainment,
HD,
Google
Comments
Read More ...
Samsung Display teases 5.5-inch flexible 720p display for demo at CES
Curious to know all the wonders that are in store for this year's CES? Well, in addition to
our previews, Samsung Display -- a
recent spinoff from the Korean giant -- has let it be known that it'll demo a 5.5-inch flexible 720p display at this year's tech mecca. Keep this in mind, though: what we'll see is
merely a component that could one day find its way into a smartphone, rather than a finished product that's meant for consumers. Samsung Display also wants to ground your expectations that while its screens bend without breaking, they're not designed to roll up. Nonetheless, we're looking forward to getting our grubby mitts all over 'em as we dream of what
might be.
Filed under:
Cellphones,
Displays
Comments
Source: CNET
Read More ...
Following Lifeline reforms, FCC funds pilot programs to improve broadband adoption
Following the FCC's reforms of its
Lifeline assistance program, the regulatory agency announced today that it's trimmed subsidy expenditures by a handsome $214 million -- which just so happens to be $14 million more than expected. As part of the agency's original vision for reform, the FCC will put this $14 million surplus (of sorts) toward a handful of programs that seek to improve broadband adoption. In all, 14 pilot projects across 21 states and Puerto Rico will receive funding from
Genachowski & Crew, with the goal of providing broadband internet to 75,000 households that currently lack the service. Further, the cash will also be put toward studies that seek to determine efficient methods to increase and retain broadband adoption among low-income citizens. Each pilot program will run for 18 months and is set to begin on February 1st of the coming year. Thanks, FCC: a bit of good news is always nice.
Filed under:
Internet
Comments
Source: FCC
Read More ...
Alleged shots of Acer's first Jelly Bean smartphone pop up on Chinese site
As a brand,
Acer doesn't quite yet resonate in the
mobile space. After all, it took the company the better part of a year to release the
CloudMobile. But from the looks of these (very clear) leaks captured on Chinese site
VR-Zone, it seems Acer may be prepping a mid-range device for that market. Allegedly dubbed the V360, the handset appears to be running Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean which, if true, would be a first for the OEM. It's not clear if the UI is skinned, but if its previous work on the CloudMobile's UX is any indication, expect this one to be very lightly skinned. Apart from that, there are a handful of unverified specs floating about, like a 4.5-inch qHD display, unknown dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz, five-megapixel camera and DTS sound (as indicated by backplate branding). As for the possible release and pricing for this mystery device, well, that's very much up in the air. Acer would first have to confirm its existence before we move on to those market realities.
Filed under:
Cellphones,
Mobile,
Acer
Comments
Via: PhoneArena
Source: VR-Zone.com (Translated)
Read More ...
Kobo Mini gets a big price drop for a limited time
Looking for something, um, stocking-sized later this week? Kobo's announced a temporary but significant price-drop on its diminutive 5-inch
Mini e-reader. From December 21st to the 23rd, the pocket-sized device will have a budget-friendly price of $50 -- that's down from the original $80. You can pick one up for the literati on your list at Best Buy and select independent bookstores. An appropriately mini press release, meanwhile, can be read after the break.
Continue reading Kobo Mini gets a big price drop for a limited time
Comments
Read More ...
Google updates Santa tracking algorithm, reopens North Pole privacy debate
Old Saint Nick may be full of mystery and magic most of the year, but as soon as December 24th rolls around, all eyes are on the jolly fat man, especially in this era of always-on social media. Sure, it's not the first
to track Santa, but Google's been in on the
sled following game since 2004. Naturally, the company has refined its approach a bit over the years, and for 2012, Google's offering up a new algorithm to track Mr. Kringle and his eight tiny reindeer's route. The site counting down to the start of the Google Earth tracking is now live and you can also get in on the fun via a new Chrome Extension. As to whether you've been naughty or nice, you'll just have to consult the traditional social media channels.
Filed under:
GPS,
Transportation,
Internet,
Software,
Google
Comments
Via: Google Maps Blog,
Google+
Source: Santa Tracker,
Google Chrome Store
Read More ...
Nokia rolling out update with camera fix for Lumia 920 and 820 owners in the US and Canada
Earlier today, Nokia announced software updates for the
Lumia 920 and
820 for customers in the US (AT&T) and Canada (Rogers). Highlights include: improved bluetooth connectivity, enhanced battery management and a highly anticipated
camera fix. Once an update notification has been received, customers will need to ensure that their device is fully charged and connected to WiFi before initiating the download. If you haven't received an alert and would like to manually check for the update you can do so by tapping Settings > Phone Update > Check For Updates. Nokia advises that the entire process can take around 30 minutes from start to finish, so you may wanna grab a snack while you wait -- or check out the changelog after the break. The choice is yours.
Continue reading Nokia rolling out update with camera fix for Lumia 920 and 820 owners in the US and Canada
Filed under:
Cellphones,
Software,
Mobile,
Nokia
Comments
Source: Nokia
Read More ...
Help us pick the winner for our 'Bring a Reader to CES 2013' contest!
Dearest Reader,
Thank you for all the heartfelt replies to our
previous letter -- it really meant a lot. As promised last time we chatted, we've done our bit by wading through hours of mostly great video to find just the right entrant to join us in Las Vegas for the next installment of the Consumer Electronics Show. We think we've found three great choices, so if it isn't being too forward, we'd like you to do your bit by pitching in with a single vote. You see, we're all at odds about which contestant should join us, so we want to combine your thoughts with ours and declare the contest won. Keep in mind, however, that none of the contestants deserve or need any grief for their efforts. If you feel you "
could have done better" then next time, please do. Now follow on to see our favorite three and place your vote in the poll below. Cheerio!
View Poll
Continue reading Help us pick the winner for our 'Bring a Reader to CES 2013' contest!
Filed under:
Announcements
Comments
Read More ...
The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5pm ET with guest Ashley Esqueda!
We'd say 'tis the season for awesome podcasts, but let's face it -- it's
always the season for awesome podcasts. However, a special guest oftentimes adds a dash of extra spice to our normal cup of hot cocoa, and that's no understatement with this week's selection: Ashley Esqueda. You might know her from Mobile Nations, Techfoolery.tv and Tecca, but that's just the tip of the iceberg of this girl's resume. So join us at 5pm ET as we welcome Ashley and discuss the latest happenings in mobile!
December 19, 2012 5:00 PM EST
Filed under:
Announcements,
Mobile
Comments
Read More ...
DARPA shows off latest advances to four-legged LS3 robot: voice control, improved autonomy and maneuverability
It's just been a
few months since DARPA was touting the last round of improvements to its four-legged LS3 robot, but it's already back to show off some more. These latest follow two weeks of real world testing in the woods of central Virginia, where the LS3 (also known as
AlphaDog) demonstrated a number of improvements to its autonomy and maneuverability, including the ability to recover from a pretty substantial roll. What's more, DARPA's also shown off how the robot can respond to voice commands, as well what it calls "Leader Follow" decision making, with the robot itself determining how best to follow its human counterpart. All that and some sounds to keep you up at night can be found in the video after the break.
Continue reading DARPA shows off latest advances to four-legged LS3 robot: voice control, improved autonomy and maneuverability
Filed under:
Robots
Comments
Source: DARPA
Read More ...
Available Tags:
ZTE ,
Android ,
iOS ,
LG ,
UK ,
Valve ,
Steam ,
Linux ,
via ,
Kinect ,
Toyota ,
wireless ,
iPad ,
Xbox ,
Opera ,
HTML5 ,
Google ,
Motorola ,
Samsung ,
smartphone ,
Nokia ,
Engadget ,
No comments:
Post a Comment