IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 28/09/2011

Windows Phone 7.5 'Mango' update begins rolling out today

It's raining Mango, Hallelujah! Windows Phone 7.5 is now officially ready to get pushed to existing devices, and in a big way. Taking lessons Microsoft learned from the update debacle that was NoDo, the company's eager to do a much more efficient (and quick) job of rolling out its latest revamp. While Redmond didn't offer any exact details on which phones would be the lucky recipients right away, it'll be keeping the masses posted through its "where's my phone update" page. If your handset is listed, hook it up to your computer, load the Zune client and there should be a lovely message waiting for you. As always, don't feel too discouraged if your device isn't available right away, since these rollouts have a habit of taking a bit of time to get to everyone.



In addition to the rollout, the Web Marketplace will also make its debut, giving Windows Phone users the opportunity to do what Android users already enjoy -- the ability to surf for apps online and have them downloaded directly on the phone with no sideloading required. There's one bit of sad news to relay to anyone that already has a Windows Phone, however: Microsoft confirmed to us that Internet Sharing -- the long-awaited mobile hotspot functionality -- will not be available for existing devices. There's no word on if this will be offered through a future update or if it's a permanent deal, but at least it's only a single thorn in an entire rose garden of good news.

Windows Phone 7.5 'Mango' update begins rolling out today originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Early Mango users can upgrade directly to RTM build, won't have to roll back to NoDo

Over the weekend, the folks over at Windows Phone New Zealand discovered the "Mango Friends and Family Bundle: Pre-Cleanup" -- the first in a series of two refreshes that promise to clear away any beta updates ahead of Mango's long-awaited rollout. At the time, it seemed like this tool would allow developers to upgrade to the RTM build of the OS, without rolling back to NoDo and losing all of their text messages or app data. Now, Redmond's own Brandon Watson has confirmed via Twitter that this is indeed the case, adding that the update (available in Zune) only offers support to devs who used the Windows Phone beta program. Still, that's pretty reassuring news for all those who jumped on the Mango train a little bit early.

Early Mango users can upgrade directly to RTM build, won't have to roll back to NoDo originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xiaomi Phone review

Any seasoned Android enthusiast would have no doubt come across Xiaomi Corporation's MIUI at some point. For those who haven't, here's a quick intro: MIUI is a heavily customizable Android ROM based on the works of CyanogenMod (at least on the driver level, so we've been told), and currently the Chinese startup is officially offering its free software for 12 well-known Android handsets, including the HTC Desire, Samsung Captivate and Motorola Droid. Of course, we'll also have the Xiaomi Phone on the list when it launches in China next month.



Using Foxconn's tooling and Inventec's manufacturing resources, the aptly named Xiaomi Phone is the company's first attempt at developing its own hardware, and boy, it's done one helluva job here with the specs: a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 SoC (note that this isn't just an overclocked 1.2GHz chip), 1GB RAM, 4GB ROM, eight megapixel camera and the usual wireless bundle including WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS (plus the rare GLONASS). By now you must be thinking: surely there must be a tradeoff somewhere for that tempting price of ¥1,999 ($310)? Read on to find out if this is the case.

Gallery: Xiaomi Phone review

Continue reading Xiaomi Phone review

Xiaomi Phone review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint's LTE build out already underway, new 4G network to launch first half 2012?

At this point, it's pretty much an open secret that Sprint needs to hitch its ride to LTE to stay in the wireless game. CNET caught wind of the operator's intended 4G plans ahead of its scheduled October strategy announcement -- an event at which many in the industry expect Sprint to lay out its LTE cards. According to the report, the Hesse-led network's been hard at work installing the necessary infrastructure to convert to its towers to FD-LTE, which is the same flavor of LTE as Verizon and future partner LightSquared. Using the iDEN spectrum it acquired from its Nextel purchase, Sprint reportedly plans to set up 4G shop on those radio waves, and make use of current WiMAX provider Clearwire's proposed switch to TD-LTE by incorporating chipsets in future phones that accommodate both frequencies. The network changeover, rumored to cost Sprint somewhere in the range of $4 - $5 billion, should get carried out over the next five years, laying the groundwork for a true three-way 4G race.

Sprint's LTE build out already underway, new 4G network to launch first half 2012? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple wants to 'talk iPhone' on October 4th

Well, it's about freaking time! Apple has finally begun sending out invites for its upcoming press conference, and the company's being none too subtle with the hints, offering up some familiar app icons in the artwork and the tagline "Let's talk iPhone." As to whether it'll be an iPhone 5, 4S or some other new formation, we'll all have to wait until the event to find out -- and you'd better believe we'll be there at Apple's Cupertino headquarters to find out.

Apple wants to 'talk iPhone' on October 4th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia Siemens gets into the dongle and router racket, hitches a ride on TD-LTE
At PT/Expo Comm Nokia Siemens officially decided to dip its toes in the 4G dongle and router waters, unleashing the USB-lte 7210, the CPEi-lte 7212 and the CPEo-lte 7210 on the public. The three different devices all use TD-LTE to hit speeds of 102Mbps down and 51Mbps up. The USB-lte (pictured on the right) is, obviously, a plug-and-play USB modem for getting your laptop (or desktop, we suppose) online using a cellular network. The CPEi and CPEo are 4G routers, with WiFi radios and Ethernet jacks that allow you to spread the 4G wealth. The difference being the CPEi is designed for in-home use, while the "o" in CPEo stands for "outside." Pricing and availability are still a mystery but, since no carriers here use the time division-duplex flavor of LTE, don't except to see them land on American shores. Check out the PR after the break.
Continue reading Nokia Siemens gets into the dongle and router racket, hitches a ride on TD-LTE

Nokia Siemens gets into the dongle and router racket, hitches a ride on TD-LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SWYP concept printer combines good looks with touchscreen editing

A concept printer from Seattle-based designers Artefact wants to bring those touchscreen editing skills learnt from smartphones and tablets to the not-so-electrifying world of printers. The streamlined SWYP (See What You Print) has a pretty striking design -- for a printer. The paper tray even folds away flush on top of the touchscreen in a very (very!) familar way. That contraption shown above would be able to connect directly to your camera or phone, foregoing the PC step with editing and collating all done on-screen; there's even an augmented reality interface that visualizes ink levels and those inevitable printer woes. At present, these guys aren't gunning to take out the only thing HP hasn't flubbed lately, but hopefully the glossy concept vid after the break will tide you over till commercialization (prayerfully) hits.



[Thanks, Gene]
Continue reading SWYP concept printer combines good looks with touchscreen editing

SWYP concept printer combines good looks with touchscreen editing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney Appmates 'Cars' toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video)

If you're a parent with an iPad, there's a good chance your tablet already disappears for long stretches, only to come back covered in tiny fingerprints. Today's Appmates announcement from Disney will likely have plenty of parents seriously considering the purchase of a second tablet for the home. The Cars toys are meant to be driven across the top of an iPad, interacting with a downloadable Cars 2 Appmates app, which lets kids drive around courses, race and complete missions. The app will be offered up as a free download through iTunes, and the cars will run $20 for a two-pack -- the different toys unlock different features, according to Disney. The toys will be made available in October through Apple and Disney Stores and various retailers. Press info and a video after the break.
Continue reading Disney Appmates 'Cars' toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video)

Disney Appmates 'Cars' toys mean parents may never see their iPads again (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reminder: We'll be live tomorrow at Amazon's tablet event in NYC!

Please join us as we join Amazon for an Amazon.com press conference. We don't know for sure what the company will be showing us -- it could be a new kindle -- but with all the tablet talk lately we have to figure there'll be something slate-like on display. Join us tomorrow as we find out.



Set your bookmarks at this location right here, and tune in at the times listed below:



04:00AM - Hawaii

07:00AM - Pacific

08:00AM - Mountain

09:00AM - Central

10:00AM - Eastern

03:00PM - London

04:00PM - Paris

06:00PM - Moscow

07:30PM - Mumbai

11:00PM - Tokyo

12:00AM - Sydney (Sept 29th)

Reminder: We'll be live tomorrow at Amazon's tablet event in NYC! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Telstra's 4G LTE network goes live in Australia, new HTC handset coming next year

Telstra customers woke up to a sun shower of good news this morning, when their provider's new 4G LTE network went live in Australia -- or within parts of it, at least. After months of development and a soft launch in late August, Telstra finally flipped the switch on its broadband network today, bringing LTE coverage to capital cities, airports and other select areas. According to the company, its new infrastructure offers download speeds between two and 40 Mbps (a 25 percent increase over what its 3G network supported at launch), with upstream rates ranging from one to ten Mbps. For now, Telstra has upgraded its base stations in all eight capital cities and some 30 regional centers, though it plans to expand its coverage to 80 sites by the end of this year. Subscribers can hook up to the network with a new USB dongle from Sierra Wireless (pictured above), as long as they're within a five kilometer radius from a capital city's station, or within three kilometers of a regional center. Before long, however, Australians may not even need a dongle to bathe in LTE goodness, as Telstra is planning to launch a new 4G-enabled HTC handset by the first half of next year. At this point, details about the Android-based device (codenamed "HTC 4G") remain fuzzy, though the carrier says it will boast a 4.5-inch screen, eight megapixel camera and dual-core processor. For more details, head past the break for a pair of press releases.

Continue reading Telstra's 4G LTE network goes live in Australia, new HTC handset coming next year

Telstra's 4G LTE network goes live in Australia, new HTC handset coming next year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC announces its next party, Beats Audio and 'surprise headliner' in attendance

HTC's Facebook page is inviting fans to a gathering on October 6th at the rock 'n roll Roundhouse in London, ostensibly to celebrate the Beats Audio technology we've been listening to with the Sensation XE. Call us over-excited, but the manufacturer's last party bore plenty of exotic fruit so we reckon those Dre-approved headphones in the flyer might be connected to yet another new handset -- unless the mystery guest happens to be the aging hip-hop star himself. In any case, we'll be there and we won't hit a single canapé or rap pose until we've brought you the news.

HTC announces its next party, Beats Audio and 'surprise headliner' in attendance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video)

The mere mention of the word modular is usually enough to get any self-respecting music geek hot under the collar, so when Steinberg announced its latest stackable collection of dedicated USB music production controllers, hardware fans will have felt a collective twitch of excitement. Specifically built for its much loved Cubase and Nuendo programs, each of the six units has its own speciality, and has been designed to let you get your tactile funk on, be it mixing melodies or mashing in beats. Plonk up to nine of these sleek, luminous lovelies on your desk for the music control surface of your dreams, but with no mention of price just yet, you might want to keep the plastic wrapped up until they hit the stores in October. Ogle the video after the break for the full company promo.
Continue reading Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video)

Steinberg CMC modular USB controllers, stack 'em how you want 'em (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big publishers to provide fuel for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet?

So, word on the street is that Amazon's got an Android-based tablet in the works that looks like a PlayBook and will probably be called the Kindle Fire. But, until now, we didn't know what kind of content would be available on this new Kindle with a color screen. According to All Things D, Bezos' baby has been blessed by Hearst, Conde Nast and Meredith publishers in time for the slate's unveiling later this week -- giving users access to magazines ranging from GQ and Cosmopolitan to Car and Driver and Wired. Evidently, Amazon's taking around a 30 percent cut (not unlike the competition in Cupertino) of slate-based subscriptions, with small variations depending upon the magazine. With these latest leaked tidbits, we're beginning to wonder what details are left for Amazon to reveal on Wednesday -- a little mystery adds to the anticipation, after all.

Big publishers to provide fuel for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China readies its own space station module for launch

Presumably feeling a little left out after being turned down from the global love-in that is the International Space Station, China's decided to go it alone. The ever-expanding nation will be ready to launch the first module of it's very own space station, the Tiangong (Heavenly Palace), by the end of this month. The initial launch will be unmanned, delivering an 8.5-ton module ready for docking practise and other interactions with three more spacecraft that are planned to join it later this year. Pegged for completion by 2020 and with a complete weight of over 60 tons, the Tiangong will look positively petite compared to the hulking 419-ton ISS, but is also said to be significantly cheaper. Meanwhile, we still await China's take on the Robonaut.

China readies its own space station module for launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Video Unlimited-preview brings Gracenote metadata to SEN

Despite one of its execs pegging this spring's lengthy PSN outage as a "great experience" the folks at Sony have been pounding the pavement to drum up consumer morale. Back at IFA, the outfit unveiled its new all-in-one Sony Entertainment Network, and its already giving the VOD wing, Video Unlimited, a facelift. Starting today, PS3 owners holding a PlayStation Plus subscription can download the creatively titled "Video Unlimited-preview" app from the PlayStation Store. According to Sony, the new user interface is all about giving the people what they want, and in this case that means a streamlined UI, with big bright graphics and understated, glowing blue text. It also means Gracenote integration, opening up the possibility of endless rabbit-holes of related content searches. We had a few minutes with the new setup, and found ourselves searching content related to Danny McBride's Your Highness under categories like "Bumbling Buffoons" and "Mythical Beasts," although we could just as easily have called up titles featuring the film's director or any of its stars.



If that's not enough of a departure from the conventional video on demand arrangement, the new UI also features "tumbler search technology," which abandons regular keyboard-style input for PS3 controls -- click the right button to select a letter as you scroll vertically through the alphabet. This "patented technology" also autocompletes your query and similarly takes advantage of Gracenote's database, allowing you to search by title, actor, director or tag. The new UI is specific to the company's video service and is currently only available via the PS3, but we're told it will roll out to the entire network and supported devices sometime in the future. All PlayStation Network users will be able to download the preview app starting October 11th, check out a video preview embedded after the break.

Gallery: Sony Video Unlimited

Continue reading Sony Video Unlimited-preview brings Gracenote metadata to SEN

Sony Video Unlimited-preview brings Gracenote metadata to SEN originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buffalo adds super secure DriveStation Axis Velocity and rugged MiniStation Extreme USB 3.0 storage lineup

The MiniStation Extreme and DriveStation Axis Velocity aren't exactly ground-breaking products, but they're certainly nice additions to Buffalo's lineup of USB 3.0-packing storage solutions. The Axis Velocity is a pretty standard external drive for a desktop, with platters inside it spinning at 7,200 RPM. What sets it apart from a good chunk of the crowd is the 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which is tough enough to meet even the government's stringent security standards. The MiniStation Extreme goes truly portable and rugged -- for those who have a tendency to drop things or hit them with a hammer. The MiniStation ships in 500GB and 1TB capacities for $95 and $130 respectively, while the Axis Velocity starts at $95 for the 1TB model and goes up to $135 for 2TB and $180 for three. Check out the gallery below and the complete PR after the break.

Gallery: Buffalo DriveStation Axis Velocity and MiniStation Extreme

Continue reading Buffalo adds super secure DriveStation Axis Velocity and rugged MiniStation Extreme USB 3.0 storage lineup

Buffalo adds super secure DriveStation Axis Velocity and rugged MiniStation Extreme USB 3.0 storage lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N9 begins shipping at not inexpensive prices

After months of rumors and pre-orders, the Nokia N9 has finally begun shipping. Today, the Finnish manufacturer announced that its Meego-drenched handsets are now available for consumption, in both 16GB and 64GB variants. Of course, those of us in the US are out of luck, as are those in Germany and the UK (barring any back-door wizardry), but everyone else can grab a 16GB model for the not-so-small price of €480 (about $650), or the 64GB version for the similarly steep price of €560 (roughly $757). Pricing and availability, of course, will vary by region, but you can find more details in the full press release after the break, or at the source link, below.

Continue reading Nokia N9 begins shipping at not inexpensive prices

Nokia N9 begins shipping at not inexpensive prices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZTE T98 tablet with next-gen NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor spotted in Beijing

Until now we'd only come across NVIDIA's Tegra 3 (aka Kal-El) in reference tablets and demos, but here we are finally looking at an actual product revealed at PT/Expo Comm China. It's a 7-inch slate from ZTE called the T98, apparently running the quad-core 1.5GHz processor slightly underclocked at 1.3GHz, beneath Android 3.2, a 1280x800 display, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front-facer. The 11.5mm-thick body also houses a 3G modem and a 4000mAh battery, which won't see many easy days powering this beast. No definitive word on price or release date yet, but click past the break for a reverse shot.
Continue reading ZTE T98 tablet with next-gen NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor spotted in Beijing

ZTE T98 tablet with next-gen NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor spotted in Beijing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus EX gets official in Korea, sporting 1.2GHz Tegra 2 chip, 700 nits of brightness

So, about that LG Optimus EX we saw last week -- it's now gone official in South Korea and it's looking slightly more alluring. Announced yesterday, this Gingerbread-coated handset is the first to ship with NVIDIA's revamped 1.2GHz Tegra 2 processor, which means it'll support 1080p video, much like the Galaxy S II. It also boasts a four-inch LCD with 480 × 800 resolution and a full 700 nits of brightness, along with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage, a five megapixel camera and front-facing VGA shooter. Available in either black and silver or white and gold color schemes, the EX is slated to launch on Korea's SK Telecom at an unspecified price, though plans for an international release remain unclear. As soon as we find out, however, we'll be sure to let you know.

LG Optimus EX gets official in Korea, sporting 1.2GHz Tegra 2 chip, 700 nits of brightness originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists prove that active exploration isn't required to create memories, +1 for 2D learning

In a small victory for gamers and TV junkies everywhere, scientists found that viewing 2D images helped create long-term memories, meaning that visual media can help your learn. To form lasting memories, nerve cells normally experience "long-term potentiation" and "long-term depression" -- both essential for learning. Researchers found that long-term depression was achieved when they let rats actively wander around a new environment. When they replaced the explorable area with a computer screen, the same memory-making phenomenon still occurred. The study's conclusion? Video games and TV shows can help us learn, similarly to traditional non-electronic methods. Of course, there are concerns that visual media overload could lead to shorter attention spans, interfere with lessons taught at school and... oh look! A cat! Check out the full findings by hitting the source link below.

Scientists prove that active exploration isn't required to create memories, +1 for 2D learning originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint's unlimited data plans aren't going anywhere, CTO confirms

Sprint may have plenty of changes in store for its upcoming "strategy update," but it looks like one crucial policy will remain in place -- unlimited data plans. Speaking to reporters at Mobilize in San Francisco yesterday, company CTO Stephen Bye confirmed that even though competitors like Verizon and AT&T are phasing out their unlimited plans, Sprint remains committed to providing its customers with infinite data. Doing so won't come without costs, since, as Bye explained, not all unlimited subscribers eat up the same amount of data. But the exec pointed out that these efforts are counterbalanced by the relative simplicity of managing unlimited schemes, and don't seem quite as prohibitive when compared with the hidden customer support costs involved with more complex, tiered plans. Yet despite all this optimism, Sprint seems fully aware that some major expenses are on the horizon, especially with a revamped 4G LTE network in the pipeline and, perhaps, with the iPhone 5 on the way. "Is there pressure? Yeah," Bye acknowledged. "There's a challenge for all engineers to work on how we get the cost structure down." Bye went on to reiterate, however, that although a new data network may attract new investors, it's ultimately Sprint's unique data plans that will keep its customer base intact.

Sprint's unlimited data plans aren't going anywhere, CTO confirms originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boeing officially delivers 787 Dreamliner to ANA, future of air travel finally arrives

It's the plane so nice, they unveiled it twice. Boeing once again presented its long-awaited and much-delayed 787 Dreamliner to client All Nippon Airways, but this time the goods were officially delivered. After taking the wraps off the airliner early this August, the aerospace company managed to get a flight-ready unit over to its Everett, Washington production plant for a celebratory hand-off. Despite a fit of stops and starts for the line's rollout, Boeing expects to meet ANA's order of its future 55-strong fleet, producing an additional 20 craft for the Japanese airline by 2013's end. If you want to be among the select few to call "First!," you might want to consider booking that Japan-bound vacation now.

Boeing officially delivers 787 Dreamliner to ANA, future of air travel finally arrives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

After eluding our grubby little paws at its launch in New York and again this morning at Mobilize 2011, we're happy to report that we've finally caught up with T-Mobile's Galaxy S II. To recap, the carrier's permutation rocks the same WVGA 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display as Sprint's Epic 4G Touch, but replaces Samsung's in-house 1.2GHz Exynos CPU with Qualcomm's dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 processor. T-Mobile tells us the brain swap was necessary as it wanted its variant to support 42Mbps HSPA+ on the network's AWS band (just like its cousin the Amaze 4G). Oh, and like AT&T's variant it comes with a little NFC glitter sprinkled on top. So is it the same delectable Galaxy S II as its European and Sprint counterparts? From our brief time with the handset, the transplant doesn't appear to have impacted performance at all -- it's just as snappy as ever. In terms of appearance, the phone sports a soft-touch matte black finish in back and its bezel is a lighter shade of chrome than used on its siblings. Check out our gallery below, and peek after the break for our hands-on video.



Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Gallery: T-Mobile Galaxy S II hands-on

Continue reading Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with HTC's Amaze 4G for T-Mobile (video)

So how does HTC's Amaze 4G stack up to its European counterpart, the Sensation XE? Pretty well actually. The 4.3-inch qHD smartphone also features Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, but bumps the RAM from 768MB to 1GB. It's also HTC's first NFC toting device and joins T-Mobile's Galaxy S II as the other 42Mbps HSPA+ -capable handset on Magenta's network. More noteworthy is its trick eight megapixel shooter, which features the same backside-illuminated sensor, f2.2 wide-angle optics and 1080p video recording capability as the myTouch 4G Slide. Similarly, the Amaze 4G hangs on to quite a bit of that phone's camera software, including a new composite mode that automagically creates one stellar image out of five less than fabulous snapshots. We also liked the addition of two physical camera buttons, one for stills and the other for video. First impressions of the Sense-laden, Gingerbread smartphone? It's very much like a Sensation on steroids, with a definite T-Mobile flavor. Take a look at our gallery and hit the break for our hands-on video from Mobilize 2011.



Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Gallery: HTC Amaze 4G hands-on

Continue reading Hands-on with HTC's Amaze 4G for T-Mobile (video)

Hands-on with HTC's Amaze 4G for T-Mobile (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nuance adds WP7 support, gives devs better service with NDEV Mobile developer program

You know Nuance right? They're the folks who make Dragon speech recognition software for Macs, iThings, Blackberrys, Androids and cars. Earlier this year, the company released its Dragon Mobile SDK to provide the tools needed to get folks talking to their phones, instead of with them. Now, Nuance has added support for Windows Phone 7 (no Mango support... yet) and upgraded its developer program to provide devs with more support so it's easier to make voice-enabled applications. Additionally, it's added eight new languages to its repertoire -- Canadian French, Americas Spanish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Korean, Taiwanese Mandarin, and Cantonese -- with more to come.



We got to speak with Nuance about its new program, now called NDEV Mobile, and were told it's broken into three tiers: Silver, Gold, and Emerald. NDEV Silver is the base level that gives devs free access to Nuance's text-to-speech and voice recognition technology. Gold service provides SSL data encryption and access to cloud-based speech recognition and TTS servers over the web (rather than using a client-side API) through per-user or per-transaction pricing models. At the top end, the Emerald level rolls out the red carpet with integrated custom vocabulary and grammar -- for creating apps that recognize industry jargon -- and dedicated account management. The company sees the Emerald tier appealing most to enterprise customers, but it's available to any dev willing to pony up for the extra Nuance TLC. So, intrepid app-makers, now that you've got the tools to make our phones understand us better than ever, how will you use them?
Continue reading Nuance adds WP7 support, gives devs better service with NDEV Mobile developer program

Nuance adds WP7 support, gives devs better service with NDEV Mobile developer program originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crapgadget: 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' edition

We're sure that most inventors out there are genuinely looking to make the world a better place, but the best intentions don't always produce the best inventions, and while the following gadgets will all likely appeal to someone, somewhere, we can't exactly recommend, say, an ear-shaped iPhone case or a $300 toothpaste squeezer. But as the saying goes, "one man's crapgadget is another man's treasure."



Read - It's like a beanbag chair for your iPad! For your lap!

Read - At $300, this toothpaste tube squeezer should pay for itself exactly one day before the sun burns out.

Read - How is this iPhone case different than all other iPhone cases? Simple: it makes it look like you've contracted some sort of engorged ear disease. Never get bothered during important phone calls again!

Read - It's a battery charger! For the ladies!
View Poll

Crapgadget: 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' edition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android powered 56 percent of smartphones sold in the last three months

When last we checked in with Nielsen (which was earlier this month) Google's mobile OS had a sizable lead, powering just under 42-percent of smartphones sold, while Apple had cornered a more than respectable 28-percent of the market. In the few short weeks since, Android has seen its share grow to 43-percent. More interestingly, of the over 25,500 surveyed who had purchased a smartphone in the last three months, a whopping 56-percent chose to go with the Goog. Apple held a steady 28-percent across the board. Big G's gains came at the expense of RIM (only 9-percent of phones sold in the last three months were BlackBerries) and the ambiguous "other" (Symbian, Windows Phone 7, Bada, MeeGo, etc... accounted for 6-percent of sales). More important than choice of platform though, is that smartphone sales in general are climbing -- accounting for 58-percent of all handsets sold in August and driving smartphone penetration to 43-percent.

Android powered 56 percent of smartphones sold in the last three months originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 WiFi hits the FCC in tabtastic glory

It may have gone MIA at IFA 2011 earlier this month due to an ongoing legal battle, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 is certainly no figment of our imagination. Far from it: the device, dubbed the GT-P6810, just got put through its paces in the hallowed halls of the Federal Communications Commission, and came out unscathed and with some decent diagrams that actually show off the tablet in a somewhat flattering manner. The version seen going through the FCC is most likely a 16GB WiFi-only version, as no mention of wireless bands could be found. Whether or not it'll hit US shores is an uncertainty, as passage through the government doesn't guarantee it'll actually be sold here, but the Galaxy Tab series has already had plenty of time to pick up a popularity point or two.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 WiFi hits the FCC in tabtastic glory

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 WiFi hits the FCC in tabtastic glory originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Ultrabooks to arrive in New York City on October 11

The Ultrabooks are coming, and it looks like ASUS' first foray into thin and light computing will officially arrive on October 11th in New York. According to a UX series landing page, we need only wait 15 more days before getting our hands the ASUS UX21 and its larger, but still svelte sibling, the UX31, once again. Frankly, we can hardly wait for their arrival, but patience is a virtue, right?

ASUS Ultrabooks to arrive in New York City on October 11 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Deleted City visualizes GeoCities as it was, today

GeoCities may be no more, but, unlike some other bits of internet past, its entire contents were thoroughly archived before the site was completely shut down in 2009. That opened up some interesting possibilities for anyone interested in playing around with the 650 gigabyte archive, and this so-called "Deleted City" project may well be the most interesting yet. Described as a "digital archaeology of the world wide web as it exploded into the 21st century," the project appropriately visualized GeoCities as one large city, which can be dived into and explored at will (complete with a soundtrack supplied by "nearby" MIDI files). Unfortunately, it's not clear when or if folks will actually be able to try it out for themselves, but you can at least take a guided tour in the video after the break.

Continue reading The Deleted City visualizes GeoCities as it was, today

The Deleted City visualizes GeoCities as it was, today originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces latest Unpacked event, set to kick-off at CTIA
Remember those Samsung Unpacked events from earlier this month and way back in February? Well Sammy is apparently readying something else for the upcoming CTIA, and we've tentatively circled October 11th in our diaries. There's nothing concrete yet on precisely what the Korean manufacturer will be offering up to the masses, though we've seen previous events cover smartphones, cameras and even tablets all in one fell swoop. Might the next Google phone -- heavily rumored to be a Samsung baby-- be "primed" for launch?


[Thanks Oguz]

Samsung announces latest Unpacked event, set to kick-off at CTIA originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th

Hot on the heels of a UK release, Samsung has just announced that its long-awaited (and long-delayed) Galaxy Player 4.0 ($229) and 5.0 ($269) will be available for pre-order starting September 27th, with US availability pegged for October 16th. Oddly enough, Samsung gave no reason behind the once-spring, now-autumn pushback, but at least we can finally stop wondering and instead start enjoying the spoils of an (almost) Galaxy Note-sans-phone. (Not like we haven't heard a similar tune before). All that aside, the Player 5.0 and 4.0 weigh in at 6.4 and 4.2 ounces, respectively, and both are powered by Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread); other specs include 802.11b/g/n, WVGA Super Clear LCDs (800 x 480), Bluetooth 3.0, 8GB of onboard storage, a microSD expansion slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, voice recorder, mini-USB connectivity, front and rear cameras and support for Sammy's Media Hub content service. The big fellow gets a 2,500mAh battery, whereas its little(r) brother is equipped with a 1,200mAh cell. (Psst... you can catch our hands-on with these here and here.)



Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is available for pre-sale right now, with shipments to hit retail on October 2nd. You'll be laying down $469 for the 16GB model, while a doubling of capacity will run you $100 more. Need a refresher on this one, too? How's about a WXGA (1,280 x 800) touchpanel, dual-core T250S processor, 6,100mAh battery, sub-one pound weight, DLNA compatibility, a 3 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front-facing camera, integrated Swype / Polaris Office and even a few amenities for those in the enterprise -- things like full support for Exchange ActiveSync (v14), on-device encryption, Cisco VPN, Sybase MDM and WebEx support. Best of all, the inbuilt FindMyMobile service allows users to track their lost / stolen Tab 8.9 down on a map as it moves, remotely lock the device to prevent unauthorized access and delete personal information stored on the device. Head on past the break for the full release.
Continue reading Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th

Galaxy Tab 8.9 hits pre-order, ships October 2nd in US; Galaxy Player 5.0 and 4.0 shipping October 16th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotify on forcing Facebook upon users: 'it seemed logical'

Spotify wants to be the next big thing in music, but a change to its service has created quite the uproar online: users can only get their Spotify on if they have a Facebook account. Of course, we knew this was in the works from the time it opened its doors to all Americans, but netizens were sufficiently vocal in their disdain for the change so as to elicit a response from the company. According to Spotify, most of its users are already on the Social Network -- plus the service uses Facebook on the backend for its social features -- so it made sense to integrate the logins. Rest assured, you don't have to connect your account to Facebook unless you want to, and users still control what they share and don't share in their Timelines. We understand why the move doesn't thrill everyone out there, but we're okay having one less username and password to remember. Change can be a good thing, ya know.

Spotify on forcing Facebook upon users: 'it seemed logical' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Focus S snapped in the wild sipping on micro-USB juice

Can't say that we're caught off guard with this one. Only two weeks ago, AT&T announced the first three members of its Windows Phone Mango lineup, charting out an Autumn debut for the handsets, but only giving us a glimpse of the Titan. So, it should come as no shock to see Samsung's update to its popular WP device, the Focus S, getting its charge on in the wild. The leaked shot over on PocketNow, gives us a tilted preview of the 4.3-inch phone, the usual offering of three capacitive buttons and its sleek, rounded edges. There's not much in the way of gadget porn here considering the lone, off-center image, however, we do officially know that that currently unlit screen boasts a Super AMOLED Plus display and, lurking beneath it, is a 1.4GHz processor. An official street date has yet to be set for this 4G phone (the company didn't specify if this would be LTE-ready), but expect to see it hit the orange-colored carrier sometime very soon.

Samsung Focus S snapped in the wild sipping on micro-USB juice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Must See HDTV (September 26th - October 2nd)

After last week's slew of premieres there's still a few new shows popping up this week, as well as season premieres of old favorites (Dexter, Mythbusters). Transformers: Dark of the Moon makes its Blu-ray debut on Friday but with no 3D or special features it'll have to wait to top our list. 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.



Luther

The second season of this British detective show already finished airing in the UK but its four episode run is just getting started this week on BBC America. The Wire's Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther, an investigator who is as troubles as he is effective in tracking down killers, rapists and other unsavory characters. There's a dozen crime procedurals to choose from, but this is one of the few that rises above the rest of the pack -- check out the season 2 trailer after the break. If you can't get enough of accents and tea, check out the season finale of Dr. Who and series premiere of Bedlam Saturday night.

(September 28th, BBC America, 10PM)



Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection

While the original release of Ico predates this site, its followup Shadow of the Colossus had us excited even when it was only in 480p. This week, both return in HD (and 3D) on the PS3, coming back for the first time on hardware that can actually handle creator Fumito Ueda's vision. The two adventure games are some of the more unique gaming experiences you'll find, whether or not you gave them a chance on the PS2 they're definitely worth checking out this time around, check for a couple trailers after the break.

($39.99 on Amazon, September 27th)



Happy Endings

This comedy joined ABC's lineup last year as a midseason replacement and quickly snagged a spot in our DVR queue with a hilarious ensemble of characters. While the show's premise wasn't a standout (bride leaves groom at the altar, we follow the group as they try to stay friends afterwards) the writing is spot on and gained enough a following to come back for season two, starting this week.

(September 28th, ABC, 9:30PM)
Continue reading Must See HDTV (September 26th - October 2nd)

Must See HDTV (September 26th - October 2nd) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kindle Fire tablet purportedly on tap for Wednesday, set to ship in November

"Kindle Fire." Can't say that's the name we would've thrown together if given five minutes to dwell and assured that we'd take on absolutely no risk at all for it failing, but hey -- who are we to question Jeff Bezos? TechCrunch is keeping the Kindle tablet rumors fresh with a new helping of intel, hitting the wires just two days prior to the outfit's September 28th press event. According to the publication, "Fire" (mocked up above) was chosen in order to differentiate it from the e-ink siblings that'll sell alongside of it, and we're told to expect a mind-numbing amount of content deals to make it ever more attractive in a realm that iOS currently dominates. Moreover, a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP chip is now being tipped, and if all goes well, the sub-$300 device should ship in November. Meanwhile, B&N engineers are reportedly toiling away on the Nook Color 2, and we wouldn't be shocked in the least to see it hurry into an announcement just to phunk with Amazon's flow. We'll be there live on Wednesday to break it all down -- water sprinklers in tow, naturally.



Update: gdgt is suggesting that there's a reason the Kindle Fire will look a lot like the PlayBook -- it's a good read, and it can be found here.

Kindle Fire tablet purportedly on tap for Wednesday, set to ship in November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM
It's Monday, and we're still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. We're back at our regular time, so take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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London Science Museum undusts Oramics machine, revisits OG electronic music innovation

Practicing its fist pump and channeling its inner Devo, the London Science Museum will be paying homage to electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram by resurrecting her old synthesizer last used in the '70s -- a device that relies on 35mm film to pump out jams. The classic clunker was found in a French barn last month and will be brought out into the open for the first time in forty years at the museum in old Blighty. "Oramics" operators "draw" music on ten strips of clear film to create a mask. The machine then reads the tape as differences in light and turns it into voltage control, which is used to switch oscillators and control the amplitude of the sound. The effect? A creepy vortex of haunting sounds. Fans of glow sticks and synth sounds can check out the exhibit until December, but if a trip to Londontown's not in your future, there's a video you should ogle after the break.
Continue reading London Science Museum undusts Oramics machine, revisits OG electronic music innovation

London Science Museum undusts Oramics machine, revisits OG electronic music innovation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Start your engines, open your wallets: Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering

The green flag just waved on pre-orders for Fanatec's line of Forza Motorsport accessories, including the CSR Wheel ($250), CSR Elite Pedal Set ($150) and CSR Shifter Set ($60). To refresh your memory: all feature metal construction that, as we noted, gives them a solid, rugged feel. The wheel's force feedback is powered by a Mabuchi RS550 motor, with two additional actuators simulating motor and ABS vibration. The pedals are fully adjustable; a pressure-sensitive brake pedal can be tuned to mimic any car. Finally, the shifter set features a six-speed H-pattern design and can be mounted on either side of the steering wheel. There's no word on when these will actually ship, and sadly for you big spenders, the CSR Wheel Elite isn't yet available. But don't let that keep you from getting revved up over the PR below.

Continue reading Start your engines, open your wallets: Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering

Start your engines, open your wallets: Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSRs available for pre-ordering originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube to get regularly scheduled channels, try on traditional TV suit?

What's old is new again. Or, is it that content is still king? We could never keep those Web 2.0 arguments straight, but from the sound of this latest YouTube rumor, ol' Mountain View might be moonwalking into an old media model. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google's been hustling to get contracts for a lineup of regularly scheduled channels ironed out "within the next 60 days." That sort of timeline would indicate a likely early 2012 bow for a refresh of the online video hub made famous by piano-playing cats, and a certain viral surprise in an SNL-made box. While on-demand digital video sites are nothing new in the crowded, streaming marketplace, a move like this could firmly position the search giant as the king of place-shifted, live viewing, and cause more potential headaches for its broadcast and cable competitors. With an in-house production studio already under its wing, courtesy of that Next New Networks acquisition, Google's entrance into the big, bad world of entertainment could be on its interwebbed way.

YouTube to get regularly scheduled channels, try on traditional TV suit? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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