Tuesday, October 4, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 04/10/2011





T-Mobile and Walmart offer 4G with no long-term contract, avoiding the pain of divorce
Tree-Mobil... sorry, T-Mobile and Walmart are offering up an exclusive "No Annual Contract" deal for commitment-phobic customers who want to get 4G mobile data. The $30 a month Monthly4G plan gives you unlimited mobile data, with the first 5GB coming down through America's so-called largest 4G network. After you pass that limit, your data shuffles down at 2G speeds. You also get unlimited text messages and 100 included minutes of talk, but you're probably more interested at getting at that data, aren't you? The service will be available from October 16th, to coincide with Walmart swelling its range of budget T-Mob handsets to six, including its first pre-paid 4G handset. After the break we've got some official looking words, neatly arranged into a press release.
Continue reading T-Mobile and Walmart offer 4G with no long-term contract, avoiding the pain of divorce
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Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app
Just in time for the return of everyone's favorite serial killer, Showtime Anytime soft-launched recently, bringing online access to the network's library of movies, TV shows and more. Multichannel News reports AT&T U-verse subscribers are the first to gain access, although this same content has already been streaming on Comcast's Xfinity TV website and app. It's no HBO Go yet -- more cable companies and a few mobile apps will be necessary to match its rival there -- but the approach is the same, after pulling its shows from Netflix this TV Everywhere offering hopes to add enough value to keep viewers on the traditional pay-TV train a little longer. While there's no self-branded streaming app yet, the channel has also launched a Showtime Social iPad app to keep viewers tied in with their friends and other viewers while they watch -- let us know if it makes Dexter any more / less creepy.
Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMultichannel News (1), (2), Showtime Anytime  | Email this | Comments

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Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' event is tomorrow -- get your liveblog right here!
Apple pulled a fast one by leaving the iPhone 5 in its back pocket during WWDC, and little did we know that it'd be Tim Cook -- not Steve Jobs -- revealing the company's next-gen handset. 'Course, Tim already had a bit of experience by doing the honors alongside Lowell McAdam for the Verizon iPhone 4, but this is another beast entirely. Will the "Let's Talk iPhone" keynote bring about a cheaper, perhaps prepaid iPhone 4s? Will Sprint finally get an iPhone to call its own? Will the iPhone 5 read our minds? Will this change everything, despite everything already being changed? Bookmark this page here and return at the times below for our blow-by-blow coverage live from Cupertino!



Psst... and toss your own time zone / day in comments below!



07:00AM - Hawaii

10:00AM - Pacific

11:00AM - Mountain

12:00PM - Central

01:00PM - Eastern

06:00PM - London

07:00PM - Paris

09:00PM - Moscow

02:00AM - Tokyo (October 5th)
Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' event is tomorrow -- get your liveblog right here! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The countdown to Oneiric Ocelot begins, Ubuntu 11.10 arrives October 13th
This is the countdown
A whole new world? A whole new computer? Those are some pretty epic promises coming from the folks at Canonical, especially since we've seen the most recent beta and Ubuntu 11.10 and, while its packed with welcome improvements over Natty, it's not exactly revolutionary. Still, we're excited that on October 13th the final release of Oneiric Ocelot will be hitting the web with an improved Dash that integrates search Lenses, new default apps, a spiffed-up app switcher and application syncing across multiple devices. There are plenty of other little tweaks and improvements that add polish to the popular Linux distribution -- more than we could possibly cover without inspiring a string of TLDR comments. If you're the adventurous type you can download the second beta now, but we suggest you wait till the timer at the source link reaches zero. If you want to spread the Gospel of Ubuntu you'll also find a printable flyer at the source with a QR code and tear-off URL strips that lead to ThisIsTheCountdown.com.
The countdown to Oneiric Ocelot begins, Ubuntu 11.10 arrives October 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceThis is the countdown  | Email this | Comments

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NTT Docomo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)
It's not uncommon for our batteries to need the occasional boost while we're running around a trade show, but spending more than a couple minutes tethered to a power outlet can be seriously detrimental to our productivity. And we're definitely not alone. NTT Docomo, one of Japan's largest carriers, has developed a prototype battery that's capable of achieving a complete charge in just ten minutes. NTT reps weren't willing to get into much detail about the new technology, which currently employs an external lithium-ion battery sleeve and is only designed to support NEC's super-slim Medias Android (Japan only) smartphone. They did let us take a look at the battery sleeve's AC adapter, which supports output of up to 6.0 amps, but otherwise appeared to be fairly generic.



A pair of amp meters compared the power draw of a standard battery with that of the ultra high speed charger, which pulled 0.55 amps and 5.86 amps, respectively -- at least according to the demo equipment on hand at NTT's CEATEC booth. The model we saw definitely looked very much like an early prototype at this point, and the carrier didn't seem to have any idea of when it may begin to be implemented in handsets and other devices, only committing to a release "as soon as possible." Still, we're pretty excited about the potential here (imagine being able to charge your phone completely with only a quick stop at an airport kiosk), and wouldn't hesitate to pick a battery up -- assuming of course that the final version is a bit more refined. Click on through the gallery shots below, or jump past the break for our hands-on video to get a closer look.
Gallery: NTT Docomo 10-minute charging battery hands-on
Continue reading NTT Docomo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video)
NTT Docomo battery claims 10-minute charge time, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We're live from CEATEC 2011!
From one messe to the next. We're on the ground at Japan's Makuhari Messe for CEATEC, on the hunt for robots, green tech, 3D, smartphones and a boatload of prototypes from every product category. The big news this week is obviously that mysterious smartphone we're expecting to see in Cupertino on Tuesday, but CEATEC is the highlight here in Tokyo, providing Japanese companies with an opportunity to shine on home soil, and giving us a sneak peek at what we can expect in the months and even years to come. We'll be bringing you hands-ons throughout the week, so use this link to stay on top of everything CEATEC.
Gallery: We're live from CEATEC 2011!
We're live from CEATEC 2011! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Xperia Ray makes US debut, goes unlocked for $425
Giving you a new opportunity to tell your favorite carrier exactly where it can stick that nasty two-year agreement, the unlocked Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray has made its official debut in the United States. In partnership with NewEgg, the handset carries an MSRP of $425 (although it currently sells for $380), where shoppers may choose between gold, black, white and pink varieties. As carrier compatibility goes, the phone features quad-band GSM support, along with 3G capability over the 2100 / 1900 / 850MHz airwaves, which makes it best suited for AT&T in the US, or Bell, Rogers and Telus up north. The Xperia Ray packs an MSM8255 SoC -- which features a 1GHz CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU -- along with a 3.3-inch FWVGA display and Android 2.3. Of particular note, it also sports an 8.1 megapixel lens with an Exmor R sensor that's well-suited for low-light situations, along with an LED flash and the ability to record video at 720p. So, if you're mad as hell at two-year ordeals, here's a reason to not take it anymore. Howard Beale would be so very proud.
Xperia Ray makes US debut, goes unlocked for $425 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNewEgg  | Email this | Comments

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BlackBerry PlayBook native SDK opened to devs, time to get rich?
Selected app developers who impressed RIM with their source code struttin' have been rewarded with access to the closed beta of the PlayBook's native SDK. The kit includes the Mac-compatible QNX Momentics Tool Suite, updated APIs and samples as well as support for Adobe AIR extensions. We know there aren't millions of PlayBook users out there, but we also know a platform doesn't have to win gold to make gold.



[Thanks, Ferganer]
BlackBerry PlayBook native SDK opened to devs, time to get rich? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceCrackberry  | Email this | Comments

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Kinect has no qualms about guessing a woman's age
Did you know that Microsoft's Kinect can measure your bodily proportions in 3D and hence ontogenetically estimate your age? Well grandma, it can. Aside from being incredibly impolite, a recent patent application from Redmond also highlights a more beneficial function: to prevent kids from watching or playing age-restricted media. The proposed system could even shut down inappropriate material automatically when an offending minor steps in the room and then resume it when they leave. On the other hand, we give it five minutes before some scheming rugrat with a distorting lens tweets a workaround.
Kinect has no qualms about guessing a woman's age originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GeekWire  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Google Maps adds 3D bird's eye route previews for high-flying navigators
Sure, you could use Google Maps to find the shortest path from point A to point B, but what if you're interested in going from A to B via scenic route C? That's where Google's new 'helicopter view' comes in. Unveiled last week, this feature allows online navigators to visualize any driving, walking or mass transit route with a 3D, bird's-eye animation. All you have to do is enter your starting point, destination and mode of transportation, and click the new "3D" button that will appear next to each route. From there, you'll be launched into a Google Earth-powered flight, displaying all the buildings, mountains and other terrain that you'd encounter during your real-life journey. You can also pause the flight at any moment to check out any sights of interest, along with any geo-linked photos, videos or other online content. Buckle up and check out the source link below for more details and images.
Google Maps adds 3D bird's eye route previews for high-flying navigators originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PC World  |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments

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Fitbit Ultra review
Oh, hey, Fitbit. Nice to see you again. Although we thought the original fitness tracker did too little for a $100 gadget, enough people apparently begged to differ, as the the outfit just trotted out a second-gen model, dubbed the Fitbit Ultra. Like its predecessor, this little guy analyzes eating, exercise and sleep patterns (largely with the help of an accompanying website). If you've been following along, you know that design hasn't changed much, while that website and hundred-buck price should be mighty familiar, too. This time around the company is adding a few new features, including Foursquare-esque badges and an altimeter for counting how many steps you've climbed. But does this series of minor enhancements add up to a significant improvement? Time to lace up your running shoes, kids, and meet us after the break.

Gallery: Fitbit Ultra
Gallery: Fitbit Ultra review
Continue reading Fitbit Ultra review
Fitbit Ultra review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Voltage Pictures dismisses 90 percent of defendants in Hurt Locker file-sharing lawsuit
That record-breaking Hurt Locker lawsuit may not be so impressive after all, now that Voltage Pictures has slashed a major chunk of defendants from its file-sharing complaint. Last week, the company voluntarily dismissed about 90 percent of the 24,583 defendants originally named in the suit, according to documents filed with the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The dismissals were made without prejudice, meaning they could theoretically be re-targeted in the future, though the number of those that reached settlements with Voltage remains unclear. The company also identified some of the alleged file-sharers by name, but acknowledged that 2,278 IP addresses remain anonymous. For more details, check out the coverage from TorrentFreak, where you'll find the full list of dismissed IP addresses, along with the recently-named defendants.
Permalink TorrentFreak  |  sourceUS District Court for the District of Columbia (Scribd)  | Email this | Comments

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'Humanity toward others' extended to Windows with Ubuntu One cloud storage


Are you a Windows user in need of yet another cloud storage option? Lucky for you, after a long-running beta, Canonical's Ubuntu One client has officially debuted on Microsoft's platform. First introduced with Ubuntu 10.10, the service offers 5GB of free storage, with file syncing across multiple machines, ala Dropbox. Android and iOS clients are already available. If you need more space, how about 20GB for $29.99 a year or $2.99 a month? And if portable tunes is your game, you can have that same 20GB along with music streaming apps (similar to Google Music Beta) for $39.99 a year or $3.99 a month. Click the source link to engage in some cross-platform storage.
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'Humanity toward others' extended to Windows with Ubuntu One cloud storage originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Anandtech  |  sourceUbuntu One Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence








Last month, we sat down with Microsoft for a quick look at the Xbox's upcoming Dashboard update -- it was sleek, searchable, and extremely camera shy. A quick trip to Europe seems to have cured it of its bashful ways, however, and the budding update can now be seen in a slightly blurry piece of French cinema. This leaked video shows a Dashboard with a smidge more polish than the demo we saw in September, and silently plods on without so much as a bleep or bloop. Our mute host briefly peeks at the Xbox Live Marketplace, casually glances at the Bing search page and scrolls leisurely through the new Dash's very Metro menu. The whole shebang is en français, of course, and the update's snappy voice-control gimmick is sadly absent. Sure, there's not a lot of depth here, but if you want a glimpse of what's coming when the update drops later this Fall, it's definitely worth a look.
Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update video leaks, tours Metro in silence originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink IGN  |  sourceivazquez71 (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Mango kills Microsoft's always-on location tracking, makes good on letter to House of Representatives
Remember all that iPhone tracking hubbub back in April? Sure you do -- you probably also recall Apple's denial, the subsequent Senate hearing, and the rest of the fiasco's dramatic fallout. Amid the ballyhoo, Microsoft stepped out to admit that its Windows Phone also collected location data, but quickly promised to knock it off following the next scheduled update. According to ChevronWP7 collaborator Rafael Rivera, Windows Phone 7.5 cinches it: Mango "no longer sends location data prior to being granted permission to do so." Redmond previously told the US House of Representatives that it only collected location data if a user expressly allowed an application to send it along -- a claim which Rivera debunked last week, noting that simply launching the camera application captured and transmitted "pin-point accurate positioning information." The big M maintains that the collected location data was anonymous, and that it shouldn't have been sent at all unless the user allowed it. Either way, Microsoft's chapter in the big location tracking blunder of 2011 seems to be at a close, squaring the firm with Congress, its developers, and hopefully its customers.
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New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached
For a tablet that prides itself in being thin and lightweight, the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessory sure adds considerable heft to the device. The Korean manufacturer's UK branch has teamed up with 14 Bike Co to bring the world the Samsung Galaxy bicycle -- a mild-mannered bike with a custom paint job and a detachable holder for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 made from carbon fiber. So, why carry a tablet on a bicycle? For checking things like mileage planners and route trackers on the go, apparently. No word on pricing yet, but we're guessing that this'll be among the more expensive tablet accessories out there. Press information after the break.
Continue reading New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached
New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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How would you change Samsung's Chromebook Series 5?
It's compact, it's cute and it's weird. But it might be your perfect netbook. Google's Chromebook family isn't apt to ever be an end-all solution -- particularly for those that aren't married to the company's suite of web-based products -- and we're pretty sure Samsung's taking notes on how to make the eventual followup to the Series 5 even better. Battery life was stellar, and the matte display was a joy to look at, but we still found plenty of quibbles. Are you one of the early adopters who picked one of these guys up? If given the chance, how would you tweak the design / software / whatever else? Go on and get crafty in comments below!
How would you change Samsung's Chromebook Series 5? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Inhabitat's Week In Green: eco abodes, world's largest solar park and Axeon's new EV battery
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.



It's been an epic week for green building and clean-tech, as the 2011 Solar Decathlon showcased 19 of the world's most stunning sun-powered prefab homes in Washington DC -- and Inhabitat brought you up-to-the-minute coverage on winning home designs. Several of the houses feature remarkably unconventional designs -- see Sci-Arc and Caltech's puffy inside-out prefab and Team Canada's teepee-inspired TRTL home -- while others like Purdue's INHome relied upon tried-and-true building typologies upgraded with state-of-the art solar systems. Ultimately the University of Maryland's innovative WaterShed House won first place in the competition with their greenery infused, water-focused, living home. Purdue University's more traditional INHome took second place, and Team New Zealand (Victoria University of Wellington) placed third with their beautiful wooden First Light home.



Speaking of major feats of renewable energy, this week Iceland announced plans to construct the first zero-carbon data center and Germany opened the world's largest solar park on top of an abandoned open-pit mine. We also took a look at the innovative new SeaTwirl turbine, which could be the most cost-effective wind energy generator to date, and we watched Pavegen reveal plans to power a shopping center with tiles that harvest energy from pedestrian footsteps. Google also made a major investment to bring solar power systems to 3,000 homes, MIT developed a working "artificial leaf" that generates hydrogen fuel from water and sunlight, and Axeon unveiled a new battery that could extend electric car range by 35 percent.



In other green transportation news, sun-powered vehicles soared towards the stars this week as NASA announced plans to launch the largest solar sail spacecraft ever created, and Japan's TOTO unveiled a crazy talking poop-powered motorcycle topped with a toilet. We also took a spin in the world's strongest electric train (which has over 10,000 horsepower), and we launched a competition to win a one year Zipcar membership. We also spotted a milk truck mobile breastfeeding unit, while scientists discovered a passive virus that can destroy breast cancer cells. Finally, from the realm of high-tech textiles we shared a student's plan to turn textile factory effluent into clean water, we showcased Janet Echelman's massive jellyfish-shaped string sculptures, and we dialed up an online tool capable of measuring your wardrobe's environmental impact.
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Google and ITA's OnTheFly app update puts flexible flight planning in your pocket
Google went through a lot to buy ITA and its travel software, and we saw the acquisition first bear fruit in the form of Mountain View's web-based Flight Search. Now the partnership has produced version 1.2 of the OnTheFly airfare booking app for Android, iOS and BlackBerry. What's new? Flexible date searches that let you peruse departures 35 days at a time, plus a price graph that shows the most fiscally prudent times to travel. Additionally, globetrotters can access their itinerary search history and see price changes for those fares throughout the year. Nice job fellas, now let's work on bringing bargain-basement fare finding for the final frontier in the next revision.
Google and ITA's OnTheFly app update puts flexible flight planning in your pocket originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Central  |  sourceGoogle Mobile Blog  | Email this | Comments

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HTC security vulnerability said to leak phone numbers, GPS data, and more, HTC responds (video)






The folks at Android Police seem to have stumbled across a rather jarring security vulnerability in HTC handsets running Android, giving common apps with internet access a peek at the device's vital statistics, user information and more. Demonstrated in the above video, developer Trevor Eckheart found that a recent HTC update packed in a suite of logging tools that collects data on user accounts (including email addresses), recent GPS locations, SMS data and encoded text, phone numbers, system logs, running processes and more -- all of which can be accessed by common apps requesting access to android.permission.INTERNET.



HTC is already looking into the issue, stating, "HTC takes our customers' security very seriously, and we are working to investigate this claim as quickly as possible. We will provide an update as soon as we're able to determine the accuracy of the claim and what steps, if any, need to be taken." If you're too antsy to wait for HTC's update, head on over to the source link below -- Eckheart says the issue can be resolved by removing HTCloggers from a rooted device.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Police, InfectedROM  | Email this | Comments

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Switched On: Assets in gear
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.



Ecosystems take years to build and depend on other companies. Really, who has the time these days? Plus, they kick in only if a product reaches critical mass. Microsoft and SanDisk demonstrated the risk a few years back with their digital media players in seeding the market with third-party cases and docks using their own proprietary and now abandoned connectors. Over the past year, though, we've seen a number of tech companies take a new approach to mobile product development -- the corporate showcase -- where they convincingly shun any notion of silos by throwing just about everything they've got into a product.
Continue reading Switched On: Assets in gear
Switched On: Assets in gear originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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TWCable TV app update brings captions, search, and parental controls
Time Warner has been streaming live TV to the iPad with its TWCable TV app since March and the most recent update brings even more traditional TV standbys to the tablet experience. Now live in v2.5.0 is a basic search function (titles or episode name only, keywords, cast and crew are coming soon), support for closed captions and the ability to block certain channels on the app for parents. There's also a few bug fixes for those experiencing audio issues or not seeing their HD channels in the lineup -- subscribers can check out the official blog for more details or just grab the free app on iTunes.
TWCable TV app update brings captions, search, and parental controls originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTime Warner Cable Untangled, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung Stratosphere lays it all out with spec sheet treatment
The upcoming Samsung Stratosphere for Verizon Wireless is hardly a secret, but other than a few rumored details, the specs for this LTE-equipped QWERTY slider have remained a bit of a mystery. Now, all that has changed, thanks in large part to its leaked spec sheet from Big Red -- just take a peek after the break. It'll be packing a 4-inch Super AMOLED display with WVGA resolution, a (presumably) single-core 1GHz processor, along with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 4GB microSD card that's pre-installed. Curiously, it'll be the first of Verizon's LTE phones to incorporate a Micro SIM in place of the larger, traditional offering. Other than that, it looks as if the speculation of Android 2.3, along with its 5MP rear / 1.3MP front cams were dead on. There will also be an LED flash in tow, although video capture will be limited to a rather mundane 480p. That said, if you're thirsting for speed but are needing a keyboard, the Stratosphere is looking like your obvious (albeit only) choice.
Continue reading Samsung Stratosphere lays it all out with spec sheet treatment
Samsung Stratosphere lays it all out with spec sheet treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDroid Life  | Email this | Comments

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Boston Dynamics Alpha Dog makes Alyx Vance's pet look like a toy (video)
Boston Dynamics' BigDog is one of our favorite insane-level DARPA projects; a robotic pack-mule that can carry 400 pounds of kit for troops. At some point, the Massachusetts mechanics decided the bot would be far better if it was the size of a bull, or, you know, an SUV. The Alpha Dog loses the un-stealthy buzzing noise of its predecessor, has a range of 20 miles and can take much more punishment. If you check out the video after the break, you'll see two people unsuccessfully attempt a takedown on the monster -- Half-Life 2 diehards might experience a combat flashback at the mere sight of it. AT-AT Jr is expected to see field testing sometime next year when it won't have a test bed of rocks to contend with, but the US Marines. Mark our words: we expect 'em to appear in every nightmarish dystopia of the 2020s, and take a starring role in the forthcoming Robopocalypse.
Continue reading Boston Dynamics Alpha Dog makes Alyx Vance's pet look like a toy (video)
Boston Dynamics Alpha Dog makes Alyx Vance's pet look like a toy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink IEEE Spectrum  |  sourceBoston Dynamics  | Email this | Comments

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The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET!
Friday afternoons just aren't the same without a mobile podcast to listen to, but hopefully your Sunday afternoon is now a heckuva lot better this weekend. It turned out that 2PM ET was the perfect window of time for Myriam and Brad to get their rants in order and dissect the absolutely gargantuan week of wireless happenings all at the same time. Join us for a special Sunday edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET (11AM PT, 6PM GT)!
The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony Ericsson lends hand to FreeXperia devs, shows love for CyanogenMod 7.1
Turns out, Sony Ericsson is really coming around to the understanding that Android phones are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. After taking notice of the FreeXperia team's tireless efforts to bring CyanogenMod 7.1 to certain SE devices, the company is now "pulling a Samsung" by lending its support to the cause. The firm has provided the group with approximately 20 phones, along with debugged and rebuilt camera library binaries to ensure a proper user experience. Not stopping there, Sony Ericsson hopes to make these bits available to all developers under a special EULA in the near future. Of course, the company continues to remind its users that it doesn't specifically condone unlocking the bootloader -- which still results in a void warranty -- even though it's willing to help you do just that.



[Thanks, Thorsten]
Sony Ericsson lends hand to FreeXperia devs, shows love for CyanogenMod 7.1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSony Ericsson Developer World  | Email this | Comments

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Refresh Roundup: week of September 26, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!



Official Android updates

  • The top story this week revolves around the HTC Thunderbolt's long-awaited Gingerbread OTA update. It was finally rolling out, which was exciting news for owners of the device -- until it had to be pulled because of some rather significant bugs. The largest of them all was that voicemail notifications no longer worked properly; video chatting through Google Talk was also slightly messed up as well. No word on when we can expect to see it come back with those bugs fixed. [Droid-Life]

  • Unfortunately, the Thunderbolt isn't the only phone falling victim to pulled revamps; the LG Optimus S on Sprint had its Gingerbread update kiboshed, though users have had two weeks to get it -- plenty of time for anyone to experience some of the bugs, which included the phone not charging, the SD card not being recognized when the phone's connected to the computer, no access to data services, and predictive text on the virtual keyboard stopped working. It's disappointing to see this happen so soon after the Kyocera Echo update went through a similar debacle. [SprintFeed]

  • LG Optimus 3D: V10K firmware update, enables phone to convert OpenGL-capable 2D games into stereoscopic 3D. Note: this still runs Android 2.2.2, so we're still waiting for Gingerbread. [AndroidCentral]

  • Motorola Xoom WiFi: Android 3.2.1 is beginning to roll out. [AndroidCentral]

  • Dell Streak 7: Honeycomb update rolling out now to unspecified regions [AndroidCentral]

  • Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Revamped to Android 3.2.1, adds other bug fixes [AndroidCommunity]

  • Casio G'Zone Commando: Gingerbread rolling out now [Droid-Life]

  • Motorola Droid 3: Minor maintenance refresh; enhances Google Talk with video chat support, several other fixes. [PhoneDog]

  • T-Mobile Samsung Nexus S: OTA install (with option to manually install) to Android 2.3.6; doesn't appear to break tethering. [AndroidCentral]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • The Android 2.3.5 ROM for the global Samsung Galaxy S II leaked early this week. [Pocketnow, SamFirmware]

  • You can now download the Android 2.3.4 SBF for the Motorola Droid X2, courtesy of XDA. [Droid-Life]

  • If you have a Sony Ericsson Xperia-branded device from 2010 or 2011, CyanogenMod7 support will most likely come included as part of an upcoming update. Ten Xperia devices will be added, though a timeframe for release wasn't announced. Check here to see if your device made the list. [XperiaBlog]
Other platforms

  • Check here to see if your phone is ready to receive Windows Phone Mango.

  • The ultra-rare AT&T HP Pre 3 just received an OTA update to 2.2.3.2207, right after a new webOS Doctor became available for the same refresh. [PreCentral]
Refreshes we covered this week
Refresh Roundup: week of September 26, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LiveLens MFT adapter brings aperture control to Canon EF lenses
It may be serving a somewhat small niche, but we're guessing that niche will be plenty pleased that something like the LiveLens MFT adapter now exists. That's MFT as in Micro Four Thirds, and the adapter is for Canon EF lenses. Nothing too special there, but this particular adapter now also allows for aperture control for the first time, which is actually done on the adapter itself, not the camera -- the only remaining drawback is a lack of autofocus. Expectedly that ability comes at quite a premium -- you'll have to fork over $442 for the adapter and an extra $52 for the necessary 9V battery cable.
LiveLens MFT adapter brings aperture control to Canon EF lenses originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wired Gadget Lab  |  sourceRedrock Micro  | Email this | Comments

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Sony cuts the VAIO SA's starting price to $1,000, starts shipping the 15-inch VAIO SE
Lots of PC news flowing out of Sony Electronics' US headquarters this fine Sunday morning. First, the company slashed the starting price of the 13-inch VAIO SA laptop from $1,250 to $1,000, while the lower-end SB series now starts at $780 (it had been going for $800 after instant savings). We asked Sony's PR team what that means for folks who recently purchased either of these through Sony's online store, and still haven't gotten a response, but the company was quick to remind us that it's up to retailers such as Best Buy to set their own price protection policies. (Thanks, Sony!)



Moving along, that 15.5-inch VAIO SE series we reviewed a month ago is at last up for sale, beautiful 1080p display and all. You can find her on Sony's site starting at a thousand bucks with a Core i5-2430M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 640GB 5,400RPM hard drive, DVD burner and, of course, that 1920 x 1080 panel. So, is all that worth a flaky trackpad and poor battery life (sans $150 slice)? That, friends, is a decision you'll have to make for yourself. Finally, in more granular news, the 14-inch C and E series are getting expanded Sandy Bridge processor options, while the 16-inch F series and L series all-in-ones will come with Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum, Sound Forge Audio Studio and ACID Music Studio pre-installed. In addition, the SA, L, F and E series are all getting speed bumps, as are pre-configured SB and Z series laptops. Oh, and the SB is now available in red. Got it? Good. Lots of up to date specs at the source link.
Permalink   |  sourceSony Store (VAIO home page)  | Email this | Comments

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JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included
Have a soft spot for wireless speakers? There were tons of options out there already, but JBL just threw one more into the ring with its On Tour iBT. As we'd expect form the audio gurus, the system boasts wireless audio internals that play nice with both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth devices. In addition to four JBL Odyssey transducers, the kit packs a built-in microphone for Facetime or hands-free calls, an adjustable iPad stand and a USB connector for charging -- when the Katy Perry tune blastin' device is plugged in itself, of course. Interested? It can be yours now via the source link for $150, but if you'd care to take a closer look before committing, peep the gallery below.

Gallery: JBL On Tour iBT
JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink iLounge  |  sourceJBL  | Email this | Comments

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Need RAID? Fusion F2QR packs two 1TB drives into a portable shell


Do you demand portability from your Redundant Array of Independent Disks? Then you've probably already seen Sonnet's Fusion F2, with its two 1TB drives and eSATA connector. Today the company introduces the Fusion F2QR, which also features two 2.5-inch, 1TB hard drives -- but now comes with four interface options. You've got your eSATA, of course, but also Firewire 400, Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 connectors. There's a new built-in RAID controller that smooths configuration as well, and the aluminum case and fanless design keep noise to a minimum. All of that fits in a shell measuring 5.9- x 6.1- x 0.95-inches. This slender slab of storage is available now and will set you back $569.
Need RAID? Fusion F2QR packs two 1TB drives into a portable shell originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacNews  |  sourceSonnet  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung Galaxy S II now available on AT&T for $200
October 2nd. Boy, the date sure creeped up on us, but it's here regardless -- the Samsung Galaxy S II has finally debuted on AT&T. Many of you who've been waiting several months for a subsidized GSM model in the US may find it hard to believe that you're able to head on over to the carrier's site and purchase one for a couple C-notes. Rest assured, we've checked it out ourselves and it's really, really there, waiting for you to click that "add to cart" button. So if the style and carrier fit your fancy, friends, carpe diem.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung Galaxy S II now available on AT&T for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Is this Apple's cheaper iPhone 4?
See that? That just might be the cheaper iPhone that Apple's rumored to formally unveil on Tuesday. Gizmodo Brazil managed to get a hold of a purported iPhone 4s from within a Brazilian Foxconn factory, and while the hardware itself looks just about identical to the iPhone 4 that exists today, there's a new SKU that's leading to understandable speculation. The N90A model number that popped up has certainly emerged before, but where things really get interesting is the "reprovado" ("disqualified") labeling. Is this batch an early set of prototypes that didn't quite pass QA? Will the eventual iPhone 4s even look anything like the iPhone 4 that's on shelves today? You can bet we'll be on hand in Cupertino to find out, and there's no time like the present to clear out your Tuesday morning / afternoon / evening schedule (depending on time zone, of course) to find out with us.
Is this Apple's cheaper iPhone 4? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceGizmodo Brazil  | Email this | Comments

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Ask Engadget: best earbuds for outdoor / fitness use?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Henri, who seems understandably tired of his earbuds falling out whilst exercising. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm planning to buy a set of earbuds for outdoor use, mainly for sport. There are so many options -- I'm curious if anyone has any specific suggestions. It goes without saying that the plugs should be easy to pop in the ear as well as take them off, and the wire to player should be as light as possible. Thanks for the help!"
Got any headphones you love taking to the gym? How's about a set that doesn't fall out? Toss your suggestion(s) in comments below!
Ask Engadget: best earbuds for outdoor / fitness use? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Prototype magic carpet uses electrified threads to 'fly,' Aladdin pre-orders (video)
If you spent your childhood longing to fly, you're not alone -- and one Princeton grad may have come one step closer to making it a reality with a prototype magic carpet. Ok, it's not actually a rug of the magical variety, but a 4-inch piece of plastic electrified by tiny conducting threads. It works as such: by applying a current to the sheet, tiny air pockets form underneath, propelling it forward one centimeter a second. Since it requires air pockets to move forward, the carpet must stay close to the ground -- making it more like Marty McFly's hoverboard than Aladdin's preferred mode of transportation. Better yet, the inventor has plans for a solar powered version, which would free the carpet from heavy battery constraints and allow it to travel freely over larger distances. Check out the video and source after the break for more deets.
Continue reading Prototype magic carpet uses electrified threads to 'fly,' Aladdin pre-orders (video)
Permalink BBC  |  sourceApplied Physics Letters  | Email this | Comments

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ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video)
Hey, look Engadgeteers! It's another Kinect hack -- except this one uses a real deal robot. Honda ushered ASIMO out to the crowds at IEEE's 2011 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems to show off its newly acquired pop and lock skills. Alright, so the silicon-gutted fella can't krump with the best of'em yet, but he can probably do the locomotion -- it all depends on your dance repertoire. After toiling away in their mad scientist lairs, the researchers behind the bot have managed to devise a means of mimicking human movement that translates mapped points on a user's upper body into real-time, robot-replicated motion. The devious among you are likely imagining left-of-center uses for the tech, but let us deflate that mischievous balloon; there'll be no instances of "stop hitting yourself ASIMO" here, as engineers have built-in collision and stability safeguards. The so-lifelike-it's-Uncanny advancements don't end there either, as ASIMO now also contains a database of text-inspired gestures -- giving our future robot friend a means of physically expressing his cold, "I hate you so much right now" robo-tone. Other than finding himself at home in Italy, these innovations are sure to put ASIMO on the other end of our remote-controlled behest. Click on past the break to see this automated mime drop it like it's hot.
Continue reading ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video)
Permalink   |  sourceIEEE Spectrum  | Email this | Comments

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Mutewatch wrists-on: stay on-task with good vibrations (video)
No, the picture above isn't some modernized Power Ranger's wrist communicator. This is the Mutewatch, and we've been intrigued since we first laid eyes on it over a year ago. At a glance, it looks akin to a rubber fashion bracelet, which could make its $260 price tag a shocker. But with the right touch or flick it reveals itself to be much more. The Stockholm-based start-up behind it, dubbed Mutewatch AB, envisions the device serving as "time management tool" for setting quick wrist-felt vibrating reminders during the course of the day. Think Growl, but on your wrist. The wristwatch lacks a dial and crystal, and instead has an angled, touch-sensitive section for a face with hidden LEDs, an ambient light sensor, a motion sensor and a vibrating motor for alarms. We've spent some time using a near-final unit seeing what it would be like silently manage our days, and it's all laid out just past the break.
Gallery: Mutewatch hands-on
Continue reading Mutewatch wrists-on: stay on-task with good vibrations (video)
Mutewatch wrists-on: stay on-task with good vibrations (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow
It looks like the iPhone speculation train is gaining steam on the way to its final destination, and this time it's flying by Cincinnati Bell's pre-paid service, i-Wireless. A helpful tipster sent in the above screenshot of an iPhone 5 placeholder, accompanied by a $639.99 price tag and a handful of specs: 32GB, 4-inch screen and 4G data speeds. Our friends over at TUAW have also procured a screenshot (after the break) from the same site, displaying a $99.99 16GB iPhone 4S, sporting a 5MP camera, 3.5-inch screen and an A5 processor. Of course, there's also a chance these are just placeholders, but we're hoping Tuesday's announcement will bear dual fruits, nonetheless.



[Thanks, Cory]
Continue reading iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow
iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia developing 'Meltemi' OS for feature phones?
Although Nokia still hopes Windows Phone will round out a "three-horse race" with iOS and Android, it's said to be cooking up an entirely new operating system aimed at lower-end handsets. According to the Wall Street Journal, the OS (codenamed "Meltemi") is meant to cement Nokia's top dog status in emerging markets, where feature phones remain king. Makes sense: low-end phones accounted for 47 percent of the company's device-and-services earnings in the second quarter. We're not sure if the adage "when one door closes, another one opens" exactly applies here, but either way, it looks like we've hardly seen the end of software updates out of Suomi.
Nokia developing 'Meltemi' OS for feature phones? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Radio Shack inventory screen pegs iPhone 5 for Sprint
Could it be? Are the rumors true? If this screenshot, apparently culled from Radio Shack's inventory system, is any indication, Sprint will indeed be among the carriers offering the iPhone 5. That lines up just right with previous reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, slating the phone to hit the Now Network in mid-October. There's no indication of actual dates at this point, but if Sprint's getting Apple's next-gen iPhone, we're guessing we'll hear more about it on Tuesday.



[Thanks, Anon]
Radio Shack inventory screen pegs iPhone 5 for Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Available Tags:4G , iPad , iPhone , Ubuntu , BlackBerry , Kinect , Google , 3D , Windows , Xbox , Galaxy Tab , Samsung , Galaxy , HTC , security , HTC , TV , Engadget , Sony Ericsson , Sony , Canon , Sony , VAIO , VAIO , Fusion , iPhone 5 , Nokia , iPhone 5 ,
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
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