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Friday, September 23, 2011

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350Green to install 400 EV charging stations across the US

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 11:12 AM PDT

ChargePoint
EV charging stations are still hard to come by here in the US and, while 400 new ones won't exactly blanket the nation, we'll take what we can get. 350Green is teaming up with Coulomb Technologies to build exactly that many new ChargePoint stations across New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana and California. With the latest announcement the ChargePoint Network is expected to grow to over 1,000 locations, many with fast charging capabilities. We wouldn't exactly call the plan a game changer but, like we said, every little bit helps. Check out the PR after the break.
Show full PR text
350Green to Install More Than 400 ChargePoint Network Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Across United States

350Green to Install Charging Stations and Use ChargePoint Network Cloud-Based EV Charging Services as it Expands its National Footprint

CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--350Green and Coulomb Technologies today announced they will extend the reach of both companies' technologies and services. 350Green has agreed to purchase and install more than 400 charging stations across the country powered by the ChargePoint® Network, further growing the largest network of independently-owned charging stations. 350Green will also utilize ChargePoint Network cloud-based EV charging solutions to manage its national network, including charging stations from its other manufacturer partners. ChargePoint Network is the largest online network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and drivers.

350Green is building out a national network of more than 1,000 charging stations, with projects under way in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and California. The company is installing both Level 2 and DC Fast chargers in convenient locations through partnerships with retailers like Walgreens and real estate developers like Simon Property Group.

As part of the ChargePoint Network, 350Green will be able to set up EV services, fees, track revenues, costs and utilization using rich analysis tools. Drivers will enjoy the advanced features and benefits of the ChargePoint Network including 24/7 driver support, driver billing options and mobile phone applications that provide drivers with real-time station location and availability, turn-by-turn navigation, and charging status.

"This is a significant expansion of our ChargePoint Network as 350Green has chosen to exclusively utilize ChargePoint Network to deliver services to its customers," said Pat Romano, president and CEO at Coulomb.

"With ChargePoint Network, we can launch a fully developed, feature-rich solution for managing charging services and stations," said Mariana Gerzanych, co-founder and CEO of 350Green. "This agreement will accelerate the development and launch of 350Green's national network of charging stations and provide us and our location partners with user-oriented features and host-oriented information and data."

About Coulomb Technologies, Inc.

Coulomb Technologies is the leading electric vehicle charging solutions company, providing the ChargePoint Network, the largest global online network connecting electric vehicle drivers to charging stations in over 14 countries. Coulomb also provides ChargePoint Network service plans, cloud-based solutions that handle all driver billing and support and give organizations the control and flexibility they need to optimize performance of their electric vehicle charging operations. Coulomb Technologies customers include large employers such as Google and SAP; utilities such and Orlando Utilities Commission and Austin Energy; municipalities such as City of San Francisco and City of New York; large shopping centers such as South Coast Plaza and Bellevue Square; and parking services providers such as Edison Properties, Priority Parking and InterPark. Open to all charging station manufacturers, Coulomb's ChargePoint Network is currently charging more than 26,000 vehicles per month, dispensing over 165 Megawatt hours (MWh) of energy each month, and doubling the electric transportation fuel dispensed each quarter.

Scientists manipulate electron, this time everyone wins

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 10:52 AM PDT

Notoriously difficult to pin down, electrons have always been free spirits -- until now that is. According to a paper published by science journal Nature, folk at Cambridge University much cleverer than we have tamed single electrons, succeeding in coaxing them directly from point-to-point. The technique involves creating a small hole in gallium arsenide, called a "quantum dot," then creating a channel of energy higher than the neighboring electrons to shuttle cargo off to another empty "dot." Why should you care? Well, while you might not see this technology in the next smartphone, it should give quantum computing a bit of a nudge forward, smoothing the rate of information transfer. If the concept works out, it'll improve the way qubits move around those sub-atomic circuits, where jumping around like a frog in a sock is generally considered bad form.

[Image courtesy of the io9]

Engadget Podcast 257 - 09.23.2011

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 10:31 AM PDT

We kind of don't even know where to start these days! We've all heard about how technology expands exponentially, and this week feels like we are really getting cubed...or something. From the meta to the macro to the micro it was a silly-crazy week, and as hard as it was we did end up starting the podcast and tried to round it all up for you as best we could. It's the Engadget Podcast, the only way we can do it.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guest: Dana Wollman
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Funky Town


01:20 - Introducing Engadget Distro!
03:50 - Review score review
06:44 - The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET! (update: we're done!)
09:15 - HP names Meg Whitman new President and CEO, gives Leo Apotheker the boot
17:42 - Facebook partners up to bring music, news and videos to your profile through Open Graph (video)
18:40 - Facebook outs Timeline, gives your profile page a new outfit (video)
25:15 - Color abandons app independence for Facebook, hopes you'll pay someone a 'visit'
29:48 - HTC Rhyme official: 3G, 3.7-inch display, single-core CPU, headed to Verizon for $199 on contract
38:48 - HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio, we go ears-on (video)
40:10 - HP's unreleased white TouchPad and Pre 3 for AT&T (hands-on video)
42:37 - A week with Google Wallet (video)
45:00 - Amazon lets you check out Kindle books from library websites, asks you to shush yourself at home
50:43 - Report: Apple to hold media event on October 4th, Tim Cook to unveil iPhone 5
53:47 - Listener questions






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Amazon press conference set for September 28th, could this be its long-awaited tablet?

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 10:09 AM PDT

Amazon's been cooking something in a supposed Android-based oven for quite some rumored time. Now, an invite has gone out from the Bezos-backed company for an event on the 28th of this month at 10AM. Will the e-retailer officially announce a pair of 7- and 10-inch Kindle refreshes we've seen so much digital ink spilled over, or is this the heavily-skinned Android tab that TechCrunch got its hands-on earlier this month? We'll be there to let you know what the company's got up its e-reading sleeve.

Dish Network, Blockbuster unveil Blockbuster Movie Pass all-inclusive entertainment service

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 10:07 AM PDT

At its "a stream come true" event today, Dish Network finally revealed its plans for a subscription video service called Blockbuster Movie Pass, due to launch October 1st. That includes access to discs (movies and games) by mail, streaming video to the TV and PC, and linear TV service from Dish, all in one package. Blockbuster Movie Pass is clearly being pitched a Netflix / Qwikster competitor, however it's currently only available to Dish Network subscribers for $10 / month. That tie to pay-TV makes it a TV Everywhere play pulling Dish's various properties under one umbrella, but doesn't significantly shift the online video landscape. New subscribers to the America's Best 200 package will get free access to a year, while those schlubs stuck on cable or without pay-TV service can simply look on with envy. The last slide shown does invite non-Dish subscribers to "stay tuned," so if you're really looking for a Netflix alternative... stay tuned. Check the gallery to see the slides for yourself, well update with more press materials once they're available -- now included with all the details after the break.

Update: The new page is accessible right now (Thanks Alex!) as seen in the screenshot above. It features all you can eat access to streaming movies and a few TV shows culled from Starz (as rumored), Epix, Sony Movie Channel, Hallmark and Blockbuster's own VOD library. We're sure the folks at Netflix are absolutely crying their eyes out over losing access to some of Cuba Gooding Jr.'s finest flicks like Ticking Clock and The Hit List (Toy Story 3 however, could be a real loss). Check below for the link, as well as another one to sign up for the service now.

Blockbuster Movie Pass

Show full PR text
Sep 23, 2011 13:54 ET
DISH Network Introduces Blockbuster Movie Pass, Featuring First Subscription Streaming Movie Service Bundle in Pay TV Industry

First Year of Blockbuster Movie Pass Included with DISH Network Subscription

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DISH Network L.L.C. and Blockbuster L.L.C. announced today Blockbuster Movie Pass, the most comprehensive TV entertainment programming package ever delivered by a multichannel pay TV provider.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2011, Blockbuster Movie Pass is available for DISH Network customers, starting at $10 per month, combining the best of TV with the best of movies and games. It features a pay TV industry first: a subscription streaming movie service bundle available on the TV or PC. This programming package is unmatched by any other cable, satellite, telco or online streaming movie service.

Blockbuster Movie Pass includes the following:

Mail It! – More than 100,000 DVD movies, TV shows and games available by mail. No additional charge for high definition Blu-ray™ movies. One, two or three disc plans available. Queue management made conveniently from a link at www.dish.com.
Stream it! – Stream more than 3,000 movies to the TV. Stream more than 4,000 movies to the PC. Watch hundreds of on-demand TV shows.
Play it! – More than 3,000 video games by mail for XBOX®, XBOX 360®, Playstation2™, Playstation3™, and Nintendo Wii™.
Exchange it! – Unlimited exchanges of DVDs and video games at participating Blockbuster stores.
Watch it! – More than 20 premium entertainment movie channels from studios like MGM, Epix, Sony Movie Channel, PixL and more.

"With millions of Internet-enabled DISH Network set-top boxes deployed in U.S. homes and our ability to offer services from the iconic Blockbuster brand, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the myriad of ways consumers seek access to their favorite movies, TV shows or games," said Joe Clayton, CEO of DISH Network. "When you combine Blockbuster Movie Pass with a DISH Network subscription, you get endless entertainment options and convenient access to the content you want, when you want it. And unlike other companies, we offer the simplicity of one company, one bill and one connection."

From Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, 2012, DISH Network is offering new customers Blockbuster Movie Pass included with their DISH Network subscription for one year when they subscribe to DISH Network's America's Top 200 programming package or greater and commit to 24 months of DISH Network service. This is up to $360 in savings.

Blockbuster Movie Pass is also included for three months for new DISH Network customers who subscribe to America's Top 120 programming package. After the promotional period, Blockbuster Movie Pass starts at just $10 per month. Access to the subscription streaming movie service requires a DISH Network HD DVR.

"We've created a package that combines the best assets of the movie entertainment and video gaming industries with the convenience and integration provided by a multichannel video provider," said Michael Kelly, president of Blockbuster. "Blockbuster Movie Pass is the ultimate programming package for every movie buff. The combination of DVDs by mail and unlimited in-store exchanges provides more than 100 million people living near Blockbuster stores, which are open 7 days a week, immediate satisfaction and unmatched choice."

Visit www.ustream.tv/dishnetwork to watch a replay of the webcast of the press conference announcing the Blockbuster Movie Pass on Sept. 23, 2011.

Visit http://press.dishnetwork.com for fact sheets, images, b-roll and video.

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), is a leading global provider of movie and game rentals and is synonymous with family entertainment. The company provides customers with convenient access to media entertainment anywhere, any way – whether in-store, by-mail, or digitally to homes and mobile devices. With a highly recognized brand and a library of more than 100,000 movies, TV shows and game titles, Blockbuster's multichannel presence serves millions of customers around the world annually. Visit www.blockbuster.com.

About DISH Network

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.056 million satellite TV customers, as of June 30, 2011, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network's subsidiary, Blockbuster L.L.C., delivers family entertainment to millions of customers around the world. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

SOURCE DISH Network L.L.C.



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LG Esteem leaked, delivers more LTE respect to MetroPCS

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 09:43 AM PDT

The LG Esteem has been spotted hanging out in several official-looking press shots accompanied by several pages of specification juice at LG's partner portal site. Previously seen under the guise Bryce, and seemingly identical to Verizon's LG Revolution, this metroPCS interpretation looks set to arrive very soon. A welcome upgrade to the network's previous LTE offering, the Esteem runs Gingerbread on a 4.3 inch screen and has some respectable mid-range crendentials under the hood including a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM and 8GB of storage expandable by microSD. There's also a five megapixel snapper on the back, embedded in a stylish metal strip similar to the dual-core T-Mobile G2x. Unlike LG's powerful flagship, though, MetroPCS will reportedly be offering up the Esteem off-contract for $349 -- a reasonable way to increase your LTE-connected self-worth

Samsung asks Dutch courts to block iPad, iPhone sales

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 09:25 AM PDT

This whole thing is starting to play out like a giant game of patent Risk. As it did in Australia, Samsung is hitting back against Apple in the Netherlands, asking for a preliminary injunction aimed at Apple's mobile line, including the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad 2, claiming that the products infringe on 3G patents held by the Korean electronics giant. The proposed ban would prohibit importing the products into the country and would recall them from Dutch retail stores.

Intel's Skoool software brings study materials to healthcare workers in developing countries

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 09:00 AM PDT

When we consider Intel's contributions to developing nations, it's hard not to hone in on the 5 million-plus Classmate PCs it's shipped over the past four years. This time, at least, Intel is leaving the hardware part of the equation to the Lenovos and HPs of the world and focusing on the software instead. The company just announced the Skoool Healthcare Education platform, a collection of online and offline educational materials designed to help healthcare workers in developing countries better treat women and children, tackling malnutrition, vaccination, communicable diseases and childbirth safety. To be clear, Intel isn't getting into the medical content business -- it didn't write these resources but instead culled them from various third-party sources. The idea is that the company will provide the platform to governments and healthcare workers for free, forgoing what might otherwise be an opportunity to collect licensing fees. (It'll be up to local governments to work with companies like Dell to secure low-cost PCs to run the software.) For now, Intel's launching the program in Sri Lanka, where it already has a working history with the President and Minister of Health, but a rep tells us the outfit hopes to expand the program to sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Central Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, reaching 1 million healthcare workers by the end of 2015.

[Image courtesy of Intel]
Show full PR text
Connecting a World of Opportunity through the '1Mx15' Health Program

New Health Education and Learning Program to enable technology accessibility to one million healthcare workers in developing countries by 2015

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- Introduces Intel's 1Mx15 Health Program which will bring technology training to 1 million healthcare workers in developing countries by the end of 2015
- Includes the Intel Skoool™ Healthcare Education Platforms that provides anytime
anywhere multimedia content delivery and an assessment platform
- Sri Lanka will be the first country to take part in Intel's 1MX15 Health Program and adopt the Intel Skoool™ Healthcare Education Platform

New York, Sept. 23, 2011 – Intel® announced the 1Mx15 Health Program which will bring ICT training to one million healthcare workers in developing countries by the end of 2015. The program will enable healthcare workers with technology, education tools and 21st century ICT skills to help accelerate progress toward better health primarily for women and children. In collaboration with governments, private industry, development communities and academia the program will establish various country initiatives to increase the availability, affordability and usage of computers, and broadband.

As part of this program, Intel created The Intel Skoool™ Healthcare Education Platform that provides an anytime anywhere multi-media content delivery and assessment platform. The platform is designed to help the need for health education and capacity building of the healthcare workforce in developing countries. It will have an open access license with no charge.

Sri Lanka will be the first country to deploy the Intel skoool™ Healthcare Education
Platform designed for the educational needs of healthcare workers and students in their country.

"Sri Lanka has taken some unique steps that other countries could emulate," said the government of Sri Lanka. "Some of these projects have already commenced at grassroots level through collaborations with industry partners such as Intel."

John Davies, Intel Vice President of the World Ahead Program said, "We are very
excited to support the UN Nation's Every Woman, Every Child Initiative and believe that our 1Mx15 Health Program and the Intel Skoool™ Healthcare Education Platform will help governments address the training needs of their healthcare workforce. We believe a well-trained healthcare workforce will enable better access to quality healthcare for women and children."

About World Ahead
The Intel World Ahead Program promotes access to technology to the next billion people that helps enrich their lives and stimulate economic opportunity. Millions of people each year are getting access to helpful technology, high-speed connectivity, education and healthcare improvements, and digital content that helps them achieve sustainable social and economic gains. Key programs focus on increasing access to technologies best suited for local needs: connections to the world via high-speed Internet technologies; education that prepares youth for the future; localized Internet content and services to improve lives; and healthcare improvements via technology.

Splashtop will bring remote desktopping to your TouchPad

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:36 AM PDT

There's a burgeoning population of users who can't live without Splashtop's remote Windows app for Mac, iOS and Android. Now there's a new version in the works that'll let you telecompute from your TouchPad too. The official blog says the launch is "getting close" and it's offering the app free if you manage to persuade a bunch of other TouchPad users to register their interest. In fact, we can't help but notice that some guy called Tim has already signed up 2,508 of his mates. We don't know who Tim is, but we want to be just like him when we grow up.

Update: Tim, the man with a commanding lead in the chart above, contacted us to say he asked Splashtop to remove him from the contest. He initially used the referral link in a post on PreCentral, not realizing that the company would be giving out the software to the top referrers. So, Tim is out, and now rawonthego is the man with the target on his back.

SatelliteAR Android app now tracks falling UARS, helps you avoid being smooshed

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:13 AM PDT

You may have a better chance of winning the lottery or running into Captain Kirk at the mall, but when it comes to being impaled with pieces of the now defunct Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite as it plummets towards Earth, it's better to be safe than sorry. The SatelliteAR Android app has added a temporary feature that gives stargazers the ability to monitor this space junk's trajectory to avoid impact when it re-enters the atmosphere sometime later today. NASA has assured us that the bus-sized satellite won't land anywhere in North America, but if it touches down at night, people on the ground could witness a pretty sweet light show wherever it does land. Android users determined to avoid a Wicked Witch of the East-like fate can download the app at the source link below and check out the video demo after the break.

Kobo Vox eReader Tablet hits the FCC, shrouded in bookish mystery

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 07:51 AM PDT

What's this mystery e-reader? It's the Kobo Vox, and it just made its debut on the FCC's site. Is it a reworked version of the relatively recently released Touch Edition? Is it a brand new reader from the company? The device is listed as being an "eReader Tablet," so perhaps it's something more akin to Barnes & Noble's Nook Color or the Kindle tablet reportedly in the works from Amazon. And will Kobo's recent appearance at f8 play into the equation? It's hard to say, but there are a few things worth noting here. First, if the above rough image is to be believed, the device is touchscreen, as with the company's current product. The design, however, looks a lot more like the latest version of the Nook than the new Kobo. A side shot reveals what appears to be a microUSB slot (no shocker there) and a headphone jack, something missing on both the latest Kobo and Nook (though both the latest Kindle and the Nook Color rock one), while a "multimedia headset" was used in the testing. Also listed among the testing materials is a microSD card, so there seems a pretty good chance that this thing has expandable memory -- again, not a surprise, nor is the fact that the reader is listed as being WiFi-enabled.

FCC Fridays: September 23, 2011

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 07:27 AM PDT

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!

Phones

Read - Fujitsu F04D
Read - HTC PI06110 Radar (AWS)
Read - Huawei C2931
Read - Huawei C8511
Read - Huawei C8651
Read - Huawei G6050
Read - LG E510G
Read - LG L85C
Read - Motorola WX306
Read - Samsung GT-E2600
Read - Samsung SGH-I857
Read - Samsung SGH-I937 (Focus S)
Read - ZTE Movistar Vega
Read - ZTE V860

Tablets and peripherals

Read - Archos A100H
Read - Kobo Vox
Read - Motorola HZ720
Read - Motorola KZ500 bluetooth keyboard
Read - Samsung HM6000

iOS-controlled iW500 RC car defies gravity, paint job may drive you up the wall (video)

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 07:01 AM PDT

Driving cars on the floor is so passe, which is exactly why you need iHelicoter's wall-scaling iW500. We've seen similar gravity-defying propositions in the past, but this is the first to be controlled by your iOS device. Belying its 90s toy looks, the car attaches itself to vertical surfaces with a sealed vacuum that even has enough suck to drive upside-down across your ceiling. As you'll see in the video after the break, controls are handled using the built-in accelerometer on your phone or tablet as well as the touchscreen interface on the dedicated app. It'll join a crowded starting grid of iPhone-friendly RC cars, helicopters and monster trucks, priced at $59.99.

Kyocera Duramax is in the batter's box, launching with Sprint Direct Connect October 2nd

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 06:38 AM PDT

Is there still any lingering doubt that something big's getting cooked up in Overland Park in time for October 2nd? We've already seen leaked screenshots showing that Sprint's aiming to launch its CDMA-based Direct Connect service that day, as well as a Sprint-backed vid of the Motorola Admiral, the first smartphone to sport the new feature. Courtesy of SprintFeed, another gem has been unearthed: the Direct Connect-compatible Kyocera Duramax. Said to start at $100 with a two-year agreement, the rugged clamshell bears a great deal of resemblance to a large number of legacy iDEN handsets. It's nothing to write home about, but it still sports the proper military specs to keep it protected, as well as a 3 megapixel camera and a non-slip surface. Anyone who isn't looking for a smartphone but is in need of a Direct Connect device will want to keep a close eye on this one as we get closer to the day of destiny. Oh, and Sprint? The cat's out of the bag -- perhaps it's time to make it real.

Microsoft patents modular Windows Phone with swappable batteries, keyboard, and gamepad

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 06:14 AM PDT

We've seen slider phones with speakers, gamepads, and of course, the standard keypad -- but what if you want to swap out your slider accessory for something new? A new patent from Microsoft is exploring the possibility, showing off a concept smartphone with a sliding modular bay. Tired of that keyboard? Replace it with a gamepad, or a life-giving battery pack. According to the patent claims, some of the modular components would even function wirelessly, citing a touchscreen module which doubles as a wireless handset or a media remote. Neat? You bet, but we wouldn't get our hopes up -- Microsoft typically keeps out of the handset manufacturing game, and the last modular phone to pique our interest didn't exactly make a splash.

Samsung opens 'most advanced' 20nm-class flash memory production line

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:49 AM PDT

Samsung's "20nm-class" designations for flash memory production are frustratingly nonspecific, but smallest processes or not it's ready to crank out more chips than ever. Reuters reports the electronics giant just flipped the switch on its first new production line in five years, one that it's calling "the industry's largest and most advanced memory fabrication facility." It could take up to nine months to get fully up to speed, but the increased production and reduced costs should keep the competition coming Samsung's way for storage no matter what their current legal situation.

Former ARRI exec pleads guilty to hacking into rival CEO's e-mail account, faces jail time

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:26 AM PDT

There's some Oscar-worthy drama brewing in California, where ARRI executive Michael Bravin has pleaded guilty to hacking into a high-level e-mail account at rival camera maker Band Pro Film and Digital. In a plea agreement filed yesterday with a US District Court, Bravin admitted to intentionally accessing a corporate e-mail account belonging to Amnon Band -- Band Pro's President and CEO. More details after the break, including a potential connection to RED's Jim Jannard.

Bravin obtained Band's user name and password during his 16-year tenure at the company, which he left in December 2009 before joining ARRI as VP of Market Development in 2010 (according to his LinkedIn profile, he left ARRI in January 2011 to found a production consultation company). After leaving Band Pro, the exec continued to illegally access Band's account and read his e-mails until June 2010, costing the company at least $5,000. Bravin is now required to pay back that sum along with any legal fees, with both prosecution and defense attorneys putting total restitution at an estimated $20,000. The crime also allows for a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison, though both parties agree that a two-month sentence would be suitable under the circumstances.

But this saga may be far from over. Yesterday evening, RED founder Jim Jannard announced on a user forum that his personal e-mail account was also compromised, though details behind the operation remain unclear. "My attorney informed me that my personal emails were apparently hacked," Jannard wrote in a thread pertaining to Bravin's guilty plea. "Unfortunately, this will get messy. Not what anyone would vote for. Certainly not me." Jannard didn't specify whether he's planning to take legal action against Bravin, writing only that the breach of his account "is connected to [the Band Pro] case," and that he's "exceedingly sad over this situation."

You can find Bravin's full plea agreement at the PDF link below.

[Thanks, John]

In-app purchasing fail on iTunes is starting to bug developers

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:05 AM PDT

In-app purchases via iTunes have apparently been failing in a big way for the last ten hours and app creators who depend on this heavily taxed income are getting antsy. We're hearing unconfirmed speculation that the problem may be connected to fake purchase receipts getting into the system. Whatever the cause, one developer told us the failure is "losing lots of sales" for apps that use receipt verification and is "threatening to more-or-less take down the entire IAP ecosystem." Seeing as Apple insists on this being the only route for in-app purchasing, they'd better fix it pretty darned quick.

[Thanks, Tipster]

Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video)

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 04:29 AM PDT

Silence may be a virtue under most circumstances, but not when you're driving around a leafy, residential neighborhood in your Toyota Prius. That's why the manufacturer came out with its very own vehicle proximity notification system last year -- a "futuristic," underhood noisemaker designed to alert pedestrians and the visually impaired to the plug-in's presence. Now, Toyota has offered more details on its safety system, in a freshly released demo video starring the 2012 Prius V. The car's artificial engine noise, as the company explains, only kicks in at speeds below 15 miles per hour, allowing it to broadcast its audible heads-up across parking lots or other low-speed zones. The sound itself, meanwhile, emanates from external speakers and consists of a blend of high and low frequencies that won't be by muffled by background noise or physical obstacles. The vehicle's pitch shift technology also enables the tone to rise in pitch as the car speeds up and to fall as it slows down, giving others an idea of how fast it's approaching. Accelerate past the break to see the full video for yourself, while John Kerry nods in silent approval.

Motorola's Atrix 2 (Edison) flaunts qHD display, hands-on reveals no PenTile matrix

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:46 AM PDT

It seems that Motorola's successor to the original Atrix has emerged in the streets of Chicago prior to being officially unveiled by AT&T. The crew at The Verge recently scored some hands-on time with the device, and in the process, cleared up much of the speculation regarding Ma Bell's upcoming Atrix 2 -- also known as the Edison. First, we know the device will indeed have a qHD display, although unlike Moto's other 960 x 540 screens, this one discards the PenTile matrix and features properly proportioned sub-pixels, which delivers crisper text in the process. Additionally, there's now further evidence that the handset will not be a member of AT&T's LTE lineup, and thus will be limited to its HSPA+ network. Notably, this revision adds a shutter button along the right edge of the handset, although like the Photon, it's only a single-stage mechanism, which is quite a bummer. Similar to the Bionic, it features a dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP CPU and delivers comparable benchmarks in the process. Looks like it'll be a fine contender for battle with the biggies from Samsung and Apple, eh?

CERN scientists discover particle traveling faster than the speed of light, Einstein theory threatened

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:00 AM PDT

It ain't over till the LHC says so, which is why researchers at CERN are opening up their most recent OPERA experiment to the scientific community before officially releasing its findings. Why, you ask? Because the experiment could shatter one of the fundamentals of physics -- Einstein's theory of special relativity, which says nothing with mass can accelerate faster than the speed of light. While studying neutrino oscillations -- where particles shift from one type of subatomic particle (muon-neutrinos) to another (tau-neutrinos) -- scientists clocked a beam of muon-neutrinos outpacing the aforesaid ray of light by 60 nanoseconds. Calling the result "crazy," lead scientist Antonio Ereditato published the findings online, hoping to attract the attention of others who might shed some light on what it all means. We're not expecting a conclusive answer any time soon, but budding whiz-kids can get educated in the links below.

Denon DNP-720AE does network audio and not much else for $660

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 02:16 AM PDT


The DNP-720AE has been hanging around at trade shows for a while, but it's only just been tagged up with a price. And boy, what a price: £429 ($660) for a stereo box that snatches AirPlay, DLNA, Internet radio, Napster and Last.fm off your WiFi or wired network and outputs to your amp. Sure, it packs a decent 24-bit DAC and will no doubt deliver that sweet Denon sound when added to your stack -- but if you don't already own a bunch of same-brand components then there's plenty of alternatives to consider. To pick a random example, even the ancient and infinitely cheaper Logitech Squeezebox Duet has similar functionality, without AirPlay or DLNA specifically but with basic iTunes compatibility and Spotify too. You could put those savings towards a networked AV receiver instead.

Amtrak to finally launch free WiFi for regional trains on October 1st?

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 01:13 AM PDT

Rumor 'round the Twitterverse has it that Amtrak may finally be implementing free WiFi on October 1st -- finally seeing the bet laid down by various plane and bus companies over the past couple years. The casual conversation between conductor and passenger yielded the information that the system is finally ready to extend beyond Acela, apparently "ready to roll and it's just a matter of 'flipping the on switch.'" This comes as great news for commuters who spend their mornings and evenings stuck on slow, old, often curious smelling Regional trains. Unfortunately, other than the tweet, there's no word (official or otherwise) whether net surfage will be possible beginning next month. Regardless, looks like the "I didn't have internet access" excuse is still valid for a little while longer for all you nine to fivers.

Update: To be clear: Amtrak Acela trains by and large already have WiFi, as do some regional trains in the Northwest. This latest addition would be for Northeast Regional trains.

[Thanks, @melanierenzulli]

Scientists reconstruct images from our brains, plan to do the same for dreams (video)

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 12:15 AM PDT

This is your brain. And now this is your brain on YouTube. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) software, researchers at UC Berkeley created a visual representation of what our brains see when we watch a TV or movie. It works as such: scientists show subjects random clips and measure the corresponding cerebral activity. After the computer "learns" what vids evoke what brain activity, scientists feed 18 million seconds of random YouTube videos into the computer program where it reconstructs a movie representation of neural happenings based on the hundred clips most similar to what it sees. Although the method currently only works with images actually viewed, the future goal is to recreate what people see in their dreams and memories -- which could give doctors major insight to the minds of the mentally impaired, stroke victims or those with neurological disorders. Inception in real life isn't exactly around the corner, but the implications of this new technology are pretty mind-blowing. See for yourself in the video after the break -- no totem required.

Sprint's Motorola Admiral quietly displayed on YouTube as America watches dancing cats

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:11 PM PDT

It may not have quite as many views as Admiral Ackbar, but a chieftan of Sprint's CDMA-based Direct Connect service was officially outed by the carrier via YouTube earlier. Our device in question, the Motorola Admiral, has now been given a speedy lookover despite the fact that the company hasn't even seen fit to acknowledge its existence otherwise. 'Course, we don't imagine this was accidental in the slightest -- the video of the rugged Android device has been up for several hours without getting pulled -- but it's still a curious way to introduce one of the first phones featuring a brand new service. Regardless, we now have the clearest shots of the portrait QWERTY smartphone that we've seen yet; the two-and-a-half minute teaser didn't list off a lot of specs, but it did confirm the handset's 3.1-inch display and five megapixel camera with LED flash. That should count for something, right? Still, it likely won't be long before we get a real announcement with the full rundown, so just keep yourself entertained by watching the "related videos" section in the meantime. Check out the vid after the break.

New York City braces for Tuesday's arrival of mobile service on subway platforms

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 10:06 PM PDT

It's hardly a natural disaster, but the landscape of Manhattan is about to change once again with the arrival of cellular signal to a handful of the borough's subway platforms. Both AT&T and T-Mobile are taking part in the pilot program, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority expects the service to begin rolling on Tuesday at several stations along the 14th Street corridor, including A, C, E, F, L and M, along with stops 1, 2 and 3. The 23rd Street line will also see part of the action, as coverage is expected for the C and E stations. Of course, straphangers are unlikely to receive signal once on-board the trains, as the tunnels themselves aren't included in this rollout. Currently, the MTA expects all 277 underground platforms to be equipped for mobile chatter by 2016. Transit Wireless, the company responsible for the expansion, is said to be in talks with Sprint and Verizon for a similar introduction, although its customers must be content to listen in on the conversations other commuters for the time being.

[Image from SeanPavonePhoto/Shutterstock]

Wisconsin library loans iPads for at home e-reading

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 09:03 PM PDT

If you thought hitting up the local library was far too Web 1.0 for your avant-garde lifestyle, you may want to check out the Eau Claire public library in Wisconsin -- it's not only lending books, but also, iPads. Each one of the 44 available tablets will be stuffed to the digital gills with 1,000 books, ten audiobooks and various apps for your reading (or, not reading) pleasure. Although other houses of learning have launched similar programs, this is the first of note to go with Apple slates for its e-reading experiment. If you're the proud owner of a library card and have less than $10 in fines, you too can get in line for one of the loaners. We wonder, does the old saying "you break it, you buy it" apply here?

Card.io launches visual credit card scanner on Android, shares the mobile payment love

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 08:19 PM PDT

Already in use on iOS, Card.io offers a lightweight alternative to Google Wallet, using your phone's camera to glean payment details; and it's now winging its way to your Android phone. It may not have that phone-tapping appeal of Google's contactless payment system, but the app SDK (available now) skips the laborious process of entering your details number-by-number, booting up your camera and delivering your precious banking details to third-party merchants. You can check the video after the break for a (really brief) walkthrough, or click on the source below to give the Android demo a go.

VIA Technologies sues Apple for patent infringement

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 07:32 PM PDT

Seems like we can't go a week without another patent infringement lawsuit being filed, and this one's no different. Apparently, VIA Technologies, maker of fine computational processors, is mad as hell with Apple's allegedly infringing ways, and it's not gonna take it anymore. Filed in the US District Court in Delaware, VIA claims that Cupertino's iThings and Apple TVs infringe patent numbers 6,253,312, 6,253,311 and 6,754,810, which cover various microprocessor functions. A complaint's also been lodged with the ITC -- in order to hasten the settlement talks, no doubt. So, all that's left is the countdown until these two shake hands, exchange checks and go on about their business... preferably outside the courtroom.

Xperia Play finally gets HD video capture, catches up with smartphone siblings

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 07:04 PM PDT

The Xperia Play's incoming Android 2.3.4 update appears to add an extra nugget of functional goodness in the form of high-definition video-recording. What, the Xperia Play didn't do so already? Nope, Sony Ericsson neglected to add that functionality to the phone's five megapixel shooter from the start. Fortunately, the new software update rectifies this, so when you're not blasting those PlayStation hits of yesteryear, you'll be able to chronicle your pet's adventures in crystal clear 720p. Courtesy of XDA Developers, see proof of the Play's new HD recording abilities after the break.

PBS screens the cultural eye-candy early to Apple devices, ushers iOS users past the public velvet rope

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 06:14 PM PDT

If you're a fan of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, you'll probably want to tune in to PBS' new Prohibition-era doc -- on your iOS device. That's right, the federally-funded public network's hip to our digital distributing times, and is giving an early access viewing window to users of its PBS app across Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The high-brow art'll get its stream on September 23rd, with the full series to air on broadcast from October 2nd through the 4th. While the doc's two subsequent episodes will also stream live day and date on PBS' video hub, your mobile apps won't get the visual goods until the day after air. Of course, if that bevy of options doesn't jive with your busy schedule, you can always download the show direct from PBS or iTunes. Official PR awaits you after the break.

Show full PR text
PBS To Debut First Episode of Ken Burns's "Prohibition" On Free PBS Apps for iPad and iPhone Beginning September 23

ARLINGTON, VA – September 21, 2011 – PBS announced today that the first episode of PROHIBITION, the much-anticipated film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, will premiere on the free PBS for iPad and PBS Apps for the iPhone and iPod touch beginning Friday, September 23.

Set in the era of bathtub gin, bootleggers and speakeasies, PROHIBITION tells the true story of the rise, rule and fall of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was called the "Noble Experiment," but it was in fact one of America's most notorious civic failures, an object lesson in the challenge of legislating human behavior.

The entire series will air nationally on PBS Sunday-Tuesday, October 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Each episode will also be streamed live on video.pbs.org, timed to the national broadcast. Episodes 2 and 3 of PROHIBITION will be available on PBS for iPad and PBS Apps for Phone and iPod touch the day after each television airdate and remain available through Friday, October 7th. All episodes will be available for purchase on DVD at shoppbs.org and on iTunes.

The premiere of the first episode of PROHIBITION on PBS Apps also provides viewers of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" an opportunity, two days prior to the premiere of that series on Sunday, September 25th, to watch the real story of what gave rise to prohibition.

"We are huge fans of 'Boardwalk Empire' and are thrilled that we can share the story of what gave rise to prohibition, the topic of our first episode, to viewers tuning in to the premiere of 'Boardwalk,'" said Ken Burns.

"PBS' strategy of debuting high-profile shows on the iPad and iPhone before television broadcast has been enormously popular with users," said Jason Seiken, Senior Vice President, Interactive, Product Development & Innovation. "Users of our apps watched more than 52 million video streams last month. The early premiere of the first episode of Ken Burns's and Lynn Novick's much anticipated PROHIBITION is part of our ongoing mission to provide all Americans with content where and when they want it."

HBO and PBS co-hosted a lunch on September 8th with Burns and "Boardwalk Empire" executive producer Terence Winter. Video from the luncheon, including clips from both films, are now available on PBS's Facebook page and on PBS.org.

PBS for iPad features 250 hours of free video, including full-length programs, as well as TV schedules, previews and a tune-in reminder calendar that can be synced with iCal. PBS for iPad and PBS Apps for the iPhone and iPod touch are available free from the App Store.

Spotify opens up to all in the US with free, unlimited music streaming for six months

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:34 PM PDT

It's only been a couple of months since Spotify kicked off its invite-only beta here in the US, but along with announcing new Facebook tie-ins it's finally ready to let the masses into the party. As if lifting the velvet rope weren't enough, Spotify has also seen fit to throw in unlimited streaming for six months on the free plan, instead of the usual ten hours. Click the source link below to grab your own account now (Facebook account required) but be warned: millions before you walked in for the free taste and ended up with a $10 / month premium service musical addiction.

KDDI may get iPhone 5, putting an end to Softbank's exclusivity in Japan

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:02 PM PDT


The walls of tyrannical exclusivity may soon come crashing down in Japan. According to Nikkei, "officials" in the know have indicated that KDDI is gearing up to release the iPhone 5 on its network, thus ending competitor SoftBank's reign as the iconic device's sole provider in the Land of the Rising Sun. As we've come to expect in the days leading up to official Apple announcements, the details are incredibly scant. SoftBank, the third-largest carrier in the country, has been inching closer and closer to second-place KDDI with very little breathing room left; it's understandable, then, that the latter would be eagerly awaiting the end of iPhone exclusivity to make an agreement with Apple and boost its subscriber count. As it's all hearsay for the time being, we'll just have to wait a little while longer before we know every detail on the mystery device(s).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

America may join the net neutrality parade on November 20th, if the courts let it

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 04:09 PM PDT

Net Neutrality FCC
Well America, on November 20th you too will finally have net neutrality regulations all your own... provided the anticipated pile of lawsuits don't derail the process. The FCC will publish its "open internet rules" in the Federal Register tomorrow, making the regulations official. These are the same fairly modest proposals that were passed nearly a year ago over Republican opposition and, on that fateful day in November, they're scheduled to take effect. The rules have already faced challenges from Congress, Verizon and MetroPCS, but those suits were dismissed since the regulations technically didn't exist. After tomorrow though, any and all legal challenges will be fair game. Since the FCC is relying on its ancillary powers instead of reclassifying broadband as a Tier II service (similar to telephone landlines), those challenges could actually meet with success. If you need a refresher, just check out or guide to net neutrality as well as our interview with advocate and law professor Tim Wu. Now, we just have to wait and see what tomorrow will bring.

Western Digital rolls out My Passport, My Passport Studio hard drives for Mac users

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:29 PM PDT

No rainbow of colors or stylized designs here, but Mac users do now have a pair of fairly sleek and streamlined new portable hard drives to consider from Western Digital. That includes the latest My Passport and My Passport Studio (pictured above), the latter of which boasts an all metal enclosure and a pair of FireWire 800 ports in addition to the standard USB 2.0 connector. Otherwise, both are available in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities, and they are of course fully compatible with Apple's Time Machine. Look for the standard My Passport to run between $100 and $130, while the My Passport Studio starts at $130 and tops out at $180.

Update: Storage Review has already taken a look at both drives, and is particularly impressed by the pricier My Passport Studio. Hit the links below for a closer look at them.
Show full PR text
WD's My Passport® Studio™ and My Passport for Mac® Portable Hard Drives Combine High-Performance and Svelte Design

World's Leading Selling My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac Provide Compact Solutions to Store and Transport Massive Amounts of Digital Content

WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES MY PASSPORT STUDIO WD's My Passport(R) Studio(TM) and My Passport for Mac(R) Portable Hard Drives Combine High-Performance and Svelte Design. (PRNewsFoto/Western Digital Technologies) IRVINE, CA UNITED STATES

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Digital® (NYSE: WDC) today introduced its newest generation of My Passport® portable hard drives specifically designed for use with Mac® computers and Apple® Time Machine®, featuring compact, elegant Mac-inspired designs with high capacity storage options and exceptional security for today's active lifestyles.

My Passport® Studio™ boasts the all-metal design and performance needed for today's discerning Mac user, serving as an ideal companion for the on-the-go photographer, videographer, graphic artist, or creative professional that produces, shares and consumes massive amounts of digital content daily. Offering up to 1 TB capacity, the My Passport Studio also provides multiple connectivity options with two FireWire® 800 ports and a USB 2.0 interface. The dual FireWire ports provide blazing fast upload and transfer speeds while also allowing users to daisy chain additional drives or other peripherals such as HD camcorders. My Passport Studio also features encryption and password protection software, and an all-new design constructed of metal for a sturdy feel in your hand and scratch resistance.

Housed in a stylish yet durable slim enclosure, the My Passport for Mac® is designed for Mac users who need high capacity storage in an ultra-compact and lightweight design. Available in capacities up to 1 TB, My Passport for Mac remains a favorite among students and other Mac users whose work environments may include extensive travel or outdoor and adventure locations.

With minimal local storage on the MacBook® and MacBook Air® products, My Passport for Mac serves as an easy-to-use and reliable storage and back-up source for music, videos, photos and all digital content. Conveniently powered through its USB 2.0 interface, users can quickly connect the My Passport for Mac drive to their MacBook or MacBook Air without the need for additional cables or power source.

"Whether you are a member of the creative community or simply use your Mac to enjoy digital content on-the-go, users will find the perfect portable storage solution with WD's My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac high-capacity portable hard drives," said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. "We know the value our customers place on their digital content, which is why we set demanding requirements for durability, security, and long-term reliability, with all our drives."

Pricing and Availability

WD's My Passport Studio and My Passport for Mac are available on the WD store at www.wdstore.com and at select retailers and distributors.

My Passport Studio (MSRP in USD)


My Passport for Mac (MSRP in USD)


500 GB -- $129.99


500 GB -- $99.99


750 GB -- $159.99


750 GB -- $119.99


1 TB -- $179.99


1 TB -- $129.99




About WD

WD, one of the storage industry's pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users' data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products.

WD was founded in 1970. The company's storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company's website (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.

Western Digital, WD, the WD logo and My Passport are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries; My Passport Studio is a trademark of Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Other marks may be mentioned herein that belong to other companies. As used for storage capacity, one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110922/LA72739)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000711/WDCLOGO)

SOURCE Western Digital Technologies

Google TV apps for TNT, TBS leak out briefly, reveal authenticated streaming on the way

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 03:08 PM PDT

We're still waiting for Google TV products to officially get their big update with Honeycomb and access to the Android Market, but compatible apps are already leaking out. NewTeeVee points out a couple from TNT and TBS (which also allow Google TV streaming from their websites) that briefly appeared and will let pay-TV subscribers stream episodes directly over the internet, similar to the iOS apps both networks have already rolled out. Turner confirmed the existence of the TV Everywhere apps, while Google expressed its hope to see more authenticated apps like these and the existing HBO Go access on the platform, as opposed to simply ending up blocked. That's bad news for cord-cutters hoping for an online only machine, but with the majority of viewers still hooked into satellite, cable or IPTV it may be the only way to make Google TV a viable platform right now. All signs point to the update arriving at the end of this month, we should find out more about these apps and others like them then.

Cricket takes a great leap forward, expands footprint with a little help from retail friends

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 02:51 PM PDT

After inking a wholesale spectrum agreement with Sprint last year, Leap's going for broke and rolling its "value-driven" Cricket service out nationwide on September 25th. The expansion includes a sprinkling of Walmart stores, Dollar General and even cable-shopping channel HSN, but the majority of its new reach will come from a partnership with Best Buy. In addition to offering monthly plans for dumb and smartphones alike, the operator's also serving up specific Muve Music service packages to play nice with three upcoming handsets. Along with the Samsung Vitality and ZTE Chorus (both to be available before the holidays), Cricket's introducing its first ZTE smartphone -- the Score. Don't go looking for high-end specs here, as the 3.5-inch Android device runs Gingerbread atop a 600MHz processor and includes a 3.2 megapixel camera. Feature phone users will also get a couple of new options to choose, with the Huawei Pillar and Samsung Chrono offered on the provider's PAYGo service. If you're in the mood to dig through PR spiel, skip past the break for a trio of pressers.
Show full PR text
Leap Announces Expanded Availability of Cricket Products and Services Through Key National Retail Outlets

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP), the parent company of Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless communications services, announced a major retail expansion today that will result in Cricket products and services being available to consumers nationwide. During the next two months, Cricket's innovative products and services will be launched in key major retailers including Best Buy, select Walmart locations, Dollar General and through one of America's most popular interactive multi-channel retailers, HSN. Today's announcement takes advantage of Leap's wholesale agreement with Sprint that is expected to support the Company's goal of establishing Cricket as the national value leader in the rapidly expanding prepaid wireless segment.

"This is a significant milestone in the plans we announced last year to create a new, hybrid wholesale and facilities-based model that is unique in the wireless industry," said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer for Leap. "We are excited to bring Cricket's innovative wireless products to a large group of consumers who until now have not been able to take advantage of the tremendous value these products provide. In addition, we're happy to bring Muve Music, our fast-growing music service designed specifically for the mobile phone, to music lovers, especially as we near the important holiday season."

Cricket began providing wireless services in 1999 and now serves approximately 5.7 million customers in the 35 states where it has built and operates its own networks and a network of company owned retail stores and independent dealers. Under the unique wholesale roaming agreement announced last year, the company will, over the next two months, roll-out Cricket products and services to customers across additional markets in the 35 states it currently serves as well as into new markets. Cricket products will be available in more than 11,500 locations once the new retail expansion is complete.

"This move greatly expands the scope of our business and we believe this and other initiatives the Company has previously initiated will further the momentum we are seeing in voice customer growth and increased penetration and keep us on a trajectory of growth," continued Hutcheson.

Cricket products and services will be available in more than 1,300 Best Buy stores nationwide beginning September 25. A wide range of devices and service plans will be available to national retail customers and further announcements will be made soon regarding Cricket's availability in the other retailers announced today.

Show full PR text
Cricket Introduces ZTE Score Android™ Smartphone

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP) and ZTE, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today announced the launch of the ZTE Score™, the seventh smartphone to be included in Cricket's dynamic line of phone offerings and the first ZTE smartphone to be launched by Cricket. Cricket is the first carrier to launch the ZTE Score, which will be available beginning Sunday, September 25 in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations across the United States and will soon be available through Cricket stores and dealers.

The ZTE Score is a full-featured Android smartphone providing speed and ease of use, making it particularly appealing for those customers looking to upgrade to a device with today's newest technologies. The phone is based on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) comes with 600 MHz of processing speed and features a 3.5" HVGA capacitive touch display, accelerometer and virtual qwerty keypad, 3.2MP camera/camcorder, WiFi capable, 3G real web browsing and XT9 Trace for easy text entry. The ZTE Score also includes the new and innovative Muve Music service, and it also offers access to more than 200,000 apps on the Android market, Google Maps and Navigator, Email, MyAccount, Cricket411, and much more. The smartphone will be available for $129.99 (MSRP).

With the Muve Music smartphone plan, Cricket Wireless customers will enjoy unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones, as well as unlimited text, picture, and video messaging, 3G mobile data, mobile video, data back-up, and 411 assistance.

Muve Music is the first unlimited music service to be included as part of a wireless rate plan and now has more than 200,000 customers. By applying its philosophy of unlimited services and value innovation, Cricket and Muve Music have given their customers a new music experience that ranks high in customer satisfaction.

"ZTE is pleased to work with Cricket to provide its customers with new devices that provide the best of today's technology at an accessible price point," said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA and President, North America Region, ZTE. "The ZTE Score, powered by Android and an ideal platform for Muve Music, is a prime example of a feature-rich, affordable smartphone that will help consumers enhance their mobile lifestyle."

Show full PR text
Cricket to Introduce Unique New Nationwide Cricket Products Into Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile Locations Nationwide

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ: LEAP) and Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, today announced the upcoming introduction of Muve Music and new, all-inclusive nationwide Cricket monthly voice products into more than 1,300 Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores nationwide. These new products, will be available beginning Sunday, September 25, enable Cricket to bring its industry-leading value proposition to an expanded nationwide audience. The announcement is part of Cricket's major retail expansion announced today that will result in Cricket products and services being available to consumers in additional markets across the country.

"Our partnership with Best Buy, one of the country's most trusted names in national retail, will allow Cricket to significantly expand our distribution footprint nationwide with products like our popular music service Muve Music which is among the fastest growing music services in the country," said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer of Leap. "These products feature nationwide coverage and no contracts. Several of them are being offered by Cricket for the first time and are customized and unique to Best Buy."

Cricket's fast-growing music service Muve Music, that is winning the praise of customers and critics alike, will headline the selection of Cricket's products and services in Best Buy. Ultimately, three handsets will be available with Muve Music at Best Buy for the holiday shopping season. The recently launched Samsung Vitality smartphone will be available for $199.99 (MSRP). In addition, Muve Music will be available on the newly-launched ZTE Score smartphone for $129.99 (MSRP). A new Muve Music feature phone will also be introduced in Best Buy, the ZTE Chorus, which will be available later this year at $99.99 (MSRP).

With the Muve Music Smartphone rate plan, Best Buy customers will enjoy unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones, as well as nationwide calling; unlimited text, picture, video messaging and 3G mobile data; mobile video; data back-up, and 411 assistance all for just $55 per month. The Muve Music feature phone rate plan in Best Buy will be available for $45 per month.

In addition, Cricket is introducing two additional standard feature phones at Best Buy, the Huawei Pillar ($69.99 MSRP) and the Samsung Chrono ($39.99 MSRP). The Pillar features a QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy text and picture messaging. Customers can enjoy easy talk and test with one simple flip with the Samsung Chrono.

Both feature phones will be available on two new Cricket PAYGo service plans at $25 and $35 per month. Both plans include unlimited text, picture and video messaging and unlimited mobile web. The $25 plan includes 300 minutes of US calling per month while the $35 plan includes 1,000 minutes of US calling.

Hulu Plus cracks one million paying subscribers, but what's next?

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 02:33 PM PDT

It's almost the official end of summer and just as CEO Jason Kilar forecasted back in July, Hulu has signed up more than 1,000,000 paying Plus subscribers. He made the announcement at a Goldman Sachs investor conference while also mentioning plans to invest $375 million in content this year, even as the questions of who will buy Hulu (if its owners actually follow through with a sale) and Kilar's own fate as its head continue to hang in the air. Hitting the projected numbers, rolling out service internationally and popping up at the f8 Facebook event are all signs Hulu is still making plans for its future, even if we don't know yet where that future will be.

NTT DoCoMo's mobile accessories smell your breath, tell you to put the burger down (video)

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 02:09 PM PDT

Sick of your friends saying you look fat in those jeans? Apparently, NTT DoCoMo feels your pain and aims to swap out the peer criticism with smartphone objectivity. Shown off in advance of CEATEC Japan 2011 (an annual electronics trade show), the operator took the wraps off several mobile-based accessories, ranging from gamma ray and UV light monitoring phone cases to a breathalyzer-like add-on for measuring body fat (you paying attention, HTC Rhyme?). There were also a couple of applications on hand for checking photos of food against a calorie database à la Google Goggles, and an AR implementation for weather services on tablets. It's not clear whether the Japanese carrier actually intends to release these innovations to the mass-consuming public, but as with all things tech in that corner of the world, they're sure to get it before we ever do. Jump past the break for a video peek at Nippon's creep towards a Hitchhiker Guide-style wireless world.

Sprint to launch Direct Connect October 2nd, confirms mobile hotspot capping

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 01:52 PM PDT

The way Sprint's been going lately, we're wondering if there's going to be anything left to announce at its October 7th strategy update. Another screenshot has surfaced, detailing the Now Network's intentions to launch its CDMA-based (read: no more iDEN) Direct Connect service on October 2nd, with "increased coverage" coming early next year. We've been expecting to see it at some point this winter, which means the Nextel alternative is getting pushed out ahead of schedule. With this, we should be hearing news in the near future concerning compatible handsets like the Motorola Admiral or Kyocera DuraMax / DuraCore duo.

Unfortunately, October 2nd will be filled with both happy news and bad, as it looks like the leaked memo detailing Sprint's plan to cap the mobile hotspot add-on was right on target. The carrier made its intentions official this morning, confirming that it indeed will be putting a 5GB-per-month leash on the tethering done from your phone, complete with overage charges of $.05 per additional MB used. Grandfathered add-ons aren't an option here, so every tetherer already shelling out $30 for the privilege will find themselves restricted as well. But look at the bright side: tablets need not apply to the data cap, and on-phone data plans and dedicated mobile broadband packages will remain unaffected... for now, at least.
at 11:41 AM

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