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Thursday, October 6, 2011

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Engadget News

Digital video game distribution finds brick and mortar camping, moves in for win

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 11:32 AM PDT

Blame it on the economy, or simply chalk it up to a better way of earning revenue, but physical distributors of new video games are beginning to feel some major heat from the scrappy competition. While this mainstay segment still comprises the bulk of sales with $1.44 billion earned in the previous quarter, the combination of digital purchases, subscriptions, downloadable content, social network and mobile games -- along with help from rentals and used purchases -- now tops $1.74 billion dollars. This news comes from the NPD Group, and while we're still scratching our heads at the logic of combining second-hand purchases with electronic distribution, it provides a strong indicator of consumers' changing tastes and preferences (along with their willingness to spend). Does this industry titan simply need a new console or another Call of Duty to maintain supremacy? Perhaps a modest uptick in GDP? Or does this signal the changing of the guard for our favorite electronic pastime? There's a full PR after the break, where you're welcome to fire one off in the comments and let us know your take.

[Image courtesy bradleyolin / flickr]
Show full PR text
Total Consumer Spend on Hardware, Content, and Accessories in the U.S. Estimated at $4.5 Billion

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, October 5, 2011 – According to the Q2 2011 Games Industry: Total Consumer Spend report from leading market research company, The NPD Group, in addition to the $1.44 billion spent in the U.S. by consumers on new physical video and PC game software in the second quarter of 2011, the total consumer spend on content via other monetization methods, including used games, game rentals, subscriptions, digital full-game downloads, social network games, downloadable content, and mobile games, is estimated at $1.74 billion. The total amount spent by consumers on hardware, content and accessories is estimated at $4.5 billion, an increase of 1 percent versus Q2 2010.

"While the new physical retail channel still generates the majority of industry sales, our expanded research coverage allows us to assess the total consumer spend across the growing number of ways to acquire and experience gaming, including mobile apps and downloadable content," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst, The NPD Group. "Through a combination of point-of-sale and consumer research tracking, The NPD Group is providing an expanded, more comprehensive measure of a dynamic and rapidly evolving games industry. We are excited that we are expanding our coverage of the consumer spend in emerging distribution channels to cover the UK, France and Germany in early 2012."

Methodology
The estimates are published in NPD's new report, Games Industry: Total Consumer Spend –released by The NPD Group in late September 2011 - and are derived leveraging NPD's portfolio of physical POS tracking (Retail Tracking Service) and consumer research including the Games Acquisition Monitor, Video Game and PC Game Subscriptions Report and Consumer Tracking Service. It also incorporates consumer spend estimation provided by NPD retail and publisher partners, and calibration with third-party sources.

Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger hands-on: one plug for iPhone, another one for micro-USB

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 11:06 AM PDT

As an Engadget reader, you'll gain extra street cred if you're using an iPhone and, well, a non-iPhone at the same time; or maybe you've got all your media content on an iPod instead of having everything on your non-Apple smartphone. Either way, this means that you'd need to carry at least two types of cables for emergency charging on the go. To save the hassle, PANS Ltd. from Japan has come up with a neat solution: Umiushi Smapho 2800, which is apparently the industry's first external battery with a built-in iPod dock connector and a micro-USB plug, both of which can be used simultaneously to sip on the 2,800mAh reservoir with 5V 1A output. Sure, you could alternatively just get hold of Apple's micro-USB adapter and keep one micro-USB cable with you, but if you're also looking for an external battery anyway then the option's there, too. Expect to see the Smapho 2800 in various markets in two months' time.
Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger

Is this Dell's Windows 7 'Peju' Tablet?

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 10:36 AM PDT

A Blurrycam-equipped tipster sent in the above images of what's purported to be a 10-inch Windows 7 tablet from Dell. There's not a lot of info on the thing at the moment, and what we do have ought to be taken with a few pinches of salt. But here's the breakdown, according to the aforementioned tipster: the slate's got 2GB of RAM (though larger options will also be made available from the company), a USB and HDMI port and a stylus holder on the back of the device. Dell is apparently looking to make it available in December for around $900 to $1,000, just in time for that holiday tablet rush. Could this be the 10.1-inch Peju tablet that we caught wind of, back in July? We can't say for sure, of course, but it certainly seems like a possibility.
Is this the Dell Peju?


[Thanks, Anonymous]

HTC announces the Sensation XL with Beats Audio, we go hands-on

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 10:00 AM PDT

We suspected there'd be a special guest at HTC's party in London tonight and here it is: the brand new Sensation XL. You might recognize the mug shot from the many leaks we've reported under the Runnymede codename, but this phone also bears a distinct similarity to the recently announced HTC Titan. It's carved from an almost identical 4.7-inch block of machined aluminum, has the same stunning 9.9mm (0.39-inch) thickness, same 800x480 Super LCD display and even the same eight megapixel rear camera unit. But there are key differences too: for a start, it packs HTC's vaunted Beats Audio system licensed from Dr. Dre. Oh, and did we mention this thing is an Android rather than a Windows Phone? Those two things alone make the XL a different beast entirely, so read on for our impressions.
HTC Sensation XL hands-on



Rather than comparing this phone to the Titan, many people will inevitably be thinking "hey, didn't we just hear about a Sensation XE?" Indeed we did, and that phone also sports Android and Beats Audio just like this new XL. Another key similarity is that the XL regrettably isn't coming to America either -- those of you on that side of the world must be due for some equivalent or possibly even better model soon. But those matters aside, HTC reckons the third phone in its Sensation lineage is designed for a slightly different type of user: one who's willing to accept certain trade-offs in order to get that vastly bigger screen.


For a start, the XL's Qualcomm MSM8255 1.5GHz processor is only single-core, whereas the Sensation XE is dual-core. This allows the XL to get away with a slightly smaller battery (1600mAh instead of 1730mAh) and is possibly linked to the fact that the XL is also 1.4mm thinner than the XE -- a crucial factor when you're holding and pocketing handsets of such enormity. Other dimensions are 132.5mm tall and 70.7mm wide.

Our initial impression is that many people will accept this trade-off: the huge panel looks great, even though its dpi is rather low, and thinness makes it perfectly practical. Being single-core hardly made any difference to the few activities we had time to try. The only real loss in this regard was 1080p video recording, because the XL's processor can only handle 720p -- but again, we can live with that.


Speaking of the camera, we had the chance to sneak a few test shots, and although we weren't able to keep hold of the photos, we saw enough to be pretty convinced that the f2.2, 28mm camera with dual LED flash behaves just like that on the Titan -- and that definitely counts as an advantage because the Titan's camera is super quick, adjusts exposure smoothly, focuses intelligently and takes great shots. The front-facer delivers a decent 1.3 megapixels.

On the other hand, some sacrifices are much harder to live with: the 16GB of onboard storage (alongside 768MB of RAM) is non-expandable because there's no microSD card slot. To make matters worse, only around 12.6GB of storage is left free for the user. Since this is largely being marketed as a music-focused device, we consider this a major omission. Anyone whose music collection is bigger than 10 gigs will instantly be put off.


That brings us nicely onto our final observations, which concern Beats Audio. We'll have the full low-down on this system (gimmick or no gimmick?) in the very near future, and you can also read up on our impressions of Beats Audio on the XE. But in relation to the XL specifically, Beats Audio means two things: the ability to activate a Dre-approved sound profile, and a set of really nice equally Dre-approved headphones. These two features go hand-in-hand, because the whole point of the sound profile is that it's meant to be specifically tailored to the headphones, to deliver a superior aural experience.


The XL will come with HTC YourBeats in-ears (aka iBeats) as standard, which are the same 'phones we tried with the XE. But there'll also be a limited edition XL that will come with Beats Solo headphones, which are the white over-ears in our photos -- matching the whiteness of the handset (there is no black variant, in case you were wondering). Visually, the Solos won't be to everyone's tastes because they're even louder than the fire-red YourBeats, but on the other hand some people love that look. Also, they do sound great and are comfy to wear.

Look for this phone to start becoming available from early November -- we've already confirmed it will be coming to Vodafone in the UK.

Steve Wozniak on Steve Jobs

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 09:34 AM PDT


Steve Jobs was the man most often associated with Apple, but another Steve played a big part in the formation of the company, and Mr. Wozniak has some kind words about his friend and former business partner. Well said, Woz.

Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video)

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video)
Tesla's been teasing us with the Model S electric car for what seems like a cruelly long time. But, we gadget fans need to remember that designing and releasing a car is a rather different prospect than something like a phone. If your new iDevice crashes you might lose your patience, but if your new car crashes, well, the results could be rather more disastrous.

Tesla is keeping up the teasing act with the Model S Beta launch, an opportunity for a lucky few to come and check out the company's factory (once the NUMMI facility in Fremont, CA) and to take a quick ride around the company's test track -- and we do mean quick. How do we know? Well, we got to come along. Join us for our impressions after the break.
Tesla Model S test ride


Suffice to say the Model S is a nice looking car, having a shape that's not altogether dissimilar from an Aston Martin DBS but softened a bit. The S is a fully electric car, and unlike the Tesla Roadster it was designed as such from the ground up -- starting with the battery pack. That slab makes up the floor of the car, meaning the heaviest part of the car sits lowest.

It supports DC fast charging, enabling the addition of up to 300 miles of range in just an hour. But, if you're not lucky enough to have access to one of those, the Model S will be quite happy to pull juice from a standard Level 2 charger -- and, should you opt for a second, the car can top up again in half the time.

But we already knew all that. What we didn't know was how it drives. Sadly we still don't, as Tesla wasn't letting anybody behind the wheel, but we did get to ride shotgun for a few quick exhibitions of speed. There was a relaxed slalom run, a 0 - 80MPH blast, and then a run around the company's heavily banked test track at triple-digit speeds.

How did it feel? Incredibly smooth. While there's nothing like screaming around a track at high speed, doing so in a whisper-quiet car is a new experience altogether. Not only is the motor quiet but the car has been meticulously designed to minimize wind and tire noise as well. It's smooth and peaceful... even when you're hurtling along at speeds high enough to put you in jail.


The interior carries that theme, a very calming and comfortable place to be. There's a lot of leather to be found and high-quality materials abound, but the focal point of the whole thing is the 17-inch touchscreen wedged in vertically where you'd expect a car stereo and climate controls to be. That's all handled on this display, an IPS unit that Tesla engineers mentioned was as good as that in the 17-inch MacBook Pro.

Right now it's using an IR system to detect touch, but we're told capacitive touch is on the way -- something of a disappointment to us, as that might make operating things with gloves a bit tricky. (Drivers are said to be able to control everything using wheel-mounted buttons, too.) And through here you'll operate just about everything, starting at the bottom with a row of buttons and a display for current temperature.

The rest of the display can be repurposed to do a number of things, running a number of different apps that come pre-loaded on there. You can use GPS navigation and get a big, beautiful overhead view of the world. Launch another app and that will be cut in half, with the two apps sharing that mondo display. Media playback was a big thing on display, with the car able to aggregate music from multiple sources, like a generously sized internal HDD and Slacker Radio. Other sources are coming soon.

Play music and you'll get full album art on display in the center stack, but you'll also get a smaller version right up on the driver's display behind the wheel, where it'll sit next to more important information like speed and fuel level.


Most interesting feature of the Dash? A full Webkit browser. As of now it's fully available, even while driving -- the assumption that drivers are smart enough to leave it alone and let passengers fingers do the typing. But, if legislative bodies demand it, the company may look into disabling that while moving, or perhaps only enable it while driving when there's a passenger present. That the company can already detect thanks to the airbag sensor built into the second seat, leading us to wonder how many web-addicts will be driving around with cinderblocks riding shotgun.

In case you're wondering, yes, the car has an active connection all to itself, a 3G modem built in there somewhere. Nobody would comment on just which carrier the car is using, nor on how much data plans will cost for the thing. But, we did confirm that the car can connect to a WiFi hotspot, so hopefully those of you with tethering on your mobiles will be able to take a bye on yet another monthly bill.


Finally, there's the iPhone app -- which Tesla promises is also coming to at least Android at launch and will also be usable via an HTML5 interface for other devices. Through this you can monitor current charge, pre-condition your car (heat it up or cool it down while it's still plugged in) and even get a real-time view of where your car is on a map, and how fast it's going. Tesla promised it won't be storing this data, so you don't need to worry about Big Brother. But, if dad lets you borrow the keys to his Model S, you might just have to worry about him watching what you do.

Suffice it to say the Model S is shaping up to be a very different kind of ride, and while Tesla's production facility is still a long way from being ready to roll, what we saw in our run through the factory looked promising. Will the car be ready to roll into full production in 2012, and will it release at the promised $49,900 base price? This remains to be seen, but we can't wait to find out.
Tesla factory tour

Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars sample photos and video

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 08:29 AM PDT

We can't say that we were too keen on Sony's DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars at first look -- it really is hard to get past that $2,000 price tag. But after Sony finally allowed us to shoot photos and video (albeit for a mere three minutes) at the company's CEATEC booth, we were pleasantly surprised at the image quality, at least some of the time. The images we shot were in 16:9 format, and were roughly 5.3 megapixels in size (the camera's maximum resolution is 7.1 megapixels). With only a few minutes to play around, we didn't have time to switch the menu from Japanese to English (CEATEC is held just outside Tokyo), so we had no choice but to use the default settings.

Still, images shot at f/1.8 appeared crisp, even with moderate shake (it's difficult to keep a heavy pair of binoculars steady when holding them at eye level), with accurate exposure and white balance. When zooming to 10x, however, still photos appeared very noisy, as you'll see in the gallery below. So are they worth the sky-high price tag? Well, it's safe to say that we're not ready to whip out the credit card, though they did perform better than we expected, based only on what we had initially seen through those dual high-res viewfinders. Jump past the break for an HD sample clip, or click the more coverage link below for the untouched samples.
Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars Sample Photos

Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., leader of TV ratings and market research firm, dies at 92

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 08:05 AM PDT

Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., the man who turned the A.C. Nielsen Company into a global leader in market research and television ratings, has died at the age of 92. Nielsen's father founded the company in 1923 and was known for spearheading much of the innovation behind it, but it was the younger Nielsen who led the firm to prominence, after joining in 1945 and taking over as president in 1957. In 1948, he convinced the firm to devote $150,000 to building the first general-purpose computer, the Univac. Building off of his father's revolutionary TV audience measurement system, he later expanded A.C. Nielsen's reach to new areas, including the development of a coupon clearinghouse and data-tracking services for magazines and even oil wells. Perhaps his most impressive achievement, however, was his ability to maintain A.C. Nielsen's position as the nation's pre-eminent TV and media ratings firm, even amidst the proliferation of cable networks.

Arthur "Art" Nielsen stepped down from his role as chairman of the company in 1983, a year before orchestrating its sale to the Dun & Bradstreet Corporation for $1.3 billion in stock. Throughout the course of his illustrious career, he served on the board of more than 20 companies, including Motorola and Walgreen, and advised three US presidents. But his life's work and lasting legacy could just as well be summarized by a simple proverb he learned from his father: "If you can put a number on it, then you know something." Arthur C. Nielsen passed away on October 4th in Winnetka, Illinois. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.

HTC's unaudited Q3 results keep the revenue train a-rollin'

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 07:42 AM PDT

HTC clearly couldn't wait for a pesky audit to tell let the world about its continued financial successes. The Taiwanese handset maker posted unaudited consolidated results for the third quarter -- and, not surprisingly, things are (continuing) to look good for the company. HTC marked a 79.07-percent growth over this time last year, with NT$135,821 million ($4.4 billion) total revenue. And according to HTC, the company's net income post-taxes was NT$18,638 million ($612 million) for the quarter. We'll update the results when we get something a bit more official.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus specs leak, headed to Verizon as an exclusive?

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 07:21 AM PDT

Ready for the latest scoop of Android Ice Cream Sandwich future? A report over on BGR details specs for the next pure Google phone we've come to know and love as the Nexus Prime. Quoting a "trusted source," the insider dish paints a familiar contoured screen picture of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy family member. The screen has been purportedly bumped to a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display, and lurking just beneath its chassis should be a dual-core 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4460 processor. As for the rest, the supposed Verizon exclusive packs 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage, a 1,750mAh battery, 1.3 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear shooter capable of 1080p HD video, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and possible LTE / HSPA bands. So does this handset measure up to your (by now) impossibly high standards? We'll soon find out if any of this pre-release gossip holds its water when we're live at Unpacked next week.

Rdio launches free, non-ad-supported streaming for US users, meter to keep you in check

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 07:01 AM PDT

Ad-free, on-demand streaming is coming your way, folks -- and it won't cost you a dime. Rdio has announced the launch of its free service that will give you access to a library of over 12 million songs without being interrupted by pesky Spotify-esque advertisements. The no cost subscription won't require you to give up your credit card info either, but, you will get a "customized meter" that will let you know how much music you can access monthly. No word yet on how much time you'll have, but any amount of time with the Radiohead discography is sure to be of use. You'll be able to listen via the web or desktop app without grabbing a paid membership, but if you want Rdio's tunes on your phone, it'll cost you $9.99 per month. Also, from what we've heard, this is only available in the US -- for now. If you're looking for the full rundown then hit the PR below for all the details.
Show full PR text
Rdio Launches First Ever Free, On-Demand Music Streaming - Without Ads
No Downloads, No Credit Cards Needed to Access More Than 12 Million Songs Instantly for Free

SAN FRANCISCO, October 6, 2011 –Rdio, the digital music service created by the founders of Skype, today announced the launch of the first ever free, on-demand music offering with no ads. In a move that will redefine the digital music space, US users who sign up to Rdio on the web will now have access to full song streams for free while discovering and sharing music from a growing catalog of over 12 million songs. Only an email address or Facebook account is required to sign up and no software downloads or credit card information is needed to start instantly listening to music.

With Rdio's free access, now anyone can share free, on-demand music with their friends. And with Rdio's full integration into Facebook's Open Graph platform, anyone on Facebook can instantly share and play any song in the News Feed, Ticker, or Timeline.

"We're proud to be the only service in the US to offer everyone the opportunity to listen to millions of songs for free, without the distraction of a single ad," said Drew Larner, CEO of Rdio. "With free access to Rdio, now everyone has the freedom to discover what our fans already know – we're the best option for listening to and discovering music."

Free access users can experience Rdio ad-free through their web browser, Rdio's native desktop apps for Mac & Windows and take full advantage of popular Rdio features including:

·Stream full songs on-demand
·See and hear what your friends and other influencers are listening to in real-time
·Share on Twitter and Facebook
·Create custom and collaborative playlists
·Build a personalized profile and digital music collection
·Get music recommendations based on your tastes
·Listen to artist and label radio stations

Free access users will see a customized meter at the top of their profile page indicating how much free music they have each month. At any time, they can choose to upgrade to one of Rdio's flexible subscription plans for unlimited music streams and Rdio's mobile apps. Plan options include:

·Rdio Web, $4.99 per month: unlimited access to millions of songs from a browser or desktop
·Rdio Unlimited, $9.99 per month: unlimited web streaming and unlimited mobile streaming on smartphones, iPad, Sonos and Roku, as well as wireless synching to listen offline
·Unlimited Family: 2 Unlimited subscriptions for $17.99 per month or 3 Unlimited subscriptions for $22.99 per month

Rdio free access is available immediately at www.rdio.com.

Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 06:42 AM PDT

Wireless power demos abound at CEATEC, and Rohm Semiconductor had their own variant on hand with a complete mix of direct-draw gadgets, along with the omnipresent charging iPhone 4 (or was it a 4S?). Like Murata's prototype, the Rohm flavor uses square electrodes instead of the coils that you'll find in traditional wireless power solutions, like Qi. But unlike that seemingly identical solution from Murata, this version supports much greater power efficiency -- something in the 92 to 93 percent range (compared to the competing pad's 70-percent efficiency rating). That means that the prototype that we're looking at here loses just seven to eight percent of power during transmission -- which is still unacceptably high, mind you, but far more tolerable. Rohm's Wireless Power Transmission system also allows you to charge or power devices by placing them anywhere on the pad, rather than directly over charging positions, and it supports much greater transmission, with one prototype outputting up to 100 watts.

Since power efficiency isn't something we could verify visually, what we could see at the company's demo did appear to work quite well. Powering a gadget is as simple as dropping it on the pad. Well, resting it gently -- this is a prototype we're talking about, after all. The 50-watt pad was able to power a fan, LED light, and a couple of charging smartphones without issue. The light and fan jumped to full power as soon as they made contact. A second pad got the juices flowing to a large OLED light panel, which was plenty bright when positioned on its own pad, but glowed quite dim when joining other devices. There weren't any charging laptops on hand, like we saw over at Murata, but with power output at 50 and 100 watts, either pad could theoretically support it. Like many of the prototypes we've seen at CEATEC, there aren't any plans to actually bring the system to market, but the technology could be used in other devices. We go hands-on after the break.
Rohm Wireless Power Supply System hands-on

Spotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live Hub

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 06:23 AM PDT

The latest iteration of the WD TV Live family is here and this micro sized, 802.11n WiFi-equipped, internal storage-lacking, streamer supports the latest version of its UI -- as seen in the already available WDTV Live Hub. Also new to these two boxes is support for Spotify, bringing up to 320kbps music streaming to the living room, as well as Dailymotion to the existing list (Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Facebook etc.) The new WDTV Live is available for $99, check after the break for a pic of the box itself and the press release with all the details.


Show full PR text
WD® Launches New Wireless Streaming Media Player, First to Deliver Spotify® Music Service


New WD TV® Live™ Adds Breakthrough New Media Streaming Service to Menu of Premium Entertainment Content

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Digital® (NYSE: WDC), the world's leader in external storage solutions and maker of the popular WD TV® media player family, today introduced the next generation of its WD TV® Live™ streaming media player, an easy to use Wi-Fi® enabled media player that is the first in its category to deliver the Spotify® music service.

WD TV Live features WD's newest intuitive user interface that delivers the latest hit movies, TV shows, music and online services from companies like Netflix®, Hulu Plus™ and Blockbuster® directly to your TV. The new streaming media player connects to the Internet wirelessly or through an Ethernet connection, with the high performance 802.11n wireless connectivity supporting Full-HD 1080p video resolution.

In addition to premium Internet content, WD TV Live allows users to enjoy personal media such as photos, video and music on their home entertainment systems by supporting a wide range of file formats for streaming content from any connected USB drive, digital camcorder or camera, network drive such as the My Book® Live™ personal cloud storage, and any networked PC or Mac® computer in the home.

Adding to the WD TV family's current content offerings from Netflix, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster, CinemaNow®, Pandora®, YouTube™, Facebook® and many others, WD TV Live and WD TV® Live Hub™ are the first streaming media players to deliver Spotify's acclaimed music service. Premium Spotify subscribers can now enjoy unlimited on-demand access to Spotify's catalog of over 15 million songs in excellent sound quality (available in up to 320kbps) on their home entertainment system.

WD incorporates Spotify's popular features in the new service, including the ability to create and manage Spotify playlists, share songs to Spotify friends, and see and subscribe to friends' playlists via their Spotify profiles. Users can also share tracks by sending songs directly to other Spotify users' inboxes. Spotify for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub delivers an exciting new way to enjoy and share music on the best sound system in your home.

"WD is committed to providing our customers with a premium entertainment experience that includes seamless streaming of personal media and the best of the Internet directly to the highest quality screen and sound system in the home," said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager for WD's Branded Products and Consumer Electronics groups. "By marrying advanced features of the new wireless WD TV Live with quality content from service providers, including a first of its kind service with Spotify, we are excited to deliver on that commitment."

Pascal de Mul, Global Head of Hardware Partnerships, Spotify, commented: "We're really excited to make further steps into the living room with the streaming media players from Western Digital, which from today offer the full Spotify streaming catalog in a truly innovative TV-focused user experience."

In addition to Spotify and WD's current content offerings, WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub will also now include the Dailymotion video service. The application offers quality video content from users, independent content creators and premium partners, including high-quality and HD video.

Price and Availability

The new WD TV Live streaming media player can be purchased at select retailers worldwide and online at wdstore.com. MSRP for the WD TV Live streaming media player is $99.99 USD. Spotify is now available on the new WD TV Live players, as well as the WD TV Live Hub streaming media player, which features a built-in 1 TB hard drive to store personal content locally for TV streaming. The Spotify service is available in eight countries: USA, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, France, The Netherlands and Spain.

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, WD TV, and My Book are registered trademarks in the U.S. and other countries; WD TV Live, WD TV Live Hub, and My Book Live are trademarks of Western Digital Technologies, Inc. Other marks may be mentioned herein that belong to other companies. Pictures shown may vary from actual products. Not all products may be available in all regions of the world. All product and packaging specifications subject to change without notice. The term of your limited warranty depends on the country in which your product was purchased. Please visit our web site at http://support.wdc.com/warranty for the detailed terms and conditions of our limited warranty and for a list of the specific countries in these regions. As used for storage capacity, one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment.

About Spotify

Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 15 million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world's music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever they want it. Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal. Spotify is available in eight countries: USA, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, France, The Netherlands and Spain, with more than 10 million registered users, and over 2 million paying subscribers.

Fujitsu Lifebook AH77/E and SH76/E hands-on

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 06:00 AM PDT

Fujitsu Lifebook AH and SH series hands-on
If you're familiar with Fujitsu's AH572 and S761/C laptops, then you'll certainly recognize the similarities on their Japanese cousins. On the left we have the beastly 15.6-inch AH77/E, which sports an Intel Core-i72670QM processor (2.20-3.10GHz), 750GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive and a handy circular scrolling pad. We dig the slanted keys and their color-accented sides (combinations include black on red, white on black and black on blue), and likewise with the removable dust trap near the heatsink on the bottom side, though the already-discounted price of ¥175,320 ($2,284) is rather steep for a machine lacking a dedicated graphics card -- you get an Intel HD Graphics 3000 instead.

If you're looking for something lighter than the 2.9kg AH series, then consider the SH76/E: at 1.34kg, it's one of the lightest 13.3-inch laptops that come with an internal DVD drive. Specs include a Core i5-2520M chip (2.5GHz-3.2GHz), 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, the same circular scrolling pad, the same dust trap and an impressive 13.7-hour battery life. Like its international cousin, the SH76/E can also swap its optical drive for a pico projector or a weight-saver frame. With the exception of the flimsy and duller display compared to the AH model's, the SH's overall build quality was satisfactory. However, Fujitsu wants ¥161,820 ($2,110) for its latest portable laptop, so you might want to customize it with cheaper components on the company's Japanese website (choosing a 500GB HDD would save you about $980, for instance). Both models will be available in a week's time.
Fujitsu AH series hands-on

Fujitsu SH series hands-on

Another Windows Phone spotted, Nokia Sun on the horizon?

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 05:36 AM PDT

It's getting increasingly difficult to pin down exactly how many Nokia Windows Phones we can expect to see this year, now that the French WinPho obsessives at Mon Windows Phone have added the Nokia Sun to that list. The site got its hands on the vague screengrab above, which shows this mystery phone joining Orange France's ranks of forthcoming devices. With names like the SeaRay and Sabre already being bandied around, the Sun does fit in with Nokia's naming trend for Mango handsets, although it could be another name for previously leaked hardware. The accompanying spec sheet, meanwhile, hints at a very N9-esque device with an AMOLED screen, eight megapixel camera, polycarbonate shell, and (perhaps) a Micro SIM slot -- all centered around a slightly smaller display. Who knows, maybe this is the anonymous (and possibly fake) phone we saw last month? All bets are on the table at this point, but with Nokia World set to kick off in a few weeks, we shouldn't have to wait long for an answer. We'll be there to sniff out all the details on the Finnish colossus' Windows Phone offerings -- however many they decide to shower us with.

K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video)

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 05:10 AM PDT

It's a year since Lockheed Martin won the contract to provide an unmanned cargo delivery system to the US military and now its first K-MAX helicopter is just about ready for duty. The 6,000-pound RC chopper is scheduled to journey to the manifold fronts of Afghanistan next month, where it'll get busy ferrying its own bodyweight in ammo and supplies to needy anthills up to 200km away. And, if things get too sticky for laptop flying, there's always room for a brave soul to jump in there and grab the controls. You'll find a fresh demo video after the break, plus we've also stuck in that fancy clip from last year to rotor your memory.



ComScore: Android extends lead over Apple, holds 44 percent of smartphone market

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 04:27 AM PDT

Gather 'round, everyone, because a fresh batch of ComScore numbers has just arrived. According to the research firm, Android remains in firm control of the smartphone platform market, commanding 43.7 percent, followed by Apple (27.3 percent) and RIM (19.7 percent). In fact, Google extended its share by nearly two points over last month's figures, while Apple's iOS grew by just 0.3 points, but further distanced itself from RIM, which now sits 7.6 points behind. On the manufacturing side of the equation, Samsung remains top dog, accounting for 25.3 percent of all mobile subscribers (including both smartphone and feature phone users), followed by LG (21 percent) and Motorola (14 percent). Apple, meanwhile, sits a distant fourth, at 9.8 percent, followed by RIM, which rounds out the top five with 7.1 percent market share. Number crunchers can find more fodder in the full PR, after the break.

Show full PR text
comScore Reports August 2011 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

comScore Releases Report "iPhone 5: Implications for the Operator Industry"

RESTON, VA, October 5, 2011 – comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending August 2011. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.3 percent market share. Google Android continued to gain ground in the smartphone market reaching 43.7 percent market share.

In light of Apple's new iPhone announcement, comScore has also released a report highlighting the implications of this new device to the mobile operator marketplace. A complimentary copy of the report can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Presentations_Whitepapers/2011/iPhone_5_Implications_for_the_Operator_Industry

OEM Market Share

For the three-month average period ending in August, 234 million Americans age 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.3 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 0.5 percentage points from the prior three-month period), followed by LG with 21.0 percent share and Motorola with 14.0 percent share. Apple strengthened its position at #4 with 9.8 percent share of mobile subscribers (up 1.1 percentage points), while RIM rounded out the top five with 7.1 percent share.

Smartphone Platform Market Share

84.5 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in August, up 10 percent from the preceding three month period. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 43.7 percent market share, up 5.6 percentage points from the prior three-month period. Apple strengthened its #2 position, growing 0.7 percentage points to 27.3 percent of the smartphone market. RIM ranked third with 19.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (5.7 percent) and Symbian (1.8 percent).

Mobile Content Usage

In August, 70 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device, up 1.0 percentage points. Browsers were used by 42.1 percent of subscribers (up 2.3 percentage points), while downloaded applications were used by 41.6 percent (up 3.0 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 2.3 percentage points to 30.9 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 28.5 percent of the mobile audience (up 1.6 percentage points), while 20.7 percent listened to music on their phones (up 2.1 percentage points).

HomePlug Alliance keeps plugging away at powerline communications

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 03:40 AM PDT

HomePlug Alliance
Try as it might, the HomePlug Alliance just can't seem to get its foot in the proverbial door of consumers' homes. Now the organization is eying a different target market -- utilities. Its new Netricity Powerline Communications program aims to get utility companies and makers of smart meters to adopt the 1901.2 standard for sending data through existing electrical wiring and march us into the smart grid future. The low-frequency, narrow-band PLC won't do anything to help you stream HD video around your home, but it should be more than enough for monitoring your energy consumption. Check out the PR after the break for a few more details.

Ad-supported Kindle 4 has built-in $30 "upgrade", gets rid of embedded special offers

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 02:48 AM PDT

Was it too cheap? Well, here's some great news for fourth-generation Kindle users already tiring of its embedded ads looking cheap alongside their Vertu phones. You can now pay Amazon the requisite fee and unsubscribe from built-in advertising and offers. Visit the Manage your Kindle webpage and you can edit your subscriptions for the newest entry-level e-reader. There seems to be no option, however, to do the reverse just yet. Would Amazon hand over $30 to push those special offers into our currently ad-free Kindle?

HIOD One is a Bluetooth communicator for gadget-hungry cyclists

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 01:43 AM PDT

HIOD One
Between your bell, safety lights and cycling computer there's probably not much room left on those handlebars for more stuff. But, if you're tired of having to speak up to converse with your riding partner, perhaps you'll clear a little real estate for the HIOD One. This Bluetooth communicator lets you talk to your fellow cyclists from up to 1,300 feet away and can be used to place phone calls and listen to music on your phone. The control panel mounts on your handlebars, but the "wireless" voice unit is a bulky box best worn on an armband or clipped to your chest. While the voice unit isn't hardwired to the controller, it does require you to plug in an earpiece and microphone to use it. Though the HIOD One has officially launched, there's no price yet as the company is still looking for retail partners to actually sell the device. If your curiosity still isn't satiated, there's a gallery below as well as a video and PR after the break.
HIOD One

Show full PR text
Meet the revolution in cycling communication

HIOD One launches today. It's the world's first sports communicator with an instant link to your
friends, phone calls and music. It makes the impossible possible – to freely talk in a normal speaking tone while cycling at high speed, hundreds of meters apart.

Halmstad, Sweden, 2011-10-04: The new cycling product HIOD One launches today. It simplifies communication between cyclists. The user can also control his/her mobile phone and stream music through HIOD One. HIOD One provides a social experience in an individual sport.

PalTalk is the key feature of HIOD One that enables cyclists to talk hundreds of meters apart. The user can communicate with five other Pals, one at a time.

Mobile & Music. With HIOD One the user can easily control a mobile phone to make and receive phone calls as well as stream music while cycling.

Safety & Control. An intuitive design makes HIOD One easy to use when focus is crucial. The control unit with its high contrast OLED display is attached to the handlebar for safety and ultimate control.

Sound & Design. The noise reduction delivers clear communication even in high speed and strong winds. HIOD One is designed to provide cyclists with maximum comfort and high quality sound.

HIOD One is developed by Free2move in Sweden. CEO Per-Arne Wiberg says: "Even though cycling is a constantly evolving high technology sport, the communication between riders has not developed much over the past decades. The options available today are com-radio and mobile phones, both with significant drawbacks for the sport user. HIOD One fills this gap by offering a new way of sharing your cycling experience."

Bose Bluetooth Headset Series 2 enters the marketplace, still makes you look like a crazy

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 12:36 AM PDT

Know how sometimes you'll be walking down the street when you encounter a seemingly crazy person talking to themselves? And you think, "But you're too well-dressed to be insane." That's when you see it -- the Bluetooth headset tucked neatly around their ear. Well, Bose is adding a newer, high-end option for this well-heeled crowd of faux lunatics with its Bluetooth Headset Series 2. The luxe, over-ear attachment doesn't discriminate as to your best side, coming in both right and left versions. There's a whole load of hyperbolically-named proprietary tech bundled into it to reduce background noise and adjust listening levels accordingly -- exactly the performance you'd expect at this $150 price point. Bose is offering this BT 2.1 headset now, so you can snag it if you're nearby one of its boutiques. Or, make like the rest of us and order it online. Official PR with all its audio jargon after the break.

Show full PR text
Bose Introduces the Bose® Bluetooth® Headset Series 2

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bose has introduced the Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2, debuting new Bose technologies to offer an experience unrivaled in the vast marketplace of Bluetooth headsets: conversations remain clear and natural -- even in challenging environments, or when surrounding noise levels change suddenly. The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 integrates Bose full-range audio and A2DP, and comes in right- and left-ear versions. It will be available beginning October 3, 2011, directly from Bose and select authorized resellers worldwide.

New Microphone System, New Technologies, New Clarity

The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 includes a proprietary dual microphone system to improve speech intelligibility far beyond that of conventional Bluetooth headsets, rejecting background noise and dramatically reducing the audible effects of wind. Bose proprietary signal processing further counteracts the unwanted sounds of a wide variety of places -- gusty walkways, commuter rail platforms or airports. Regardless of the environment, the Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 ensures the user's voice is better heard during calls, while background distractions are heard less. Bose

To keep incoming voices clear, Bose® TriPort® acoustic structure and Bose Adaptive Audio Adjustment technology react automatically as noise levels change; there's no need to adjust volume settings or strain to hear a conversation. Whether an owner is in a quiet office or on a train -- or moving from a hushed lobby to a busy street -- the headset adapts seamlessly, making it effortless to hear the person on the other end.

The new internal antenna in the Bose Bluetooth® headset Series 2 is custom-designed to provide category-leading range performance. Acoustic artifacts -- the "pops," "clicks" and "buzzes" familiar to Bluetooth headset owners –- are substantially reduced, and reception difficulty, even between a headset and a phone being carried in a pocket, is minimized.

Left and Right Versions, Easy Controls, Exclusive StayHear® Tips

Bose engineers have developed separate left- and right-side versions of the Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2, allowing consumers to choose the version they prefer, while enjoying the same easy access to controls. Taking calls requires just one simple top-to-bottom pinching motion on the buttons, and clearly labeled LED indicators make it easy to check battery life and confirm the Bluetooth connection.

The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 features Bose StayHear tips designed for long-wear comfort and stability, making it ideal for driving, commuting, working or multitasking at home. Made of soft, flexible silicone, the StayHear tips gently conform to the ear, eliminating irritation or the need to reposition.

Mobile Audio Content with Exclusive Bose Audio Technologies

Through the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), the Bose® Bluetooth® headset Series 2 provides benefits beyond a communication device. Proprietary Bose audio technologies, also featured in the company's IE2, MIE2, and MIE2i headsets, ensure clear, rich audio reproduction from podcasts, apps, or other mobile content.

Compatibility and Availability

The Bose® Bluetooth® headset Series 2 is compatible with devices using the Bluetooth 2.1 (or earlier) specifications that support the Bluetooth hands-free or A2DP profiles. For consumers who want to maintain an active connection between their headset and two Bluetooth enabled devices, it includes multi-point functionality.

The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 includes a portable zipper case, a one-foot USB cable, a power adapter with fold-flat prongs for easy packing, and three StayHear® tips (small, medium, large) for a personal fit. It's available from Bose for $149.95, and replaces the original Bose Bluetooth headset. The Bose Bluetooth headset Series 2 will be sold at select authorized Bose dealers, Bose retail stores, www.Bose.com, and toll free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673).

Dipping capacitors and batteries in nanotubes could improve capacity

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:37 PM PDT

Super capacitorsStanford researchers figured out that, by dipping electrodes for super capacitors in a solution of carbon nanotubes or a conductive polymer they could increase the charging capacity by up to 45-percent. The team started working with composite electrodes of graphene and manganese oxide, since manganese is cheap and plentiful, but were hamstrung by its low conductivity. The thin coating of more conductive material greatly boosted the capacitance of the electrodes, and thus their ability to hold a charge. Further tests are still required to find the actual energy density of the dipped electrodes, but lead researchers Yi Cui and Zhenan Bao are already working on a way to apply the same technique to batteries.

Robot uses semantic search to get a Subway sandwich, do Jared's evil bidding (video)

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:54 PM PDT

Old PR2 can already fold towels, play pool and grab an ice cold beer -- really, the Willow Garage robot is just one task of short of mastering the day-to-day activities of your average college student. What's that? It can get a sandwich, too? Never mind. And this isn't just any "get me a sandwich" command -- the stout white 'bot uses semantic search to infer possible locations for sandwich, using knowledge of similar objects and environmental models. In the below video, you'll see PR2 make its way to a refrigerator, in search of sustenance, only to come up empty-clawed. Undaunted, it hops on an elevator and makes its way to a Subway sandwich shop. The joint project from the University of Tokyo and University of Munich was recently shown off at recent robotics conference. No word on when PR2 will be programmed to hold the onions.

Sprint now taking pre-orders for iPhone 4, reserve your 4S on October 7

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:18 PM PDT

Looking to grab that iPhone 4 on Sprint and take advantage of the unlimited data? Well, you can place your pre-order now on the current model and for the just announced 4S starting Friday, October 7. The company warns that this is "while supplies last" -- so if you're thinking about jumping ship from the data limiting service of Big Red or Ma Bell, you may want to act quickly. Just hit that source link and head to Sprint's iPhone page to reserve yours.

[Thanks, Kevin]

T-Mobile officially unveils myTouch, MyTouch Q just in time for the holidays

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 09:48 PM PDT

Not that they were a particularly well kept secret, but T-Mobile is finally ready to show off its two newest Android phones that are aimed at first-time smartphone buyers. The 4G-capable myTouch and myTouch Q are everything the leaks indicated, with the former sporting a 3.8-inch touch screen and the latter coming home with a 3.5-inch screen (no word on the display tech used in either one) and landscape sliding QWERTY keyboard. Both run Android 2.3 out of the box on a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU and 5MP / 720p cameras, with the myTouch throwing in a front facing shooter for your video conferencing enjoyment. Both will be available in two different color schemes "in time for the holiday season" -- check the press release after the break for the full rundown.
Show full PR text
T-Mobile myTouch Line Expands with Two New Smartphones: T-Mobile myTouch and T-Mobile myTouch Q
The latest in the myTouch family offer an easy transition for first-time smartphone owners

Bellevue, Wash. - Oct. 5, 2011
2011-10-06 00:15:33

T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming availability of the new T-Mobile® myTouch® and the T-Mobile® myTouch® Q, both by LG, as the latest Android™-powered smartphones to join T-Mobile's line of myTouch products running on America's Largest 4G Network®. The myTouch and myTouch Q, designed to be easily set-up on the first day and continue to be easy to use, are perfect for individuals adopting the benefits of smartphones for the first-time.



The myTouch and myTouch Q are designed with a number of features that make them approachable, including the option of two different styles of hardware to suit customer needs: the myTouch touts a 3.8-inch touch screen and a virtual keyboard with Swype®, while the myTouch Q is equipped with a 3.5-inch touch screen plus a physical slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.



To help customers not only get up and running and keep running, the myTouch and myTouch Q offer a number of useful tools, including the following:

Set-up Wizard: Simple instructions for quick e-mail and social network integration
Tips Widget: A quick ―how-to‖ providing an overview of the available device features, including a collection of instructional videos
Genius Button™: One-shot voice commands to call, text, or search the Web all with the press of a button

When moving to their first smartphone, customers want a simple and uncomplicated experience without compromising on quality,‖ said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. ―With the introduction of these new myTouch smartphones paired with our worry-free data plans and fast 4G network, we're making it easier than ever to step up to 4G experiences.



Both devices are powered by Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) and a 1GHz Qualcomm® processor giving customers the power and functionality they desire. Additionally, the myTouch and myTouch Q are equipped with advanced multimedia features, including a 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recorder for capturing photos and videos while on the go. The myTouch also includes a front-facing camera with access to T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik™ for face-to-face video chat.



With access to T-Mobile's 4G network*, the myTouch and myTouch Q allow customers to browse the Web, access email and social networking services, download free and paid applications through Android Market™, and much more. Both devices also offer built-in entertainment applications, including T-Mobile® TV in Mobile HD, Netflix® and YouTube® for real-time mobile video streaming and on-demand TV and movies.



Availability

The T-Mobile myTouch is offered in two colors – either black or white – and the T-Mobile myTouch Q is offered in two colors – either gray or violet. Both phones, exclusively from T-Mobile, are expected to be available in time for the holiday season. Customers can visit www.T-Mobile.com for more information.



*T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at http://www.t-mobile.com.

1Mobile HD TV can deliver a bitrate of 800kbps and 16:9 resolution; the bitrate & resolution you experience will vary based on many factors, e.g., programming, network connection, & device.

Grid10 review

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:59 PM PDT

Grid10 review
Second chances aren't always easy to come by, and when Fusion Garage disappeared off the map following the unabashed failure of the JooJoo tablet, we certainly didn't expect those doors would be opening again. But open they did, swinging wide as the company treated itself to a product launch of the sort usually reserved for big-named companies with big-named devices.

This time it's the Grid10 tablet, a $299, 16GB, 10.1-inch slate that plays nice with Android while simultaneously thumbing its nose at the OS Google built, instead relying on the completely custom-built GridOS. This new challenger can run Android apps despite not actually running Android itself, purporting to give users another, better choice of armament in these tablet wars. Is it truly better, or is it just different? The answer is waiting for you just after the break.
Fusion Garage Grid10

Hardware


Coming out of the box there's no reason to think the Grid10 is anything but a high-end device. While packing materials ultimately have no bearing on the overall quality of a given gadget, as the ticket for Fusion Garage's second chance the Grid10 makes a good first impression. The box is neatly embossed with a gloss logo on flat cardboard, while the tablet itself comes with a selection of crimson accessories that provide some contrast to the otherwise dark, monochrome surroundings.

The red power cord and USB cable rely on a proprietary port that's situated on the left side of the device. It's a bit narrower than Apple's own connector, but thicker and, ultimately, about a million times easier to plug something in to. Still, we'd have preferred plain 'ol micro-USB. Also, we'd like to point out right here that the USB cable is not included in the box, and will cost you a shocking $29 if you'd like one. Yes thirty bucks for a USB cable that you'll need if you want to push content right to your device.

Grid10 vs. JooJoo

Also on the left side you'll find the 3.5mm headphone jack and, below, the microSD slot. Using this you can augment the tablet's storage and (unlike the Sony Tablet S) you can actually use it for playing media and the like. Over on the right is where the diminutive power button lives, situated just above where the SIM can slot in for 3G-equipped versions.

Other than a pair of tiny (ineffective) speakers and a 1.3 megapixel webcam pointing back at you, stuck in the bezel above the LCD, that's all there is to set this apart. The back is a smoothly curved slice of matte metal that feels a bit like the Motorola Xoom to the touch and, surprisingly, the Grid10 is a bit thicker. It's .55-inches (14mm) at its thickest, at the middle, but that tapers off nicely on the top and the bottom resulting in a device that feels thinner than it really is.


That taper means there's no room for ports or toggles on the top or the bottom, and perhaps that's why the designers at Fusion Garage opted to leave out a volume rocker. Tweaking the output levels here requires you do it through software, which generally means exiting out of whatever app you're using at the moment. That, it must be said, is rather less than optimal.

Similarly, the tablet makes do without a rear-facing camera. That's less of a bother, since we're still not into our capturing holiday snaps on a 10-inch camera. Thankfully there is at least that front-facing sensor, situated above the 10.1-inch, 1,366 x 768 display, which we'll discuss in just a moment.

The tablet weighs 1.49 pounds (680 grams), which is about 10 percent more than the iPad 2 and a bit lighter than the Xoom. It feels reasonably light in the hand, but it certainly doesn't feel particularly comfortable. Each corner of the thing is square and so rather sharp, making it rather palm-unfriendly if you'd like to hold it at one of its four diagonal extents.

Hold it in the portrait orientation, with your hand in the middle, and that curving back becomes a bit of an issue as well. Yes, the tablet does fit nicely like this, but unless you have freakishly long fingers you'll be gripping something that's tapering away from your hand. That, combined with the smooth, matte backing, creates a device that constantly feels like it wants to leap to the floor -- and its doom.

With the Tablet S, Sony chose an interesting shape to make the thing more hand-friendly. There you wrap your fingers around the fat end and, thanks to an array of tiny marks that provide grip, you can comfortably and securely hold the thing in one hand. Here, both sides are effectively the skinny end, and there's nothing on there to help your hold. We never did send the thing flying while holding it one-handed, but neither did we exactly walk with confidence.

Display


The Grid10 has the highest resolution display of any 10-inch consumer tablet, 1,366 x 768, and sadly we'd trade that in for something with lower pixel density but better overall performance. The LCD here isn't exactly bad, offering a reasonably good image, but it definitely suffers from off-axis viewing angles.

Stay head-on and you'll get yourself a decent picture, but twist the thing off on one side or another and the contrast quickly drops -- especially if you move to the right. This will definitely be an issue if you want to share a movie with a friend, or prop the thing on a tray in coach class. Unless you find a way to angle it just right your viewing experience is going to be unfortunately compromised.

So contrast is not its strong suit. Resolution, of course, is, and you are indeed able to make use of those extra pixels to display more stuff in any given webpage. Compared to other 10-inchers you'll see more of a post on our site, an extra paragraph or two in Wikipedia and in general spend a bit more time reading and a bit less time scrolling. But, this makes buttons and text-entry fields smaller too, so be prepared to do a little more pinch-zooming.

Performance and battery life


The Grid10 boots up in a respectable 35 seconds, but things go rather sadly downhill from there. It's running a Tegra 2 dual-core 1GHz processor, which should give it a reasonable amount of oomph, but it never feels snappy or responsive. Perhaps it's the 512MB of memory, half that of most 10-inch Honeycomb tablets, that's causing the hiccups. Whatever the reason, things just aren't as quick as they should be.

Using gestures to bring up dialogs is painfully slow, and it doesn't help that those gestures here are ignored far more often than they should be, often leaving our swipes unheeded and us feeling unfulfilled. When the system does react things happen with such a delay that you're left asking yourself "Did the thing get that, or should I swipe again?"

Given the nature of the operating system here we didn't dare run any of our usual go-to Android benchmarks, as there's a fair chance they'd not be running optimally. That said we did run the web-based SunSpider 9.1 JavaScript benchmark, and it went through in a poor 4,000ms. That's nearly twice as long as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Sony Tablet S took to blitz the same test, and remember: those two are using the same Tegra 2 chip.

As if that weren't bad enough, the battery life here is genuinely atrocious. Fusion Garage promises seven hours of longevity on a charge, but we didn't come near that. Just idly surfing around and consuming all the best / worst that the internet has to offer will send the battery reserve plummeting, like the fuel gauge on a supercar. Start watching a video and things get even worse.

On our standard battery rundown test, a looping video with a fixed screen brightness and WiFi on but GPS and Bluetooth off, we scored a mere four hours and 24 minutes. That's an hour and a half worse than the original Galaxy Tab, and a full two hours short of the mark set by the Toshiba Thrive. This makes it far and away the least longevous 10-incher we've yet tested, and that's despite what should be a very healthy (non-removable) 5,800mAh battery.

Battery Life
Fusion Garage Grid10 4:24
Apple iPad 2 10:26
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 9:55
Apple iPad 9:33
Sony Tablet S 8:35
HP TouchPad 8:33
Motorola Xoom 8:20
T-Mobile G-Slate 8:18
Archos 101 7:20
RIM BlackBerry PlayBook 7:01
Toshiba Thrive 6:25
Samsung Galaxy Tab 6:09

Software


GridOS

The main selling point of the Grid10 is the operating system that powers it: GridOS. It's said to be built atop the Android kernel (Froyo, version 2.2 if you're wondering) but everything from there up to the pixels you see is said to be custom. Without access to the source code we can't tell you for sure just where the Google ends and the Fusion Garage begins, but it is certainly odd that the Grid10 uses the same default notification sound as Honeycomb.

This foundation allows for the tablet to execute phone-friendly Android apps natively but freed Fusion Garage up to do its own thing on the UI. When we asked Fusion Garage CEO Chandra Rathakrishnan why they didn't simply build a skin atop Honeycomb, he said there's no point -- if they couldn't do something truly different they wouldn't bother.

And it is certainly different. The OS is made up of a grid, and that grid contains icons that can be optionally grouped into clusters. It's not fundamentally different than the wall of apps we're used to on the iPad or Android tablets, each icon tucked neatly into a cubby-hole, but we'd say that we do find this system more enjoyable to use -- even though it makes no room for widgets or other controls.

RTS players will surely enjoy building a precise map that has games and media apps safely fortified from boring system and productivity stuff, but it can be a little hard to remember where you've left things.

Instead of rigid pages that you can sweep left and right, here you have a full 2-D map that you scroll through, vertically or horizontally, even relying on a mini-map on the upper-right to jump from one cluster's encampment to another. It sounds a bit like a strategy videogame because that's what it feels like. RTS players will surely enjoy building a precise map that has games and media apps safely fortified from boring system and productivity stuff, but it can be a little hard to remember where you've left things. Those with questionable senses of direction, or anybody who had a hard time keeping track of their peons in Warcraft II, may find themselves losing their icons from time to time.

Should you really have a hard time finding that game you just downloaded you can use the operating system's Global Search. Tap the little globe at the top and then just type to get a list of things that match. Top of the list will be apps, but the system also searches through emails, calendars, contacts and, yes, the internet. (Via Bing, we might add.)

Task-switching is achieved through something called the Heartbeat. Two fingers swiping inward from the left bezel brings it out of hiding, but from time to time you'll see a hint of it, glowing from the left-most extent of the screen and letting you know that a download has completed or perhaps something else has happened you might want to check out.

Bring it to the fore and you'll see a row of ugly, badly compressed icons along the top that represent the currently running applications. Tap any of these and you'll jump back to that app. Below that is a grid of notifications, which might tell you that you have a new email, that someone said your name on Twitter or that you got tagged on a photo on Facebook.

There are other gestures, too. Two fingers swept up from the bottom acts like hitting the menu button (you can also swipe one finger up from a bottom corner), two fingers from the right is back and two fingers from the top takes you home. In other words: things pretty neatly correspond to the buttons found on Honeycomb, but here replaced by some clumsy gestures.

Now, if you read our PlayBook or TouchPad reviews you know that we actually really like well-implemented gestures, but here they're a bit of a hassle. For one thing, it seems the tablet only reacts to them about half of the time -- you'll be repeating yourself more often than you'd like. But, more annoyingly, almost all of the gestures require two fingers.

Now, if you read our PlayBook or TouchPad reviews you know that we actually really like well-implemented gestures, but here they're a bit of a hassle.

You wouldn't think this would be that much different than swiping with one finger from the bezel (as on the PlayBook), but it actually feels quite a bit more unweildy. Swiping from off the screen to on should be enough of an indicator to the tablet that you're issuing a command without having to throw an extra finger into the mix.

Still, despite all this, the system picks up your gestures as on-screen drags of the finger. For example: if you're at the main grid of icons and you swipe from the left to bring up the Heartbeat that grid of icons will actually scroll before the Heartbeat pops up -- it's recognizing your motion as a gesture and a drag of the finger. It should be one or the other.

Keyboard


The virtual keyboard hiding in GridOS is wide and reasonably well laid out, with each pressed key popping up and above your finger to let you know what you've hit. It also attempts to predict what word you're typing, including some simple corrections if you've mistyped. Mostly, though, you'll need to reach up and tap from the list of suggestions if you want it to go from "wont" to the more common "won't." This is helpful, but we do wish the list of suggestions was a bit larger.

Annoyingly, there's no hide button on the keyboard, and we often found it popping up and covering text entry fields or other areas of the screen we needed to see. This was a particular problem when working on a Google Doc in the browser, because tapping elsewhere on the windows doesn't get you away from a text field and, once the document was long enough, it spilled down below the keyboard.

Just for kicks, we tried replacing the stock keyboard with the Swiftkey X and were disappointed to find the thing only works with the phone version, not the stickier Honeycomb one (this is Android 2.2 at its core, remember). Suffice it to say the one intended for littler screens didn't fare well when blown up here.

Browser


The GridOS web browser has some neat tricks up its sleeve. It does, of course, display web pages and, as you'd expect, allows for multiple tabs. But, tabs here (up to eight) are selected through a fun little rotary dial in the lower-left. Open up a bunch and you can watch them flip around as you twist the virtual knob, an interaction that's visual and rewarding but occasionally so sluggish you'll wish for something a little less flashy.

The most interesting feature here is the selection wheel that pops up after you've highlighted text. A long press of the finger brings up a couple of carats that you can use to bracket some words. Once selected a wedge interface is displayed that enables copying or opening a new browser window to a few predefined targets, like searching directly on Wikipedia or hitting up Amazon for a little shopping.

What's interesting is that this new window splits the pane into two, so you have separate browser windows visible at the same time. This is a neat trick, but it's limiting in that you don't have full control over the new window that opens up. Sure, you can tap around and follow links from there, but you can't enter your own address on the left and truly be surfing two pages at once.

Messages

Messages is the email client that comes as part of GridOS, but it's much more than that. It also aggregates your Facebook and Twitter lists and lets you go between them very quickly. Or, we should say, very sluggishly. It's incredibly slow, but if you have patience it's a simple but usable interface with a list of messages in the middle of the screen. Tap any one to see the message contents and view attachments, reply to an email, etc.

Grid Maps

There is, alas, no Google Maps to be had here, so you'll have to get by with Fusion Garage's replacement. Called Grid Maps it's a passable system, providing a quick lock on your location and a map view, a satellite view, or a hybrid combination of the two. You can pinch-zoom and even lower your perspective if you like to get a little closer to things.

Search results are generally returned quickly and, from the list of results, you can get more information on the POI and occasionally get a direct link to Yelp reviews. You can also get directions here, but we found inconsistent results with the performance. Usually we were on our way in just a second or two, but occasionally the app seemed to get stuck, sitting there and pondering for well over a minute before we got sick of waiting and just went out on our own.

In general Grid Maps is a decent online mapping service, but it certainly pales in comparison to Google's offering (no street-level views, no store hours, no integrated reviews, etc.).

Amazon Appstore

There's not a lot to say about the Amazon Appstore except that it's your primary venue for downloading apps onto the tablet. (That said, side-loading is certainly possible.) Amazon's built this thing up so that it has a decent selection, but it's hardly as comprehensive as the proper Android Market, which you cannot use. For example, while you certainly have your selection of Angry Birds titles in either store, none of the popular Story games from Kairosoft are available here, nor are the premium navigation suites (CoPilot, TeleNav, etc.).

And, to be clear, you have no access to any of the main Google apps that tend to make Android so good. You know, Gmail, Google Maps, Calendar...

Camera


Again, there's only the front-facing webcam to worry about here. It's 1.3 megapixels and takes pictures of a decidedly mediocre quality, but should be good enough for video chat. That is, of course, assuming you can find a video chat application -- neither Skype or Qik is available via Amazon.

Wrap-up


If you're going to go out of your way to bypass an established option like Honeycomb and do your own thing, your own thing had better be damned good. The Grid10 isn't even pretty good. It's borderline pretty bad. Software performance is sluggish, battery life is atrocious and we're left with a device that simply fails to beat the best of the Android tablets -- never mind the rest.

It's far, far better than the departed JooJoo, but still a huge disappointment for us. We like a good second-coming story as much as the next guy and were genuinely hopeful that the rough, early versions of GridOS we saw would be polished into something new and exciting, but what we have is still crude and clunky. We're always hopeful for the future, but we fear no amount of polish could make this thing shine.

So this, then, is a second-coming that shouldn't have been, leaving us shaking our heads in dismay yet again, wondering whether anybody else can step in and crack the kings at the top.

Remembering Steve Jobs: we all pay tribute

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:28 PM PDT

As news has of the passing of Steve Jobs spread tonight, people have started showing up at Apple's stores to pay tribute to its co-founder and former leader. We stopped by the 5th Avenue, NYC store and found this scene with many gathering to pay tribute through their thoughts, words and pictures. Outside there's signs and flowers, downstairs the store is packed. Apple headquarters featured a bouquet covered bench, adorned with homemade signs, and an iPad. In downtown San Francisco, people lit candles and placed post-in notes on the Apple store's windows. The images we've captured are in the galleries below, if you have something to share of your own then contact us via our tips form so we can include it here.
RIP Steve Jobs, Apple Store 5th Ave., NYC
RIP Steve Jobs, Apple Store 5th Ave., NYC

RIP Steve Jobs, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino CA

RIP Steve Jobs, Apple Store, San Francisco, CA

RIP Steve Jobs, Your photos

Remembering Steve Jobs: 10.06.2011 at Apple Store Ginza, Japan

Sean Buckley, Darren Murph, Zach Honig and Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Steve Jobs in his own words

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 06:00 PM PDT

I'll always stay connected with Apple. I hope that throughout my life I'll sort of have the thread of my life and the thread of Apple weave in and out of each other, like a tapestry. There may be a few years when I'm not there, but I'll always come back

-- Steve Jobs, 1985

That's a quote from a Playboy interview Steve Jobs gave back in 1985. February of 1985, to be specific, right before Steve would be ousted from the company that he co-founded with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976. Apple of course famously grew out of a garage, the brains of Woz, the drive of Jobs building the company over the next nine years into a powerhouse in the burgeoning home computer market.

Join us for a look back at the life of Steve Jobs.

Steve has always had his own way of doing things, a famous temper that left many engineers crying. When things were going well, he was worshipped. But, when things started turning sour, that unique way didn't earn him so many fans. In May of 1985 Jobs was effectively fired by John Sculley, who'd joined Apple from Pepsi as CEO. Steve Jobs was free to do his own thing.
The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

-- Steve Jobs, 2005
Steve went on to found NeXT Computer, a highly advanced (and highly expensive) desktop computer that won favor among developers for its object-oriented foundations. But, it never found financial success. His other main diversion, however, would find plenty.

There are downsides to everything; there are unintended consequences to everything. The most corrosive piece of technology that I've ever seen is called television - but then, again, television, at its best, is magnificent.

-- Steve Jobs, 2003

In 1986 Jobs bought a company called Graphics Group, a small firm that was responsible for visuals like the Genesis effect in Star Trek II. Jobs paid $5 million for the company. In 2006, 20 years after Jobs acquired it, Disney purchased that company (now called Pixar) for $7.4 billion.

A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.

-- Steve Jobs, 1998

Apple acquired Steve's NeXT in 1996, bringing the man back into the fold and, before long, bumping him back up to the CEO position. From here, Steve went on a spree of killing off unsuccessful projects (like Newton) before ushering in many of the changes that would, ultimately, turn Apple into the company we know today.

When you first start off trying to solve a problem, the first solutions you come up with are very complex, and most people stop there. But if you keep going, and live with the problem and peel more layers of the onion off, you can often times arrive at some very elegant and simple solutions.

-- Steve Jobs, 2006

Steve would come up with many, many elegant solutions to problems that many people didn't know they had over his next 15 years at Apple. The iMac would be released in 1998 under his watch, a device that he said marries "the excitement of the internet with the simplicity of Macintosh." But, in 2001, Apple would really hit its stride.

Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.

-- Steve Jobs

It would be in 2001 that Apple really turned into the company that we know today. It re-invented the Mac operating system with OS X (built from NeXT foundations), launched its own retail chain of Apple stores, and launched both the iPod and the accompanying iTunes. At first, these were curiosities. They'd soon become unshakable industry behemoths.

We're just enthusiastic about what we do.

-- Steve Jobs, 1985

From here Apple would launch the iPhone in 2007, the App Store in 2008, and the iPad in 2010. All three launched as curiosities, all three having their doubters, and all three following the (ever-expanding) iPod line to heights that nobody could have foreseen -- surely even Jobs himself. People may have been a little disappointed with the iPhone 4S recently, but that's only because Apple has impressed everyone so much in the past.

I'm sorry, it's true. Having children really changes your view on these things. We're born, we live for a brief instant, and we die. It's been happening for a long time.

-- Steve Jobs, 1993

Steve Jobs has had a remarkable effect on the industry as a whole. His impact on the progression of personal electronics cannot be overstated and his swift departure leaves a hole none could fill, but he has built a legacy that few could ever hope rival. Apple computer now stands firmly as a leader in consumer electronics, and for many it will always be known as The House that Steve Built.

[Image credit: Brett Terpstra]

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away at 56

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 04:41 PM PDT

We just got some very, very sad news. Steve Jobs has passed away. As confirmed on Apple's site, Mr. Jobs has died at the age of 56 after recently stepping down from the position of CEO and naming Tim Cook his successor. Steve has had a profound effect on the world of technology, both at Apple and through his many other endeavors. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Update: All Things D has posted a memo sent out by Tim Cook to Apple employees stating that there will be an internal celebration to honor Steve's life soon. Those words can be found after the break, along with statements from Apple's Board of Directors, his family, and Bill Gates.

Tim Cook:


Team,

I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

We are planning a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve's death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.

Tim


Apple Board of Directors:

We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.


Steve Jobs' family today made the following statement regarding his death:


Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.


Bill Gates:

I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death. Melinda and I extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends, and to everyone Steve has touched through his work.

Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come.

For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.

BT Openreach launching 300Mbps broadband in the UK - high in fibre, low in fat

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 04:19 PM PDT


You've got broadband, right? Are you sure you do? Well, it turns out that the US might well be slipping further down the international 'what speed can you get' tables as UK telecom giant BT Openreach has just fessed up that it will be rolling out a 300Mbps wholesale network as soon as spring 2012. As the network is FTTP, there shouldn't be any more of the old 'up to' claims that have plagued the UK market until now. Also, since it's wholesale, we've got our fingers crossed there won't be any nasty price hiking either, so no need for other providers to start bumping their gums about how unfair it is. So it might not be a gigabit network, but with the UK joining the broad-band-super-speed-party, the US needs to up it's gross point average of 5.3Mbps soon, or risk being left at the children's table. If you're prepared to pine mournfully for what your UK friends have in store, hit the PR past the break.
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BT Press Releases
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DC11-234 October 5, 2011
Openreach to transform broadband speeds

FTTP commercially launched with initial speeds of up to 110Mbps
300Mbps speeds to be available over FTTP from Spring 2012
FTTC speeds to roughly double in 2012 following bandplan approval

Openreach today announced three significant developments that will provide a major boost to Broadband Britain. As well as launching its up to 110Mbps Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) service, Openreach revealed it will use this technology to deliver downstream speeds of up to 300Mbps from next Spring. These speeds are three times faster than those offered by other major networks and they will be available on a wholesale basis supporting a competitive retail market.

The business also revealed a third boost for broadband speeds by saying it now has approval from the relevant authorities to roughly double the speeds delivered by Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) broadband. This development will see FTTC downstream speeds roughly double from up to 40Mbps to up to 80Mbps.

These developments will transform the broadband speeds that are available across the UK. BT is investing £2.5 billion to make fibre broadband available to two thirds of UK premises by the end of 2015. More than five million premises already have access and tens of thousands are gaining access every week.

Speaking today, Openreach chief executive Liv Garfield said: "Today is a significant step in the UK's broadband journey. These developments will transform broadband speeds across the country and propel the UK up the broadband league tables."

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: "These are significant announcements and good news for the UK. High-speed broadband is essential for economic growth, which is why we want the UK to have the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015.

"Improving the UK's broadband infrastructure will help our high-tech, digital industries grow. It will ensure the UK is an attractive place to start-up and base the businesses of tomorrow."

Garfield added: "All our fibre products are fit for the future and these developments show that to be the case. As always, we want to go further and faster and so our journey doesn't end here. We can turn up the dial should there be demand and so we can look to the future with confidence.

"No-one is keener than us to extend these super-fast speeds to rural areas and so we will be bidding for public funds to help extend these services even further. The challenge is a tough one but by working with the public sector it is within our reach."

Openreach has this week launched its Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) service on a commercial basis. FTTP is where fibre is deployed all the way from a BT exchange directly into a customer's premises. It is the most technically advanced broadband as it is the only one that is solely based on optical fibre.

The service, which becomes available in six locations 1 from late October before wider deployment, is open to all Communications Providers (CPs) to use on an equivalent and wholesale basis allowing them to market the service to end users.

It is initially available to CPs in various speed combinations with downstream speeds reaching 110Mbps and upstream speeds reaching 30Mbps. The fastest speed combinations being made available this month are 110/15 and 100/30 but speeds of up to 300Mbps will be available from next Spring. The technology is capable of delivering even more dramatic speeds of up to 1Gbps and these are currently being trialled by BT in Kesgrave, Suffolk.

The launch of FTTP builds on Openreach's rapid deployment of FTTC broadband. This latter service - where fibre is deployed from the BT exchange to the cabinet and copper is then used for the final connection to the premises - is already available to more than five million homes and businesses. The recent approval from the network frequency authorities means that Openreach now has permission to roughly double the speeds delivered over the service at some stage in 2012.

Ends

Google Docs gets a refresh, fills out the screen for Honeycomb

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 03:51 PM PDT

When Google dropped its official Docs app into our workaholic hands earlier this spring, we'd noted it wasn't exactly tablet-ready. Well, all that's changed with the Mountain View-based company's latest update to its Android app, this time optimized for Honeycomb's wider layout. Now, when users opt to edit on-the-go from their slates, they'll be treated to a three-pane interface offering access to collections, document lists and even a preview panel. El Goog's also tossed in support for over 46 languages across all Android 3.0 and up tabs. Go and ahead and hit up the source below for a download, or simply update if you're already packing.

TomTom extends Live service and HD Traffic to Canada with Go Live 1535M nav unit

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 03:25 PM PDT

Satisfying your poutine craving just got easier as TomTom extends its internet-enabled Live service and HD Traffic to nav systems up north. Using the Go Live 1535M portable GPS unit, Canadian drivers can now access the company's signature HD Traffic feature to get real-time routing based on current congestion. Another perk of being connected is the suite of apps that gives adventurers access to Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Twitter and local search from the dash -- making it easy to find that perfectly crafted caribou jerky and brag about it on social networks. Starting in October, Canucks can cop the system for around $269 with a free 12-month starter subscription to Live offerings. Check out the full PR after the break.
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TomTom Introduces LIVE Services and HD Traffic Service to Canada

TomTom Connected Portable Navigation Device Features the Most Accurate, Comprehensive and Up-to-Date Traffic Information Available

CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TomTom today announced the launch of LIVE services for the Canadian market with the introduction of the connected GO LIVE 1535 M. The GO LIVE 1535 M combines the most comprehensive road and traffic information from TomTom HD Traffic with access to real-time information through travel-related apps. These new features will give people in cars the information they need on a dedicated device designed to offer the best navigation experience.

As a connected device, the new TomTom GO LIVE saves people time on their commute, money on gas and helps alleviates stress by continuously monitoring and rerouting drivers based on current traffic conditions. TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate reporting available by capturing more of the actual traffic jams than ever before. Additionally, TomTom HD Traffic processes traffic conditions for all major and secondary roads within the Canadian road network and proactively delivers real-time traffic updates to devices every two minutes.

"We are excited to introduce our connected navigation solutions to Canadian drivers," said Tim Roper, President, TomTom, Inc. "By giving people the most up-to-date traffic details as well as relevant local content provided by travel apps, TomTom is bringing a new level of connectivity to drivers by providing information in the most effective platform available."

Using TomTom's connected LIVE travel apps, individuals can access Yelp®, TripAdvisor®, Expedia® and Twitter for the information they need while on the road. With these apps, users can read restaurant reviews, find hotel availability or automatically tweet their arrival time without ever leaving the car. Additionally, they'll have access to weather forecasts and Google Local Search.

Features Overview

* Intuitive Voice Recognition with one-step address entry
* Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling*
* Integrated Mount with flip-screen
* Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus
* Expanded driving view on 5" touch screens
* Spoken Street Names
* Advanced Lane Guidance
* Maps of US, CAN and MEX
* Lifetime Map Updates** (varies by model)
* TomTom LIVE Services bundle, including TomTom HD Traffic (available in country of purchase)
* Branded Travel apps from Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Twitter and Google
* Other TomTom Apps like Weather Forecasts

Availability and Pricing

The TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M will be available at retail stores and from online retailers in October 2011. Pricing starts at $269 CAD MSRP. A free 12-month subscription*** of LIVE services will be available with each purchase.

The new GO devices will be available at Best Buy, Future Shop, Rogers Stores and other retailers nationwide.

CRTC won't regulate Netflix as a broadcaster in Canada

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 03:04 PM PDT

Netflix may be a streaming company, but that doesn't make it a broadcaster -- at least, not in Canada, and not according to the CRTC. Despite calls from existing broadcasters to the contrary, the agency today opted not to regulate Netflix and other so-called "over-the-top" services -- which would have, among other things, made them subject to the same Canadian content requirements that broadcasters must comply with. While it hasn't completely closed the door on changing its tune in the future, at the moment the CRTC says that there's no evidence the services are harming traditional broadcasters, and that regulating them could in fact discourage innovation and make it difficult for Canadian companies to compete outside of the country.

BBM caught cheating with Android, CrackBerry epidemic to spread?

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 02:38 PM PDT

RIM's killer BlackBerry feature has always been BBM. So, you'll have to excuse us if we give some side-eye to these leaked shots of the private messaging service two-timing its Canadian maker. The pics over on TechnoBuffalo, supposedly obtained by a RIM employee, show off the BBM for Android app in question running on a crude developer phone. Not much can be glimpsed from the set aside from the application's icon and account interface. It could all be a slick hoax, or maybe the Waterloo-based co. really does plan to release its prized service into greener Android pastures. We'll let you know for sure when we hit up DevCon later this month.

Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 02:15 PM PDT

In a feat that outdoes even Dr. Evil's vision of worldwide domination, the folks in Mountain View have reported a staggering one billion downloads of Google Earth. Over the years, the service has taken us around the world, giving us a peak into amazing and sometimes obscure places ranging from the bottom of the ocean to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's also evolved from its humble beginnings as a desktop app back in 2005 to include a mobile app and a plug-in, not to mention a 3D flight simulation used with Google Maps -- all features that helped it reach the astronomical milestone. For that, we salute you Google Earth. Check out the celebratory video after the break.

Sprint will offer unlimited data plan for the iPhone 4S

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 01:58 PM PDT

A Sprint spokesperson gave us a ring to let us know that the newly announced iPhone 4S will be eligible for the carrier's unlimited data plan. According to Sprint, pricing will start at $69.99 for unlimited data and 450 talk minutes, with the Simply Everything unlimited calling and data running you $99.99. At the very least, the company's confirmation that the plan is sticking around will help the third US carrier to nab the iPhone stand out among its predecessors. We'll add some PR as soon as it hits.

Update: We've got PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Sprint Brings Unlimited Data Experience to iPhone on October 14

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced unlimited data pricing plans for iPhone® on the Sprint network beginning on Friday, October 14. New and existing customers can pre-order iPhone 4S beginning on Friday, October 7 at 12:01 AM PST. Beginning today, iPhone 4 with iOS 5 is available for just $99.99 through sprint.com/iphone.

"Our unlimited data plans are the perfect fit for iPhone customers"

iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including Apple's dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. With the launch of iPhone 4S also comes the launch of iOS 5, the world's most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features; and iCloud, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices.

"Our unlimited data plans are the perfect fit for iPhone customers," said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse. "Sprint's unlimited data plans provide more value than metered plans from other carriers. Our customers can take advantage of the innovative features of iPhone without worrying about overage charges or surprises on their bill."

iPhone 4S will be available from Sprint starting at $199.99 for the 16GB model, $299.99 for the 32GB model and $399.99 for the 64GB model. iPhone 4 will cost just $99.99 for the 8GB model and is available beginning today. These prices require a new-line activation or eligible upgrade and two-year agreement.

All iPhone models will be available to new and existing customers in all Sprint retail stores, www.sprint.com and 1-800-SPRINT1 as well as select additional Sprint retail channels. Sprint retail stores will open at 8:00 AM local time on Friday, October 14 for customers to get a jump-start on buying iPhone 4S with Sprint's unlimited data experience.

The Benefit of Unlimited Data

iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 require activation on one of the Sprint Everything plans with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, including unlimited data, texting and calling to and from any mobile phone in America while on the Sprint Network. With Sprint's unlimited data plans, customers don't have to worry about throttling or surprises on their monthly bill due to data overage charges like they might with tiered data plans from other carriers.

Plans start at just $69.99 per month plus the required $10 Premium Data add-on charge. Sprint's Simply Everything Plan is the only plan from a national carrier to offer truly unlimited calling, data and text for just $99.99 per month plus the required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (all while on the Sprint network). The Mobile Hotspot option will be available for an additional $29.99 per month supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. (Pricing excludes taxes and surcharges.)


Individual Plans

Anytime Minutes Everything Data plans with Any Mobile, Anytime

Unlimited calling to and from any mobile in America, regardless of carrier, plus unlimited text, picture and video messaging, and unlimited data including email, Web browsing, social networking and GPS Navigation (all while on the Sprint network)
450 $69.99 plus $10 Premium Data add-on
900 $89.99 plus $10 Premium Data add-on
Unlimited $99.99 plus $10 Premium Data add-on
(Simply Everything)


Unparalleled Commitment to Customer Service

iPhone customers will have access to Sprint's Ready Now service where trained retail associates will work one-on-one with customers to personalize their iPhone and set up features like e-mail, web and apps before leaving the store. Customers have the choice of sitting down with a Sprint retail associate at the time of purchase or they can schedule an appointment for a later time online.

Sprint was unbeaten among major wireless carriers for customer satisfaction according to results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index. In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint was also the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, during the last three years, according to the survey.

Earlier this year, Sprint was named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion – one of only 40 companies to earn the distinction representing the highest-performing companies that deliver service excellence to U.S. customers. Sprint is also the wireless industry leader in call satisfaction according to a study from Vocalabs announced in January 2011, which tracks the quality of support customers receive from their providers. Sprint leads all national competitors in both call satisfaction and first call resolution, two key metrics in the overall quality of customer service.

The Engadget Mobile Podcast, Apple Edition, live at 5PM ET!

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 01:15 PM PDT

Another mishmash of schedules along with a sense of urgency to rant the afternoon away have combined midweek, and the result is a quickie Apple Edition of Engadget Mobile Podcast. Yes, some big news came our way yesterday and we have something to say about it. Get prepared for a lot of Apple talk, everyone; we'll try to open up some time to have some dessert after our fruit, though, if you catch our drift. Anyways, we hope you can join Myriam Joire and Brad Molen in our emergency edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET (2PM PT, 9PM GT)!

Android on HP TouchPad: yes, there's an app for that (video)

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 12:46 PM PDT

TouchPad firesale hysteria may have finally died down, but those of you with newly acquired HP slates should pay attention. A poster by the name of Chomper has uploaded a walkthrough of Android running atop webOS. Yes, you may have seen that particular feat before, but this time 'round the appropriated Google OS gets the emulated treatment. The mobile platform, installed via an .ipk, is accessible as an app and appears to run somewhat smoothly, although certain tics become noticeable when switching between homescreens or attempting to playback YouTube video. Audio and multi-touch have both yet to be successfully implemented in this rogue use of Android, and there's also a pesky power off issue that requires a hard reset of the system. Still, it's good to see the dev community doing what it does best, and inching us ever closer to a Rubin afterlife on HP's deceased tab. Skip past the break for a silent video tour.

Huawei Honor gets knighted by the FCC, beelines it straight for Cricket as the Glory

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 12:25 PM PDT

Huawei's four-inch flagship has appeared at a rigorous FCC screening, and this one comes with several radio band changes since its formal reveal. This new CDMA 800/1700(AWS)/1900 variant, making it through the Commission as the M886, indicates the Honor will be making a showing in the US on Cricket as the Huawei Glory. You can expect to see the Gingerbread-running device come with a 4-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) screen, a 1.4GHz single-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, a sizable 1,900mAh battery, an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing cam. If its expected November release remains true, this may easily be the best-selling device on the prepaid carrier for the holiday season. Check out more pics in the gallery below.
Huawei Glory in FCC
at 11:57 AM

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