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Sunday, November 6, 2011

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S review

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST

It seems like nearly all the phone makers are doing it. Take the latest flagship release, add some welcome (but relatively minor) technical tweaks, slap an extra S on it and release to an adoring public not much more than six months after the original hit stores. Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc is the latest (but certainly not the last) to undergo said refresh. The new Arc S appears identical on the surface, still carrying the stylish curvature that wooed us the first time round. Internally, most of the parts remain the same as its predecessor, aside from a bump to a new CPU, a 1.4GHz Qualcomm chip. Alongside the minor hardware change, this is the first Xperia handset arriving with Sony's 3D sweep panorama feature, capable of creating 3D stills for consumption on your compatible TV back home. Does the extra 400MHz make enough of a difference? Are sweeping panoramas enough to warrant a phone refresh at a time when dual-core, big-screened Android phones are the high-end standard? Read on to get the full picture.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S review

Hardware



The Xperia Arc S sticks with the convex profile, virtually identical to the smartphone that came before it. It's a relief to see a stylish phone that's actually distinguishable from the mostly black oblongs we stare at each day. Our model arrived in a white finish, which helps to a reinvigorate a phone design that's already done the rounds once. We did notice that the (slightly) flimsy backing seemed slightly more rigid on the refresh, though this could just be the fresh out-of-the-box condition. However an occasional creak does remain in the battery cover, a shame considering the more solid feel of its smaller stablemate, the Xperia Ray.

The power button, found on the top edge alongside the micro-HDMI port has slightly more give, but remains a little small for our tastes; that 4.2-inch screen (and additional over-sized bezel at the top) means our fingers felt overstretched pushing on the petite button. Though not a major issue when the original Arc arrived in stores, top-drawer Android specifications haven't stayed put, and the Xperia Arc S is still conspicuously lacking a front-facing camera. It's a bit of a mystery, given that Sony Ericsson had no issues packing one inside the lower-priced Xperia Neo. Sony Ericsson hasn't messed with the physical buttons either, another three slivers under the screen will send you back, home or to the menu, with those still lacking any back-lighting. Though it's not a deal-breaker, though you may have to wait for muscle memory to kick in and teach you which button does what in low light.

Screen

The 4.2-inch screen remains a formidable performer. Despite its LCD roots, Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine seems to perform minor miracles on the 854 x 480 display, with sharp detail and rich coloration. While its effects are limited to pictures and video, menus and icons still look rich, and blacks look black. With over four inches of space for your fingers, that's plenty of real estate to browse the web, play games and type on the stock keyboard. Sadly, tilting the screen shows up its limitations -- this isn't an IPS panel, and whilst we understand it's doing its best, nor can it stand up to the might of Super AMOLED plus.

Camera

Packing the Exmor R sensor, the eight megapixel camera performs just as admirably as when we tested it on the original back in March. Since then, software updates have added more customization options. To get to the photography meat, you'll need to switch off the automatic scene recognition mode, and you'll find the slide-out options on the left take a life of their own. Here, you can adjust to macro mode, or choose whether to use touch-to-focus or even multi-point focus. Metering and white balance can also be adjusted in the menu, and there are a handful of preset scene options that offer up some quick automatic settings for those not wanting to wrestle with ISOs and focus options. The Arc S also retains the two-stage camera button, something still not deemed a standard requirement despite the impressive optical chops of recent smartphones.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S sample shots

The phone is capable of 720p video capture and maintains good detail over distance, though the sensor still has issues with big moving objects, adding a shuttering 'tilt' to your video if the action gets a bit too intense. Given the zippier processor of the Xperia Arc S, we'd hoped it may have been enough to allow for 1080p, but that looks likely to remain the domain of dual-core phones.



Software


With Android Gingerbread, you get a similar slice of Google to the Xperia Arc S' predecessor. Nudged up to Android 2.3.4, it also brings with it Sony Ericsson's Facebook layer, conveniently adding status updates, photos and more to your contacts that are linked to Facebook. There's also a screen grab function embedded into the power-off screen - a convenient time-saver that means we can now avoid more complicated third-party solutions. The web browser ably displays, scrolls and zooms on the 4.2-inch screen - shrugging off a bit of vigorous scrolling with no need to catch its breath.


The native keyboard has also gained an upgrade, with a distinctly Swype-ish typing function that can be switched on and off from the keyboard settings. "Swipe to write" works by picking up letters as you slide your finger from key to key, and taking your finger off the screen finishes the word. In action, it's pleasantly responsive, with a stylish highlighter trail mapping the letters on the screen. Sony Ericsson have also included a simpler keypad layout for those used to nine-key typing, a welcome addition to anyone finding those QWERTY keys just too small. While there are a handful of incremental changes, there's nothing major here that we hadn't seen on the original, aside from the pre-installed 3D sweep panorama, a feature proudly emblazoned on the back of the box.


Given the single lens, the camera actually doubles-up on itself to create the 3D effect, and you'll need to be in possession of your own 3D-capable screen; no parallax 3D screen here. But how does it look once you get it up on the big-screen? Well, it works -- to an extent. Sadly, the picture, similar to three-dimensional stills from those 3D-capable Android phones, stutters as it scrolls across your huge screen. Pictures also seem to lose some of their clarity in the process; and the camera sensor won't adjust to lighting differences (check out the brightness flare in the sample seen here) and due to the motion of "sweeping" your phone to capture, expect to see detail lost.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S 3D Panorama Sweep sample stills

The panorama capture setting didn't like it when we scrolled too slow, but speed up too much, and it didn't like that either. Keeping up with the phone also means that you'll often get undulations on straight edges like buildings and roads - the only solution for this is a tripod. If you haven't bought into the three-dimensional revolution just, you may find the panorama sweep for 2D images just as useful - it's pre-installed, though it suffers the same juddering motions. We're skeptical that the feature will see much use outside of its first showing, and its arrival on all 2011 Xperia devices in a firmware update very soon -- not to mention the high chances of inclusion within Ice Cream Sandwich -- means its chance to differentiate the Arc S from its forebear is all but non-existent.

Performance


The improved processor makes itself known in several benchmark tests. Its Qudrant score bested the original Arc's by 200 points, while it notched an average score of 14.2 in Nenamark 2, up from 13.3 with the first-gen Arc. Whilst the newer phone consistently scored higher than the first, we were hard-pressed to notice any meaningful difference. As we noted, if you're prone to visiting graphically intense sites, or have an itchy scrolling finger, the Arc S is generally more than capable of keeping up with you. For media-streaming apps, the Arc S was also several seconds ahead of its ancestor, as were start-up times from off. Within the curved silhouette, Sony Ericsson have crammed in the same 1,500mAh battery found on the original Arc, and (despite the minor hardware and software changes), battery life seemed roughly equivalent. We managed to push six hours of non-stop video playback, and the phone also managed to last a day of standard use which included connecting several times to WiFi networks, occasional web browsing about two hours of music playback alongside push email and a medley of social network notifications. Using the phone's built-in battery monitor, we found that it was that rich Reality Display that was drawing on most of the battery and that that toying with the brightness settings helped eke out a little more life from the dying cell. Call quality was superb, with due praise going to the secondary mic, which was able to cancel out a good chunk of ambient noise when making calls.

Wrap-up


The Xperia Arc S is a very capable single-core smartphone and debuts alongside Sony Ericsson's latest Gingerbread retweaks. Sadly these don't add enough to recommend it much beyond the original Xperia Arc. The 3D Panorama Sweep may get an obligatory party-trick showing a handful of times, but it's difficult to imagine it'll be a regularly-used feature. In comparison to its predecessor, the upgraded CPU doesn't seem to give much of a boost to day-to-day use, aside from ever-so-slightly reduced (but by no means instant) start-up times and load times for streaming media. There's really not much here to push the Xperia Arc S beyond what we've seen on its predecessor-- this is even more true once that software upgrade hits the eight-month-old original. (Even rival phones that get upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade look likely to pick up a panoramic sweep option too.) Both the screen and camera remain the strongest weapons in the Xperia Arc S' arsenal, and priced beneath more powerful headliner smartphones, both the Arc and Arc S are very capable, attractive offerings. Yet, they can't stand toe-to-toe with the likes of rival flagship handsets like Samsung's Galaxy S II, which offers up a stronger combination of power, screen technology and build quality. The Xperia Arc S is now available in Europe, priced off-contract at £340 ($529). If Sony Ericsson are holding back on their own dual-core wonder, we'd advise they got around to getting it out here -- everyone's doing it.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Caption Contest: Real-life Super Mario party searches for Princess Peach

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 07:43 AM PST

Mamma Mia -- it's 'a me whole lot of Marios! If we were you, Bowser, we'd return Her Majesty to Mushroom Kingdom at once. Okay, okay... in actuality, the above was merely Nintendo hyping the upcoming US release of its psychedelic-consuming plumber's first 3DS title, Super Mario 3D Land. So there's no need to worry folks, Ms. Peach is safe -- at least until you get your grubby paws on the game come November 13th, that is.

Darren: "Mario has sabotaged the Beastie Boys' redux of Sabotage."
Terrence: "Occupy Mushroom Kingdom."
Joe: "Will the real Super Mario please jump up?"
Mat: "Someone got the infinite lives cheat massively, massively wrong."
Sean: "The Mario family reunion took a turn for the awkward when Luigi realized he was the only attendee out of uniform."
Tim: "It's 'a me... your worst nightmare."
Richard Lai: "I ate the wrong mushroom."
Jon: "After defeating multiple Agent Smiths, Neo finds that he advances to level 2 in the Matrix..."
Brian: "Moments later, the mob located a pet store, went to town on the turtle tank and escaped safely through the toilet."
Myriam: "Where's Waldo?"
Billy: "The first rule of Project Mayhem is..."
Brad: "This would've made that lousy Super Mario Bros. movie a whole lot better."
Amar: "King Hippo + $2 Taco Night = this"
Richard Lawler: "And not a single flying Cape Feather was given that day."
Josh Fruhlinger: "Another Sunday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn."

Refresh Roundup: week of October 31, 2011

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 06:10 AM PST

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

Official Android updates
  • LG's got plenty of Gingerbread coming to its premier Optimus devices, beginning with unbranded models in Europe. This week, the Optimus 2X began rolling out. The week of November 21st will be the timeframe for owners of the Optimus 3D, and the Optimus Black is expected to get its dose of Android 2.3 beginning the week of November 28th. [Facebook]
  • A Motorola Droid Bionic bug fix update is expected within one to two months, according to a post on the Motorola Owners Forums. [Phandroid]
  • The original Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Tab (y'know, the first seven-incher) should now be bestowing gifts of Gingerbread -- Android 2.3.5 -- upon its users. It aims to improve the front-facing camera, power management and device security. [Droid-Life]
  • Extra security is to be had on Rogers' HTC EVO 3D, as version 1.20.631.3 is ready to download. This is the security fix which HTC has been working on for the past month. Additionally, it increases performance and fixes a force close issue. [MobileSyrup]
  • Gingerbread has arrived on the Samsung Galaxy S... on Cellcom of Wisconsin. Yep, the regional carrier's offering up improved battery life, miscellaneous performance enhancements and download management. [AndroidCentral]
  • The ASUS Transformer's nabbing a maintenance release known as 8.6.5.18. Along with the usual list of bug fixes, it also adds app backup support. [Droid-Life]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
  • HTC made kernel source available for the Rhyme, myTouch 4G, Jetstream, Sensation XE and XL, EVO 4G+ and the Thunderbolt. [AndroidCentral]
  • Samsung Galaxy Nexus boot, recovery and system dumps are now available. [AndroidCentral]
  • Also, the Motorola Droid RAZR's been rooted. [Droid-Life]
  • The LG Optimus 3D's much-awaited Gingerbread update (Android 2.3.5) is expected to roll out on November 21st, but it's already been leaked via XDA. As a disclaimer, the build -- as it currently stands -- has been reported to be rather unstable. Once it does officially arrive in stable form, it promises HSPA+ support for speeds up to 21Mbps as well as a few other video enhancements. [AndroidCentral]
  • An XDA forum member has compiled a manual root method for the Motorola Atrix 2. [AndroidCentral]
Other platforms
  • The HTC Freestyle, an AT&T-branded BrewMP device, has a ROM update up for grabs. It doesn't specify what exactly has been enhanced, but make sure to back up all of your data before updating. [HTC]
  • Along with the latest beta of iOS 5.0.1 comes its obligatory Redsn0w jailbreak, version 0.9.9b8. [Redmond Pie]
Refreshes we covered this week

Atari Greatest Hits app lands in Android Market, Star Raiders awaits your download

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 04:36 AM PST

Jealous of your iOS-carrying companions who have been blasting Asteroids for months on their handsets and tablets? Prepare to quell your rage, as Atari has announced that its Greatest Hits app has launched for Android devices. Surpassing 3.5 million downloads in the iTunes App Store, the company has expanded the offering to Google OS faithful -- and it'll come with Missile Command for free, along with a 100 title catalog looking back on 30 years of gaming. Once you grab that install, you'll have your pick of 25 game packs for a buck each or you can spring for the whole lot for a cool Hamilton. The app is available now for both tablet and smartphone users, should you prefer a larger screen when your Centipede addiction strikes. For a full list of titles, hit the PR button after the break before checking things out for yourself in the Market.
Show full PR text
ATARI LAUNCHES ITS GREATEST HITS APP FOR ANDROID
The #1 Selling iTunes App Expands into the Global Android Marketplace

Los Angeles, CA - November 4, 2011 - Atari, one of the world's most recognized publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, today announced the availability of Atari's Greatest Hits for Android Marketplace.

Launched only a few months ago for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, Atari's Greatest Hits has already exceeded 3.5 million downloads in the iTunes App Store. Android smart phone and tablet owners can now download the App to receive Missile Command for FREE, and get access to a vast catalog of 100 classic Atari games. This extensive collection pays homage to each of the originals and was designed to mimic the gameplay Atari fans remember from 30 years ago.

"The #1 selling Atari's Greatest Hits continues to expand its reach to new operating systems, devices and territories," said Jim Wilson, CEO of Atari. "It exemplifies our company goals as we shift our core focus towards delivering casual gaming experiences through mobile and social platforms."

Players can purchase 25 separate game packs for $0.99 each or buy all 100 games for a discounted price of $9.99.

Game packs include:

Centipede, Asteroids, Tempest, Battlezone, Black Widow, Crystal Castles, Gravitar, Star Raiders, Pong, Lunar, Lander, Super Breakout, Major Havoc, Warlords, Adventure, 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, Fatal Run, Quadrun, Casino, Swordquest, Championship Soccer, Football, Realsports Basketball, Realsports Football, Super Breakout 2600 and Hangman.

Panasonic's new Social TV app puts Twitter and Facebook next to your TV shows

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 02:46 AM PST

Panasonic's Viera TVs have included social apps for a while, but its latest upgrade brings an integrated Social TV app designed to let viewers access Twitter and Facebook streams without totally covering up the action. Also new? A gaming app from PlayJam and a Bollywood movie channel, BigFlix. If you still need a reason to log in, a tie-in with Gameloft will let users download three games including Asphalt5 for free. Check after the break for a couple more screens and the press release -- we'll be over here live tweeting the Kardashian divorce with E! on if you need us.

Show full PR text
PANASONIC EXPANDS AND ENHANCES VIERA CONNECT'S IPTV PLATFORM WITH NEW APPS INCLUDING NEWLY DEVELOPED SOCIAL TV APPLICATION

Consumers Will Be Able To Access Social Media Apps While Watching Other Content On Their VIERA HDTV

SECAUCUS, NJ (November 1, 2011) – Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology and built-in TV web entertainment, today announced the launch of a new Internet Social Network application, Social TV, that will be available on VIERA Connect1-equipped 2011 VIERA HDTVs and subsequent models. The app allows one to access social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook while also enjoying programming simultaneously on their VIERA HDTV. Panasonic also announced the addition of a new gaming application from PlayJam and a movie/video channel dedicated to Bollywood, called BigFlix.

These three applications come with no additional fee. BigFlix will allow users to access Bollywood Video on Demand2, while PlayJam is a game channel with multiple game apps. Additionally, and in time for the holiday season, Panasonic will be introducing a promotion that will allow users to download three games from Gameloft, including Asphalt5, free of charge.

"Panasonic prides itself on listening to consumer opinions and acting upon those suggestions to provide the best possible entertainment experience," said Panasonic Corporation of North America Vice President, Merwan Mereby. "Our thorough research pointed to a desire to be able to watch content on the TV, while at the same time being able to tweet on Twitter or update your status on Facebook. With that in mind, Panasonic has, with the new Social TV app, expanded and enhanced the functionality of Internet TV and provided users with functions they were looking for. Connected TV will continue to become an increasingly important feature for consumers and Panasonic is working tirelessly to build upon the already robust entertainment and connectivity experiences our VIERA Connect customers can enjoy."

The Social TV app is the latest application to be added to Panasonic's continuing expansion of its Internet services. The latest apps join entertainment and information favorites such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video™, huluPLUS, CinemaNow, Ustream, Skype™ voice and video calling3, Twitter, Facebook, Pandora®, You Tube™, Google's Picasa™ Web Album, and WSJ (Wall Street Journal) Live; as well as sports sites including, MLS and Fox Sports; gaming sites, such as Asphalt 5 and Free Throw; health and wellness sites, such as Body Media® and Withings Body Mass Scale; and weather service from Accuweather. The great majority of VIERA Connect apps are free to the consumer.4

Panasonic introduced its IPTV platform four years ago and in that time the internet functionality has grown to include movies, music, social media, gaming, weather, major sports sites and health and wellness sites. Panasonic's IPTV functionality was designed to provide consumers with access to these exceptional sites without the need for an additional set-top box or computer. All the functionality is built into the products.


"When combined with Panasonic's award winning Full HD 3D VIERA HDTVs, the enhanced VIERA Connect Internet platform provides the consumer with exceptional entertainment value and variety," added Mereby.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America will relocate its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013. Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas/. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

1 Access to a broadband internet connection is required to access VIERA Connect features.

2 Will support subscription service in the future.

3 Skype video calling requires a Skype-enabled camera available from Panasonic, sold separately, to make video calls.

4 Some services such as Netflix Amazon Instant Video and league sports sites have a separate fee structure to view movies and sports events.

Foxconn chairman signs letter of intent for 'intelligent robot kingdom,' we cower in fear

Posted: 06 Nov 2011 01:36 AM PDT

It looks like FRIDA and friends are about ready to get comfy over at Foxconn. Following the company's August announcement that it would infiltrate its ranks with one million robots in the next three years, Focus Taiwan is reporting that the manufacturer's parent company, Hon Hai, is moving forward on its plans to build an "intelligent robotics kingdom" in the Central Taiwan Science Park. Chairman Terry Gou reportedly signed a letter of intent with Taichung mayor Jason Hu last Saturday, confirming its plans to erect a plant dedicated to the production of robots and automation equipment. That robo-mecca is expected to draw some serious scratch, with an estimated production-value boost of NT$120 billion (about $4 billion) and the creation of 2,000 jobs. How many of those positions will be filled by headless automatons remains to be seen.

Rogers Cable tries on flexible channel packages in Ontario, will customers like the fit?

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 11:12 PM PDT

If current one-size-fits-all pay-TV packages aren't doing it for you, then look to the north where The Globe and Mail reports Rogers is testing pay-per-package plans in the Ontario area. It starts by offering a $20 basic cable offering with 86 channels, to which customers can add up to 15, 20, or 30 more channels as they wish from "over 100" possibles. If that's not enough choice, try Quebec, where Videotron and Bell are also doing battle with a la carte channel packages, a trend that apparently does not extend to Bell's offerings outside the region. Behind all these new options is a CRTC mandate to offer customers greater control, so we'll wait to hear from Canucks if these are viable options when they open up November 8th. Check out the details in the press release after the break or head over to Rogers' site to price a package for yourself.

[Thanks, @JoeCise]
Show full PR text
Choose the TV you want: Rogers Trials New Flexible TV Package‬

Digital Starter Pack trial launches in London, Ontario‬‬

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2011 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. announced today the launch of the first Digital Starter Pack, an innovative, new trial that gives Rogers cable customers the choice and flexibility they want.‬‬

"Customers have told us they want to build their own TV packages and only want to pay for the channels they watch," said John Boynton, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Communications Inc. "We have been looking at offering more customized solutions for some time that give customers more flexibility with all the benefits of reliable, digital cable, including Rogers on Demand. This trial gives us the chance to hear from our customers about the packages that work for them."‬‬

Available beginning November 8 as a trial in London, Ontario, the Rogers Digital Starter Pack delivers a standard set of 86 core TV channels, including government mandated channels, for a base price of $20.29/month including all monthly fees.* Customers can order the Digital Starter Pack and then choose any additional 15, 20 or 30 channels from more than 100 options, starting at $26.38/month including all monthly fees. ‬‬

The Digital Starter Pack trial will run until the end of March 2012. Recently, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has asked Canada's vertically integrated companies to submit a report examining flexible TV packaging by April 1, 2012. The Digital Starter Pack trial program is the first step in providing customers with more flexible choices.‬

"We think this Rogers-first is a very positive step forward for the industry and for consumers," said Boynton. "Delivering customized, affordable digital TV is just one of the ways we're continuing to innovate for customers. We look forward to working with our content providers to measure the results of this trial to ensure it works for everyone."‬

Customers in the London area can contact Rogers by phone or visit their local Rogers retail store to learn more about the Digital Starter Pack.‬

* Includes CRTC Local Programming Improvement Fund Fee of 1.5% of the recurring TV monthly service fee. Taxes extra.‬

About the company:‬

Rogers is a diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.‬

Dell Latitude S tablet available for pre-order, might just arrive before Christmas

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 08:56 PM PDT

Serving as further evidence that the stylus really is back, Dell's coy enterprise slate, the Latitude S is now available for pre-order with an estimated delivery date of November 29th and an $859 price tag. If your too impatient to wait for Windows 8, this one's sporting Microsoft's seventh generation, weighs a hefty 816g -- nearly twice as much as the BlackBerry PlayBook -- and contains a 1.5GHz Intel Atom Z670 processor. If you like your tablets with a little extra heft and something extra to poke around with, hit the source link below.

[Thanks, Jon]

Ask Engadget: what's the best sub-$1,000 HTIB setup?

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 07:35 PM PDT

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Dave, who just so happens to be in the midst of a new PC build. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"Hey all! What is the best 'home theater in a box,' with connectivity for my component-out Wii, HDMI-out media box and optical-out TV? Room for plenty of future additions would be awesome. Wireless would be a plus, and of course, it needs to have at least respectable sound quality. Thanks!"

So, HTIB junkies -- what's the box rocking your socks at the moment? Drop your best advice in comments below!

Nokia Drive hacked, takes trip abroad to rival Windows Phones

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 06:04 PM PDT

While we knew that Nokia Maps would be arriving on the full range of Windows Phone devices, Nokia indicated that its Drive voice navigation feature would stay an Espoo hardware exclusive. Alas, it seems that enthusiastic WinPho meddlers had other ideas, already managing to transplant the Lumia series' voice navigation functionality to Samsung's Omnia 7 -- and presumably any other handsets they'd like. No video proof's been unearthed just yet, but it looks like Nokia's first foray into a shared OS may require a tougher software lock-down.

Columbia's line of electric Omni-Heat jackets, gloves and boots on sale, just in time for Old Man Winter

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 04:49 PM PDT

It took 'em a bit longer than expected, but Columbia's still pushing out its complete line of Omni-Heat electric (and in turn, heated) jackets before the holidays. In fact, a few more of these guys have cropped up since we reviewed the (admittedly excellent) Circuit Breaker back in March, including the Electro Amp, Wader Widgeon and Big Game Interchange. As you could probably glean from the titles, the latter two are camouflaged, making them both a) invisible to the human eye and b) totally fit for hunters. Those four are available for gentlemen with between $750 and $1,200 to spare, while the ladies can opt for the electric Hottie ($750) or Circuit Breaker softshell ($850). A full line of Omni-Heat gloves and boots are also shipping now, with the source links below pointing you directly to the shopping houses you're after. Have a look at what you're missing just after the break.



Verizon Galaxy Nexus listed in Costco's systems with a $289 price tag

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 04:05 PM PDT

If you're still thirsty for any release details of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Nexus, allow yourself to be ever-so-lightly-moistened by this Costco inventory screenshot from Android Central. It shows the Galaxy Nexus for Verizon priced at $289, a slim $10 discount on the $299 we'd heard in a leak a few weeks ago (that also predicted the price of the HTC Rezound, if you're keeping score). There never was much doubt this Ice Cream Sandwich would be a pricey one, but it's definitely one thing to consider while we await official news on its release and seemingly-inevitable Verizon exclusivity.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Motorola Corvair 6-inch Android 2.3 tablet outed, destined for the home automation set?

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 01:57 PM PDT

There are plenty of WiFi-connected remote control apps for tablets, dongles for IR control and even an IR blaster built into Vizio's tablet, but here's a Motorola slab purpose-built for the coffee table. The Verge has received several pics of the Motorola Corvair (and its packaging), a "dedicated controller for the connected" ...something, which is apparently in testing with unnamed cable companies right now. It's a 6-inch tablet running Android 2.3, that the box shows working as a remote control and apparently mirroring its display on the TV screen. Other notes indicate it's optimized for low cost, packs a healthy 4,000mAh battery, and can communicate with other devices via IR or Zigbee's RF4CE spec (where's Android@Home?). That would line it up perfectly to tie in with home automation systems like the one Motorola and Verizon just launched, as well as potentially provide a sweet platform for content discovery. The only downside? Unless Moto goes against type, this will probably never see retail and we'll have to wait on our cable company to figure out a way to charge extra for one and slap their own ugly software on it -- here's hoping that's not the case.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Nozomi LT26i caught by Mr. Not-so-blurrycam

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 12:34 PM PDT

Sony Ericsson Xperia Nozomi
Well, would you look at that: our first glance at Sony Ericsson's upcoming Nozomi and the photos are actually in focus. The LT26i is still rocking Gingerbread, but steps it up in the display department by moving to a 1280 x 720 panel, just like the Rezound and Galaxy Nexus. Most reports peg the Nozomi a having a 4.3-inch screen, but after some quick math it looks like its actually packing a 4.6-incher (Update: or... 4.3 inches, if the DPI reported is API related and not a hardware reference after all). The Quadrant score of 1,800 (which would put it in the realm of the Xoom and Galaxy Tab 10.1) also doesn't quite jibe with the rumored dual-core 1.5GHz chip that's supposed to be powering this device. The front facing camera is clearly visible, so it'll be ready for all your video chatting adventures. Price, release date, carrier? It's all up in the air, but we can tell you it's a very handsome device. Check out the source link for more pics.

Engadget Mobile Podcast 111 - 11.05.2011

Posted: 05 Nov 2011 12:12 PM PDT

It's your weekly two-hour romp in the mobile comms wilderness: you know it, you love it, you depend on it. Maybe you jog to it. Maybe you listen to it on the way to work. Maybe you turn down the lights and savor it with a nice cup of Earl Grey. Maybe you make a cassette dub and put it in the deck of your '78 Crown Vic, bumping around the hood whilst getting informed. However you choose to enjoy it, just enjoy it: The Engadget Mobile Podcast.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Guest: Joseph Volpe
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)

00:00:45 - HTC Rezound for Verizon unveiled: Beats Audio, 4.3-inch 720p display, available November 14th for $299
00:09:25 - HTC Rezound hands-on (video)
00:19:40 - AT&T to expand 4G coverage and launch first LTE smartphones November 6th: HTC Vivid, Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
00:30:45 - Nokia Lumia 800 review
00:53:10 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 and Torch 9860 coming to AT&T November 6th, Curve 9360 inbound November 20th
00:54:54 - iPhone 4S gets official date and blessing by C-Spire, all yours on November 11th
00:58:01 - Republic Wireless to offer unlimited calls, SMS and data for $19 per month
00:59:40 - What's in a name? Nokia's new Lumia and Asha line explained
01:03:30 - Nokia Maps to be available for all Windows Phone handsets, sans voice navigation
01:07:45 - Ultrathin LG U1 to be company's first Ice Cream Sandwich device?
01:20:05 - Sony to buy out Ericsson's stake in joint venture, call it quits after ten years
01:32:35 - Listener questions




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podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.

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