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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

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Sony PlayStation Vita review (Japanese edition)

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:35 AM PST

It's hard to believe that Sony's venerable first portable has just reached its seventh birthday. The PSP launched in 2004: a year when the Motorola RAZR V3 claimed top phone prizes and tablets were called tablet PCs. Since then, its closest rival has undergone several substantial transformations, but the PSP has remained largely untouched, aside from getting a little slimmer. Sony's hoping its new portable superstar is less evolutionary, more revolutionary. And it may have to be. Mobile gaming is snapping at its heels, with game developers continuing to boost the scale and polish on smartphone offerings. Even Sony has been attempting to get in on the mobile action, with underwhelming results so far.

So here's the PlayStation Vita, attempting to breath new life into the portable gaming market. There's no 3D screen, it doesn't do phone calls (although our test model is the 3G-connected variant) but there is, however, a load of power underneath that 5-inch OLED hood. It looks to be the answer to more "traditional" gamers' prayers, but there are plenty of questions we've been itching to answer. Is a portable gaming console still a valid gaming option? How long will the battery last? What's that rear touchscreen all about? Read on and see how Sony's next-generation portable stacks up.

Sony PlayStation Vita review (Japanese edition)

Hardware


The Vita arrives in a piano black guise and that glossy finish is pretty hungry for your fingerprints. It's likely to pick up more than its fair share with the double touchscreen setup found here. In our hands, the Vita feels pretty similar to the original launch PSP, although it's impressively light for all the high-end internals. The 3G / WiFi model weights in at 279g (9.8 ounces), matching the first generation Sony handheld, although it remains heavier than the 3000 series, which scraped underneath 190g (6.7 ounces). The 3DS is also slightly lighter, although due to its clam-shell composition, it's a little thicker when in transit. Your eyes will be immediately drawn to the broad 5-inch OLED capacitive touchscreen. The apparently Samsung-manufactured screen makes the most of its 960 x 544 resolution and the OLED technology makes for superb viewing angles, although we'd have appreciated a bit more brightness here for outdoor play. Videos downloaded from the PlayStation Store are optimized for the Vita's not-so common resolution and are sharp and vivid. Games also sparkle, with an occasional frame-rate wobble that we're (optimistically) hoping disappears when developers get to grips with the new hardware.


The touchscreen is paired with another narrower patterned touch panel across the back. We, however, didn't just come here for touchscreen gaming -- let's take a look at the controls. You'll find them evenly distributed on either side of the screen. On the left side you'll find a d-pad slightly smaller than the one found on both its predecessor and the DualShock controller. Underneath it resides the primary analog stick, which is suitably 'sticky 'enough for play, although it seems to give a little easier than the sticks on the PSP and the PS3 controller.


Finally, a PlayStation button anchors you to the UI's home screen whenever it's pressed. Press it in tandem with the start button and you can take a screen grab in both the UI and (some) games. Like the PlayStation button, both the start and select buttons lie flush with the screen, this time joining Sony's trademark button medley and the (increasingly necessary) second analog stick on the right side. The pair of shoulder buttons round out the controls and, like we mentioned in our first hands-on, seem a tad livelier than those found on the PSP. Sound like enough control options? Well, don't forget that there's also the same Sixaxis motion controls found in the PS3 controllers.


Touring the rest of the hardware, there are two slots along the top edge of the Vita, both protected with silvery plastic covers. While the Vita-labeled cover on the left takes the new proprietary game cards, the port discovered under the right hasn't been identified -- not even in the Vita's own literature. Next to the covers, you'll find a design nod to the PSP Go, with some reassuringly sturdy volume controls and the power button. Standby mode is a brief button press away, while you'll need to depress for three seconds for a full shutdown.

A cover on the left edge accepts the SIM card for 3G connectivity, with Sony's new game memory storage slot located at the base.The proprietary connection for power is also here and around the back, the aforementioned capacitive touchpad is flanked by two grip pads to rest the device comfortably in your hands. They'll also raise the Vita slightly off the surface, sidestepping the chances of scuffing the symbol patterned touchpad. The placement here seems better located for petite hands, as we found our fingers typically placed themselves closer to the center. A metallic plastic strip that runs around the circumference of the device extends into two strap loops at the bottom of each corner.

Inside, it's another quad-core beast, an ARM Cortex A9 with an additional SGX54MP4+ GPU AND 512MB of memory and an additional 128MBs of VRAM. When it comes to raw specs, it simply dwarfs the PSP. In fact, it also has double the RAM of the PS3, although that guy strikes back with more dedicated VRAM (256MB versus 128MB for the Vita). Unfortunately, while we expected the built-in apps to jump into action this generally wasn't the case -- the browser, in particular, puts on an especially poor performance. Games, which are understandly quite complex, often take their time to load up, but when they do, they offer us a very visible jump on the scale and detail of what we've come to expect from portable gaming. Sound quality is also also suitably crisp, with rich noises projecting out from the two stereo speakers.

Charging and battery life


If the Vita had us worried about anything, it was reports of a lightweight battery. Three hours? That's on par with the 3DS, which didn't earn any points in the power department either. Like the PSP Go, there's no removable battery, so how does it cope? Were we going to be forever tethered to the AC socket? We tried several different run-down tests the get to the bottom of this. On an all-out gaming test, it looks like the rumors were right - you're looking at around three hours of playtime. It took us around an hour and a half to recharge from zero to full, during continued use. That aside, you'll be wanting to take some sort of power cable with you. USB recharging is possible, but boy, it's slow.

In more casual use, with a smattering of half-hour gaming sessions, some Twitter, video and music, this stretched out to around five hours, but it's very much dependent on use. Near, the Vita's location-based social network seems to assist in bringing the battery to an early demise. We were unable to get the DoCoMo-connected Japanese variant to connect with our own SIM cards, but we'd imagine 3G use would be even more taxing on the battery. It's hard not to take issue with the Vita's longevity, or lack of. Would it have been too hard for Sony to bulk up the proportions of its latest handheld to offer us a more substantial battery life? It's not going win any prizes for being the thinnest slice of gadget we've seen this year -- to handle it properly, we're pretty glad there's some depth to the Vita. Hopefully Sony -- or some prescient third-party manufacturers -- won't take long to offer up a subtle battery-extending peripheral, but this is something the electronics giant could have seen coming much earlier. Also, we wonder how a life-extending batter grip might piggyback on this handheld without blocking its rear touchpad.

Camera and multimedia
The primary rear-facing camera has several different functions here. There are augmented reality gaming features incoming, but as a classic camera, results leave a lot to be desired. Topping out at 640 x 480 stills, like the 3DS, stills are often pretty noisy and low on detail. There's some auto-focus functionality, but don't expect the results to be of a respectable standard.
Sony PlayStation Vita (Japanese edition) sample shots


While both the front and rear-facing cameras appear able to stream video, there's no recording functionality here. It's a shame not to see camera specifications on par with today's smartphones, given the premium price Sony's commanding for its latest portable. It's certainly got the tiny camera sensor chops to have provided something far more pervasive to this portable console.

Software
The Vita's UI is smooth and ran mostly untroubled by our multitasking. If you've dealt with any smartphones in the last few years, you'll know exactly how to feel your way around the device. Even if you haven't, navigation remains very intuitive. As we touched on during our UI run-through, we're able to flick through running programs with a horizontal swipe. Closing unwanted apps involves a diagonal motion and a cool page-flipping animation, which lifts it away. The gentle inoffensive backing music and general bubbly design reminds us of the UI found on Nintendo's recent hardware. It's hard to complain when it's this gentle, although some more customization on wallpapers and that muzak would have been nice .
Sony PlayStation Vita (Japanese edition) screenshots


The apparently resource-heavy web browser is locked-down during gameplay, although you'll be able to hop to music, your friends list and Twitter -- presumably to rave about your new favorite console. The browser itself, well... it works. Despite the touchscreen interface, rendering is slow and we suffered plenty of tiling. You'll find it takes an age for pages to load, even on a WiFi connection, and scrolling through a page seems to discard the previous parts of the page you've already seen. The capacitive screen makes this games console a triumph for typing in web addresses and tweeting, however. There are suggested words and even a customizable dictionary all built-in -- we'd love to see some version of Gmail on this 5-inch screen.


Other apps are relatively short on supply -- there's a Twitter client available in the PlayStation Store, and some lightweight Facebook functionality within the PlayStation network. Will third-party devs be willing to port their ware to the Vita, and jump through the PlaySation Store hoops? We guess that'll depend on sales, but for the moment, the app cupboard remains pretty bare. Connectivity with both the PlayStation 3 and PC is (at the moment) the only way to drag content off and onto the PS Vita, and no, there's no native Mac support here. It's worth mentioning that a lack of built-in storage means your media content will have bunk up with any game saves you've got on that proprietary Vita memory card. We also hope that the expanded controls (second analog sticks are a necessity for a lot of Sony's back-catalog) will improve the availability of future PS3 titles that can be remotely played. At the moment, remote play remains an extra option for streaming media from your more capacious "main" console.

Games


We'll leave the full critiques to our colleagues battling through them over at Joystiq , but here's our brief impressions on a selection of the first draft of games you'll hopefully be enjoying when the Vita arrives over here in 2012.
  • Uncharted: Golden Abyss - Likely to be the flagship title, if only because it showcases both the gameplay possibilities and graphical scale of the PS Vita. The Sixaxis sensors, both touchscreens and all the physical inputs are integrated into the first half-hour of play. Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg.
  • Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 - The 2D fighter arrives with the same bombastic presentation of the series. The tinier d-pad requires a little more concentration for the moves, although thankfully there's a simple control option for the less dexterous
  • Dynasty Warriors: Next - The Vita manages a decent draw distance and number of characters on-screen. If you've played one Dynasty Warriors, you should know what to expect. The extra coating of graphical sauce doesn't go amiss.
  • Touch My Katamari - The ball-rolling space opera demands the dual-analog sticks. Play is smooth and well, with this soundtrack -- it's just awesome.
  • Welcome Park - This built-in bundle includes some lightweight "games", although they're not comparable to the likes of Face Raiders and those game cards built into the 3DS. There's a picture-sliding puzzle, a sound-echoing app and (our favorite) a mode where you try to find faces in things. We don't completely get it either. To be honest, we were hoping that Reality Fighters would arrive gratis on the handheld. In fact, it isn't yet on-sale in the PlayStation store.
Pricing

So how much is the future of portable gaming going to set you back? Well, it's not for the fainthearted and will depend on whether you're looking for some cellular connectivity thrown into the mix. US buyers can net an early first edition 3G-capable Vita, like our review model, plus a case, a 4GB memory card and a copy of Little Deviants for $350, while Canadian buyers will be able to buy the WiFi-only version for $299.

Ours is the Japanese 3G model, which is priced at 30,000 Yen ($385). Meanwhile, its closest gaming rival, the 3DS, is now available new at around $165, following its price drop from a headier $250. That difference in raw power will be pretty visible on your bank balance. Regrettably, there's also no support for multiple PSN accounts on a single Vita.

Wrap-up


The Vita is a beast. The first-string gaming selection really gives us a scale of portable gaming not seen before, while the ability to dip in and out remains effortless. For extended play, the OLED screen is sharp and comfortable on the eyes, although we worry how long it'll last unblemished in the rough-and-tumble of everyday use. The controls, too, soon felt familiar to these gaming paws. The additional analog stick now makes the device a close substitute for the PS3's DualShock. With the upgraded screen resolution, Remote Play is also stepped up -- for the games it does work with.

It's the extra flourishes like the pattern touchpanel on the back and software transitions that make this yet another stylish slab of hardware from Sony. However, there's something here that needs some attention -- we need longer battery life. Like we said in our 3DS review, it's a high price for a handheld device that lasts through just three hours of playtime -- a battery performance that's enough to make even the Thunderbolt smirk. We'd be willing to add some more bulk to the device's svelte frame for the privilege. Likewise, the games also attract a similar premium as Sony attempts to make two new proprietary media cards a success.

The cost will put it at odds with the new casual gamer ethos that's continuing to dominate the likes of Android and iOS. However, there's still nothing on these nascent gaming platforms that can stand up to the sheer scale of Uncharted. Until that happens with a $5 price tag, there certainly remains a space for this kind of premium gaming. Can you resist until Sony does the inevitable and brings out a thinner, less power hungry model? While we're not sure how many new fans the Vita's going to attract (and yes, that battery life will surely be a deal-breaker for many), the sheer spectacle of some of these launch games may have us hooked again on portable gaming. For the gaming faithful, we've found your first gadget buy of 2012.

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

Sony divisions to elope in Vegas, celebrate the marriage of Television and Internet at CES 2012

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:34 AM PST

Well, we can't decide if this is one of the cheesiest or most clever event invites in CE history. Sony's PR arm just sent us an e-vite to the marriage of Sony Electronics Home Division and Sony Entertainment Network, simplified to "Television and Internet" on the company's appropriately generic Wedsite wedding page. Now this won't be a cheap Vegas wedding by any means -- the ceremony will take place at the Bellagio Wedding Chapel on the evening of January 11th, with a "Reception Immediately Following." Since this is technically a marriage between cousins, we've spent time with both the bride (Bravia) and the groom (Sony Entertainment Network -- or SEN, when among friends), so we mean no offense if forced to choose sides in the chapel. Coincidentally, we'll already be in town, so we may pop in to greet the likes of family members "Al Gore, Father of the Internet" and HMZ-T1, aka "Aunt Madge." Care to come along? The couple-to-be's site appears to be open to all, so hit up the source link to sign the guest book and send in your RSVP.

Samsung releases CES 2012 teaser, hints at upcoming Smart TV products (video)

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:13 AM PST

It's certainly not much, but with just a few words at the end of a YouTube clip, Samsung hopes to grab your interest. The Korean electronics giant has just released a "through the years" style clip that encapsulates over 50 years of advances with its television systems (i.e., the switch to color, rabbit ears, higher resolutions, DVR, 3D TVs, etc.). The clip concludes with the words "Experience the Future of Smart TV" and highlights the company's upcoming presence at CES next month. And yes, we'll be there too. Take a gander for yourself after the break.

Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up'

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:56 AM PST

After learning of Microsoft's plans to stop holding CES keynotes following the 2012 edition, the immediate attention turned to this: would it use its last opportunity on the main stage to make a lasting impact? Evidently, that answer is "no." We've confirmed with the company that Steve Ballmer will be "focusing quite a bit on Windows Phone and the its Xbox / entertainment story," while also sharing "momentum from across the company for Windows, Office, Bing, etc." Ultimately, we're told that there "won't be significant news, but more of a wrap up of the strong year the company has had in consumer." We've got a call out for further clarifications (as well as questions on whether or not another BUILD, MIX or some other spinoff event will take the theoretical place of CES), and we'll be sure to update as we learn more.

Update: While Microsoft can't confirm specifics, we're getting the impression that the company's partners will be the ones leading and driving announcements in the CES events to come. And while it wouldn't comment specifically on the future of MIX or BUILD, we're told that "it will continue to invest in those kinds of owned venues going forward."

Gresso's Grand Premiere: an Avantgarde phone with a behind-the-times OS and a $50,000 price tag

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:42 AM PST

Whenever Gresso's not crafting expensive new threads for iDevices, the company makes its own featurephones from the finest materials mother nature has to offer. The new Grand Premiere is the latest from the company's Avantgarde collection and carries on this incongruous tradition. Its frame and keys are made from more than five ounces of 18-carat gold, with numbers and letters laser-etched on its sapphire crystal skin. We don't know the internals of the 12mm-thin candybar, but we do know it's running Symbian S40 and is probably packing anemic hardware like other Gressos we've seen -- you're paying for exclusivity and the shiny stuff, not benchmarking abilities, after all. Only 30 Grand Premiere's will be made at $50,000 pop, so all you conspicuous consumers with money to burn better move fast. Wouldn't want to be the only luddite at the yacht club without luxury handset, would you?

Microsoft's final CES keynote will be in 2012, bad timing to blame

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:15 AM PST

Woo, boy. The CEA's none too happy about this, we're sure. Microsoft has just announced that its final CES keynote will happen in 2012. After that?

"We'll continue to participate in CES as a great place to connect with partners and customers across the PC, phone and entertainment industries, but we won't have a keynote or booth after this year because our product news milestones generally don't align with the show's January timing."

That's according to Frank X. Shaw, VP of Corporate Communications at Microsoft, who goes on to say that this industry is moving fast and changing even faster, and in an effort to attack the needs and demands of consumers in a hastier fashion, it simply cannot be held to a yearly schedule where one major show dictates the timing of a given release. It's important to note that Microsoft isn't pulling out of CES entirely -- you'll still find plenty of staffers roaming the show floor and cutting deals in the backrooms of Vegas-area hotels, but it won't be investing in a huge booth prescence after January. It doesn't take a historian to see the trend here. If you'll recall, Apple decided to pretty much do the exact same thing when it pulled out of its yearly MacWorld keynote schedule back in 2008. The company simply felt that it would have more control over its own releases if a certain day on a certain entity's calendar wasn't pulling the strings, and we honestly believe that Microsoft is just the next of many to feel similarly.

While CES is a fantastic event for launching products and drawing eyes, the timing has always struck us as horrific. We were pleased as punch when the CEA pushed the entire thing up a week starting in 2012, but it's still a bizarre window. For one, it immediately follows two major holidays, and furthermore, it's just two weeks after the year's busiest shopping season -- you know, a season where launching new products a few months before would make a lot more sense. We've definitely noticed some level of splintering over the years when it comes to trade shows, and as consumer demands become more and more unshakable, we get the feeling that being nailed to a January launch schedule will grow ever more uncomfortable. Time will tell, eh?

Update: We've just learned of Microsoft's plans for its 2012 keynote; seemingly, it'll be going out sans bang. Ballmer will be focusing on Windows Phone and the Xbox / entertainment story, while also sharing "momentum" for the company as a whole. Nothing major, though. Drat!

Engadget's Holiday Blues-buster 2011: win a Samsung Galaxy S II, courtesy of Broadcom!

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:53 AM PST

We continue into Day 3 of our week-long Holiday Blues-buster giveaway, in which we're handing out a top-of-the-line gadget to a lucky reader every single day! Today Broadcom is hoping to "connect everything" by hooking you up with an unlocked GT-I9100 Samsung Galaxy S II. That's right -- the original and international version. So if you've been following along in our contest, you know what to do. All of our newcomers, head below to the peek at the rules before entering. Good luck!

The contest:

December 19 - Roku 2 from Broadcom
December 20 - Unlocked GSM iPhone 4S from Wyse
December 21 - Unlocked Samsung GT-I9100 Galaxy S II (international version) from Broadcom
December 22 - Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE from Appitalism
December 23 - iPad 2 WiFi 16GB from Broadcom

The rules:
  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do.
  • You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
  • If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
  • Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive an unlocked Samsung GT-I9100 Galaxy S II.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Broadcom and Engadget are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
  • Entries can be submitted until December 21st, 2011 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
  • Full rules can be found here.

Engadget Distro now available on Android Market and iOS Newsstand!

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:25 AM PST

Since we first launched Engadget Distro on the iPad, we've received endless requests (seriously, we're still counting them) for three things: an Android version, iOS Newsstand integration and a fount from which infinite knowledge pours from. We've promised to work on two of the three, and it's time we delivered. We're pleased to announce that Distro is now available for most Android tablets; a list of minimum supported specifications is after the break, but if you're using Android 3.x or above, you should be golden. And for those of you iPad owners longing to see Distro on Apple's Newsstand, we're there too. So, follow the appropriate link below, and get your download on. And, while we can't guarantee you'll be seeing us on your TouchPad anytime soon, the developments don't stop here.

On a personal note, we're super excited to be expanding Distro, and we can't wait to hear back from the folks who will be diving in now that it's in a few new places. Enjoy!

Distro on the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Distro on the iTunes App Store

As of now, Android 3.x and up is supported for Engadget Distro, and you'll need a device with an Xlarge screen (at least 960dp x 768dp) to take advantage. Let us know if you're seeing compatibility issues in comments below!

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

Sony denies Vita plagued by screen issues, claims apology was lost in translation

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:16 AM PST

PS Vista
Sony is a little hot under the collar after a recent wave of stories regarding some bugs that allegedly beguiled the first wave of PS Vita owners. As you may recall, reports were pouring in that many customers were experiencing freeze ups and other performance issues with their new handhelds, prompting Sony to issue an apology. Well, it seems as if something got lost in translation. A UK spokesperson for the company told the Guardian that the statement was actually apologizing to customers experiencing difficulty getting through to tech support, not for the screen issues that have been the subject of many a YouTube video. He went on to say that Sony has seen no evidence of widespread problems with the portable gaming device, though, there was firmware update made immediately available to address some bugs.

Dell Streak Pro D43 launched in China, where Yi shall find some Baidu love

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:03 AM PST

Just as rumored and teased earlier this week, yesterday Dell unveiled the world's first Baidu Yi-powered smartphone dubbed Streak Pro D43. We won't bore you with the hardware details again (the D43's identical to its Japanese Android counterpart 101DL), but it's worth noting that this dual-core 1.5GHz, quadband HSPA phone focuses on features and services tailored for Chinese users, including some seemingly basic Mandarin voice control (no pressure on Siri just yet), contacts synchronization, Baidu Chinese input, Yi's own app store and 100GB of free cloud storage that supports multimedia upload and secure file sharing. Essentially, the Yi platform's basically just another Chinese bastardized Android OS sans Google services -- much like Alibaba's Aliyun, China Mobile's Ophone and Lenovo's LeOS; but if you already reside in China and are cool with Baidu's offering, then get a Micro SIM ready and look out for a China Unicom deal soon.
Dell Streak Pro D43 launched in China, where Yi shall find some Baidu love
Show full PR text
"Cloud Share" - Dell's New Smartphone Streak Pro Makes Shining Debut on the Market

· The Streak Pro is the first smartphone developed on the "Baidu·Yi" mobile platform.

· Featuring a dazzling high-definition big touch screen and a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the Streak Pro provides users with an amazing mobile Internet and entertainment experience.

· The Streak Pro has expanded Dell's mobility portfolio.

· The Streak Pro enables users to enjoy cloud–based services and makes life more convenient while realizing multi-terminal data management.



Beijing – December 20, 2011

Dell launched its latest smartphone, the Streak Pro, today in Beijing. The new product is the first smartphone based on the "Baidu·Yi" mobile platform, and is customized for China Unicom. The launch of this smartphone marks the expansion of Dell's cloud computing ecosystem. This robust new addition to Dell's product line enables users to enjoy the company's high-quality services, ranging from corporate IT solutions to personal entertainment. The use of a locally-developed mobile platform has further demonstrated Dell's commitment to the China market. The Dell Streak Pro will be available soon for purchase at Dell's official website www.dell.com.cn and through designated channels.

Michael Yang, Dell's Vice President and President of Greater China, said, "China has become the world's largest smartphone market. It is indispensable for manufacturers to develop local strategies and to innovate to provide products, solutions, and services for the local market. While continuing to introduce advanced global information technologies into this market, Dell is committed to rooting itself in the China market and servicing Chinese users. Meanwhile, Dell is constantly strengthening cooperation with outstanding local companies, as evidenced by the recently launched Dell Streak Pro, the first smartphone developed on the "Baidu·Yi" mobile platform."

Wang Jing, Vice President at Baidu, said, "The Dell Streak Pro is a smartphone that truly fits Chinese users. The "Baidu·Yi" mobile platform on which this smartphone is built was specially developed by Baidu according to the actual needs of Chinese users. Knowledge of those needs can only be attained by observing and studying their using behaviour and habits over a long time. Compared with other smartphone operating systems, Baidu "Cloud" services can help users enjoy a better, more localized mobile Internet experience."

In terms of product positioning, the Dell Streak Pro targets business elites who pay attention to their personal image and social status and young socially active trendsetters. Compared with ordinary consumers, these consumer groups have a much higher standards and higher demand for mobile services and entertainment experience. With its powerful configuration and innovative localized cloud services, the Dell Streak Pro provides Chinese users with the best product experience.

Powerful configuration and advanced design

The Streak Pro is the newest member in Dell's mobile product line-up. Like Dell's other mobile products, it also features the company's advanced design and perfect services. In terms of hardware configuration, the Streak Pro has a built-in Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 3G+communication module, thus ensuring the prompt and undelayed image processing and smoothness on the screen. Moreover, the 4.3-inch Super AMOLED gHD (960 x540) high-definition touch screen provides a wider angle of view to ensure the effects of high lightness, high contrast and high definition, even in bright sunlight. Thanks to the product's powerful configuration, users can enjoy not only smooth mobile Internet experience, but also amazing entertainment and gaming experience made possible by its 4.3-inch high-definition screen.

In terms of appearance design, Corning Gorilla Glass and silica gel give the Streak Pro a luxurious yet low-profile look. The combined use of the two materials protects the smartphone well, while its fine-textured appearance makes the owner feel comfortable holding the smartphone.

Innovative localized cloud services

As a new member in Dell's mobile computing eco-system, the Streak Pro will, just like any other products in the big family of Dell, provide excellent mobile services to users. Multi-terminal access and management can be realized through Dell's products for both work data and personal information, thus greatly improving work efficiency and saving storage space.

Dell's cloud computing ecosystem does not only include the company's own products and services, but also its cooperation with other IT companies, which constitutes a "large ecosystem". Dell's introduction of the Streak Pro, developed on the Baidu·Yi mobile platform, is based exactly on the ever-increasing consumer demands for "localized" cloud services, especially business elites and young socially active trend-setters. Three Baidu products, namely, SmartBox Search, Treasure Box, and ting! can satisfy consumer demand in information search, information storage, and music downloading, respectively. SmartBox Search enables users to obtain information quickly and accurately through its mobile search engine. In addition, the service also supports voice instructions and the application of internally-contained words. With 100G personal cloud storage space, Treasure Box supports data synchronization, backup and sharing of multiple terminals including computers and mobile phones, thus enabling users to manage data easily. And ting! allows users to enjoy and download over 500,000 songs for free.

In-depth cooperation with operators

In addition to outstanding IT partners, Dell has also strengthened cooperation with mobile operators. In working with China Unicom, Dell has greatly improved product experience for users by adding built-in China Unicom-customized services and charging package to the Streak Pro.

As a high-tech company, Dell launches all its products to bring convenience to our customers' work and life. The launch of the Streak Pro not only marks the further improvement of Dell's product line, but also is a further progress in its Cloud services. Dell's cloud computing ecosystem allows users to obtain the most amazing IT experience for both consumers' individualized demands and corporate information management.

Amazon updates Kindle iOS app with new magazine options for iPad, built-in PDF reader

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 06:48 AM PST

Amazon's already pushed out a software update for the Kindle Fire this week, and now its released a fairly major update to the Kindle app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Among the highlights this time around are some revamped magazine options on the iPad, including access to the more than 400 magazines and newspapers available on the Kindle Fire, as well as the ability to read print replica textbooks on the iPad (which preserves the layout of the print editions but still allows for notes and highlighting). All iOS users can also now use a built-in PDF reader that will let you open PDFs from within the Kindle app, and Amazon is promising "seamless integration of personal documents," which will let folks email documents to their Kindle address and have them synced on their iOS devices in addition to their Kindles.

Sharp AQUOS IS14SH presses hold on the death of the phone keypad

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 06:37 AM PST

KDDI's latest team-up with Sharp appears to be haunted by the ghosts of mobile past, present and future. The AQUOS IS14SH sends us spinning back to the 90's with a slide-out numerical keypad that hopes to appeal to those T9 typists who have honed the craft to a fine art. More future-facing customers may be sold on the combination of Android Gingerbread, Three Seg TV tuner, NFC wallet and eight-megapixel camera. The phone is available now in black, white and pink, though none, sadly, will land with Sharp's recently unveiled optical image stabilizer.

Gracenote launches ACR TV recognition, HABU mood-based music curation

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 06:13 AM PST

It's that pop song again -- you know, the one that forces you to flip the radio to anything else. But still, you're dying to know what it's called, if only to avoid hearing it ever again. Boom Boom? Heartbeat? Shazam! Super Bass, by Nicki Minaj. If you haven't used Shazam, chances are you know someone that does, and often. Gracenote's new Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology takes that same concept and applies it to TV shows and movies, and it's coming soon to a smartphone or tablet near you. A yet-to-be-named app will let your device "listen" to whatever you're watching, identifying TV shows and movies based on dialogue or the soundtrack, then displaying a variety of info about whatever's on screen. Gracenote is also expanding its audio offerings, showing off both HABU and MoodGrid, which are mood-based music curation services for mobile devices and in-car systems, respectively. Software groups songs based on emotional themes, then plays them back depending on your selected mood. Happy? Sad? Intrigued? We'll need to wait until CES for the full scoop from Gracenote.
Gracenote ACR TV recognition

Tired of your face? Use Face Swap to try your friend's on for size

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:47 AM PST

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find your face on somebody else's body, or vice versa? Microsoft Research has finally addressed that oh-so-critical need with a Windows Phone app called Face Swap. Essentially, the free app can take an image of multiple people and trade faces with the others in the group, and then let you share the new photo on Facebook or Twitter. Of course, we're not sure the person you swapped faces with will enjoy it as much as you did, but that's the downfall of social networks, right?

Justice Department antitrust division probing Verizon cable spectrum deals

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:18 AM PST

Looks like AT&T isn't the only major carrier having issues with the guv'ment lately. Remember that 20MHz AWS spectrum that Verizon got from Cox Communications for a cool $315 million this month? How's about that juicy spectrum Big Red scored from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for $3.6 billion? Well, it turns out those deals are raising an eyebrow or two over at the Justice Department, which just launched an investigation into the matter. A spokesperson for the department confirmed the probe with Bloomberg News but declined to provide further details. A source familiar with the investigation, however, says the antitrust division is involved. Apparently, there's concern that the deal puts too much control of the airwaves in the hands of Verizon. For its part, Verizon declined to comment, saying it has yet to receive information about the investigation.

Say goodbye to Symbian, say hello to Nokia Belle

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 04:49 AM PST

Nokia Belle
Symbian is already on its last legs as a mobile OS, now Nokia is giving it a bit of a kick while its down by ditching the name it grew up with and rebranding the latest version simply Nokia Belle. That's right, the Symbian title we've all come to know and love is being retired by Nokia, and with very little fanfare. In fact, the switch is relegated to a parenthetical aside in an update on the status of Belle at the official blog of the Finnish manufacturer. Here's the announcement in its entirety: "The all new Nokia Belle (previously Symbian Belle)..." That's it! Of course, functionally, swapping Symbian for Nokia makes little difference, but its still sad to see one of the last vestiges of this long lived platform disappear. We'd say to check out the source for more details, but that's all she wrote.

iPhone app downloads stuttering in the US, but still gold compared to Android

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 04:22 AM PST

At some point, we'll all have to stop binging on discounted apps and start being reflective -- and that's when Distimo's 2011 'App Year in Review' report can serve as a nice digestive. Alongside some predictable trends, such as an impressive 400 percent surge in available Windows Phone apps, it also reveals a few interesting stats about the market leader. iPhone app downloads in the US "have been declining for nearly the entire year," it says, although there was big spike following the launch of the 4S. Regardless of volume, however, top-grossing iPhone apps still made four times as much money as the Android Market's premium performers. By the same measure, even iPad apps on their own generated twice as many dollars. Is this a tale of quality over quantity, or are Android apps simply better value? We'll decide when we're less queasy, and in the meantime there's a fuller summary of the report at the source link -- though you'll have to register to view it.

People more likely to lie when texting, according to UBC research

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 04:01 AM PST

It's so much easier to be deceitful when you don't have to actually look into somebody's eyes, right? That's what a study conducted by the University of British Columbia figured out. Here's how it was done: 170 students were brought in to perform mock stock transactions using one of four methods -- face-to-face, text, video or audio. Brokers were promised higher monetary compensation for more stock sales, while buyers were told their reward would all depend on the value of the stock. The brokers were given inside information that the stock was rigged to lose half of its value, while buyers were only told after the transaction was over and were asked to report on whether or not the brokers were deceitful when selling this stock to them. The study analyzed which method produced the most lies and found that buyers who used texts were much more likely to report deception, while video chatting was the least. Skeptical about your significant other's text that says they're just at their friend's house or washing their hair? See if you can Skype them instead. Check out the full results of the study after the break.

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People more likely to lie when texting: University of British Columbia research

Text messaging leads people to be more deceitful when compared to other modes of communication, according to Sauder School of Business researchers at the University of British Columbia.

Their study compares the level of deceit people are prepared to use in a variety of media, from text messages to face-to-face interactions.

"People are communicating using a growing range of methods, from Twitter to Skype," says Sauder Assoc. Prof. Ronald Cenfetelli, a co-author on the paper. "As new platforms of communication come online, it's important to know the risks that may be involved."

"Our results confirm that the more anonymous the technology allows a person to be in a communications exchange, the more likely they are to become morally lax," says Sauder Prof. Karl Aquino, also one of the co-authors.

The study involved 170 students performing mock stock transactions in one of four ways: face-to-face, or by video, audio or text chatting. Researchers promised cash awards of up to $50 to increase participants' involvement in the role play. "Brokers" were promised increased cash rewards for more stock sales, while "buyers" were told their cash reward would depend on the yet-to-be-determined value of the stock.

The brokers were given inside knowledge that the stock was rigged to lose half of its value. Buyers were only informed of this fact after the mock sales transaction and were asked to report whether the brokers had employed deceit to sell their stock.

The authors then analyzed which forms of communication led to more deception. They found that buyers who received information via text messages were 95 per cent more likely to report deception than if they had interacted via video, 31 per cent more likely to report deception when compared to face-to-face, and 18 per cent more likely if the interaction was via audio chat.

Their results suggest that communicating by video heightened the brokers' awareness of being scrutinized, which suppressed their impulse to use dishonest sales tactics – the so-called "spotlight" effect.

"With this in mind, people shopping online using websites like eBay should consider asking sellers to talk over Skype to ensure they are getting information in the most trustworthy way possible," says Cenfetelli, who studies human-computer interaction in Sauder's Management Information Systems division.

The study also reveals that people deceived by "leaner" media, such as text messages are more angered than those misled by "richer" media, such as video chat.

The lesson for business, says Cenfetelli, is that video conferencing or in-person interactions may be preferable to text-based communication if the company is concerned about how customers may react to the given information.

The study, led by Asst. Prof. David Jingjun Xu of Wichita State University, will appear in the March edition of the Journal of Business Ethics.

Nuance gobbles up Vlingo, yearns to transcribe its own announcement

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:44 AM PST

Apparently, if you can't (legally) beat them, you buy them. Such is the thinking over at Nuance, who has decided to acquire its competitor and former courtroom dance partner, Vlingo. Should make for some nice additions to the former's voice recognition tubes -- technology which powers everything from Apple's Siri, Dragon dictation and even various autos. No indications as to how many greenbacks exchanged hands, but the newlyweds were happy to boast their "complementary research and development efforts" will result in a company "stronger together than alone." We'll have to see about that. PR after the break.
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Nuance to Acquire Vlingo

Combination to Accelerate Nuance Innovation; $5 Billion Market Opportunity Demands Powerful Voice Assistant and Natural Language Understanding Solutions for Phones, Tablets, Cars, TVs and PCs

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Vlingo, Inc. Fueled by unprecedented demand for intelligent voice interfaces that combine voice, language understanding and semantic processing, Nuance and Vlingo will combine their deep innovation and R&D expertise to deliver next-generation natural language interfaces across numerous markets and industries.

Consumer interest and demand for virtual assistant and voice-enabled capabilities have exploded in recent months, creating a $5 billion market opportunity that spans phones, tablets, cars, televisions, navigation devices, music players, PCs and more. Both Nuance and Vlingo see an unprecedented appetite for intelligent devices that understand the spoken word and deliver outcomes for consumers and professionals.

"Inspired by the introduction of services such as Apple's Siri and our own Dragon Go!, virtually every mobile and consumer electronics company on the planet is looking for ways to integrate natural, conversational voice interactions into their mobile products, applications, and services, " said Mike Thompson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Nuance Mobile. "By acquiring Vlingo, we are able to accelerate the pace of innovation to meet this demand."

"Vlingo and Nuance have long shared a similar vision for the power and global proliferation of mobile voice and language understanding. As a result of our complementary research and development efforts, our companies are stronger together than alone. Our combined resources afford us the opportunity to better compete, and offer a powerful proposition to customers, partners and developers," said Dave Grannan, CEO, Vlingo.

By harnessing the combined expertise in voice, language and multilingual capabilities, Nuance will be able to take advantage of the adoption of intelligent mobile assistants, where consumers, businesses, doctors and patients can engage in more human, natural interactions with devices and systems all over the world.

About Vlingo
Vlingo is a Virtual Assistant that turns your words into action by combining voice to text technology, natural language processing, and Vlingo's Intent Engine to understand the user's intent and take the appropriate action. Founded in 2006, Vlingo is backed by Charles River Ventures, Sigma Partners, Yahoo! and AT&T and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, go to www.vlingo.com.

About Nuance Communications, Inc.
Nuance is a leading provider of voice and language solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance's proven applications and professional services. For more information, please visit: nuance.com.

Nuance and the Nuance logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States of America and/or other countries. All other company names or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Statements in this press release regarding the proposed transaction between Nuance and Vlingo, the market opportunity, the pace of innovation, increased customer demand in the mobile market, future product offerings by the combined company, and any other statements about Nuance managements' future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," estimates and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements, including the ability to consummate the transaction; the ability of Nuance to successfully integrate Vlingo's operations and employees; the ability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings; the failure to retain customers; and the other factors described in the ability of Nuance to integrate the product offerings of the combined companies and other the factors described in Nuance's Annual Report on Form 10 K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Nuance disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.

Kayak iOS apps get unified, see redesigned user interface and autofill assistant

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:02 AM PST

What better time for the folks at Kayak to update its iOS app than during one of the busiest traveling seasons of the year? (Perhaps before this time of year, but maybe we're just bitter about the "deals" we got back in July.) All that aside, the new version not only unifies the various applications on the platform, but it also includes a major UI overhaul, plus some new features such as car rental search and an autofill option. Some of the older, but useful, elements -- like hotel and flight search -- also saw some design changes, accompanied by slight overall improvements. Notably, the universal app keeps its freebie status, so if you've yet to try it for yourself, you can do so by hitting the source link below.
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Get to the app store: the new KAYAK iPad app has arrived in time for the holidays

Today we've got some sweet news for all you tablet-lovin', wanderlust-filled KAYAK fans: we've released a brand new version of our iPad app to include a ton of new features based on your feedback.

As is the case with any new technology, we didn't have a crystal ball to see how people would use the iPad when it first launched. Now almost two years later, we have a much better idea and we've updated our iPad app appropriately.

Here's the "what's so new and special about the new app?" highlights:
· Redesigned flight and hotel search, including a better and easier-to-use calendar
· Added car rental search
· Trips – same functionality of both the iPhone app and Trips feature of our site
· A new autofill assistant helps you complete your purchase on airline and hotel web sites
· It's prettier

And there's one more thing: our new iPad app isn't even the iPad app. We've made the main KAYAK app, the one you usually install on an iPhone, universal. So, if you currently have the KAYAK HD app on your iPad, you can now download just one KAYAK App on both devices instead and use it on your big or small iOS device.

One big thing that hasn't changed? It's still free ninety-nine (aka zip, zero, zilch). Pretty good deal, right? So good in fact that you should go ahead and download our app and preload it on your loved one's iPad that you bought for them for Christmakwanzakah. If you didn't buy your loved one an iPad, you're just terrible, you Scrooge. We kid, we kid.

All that said, we're really proud of our mobile development team that has put in some crazy hours to push this out. These are the same nerds who made and maintain the #1 free travel app in the iPhone app store – they're pretty legit.

"Locking our iPad team in that tiny room for a month really paid off. The updated app is [redacted] beautiful," said Bill O'Donnell, the cruel GM of Mobile and Chief Architect at KAYAK. And he is spot on.

Next time you need to access KAYAK to book some travel, try it on your iPad and via the KAYAK app first. We think you'll have some fun. So, there you have it – get thee to the App Store and download the KAYAK iPad app before supplies run out.

Pre 3 owners greeted by webOS 2.2.4 update, eradicates some bugs

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 02:17 AM PST

Yes, friends, webOS is still alive and kickin' -- and no matter how uncertain the future may be for the open-source mobile platform, it's still cranking out fresh maintenance releases. This time, the Pre 3 is the beneficiary of an update to webOS 2.2.4. Though it's natural to be on the lookout for crazy new features, you'll find so such luck this time around -- it's just meant to offer some software improvements and bug fixes. Still, we're always happy to see signs of life with the OS.

WD TV Live, Live Hub get an official iOS remote app, Vudu streaming and more

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 01:39 AM PST

Western Digital is making sure its hardware can keep pace in the media streamer arms race, matching recent additions by Microsoft and Roku by issuing updates of its own. New services added to the WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub boxes are Vudu (with HDX 1080p support, unlike the Xbox 360), SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo. To help users navigate through all the extra content, it also recently rolled out its own official iOS remote app, although like Roku, there have already been a few unofficial options available as well. The WD TV remote is a free app and offers direct access to any of the services on your WD TV box and even multiplayer gaming provided all devices are on the same network. An Android version is said to be in the works, for now owners can check out all the details in the press release after the break or hit iTunes to download the app.
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WD® ADDS THOUSANDS OF NEW HD MOVIES FOR WD TV® CUSTOMERS
New Services Now Available; New Remote Control App for Apple® and Android™ Mobile Devices Improves Media Player Navigation

IRVINE, Calif., - Dec. 20, 2011 - Western Digital (NYSE: WDC), the world's leader in external storage solutions and maker of the acclaimed WD TV® media player family, has added streaming movie service VUDU, as well as several additional new sports and entertainment services to the WD TV Live™ and WD TV Live Hub™ media players, adding to the media player family's current content offerings from Netflix®, Hulu Plus™, Blockbuster®, CinemaNow®, Spotify™, Pandora®, YouTube®, Facebook® and many others. In addition to VUDU, new services include SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo.

Additionally, the new WD® TV Remote™ app improves the navigation experience for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub users by turning their iPhone®, iPod touch®, iPad®, or Android™ compatible mobile device into an advanced feature remote control for their WD TV. The WD TV Remote advanced features allow users to more easily navigate the wide variety of digital media WD TV users enjoy on their television, from leading entertainment services to personal video, photos or music.
New Services1

VUDU - WD TV customers now have access to VUDU's large HD library of movies and TV titles instantly on their home entertainment systems. WD supports the HDX™ video format that features 1080p Full HD video and rich Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 audio, allowing users to enjoy a cinema-like experience at home with the hottest new releases available on-demand without any subscription fees or late fees. Upon VUDU registration on their device WD TV media player users will receive a $4.99 USD credit towards VUDU movie rentals, which are available to rent starting at just $2 USD for two nights.
SnagFilms - Customers now have on-demand access to SnagFilms' broad collection of full-length independent films, free of charge, in genres such as documentary, comedy, drama, family friendly and pop culture.
XOS College Sports - This free service offers the largest digital library of college sports video, including more than 75 years of current and classic college sports action.
SEC Digital Network - On demand access is available for current season and classic Southeastern Conference games, videos, interviews and more. This service includes more than 1,000 hours of original and exclusive video.
Comedy Time - This free service includes a broad library of short-form comedy video programming.
Watch Mojo - Customers now have free access to Watch Mojo's professionally-produced premium videos in categories such as comedy, education, fashion, food, health & fitness, music, politics, technology and video games.


Improved Navigation with WD TV Remote
The new WD TV Remote app improves the navigation experience for WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub users, providing all the features of the standard WD TV remote control along with several advanced features, including a gesture pad to help navigate menu screens and services with intuitive touch gestures, as well as QWERTY keyboard support for text entry and search functionality. A favorites screen provides quick access to entertainment services on the WD TV. WD TV Remote connects over the home wireless network and can work with multiple WD TV media players in the home. Additionally, WD TV Remote is available in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Russian, and Portuguese.

"WD TV personalizes the entertainment experience for consumers better than any other digital media player," said Chris Bull, director of marketing for WD's Connected Home Solutions group. "Whether it is photos or movies on your PC, Mac®, tablet, smartphone, personal cloud drive such as the My Book® Live, or one of our exciting entertainment services such as VUDU, WD TV media players enable anyone in the family to easily enjoy a custom entertainment experience with their favorite movies, TV shows, music and photos."

Price and Availability
The VUDU, SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo services are now available on WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub media players, which are available at select U.S. retailers and online at www.wdstore.com starting at $99.99 USD MSRP. WD TV Remote is currently available as a free download from the iTunes® Store and we anticipate will be available on the Android Market soon.

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.

1 Subscription or membership may be required. See service provider terms and conditions for details.


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PSA: Verizon users reporting data outages across the US (update: back up)

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

If you're having trouble getting a data connection on your Verizon-branded handset this morning, you're not alone. We've been receiving a bevy of tips from disgruntled Verizon customers, due to an apparently widespread outage across the carrier's mobile data network. Based on what we're seeing on Verizon's @vzwsupport Twitter feed and forums (linked below), it looks as if both 3G and 4G networks have been affected. We tested some handsets in the San Francisco area, and can confirm that data connections there are indeed down at the moment. We've reached out to Verizon for comment, and will let you know as soon as we hear more.

Update: Verizon's 3G CDMA network appears to be up, but 4G LTE services are still unavailable. Meanwhile, Verizon reps confirmed to us that the company is looking into the outage.

Update: LTE users in New Jersey are reporting that the service is back up, and we're online in New York City as well.

Update (again): And now for something completely different: a statement from Verizon.

Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service is returning to normal this morning after company engineers worked to resolve an issue with the 4G network during the early morning hours today. Throughout this time, 4G LTE customers were able to make voice calls and send and receive text messages. The 3G data network operated normally.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Control4 MyHome app takes up residence on Android while Android@Home is out of town

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 12:12 AM PST

Home automation provider Control4 has finally seen fit to open up its systems to Android users, releasing a version of its MyHome software for phones and tablets. Already available on iOS and PCs, it lets homeowners with Control4 setups manage their video, music, lighting and more on their own devices with taps and gestures. The apps themselves are free, but naturally one will need a MyHome license to use them, which runs $499 for multiple devices at one location or $199 for a single device. Of course, if you've had one of these installed scraping together the cash probably won't be too difficult, while you're checking the couch for loose change we'll sit back and wonder whatever happened to that Android@Home project we (haven't) heard so much about.
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Control4 MyHome Now Available for Android
New app provides whole home control from today's most popular devices.
Salt Lake City, UT – December 14, 2011- Control4, a leader in affordable IP-based home control systems, announces their new Control4® MyHome™ application for Android™-based smartphones and tablets. This addition to the popular Control4 MyHome family lets homeowners use the simple yet powerful Control4 interface on the leading mobile device platforms, providing total home control over video, music, lighting, thermostat, security, and more.

"Android's fresh features and popular marketplace have driven mobile platform's popularity, and now our customers want the convenience to interact with their Control4 systems from their new Android devices," said Martin Plaehn, Chief Executive Officer of Control4. "Like our MyHome iPad™ and iPhone™ apps, both popular additions to our lineup, we anticipate the new app for Android will let our dealers put the best Control4 interface in front of our customers. With smartphones and tablets topping most holiday gift lists, we're expecting more and more consumers to demand home control from these devices...and we are delivering."

Dealers now have the ultimate flexibility to deliver the best control interface for each customer, whether they want to use smartphones, tablets, Control4 touch screens, remotes, and/or keypads to control functions in their home. Since MyHome provides a familiar Control4 user interface on leading mobile device platforms like Android and iOS, customers will feel productive and in control no matter where or how they interact with their systems.

Dealers can leverage the MyHome licensing model to mix and match Android, iPhone, iPad, or even PC or Mac interfaces into a single Control4 system. For customers adding MyHome capability to their systems, the enabling license for multiple devices at a single location, or site, is $499, while a single device license is $199. Homeowners who already have a MyHome site license can add support for their Android devices for free; they simply have to download the app.

Over 250 Control4 Dealers participated in a private preview for the Control4 MyHome application for Android and provided the following reviews:

"Works amazing! I am so excited that my clients can take advantage of their Android devices." - Chris Coleman, Perfect Solutions AV

"I will have a lot of happy customers." - Bryan Ware, CrossLink Integrated Solutions

"Installed flawlessly and works like a charm on mine and my wife's Nexus S running 2.3.6. Fast and responsive. I am so happy not to have to switch back and forth from [my] remote to [the] app!" - Sanjay Rana, Kays Interiors

"I love this thing so far!" - AJ Brunson, Foothills Systems

The app will be available as a free download on December 14, 2011, on the Android Market or on the Amazon Appstore for Android. The MyHome application for Android supports Android operating systems 2.1 through 3.2.

The app includes a demo mode that allows customers to see the features supported in the application. To try the app in demo mode, download the app from the Android Market and from the Welcome Screen, simply launch the app into Demo mode.

For more information on Control4 or to locate a Control4 Dealer in a city near you, please visit www.control4.com.


About Control4
Control4, a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control over consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. Founded in 2003, the company delivers affordable automation of lighting, music, video, thermostat, security, and energy management systems through more than 2,000 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 70 countries. With the most intelligent, open and affordable control solution on the market, Control4 is the platform of choice for major consumer electronics companies, residential homes, hotels, businesses and utilities that require an intelligent, open and affordable control solution. For more information visit www.control4.com.

Procter & Gamble partners with Mobeam to deliver coupons to your phone

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:24 PM PST

Ah, remember those good 'ol days when we actually used those things called scissors and clipped our coupons when we wanted to save 50 cents from a bottle of Tide? Those activities have already been teetering on the brink of obsolescence since early last year, when Target introduced a program featuring mobile scannable coupons. Google Wallet and Walgreen's have furthered along the concept by offering them as well, and now Procter & Gamble are jumping on board. The company's teamed up with mobeam, a startup which has found a way to make mobile coupons readable using normal laser scanners, still the weapon of choice for many retailers. Next up, the two partners are hoping to work with OEMs to integrate the tech into new phones, push out an app to take advantage of it and begin field testing the process with shoppers and retailers sometime in 2012.

Once it kicks off, any company should be able to issue digital coupons; those who choose to partner with mobeam, however, will have access to opted-in consumer information that tracks which couponing websites the consumer visits, the location and time each coupon is redeemed and other items purchased using the app. Physical coupons will still be around for a while -- P&G asserts that there will still be plenty of coupon-clippers that hunt through newspaper inserts or print them out -- so the old-fashioned method isn't completely dead yet. We'd sure love to see mobile couponing grow to a point where more and more trees are getting saved, though.


Show full PR text
New mobile technology aims to increase shoppers' power by putting scanable coupons in their phones, saving time, effort and cost

SAN FRANCISCO – December 19, 2011 – In its continuous effort to improve life for consumers, the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is partnering with mobeam inc. to bring the first-ever fully mobile couponing system to market. The innovation, created by mobeam of California, makes electronic coupons presented on a phone or other mobile device scannable, so shoppers need only their phones/handhelds, not a stack of coupons, at check out.

Today, couponing represents a growing $3.7 billion segment of the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market in North America, with more than 300 billion coupons distributed every year and redemption on the increase as consumers strive for greater value and savings. And while smartphones are supporting users and simplifying life in a host of new ways, until now, phone couponing has not been an option because barcodes displayed on mobile phone screens are invisible to commonly used in-store laser scanners.

Smartphones support users and simplify life in a host of new ways, but phone couponing has not been an option until now because barcodes displayed on mobile phone screens are invisible to commonly used in-store laser scanners.

Mobeam technology converts – or mobeams – the barcode data into a beam of light that can be read by barcode scanners already found at store checkout counters. No additional point of sale (POS) equipment is needed.

"As impossible as it seems, even to technologists in the mobile industry, a vividly displayed barcode cannot be read by the typical barcode scanner," said Nick Holland, senior analyst with Yankee Group. "The inability for a red laser scanner to read information displayed on a smartphone is not a small problem. This limiting factor is stalling important innovation as the retail industry is stuck waiting for next generation mobile technology to go mainstream. The mobeam beaming solution eloquently fixes this problem, enabling current generation mobile devices to interface with legacy red laser barcode scanners."

P&G, one of the world's leading coupon distributors, developed a partnership with mobeam through P&G's open innovation Connect+Develop program, designed to bring leading innovation into P&G and share P&G innovation with others.

The P&G and mobeam partnership is aimed at exploring and testing a new, highly efficient method for consumers to redeem – and retailers to accept – coupons at the point of sale.

"Our vision with P&G is for the mobeam technology to be used and leveraged broadly by many leading CPG companies, with P&G and other key consumer goods partners as first adopters," said mobeam CEO Christopher Sellers.

The next step in the partnership is to work with the mobile communications industry to add the mobeam application into handheld phones and then to test the application and process with shoppers and selected retailers.

"We are excited about the potential for this new technology and our partnership with mobeam to make shopping simpler and faster for consumers. Couponing is a great way for shoppers to try new products or save on the trusted brands their families have come to love. If that can be easier, faster and less costly for shoppers and retailers, we want to help bring it to life," said Jeff Weedman, vice president of P&G Global Business Development.

Mobeam is working with handset manufacturers to engineer its light-based communications technology into new lines of handsets. P&G, mobeam and other partners expect to test the technology in market in 2012.

A mobeam-enabled couponing service would provide significant benefit to key stakeholders:

CONSUMERS:
Consumers would be able to collect and manage coupons received electronically and redeem them from their phones at the point of sale. Up to now, coupons received electronically either had to be printed to be redeemed, downloaded to a loyalty card or a checkout clerk would have to manually key in a coupon code. Not only will a shopper using the mobeam technology benefit, so will all the shoppers standing behind her in line.

RETAILERS:
The service aims to enable North American retailers to accelerate adoption of mobile coupons without hardware changes at POS. Because coupons will be submitted digitally, mobile coupons would increase efficiency and reduce costs.

CPG COMPANIES:
Digital coupons provide substantially deeper analytic capabilities, allowing better measurement of campaign effectiveness, as well as efficiencies in distribution, purchase validation and processing.

Sprint sues Time Warner, Comcast, Cable One and Cox for infringing twelve digital phone patents

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 10:38 PM PST

Sprint's lawyers have been hanging out with nothing to do for a few days, so it's time for them to get back to work. The Now Network is now focusing its sights on Time Warner, Comcast, Cable One and Cox, slapping each one with a separate lawsuit claiming they have been infringing on up to twelve of their patents. The technology the companies have been using, Sprint states, relates to the transmission of voice data packets and was patented in the 1990s. Interestingly enough, several of these patents were the subject of its 2007 infringement case against Vonage, in which the VoIP company was ordered to fork over $80 million. In the filings, Sprint mentioned that the four entities "have realized the great value in this technology and have misappropriated it without Sprint's permission." Our world may be frightening and confusing, but it sure can be lucrative at times. And let's face it -- Sprint has quite a few bills to pay over the next couple years.

LightSquared not looking so good sans FCC approval, files petition to confirm its spectrum rights

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:28 PM PST

It's been an up and down year for LightSquared, as the company lined up plenty of customers for its wholesale LTE network, but GPS interference issues have put the would-be wireless provider's plans on hold while it waits for FCC approval. According to a report by Reuters, LightSquared's finances may prevent it from exercising the patience needed to wait that long, as it posted a $427 million net loss during the first nine months of 2011. Apparently, the company needs a cash infusion by Q2 of 2012 to pay the hundreds of millions it owes Sprint under their agreement, make its debt payments and continue with its business plans. Naturally, it'll be hard to get the dollars it needs without FCC approval, so LightSquared has filed a petition with the FCC asking the commission to confirm its rights to the spectrum LightSquared licensed over eight years ago. Now, we play the waiting game to see if the FCC full-court press gives LightSquared's LTE network the green light. In the meantime, check out a copy of the petition at the second source below.

Show full PR text
LightSquared Files Petition for Declaratory Ruling, Asks FCC to Confirm Its Rights as Spectrum Licensee

RESTON, Va., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LightSquared today asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to confirm LightSquared's right to use the spectrum licensed to the company by the federal government. In addition, the company asked the FCC to confirm that commercial GPS manufacturers have no right to interference protection from LightSquared's network since they are not licensed users of that spectrum.

"The one inescapable conclusion from two rounds of independent testing is that the incompatibility problem is not caused by LightSquared's network," said LightSquared's executive vice president for regulatory affairs and public policy Jeff Carlisle. "It is clear that GPS devices are purposefully designed to look into LightSquared's licensed spectrum, and given this evidence, we believe decision-makers should consider LightSquared's legal rights as the licensee."

The company asserts that commercial GPS manufacturers are responsible for having designed and sold unlicensed devices that use spectrum licensed to LightSquared and its predecessor companies.

"(C)ommercial GPS receivers are not licensed, do not operate under any service rules, and thus are not entitled to any interference protection whatsoever,'' LightSquared wrote in its petition to the agency. The petition also notes that the FCC itself has stated that the GPS industry has been on notice for almost a decade that LightSquared was planning to use its spectrum to launch a nationwide broadband network.

"LightSquared has had FCC authorization to build its network for over eight years and that authorization was endorsed by the GPS industry, and fully reviewed and allowed to proceed by several other government agencies," said Carlisle. "Commercial GPS device-makers have had nearly a decade to design and sell devices that do not infringe on LightSquared's licensed spectrum. They have no right to complain in the eleventh-hour about incompatibility when they had ample opportunity to avoid this problem."

In addition to more than 300 million GPS-enabled cell phones that government testing has confirmed are compatible with LightSquared's spectrum, several GPS device manufacturers, including Javad GNSS and Hemisphere, have also successfully developed and tested devices that are also compatible. The development of these LightSquared-compatible GPS devices proves that GPS manufacturers could have designed their equipment to filter out LightSquared's signals and avoid interference.

"While we ask the FCC today to confirm our legal rights, LightSquared remains fully committed to cooperate with all parties – the GPS industry, GPS users, and the federal government – to ensure that LightSquared's network is deployed in a way that is compatible with GPS users," said Carlisle. "LightSquared has always recognized the critical importance of the GPS system, and we firmly believe that GPS devices can peacefully co-exist adjacent to our network."

"This petition goes to the very core of the FCC's mission, which is to ensure that the nation's airwaves are governed by regulatory certainty,'' said Sanjiv Ahuja, LightSquared chairman and chief executive officer. "In the 21st century, the fair and efficient management of the nation's spectrum will unleash a technological revolution in wireless broadband that will bring untold benefits to all Americans.

"To encourage private innovation, entrepreneurs must have confidence and certainty over their rights to use spectrum granted by the FCC. Our country's future technological and economic achievements depend on a firm adherence to the rule of law."

LightSquared has made a commitment to bring world-class wireless broadband connectivity to 260 million Americans by 2015 – and to do so by investing $14 billion in private equity in our nation's broadband infrastructure. The company will continue to work with the federal government to arrive at a complete solution, so that it can realize the promise of building out the nation's first wholesale-only nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage. The network will create jobs, foster competition and bring more affordable wireless broadband to underserved communities across America.

MyRobots.com: for all of your robot's social needs

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 08:12 PM PST

You have your Facebook, Twitter, and some even MySpace. But what about your beloved cyborgs? They've got social needs too, you know. According to NewScientist, there's a new site on the block that'll allow your droids to have status updates of their own. Furthermore, MyRobots.com aims to be a complete social hub for humanoids; aside from the "I need to be charged" updates, they'll also secure a complete profile with name and photo. Of course, apps couldn't be left behind, which is why the company is planning a cloud-based app store to cap off its efforts. Unfortunately, just like The Facebook in its early days, the site is only open to a select few for now: Nao and Arduino-based robots. Needless to say, if you're going to have your mechanical partner make you a sandwich, the least you can do is let it share its feelings with friends.

Google's Andy Rubin defines 'Android activation,' trumpets 700,000 per day clip

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:37 PM PST

Looking for growth? You've found it. If you'll recall, Google's own Senior Vice President of Mobile Andy Rubin confirmed that over 500,000 Android devices were being activated back in June, and during last month's Galaxy Nexus reveal, we learned that said figure had increased to 550,000 per day. In just over a month, the tally has now climbed to 700,000 per 24 hour period. That's according to a post by Andy himself on Google+, which he followed with this:

"For those wondering, we count each device only once (i.e., we don't count re-sold devices), and "activations" means you go into a store, buy a device [and] put it on the network by subscribing to a wireless service."

In other words, there are many, many more Android devices being ushered into use every single day that don't connect to any monitored wireless service, but naturally, keeping track of those is something even Google isn't about to attempt. Any guesses as to what this figure jumps to after the holiday season concludes?

Logitech Harmony Link app gets customization-focused iPhone, Android update

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:24 PM PST

Logitech's updated the iPhone and Android versions of its Harmony Link App. Now your smartphone-as-TV-remote can be customized to your whim, confusing any visitors who thought they'd watch some Jersey Shore at your pad. You'll also be able to power the TV down from your blower, for those moments when guests decipher your settings and you see your beautiful set polluted by Snooki and co. As a tip, this update doesn't change the iPad edition of the app, which will get some special attention just as soon as Logitech's engineers can get their eyes off MTV.

Apple reportedly swapping recalled iPod nanos for 6G counterparts; you have yours?

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:50 PM PST

It's been a few weeks since Apple's issued a worldwide recall on a number of its first-gen iPod nanos at risk for becoming uncomfortably hot under the collar. Evidently, many folks who've sent their devices into AppleCare to get swapped are finding that they've being treated with an upgrade to the current sixth-gen variant. Lovers of click wheels may view its square, touchscreen shell as folly, but hey, its hard to fuss over owning latest there is, right? The replacement program is still ongoing, so if you haven't checked to see if your nano qualifies, hit up the "more coverage" link below to find out. Already got yours back? Let us know your mileage in comments!

[Thanks, Scott]

Engadget HD Podcast 279 - 12.20.2011

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:38 PM PST

The future of TV has become a theme as of late, and this week Ben's editorial puts the topic front and center. We'll paw through what's wrong and possible solutions on the horizon including the latest Apple rumors, a new deal for the NFL and Channel Master's OTA DVR / streaming video combo box. Other hardware is also encroaching on the living room, so we'll also take a peek at the latest Xbox Live updates and a new iPhone remote for Roku. Press play for all that and more, including the (sad) state of our fantasy football efforts and what's on TV over the holiday break.

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[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:04:35 - What's wrong with TV, and what it might take to change it
00:27:43 - Apple reportedly discussing its 'vision for the future of TV' with media execs
00:35:50 - NFL renews TV deals with CBS, Fox, NBC for nine more years, money reportedly involved
00:43:40 - Avatar special edition takes another dip on iTunes Tuesday, brings exclusive extras
00:46:58 - Time Warner finally cuts a deal for HBO Go streaming, launches 'in the next month'
00:49:40 - YouTube, Verizon FiOS TV and more video services roll out to Xbox Live
00:57:30 - Gamers spending more time streaming video to their consoles, Nielsen finds
01:00:47 - Roku's official iPhone remote app is available, has gesture control and channel selection for all
01:04:20 - Netflix updates iOS app with new iPad-optimized interface
01:09:49 - Channel Master TV review
01:13:09 - FCC tells advertisers to CALM down, lowers the volume on commercial breaks
01:14:00 - Roku 2, LT update adds support for both MKVs and an upcoming official iOS remote app
01:14:55 - Must See HDTV (December 19th - 25th)

Hear the podcast

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Olympus' Tokyo offices raided over accounting scandal

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:37 PM PST

Eke. A nearly-century old outfit is currently giving up office space to Japanese prosecutors, who today moved in on Olympus' Tokyo facilities in a raid surrounding an ongoing accounting investigation. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, the scandal involves many billions of dollars -- "irregularities" that have raised serious concerns about the outfit's handling of funds. It's bruited that the company has been running a scheme to conceal over $1.5 billion in investment losses, and we're told that the raid should pass right on through Olympus' headquarters and into the "homes of executives involved in the cover-up." All of this follows an admission last month that the firm had used "inflated payments made in acquisitions in recent years," and while it remains unclear what all of this means for its future, there's no doubt a few dark months are ahead as things sort themselves out. So much for looking pretty for the camera, eh?

Apple awarded a patent for in-call app switching, starts drafting next lawsuit

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:48 PM PST

Apple Patent
Wondering how Apple planned to follow up its small victory over HTC in front of the ITC? Well, in addition to opening up a new front in its war on Samsung, the Cupertino crew have added yet another arrow to its IP quiver. The company has been awarded a patent for a "portable electronic device with graphical user interface supporting application switching." In other words, a multitasking smartphone. Of course, despite its rather broad wording (which appears to cover almost any phone that lets you switch between calls and apps) an infringing device would have to copy almost every facet of the design to find itself on the wrong side of an ITC judgment. But don't you worry, we're sure Apple lawyers are already hard at work figuring out which Android skin they'll have the most success against in court. And Google is probably already sharing collections of prior art with its manufacturers circle.

MIT to launch MITx learning platform, offer free teaching materials in 2012

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:24 PM PST

Want a degree from MIT without the expense or notoriously selective application process? Well, you're still out of luck, we're afraid, but the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's new MITx online learning system will at least give you a chance to access a variety of course materials for free. The institution will also make the MITx platform available to other schools for publishing their own content, and will even offer assessments with the option of earning a certificate of completion -- issued by a not-for-profit entity with a "distinct name to avoid confusion," of course. Naturally, "online-only non-MIT learners" will not have the same level of access as MIT students, who will also use the platform to access their own course material, but won't have the option of replacing an on-campus experience with exclusively online classes. MITx is scheduled to go live next spring, but you can get a head start on that fictional MIT degree by checking out OpenCourseWare, which has been serving up similar content for the better part of a decade.

Apple acquired NeXT 15 years ago, Jean-Louis Gassée still dreaming of what could've been

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 05:03 PM PST

It might be hard to picture now, but back in the mid-nineties, the threat of bankruptcy was very real for a company headquartered in Cupertino. That would all change with the purchase of NeXT on December 20, 1996 -- a move that gave the fledgling computer maker a modern OS, but more importantly brought one of its founders, Steve Jobs, back into the fold. The rest is history, as Jobs eventually secured the helm, forming a team that would go on to birth products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. But hardware innovation aside, ultimately that comeback wouldn't have been possible without OS X -- an OS which arose directly out of the ashes of NextStep. Sure, there was the occasional misstep along the way -- G4 Cube and hockey-puck mouse be damned -- but frankly we can't think of any turnaround as epic, nor relevant. Can you?

RIM purportedly shopped by Microsoft and Nokia, talked with Samsung / HTC about licensing

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:27 PM PST

Tomorrow's headlines: local florist and rural farmer consider purchase of RIM, or at least the "In Motion" part. Hot on the heels of a report suggesting that Amazon was at least considering a purchase of Canada's famed BlackBerry maker, in flies a separate report suggesting... well, all sorts of insane things. For one, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Microsoft and Nokia "flirted with the idea of making a joint bid" for RIM in recent months, with the status of the talks today being "unclear."

Of course, the fact that these talks are even ongoing says a lot about the internal happenings at the company, and with co-CEO Jim Balsillie recently suggesting that "no stone" would be left unturned in a bid to turn the corner, it doesn't take a professional Between The Lines reader to make sense of it all. Crazier still, two other folks "familiar with the situation" have said that RIM executives have "approached other smartphone makers, including Samsung and HTC, about licensing RIM's new operating system," presumably BBX BlackBerry 10. If anyone else decides they too are interested in having a talk with these guys (read: it's highly likely), we'll be sure to let you know.

Apple buys flash storage maker Anobit for $500 million, aims to establish R&D lab in Israel

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:06 PM PST

Apple fixes App Store bug on iOS 3.1.3 devices, you can hold off on that upgrade

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 03:51 PM PST

Well, it looks like Apple hasn't completely left behind older iPhones and iPod touches stuck on iOS 3.1.3 just yet. After a few days of not being able to download or buy apps directly on the devices due to a recent App Store update that rendered such basic features unusable, Apple has now returned things back to working order. We've confirmed that ourselves on a first-generation iPod touch running 3.1.3, as have a number of iPhone and iPod touch users on the official Apple support forums. As with the bug in the first place, there's no actual software update involved here -- everything should be back to normal as soon as you open the App Store on your device.

[Thanks, Stephen]

Amazon reportedly considered a RIM purchase, 'commercial partnership' still on the table

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 03:39 PM PST

According to those all-knowing "people with knowledge," Research in Motion could've been cut down to a single CEO company -- that is, if Amazon would've pushed through with its purported takeover wishes. Based on a new Reuters report, the same company shipping out your grandmother's holiday gifts was hot-to-trot on the idea of buying RIM, but those desires seemingly cooled after the BlackBerry maker decided that it'd rather "fix its problems on its own." Wildly enough, the report states that an investment bank was hired earlier this summer "to review a potential merger with RIM," but no formal offer was ever extended.

Of course, it's not atypical to hear of Amazon buying unusual assets -- it's snapped up everything from a touchscreen startup to a UK-based movie streaming and rental service -- and sources have affirmed that "other kinds of commercial partnerships" could still be in the cards. In fact, the two are rumored to be actively discussing ways to "expand their commercial ties, which currently include a service launched last year to make Amazon's music catalog available to some BlackBerry users." BBM for the Kindle ecosystem? Zanier things have come to pass.
at 11:23 AM

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