| SOPA: Who's in and who's out? Posted: 31 Dec 2011 09:43 AM PST  By now we're sure you're aware that SOPA is more than just a tomato-based noodle soup. The Stop Online Piracy Act's been stirring controversy with its intentions, and it'll most likely continue in this path until we hear a final decision. Go Daddy wasn't shy -- before retracting -- about its support for the bill, and things have changed drastically since we first heard some of the " top dogs" express their feelings. But who else is behind it, who's got your back, and who's had a change of heart? The answers await you after the break. The following are just a few that we believe you'll be interested in, but you can find the rest of the bunch at the source links below. Opponents - Disqus
- AOL
- eBay
- Facebook
- foursquare
- Google
- GrooveShark
- Kickstarter
- Mozilla
- PayPal
- Wikipedia
- Reddit
- Square
- The Huffington Post
- Craigslist
- LinkedIn
- OpenDNS
- Tumblr
- Twitter
Defectors - Business Software Alliance (Includes Apple, Microsoft, Adobe Systems, Intel and more)
- Electronic Arts
- Sony Electronics
- Nintendo
- Go Daddy
Supporters - ABC
- BMI
- CBS
- Comcast/NBCUniversal
- EMI Music Publishing
- Entertainment Software Association
- ESPN
- Major League Baseball
- Marvel Entertainment, LLC
- MasterCard Worldwide
- Motion Picture Association of America
- National Football League
- Sony/ATV Music Publishing
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Time Warner
- Universal Music
- Universal Music Publishing Group
- Viacom
- Visa Inc.
- Warner Music Group
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| Skype gifts NYC with NYE WiFi, so you can miss the ball drop while Skyping the ball drop Posted: 31 Dec 2011 08:24 AM PST Those kind folk at Skype already served up plenty of glorious WiFi waves across US airports this Christmas, and now it's New York City's turn. From noon on the 31st until January 1st, if you spy a "Skype WiFi" network, those tasty bytes are yours for the taking. The VoIP don has teamed up with WiFi provider Towerstream for the give-away, and recommends you load-up on the latest version of its famous software to make sure you don't miss out. If you pack an iDevice, then it's the Skype WiFi app you'll be wanting updated in the lead up to midnight. Just make sure you don't miss that kiss, just for a festive freebie. |
| Mobile Miscellany: week of December 26, 2011 Posted: 31 Dec 2011 05:18 AM PST This week may not have been incredibly packed with news in the mobile world, but it was still easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of December 26, 2011: US Cellular prepping for Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy S II Neither device has been announced for US Cellular yet, but a peek at the company's ESN system shows both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy S II listed. Granted, this doesn't make for a promise -- and never does, until it's made official by the carrier -- but it's a pretty strong indication that it's at least in the works and will most likely be coming out in the near future. [ AndroidCentral] Nokia 801t Symbian Anna phone announced for China Mobile The Nokia 801t has become official for China Mobile and is expected to arrive by the end of the month. The TD-SCDMA device offers Symbian Anna, NFC, a 680MHz CPU, an 8MP EDoF camera with dual LED flash and a CMMB TV antenna. [ Engadget Chinese (translated), MyNokiaBlog] ZTE introduces Fashion TV Android phone If you've looked at the ZTE Blade -- also known as the San Francisco -- and loved everything about it besides the look, perhaps this version may be of interest. It's called the FTV phone, named after the OEM's team effort with Fashion TV. Frankly, it's a ZTE Blade with a paint job and a few new Fashion TV-related apps and wallpapers. Heck, it even has diamonds; don't get too excited, though, since they're just clip art-style drawings of diamonds included as part of the new exterior. Bling, indeed. No pricing or availability has been set yet. [ UnwiredView, GSMArena] |
| Dropbox Automator triggers monotonous tasks with the uploading of a file Posted: 31 Dec 2011 02:42 AM PST There are plenty of tools and apps out there that automate the essential computing tasks that face us every day. Some are time consuming others are simply monotonous -- but they must be done. Dropbox Automator combines time-saving task mastery with perhaps our favorite cloud storage solution. The service watches a designated folder for uploads, when a new file is added an action is triggered -- everything from converting documents, to resizing an image or tweeting a link. And that's just scratching the surface. There are already plenty of automation scripts in the fledgling service's repertoire and devs can add there own by creating a SOAP webservice. Hit up the source link to get started now. |
| Porsche Design theme ported to BlackBerry 9900 / 9930, saves you a small fortune Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:31 PM PST If you want some of that Porsche Design look, without the German engineered price, then check what just pulled up on the driveway: a port of the custom theme and icons. Sadly, only BlackBerry 9900 / 9300 owners -- which share much of the same hardware as the P'9981 -- running BlackBerry OS7 (not 7.1) can give their handset that new car smell. This means the sharp lines and luxurious brushed finish that made the P'9981 catch our eye in the first place will remain firmly in those pockets deep enough to afford it. Tap the source link if you still want to add the racing stripes to your current saloon. |
| Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive knighted for the New Year, how's your 2012 looking? Posted: 30 Dec 2011 09:06 PM PST Apple Senior VP Jonathan (or Jony) Ive has been credited with fueling the company's resurgence alongside Steve Jobs with products like the iMac, iPhone and iPad, and for these successes has been made a Knight Commander of the British Empire as a part of the New Year's Honour's List. Aside from having a much better NYE celebration than yours, he'll be tapped on the shoulders by the Queen's sword and that will forever be Sir Jony to you, commoner (we'll see if he can make it through the ceremony without suggesting some tweaks for better balance and usability -- you can see his passion above as he eats an invisible sandwich pontificates about new iMacs). It's a bump up from his previous title of Commander of the British Empire and keeps the cycle going, as he released a statement appreciating the benefit of a "wonderful tradition in the UK of designing and making". [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Sirius XM releases Lynx radio, ensures that you never miss the beginning of another Jimmy Buffett song Posted: 30 Dec 2011 07:26 PM PST Need a shiny new way to enjoy SiriusXM's revamped channel lineup? For $250, you can pick up the Lynx Portable Radio, which lets you start shows and songs (Jimmy Buffett or otherwise) from the beginning and pause, fast forward and rewind programming. The wildcat radio also stores up to 200 hours of programming and features "dynamic" presets and a show finder, which offers up a programming schedule for the next seven days. It's currently available online for $250 and will be hitting retail shops in the near future. More info on the radio can be read from the beginning in the press release and video trailer after the break. Still no word on that whereabouts of that shaker of salt. Show full PR text SiriusXM Introduces the Lynx Portable Radio, the First SiriusXM 2.0 Radio that Offers New Features and Expanded Channel Lineup via Satellite and Internet
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today introduced the SiriusXM Lynx Portable Radio, the first SiriusXM 2.0 radio that offers new features and receives an expanded channel lineup via satellite and Internet.
Lynx is the most advanced radio ever from SiriusXM, able to receive the new expanded SiriusXM 2.0 channel lineup of commercial-free music, sports, and comedy that includes SiriusXM Latino, a new suite of Spanish-language programming. Lynx is built with a flexible architecture which allows for new features and capabilities to be added through software updates.
"Lynx gives subscribers the expanded SiriusXM 2.0 content lineup and advanced features, enabling time shifting and storage of content, offering listeners more control over the programming they subscribe to," said Jim Meyer, President, Operations and Sales, SiriusXM. "Lynx will offer even more options to manage our exclusive and expertly curated content through future software updates."
SiriusXM 2.0 is a major upgrade and evolution of SiriusXM's satellite and Internet delivered service that will ultimately span hardware, software, audio, and data services.
Lynx gives subscribers more control over how they listen to SiriusXM satellite radio, allowing them to start a song from the beginning when tuning to a Favorite music channel or store broadcast content to listen to later. Subscribers can also restart their favorite content while connected to SiriusXM Internet Radio via Wi-Fi®. Subscribers can control their listening experience easily using the large touch screen display. Lynx can stream SiriusXM content to Bluetooth® stereo speakers, headphones, vehicle stereo systems or optional accessories for the home, vehicle or portable use. Lynx is based on the Android operating system and is fully updatable via a Wi-Fi connection.
SiriusXM Lynx is available now at shop.siriusxm.com or crutchfield.com at an MSRP of $249.99. Lynx will be available soon at retail stores nationwide.
Lynx offers key SiriusXM 2.0 features for satellite radio when docked with the optional Lynx LV1 Vehicle Kit or Lynx LH1 Home Kit, including:
Tune Start™: Automatically starts the currently playing song from the beginning so listeners will hear the whole song when tuning to any of their satellite radio music channels saved as a Favorite channel.
Radio Replays: Subscribers can build a library of up to 200 hours of programming from their Favorite satellite radio channels which are automatically recorded to allow for playback anywhere.
Pause, Rewind and Replay: Listeners can replay up to 30 minutes of live SiriusXM content on the currently tuned channel, and also access replay content on 5 favorite preset channels currently displayed.
Featured Favorites™: A dynamic set of presets that can be automatically added as favorite channels, allowing users to easily discover new and specialty programming.
Show Finder™: An easy-to-use electronic programming guide offering a complete list of what's on over the next 7 days by channel, with the ability to set reminder alerts when favorite shows are being broadcast.
Lynx also offers SiriusXM 2.0 features for listening to SiriusXM Internet Radio via Wi-Fi networks at home, office or accessible hotspot, including:
Start Now allows subscribers to go back 5 hours to select and listen to previously broadcast programming.
View program information, album art and read artist bios.
Rewind to hear programming again or skip forward to hear what's playing next.
Pause live radio and pick up right where the listener left off
Access to Show Finder™, the electronic programming guide.
The SiriusXM Lynx LV1 Vehicle Kit gives subscribers everything needed to listen to satellite radio in the vehicle. Drivers and passengers can browse and quickly tune channels with a convenient rotary control knob. An Aux-In Cable is included to facilitate audio connection in vehicles that have audio systems with an auxiliary input connection. The LV1 can also connect to Bluetooth Audio-enabled systems, or through the vehicles existing radio using SiriusXM's PowerConnect transmitter. The vehicle kit also charges Lynx while docked. The Lynx vehicle kit is available at an MSRP of $69.99.
The SiriusXM Lynx LH1 Home Kit gives subscribers everything needed to listen to SiriusXM satellite radio or Internet radio in the home or office. Subscribers can connect to a home audio system with easy, do-it-yourself set up and stream SiriusXM from Lynx to the home kit with Bluetooth. The Lynx home kit is available at an MSRP of $69.99.
Lynx receives the new array of channels, added to the already ground-breaking and award-winning SiriusXM programming lineup. The expanded channel selection includes new commercial-free music plus new sports and comedy channels including channels created with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ESPN SportsCenter, and Upright Citizens Brigade, as well as Carlin's Corner featuring albums, concerts and comedy from the archives of the legendary George Carlin.
SiriusXM Lynx also receives the full SiriusXM Latino channel lineup. SiriusXM Latino is the most comprehensive Latin programming lineup available to radio listeners, including exclusive commercial-free music channels and a wide variety of music genres, including tropical, salsa, merengue, Latin pop hits, Latin hip-hop, Latin rock classics and more.
Listeners will also get 24/7 news and talk from RadioFormula Mexico, the leading radio broadcaster from Mexico; sexy, smart, refined and exclusive adult programming showcasing Latin talent on Playboy Radio en Espanol; and Spanish-language coverage of world-class professional sports on multiple Deportes en Vivo channels. SiriusXM Latino will also include Cristina Radio from iconic talk show host Cristina Saralegui, and featuring lifestyle, health and family programming for Latinas. Cristina Radio, produced by National Latino Broadcasting, is launching in the coming months. |
| Droid 4 gets hands-on treatment, but it's simply a dummy unit Posted: 30 Dec 2011 05:45 PM PST The folks over at TechnoBuffalo have just come across a rather interesting specimen -- it's a dummy unit of the forthcoming Droid 4 from Motorola. While its rumored release date has come and gone, non-functional models such as this are commonly offered to consumers in a retail setting to poke and prod to their heart's content. Nonetheless, the hands-on offers a few interesting details, such as a soft touch backside and insight into the redesigned keyboard, which is described as "the best one yet on a Droid handset." Whether we agree with that assertion will be determined come review time, but if you're interested to see the collection of up-close and personal shots with Moto's latest slider, be sure to check the source below. |
| Seas0nPass untethered jailbreak for Apple TVs on 4.4.4 detailed, iOS apps coming soon? (Update: video!) Posted: 30 Dec 2011 04:11 PM PST Now that pod2g has done the heavy lifting and released an untethered jailbreak for iOS5, the Seas0NPass tool has been updated for your untethered jailbreaking pleasure on Apple TVs running even the latest 4.4.4 update. Redmond Pie has a full walkthrough and how-to that should help you get things going, so that you no longer have to choose between extending your device's capabilities beyond Apple's restrictions ( still no Plex support on 4.4.4 though Update: Plex Beta 4 has been released which is compatible with 4.4.4., thanks Christo & Tulio) and features like AirPlay mirroring. Even more interestingly however, a few hackers may be close to unlocking iOS apps for use on the Apple TV. There's nothing released yet but we'll be following @themudkip and @westbaer on Twitter for further updates as they're available. In the meantime, check out a couple shots of iOS apps running on the Apple TV after the break, courtesy of Steven Troughton-Smith. Update: Still images not enough to get you going? Check after the break or hit the YouTube link for a quick video demo of iOS apps running on Apple's TV box. Our friend STS hopes this may push the folks in Cupertino to open their doors to apps officially similar to the way things happened back in '07 on the iPhone -- for now we can only wait. |
| Elpida starts shipments of next-gen Wide IO Mobile RAM Posted: 30 Dec 2011 03:09 PM PST Tablets might be all sexy curves and Gorilla Glass, but it's what's on the inside that counts, right? Efficient DRAM mightn't set your heart alight, but Elpida Memory did just start shipping its next generation 30nm "Wide IO Mobile RAM." The firm claims it uses 50 percent less power compared with equivalent DDR2 sticks, letting you caress your beloved device for longer. This economy is thanks to it purring along at just 200MHz, which is even more impressive when you consider it brags a 12.8 GB/s data rate per chip. This pumped, yet frugal, performance comes courtesy of using x512-bit data width -- some ten times larger than that of existing DRAMs. The party doesn't stop there, with the Elpida also debuting its LPDDR3 chip, brushing aside LPDDR2 with twice the data rates at 6.4GB/s a slice, and a 25 percent smaller power-drain in tow. Mass production should commence in 2012, check the source link for the full break-down. |
| AT&T-branded Nokia Ace possibly leaked in holiday card Posted: 30 Dec 2011 12:51 PM PST The grain of salt we're taking this with is roughly boulder-sized but, we have an image of what may very well be the AT&T Nokia Ace -- the rumored LTE-sporting Windows Phone from the Finnish phone maker. It seems that someone sent out a holiday greeting featuring a phone that looks a heck of a lot like the Lumia 800, except it prominently features a Ma-Bell logo, a 4G icon and what appears to be a front facing camera. Of course, what has also been referred to as the Lumia 900 could just as easily be a chop job -- and not a particularly difficult one to pull off at that. Hit up the source link for a couple of more pics of what could be Nokia's first high-end Mango (or, perhaps Tango) offering here in the US. |
| Verizon backs down from convenience fee, values your two cents Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:29 AM PST The people (and government) have spoken and Verizon has listened -- and issued a press release. The carrier has officially backed off of the " single payment fee" that drew almost universal ire amongst subscribers and nabbed the attention of the FCC. Says Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead, "we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time." Looks like the company's gonna have to get a couple of bucks from you another way. No word yet on whether the FCC plans to investigate Sprint's similar long-standing fee. Official statement after the break. Show full PR text Verizon Wireless Will Not Institute Single Payment Fee
Verizon Wireless has decided it will not institute the fee for online or telephone single payments that was announced earlier this week.
The company made the decision in response to customer feedback about the plan, which was designed to improve the efficiency of those transactions. The company continues to encourage customers to take advantage of the numerous simple and convenient payment methods it provides.
"At Verizon, we take great care to listen to our customers. Based on their input, we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time," said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. |
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