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Sunday, February 5, 2012

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Micron appoints Mark Durcan as new CEO

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 10:17 AM PST

Corning looks to the future, mainly right through it (video)

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 09:22 AM PST


Need to take the edge off those winter blues? Perhaps Corning's, somewhat saccharine, vision of our technological future will be just the soporific tonic. Unsurprisingly, the Gorilla Glass maker sees a future where pretty much everything is a transparent touchscreen. While many of these ideas clearly appeal to our tech sensibilities, others are still very much high, high, up in the cloudy mists of concept land. Sure, a few of these ideas are starting to materialize back here in the present day, like large multi-touch panels, smart windows and of course communication displays, but for much of the rest, we'll just have to sit and wait. Or not.

Refresh Roundup: week of January 30, 2012

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 07:32 AM PST

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

Official Android updates
  • HTC Rezound: Details for software update 2.01.605.11 went up on Verizon's site this week. The release brings fixes to screen timeout and mobile hotspot issues, adds greater stability and is said to improve voice quality during calls. [Verizon Wireless]
  • Samsung Infuse 4G: It's been a long and dreary wait for many users, but AT&T has finally delivered Gingerbread -- Android 2.3.6, to be exact -- for the Samsung Infuse 4G. The release also brings new widgets, fonts and Google Books to the mix. [Android Central]
  • Casio G'zOne Commando: This update from Verizon most significantly adds push-to-talk functionality to Casio's rugged smartphone. It also brings security fixes and replaces the V CAST app with Verizon Video. It's listed as coming soon. [Phone Scoop]
  • Droid RAZR / RAZR Maxx: Both RAZR models are in line for updates from Verizon, which should fix mobile hotspot issues and bring data connectivity improvements. VZ Navigator will get better 3D mapping and a host of new functionality is in line for visual voicemail. [RootzWiki]
  • HTC EVO Shift 4G: Carrier IQ removal is at the top of the list for this package, which also updates the Peep client and promises better battery life. [Android Central]
  • Motorola Atrix 2: Software version 55.13.25 brings enhancements to the camera and keyboard, adds Google Music and brings hotspot fixes. Security patches are also on the list, along with the ability to receive emergency alerts. [Android Central]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
  • Samsung Nexus S 4G: A leaked build of Android 4.0.4 made its way into the wild on the xda-developers forums. While the thread was subsequently removed, a rooted version of the ROM remains available for download courtesy of Peter Alfonso. [Phandroid, Peter Alfonso]
  • Samsung Epic 4G: The QWERTY slider for Sprint was greeted with an alpha build of CyanogenMod 9 this week, which is based on Android 4.0.3. Phone calls, SMS, MMS, WiMAX and WiFi are said to function properly. Many bugs still exist, however, which primarily relate to the camera and video playback. [Thanks, Tommy] [xda-developers]
  • Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet: Developers are marching forward with their efforts to marry CyanogenMod 7 with Barnes & Noble's latest slate. While the software is very much a work in progress, hardware elements such as the touchscreen, orientation sensors, sound and WiFi are said to behave properly. [eBook Reader Blog]
Refreshes we covered this week

Sony PS Vita demo hardware drops in at US GameStop locations, lets you go hands-on

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 06:49 AM PST

Live within the United State's borders? Fingers itching to spend some quality with Sony's latest portable gaming sensation before the First Edition Bundle lands on February 15th? Good news is here then, since GameStop has equipped "over 3,300" of its retail stores with PlayStation Vita demo kiosks. The rigs will you to score some quality hands-on time with many of its upcoming titles, including the likes of Uncharted: Golden Abyss and wipEout2048 -- perfect if you're not sure about reserving one just yet. Hit up the source link below to find a Vita-packing location near you, and don't forget to check out our review of the Japanese variant if you need even more help making up your mind in the meantime. Full press release after the break.
Show full PR text
Be Among the First to Experience PlayStation(R)Vita at GameStop
Check out the next generation in portable gaming at more than 3,300 U.S. GameStop locations

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Feb 03, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --PlayStation(R)Vita (PS Vita) hits shelves this month and GameStop (NYSE: GME) is giving consumers a first glimpse at the highly anticipated new handheld system. More than 3,300 U.S. GameStop stores now have playable demo units that provide a first-hand look at PS Vita's exciting new technology. In addition to the five-inch OLED multi-touch screen, front and rear touch pads, dual analog sticks, dual cameras and six-axis motion sensing system, players can experience a variety of games, including:

UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss(TM)
Little Deviants(TM)
Hot Shots Golf(R): World Invitational
EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer
ModNation(TM) Racers: Road Trip
Virtua Tennis(TM)4: World Tour Edition
Escape Plan(TM)
wipEout(R) 2048

"We are excited to be the first retailer where consumers can experience the PS Vita," stated Bob Puzon, vice president of merchandising at GameStop. "We are impressed with how the quad-core technology brings gaming to life and are confident consumers will be, too."

To help consumers trade up to the PS Vita, GameStop is offering an extra $25 on the trade-in of a Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS or Sony PSP system toward the purchase of the new system. To learn more about the trade up offer or to find a GameStop store with a playable PS Vita demo unit, visit www.GameStop.com/PSVitaDemos.

The PS Vita launches in the U.S. on Feb. 22, 2012, but eager gamers can get their hands on it a week early by pre-ordering the First Edition Bundle. The bundle, available on Feb. 15, includes:

PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi system
PS Vita case
Little Deviants game
4GB memory card
AT&T DataConnect Pass good for one free 250MB data session ($14.99 value) upon purchase of one 250 MB data session
PlayStation Network game voucher provided upon 3G activation on the AT&T mobile broadband network.*

The bundle is valued at $435 and will sell for $349.99 - an $85 bonus value.

On Feb. 22, three additional PS Vita options will be available: a Wi-Fi model for $249.99, a 3G/Wi-Fi model for $299.99 and a limited edition PS Vita Launch Bundle that will include:

PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi system
8GB memory card
AT&T DataConnect Pass good for one free 250MB data session ($14.99 value) upon purchase of one 250MB data session
PlayStation Network game voucher provided upon 3G activation for $299.

This bundle is part of a promotional offer and availability is limited.

Engadget Mobile Podcast 124 - 02.05.2012

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 05:10 AM PST


There are Samsung phones, there are Motorola phones. There are BlackBerry Phones, there are Nokia phones. But you know what really gets us excited? KDDI phones with ten keys and heart of Japanese Gold. It's the Engadget Mobile Podcast.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Guests: Joseph Volpe, Dante Cesa
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

00:00:59 - Galaxy Nexus and other CDMA devices removed from Google Support pages
00:03:58 - Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx review
00:20:36 - LG Spectrum review
01:14:00 - Sprint Galaxy Nexus registration page gets served up by Google
01:22:48 - Windows Phone 8 detailed: dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go


Hear the podcast


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

PlayStation Network moniker sacked, falls under Sony Entertainment Network umbrella on Feb. 7

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 03:37 AM PST

Listen up, those of you with PlayStation Network IDs. Sony Computer Entertainment International has announced that, as of February 7th, the PSN will fold into its existing Sony Entertainment Network. The company has aimed the move at clearly unifying the services of PSN and SEN, such as Music Unlimited. Fret not, however, as Joystiq notes that the change is basically a looks-only affair, meaning your current account information and related services will remain the same. Notably, the moniker refresh won't apply to the PSP, which will curiously remain under the PSN moniker for network services. The news comes as a part of SCEI's updated Terms of Service and privacy policy, both of which take effect on the same day. Those changes, by the way, appear to mainly be regarding location-based services for PS Vita, and parental controls for sub-master accounts. After all of the bad times PSN has been through, its upcoming SEN identity might just be the new outlook on (online) life it needed all along -- and hopefully with less downtime. Hit up the source link below for the full details.

Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week

Posted: 05 Feb 2012 01:29 AM PST

We already got a brief introduction to the Spark Linux-based tablet, but details were a little sparse. Since then, a few more key bits of info have been added to its Q&A page, which might help sway your purchasing decision. That KDE Plasma Active UI we knew it'd be sporting will stare out at you via a modest 800 x 480 screen, and there's a 1.3 megapixel snapper tucked in alongside for video calling. The 1GHz / 512 MB internals we initially reported remain unchanged and the two USB ports and 3.5mm audio jack we saw in the pre-release picture above also get the official seal. There's talk of GPS making it into the next iteration, but for now you'll have to find your own way. The main news, however, is that pre-orders are pegged for next week, and shipping set for May. The initial focus is on Europe, but plans for it to arrive in US retailers are apparently underway. If that's suitably tickled your fancy, head on over the break and tap the source for more info.

Vimeo app lands for Windows Phone, lets you upload your next student film over 3G

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 10:45 PM PST

Hello there Mango fans, is YouTube just a little too lowbrow for you? Well, fret not, Vimeo is here to stream all the HD student shorts your little Microsoft-loving heart desires. The official app doesn't just let you browse, search and view clips on the site, though -- it completely integrates with your account, allowing you to upload HD video, tweak the details of your uploads and even check stats. Basically, with this app in your pocket there's almost no reason to visit the desktop site ever again. Of course, the prerequisite sharing features are also included, because, what good is capturing and uploading all this lovely video if you can't tweet it out to all your friends. Check out the gallery below and hit up the source to download it for free from the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Vimeo for Windows Phone

Windows Phone exec Brandon Watson leaves Microsoft, headed to Amazon

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 08:34 PM PST

There's some more corporate reshuffling going on in the Windows Phone universe this week, now that Brandon Watson has confirmed his departure from Microsoft. Watson, who served as head of the WP Developer Experience, announced the news on his Twitter page Friday, and later told ZDNet that he's heading to Amazon, where he'll be Director of the Kindle Cross Platform team. In an e-mail to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Watson acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, but ultimately decided that "the opportunity placed in front of me that was too big to pass up." At Amazon, the exec will be charged with laying out a roadmap for Kindle app development across first- and third-party platforms, including, of course, Windows Phone and Windows 8. Microsoft has yet to announce a replacement, issuing the following statement: "We can confirm February 6th is Brandon Watson's last day at Microsoft. Brandon did a great job helping us build a vibrant developer community and we wish him well with his next adventure."

Ask Engadget: Best sub-$100 camera/laptop bag?

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 06:24 PM PST

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Joseph (he's from Atlanta) who needs a camera bag for his semi-professional photography enterprise. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I've recently gotten into semi-pro photography and I've come to the problem of how to transport all my gear. I'm looking for a camera / laptop bag that has enough space for a DSLR body (Nikon D90), a 15-inch laptop, 3 or 4 lenses and a speedlight or two. My budget can't stretch beyond $100 and I need it to be durable and weather-proof. I don't have any preferences with style (backpack, messenger bag etc), I just need a large, affordable bag to carry all of my gear. Thanks for the help and keep the gadget passion guys!"

We don't think you should scrimp too much on a bag, given it'll be carrying $3,000 worth of kit. Your host uses a Lowepro Fastpack 250, costing $99.95, its only drawback that it has no space for a tripod or cables, so you have to sacrifice a couple of lens slots just to tote your power lead. Other staffers suggested using a standard bag with individual Crumpler pouches (a suitable Crumpler like the "7 Million Dollar Home" is $150) or the KataKTD, which sadly doesn't pack a laptop sleeve. How about you, commenters? What's the budget bag you wouldn't let your DSLR venture away from? Together, we can work it out.

Roland's iModela 3D milling machine: it's a crafty tool

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 04:24 PM PST

3D printing. Sure, that's pretty neat, but there are other ways to make three dimensional objects at home. Roland's new iModela, for example, is an "affordable" ($899) digital hobby mill that can carve 3D shapes, jewelry, textures and prototypes out of balsa wood, foam, modelling wax and plastics. Projects definitely need to be more on the petite side, but the 3.39inch x 2.17inch x 1.02inch milling area should be good for a wide range of small craft creations. The iModela comes with all the cutting tools, software and materials you need to get started, but if you've already been tinkering with ideas, there's also compatibility with other "popular" CAD software. Want to get making right away? Tap the source, or hit the PR after the break for more info.
Show full PR text
Roland's New 3D Hobby Milling Machine Provides an Affordable Production Tool for Craft and Hobby Enthusiasts

iModela Produces Miniatures, Models, Jewelry, Accessories and Craft Embellishments from Modeling Wax, Foam, Balsa Wood and Plastic

Irvine, Calif., Feb. 2, 2012 - Roland DGA Corp. has introduced the iModela hobby milling machine, providing hobbyists with easy and affordable access to 3D milling technology.

"iModela is a completely new concept – a digital hobby mill designed to support a range of unique creative pursuits, from miniatures and model railroading to jewelry design and craft projects," said Brian Brooks, product manager for Roland DGA Corp. "The applications for this innovative technology are endless, and we can't wait to see what our customers will produce with it."

With iModela, 3D modelers and hobby enthusiasts can easily and accurately create and embellish a wide range of projects by producing 3D shapes, reliefs, textures and patterns from modeling wax, foam, balsa wood and plastic materials. With a milling area of 3.39 inches wide by 2.17 inches in length and 1.02 inches in height, iModela is the perfect tool for small-scale creative projects.

Based on 25 years of proven Roland milling technology, iModela is a complete solution, with a cutting tool, sample materials and software. To build on this starter kit, Roland offers a variety of optional tools and materials that can be purchased conveniently online. Designed for ease of use, iModela comes equipped with a virtual panel that allows users to operate the machine right from a personal computer.

Included with the hobby milling machine is iModela Creator design software, which includes free hand drawing tools for sketching out designs and ideas. Intuitive menus and icons guide the user through the design process. Once designs are completed, they are easy to output on iModela using the included Windows driver. More advanced CAM software is available for download as well at http://icreate.rolanddg.com, allowing users to mill 3D files from other popular CAD applications.

iModela "iCreate" Community

To help iModela artists further their creative goals, Roland has established an online iModela community at http://icreate.rolanddg.com. The site serves as a collaborative forum for sharing design ideas, production workflows and technical tips. In addition, users can download free software and sample projects for production on iModela.

Priced at $899, iModela can be purchased online at www.rolanddgastore.com, and is available for delivery anywhere throughout North and South America (except Brazil). To purchase iModela outside this region, please visit http://icreate.rolanddg.com.

Sony Ericsson hangs ten, launches Xperia Active Billabong Edition

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 02:15 PM PST

Sony Ericsson is looking to start a bromance with the McTwist-loving, Double-Cork-landing, A-Frame-riding masses jonesing for a new Android device. The handset maker has announced a "global strategic alliance" with Billabong to launch the Xperia Active Billabong Edition smartphone in select markets. The handset will come preloaded with exclusive content, including Billabong screen savers, and bundle several Billabong-branded games and applications. As the two companies tell it, the Xperia ABE is the "ideal smartphone for extreme sports enthusiasts." Accordingly, Sony Ericsson hardware is about to start making appearances at various "major" Billabong events. Unfortunately, this next bit is really going to harsh your mello: the hardware is identical to that of the Xperia Active announced back in June, complete with a single-core 1GHz processor, Gingerbread, a 3-inch Reality display and a five-megapixel shooter. Even with its no-so-extreme spec sheet, we give SE a gnar-lay for effort.
Show full PR text
Sony Ericsson Drops into Extreme Action Sports with Billabong

Xperia™ active Billabong Edition now available in select markets

London, UK – February 2 , 2012 – Sony Ericsson today announced an expanded global strategic alliance with Billabong, a brand that promotes an authentic lifestyle and the true values of core boardsports (surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding and wakeboarding), which connects the Xperia smartphone brand to a new and highly influential consumer audience and extends to a retail offering for smartphone users. At the center of the partnership is the Xperia™ active Billabong Edition smartphones designed with extreme sports enthusiasts in mind.

"Billabong brings a new, enthusiastic and engaging audience who are early technology adopters and influencers in the areas of sports and technology,"said Stephan Croix, VP Head of Global Marketing Creation for Sony Ericsson. "This partnership is a perfect fit with our brand and the Xperia™ range of smartphones."

The Xperia™ active Billabong edition is an ideal smartphone for extreme sports enthusiasts who can take it along on their shreds and surfs to capture all of the excitement up close and personal. This tough, scratch-resistant smartphone is packed with technologies such as wet finger tracking and has received some of the highest marks in dustproof and water resistance categories (IP67). Click here for more information on the Xperia active.

"The partnership is an expansion of our long term relationship with Sony and an extention of an Asia Pacific alliance developed with Sony Ericsson in 2011," said Scott Wallace, Billabong's International VP of Strategic Partnerships & New Media. "Our customers are very tech savvy and their top interests include music, photography, social media and, of course, action sports. Each of these interests can be captured or experienced through the Xperia™ active and we are working on some exciting apps and accessories that should add to the user's experience. The first to benefit will be the athletes at our major international events who will be testing the Xperia™ active device in conditions as diverse as the snowfields in Austria, surfing the big waves of Tahiti and even skateboarding in Singapore."

The partnership extends beyond the Xperia™ active as Sony Ericsson and Billabong have also co-created exclusive content for additional Xperia™ devices. The Xperia™ active Billabong Edition will feature preloaded Billabong screenscavers, videos and Billabong LIVE, a mobile app now available in the Sony Ericsson channel in Android Market, and the Xperia™ PLAY will boast an exclusive surf game, Billabong Surf Trip.

Sony Ericsson Xperia smartphones will be featured in major Billabong events worldwide. In addition, Sony Ericsson has more to offer its retailer and operator partners with this unique alliance which gives way to an amplified retail strategy with assets, such as merchandise and event access, which will be used in retail promotions.

Snow Leopard update wreaks havoc on Rosetta, luddite users contemplate running with Lion (update)

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 12:21 PM PST

Normally updates are meant to better your OS, delivering necessary tweaks and performance improvements. But this latest batch out of Cupertino's managed to do just the opposite for users running the Lion 10.7.3 package, as it's caused many applications to force crash and bewildered users to restore Time Machine backups. Well, now the hordes clinging to Snow Leopard can join in the commiseration, as forums begin to flood with reports of failed Rosetta compatibility. That software, essential for PowerPC programs to run on Apple's preferred Intel chipset, has been rendered useless by a just released security fix, prompting one community member to craft a DIY patch. While, Apple is reportedly working on a cure-all for these rampant woes, we'd caution any who haven't taken the plunge to sit this one out for a bit.

Update: Good news for those of you on Lion that haven't updated, as Apple's pulled the 10.7.3 delta update (responsible for borked installs), leaving those who haven't taken the plunge to try the larger (and non-problematic) combo one. Unfortunately for users of Snow Leopard, though, the troublesome security update lives on, so until Cupertino rectifies (and we update), sound off on how the temporary fix is treating you in the comments below.

Dashwire closes up shop, all your data to get flushed on February 15th (update: Windows Mobile devices only)

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 10:33 AM PST

Ok, so chances are you probably haven't thought about Dashwire much in the last couple of years. Last time we covered the service was back in the halycon days of Windows Mobile 6.0, early on in the modern smartphone revolution. In case you need a bit of a refresher, Dashwire was a cloud service that delivered many of the ammenities we now take for granted in mobile device -- visual voicemail, threaded SMS, automatic sycing of photos, and status updates. Earlier this year, HTC snatched up the company which last made news with the free, and appropriately-named, Awesome Drop for Android (which seems to be dying a quiet death in the market). Well, the actual Dashwire service has been languishing for sometime now, but the company has decided to finally discontinue it completely for Windows Mobile devices and, on February 15th, will be shutting down its servers and deleting all user content. So, if you've got anything still sitting up in its aging cloud, now is the time to reclaim it.

Update: Despite the Dashwire service itself (apparently) no longer being listed on its site, HTC has contacted us to clarify that "that Dashwire is only closing down the original/old Dashwire.com service for Windows Mobile devices" and that it has "new services with Tier 1 operators that are live in market."

Mobile Miscellany: week of January 30th, 2012

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 09:02 AM PST

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This week, we've spotted a leaked Android 4.0.4 ROM for the Nexus S 4G, and we've also come across a price and release date for the Droid 4. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride. Let's explore the "best of the rest" for this week of January 30th, 2012.

Android 4.0.4 leaks for Nexus S 4G


A leaked version of Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S 4G made its way into the wild this week, although the Android 4.0.4 ROM was subsequently removed from the xda-developers forum. Thankfully, it was available long enough for custom ROM makers -- such as Peter Alfonso -- to bring the improvements into their own refined creations. Ice Cream Sandwich has been available to Nexus S 4G users via custom ROMs for some time now, but the leak suggests that more timid folk won't have much longer before an official release becomes available. [SprintFeed, Peter Alfonso]

Hints at Droid 4 release date and pricing


There's plenty of chatter to suggest that the Droid 4's launch is imminent. Our own sources on the matter point to Friday, February 10th. Meanwhile, the folks at Droid-Life have come across a price for the slider, which will sell for $199 on-contract and $549 outright. The news deviates from what we'd previously known about the Droid 4, which was earlier outed with a $249 price tag. [Droid Life]

ClockworkMod Recovery Touch now supports more devices


Koush has released an updated beta of ClockworkMod Recovery Touch. In addition to the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S / 4G, the latest version also supports the Atrix, EVO 4G, EVO 3D, Desire and Desire HD. While we're still hesitant to give it a spin on our personal handsets -- because really, the traditional version works just fine -- if you're willing to give the touch-based recovery a whirl, let us know what you think. [Android Community]

Sprint introduces Sprint Zone app for iPhone


Sprint's iPhone constituency may have noticed a new app from the carrier this Monday. Known as Sprint Zone, the portal allows customers to manage their account, locate Apple and Sprint stores and easily place calls for support. Users will also find news and promos from Sprint -- as if you don't get enough of the Now Network from the pages of Engadget. [SprintFeed]

HTC Rezound found to support global roaming


An interesting development was uncovered by a UK-based Rezound owner in the xda-developers forums. By entering *#*#4636#*#* into the phone's dialer, he discovered options for global roaming. From there, he popped in a T-Mobile SIM and has since found support for voice, data and the ability to receive (but not send) text messages. The Rezound was never marketed as a world phone, but its MSM8660 chipset does offer both CDMA and UMTS capabilities. It's unknown whether Verizon intends to officially enable global roaming through a software update, but work is currently underway in the forums to determine which bands the Rezound supports. [Droid Life, xda-developers]

Nokia Lumia 710 goes up for sale in Canada and UK


Those in Canada and the UK who've waited for their slice of the Lumia 710 pie were able to stop drooling this week, as the phone officially went up for sale on February 1st. Sure, T-Mobile has been doling them out for a couple weeks now in the US, but we're happy to have our friends up north and across the pond join the party. [Nokia UK (Twitter), Mobile Syrup]

Canada swallows a heapin' spoonful of Galaxy Nexus


The Canadian carriers were all over the Galaxy Nexus this week, as both Mobilicity and Wind Mobile greeted Google's finest with open arms. The phone is sold without contract on Mobilicity for $599, whereas Wind customers will find it for $249 with a three-year WindTab+ term. Meanwhile, Videotron is set to pick up the handset on February 8th with a price that's yet to be announced. Protip: nothing says you're glad to see us quite like a Galaxy Nexus in your pocket. [Mobile Syrup 1, 2, 3]

The Engadget Interview: the EFF's Mitch Stoltz talks the legality of jailbreaking

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 08:00 AM PST

The work of a non-profit advocacy group is never done. It seems like just yesterday that the Electronic Frontier Foundation was waging a battle to put jailbreaking rights into the hands of consumers, much to the chagrin of manufacturers intent on maintaining control over their devices after they leave store shelves. With the looming expiration of an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that has made such hacks legal, the organization is once again taking up the cause. And this time, it's added tablets and gaming consoles to its proposal. We sat down with EFF staff attorney Mitch Stoltz to discuss the state of the law and how users can help in the fight.



Why is the debate over the legality of jailbreaking suddenly in the news again?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act has an exemptions process. The Library of Congress every three years makes exemptions to the law. Those have to be renewed, so we're coming up on the next cycle. In the last cycle, the EFF asked for an exemption so that you can jailbreak a smartphone that you own, to run your own software on it, so that wouldn't be a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, section 1201.

The idea behind this cycle is that the technology itself is evolving, so you may have to reevaluate the thinking behind it.

I think that was the reason, but in certain ways it seems a little ridiculous to have to present justifications every few years. You could make the case that technology changes and needs change, but it certainly puts a big administrative burden on people who are defending people rights, just to use their own devices.

Is this a tricky area in terms of interpreting the Digital Millennium Copyright Act?

It's not clear at all. What is clear is that device manufacturers have used the DMCA specifically to enforce incompatibility with third-party products. Sometimes the courts have allowed that and sometimes they haven't. In those cases it's used as a way to shut out competition.

That seems to be an argument you can make about the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in general, that companies have been utilizing it to do corporate bidding.

Absolutely.

Is the law as a whole flawed? Why focus on this specific section?

I'm new to EFF, but I know that in previous cycles [it] has proposed exemptions and then at one point decided that the whole process was basically fixed and unfair, and decided not to propose any more. But if organizations like us don't argue for exemptions, no one will. It's not the sort of process that's easy or cheap for individuals to do. The Copyright Office asks for a lot of very detailed proof. They have hearings and they want specifics. Its a process generally for lawyers.

Why does this fall under the jurisdiction of the Copyright Office?

Because that's how it was written. It gave the Copyright Office the power to grant exemptions to the law, and at the time it was seen as a safety valve. The worry, which has come to pass, was that the DMCA would be abused and would be used to shut down activities that don't infringe copyright. I think, and a lot of other people do, that the better way to do this from the start would've been to put into the law that if any use, any circumvention of digital locks doesn't lead to an infringement of copyright or isn't for that purpose or it's done for a legal purpose, then the circumvention itself shouldn't be illegal, but that's pretty clearly not how the law was written.

So, since the larger law falls under the Copyright Office's jurisdiction, these exemptions are included.

Right. And It's used in situations where copyright infringement really isn't the issue. It isn't about people protecting their creative work, it's mostly about people protecting their businesses, whether those businesses are about creative works or not. Because anything you do on the internet involves making a copy, that means copyright law becomes the de facto regulatory regime for the internet and so the people who control copyright law: Congress, the copyright office and so on, are effectively regulating the internet whenever they meddle in this area.

The ultimate question here, then, is what kind of rights, if any, do the hardware manufacturers have over the hardware once it's sold to you?

That's a big question. They can have rights that come from contracts. Say you buy a smartphone from a carrier that says what you can and you can't do with the phone. I don't know if you want me to get into whether those sort of rights are a good thing or not, but if you look at the issue at hand it is exactly that. It gets into the rights of a hardware manufacturer and the owner of a piece of hardware, which are sort of negative rights. They aren't stated necessarily in the law, but they're things we all understand. We see comments that people have posted to the Copyright Office in support of our requests on jailbreaking, and over and over the analogy that they're making is to a car -- that to prevent jailbreaking is like welding the hood shut on a car or to legally prevent you from modifying a car that you own and that just strikes a lot of people as absurd.

The exemptions that you're asking for have been broadened to including tablets and consoles. Are you risking shooting yourself in the foot by bringing more companies into the fold to present arguments against you?

It's possible, and the Copyright Office historically has interpreted this law very narrowly as to what exemptions they'll grant. They grant exemptions very grudgingly but they've opened up a little bit in the past two cycles as to what they've granted and that's given us hope. Based on the comments that we've seen, there's pretty widespread support for an exemption on jailbreaking in regards to mobile devices, and we think there's pretty widespread support for video game consoles as well.

The console exemption is our major new "ask" this time. I got an interesting comment on it this morning -- a gentleman made a comment to the Copyright Office that he has a child with autism and he needs to use a modified video game console to show DVDs in ways that his child can deal with and benefit from best. It's just such a specialized need and market that it's not something that console or video game makers would ever do.

Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' Blu-ray 3D set for release February 28th -- 3D haters beware

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 06:38 AM PST

Considering that Hugo was a flick capable of earning 4 out of 4 stars from noted 3D hater Roger Ebert, it will be interesting to see how it's received upon its home release February 28th. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and currently rocking a 94 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the fantasy tale of a boy who crosses paths with legendary filmmaker Georges Méliès in 1930s Paris may be the best example yet of how an artist can make use of the effect. The two hour six minute flick will be available in Blu-ray 3D combo pack, and 2D Blu-ray editions, with a 7.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack and special featurettes on the making of the film and the real magician/director who inspired the story.

The release date is two days after the Academy Awards, and if this flick can snag Best Picture or Best Director it could become a turning point for 3D. New 3D movies are already on deck from other high-profile directors like Ridley Scott (Alien prequel Prometheus) and Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby), while big budget conversions like Star Wars -- coming to theaters next week -- and already-sold-out-for-Valentines Day Titanic test the waters for older movies. Add in sports broadcasts planned including UFC 143 tonight and the London Olympics in the summer, and 2012 is shaping up to be an especially rough year for 3D haters -- you have our deepest sympathies. Those on the other side of the fence can check after the break for a press release with more details and (2D) theatrical trailer, it's currently available on Amazon for preorders at $27.99, 2D only is $21.99.

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Nominated for 11 Academy Awards® Including

Best Picture and Best Director

FROM LEGENDARY DIRECTOR AND 2012 GOLDEN GLOBE® WINNER*
MARTIN SCORSESE COMES THE YEAR'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE

HUGO

Critically-Acclaimed, Enchanting Film Debuts on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD February 28, 2012

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Renowned director Martin Scorsese's groundbreaking and original adventure HUGO makes its highly-anticipated debut on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD, all with UltraViolet™, On Demand and for Digital Download on February 28, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution. Recipient of more Academy Award nominations than any other film, HUGO was honored with 11 total-including Best Picture and Best Director-and has already won Martin Scorsese the Golden Globe for Best Director, was named the best film of 2011 by the National Board of Review, and was cited by more than 150 critics as one of the top 10 films of the year including writers for Associated Press, New York Times,
Rolling Stone, Time, Entertainment Weekly, New Yorker, New York Daily News and
The Hollywood Reporter, among others. Called "magical and enchanting" (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times) and "one of the wonders of the world you need to see" (David Edelstein, New York Magazine), HUGO is bursting with dynamic action, sumptuous imagery and a heartwarming and magical story that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
HUGO will be available in a three-disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, as well as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, each of which boast nearly an hour of behind-the-scenes special features including an illuminating making-of featurette, a retrospective on the extraordinary genius of filmmaker Georges Méliès, a look at the mechanical man at the heart of HUGO, plus interviews with the cast and crew and more. The film will also be available as a single-disc DVD. All Blu-ray and DVD releases available for purchase will be enabled with UltraViolet, a new way to collect, access and enjoy movies. With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them – reliably and securely – to a variety of devices.

HUGO Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
The HUGO Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The combo pack includes access to a digital copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray
· Feature film in high definition
· Shoot the Moon (The Making of Hugo)
· The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès
· The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo
· Big Effects, Small Scale
· Sacha Baron Cohen: Role of a Lifetime

DVD
· Feature film in standard definition

HUGO Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
The HUGO Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack includes all of the above, plus a Blu-ray 3D presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The Blu-ray 3D includes the feature film presented in high definition and 3D.

HUGO Single-Disc DVD
The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The disc includes the feature film in standard definition and Shoot The Moon (The Making of Hugo).

HUGO Synopsis
Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resourceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home. Academy Award-winning** filmmaker Martin Scorsese invites you to experience a thrilling journey that critics are calling "the stuff dreams are made of." (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone).

**Best Director, The Departed, 2006

Paramount Pictures and GK Films present a GK Films/Infinitum Nihil Production of
A Martin Scorsese Picture: "Hugo," directed by Martin Scorsese, with a screenplay by
John Logan, based upon the book entitled The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. It is produced by Graham King, Tim Headington, Scorsese and Johnny Depp. The executive producers are Emma Tillinger Koskoff, David Crockett, Georgia Kacandes and
Christi Dembrowski. The music supervisor is Randall Poster; casting is by Ellen Lewis.

About Paramount Home Media Distribution
Paramount Home Media Distribution (PHMD) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHMD division oversees PPC's home entertainment, digital and television distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment. PHMD additionally manages global licensing of studio content and distribution across worldwide digital and television distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.

Fujitsu announces Stylistic Android tablet for taking care of business, working overtime (updated)

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 04:28 AM PST

The BlackBerry PlayBook blues got you down? Fujitsu thinks you should consider riding the Android train to work. The company today announced the awkwardly named Stylistic M350/CA2 Android tablet, a seven-inch enterprise-focused slate aimed at folks looking for a sales terminal, catalog displayer or e-reader. The Stylistic has a WSVGA display and a battery that should give you around six hours on a charge. You can pick one of these guys up in mid-February, if you're in Japan. An equally exciting press release can be found after the jump.

Update: Residents of Hong Kong may recognize this 1GHz Gingerbread slate as the MH350, which was launched way back in September. To be honest, the build quality isn't that impressive in real life, but given that this new version weighs a tad more than its Hong Kong counterpart (420g vs. 385g), there may still be hope. Oh, but it is still Gingerbread.



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Fujitsu Releases Android Tablet for Enterprise Market

The STYLISTIC M350/CA2 features a compact form factor(1), equipped with a 7-inch display and a body weighing approximately 420g for easy mobility. The tablet achieves both superior portability and usability, with features such as rapid booting and the ability to select between different character input modes-a numeric keypad, QWERTY, and hand-writing-to gives users the choice that best meets their individual needs. Moreover, the new tablet can be employed in a wide range of scenarios, including as a mobile sales terminal, as a handset for displaying digital catalogs at a retail store, and as an e-book reader in a classroom setting. In addition to offering excellent cost-performance, the STYLISTIC M350/CA2 supports customers in transforming work styles within their companies.

Product Features
1. Compact body for superior mobility

With its high-resolution 7-inch WSVGA (1024 x 600 pixel) display, the compact and lightweight body of approximately 420g makes it easy to hold and operate with just one hand. This and its lengthy running time of approximately 6.1 hours make it ideal for applications that require mobility.
2. Enhanced usability through Android OS and Fujitsu's unique character input tools

"NX! input powered by ATOK" QWERTY input

The tablet runs on Android OS, which enables rapid booting and smooth, intuitive usability through multi-touch operations. Furthermore, it offers Fujitsu's unique "NX! Input powered by ATOK" character input technology, which boasts especially high speed and high accuracy in recognizing kanji characters. This means users can select between numeric keypad input, QWERTY input, and hand-written input to choose the character input mode that best meets their individual needs.

Apple TV gets into video discovery, adds movie and TV show Genius Recommendations

Posted: 04 Feb 2012 02:16 AM PST

Apple added a new wrinkle to its hobby overnight, as AppleInsider reports the Genius recommendation feature added in iTunes 8 now offers up suggestions for movies and TV shows. The new Apple TV feature appears to have been switched on from the back end servers with no firmware update, displaying the new Genius option under Movies and TV Netflix-style as shown above. We're not sure you really needed anyone else telling you it's definitely time to check out The Wire or Breaking Bad, but with competitors like Google already taking aim at improving content discovery and recommendations it's a logical next step for whatever Apple's living room ambitions ultimately become.

Nokia establishes stance on conflict minerals in formal policy

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:43 PM PST

Recent weeks have seen a swell of interest in corporate responsibility, particularly with regard to technology manufacturing and supply chains. Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook affirmed his company's commitment to ethically and environmentally sound practices, evoking sentiments that were echoed today in a similar announcement from Nokia. Seizing the opportunity to establish some goodwill among socially conscious consumers, the Finnish manufacturer has just released a policy outlining its philosophy on conflict minerals -- metals like gold, tungsten and tin that have played a direct role in fueling civil violence and unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the document (linked below), Nokia acknowledged that it doesn't play a direct role in obtaining these materials, but emphasized its strict traceability requirements. All suppliers, Nokia says, must provide detailed information on the sourcing of its metals, going back to the smelter phase, at a minimum, and even to the mine itself, if necessary. The company also highlighted its adherence to guidelines established by the EICC-GeSI Extractives Work Group, which both Apple and Intel have already joined. Granted, it's impossible for a single company to wipe out civil strife and human rights abuses in one fell swoop, but with this codified approach, Nokia hopes to at least "increase transparency, ensure responsible procurement by our suppliers and sub-suppliers, and drive positive change."

T-Mobile confirms Full Monty subscribers are capped at 1Mb/s, risqué plan becomes tame (updated: no speed caps)

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 09:13 PM PST

Uh-oh. Looks like T-Mobile's Full Monty subscribers in the UK will be getting much less than they'd originally bargained for. T-Mo's British support unit recently confirmed that the carrier has capped speeds on its "all-in" unlimited plan at a rather dismal 1Mb/s -- in other words, this Full Monty act doesn't really go all the way. Perhaps T-Mobile representatives were too caught up in the moment at the launch event and merely forgot to reveal this little tidbit? Our Magic 8-Ball says, "Don't count on it." You'll find the confirmation tweet immortalized after the break.

Update: While it's immortalized below, the tweet's now been nixed and T-Mobile has added a fresh one, stating that it won't be capping mobile traffic speeds on the Full Monty Plan. Data addicts, breathe a sigh of relief.






Google TV 3.2 update enhances HLS video streaming support, Plex update takes advantage

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 07:52 PM PST

The Google TV update that rolled out to Sony units earlier this week (no word on the Revue, yet) brought tweaks to Chrome and support for Blu-ray 3D playback on the player, but that's not all. The bump to Android 3.2 also improved hooks for developers to access channel listings in their apps, enabled hardware acceleration and last but not least, improved support for HTTP Live Streaming. That last detail is particularly important to those streaming video from their PCs using Plex, since additional HLS tweaks were necessary to allow viewing of files transcoded from otherwise-Google TV unfriendly formats. Also supported as in the Plex update is selection of alternate audio streams, subtitles, more channels and a few other fixes. Check out a Google+ post from Les Vogel of the Google TV team for all the Honeycomb 3.2 (API Level 13) details you can stomach, the Plex blog for more info on its software, or just make sure you're running the latest updates and take a look around yourself.

Nike+ FuelBand's internals get splayed at the FCC

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 06:37 PM PST

All of these wrist-mounted fitness gizmos are pretty nifty, but we always wonder how they get those rigid circuit boards into such an unsuitable form-factor. Well, thanks to those scalpel-happy boffins at the FCC's underground bunker, wonder no more. Nike's FuelBand was wheeled in on a trolley and torn (quite literally) to pieces, and we felt we just had to share the pictures with you. A long peruse of the user manual revealed that the two metal extender links (for bigger-wristed enthusiasts) have to be swapped out using a sizing tool -- but the manual notes that if one isn't to hand, a bent paperclip will suffice. The documents also revealed that it's using a TI CC2564 Bluetooth radio and a stack provided by Stonestreet One. The monopole antenna is etched directly into the substrate of the flexible circuit board -- ensuring it'll bend around your bones and still operate. We also learned that once connected to your cellphone, it'll sit in a low-power "sniff mode," for two minutes and if there's no further activity it'll shut down. Of course, what's interesting to you (and us, honestly) is all the pictures in the second gallery, so get looking!

Netflix teams with eyeIO to lower bandwidth use on movie night

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 05:44 PM PST

Kicking up a fuss about Netflix hogging all your bandwidth? Perhaps the company's latest partnership could induce a rapid change of heart. The streaming service has paired up with eyeIO in hopes of keeping bandwidth usage during streams to a minimum, which they claim won't affect the content's overall quality. While the joint venture just became official, the startup's "ultra-low-bandwidth" encoding technology -- that allegedly can reduce usage on a 720p HD stream by more than 50 percent -- began its testing phase on the streaming-giant's offerings months ago. Although eyeIO's service has already been implemented by Netflix, it's worth mentioning this isn't an exclusive deal, thus it's possible for its competition to jump on the bandwidth conservation bandwagon in the future. More importantly, we're interested to find out if you have noticed any difference in your streams lately, so drop us a line in the comments below.
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eyeIO Unveils Breakthrough Video Encoding Technology, Netflix First to Deploy

Ultra-low-bandwidth encoding technology provides higher quality video experience
for streaming service customers worldwide

PALO ALTO, CA – February 1, 2012 – Today EYE IO, LLC (eyeIO) makes its official debut as an Internet video streaming technology provider, announcing its first commercial license agreement with Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), the leading global internet subscription service for movies and TV shows.

"eyeIO provides a straightforward solution for accommodating the rapidly growing demand for video delivery around the world by alleviating the overwhelming bandwidth currently required to stream video," said Rodolfo Vargas, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of eyeIO. "Our future could not look more promising as eyeIO continues to challenge the commonly accepted limits of Internet video delivery and enables everyone connected to the Internet to enjoy high quality video no matter where they are."

With more than 20 million streaming members in 47 countries and territories, Netflix has revolutionized entertainment by providing instant and unlimited access to tens of thousands of hours of movies and TV shows. eyeIO technology helps Netflix deliver the high quality streaming experience Netflix members love.

"Delivering a high quality video experience is top priority for Netflix," said Greg Peters, Vice President, Product Development of Netflix. "eyeIO technology is an important part of the technology we use to improve video quality and overcome bandwidth challenges presented by Internet infrastructure."

eyeIO video encoding is fully compliant with existing standards, making high quality video available anywhere in the world, on any connected device. The technology can be deployed as either a cloud or local solution and the enhanced video can be viewed without a custom video player or equipment modification.

eyeIO was founded by an all-star lineup of technology experts: Charles Steinberg, former CEO of Ampex Corporation and former President of the Business and Professional Products Company of Sony Electronics (NYSE: SNE); Robert C. Hagerty, former Chairman and CEO of Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM); and Rodolfo Vargas, former Senior Program Manager of Video at Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and former Co-Chairman of Video Streaming and Internet Interactivity at the DVD Forum.

Oops! Motorola sold refurbished Xooms without deleting previous owners' data

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 04:52 PM PST

Usually, when passwords and personal information are exposed, it's because someone hacked a company's not-so-secure system. Motorola, however, managed to put people's info at risk without such malfeasance when it failed to wipe the memory of a batch of refurbished Xooms. The tablets in question were sold by Woot.com between October and December of last year, and Moto is claiming that it made the mistake on only small number of slates. Of course, we don't know exactly how many Xooms were shipped with previous owners' data onboard, but we do know that the company is actively attempting to make amends. Moto's offering two years of Experian identification protection services to those whose info was exposed and owners of affected Xooms are getting a little something too. Just send the device back to Motorola on the company's dime -- where it'll be properly reset and sent back to you, along with a $100 American Express gift card for your efforts. Wondering if you're among the unlucky? Hit the PR after the break for more info, and those with Wooted Xooms can plug in their slate's serial number at the source link below to find out for sure.

[Thanks, Scott]
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Motorola Mobility Notifies Certain Purchasers of Refurbished Motorola XOOM™ Wi-Fi Tablets of Refurbishment Process Error

Feb. 03, 2012

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Feb. 3, 2012 - Motorola Mobility, Inc. today announced that it has recently learned that approximately 100 out of a batch of 6,200 Motorola XOOM™ Wi-Fi tablets that were refurbished by Motorola Mobility may not have been completely cleared of the original owner's data prior to resale. The affected tablets were resold by Woot.com between October and December 2011. While this matter likely affects only a small number of refurbished units, Motorola has a strong commitment to its consumers, and is proactively responding to mitigate any risk to its customers. Motorola has confirmed that any refurbished units sold outside the time period in question were properly refurbished.

The information that may be accessible to the purchasers of the impacted refurbished tablets may include any information that the original user elected to store on the tablet. It is possible that users might have stored photographs and documents. They may have also stored user names and passwords for email and social media accounts, as well as other password-protected sites and applications.

Motorola is offering customers who purchased and then returned a Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi tablet to Amazon.com, Best Buy, BJ's Wholesale, eBay, Office Max, Radio Shack, Sam's Club, or Staples and a few other independent retailers between March and October 2011 a complimentary two-year membership of Experian's ProtectMyID™ Alert to mitigate any risks. Original owners are advised to contact Experian at 1-866-926-9803 to sign up for the credit monitoring service. These original owners are also advised to take precautionary measures to protect their identity, such as changing their email and social media passwords. Original owners who performed a factory data reset prior to returning the device are not impacted.

In conjunction with today's announcement, Motorola is also actively pursuing the return of the impacted refurbished units to ensure that the memory of each device is cleared. Customers who purchased a refurbished Motorola XOOM Wi-Fi tablet from Woot.com between October and December 2011 are encouraged to visit motorola.com/xoomreturn or to call Motorola Mobility Customer Support at 1-800-734-5870, select Option 1, in order to determine if their tablet is affected.

Motorola sincerely regrets and apologizes for any inconvenience this situation has caused the affected customers. Motorola is committed to rigorous data protection practices in order to protect its customers, and will continue to take the necessary steps to achieve this objective.

ComScore: Android and iOS gallop ahead, US smartphone usage approaches 100 million

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 04:03 PM PST

The latest report is in from ComScore, and as you might expect, the news is sunshine and roses for the crews at Google and Apple. Both companies platforms charted some worthwhile month-over-month gains, as Android is estimated to account for 47.3 percent of smartphones in the US, while iOS runs a strong second with 26.9 percent. Meanwhile, former BlackBerry fans continue to scatter, as the platform now accounts for 16 percent of smartphone users. Similarly, Windows Phone (and whatever's left of Windows Mobile) have taken it on the chin, and have fallen to just 4.7 percent market share. Without ever gaining much traction in the US, Symbian now makes up 1.4 percent of the smartphone pie. You'll find a quick look at the manufacturing side of the equation, along with the full ComScore press release, after the break.


Samsung continues to hold its spot as the top mobile manufacturer, but its 25.3 percent market share also accounts for its dumb phone segment. The same is true for LG and Motorola, both which saw their user base decline to 20 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively. Apple and RIM -- both of which make only smartphones -- both show gains over the previous month. Apple's increase was rather significant, which grew from 11.2 to 12.4 percent. Meanwhile, RIM's uptick was modest, which saw a change from 6.5 to 6.7 percent.

Based on ComScore figures, there are now 97.9 million smartphone users in the US, which is quite a leap over the previous month's estimate of 91.4 million. Perhaps we'll have a bit of a milestone to report next month?
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comScore Reports December 2011 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share

Smartphone Penetration Climbs Over 40 Percent during December Holiday Shopping Season

RESTON, VA, February 2, 2012 – comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending December 2011. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.3 percent market share. Google Android strengthened its lead in the smartphone market to reach 47.3 percent market share.

OEM Market Share

For the three-month average period ending in December, 234 million Americans age 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.3 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers, followed by LG with 20 percent share and Motorola with 13.3 percent share. Apple continued to gain ground in the OEM market with 12.4 percent share of total mobile subscribers (up 2.2 percentage points), while RIM rounded out the top five with 6.7 percent share.

Smartphone Platform Market Share

97.9 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in December, representing 40 percent of all mobile subscribers. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 47.3 percent market share, up 2.5 percentage points from September. Apple maintained its #2 position, growing 2.2 percentage points to 29.6 percent of the smartphone market. RIM ranked third with 16 percent share, followed by Microsoft (4.7 percent) and Symbian (1.4 percent).

Mobile Content Usage

In December, 74.3 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device, up 3.2 percentage points. Downloaded applications were used by 47.6 percent of subscribers (up 5.1 percentage points), while browsers were used by 47.5 percent (up 4.6 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 3.8 percentage points to 35.3 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 31.4 percent of the mobile audience (up 2.6 percentage points), while 23.8 percent listened to music on their phones (up 2.9 percentage points).

webOS Enyo 1.0 now available to all, just requires patch and patience

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 03:18 PM PST

HP's Enyo framework is an essential ingredient for allowing new apps to work on webOS devices with different resolutions, but due to some sort of ethnocentric hiccup, v1.0 hasn't officially reached all international webOS phones and tablets. Fortunately, WebOS Internals has prepared a nice little Preware install package that anyone, anywhere can enjoy. At this point, adding Enyo will only provide access to a few extra apps, but at least the world will be reunited in its preparedness for a glistening future, right?

AT&T seeks to impose conditions on Dish LTE network, FCC to settle wireless squabble

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:44 PM PST

You know the saying, second place is the first loser? Well, it looks like AT&T, which recently saw its attempt to absorb T-Mobile thwarted, is living up to that adage by petitioning the FCC to impose an "overly aggressive buildout" of Dish's planned mobile network. In a recent filing to the Commission, the satco countered this request for "LightSquared-like" requirements, defining its operation as a strictly retail endeavor, one that faces entirely different hurdles than that of its wholesale competitor. If granted, however, these conditions could see the fledgling network rushed to the marketplace before the completion of an LTE-Advanced standard and widespread availability of compatible devices -- both key elements of the MVPD's service strategy. The company also goes on to contest interference issues surrounding its 700MHz holdings, stating that it has no current plans to repurpose the spectrum for mobile broadband use, despite AT&T's claims to that effect. We'll keep you posted as this wireless battle plays out. In the meantime, hit up the source below to peruse the dense legalese.

WiFi Kindle Touch gets its passport, now available internationally

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:21 PM PST

Ever since Amazon unveiled its cheap-as-chips Kindle Touch, the thing's been selling like mad here in the US. However, our friends on other continents haven't been able to enjoy swiping and tapping its multitouch E Ink display -- until now, that is. Amazon failed to alert the masses with a press release, but a quick gander at the WiFi Touch's product page shows there's an option to ship one just about anywhere on the globe. Unfortunately, people in parts of the world with country-specific Amazon portals like Germany, France and the UK must still settle for the button-dependent Kindle 4. We're glad to see Bezos broadening his touchscreen e-reader's horizons, but let's not keep our friends across the pond Kindle Touch-free for much longer, OK?

FCC Fridays: February 3, 2012

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

Xbox co-creator brings together Atari 'dream team' for mobile gaming startup

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:38 PM PST

A new mobile gaming startup that's yet to release a single game isn't the sort of thing we'd normally cover 'round here, but the story behind Los Angeles-based Innovative Leisure is anything but ordinary. The man behind the company is the co-creator of the Xbox, Seamus Blackley, and he's brought with him eleven industry veterans that he calls "the dream team from Atari," including the likes of Van Burnham, Ed Logg, Rich Adam, Tim Skelly, Owen Rubin, and Ed Rotberg. While those names may not be familiar to everyone, you'll surely recognize some of the games they were responsible for: Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet, Missile Command, Battlezone, S.T.U.N. Runner, Major Havoc and Space Duel, to name a few.

Speaking with VentureBeat, Blackley describes mobile devices as "the new arcade" and 99 cent games as the "new quarter," adding that he's aiming to carry on where Atari left off, "focusing on innovation in gameplay." To help with that, the company has secured backing from THQ, which has reportedly agreed to an initial slate of ten games, seven of which are now in development (with only the iPhone and iPad mentioned as supported platforms so far). Unfortunately, details remain light beyond that, with Blackley only offering late summer or fall as an estimated release date for the first titles. In the meantime, you can find more of the backstory at the links below (THQ's press release can also be found after the break).
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THQ Announces Strategic Agreement with New Digital Developer Innovative Leisure

Development Studio Featuring Legendary Games Industry Talent Collaborating with THQ to Create Digital Games

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a strategic agreement with digital development studio Innovative Leisure, a new company formed by games industry veterans. The agreement will focus on creating and publishing digital games available through digital and mobile platforms. The agreement gives THQ the right to publish multiple Innovative Leisure titles starting in 2012.

Innovative Leisure comprises games industry icons with experience on some of the industry's biggest games through its history. The team includes Seamus Blackley ("father of the Xbox"), Van Burnham (Supercade), Ed Logg (Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet), Rich Adam (Missile Command, Gravitar, PGA Tour Golf), Tim Skelly (Rip Off, Star Castle, Reactor), Owen Rubin (Major Havoc, Space Duel), and Ed Rotberg (Battlezone, S.T.U.N. Runner, Steel Talons). The team's experience designing and developing highly popular pick-up-and-play gameplay mechanics will be leveraged to innovate and iterate brand-new, modern games on mobile, social and downloadable platforms.

"We are always looking to work with the best creative talent in the video games industry and we feel this relationship with Innovative Leisure reinforces our goal," said Danny Bilson, executive vice president, Core Games, THQ. "We are committed to delivering creative games through digital distribution and Innovative Leisure has the expertise to deliver remarkable and cutting edge games for a new generation."

"It's a great honor (and a lot of fun) to get the opportunity to work with so many of the designers responsible for the gameplay mechanics that form the basis of our whole medium," said Seamus Blackley, President of Innovative Leisure. "We're excited about getting to make and release a bunch of awesome games."

About THQ

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices and the Internet. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Innovative Leisure

Innovative Leisure, LLC, is a game development studio in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in novel mechanics and designs for mobile, social, and casual platforms.

Galaxy Nexus and other CDMA devices removed from Google Support pages

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:16 PM PST

Some of you may have noticed that the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus is no longer listed as a supported, official developer device by Google. Despite rumors to the contrary, it doesn't appear this has anything to do with the kerfuffle over Wallet, but instead centers around technical issues relating to the APK files required for CDMA connectivity and the signing of those libraries. Other devices have also disappeared from the support pages, including the Nexus S 4G and the Verizon-branded Xoom. Google has posted an update explaining that, "for various technical reasons" CDMA telephony is handled by binaries provided by the carrier in newer devices. The result is different signatures being associated with those APKs than a pure AOSP builds and, thus, those essential components don't function properly.

Google explained the disappearance by saying "we aim to make sure that we are as clear as possible about the degree of support that devices have," before going on to promise all Nexus devices would continue to have unlockable bootloaders and that as many of the closed-source binaries as possible would be made available. For the complete statement hit up the source link.

Verizon's ZTE Jetpack flies through FCC, arrival time still unknown

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 01:01 PM PST

Do you wish you had your own personal Jetpack? Well, you may not have to wait much longer for ZTE's version -- the EuFi I890, announced at CES last month -- to come out, if its entry into the records of the FCC are any indication. It may not be the kind that you strap onto your back, but at least this one takes advantage of Verizon's LTE, and it happens to add in CDMA / EVDO and AT&T-compatible 3G radios. We knew the 4G-packing MiFi was going to hit stores in "the coming weeks," so this is essentially just one step closer to achieving that goal -- unfortunately, we still don't have a solid date yet. Hit the source link if you're into digging through government documents.

All PlayBooks go to heaven: Telus leak points to end-of-life status

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:39 PM PST

This is the end, dear PlayBook-admiring friends. That is to say, it's the end-of-life for RIM's first unsuccessful stab at tablet computing. Unsurprisingly, the marketing blitzkrieg that saw J.Lo and the Flash Gordon theme awkwardly peddle the flailing tab hasn't done much to elevate sales or consumer interest, forcing its Canadian overlords to issue Telus an EOL notice. This not unexpected bit of news comes right on the heels of the BB maker's recently leaked device roadmap, in which a spring bow for a higher-specced, 3G+ enabled iteration is clearly denoted. Whatever Waterloo's near future plans for the category are, we know for sure they won't include BB 10 until much later this year. Chin up though, folks. At least we have OS 2.0 to soothe our fraught nerves in the interim.

[Thanks, Jaimie]

Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron, dies in plane crash at 51

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:18 PM PST

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Myriam Joire, Brad Molen, Joseph Volpe and Dante Cesa are all armed with mics this week, and they're ready to use and abuse them. While the podcast could go any direction, we promise one thing: we won't be talking about RIM for a full hour and twenty minutes this week. However, we've heard that Joseph has a very interesting story to tell. Are you on pins and needles? Us too. Join us at the same bat time, same bat channel (that's 5PM ET, and the chat room's under the break) for this week's mobile news!

February 3, 2012 5:00 PM EST

Airport Utility 6.0 flies right into the iCloud, leaves old AirPorts behind

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:37 AM PST

The latest version of Apple's Airport Utility software has arrived, alongside those iCloud-supporting firmware updates for the company's network hardware, including the AirPort Extreme, the AirPort Express and Time Capsule. Unfortunately, Airport Utility 6.0 doesn't support pre-2007 models, that is; 802.11g-only devices. As we already know, iCloud support requires the new release, running on OSX Lion and if you're still clinging onto your MobileMe account, we've got more bad news -- this won't work with the new software either. Fortunately, you'll still be able to configure (firmware-updated) older models with previous AirPort Utility versions. TidBITS has gone into fine detail on compatibility changes, so be sure to check the source if there's any niggling doubts.

Yahoo unveils app search page for Android and iOS, because we need it

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 11:16 AM PST

Yahoo may be sliding down the search engine totem pole, but the company is doing its best to climb back up, with a new space dedicated to apps. This week, Yahoo added a new "Apps" tab to its search page, giving users a new portal into both the Android Market and iTunes App Store. Results can be filtered by both price and category, with iOS and Android apps aligned in separate tabs. Once you select an app, you can download it by scanning a QR code, sending a download link to your handset, or by simply clicking through to iTunes or the Android Market. There's also a "trending now" interface, as well as a full list of Yahoo user reviews, displayed directly within the page. Check it out for yourself, at the source link below.

HP feels the heat, recalls 1040 and 1050 fax machines

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 10:53 AM PST

Hey, office workers -- listen up. You know that cheap, god-forsaken fax machine that you've come to loathe something fierce? Well, if it's an HP unit, go ahead and peep the model number on the front -- don't worry, we'll wait. If it says either 1040 or 1050, in addition to being a pain in the ass to operate (like all fax machines are), there's also a small chance the cursed thing could catch on fire. Of the 1.1 million units sold between 2004 and 2011, only seven documented cases have (literally) gone up in flames, but the risk has instigated a voluntary recall for both models. If you're among the affected owners, go ahead and unplug the machine from its power source, then give HP a call at (888) 654-9296 to get a rebate. Also, be forewarned that while it's illegal to sell a recalled product, we've found scads of these units currently for sale on eBay. Like the previously recalled HP products, that's one smokin' hot deal we're inclined to skip.

ADZero bamboo smartphone prototypes hands-on (video)

Posted: 03 Feb 2012 10:28 AM PST

We were so beguiled by AD's bamboo-bound smartphone that we had to track down the designer to get some hands-on time with these work-in-progress prototypes. We met up with Kieron-Scott Woodhouse (pun unintended) and he offered to bring along several of the latest prototypes for us to get to grips with. While the finished product will arrive in the bamboo material but smoked to the darker finish. The darker model's button layout is also closer to what we can expect on the final device. The ADZero is still set to launch between the end of 2012 and the start of 2013. Sustainable smartphone fans can browse through our gallery below, or read up on the phone's journey -- and our impressions -- right after the break.

ADZero bamboo smartphone prototypes hands-on


The ADZero may hit plenty of sweet spots for smartphone buyers looking for something a little different. Unlike other wooden offerings, it uses fully sustainable bamboo, is British-designed, with special attention paid to the camera unit, which lays claim to its very own ring flash. It's also running on Android. In a clever move, the technical specifications beneath that stylish shell aren't set in stone, but promise to be comparable to what we'll be seeing on other handsets by the end of the year. The good news is that it'll be running Ice Cream Sandwich -- meaning those physical buttons you see below the screen will disappear in the final model, replaced by on-screen versions like those used on the Galaxy Nexus. The OS will also pick up its own in-house skin, ADAOS, which, at least from the preliminary sketches we've seen, looks unlikely to choke up the typical Android experience.

Unfortunately, the prototype running the latest version of the software was already winging its way back to China, but we did get to spend sometime pawing at prototype models that are -- hardware-wise -- very close to the finished article. The bamboo unibody makes the phone light, and it's an unusual sensation to hold a phone built from an organic material. The designer makes no apologies for the fact that the toughened material may pick up some minor bumps and bruises -- that's part of the concept.

Kieron-Scott, who already knew a thing or two about phones, was spotted by Chinese manufacturer AD following his prototype sketches of Sony Ericsson's smartphone series. His Xperia LED concept (toting a similar ring flash to the one found here) got him noticed and he started work on a series of concept designs, one of which made it as far as a physical design model. This metallic-enamel phone made of copper and Corian, a plastic that has a tactile finish similar to stone. Woodhouse said he went for copper as he was looking to use a material that "told a story and would improve with wear; copper would react with a person's skin." The project moved on to more sustainable options, with bamboo becoming a strong candidate, due to its providence in China -- where the company AD is based. The bamboo currently in use on prototypes has been treated for four years to improve its strength -- and obeys EU regulations on sustainability. Hopefully, the rest of the phone will aim for similar Captain Planet credentials.

Unsurprisingly, given the aforementioned concept designs, Kieron-Scott said he admires Sony Ericsson's current hardware run, although he seemed intrigued by the unibody stylings of the Nokia Lumia 800 we had with us during the interview. AD still plans to launch the device in both the UK and China, with pricing likely to be in-line with other high-end smartphones. Additionally, it'll arrive in boutique stores, rather than mainstream phone vendors, in an effort to capitalize on the phone's unique appearance. The design's certainly got us intrigued, and we plan on getting more time with the ADZero once working models are closer to the finish line.
at 11:52 AM

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