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- Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012
- Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs
- Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones
- Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one
- Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required
- PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly
- Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
- VAIO T13 Ultrabook could be coming with Ivy Bridge, according to Sony's German site
- Engadget Giveaway: win one of five pairs of Skullcandy Hesh on-ear headphones!
- Color announces Verizon partnership, preaches the dream of streaming HD
- Nielsen: Over 50 percent of US mobile users own smartphones, Android and iPhone sitting pretty
- HTC One V arriving in the US 'this summer'
- Xcom Global opens international MiFi rental / service center in New York City
- Samsung and AT&T announce Focus 2: LTE Windows Phone on May 20th for $50
- Verizon officially announces HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE
- ISS ready for new zero-g experiments, students asked to float ideas
- Sony Smartwatch SDK update adds open source music player and puzzle game extensions
- AMD Radeon HD 7970 could get 'GHz Edition', put the hurtz on NVIDIA
- Did LG's Optimus L5 handset sneak through the FCC?
- Scosche debuts Revolt H4, a four-port, 10W USB charger at CTIA Wireless (updated: only two-port model available now)
- Lenovo to invest $800 million into new mobile device development facilities
- Disney Research's Touché system detects your touch on most things, even water (video)
- Augmented reality sandbox lets you change the course of rivers, won't get you wet
- LG's Google TV-enabled sets coming to US end of May
- New York's Chinatown Fair arcade hits reset, plays a new game
- Adobe Creative Suite 6 now available, Creative Cloud floating into action May 11th
- BlackBerry 10 to get video editor, screen sharing according to forum leak
- How would you change the LG DoublePlay?
- Inhabitat's Week in Green: the Water Discus Hotel, magnetic LED bulbs and pig poo electricity
- Refresh Roundup: week of April 30th, 2012
- Switched On: Competing by hook or by Nook
- Infant version of Android gets a walkthrough on Google's Sooner development phone
- PSA: AT&T's HTC One X now in stock, get it while it's frosty
| Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012 Posted: 07 May 2012 10:58 AM PDT  We're back, and we have opinions. Strong ones. Veer into the rim of our ga1aXy for a glimpse of what's now and what's next in mobile. 00:02:15 - Samsung Galaxy S III preview: hands-on with the next Android superphone (video) Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs Posted: 07 May 2012 10:32 AM PDT
Plugged your iDevice into an iTunes-equipped machine lately? You should. Apple has just let loose iOS 5.1.1, a seemingly minor point update that actually promises to fix quite a few (potentially) substantial quirks. Coming two months to the day after the iOS 5.1 software update, the extra 0.0.1 is said to improve reliability of the HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut, address bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks and solve a few issues that were affecting AirPlay video playback "in some circumstances." There's also improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List, and Apple has purportedly fixed an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase. Sucked the update down yourself? Let us know how it goes in comments below, and peek the full changelog just after the break.
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| Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones Posted: 07 May 2012 10:25 AM PDT
Pilots aren't the only ones updating their workflows with modern technology. Amtrak conductors have been getting schooled on how to use iPhones to scan passenger tickets on select routes since November -- forcing hole punches to collect dust on a lonely shelf at the station. By the latter part of this summer, 1,700 conductors will be using the aforementioned smartphones on the outfit's trains throughout the US which allows them to track passengers with more ease than manual ticketing. The $7.5 million system affords passengers the choice of printing the tickets or loading a bar code on their smartphone of choice before getting the iPhone's scan. Inside the dedicated app, riders can book and modify reservations easily without having to worry with a refund from an agent first. There's only one small hiccup: currently Amtrak's app is only available for iPhones. But, the government-owned corporation says that an Android release is in the hopper and should see daylight this fall. For now, non-iOS users must load their tickets though a mobile site in order to save a tree or two. |
| Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one Posted: 07 May 2012 10:00 AM PDT
Deflated. Disappointed. Let down. Unsurprised. All of those emotions ran through my being at one point or another following Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments regarding "converged" devices, but if anything, his denial has made me all the more hungry for this particular device. For months -- heck, maybe even years -- I've waited for Sir Jonathan Paul Ive and co. to finally nail the concept of a laptop / tablet hybrid. In many ways, Apple managed to get right on a smartphone in 2007 what I felt was wrong holding a BlackBerry. I still think the iPad's screen is about 2.7-inches too large for my own personal tastes, but the world at large has affirmed that it nailed that design, too. Oh, and the MacBook Air? C'mon -- we all know it's the thin-and-light you always wanted, and given that it'll run Windows with poise, it's arguably the sexiest Windows laptop currently on the market. The point? Apple has waited for companies to flounder about with certain designs before, all while perfecting its own take for a future release. Windows-based tablets were flooding out in the early noughties, and believe it or not, Toshiba was already giving the tablet / laptop hybrid thing a whirl in 2003 with the Portege 3500. Apple waited over half a decade to usher in the iPad, and the rest -- as they say -- is history. The iPhone followed a similar path; companies came before it and did their best to produced pleasing, long-lasting, highly usable smartphones, but the iPhone completely changed the trajectory of everything that came after. Love it or hate it, it's hard to imagine a 2012 with Windows Phone in it had Apple not pinned Windows Mobile in a corner back in '07. So, if Apple has shown an ability to thrive with designs that others have experimented with, why is the "converged" laptop / tablet a nonstarter? During the conference call following Apple's blowout Q2 2012 earnings -- a quarter where it raked in $11.6 billion in pure profit on the wave of monumental iPad and iPhone sales -- Tim Cook was asked about the potential for converged devices. More specifically, if Apple had a plan for countering the impending glut of Windows 8-based tablet / laptop devices. His response?
Steve Jobs was well known for his own quips on conference calls, and it's clear that at least that aspect of leadership has not fallen to the wayside. Cook, of course, wasn't being serious. At least not completely. Converged kitchen gadgets have actually proven quite popular, but I'll confess that a 'fridge and a toaster may have too little in common to mash together successfully. But are tablets and laptops really that far apart? Is Apple really going to let Metro rule the converged space without so much as a fight? Cook continued:
I've stated once or twice before on the Engadget Podcast that my dream machine would be an ultra-sleek Windows 8 tablet with 10+ hours of battery life, blistering performance and a no-nonsense method for docking and becoming a full-scale Windows PC. If you need visuals, wrap your gord around a Transformer Prime with Windows 8. The idea here is simple: on the go, I've got a Metro-fied device that's conducive to touch (unlike the Windows 7 that exists today), but when I get settled, I can use the exact same device to access a full file system, and -- quite frankly -- do things that hamstrung tablet operating systems cannot. Is it a shoehorned approach? Of course -- a single OS is servicing two methods of use -- but why should that challenge be viewed as impossible? Or, uninteresting?
Apple rightfully suggests that the iPad is fantastic for a lot of things. Goofing off with photos in iPhoto, creating trailers for at-home use, sending the most basic forms of email, checking up on the weather, doling out beautiful presentations and scouring the web for a nonexistent sale on a pair of Jack Rogers sandals. But it's not a MacBook, and clearly, Apple knows it. Attachments through email on the iPad are painful to execute (if not impossible in some instances), and the lack of support for a wide array of USB peripherals via the Dock Connector is a bummer for power users. To me, this screams opportunity. To Apple, it screams "run." I fully recognize that ignoring this segment (or "potential segment," for the pessimistic) is the easy thing to do. There's essentially no risk involved in continuing to produce great iPad products and great MacBook products. They'll continue to do well so long as Apple continues down the road it's on. But I'll be honest -- there's no consumer electronics company on the planet right now I'd trust to nail a converged device like Apple. Just look at what the company already has to work with.
It's managed to build an iPad with more pixels than your HDTV and a battery-sucking LTE chip, and it still lasts around 10 hours while pulsing full-steam ahead. It's managed to build some of the world's thinnest and lightest laptops, also with world-class battery life, at price points well below even the original Adamo. It's built an insanely respected ecosystem that -- in many ways -- links OS X and iOS together. To say that there's no foundation in place would be foolish, and this is just speaking to the products the public knows about. Just imagine what's lurking in the test labs in Cupertino, and you can more easily see why I'm frustrated in Apple's choice to not even give this segment a passing glance. And here's where it really gets crazy: Apple is an undeniable fan of convergence. The photo above was taken by Ryan Block at Macworld 2007. Technology fans may recall that environment as the keynote where the original iPhone was introduced. Steve told the audience that three new products were to be announced in mere moments. He then proceeded to inform the crowd that a widescreen iPod with touch controls was the first device; following that, a "revolutionary new mobile phone." Finally, "a breakthrough internet communications device." He then affirmed that these "were not separate products," and indeed, iPod sales have been sinking in recent years as the converged iPhone became a suitable replacement for a dedicated MP3 player. Apple willingly cannibalized its own iPod market with a converged device. Something tells me Mr. Cook would view those two more like "a microwave and an oven." And now, there's OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) waiting in the wings, making a beeline for a "late summer" release. The biggest inclusions here? Mobile aspects, oh-so-clearly borrowed from iOS. Brian Heater was able to spend quite a bit of time with a pre-developer build a few months ago, and his words speak volumes about the mindset in its development:
And lest we forget the addition of Messages (a product that arrived in iOS first), Reminders (again, an iOS mainstay), Notes (just guess -- go ahead), Notification Center (I'm boring you, aren't I?) and Game Center. The iOS-ification of OS X is not only a talking point, it's an incontestable reality. So, if Apple is already working to converge pieces of iOS and OS X, how is this not setting up a new device that bridges the gap between the functionally-limited iPad and the not-quite-as-portable MacBook? The obvious issue, of course, is that Apple doesn't currently have an operating system that can beautifully work on both tablets and desktops / laptops. Windows 8 was engineered from the ground-up to work well on both tablets and full-scale machines; it may have its pitfalls, sure, but it manages to pull off the hybrid thing better than any other operating system ever created, from what we've tested thus far. For Apple to craft a laptop / tablet conglomerate, it'd either need to allow a dual-boot scenario (iOS + OS X), or release a build of OS X that would strip out the more complex features and rely only (or predominantly) on the iOS-borrowed feature set when used as a slate. Or, it could outthink me completely and develop an even sexier usage scenario. Whatever the outcome, I'd be overly curious about the final result, and would almost certainly be a prospective buyer. And if Apple could somehow create it in a way that fit into the iPad form factor, all the better. That would obviously allow tablet-only buyers to proceed as normal, while more ambitious customers could opt for a theoretical keyboard / trackpad docking accessory to unlock the desktop-like potential within. I'm genuinely hoping that Cook's stance stands a chance at changing as time rolls along, as tablet chips get more powerful and as iOS and OS X continue to lean into one another. But I'll be honest -- I really wish he was more gung-ho about the whole concept in the here and now, and I'm pretty sure I could find at least a handful of folks that'd open up their wallet to agree with me. This article originally appeared in Distro Issue 39; toaster / fridge photo courtesy of Greg Grabowy. |
| Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required Posted: 07 May 2012 09:34 AM PDT
Whoa, Nelly! As rumored, Microsoft is indeed shattering the home console pricing paradigm by trying something that US wireless carriers have been doing for years. As of now, the official Microsoft Store is hosting up a coupon that'll enable prospective Xbox buyers to snag a 4GB console bundle for just $99 (a $200 savings versus the outright unit)... so long as you agree to pay $14.99 per month for two solid years. That monthly fee -- which amounts to some $360 over the 24 month term -- gets you on the Xbox Live network with a Gold subscription, but remember, Microsoft's maintaining the ability to "terminate this offer at any time." Looking to score one yourself? Hit the source link and visit that "Find a store" icon; hopefully there's a B&M Microsoft Store near your neck of the woods. Update: In case you're curious, yes, early termination fees will apply if you cut out of your two-year deal early. It's a prorated affair, with users asked to pay less the longer they maintain the contract. Those who part ways after only a month will have to pay $250, while those who cancel with just a month remaining will owe $12. All told, someone buying this and keeping true to the contract terms will pay $459 for the bundle and Live access, whereas those buying outright could snag it for $420 (or less, if scouring the web for cheaper Live subscriptions). The full ETF schedule is shown after the break. |
| PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly Posted: 07 May 2012 09:23 AM PDT
In case you took a pass on that Sprint-branded GNex or the LG Viper 4G in order to wait it out for HTC's EVO 4G LTE, well, now's the time to get your wallet ready and unleash the cash. As promised, The Now Network has the LTE-friendly EVO priced at $199.99 (50 bucks less on Wirefly) with a beloved two-year contract, while those ineligible for an upgrade will have to shell out around $550. That being said, chances are you won't get to surf those Long Term Evolution waves when you get device, but at least you'll be all set once the rollout finally commences. While Sprint's yet to give an official release date, Wirefly (somewhat reliable in the past) does say the ICS / Sense 4 slab will be shipping on May 18th. Be sure to hit either of the source links below to get your pre-order on. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield Posted: 07 May 2012 09:05 AM PDT
Clarion is primarily known for its aftermarket car audio and navigation solutions, but it's increasingly moving into the realm of smartphone integration. Looking to court iPhone users who'd appreciate the connectivity and convenience of Pioneer's AppRadio, but don't care to fuss with the installation, Clarion's Next Gate can be easily mounted to one's windshield. It offers access to popular apps such as TuneIn and Pandora, along with navigation, hands-free calling and voice-dialing functionality. Scarily enough, users will even be able to access Facebook and Twitter via the voice-activated Vlingo app -- please, just promise to keep your focus on the road. The display itself is a 7-inch, WVGA affair, and as you'd expect, the unit is powered by the vehicle's 12 volt accessory jack -- otherwise known as the cigarette lighter receptacle. Similarly, the Next Gate connects to the iPhone via Apple's dock connector, which means that users will need to manage a bit of cable clutter. All in all, the Clarion Next Gate could certainly be a compelling solution for some, and its $270 price is within the realm of reason. While we're a bit concerned about what it entails for driving distractions, the unit shouldn't be any worse of a diversion than the ol' smartphone itself. In fact, we're most disappointed that there's no support for Android. Those in the privileged iPhone community will be able to purchase the Next Gate as of June 1st, and you'll find the full PR after the break. Clarion Debuts Next GATE, a Revolutionary In-Vehicle Intelligent Controller for iPhone® Transportable device enhances iPhone use in virtually any vehicle with easy access to apps and hands-free functionalities while on the road Next GATE will enhance the way the iPhone will be used through integration, interface and intelligence. "Clarion Next GATE exemplifies the future of in-vehicle electronics with the necessity to connect to and leverage the devices consumers bring into the vehicle," states Paul Lachner, President of Clarion Corporation of America. "The Next GATE will revolutionize the way people communicate and access information in the vehicle via their iPhone in an intuitive and user-friendly way, keeping their focus on driving." The Next GATE will have a broad consumer appeal due to its simple mounting and connection method, using a windshield mount and built-in speaker, microphone and audio output for a vehicle auxiliary jack. TuneIn® Pandora® Vlingo© INRIX Traffic® These features coupled with a growing selection of apps are road-worthy enough to make any drive more enjoyable. Adding additional features and applications will be made possible by Clarion's all-new Smart Access connectivity platform for automotive. Aside from the great app integrations for Next GATE, it also comes equipped with a microSD slot, a built-in speaker, blue LED buttons and indicator, auxiliary audio output, built in microphone, external microphone ready and a 7-inch digital WVGA touch panel LCD monitor. The Next GATE is compatible with iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, and has a 12 volt power adapter for easy connection which also allows for charging while in-use. The system is connected via an easy to set up auxiliary connector while the Clarion Smart Access app manager is a free download on the iTunes® app store. Clarion Next GATE Features and Benefits: Clarion's Next GATE will be available beginning June 1, 2012 at Best Buy, Crutchfield and on Amazon.com. The suggested retail price is $269.99. To learn more about Next GATE and other innovative products from Clarion, visit www.clarion.com/us |
| VAIO T13 Ultrabook could be coming with Ivy Bridge, according to Sony's German site Posted: 07 May 2012 08:32 AM PDT
If Sony's German site is to be believed, then it's safe to say the outfit's had a change of heart recently. According to a revealing spec sheet on the website, there's now a T13 Ultrabook model with one of Intel's latest chips on board. Just last week, Sony announced the Euro-bound T13 would be sporting a last-gen Core i3-2367M CPU, but the recent finding shows an i5-3317U variant (you know, the one on Sammy's Series 9) could be in the works. Still, it's unknown whether this Ivy Bridge-packing VAIO would replace its Sandy Bridge sibling or if it's just going to be a complete different offering. We'll have to wait and see. |
| Engadget Giveaway: win one of five pairs of Skullcandy Hesh on-ear headphones! Posted: 07 May 2012 08:15 AM PDT
We're not going to lie: we sometimes wish our giveaways could extend out to us as employees. Skullcandy just released its latest lineup of new gear, and the Supreme Sound Hesh -- billed as a mid-tier on-ear headphone that has the sound of sets twice its cost -- looks pretty tempting. The Hesh aims to enhance the bass, natural voice and precision highs, regardless of what you're listening to (we know you enjoy the occasional Air Supply, no need to be ashamed). As always, just read the rules and hook us up with a comment below to enter. There's five sets of headphones to be won this time around! Update: due to some technical difficulties, we're extending the deadline for submitting your comment to 11:59AM on May 9th. Thanks! The rules:
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| Color announces Verizon partnership, preaches the dream of streaming HD Posted: 07 May 2012 08:12 AM PDT
Color founder Bill Nguyen describes the startup's early life as being "in the wilderness," a state, he adds, that can also be used to describe past projects he's helmed (a point we can't exactly argue). Of course, Lala finally found its way -- eventually being scooped up by Apple. And now Color, an app that's already lived through its share of lives, has a big name on its side. The company has partnered with none other than Verizon to help soup up its life-streaming service. The two sides have signed an exclusivity deal that promises to harness Big Red's zippy LTE. The version of the app which will be exclusively available to subscribers of that carrier brings with it some much welcomed upgrades, including sound and a higher frame rate. Color was pretty insistent that such things weren't key to the app's functionality when it first launched, but it has apparently seen the error of its ways. As Nguyen told us, simply, "we were wrong." Now, thanks to Verizon's 4G technology, it's now able to offer up a product closer to an ideal streaming situation -- a scenario Nguyen apparently decided upon after playing around with a Red camera at CES. The dream now is live HD streaming. More after the break. Says Nyugen in a blog post,
Granted, that's just the dream, not the news for today. Color is essentially giving itself until the end of the year to hit 720p live streaming. The goal is also the ability to offer up hi-res stills that can be pulled from the video. Oh, and Twitter. So much for standalone Facebook integration. In the meantime, you can get an updated version of the app if you're a Verizon subscriber, featuring the aforementioned, much welcomed upgrades like audio and a frame rate bump. Color has promised to continue support for non-Verizon users, but in the end the company sees that majority of smartphone owners as content viewers, rather than generators, when it comes to the app. The app is available as a free download -- how it will affect your data plan, on the other hand, is a different story.
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| Nielsen: Over 50 percent of US mobile users own smartphones, Android and iPhone sitting pretty Posted: 07 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Smartphones crossed an important milestone in March, based on Nielsen's estimates. Just over half of cellphone owners in the US -- 50.4 percent, to be exact -- had a smartphone of some kind, making dumbphones the minority for the first time. The smartphone tale of the tape shows that the OS split has largely tapered off since February. Android has only moved slightly and still sits atop the heap, claiming 48.5 percent of users, but Apple hasn't had to worry given that 32 percent of smartphone owners use an iPhone. As is increasingly becoming the familiar story, other platforms trailed well behind: RIM's BlackBerry sat at 11.6 percent, while Windows Mobile, at 4.1 percent, was more popular than its Windows Phone successor's 1.7 percent. Apple can still claim to be the top-selling individual smartphone maker in the country, suggesting Samsung hasn't translated its worldwide lead to the US just yet. |
| HTC One V arriving in the US 'this summer' Posted: 07 May 2012 07:28 AM PDT
HTC has announced that it'll be showcasing the One V at CTIA this week, but also, more importantly, that the final piece of the One family puzzle will arrive on "a variety of US partners later this summer." Nothing more concrete than that at the moment, although we reckon a handful of regional carriers might be tempted to stock the hardy |
| Xcom Global opens international MiFi rental / service center in New York City Posted: 07 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT
XCom Global Opens Satellite Customer Service Center in New York City |
| Samsung and AT&T announce Focus 2: LTE Windows Phone on May 20th for $50 Posted: 07 May 2012 06:47 AM PDT
The Nokia Lumia 900 may be the current leader when it comes to a quality Windows Phone handset on a budget, but Samsung is under-cutting the competition with the newly announced Focus 2. Succeeding the Focus and Focus S, this new handset offers LTE and comes in any color you like (so long as it's white) for the low-low price of $49.99 on-contract. It has a 4-inch Super AMOLED (non-Plus) display up front and a five megapixel sensor in the back, capable of recording 720p video, paired with a VGA camera facing forward. No details on Update: AT&T's site now specifies that the Focus 2 will use a 1.4GHz CPU. AT&T to Launch Samsung Focus 2; Offers Cutting-edge Capabilities at an Attractive Price Samsung's First 4G LTE Windows Phone Offers AT&T Customers User-Friendly, Affordable Windows Phone in a Slim, Stylish Design Dallas, Texas, May 07, 2012 The Samsung Focus® 2, an affordable Windows® Phone on AT&T's 4G LTE network, will be available from AT&T beginning May 20 in pure white for $49.99 with a two-year service agreement. Beginning May 20, customers can purchase the Focus 2, available in a glossy pure white, from AT&T for $49.99 with a two-year contract. Like AT&T's other new 4G LTE Windows Phones, the Samsung Focus 2 features the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system which makes it easier to do everyday tasks faster. Only Windows Phone has Live Tiles, providing real time updates on your Start Screen including calendar appointments, emails or social media feeds. With Bing Search built-in, you'll never be lost, as finding directions or a highly rated restaurant nearby is quick and easy. Microsoft® Office Mobile and SkyDrive® also allow you to create, save and access documents anywhere from the cloud to help maintain productivity while on-the-go. The Samsung Focus 2, the latest addition to the Focus family (following the Focus, Focus Flash and Focus S), comes with a 4-inch Super AMOLED™ screen and 5-megapixel camera that makes taking pictures or shooting video in HD 720p a breeze. The front-facing VGA camera provides the ability for video chat. Hands-free messaging is available through speech-to-text and text-to-speech features that make it easier to stay in touch safely while out and about. "AT&T offers our customers the broadest Windows Phone portfolio of any carrier, with three 4G LTE Windows Phones – the only 4G LTE Windows Phones in the U.S. – now at a variety of price points and form factors," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. "The Samsung Focus 2 brings the people-first Windows Phone interface together with AT&T's fast 4G LTE network for an unbeatable experience." "Samsung is the unmatched leader in offering smartphones across a variety of platforms and the Focus 2 is a powerful example of our continued commitment to Windows Phone," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. "As our first 4G LTE Windows Phone, the Focus 2 is a fast and versatile device for productivity, entertainment and social networking." For more information, customers can visit http://www.att.com/samsungfocus2 or http://www.samsung.com/us/focus2. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Samsung, Samsung Focus, and Super AMOLED are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network. Limited-time offer. Samsung Focus 2 requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req'd. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov't assessments. These are not taxes or gov't req'd charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T. |
| Verizon officially announces HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE Posted: 07 May 2012 06:32 AM PDT
Well, this isn't a surprise. Verizon has now gone official with its mouthful of a smart phone, and it does exactly what it says in its name: that is, LTE connectivity. Alongside it, you'll find Sense 4, Android 4.0 and a 4-inch Super LCD qHD screen. Rounding off those digits is a dual-core Snapdragon S4 that's clocked at 1.2GHz, Update: The One S runs on a dual-core 1.5GHz processor. Apologies for the confusion. HTC and Verizon Wireless Reveal DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW ORLEANS, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From International CTIA Wireless® 2012, Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced the new and exclusive DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC. The DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE will be the twenty third 4G LTE-enabled device currently available on the Verizon Wireless network. The new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE enhances the customer experience by offering high-quality photo and audio capabilities, combined with the power of 4G LTE speeds. Running the latest version of HTC Sense™ 4.0, HTC's branded user experience integrated with Google's™ mobile operating system, Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, the new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE brings a sophisticated, pocket-friendly device to America's fastest 4G LTE network. DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC features Beats Audio™ which is enabled across the entire experience for a rich and authentic sound whether customers watch a YouTube™ video, play a game, or stream music over 4G LTE. Beats Audio allows customers to listen to music the way the artist intended with thundering bass, soaring midrange and crisp highs. The DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE captures life's special moments with an advanced 8-megapixel camera with quick activation from the home screen so customers never miss that perfect shot. Additionally, there's no longer a need to choose between shooting video or taking photos, HTC Video Pic™ allows users to shoot HD video and capture photos at the same time. With 4G LTE speeds, sharing photos and video via email, uploading to the cloud or posting to social networking sites is a breeze. DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE is packed with features to make life easier and customizable. Customers can personalize and use lock screen shortcuts to quickly access their four favorite apps. Folders can easily be created on any home screen for additional customization and organization. A Read Later feature allows people short on time the ability to save browser content like news articles and websites that can be viewed later, even while offline. The smartphone is also NFC capable so customers can take advantage of Android Beam™ to quickly share Web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube™ videos with friends by simply tapping two compatible phones together. The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is available in 230 markets across the Unites States. In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of 4G LTE coverage areas, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, where available, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Additional features: 4-inch super LCD qHD display The new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com in the coming weeks. |
| ISS ready for new zero-g experiments, students asked to float ideas Posted: 07 May 2012 06:22 AM PDT
Those secret space experiments you've been scheming? They may never happen if you try to go it alone. Fortunately, the space science group NCESSE can get you a ride, having started the countdown for its fifth wave of microgravity experiments aboard the International Space Station. US and international students from grade 5 up to university level can submit ideas until September 12th, 2012, with final culling by December 7. The mini-labs -- which can include experiments in seed germination or crystal growth, for example -- are set to be ferried aboard a SpaceX flight in April 2013. Three similar missions have flown nearly 60 student experiments already, with a fourth set as soon as the Falcon 9 craft deigns to go. If you've got a flat-out good idea being prevented by big G, hit the source to see how you could get it fired off to the ISS. |
| Sony Smartwatch SDK update adds open source music player and puzzle game extensions Posted: 07 May 2012 05:50 AM PDT
Still wishing for some more functionality on Sony's touch-friendly watch? Well there's good news if you're into slider puzzles and music playing apps, as both of these have arrived open source in the SmartWatch's latest SDK. The music extension will allow devs to start work on their own music player, already including support for Android's generic music player. The 8 Game extension doesn't elaborate on what you'll be able to extend from the original image shifting puzzler, but we'll leave that up to developers' imaginations. You can get the full rub and all downloads at the source, just dial down that enthusiasm a little -- the wait for a few more features continues. |
| AMD Radeon HD 7970 could get 'GHz Edition', put the hurtz on NVIDIA Posted: 07 May 2012 05:23 AM PDT
AMD's Radeon HD 7770 and 7870 reference cards already sport 1GHz clock speeds, but so far the high-end flagship 7970 has been stuck at 925MHz. That'd be no big deal, perhaps, were it not for rival NVIDIA's benchmark-stealing GeForce GTX 680, which autonomously adjusts its clock speed on the fly and easily hits 1.2GHz under the right conditions. But while NVIDIA has yet to roll out its full stack of 28nm cards, AMD is finding plenty of time to play catch-up. According to Australian site Atomic MPC, the company has revealed that the manufacturing process of its next-gen GPUs has improved to the point where the same average voltages can yield much higher clock speeds. Recent chips can reach 1.25GHz without struggling, which means a conservative "GHz Edition" of the 7970 can now safely be rolled out, of course with scope for much higher overclocking on third-party boards with more robust coolers. By the time the battle between Red and Green reaches full-swing, it might not be so easy to call a winner. |
| Did LG's Optimus L5 handset sneak through the FCC? Posted: 07 May 2012 04:41 AM PDT
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Say goodbye to swapping out the litany of chargers at your desk or nightstand. It's time to streamline, and the crew at Scosche have a rather nice solution. The company is taking the wraps off of its Revolt H4 USB charger, which offers four 10W (2.1A) USB ports that'll properly (and quickly) reinvigorate up to four smartphones or tablets simultaneously. Sure, it's nothing like the 16 port behemoth of the PowerPad, but this is for home use, and we can't deny -- it's quite the temptress. Consumers may choose between the base model or the Revolt H4 Pro, which offers a micro-USB cable along with an adapter for Apple's dock connector. As another product of interest, Scosche is similarly introducing its 2.1 amp Recoil II car charger, which allows users to cut down on the clutter with its retractable cable while also quickly juicing up a single iOS device -- just hop the break for a peek. Pricing isn't yet available for either, but keep your eye on Scosche's website for the official word. For other charging solutions, you'll find the full PR after the break. Update: Scosche just got in touch to say the four-port version won't be ready in time for CTIA Wireless, but the two-port Revolt H2 definitely will be, priced at $39.99. We've switched out the PR to reflect this. Scosche Announces Availability of Four New Multi USB-Port Home Chargers at CTIA 2012 – New Orleans NEW ORLEANS – May 7, 2012 – Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announce the availability of four new 4 USB-port home chargers and display several new additions to its Power line of chargers at CTIA 2012. All of the new chargers work with the free Scosche reVIVE battery management app for both iOS and Android devices. The immediately available reVIVE h4 and reVIVE h4 pro feature four 5 watt (1 amp) USB ports to charge four devices simultaneously. The reVIVE h4 pro model ships Scosche's 2-in-1 sync cable to charge either a 30 pin or micro USB device. Also available now on www.scosche.com are the reVOLT h2 and reVOLT h2 pro chargers, which both feature two 10 watt (2.1 amp) USB ports for charging two power hungry tablets simultaneously. Like the reVIVE h4 pro, the reVOLT h2 pro comes with a 2-in-1 sync cable. All four of the newly available chargers feature an ergonomic flat top design and flush folding wall prongs for added portability. The new reVOLT c2 dual 10 Watt (2.1 amp) USB charger pack enough power to refuel two tablets simultaneously while on the go. The reVOLT c2 is the first and only shotgun shell sized car charger to fit two 2.1A USB ports into such a compact form factor. Scosche will also display the reVIVE pro h2, a two 5 watt (1 amp) port charger for charging two smartphones simultaneously. The 2.1A reCOIL II car charger with a retractable 30 pin cable allows users to neatly charge an iPod, iPhone or iPad. The 3 foot long, magnetically locking cable eliminates unsightly cable clutter when not in use. Scosche will also unveil the newest generation of the ever popular reviveLITE docking charger and LED nightlight for iPod and iPhone. The reviveLITE III features a side 2.1A USB port for charging an iPad or additional device. The company will also display a micro USB version of its popular flipCHARGE burst backup battery and charger at CTIA. Capable of charging an Android phone up to 30% of full power, the flipCHARGE provides an emergency burst of power. A folding USB cable allows users to charge and sync their phone while powering up the flipCHARGE burst. Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on all of the company's award-winning Power products. |
| Lenovo to invest $800 million into new mobile device development facilities Posted: 07 May 2012 03:31 AM PDT
The world's second (or third) biggest PC manufacturer has announced plans to invest $800 million in a new mobile product-centric facility. Lenovo wants to get closely involved with the lucrative world of smartphones and tablets, promising that several thousand employees at the new base in Wuhan will focus on new mobile devices for both China and overseas. Lenovo's pegged to launch the K800, one the first Intel-powered Android phones, at the end of the month, but this marks a concerted effort to advance both its tablet and phone collections -- and offer up more space for those other side projects. Lenovo Establishes Industrial Base in Wuhan |
| Disney Research's Touché system detects your touch on most things, even water (video) Posted: 07 May 2012 02:29 AM PDT
Disney Research has announced some new touch interface technology that add extra gesture functionality to existing touchscreens and more exotic items like doorknobs and even the water's surface. Touché works by sensing capacitive signals across a range of frequencies -- whereas typical systems only pick up signal at a single frequency. This Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS) can recognize exactly how we interact with an object or surface, not limited to surface area differences. According to Disney Research, this could include embedding different commands for when a user pinches or grasps a hooked-up object. One proof of concept door knob allows it to be locked or display a "be right back" sign depending on exactly how it's handled. Get the full explanation -- and see some watery fingertip detection -- right after the break.
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| Augmented reality sandbox lets you change the course of rivers, won't get you wet Posted: 07 May 2012 01:33 AM PDT
Ask in any kid, playing in the sandbox is fun enough on its own, but too much moisture will turn your grainy playground into a lumpy mess. Researchers at UC Davis have cooked up one solution: an augmented reality sandbox. The project uses a Kinect sensor in conjunction with a digital projector and a bit of software to overlay topographical data and simulated water over a traditional -- and dry -- sandbox. The end result is an augmented environment that can be used to teach geographic, geologic and hydrological concepts. The team hopes the project will help them develop hands-on exhibits for science museums, teaching visitors about contour lines, watersheds, catchment areas and more. Check out the video above for a full demo, or scope out the source below for the technical nitty-gritty. |
| LG's Google TV-enabled sets coming to US end of May Posted: 07 May 2012 12:03 AM PDT
LG revealed two Google-loaded TVs at CES, but never gave us prices or told us when these LED models might dangle their skinny bezels in stores. In briefings at Google last week, we heard that the 47-incher (47G2) and 55-incher (55G2) would sell for $1699 and $2299 respectively -- although Amazon already has them listed significantly cheaper than that. Now, to complete the jigsaw, Reuters has quoted LG exec Ro Seogho as saying that these Google TVs will ship in the US from May 21st. In the meantime, check out our hands-on from Las Vegas, because that new QWERTY-equipped Magic Motion remote is especially enticing. |
| New York's Chinatown Fair arcade hits reset, plays a new game Posted: 06 May 2012 11:27 PM PDT
When Chinatown Fair closed in March of last year, Filmmaker Kurt Vincent went to work documenting the New York arcade's final days, continuing to return to the location after it shuttered to work on his upcoming film, Arcade. Imagine his surprise when he ran into Lonnie Sobel, the famous amusement hall's new owner, stocking it with new game cabinets. It's been a few months since Vincent's discovery, but Chinatown Fair finally reopened its doors over the weekend. Old regulars may want to brace themselves, however, Sobel's playing a different game. "We're kind of a cross between a Dave & Busters and a Chuck E. Cheese," the new owner told Gothamist, "We're trying to do the best of both worlds." Sobel's hoping to merge the old Chinatown Fair's culture of fighting games with an assortment of family friendly amusements: skee-ball, air hockey, Guitar Hero, hoop basketball and a counter for redeeming tickets for prizes. The new Fair will also sell game time for use on a Xbox 360 and games like Call of Duty, played on one of two flat screen televisions. Not all of the old arcade's former regulars are happy with the changes, but, as Vincent noted, they "say they're just happy it exists." That makes more than a few of us. |
| Adobe Creative Suite 6 now available, Creative Cloud floating into action May 11th Posted: 06 May 2012 09:22 PM PDT
Adobe Creative Suite 6 Now Available Adobe Creative Cloud Coming May 11 SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 7, 2012 - Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the immediate availability of Adobe® Creative Suite® 6 software. The CS6 product line includes powerful new releases of Photoshop®, InDesign®, lllustrator®, Dreamweaver®, Adobe Premiere® Pro, After Effects®, Flash® Professional and other products as well as four suite versions – Creative Suite 6 Design & Web Premium; Creative Suite 6 Design Standard; Creative Suite 6 Production Premium; and Creative Suite 6 Master Collection. Adobe Creative Cloud™, a radical new way of providing tools and services* for creatives worldwide is expected to be available on Friday, May 11. A subscription-based offering, Adobe Creative Cloud is a hub for making, sharing and delivering creative work and it is centered around a powerful release of Adobe Creative Suite® 6 software, packed with innovation across its industry-defining design, Web, video and digital imaging tools. CS6 point product subscriptions will also be available May 11. "We announced Creative Cloud and CS6 two weeks ago and these releases have caught the imagination of creatives everywhere," said David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media Business, Adobe. "Today we're shipping CS6 and look forward to the beginning of an exciting new era as we introduce Creative Cloud later this week." Top new features across the CS6 product line include: New levels of performance with tools that take advantage of Adobe Mercury Graphics functionality, allowing users to go from ideas to finished work faster than ever before. Adobe Creative Cloud membership delivers: Access to download and install all CS6 applications, new HTML5 desktop products – Adobe Muse™ 1.0 and Adobe Edge preview – and deep integration with Adobe Touch Apps. Pricing and Availability Adobe Creative Cloud membership is available to customers in 36 countries and in multiple languages. Pricing for Creative Cloud membership for individuals is US$49.99 per month based on annual membership and US$74.99 per month for month-to-month membership. A special introductory offer of US$29.99 per month for CS3, CS4, CS5 and CS5.5 individual customers is also available. Education pricing is available. Learn more atwww.adobe.com/go/creativecloud. |
| BlackBerry 10 to get video editor, screen sharing according to forum leak Posted: 06 May 2012 08:25 PM PDT
The Blackberry 10 Dev Alpha we wrapped our mitts around last week didn't tell us much about RIM's big QNX-based OS update (being loaded with PlayBook OS 2.0 and all), but Crackberry forum user Biggulpseh seemingly has the deets that the folks in Waterloo weren't ready to reveal. So-called internal documents reportedly detail a tilt-sensitive lock screen that pushes notifications to the user based on the device's movement (called "cinnamon toast"), a screen-sharing ability to ramp up the productivity of video calls and a robust video editor resulting from RIM's acquisition of JayCut last year. Biggulpseh says the images come from a "trusted source," and are part of a document that outlines upcoming features for the benefit of the firm's employees. Ready to dive in and let your imagination run wild? Hit the source links below, just don't forget your saliferous spices. |
| How would you change the LG DoublePlay? Posted: 06 May 2012 07:34 PM PDT
It's almost baffling to see a modern Android smartphone with such an archaic design in a world more accustomed to the Galaxy Nexus. Still, LG's late-2011 DoublePlay has a slide-out physical keyboard and that dinky second screen which reminds us of a phone that's years out of date. However, when we reviewed it, we found it to be very useful, even if it lacked a front-facing camera and weighed a |
| Inhabitat's Week in Green: the Water Discus Hotel, magnetic LED bulbs and pig poo electricity Posted: 06 May 2012 05:30 PM PDT |
| Refresh Roundup: week of April 30th, 2012 Posted: 06 May 2012 04:47 PM PDT
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
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
Other platforms
Refreshes we covered this week
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| Switched On: Competing by hook or by Nook Posted: 06 May 2012 03:28 PM PDT Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Microsoft has a long history of supporting bitter rivals -- even those that have long publicly disparaged the company, offering funds to Nokia, Corel and, most famously, Apple. It also has a long history of supporting e-reading. Prior to ending development last year, the company offered its Microsoft Reader software for about a decade -- first on handheld devices using Windows CE and Windows Mobile and later on desktop Windows. Those two traditions intersected yesterday as Microsoft invested in a new Nook e-book business designed to compete better against Apple and especially Amazon.com. It is a good bet that the Microsoft-infused Nook will move away from Android, the object of contention between the software giant and book retailer prior to the investment, but Barnes & Noble likely won't shed many tears despite its once spirited defense of its right to use Android against Microsoft. Even when compared to its rival Amazon, which has maintained control of Kindle Fire apps via the Amazon App Store, Barnes & Noble turned up its nose at the vast majority of Android apps, hand-picking those optimized for the Nook experience. The new venture's focus on textbooks should be a fertile ground for the partnership; the large e-reader market has come a long way since Amazon launched the Kindle DX almost three years ago. Barnes & Noble has strong ties into the college textbook market and Windows 8 tablets can be expected to be larger than the average notebooks today. Already, even Android devices are testing the upper limit of tablet size with the 13" Toshiba Excite tablet. Indeed, textbooks stand to be a great showcase for the power of Windows 8. Digital textbook startup Kno -- which abandoned plans to ship not only a 14" tablet but a dual-screened version of such a device -- has applied some effort into designing a textbook experience that goes beyond the demands of simple book reading. However, far more can be done to enable true collaborative studying and management of multiple texts. At the same time, a Nook experience should allow for long battery life and simple operation; these will also be battlefronts for Microsoft versus Android and iOS-based competition. More InfoAmazon has shown what can be built from a focus on books. The Kindle, and in particular the Kindle Fire, opened people's eyes into the role the company could serve as an ecosystem backer. Text-heavy books may represent about the simplest of digital media and bestsellers may be of interest to relatively few when compared to music or movies. But the textbook market in particular has high potential for serving as a Trojan horse into households via schools, something that Apple has clearly recognized with its release of iBooks Author. The Microsoft-Barnes and Noble tie-up breathes new life into the Nook, but it also shows that Microsoft is committed to closing gaps when it comes to competing with Apple, Amazon.com and Google in every digital media market. While the investment in the digital book space may have the most direct impact on Microsoft Washington state neighbor Amazon.com, the resulting trio of digital media storefronts -- Windows Marketplace for apps, Zune for music and video, and Nook for books -- create a point-by-point answer to address Apple's iTunes app store, iTunes and iBooks. Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is executive director and principal analyst of the NPD Connected Intelligence service at The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own. |
| Infant version of Android gets a walkthrough on Google's Sooner development phone Posted: 06 May 2012 02:45 PM PDT
No, that's not a QWERTY feature phone you're looking at -- it's Google's earliest Android development device, the Sooner. While the HTC-sourced phone itself hasn't been a secret, the build of Android on this particular specimen, obtained by Steven Troughton-Smith, is something few eyes outside of Mountain View have seen. As Mr. Smith notes, this isn't the first public build of Android that was detailed in November 2007 (M3), but rather an earlier version from May of that same year. The non-touch UI is almost totally unlike what eventually shipped with the touch-friendly HTC Dream, aside from obviously housing Android's basic framework and apps including G Talk and the like. We won't spoil it for you, though, so hit up the source link below to see Smith's full walkthrough and analysis of the device that once served as the initial development vehicle for Android. |
| PSA: AT&T's HTC One X now in stock, get it while it's frosty Posted: 06 May 2012 11:25 AM PDT
While the AT&T One X is getting some flack for being blocked from HTC's bootloader unlocking program, the good news is that it's officially available starting today. So long as you're not fazed with having Sense 4 sprinkled on top of your 4.7-inch Ice Cream Sandwich, the dual-core, LTE-enabled device is on offer in gray or white for $200 with a two-year contract ($150 if you order through Amazon Wireless). Hit up the source links below to get your hands on a One X to call your own -- and don't forget to parse our review if you're still making up your mind about this frosty treat. |
It doesn't stop there. 
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