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Engadget News |
- Google Now slips in a pedometer, reminds us we need to get out more
- Twelve South introduces HiRise for MacBook stand, shipping now for $70
- LG Mach reaches Sprint on November 11th at $100, Optimus G pre-orders begin today
- iOS 6.0.1 released, fixes iPhone 5 OTA software update issue and other bugs (update)
- AT&T Locker opens its cloud to iOS users, offers 5GB of storage free
- US Cellular intros Motorola Electrify M, gets a slice of the Droid RAZR M on November 8th for $100
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with 4G LTE hits Sprint on November 11th for $550
- Slickdeals' best in tech for November 1st: 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and ASUS Transformer TF300
- ZTE Flash may bring its 12MP camera to Sprint on November 11th with LG Mach following suit
- Amazon Game Studios releases its first mobile game, Air Patriots, for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire
- Five iPhone 5s in five days: win a Verizon 16GB with two cases, courtesy of Otterbox!
- Google Earth 7 update brings 3D imagery, tour guide features to your PC
- MSI launches the 27-inch Wind Top AE2712 all-in-one brandishing Windows 8, military specs
- Boxee TV hits Walmart aisles today, flashes more apps, guide webapp and 3 months free DVR service
- Stolen phone database alive, carriers can now block pilfered handsets
- iPhone 5 will say 'namaste India' tomorrow
- iFixit tears iPad Mini asunder, finds very small screws
- Apple told to rewrite 'Samsung did not copy' statement, post it on front page until Dec 14th
- Ubuntu summit raises software development kit for OS
- Engadget Eurocast 003 - 11.01.2012
- A better way to store media on Microsoft Surface RT: SD cards, junction points and the command prompt
- Star Trek: TNG S2 Blu-ray detailed ahead of December 4th release
- Samsung's Galaxy S III mini packs bags for November 8th UK arrival
- Mac Pro owner crafts an example Fusion Drive, shows the fearless how it's done
- Sony says Xperia Tablet S sales will resume 'gradually' starting next month
- Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac updated for WP8, rebranded simply as 'Windows Phone'
- China's Tianhe-2 supercomputer could hit 100 petaflops in 2015, may have a race on its hands
- Sharp expects to post $1.94 billion operating loss for the year, score a meager Q2 operating profit
- Sony cuts Q2 2012 losses to $198 million, bumps revenue to $20.6 billion thanks to mobile
- Belkin's NetCam WiFi Camera with Night Vision keeps an eye out for ghosts while you're out, hooks up with iOS / Android
- AMP-Foot 2.0 prosthesis gives the power of real feet, keeps a light step (video)
- YouView software update adds surround-sound, faster boot times and grouped recording
- T-Mobile says its Nexus 4 won't provide WiFi calling, makes a stronger case for going unlocked
- Screen Grabs: Microsoft Surface goes to work on NCIS: LA
- Stitcher keeps the news flowing for desktop users with new web-based app
- Wikipad sees last-minute delay for new bundle and 'refinement'
- US Cellular bringing LTE to 30 additional markets on November 5th
- The status of official CableCARD tuner support for Windows 8
- Engadget HD Podcast 322 - 10.31.2012
- RIM's latest milestone: BlackBerry 10 now being tested by over 50 carriers
| Google Now slips in a pedometer, reminds us we need to get out more Posted: 01 Nov 2012 11:27 AM PDT
Anyone who checks Google Now compulsively on a Jelly Bean-equipped Android phone might have noticed a surprise appear while they were checking for directions home from that big Halloween bash. An unannounced pedometer card has surfaced that shows just how many miles we (or our phones) have been biking or walking in a given month, with the intent clearly to spur couch dwellers into action. The discovery at Droid-Life reveals that Google has been using the GPS information it already had to catalog our athletic progress since at least September -- a bit creepy, but not shocking when the positioning is already needed for directions. As for the mileage figure you see above? It's not this writer's only phone, so that distance is much lower than it should be. Really. Honest. |
| Twelve South introduces HiRise for MacBook stand, shipping now for $70 Posted: 01 Nov 2012 11:05 AM PDT
Hot on the heels of its HiRise for iMac release, the Mac-only accessory maker known as Twelve South is outing a similar riser for MacBook products. Engineered to hoist MacBooks from 11 to 15 inches up off of one's table, the HiRise for MacBook is a sleek, polished stand that serves a purpose much like the mStand from Rain Design. For avid MacBook users looking for a more ergonomic way to work, this is easily one of the best solutions out there. Unlike most rivals, Twelve South's offering is adjustable, allowing you to raise and lower your MacBook's keyboard and display to match the height of your eyes (or perhaps a nearby monitor). In our testing, we found the build quality to be exceptional, and it's most certainly a piece that you'd be pleased to have sitting alongside your other work peripherals. It's a bit heavy for travel -- but then again, you can't have that base being light enough to tip over -- but those still interested can nab one at the source link for $69.99. |
| LG Mach reaches Sprint on November 11th at $100, Optimus G pre-orders begin today Posted: 01 Nov 2012 10:43 AM PDT
That was quick -- not long after launch details of the LG Mach were caught lurking in Sprint's catalog, the carrier has confirmed them. Fans of the Korean firm's aesthetic who also like their QWERTY keyboards can buy the mid-range smartphone for $100 on November 11th, the same day its bigger Optimus G cousin reaches stores. Just be sure to avoid the Sprint website during the wait for the newly dated device; Optimus G pre-orders have started at the source link, and a click on LG's flagship could be mighty tempting. The lineup of Sprint 4G LTE devices continues to grow. As an ideal entry point into 4G LTE, LG Mach is the latest smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard to join the Sprint lineup. One of the thinnest devices with a QWERTY keyboard currently offered by Sprint, LG Mach will be available on Sunday, Nov. 11, for $99.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement. |
| iOS 6.0.1 released, fixes iPhone 5 OTA software update issue and other bugs (update) Posted: 01 Nov 2012 10:21 AM PDT
Been waiting for Apple to refresh its mobile operating system? Well, the wait is over, as Cupertino has just released iOS 6.0.1 with the promise of improvements and bug fixes. We just grabbed the update ourselves, and among the highlights are: a fix for the iPhone 5's inability to receive OTA software updates, problems with the phone and the 5th-gen iPod Touch connecting to WPA2 encrypted WiFi networks, and other cellular connectivity issues as well. There's also fixes for a passcode lock bug, a graphical keyboard glitch and a bug that prevented the 5's camera flash from firing. Sound good? Go grab the download and let us know how it's treating you in the comments below. Update: Thanks to our friends at TUAW, we should point out that iPhone 5 owners will need to download an updater app before they can grab 6.0.1. |
| AT&T Locker opens its cloud to iOS users, offers 5GB of storage free Posted: 01 Nov 2012 10:14 AM PDT
AT&T's cloud-based Locker is hardly new, having been made available to Android users since this past September. But, as of today, iOS users on the network now have the option to enjoy that freemium service as well, with 5GB offered gratis. Of course, there are subscription tiers for those of you in need of more robust server space: $3.99/mo will net you 30GB, while $9.99/mo delivers a substantial 100GB. Beyond simple remote file storage, however, subs will also have the ability to share multimedia content across email and social networks (i.e. Twitter and Facebook) using a network connection or WiFi. It's live in the App Store now, so if you're keen on what AT&T's peddling, check out the source below. AT&T Launches Cloud-Based Photo and Video Sharing App Never lose a photo again – AT&T Locker, a free and easy-to-use photo and video sharing service for AT&T* customers, is now available in the App Store. AT&T Locker users get 5 GB of storage for free – enough for up to 5,000 average sized photos. |
| US Cellular intros Motorola Electrify M, gets a slice of the Droid RAZR M on November 8th for $100 Posted: 01 Nov 2012 10:02 AM PDT
Americans who were eying Motorola's Droid RAZR M and just weren't keen on Verizon's typically overt branding now have at least one alternative. US Cellular is giving the big-screened, small-sized smartphone a slight respin as the Electrify M, with a subtler (if less Kevlar-laden) design wrapping around the same 4.3-inch screen, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 and LTE that we've come to know. The carrier applies a light touch to the Android 4.0 build as well. Those who want to take advantage of US Cellular's giant LTE expansion this month won't have to wait long between the widened coverage and a new device to use with it: the Electrify M goes on sale online as of November 8th, and retail a day later, at the same $100 post-discount price as its Verizon counterpart. U.S. Cellular to Launch Next 4G LTE Smartphone, Motorola ELECTRIFY M Will be available online November 8 and in stores on November 9 Nov. 01, 2012 CHICAGO (November 1, 2012) – Next week, U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) and Motorola Mobility will unleash Motorola ELECTRIFY™ M – the 4G LTE high-performance smartphone with the big screen and compact design. Available on uscellular.com on November 8 and in U.S. Cellular stores the next day, the Android™-powered ELECTRIFY M will be attractively priced at $99.99 after $100 mail-in rebate in markets where U.S. Cellular offers 4G LTE service and elsewhere at $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. "The Motorola ELECTRIFY M is a great choice for customers who want a smartphone that gives them fast access to information and entertainment and can also help them stay organized," said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. "As we continue to roll out the 4G LTE network to more customers between now and the end of the year, we're providing more options to help them select the right 4G LTE device that meets their needs and can enhance their lives." The ELECTRIFY M comes equipped with a captivating 4.3-inch, virtually borderless display. Tapping out texts and emails is easier than ever, while reading on the go no longer puts a strain on the eyes. Web pages, apps, videos - it's all clear on the vibrant, high resolution Super AMOLED Advanced display. But don't let the size fool you – ELECTRIFY M packs the high performance and web browsing power of your home computer in the palm of your hand. With 4G LTE speeds and a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, ELECTRIFY M lets you load web pages in a flash and multi-task like a pro. Surf the web quickly with Google Chrome™ and sync with your desktop version of Google Chrome to share bookmarks and view the same tabs. You'll also have access to more than 675,000 Android apps and games, millions of songs and books and thousands of movies and TV shows with Google Play™. The ELECTRIFY M is built to handle the bumps, scrapes and slips of daily life. It has a scratch-resistant display made of Corning® Gorilla® Glass and a splash guard coating to protect the device, and everything you have in it, from the ever-present threats of rain and morning coffee. "With the Motorola ELECTRIFY M, we focused on putting a premium smartphone experience in a compact and convenient package," said Jeff Miller, corporate vice president, North America Go-to-Market, Motorola Mobility. "The result is a pint-sized powerhouse that lets U.S. Cellular customers surf faster, play longer and see more without compromise." The ELECTRIFY M is an ideal travel companion too. Whether you're on foot, in the car or headed out on your bike, type or speak your destination and Motorola ELECTRIFY ™ M will lead you there, with free turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. Customers can search for restaurants, businesses and theaters, and get reviews from people in their Google+ Circles. You can also download maps and call them up later when you're offline. Voice Actions help you send text messages, read directions, place calls or play music when you don't have a free hand. Key Features * Virtually borderless 4.3-inch display |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with 4G LTE hits Sprint on November 11th for $550 Posted: 01 Nov 2012 09:25 AM PDT
Verizon rolled out an LTE-equipped version of its smaller counterpart a few months ago, and now Sprint has announced that it'll begin offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with 4G LTE on November 11th. That will be available for $550 (sans contract), and you'll be able to activate it on one of the carrier's new month-to-month tablet rate plans, which run from $15 a month for 300MB of data to $80 for 12GB -- Sprint says it's also waiving activation fees on all 3G/4G tablets "for a limited time." As for the tablet itself, it comes with a speedier 1.5GHz dual-core processor than the WiFi-only model (which clocked in at 1GHz), but looks to otherwise be the same 10.1-inch device, right down to the now somewhat dated Android 4.0 for an OS -- no word on a planned upgrade to 4.1 or 4.2 just yet. First 4G LTE Tablet from Sprint, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Available Beginning Nov. 11 for $549.99 OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 01, 2012 - Sprint (NYSE:S), the only national carrier with Truly Unlimited? 4G LTE data for smartphones while on the Sprint network, will offer its first 4G LTE tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab® 2 10.1, beginning Sunday, Nov. 11, for $549.99 (excluding taxes and surcharges). It will be available in Sprint retail stores, online at www.sprint.com or by calling 1-800-SPRINT1. "Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 brings Sprint 4G LTE to a new category of device and expands a portfolio already recognized as one of the industry's best," said David Owens, vice president – Product Development, Sprint. "This new tablet combined with the Sprint 4G LTE network and our aggressively priced tablet rate plan options offer consumers and business users an exciting new way to stay connected and productive with a large workspace in an easily portable device." Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 can be activated on one of the new, aggressively priced month-to-month tablet rate plans for Sprint 4G LTE-enabled tablets. Starting at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE data, $34.99 for 3GB of data, $49.99 for 6GB of data and $79.99 for 12GB of data, Sprint's new plans offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 tablet rate plan1. Sprint smartphone customers2 can add Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 to their account with a specially discounted rate plan that includes 1GB of data for only $15 per month or as little as $10 per month for 100MB of data on the Sprint network. For a limited time, Sprint is waiving the activation fee on all 3G/4G LTE tablets. Month-to-Month Plan Comparison – 3G/4G LTE Tablets Sprint AT&T Verizon Sprint also offers convenient Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for tablets that provide customers with the freedom and flexibility to bill to a credit card when they might only need a plan occasionally. Sprint Mobile Broadband Passes for tablets start at $14.99 for 300MB of 3G/4G LTE data, $34.99 for 3GB of data, $49.99 for 6GB of data and $79.99 for 12GB of data and offer 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T at the $14.99 and $50 rate plans and 20 percent more data for the same price as Verizon at the $50 and $80 rate plans4. (All rate plans exclude taxes and surcharges.) Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)5, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 boasts access to the Sprint 4G LTE network (available in select markets), Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and a beautiful 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 also features two cameras, a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera and camcorder for capturing life's important moments as they happen and a front-facing VGA camera for Face Unlock and video chat. With the built-in IR Blaster, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 can be used as a universal smart remote that helps users easily find their favorite TV shows and control their TV, set top box and other home theater equipment. It also comes with AllShare® to easily share photo albums, videos and other user-generated content between other DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified® devices. On-device encryption and VPN access also help ensure the tablet is secure for business use. The 7,000mAh battery allows businesses to keep their workers connected all day long. The 3G/4G LTE mobile hotspot capability can be used to share a web connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously so teams can work away from the office. Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities. Continuing its nationwide rollout of 4G LTE, Sprint recently announced plans to deliver 4G LTE to an additional 115 cities in the coming months. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint's 4G LTE portfolio and rollout, visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE. About Sprint Nextel Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in its 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint. About Samsung Mobile Samsung Mobile (Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC), a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com. About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world's most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com. Samsung is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks. Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns. 120 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $14.99, $49.99. 2Qualifying smartphone plans include: Simply Everything, Simply Everything Share, Everything Business, Everything Data, Everything Data Share, Business Advantage Messaging & Data, Business Share Plus with Pro Pack Plus. 3The above numbers are estimates and data transfer amounts may vary. Roaming limits apply to data plans; see the individual plan for details and restrictions. Our math works like this: 1024 kb=1MB. 1024 MB=1 GB. We used these estimates to do our calculations on each type of data transfer: email (no attachment): 20KB/ea.; picture: 300KB/ea.; music streaming: 1MB/min; video streaming: 250MB/hr; web surfing: 500KB/page. 420 percent more data claim applies to Sprint plans priced at $49.99, $79.99. 5Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q2 2012. Plans also include off-network data allowance of 25MB, 100MB or 300MB depending on selection. For National Offers: Additional on-network data usage is $0.05/MB and additional off-network usage above allowance is $0.25/MB. Samsung and Galaxy Tab are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
| Slickdeals' best in tech for November 1st: 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and ASUS Transformer TF300 Posted: 01 Nov 2012 09:05 AM PDT Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. Bummed because you didn't get to that soy latte before it reached room temperature? Perhaps a few brand new links to some discounted tech will help. If you've wanted an Android slate but haven't yet pulled the trigger, today might be the time to splurge for one. A 32GB ASUS Transformer TF300 makes the list today alongside a 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad that boasts a $500 price cut. Make a stop beyond the break to see the rest of the list, but don't procrastinate because these deals will certainly go quickly. Snag one for your living room from Walmart. Grab one of these slates from NewEgg. This deal is available from Groupon. This offer is available over at NewEgg. Use the rebate form found here. Grab one of these laptops from Lenovo. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| ZTE Flash may bring its 12MP camera to Sprint on November 11th with LG Mach following suit Posted: 01 Nov 2012 08:45 AM PDT
Over the summer, word surfaced at TalkAndroid of Sprint carrying the ZTE Flash, a surprisingly potent mid-tier smartphone that would bring a 12-megapixel camera into a category all too used to mediocre photography. Its then-rumored October launch has come and gone, but we may just have firmed-up details thanks to an anonymous tipster. According to some purported internal documentation at the carrier, the smartphone could show up on November 11th simply billed as the Sprint Flash -- we imagine the network doesn't want to broadcast a controversial name -- and carry a reasonable $130 contract price after a rebate. For the money, it might be hard to top. While we're not expecting wonders with that 8GB of storage, so-so 1,730mAh battery and slightly creaky Android 4.0, the 4.5-inch screen, dual-core 1.5GHz chip (likely a Snapdragon S4) and LTE could provide some savings to those who don't need a device quite as large as the Galaxy S III. Don't worry if you're not budgeting for ZTE's latest, either. If the full price list available past the break is accurate, November 11th could be a busier day than expected -- the Flash and LG Optimus G could be joined by an LG Mach costing $100 after a rebate. This and a new titanium-colored Galaxy S II for the budget crowd could have Sprint's roster completely freshened just in time for the busiest sales of the year. |
| Amazon Game Studios releases its first mobile game, Air Patriots, for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire Posted: 01 Nov 2012 08:18 AM PDT
Amazon made its first push into in-house game development this summer with the launch of Amazon Game Studios and its first title, the Facebook-bound Living Classics, and its now made its second big move. The company announced today that its first mobile game, Air Patriots, is now available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire devices (and free on each, albeit with in-app purchases). Not surprisingly, Amazon has paid particular attention to the Kindle Fire version, taking advantage of GameCircle to track achievements and high scores, as well as Whispersync to let you save your progress on one device and pick up where you left off on another. As for the game itself, Amazon says it's a "new kind of tower defense game," with players drawing a path for the planes to fend off the oncoming tanks. Head on past the break for a quick video. Update: As some commenters have pointed out, while the game supports a variety of Android devices, it looks like the Nexus 7 isn't among them. Amazon Game Studios Releases "Air Patriots" for Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Android Devices, iPhone, and iPad Play on all your favorite devices including the new Kindle Fire family, Android devices, iPhone and iPad Kindle Fire gamers can use GameCircle to track achievements and scores, making Air Patriots play on the Kindle Fire more social SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Following the release of Amazon's first-ever social game, Living Classics, Amazon Game Studios today announced the availability of "Air Patriots," its first-ever game for mobile devices. The game is available now for Kindle Fire, Android devices, iPhone, iPad, and is free to all customers. Learn more at games.amazon.com. Air Patriots is a new kind of tower defense game with fun and unique gameplay requiring strategic positioning of an arsenal of planes to push back an enemy tank invasion. In Air Patriots, players directly control a squadron of military planes by using their finger to draw the paths the planes will follow in order to engage the enemy. Unlike other tower defense games where defense bases are stationary, in Air Patriots players can adjust their strategy on the fly. Simply draw a new flight path for your planes, and you redeploy firepower to where it is needed most. "When we created Air Patriots we wanted to make a game that was easy and engaging, and the simplicity of drawing paths for planes was something we thought would appeal to players," said Ernie Ramirez, Executive Producer at Amazon Game Studios. "We think customers will find Air Patriots both familiar and fresh, with a degree of challenge that keeps them engaged and enthused to play more. We are very excited to bring Amazon customers Air Patriots today, and Amazon Game Studios looks forward to bringing our fans even more great games in the future." Air Patriots uses Amazon GameCircle on Kindle Fire to track both achievements and high scores, allowing players to compete for strategic superiority. Air Patriots also supports Whispersync for games to ensure that progress is saved in the cloud whether it's played on the Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD. Players can even switch back and forth between multiple Kindle devices as they continue their quest to eliminate the enemy. Available today as a free download on Amazon Appstore for Android, Google Play, and Apple's App Store. Air Patriots boasts rich visuals for HD compatible devices, including Kindle Fire HD. About Amazon Game Studios Amazon Game Studios is a team at Amazon that's focused on creating innovative, fun and well-crafted games. The team debuted in August 2012 with Living Classics, a moving object game on the Facebook platform, and has since released Air Patriots, its first game for mobile devices. About Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support and dual-antennas/MIMO for 40% faster throughput than other tablets, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine-and it is available in two display sizes-7" and 8.9". The large-screen Kindle Fire HD is also available with 4G wireless, and comes with a groundbreaking $49.99 introductory 4G LTE data package. The all-new Kindle Fire features a 20% faster processor, 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life. Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. Source: Amazon.com, Inc.Show full PR text Amazon Game Studios Releases "Air Patriots" for Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Android Devices, iPhone, and iPad Play on all your favorite devices including the new Kindle Fire family, Android devices, iPhone and iPad Kindle Fire gamers can use GameCircle to track achievements and scores, making Air Patriots play on the Kindle Fire more social SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Following the release of Amazon's first-ever social game, Living Classics, Amazon Game Studios today announced the availability of "Air Patriots," its first-ever game for mobile devices. The game is available now for Kindle Fire, Android devices, iPhone, iPad, and is free to all customers. Learn more at games.amazon.com. Air Patriots is a new kind of tower defense game with fun and unique gameplay requiring strategic positioning of an arsenal of planes to push back an enemy tank invasion. In Air Patriots, players directly control a squadron of military planes by using their finger to draw the paths the planes will follow in order to engage the enemy. Unlike other tower defense games where defense bases are stationary, in Air Patriots players can adjust their strategy on the fly. Simply draw a new flight path for your planes, and you redeploy firepower to where it is needed most. "When we created Air Patriots we wanted to make a game that was easy and engaging, and the simplicity of drawing paths for planes was something we thought would appeal to players," said Ernie Ramirez, Executive Producer at Amazon Game Studios. "We think customers will find Air Patriots both familiar and fresh, with a degree of challenge that keeps them engaged and enthused to play more. We are very excited to bring Amazon customers Air Patriots today, and Amazon Game Studios looks forward to bringing our fans even more great games in the future." Air Patriots uses Amazon GameCircle on Kindle Fire to track both achievements and high scores, allowing players to compete for strategic superiority. Air Patriots also supports Whispersync for games to ensure that progress is saved in the cloud whether it's played on the Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD. Players can even switch back and forth between multiple Kindle devices as they continue their quest to eliminate the enemy. Available today as a free download on Amazon Appstore for Android, Google Play, and Apple's App Store. Air Patriots boasts rich visuals for HD compatible devices, including Kindle Fire HD. About Amazon Game Studios Amazon Game Studios is a team at Amazon that's focused on creating innovative, fun and well-crafted games. The team debuted in August 2012 with Living Classics, a moving object game on the Facebook platform, and has since released Air Patriots, its first game for mobile devices. About Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support and dual-antennas/MIMO for 40% faster throughput than other tablets, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine-and it is available in two display sizes-7" and 8.9". The large-screen Kindle Fire HD is also available with 4G wireless, and comes with a groundbreaking $49.99 introductory 4G LTE data package. The all-new Kindle Fire features a 20% faster processor, 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life. Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. Source: Amazon.com, Inc. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Five iPhone 5s in five days: win a Verizon 16GB with two cases, courtesy of Otterbox! Posted: 01 Nov 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Yes, this week just keeps getting better and better, as we have yet another iPhone 5 to send your way. This time, the phone comes with a pair of rugged cases, and it's all thanks to Otterbox, which has made a rather large name for itself over the years by offering peace of mind to accident-prone customers. The winner of this contest will have both a Defender and Commuter case to use with their new prized possession, which is nice since different situations may require different types of protection. Anyway, scope out the rules and leave a comment below to enter -- and remember, all of our other contests are still running right now, so don't forget to hop over to enter those ones as well! Our sponsors:
The rules:
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| Google Earth 7 update brings 3D imagery, tour guide features to your PC Posted: 01 Nov 2012 07:40 AM PDT
The latest update for Google's efforts to index of IRL mapping information is focused on your computer. Google Earth 7 for your desktop is finally ready to match the Android and iOS versions, with support for its 3D renderings in 25 cities, and "tour guide" feature that drags you through 11,000 locations around the world, no passport or Frommer's required. This update for PCs comes alongside the addition of 3D imagery for Avignon, France; Austin, Texas; Munich, Germany; Phoenix, Arizona; and Mannheim, Germany, which all apply to both the desktop and mobile editions. Hit the source link for more information or head to the Google Earth website to check it out yourself, who knows, you might find a pyramid. |
| MSI launches the 27-inch Wind Top AE2712 all-in-one brandishing Windows 8, military specs Posted: 01 Nov 2012 07:23 AM PDT
The Windows 8 all-in-one arena is already pretty crowded, but if MSI's new model had to fight it out with the rest battle-bot style, then it might just come out on top. That's because the Wind Top AE2712 comes with MSI's usual military class components, alongside a brutish 27-inch 1080p display with ten-finger touch, Core i3 or i5 processors and optional NVIDIA GeForce GT630M graphics (on the 'G' model). Also included is the company's Smart Media cloud that lets you share data with DNLA-enabled TVs and mobile devices. The PC's already popped up on Amazon UK with a £830 sticker and November 9th ship date, so if you need an AIO tough enough to withstand, say, an all-out rugrat assault, check out the source link. |
| Boxee TV hits Walmart aisles today, flashes more apps, guide webapp and 3 months free DVR service Posted: 01 Nov 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Launch day has finally arrived for Boxee's second hardware effort and now we're finding out even more about it. As we heard yesterday, the $99 Boxee TV will be a Walmart exclusive at retail (also available via Boxee's website), however early adopters in the holiday season can also expect a three month period to try out the "No Limits DVR" for free, plus a discounted service rate of $9.99 (normally $15) for life, three months of free Netflix access and a $5.99 Vudu credit. After the holidays, buyers can still expect free DVR trials, but there's no details on exactly what is in store. The list of supported apps has also grown, with Spotify, MLB, TED, Wall Street Journal, Accuweather and Boxee's own Cloudee joining the previously announced Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora and Vimeo on day one. Finally, we've got our first look at the HTML5 webapp that serves as a guide and second screen remote control. For owners of the original Boxee Box, the company posted in a blog entry (the link appears to be down at the moment) that all back end support will remain running "for the foreseeable future" and an updated Flash Player is on the way. The bad news is that due to a lack of updates from Intel, it will not be able to upgrade the Netflix app for access outside the US and Canada, and agreements with premium content providers prevent opening it up for root access. The project has evolved a long way, from XBMC spinoff with a focus on support for locally stored and streaming video, then moving to a set-top box, offering OTA live TV viewing, and now its latest incarnation as a more conventionally shaped box built for OTA and ClearQAM channel viewing with the possibility of easier cable access in the future. We'll be reviewing the new hardware soon, potential buyers (especially in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington DC where they can access the Cloud DVR) can check out the galleries for one last look or hit the link below to try out Boxee's take on the future of TV viewing. |
| Stolen phone database alive, carriers can now block pilfered handsets Posted: 01 Nov 2012 06:33 AM PDT
Earlier this year, all the major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint) huddled up with the FCC to create a stolen phone database so that they could block any renegade devices. That effort has now gone live, according to the CTIA, as the majors -- along with Cellcom and Nex-Tech Wireless -- have just deployed their bad-lists. These will allow the operators to identify poached devices through IMEI codes and stymie their activation on networks. AT&T and T-Mobile will also be adding cellphones reported stolen in the GSMA Global IMEI database to their new lists, which should bring US efforts up to snuff with a similar, successful UK program, albeit five long years later. |
| iPhone 5 will say 'namaste India' tomorrow Posted: 01 Nov 2012 06:08 AM PDT |
| iFixit tears iPad Mini asunder, finds very small screws Posted: 01 Nov 2012 05:47 AM PDT
Interested in seeing all the adorable little parts inside Apple's smallest iPad yet? iFixit's already got its hands on one and has a currently-in-progress teardown going on, should that be your kinda thing. And what's the verdict? Well, the teardown is still happening, but as of right now, there are some good signs. For one, the LCD and front glass are separate components, making replacement of individual components a possibility (and making a repair less expensive). And that LCD is once again of the Samsung variety, confirming Apple's continued relationship with its legal adversary. As iFixit points out, Apple "often relies on multiple supplies for a single component," so it's possible that your teardown of another Mini will yield a different LCD manufacturer. More tidbits found inside thus far: confirmation of stereo speakers (a big change from the regular iPad's mono setup). The teardown points out that the Mini's Lightning charging port (significantly smaller than the previous 30-pin port) is likely what's making space for that extra speaker. As for a final repairability rating, iFixit's giving the iPad Mini a 2 out of 10 (not so easy to repair) based on a several factors: while the LCD/glass isn't fused, nor is the battery soldered to anything, tons of adhesive and the lightning connector being soldered to the logic board make at-home repair less than ideal. [Image credit: iFixit] |
| Apple told to rewrite 'Samsung did not copy' statement, post it on front page until Dec 14th Posted: 01 Nov 2012 05:44 AM PDT
Apple might not have liked having to publish a notice stating that Samsung did not copy its design, as the result of a court ruling, but it complied all the same. Or did they? A UK court of appeal has criticized the firm over its choice of wording, considering it slippery enough to warrant a rewrite. The Guardian reports that the acknowledgement posted by Apple was deemed non-compliant with the court's order. Apple has today been told to correct its statement, and re-post it on the front page of its website, with at least an 11-point font (and not as a hidden footer link) within 48 hours. The Cupertino team rebuffed, claiming that it would take at least two weeks to get a fresh rework together, a statement that reportedly caused disbelief from some court officials. So, the clock is ticking, and somewhere a legal team is no doubt engaging in some serious thinking. The new statement must remain on Apple's site until December 14th, plenty of time to catch the attention of eager Christmas shoppers. |
| Ubuntu summit raises software development kit for OS Posted: 01 Nov 2012 05:42 AM PDT
Things have been hopping in the land of Ubuntu lately, with the operating system securing a pending date with Steam, an appearance on the Nexus 7 and an April 25 launch for version 13.04. Now the OS is getting another extra hop in its step as word of a "future Ubuntu SDK" was dropped at a recent developer summit in Copenhagen. The powers-that-be mentioned the need to start discussions in order to define potential criteria for assessing technologies and libraries for inclusion in an Ubuntu SDK, as well as what tools to throw in. Although it appears that an Ubuntu SDK will not be the focus for 13.04 for now, mention of a software development kit should be welcome news for folks eager to bring apps to the OS. Interest piqued? Check out the source link to see the Ubuntu SDK assessment criteria. |
| Engadget Eurocast 003 - 11.01.2012 Posted: 01 Nov 2012 05:00 AM PDT
If you're wondering what that noise is, it's the sound of the week straining under the weight of all the big technology news. Google delivers new hardware, Microsoft launches not one, but two operating systems -- inspiring Sharif to start a diary -- while 4G goes live in the UK. Except at Mat's house (it's back on now). That's a lot of action in just seven days, but without hurricane Sandy to worry about, the Eurocast could focus on the important business of bringing you these stories over a nice cup of tea and a Halloween-themed fondant fancy. We suggest you get comfortable, too, then head south to listen in. Hosts: Dan Cooper, Sharif Sakr, Mat Smith 00:20 - Nexus 4 Hear the podcast Download the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [RSS] Add the Engadget Eurocast to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Contact the podcast Follow us / send questions on Twitter: @danielwcooper, @shotsheriff, @thatmatsmith, @itstrew This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 01 Nov 2012 04:26 AM PDT
Expandable storage is a wonderful thing, but its implementation can sometimes leave something to be desired. Take Windows 8, for instance -- its photo, movie and music apps leverage Windows libraries to access users' media collections, but won't allow users to include removable storage in the app-accessed party of indexed folders. Sure, you can keep all your media on one device, but half it will need to be accessed in a slightly roundabout way. This simply wasn't good enough for Toni Fowlie, who wanted all of her media -- from both her Surface's local storage and its microSD card -- to appear in the same library. She used an old NTFS feature to trick Windows into thinking her microSD was part of her device's local storage, and her efforts are worth sharing. For what it's worth, Toni's little trick is hardly new, and it's not unique to Windows 8 users -- it's actually a feature of the NTFS file system. It's called a junction point, and put simply, it acts like regular directory, but points all actions to a remote folder. At first, this sounds a bit like a standard Windows shortcut -- but since this operation is working in the file system itself, rather than as a part of the Windows shell, programs, windows explorer and the command prompt all play along with the redirection nicely. There are programs available that can help you set up a junction point, but Toni opted for the old fashion method -- the command prompt. Before creating the junction, Toni laid down some groundwork: a target folder in her root C:\ drive and four media directories on her SD card -- one for each library: documents, music, pictures and videos. A prompt command then made the links: mklink /j c:\sd2\d d:\documents, for example, creates a junction point with the label "d," which acts like a folder and links directly to the documents directory on the device's SD card. Finally, Toni added the created junctions to Windows 8's list of indexed locations and included those locations in the appropriate libraries. Viola! Extra storage for all that extra media, and easily accessible in Windows 8's fancy apps, too. Although this feature isn't exclusive to Microsoft's latest operating system by any means, it's certainly a useful workaround for users who want to leverage their removable media in a more integrated way. You'll be glad you did -- both Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro seem stumble over library permissions. Even if you don't echo Toni's clever setup, junction points are still a great tool to keep in your troubleshooting arsenal. Not into mucking around in the classic command prompt? Don't sweat it, this dance can also be done in the Disk Management menu -- check out Paul Thurrott's tutorial at the more coverage link below tie your directories together without typing. Steve Dent contributed to this post. |
| Star Trek: TNG S2 Blu-ray detailed ahead of December 4th release Posted: 01 Nov 2012 03:42 AM PDT
The step-by-step restoration and high-def re-release of Star Trek: The Next Generation continues, and next month Season Two will arrive on Blu-ray. We already got a peek at its trailer during Comic-Con and heard about some of the special features that were on the way but now we have the full list. If you're not waiting 'til Season 3 hits the streets, you can enjoy more than two hours of new special features including a documentary on the making of season two. There's also a couple o different cuts of The Measure of a Man episode, including HD extras you haven't seen before, and a 1988 Reading Rainbow segment featuring our good friend Levar Burton. Check the press release and the trailer after the break for all the details, you can snag the season two set on Amazon for $115 or so. THE FAN FAVORITE STAR TREK SERIES RETURNS WITH STUNNING BLU-RAY™ DEBUT OF SOPHOMORE SEASON THE SECOND SEASON BLU-RAY Special Features Include **The First Ever Star Trek Extended Episode: The Measure of a Man** **Cast Roundtable Reunion Celebrating the Series' 25th Anniversary** Available December 4, 2012 HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (October 31, 2012) – The journey to new frontiers continues in spectacular high definition as the legendary series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION™ – THE SECOND SEASON arrives on Blu-ray Disc December 4 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Adding to the exclusivity and collectability of the Blu-ray release is an HD, "Extended Cut" of "The Measure of a Man," which includes deleted scenes and different angles from the broadcast version. The original version of the episode is included, as well as a "Hybrid Extended Cut," combining the high-definition on-air version of "The Measure of a Man" with video of the extra material taken from an early VHS rough-cut of the episode that was in the writer's (Melinda Snodgrass) archives. The spectacular collection boasts a must-see reunion of the cast, who were brought together earlier this year in Calgary in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the series. Produced exclusively for the series' Blu-ray, this never-before-seen reunion roundtable chat features all of the best known cast regulars, joining together for the first time in years to tape a discussion about the legacy of the series, including Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker, LeVar Burton (Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher) and Wil Wheaton STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE SECOND SEASON also includes over 120 minutes of brand-new special features, including a two-part, in-depth documentary on the making of Season 2 entitled "Making It So: Continuing Star Trek: The Next Generation" – Strange New Worlds (Part 1), and New Life and New Civilizations (Part 2), and a gag reel that was created from newly recovered 35mm film elements and transferred for the very first time to high-definition. The 5-disc collection features all 22 episodes of the second season of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, including the beginning of Whoopi Goldberg's notable recurring role, and the introductions of Diana Muldaur as the new ship's doctor and the deadly alien villains The Borg. The STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – THE SECOND SEASON Blu-ray set will be available in 1080p with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Stereo Surround, French Mono, Italian Mono, Castilian Mono, Japanese Mono and German Mono. The discs also include English SDH, French, German, Castilian, Italian, Japanese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish subtitles. The Blu-ray is not rated in the U.S. and rated PG in Canada, and it will be available for the suggested retail price of $130.00 U.S. and $150.00 Canada. The disc breakdown is as follows: Disc One: Episodes · The Child · Where Silence Has Lease · Elementary, Dear Data · The Outrageous Okona · Loud as a Whisper Special Features · Episode Promos o Promo #1 o Promo #2 o Promo #3 o Promo #4 o Promo #5 1988 On-Air Season Two Promo Disc Two: Episodes · The Schizoid Man · Unnatural Selection · A Matter of Honor · The Measure of a Man Special Features · Episodic Promos o Promo #1 o Promo #2 o Promo #3 o Promo #4 · The Measure of a Man (HD Extended Version) · Audio Commentary with Melinda Snodgrass and Mike & Denise Okuda · The Measure of a Man (Hybrid Extended Version) Disc Three: Episodes · The Dauphin · Contagion · The Royale · Time Squared · The Icarus Factor Special Features · Episodic Promos o Promo #1 o Promo #2 o Promo #3 o Promo #4 o Promo #5 · Gag Reel · Archival Mission Log: Inside Starfleet Archives: Penny Juday, Star Trek Coordinator · Archival Mission Log: Selected Crew Analysis Year Two Disc Four: Episodes · Pen Pals · Q Who? · Samaritan Snare · Up The Long Ladder · Manhunt Special Features · Episodic Promos o Promo #1 o Promo #2 o Promo #3 o Promo #4 o Promo #5 · Archival Mission Log: Departmental Analysis Year 2: Memorable Missions Disc Five: Episodes · The Emissary · Peak Performance · Shades of Gray Special Features · Episodic Promos o Promo #1 o Promo #2 o Promo #3 · Reunification: 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation · Making It So: Continuing Star Trek: The Next Generation o Part 1: Strange New Worlds o Part 2: New Life and New Civilizations · Archival Mission Log: Mission Overview Year Two CBS Home Entertainment manages the worldwide DVD and Blu-ray businesses for the CBS Corporation across all lines of content including current hits and classic series from the vast CBS library, as well as new releases from Showtime Video. CBS Home Entertainment products are released on the CBS DVD and CBS Blu-ray labels. 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. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - THE SECOND SEASON Street Date: December 4, 2012 Suggest retail price: $130.00 US / $150.00 CAN Catalog #: 146614 Runtime: 998 minutes U.S. Rating: Not Rated |
| Samsung's Galaxy S III mini packs bags for November 8th UK arrival Posted: 01 Nov 2012 03:23 AM PDT
Samsung just revealed that the half-pint Galaxy S III mini that debuted in Germany will arrive in the UK on November 8th. The 4-inch, WVGA super-amoled, dual-core smartphone will alight toting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and all that entails, like Google Now and the whole butter thing. You'll also get Samsung's video and games hub plus a 50GB Dropbox for two years if you nab the device, along with all the TouchWiz-y doodads like S-Voice and Direct Call. Phones4U announced it was taking preorders for the device earlier, which will be free on contract for £25 and up. Check the PR after the break. UK LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S III MINI New addition to Samsung's Galaxy portfolio to hit shops on the 8th November with a range of free content 1st November 2012, London, UK – Samsung Mobile UK today announced that the Galaxy S III Mini, a compact version of its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, will be available in the UK from Thursday 8th November with free content, including The Sims 3 and Bejewelled 2. Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications & Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland said: "Our latest addition to the Galaxy portfolio, the Galaxy S III Mini brings the high performance, intuitive ease-of-use and nature-inspired design of the Galaxy S III in a new elegant yet compact form. Following the massive success and popularity of the Galaxy S III and all its features, we are confident customers will enjoy the Galaxy SIII Mini when it hits the shelves on the 8th November." The Galaxy S III Mini is powered by Android™ 4.1 (Jelly Bean), the latest version of the world's most popular smartphone operating system, benefitting from fast, fluid and smooth graphics along with a new Google Search™ experience featuring Google Now™. Packed with the key features that have made the Galaxy S III, one of this years' most sought after smartphones, including intelligent technology designed to make interacting with the phone natural and intuitive, this compact version features the ability to understand human gestures, S Voice; which provides customised commands as well as Direct Call which allows customers to automatically call that person simply from the motion of lifting the phone to their ear collate to make an efficient and natural user experience. In addition, the Galaxy S III Mini gives customers access to the Samsung Video and Games Hub, as well as a 50GB Dropbox which is free for two years. Smart Stay and Best Photo features are also provided, helping to capture the prefect shot when using the 5 mega pixel camera. |
| Mac Pro owner crafts an example Fusion Drive, shows the fearless how it's done Posted: 01 Nov 2012 02:48 AM PDT
Mac fans not keen on picking up a new iMac to get that best-of-all-worlds Fusion Drive might not have to consider a full-on system swap if they're brave enough. Knowing how Apple's approach unites an SSD and a spinning hard drive in a single logical volume, developer Patrick Stein has used command line code to do just that inside his Mac Pro and prove that it works. His series of experiments with organized data shows the effect on storage speeds and that the pseudo-Fusion should even work with less common ZFS formatting. The publicly available instructions could well be tempting to Mac fans who want speed and storage all at once, although we might personally take a pass -- there's more than a fair share of risk in using an unofficial hack to recreate a storage technique that Apple hasn't even shipped. |
| Sony says Xperia Tablet S sales will resume 'gradually' starting next month Posted: 01 Nov 2012 02:17 AM PDT
Following the unexpected sales halt from earlier this month due to issues with build quality, Sony has taken to its Japanese portal to announce that the Xperia Tablet S will be returning to shelves later next month. Per the company, sales of the 9.4-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich slate are scheduled to kick off again starting mid-November (albeit in small dozes), with the outfit emphasizing that it's still offering a free-of-charge inspection / repair service to customers who might be affected by the leaky woes. Unfortunately, a "mid-November" estimate is all we have at this point, but you can be certain we'll let you know as soon as Sony gives us a more concrete date. |
| Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac updated for WP8, rebranded simply as 'Windows Phone' Posted: 01 Nov 2012 01:49 AM PDT
For Mac users who prefer Microsoft as their mobile partner, Windows Phone 7 Connector has been the one bridging the divide so far. The sync app has just been updated to v3.0, gaining support for Windows Phone 8 and a concise new name -- "Windows Phone" -- to match its Windows 8 counterpart. The new app plays well with Retina Macs too, while other goodies in the changelog include drag-and-drop capability for transferring files in either direction, along with support for iPhoto 9.3.2 and Aperture 3.3.2. Incoming WP8 devices such as the HTC 8X and the Lumia 920 will also get enhanced ringtone features and allow battery life to be monitored via the app. Persuaded? Then collect your goods at the source link below. |
| China's Tianhe-2 supercomputer could hit 100 petaflops in 2015, may have a race on its hands Posted: 01 Nov 2012 12:55 AM PDT
China's supercomputer development is as much driven by national reputation as by military prowess and science; the country chose to build the Sunway BlueLight MPP with domestic chips knowing that it wouldn't get the absolute performance crown. It won't be quite so modest the next time around. China's National University of Defense Technology wants the Tianhe-2 supercomputer due in 2015 to crack an extremely high 100 petaflops, or five times faster than the record-setting Titan over in the US and a whopping 40 times faster than the Tianhe-1A. Before we hand the crown over, though, Top 500 supercomputer chart keeper Jack Dongarra notes to ITworld that China might have to sprint if it wants the symbolic title: the EU, Japan and US are all striving for the same benchmark, and they're not backing off anytime soon. The nation's trump card may have to be long-term plans for an exaflop-strength supercomputer by 2018, at which point we suspect the bragging will simmer down. For awhile. |
| Sharp expects to post $1.94 billion operating loss for the year, score a meager Q2 operating profit Posted: 01 Nov 2012 12:16 AM PDT
Sharp hasn't quite laid out its Q2 2012 financials, but it has laid down some bittersweet projections. According to Reuters, the Japanese firm hopes to post an operating profit for the current term, but will take a $1.94 billion loss for the year as a whole. This prediction is a tad more dismal then its earlier forecast, which predicted a $1.25 billion loss for 2012. The TV maker also cut its predicted net loss from ¥240 billion to ¥450 billion ($5.6 billion). Sharp still is hoping its cuts, layoffs and mortgages weren't in vain -- and a short term profit for Q2 could be all it needs to vindicate the $4.6 billion loan it took out in September. Sharp also said it was penning in $1.1 billion for restructuring expenses in Q2, hopefully helping it stay on track for its 2014 profitability goal. |
| Sony cuts Q2 2012 losses to $198 million, bumps revenue to $20.6 billion thanks to mobile Posted: 31 Oct 2012 11:23 PM PDT
After losing a whopping $5.7 billion last year and $312 million last quarter, Sony's recent austerity measures seem to be paying off -- the company lost only $198 million in Q2. It's been madly restructuring since CEO Kazuo Hirai came on board last year and recently shuttered a lens plant in Japan while moving its mobile HQ from Sweden to Tokyo. Altogether, 10,000 jobs cuts are projected this year by Sony to help stanch the red ink, and it looks like it's started to pay off. Notably, the company saw a drop in restructuring costs over last year, when it incurred charges during the sell-off of its display businesses. Sony's mobile operations continue to generate more revenue, gaining $3.9 billion this quarter -- more than double last year's numbers -- though it still lost $296 million compared to $356 million in Q1. Its chip plants turned around last year's $230 million Q2 loss to earn $382 million this time, likely due in part to its sensors appearing in a large number of various company's DSLRs. Its own imaging division underperformed a bit compared to last quarter but still made a small gain, while its gaming, music and picture businesses each stayed in the black. Finally, while home entertainment products like TVs and home theater systems still lost $203 million, that's a big improvement over that division's dismal $526 million loss in Q2 2011. Sony is projecting a slight drop in revenue for its fiscal year ending in March 2013, from $85 to $83 billion compared to August's forecast. But the company kept its operating income projection unchanged at $1.6 billion -- thanks to new acquisitions like cloud gamer Gaikai and Olympus, along with such products as the new 84-inch 4K LCD TV and revised PS3 gaming console. |
| Posted: 31 Oct 2012 10:55 PM PDT 
The Belkin Wi-Fi NetCam is available now for online order directly from Belkin or via Amazon at $130, and arrives at US retailers in the coming months -- the NetCam app is already available on the iOS App Store and Google Play. We can't help but think it'd be a great pairing with Belkin's WeMo Switch, especially considering it'll take you one step closer to the Back to the Future 2 future we were all promised. KEEP TABS ON YOUR HOME FROM ANYWHERE WITH BELKIN'S NEW NETCAM WI-FI® CAMERA "The beauty of the Belkin NetCam is its simplicity and versatility. It allows you to keep an eye on your pets, your kids after school, your belongings, or even your baby's room, on any iOS or Android device without the need for a computer," said Mike Chen, senior director of product management for Belkin's networking group. "It sets up in minutes, giving you peace of mind without any hassle." The NetCam features infrared night vision for clear viewing even in low or no light, plus wide-angle video to get a better view of more of your room. The NetCam allows you to save live video to your mobile device for easy sharing and also provides clear digital audio to listen in on your room as well as see it. The NetCam sets up easily using any iOS or Android device and connects directly to a Wi-Fi router without the need of a computer. Download the free NetCam app to begin monitoring your home anytime, anywhere. The app also provides email alerts, notifying you when motion is detected and sending you a snapshot of the motion. NetCam Wi-Fi Camera with Night Vision (F7D7601) $129.99 Night vision for clear sight even in the dark Availability: About Belkin International, Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. |
| AMP-Foot 2.0 prosthesis gives the power of real feet, keeps a light step (video) Posted: 31 Oct 2012 10:07 PM PDT
It was five years ago that prosthetics took a very literal step forward when Arizona State University's SPARKy foot offered a more natural walk, capturing the inherent kinetic energy that previously needed a big motor to replicate. Belgium's Vrije Universiteit Brussel may well carry the torch for the next wave of artificial limbs. Its second-generation Ankle Mimicking Prosthetic Foot (AMP-Foot 2.0) uses a pair of force sensors to determine the leg's relative position and let an actuator build energy when the foot bends, locking the power away to use only when the owner pushes off. The efficiency produces all the torque needed to let a 165-pound person walk, but with just a 30W to 60W motor versus SPARKy's 150W -- a big help to battery life that also reduces the AMP-Foot 2.0's weight to that of the fleshy kind. We don't know how likely it is the Belgian prosthesis goes beyond the prototype phase; if we had our way, it would move just as quickly as future wearers undoubtedly will. |
| YouView software update adds surround-sound, faster boot times and grouped recording Posted: 31 Oct 2012 09:17 PM PDT
Rocking a YouView box? You'll shortly be in line for a software bump that'll give you a few handy tweaks. The update will speed up the device's boot-from-standby time, let you group recordings by series so you can watch 'em box-set style and pump out surround-sound audio if you've got the right gear. It'll also provide a few useful UI tweaks, like offering the option to hide BBC red button prompts, letting you roll live TV backwards by 15 seconds or forwards by 60 seconds. It'll be available on Humax-branded boxes over the next few weeks, followed by the TalkTalk branded units shortly afterward. |
| T-Mobile says its Nexus 4 won't provide WiFi calling, makes a stronger case for going unlocked Posted: 31 Oct 2012 08:30 PM PDT
T-Mobile has already made an odd pair of decisions around its approach to the Nexus 4, namely its choices to ask $200 on contract and $500 up-front for a smartphone that costs $349 unlocked. It might be time to add a third quirk to the list, if a forgivable (and not entirely surprising) one. The carrier has confirmed to TmoNews that it won't be offering WiFi calling through its edition of Google's flagship; if cost or coverage makes cellular voice a scarce resource, VoIP might be the only viable backup. We weren't assuming that T-Mobile would suddenly layer the Nexus 4 in custom features when the very point is to run an unspoiled Android 4.2, but the strategy leaves us even less of an incentive to submit to long-term commitments when a virtually identical, unfettered Google Play model beckons. November 13th is looking better every day. |
| Screen Grabs: Microsoft Surface goes to work on NCIS: LA Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:53 PM PDT Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com. Just in case its dance moves weren't enough to move buyers, Microsoft's new slate is popping up in TV shows themselves, like tonight's episode of NCIS: LA. As seen in the clip, character Eric Beale confidently flips his Windows RT-powered Surface out (and naturally, makes use of its kickstand and Touch Cover -- gotta hit all the check boxes) to figure out what's going on and even multitasks with some simulated videoconferencing. All in all it's more realistic than when the other Microsoft Surface made a cameo in CSI: Miami (also included after the break), and is probably worth the promo fee by showing a use case enabled thanks to those features -- of course, with no cell access built-in, it's not immediately clear how he got online, but this is TV. So who did it better, tablet-style: this one, the PlayBook on White Collar, Cisco's ill-fated Cius on NCIS: LA last year or the iPad in Entourage?
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| Stitcher keeps the news flowing for desktop users with new web-based app Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:34 PM PDT
Stitcher is already a heavy hitter in the world of mobile apps, but users will now find their favorite radio shows and podcasts are accessible from the desktop. Today, the company announced an HTML5 version of its popular app that's optimized for all of the major browsers. Upon login, Stitcher users will discover their existing favorites for on-demand listening, playback controls at the bottom of the screen, along with Stitcher's discovery and sharing tools. While still in beta, the service is integrated between the desktop and mobile platforms, which lets users resume listening from wherever they left off, regardless of the device or platform. If you want to see more of what's in store, feel free to check the gallery below, or simply follow the source link to start listening for yourself.
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| Wikipad sees last-minute delay for new bundle and 'refinement' Posted: 31 Oct 2012 06:59 PM PDT
Were you raring to go and buy a Wikipad instead of trick-or-treating? You might want to search around for some leftover chocolate bars and potato chips. The gaming tablet maker has postponed its shipments the very day they were meant to start after chances to both to improve the bundled content and make a "minor refinement" to the experience. We're interpreting that last mention as either a pleasant surprise or an unexpected hiccup. Any delay may be comparatively short when Wikipad says it's already in the last stage of firming up a new schedule, and it's vowing a gift in return for maintaining a pre-order -- still, the clock is ticking if the company wants to score some mobile gamers before the holidays are over. You can check the full statement for yourself after the break. The Wikipad team has been relentlessly working with our manufacturers and partners to perfect the Wikipad bundle to ensure our first product is the best tablet and entertainment experience at launch. There is a last minute opportunity to enhance the Wikipad bundle as well as a minor refinement needed to ensure our first customers are completely satisfied with the Wikipad. We have informed our retail partners about this delay. For those who pre-ordered the Wikipad at GameStop through today October 31st, we will deliver the refined and upgraded bundles as well as a special bonus gift with the pre-order. We are very eager to deliver the Wikipad experience and are passionate about excellence. We apologize for this delay and want you to know that we are committed to bringing you the very best, high-end gaming tablet possible. We are in the final stage and will be announcing the new date soon. |
| US Cellular bringing LTE to 30 additional markets on November 5th Posted: 31 Oct 2012 06:34 PM PDT
US Cellular announced on Wednesday that it will increase its LTE network coverage by 30 new markets on November 5th. The first territories to be be summarily blessed are: Iowa, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. While this is great news for customers who call these states home, the carrier has yet to detail which cities will be making the jump to 4G. In the meantime, we'd advise keeping an eye on US Cellular's coverage map to see if your stomping grounds made the cut. For an encore, the carrier will light up Rockford, Illinois; Medford, Oregon; Yakima, Washington; and Knoxville, Tennessee at an undisclosed time. As for its LTE-ready smartphone roster, your current options are a trio of Samsung-made Android devices: Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note II and the Galaxy Metrix. Hopefully, as America's eighth largest wireless carrier's LTE footprint increases, so will its stable of suitable handsets. Until then, US Cellular 4G hopefuls, we hope you like the taste of TouchWiz. U.S. CELLULAR ANNOUNCES NEW 4G LTE™ NETWORK MARKETS New cities and states will begin receiving access to 4G LTE speeds on November 5 The November rollout expands the 4G LTE footprint in select cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Oklahoma, and brings 4G LTE coverage to some of U.S. Cellular's leading markets in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. The next wave of market launches will follow shortly in Rockford, Ill., Medford, Ore., Yakima, Wash., and Knoxville, Tenn. 4G LTE speeds will enhance the wireless experience and allow customers to begin watching a movie in seconds and enjoy smoother video streaming with little to no buffering, and video chatting with family or business colleagues is seamless. With 4G LTE capable smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S® III, Samsung Galaxy Metrix™ and the Samsung Galaxy Note™ II, customers have the ability to talk and access the Internet at the same time. Additionally, U.S. Cellular offers 4G LTE capable data devices including the Huawei UML397 4G LTE USB Wireless Modem and the Samsung SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot, allowing customers to experience data speeds up to 10 times faster. "With more than half of our customers having access to 4G LTE speeds by the start of the holiday season, we are helping customers simplify and organize their lives more quickly and easier than ever," said David Kimbell, senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer for U.S. Cellular. "The 4G LTE network builds upon our award-winning customer satisfaction and is the only one that comes with a valuable rewards program and other unique benefits like Overage Protection and Battery Swap." The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier's high-quality nationwide network. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier. For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G. |
| The status of official CableCARD tuner support for Windows 8 Posted: 31 Oct 2012 05:59 PM PDT
With the official launch of Windows 8 comes the official support of premium cable content via one of the various CableCARD tuners originally designed for Windows 7 Media Center. Silicon Dust is at the front of the pack as Media Center on Windows 8 is already officially supported and the documentation is available for both the HDHomeRun Prime as well as the ATSC or QAM HDHomeRun. The only feature we noticed was not supported for now, is WMC Sync. Ceton is still working on the official driver for its InfiniTV 4, but reassures us that the Windows 7 driver "does work relatively well," although, is unsupported -- the real loss here is that there are no plans to bring the InfiniTV tuner sharing feature to Windows 8. Last up is Hauppauge, who doesn't have a single mention of support of Windows 8 for the WinTV-DCR-2650 on its site (we reached out to them, will update once we hear back). Of course, support by Media Center and Windows 8 is one thing, but we're really waiting for a mention that any "Windows Store Apps" that can play nicely with all this premium HD content. |
| Engadget HD Podcast 322 - 10.31.2012 Posted: 31 Oct 2012 05:17 PM PDT
Get the podcast 00:21:43 - Disney acquires Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, plans more Star Wars movies Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| RIM's latest milestone: BlackBerry 10 now being tested by over 50 carriers Posted: 31 Oct 2012 03:50 PM PDT
Not much is going to make us excited about the BlackBerry world until RIM's latest devices actually ship, but today's announcement from Thorsten Heins is certainly good news in that regard. Today, he revealed that BlackBerry 10 units are now in the testing labs of more than 50 carriers, a necessary milestone that suggests the first BlackBerry 10 devices are still on track for a Q1 2013 debut. Naturally, it's a shame that the company is going to miss the holiday season, but if you have a BlackBerry fan in your life, we suppose there's always room for an IOU in their stocking. In the meantime, you'll find the full statement from RIM's CEO after the break. Statement from RIM CEO, Thorsten Heins I'm very pleased to confirm that we have passed a critical milestone in the development of our brand new mobile computing platform, BlackBerry 10. In the last week, BlackBerry 10 achieved Lab Entry with more than 50 carriers - a key step in our preparedness for the launch of BlackBerry 10 in the first quarter of 2013. We made this commitment during our recent results conference call and we have delivered. This process will continue in the coming months as more carriers around the world formally evaluate the devices and our brand new software. I have spent the last several weeks on the road visiting with carrier partners around the world to show them the BlackBerry 10 platform and to share with them our plans for launch. Their response has been tremendous. They are excited about the prospect of launching BlackBerry 10 in their markets. Our respective teams are now engaged on the technical and commercial preparation of the launch of BlackBerry 10 and the lab entry is an important milestone in that context. The hard work will not stop here as we build towards launch. Our developer teams are continuing to generate momentum to bring a wealth of applications to BlackBerry 10, our enterprise teams have started to present BlackBerry 10 devices and services to our business customers, and our engineers are fully mobilized to ensure that BlackBerry 10 launches flawlessly in the first quarter of 2013. |
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