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• GuitarJack Model 2 review
• Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute
• Introducing the original iPAD, Proview's late '90s iMac-like desktop
• Notion Ink's ICS build for Adam goes beta, adds 3G, GPS
• Windows Phone gets Gooroovster: streams Google Music whether it's official or not
• Ford sends out OpenXC beta, vehicle-aware apps should be just around the corner
• Spark tablet available for pre-order, still aiming for 200 euro price tag
• iPhone 4 antennagate class-action lawsuit settled, owners to receive $15 or a free case
• OS X Mountain Lion to be download-only, USB stick going the way of the dodo
• LG Fantasy Windows Phone appears on video, keeps us guessing
• Google's Dart lands in Chromium tech preview
• FCC Fridays: February 17, 2012
• Engadget Podcast 281 - 02.17.2012
• ITC closes the book on HTC's first complaint against Apple, still working on its sequels
• Lytro video camera 'a possibility', would need more processing muscle
• Congress passes bill opening up TV spectrum to next-gen WiFi networks
• Alleged iPad 3 Retina Display examined under a microscope
• Windows Mobile takes up roost in Windows Phone, thanks to WML project (video)
• BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 release confirmed for February 21st
• Listen to the Engadget Mobile podcast, live at 5PM ET with special guest Dan Seifert!
• Pantech Burst review

GuitarJack Model 2 review Posted: 18 Feb 2012 08:00 AM PST As recovering amateur musicians, some of us still fancy well-made mobile recording gear from time to time. The ability to simultaneously record guitar and vocals using an iPhone 4S is what made the GuitarJack Model 2, in particular, catch our eye. We've taken iPad recording accessories for a spin in the past, but the compact stature of this kit, along with its ability to transform a smartphone into a 4-track recorder seemed quite compelling indeed. At $149, this generation of the GuitarJack costs a full Grant more than Apogee Jam -- excluding the added expense of well-suited apps, of course. So is that hefty investment worth it? Read on to find out. Guitar Jack Model 2 review Hardware We'll just go ahead and get this out of the way early: the Guitar Jack Model 2 is quite the dapper peripheral. The adapter is housed in a polished metal shell that pairs nicely with the latest iPhone when the two are connected. Look closely and you'll see the side plates housing the input / output jacks are located are fashioned out of a lighter shade of aluminum. The kit also has a bit of weight to it, which bolsters its durability factor when coupled with that all-metal exterior. We won't recommend you go tossing the thing off your balcony to test its strength, but from the outside, it would appear to hold up much better than plastic adapters we've gotten our mitts on. There's only one tiny issue with the high-gloss aluminum coating: it loves to collect fingerprints. We found ourselves constantly wiping the adapter down to keep things somewhat presentable. The top and bottom of the adapter only feature logos and text; the action really happens on the sides of the device. On the right-hand edge, you'll encounter a 1/4-inch guitar or instrument input and a 1/8-inch headphone jack. Moving around to the top, there's the built-in iOS dock connector that allows for recording sans cables. Heading over to the left side, you'll discover a single 1/8-inch microphone input. The way all the jacks are set up, cables will extend out from the sides of the unit, allowing you to lay the entire thing flat while capturing your next power ballad. There are also diminutive rubber pads on the bottom to keep the kit's chiseled frame from scratching whatever surface it might rest on. Software If you don't install an app that plays nice with the adapter beforehand, your iOS device will prompt you to do so the first time you connect the two. Sonoma Wire Works, the company behind GuitarJack, offers a few options in the app department when it comes to getting your adapter in the game. We'll tackle the free ones first. GuitarTone allows you to rock out (via headphones, of course) on your iPhone while having the freedom to switch amps, cabs, mics and set up an effects loop to test out new riffs on-the-go. As with most free guitar apps, in order to expand your rig you'll have to dish out $9.99 per 12-pack. While the GuitarJack is connected, though, access to AmpPack 1 is granted and lends 12 amplifiers to your mobile axe arsenal. GuitarTone and TaylorEQ app screenshots If acoustic guitars are more your style, the outfit has developed the TaylorEQ app for those looking to channel The Civil Wars. This application boosts the sound of Taylor acoustics when used with the aforementioned adapter through a set of EQ presets specifically designed for industry legend's signature guitar shapes. You'll also be able to create your own custom tone and jam along with The Boss should you be so inclined. FourTrack app screenshots Splurging for the paid apps will allow you to get the most out of the GuitarJack Model 2. For the iPhone 4S, the FourTrack application is available if you're willing to shell out ten bucks. This software essentially converts your iPhone (or iPod touch and iPad, according to the company) into a mobile 4-track recording station with WiFi sync capabilities to get those new licks on your desktop for further editing. If an Apple slate is your recording weapon of choice, you'll need to spring for StudioTrack. For $20, this software will enable 8-track recording on an iPad via the tablet's built-in microphone or add-on audio interfaces like the GuitarJack. Wireless syncing is also available, as is the ability to load captured tracks into DAW software (like Pro Tools or Cubase) to further refine that new demo. Recording and general use To put the GuitarJack version 2.0 through the wringer, we used FourTrack as our application of choice. Capturing guitar licks was pretty straightforward and we used a set of noise-canceling headphones to monitor our face-melting tones right off the side of the adapter. Once we were through capturing our riffs, we were able to check our progress via the iPhone's speaker after unplugging the kit. We plucked the strings of both a Washburn acoustic electric and a Parker Nitefly M. Each time we had to pause our session to take a call or answer an email, the software remembered settings and we were able to pick up right where we left off. The WiFi sync feature worked well, as we snagged freshly recorded tracks from our desktop in a few relatively painless steps. We grew increasingly fond of GuitarTone as well. Yes, we doubt you'd want to invest a couple Benjamins in hardware and software for the sole purpose of going deaf playing "Everlong" with Dave Grohl. There is some practical use, though, in that you can avail yourself of all the amp and effects expansion packs you purchase back in FourTrack when you're ready to record some original material or a remixed cover. It doesn't have to be all business, all the time, does it? The competition We've also taken the Apogee Jam for a spin and have found it offers features the GuitarJack doesn't, and vice versa. The Jam works best with GarageBand on an iPad or Mac and therein lies a key difference: desktop / laptop connectivity. However, with Apogee's $99 offering, you can only record one input device at a time while the GuitarJack offers instrument and mic capturing simultaneously. Both peripherals capture a digital signal that cuts down on pesky noise one might run into with similar analog recording devices. The two units also feature gain controls as well -- the GuitarJack's level is altered via iOS app, while the Jam features and on-board dial. You'll also have to keep up with a couple of extra cables with the Jam, whereas the Jack is an all-in-one solution – a pretty nice perk, if you ask us. In terms of sound quality, the GuitarJack holds a bit of an advantage when each peripheral is tested with its recommended software. The adapter doesn't win in a landslide, though, and it'd be worth your time to consider both before committing. Wrap-up On the surface, the Guitar Jack Model 2 is a handsome, well-built adapter for capturing ideas for that new EP in both instrumental and vocal form. The machined aluminum housing made the peripheral not only looks nice, but it also alleviated some fears about damaging the kit in a gear bag or backpack. The recommend software performs well and the base models don't put too much strain on the ol' wallet. But there lies an issue with this bad boy: the cost. At $149, you won't come in too far under a dedicated 4-track recorder, but you'll keep a piece of burlier tech out of the mix. So, it really is all about being compact and mobile -- two traits we prefer when it comes to tech. With that said, the $50-plus premium you'll pay for this over the Apogee Jam is a sound investment only if you're going to be recording both vocals and an instrument simultaneously on the regular. If you're a guitar player without a decent set of pipes (think Angus Young), you may want to consider a less expensive offering that focuses more on your axe's tone. Even if you chose to spend your money here, you can expect above-average audio recording, along with a kit that's easy on the eyes as well.

Apple asks EU regulators to step in on Motorola patent dispute Posted: 18 Feb 2012 06:45 AM PST Apple already asked the European Telecommunications Standards Institute for more transparency on FRAND licensing, and now it's seeking a full-blown intervention. Motorola Mobility claims it received a letter on Friday from the European Commission advising there has been a complaint against it from Apple. The letter also stated that Cupertino wants the Commission to enforce the firm's standards-essential patents that breach agreed FRAND commitments. This latest development comes just one day after a German court awarded Apple an injunction against Motorola's implementation of slide-to-unlock on smartphones, as well as an ongoing saga of similar disputes with the firm. It's also just days after the European Commission approved Google's acquisition of the handset maker, based on beliefs that it "does not itself raise competition issues."

Introducing the original iPAD, Proview's late '90s iMac-like desktop Posted: 18 Feb 2012 05:37 AM PST So, have you been following the iPad dispute in China? Wondering exactly who or what this Proview company is and what they're doing with a trademark on the iPad name? Well, wonder no more friends. The company actually stylized the name as iPAD, and it stood for Internet Personal Access Device. They hit the market way back in 1998 and weren't tablets, but all-in-one PCs that looked an awful lot like another machine that debuted that year -- the iMac. Over the course of a decade Proview produced between 10,000 and 20,000 of he 15-inch CRT desktops, before collapsing in 2010 and abandoning its Shenzhen plant, thanks in part to the economic crisis engulfing the globe. Most of its assets, including the iPAD trademark are now the property of eight different banks and its debts exceed $1 billion, which probably explains why the company is demanding so much money from Apple. For more details about the original iPAD and a photo tour of the deserted factory hit up the source links.

Notion Ink's ICS build for Adam goes beta, adds 3G, GPS Posted: 18 Feb 2012 02:46 AM PST Last month Adam owners got a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich after Notion Ink released an Alpha build, but if the limited functionality didn't do it for you, how about an improved Beta version? The developers hope that HDMI video, functional GPS, better WiFi and a working compass will keep you happy while they iron out the remaining niggles, like non-functioning camera and microphone. If this sounds a bit more like it, you should be able to get your hands on it over the weekend. Hit the source link below for the deets.

Windows Phone gets Gooroovster: streams Google Music whether it's official or not Posted: 18 Feb 2012 12:51 AM PST Not a Spotify fan? Then perhaps a Google Music client will suit your tastes a little better. Gooroovster has just shed its beta cocoon to reveal its new Windows Phone wings. Available on trial, the full app will set you back $3.99 and offers streaming access to your whole library, the usual collection of music player controls and the ability to refresh the 500 most recent additions to your library. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any caching options -- so it's largely a Windows Phone-skinned copy of the web-based player, although it doesn't look all that official and you'll also need a Windows Phone device running the Mango upgrade. The typical Google Music provisos apply: check your data allowances and if you're out of US, you're (still) out of luck. That is, unless you know how to beat the system.

Ford sends out OpenXC beta, vehicle-aware apps should be just around the corner Posted: 17 Feb 2012 10:41 PM PST It's six months since Ford partnered with Bug Labs to build OpenXC and now the system is ready for third-party developers to get involved. Rather than following Renault and others down the Android route, OpenXC is a dedicated platform designed to bring together third-party apps and hardware. It comes with an Arduino-based interface module that hooks up to the car's own systems, allowing the software to work with sensors, audio interfaces, safety devices and whatever other add-ons an owner might want to rig up. One app, developed by India's HCL Technologies, is already complete: it sends location updates to selected contacts to warn them if a driver is running late for a meeting. (Finally, Arduino gets to do something useful.)

Spark tablet available for pre-order, still aiming for 200 euro price tag Posted: 17 Feb 2012 08:43 PM PST We're sure some Linux fans broke into a cold sweat over the open source Spark tab. Fortunately it's taken the next step towards their eager paws: the seven inch slab is now up for pre-order. Sign up for one and you'll net a priority order code to ensure you get one of the first units off the production line, alongside 500 points to use at the manufacturer's add-on store. The site still expects to launch the Spark for around €200 ($262), which is a fair chunk of change less than those top-drawer tablets -- and what price can you put on freedom? [Thanks Jose]

iPhone 4 antennagate class-action lawsuit settled, owners to receive $15 or a free case Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:54 PM PST According to CNET, a class-action lawsuit over the iPhone 4's troublesome antenna, aka Antennagate, has been settled. The planned resolution will net US residents who bought one and presumably either $15 in cash or (another?) free bumper case. CNET quotes co-lead counsel Ira Rothken (who, by the way, also represents Megaupload) saying that he believes the settlement is "fair and reasonable", affecting some 25 million people who will be notified by email and through print ads in USA Today and Macworld. Once they've received the heads up, they can go to www.iPhone4Settlement.com (not up and running yet) to register their claims. When the issue first came to light back in 2010 Apple suggested holding it differently before saying it would tweak its signal display formulas and, eventually, offering the free cases. Hopefully for the company and its users, this resolution puts the issue -- which is not a problem on the new 4S -- to bed. We haven't received any response from Apple regarding the case just yet but we'll let you know if we do.

OS X Mountain Lion to be download-only, USB stick going the way of the dodo Posted: 17 Feb 2012 05:31 PM PST Last time around, Apple was cognizant not everyone has broadband to download a 4GB OS, offering solace to those with slow internet with a (pricey $69) USB stick alternative. Times change though, as Cupertino's confirmed to Pocket-lint that the recently unveiled OS X Mountain Lion won't be offered with a physical counterpart. Apple's reasoning? "It was an interesting test, but it turns out the App Store was just fine for getting the new OS." So there's that. High time you took the plunge and upgraded to broadband apparently, or contemplated moving within the vicinity of an Apple Retail Store's willing WiFi. That or you could just buy a new machine. Your call.

LG Fantasy Windows Phone appears on video, keeps us guessing Posted: 17 Feb 2012 04:28 PM PST Clearly the LG Fantasy (make that the Miracle) isn't camera shy. Not long after a quick debut with Mr. Blurrycam, the Windows Phone handset has landed a short, poorly lit cameo in someone else's amateur film. Which is to say, the video doesn't reveal anything exciting. Aside from a few swipes and taps around the OS, we also get a quick peek at the device's rear, which is rocking an unmistakable "Not For Sale" sticker, and appears to have a matte finish. That purported 4-inch screen is allegedly of IPS quality, and is said to be paired with a 1GHz CPU, 8GB of internal storage and an NFC chip. The only thing certain about all these early appearances is that LG's fantasies are about to become a reality (sorry, guys).

Google's Dart lands in Chromium tech preview Posted: 17 Feb 2012 03:39 PM PST Leaves weren't the only things flying around Mountain View last Autumn if you remember, Google also unleashed its Dart programming language. Now, developers can get their hands on a tech preview version of Chromium, with the Dart virtual machine baked right in. There are Mac and Linux binaries available today, but no details about other platforms (ahem Windows) at this time. The preview lets you run your programs directly on the Dart VM, skipping the separate compilation stage. While it's just for developers at the minute, there are plans to include this in standard Chrome releases in the future. Aim at the source link after the break for the full details.

FCC Fridays: February 17, 2012 Posted: 17 Feb 2012 02:58 PM PST We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there individually, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy! Phones Alcatel OneTouch 308A Alvo Rock Cellon PCD A1026 Huawei U8815 (Ascend G 300) Motorola W419G (aka WX416) Panasonic EB-3236 (SoftBank) Panasonic EB-3901 Panasonic EB-4054 Samsung GT-I9210T Samsung GT-S6500 (Galaxy Mini 2) Samsung SGH-A157 Tablets and peripherals Acer Iconia Tab A510 NEC CUL7580 (tablet) Samsung GT-P3113 (Galaxy Tab 2) Samsung I905U (Galaxy Tab 10.1 LTE, bands 2, 4, 5 and 12)

Engadget Podcast 281 - 02.17.2012 Posted: 17 Feb 2012 02:13 PM PST Call us loco, but after this, the 281st edition of the Engadget Podcast, we're excited about a future where desktop operating systems, mobile gaming and telecommunications platforms, and hoverboard interfaces converge into one new distinct product category. We're not sure exactly where in the Walmart it will sit, but we're sure they'll figure something out. They always do. Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater Guest: Sean Buckley Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Orbital - Never 00:01:42 - The Engadget Show returns Saturday, February 18th with DJ Spooky and Google -- get a ticket to the taping! 00:05:10 - OS X Mountain Lion (10.8) in-depth preview 00:08:00 - Apple unleashes OS X Mountain Lion Preview to Mac Developer Program 00:09:35 - Messages Beta now available for Mac OS X Lion 00:28:04 - AT&T Galaxy Note review 00:40:00 - PlayStation Vita review 00:47:00 - Joystiq's PlayStation Vita launch guide 00:50:00 - PS Vita torn apart by iFixit, gets its vitals checked 00:53:27 - Prada phone by LG 3.0 review 00:55:45 - Motorola Droid 4 review 00:00:05 - iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video) 01:03:00 - Mattel's hoverboard keeps McFly planted on terra firma, away from water 01:05:34 - Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on 00:09:00 - Google Wallet gets prepaid security fix, but 'brute-force' issue still hangs in the air 00:10:00 - Apple wants to file patent lawsuit against Kodak, fully aware that Kodak's bankrupt 01:12:00 - Listener questions Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast Send your questions to @tim_stevens. Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005) E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com Twitter: @bheater, @tim_stevens, @seanniccus This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

ITC closes the book on HTC's first complaint against Apple, still working on its sequels Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:36 PM PST Remember that first shot across Apple's bow that HTC fired way back May of 2010? No? We don't blame you. Since that initial exchange of complaints against each other the patent war has spun almost completely out of control. Well, in October an ITC judge handed down an initial ruling, rejecting the Taiwanese manufacturer's claim that Cupertino and crew had infringed upon its patents. Now, almost four months later, a final judgment has been issued, consistent with the initial decision -- Apple is not in violation of the patents in question (which primarily concern the dialer and power management features) and the investigation has officially been closed. Don't get your hopes up too much though, this is just the first complaint in a long series of suits the two have filed against each other and HTC can always appeal in a federal circuit court. In other words, there's plenty more where this came from.

Lytro video camera 'a possibility', would need more processing muscle Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:36 PM PST While we impatiently await a Lytro to call our own -- or at least rigorously review -- it looks like the light field technology could be used for video. Ren Ng, CEO of Lytro and the man behind the camera's focus-dodging optical wizardry, mentioned that the main barrier between the curious camera lens and video recording is the amount of processing power required to manipulate all that fully-lit input. He also mentioned that Lytro is continuing to develop the wireless connectivity within the device, something that wasn't fully baked during our hands-on. If it's a processing power issue, those incoming quad-core smartphones might be able to help squeeze some video out of that f/2.0 lens...

Congress passes bill opening up TV spectrum to next-gen WiFi networks Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:19 PM PST It may seem a bit odd to see tech industry groups like the CTIA and CEA praising the passage of the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 by Congress, but that rather mundane-sounding bill has provisions attached to it that both groups and others have been pushing for years to happen. In an effort to cover the cost of the payroll tax extension, the bill also sets aside a large block of so-called unlicensed spectrum for auction, which is expected to bring in upwards of $25 billion. That spectrum had previously been used for TV broadcast use, but is now being eyed by various parties for next-generation WiFi networks, which could cover greater distances and potentially be used to bolster existing wireless networks. As part of the bill, Congress has also set aside a slice of spectrum that will be used as part of a nationwide network for public safety agencies. As The New York Times notes, however, it will see be quite a while before anything trickles down to consumers, with the auctions themselves at least a year or two away. The CEA and CTIA's statements can be found after the break. [Tower photo via Shutterstock] Show full PR text CTIA Statement on the Passage of the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Please attribute the following statement to CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent: "For more than three years, CTIA and its members have been advocating for more spectrum so America's wireless industry can remain the world's leader in the deployment of advanced wireless services. Today's bipartisan vote to pass the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, which includes provisions to make a substantial swath of spectrum available for commercial use, represents an important step toward meeting the industry's spectrum needs. "We are grateful to Representatives Upton, Walden, Waxman and Eshoo and Senators Rockefeller and Hutchison for their leadership throughout this process. Their dedication and focus were paramount to securing the bipartisan and bicameral support necessary to enact spectrum reform. We also appreciate FCC Chairman Genachowski and the FCC commissioners for their contribution to this effort. "Ultimately, today's vote was a resounding victory for consumers and the American economy. Making spectrum available will make it possible for America's wireless carriers to offer consumers better, faster, more ubiquitous wireless broadband service. The release of additional spectrum also will spur the investment and job creation that our economy needs." CTIA-The Wireless Association® ( www.ctia.org ) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C. SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved CEA Hails Congress for Expanding Spectrum Needed for Innovation ARLINGTON, Va., Feb 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)(R) today congratulates Congress for passing legislation that includes language authorizing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold voluntary incentive spectrum auctions. "Congress has taken a momentous step in advancing our nation's ability to innovate, create jobs of the future and meet the burgeoning needs of 21st century wireless networks," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. "These auctions will bring sorely needed revenue to the U.S. Treasury while handsomely rewarding broadcasters who choose to participate. Most important, this will help ensure our wireless broadband products have more usable spectrum and thus will increase the likelihood that the U.S. will remain the global leader of the Internet economy. We eagerly await the president signing this bill into law and working with the FCC on the rules surrounding the auctions." About CEA: The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $195 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES -- The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org , www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media; https://www.facebook.com/ #!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed , http://blog.ce.org/ .

Alleged iPad 3 Retina Display examined under a microscope Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:55 PM PST There are no shortage of iPad 3 rumors out there. Quad-core A6, LTE radio, Retina Display -- we've heard it all, but haven't actually seen much in the way of evidence. Now MacRumors claims to have gotten its paws on part of the mythical beast. The site has a 9.7-inch LCD, in the same aspect ratio as the iPad and iPad 2 that certainly appears to be rocking a full 2048 x 1536 resolution. Without a way to power the screen its a little tough to be certain, but the same area of the alleged iPad 3 panel does seem to house twice as many pixels as its predecessor when viewed under the same magnification. Could this in fact be the Retina Display destined to put iOS 5.1 in the hands of millions of tablet fans? We'll just have to wait for Tim Cook to reveal of its secrets to us, which should be happening sooner, rather than later.

Windows Mobile takes up roost in Windows Phone, thanks to WML project (video) Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:36 PM PST Whether you're looking for a good laugh or a simple trip down memory lane, seeing Windows Mobile 6.1 hobble around like a grumpy old man within Windows Phone might just satisfy both those urges. The technical stunt comes courtesy of the Dark Forces Team, which is now previewing a bit of hackery known as WML (Windows Mobile Loader?). While details of the project have yet to be made public, a video posted to YouTube clearly shows the elderly OS accessible from within Windows Phone on an HTC Gold (HD7). Support for Windows Mobile 6.5 is also in the works, but for the moment, just take a peep at the most important visual treat in the above clip.

BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 release confirmed for February 21st Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:13 PM PST There's been plenty of back and forth between the web and RIM lately regarding the debut date of the next OS release for the PlayBook, and now we've got some hard evidence showing that the software is set to be let loose on February 21st . As you can see in the picture above, PlayBook users will be able to download version 2.0 in the early hours of an unknown time zone next Tuesday. The much anticipated update will finally give the tablet a native email client, improved BlackBerry Bridge functionality and plenty of other goodies. Not only that, BlackBerry Mobile Fusion will be rolling out that same day, giving IT professionals the ability to manage all BlackBerry devices from a single interface -- with Android and iOS controls coming in March. The picture to prove it is after the break, and now that we got that settled, we can go back to speculating about BlackBerry 10, right? [Thanks, Anonymous]

Listen to the Engadget Mobile podcast, live at 5PM ET with special guest Dan Seifert! Posted: 17 Feb 2012 11:50 AM PST We know a certain OS update will be the Mountain Lion in the room, but there was plenty of other interesting nuggets of wireless wisdom splashed around on the 'webs these past seven days. Join Myriam Joire, Brad Molen, Joseph Volpe and Dan Seifert from MobileBurn to get your regular fix of this week's news and rants, and geek out with us as we get ready for Mobile World Congress, now a week away! Listen in live at 5PM EST. February 17, 2012 5:00 PM EST

Pantech Burst review Posted: 17 Feb 2012 11:00 AM PST Consider the high-end smartphone. While you lust after those, Pantech is on the prowl, steadily adding to and improving upon its army of budget offerings in the US. It may not be as formidable a force as the Samsungs and Motorolas of the world, but the outfit is finally beginning to leave a mark. Once a complete unknown outside of Asia, the phone manufacturer is keeping itself incredibly busy on this side of the Pacific, cranking out low-cost devices for AT&T and Verizon. Now, Pantech's focus has turned to LTE, starting with the $50 Breakout on Big Red, followed by a smartphone and tablet option on Ma Bell. Pantech Burst official on AT&T Pantech Burst hands-on Pantech Element hands-on The Pantech Burst is the inaugural entry-level LTE smartphone in AT&T's lineup, debuting at $50 with a two-year commitment. Don't let that bargain-basement price turn you off, though -- this thing's got plenty of mojo to back it up, which makes the Burst a stark contrast to its Verizon counterpart. But what can we expect from a budget-friendly handset? Is Pantech finally pushing out a device that will help it earn a new level of respect from American consumers? We're bursting at the seams to answer those questions and take the device for a spin after the break. (Yes, we just went there.) Pantech Burst hardware overview Hardware Judging from the outside, there's absolutely nothing that would make the Burst stand out above the crowd. In fact, you could argue this handset is the most "normal-looking" Android smartphone Pantech's put out in the US -- one only has to take a quick glance at the Crossover and Pocket to validate this theory. The short version: it's a slab with a 4-inch display, a typical plastic build and all of the standard ports. Fortunately the phone attempts to break the monotony by adding a few tiny design tweaks and offering black and red color options. But as we'll find out soon enough, beauty isn't just skin deep; it lies beneath, within all of the circuitry, boards and other gizmos hidden under the exterior. To specify, let's rattle off a few specs you can expect from the Burst: a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 CPU, a full gig of RAM, Adreno 220 GPU, 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 16GB internal storage (expandable up to 48GB), 5MP rear shooter with 720p HD capture and a VGA front-facing camera for video chat. It also adds quadband (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) GSM / EDGE, triband (850 / 1900 / 2100) WCDMA / 21Mbps HSPA+ and dualband (700 / 1700) LTE. With only a couple exceptions, this is a highly respectable list of specs we imagine would entice a large number of people. Push all of that into a low-end phone, and you have our attention. Adorned with your run-of-the-mill plastic without any texture or soft touch material to call its own, we found the Burst to lean toward the slippery end of things, but the smartphone's smaller frame appears to make it easier and more comfortable to hold. It measures 4.98 x 2.46 x 0.45 inches (126 x 62 x 11mm), which puts it in the middle of the pack, thickness-wise. In this case, Pantech designed the phone carefully enough so that it could pull off a sleek profile, regardless of any relative heft. It also benefits from being incredibly light, weighing just 4.32 ounces (122g). While we would have preferred soft-touch plastic to add an smidgen of extra tactility, it was still was a pleasure to hold otherwise. If you're looking for a smartphone with the latest and greatest HD display, look elsewhere -- would you expect any different from a budget device? The Burst is equipped with a 4-inch Super AMOLED display that boasts a WVGA resolution of 800 x 480. This may sound incredibly underwhelming by today's standards -- assuming you're comparing this to $300 phones -- but the pixel density of the device is 233ppi, which is perfectly reasonable. Let's put it another way: this is the same panel featured on the Samsung Nexus S, but without the curved glass. As a warning to those offended by the very existence of PenTile, the Burst is all 'bout the RGBG layout, with some obvious pixelation should you stare at the screen hard enough. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, though, when you remember the price. And while we would love to have a better screen, it's good enough for us to not have any outspoken concerns with it. The colors are well saturated, the viewing angles are tremendous and the screen is bright when used indoors; unfortunately, we struggled to make out the display in direct sunlight. Flanking the display on its top and bottom are the VGA camera and capacitive navigation buttons, respectively. The keys are configured in the standard formation, with menu, home, back and search from left to right. Turning the phone to the right will earn you an up-close-and-personal look at the micro-USB charging port. The tippity top of the Burst houses the 3.5mm headphone jack and power button, while the volume rocker sets up residence on the left side of the device. The chrome top and plastic bottom (black or red, depending on your color choice) merge together in a curious arrangement, with the chrome bit reaching up on each end and the plastic piece extending down from the display in the middle. We can't say it's the prettiest phone we've ever seen, but we at least appreciate Pantech's commitment to taking design risks in the name of getting noticed. As an aside, another curious design choice is the plateau on the rosewood-themed battery cover, featuring ridges on the left / right and a gentle slope on the top / bottom. Speaking of which, the battery cover is where you'll find the standard 5MP rear camera and its accompanying LED flash on the left -- a first for Pantech in the US -- and speaker grille on the right. Lifting up the back reveals a 1,650mAh battery, noise suppression mic and slots for a microSD and microSIM card. The microSD slot is empty when you purchase the phone, but there's a very good chance you won't notice it right away -- the Burst is blessed with 16GB of internal storage. If you do need more capacity, you'll be able to stick in a card up to 32GB, which would push the phone's capacity to a grand total of 48GB. Performance and battery life When the Burst was officially announced at the AT&T Developer Summit last month, we were already taken aback by the idea that a low-end LTE phone could boast a 1.2GHz dual-core processor -- in comparison, the similarly priced Breakout on Verizon features a 1GHz single-core chip -- but during the course of our review, we've learned that the spec is incorrect. Rather, the Burst is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm S3 CPU with 1GB of RAM thrown in. Something this significant merited some extra investigation, and not only have we verified this using multiple apps that list components and track CPU use, we've also received official confirmation from Pantech that it is, in fact, clocked at that higher speed. AT&T's website, however, remains steadfast in listing the incorrect spec, which painfully adds to the confusion. We say: if you got it, flaunt it. This is easily the most impressive spec any $50 phone has ever had to offer, and it's being downplayed as if it's not important. The Burst is powered by a powerful 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm S3 CPU that keeps up with the Skyrocket and Nitro. Stepping off our soapbox, this powerful CPU lives up to our expectations in both real-life performance and benchmarks. The Burst handled our multitasking and gaming with ease, not giving pause or allowing any hiccups in the process. And the benchmarks certainly seem to back up our own experience: its Quadrant (version 1) score edges out the Samsung Skyrocket and trumps the LG Nitro and bests both in SunSpider 9.1. The other two devices came out on top in the other benchmark results, but the Burst didn't trail far behind in any of them. We were completely stunned to see a Pantech phone compete with such bigshots. It's a breath of fresh air to see an inexpensive handset that offers a level of performance that power users can be satisfied with. Pantech Burst Samsung Skyrocket LG Nitro HD Quadrant (v1) 3,415 3,334 2,616 Linpack (single-thread) 50.1 50.6 51.1 Linpack (multi-thread) 80.55 77.4 81.8 Nenamark1 56.1 59.8 56.1 Nenamark2 53.0 54.1 37.2 Neocore 56.2 57.7 59.8 SunSpider 9.1 2,658 3,115 2,687 Vellamo 1,151 815 1,156 Battery life (LTE) 7.5 hours N/A 4.5 hours Disclaimer: during the course of our review, Quadrant Standard was updated to version 2. The refresh adds ICS compatibility and will more accurately factor in additional cores, as well as making adjustments to the frame rate and other bug fixes. Because of this, the way scores are tabulated will be different as well. While our benchmark results in this review reflect the first version of the app, we have also run Quadrant v2, generating a score of 3,189. We haven't had the opportunity to update and test most of our old devices to offer a truly proper comparison, but we tested the TI OMAP-powered Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx and got a score of 2,273. We won't dispute that the Burst doesn't suffer in the speed department, given its LTE connectivity. We can, however, disagree on it being the fastest on said high-speed network. We took the LTE-capable Pantech Element and ran speed tests side by side to ensure there would be as few external factors getting in the way of our assessment. In the same location, at identical times and with equal bars of service, the Element outpaced the Burst in download speeds by a prodigious margin. While the tablet consistently hit speeds of between 30 and 45Mbps down, the handset averaged in the 20s with occasional bursts (sorry) in the 30s and 40s. You'll need to beg our pardon, because ever since we reviewed the Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx, our view on how long a smartphone battery is supposed to last has become irreversibly upended. After witnessing its 16.5-hour rundown time, we've seen the light and can't go back to the way things were before. There's no reason more handsets, even those that take advantage of LTE, shouldn't follow suit. Indeed, it's difficult to argue against the fact that the Maxx succeeded in raising the bar and rethinking possible. Oops, wrong carrier. Using our standard video rundown test, the Burst lasted for seven hours and 30 minutes when connected to LTE. This device's 1,650mAh juicepack got us through a full day with moderate usage, but heavy content consumers will need to have a car charger handy. We never experienced a dropped call during our tests, and we could hear the other end of the line easily enough, but the internal speaker falls on the quieter end of the spectrum. Happily, we didn't receive any complaints, likely due to Audience's dual-microphone noise suppression technology. The external speaker also teetered on the edge of mediocrity, with voices sounding slightly tinny on the other end. We had an enjoyable experience listening to music on our Skullcandy headphones, thanks at least in part to Pantech's equalizer, which offers plenty of profiles and even gives us the option to customize EQ levels to our own personal preference. The touchscreen was perfectly responsive in the sense that we didn't experience any lag or significant delays, but we noticed it occasionally stumbled when we required extreme precision. On multiple occasions, when we attempted to press a smaller button -- say, a tiny browser link or progress bar in the music player -- the screen would register touch a couple millimeters off. We usually moved the tip of our finger around a bit and found success on the second try, but it happened enough times to be a concern. Unfortunately, we had a similar spat with the capacitive navigation keys below the display as they would often require a second or third press before our touch registered. Camera We'll just put this out there: Pantech isn't known for placing stellar cameras in its US models. Rather, its shooters seem to be inserted into each phone as more of an afterthought, completely lacking the TLC we've come to expect from vendors like Samsung and HTC. We can't really be surprised by this, though, because the outfit appears to know its place in the US smartphone food chain. That is, Pantech understands that its primary demographic isn't a power user or mobile photography connoisseur. After all, it's trying to serve up inexpensive handsets -- its last three smartphones started at $50 on contract -- and more often than not, the camera tends to be one of the first casualties of corner-cutting. Pantech isn't known for stellar cameras, and the Burst doesn't do anything to change that reputation. Setting this expectation, we now turn to the camera experience on the Burst. Pantech sticks with its standard five-megapixel rear sensor, not unlike what you'll find on the Breakout and Pocket, but adds a poor LED flash this time around. While the sensor still lacks attention to detail, we noticed that it at least seemed to gauge white balance accurately. We wish we could say the same about its low-light performance, though, because it's utterly miserable. There are zero options for enhancing the precious little light we could conjure up, and the moon would do better at capturing images in the dark than the Burst's flash. Pictures of objects a mere three to four feet away from us are barely visible, much less exhibiting any semblance of color. Pantech Burst sample images The camera app is much quicker to load on the Burst compared to the Pocket, only taking one or two seconds, but the four- to five-second shutter lag is plenty slow enough to miss crucial memories that can come and go in a split second. We've found the only method to get faster snaps is to hold the shutter button down to lock the focus, and let go whenever you're ready. Doing so shaves a full second off the shutter lag, but it's not ideal for most situations. The user interface hasn't changed at all since we reviewed the Pocket, which means it's still just as bland as ever. There's nothing wrong with the camera app having a basic UI, per se, since we'd prefer to keep the viewfinder as clean and minimal as possible, but Pantech seems to take the same attitude with its overall list of features and functionality. You can tweak exposure, zoom, color filter, focus mode and white balance (with a limited selection of choices), but you're not getting any fine-tuning options like ISO, contrast, panorama mode, metering, anti-shake, smile detection and so on. Video capture unsurprisingly maxes out at 720p, and its performance seems to have improved over the company's previous models, but not by much. The motion in our sample videos appears relatively smooth overall, but there were a few choppy bits when the camcorder attempted to catch faster-moving objects. We were impressed by the audio, however, as our voice came out loud and clear and the mic picked up surprisingly little street noise. Software Since Pantech's new releases have generally been few and far between, we've grown accustomed to seeing a new build of Android installed on each, along with a revamped version of its custom skin. In the case of the Burst, however, only half of this is true: even though the OS has been bumped up to version 2.3.5, it essentially has the same interface as the Pocket. This came as a disappointment to us, since we weren't overly impressed with the skin to begin with and were hoping to see a few improved features, such as more options for customization. We can tell Pantech is working hard to come up with a clean and simple user interface, but unfortunately it goes overboard in its quest by offering a cartoonish look. This theme is evident everywhere, from the lock screen to the nav bar at the bottom of the home panel and virtually every menu the UI has. We're going to pick on the lock screen a little bit, because we think it shows a fair amount of promise that falls short on Gingerbread but hopefully will be fine-tuned by the time the Burst gets upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich (this is definitely happening, by the way, but Pantech hasn't said when). On the screen you'll see a ring with six circles, each one representing its own portal that takes you into a different place on the device. In addition to the standard unlock circle, there are quick launch shortcuts to get you into the phone's call logs, standard email, web browser, music player and messages. This isn't unlike the lock screen employed by plenty of other skins -- HTC Sense comes primarily to mind -- but we'd much prefer to be the ones behind the wheel, making the decision as to which shortcuts we'd prefer. For instance, it's downright silly that we can't have a shortcut that takes us directly to the camera, we can't replace the email quick launch with Gmail and we can't be taken directly into the dialpad instead of the call log if we prefer. Pantech Burst screenshots The navigation bar located at the bottom of every home screen offers quick access to the phone dialer, messages and web browser. Unfortunately, these options are just as stubbornly unyielding as the lock screen. The app menu is fortunately more customizable, but not by much. We're impressed that Pantech provides the opportunity to uninstall apps directly from this tray without having to do it from the settings menu, but misses the mark by not allowing us to put apps in folders or even separate them out into various categories. The Burst's app tray keeps the same set of background images that we saw introduced in the Pocket, which is a clever tweak but contributes to the UI's cartoonish look and doesn't let you add in your own pictures as an alternative. Our review wouldn't be complete without a lecture on the bloatware that comes installed on the phone. Both AT&T and Pantech added their own contributions to the list of 52 pre-loaded apps that either bless or frustrate your life, depending on how you look at each one. Of that number, only seven are uninstallable, and the phone's UI offers no respite aside from the ability to rearrange the apps you don't use and banish them to the last panel in your menu. The usual classics are there, such as Amazon Kindle, AT&T Code Scanner, AT&T Family Map, AT&T Navigator, Featured Apps and Live TV. Pantech's charitable donation to the bloatware cause includes a compass, unit converter, document viewer, handy memo, PC Suite connector, RSS reader, sketch pad and stocks app. Some of them turned out to be rather useful, but as we've argued since the dawn of time, it should be up to us whether or not we're allowed to keep them. The choice of virtual keyboards is limited to a selection of two: the stock Android board and Swype. We had few issues with either, and Swype is gradually becoming more and more intuitive as it continues to be updated. If neither option tickles your fancy, it's easy enough to download other options from the Market and add them to your collection. Wrap-up We're willing to go out on a limb and crown the Pantech Burst as the new king of budget handsets. It's not perfect and isn't meant to be, but if you can get past minor flaws like the camera and certain UI elements, you'll find yourself in possession of a powerful handset that's capable of keeping up with the network's LTE titans. Indeed, this was the first time we've truly felt proud to whip out a Pantech phone, and we're hoping this is a harbinger of things to come. We'd love to see this particular device become the poster child for entry-level phones going forward -- after all, if this company can do it, so can everyone else.

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