EquiMedia

Changes to Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

2012-01-28T11:06:00.001+05:30

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Dear Google user, We're getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google and replacing them with one that's a lot shorter and easier to read. Our new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting our desire to create one beautifully simple and intuitive experience across Google. We believe that this stuff matters so please take a few minutes to read our updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service at http://www.google.com/policies. These changes will take effect on 1 March, 2012.
One policy, one Google experience

Easy to work across Google Our new policy reflects a single product experience that does what you need, when you want it to. Whether you're reading an email that reminds you to schedule a family get-together or finding a favourite video that you want to share, we want to ensure that you can move across Gmail, Calendar, Search, YouTube or whatever your life calls for, with ease.	Tailored for you If you're signed in to Google, we can do things like suggest search queries – or tailor your search results – based on the interests that you've expressed in Google+, Gmail and YouTube. We'll better understand which version of Pink or Jaguar you're searching for and get you those results faster.	Easy to share and collaborate When you post or create a document online, you often want others to see and contribute. By remembering the contact information of the people you want to share with, we make it easy for you to share in any Google product or service with minimal clicks and errors.

Protecting your privacy hasn't changed Our goal is to provide you with as much transparency and choice as possible through products like Google Dashboard and Ad Preferences Manager, alongside other tools. Our privacy principles remain unchanged. And we'll never sell your personal information or share it without your permission (other than rare circumstances like valid legal requests).	Have questions? We have answers. Visit our FAQ at http://www.google.com/policies/faq to read more about the changes. (We reckoned our users might have a question or twenty-two.)

Notice of Change 1 March, 2012 is when the new Privacy Policy and Terms will come into effect. If you choose to keep using Google once the change occurs, you will be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Please do not reply to this email. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. Also, never enter your Google Account password after following a link in an email or chat to an untrusted site. Instead, go directly to the site, such as mail.google.com or www.google.com/accounts. Google will never email you to ask for your password or other sensitive information.

Changes to Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

2012-01-26T10:33:00.001+05:30

		Is this email not displaying properly? View it in your browser.
Dear Google user, We're getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google and replacing them with one that's a lot shorter and easier to read. Our new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting our desire to create one beautifully simple and intuitive experience across Google. We believe this stuff matters, so please take a few minutes to read our updated Privacy Policy and Terms of Service at http://www.google.com/policies. These changes will take effect on March 1, 2012.
One policy, one Google experience

Easy to work across Google Our new policy reflects a single product experience that does what you need, when you want it to. Whether reading an email that reminds you to schedule a family get-together or finding a favorite video that you want to share, we want to ensure you can move across Gmail, Calendar, Search, YouTube, or whatever your life calls for with ease.	Tailored for you If you're signed into Google, we can do things like suggest search queries – or tailor your search results – based on the interests you've expressed in Google+, Gmail, and YouTube. We'll better understand which version of Pink or Jaguar you're searching for and get you those results faster.	Easy to share and collaborate When you post or create a document online, you often want others to see and contribute. By remembering the contact information of the people you want to share with, we make it easy for you to share in any Google product or service with minimal clicks and errors.

Protecting your privacy hasn't changed Our goal is to provide you with as much transparency and choice as possible, through products like Google Dashboard and Ads Preferences Manager, alongside other tools. Our privacy principles remain unchanged. And we'll never sell your personal information or share it without your permission (other than rare circumstances like valid legal requests).	Understand how Google uses your data If you want to learn more about your data on Google and across the web, including tips and advice for staying safe online, check out http://www.google.com/goodtoknow	Got questions? We got answers. Visit our FAQ at http://www.google.com/policies/faq to read more about the changes. (We figured our users might have a question or twenty-two.)

Notice of Change March 1, 2012 is when the new Privacy Policy and Terms will come into effect. If you choose to keep using Google once the change occurs, you will be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Please do not reply to this email. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered. Also, never enter your Google Account password after following a link in an email or chat to an untrusted site. Instead, go directly to the site, such as mail.google.com or www.google.com/accounts. Google will never email you to ask for your password or other sensitive information.

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 12, 2011

2011-10-13T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 12, 2011:

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1) Microsoft officially launches Windows Phone in India with trio of Mango devices
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/microsoft-officially-launches-windows-phone-in-india-with-trio-o/

You may have already been able to get a Windows Phone device in India without too much trouble, but Microsoft has only just now made things fully official -- complete with Windows Phone Marketplace, voice recognition support, and a trio of Mango devices. That includes just the HTC Radar initially, which will be available next week for the local equivalent of $490, while the Samsung Omnia W and Acer Allegro (believed to be the same as the W4) are set to follow sometime in November. Of the three, the Allegro is said to be the cheapest of the lot, and there's also some reports that it will launch in Europe for €299 (or roughly $400) off-contract. Those curious about the Radar can check out our review from a few days ago.Microsoft officially launches Windows Phone in India with trio of Mango devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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2) LG Optimus Slider on Virgin Mobile at CTIA E&A 2011, we go hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/lg-optimus-slider-on-virgin-mobile-at-ctia-eanda-2011-we-go-hands/

Curiously enough, the prepaid market had as much of a field day at this week's CTIA Enterprise & Applications as anyone else; we already got our fair share of hands-on time with the Samsung Transfix for Cricket, and shortly afterward beheld our eyes (and mandibles) on the LG Optimus Slider, the latest beauty making a beeline to Virgin Mobile as early as this coming Monday. Aside from the obvious slide-out QWERTY, the Android 2.3.4 device will feature a 3.2-inch HVGA display, a 3.2MP camera and microSD support up to 32GB, and will be available without a contract for $200. Head underneath to take a look at the full image gallery and hands-on video.

Gallery: LG Optimus Slider hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011

Zachary Lutz contributed to this hands-on.Continue reading LG Optimus Slider on Virgin Mobile at CTIA E&A 2011, we go hands-on (video)LG Optimus Slider on Virgin Mobile at CTIA E&A 2011, we [...]

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3) The Engadget Mobile Podcast, CTIA edition, live at 12 AM ET!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/the-engadget-mobile-podcast-midnight-edition-live-at-12-am-et/

What do you get when you mix together a lack of sleep, a desk full of candy and two of our mobile editors at a trade show? Late night shenanigans in San Diego, that's what -- Myriam and Brad are up to no good while attending CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011, and they're ready to tell you all about their wild and crazy adventures while in the midst of a convention center (some crazy stuff goes down in those places, believe us). We'll also tell you exactly what didn't happen at this week's show, and offer up a double dosage of ranting. That's right, Myriam and Brad are in the same room, opining from the exact same mic. Should be a great way to spend the wee hours of the morning, eh? Tune in at 12AM ET (9PM PT) for this week's special California Nights edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast!

The Engadget Mobile Podcast, CTIA edition, live at 12 AM ET! originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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4) Apple granted injunction against Samsung in Australia, no Galaxy Tab 10.1s allowed in the land of Oz
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/apple-granted-injunction-against-samsung-in-australia-no-galaxy/

Among the many battlegrounds in the legal spat between Samsung and Apple, the case filed down under has had some of the most action. Just over a week ago, Apple wanted nothing to do with Samsung's attempt to settle the suit. Today, the crowd in Cupertino is glad that they rebuffed Sammy's overtures, because the Federal Court in Australia granted Apple's injunction barring the Galaxy Tab 10.1 from appearing in Aussie stores. That means that Sammy's svelte slate will not be for sale (legally, anyway) in Australia unless it can convince the court that its tablet doesn't infringe Apple's patents at trial. You've won this battle, Apple, time will tell if you win the war.Apple granted injunction against Samsung in Australia, no Galaxy Tab 10.1s allowed in the land of Oz originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | [...]

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5) Garmin demos upcoming MobileNavigator for iOS and Android, latest Windows Phone app (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/garmin-demos-upcoming-mobilenavigator-for-ios-and-android-lates/

So, get this. We were cruising through the halls of Pepcom's Mobile Focus with a horrible fever and on the brink of delirium. Unsure how much longer we could keep composure, we came upon Navigon's booth. In addition to displaying its brand new Windows Phone application, the company was also showing off its upcoming releases of MobileNavigator for Android and iOS. Fortunately, Navigon's Public Relations Manager, Johan-Till Broer, was kind enough to give us a demo of each app. Among the new features, users will be able to select individual states for local map storage, which goes a long way toward freeing up space. Additionally, there's also a driving mode called Cockpit, which allows leadfoots to check their speed and acceleration over the last 30 minutes. The app updates will be free to all existing users, although if you want to load up new maps, that'll be a one-time fee. We're told [...]

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6) RIM recovers, BlackBerry services coming back online
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/rim-recovers-blackberry-services-coming-back-online/

Well, that was quick. Mere hours after holding a press conference stating that it didn't know when BlackBerry users would have their BBM, internet, and email working again, services have begun to come back online. Apparently email is up across the globe, as is BBM. Web browsing, however, continues to be "temporarily" unavailable to those on EMEIA networks in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa and Latin America. There is of course a considerable backlog of messages to get through, but the good news is that all the BlackBerry bits and bytes are flowing freely once again. Hit the source link to get the info straight from the horse's mouth.RIM recovers, BlackBerry services coming back online originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | Email this | Comments

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7) Microsoft opens up latest Xbox Live dashboard preview program
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/microsoft-opens-up-latest-xbox-live-dashboard-preview-program/

Microsoft is prepping another update to the Xbox 360 dashboard and, as usual, that means some folks will be able to get an early peek courtesy of the company's preview program. While there's still no date set for a roll-out, those interested in participating this time around can now put their name in for consideration in the program, which is said to be a more automated process than before. As for the dashboard update itself, it boasts a new design for "integrated Kinect and controller navigation," new "Beacons" for playing online with friends, deeper Facebook integration, and cloud storage for your saved games and Xbox Live profile. According to Microsoft's Major Nelson, "other features and entertainment partner apps" may also become available during the program period. Hit the source link below for the complete details.Microsoft opens up latest Xbox Live dashboard preview program [...]

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8) Sharp, HTC and ZTE learn the NFC Forum secret handshake
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/sharp-htc-and-zte-learn-the-nfc-forum-secret-handshake/

The NFC Forum just scored a few high profile allies in the form of Sharp, ZTE and HTC. The handset manufacturers were among a slew of companies to join up as members, with Sharp and ZTE hitting the Associate level and HTC signing on at the Implementer level. Now let the mobile hazing begin!Continue reading Sharp, HTC and ZTE learn the NFC Forum secret handshakeSharp, HTC and ZTE learn the NFC Forum secret handshake originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phone Scoop | | Email this | Comments

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9) Samsung Transfix on Cricket at CTIA E&A 2011 (hands-on video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/samsung-transfix-on-cricket-at-ctia-eanda-2011-hands-on-video/

Staring intently at the image above? It's understandable. After all, it is called the Samsung Transfix, right? Cricket's latest Android addition doesn't necessarily break any new ground in its quiet release at this year's CTIA Enterprise & Applications, but it has a lot of potential for anyone looking to get an inexpensive prepaid phone. The new 3.2-inch QWERTY runs on Gingerbread, is powered by an 800MHz CPU and brings a 3.2MP camera to the tablet. Nothing to write home about these days, but don't forget: your parents might appreciate at least hearing from you, even if it's not regarding a smartphone. Stay transfixed below the break at our full hands-on gallery and vid, and a press release thrown in for good measure.

Gallery: Samsung Transfix hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011

Myriam Joire contributed to this post. Continue reading Samsung Transfix on Cricket at CTIA E&A 2011 (hands-on [...]

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10) Poll: Have you upgraded to iOS 5?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/poll-have-you-upgraded-to-ios-5/

We've heard plenty of you are receiving various error messages while attempting to install iOS 5, and some of us haven't had much luck either. But have you been able to upgrade? Let us know in the poll below, and jump past the break to sound off in the comments.View PollPoll: Have you upgraded to iOS 5? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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11) Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Amaze 4G on sale at T-Mobile
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-and-htc-amaze-4g-on-sale-at-t-mobile/

Sure, we knew this day was coming, but now the wait is finally over. Now the main question for T-Mobile customers at the end of their contract is whether to pick up the Samsung Galaxy S II or HTC Amaze 4G. Both handsets are now on sale from the carrier, running $229 and $259, respectively (plus plan, post-rebate, naturally). Thankfully, we've got a full review of the 4.52-inch Galaxy S II magenta edition and a hands-on with the 4.3-inch Amaze 4G, which should help make the deciding a bit easier.Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Amaze 4G on sale at T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Central | Email this | Comments

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12) Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/photo-stream-nhl-airplay-mirroring-and-more-added-to-apple-tv/

It got a bit overshadowed by Apple's other software updates earlier today, but Apple TV users also have a few new features to enjoy whenever they're ready to plop down on the couch. Version 4.4 of the Apple TV software is now available to download, which adds the new Photo Stream feature to view photos stored in iCloud, as well as AirPlay mirroring, plus content from the NHL and Wall Street Journal, and a new movie trailer section. You'll also now be able to view subtitles in Netflix (when available, of course), and you have a few new slideshow themes to choose from.Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Macworld | Email this | Comments

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13) 320GB HDD available this month for Xbox 360, $130 ups your storage game
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/320gb-hdd-available-this-month-for-xbox-360-130-ups-your-stora/

Since its introduction, Microsoft's second generation Xbox 360 has had nary a stand-alone HDD option aside from the company's proprietary 250GB drive, priced at a spendy $130 -- this despite those occasional limited edition consoles packing a massive 320GBs of space. That's soon to change, however, as Major Nelson's announced a new 320GB HDD for the 360, set to be available this month. Possibly in an attempt to sweeten the deal, this platter maintains the 250GB's $130 cost of adoption, and comes pre-loaded with Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (sadly though, no Lego love for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Slovakia or Japan, where the game won't be available). Notably, rather than dropping the 250GB drive's price, it's now curiously absent from the Xbox website (and we won't hold our breath waiting for it to pop up again either). Nothing like a good ol' fashioned pricing premium for official [...]

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14) RIM clarifies global service outage, doesn't provide ETA for restore
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/rim-clarifies-global-service-outage-doesnt-provide-eta-for-res/

If you don't own a BlackBerry yourself, chances are you know somebody who does. And if that person lives in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America or South America, they're probably quite unhappy with RIM at the moment. This week's service outage began with a server failure in the UK, and spread like wildfire to Africa and the Middle East, before continuing on to parts of Asia, the US, Canada and a good portion of South America. This is only the latest BlackBerry service outage for RIM, bringing email, BBM and web browsing services to a halt. But with BlackBerry services playing a critical role in real-time business and government communications, any interruption is unacceptable, and costly for all.

RIM CTO David Yach responded to questions during a press conference this afternoon, explaining the original cause of the outage (that UK server failure, along with a series of failed [...]

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15) Pantech Pocket for AT&T hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/pantech-pocket-for-atandt-hands-on-at-ctia-eanda-2011-video/

It's the glitz and glamour that typically defines shows such as this week's CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011, but Pantech chose to fly under the radar this time around. Sure, the company didn't have its own multi-million dollar booth at the event, but it still at least had a significant product to show off. We were given the opportunity to spend some brief time playing with the Pantech Pocket, a follow-up to the crossover with better specs and another unique form factor. The pocket features a 4-inch SVGA (800 x 600) display, which means you can expect the device to be wider and shorter than your typical handset; in terms of width, we felt as though we were holding a 4.7-incher. We noticed, however, that its shorter length allowed for additional places to grip, which made it at least easier to hold in our hand as a result. Specwise, the Pocket is a Gingerbread phone running on Android [...]

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16) Motorola and Verizon team up for Z-Wave monitoring service, let you control your home as you roam
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/motorola-and-verizon-team-up-for-z-wave-monitoring-service-let/

Do you have Verizon broadband and an overwhelming desire to dim your lights remotely and spy on the kids while you're out on a date? Verizon's mew Home Monitoring and Control service lets internet subscribers add Motorola's Z-Wave-based 4Home automation system to their existing package, enabling access to networked cameras, light controls, smart thermostats and door locks. With the $10 monthly service, you can monitor a collection of wireless cameras, unlock doors for family members or guests, or adjust the thermostat using a web-connected tablet or smartphone. The basic Home Monitoring Kit will run you $70, and includes a wireless camera and single light control. A $170 Energy Control Kit swaps the wireless cam for a connected thermostat and Energy Reader, while a $220 Home Monitoring and Control Kit includes all of the above. Door locks, window sensors and additional cameras are sold [...]

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17) Samsung Stratosphere for Verizon hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/samsung-stratosphere-for-verizon-hands-on-at-ctia-eanda-2011-vide/

The selection of devices to show off in the Samsung booth at this year's CTIA Enterprise & Applications is a bit meager when compared to previous shows, but we hunted down a pearl: the Samsung Stratosphere. The newest addition to Verizon's LTE lineup is also by far the most unique of the bunch, simply due to its physical QWERTY slide-out keyboard. In fact, you're apt to find a hefty number of similarities between the Stratosphere and last year's Epic 4G, as both devices come with 4-inch Super AMOLED displays, 1GHz Hummingbird single-core CPUs and 5MP rear cameras, though the former brandishes a nicer 1.3MP front-facing cam and comes with Android 2.3.4 installed. Verizon's little beauty is priced smugly between the Pantech Breakout and LG Revolution at a cool $150 with a two-year commitment, and will be available on October 13th. Check out our full hands-on gallery and video [...]

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18) Garmin ANT+ adapter for iPhone hits the FCC
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/garmin-ant-adapter-for-iphone-hits-the-fcc/

There's already a few options available for folks looking to pair their ANT+ device (i.e. a Garmin sport watch or cycling computer) with their iPhone, but it looks like Garmin is now about to get in on the act itself. While details are fairly light, the device sketched out above has turned up at the FCC for the requisite testing and approval, and it's definitely an ANT+ adapter for the iPhone, which we can only presume will work in conjunction with an app of some sort. Hopefully Garmin will fill in some of those remaining details sooner rather than later.Garmin ANT+ adapter for iPhone hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

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19) iOS 5 review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/ios-5-review/

Now well into its fifth year of life, iOS has always been known for its exceptional polish -- and also, its glaring feature holes. But, just like clockwork, each year since its 2007 debut, those shortcomings have been addressed one by one in a sweeping annual update. In 2008, the platform was opened up to developers giving us the App Store, 2009 saw the introduction of copy and paste -- which we'd argue is still the best implementation to date -- and last year "multitasking" finally made a presence. So what has Apple chosen to rectify in 2011? Well, for starters, notifications gets a complete overhaul with Notification Center, tethered syncing dies at the hands of iCloud and messaging gets a do-over with the birth of iMessage.

If you recall, we first got acquainted with iOS 5 in May after downloading the developer preview, but how does the final release stack up? And does it have the [...]

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20) Intel may be giving up on smart TVs, ceding market to ARM
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/intel-may-be-giving-up-on-smart-tvs-ceding-market-to-arm/

Well, it looks like Intel is throwing in the smart TV towel. As originally reported by AnandTech, and now confirmed by the company itself, Chipzilla is closing down its Digital Home Group and folding the team and resources into its tablet division. Its CE processors, which are found in the Boxee Box and the Logitech Revue, will continue to be sold, but it sounds like the focus will shift away from consumer-facing products. Obviously, that leaves the door wide open for ARM to sweep in. We already know that Google TV will be making the move to ARM-based hardware soon and the Boxee Box started life on Tegra before making the move to an Atom CE4100 (not to mention the A4-sporting Apple TV), so this isn't entirely new ground for the big players. Still, we're a little shocked to see Intel abandon the market just as it seems to be picking up steam.Intel may be giving up on smart TVs, ceding [...]

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21) iOS 5 and OS X 10.7.2 available for download: get your iCloud and iMessage on
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/ios-5-now-available-to-download-get-your-icloud-and-imessage-on/

Even if you were one of those Apple fans who was less than impressed by the iPhone 4S, there is still reason for excitement -- and that reason's name is iOS 5. If you've got an iPhone 3GS, 4, third- or fourth-gen iPod touch, or either of the iPads you can download Apple's latest and greatest mobile OS right now. That's right, all the fun new features like pull-down notifications, iCloud, iMessage, Find my Friends, Twitter integration and lock screen access to your camera will be at your disposal. Sadly you will not be getting a taste of Siri, which appears to a 4S only feature for now. Still, there's more than enough here to make it a worthy upgrade to your device. So, what are you waiting for? Go hit that update button now.

Update: Just so you're aware, you'll need iTunes 10.5 installed to get the latest iOS. There's also an update to OS X coming down the pipes -- version 10.7.2 -- [...]

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22) iPhone 4S claims title of first Bluetooth 4.0 smartphone, ready to stream data from your cat
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/iphone-4s-claims-title-of-first-bluetooth-4-0-smartphone-ready/

The Bluetooth 4.0 specification may have been finalized in July of last year, but smartphones supporting the standard are just starting to hit the market. In fact, the first such handset is the iPhone 4S. That the 4S is the first to deliver its 4.0 wares to the American public is something that got lost in all the hubbub surrounding its launch. One of the biggest selling points of the latest version of the PAN standard is its low-power mode, though that wont have much of an impact on Apple's device. What it will enable the latest iGadget to do however, is act as a hub -- collecting data from multiple sensors and accessories simultaneously, such as heart rate monitors and cats. Don't expect this to be alone on the market for long, other manufacturers will certainly be squeezing support for the specification into their next flagship device.iPhone 4S claims title of first Bluetooth 4.0 [...]

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23) Archos 80 G9 review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/archos-80-g9-review/

As far as tablets go, a couple of interesting things are going to happen between now and the holiday season. One, we're going to see a glut of smaller 7- and 8-inch tablets running Honeycomb (like this, this and this) hit the market. And if the Kindle Fire and Acer Iconia Tab A100 are any indication, they're going to be cheaper, making slates palatable to folks who previously couldn't bring themselves to spend $500 on a plaything. The Archos 80 G9, then, is the perfect specimen on both counts. Here you have an 8-inch tablet running Android 3.2 with a kickstand and full-sized USB port -- costing just $300 for the base model ($270, even, on sites like Amazon). So how does it stack up against other diminutive, aggressively priced tablets? Let's see.

Gallery: Archos 80 G9 reviewContinue reading Archos 80 G9 reviewArchos 80 G9 review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 [...]

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24) LG Doubleplay packs dual screens, likes being different
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/lg-doubleplay-packs-dual-screens-likes-being-different/

We double-took when we noticed this strange little handset on T-Mobile's leaked fall roadmap under a 'Flip II' codename, and now it's emerged in some press shots with a doubly playful new moniker and a touch more clarity. We can see a five megapixel rear camera with LED flash, a front-facer of unknown resolution, and what's reported to be a 320x480 HVGA main display. We know very little about the secondary display except that it seems to give you quick access to your apps -- although we're hoping there's more to it than that. The roadmap indicated an imminent November 2nd launch for $150 on contract and it surely won't be long before we get some hands-on time. Til then, we'll just try to imagine the ergonomics.LG Doubleplay packs dual screens, likes being different originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | [...]

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25) Sprint and Verizon confirm iPhone 4S Micro SIM unlock for international travel (update: Sprint remains locked?)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/sprint-and-verizon-confirm-iphone-4s-micro-sim-unlock-for-intern/

If you own an iPhone 4 on AT&T, using the device while traveling internationally means paying sky-high roaming fees, jailbreaking or limiting data use to when you're on a WiFi network, either with a public hotspot or through a service like Xcom Global. Verizon iPhone 4 owners, however, don't have the option of GSM roaming at all, and can only make calls and use cellular data in countries that support CDMA. All that changes with the iPhone 4S, however -- Macworld has confirmed that Sprint will sell its version of the device with the Micro SIM slot unlocked, with Verizon offering free unlocking to customers after the first 60 days of service. iPhone 4S owners will then be able to purchase a Micro SIM overseas, allowing them to access data and make calls at local rates, for a fraction of what it would cost to roam. AT&T iPhone 4S owners won't have this option, however, so if you make [...]

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26) Mobile devices may outnumber humans in the US, but they can't take our soul
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/mobile-devices-may-outnumber-humans-in-the-us-but-they-cant-ta/

We're not really sure what to make of this, but it looks like Americans may be under siege... from their own cellphones. No, seriously -- according to the latest survey from CTIA, there are now more mobile devices in the US than there are human beings. The trade association's semi-annual statistics show that during the first six months of 2011, the number of wireless subscriptions rose by nine percent over the previous year, to a total of 327.6 million. The combined population of the US, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands, by comparison, is around 315 million. That translates to a nationwide wireless penetration rate of 103.9 percent, and, not surprisingly, a 111 percent surge in data usage. CTIA says these results highlight "the industry's need to purchase more spectrum from the federal government," as well as our collective need to get a life. You can find more crunch-able [...]

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27) Pioneer AppRadio review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/pioneer-appradio-review/

If you drive, and if you read Engadget (which...you do), there's a good chance you've spent some time using an iOS device in the car. You've probably also spent some of that time wishing there were a better way to integrate your phone or pod with the car itself. There have been devices to help you bring Pod and vehicle together in an unholy union of distraction since that first physical scroll wheel hit the scene, from maddening tape adapters and FM tuners to more integral solutions like Ford's Sync system. The whole time, we were kind of just wishing they'd figure out a way to let us mount the thing directly in the dash, and have our way with it as we do in all other situations. Pioneer's AppRadio approaches that -- it looks unapologetically like a bigger iPod in landscape mode, complete with minimalistic physical controls and a laid-back, no-nonsense look about it. Does it, in fact, [...]

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28) The saga of the leaked iPhone 4 prototype comes to an anticlimactic end
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/the-saga-of-the-leaked-iphone-4-prototype-comes-to-an-anticlimac/

It's been a long, weird and winding road, but it appears that the saga surrounding the leaked iPhone 4 prototype that got Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's home raided is finally over. The two men accused of selling the device to Chen, Brian Hogan and Sage Wallower, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of theft of lost property. The two were sentenced to a year probation, 40 hours of public service and told to pay $250 in damages to Apple. The rest of the $5,000 they received for the prototype is theirs to keep. Through it all Chen and Gizmodo have escaped prosecution and, with the two who found and sold the device receiving barely a slap on the wrist, it looks like its time to close the book on this tale. Perhaps crime doesn't pay, but it doesn't appear to cost a whole heck of a lot either.The saga of the leaked iPhone 4 prototype comes to an anticlimactic end originally appeared on [...]

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29) Engadget Distro is ready for download!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/engadget-distro-is-ready-for-download/

You've been waiting patiently, we've been waiting impatiently, but now all that waiting is over. Engadget Distro is live and we can't wait another moment for you to download and give it a try. If you missed our introduction a few weeks back, Distro is a distilled version of the best feature content each week at Engadget. We know your life is crazy. We know you don't always have time to read everything good that comes through our feed. That's why we've created this. Now, every Friday morning, you can download a new issue to your device and then kick back, take your time and enjoy the best reviews, previews and other long-form content that slipped through your fingers during the week, all reformatted and redesigned in beautiful, magazine-like layout that we think you're going to love, and it works completely offline.

We're also mixing in some exclusive content found only in Distro, [...]

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30) BlackBerry outage spreads to US and Canada, continues in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America (update: RIM confirms)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/blackberry-outage-spreads-to-canada-continues-in-europe-middle/

It's day three of RIM's BlackBerry service outage in much of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, Brazil and Chile. But now the problem appears to have spread into Canada -- RIM's home turf -- and we're even hearing reports of some service issues in the US as well. We've reached out to RIM for comment, but we'd like to hear from you. Let us know whether or not you're having issues in the poll below, and jump past the break to sound off in the comments.View Poll Update: RIM has posted the following statement to its BlackBerry Service Update page:

BlackBerry subscribers in the Americas may be experiencing intermittent service delays this morning. We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and we apologize to our customers for any inconvenience. We will provide a further update as soon as more information is available.

Update 2: RIM UK has [...]

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31) Samsung modifies Galaxy smartphones to satisfy Dutch court, plans to resume sales soon
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/samsung-modifies-galaxy-smartphones-to-satisfy-dutch-court-plan/

Earlier this summer, a judge in The Netherlands ruled to ban sales of Samsung Galaxy S, S II and Ace smartphones, stating that the devices violated an Apple patent which deals with a "method of scrolling." Well, nearly two months have passed, and Samsung is just now getting around to releasing "upgraded" versions of the affected devices, presumably implementing a non-infringing scroll tool. A Samsung spokesman told Reuters that the three phones will "shortly be available for sale," neglecting to provide an exact release date -- so we wouldn't suggest lining up to get your Galaxy S II fix just yet. This small victory is only the latest in the Apple / Samsung lawsuit saga, which has created quite a stir in a handful of courts around the world. We have yet to hear about a solution to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 ban in Australia, for example, where fingers are being pointed in every [...]

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32) TeleNav 7.1 for Sprint Android phones: this time it's personal
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/telenav-7-1-for-sprint-android-phones-this-time-its-personal/

Sure, everyone loves Google Maps Navigation, it's free, and it comes on every Android handset. However, those wanting a more personal experience from their phone's GPS (and are on the Now Network) should check out TeleNav GPS Navigator 7.1. Among the changes from prior iterations of the app are a new home screen with real-time traffic updates and customizable "Home" and "Work" buttons to show your impending commute times. So you can pick the fastest way home (or the most direct route to happy hour) 7.1 also recommends multiple routes to your chosen destination and provides drive times and traffic conditions for each route. As if that weren't enough, you can also download three widgets to put on your Android home screen: a map showing your current location, a search bar, and a widget that shows your home and work commute times. We enjoy celebrities giving us directions and all, but it's [...]

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33) Sony locks 93,000 PSN and SOE accounts due to 'massive' hack attempt
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/sony-locks-93-000-psn-and-soe-accounts-due-to-massive-hack-att/

Sony's not having a good morning. In addition to having to recall 1.6 million Bravia TVs, it's also been forced to temporarily lock 93,000 customers out of their PSN and Sony Online Entertainment accounts. You won't be surprised by the reason: an attempt by hackers to "test a massive set of sign-in IDs and passwords" against Sony's network database. Some of the affected accounts showed "additional activity prior to being locked" and are being investigated. On the flip-side, Sony's Chief Information Security Officer, Philip Reitinger, stressed that most of the hackers' details resulted in failed logins and in any case credit card details are not at risk. Users are being told to expect an email if they've been affected, which will contain further instructions. Has Sony finally realized the value of timely communication?Sony locks 93,000 PSN and SOE accounts due to 'massive' hack attempt [...]

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34) Google TV 2.0: app developers get final add-on for Android SDK
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/google-tv-2-0-app-developers-get-final-add-on-for-android-sdk/

If you hadn't heard, Google TV is (over)due to get a major boost with Honeycomb and access to the Android Market. We've seen a few compatible apps leak out thanks to Google's early efforts to woo developers, but it's only now that we're getting the final add-on for the Android SDK. It brings a couple of revisions, like better placement options for the action and navigation bars, but more importantly it delivers the message that two-point-oh is almost two-point-here.Google TV 2.0: app developers get final add-on for Android SDK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google | Email this | Comments

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35) Sony to recall 1.6 million Bravia TVs due to melting components (update: not a full recall)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/sony-to-recall-1-6-million-bravia-tvs-due-to-melting-components/

A vast number of Bravia LCD TVs dating from 2007 and 2008 will be recalled after components in some Japanese sets went into meltdown and started smoking. So far only eleven incidents have been reported and it looks like no one has been hurt or experienced any wider damage, but Sony says it wants to take back 1.6 million TVs that were sold in the US, Europe, Japan and elsewhere. No word on exactly which models are affected, but we're expecting further details from Sony imminently.

Update: Looks like this might not be a full recall after all. We can't access Sony's support site right now, but the BBC reports that UK owners of the following models can summon an engineer to inspect their set if they're worried: KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660, KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500.

Update 2: Check after the break for US recall information.Continue [...]

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36) Samsung crashes iPhone 4S block party, lures Aussies with $2 Galaxy S IIs
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/samsung-crashes-iphone-4s-block-party-lures-aussie-buyers-with/

Can't say we didn't see this catfight coming after Apple boldly rejected Samsung's settlement offer in Australia, but man, the latter certainly isn't afraid of striking back in its enemy's front yard. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Sammy's set up a pop-up store merely meters away from Apple's Sydney store, all for just stealing the thunder from the iPhone 4S launch this Friday. The campaign? For the first ten customers each day up to Friday, the Korean giant's offering its Galaxy S II for just $2 sans contract -- no wonder the line's already longer than Apple's, according to the Herald. But of course, Samsung's also effectively funding some of these folks for their iPhone 4S from next door, so it's pretty much a win-win situation for both companies. See? There's always a happy ending, and let's hope that the upcoming Nexus Prime won't add fuel to the ongoing patent [...]

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37) PhotoFast iFlashDrive now available to pre-order in US and UK
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/photofast-iflashdrive-now-available-to-pre-order-in-us-and-uk/

We previewed the PhotoFast iFlashDrive back in June and it's a neat concept: a USB flash drive that also packs Apple's 30-pin dock connector, so you can increase the storage on your iDevice. If that piqued your interest, you'll be glad to know it's available to pre-order in the US and UK. The 8GB flavor will cost you $99.95 (£65), 16GB $149.95 (£95) and for users with a serious need for mobile storage, a 32GB stick is $199.95 (£130). iCloud? Who needs it.Continue reading PhotoFast iFlashDrive now available to pre-order in US and UKPhotoFast iFlashDrive now available to pre-order in US and UK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | HyperShop | Email this | Comments

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38) MIT researchers suggest graphene could be used to build a better camera sensor
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/mit-researchers-suggest-graphene-could-be-used-to-build-a-better/

As you may have noticed from the pace of research over the past few years, graphene is promising to make a whole lot of things a whole lot better. Now, it seems, you can also add camera sensors to the list. A team of MIT researchers recently discovered that graphene can serve as a photodetector over a "very wide energy range," and that it works particularly well in infrared light, where other types of detectors often come up short. That, the researchers say, could open to the door to everything from better nightvision systems to more advanced detectors for astronomical telescopes -- not to mention more inexpensive camera sensors in general, since graphene is cheap to work with. What's more, the researchers also suggest that those same light-detecting abilities could make graphene a good material for collecting solar energy, although they note that there's still much more research needed [...]

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Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 11, 2011

2011-10-12T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 11, 2011:

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1) Motorola Atrix 2 hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/motorola-atrix-2-hands-on-at-ctia-eanda-2011-video/

Motorola and AT&T are at it again with their Android shenanigans, this time following up the Atrix 4G with something a tad more... Atrix-y. Indeed, we're referring to the sequel of February's smash hit, honorably called the Motorola Atrix 2, announced at this week's CTIA Enterprise & Applications. We had the opportunity to get some brief time with it, and it's a fair device worthy of the family name: the 4.3-inch device feels good in the hand, and closely resembles the Photon 4G, only without the cutout corners. The sequel swaps processors, trading the 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU for a TI OMAP model with the same clock speed, and offers a full gigabyte of RAM to go along with it. Fortunately, the qHD 960 x 540 display looks gorgeous without its predecessor's Pentile clothes. Also gone? The fingerprint sensor. Oh, and don't be fooled by the missing "4G" moniker in the title; this little [...]

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2) Cadillac unveils CUE infotainment system for connected driving excitement in 2012 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/cadillac-unveils-cue-infotainment-system-for-connected-driving-e/

Cadillac may be an unlikely exhibitor for a mobile conference, but it is using CTIA as an opportunity to unveil the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). CUE is its new car infotainment system that will debut next year, first in the XTS and later in the ATS, before spreading to the company's entire line. It combines an eight-inch capacitative multitouch LCD and haptic feedback with proximity sensors for a more rewarding user experience. Touch isn't the only input that Cadillac is quite proud of, as CUE also includes voice recognition technology from Nuance. This means users should be able to interact with their phone and car stereo without ever taking their eyes off the road.

Gallery: Cadillac CUE

Remarkably, CUE has ties to the Linux Foundation and it is based on the namesake operating system. It's built on a tri-core ARM 11 CPU that simultaneously chews through 3D navigation maps and [...]

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3) AMD FX processor brings eight cores to battle, we go eyes-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/12/amd-fx-processor-brings-eight-cores-to-battle-we-go-eyes-on-vi/

AMD fans have endured a long wait for this, while being reduced to spectators as Intel spews out an ever-increasing horde of Sandy Bridge variants and builds up the hype around its next-gen Ivy Bridge architecture. But the new FX series of processors is finally here and will be available to buy in the next few days, with the top-end FX-8150 priced at $245 in exchange for eight cores, a 3.6GHz base clock speed and easy over-clocking to 4.8GHz using the packaged Overdrive software. Your AM3+ motherboard is crying out for the upgrade, but don't succumb until you've clicked past the break -- we've got details of the full range and pricing, our initial impressions and an eyes-on video that includes a detailed chat with the guys from AMD.Continue reading AMD FX processor brings eight cores to battle, we go eyes-on (video)AMD FX processor brings eight cores to battle, we go eyes-on (video) [...]

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4) Samsung and Google's Ice Cream Sandwich / Nexus Prime event back on for the 19th?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/samsung-and-googles-ice-cream-sandwich-nexus-prime-event-back/

This week's CTIA festivities aren't the same since Samsung and Google decided to postpone their new product announcement that was originally scheduled for today, but now we're hearing the Ice Cream Sandwich / Nexus party has already been rescheduled. An inside source tells us the two have moved their plans for the Unpacked event to October 19th in Hong Kong (interested US residents should clear out the the evening of Tuesday the 18th, time zones), timed to coincide with the AsiaD: All Things Digital event there next week. Naturally, we'll be in the house, but with not long to go before the potential date, we'd expect to hear something concrete soon.

[Thanks, anonymous]Samsung and Google's Ice Cream Sandwich / Nexus Prime event back on for the 19th? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email [...]

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5) Lapdock 100 brings a Webtop IQ boost to Moto phones on Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/lapdock-100-brings-a-webtop-iq-boost-to-moto-phones-on-verizon/

Looking to harness all the power of your smartphone PC-style? Motorola is looking to help with its Lapdock 100 for a number of devices, including the Atrix 2, Photon 4G and Droid Bionic. The laptop shell sports a 10.1-inch screen (smaller and hopefully cheaper than the Atrix 4G's axed lapdock), keyboard with dedicated Android keys, touchpad, multi-tasking and tabbed web-browsing via WiFi or your phone's data plan. You'll also be able to utilize a full Firefox browser, Adobe Flash, Quick Office, Google Docs and a PC-esque File Manager. Just in case your smartphone's SD card doesn't offer enough storage space, the dock packs two USB ports for all those extra documents you might collect. Looking to stay ultra-portable, the peripheral weighs a hair over two pounds (less than 1Kg) and touts five hours of battery life -- which can also be used to recharge that tired handset if needed. If [...]

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6) T-Mobile Springboard hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/t-mobile-springboard-hands-on-at-ctia-eanda-2011-video/

CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 has blessed us with a 7-inch tablet by the name of the T-Mobile Springboard. Similar in look and feel to the HTC Flyer, this Huawei-made slate is just as easy to hold, though it's completely sans a fancy pen. The device has a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, runs on the latest version of Honeycomb (Android 3.2), and offers a 5MP rear camera with a 1.3MP front-facing shooter. We couldn't get any confirmation on pricing or availability, aside from being told to expect the Springboard sometime during the holiday season. That may not narrow the timeframe down as much as we'd like, but at least you know it's an idea for that holiday wish list you've been trying to put together. Head below for a full smorgasbord of pictures and a hands-on video.

Gallery: T-Mobile Springboard hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011

Update: We were informed by T-Mobile at this evening's media event [...]

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7) France's eviGroup SmartPaddle surrenders to lower prices
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/frances-evigroup-smartpaddle-surrenders-to-lower-prices/

You may remember eviGroup's range of SmartPaddle Windows 7 tablets, the latest arriving back in March with the heavy-duty price of $1,800. Now it's produced a budget-model and rechristened the hefty original as the SmartPaddle Pro. The new SmartPaddle (keep up) has a 10.2-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive multitouch screen, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, 2GB RAM, 32GB SSD and a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 that runs Windows 7. Battery life is rated for five hours and the only build-to-order option you have is to squeeze a 120GB HDD in there too -- but they don't recommend you do. The company has stopped talking up its webcam-based gesture controls (probably for the best) and has made the old-school move of including a physical scroll-wheel along one side of the device. It's available to order now, at the comparably barganacious price of €660 ($900).

[Thanks, Nicolas]France's eviGroup [...]

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8) UK Gov wants opt-in system for adult material, imagine a boot stamping on a trackpad, forever
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/uk-gov-wants-opt-in-system-for-adult-material-imagine-a-boot-st/

Looks like Prime Minister David Cameron's not content with just shuttering the internet during social unrest (whilst condemning others who do the same). He's declared that four of the UK's biggest ISPs have entered into an opt-in system for adult material. The move is backed by the Mothers Union but has been flatly denied by the ISPs, who insist they're offering McAfee parental controls with new signups rather than Government-level web filtering. (Probably a massive let down to those eagerly waiting to delegate their parental responsibilities.) Of course, given the flaky nature of web filtering, any sanguine word that contained an expletive (the word "arsenal", for example) could be impossible to access until you had an awkward conversation with someone over the phone.UK Gov wants opt-in system for adult material, imagine a boot stamping on a trackpad, forever originally appeared on [...]

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9) The very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe rating
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/the-very-light-very-electric-very-efficient-edison2-evlc-score/

After winning the X-Prize, Edison2 decided the next logical step for its Very Light Car was to put an electric engine in it. Well, what is now known as the eVLC has been put through the EPA-certified ringer and come out boasting a jaw-dropping 245MPGe. Using the latest, more stringent, 5-cycle EPA tests the strange looking vehicle posted a miles-per-gallon equivalent almost 250-percent that of the Nissan leaf. The four-passenger eVLC also scored an impressive 114 mile range on its tiny 10.5 kWh battery (the Leaf gets 117 miles out of its 24 kWH battery) and sucked down a full charge in six hours from a standard 110v socket. For a few more details check out the PR after the break.Continue reading The very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe ratingThe very light, very electric, very efficient Edison2 eVLC scores 245MPGe rating originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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10) Verizon set to drop some LTE on 13 more cities November 17th
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/verizon-set-to-drop-some-lte-on-13-more-cities-november-17th/

Get ready Little Rock, Kansas City, Cedar Rapids and the greater Providence area, because Verizon is getting ready to unleash some serious LTE on all of you. The carrier is expending its coverage by 13 more cities on November 17th, bringing the total to more than 175. That date will also see coverage expansions in five areas, including Minneapolis / St. Paul, Louisville, Grand Rapids, Pittsburgh, and Nashville. Check out a full list of new cities and the accompanying press release after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Verizon set to drop some LTE on 13 more cities November 17thVerizon set to drop some LTE on 13 more cities November 17th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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11) Evolio's 2.2-pound U9 to drop softly in December
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/evolios-2-2-pound-u9-to-drop-softly-in-december/

We hadn't heard all that much about Evolio until this summer, when the Romanian company caught our attention with the Neura, a device it happily deemed the "most powerful Android tablet." The company has re-entered the scene with another bold claim, touting "the lightest notebook in the world." The 11.6-inch U9 is certainly on the smaller side of things, weighing in at around 2.2 pounds. Inside you'll find some rather netbooky specs, including a 1.6GHz Cedarview processor, 2GB of RAM and an SSD with either 64 or 128GB of storage. According to Evolio, the U9 is set for a December release.Evolio's 2.2-pound U9 to drop softly in December originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gadget.ro (translated) | Evolio (translated) | Email this | Comments

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12) Engadget HD Podcast 269 - 10.11.2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/engadget-hd-podcast-269-10-11-2011/

After a tumultuous week in tech we're back -- but Qwikster isn't. Of course we're giving our two cents on Netflix's stunning reversal, but there's also plenty of non-streaming news too. The newest TiVo DVR is out and about, while DirecTV is also ready to show off its Nomad and HR34 boxes. Microsoft has enhanced the Xbox 360's capabilities with a few new partnerships, while Comcast previews the future of pay-TV with its latest moves. The dawn of Ultraviolet is finally upon us, so are we excited about the possibility of buy once play anywhere? Find out the answer to this question and many more when you press play below.

Get the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).

[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.

[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune [...]

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13) Anything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do better
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/anything-your-regular-alarm-clock-can-do-ben-hecks-can-do-bett/

If it's a fight between any gadget, console or mode of transportation and Mr. Benjamin Heckendorn, your money should be on the latter every single time. To kick-start the second season of his eponymous show, the man they call Heck takes on difficult to program alarm clocks with their non-standard arrays of tiny buttons and annoying flashes. His solution? Build a universal model with a single rotary wheel control that's so easy to use a pensioner wearing oven mitts could do it. You can check out the episode in its full visual glory after the break.Continue reading Anything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do betterAnything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do better originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Ben Heck Show | Email this | Comments

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14) Virgin Atlantic launches low-carbon fuel, aims to halve carbon footprint (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/virgin-atlantic-launches-low-carbon-fuel-aims-to-halve-carbon-f/

Richard Branson was in London today to announce "one of the most exciting developments of our lifetime." Right, so that'd be SpaceShipFour, we presume, capable of landing on the moon? No, not quite, but a low-carbon fuel would definitely be our second guess. Virgin Atlantic is partnering with LanzaTech, a company that specializes in carbon re-use technology, to recycle waste gasses from 65 percent of the world's steel mills. In Branson's own words, they'll be "taking much of the s**t from up the chimney stacks and turning it into aviation fuel." By capturing those gases that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, Virgin would be able to reduce its overall carbon footprint without necessarily reducing the carbon output of its individual aircraft. The airline plans to have the fuel ready for commercial use by 2014, and will begin trials on its routes from London to Shanghai and [...]

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15) Motorola Spyder and Xoom 2 turn up in more leaked shots
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/motorola-spyder-and-xoom-2-turn-up-in-more-leaked-shots/

We've already seen Motorola's new Xoom 2 tablet(s) and Spyder smartphone (otherwise known as the Droid HD) turn up in a few leaked shots, and we've now received a handful more that are said to show both devices in their near final form. That includes a Verizon logo on both the front and back of the Spyder for the first time (though that's not exactly unexpected), and the Xoom 2 (the 8.2-inch version in this case) is said to be in "better shape" than the earlier prototypes, which had apparently been suffering from some rather serious bugs. As you can see above, the Spyder also has what appears to be a slightly more tactile back, which could well be the Kevlar coating that's been rumored for the phone. Interestingly, our tipster also says that the processor in this particular Spyder is clocked at 1.5GHz, although the final version will apparently indeed be 1.2GHz, as the earlier leaks [...]

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16) T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/t-mobile-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-review/

What else is there to say? Whether in its original, exotic exterior, its lightly changed but rather more accessible AT&T-flavored model, or the decidedly Epic Sprint version, the Samsung Galaxy S II has never failed to impress us. In fact, we called that first release "the best Android smartphone yet" and still, nearly six months later, it sits mighty close to the top of the pile -- if not squarely at the peak, waving its flag proudly whilst taunting the others below.

Here today we're looking at the last of the Three Musketeers: the T-Mobile version. This marks the final US release of the Galaxy S II, unveiled in late-August. At that announcement event the device was curiously locked up in Lucite, but now it's right here in our hands. While we didn't really want to set down this 16GB, 1.5GHz, 42Mbps HSPA+ wunderphone, we gently laid it aside just long enough to write this very review. [...]

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17) Logitech Harmony Link review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/logitech-harmony-link-review/

A first encounter with a multitouch device gets any active imagination running, so of course a home theater fan thinks it could make for the ultimate remote. But can any of that promise be realized in the dead zone that is the consumer remote control space? The leader of that dead zone is ready to give it a try with the Harmony Link -- a WiFi-to-IR bridge that allows you to control your TV from any room of the house via an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android device. For $100, it's a setup that promises to blend ease of programming with network connectivity and multitouch control. So exactly how good is Logitech's attempt? We'll reveal that after the break, of course.

Gallery: Logitech Harmony Link reviewContinue reading Logitech Harmony Link reviewLogitech Harmony Link review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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18) ITT unveils GhostRider encryption device capable of securing US Army smartphones
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/itt-unveils-ghostrider-encryption-device-capable-of-securing-us/

That may look like a Motorola Atrix, but it's actually something known as the GhostRider -- a new encryption device that could go a long way toward securing the Army's smartphones. Developed by defense company ITT, this revamped handset would allow military personnel to transmit secure text messages and phone calls over the Army's network, even if they're out on the battlefield. All they'd have to do is place their personal phones next to the GhostRider, tap and hold its touchscreen to activate the security features and begin texting away. When another GhostRider user receives an SMS, he or she would have to enter a pass code before reading it. The phone's security mechanisms, meanwhile, have been certified by the cryptographers at the NSA, which would certainly help justify its $1,500 price tag. The handset's display, meanwhile, looks awfully similar to the Army's Nett Warrior platform [...]

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19) ViewSonic ViewPad 10e coming soon to UK and Netherlands?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/viewsonic-viewpad-10e-coming-soon-to-uk-and-netherlands/

Is ViewSonic about to surprise the UK and Netherlands with a new ViewPad? We haven't heard a single peep about the new tablet until the advert you can see above mysteriously leaked, at which point Viewsonic confirmed to Tablet Test that the device not only exists, but will be coming out "soon." The ViewPad 10e gets a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 IPS display (that's the same size and resolution as the TouchPad and iPad 2's display), a 1.3 megapixel camera and it's only 9mm (0.35 inches) thick. We don't know much about what's on the inside, except to say it'll be running Gingerbread solo, rather than the "dual OS" setup of the ViewPad 10pro. There's nary a release date to be found, but we do know that when it arrives, it'll set Europeans back to the tune of €250 (about $340).

[Thanks, Andreas]ViewSonic ViewPad 10e coming soon to UK and Netherlands? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 [...]

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20) ASUS Zenbook UX21 and UX31 headed to the US October 12, starting at $999
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/asus-zenbook-ux21-and-ux31-headed-to-the-us-october-12-starting/

Back in May, when we first got hands-on with ASUS' UX21 and UX31 laptops, it was to be one of our first encounters with the kind of ultrathin PC that Intel's now marketing as Ultrabooks. Since then, a lot's happened -- we've seen a handful of similarly skinny notebooks, with Acer's Aspire S3 beating them all to market. Now, more or less on schedule, ASUS is ready to follow suit. The company just announced that its line of Ultrabooks -- make that Zenbooks! -- will go on sale in the US tomorrow, October 12, starting at $999 for the 11.6-inch UX21 and $1,099 for the 13.3-inch UX31. That's a hundred bucks more than the S3, but then again, that guy has an HDD combined with a small amount of flash storage.

If you'll recall, they weigh in at 2.4 pounds and 2.9 pounds, respectively, and thanks to those aluminum alloy bodies, glass trackpads and all-metal keyboards, they just happen to be [...]

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21) Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus WiFi approved by FCC
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/samsung-galaxy-tab-7-plus-wifi-approved-by-fcc/

Yesterday we brought you news of pre-orders, and today we can confirm that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus has passed the exhaustive scrutinizing that the FCC does so well. The version that had its insides prodded with multimeters and suchlike was the 16GB WiFi model, with no talk of any other mobile wireless capability. Still, whilst it may not be able to roam around the country without a MiFi, you know that when it's emerged from the testing bunker, it won't be long before it's available in stores.Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus WiFi approved by FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

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22) The Engadget Show returns Friday, October 21st -- win a ticket to the taping!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/the-engadget-show-returns-friday-october-21st-win-a-ticket-t/

Are you ready for this? We're dropping another Engadget Show on your head next Friday, October 21st! This time out, we'll be celebrating Halloween early, with a costume contest, a trip to New York Comic Con and all manner of additional surprises.

The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint and will take place in our intimate NYC studio, so if you want to get in, you'll need to win a ticket in advance. If you are joining us in studio, make sure to come in costume if you want to be eligible to win some awesome giveaways, including a very special $900 complete costume package provided by HalloweenCostumes.com. But don't worry, if you can't get there in person we'll have a download up soon after taping.

Sprint is also offering 60 guaranteed tickets to The Engadget Show taping to the first 60 entrants who text "ENGADGET" to 467467 or enter online! Standard text messaging rates apply. Click [...]

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23) Photoshop contest: send us your best / most terrifying Frankengadget
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/photoshop-contest-send-us-your-best-most-terrifying-frankenga/

Sure, you like playing with gadgets, but have you ever tried your hand at building one of your own? Well, here's your chance! We're going to clear some space in the lab and let you create your very own Frankengadget[TM] -- think Zombie Keepon, iGalaxy Tab or even an iPhone with a -- gasp -- micro-USB port. Let your imagination run wild, then make some magic in the image editing app of your choice. Once you're done, you can fire off a JPEG of your creation to our intern, Dr. Frankenstein (read: Jon), who will nominate ten creations for the grand prize: a congratulatory email from the team. Oh, and your very own copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection. But first, we'll choose five of those ten submissions, then compile those contestants into a photo gallery, letting you select the winner. Looking for another chance to win? Hit up the coverage link below to enter Adobe's [...]

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24) Apple releases iTunes 10.5 with iTunes in the Cloud
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/apple-releases-itunes-10-5-with-itunes-in-the-cloud/

As far as iTunes updates go this is a pretty big one -- version 10.5 brings with it what Apple's calling iTunes in the Cloud, which allows for automatic downloads of purchases to your Mac or Windows computers and all of your iOS devices, as well as the ability to download previous purchases on said devices as many times as you want. It's not exactly a traditional cloud-based service, but you do always have access to all of your purchased media, regardless of the device (so long as it runs some form of iTunes). As expected, it also finally adds WiFi syncing for your iOS devices, although you'll still have to wait a bit longer for the iTunes Match service -- it's slated to roll out closer to the end of the month. As usual, you can look for it in Apple's Software Update, or you can hit the link below to download it directly.Apple releases iTunes 10.5 with iTunes in the Cloud originally [...]

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25) Live from CTIA's day one keynote with Dan Hesse, Dan Mead and Ralph de la Vega
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/live-from-ctias-day-one-keynote-with-dan-hesse-dan-mead-and-ra/

We're seated for the official kickoff of this week's CTIA Enterprise & Applications show, the opening keynote address. Today we'll have the pleasure to hear from the Dan Hesse, Dan Mead and Ralph de la Vega, the CEOs of Sprint, Verizon Wireless and AT&T (respectively). The topic: "Return of the Titans -- carrier insights." We can't be quite certain yet as to what this entails, but we expect many of these "insights" will actually be a plethora of witty jabs flying back and forth at each other. Regardless, we're rather stoked to hear what these gentlemen have to say. Tune in after the break!Continue reading Live from CTIA's day one keynote with Dan Hesse, Dan Mead and Ralph de la VegaLive from CTIA's day one keynote with Dan Hesse, Dan Mead and Ralph de la Vega originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email [...]

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26) LG P930 handset visits the FCC, does little to shake off the mystery
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/lg-p930-handset-visits-the-fcc-does-little-to-shake-off-the-mys/

The last time we heard tell of the LG P930, the thing was little more than mysterious XML code. We still don't know that much about the Android-packing device, but at least it's now real enough to have earned FCC approval. There are a couple of interesting tidbits revealed in the documentation here, however -- first and foremost is the fact that it's referred to as an "LTE phone." Also on-board is Bluetooth and WLAN, 802.11n and WCDMA band V. As you can see from the above drawing, LG and the FCC aren't really giving us much to work with on the image front.LG P930 handset visits the FCC, does little to shake off the mystery originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

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27) HTC Radar review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/htc-radar-review/

It took life as the Omega, but it didn't take long for HTC's Mango handset for the masses to be christened the Radar. Alongside the higher-end Titan (with its gigantic 4.7-inch screen and souped-up 1.5GHz CPU), it holds the potential to replace numerous devices in the company's Windows Phone lineup -- the Trophy, Mozart and HD7 all come to mind. Yes, we may see additional options down the road, but for the moment, it comes down to these two. While the Radar's aging chipset, sealed battery and limited 8GB headroom will undoubtedly discourage some buyers, it's managed to find a soft spot in our jaded hearts. Just how'd it do that? Read on, as we count the reasons why.

Gallery: HTC Radar reviewContinue reading HTC Radar reviewHTC Radar review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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28) First Nokia 800 ads spotted, announcing the arrival WP7 for Finnish faithful
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/first-nokia-800-ads-spotted-announcing-the-arrival-wp7-for-finn/

Nokia keeps promising that its first Windows Phone 7 device will be shipping by the end of the year and, though the company is cutting it close, we may actually see that vow fulfilled. It's already been caught in spy shots a few times over, but now marketing materials for the Nokia 800 have started to leak out. With Nokia World only a few weeks away, it makes sense that the Finnish manufacturer would want a campaign ready to roll. The ads for what was formerly known only as Sea Ray talk up WP7's social features, with one declaring "Take, tag, sort and share. All in a flash." It's hardly a confirmation, but this is as good as sign as we've seen that Nokia will actually deliver us a little slice of Mango before it's time to buy a new calendar.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]First Nokia 800 ads spotted, announcing the arrival WP7 for Finnish faithful originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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29) Archos 101 G9 tablet goes on sale, 8GB version now $370
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/archos-101-g9-tablet-goes-on-sale-8gb-version-now-370/

After popping up at IFA, and teasing us with the whole 'pre-sale' thing, the Archos 101 G9 is finally ready to empty your wallet. We've only seen it on the company's store so far, where the base model's available now bearing a $370 price tag, with no sign of the 250GB variant yet. For your cash you get Android 3.2, a 1.0GHz dual core processor, and even HDMI out for those times when the 10.1 inch screen just isn't big enough. Still not sure if the Archos slab's for you? Try checking out our hands-on to see if this slate with the French flair is worth your hard earned cash, and head on down to the source link if the answer is oui.

[Thanks to OneLove]Archos 101 G9 tablet goes on sale, 8GB version now $370 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Archos | Email this | Comments

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30) BlackBerry services offline for some in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Again. (update: RIM confirms India, South America, too)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/blackberry-services-offline-for-some-in-europe-the-middle-east/

Well, RIM, things really aren't looking good for you over in EMEA, are they now? We've received several reports of a second BlackBerry outage for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, and our friends over at T-Mobile UK and Vodafone Egypt have confirmed again on Twitter, just several hours after RIM tweeted that service had been restored. So, what's going on over there? We're reaching out to RIM for a statement, and like those of you affected, we can only hope that things get back up and running very quickly. Are you outraged? Experiencing perfect service (and in EMEA)? Jump past the break to tell us what's up in the comments.

Update: RIM has issued the following statement:

Media statement - October 11

Some users in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, India, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina are experiencing messaging and browsing delays. We are working to restore normal [...]

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31) Nintendo 3DS expansion up for pre-order in Japan, ready to bulk up consoles in December
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/nintendo-3ds-extension-up-for-pre-order-in-japan-ready-to-bulk/

Ever feel like your life is one right hand circle pad short of perfection? We've got some good news if you happen to live in Japan -- Nintendo's 3DS Expansion Slide Pad is now available for pre-order via Amazon in that country. Sure, not everyone out there is excited about the thing, but aside from some obvious problems with bulk, we didn't find it entirely unpleasant during our hands-on time at the Tokyo Game Show last month -- and if that's not a ringing endorsement, we don't know what is. The add-on will run you ¥1,500 ($19.50) and should start shipping on December 10th in Japan.Nintendo 3DS expansion up for pre-order in Japan, ready to bulk up consoles in December originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | Email this | Comments

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32) Raytheon shows off TransTalk speech translator for Android, hopes to find a home in the Army's app store
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/raytheon-shows-off-transtalk-speech-translator-for-android-hope/

We've already heard about some of the smartphone apps that may or may not eventually find their way into the Army's own app store, and Raytheon is now hoping that it'll be tapped it to provide a key one. As Wired's Danger Room reports, the company has developed a new version of its TransTalk app for Android phones, which is able to translate speech from English to Arabic, Dari and Pashto (and vice versa). Since it's designed specifically for the Army, the app is geared towards translating phrases commonly used by soldiers on patrol, and it's also able to display and store the conversation as text. Just don't count on it hitting the Android Market anytime soon -- while the app runs on off-the-shelf Android hardware (a Motorola Atrix, in this case), there's no plans for it to be made available to the general public.Raytheon shows off TransTalk speech translator for Android, hopes to find [...]

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33) Root Cases launches wood iPad 2 duo, ditches the plastic for $79
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/root-cases-launches-wood-ipad-2-duo-ditches-the-plastic-for-79/

Just in case that plastic shell you picked up has run its course and you're not looking to alert Al Gore with your next purchase, Root Cases offers a wee bit more environmentally friendly alternative. Now you can outfit your iPad 2 with either North American Walnut or eco-friendly, South Asiatic Bamboo. Both cases will protect your slate in book-like fashion, securing the tablet at the corners and sticking shut via magnetic closure. If you're ready to pull the trigger, you can grab both of these via the source links below for $79 each -- or hit the gallery for another peek at the pair. At least you won't regret splurging for a wood case like you did if you shelled out cash for one of these.

Gallery: Root Cases iPad 2 Walnut and BambooRoot Cases launches wood iPad 2 duo, ditches the plastic for $79 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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34) Neato's XV-12 robot vacuum cleans your floors dressed in white for $400
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/neatos-xv-12-robot-vacuum-cleans-your-floors-dressed-in-white-f/

It cleans, it's hackable and has a laser guidance system -- what more could you ask of your Neato Robotics vacuum cleaner? You want it to assassinate those dust bunnies while dressed in white? Well then, you'll want to check out the company's latest offering, the XV-12. This successor to the XV-11 automated sucker doesn't appear to add much in the features department, but it does get a shiny new coat of "misty white" paint and is available exclusively through Target for $400. The big selling points here are still the constantly updating room maps that the XV series creates using lasers mounted on top and what the company claims is the "strongest suction available in any robotic vacuum cleaner." For some more details check out the PR after the break.Continue reading Neato's XV-12 robot vacuum cleans your floors dressed in white for $400Neato's XV-12 robot vacuum cleans your floors [...]

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35) Nissan's new charging technology will juice your EV in ten minutes, ten years from now
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/nissans-new-charging-technology-will-juice-your-ev-in-ten-minut/

Nearly a month after unveiling its revamped quick charger, Nissan has now announced that it's working on new technology that would make EV charging... well, quicker. A lot quicker. Developed alongside researchers from Japan's Kansai University, the manufacturer's approach would allow drivers to fully charge their plug-ins in just ten minutes, without taking any toll on a lithium-ion battery's storage or voltage. Nissan says it could achieve this by tinkering with a charger's capacitor -- more specifically, by replacing its carbon electrode with one based on a composite of tungsten oxide and vanadium oxide. Industry insiders, however, say this technology may not reach the commercial level for another ten years -- substantially longer than ten minutes.Nissan's new charging technology will juice your EV in ten minutes, ten years from now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 [...]

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36) Roku announces $50 LT model, will add HBO Go streaming to all of its boxes this month
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/roku-announces-50-lt-model-will-add-hbo-go-streaming-to-all-it/

That cheaper, purpler, Roku LT we spied passing through the FCC and beta testing is official, and will hit retail shelves for just $50 next month. It's only $10 less than the also-720p-limited Roku 2 HD, but that model isn't sold everywhere and if you're just snagging a box to watch some Netflix you probably won't notice the missing Bluetooth and SD card reader. No matter which model is selected, starting next month viewers will be able to watch HBO Go streaming content on the Roku family of hardware. Cord cutters that have dropped pay TV entirely still don't have access, but Roku CEO Anthony Wood reports around 80 percent of Roku owners still have cable or satellite. With that in mind, after Roku added Epix and was namechecked by Comcast to the FCC and at conferences, it's not surprising to see the TV Everywhere movement trying to co-opt the box for its own ends. Expect more content [...]

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37) 3LM resurfaces, still wants to make Android secure enough for the IT guys
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/3lm-resurfaces-still-wants-to-make-android-secure-enough-for-th/

Remember when Motorola bought 3LM, a startup dedicated to offering enterprise-class device management to Android users? After eight months of silence, there's finally some news about the company and its handset-agnostic solutions. It's called, erm, 3LM and you (yes, you) can begin the scintillating process of installing it on your servers and company-issued smartphones later this week. Administrators will get the power to encrypt data and removable storage on Android devices like the Motorola ET1, remotely install / uninstall / blacklist applications, connect to the devices over VPN and behave like the killjoys we all know and love admins to be. There's no word on how much this shebang will cost, but you'll find most of the other important facts in the press release, tucked after the break.Continue reading 3LM resurfaces, still wants to make Android secure enough for the IT guys3LM [...]

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38) BlueStacks App Player lets you run Android apps on Windows PCs or tablets (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/bluestacks-app-player-lets-you-run-android-apps-on-windows-pcs-o/

If you've been dreaming of a world where Android apps are free to roam across your Windows desktop, you're in luck, because BlueStacks has just turned your reverie into reality. Today, the startup unveiled an alpha version of its App Player -- software that allows users to run a host of Android apps on Windows PCs, tablets or desktops, without requiring them to make modifications to their original OS. Available as a free download, this early test version comes pre-loaded with ten apps, and can support an extra 26, on top of that. BlueStacks' free Cloud Connect app, meanwhile, allows you to port third-party apps directly from your handset to your computer, though some games, including Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, are prohibited. Those, it turns out, will be included under a paid version of the App Player, which BlueStacks hopes to launch at a later date. You can take the free software [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 10, 2011

2011-10-11T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 10, 2011:

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1) Bobsled by T-Mobile's free VoIP magic now available via browser, Android or iOS
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/bobsled-by-t-mobiles-free-voip-magic-now-available-via-browser/

Initially, T-Mobile's Bobsled brand simply offered a way to VoIP call your Facebook friends for free but with that angle sufficiently covered, it has moved on to wider access. Starting today it supports dialing out to mobile and landline numbers in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico right from your desktop browser. Also new are free apps for Android and iOS devices, however those are still limited to calling your Facebook friends (and enemies.) Still not quite sure what all this newfangled internet telephone business is? Check out the video demo above and press release embedded after the break.Continue reading Bobsled by T-Mobile's free VoIP magic now available via browser, Android or iOSBobsled by T-Mobile's free VoIP magic now available via browser, Android or iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bobsled [...]

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2) AT&T starts CTIA off right by introducing five new smartphones to its Android lineup
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/atandt-starts-ctia-off-right-by-introducing-five-new-smartphones-t/

At CTIA last March, AT&T stole the show by announcing its intent to purchase T-Mobile US. This time around the news is a bit more modest, but the company is still hoping to give us a bit of a shock by introducing a litany of new handsets right on time for the holiday season. The carrier promised the release of 12 Android devices throughout the course of the year, and this week's announcement pushes the 2011 running count to 19. Not too shabby. Naturally, we're looking for quality more than quantity, so we couldn't wait to dig into the devices that are coming out. Check out all five after the break, along with a quick video teaser.

Gallery: AT&T CTIA Android LineupContinue reading AT&T starts CTIA off right by introducing five new smartphones to its Android lineupAT&T starts CTIA off right by introducing five new smartphones to its Android lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, [...]

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3) Square ditches $1,000 per week limits, has 800,000 merchants processing $2 billion per year
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/square-ditches-1-000-per-week-limits-has-800-000-merchants-pro/

Until now, when a merchant using Square racked up over $1,000 in payments in the course of a week, everything above that limit was held for a period of time, ranging from just a few hours up to a whole month. As of today, roughly a year and a half after the company's founding, that restriction has been lifted. Now all payments will be processed immediately and merchants will have access to the funds the next day. Square also announced that, in the year or so since it started offering its wares to the public, it has signed up 800,000 merchants who have processed over $2 billion in transactions. After ditching the $0.15 per-transaction charge and with the $1,000 per-week restriction limit lifted, we're sure those numbers will only increase in the year ahead.Square ditches $1,000 per week limits, has 800,000 merchants processing $2 billion per year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, [...]

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4) YouTube extends movie rental service to the UK
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/youtube-extends-movie-rental-service-to-the-uk/

YouTube -- no longer the favorite repository for cats playing pianos -- has launched its movie rental service for folks across the pond. Previously available in North America only, web denizens in Ol' Blighty will now have access to brand new flicks for 24-hours at $3.99 a pop. Looks like all Mountain View needs now is Hulu to fully control the play-shifted portal.YouTube extends movie rental service to the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | YouTube Blog | Email this | Comments

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5) Oxford researchers show off autonomous Wildcat vehicle, no GPS required
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/oxford-researchers-show-off-autonomous-wildcat-vehicle-no-gps-r/

BAE Systems has spent years developing an autonomous vehicle based on the rather menacing Bowler Wildcat, but it recently turned the project over to Oxford University, which is now showing off some of the improvements that its researchers have made. Chief among those are a new array of sensors adorning the vehicle, which promise to let it more accurately map out its surroundings and navigate without relying on GPS -- that not only includes monitoring the road (or lack of road, as the case may be), but keeping an eye on traffic patterns and changing conditions, and watching for pedestrians and other obstacles. That's the same basic idea seen from the likes of Google's self-driving cars, of course, although we're pretty sure this could drive over one of those if it wanted to. Head on past the break for some videos showing off the vehicle's capabilities, and hit the source link below for a [...]

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6) Student spends summer turning a tablet into a Braille writer, says mowing lawns is for chumps
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/student-spends-summer-turning-a-tablet-into-a-braille-writer-sa/

Lots of us spend the summer by the pool, sipping Mai Tais and working on our tans, but Adam Duran had better things to do with his vacation. Instead of engaging in such lethargy, Duran attended the Army High Performance Computing Research Center's summer course held at Stanford, where he and his mentors developed a Braille writer app for tablets. You see, the average 8-key Braille writer is a custom laptop that costs $6,000, so given the paltry pricing on today's slates, this new solution is considerably more economical. Users place their fingertips on the display and the app populates keys underneath them, rendering tactile indicators of the keys' location unnecessary. Plus, the virtual keyboard provides a custom fit for your phalanges no matter how big or small they may be. The project has some "technical and legal hurdles to address" before it's made available to the masses, but [...]

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7) Wilson Electronics debuts the AWS 70 signal booster to bring life to your office's T-Mobile dead zone
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/wilson-electronics-debuts-the-aws-70-signal-booster-to-bring-lif/

See that beauty up above? That, dear friends, is the Wilson Electronics AWS 70 signal booster. We know, it doesn't look like the standard-issue 50-cent sticker that you slap underneath your battery, right? This beefy guy is meant to be a thousand times more effective, aiming to amplify your office's poor AWS signal -- most notably T-Mobile, but any 1700 / 2100 AWS connection can benefit -- by a total gain of 70dB. The booster offers the ability to manually adjust the amount of gain for uplink and downlink separately, so you can optimize it however you deem fit. With a MSRP of $360, it's not for the weak-walleted -- you'll likely want to put it on the company tab. If you're interested in how this all goes down, check out the presser below.Continue reading Wilson Electronics debuts the AWS 70 signal booster to bring life to your office's T-Mobile dead zoneWilson Electronics debuts the AWS [...]

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8) CyanogenMod 7.1 brings support for Xperias and 20 other handsets
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/cyanogenmod-7-1-brings-support-for-xperias-and-20-other-handsets/

All it took was a little love from Sony Ericsson and now CyanogenMod's latest official release includes support for a happy cohort of 2011 Xperias as well as the X8. The same goes for Samsung, which doled out a free GSII and some employment and now finds that the Galaxy smartphones are on version 7.1's list too. Wondering if your particular Droid, Optimus or Incredible can run the cyan shade of Gingerbread and its attendant perks? Then check the source link for the full roll-call of newly supported devices -- but remember, despite the increasingly friendly overtures from manufacturers, installing a custom ROM comes with certain pitfalls and can void your warranty. Got that? Now go and play some juicy FLAC files on that Arc.CyanogenMod 7.1 brings support for Xperias and 20 other handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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9) UltraViolet 'digital locker' opens for business. Lets you buy once, play anywhere... eventually
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/ultraviolet-digital-locker-opens-for-business-lets-you-buy-on/

The first UltraViolet-enabled disks wont actually appear on shelves till tomorrow, but that doesn't mean you can't get a head start on migrating to DECE's buy once, play anywhere platform. The digital locker is now open for business (sort of) and consumers can go sign up for an account right now. Sadly, there isn't much you can do just yet. Though the Flixster app for PCs and iOS was updated to add UltraViolet support, there doesn't appear to be anyway to link your various accounts (like iTunes or Netflix) with the service just yet. An account can have up to six different users associated with it, and you can control what content they will have access too -- a feature sure to be welcome by families with children. If you want to be able to purchase your flicks once and take them anywhere, right now your only hope is UltraViolet and Blu-ray discs bearing its logo -- a slow trickle of [...]

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10) LG panel puts LEDs along a single edge, achieves more nits with fewer watts
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/lg-panel-puts-leds-along-a-single-edge-achieves-more-nits-with/

Confining LEDs to the edges of an LCD TV cuts its energy consumption, particularly if you can get away with just lighting up one or two edges instead of all four. LG claims its latest Full HD 47-inch panel is the "world's most energy efficient," using a single vertical edge backlight to achieve 400 nits of brightness with just 28W of power -- less than any other HDTV bigger than 40-inches and even less than many 20-inch PC monitors. That's all good so long as there's no head-lighting or other tell-tale signs when the panel built into a final product. We hope for LG's sake that the washed out right side on the picture above is due to burning rubber. Full PR after the break.Continue reading LG panel puts LEDs along a single edge, achieves more nits with fewer wattsLG panel puts LEDs along a single edge, achieves more nits with fewer watts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct [...]

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11) This giant military spy blimp is really hard to miss
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/this-giant-military-spy-blimp-is-really-hard-to-miss/

What's this spy blimp doing next to an 18-wheeler? We're not entirely sure, but it's certainly not being subtle about it. This jumbo-sized floater, codenamed "Blue Devil Block 2," measures some 370 feet in length and comprises a whopping 1.4 million cubic feet. Originally inflated in September, the definitely-not-blue Blue Devil took flight for the first time last week in North Carolina and, if all goes to plan, should head to Afghanistan by the middle of next year. The Air Force says the blimp will hover above the country for five days at a time, collecting surveillance data from 20,000 feet above the ground and transmitting its findings to US intelligence officers on the ground, via laser. When that's taken care of, it'll be used to make the biggest omelette ever.This giant military spy blimp is really hard to miss originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:10:00 EDT. [...]

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12) Must See HDTV (October 10th - 16th)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/must-see-hdtv-october-10th-16th/

Baseball playoffs are in full effect and altering TV schedules, so if you're digging Fox's lineup then too bad -- it's going to be mostly on ice for the next couple of weeks. We've still got a few major fall premieres trickling in, but the most significant addition are the first Blu-ray titles with Ultraviolet (Horrible Bosses, Green Lantern). Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Forza Motorsport 4

It's no big secret that around these parts, our love of things that plug in and log on only narrowly beats out the need to go fast, and since we can't drive every car in real life, we'll leave that up to Forza. The fourth iteration of Turn 10's driving game arrives this week and has racked up a list of glowing reviews. New this time around are Kinect-enhanced car walkarounds and [...]

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13) Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus up for pre-order: $399 16GB, $499 32GB
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/samsung-galaxy-tab-7-0-plus-up-for-pre-order-399-16gb-499-32/

Korea's finest have been very coy on the dual-core and Honeycomb update to the Galaxy Tab 7, the 7 Plus. We knew that Austria and Indonesia would get it by the end of October but didn't know when it was likely to land in the States, or how much it would cost when it got here. Fortunately, it has now been spotted at J&R.com, where you will be happy to know that the 16GB version will cost $400, while the 32GB costs a bit more at $500. Now they just need to tell us when the thing will actually arrive.Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus up for pre-order: $399 16GB, $499 32GB originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Slashgear | Email this | Comments

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14) We're live from CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/were-live-from-ctia-enterprise-and-applications-2011/

We're gathering at the San Diego Convention Center to attend the fall edition of CTIA Wireless, also known as CTIA Wireless Enterprise & Applications 2011. Sure, the name's a mouthful, but we can't wait to check out the show floor and get a handful of the latest and greatest gadgets. The biggest news so far is what won't be shown off at this week's event, but we're certain this shindig's got plenty more to take our attention away from good ol' Nexus whats-his-face. So be sure to follow Engadget's CTIA 2011 tag to get all the action!We're live from CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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15) BlackBerry Tag: touch-to-share for... multimedia?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/blackberry-tag-touch-to-share-for-multimedia/

Research in Motion's Jim Balsillie's currently in Dubai, gassing about how amazing the latest update to BlackBerry 7 OS will be -- probably between trips to the beach. When it arrives, those crackberries equipped with NFC (Bold 9900 / 9930 and Curve 9350 / 9360 / 9370) will get BlackBerry Tag. You'll be able to tap two phones together to share contact details, multimedia content or add new friends to your BBM. RIM is planning to open up the relevant APIs so developers can use the facility in any number of interesting ways, like bringing touch-to-share to the system. Considering the speed constraints of NFC, it's difficult to believe that big files like images could be carried by the technology -- it's more likely that NFC will pair the devices and then send your files down a larger pipe, like Bluetooth. There's an enigmatic press release after the break, and hopefully the company will [...]

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16) Disney Mobile DM010SH Android phone hits Softbank stores in Japan, we go hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/disney-mobile-dm010sh-android-phone-hits-softbank-stores-in-japa/

Disney Mobile's first Android-powered smartphone hit Softbank Mobile stores in Japan earlier this month, with 0 JPY (about $0) due up front. You won't be getting off that easy though -- expect to pay just shy of 74,000 JPY (about $965) off contract, or 24 monthly installments of 880 JPY (about $11) if you opt for the two-year agreement. The Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) DM010SH packs a 4-inch 960 x 540 qHD display with 3D support, a 1GHz processor, and the typical spattering of smartphone features, including 3G data, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and microSDHC expandability, along with an 8 megapixel camera.

Rest assured that Disney branding abounds, from the company logo just below the earpiece, to those signature mouse ears that replace a generic home button. There's also a default Snow White 3D wallpaper and a home screen link to the D-Market, where you can load up your device with [...]

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17) Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/join-the-engadget-hd-podcast-live-on-ustream-at-5-30pm/

It's Monday, and we're still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. We're back at our regular time, so take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PMJoin the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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18) The iPad gets a Facebook app, finally
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/the-ipad-gets-a-facebook-app-finally/

Kind of like eating a peanut butter sandwich with no jelly, the most obvious app missing from the iPad has been Facebook -- until today. The New York Times reports that the site has finally confirmed the app's availability just in time for eager social networkers to like, subscribe and stalk from their slates. According to software engineer Leon Dubinsky, the app will highlight the multitouch awesomeness of the iPad, something that's unavailable from the website alone even from a touchscreen device. The folks at FB also added that some of the newly released features will be integrated into the iPhone app as well, making it a win / win for iOS fanatics. Consider it liked. Check out the brief PR after the break.Continue reading The iPad gets a Facebook app, finallyFiled under: Tablet PCsThe iPad gets a Facebook app, finally originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:33:00 EDT. [...]

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19) The Faraday electric bike shows us all how retro the future will be
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/the-faraday-electric-bike-shows-us-all-how-retro-the-future-will/

This ain't no fixie with a minty fresh paint job, this is the Faraday. Built for the Oregon Manifest design competition, ideas factory Ideo teamed up with bike builders Rock Lobster Cycles to produce this retro-technotastic electric bike. Everything futuristic has been hidden inside the frame: those parallel top tubes hold a series of lithium-ion batteries which juice up the front-hub motor -- all controlled from the green box tucked beneath the seat cluster. Those two prongs up front serve as built-in headlights and the base of a modular racking system, letting you swap out various carrying mechanisms like a trunk or child seat with the pop of a bolt. Tragically, the bike is just a concept -- so unless the teams responsible cave into peer pressure and get it into production, you'll have to use old-fashioned leg power to get you over those steep hills.

Gallery: Faraday electric [...]

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20) Google takes steady aim at web programming with Dart
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/google-takes-steady-aim-at-web-programming-with-dart/

Google has brought its arm up, narrowed its focus and let Dart fly. The new programming language focuses on web apps, and the internet giant is hoping that Dart will feel "familiar and natural" to developers raised on a diet of rival programming languages. The ability to execute code in either a native virtual machine (which emulates how it'd work in real-life) or a JavaScript engine means that anything can be compiled to run on current web browsers. Dart devs are also exploring the idea of cramming a virtual machine inside future versions of Chrome. Eager coders can now get their teeth into all of Google's open source development tools by targeting the second source link below.
Google takes steady aim at web programming with Dart originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TNW | Email this | Comments

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21) Sonim introduces trio of rugged phones, including one with NFC support
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/sonim-introduces-trio-of-rugged-phones-including-one-with-nfc-s/

Sonim's established a rather solid reputation in the rugged phone genre, with its XP3300 Force claiming the Guinness World Record for surviving the longest freefall this past February. Now it's branching out by announcing three more mil-spec devices at this week's CTIA, two of which will be available in the US starting today. First at bat is the XP1301 Core NFC, a device that lives up to its name by supporting a tag reader optimized for the workforce. It was announced for European availability last month, and is now ready to be sold in the US. Next up is the XP1330 Core PTT, a Push-to-Talk device shipping to select areas in Latin America over the next two months. Finally, the XP3340 Sentinel offers an emergency panic button and a man-down sensor capable of monitoring your phone for any freefalls or impacts, and can make an emergency call in your behalf. All of the above devices include [...]

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22) TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechless
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/tomtom-go-live-top-gear-edition-brings-clarkson-onboard-as-navig/

We'd assume a sizable share of fans may consider themselves God's gift to road navigation, but that hasn't stopped TomTom launching a special edition Top Gear flavor of its GPS device. Navigation is narrated by the voice of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, directing clueless drivers "with the aid of 32 satellites... and me." The in-car navigation unit is priced at $269.95, including a one-year subscription to traffic updates and incident reports from TomTom. Alongside Clarkson's familiar tones are some extra Top Gear car icons and Stig mode, where the GPS will remain entirely silent. It'll also point out race tracks featured in the show, plus any nearby speed cameras. With its main man behind you, how could you possibly lose your way?

Continue reading TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechlessTomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard [...]

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23) UK 4G network auction delayed, spectrum sell-off pushed back to the end of 2012
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/uk-4g-network-auction-delayed-spectrum-sell-off-pushed-back-to/

The dizzying world of 4G speeds remains a distant prospect for Britons, with telecoms regulator Ofcom deciding to delay the auction for the next generation of mobile spectrum. It was looking to sell off two potent bands of wireless network by the end of this year, but those plans have been put on hold by some legal jostling and desk-banging from UK carriers, with the British equivalent of the FCC saying it received several "substantial and strongly argued responses." The sell-off delay might not affect any launch dates for 4G (already being tested in rural parts of the UK), as the bands up for grabs still won't be available until 2013. But eventually all of this to-ing and fro-ing will test even the Brits' stoic patience.UK 4G network auction delayed, spectrum sell-off pushed back to the end of 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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24) Details on the Samsung Galaxy S III leak out: 1.8GHz dual-core CPU and 12MP camera? (Update: wrong terminology)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/details-on-the-samsung-galaxy-s-iii-leak-out-1-8ghz-dual-core-c/

We're still awaiting the release of the Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile this week, and yet it's already starting to look like yesterday's half-eaten breakfast. That's because some fuzzy details are now leaking out about its inevitable successor, the mystical Galaxy S III. The leaked presentation slide above, uncovered by Phandroid, shows a phone that's packing a 1.8GHz dual-core Exynos 4212 CPU with 2GB of RAM and a 12 megapixel rear-facing camera. Oh, and a 4.6-inch Super AMOLED Plus HD display isn't too shabby either. If this ends up being true, we're a bit puzzled by the inclusion of four buttons on the bottom -- a departure from the first two Galaxy S devices -- and why the slide refers to the original Galaxy S as running on an Exynos processor, rather than Hummingbird. Color us a shade of skeptic since we're still a few months out from CES and MWC, but it's never too early to start [...]

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25) Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/sony-ps3-wireless-stereo-headset-review/

Oh hey, Sony, how nice of you to join the party! The console gaming headset party, that is (no, Bluetooth earpieces don't count). Over a year ago the company had us yearning for a PS3-oriented headset after letting loose its duo of Ultimate Weapons headgear for PC gamers. Then in May, a glimmer of hope shone upon us when its PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset was announced for the DualShock-wielding gamers -- and priced at a modest $100.

There's no doubt that this playing field's been blanketed with a saturation of wallet-tempting selections (we're looking at you MadCatz, Turtle Beach and Astro), but Sony's official kit has a few tricks up its sleeve for a potential home run. Despite the moniker, it's capable of virtual 7.1 surround sound and displays onscreen status reports exclusively when used with a PS3. We spent a few fragging-hours over PSN to hear how well we could pin-point our [...]

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26) Shocker! Microsoft to produce dual-core, LTE Windows Phones, other modern things
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/shocker-microsoft-to-produce-dual-core-lte-windows-phones-oth/

This just in: Microsoft is ready to take the plunge into mobile modernity... at its own pace. During a recent interview with All Things D, Windows Phone President Andy Lees revealed a few details about Redmond's future crop of handsets, which will apparently include both LTE capabilities and dual-core processors. The exec confirmed that LTE-equipped devices are indeed in the pipeline, but declined to specify whether they'd hit the market this year or next. Turns out, Microsoft wants to wait until current LTE networks prove capable of supporting more power-efficient smartphones. "The first LTE phones were big and big [users] of the battery," Lees said. "I think it's possible to do it in a way that is far more efficient, and that's what we will be doing."

Lees was similarly opaque about Microsoft's plans to incorporate dual-core CPUs into its mobile lineup, saying only that they're on [...]

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27) Growing up Geek: Ben Heck
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/growing-up-geek-ben-heck/

Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today we have Hacker Extraordinaire (and host of his own show), Benjamin J. Heckendorn!

As a kid growing up in Richland Center, WI, I sometimes had to be extra creative in finding things to occupy my time, and my creativity naturally gravitated toward all things technology. Soldering, erector sets and deconstructing toys were the epicenter of my young life. Taking things apart to find out how they worked was essentially a rite of passage for me to becoming the geeky man I am today.

I got my first taste of programming in elementary school on a collection of even-then old Apple II's, but I really got into it wholesale when, at age 11, I got my first computer - an Atari 800. While still ancient for the time, I did a lot of programming on it [...]

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28) iPhone 4S pre-orders are in the mail
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/iphone-4s-pre-orders-are-in-the-mail/

If you were one of the impatient million who jumped to pre-order an iPhone 4S, well, chances are your fancy new handset is already in the mail. A number of tipsters have reached out to us to share their shipment notification emails that just came in from Apple. All the packages we've seen are scheduled for delivery on October 14th, but we wouldn't be shocked if a few of those landed in customers hands a bit early. If you haven't already handed over your billing info, you'll be waiting at least a week or two longer. But, if you weren't camped out at your computer waiting for the 3am sale to begin, we're gonna assume you're not terribly concerned.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]iPhone 4S pre-orders are in the mail originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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29) T-Mobile Galaxy S II pre-orders begin today, should land in stores October 12th
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/t-mobile-galaxy-s-ii-pre-orders-begin-today-should-land-in-stor/

T-Mo customers, don't get jealous of everyone pre-ordering an iPhone 4S, you've got your own super phone ready to hit retail channels -- the Galaxy S II. As promised, the 4.5-inch variant of Samsung's current flagship device hit T-Mobile's site today for pre-order and is expected to start popping up on retail shelves on Wednesday, October 12th. If you want to make sure you're one of the first on Big Magenta to leave your fingerprints on its sizable Super AMOLED Plus screen, head on over to the carrier's site now to put in your order. The privilege will set you back $230 with a two-year contract.

[Thanks, xkaosu9x]T-Mobile Galaxy S II pre-orders begin today, should land in stores October 12th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | T-Mobile | Email this | Comments

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30) MSI GT683DXR review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/msi-gt683dxr-review/

While the jury might still be out on whether you can have a thin-and-light coupled with gaming prowess, over at MSI, it's pretty much business as usual. It's that kind of mantra that's produced the GT683DXR that lays before you, a rehash of the existing GT680 but with gussied-up internals, spearheaded by NVIDIA's GTX 570M. In our brief overview several weeks ago, we were impressed with its performance, but dismayed with its flimsy keyboard, possessed trackpad and general girthiness. So, were we completely off the mark? Or did our impressions change after spending a little more time coddled by its side? Join us in finding out, after the break.
Gallery: MSI GT680DXR reviewContinue reading MSI GT683DXR reviewMSI GT683DXR review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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31) Samsung Stratosphere lands on Verizon October 13th: LTE and QWERTY for $150
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/samsung-stratosphere-lands-on-verizon-october-13th-lte-and-qwer/

We had a pretty clear indication that the Samsung Stratosphere was headed to Verizon soon, and the carrier has now made it official. As expected, the Android 2.3-based phone will be available on October 13th, when it'll set you back $149.99 after the usual rebate / two-year contract business. In addition to LTE capabilities and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, that will buy you a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 1GHz Hummingbird processor, and a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash 'round back that's paired with a 1.3 megapixel counterpart up front. Press release is after the break.Continue reading Samsung Stratosphere lands on Verizon October 13th: LTE and QWERTY for $150Samsung Stratosphere lands on Verizon October 13th: LTE and QWERTY for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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32) Motorola unveils rugged ET1 Android tablet for enterprise types (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/motorola-unveils-rugged-et1-android-tablet-for-enterprise-types/

Well, here it is. After months of beta tests, Motorola's ET1 tablet was finally unveiled today, bringing a taste of Android 2.3 to the enterprise market. Powered by a 1GHz dual-core CPU, this rugged slate packs 8GB of internal storage, along with a 32GB microSD card slot, and features a seven-inch, Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution. Weighing in at 1.4 pounds, the ET1 also boasts an eight megapixel rear camera, a front-facing shooter designed for videoconferencing and 720p video capabilities. Plus, retailers can choose to outfit the tablet with a host of accessories, including a barcode reader, magnetic stripe reader, handstrap and holster. At this point, the ET1 boasts only WiFi connectivity, though Motorola Solutions' Sheldon Safir says a Wide Area Network version is in the works. The manufacturer didn't offer a specific price, but Safir tells Computer [...]

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33) Motorola Spyder to be introduced on October 18, keeps its clothes on in video tease
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/motorola-spyder-to-be-introduced-on-october-18-keeps-its-clothe/

Well, well. It looks like Motorola and Verizon Wireless are about ready to unveil something big. Something faster, thinner, smarter and stronger, to be precise. While that invite up there hints rather coyly at a new handset, a little digging confirmed this is, indeed, the LTE-packing Motorola Spyder, whose first-of-its-kind 4.3-inch, 960 x 540 qHD Super AMOLED display surfaced in leak shots last month. How do we know? Well, when we opened the invite in our browser and saved the image to our desktop, we noticed Moto's own PR team had labeled the photo "spyderlaunchinvite." So that's what we're betting on seeing that day, though it's less clear if it'll bear the name Spyder or Droid RAZR, as rumored (that familiar red light in the photo suggests it might well be part of the Droid family). And who knows what else the two companies have in store? The Atrix 2, perhaps? The Xoom 2? The Xoom 2 [...]

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34) UK server failure sends BlackBerry devices offline in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (update: restored)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/uk-data-server-failure-sends-blackberry-devices-offline-in-europ/

If there's one thing RIM doesn't need right now, it's another BlackBerry outage. Well, are you sitting down? RIM UK is currently investigating issues affecting "some users in EMEA" -- that's Europe, Middle East and Africa, for the acronym-disinclined. The company has turned to Twitter to acknowledge the outage, with T-Mobile UK and Vodafone Egypt chiming in as well (and pointing fingers at RIM, as expected). The Telegraph reports that the "glitch" hit around 11AM this morning local time, and is affecting email and instant messaging services, along with web browsing, leaving users unable to use their BlackBerrys for anything but making phone calls and sending texts. BlackBerry outages appear to be a rather frequent occurrence for RIM, typically hitting during peak usage times -- like, for example, 11AM on a Monday. So are you currently without service? Jump past the break to chime in [...]

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35) Samsung breakthrough could turn your window pane into a big ol' LED
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/samsung-might-turn-your-window-pane-into-a-giant-led/

Samsung's quest for transparency won't end with laptops, apparently. Today, the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology announced that its engineers have successfully created "single crystalline Gallium Nitride on amorphous glass substrates" -- an achievement that would allow the manufacturer to produce jumbo-sized LEDs from normal glass, including window panes. Samsung says this scaled-up approach will allow them to lower production costs relative to most LED manufacturers, which rely on sapphire, rather than glass substrates. And, whereas most Gallium Nitride (GaN) LEDs on the market measure just two inches in size, Sammy's technique could result in displays about 400 times larger. "In ten years, window panes will double as lighting and display screens, giving personality to buildings," a Samsung spokesperson told the Korea Herald. Unfortunately, however, it will likely be another [...]

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36) Prototype MacBook Pro repair parts returned to owner, 3G antenna stays in Cook's kitchen
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/prototype-macbook-pro-repair-parts-returned-to-owner-3g-antenna/

Wondering what happened to that prototype 3G MacBook Pro Apple had pulled off eBay? Not too long ago, the boys in Cupertino reclaimed the specimen, along with a handful of spare parts the would-be auctioneer used to get the rig back into working order. After relinquishing of the prototype to Apple security in early September, previous owner Carl Frega petitioned the firm to return the repair parts to him. Last week, Frega finally received an unmarked FedEx package containing a notebook battery, hard drive, and two sticks of RAM. Despite the repossession, CNET reports that the outfit never gave Frega proof that the machine legally belonged to Apple, although he did say that the hardware and serial number were authentic. For more on the MacBook's journey through Craigslist, small claims court and its 15 minutes of eBay fame, hit the second CNET link below.Prototype MacBook Pro repair [...]

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37) Apple iPhone 4S pre-orders exceed one million in first 24 hours (updated)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/apple-iphone-4s-pre-orders-exceed-one-million-in-first-24-hours/

Last year's iPhone 4 launch brought more than 600,000 pre-orders within the first 24 hours. This year, that number nearly doubled, topping one million within one day of the device's pre-order availability through AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Those that haven't pre-ordered the iPhone 4S can line up at Apple stores beginning at 8 a.m. on October 14th, or you can try your luck at pre-ordering now, though you may need to wait an extra week or two to get your hands on Apple's new iOS smartphone. Jump past the break for Apple's PR.

Update: Maybe not a huge surprise considering the numbers Apple announced earlier today, but Sprint has just let us know that it has sold out of the 16GB iPhone 4S in both black and white for pre-orders, and that it's not taking backorders. 32GB and 64GB models are still available in both colors, however, as is the 8GB iPhone 4.Continue reading Apple iPhone 4S [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 9, 2011

2011-10-10T13:38:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 9, 2011:

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1) DirecTV's five tuner, RVU-ready HR34 DVR revealed
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/directvs-five-tuner-rvu-ready-hr34-dvr-revealed/

We've been waiting for more information on DirecTV's next generation multiroom DVR hub, and here it is, courtesy of the folks at DBSTalk. They've gotten an early look at the HR34 and all of its five-tuner RVU blasting capabilities and report it is just the HR24-on-steroids you'd thought it would be, with a 1TB hard drive and support for 100 Series Listings and 3 remote sessions, either RVU or whole-home DVR, at once. Of course, if we're really going to eliminate the cable / satellite box anytime soon then hardware is going to have to hit the streets, both form DirecTV and third parties like Samsung. Don't bother calling DirecTV to get one yet as they're in extremely limited release, but we'll let you know once they're widely available. In the meantime, hit the source link for a quick preview, and if you're looking for more info on the placeshifting Nomad box then you're in luck, since [...]

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2) How would you change HTC's EVO 3D?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/how-would-you-change-htcs-evo-3d/

A 3D phone? Who woulda thunk it? HTC would have, and the EVO 3D is the product of its labor. The jury's still out on whether 3D will end up being more than just some over-marketed, over-sensationalized fad, but judging by the sales of this thing on Sprint's network, someone is into the concept. We saw it as one of Sprint's stronger Android offerings, but the lackluster battery life and par-for-the-course display were quirks that we couldn't quite overlook. For those who bit, what are your main annoyances? Would you change the design at all? Toss in a different panel? Would you tweak anything about the Sense implementation? Is the 3D camera serving you well? Let us know in comments below!How would you change HTC's EVO 3D? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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3) Switched On: The four Ses of the iPhone 4S
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/switched-on-the-four-ses-of-the-iphone-4s/

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

The most surprising thing about the iPhone 4S is that people were surprised by the iPhone 4S, for there is ample precedent to the company both confining upgrades largely to a speed bump and to saying no to a host of potential new features. As to the former, the iPhone 4S is straight out of the playbook of Apple's successful upgrade of the Apple 3G to the 3GS, although the competition wasn't as strong as it is today.

Similarly, when Apple first lowered the price of the iPod touch below $200 in 2009 amidst widespread speculation that it would add a front-facing camera for FaceTime (which it did in the next generation), the company noted that it didn't think the product needed any more "stuff." So, what, then, defines the iPhone 4S? The differentiators can be thought of as four "Ses."Continue reading [...]

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4) Ditching DRM could reduce piracy, prices, inconvenience
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/ditching-drm-could-reduce-piracy-prices-inconvenience/

This may run counter to what your common sense tells you but, a new paper out of Duke and Rice University says that ditching DRM could actually reduce piracy. The study, which relied on analytical modeling, showed that while copy protection made illegally sharing content more difficult it had a significantly negative impact on legal users. In fact, the researchers say, "only the legal users pay the price and suffer from the restrictions [of DRM]." Many consumers simply choose to pirate music and movies because doing simple things, like backing up a media collection, is difficult with DRMed content. Even the most effective DRM is eventually broken, and fails to deter those already determined to steal. Meanwhile, abandoning these restrictions could increase competition and drive down prices (as well as remove a serious inconvenience), encouraging more people to legitimately purchase [...]

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5) Sprint says no to iPhone insurance, AppleCare+ breathes sigh of relief
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/sprint-says-no-to-iphone-insurance-applecare-breathes-sigh-of/

The Now Network is apparently voting thumbs-down to the idea of having its Total Equipment Protection plans available to its new crown jewel. According to a leaked slide courtesy of SprintFeed, your shiny Sprint-branded iPhone 4S (or 4) won't be offered with a healthy portion of peace of mind; rather, you'll need to purchase the AppleCare+ Protection Plan or go through a third party to have any protection from accidental damage. This may change down the road, as the slide says it won't be offered "at launch," but only time will tell. Unfortunate, yes, but we suppose there's always a bright side -- at least there's now a Sprint iPhone to not have insurance for, right?Sprint says no to iPhone insurance, AppleCare+ breathes sigh of relief originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | SprintFeed | Email this | Comments

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6) Fujifilm's X10 offers up vintage-style snapping for $599.99 in early November
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/fujifilms-x10-offers-up-vintage-style-snapping-for-599-99-in-e/

We've already sorted through the specs, and laid our hands on its rather sexy frame, now Fujifilm's offering up a more palatable price tag than we expected for its throwback X10 shooter. Starting sometime in early October, the X100's more affordable little brother will set nostalgic point-and-shooters back $599.99 -- about $100 bones less than the estimated $715 to $860 ballpark we threw out back in September. If you'll recall, the X10 packs a 12 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, f/2-2.8, 28-112mm manual zoom lens, up to 12,800 ISO sensitivity, 1080p video, an optical viewfinder, and pop-up flash. No word yet on a final release date. Full PR after the break.Continue reading Fujifilm's X10 offers up vintage-style snapping for $599.99 in early NovemberFujifilm's X10 offers up vintage-style snapping for $599.99 in early November originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:53:00 EDT. [...]

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7) Cybook prepping Odyssey reader with High Speed Ink System screen
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/cybook-prepping-odyssey-reader-with-high-speed-ink-system-screen/

It looks like Bookeen may finally be through teasing us -- the company is preparing to unleash the Odyssey, a reader sporting its High Speed Ink System. The modified Pearl E Ink screen has been shown off multiple times, playing back video and browsing the web. Now it will finally make the transition from interesting tech demo to actual product. Better yet, the 6-inch, full motion-capable screen has been paired with a touch layer, which means it could deliver a tablet-like experience with battery life closer to a traditional e-reader. Underneath the hood is a an 800MHz Cortex A8 processor from Texas Instruments and a WiFi radio, presumably for downloading content and browsing the web. The Odyssey is expect to start shipping in Europe in the next few weeks, but Bookeen has yet to reveal a price. You can check out the machine translated PR at the source link.Cybook prepping Odyssey reader [...]

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8) Insert Coin: Romo, the smartphone robot (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/insert-coin-romo-the-smartphone-robot-video/

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Romotive co-founder Peter Seid's tweet read "I build robots powered by smartphone" -- that was just the incentive we needed to go check out his and business partner Phu Nguyen's creation while on a recent trip to Seattle. Romo is a simple and affordable tank-like robot platform that uses basic analog electronics to trigger two motors via any device's headphone jack. The circuit is tuned to specific frequencies for each motor -- playback the right tones, and you control the hardware.

With a smartphone as its brain, all of Romo's logic and behavior live in the software. Three apps will be available at launch for both iOS and Android. RomoRemote lets you control the robot from another [...]

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9) Refresh Roundup: week of October 3, 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/dnp-refresh-roundup-week-of-october-3-2011/

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

Official Android updates

Android 2.3.4 for the Motorola Droid X2 is ready for download. It includes minor fixes to the keyboard, video quality, the mobile hotspot and more. [Droid-Life]

Reports are starting to trickle in that the HTC Desire S on Orange UK is getting the bump up to [...]

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10) Pantech Vega LTE gets official for South Korea, dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and 4.5-inch HD display
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/pantech-vega-lte-gets-official-for-south-korea-dual-core-1-5ghz/

Pantech holds no punches in its home nation, where the company's latest handset, the Vega LTE, has just become very official. In addition to 4G support, the phone features a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 4.5-inch display with a whopping 1280 x 800 resolution. Take a moment to savor that last part. Gingerbread is at the core of this large-and-in-charge beauty, which also includes an 8 megapixel auto-focus camera that captures video at 1080p, an LED flash, a 1.3MP front-facing shooter and 16GB of built-in storage. An 1830mAh battery powers the slab, which measures just 9.35mm thin and weighs 135.5g (4.8oz). Rounding out the internals, users will benefit from A-GPS, 802.11n, NFC and terrestrial DMB -- that last one is specifically for the home crowd. With specs like these, we can only hope a domestic version makes its journey across the Pacific. If you're looking for some mental [...]

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11) U-verse on Xbox 360 is getting upgraded in November, but will require XBL Gold
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/u-verse-on-xbox-360-is-getting-upgraded-in-november-but-will-re/

The good news for everyone anyone using their Xbox 360 as a AT&T U-verse set-top box, is that it will be upgraded as a part of the new dashboard update coming this fall. that means support for the integrated search, new UI and control via voice or gestures with Kinect. The bad news? After the update, it will only work if you're also a subscriber to Xbox Live Gold. No problem if you were already shelling out in order to get your Gears 3 co-op on, but not so awesome if you weren't planning on buying the gaming package just to watch some TV. Giant Bomb has talked to Microsoft and of the new services, some, like the BBC, may be accessible without a paid-up Gold pass, but for HBO Go, Dailymotion and others you'll need to toss some cash Redmond's way. To ease the pain, AT&T is tossing a one-time $60 credit towards its users with the package -- still no word on whether or not you'll need to [...]

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12) This concept wants you to smell it, smell it, Smellit
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/this-concept-wants-you-to-smell-it-smell-it-smellit/

We admit it: this could just be another highfalutin gadget render that'll never breathe the polluted whiff of day. But it's a nice render, which demonstrates a concept called the Smellit: a miniature olfactory factory that's meant to connect to your PC and bring a "fourth dimension" to video and gaming. Its creator, Nuno Teixeira, even claims he's found a French company to build the device and show it off at the Lisbon Design Show next week. Now, the principle of a practically-sized scent generator has already been demonstrated by others, but we won't be convinced until we have to open a window.This concept wants you to smell it, smell it, Smellit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink OhGizmo! | Email this | Comments

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 8, 2011

2011-10-09T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 8, 2011:

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1) Samsung Stratosphere cleared for Verizon landing October 13th
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/09/samsung-stratosphere-cleared-for-verizon-landing-october-13th/

It seems like only yesterday that we got the full specy treatment from Samsung's QWERTYriffic Stratosphere -- 4-inch Super AMOLED display, Android 2.3 and 5MP rear-facing camera included. There was an important bit of information missing from the proceedings, however -- namely a release date. Droid Life has shed some light on that little mystery -- according to the site, the LTE handset should start offering up its Gingerbread goodness on Verizon starting October 13th.Samsung Stratosphere cleared for Verizon landing October 13th originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Droid Life | Email this | Comments

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2) Ask Engadget: best WiFi repeater setup for killing wireless dead zones?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/ask-engadget-best-wifi-repeater-setup-for-killing-wireless-dead/

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Doug, who seems pretty fed up with those troubling WiFi dead zones in his abode. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I have a Wireless-N router, but it had to go in the basement. As a result, there are a few areas that get little or no signal in my home. What can I do to fill those deadspots?"

So, networking gurus of the world -- what's your repeater setup like? We're aiming for something simplistic, something that a consumer could toss together without having to hire the equivalent of a Geek Squad. Any swell repeater / router recommendations for a brother in need?Ask Engadget: best WiFi repeater setup for killing wireless dead zones? originally [...]

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3) Motorola Admiral spied in the wild, waiting patiently for its turn to sail out of harbor
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/motorola-admiral-spied-in-the-wild-waiting-patiently-for-its-tu/

We can't imagine this Admiral wants to stick around in the docks for much longer, yet its date of departure from port is still unclear. Fortunately, the Motorola Admiral -- the device that we presume will become the fearless leader of the Direct Connect fleet -- is one nautical mile closer to the sea of finished products, now that we've been handed some pics of the skipper itself in the wild. It's exactly as we've expected, as it looks rather close to the version we saw in the now-pulled "official" video. According to the image snapper, the Admiral is "awkward to hold due to the bottom being so thin and the phone being very top heavy." It's also known as the XT603, and unsurprisingly runs on Moto's proprietary UI (formerly called MotoBlur). We didn't hear of any change in the specs, so for now we're still expecting to see the military-certified handset come with a 1.2GHz single-core [...]

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4) Barnes & Noble pulls DC Comics from shelves over Kindle kerfuffle, risks Martian Manhunter's wrath
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/barnes-and-noble-pulls-dc-comics-from-shelves-over-kindle-kerfuffl/

Frankly, we'd advise against crossing anyone given to costumed superheroics, but a policy is a policy. Book selling giant Barnes & Noble has begun pulling select DC Comics from store shelves this week, in response to a deal struck between the publisher and Amazon, which will make digital copies of a number of comics exclusively available through the online retailer for use with the forthcoming Kindle Fire. The move is part of Barnes & Noble's policy to remove physical books from its shelves if the available digital version of the text is not offered up to the company. According to an exec, "To sell and promote the physical book in our store showrooms and not have the e-book available for sale would undermine our promise to Barnes & Noble customers to make available any book, anywhere, anytime." J'onn J'onzz has yet to weigh in on the matter.Barnes & Noble pulls DC Comics from shelves [...]

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5) Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/qualcomm-outs-snapdragon-s4-soc-details-promises-improved-batte/

Qualcomm has laid out its details of the upcoming S4 SoC, and yes, there's definitely reason for excitement with this next generation Snapdragon. First, it'll usher in a new 28nm manufacturing process alongside the company's Krait CPU and Adreno 225 GPU. The move from 45nm to 28nm promises smaller components, lower power consumption and improved thermal performance, while Krait will introduce a new pipeline architecture that promises a full 60% boost over the current Scorpion lineup with clock speeds ranging between 1.5 and 2.5GHz -- along with support for asynchronous multiprocessing and dual-channel memory. As for the GPU, the latest chip flaunts 50% greater performance over the current Adreno 220, where it also provides support for DirectX 9.3 for Windows 8, in addition to OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0. Should be quite the gaming experience, eh?

It doesn't end there, as the S4 MSM8960 [...]

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6) Apple iPhone 4S now shipping in 'one to two' weeks, over 200,000 AT&T pre-orders in first 12 hours
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/apple-iphone-4s-now-shipping-in-one-to-two-weeks-over-200-000/

If there was any question of how hot a tamale Apple's iPhone 4S would be, the answer's edging toward muy caliente. AT&T's stated that the iPhone 4S has ushered in its best iPhone launch to date, receiving over 200,000 pre-orders for the device during the first 12 hours of availability (crediting its success to having the only US version operating over 14.4Mb/s HSPA+, aka FauxG). While that's good news for Ma Bell, as of today, you'll be looking at a wait time of "one to two weeks" after placing an order for this latest iThing (Sprint and Verizon included). We've yet to hear how the latter two telecoms have fared, but we'd imagine it won't be a secret for too long -- the iPhone 4S is officially available on October 14th, after all. Full AT&T PR just past the break.

[Image from Skyline/Shutterstock]Continue reading Apple iPhone 4S now shipping in 'one to two' weeks, over 200,000 AT&T [...]

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7) GSM Nexus Prime passes through the FCC, possibly heading to AT&T?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/gsm-nexus-prime-passes-through-the-fcc-possibly-heading-to-atandt/

Just because next week's joint Samsung and Google event has been postponed doesn't mean the leaks have to end. A Sammy handset with the model number I9250, which matches up nicely with the baseband version in the Galaxy Nexus shots that popped up, just made an appearance at the FCC packing a GSM radio compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile's HSPA networks. It's also boasting dual-band 802.11n, Bluetooth and NFC. Despite suggestions that the next Nexus device would be a Verizon exclusive, we could be looking at the AT&T version or at least the unlocked GSM model. The fact that it doesn't support T-Mobile's 2100MHz band leads us to believe this won't be popping up in T-Mo shops. It appears that T-Mobile AWS is included. Noticeably missing, however, is any mention of LTE -- that particular feature could still be the sole realm of Big Red. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer to find out [...]

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8) Mobile Miscellany: week of October 3, 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/mobile-miscellany-week-of-october-3-2011/

This week was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of October 3, 2011:

The Pantech Hotshot featurephone (above left) launched on Verizon this week. It's a full 3.2-inch touchscreen with a 3.2 megapixel camera and video capture. It's offered for $100 with a two-year contract. [PhoneScoop]

AT&T launched the Pantech Link II (above right) this week, a follow-up to the popular Quick Messaging Device. It features BREW mobile 1.0.2 and is available for $10 with a two-year commitment.

Cincinnati Bell launched the HTC Sensation 4G for $250 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

The HTC Amaze 4G is heading north. Canadian carrier Telus has given the device its own piece of real estate on its site, having it listed as [...]

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9) ViaSat-1 scheduled to launch October 19th, spreading high-speed satellite service across North America
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/viasat-1-scheduled-to-launch-october-19th-spreading-high-speed/

It's been delayed a few times already, but the high-capacity ViaSat-1 satellite is now in the process of being prepped for a new launch date: October 19th. Once in operation, it'll bring download speeds up to 10Mbps to satellite internet customers in both Canada and the US (including Hawaii) via Xplornet and WildBlue, respectively, and serve other partners like JetBlue. Those interested can keep an eye on the source link below for a live broadcast of the launch.Continue reading ViaSat-1 scheduled to launch October 19th, spreading high-speed satellite service across North AmericaViaSat-1 scheduled to launch October 19th, spreading high-speed satellite service across North America originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ViaSat | Email this | Comments

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10) Cooler Master launches Silent Pro Hybrid Fanless Series of power supplies
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/cooler-master-launches-silent-pro-hybrid-fanless-series-of-power/

Desktop PC power supplies are tough to get excited about, no matter how many features they cram in. But Cooler Master's Silent Pro Hybrid Fanless series is actually pretty alluring. The supply isn't actually "fanless" but it does have a fanless mode that can be used to minimize machine noise, at least until the load crosses the 200W threshold. Add to that a 90-percent efficiency, fully modular cables and a control panel that lets you manually adjust the speed of your system fans and you're looking at quite the compelling product for the DIY desktop enthusiast. As you could have guessed though, all these fancy features don't come cheap. Cooler Master is offering three different models: 850W, 1050W and 1300W, which range in price from $200 to $300 -- a sizable chunk of change to drop on any component. They'll be shipping this month to the US and Asia, with Europe to follow in November. [...]

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11) Facelock app hits the Ovi Store, Symbian handsets frame your face for security
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/facelock-app-hits-the-ovi-store-symbian-handsets-frame-your-fac/

Unlocking your phone doesn't get any easier than a simple patterned swipe or pre-set pin. But for the fussy amongst you, there's an alternative solution to make you feel both confidently futuristic, and downright ridiculous. Facelock, the facial recognition security app announced back at Nokia World 2010, has finally mosied on over to the Ovi Store, beta tag in tow. The screen lock tech functions pretty much as you'd expect: once you've set a static image of your face as a code, the front-facing camera will then match it up to your mug and, presto magico, you'll have access to your device. The free app is apparently compatible only with Symbian 3 handsets, although those rocking Anna and Belle shouldn't encounter any difficulties. Ready to face / off with your phone? Then hit up the source link below to download the gratis goods.

[Thanks, Jerry]Facelock app hits the Ovi Store, Symbian [...]

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12) US Department of Homeland Security developing system to predict criminal intent
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/us-department-of-homeland-security-developing-system-to-predict/

We're not exactly lacking in opportunities for Minority Report references these days, but sometimes they're just unavoidable. According to a new report from CNET based on documents obtained by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the US Department of Homeland security is now working on a system dubbed FAST (or Future Attribute Screening Technology) that's designed to identify individuals who are most likely to commit a crime. That's not done with something as simple as facial recognition and background checks, however, but rather algorithms and an array of sensors and cameras that can detect both physiological and behavioral cues that are said to be "indicative of mal-intent." What's more, while the DHS says that it has no plans to actually deploy the system in public just yet, it has apparently already conducted a limited trial using DHS employees -- though no word on the results [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 7, 2011

2011-10-08T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 7, 2011:

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1) CLASH is an adorable, cloth-climbing roach-bot (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/08/clash-is-an-adorable-cloth-climbing-roach-bot-video/

Generally the words "roach" and "adorable" don't get thrown together. But, one look at the video after the break and you'll understand. This six-legged successor to UC Berkeley's DASH scampers not just horizontally, but vertically -- so long as the material it's climbing is cloth. All motion is handled by the bot's front four legs, while the rear two provide stabilization. The CLASH is able to adhere to cloth because its feet have small claws that allow it to grip the fabric, while its appendages scurry about at up to 34 strides per second. Its top speed of 24 centimeters a second may not sound like much, but considering the pest-inspired design is only 10 centimeters long, it's actually quite a brisk pace. Trust us, you don't want to miss watching it in action after the break.Continue reading CLASH is an adorable, cloth-climbing roach-bot (video)CLASH is an adorable, cloth-climbing [...]

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2) Starbucks brews up free, two-click WiFi in the UK
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/starbucks-brews-up-free-two-click-wifi-in-the-uk/

If your work environment consists of coworkers constantly yelling "venti half-caf red eye" across the "office," then you'll be pleased to know that Starbucks has made it faster and easier to get online. By extending its free one-click two-click WiFi service to 650 stores in the UK, over caffeinated Brits will now be able to access gratis internet without having to sign up for a Starbucks Rewards card -- a former requirement on the coffee conglomerate's BT Openzone network. Now, if we could only find a chair...Continue reading Starbucks brews up free, two-click WiFi in the UKStarbucks brews up free, two-click WiFi in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | Email this | Comments

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3) Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu plan birthday Hangout on Google+
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/dalai-lama-and-archibishop-desmond-tutu-plan-birthday-hangout-on/

If you're not a Google+ user, odds are pretty good that your weekend plans don't involve spending time with the likes of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The social network will be hosting a Hangout with the two peaceniks as part of the celebration for Tutu's 80th birthday. The online meeting was planned after South Africa refused to grant a visa to the Tibetan spiritual leader. The Hangout will be a late one for those of us in the Eastern time zone, occurring at 4:30AM, but Google has promised to post the video for those who miss the party.Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu plan birthday Hangout on Google+ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink All Things D | Email this | Comments

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4) Ice Cream Sandwich leak outs Music 4.0.1 for download, previews Google+ 2.0
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/ice-cream-sandwich-leak-outs-music-4-0-1-for-download-previews/

A funny thing happened to the folks at Android Police, the same group responsible for leaking some of the first screenshots of Ice Cream Sandwich. They've since come across a few apps from Google's upcoming release -- purportedly straight from a Nexus Prime. The first is Google Music 4.0.1 -- a marked upgrade from the current 3.0.1 found in the Market today -- which sports refined tabs, a contextual dialog and new player controls. For reference, the latest version is shown on the right, which is most likely installed onto a Gingerbread device. Best yet, the APK is currently up for download (which you're able to grab for yourself from the source). There's also a sneak peek of the upcoming Google+ 2.0, which suggests Messenger (formerly Huddle) and Conversations will be renamed to... get this... Chords. Feel free to take a peek after the break, or check out the full gallery at the second [...]

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5) CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/ceatec-japan-2011-wrap-up/

Just 20 kilometers to the east of Tokyo at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, CEATEC is winding down, following a gadget-filled week where impressive prototypes appeared to outnumber consumer devices. Unlike IFA in Berlin, which is just as much for the public as it is for industry insiders, Japan's consumer electronics show gives manufacturers a chance to show off their prototypes and components to a smaller, mainly local audience. Many products announced here will never leave the country's shores, but can inspire future devices that will be marketed to a worldwide audience. Click through our gallery below for a broader look at the show, then jump past the break for a roundup of our CEATEC 2011 coverage. Arigatou gozaimashita!Gallery: CEATEC 2011 wrap-up

Richard Lai contributed to this report.Continue reading CEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-upCEATEC Japan 2011 wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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6) Minecraft Pocket Edition rolls out to non-Xperia Play Android devices
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/minecraft-pocket-edition-rolls-out-to-non-xperia-play-android-de/

Well, it was fun while it lasted, but Xperia Play users can no longer claim Minecraft Pocket Edition as their own. An updated version of the app has hit the Android Market today, bringing with it support for a range of additional devices running Android 2.1 or higher -- although it's still said to be "Xperia Play optimized." Same $6.99 price tag as before, but there is a free demo version available if you're still not sure about the whole Minecraft phenomenon.Minecraft Pocket Edition rolls out to non-Xperia Play Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Community | Email this | Comments

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7) Sony Reader WiFi review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/sony-reader-wifi-review/

Sony's timing could have been better with the Reader WiFi PRS-T1. The device, which was unveiled back at IFA in late August, is set to launch within a fortnight. In the intervening time, Amazon, the clear leader in the space, unveiled two new readers -- the fourth-generation Kindle and the Kindle Touch. Sony's got a ways to go if it's going to become a dominant force in the e-reader market outside of its native Japan, alongside the Kindle and the Nook. The PRS-T1 certainly takes some steps in that direction, both in terms of pricing and features -- but is it enough to get consumers to stand up and take notice? Find out in our review after the break.Gallery: Sony WiFi Reader reviewContinue reading Sony Reader WiFi reviewSony Reader WiFi review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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8) LG Optimus 3D app converter starts roll-out this month, why settle for only two dimensions?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/lg-optimus-3d-app-converter-starts-roll-out-this-month-why-sett/

LG's 2D to 3D app converter will finally arrive on the Optimus 3D (AKA the Thrill 4G) this month. In order to play nice with it, apps and games need to be using OpenGL. The converter is packaged inside the company's maintenance release for the 3D smartphone and will be available on European handsets any day now, followed by a gradual global roll-out over the next few weeks. You can expect to find a few more tri-dimensional nuggets, including 3D video editing and the ability to view 3D video in 2D. LG says that it will also add Dolby Mobile sound and automatic image-stabilization for 2D video-capture. But, we're more interested in that app converter -- we want those furious fowl to really pop out at us.LG Optimus 3D app converter starts roll-out this month, why settle for only two dimensions? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use [...]

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9) CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/cinemanow-strikes-deal-with-intel-adds-new-movies-in-1080p-hd/

CinemaNow's movie library is about to get a bit larger and a good deal sharper, thanks to a new deal with Intel. Yesterday, the video on-demand service announced that it's now offering a slate of 1080p HD movies for the first time, available on PCs packing a second generation Intel Core CPU. According to the company, "several hundred" new releases and other popular films from 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have already been added to its library, in addition to the 15,000 movies and TV shows already on file. CinemaNow didn't offer an exact number of titles, nor did it provide names of any specific films, but you can stream through the entire press release for yourself, after the break.Continue reading CinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HDCinemaNow strikes deal with Intel, adds new movies in 1080p HD originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:01:00 [...]

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10) Amazon brings Kindle and associated ebook shop to France
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/amazon-brings-kindle-and-associated-ebook-shop-to-france/

France is getting the Kindle! No, seriously, until now the land of baguettes and Nicolas Sarkozy has had to make do without the world's most popular ebook reader. Starting today though, our French friends can pre-order a Kindle (no touch and no keyboard) for €99 and have access to over 825,000 titles from the newly launched Kindle store. The first French-language readers from Amazon will start shipping out on October 14th and, if you need some more details, you'll find the full PR after the break.Continue reading Amazon brings Kindle and associated ebook shop to FranceAmazon brings Kindle and associated ebook shop to France originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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11) Growing Up Geek: Terrence O'Brien
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/growing-up-geek-terrence-obrien/

Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today, we have our very own Associate Editor, Terrence O'Brien.

In case you hadn't guessed, that's my father up there with a tiny me cradled in his arms. He's OG -- original geek -- and a defier of easy categorization that clearly explains how I ended up as the son of a gun I am today. In fact, without an understanding of where he came from and who he is, much of what would fill a completely self-centered Growing Up Geek simply wouldn't make sense. So, that's where we'll start the story, with a quick look at the man who, for better or worse, made me the nerd I am today.Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Terrence O'BrienGrowing Up Geek: Terrence O'Brien originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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12) Toshiba AT200 tablet squeezes through 7.7mm gap at the FCC
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/toshiba-at200-tablet-squeezes-through-7-7mm-gap-at-the-fcc/

News about Toshiba's ultra-thin AT200 tablet has been patience-testingly slow since we went hands-on at IFA a month ago. We did recently hear that a Japanese variant of the Regza-branded ten-incher -- confusingly called the AT700 -- is on schedule for release there in December and we're hoping that the US version will arrive in time for Christmas too. Encouraging, then, to see that it's passed unscathed through the FCC's electromagnetic rendition of Wipeout with WiFi and Bluetooth in tow. The submitted paperwork also reveals a little extra detail: the tablet is at least partly manufactured by Quanta, the same OEM guys behind the Kindle Fire and the BlackBerry PlayBook. With the tablet wars looking brutal as ever, it's nice to know that somebody always wins.Toshiba AT200 tablet squeezes through 7.7mm gap at the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:43:00 EDT. Please [...]

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13) Eddie Murphy's Tower Heist gets fast-tracked to Comcast VOD, $60 saves a trip to the theater
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/eddie-murphys-tower-heist-gets-fast-tracked-to-comcast-vod-60/

Perhaps you're not a fan of sticky floors, armrest sharing or simply other people. Well, crowd-averse Comcast subscribers at least will have the chance to watch one Hollywood release from the comfort of their home while it's still in theaters. According to The LA Times, Eddie Murphy's Tower Heist will be out to view on-demand a mere three weeks after its November 4th release. It's not the first time we've seen premium advance video-on-demand, the main difference being, at $60, Comcast's experiment looks to be double the price for half the wait. Now if we could just afford that 155-inch screen...Eddie Murphy's Tower Heist gets fast-tracked to Comcast VOD, $60 saves a trip to the theater originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | LA Times | Email this | Comments

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14) Knowles Electronics Mems Joystick for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Nintendo 3DS hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/knowles-electronics-mems-joystick-for-samsung-galaxy-tab-ninten/

With gaming on tablets, the visual experience is often top-notch, but the controls are unfamiliar at best -- even inadequate at times. But adding a traditional joystick is impractical, especially when aesthetics is a key selling point for manufacturers. Chicago-based Knowles Electronics has a fairly practical solution, however, and hopes that some manufacturers will adopt its Mems Joystick. At just 1.6mm tall, the joystick is slim enough for a device to maintain a svelte profile, and the 40 microamps it consumes during normal operation is relatively negligible, according to company reps. Tablets are just the start -- Knowles built a series of prototypes to demonstrate a variety of potential applications.

We took the joystick for a spin on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Motorola Atrix, Nintendo 3DS and a pair of laptops. All of the joystick prototypes connected using Bluetooth or USB, and [...]

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15) FCC Fridays: October 7, 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/fcc-fridays-october-7-2011/

We here at Engadget Mobile 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, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!

Phones

Read - Apple E2430A (iPhone 4S)

Read - Fujitsu T01D

Read - HTC PI39200 (Sensation XL)

Read - HTC PJ03100 (Explorer)

Read - Huawei M886 (Glory)

Read - LG LS831

Read - Mobo Krome

Read - Motorola EX225

Read - Motorola EX226

Read - Nokia RM-763

Read - Nokia RM-803

Read - Samsung GT-S5363

Read - Samsung GT-S5380

Read - Samsung GT-S5570I

Read - Samsung SGH-T989D

Tablets and peripherals

Read - Sierra Wireless GTM-2

Read - ViewSonic ViewPad 7x (VS14109)

Read - ZTE V55FCC Fridays: October 7, 2011 [...]

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16) The cost of switching to LTE: Sprint to spend $10 billion over the next two years
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/the-cost-of-switching-to-lte-sprint-to-spend-10-billion-over-t/

Wonder just how much it costs to phase out iDEN and WiMAX networks and put all your eggs in one, CDMA / LTE-flavored basket? Well, Joe Euteneuer, Sprint's CFO, just offered up a frank answer here at its "Strategy Update" event: $10 billion over the next two years. That's a heckuva lot more than the $4 billion to $5 billion Wall Street was expecting, but Euteneuer assured all the suited-up financial analysts in the room that the company should save $10 billion to $11 billion through 2017 (a figure widely reported before today), with $4 billion of that resulting from not having to maintain the 'ol ball and chain iDEN network anymore. Now it's true, we're a minority in this meeting of industry analysts, but you don't need to be a banker to understand that's one telling figure: clearly, the company's betting its future not just on the (CDMA!) iPhone, but LTE's brand of 4G.

The cost of [...]

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17) Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide in 2012
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/comcast-promises-xfinity-vod-streaming-on-more-devices-new-xcal/

Don't expect Comcast to stop its Xfinity VOD streaming to the living room rollout with just the Xbox 360 this Christmas, as executive Sam Schwartz promised during a CTAM panel that it plans to develop apps for the PS3, Wii, Roku and other connected TV platforms. Multichannel News reports it doesn't plan to roll out streaming to as many platforms as Netflix, so we'll have to wait and see where this initial venture into IPTV stops. Think big cable is scared of over the top services? Maybe not yet, since Comcast claims Netflix subscribers tend to be the most voracious users of its VOD. Also in Comcast's future is its completely revamped Xcalibur guide software with internet and social media tie-ins (check out our early sneak peek here), which Schwartz reiterated would be available nationwide at some point next year.Comcast promises Xfinity VOD streaming on more devices, new Xcalibur guide [...]

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18) Sprint's LTE plans detailed: phones, tablets and modems coming by 2012
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/sprints-lte-plans-detailed-phones-tablets-and-modems-coming-b/

If you were holding out hope that Tuesday's Apple announcement would be trumped by an exclusive iPhone 5 on Sprint, prepare to be disappointed. The company's confirmed that no new handsets would be shown off at its Strategy Event today. Instead, the carrier is focusing on how it intends to bundle all of those separate radios -- CDMA, LTE, WiMAX -- into a future device line up. Emphasizing the need for an enhanced user experience over 4G technology marketing, the operator stressed a commitment to supporting existing WiMAX subs. Dual-mode CDMA / LTE products are set to launch in the middle of next year, with tablets, smartphones and modems across both the high-end and mid-range to be on offer. Motorola's Sanjay Jha appeared in a taped segment to confirm his company's involvement in the production of these 3G/4G products. Of course, Sprint plans to support current CDMA and WiMAX products, [...]

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19) Amazon adds Kindle Fire-specific details to Developer Portal, A's your FAQ
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/amazon-adds-kindle-fire-specific-details-to-developer-portal-a/

The Kindle Fire may not be hitting the market until November, but Amazon has already updated its Developer Portal FAQ page with an entire section devoted to its forthcoming Android tablet. On the new page, you'll find largely standard information on things like the application process and how to set up an Android SDK emulator, though there are a few more salient tidbits, as well. For instance, Amazon says it will review every app in its Appstore for Fire compatibility, as part of an automated process. Rejected apps, Amazon informs us, will include those that rely on a gyroscope, camera, WAN module, Bluetooth, microphone, GPS, or micro SD. Apps are also forbidden from using Google's Mobile Services (and in-app billing), which, if included, will have to be "gracefully" removed. In terms of actual content, Amazon has outlawed all apps that change the tablet's UI in any way (including [...]

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20) Lenovo's IdeaPad A1 now on sale: a slice of Gingerbread for under $200
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/lenovos-ideapad-a1-now-on-sale-a-slice-of-gingerbread-for-unde/

Been anxiously awaiting Lenovo's 7-inch Gingerbread tablet ever since we first touched it back in September? Sure you have. Well, maybe you have. If so, grab that cash that's burning a hole in your pocket so you can have an IdeaPad A1 to call your very own. The 2GB model will cost you $199, and another Grant will get you the 16GB version; both are scheduled to ship before Halloween. Hit the source link to scare one up for yourself.Lenovo's IdeaPad A1 now on sale: a slice of Gingerbread for under $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 10:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Lenovo | Email this | Comments

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21) Engadget Podcast 259 - 10.07.2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/engadget-podcast-259-10-07-2011/

A somewhat sombre duo addresses the passing of the man whose invention gave birth to podcasting itself. They also talk about tablets and cars, so don't worry about a thing. It's the Engadget Podcast...still hungry, with respect and humility.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Music: Baker Street

00:00:30 - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away at 56

00:16:15 - Remembering Steve Jobs: we all pay tribute

00:36:00 - Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' keynote liveblog!

00:38:45 - iPhone 4S hands-on!

00:42:00 - iPhone 4S officially announced: lands October 14th starting at $199 in sizes up to 64GB, coming to Sprint

00:47:58 - Grid10 review

00:59:00 - Amazon Kindle review (2011)

01:05:10 - Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video)

Hear the podcast

Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).

[RSS [...]

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22) Sprint converts its network to LTE, plans 'aggressive rollout' to be completed by 2013
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/sprint-converts-its-cdma-network-to-lte/

We knew more or less that an announcement of this sort was coming. Back in July, Dan Hesse had teased us face-to-face with the promise of a "great story this fall around 4G," and now the time to tell that tale has arrived. At its strategy event today, Sprint finally went public with plans to "simplify its network" by converting its 1900MHz holdings and LightSquared's 1600MHz spectrum ("pending FCC approval") to LTE, an industry favorite. Helping the operator make that transition is the swath of 800MHz spectrum it reclaimed from the, now defunct, iDEN push-to-talk network -- which had been a drain on the company's resources. This spectrum, acquired from Nextel, will be phased out by mid-2013 and rolled into LTE. The company plans for a rapid deployment of this new 4G network, with the first LTE markets and handsets to hit in mid-2012, and the full rollout mostly completed by 2013. [...]

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23) Pandigital Supernova available mid-October for $230, is an eReader in Android tablet disguise
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/pandigital-supernova-available-mid-october-for-230-is-an-eread/

Pandigital hasn't made much of an effort to swathe its Supernova tab in mystery. When the 8-inch LCD slate swept through the FCC earlier this summer, we were privy not only to images of the device and its internals, but also to the apps that'd be pre-loaded on purchase -- GetJar and Barnes & Noble's Nook app amongst others. So, what can you expect for $230 when it lands this month? Well, the company's forsaken Honeycomb for the soon-to-be outclassed Gingerbread OS, tossed in a single-core 1GHz A8 processor, 4GB of storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD slot), WiFi and Bluetooth. It's a cheap, me too Android tablet entry, for sure. And with the recent outing of a certain budget-priced, ecosystem-friendly tab, we might suggest you hold off for the higher-specced goods. Official PR after the break.Continue reading Pandigital Supernova available mid-October for $230, is an eReader in [...]

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24) NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/nc-state-researchers-team-with-ibm-to-keep-cloud-stored-data-awa/

The man on your left is Dr. Peng Ning -- a computer science professor at NC State whose team, along with researchers from IBM, has developed an experimental new method for safely securing cloud-stored data. Their approach, known as a "Strongly Isolated Computing Environment" (SICE), would essentially allow engineers to isolate, store and process sensitive information away from a computing system's hypervisors -- programs that allow networked operating systems to operate independently of one another, but are also vulnerable to hackers. With the Trusted Computing Base (TCB) as its software foundation, Ping's technique also allows programmers to devote specific CPU cores to handling sensitive data, thereby freeing up the other cores to execute normal functions. And, because TCB consists of just 300 lines of code, it leaves a smaller "surface" for cybercriminals to attack. When put to the [...]

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25) Zotac's ZBOX nano VD01 packs dual-core VIA CPU in a tiny, tiny box
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/zotacs-zbox-nano-vd01-packs-dual-core-via-cpu-in-a-tiny-tiny-b/

Zotac isn't the biggest name in computers, but the company does do one thing particularly well -- cram capable HTPC components in itty-bitty boxes for a reasonable price. VD01 series ditches more well known solutions from Intel and AMD for chips from VIA, specifically the Nano X2 U4025 CPU with its Chrome9 media processor. Inside is room for a 2.5-inch HDD and a single DDR3 slot, but you can get those pre-populated with a 320GB disk and 2GB RAM by opting for the Plus model. Outside is your usual selection of USB 3.0, 2.0, eSATA, Ethernet and HDMI ports while inside are both Bluetooth 3.0 and 802.11n radios. There's even an IR receiver and bundled remote to make this truly living room friendly. Check out the gallery below, as well as the PR after the break.

Gallery: Zotac ZBOX nano VD01Continue reading Zotac's ZBOX nano VD01 packs dual-core VIA CPU in a tiny, tiny boxZotac's ZBOX nano [...]

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26) Windows Phone users report Microsoft Outlook e-mail issues with 7.5 Mango
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/windows-phone-users-report-microsoft-outlook-e-mail-issues-with/

The Windows Phones forums are aflutter with frustration this morning, with many users citing major problems with the way 7.5 Mango handles Microsoft Outlook 2003. According to these missives, replies sent from Mango-laced handsets do not include the original e-mail text, thereby leaving recipients confused and context-less. This could potentially give rise to some very awkward e-mail exchanges, so we're hoping to see a fix soon. If you're experiencing similar issues with your handset, let us know in the comments below.

[Thanks, Doug]Windows Phone users report Microsoft Outlook e-mail issues with 7.5 Mango originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Windows Phone Forum | Email this | Comments

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27) Samsung and Google postpone Ice Cream Sandwich and Galaxy Nexus
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/samsung-and-google-postpone-ice-cream-sandwich-and-galaxy-nexus/

Color us a disappointed shade of blue, but it appears that Samsung and Google have decided not to launch the Galaxy Nexus (or Nexus Prime, or whatever it's called) and Ice Cream Sandwich at their October 11th Unpacked event. The two companies sent out a joint announcement reading:

Samsung and Google decide to postpone the new product announcement at CTIA Fall. We agree that it is just not the right time to announce a new product. New date and venue will be shortly announced.

The press event on the 11th was expected to be not only the debut for the successor to the Nexus S, but our first good look at the next version of Android. For whatever reason the companies have decided to delay that launch. But, if Eric Schmidt is true to his word, we shouldn't have to wait too much longer... he did promise us that it would launch by November. We'll let you know as soon as we get a new date [...]

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28) Real Racing 2 shows off iPhone 4S' graphical chops, brings split screen gaming to iOS (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/real-racing-2-shows-off-iphone-4s-graphical-chops-brings-split/

Rearing to make the most of the iPhone 4S' new AirPlay compatibility? How about streaming not just one device to your big screen, but four? That's the setup Firemint is teasing for its next big update to Real Racing 2: four-player streaming over AirPlay. The apps' upcoming "Party Play" feature lets an iPad 2 or iPhone 4S play host to up to three additional iOS devices running the game, piping the stream for all four to your boob tube via Apple TV. The update also promises to make the most of the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S' A5 processor, kicking the graphics up a notch. Now you can relive those lazy summer days playing Mario Kart in your friends garage, albeit with faster cars and minus those infuriating blue shells.Real Racing 2 shows off iPhone 4S' graphical chops, brings split screen gaming to iOS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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29) Samsung Galaxy Nexus spotted in the wild? (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/samsung-galaxy-nexus-spotted-in-the-wild-video/

Leaks are flying left and right as Samsung's Unpacked event approaches, with the latest coming from Romania's Mobilissimo.ro. Today, the site published new images and video of what could be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- the long-awaited follow-up to the Nexus S. At this point, it's difficult to say whether the device (model number "Tuna") totally jibes with the leaked specs we saw earlier this week, though its spacious display (rumored to be of 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED stock) does look rather sharp -- the screenshots we've seen are indeed at 720 x 1280 resolution. Other than that, the handset appears to boast a 1,750mAh battery, along with a five megapixel camera and that rumored Ice Cream Sandwich UI, replete with onscreen buttons.

Compared with the Nexus S, the front-facing camera on this handset is shifted further to the right, with the proximity sensor nestled between the earpiece [...]

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30) Comcast testing pay-per-package, still afraid of a-la-carte
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/comcast-testing-pay-per-package-still-afraid-of-a-la-carte/

Charleston, South Carolina might be famous for the eponymous knee / hand dance, but this week sees it become the second location in the US to get Comcast's MyTV Choice. Rather than buying all the channels, or paying á la carte for just the ones you watch, you pick a platform and then bolt on a package of channels, grouped by theme -- you get "Entertainment & Lifestyle," "Movies," "Kids" or "News & Info." These smaller, cheaper bundles are in response to being forced to carry channels owned by the same group, if you're paying for MTV, you're also paying for TV Land, for example. Still, those in the city (when not dancing their knee joints away) should be interested to know that the Get Started platform costs $25, Get Started Plus $45 and each additional package is $10.

[Thanks, Saye]Comcast testing pay-per-package, still afraid of a-la-carte originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 [...]

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31) ASUS Ultrabooks are actually Zenbooks?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/asus-ultrabooks-are-actually-zenbooks/

ASUS has a big event next week in the Big Apple, where the super slim UX21 and UX31 will be revealed. Granted, the company said it'll be showing off "the real Ultrabook," on October 11th, but the eagle-eyed folks at Notebook Italia spied some evidence that the laptops in question will be called Zenbooks instead. Proof of the new moniker was found in the title of the information request form on the ASUS UX countdown site, but it was gone when we looked for ourselves. Guess we'll just have to wait and see whether the newest thin and light laptops are, indeed, PCs possessing inner peace.ASUS Ultrabooks are actually Zenbooks? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Notebook Italia | Email this | Comments

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32) Xoom 4G LTE upgrades boomerang back with Honeycomb update, microSD card support now a go
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/xoom-4g-lte-upgrades-boomerang-back-with-honeycomb-update-micro/

Xoom owners that hastily shipped off their slates for an LTE upgrade are in for a surprise. Turns out the newly equipped 4G tablets are not only being expediently returned, but also come with an upgrade to version 3.2.2 of Honeycomb. Details of just what's been included in the new firmware are scant, but the main takeaway from Verizon's overhaul is the now functional microSD slot. That's right, unless you were privy to that non-U.S. Android 3.1 update or installed the Tiamat kernel, you'll now finally be granted read/write access to your microSD card. It seems wishes do come true in Big Red land, you just have to practice extreme patience.Xoom 4G LTE upgrades boomerang back with Honeycomb update, microSD card support now a go originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Droid-Life | Email this | Comments

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33) Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/popcorn-hour-a-300-ready-to-sit-quietly-and-enjoy-the-movies-st/

Syabas has released a torrent of details about its next media streamer. The forthcoming Popcorn Hour A-300 houses the latest Sigma 800MHz CPU and Real Media decoder support, plus USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connections to ensure dizzying transfer speeds. Like its predecessor, the aluminum-encased streamer is entirely fanless, broadcasting your favorite content in stoic silence. The A300 will be available starting October 18th, direct from Syabas. You can prepare yourself by checking out the source link below for a plethora of detailed videos and screengrabs of the A-300's interface in action.Continue reading Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video)Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 6, 2011

2011-10-07T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 6, 2011:

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1) HP launching an investigation into TouchPads shipped with Android, suspects foul play
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/hp-launching-an-investigation-into-touchpads-shipped-with-androi/

After a few TouchPads found their way into the hands of consumers loaded with Android 2.2, the devs working to port Google's OS to HP's hardware reached out to the company to get a look at the source code. Well, the request was denied since, according to open-source program director Phil Robb, HP had nothing to do with Froyo finding its way onto the slate. In fact, the company is going so far as to launch an investigation into how the OS wound up on the tablet and into retail channels. In an email Robb said, "we presently believe that some person or persons unknown may have facilitated the delivery of these Android-based units strictly against the policy and authorization of HP." Of course, with TouchPad hardware discontinued we don't expect the company to waste too much time or resources tracking down the culprits.HP launching an investigation into TouchPads shipped with Android, [...]

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2) Samsung Series 7 Slate now up for pre-orders, shipping date still MIA
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/samsung-series-7-slate-now-up-for-pre-orders-shipping-date-stil/

If you like making purchases without any sense of when your products will arrive, allow us to brighten your day. The Microsoft Store just started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Series 7 Slate -- you remember, the Windows 7 machine sporting Intel's 1.6GHz Core i5 2467M CPU with integrated graphics and 4GB of RAM, all beneath a 11.6-inch capacitive panel? Sure, you remember. MS is selling it for $1,299 with a 128GB SSD. And the mystery of wondering when it'll actually ship? That they'll throw in for free.

[Thanks, pradeep]Samsung Series 7 Slate now up for pre-orders, shipping date still MIA originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Microsoft Store | Email this | Comments

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3) Motorola EX225 and EX226 saunter through FCC like nobody's watching
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/motorola-ex225-and-ex226-saunter-through-fcc-like-nobodys-watch/

Like we said, the Status shouldn't have much to worry about, but Motorola's recently outed Facebook feature phone (along with its less socially aware twin) just passed through the FCC. The obligatory tests reveal support for AT&T's 3G bands, although curiously enough, only the EX225 handles both spectra; the EX226 will connect to Ma Bell's 850MHz band just fine, but not its 1900MHz counterpart. The shame doesn't end there, either, as the Facebook version supports 802.11n, whereas its sibling does not. Who knew Moto would play such a blatant form of favoritism with its own children? At least phones don't have feelings -- we think.Motorola EX225 and EX226 saunter through FCC like nobody's watching originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC (1) | Email this | Comments

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4) iPhone 4S preorders open up at 3AM ET -- are you ready? (Update: They're live!)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/iphone-4s-preorders-open-up-at-3am-et-are-you-ready/

It's been a tumultuous week for Apple followers, but the earliest opportunity to snag the company's new slab opens up in just a few hours. Without an extended review, we've done what we can by asking Siri to understand our most random queries, breaking down the costs / benefits, and even leaving it up to the masses. Decision time is upon us, so if you've just got to be first then either make it a late night or set an early alarm for 3AM ET -- we'll do you one more solid by linking up the US and Canadian carrier pages below (other international providers have only listed notification sign ups so far, but don't worry, we've got them here too.)

Update: And they're off! As of a few minutes after 3, all the US carrier's sites are taking preorders as well as Vodafone in the UK, although word is AT&T and Sprint's servers are overloaded so be patient. The Apple store went down for updates [...]

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5) Engadget Mobile Podcast 107 - 10.06.2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/engadget-mobile-podcast-107-10-06-2011/

What's that? An Engadget Mobile Podcast in the middle of the week? Something important must have happened.

Host: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen

Guest: Michael Gorman

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Music: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)

02:00 - Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates

44:25 - Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device

Hear the podcast

Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes

[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically

[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile 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

podcast (at) [...]

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6) Nuance reportedly buying Swype for $100 million
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/nuance-reportedly-buying-swype-for-100-million/

It's only been about a year since Nuance traced Swype's finger gliding input method with QuickType, but it seems like the firm is ready for the real deal: Michael Arrington says it's nabbing the Seattle-based startup to the tune of $100 million. With competition heating up in the voice command space after Apple's Siri assisted iPhone upgrade, Nuance could be stocking up on more traditional input methods, or at the very least edging out the potential for more competition. There's no word just yet if Swype will replace or fade away in lieu of the firm's own traceable input brand, but we'll be sure to let you know if we hear something official.Nuance reportedly buying Swype for $100 million originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Uncrunched | Email this | Comments

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7) Lenovo N5902 ditches the fingerprint magnet finish, adds backlit keys (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/lenovo-n5902-ditches-the-fingerprint-magnet-finish-adds-backlit/

Home theater PC enthusiasts, you've grumbled and Lenovo listened. The company took your feedback to heart when it prepped its latest multimedia remote with keyboard -- the N5902 -- for release. Gone is the glossy piano black finish that marred your sweet N5901 with unsightly fingerprints, as well as its trackball pointer. In their stead, Lenovo's outfitted this update in a matte exterior, adding an optical pointer with a "ridged" scroll bar located just below it. Perhaps the most notable addition to this refresh, however, is the ability to navigate and type from the now backlit keys. Fancy updating your couch control with this AA-powered peripheral? The head to the source below to fork over your hard-earned $52.Continue reading Lenovo N5902 ditches the fingerprint magnet finish, adds backlit keys (video)Lenovo N5902 ditches the fingerprint magnet finish, adds backlit keys (video) [...]

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8) DVBLink v4 out of beta, brings live TV, EPG and remote recording on the go
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/dvblink-v4-out-of-beta-brings-live-tv-epg-and-remote-recording/

That Boxee client update we saw recently wasn't the only thing brewing over at DVBLogic. It was part of a wider refresh of the company's DVBLink products, including the final release of its Connect! server software that can stream live TV from a network-connected tuner out to Android, iOS and WP client apps with EPG and remote recording. Other improvements include the ability to connect up to eight virtual tuners to Windows Media Center, the promise of less painful WMC setup, as well as a DVBLink Remote API that will allow third parties to create clients for other devices. Check out the full PR for pricing and other details after the break.Continue reading DVBLink v4 out of beta, brings live TV, EPG and remote recording on the goDVBLink v4 out of beta, brings live TV, EPG and remote recording on the go originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:12:00 EDT. Please see our [...]

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9) Motorola Xoom Family Edition pops up at retail sporting kid-friendly software
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/motorola-xoom-family-edition-pops-up-at-retail-sporting-kid-frie/

Now that Motorola's Xoom is ready to rock out on 4G LTE connections, the only thing missing from the original 10.1-inch Honeycomb tablet is a nice suite of edutainment software... wait, what? Whether or not that's what you asked for, it appears to be what Motorola's giving you judging by this "Family Edition" branded Xoom that just showed up at a big box electronics store. While there's still no hint of the subwoofer-equipped Xoom 2 Media Edition that's been rumored, this model is differentiated by the addition of a Kid Mode with $40 of software for kids from Zoodles (trailer after the break) packed-in. We don't have a release date or official pricing yet, but we'd expect to see the MZ505 on shelves sooner rather than later, but for now just check out a few more pics in the gallery below.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Motorola Xoom Family EditionContinue reading Motorola Xoom Family [...]

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10) eFun announces $300 Nextbook Premium 8 Android tablet
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/efun-announces-300-nextbook-premium-8-android-tablet/

The Nextbooks 1 through 7 may not have caused much of a ripple in the Android tablet market, but eFun is keeping at it, and has now rolled out its new Nextbook Premium 8 model. There's still no Honeycomb to be found on this one (just Android 2.3), but you do get a slightly larger 8-inch capacitive screen, as well as a Rockchip RK2918 processor, 4GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera -- plus Kobo's eBook Store app preloaded (though there's no mention of Android Market). Unfortunately, in a season when you can get a Kindle Fire or Lenovo IdeaPad A1 for $200, this one will set you back a comparatively hefty $300 -- then again, it does have "Premium" in its name. Press release is after the break.Continue reading eFun announces $300 Nextbook Premium 8 Android tableteFun announces $300 Nextbook Premium 8 Android tablet originally appeared on Engadget on [...]

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11) 3DS gets a Monster Hunter TriG paint job, makes the limited edition love Japan-only
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/3ds-gets-a-monster-hunter-trig-paint-job-makes-the-limited-edit/

As Nintendo is wont to do, a new assortment of colorful 3DS handhelds will soon be flooding the market -- in Japan. Yes, it's time once again for that tried-and-true approach of treating gamers in the company's homeland to special edition packs. This time out, it's the release of Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G that'll ring in the above pictured red-on-white portable, in addition to Ninty's recently unveiled slide pad add-on. Unfortunately, interested parties'll have to choose between the 20,800 yen (about $271) game plus console bundle, or merely opt for the hardware-less 6,990 yen (about $91) peripheral and software option -- both available on December 10th. If neither of the above has your inner Big N fanboy aflutter, you can always drop 15,000 yen (about $195) on that bland Ice White version slated for October 20th. Speak Japanese? Then hit up the source links below to parse [...]

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12) Monkeys control virtual arm with their brains, may herald breakthrough for paraplegics
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/monkeys-control-virtual-arm-with-their-brains-may-herald-breakt/

Monkey mind-controlled arm: It sounds like the name of an awesomely terrible sci-fi film or a fledgling grindcore group, but it's a very real phenomenon, and one that could pay significant dividends for paraplegics everywhere. Neurobiology professor Miguel Nicolelis and his team of researchers at Duke University recently devised a method by which monkeys (and, perhaps one day, humans) can control a virtual arm using only their brains. It's a concept similar to what DARPA has been pursuing with its mind-controlled "Luke" arm, with one important difference: Nicolelis' system not only allows users to remotely execute motor functions, but provides them with near-instantaneous sensory feedback, as well. Most similar techniques use electrode implants to stimulate brain activity, but this can create confusion when a patient's brain sends and receives signals to and from a prosthetic arm. [...]

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13) IRL: AirPort Express, Jabra Freeway and rooting the Nook Color
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/irl-airport-express-jabra-freeway-and-rooting-the-nook-color/

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Now that we've gotten all the dirty details on the new iPhone, we Engadget editors have a few precious days to kick back, unwind and futz around on our aging gadgets before Google and Samsung team up to announce a certain something something next week. Until then, Darren's traveling from Japan to San Francisco and back -- most likely with his AirPort Express in tow, Joseph is rooting the snot out of his Nook Color and Brad's just trying to keep up on podcasts while driving the kiddies around.Continue reading IRL: AirPort Express, Jabra Freeway and rooting the Nook ColorIRL: AirPort Express, Jabra Freeway and rooting the Nook Color originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:08:00 EDT. [...]

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14) DirecTV Nomad is ready to launch, transcodes DVRed shows for mobile viewing
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/directv-nomad-is-ready-to-launch-transcodes-dvred-shows-for-mob/

It was just about a year ago that we initially heard rumors of the DirecTV Nomad, and after some lengthy intrigue it is finally ready to launch. While its product page on the company's website isn't live yet, the folks at DBSTalk have been testing it and already posted one of their detailed walkthroughs, revealing the box as a TiVoToGo-style transcoder. Plug the $149 box into your whole home DVR network and it snags recorded programs and prepares them for viewing on other devices. Currently that list includes PCs with 1.2GHz processors or higher (no Atom powered netbooks invited to this party) and iOS devices, although an app for Android is apparently on the way. Compared to Dish Network's Sling-powered TV Everywhere streaming approach, DirecTV's sideloading has the distinct benefit of offline viewing, but without access to live TV on the go. The iPhone app is already available in [...]

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15) The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/the-engadget-podcast-live-at-5-00pm-et/

Tim's back from California, and we've got a bit of a solemn episode ahead of us. We're asking everyone to send in their Steve Jobs thoughts and memories by emailing us at podcast (at) engadget (dot) com or calling GADGET-3005. We'll share some of our favorites on tonight's show.Continue reading The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET!The Engadget Podcast, live at 5:00PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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16) How much will the iPhone 4S really cost on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/how-much-will-the-iphone-4s-plans-set-you-back-on-sprint-verizo/

As Apple unleashes the iPhone 4S on AT&T, Verizon and now Sprint, the biggest question on everyone's mind is how much will the phone really cost? As the third US carrier to sell the iPhone, Sprint has confirmed it will offer the device with the same unlimited plans as the other handsets in its lineup -- much to the relief of loyal customers hoping to make a belated switch to iOS. But we're betting those of you willing to swap providers are just a little curious as to how the plans stack up. Fortunately, we've crunched the numbers for you, so all you need to do is meet us after the break for that bottom line.Continue reading How much will the iPhone 4S really cost on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint?How much will the iPhone 4S really cost on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Verizon [...]

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17) Samsung Galaxy Nexus specs leak, headed to Verizon as an exclusive? (updated)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/samsung-galaxy-nexus-specs-leak-headed-to-verizon-as-an-exclusi/

Ready for the latest scoop of Android Ice Cream Sandwich future? A report over on BGR details specs for the next pure Google phone we've come to know and love as the Nexus Prime. Quoting a "trusted source," the insider dish paints a familiar contoured picture of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy family member. The screen has been purportedly bumped to a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD display, and lurking just beneath its chassis should be a dual-core 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4460 processor. As for the rest, the supposed Verizon exclusive packs 1GB RAM, 32GB of storage, a 1,750mAh battery, 1.3 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear shooter capable of 1080p HD video, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and possible LTE / HSPA bands. So does this handset measure up to your (by now) impossibly high standards? We'll soon find out if any of this pre-release gossip holds its water when we're live at Unpacked next week.

Update: [...]

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18) Intellectual Ventures takes aim at Motorola over alleged patent infringement
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/intellectual-ventures-takes-aim-at-motorola-over-alleged-patent/

When Nathan Mhyrvold's Intellectual Ventures firm isn't striking licensing deals with technology companies, it's usually suing them, and you can now add one more big name to that latter group. This time it's Motorola, which IV says it has been in discussions with for "some time," but which it has ultimately been unable to come to an agreement with on a license. A total of six patents covering a fairly wide variety of functions are included in the suit, which was filed in a Delaware federal court, although that's just a small fraction of the more than 35,000 total intellectual property assets owned by the company. For its part, Motorola is remaining mum on the matter, while IV said in a statement that while its "goal continues to be to provide companies with access to our portfolio through licensing and sales," it will "not tolerate ongoing infringement of our patents to the detriment of [...]

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19) Sony nearing deal to move cellphone operations in house, buy out Ericsson's half
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sony-nearing-deal-to-move-cellphone-operations-in-house-buy-out/

Sony is getting tired of sitting idly in sixth place in the battle for cellphone supremacy. Sure, there have been a few noteworthy devices from the company's joint venture with Ericsson (i.e. the Arc), but for the most part it has struggled since its inception in 2001 to run with the alpha dogs. The Japanese manufacturer's new strategy involves buying out Ericsson's stake in the company and having its tablet, smartphone and handheld gaming units work closely together to develop future products. According to the Wall Street Journal, a deal for the Stockholm company's half of the venture is nearing completion. Some difficulties remain, such as properly valuing the company and settling on a price for Ericsson's roughly $1.3 to $1.7 billion worth of mobile technology patents, but a deal is expected to be reached sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe, the new found flexibility will [...]

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20) Shure SE215 earphones review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/shure-se215-earphones-review/

There are a lot of in-ear headphones out there these days, from the ones at the checkout line at the grocery store, to the ones that came with your iPod, to ones you'll need to take out a second mortgage to get your ears on. And most of them will do a decent job of pumping sound into your ears. Shure's SE215 earphones sit at that magical $99 price point -- not for everyone, but highly tempting to those committed to splurging a bit to replace those awful 'buds that arrived with their PMP of choice. So, how do these guys stack up against the immediate competition? Read on to find out what we heard.Continue reading Shure SE215 earphones reviewShure SE215 earphones review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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21) Digital video game distribution finds brick and mortar camping, moves in for win
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/digital-video-game-distribution-finds-brick-and-mortar-camping/

Blame it on the economy, or simply chalk it up to a better way of earning revenue, but physical distributors of new video games are beginning to feel some major heat from the scrappy competition. While this mainstay segment still comprises the bulk of sales with $1.44 billion earned in the previous quarter, the combination of digital purchases, subscriptions, downloadable content, social network and mobile games -- along with help from rentals and used purchases -- now tops $1.74 billion dollars. This news comes from the NPD Group, and while we're still scratching our heads at the logic of combining second-hand purchases with electronic distribution, it provides a strong indicator of consumers' changing tastes and preferences (along with their willingness to spend). Does this industry titan simply need a new console or another Call of Duty to maintain supremacy? Perhaps a modest uptick [...]

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22) Umiushi Smapho 2800 portable charger hands-on: one plug for iPhone, another one for micro-USB
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/umiushi-smapho-2800-portable-charger-hands-on-one-plug-for-ipho/

As an Engadget reader, you'll gain extra street cred if you're using an iPhone and, well, a non-iPhone at the same time; or maybe you've got all your media content on an iPod instead of having everything on your non-Apple smartphone. Either way, this means that you'd need to carry at least two types of cables for emergency charging on the go. To save the hassle, PANS Ltd. from Japan has come up with a neat solution: Umiushi Smapho 2800, which is apparently the industry's first external battery with a built-in iPod dock connector and a micro-USB plug, both of which can be used simultaneously to sip on the 2,800mAh reservoir with 5V 1A output. Sure, you could alternatively just get hold of Apple's micro-USB adapter and keep one micro-USB cable with you, but if you're also looking for an external battery anyway then the option's there, too. Expect to see the Smapho 2800 in various markets [...]

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23) Is this Dell's Windows 7 'Peju' Tablet?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/is-this-dells-windows-7-peju-tablet/

A Blurrycam-equipped tipster sent in the above images of what's purported to be a 10-inch Windows 7 tablet from Dell. There's not a lot of info on the thing at the moment, and what we do have ought to be taken with a few pinches of salt. But here's the breakdown, according to the aforementioned tipster: the slate's got 2GB of RAM (though larger options will also be made available from the company), a USB and HDMI port and a stylus holder on the back of the device. Dell is apparently looking to make it available in December for around $900 to $1,000, just in time for that holiday tablet rush. Could this be the 10.1-inch Peju tablet that we caught wind of, back in July? We can't say for sure, of course, but it certainly seems like a possibility.Gallery: Is this the Dell Peju?

[Thanks, Anonymous]Is this Dell's Windows 7 'Peju' Tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 [...]

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24) HTC announces the Sensation XL with Beats Audio, we go hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/htc-announces-the-sensation-xl-with-beats-audio-we-go-hands-on/

We suspected there'd be a special guest at HTC's party in London today and here it is: the brand new Sensation XL. You might recognize the mug shot from the many leaks we've reported under the Runnymede codename, but this phone also bears a distinct similarity to the recently announced HTC Titan. It's carved from an almost identical 4.7-inch block of machined aluminum, has the same stunning 9.9mm (0.39-inch) thickness, same 800x480 Super LCD display and even the same eight megapixel rear camera unit. But there are key differences too: for a start, it packs HTC's vaunted Beats Audio system licensed from Dr. Dre. Oh, and did we mention this thing is an Android rather than a Windows Phone? Those two things alone make the XL a different beast entirely, so read on for our impressions.

Gallery: HTC Sensation XL hands-onContinue reading HTC announces the Sensation XL with Beats Audio, we go [...]

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25) Steve Wozniak on Steve Jobs
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/steve-wozniak-on-steve-jobs/

Steve Jobs was the man most often associated with Apple, but another Steve played a big part in the formation of the company, and Mr. Wozniak has some kind words about his friend and former business partner. Well said, Woz.Steve Wozniak on Steve Jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Mashable | Associated Press (YouTube) | Email this | Comments

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26) Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/tesla-model-s-test-ride-and-factory-tour-video/

Tesla's been teasing us with the Model S electric car for what seems like a cruelly long time. But, we gadget fans need to remember that designing and releasing a car is a rather different prospect than something like a phone. If your new iDevice crashes you might lose your patience, but if your new car crashes, well, the results could be rather more disastrous.

Tesla is keeping up the teasing act with the Model S Beta launch, an opportunity for a lucky few to come and check out the company's factory (once the NUMMI facility in Fremont, CA) and to take a quick ride around the company's test track -- and we do mean quick. How do we know? Well, we got to come along. Join us for our impressions after the break.

Gallery: Tesla Model S test rideContinue reading Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video)Tesla Model S test ride and factory tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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27) Sony DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars sample photos and video
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sony-dev-5-digital-recording-binoculars-sample-photos-and-video/

We can't say that we were too keen on Sony's DEV-5 Digital Recording Binoculars at first look -- it really is hard to get past that $2,000 price tag. But after Sony finally allowed us to shoot photos and video (albeit for a mere three minutes) at the company's CEATEC booth, we were pleasantly surprised at the image quality, at least some of the time. The images we shot were in 16:9 format, and were roughly 5.3 megapixels in size (the camera's maximum resolution is 7.1 megapixels). With only a few minutes to play around, we didn't have time to switch the menu from Japanese to English (CEATEC is held just outside Tokyo), so we had no choice but to use the default settings.

Still, images shot at f/1.8 appeared crisp, even with moderate shake (it's difficult to keep a heavy pair of binoculars steady when holding them at eye level), with accurate exposure and white balance. When zooming to [...]

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28) Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., leader of TV ratings and market research firm, dies at 92
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/arthur-c-nielsen-jr-leader-of-tv-ratings-and-market-research/

Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., the man who turned the A.C. Nielsen Company into a global leader in market research and television ratings, has died at the age of 92. Nielsen's father founded the company in 1923 and was known for spearheading much of the innovation behind it, but it was the younger Nielsen who led the firm to prominence, after joining in 1945 and taking over as president in 1957. In 1948, he convinced the firm to devote $150,000 to building the first general-purpose computer, the Univac. Building off of his father's revolutionary TV audience measurement system, he later expanded A.C. Nielsen's reach to new areas, including the development of a coupon clearinghouse and data-tracking services for magazines and even oil wells. Perhaps his most impressive achievement, however, was his ability to maintain A.C. Nielsen's position as the nation's pre-eminent TV and media ratings firm, [...]

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29) HTC's unaudited Q3 results keep the revenue train a-rollin'
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/htcs-unaudited-q3-results-keep-the-revenue-train-a-rollin/

HTC clearly couldn't wait for a pesky audit to tell let the world about its continued financial successes. The Taiwanese handset maker posted unaudited consolidated results for the third quarter -- and, not surprisingly, things are (continuing) to look good for the company. HTC marked a 79.07-percent growth over this time last year, with NT$135,821 million ($4.4 billion) total revenue. And according to HTC, the company's net income post-taxes was NT$18,638 million ($612 million) for the quarter. We'll update the results when we get something a bit more official.HTC's unaudited Q3 results keep the revenue train a-rollin' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | HTC | Email this | Comments

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30) Rdio launches free, non-ad-supported streaming for US users, meter to keep you in check
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rdio-launches-free-non-ad-supported-streaming-for-us-users-met/

Ad-free, on-demand streaming is coming your way, folks -- and it won't cost you a dime. Rdio has announced the launch of its free service that will give you access to a library of over 12 million songs without being interrupted by pesky Spotify-esque advertisements. The no cost subscription won't require you to give up your credit card info either, but, you will get a "customized meter" that will let you know how much music you can access monthly. No word yet on how much time you'll have, but any amount of time with the Radiohead discography is sure to be of use. You'll be able to listen via the web or desktop app without grabbing a paid membership, but if you want Rdio's tunes on your phone, it'll cost you $9.99 per month. Also, from what we've heard, this is only available in the US -- for now. If you're looking for the full rundown then hit the PR below for all the details.Continue [...]

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31) Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/

Wireless power demos abound at CEATEC, and Rohm Semiconductor had their own variant on hand with a complete mix of direct-draw gadgets, along with the omnipresent charging iPhone 4 (or was it a 4S?). Like Murata's prototype, the Rohm flavor uses square electrodes instead of the coils that you'll find in traditional wireless power solutions, like Qi. But unlike that seemingly identical solution from Murata, this version supports much greater power efficiency -- something in the 92 to 93 percent range (compared to the competing pad's 70-percent efficiency rating). That means that the prototype that we're looking at here loses just seven to eight percent of power during transmission -- which is still unacceptably high, mind you, but far more tolerable. Rohm's Wireless Power Transmission system also allows you to charge or power devices by placing them anywhere on the pad, rather than [...]

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32) Spotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live Hub
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/spotify-streaming-hits-the-living-room-on-the-latest-99-wdtv-li/

The latest iteration of the WD TV Live family is here and this micro sized, 802.11n WiFi-equipped, internal storage-lacking, streamer supports the latest version of its UI -- as seen in the already available WDTV Live Hub. Also new to these two boxes is support for Spotify, bringing up to 320kbps music streaming to the living room, as well as Dailymotion to the existing list (Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Facebook etc.) The new WDTV Live is available for $99, check after the break for a pic of the box itself and the press release with all the details.Continue reading Spotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live HubSpotify streaming hits the living room on the latest $99 WDTV Live, WDTV Live Hub originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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33) Fujitsu Lifebook AH77/E and SH76/E hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/fujitsu-lifebook-ah77-e-and-sh76-e-hands-on/

If you're familiar with Fujitsu's AH572 and S761/C laptops, then you'll certainly recognize the similarities on their Japanese cousins. On the left we have the beastly 15.6-inch AH77/E, which sports an Intel Core-i72670QM processor (2.20-3.10GHz), 750GB hard drive, 8GB RAM, Blu-ray drive and a handy circular scrolling pad. We dig the slanted keys and their color-accented sides (combinations include black on red, white on black and black on blue), and likewise with the removable dust trap near the heatsink on the bottom side, though the already-discounted price of ¥175,320 ($2,284) is rather steep for a machine lacking a dedicated graphics card -- you get an Intel HD Graphics 3000 instead.

If you're looking for something lighter than the 2.9kg AH series, then consider the SH76/E: at 1.34kg, it's one of the lightest 13.3-inch laptops that come with an internal DVD drive. Specs include a [...]

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34) Another Windows Phone spotted, Nokia Sun on the horizon?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/another-windows-phone-spotted-nokia-sun-on-the-horizon/

It's getting increasingly difficult to pin down exactly how many Nokia Windows Phones we can expect to see this year, now that the French WinPho obsessives at Mon Windows Phone have added the Nokia Sun to that list. The site got its hands on the vague screengrab above, which shows this mystery phone joining Orange France's ranks of forthcoming devices. With names like the SeaRay and Sabre already being bandied around, the Sun does fit in with Nokia's naming trend for Mango handsets, although it could be another name for previously leaked hardware. The accompanying spec sheet, meanwhile, hints at a very N9-esque device with an AMOLED screen, eight megapixel camera, polycarbonate shell, and (perhaps) a Micro SIM slot -- all centered around a slightly smaller display. Who knows, maybe this is the anonymous (and possibly fake) phone we saw last month? All bets are on the table at this [...]

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35) K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/k-max-robotic-chopper-delivers-airmans-salute-to-afghan-danger/

It's a year since Lockheed Martin won the contract to provide an unmanned cargo delivery system to the US military and now its first K-MAX helicopter is just about ready for duty. The 6,000-pound RC chopper is scheduled to journey to the manifold fronts of Afghanistan next month, where it'll get busy ferrying its own bodyweight in ammo and supplies to needy anthills up to 200km away. And, if things get too sticky for laptop flying, there's always room for a brave soul to jump in there and grab the controls. You'll find a fresh demo video after the break, plus we've also stuck in that fancy clip from last year to rotor your memory.Continue reading K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video)K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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36) ComScore: Android extends lead over Apple, holds 44 percent of smartphone market
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/comscore-android-extends-lead-over-apple-holds-44-percent-of-s/

Gather 'round, everyone, because a fresh batch of ComScore numbers has just arrived. According to the research firm, Android remains in firm control of the smartphone platform market, commanding 43.7 percent, followed by Apple (27.3 percent) and RIM (19.7 percent). In fact, Google extended its share by nearly two points over last month's figures, while Apple's iOS grew by just 0.3 points, but further distanced itself from RIM, which now sits 7.6 points behind. On the manufacturing side of the equation, Samsung remains top dog, accounting for 25.3 percent of all mobile subscribers (including both smartphone and feature phone users), followed by LG (21 percent) and Motorola (14 percent). Apple, meanwhile, sits a distant fourth, at 9.8 percent, followed by RIM, which rounds out the top five with 7.1 percent market share. Number crunchers can find more fodder in the full PR, after the [...]

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37) HomePlug Alliance keeps plugging away at powerline communications
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/homeplug-alliance-keeps-plugging-away-at-powerline-communication/

Try as it might, the HomePlug Alliance just can't seem to get its foot in the proverbial door of consumers' homes. Now the organization is eying a different target market -- utilities. Its new Netricity Powerline Communications program aims to get utility companies and makers of smart meters to adopt the 1901.2 standard for sending data through existing electrical wiring and march us into the smart grid future. The low-frequency, narrow-band PLC won't do anything to help you stream HD video around your home, but it should be more than enough for monitoring your energy consumption. Check out the PR after the break for a few more details.HomePlug Alliance keeps plugging away at powerline communications originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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38) Ad-supported Kindle 4 has built-in $30 "upgrade", gets rid of embedded special offers
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/ad-supported-kindle-4-has-built-in-30-upgrade-gets-rid-of-em/

Was it too cheap? Well, here's some great news for fourth-generation Kindle users already tiring of its embedded ads looking cheap alongside their Vertu phones. You can now pay Amazon the requisite fee and unsubscribe from built-in advertising and offers. Visit the Manage your Kindle webpage and you can edit your subscriptions for the newest entry-level e-reader. There seems to be no option, however, to do the reverse just yet. Would Amazon hand over $30 to push those special offers into our currently ad-free Kindle?Ad-supported Kindle 4 has built-in $30 "upgrade", gets rid of embedded special offers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PaidContent | MobileRead forums | Email this | Comments

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
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Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 5, 2011

2011-10-06T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 5, 2011:

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1) Robot uses semantic search to get a Subway sandwich, do Jared's evil bidding (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/robot-uses-semantic-search-to-get-a-subway-sandwich-do-jareds/

Old PR2 can already fold towels, play pool and grab an ice cold beer -- really, the Willow Garage robot is just one task of short of mastering the day-to-day activities of your average college student. What's that? It can get a sandwich, too? Never mind. And this isn't just any "get me a sandwich" command -- the stout white 'bot uses semantic search to infer possible locations for sandwich, using knowledge of similar objects and environmental models. In the below video, you'll see PR2 make its way to a refrigerator, in search of sustenance, only to come up empty-clawed. Undaunted, it hops on an elevator and makes its way to a Subway sandwich shop. The joint project from the University of Tokyo and University of Munich was recently shown off at recent robotics conference. No word on when PR2 will be programmed to hold the onions.Continue reading Robot uses semantic search to get a Subway [...]

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2) Sprint now taking pre-orders for iPhone 4, reserve your 4S on October 7
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/sprint-now-taking-pre-orders-for-iphone-4-reserve-your-4s-on-oc/

Looking to grab that iPhone 4 on Sprint and take advantage of the unlimited data? Well, you can place your pre-order now on the current model and for the just announced 4S starting Friday, October 7. The company warns that this is "while supplies last" -- so if you're thinking about jumping ship from the data limiting service of Big Red or Ma Bell, you may want to act quickly. Just hit that source link and head to Sprint's iPhone page to reserve yours.

[Thanks, Kevin]Sprint now taking pre-orders for iPhone 4, reserve your 4S on October 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sprint | Email this | Comments

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3) T-Mobile officially unveils myTouch, MyTouch Q just in time for the holidays
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/t-mobile-officially-unveils-mytouch-mytouch-q-just-in-time-for/

Not that they were a particularly well kept secret, but T-Mobile is finally ready to show off its two newest Android phones that are aimed at first-time smartphone buyers. The 4G-capable myTouch and myTouch Q are everything the leaks indicated, with the former sporting a 3.8-inch touch screen and the latter coming home with a 3.5-inch screen (no word on the display tech used in either one) and landscape sliding QWERTY keyboard. Both run Android 2.3 out of the box on a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU and 5MP / 720p cameras, with the myTouch throwing in a front facing shooter for your video conferencing enjoyment. Both will be available in two different color schemes "in time for the holiday season" -- check the press release after the break for the full rundown.Continue reading T-Mobile officially unveils myTouch, MyTouch Q just in time for the holidaysT-Mobile officially unveils myTouch, MyTouch Q [...]

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4) Grid10 review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/grid10-review/

Second chances aren't always easy to come by, and when Fusion Garage disappeared off the map following the unabashed failure of the JooJoo tablet, we certainly didn't expect those doors would be opening again. But open they did, swinging wide as the company treated itself to a product launch of the sort usually reserved for big-named companies with big-named devices.

This time it's the Grid10 tablet, a $299, 16GB, 10.1-inch slate that plays nice with Android while simultaneously thumbing its nose at the OS Google built, instead relying on the completely custom-built GridOS. This new challenger can run Android apps despite not actually running Android itself, purporting to give users another, better choice of armament in these tablet wars. Is it truly better, or is it just different? The answer is waiting for you just after the break.

Gallery: Fusion Garage Grid10Continue reading [...]

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5) Remembering Steve Jobs: We all pay tribute
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/remembering-steve-jobs-we-all-pay-tribute/

As news has of the passing of Steve Jobs spread tonight, people have started showing up at Apple's stores to pay tribute to its co-founder and former leader. We stopped by the 5th Avenue, NYC store and found this scene with many gathering to pay tribute through their thoughts, words and pictures. Outside there's signs and flowers, downstairs the store is packed. Apple headquarters featured a bouquet covered bench, adorned with homemade signs, and an iPad. In downtown San Francisco, people lit candles and placed post-in notes on the Apple store's windows. The images we've captured are in the galleries below, if you have something to share of your own then contact us via our tips form so we can include it here.

Gallery: RIP Steve Jobs, Apple Store 5th Ave., NYC

Gallery: RIP Steve Jobs, 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino CA

Gallery: RIP Steve Jobs, Apple Store, San Francisco, CA

Gallery: [...]

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6) Steve Jobs in his own words
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-in-his-own-words/

I'll always stay connected with Apple. I hope that throughout my life I'll sort of have the thread of my life and the thread of Apple weave in and out of each other, like a tapestry. There may be a few years when I'm not there, but I'll always come back

-- Steve Jobs, 1985

That's a quote from a Playboy interview Steve Jobs gave back in 1985. February of 1985, to be specific, right before Steve would be ousted from the company that he co-founded with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976. Apple of course famously grew out of a garage, the brains of Woz, the drive of Jobs building the company over the next nine years into a powerhouse in the burgeoning home computer market.

Join us for a look back at the life of Steve Jobs.Continue reading Steve Jobs in his own wordsSteve Jobs in his own words originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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7) Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away at 56
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/steve-jobs-co-fouder-of-apple-is-dead-at-56/

We just got some very, very sad news. Steve Jobs has passed away. As confirmed on Apple's site, Mr. Jobs has died at the age of 56 after recently stepping down from the position of CEO and naming Tim Cook his successor. Steve has had a profound effect on the world of technology, both at Apple and through his many other endeavors. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Update: All Things D has posted a memo sent out by Tim Cook to Apple employees stating that there will be an internal celebration to honor Steve's life soon. Those words can be found after the break, along with statements from Apple's Board of Directors, his family, and Bill Gates.Continue reading Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away at 56Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away at 56 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | [...]

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8) BT Openreach launching 300Mbps broadband in the UK - high in fibre, low in fat
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/bt-openreach-launching-300mbps-broadband-in-the-uk-high-in-fib/

You've got broadband, right? Are you sure you do? Well, it turns out that the US might well be slipping further down the international 'what speed can you get' tables as UK telecom giant BT Openreach has just fessed up that it will be rolling out a 300Mbps wholesale network as soon as spring 2012. As the network is FTTP, there shouldn't be any more of the old 'up to' claims that have plagued the UK market until now. Also, since it's wholesale, we've got our fingers crossed there won't be any nasty price hiking either, so no need for other providers to start bumping their gums about how unfair it is. So it might not be a gigabit network, but with the UK joining the broad-band-super-speed-party, the US needs to up it's gross point average of 5.3Mbps soon, or risk being left at the children's table. If you're prepared to pine mournfully for what your UK friends have in store, hit the PR [...]

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9) Google Docs gets a refresh, fills out the screen for Honeycomb
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/google-docs-gets-a-refresh-fills-out-the-screen-for-honeycomb/

When Google dropped its official Docs app into our workaholic hands earlier this spring, we'd noted it wasn't exactly tablet-ready. Well, all that's changed with the Mountain View-based company's latest update to its Android app, this time optimized for Honeycomb's wider layout. Now, when users opt to edit on-the-go from their slates, they'll be treated to a three-pane interface offering access to collections, document lists and even a preview panel. El Goog's also tossed in support for over 46 languages across all Android 3.0 and up tabs. Go and ahead and hit up the source below for a download, or simply update if you're already packing.Google Docs gets a refresh, fills out the screen for Honeycomb originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Official Google Enterprise Blog | Email this | Comments

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10) TomTom extends Live service and HD Traffic to Canada with Go Live 1535M nav unit
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/tomtom-extends-live-service-and-hd-traffic-to-canada-with-go-liv/

Satisfying your poutine craving just got easier as TomTom extends its internet-enabled Live service and HD Traffic to nav systems up north. Using the Go Live 1535M portable GPS unit, Canadian drivers can now access the company's signature HD Traffic feature to get real-time routing based on current congestion. Another perk of being connected is the suite of apps that gives adventurers access to Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Twitter and local search from the dash -- making it easy to find that perfectly crafted caribou jerky and brag about it on social networks. Starting in October, Canucks can cop the system for around $269 with a free 12-month starter subscription to Live offerings. Check out the full PR after the break.Continue reading TomTom extends Live service and HD Traffic to Canada with Go Live 1535M nav unitTomTom extends Live service and HD Traffic to Canada with Go Live 1535M [...]

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11) CRTC won't regulate Netflix as a broadcaster in Canada
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/crtc-wont-regulate-netflix-as-a-broadcaster-in-canada/

Netflix may be a streaming company, but that doesn't make it a broadcaster -- at least, not in Canada, and not according to the CRTC. Despite calls from existing broadcasters to the contrary, the agency today opted not to regulate Netflix and other so-called "over-the-top" services -- which would have, among other things, made them subject to the same Canadian content requirements that broadcasters must comply with. While it hasn't completely closed the door on changing its tune in the future, at the moment the CRTC says that there's no evidence the services are harming traditional broadcasters, and that regulating them could in fact discourage innovation and make it difficult for Canadian companies to compete outside of the country.CRTC won't regulate Netflix as a broadcaster in Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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12) BBM caught cheating with Android, CrackBerry epidemic to spread?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/bbm-caught-cheating-with-android-crackberry-epidemic-to-spread/

RIM's killer BlackBerry feature has always been BBM. So, you'll have to excuse us if we give some side-eye to these leaked shots of the private messaging service two-timing its Canadian maker. The pics over on TechnoBuffalo, supposedly obtained by a RIM employee, show off the BBM for Android app in question running on a crude developer phone. Not much can be glimpsed from the set aside from the application's icon and account interface. It could all be a slick hoax, or maybe the Waterloo-based co. really does plan to release its prized service into greener Android pastures. We'll let you know for sure when we hit up DevCon later this month.BBM caught cheating with Android, CrackBerry epidemic to spread? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TechnoBuffalo | Email this | Comments

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13) Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/google-earth-hits-one-billion-downloads-those-with-fear-of-flyi/

In a feat that outdoes even Dr. Evil's vision of worldwide domination, the folks in Mountain View have reported a staggering one billion downloads of Google Earth. Over the years, the service has taken us around the world, giving us a peak into amazing and sometimes obscure places ranging from the bottom of the ocean to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. It's also evolved from its humble beginnings as a desktop app back in 2005 to include a mobile app and a plug-in, not to mention a 3D flight simulation used with Google Maps -- all features that helped it reach the astronomical milestone. For that, we salute you Google Earth. Check out the celebratory video after the break.Continue reading Google Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicksGoogle Earth hits one billion downloads, those with fear of flying still getting virtual kicks originally [...]

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14) Sprint will offer unlimited data plan for the iPhone 4S
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/sprint-will-offer-unlimited-data-plan-for-the-iphone-4s/

A Sprint spokesperson gave us a ring to let us know that the newly announced iPhone 4S will be eligible for the carrier's unlimited data plan. According to Sprint, pricing will start at $69.99 for unlimited data and 450 talk minutes, with the Simply Everything unlimited calling and data running you $99.99. At the very least, the company's confirmation that the plan is sticking around will help the third US carrier to nab the iPhone stand out among its predecessors. We'll add some PR as soon as it hits.Sprint will offer unlimited data plan for the iPhone 4S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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15) The Engadget Mobile Podcast, Apple Edition, live at 5PM ET!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/the-engadget-mobile-podcast-apple-edition-live-at-5pm-et/

Another mishmash of schedules along with a sense of urgency to rant the afternoon away have combined midweek, and the result is a quickie Apple Edition of Engadget Mobile Podcast. Yes, some big news came our way yesterday and we have something to say about it. Get prepared for a lot of Apple talk, everyone; we'll try to open up some time to have some dessert after our fruit, though, if you catch our drift. Anyways, we hope you can join Myriam Joire and Brad Molen in our emergency edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET (2PM PT, 9PM GT)!The Engadget Mobile Podcast, Apple Edition, live at 5PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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16) Android on HP TouchPad: yes, there's an app for that (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/android-on-hp-touchpad-yes-theres-an-app-for-that-video/

TouchPad firesale hysteria may have finally died down, but those of you with newly acquired HP slates should pay attention. A poster by the name of Chomper has uploaded a walkthrough of Android running atop webOS. Yes, you may have seen that particular feat before, but this time 'round the appropriated Google OS gets the emulated treatment. The mobile platform, installed via an .ipk, is accessible as an app and appears to run somewhat smoothly, although certain tics become noticeable when switching between homescreens or attempting to playback YouTube video. Audio and multi-touch have both yet to be successfully implemented in this rogue use of Android, and there's also a pesky power off issue that requires a hard reset of the system. Still, it's good to see the dev community doing what it does best, and inching us ever closer to a Rubin afterlife on HP's deceased tab. Skip past the [...]

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17) Huawei Honor gets knighted by the FCC, beelines it straight for Cricket as the Glory
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/huawei-honor-gets-knighted-by-the-fcc-beelines-it-straight-for/

Huawei's four-inch flagship has appeared at a rigorous FCC screening, and this one comes with several radio band changes since its formal reveal. This new CDMA 800/1700(AWS)/1900 variant, making it through the Commission as the M886, indicates the Honor will be making a showing in the US on Cricket as the Huawei Glory. You can expect to see the Gingerbread-running device come with a 4-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) screen, a 1.4GHz single-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, a sizable 1,900mAh battery, an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front-facing cam. If its expected November release remains true, this may easily be the best-selling device on the prepaid carrier for the holiday season. Check out more pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: Huawei Glory in FCCHuawei Honor gets knighted by the FCC, beelines it straight for Cricket as the Glory originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 [...]

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18) Poll: Will you be getting an iPhone 4S?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/poll-will-you-be-getting-an-iphone-4s/

Needless to say, opinions of Cupertino's latest product have poured down on the internet like acid rain. Tim Cook's inaugural turn behind the wheel came with the awesome responsibility of unveiling the iPhone 4S, Apple's first addition to the iPhone family tree in 16 months. The good news: the 4S received a healthy upgrade in CPU and camera, threw in Siri voice recognition and added Sprint to its growing list of supporters in the US. The unsettling news (for many, anyways): it's basically an iPhone 4 with new internal parts -- there was no change in design or screen size, no LTE to flaunt, no iPhone 5 to accompany it. Naturally, expectations were incredibly high prior to the keynote, so we're anxious to find out how you feel about the outcome. Do you feel the design is still current? Are you relieved to see it available on Sprint? Were you hoping for a larger Retina Display? Rise up to [...]

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19) NEC LaVie Touch hands-on (updated)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/nec-lavie-touch-hands-on/

Originally scheduled for a September launch under the VersaPro type VT moniker, NEC's LaVie Touch Windows 7 tablet is finally hitting the Japanese market next week. Alas, there are still no plans on an international release for this 10.1-inch Atom Z670-powered device, but at CEATEC we were lucky enough to stumble upon it along with its DVD dock and wireless input peripherals -- all included for ¥99,960 ($1,300), which is a huge drop from the original ¥144,000 ($1,873) customizable bundle.

Despite the slightly more sensible pricing, is the LaVie Touch still worth the money? Probably a stretch given the much cheaper offerings from the likes of Acer and Samsung, but regardless, kudos to NEC for keeping its tablet's weight just under 730g (1.6 pounds) while promising 10.6 hours of battery life. For comparison's sake, the Acer Iconia W500 weighs 970g (2.14 pounds) and only packs up to six [...]

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20) Wiretapping Act could spell 'finito' for Italian Wikipedia
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/wiretapping-act-could-spell-finito-for-italian-wikipedia/

This week, lawmakers in Italy are debating a controversial new bill that could have disastrous implications for Wikipedia. Yesterday, the encyclopedia posted a lengthy letter on its Italian portal, informing visitors that the site may be shuttered within the country if parliament passes the proposed DDL Intercettazioni, or "Wiretapping Law." If ratified, the legislation would require all online publishers to amend any content considered objectionable or defamatory within 48 hours of receiving a complaint. Offenders would face a fine of €12,000 (about $16,000), and any requested corrections would not be subject to review. Of course, this presents obvious problems for the crowdsourced (and crowd-edited) Wikipedia, which characterized the law as "an unacceptable restriction of [its] freedom and independence." The site took particular umbrage at the bill's apparent disregard for [...]

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21) Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/soon-xbox-companion-will-let-you-control-your-console-from-wind/

We just reported that Microsoft is partnering with Verizon and Comcast (among others) to continue expanding the reaches of its Xbox 360 entertainment suite, but would it be complete without adding compatibility to its mobile empire as well? The Windows Phone Team says nay; it spoke up this morning about an upcoming app called Xbox Companion, which will access the Xbox Live Marketplace and also act as a remote, allowing you to navigate your console or control video playback directly from your handset. You can call it laziness or convenience -- or both -- but either way, it's still going to be a clever new addition to the Marketplace. The app's currently in beta and will be available as a free download "soon." For a peek, check out the video below at around the one-minute mark.Continue reading Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows PhoneSoon, Xbox Companion [...]

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22) FCC wants all cellphones to be GPS-capable by 2018 for improved 911 service
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/fcc-wants-all-cellphones-to-be-gps-capable-by-2018-for-improved/

There's still no real indication of when you'll be able to send text messages, photos and videos to 911, but the FCC has now set a date for another promised enhancement to the service. The agency is aiming to increase the service's location accuracy requirements, and to that end it wants all cellphones and VoIP devices to be GPS-capable by 2018 (A-GPS, specifically). As the FCC notes, it expects 85 percent of all cellphones to have built-in GPS by that point anyway, which it says should "contribute to minimizing subsequent costs" required to meet the cut-off -- it's not, however, adopting a specific sunset date just yet. As you might expect, however, there's not exactly unanimous support for the move in the industry, and the FCC itself notes in its recently-published document that AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Motorola and the CTIA all insist that "a unitary standard is not technically or [...]

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23) Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/microsoft-reveals-new-tv-providers-on-xbox-360-in-the-us-and-int/

Just as the rumors indicated, Microsoft is bringing video from a number of providers beyond the ones it initially announced to the Xbox 360 in its fall update, including big guns like Verizon and Comcast. While Verizon is promising "a selection" of its live TV channels on the Xbox 360 as expected, Comcast is only bringing its Xfinity TV video on-demand offerings (no AnyPlay powered live TV -- yet) to subscribers when it launches "in the coming months." Other notable providers include Lovefilm (UK, Germany), BBC TV (UK), HBO Go, and Syfy. As promised during E3, the services integrated with Xbox will offer support for search across all available video, as well as support for Kinect voice and gesture controls. The universal search is looking good since it pulls together various services into one UI (as we discussed on our podcast yesterday), but the reality is content providers and [...]

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24) Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/rohm-and-lumiotec-create-450-oled-hanger-lamp-we-go-hands-on/

Four hundred and fifty dollars. Made out to Lumiotec, please. Really, that's all you need to know -- this tiny purposeless OLED lamp costs nearly half a grand. But hot damn does it look good. If you have the cash and don't mind shelling it over, Lumiotec's OLED Hanger lamp is a mighty cool gadget to own. Until you realize that you're not really sure what to do with it. Do you hang it in a closet? Do you hang it over the door? Can you hang it anywhere at all? It is a hanger, after all. Even representatives from Rohm, which manufacturers the OLED panel used in the Hanger, were unable to explain the lamp's purpose at the company's CEATEC booth. Some variation of "use your imagination" was the final response. Well, our imagination has concluded that we'll pass on the Hanger, but we'd like a few dozen of those gorgeous OLED panels, please (we've already set aside several hundred square feet [...]

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25) Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-tactile-controller-tv-remote-hands-on-video/

What's that, you're not into changing the channel with that boring old remote, or even with your voice? Murata's ground-up Tactile Controller brings a real twist to every couch potato's favorite gadget. Quite literally. The company's prototype remote uses touch-pressure pads and pyroelectricity to analyze the position of a piezoelectric film. In English: a plastic film produces tiny amounts of electricity at various voltages (output as data) when it's forced into a variety of positions, letting you change the channel simply by twisting the controller in either direction, or flexing to adjust volume. The model we saw was a plastic sandwich of sorts, and also included four solar cells, capable of producing one milliwatt of electricity -- just enough to power the device.

We put the controller through its paces at the company's CEATEC booth, adjusting a TV's volume and channel up and down, [...]

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26) It's not TV: it's Nottv, Japan's new Smartphone-only TV station
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/its-not-tv-its-nottv-japans-new-smartphone-only-tv-station/

Japanese mobile users hankering after short bursts of original video will soon gain access to Nottv, a platform designed to capitalize on the nation's love of smartphones as well as its now empty analog TV frequencies. The service is different to Japan's other smartphone-TV network, One-Seg, which just relays terrestrial broadcasts to your mobile device -- not least because it lets you share snarky ripostes after watching a clip. It's backed by the country's major channels as well as NTT DoCoMo and it just needs the heavy rubber stamp of governmental approval before you can start hunting down condensed editions of Takeshi's Castle from April 2012.It's not TV: it's Nottv, Japan's new Smartphone-only TV station originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PCWorld | Nottv (translated) | Email this | Comments

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27) Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/arduino-ipod-and-rfid-make-beatiful-handicapped-accesible-musi/

There isn't actually much new about this awesome DIY project, but it's the way it brings the various parts together that has us impressed. Designed by Instructables user XenonJohn, with help from software developer David Findlay, the Magic Music Table RFID was designed to let a child with a disability select albums to play back from an iPod touch playlist. The iPod is connected to an Arduino, which tells the device to start playing a particular track based on a selection made with RFID cards. The whole setup is built into a coffee table and the RFID tags are sandwiched inside clear plastic blocks with the album art. You can see it in action in the video after the break and, if you've got the patience and skill, you can build your own using the directions at the source link.Continue reading Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video)Arduino, iPod and RFID [...]

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28) Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/cyberdyne-hal-robotic-arm-hands-on-video/

If the name Cyberdyne doesn't immediately ring a bell, its HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic suit sure will. Here at CEATEC, we bumped into these folks who kindly offered to strap us onto their latest prototype arm -- a slightly smaller variant of the one installed on Cyberdyne's current suit. Most of the HAL's main part was strapped to the outer side of our upper arm with velcro, while our wrist was tied to the much smaller extendable piece; both parts were hinged together with a power unit. Additionally, a sensory pad was applied onto our forearm's medial cutaneous nerve (around the elbow area) to pick up our muscular nerve signal -- similarly, Cyberdyne's lower-body exosuit requires two sensors on each leg.

Our HAL was energized as soon as we tensed our arm muscles, so lifting up the tray of four 1.5kg water bottles was a piece of cake consistently throughout the demo -- we even [...]

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29) India's $35 tablet is here, for real. Called Aakash, costs $60
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/indias-35-tablet-is-here-for-real-called-aakash-costs-60/

India's much-hyped $35 tablet for students is a reality. But, like every other super-cheap education project, the price has jumped -- though in this case only to Rs 2,999 ($60). It turns out that the Aakash is actually an Ubislate 7 from Datawind (makers of the Pocketsurfer). Beneath the 7-inch 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen is a 366MHz Connexant CPU, 256MB of RAM and 2GB of storage (expandable via microSD) running Froyo and the Getjar market on top. The battery life is rated for a rather short three hours, and much less if you want to play HD video. In addition to the 802.11 a/b/g WiFi chip, you also get a GPRS modem to stay connected in rural areas. We wish India's HRD Minster Kapil Sibal's pet project all the best and if you want to see the device held snugly inside a Rs 300 ($7) keyboard folio, check out the picture after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this [...]

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30) Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/panasonic-cockpit-digital-dash-prototype-hands-on-video/

Sure, we may not see flying cars in our lifetime, but a mainstream digital dash is a definite possibility. The all-glass vehicle dashboard has been conceptualized by other manufacturers in the past, but this year it's Panasonic's turn to try its hand at building a multi-display system. The electronics maker brought its Cockpit prototype to the CEATEC floor, causing quite a stir among passersby. The dash itself was little more than a semi-functional mockup, presenting recorded rendered video on the main 20-inch LCD and dual 10.4-inch secondary displays. The main display's current objective appears to be improving safety, using a series of cameras to eliminate blind spots and alert drivers to other road hazards. Real-time driving stats are displayed atop a video feed, either from the rear camera (when in reverse), or one up front.

We spent a few minutes behind the wheel of Panasonic's [...]

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31) Dell announces Inspiron One 2320 touchscreen all-in-one
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/dell-announces-inspiron-one-2320-touchscreen-all-in-one/

Over the past few weeks, we've seen HP and Toshiba freshen up their all-in-ones, while Samsung made a belated jump into the market just last week. Today, it's Dell's turn -- the company just announced an addition to its all-in-one lineup, the 23-inch Inspiron One 2320. Funnily enough, the new design reminds us somewhat of the PCs HP trotted out last month in that it has an easel-like display with enough space underneath to stow the keyboard, although this one doesn't have a tilting screen. Spec-wise, it's well-matched against the competition, with a 1080p touchscreen, Intel Wireless Display capability, optional NVIDIA GeForce GT525M graphics, six USB 2.0 ports, HDMI-in, a Blu-ray option and up to 2TB in storage. (For whatever reason, USB 3.0 didn't make the cut.) That starting price of $950 will get you a Core i5-2400S CPU and 6GB of RAM, but if you have an extra $450 lying around you [...]

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32) Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/android-gingerbread-has-growth-spurt-grabs-38-2-percent-device/

Gingerbread has apparently made a substantial mark on Android users, with new figures showing it holds a 38.2 percent share of all Google OS-powered devices. That's some kind of growth from the one percent sliver it held earlier this year. Froyo still remains dominant at 45.3 percent, but fragmentation continues to shrink, with 95.7 percent of all Google-coated devices now running Android 2.1 or above. These figures, taken from Android Market statistics over the last two weeks, give a pretty good illustration of the gulf between Android smartphone and tablets, as well, with Honeycomb versions accounting for a meager 1.8 percent. But the tablet version will likely get a boost from Ice Cream Sandwich -- which, as we all know, is just around the corner.Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:56:00 EDT. [...]

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33) Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/fujitsu-arrows-tab-lte-f-01d-with-gesture-control-hands-on-vide/

We'll probably never match Japan's obsession with waterproof gadgets, but anyone would appreciate how the local manufacturers also manage to keep them thin and light at the same time. The Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D we fiddled with here at CEATEC is one such example: while it's thicker than Samsung's 10.1-inch counterpart by almost 3mm, we were surprised that Fujitsu's latest Android tablet also weighs just under 600g -- not bad considering it's suitable for use in the shower.

What's more, the F-01D comes with a rather unique feature that's great for use in the bathroom or the kitchen: camera-based gesture control, which works in the browser (to scroll pages or go back and forth) as well as the 1seg or DLNA TV viewer (to change the channel and volume). You'll see in our video after the break that the gestures worked liked a charm for us, though initially we had to make sure that the [...]

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34) Kia to roll out re-badged Hyundai electric minicar in late 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/kia-to-roll-out-re-badged-hyundai-electric-minicar-in-late-2011/

There's still no indication that it'll hit the North American market, but it looks like Kia will soon have an all-electric "minicar" to call its own. That will come in the form of a re-badged Hyundai i10 (pictured above), which is expected to pack a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery and a range somewhere south of a hundred miles. No word on pricing just yet either, but the car is set to roll out in late 2011, with production tapped at a modest 2,000 units for 2012.Kia to roll out re-badged Hyundai electric minicar in late 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Autoblog Green | Email this | Comments

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35) Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/

Do we really need another wireless charging system that's incompatible with industry standards? Murata seems to think that we do. The company's prototype uses neither conductive nor inductive transmission, instead bringing its new capacitive coupling technology to the cordless charging mix. Capacitive coupling uses square transmitter and receiver electrodes, instead of the coils used with Qi devices. It also doesn't require a physical connection like near-obsolete conductive tech, which dictates that both the charging pad and receiving device use metal connectors that must be joined to transfer current. The Murata system is far from being production-ready, with only 70 percent efficiency (30 percent of electricity is lost during transmission). The sample the company had on hand can support 16 watts of output with a maximum of 2.1 amps, making each pad capable of charging several small [...]

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36) Arduino-powered lighting system infuses your LED with some Ambilight-like pizazz (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/arduino-powered-lighting-system-infuses-your-led-with-some-ambil/

Why spend your hard-earned money on one of Philips' Ambilight displays when you can just make your own, using some Arduino-based wizardry and a little bit of elbow grease? Fortunately, Minty Boost creator ladyada is here to help. All you'll need is a strand of digital RGB LED pixels, a five-volt DC power supply (along with a female power adapter), any USB-equipped Arduino micro-controller and, of course, the appropriate Processing programming environment. You can find the full how-to at the source link below, but the results are pretty impressive -- a capture-based sketch system that's compatible with just about any media player. See it for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Phil]

Continue reading Arduino-powered lighting system infuses your LED with some Ambilight-like pizazz (video)Arduino-powered lighting system infuses your LED with some Ambilight-like pizazz [...]

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37) Samsung looks to block iPhone 4S sales in France, Italy
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/samsung-looks-to-block-iphone-4s-sales-in-france-italy/

Not exactly a shocking development here, but Samsung has just announced that it's looking to block sales of the iPhone 4S throughout France and Italy, opening up yet another frontier in its ongoing patent war with Apple. In a statement, the company confirmed that it will file two preliminary injunction requests in Paris and Milan today, on the grounds that Cupertino's new handset infringes upon two patents related to WCDMA standards for 3G-enabled devices. And it looks like this could only the beginning, with the manufacturer stating that it plans to pursue similar actions in other countries, as well. "Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology," reads Samsung's statement. "We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation." Apple has yet to comment on the filings, but we'll be following the [...]

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38) Garmin's Forerunner 910XT sport watch begs to become your new swimming buddy
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/garmins-forerunner-910xt-sport-watch-begs-to-become-your-new-sw/

After introducing the Forerunner 610 alongside its lineup of runner-friendly watches, Garmin has introduced a new high tech gadget that's targeted to hardcore swimmers and triathletes: enter the Forerunner 910XT. With a price tag of $400, it's certainly intended for the most dedicated (or affluent) jocks, but for the outlay of cash, you'll find it provides detailed metrics such as swim distance, pool lengths, along with stroke identification and count. It even goes so far as to report one's SWOLF score, which is a measure of a swimmer's efficiency (calculated as the number of strokes to swim a lap, plus the time to travel said distance). The Forerunner 910XT is water resistant to 50 meters, but it's certainly apt for use on dry land, too. For instance, it provides stats about one's elevation, heart rate and speed, and offers built-in GPS. The battery life is limited to 20 hours, [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 4, 2011

2011-10-05T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 4, 2011:

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1) Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/samsung-teases-next-weeks-unpacked-offers-a-momentary-glance/

See that image above? It's Samsung's way of being sly. The company put out a teaser video for its "Google Episode" of Unpacked occurring on October 11th (we'll be there live, by the way), stating that "something BIG is coming." And if you're not looking close enough, you may completely miss the brief glimpse Sammy gave us of a device with a curved screen. The vid doesn't go so far as to loudly exclaim that this mystery device is the Nexus Prime, of course, but c'mon -- we're picking up what's getting put down. Check out the video below to do some sleuthing of your own.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious deviceSamsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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2) Qt developers gain NFC support with Nokia's latest SDK update
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/qt-developers-gain-nfc-support-with-nokias-latest-sdk-update/

Nokia's development community just got its first taste of near field lovin' with the first Qt SDK to support NFC. While you'll be forgiven if you're not up in arms over the latest revelation, owners of the company's latest handsets can soon expect a greater number of useful apps that take advantage of this newfangled technology. The developer tools enable the creation of applications for both Symbian and MeeGo, and allows software authors to simulate NFC tags and create events based around them -- all within the virtual environment. Programmers looking to dip their toes into the water will find a couple of experimental apps from Espoo's pride that highlight near field communication, along with the complete source code for each. Sounds like it's time for some to make a pot of coffee and let the coding madness ensue.Qt developers gain NFC support with Nokia's latest SDK update originally [...]

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3) Invisibility cloak made of carbon nanotubes uses 'mirage effect' to disappear
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/invisibility-cloak-made-of-carbon-nanotubes-uses-mirage-effect/

If the phrase "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good" means anything to you, you'll be happy to know that scientists have come one step closer to a Potter-style "invisibility cloak" so you can use your Marauder's Map to the fullest. With the help of carbon nanotubes, researchers have been able to make objects seem to magically vanish by using the same principle that causes mirages. As anyone who's been especially parched along Route 66 knows, optical illusions occur when heat changes the air's temperature and density, something that forces light to "bend," making us see all sorts of crazy things. Apply the same theory under water using nanotubes -- one molecule carbon coils with super high heat conductivity -- and scientists can make a sheet of the stuff "disappear." Remember, it only works underwater, so get your gillyweed ready and check out the video after the break.Continue reading [...]

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4) LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/lg-smart-tv-goes-on-the-charm-offensive-appeals-to-adobe-de/

LG wants to bring the world of Adobe Flash to your living room. Yes, 2012's lineup of Smart TVs, theater systems and Blu-ray players are all set to arrive with support for both Flash Player and AIR 3, and the Korean manufacturer is keen to get developers signed up for its next-generation Smart TV SDK. The new software development kit will include a simplified dashboard, the ability to render 2D apps in 3D and even "console-quality gaming." Throw in Adobe's new Game Input API, and we could see tablets, joysticks and even LG-made smartphones used to control on-screen action. LG has informed us that these upgrades will be limited to next year's catalogue -- your 2011 purchases won't support the new software, and will have to make do with the slightly weedier Adobe Flash Lite. New Smart TVs will also be compatible with the Wiimote-esque Magic Motion Remote, bringing gesture-based [...]

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5) T-Mobile's fall roadmap leaks, cornucopia of mobile goods on the horizon
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/t-mobiles-fall-roadmap-leaks-cornucopia-of-mobile-goods-on-the/

It's no back to school roadmap because, hey, you're already there. Still, this leaked sales sheet from TmoNews shows Magenta stacking its shelves for an abundant fall mobile harvest. So, let's dive right in as there's a lot of two-year contracted bounty to cover. Starting things off on October 19th are a trio of high-end, 42Mbps-capable 4G handsets: the HTC "Ruby" or Amaze 4G at $259, Samsung Hercules (that would be this) at $229 and the Huawei Wayne at $99 (which comes pre-loaded with Spaghetti Westerns, we presume). Following just a week later, is Samsung's Arnold tablet -- a.k.a the Galaxy Tab 10.1 -- which'll run along the carrier's faux-G and retail for $399. But the real wireless bonanza takes place on the 2nd of November, when six new phones will bow. LG's Maxx QWERTY and Maxx Touch at $129 apiece are the sole 3G-only units in the bunch, leaving the HTC Omega (better known as the [...]

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6) AT&T goes meta: your iPhone 4S upgrade is just an app away (update)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/atandt-goes-meta-your-iphone-4s-upgrade-is-just-an-app-away/

If you're all hot and bothered by today's announcement from Apple, there'll be a new way for AT&T customers to snatch up the iPhone 4S. Later this evening, Ma Bell expects to introduce a gem into the App Store that lets users check their upgrade eligibility, and beginning Friday, October 7th, customers will be able to pre-order the A5-wielding beauty from the comfort of their current iPhone. Of course, we'll be sure to provide an update as the final details become available. Who'd have thought your current handset would play such an active role in its own demise?

Update: As expected, AT&T's Upgrader app is now live in the App Store. Just take a peek at the source link to get your download on.

Update 2: Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away -- in other words, the download has been pulled. Better luck next time? In the meantime, all AT&T customers may check their upgrade eligibility at [...]

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7) Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/help-for-the-lost-a-fabric-antenna-to-keep-you-from-being-a-cas/

Doesn't look like much, does it? But the next time you're lost at sea, you just might be thankful you've got it. That little square of fabric is actually a flexible antenna designed for the Cospas-Sarsat distress signal network, a Cold War-era system built to help pinpoint missing ships, planes and people. Designed to be sewn into a life vest, the antenna broadcasts an emergency beacon at a low frequency for greater range; in field tests, that helped rescuers find it within minutes. It's also tear- and water-resistant, which you'll be grateful for when you're being tossed around like a ragdoll in a sea of whitecaps. The technology was developed by the European Space Agency in partnership with a Finnish company. Next on their agenda? A round, floating companion for the marooned, codenamed Wilson.Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway originally appeared on [...]

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8) ZTE V55 tablet shows off its derriere at the FCC, Sprint branding in tow
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/zte-v55-tablet-shows-off-its-derriere-at-the-fcc-sprint-brandin/

ZTE hasn't made much of a splash stateside, seeing as how the OEM was content to churn out white label devices. All that's changed now as part of the company's strategy to dispense with the anonymity and join the wireless rat race. Making good on that promise is the outfit's ZTE V55 tablet that just reared its touchscreen face over at the FCC. Back in July, a leaked Sprint roadmap had tipped us off to a possible 1st quarter 2012 bow for the slab, and with this unveiled Commission filing, that launch date seems likely. Aside from the de rigeur WiFi b /g and Bluetooth support, not much else can be gleaned from this mystery slate -- apart from its apparent Android leanings. Curiously, the documents refer to ZTE's device as a CDMA tablet and, sure enough, we couldn't find any indication of a 4G radio. We'll keep you posted should this pop up once again with additional bands -- WiMAX or [...]

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9) Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/boogie-board-rip-goes-on-pre-order-no-more-tearing-through-note/

The Boogie Board Rip is now available to pre-order for all your digital sketching needs. The latest stylus-friendly writing tablet from Improv Electronics adds the ability to save notes and sketches, then port them across to your computer as PDFs. Its reflex LCD only uses power when it's wiping the screen, meaning it should squeeze out a week of typical use between charges. You can reserve yours now from the maker in the US and Canada, but at $130, it's pricier than previous storage-free Boogie Boards. Europeans longing for a digital sketch pad can lay a claim to one next week, with the scribbling slate set to ship on November 1st.

Continue reading Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepadsBoogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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10) XBMC teases new features coming in 11.0 'Eden' release
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/xbmc-teases-new-features-coming-in-11-0-eden-release/

The next version of XBMC isn't ready for prime time yet, but the team behind it is already talking about what's being added and tweaked in v11.0, a.k.a Eden. This is the first major release since the media player app added iPad, iPhone and Apple TV support and as such improved touchscreen support is high on the list. We can also expect a new "Files" view in the video library, a different default skin, improved CPU / GPU efficiency, customizable home screens and other UI tweaks as seen above. Now that the list of features is pretty much locked down we'll be expecting a beta, and eventually final release, but you can hit the source link to dive in early and help test everything out.XBMC teases new features coming in 11.0 'Eden' release originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Digital Lifestyle | Email [...]

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11) Apple iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-iphone-4s-makes-its-way-through-the-fcc/

Well, well, what have we here? Hot on the heels of being unveiled to the world, the latest and greatest iPhone appears to have landed with the feds to get the FCC's stamp of approval. That's right, an Apple phone bearing model number A1387 has just made it through the commission's myriad tests unscathed. We can't say for certain it's the 4S, but given the timing of its appearance, it sure seems like Uncle Sam's officially on board with the new iPhone. If the rest of our coverage of Apple's new handset wasn't enough for you, hit the source below for the full FCC nitty gritty.Apple iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

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12) Adobe reveals Creative Cloud, links Touch Apps to Creative Suite with 20GB storage
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/adobe-reveals-creative-cloud-links-touch-apps-to-creative-suite/

Dropbox just not doing the trick for your design work load? Perhaps Adobe can help. The company has announced Creative Cloud, a "hub for viewing, sharing and syncing of files created by Adobe Touch Apps and Adobe Creative Suite." Included with the service is 20GB of cloud storage, which will probably get you through that web design project you've been putting off. After the first of the year, Adobe expects its cloud to include access to applications software (apps too), digital publishing / business services and a global creative community for inspiration and feedback. Also unveiled were Touch Apps, a set of six applications designed to make your tablet a design machine -- if you're down to work on that small of a screen, of course. You'll have to wait until November to find out just how much the Creative Cloud will set you back, but in the meantime check out the source link for more [...]

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13) Engadget HD Podcast 268 - 10.04.2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/engadget-hd-podcast-268-10-04-2011/

Check your Bingo squares -- we have a full on geek rant this week. While DVBLink's Boxee extender engendered nothing but peaceful conversation, we couldn't help but dig into the next two topics. Rumors of Microsoft's efforts to integrate cable TV into a unified search with its other Xbox offerings continue to swirl, which left us wondering just who is standing in the way of innovation. Meanwhile, the cable companies and content providers are at odds over how to distribute their channels with little thought given to the end user's experience. Of course, we do have some happy news, with Star Trek: TNG coming to Blu-ray, bigger LCDs and 4K support for the PS3. Press play to hear the rest of our discussion and our impressions of the new fall programming so far -- it's not looking good.

Get the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).

[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, [...]

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14) Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-camileo-x416-x400-and-x200-get-pricing-availability-l/

Looks like some of those Toshiba camcorders that we first caught wind of back in Berlin at IFA are hitting our neck of the woods. The Camileo x400 and x200 are now available in the States, for $299 and $279, respectively. The company will also be offering up a higher-end x416 on October 10th for $319. All three camcorders shoot 1080p video and feature a similar barrel-shaped design with a three-inch swiveling touchscreen LCD. The x416 and x400 feature similar specs, with 23x optical zoom, 120x digital zoom, on-screen video trimming and expandable memory. The x416, however, will also have 16GB of storage built-in. The x200, naturally, will have more modest specs, like a relatively paltry 12x optical zoom. Press info after the break.Continue reading Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoomToshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, [...]

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15) French court reverses DS flash cart ruling, Nintendo smiles
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/french-court-reverses-ds-flash-cart-ruling-nintendo-smiles/

Nearly two years ago, a French court dismissed a lawsuit that Nintendo filed against a group of vendors accused of illegally selling DS flash carts. At the time, the game-maker argued that sales of the cartridges should be halted on the grounds that they could be used to illegally pirate software, but the presiding judge thought differently, countering that the R4-like devices could be used to develop homebrews or other DIY projects. Last week, however, the Paris Court of Appeals overturned the ruling, in a decision that Nintendo has met with understandable delight. In a statement released today, the company confirmed that Divineo SARL and five other flash cart retailers must pay a total of €460,000 in criminal fines, along with €4.8 million in damages to Nintendo, as ordered by the appeals court. Details behind the ruling remain vague, though Nintendo hailed it as a "strong [...]

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16) Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apples-iphone-4s-ios-5-and-ipod-roundup-details-specs-and-re/

Phew, what a day! Apple's done its fair share of introducing today, and now it's on us to distill everything down into something understandable by folks who don't have the time to pore over every single morsel of iPhone and iOS 5-related news oozing from Cupertino. You can relive our liveblog right here -- for everything else, get schooled below.

iPhone 4S

iPhone 4S officially announed, lands October 14th in sizes up to 64GB

Sprint iPhone announced, getting both iPhone 4 and 4S

Meet the new iPhone 4S

AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S

iPhone 4S hands-on

iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite

iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4

Post-event live broadcast

iPhone 4S event video posted online

iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC

Upgrade to AT&T iPhone 4S: there's an app for that

iOS 5

iOS 5 will be available October 12th, iCloud launches the same [...]

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17) Apple's iPhone 4S event video now online
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apples-iphone-4s-event-video-now-online/

Looks like we weren't the only ones shooting video at today's 'Let's Talk iPhone' event. Apparently Apple had some folks there with cameras as well. Cupertino has posted video of the event, so between that and our liveblog, you can relive the magic -- or disappointment -- again and again. Check out the action in the Source link below.Apple's iPhone 4S event video now online originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink 9 to 5 Mac | Email this | Comments

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18) AppleCare+ debuts for $99, offers to cover accidental damage in addition to the standard fare
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/applecare-debuts-for-99-offers-to-cover-accidental-damage-in/

Once upon a time, the AppleCare Protection Plan was a service provided by Cupertino to extend out the life of your iPhone warranty for an extra year and enable Apple reps to help with additional customer service concerns. It still offers all of that, but now a Plus has been added to the title. The new plan was revealed as the cloak over the Apple Store lifted after today's keynote, with the boxes shipping out the same day as the iPhone 4S. What's so "plus" about it, you might ask? It's plus $30, for one, getting a price bump from $70 to $100. The good news, though, is that it also now offers two instances of protection from accidental damage... for a $49 fee each time. It's a fair deal less than shelling out full retail price for a fresh one, of course, but there doesn't appear to be any other new features beyond what we're already used to getting. Oh, except for "one more thing": [...]

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19) Official iPhone micro-USB adapter quietly sneaks into UK Apple Store
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/official-iphone-micro-usb-adapter-quietly-sneaks-into-uk-apple-s/

It looks like Apple's making good on its promise to standardize its charger port for EU territories. Behind all the big hitters announced by Apple today, an official micro-USB adapter has shuffled into the UK's online store in a very typically English way. Sure, there have been third-party options for a while, but this one's the real deal and looks set to go on sale on October 14th, alongside the newly crowned iPhone 4S. We hope and expect that this will come packaged with Apple's latest phone in Euroland -- but on the off-chance that it doesn't, we'd question whether charging an extra £8 obeys the spirit of the regulation.

[Thanks, Cameron]Official iPhone micro-USB adapter quietly sneaks into UK Apple Store originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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20) Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' post-event live broadcast!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apples-lets-talk-iphone-post-event-live-broadcast/

Well, that was fun. If you wanted to read along with the liveblog, but couldn't hang with all of those words, or if you just need some help processing all of the Cupertino-based iPhone 4S-related excitement, stay-tuned. Tim Stevens, Darren Murph and a number of guest Fraggles (schedules pending) are live on the scene to help you wade through the deluge of news from today's Apple event.

Update: And we're done! Check out video of the broadcast after the break!Continue reading Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' post-event live broadcast!Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' post-event live broadcast! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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21) iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/iphone-4s-vs-the-smartphone-elite-galaxy-s-ii-bionic-and-tita/

Now that we know how the iPhone 4S stacks up against the iPhone 4, let's take a look at how Apple's latest smartphone compares to its mightiest competitors on the other major platforms -- Android and Windows Phone. In Google's camp we chose the superlative Samsung Galaxy S II models (focusing on the announced US variants) along with the Motorola Droid Bionic for its qHD and LTE chops. We then picked the upcoming HTC Titan to bat for Microsoft's team. RIM's not included here since it's still stuck in the junior leagues. We left out the intriguing Nokia N9 because it's a niche player. Check out the fancy table after the break -- the results are pretty clear cut!Continue reading iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and TitaniPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EDT. Please see our [...]

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22) iPhone 4S hands-on!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/iphone-4s-hands-on/

It's not an iPhone mini or anything, but it's the first iPhone with Siri. And that has to count for something, right? Right? While it's no iPhone 5 (not even close, really), the iPhone 4S is far from being "last year's iPhone," and the greatly enhanced camera, bolstered A5 dual-core processor and inbuilt voice command should provide plenty of reason for folks to upgrade if they're near the end of their contract. Furthermore, having the option on Sprint -- despite Apple almost announcing it as an afterthought -- is bound to make folks already entrenched on the Now Network think twice about what their next phone will be come upgrade time.

We were able to spend a few quality moments with the refreshed iPhone 4 here at Apple's campus, the Sprint flavor no less, and as you might expect... it's an iPhone 4. But S-ier. Much in the same way that the 3GS improved the overall experience of the [...]

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23) iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4: what's changed?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/iphone-4s-vs-iphone-4-the-tale-of-the-tape/

It's finally happened, after all the wrangling, speculation and aluminum dummies, we now know the truth. Join us as we delve into the nitty gritty of how the newest addition(s) to the Apple clan match up against last year's model.Continue reading iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4: what's changed?iPhone 4S vs. iPhone 4: what's changed? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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24) Meet the new iPhone 4S
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/meet-the-new-iphone-4s/

You can finally lay all that speculation to rest because here it is! Apple's set its latest iPhone family member free, and out into the wireless wild for your future consumption. Pictured above is the new dual-core A5 processor-equipped, dual CDMA / GSM iPhone 4S -- awash in Siri-enabled voice control. You can snag this black or white update on October 14th in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations for $199, $299 and $399, respectively. Click through the gallery below to get intimate with Cupertino's latest smartphone refresh.

Gallery: Meet the new iPhone 4SContinue reading Meet the new iPhone 4SMeet the new iPhone 4S originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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25) Apple drops iPhone prices: 8GB 3GS free, iPhone 4 now $99
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-drops-iphone-prices-8gb-3gs-free-iphone-4-now-99/

No big surprises here, but the iPhone 4S' older siblings are getting drastic price reductions. An 8GB 3GS is now free on contract, while the iPhone 4 is now only $99 with a carrier agreement -- that one bill gets you an 8GB iPhone 4. We've received no indication of cuts for other flavors of the old guard, but we suppose congratulations are in order for bargain hunters with limited iTunes libraries.

Update: According to the Apple Store, the iPhone 4 is also "coming soon" to Sprint.Apple drops iPhone prices: 8GB 3GS free, iPhone 4 now $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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26) Sprint iPhone officially announced: iPhone 4 and 4S both on the way
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/sprint-iphone-officially-announced-on-sale-october-14/

Regardless of whether Sprint dropped $20 billion, or just the right combination of phrases to the right combination of people, Dan Hesse finally (finally!) has an iPhone to call his own. Despite The Now Network's stellar lineup of Android devices (and that increasingly valuable Everything plan), Sprint's been struggling to gain postpaid subscribers for as long as most can remember. Granted, the prepaid arm is doing alright, but without Apple's cash cow sitting on its shelves -- well, let's just say the company's shareholders are apt to be pleased with today's turn of events. As you might have guessed, the specs for Sprint's version perfectly match the Verizon model -- both have an EVDO radio for 3G within the US, and a GSM one for service outside the country. As with AT&T and Verizon, Sprint customers hankering for the 4S' dual-core A5 processor, 8MP camera, dual-mode radio and Siri [...]

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27) Apple brings Siri voice control to the iPhone 4S
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-brings-siri-voice-control-to-iphone/

You've heard the rumors, and Apple has now confirmed that it will be bringing Siri voice control to its new iPhone 4S -- and, yes, it will still be called Siri. That will let you use natural language to perform tasks like asking for a weather forecast or getting directions, setting an alarm or making a calendar appointment, and searching Wikipedia or Wolfram Alpha for information (among many other possibilities). Described as a "humble personal assistant," Siri will work in English (including the UK and Australia), French and German for now, and it'll work with all built-in apps and over both 3G and WiFi. It'll also be a beta to start with, and Apple promises that it "gets better" as it learns your voice. Unfortunately for current iPhone owners, however, it looks like Siri will only be available on the iPhone 4S (at least initially).

Update: Perhaps not surprisingly, Apple appears [...]

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28) AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPads
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/airplay-mirroring-coming-to-iphone-4s-not-just-for-ipads/

That snazzy AirPlay Mirroring feature Apple showed off at WWDC earlier this year is back for an encore, and now it's strutting its stuff on the iPhone 4S. Previously we saw AirPlay piping an iPad 2 to the big screen by way of Apple TV, but the upcoming iOS 5 features seems to have broadened it horizons -- letting Apple handsets get in on the HDTV mirroring love. AirPlay not your thing? Don't worry, you can still score high-def mirroring action using a wired dongle. Skip on past the break for a peek at the accessory that will make your next $2,000 Halloween costume that much easier to build.Continue reading AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPadsAirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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29) iPhone 4S officially announced: lands October 14th starting at $199 in sizes up to 64GB, coming to Sprint
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/iphone-4s-officially-announced-with-a5-cpu/

What's this? The second coming of the iPhone 4? Sure enough, Tim Cook just pulled the covers off of the hotly-anticipated iPhone 4S here in Cupertino, making 2011 the first year in the company's current stint in the smartphone business that it chose to launch three new handsets (Verizon's CDMA iPhone 4 included, of course). On the outside the 4S looks exactly like its predecessor, but on the inside it's "all new." Apple has jammed a dual-core A5 CPU inside alongside a new dual-core GPU that supposedly boosts graphics performance by up to 7x. Up front is the same 3.5-inch Retina display we've all come to know and love, and around back is a glass plate. Those antennae around the sides (which caused many users so much trouble) have been revamped and iOS will intelligently switch between two different sets on the fly to avoid dropping calls no matter how you hold it. Those antennae are [...]

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30) iPod touch still maxes out at 64GB / $399, available in white October 12th
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/new-ipod-touch-maxes-out-a-64gb-399-available-in-white-octob/

While the iPhone 4S takes the headlines with its dual antennas and upgraded processor, we also have a new white iPod touch joining the family. Pricing for the "#1 portable game player" (Apple's words, with some numbers to back them up) still starts at $199 for the 8GB version, going up $399 for a 64GB. All will be available in black or white October 12th. There's no hardware changes to speak of, so hopefully all those sweet iOS 5 upgrades are enough to hold you. Check out the full details in our live blog or in the press release, conveniently available after the break.

Follow along in our ongoing liveblog right here!

Gallery: New iPod Touch available in white October 12thContinue reading iPod touch still maxes out at 64GB / $399, available in white October 12thiPod touch still maxes out at 64GB / $399, available in white October 12th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 [...]

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31) Apple's iPod nano now $149 for 16GB and $129 for 8GB (update: 2010 nanos get the goodies too)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apples-new-nano-149-for-16gb-and-129-for-8gb/

Apple keeps coming with the news from its "Let's talk iPhone" event, and the latest is a price drop for its diminutive PMP, the nano. From now on, you'll be forking over $129 for an 8GB version and $149 for twice the tunage space. Additionally, Cupertino's tossing in big icons -- as opposed to the grid of 4 that was the only option previously -- 16 new clocks (Mickey Mouse included!) to go with all those fabulous watch accessories, and workout tracking abilities right out of the box so you no longer need a Nike+ shoe dongle to see how many calories you've burned. Not bad for a little guy, eh? Full PR after the break.

Update: Thanks to the folks over at 9to5 Mac, we now know that owners of 2010 nanos will get the software update with the new features too.

Gallery: Apple's new Nano: GalleryContinue reading Apple's iPod nano now $149 for 16GB and $129 for 8GB (update: 2010 nanos get the [...]

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32) iTunes Match hits US 'end of October' for $24.99
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/itunes-match-hits-us-end-of-october-for-24-99/

We already had the details on iTunes Match, but now we've got a ballpark release date. According to Apple, the iTunes service will make its debut by the end of the month in the great U S of A, and it can be yours for $24.99 a year. Here's hoping Apple's got a nice, clean (DRM-free 256kbps AAC file) version of Monster Mash floating in the cloud for your Halloween listening pleasure.iTunes Match hits US 'end of October' for $24.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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33) Apple announces Find My Friends feature for iOS 5
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-announces-find-my-friends-feature-for-ios-5/

Apple spent a fair bit of time recapping some already announced iOS 5 features during its keynote today, but it also got around to announcing a new one: Find My Friends. That will let you easily find friends in the real world who have opted to share their location with you, and you'll also be able to invite friends to share their location for a limited time -- when they're driving to your house, for instance, so you can give them directions. Naturally, there are also some parental controls and other "simple" privacy settings.Gallery: iOS 5 landing October 12Apple announces Find My Friends feature for iOS 5 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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34) iOS 5 will be available October 12, iCloud launching the same day
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/ios-5-landing-october-12/

Mark your calendars, kids. Scott Forstall's on stage here at "Let's Talk iPhone" and just gave a hard date for iOS 5's arrival: expect it to hit next week, on October 12th, with Apple's iCloud service launching that same day. Though developers have been playing with it for four months now, this will be the first time the general, non-tinkering public gets to taste its 200-plus new features -- a list that includes Newsstand, Reminders, iMessage, WiFi sync, Find My Friends, split keyboards, AirPlay mirroring for the iPad 2 (and iPhone 4S!) and the Notification Center. (And, you know, greeting cards, if you're into that sort of thing.) iOS 5 will be free for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, while iCloud's standard 5GB of email / storage will come gratis to folks already using iOS 5 and Lion. Take note that if it's iTunes Match you're after (and you live in the states), you'll have to sit [...]

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35) Cards app for iPhone sends snail mail best wishes, for a price
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/cards-app-for-iphone-sends-snail-mail-best-wishes-for-a-price/

We've got at least one completely unexpected announcement from Apple's Let's Talk iPhone Event: a new app that sends out greeting cards. For $2.99 within the US and $4.99 internationally, sending a greeting card the old fashioned way is just one click away on your mobile, complete with notifications when your card is mailed. Taking shots at PC makers and Android's apps are a given, but a bomb dropped on Hallmark? Welcome to the Tim Cook era. Check the liveblog and gallery below for more details.

Gallery: New iOS 5 feature: Cards

Follow along in our ongoing liveblog right here!Cards app for iPhone sends snail mail best wishes, for a price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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36) Apple: 250 million iOS devices sold, 18 billion apps downloaded
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-250-million-ios-devices-sold/

Among the glut of numbers coming out of the Apple keynote today, delaying the reveal of your next iPhone, was a particularly impressive one: 250 million. That's the number of iOS devices sold. That's 250 million iPhones and iPads in the wild worldwide, running a grand total of 18 billion apps between them, which have netted developers a whopping $3 billion. That ladies and gentlemen, is nothing to sniff at.Apple: 250 million iOS devices sold, 18 billion apps downloaded originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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37) Apple: 16 billion iTunes songs downloaded, 300 million iPods sold
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/apple-16-billion-itunes-songs-downloaded-300-million-ipods-sol/

Tim Cook's dishing out plenty of numbers today, and there's some big ones when it comes to the iPod and iTunes. He confirmed that there's now been a whopping 16 billion songs downloaded from iTunes, and 300 million iPods sold. To put that in a bit of perspective, he also noted that it took Sony 30 years to sell a mere 220,000 Walkman cassette players. Apple: 16 billion iTunes songs downloaded, 300 million iPods sold originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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38) Tim Cook: Macbook Pro and iMac are the best selling notebook and desktop in the US
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/tim-cook-macbook-pro-and-imac-are-the-best-selling-notebook-and/

Tim Cook kicked off today's 'Let's talk iPhone' event by the numbers, mentioning that "the MacBook Pro and iMac are the number one best selling notebook and desktop in the United States." Apparently the Mac platform grew by 23 percent over the last year, versus a four percent growth from the PC sector. Brandishing a chart tracing the trend back five years, Cook says that Apple is now pushing 60 million Mac users worldwide, leaving Cupertino just shy of owning a fourth of the personal computer market. "There are still 77 percent of people who are buying something else," Cook said, "We have an incredibly high ceiling here. We have a long way to go."Tim Cook: Macbook Pro and iMac are the best selling notebook and desktop in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 3, 2011

2011-10-04T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 3, 2011:

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1) HTC confirms security hole, says patch is incoming
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/htc-confirms-security-hole-says-patch-is-incoming/

HTC held true to its promise to look into the security vulnerability that surfaced over the weekend, an apparent glitch that allows any app requesting internet access to take a peek at a user account information, GPS location, system logs, and other potentially private data. While HTC assured us that user data isn't at risk of being harmed by its own software, a third party malware app could exploit the security flaw and cause some trouble. The outfit is already building a patch, and will ship it out in an over the air update after a short testing period with its carrier partners. Until then? HTC recommends steering clear of apps from publishers you don't trust. Hit the break to see the official statement.Continue reading HTC confirms security hole, says patch is incomingHTC confirms security hole, says patch is incoming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:47:00 EDT. [...]

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2) Tesla Model S to get faster Sport edition, leave sedan in the dust
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/tesla-model-s-to-get-faster-sport-edition-leave-sedan-in-the-du/

Tesla looks set to offer another slightly more aggressive, slightly faster model alongside its Model S sedan [pictured]. The high-performance, zero-emission (and tentatively-named) Model S Sport packs a larger battery, extending its single-charge range to 300 miles. Green Car Reports adds that it'll even get optional aerodynamic wheels adding another 20 miles to the car's range. Acceleration has also been boosted, with 0 to 60MPH cut to under 4.6 seconds in the sporty upgrade. This should be the perfect vehicle for evading capture in the gasoline-poor robopocalyptic future. The Sport is reportedly set to launch alongside the standard Model S next year.Tesla Model S to get faster Sport edition, leave sedan in the dust originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AutoBlog | Email this | Comments

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3) Toshiba Regza DBR-M190 stores 15 days of HDTV from six channels, we go hands-on (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/04/toshiba-regza-dbr-m190-stores-15-days-of-hdtv-from-six-channels/

There's no question that Japan gets all the cool gadgets -- many of which never make it stateside. Well, we have yet another tease for you, in the form of an eight-tuner Toshiba DVR with five terabytes of storage. The DBR-M190 reserves six of those tuners (and four TBs of storage) for its Time Shift recording, which as its name implies, transports you to an alternate dimension -- in realtime, mind you -- allowing you to watch past HD episodes of those favorite Japanese programs that you otherwise neglected to record. OK, fine, it can't actually shift physical time, but the home DVR does allow you to record 15 full days of HD content from six channels. Or 30 days from three channels, or 90 days from one -- you get the idea. It also offers 3D Blu-ray playback. Huzzah!

There's some pretty heavy compression in place in order to squeeze all that HD content with the allotted storage, but [...]

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4) Researchers say nanorockets could deliver medicine quickly within the blood
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/researchers-say-nanorockets-could-deliver-medicine-within-the-bl/

Faster delivery is always better when it comes to pizza, Thai food and now... drugs? Doctors seem to think so as they're experimenting with a new method of delivering medicine to the bloodstream via tiny nanotubes powered by rocket fuel. By storing healing meds within the platinum-coated metal tubes, doctors have been able to propel the tiny vessels up to 200 times their own length per second -- faster than swimming bacteria. It works as such: by introducing a hydrogen peroxide/water solution, the platinum reacts, sending it zipping forward and catalyzing the peroxide into water and oxygen. The downside? Even though the fuel is only .25 percent peroxide, it's still slightly toxic -- so it looks like it's back to the drawing board until they can develop a safer alternative. Spiders, perhaps? Check out the video demonstration after the break.Continue reading Researchers say nanorockets [...]

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5) Zune is dead, long live Zune
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/zune-is-dead-long-live-zune/

Like Zune's own Business Development Manager once said, all consumer electronics products have a lifespan, and today the (not so long) lineage of dedicated Zune hardware expires not with a roar, but with a promise to honor its warranties. Tucked away in the inner chambers of the Zune support site lies a page spelling out Microsoft's final words on the device, "Windows Phone will be the focus of our mobile music and video strategy," it says, "we will no longer be producing Zune players." The Zune HD is survived by the Zune music service, which will continue to function with straggling standalone media players, as well as the Windows desktop, Windows Phone and Xbox platforms.Zune is dead, long live Zune originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink WMPoweruser | Email this | Comments

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6) Samsung's Media Hub Beta program for Galaxy S II owners adds some points to your Smart TV's IQ
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/samsungs-media-hub-beta-program-for-galaxy-s-ii-owners-adds-som/

Media Hub is nothing new to those toting Galaxy Tabs or Galaxy S phones. However, bigger screens are always better whether you're watching 30 Rock or MacGruber, right? Good thing Sammy's launched a beta program for its video service that lets those who are selected see all their favorite shows and movies on their Smart TVs. Just register at the source link below, and Samsung will send those it selects an email invitation to download the Media Hub Beta application. The catch (there's always a catch) -- it's only available to Galaxy S II owners, and your Smart TV must be a 2011 model. But, if you do hit the Media Hub Beta lotto, the company's handing out $25 voucher to use with the service. As if you needed another reason to go get Samsung's superphone.Samsung's Media Hub Beta program for Galaxy S II owners adds some points to your Smart TV's IQ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 [...]

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7) Double portion of prepaid LG Android handsets coming to Net10
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/double-portion-of-prepaid-lg-android-handsets-coming-to-net10/

The upcoming battle of the budget Androids just won two new recruits courtesy of Net10. The MVNO is offering up the LG Optimus Net prepaid with a 3.2-inch HVGA display, 800MHz processor, 3MP camera (though Net10's site wrongly mentions 5MP), Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G and an included 4GB microSD card expandable to 32GB. There's also a slider version called the Optimus Q, which we're trying very hard not to confuse with last year's Optimus Q and which actually looks like a variant of Virgin Mobile's Optimus Slider. There's no price tag in sight, but contrary to the saying you probably can afford it.

[Thanks, Dwayne]Double portion of prepaid LG Android handsets coming to Net10 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Net10 | Email this | Comments

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8) Toshiba's 4K, glasses-free 3DTV announced in Japan with more specs this time
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/toshibas-4k-glasses-free-3dtv-announced-in-japan-with-more-spe/

We first saw the retail edition of Toshiba's 3840x2160 resolution autostereoscopic (no glasses) 3DTV when it was announced in Europe at IFA last month, and now it has debuted in Japan during CEATEC. This time the company dropped a few more details, revealing that in lenticular 3D mode it's limited to an effective resolution of 1280x720, and showed off the face tracking that automatically optimizes the experience for up to nine simultaneous viewers depending on where they're sitting. Also mentioned were an optional THD-MBA1 input adapter due in 2012 and that 4K-res streaming IPTV is currently being tested. The Regza 55X3 will be priced comparably to its $10K~ Euro-spec counterpart when it arrives in December, but there's still no word on when it will ship in the US. Check out a few pictures of the presentation in the gallery below.

Gallery: Toshiba's REGZA 55x3 announced as world's [...]

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9) Flash 11 and AIR 3 landing tonight and delivering 7.1 surround sound to connected home theaters
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/flash-11-and-air-3-landing-tonight-and-delivering-7-1-surround-s/

Later tonight Adobe Flash 11 and AIR 3 will hit the tubes delivering with it a host of new features, including hardware acceleration for 2D and 3D graphics -- at least for desktops. Stage 3D support will be added to the mobile variants for Android, iOS and BlackBerry at a later date. AIR 3 will also be sprucing up connected entertainment devices, like Samsung SmartTVs, with the ability to deliver Flash-based games and content to your home theater system. What's more, Adobe has baked in support for both Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. That means both 5.1 and 7.1 sound can be built into an AIR app, whether it be a game or streaming video, and pumped out at up to 512Kbps though your Blu-ray player or other connected theater component. For more, including a demo of a Flash app on a phone and a TV communicating, check out the trio of press releases and video after the break.Continue [...]

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10) Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/only-in-japan-toshibas-regza-dbr-m190-serves-5tb-of-home-media/

Sometimes gigabytes aren't enough. You have to start talking terabytes. That's the case with Toshiba's new Regza Server, more numerically known as the DBR-M190. The just-announced home media server boasts 5TB of storage, enough for 15 days of MPEG4AVC-compressed digital TV -- from six different channels. Of course, that "server" in the name means you'll be able to stream captured content as well. The sad news? "You" means only Japanese consumers. But if you're one of the chosen many, this media-slinging behemoth will cost you 200,000 yen, or around $2,600.Only in Japan: Toshiba's Regza DBR-M190 serves 5TB of home media originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Engadget Japan | Email this | Comments

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11) HP pays $10.4 billion for controlling interest in Autonomy, which will remain autonomous
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/hp-pays-10-4-billion-for-controlling-interest-in-autonomy-whic/

VoodooPC. 3Com. And, perhaps most notoriously, Palm. The list of HP acquisitions grows by one today, with the purchase of UK information-software maker Autonomy, long a target of former HP chief Léo Apotheker. Apotheker, you may recall, was just ousted in favor of former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. The deal began during Apotheker's tenure and went through with HP paying just about $10.4 billion for a controlling percentage of Autonomy stock. The UK firm will remain a separate unit, with Whitman saying, "Autonomy significantly increases our capabilities to manage and extract meaning from that data to drive insight, foresight and better decision making." Something tells us she's not the only one hoping for some better decision making. For full details on HP's latest buy, check the source link.HP pays $10.4 billion for controlling interest in Autonomy, which will remain autonomous originally [...]

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12) Alma observatory captures stars being born, reports back on universe's awkward teenage years
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/alma-observatory-captures-stars-being-born-reports-back-on-univ/

A baby book for our cosmos? That'd be a happy by-product of the massive insight star-gazing scientists are set to glean from Alma -- the telescope responsible for ushering in a "new golden age of astronomy." The Atacama large millimeter/submillimeter array (as it's known in long form), located 3,000 meters above sea level on a Chilean plateau, goes beyond the voyeuristic powers of current optical telescopes, delivering detailed imagery of the dense gas clouds that birth baby stars. Why is this significant? Well, using the complex 20-antenna strong array (a total of 66 are planned), astronomers from North America, Europe and Japan will get a first-hand glimpse of the gaseous mix that was our universe a few hundred million years post-Big Bang. Consider the research a time-traveling peek back into the formative years of existence. Heady stuff, yes, but the array won't have its multiple, [...]

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13) Mango rollout going smoothly, now available to half of all Windows Phones
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/mango-rollout-going-smoothly-now-available-to-half-of-all-windo/

Bring. It. On. Rolling out a phone update tends to take a few weeks before it's available to everyone, so we were expecting Windows Phone to have its share of hiccups when doling Mango out to several different models simultaneously across the globe. As it turns out, Redmond's just as surprised at its silky smooth outcome as everyone else; in fact, it's going so well that the team's decided to open the floodgates ahead of schedule and make the refresh available to no less than half of all Windows Phone devices. According to Microsoft, the update still isn't ready to be unleashed to the masses because it's still "collecting and analyzing installation data from [their] smaller operators, and need to watch it a bit longer." The team also mentions that this information gets collected as more users download their updates, which means the fate of the unlucky half rests solely on the fortunate [...]

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14) Sony Ericsson CEO says company 'should have taken iPhone more seriously'
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/sony-ericsson-ceo-says-company-should-have-taken-iphone-more-se/

Current Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg wasn't leading the company back when Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007, but he still has some opinions about how it should have reacted to the phone's debut. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal today, Nordberg said, "it's safe to say that Sony Ericsson should have taken the iPhone more seriously when it arrived in 2007." He has nothing but praise for the company's commitment to Android, however, saying that "our Android strategy has been successful and the best choice we could have made," and that he "wouldn't feel comfortable investing in a platform that isn't as good as the one that we currently use." That last bit was in response to a question about Windows Phone, and it may sound like a complete slam if not for the fact that he went on to admit he is "quite curious" it. Exactly what that means isn't clear, but it sounds like [...]

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15) Must See HDTV (October 3rd - 9th)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/must-see-hdtv-october-3rd-9th/

How can we still have fall premieres left? After the onslaught of the last two weeks it seems there's still a few to go, as old standbys like House join fresh faces like American Horror Story and Penn & Teller Tell a Lie on the premiere list. It's also a big week for Blu-ray discs, as seen above with a couple of classics showing up, some Disney favorites returning for the first time and special treats like Daft Punk's Interstella 5555 and Planet Earth Special Edition. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Pulp Fiction

After waiting far too long for Quentin Tarantino's hit movie to debut on Blu-ray we got an early look at this one and it's worth the wait. Both the picture and audio quality are impressive, while we didn't have a copy of the imported version to compare them to the [...]

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16) Pantech Breakout review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/pantech-breakout-review/

That pool looks cool and refreshing, and all of the kids are having the time of their lives. Problem is, it's in an exclusive club, leaving you to stare at it longingly from the opposite side of a chainlink fence. We know the feeling, and it ain't fun -- yet, the state of LTE in the US over the last year has had just a pinch of elitism due to its high cost of entry and exclusion from most rural areas. Devices running on the near-miraculous speeds haven't exactly been cheap, with handsets like the Samsung Droid Charge and Motorola Droid Bionic at an asking price of $250 to $300 on contract. Needless to say, lots of customers have felt the underlying feeling of inadequacy because their wallets may come up a Benjamin or two short.

The Pantech Breakout is the fifth phone in Verizon's LTE lineup, and the first clear departure from the piggy bank-busting prices that its predecessors command. [...]

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17) Engadget Mobile Podcast 106 - 10.03.2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/engadget-mobile-podcast-106-10-03-2011/

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: it's just crazy out there these days, and getting even more crazier each and every day. So crazy was this week in mobile news, in fact, we needed a few extra days to digest it all, but we hope you'll find it was worth the wait. Enjoy the Engadget Mobile Podcast -- now in permanent XXL mode.

Host: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Music: Daestro - Light Powered (Ghostly International)

00:05:34 - Windows Phone 7.5 'Mango' update begins rolling out today

00:08:25 - Windows Phone 7.5 Mango review

00:39:07 - HTC Radar 4G headed to T-Mobile in time for the holidays, chock-full of Mango

00:42:30 - Hands-on with HTC's Amaze 4G for T-Mobile (video)

00:45:45 - Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

00:54:30 - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II review

01:09:05 - Ice Cream Sandwich gets a [...]

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18) Engadget will be broadcasting live outside of Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' event!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/engadget-will-be-broadcasting-live-outside-of-apples-lets-tal/

It's all going down tomorrow, and you can bet your bottom dollar (or last prepaid SIM, whichever you prefer) that we'll be liveblogging it all on these pages right here. But prior to Apple's "Let's Talk iPhone" event, we'll be set up outside of the company's Cupertino headquarters in order to bring live pre-show analysis, including the very latest rumblings from the Apple mecca and any top-secret tips on ditching work in order to follow along. Just so we're clear, Apple doesn't allow live video streaming during the keynote, but our usual liveblog can be followed October 4th starting at 1:00PM ET (10:00am local time) right here. It might get a wee bit insane.Engadget will be broadcasting live outside of Apple's 'Let's Talk iPhone' event! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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19) Microsoft adding new features to Hotmail over 'the coming weeks,' releases an Android app
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/microsoft-adds-new-features-to-hotmail-releases-an-android-app/

When we heard Microsoft was holding a press event called "Give Hotmail a Second Look," we wondered if a full-on redesign was in store. The answer happens to be a resounding "no," but the software giant is rolling out a raft of new features to its 365 million-some-odd users. This includes an Android app with two-way email, contact and calendar syncing (!), along with a slew of updates to Hotmail's web interface. First up, you can now automatically categorize incoming mail as newsletters, and then either trash 'em or sweep them to a folder. Additionally, an "Unsubscribe" feature lets you do just that, with Hotmail handling the dirty work of blocking future newsletters from that sender, as well as asking the company to kindly stop spamming you. Moving along, flagged messages will now sit at the top of the inbox so that they don't get lost in the morass of incoming mail. If you like, you [...]

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20) LightSquared teams up with Sharp to begin production of LTE phones and tablets
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/lightsquared-teams-up-with-sharp-to-begin-production-of-lte-phon/

Irksome GPS interference issues now somewhat safely behind it, LightSquared's plowing forward into OEM waters. The LTE wholesaler has just struck up an agreement with Sharp that'll see the electronics company creating the first line of devices specifically tailored for the nascent 4G network. Of course, these smartphones and tablets won't be sold by the Falcone-backed company, and will instead make their way to its carrier partners -- like Sprint, C Spire and Best Buy. If the already inked collaboration means we'll be seeing this beastie on North American air waves, then we predict the heavily beset wireless outfit's rocky road to launch will give way to smooth sailing. Official presser after the break.Continue reading LightSquared teams up with Sharp to begin production of LTE phones and tabletsLightSquared teams up with Sharp to begin production of LTE phones and tablets originally [...]

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21) Amazon Kindle Lighted Leather Cover hands-on
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/amazon-kindle-lighted-leather-cover-hands-on/

It's true of other portable electronics and it applies here, too: if you own an e-reader, there's a strong argument to be made that you need a case. Sure, readers are a little more scratch-resistant than smartphones, but a little bit of backpack trauma can do some nasty things to an e-ink display. That could be Amazon's elevator pitch, anyway. Introduced at the company's launch event last week, the Kindle Lighted Leather Cover comes in various sizes, with versions for the Kindle Touch and fourth generation Kindle. We spent some hands-on time with the latter over the weekend and have to say: we're liking what we're seeing so far. Read on to find out why.Gallery: Kindle Lighted Leather Cover hands-onContinue reading Amazon Kindle Lighted Leather Cover hands-onAmazon Kindle Lighted Leather Cover hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms [...]

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22) Growing Up Geek: Jesse Hicks
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/growing-up-geek-jesse-hicks/

Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today we have our very own Contributing Editor, Jesse Hicks.

I've never been one for nostalgia, but if I had to choose a Proustian element from my geeky childhood -- a singular sense-memory that evokes a whole constellation of related feelings -- I'd pick the eerie keening of a 28.8 modem. That high, quavering sound, for me, conjurs up the earliest days of my geekdom, when computers were slow, landlines were king and the internet was young.

I was twelve when my family got our first computer: a 486DX that first appeared without a hard drive. My mom had found a great deal at a computer show...or so it had seemed. That missing 120MB hard drive, as you may have guessed, severely limited functionality. But once that problem was [...]

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23) Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 4:30PM
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/join-the-engadget-hd-podcast-live-on-ustream-at-4-30pm/

It's Monday, and we're still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 4:30PM. We're a little early this week, so take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 4:30PMJoin the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 4:30PM originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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24) Jonathan Coulton talks coding, Creative Commons and becoming an internet rockstar (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/jonathan-coulton-talks-coding-creative-commons-and-becoming-an/

There are few ways of endearing yourself to the geek world more quickly than writing a song like "Code Monkey." The developer-friendly track was one of 52 released as part of Jonathan Coulton's year-long "Thing a Week" project and was later adopted as the theme song for a similarly-titled G4 program. The songwriter was just adhering to that old adage of "writing what you know," having worked as a full-time computer programmer prior to giving the music world a go -- though, as he readily admits, he still keeps it real by coding for his own site. We sat down with Coulton as part of this month's Engadget Show, discussing his midlife crisis-driven decision to quit his day job and the journey that the internet played in making him a star. We also discussed the musician's favorite tech, his love of Creative Commons and using gadgets to make music. Coulton also treated us to three songs, [...]

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25) iHome iW1 AirPlay wireless audio system review
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ihome-iw1-airplay-wireless-audio-system-review/

Believe it or not, it was way back at CES that we first caught an in-person glimpse of iHome's flagship AirPlay-enabled audio system -- a guy dubbed iW1. We've seen a steady trickle of AirPlay devices announced in the time since, but the iW1's been one of the earliest to splash down for the fall season. Priced at a moderate $300, it's a potential option for A) those who aren't keen on smacking down at least double the Benjamins for systems like the B&W Zeppelin Air or Libratone's Live or B) an alternative to other wireless systems like the similarly priced Sonos Play:3.

Despite the iW1's low(ish) cost of adoption, though, it's packed with a bevy of tantalizing features (including app support, capacitive controls and a rechargeable battery), and a classy appearance, to boot. We put this modern-age boom box through its sound-reproducing paces for the past few weeks [...]

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26) WSJ: Sprint places $20 billion order for next iPhone, hinges company future on Apple's handset?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/sprint-places-20-billion-order-for-next-iphone-hinges-company/

Oh, iFaithful, your newest Apple phone(s) are only a day away. Which is even more reason to hunker down into this latest chunk of pre-announcement gossip. According to information obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Sprint's betting the farm on a 30 million-plus order of next-generation iPhones to put it on an even battle ground with heavyweight rivals AT&T and Verizon. The cost of this loss-absorbing gamble? That would be about $20 billion, with the Hesse-led co. subsidizing the $500 cost of each handset. For the third place operator it's matter of do-or-die, as there really isn't an alternative to the critically-praised, Jony Ive-designed handset that set off this smartphone race. Hesse's purported admission to the company's board that customer churn is directly linked to its iPhone omission only serves to underscore the uncomfortable plight his company faces. It remains to be seen [...]

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27) Vodafone Data Test Drive enables users to experiment with data, see what tier fits best
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/vodafone-data-test-drive-enables-users-to-experiment-with-data/

At the same time that kindly Mr. Vodafone released the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S to the children of the world, it announced a new program that helps you gauge your mobile data needs. Data Test Drive gives you three months of unlimited, kid-in-a-candy-van access for as much mobile Tweeting, Spotifying and YouTubing as your eyes and ears can handle. At the end of that period, the company will let you know if your current data plan would cover your usage and provide the option to increase if necessary. The program's only open to new customers, and there's no mention if you can down-shift your charges if you sip miserly at your data. Still, it's better than getting a slap in the face with the wet fish of a penalty data charge.Vodafone Data Test Drive enables users to experiment with data, see what tier fits best originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see [...]

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28) PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/ps3-will-support-4k-stills-after-a-future-update-moving-picture/

Once you've cleared the $25k or so in your budget that it will take to snag one of Sony's 4K VPL-VW1000ES your next problem will be finding some 4096x2160 res content to view on it. While showing off the new beamer for its Japanese audience at CEATEC today, Sony announced the PS3 will get a firmware update around the beginning of 2012 that will allow it to natively output 4K stills. There's a PlayView "visual magazine" already available on the PlayStation store in Japan that supports 4K and 3D, but this update will bring super high res viewing of your vacation pics, or any other high res image files you can snag, to the living room. While your friends will no doubt be impressed by the museum-quality art gala you're now capable of hosting, we're starting the timer for 4K video sources -- if we don't hear anything concrete at CES then we'll be incredibly disappointed.

Gallery: Sony [...]

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29) Amazon Kindle review (2011)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/amazon-kindle-review-2011/

There's little question that the Fire stole the show at last week's Amazon event. After all, the new tablet marks a change for the company's Kindle line, which until now has been defined by relatively simple E-Ink-based devices. The Kindle Touch, meanwhile, stepped up to bat to take on the likes of new Nook and Kobo touchscreen readers. But while most expected that device to become the heir to the Kindle throne, the company made a something of a surprise move, offering up a new device that will bear the reader's name. Now in its fourth generation, the Kindle has shed its keyboard and been reborn as a pocket-sized, lighter-weight reader. And a cheap one, at that -- $109 for the standard version and $79 for the ad-supported. So, is the new Kindle worthy of the name that has become synonymous with e-readers? Or did the company make too many sacrifices in the name of slashing prices? Find [...]

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30) Rhapsody announces plans to acquire Napster
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/rhapsody-announces-plans-to-acquire-napster/

Details are fairly light at the moment, but Rhapsody has just announced that it plans to acquire Napster, and that the deal is expected to be complete as soon as the end of November. In a statement, Rhapsody president Jon Irwin said that the deal "will further extend Rhapsody's lead over our competitors in the growing on-demand music market," and that "this is a 'go big or go home' business, so our focus is on sustainably growing the company." According to Rhapsody, the company will acquire Napster's subscribers and "certain other assets" under the agreement, and Best Buy (Napster's current owner) will receive a minority stake in the company. Press release is after the break.Continue reading Rhapsody announces plans to acquire NapsterRhapsody announces plans to acquire Napster originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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31) Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 coming to T-Mobile on October 26th, price remains a mystery
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-coming-to-t-mobile-on-october-26th-pric/

Clue's in the title, really. Get ready to whip yourself into a frenzy at the news that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will arrive in T-Mobile stores on October 26th. You want proof? You can't handle the proof. Or, maybe you can. Once you've decided, head on past the break for a little... well, you know.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 coming to T-Mobile on October 26th, price remains a mysterySamsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 coming to T-Mobile on October 26th, price remains a mystery originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | TMO News | Email this | Comments

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32) Sony A77 reviewed: A 24.3 megapixel game-changer?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/sony-a77-reviewed-a-24-3-megapixel-game-changer/

It's been a long time coming, but the patience has paid off with Sony's A77 finally getting its first pro review. Sure, the $1,400 cost of entry (body only) will weigh heavily on even the most enthusiastic cameraman conscious. But, what's a few hundred dollars when it comes to a camera that Popular Photography says has "radically changed the world of DSLRs"? It seems only the rival Canon 7D holds a candle to this would-be king, besting Sony's latest when it comes to noise and performance at higher ISOs. However, the A77 wins on its all-around charm, with a 24.3 megapixel Exmor APS-C sensor, articulated LCD screen, world-first OLED EVF and impressive video-shooting chops. Video-wise, that top dollar gets you a high-end performance of 60fps at 1920 x 1080 with the fast phase-detection auto-focus we've also seen on its predecessors, the Sony A55 and A33.

Popular Photography does add a [...]

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33) Arduino-powered modder recreates 'first PC'
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/arduino-powered-modder-recreates-first-pc/

Before the Altair 8800, before the SCElBI, there was the Kenbak-1 -- considered to be the first personal computer by the Computer History Museum. Designed in 1970, it used Transistor-Transistor logic instead of a microprocessor -- which is one of the reasons only 40 of the units were ever sold, of which 14 are known to still exist today. That's what prompted modder funnypolynomial to produce his own using an Arduino. It may look a little more functional than the gloriously retro hexagonal design of the original, but it wouldn't take much to copy that look, too. What are you waiting for? Get ordering your blinkenlights!Arduino-powered modder recreates 'first PC' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Hack a Day | Email this | Comments

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34) White Galaxy S II gets not-so-festive October launch in Canada
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/white-galaxy-s-ii-gets-not-so-festive-october-launch-in-canada/

Smartphone obsessives in Canada will be getting their hands on some snowy Galaxy S II goodness sooner rather than later. Yes, Samsung's dual-core bestseller has been leaked with an October 7th launch date on Bell, with prices matching the dark original: CAD$599.95 off-contract or CAD$149.95 for three years. And we know all phones look better in white, right?White Galaxy S II gets not-so-festive October launch in Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Mobile Syrup | Email this | Comments

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35) Barely visible Bluetooth earphones from Novero spotted at the FCC
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/barely-visible-bluetooth-earphones-from-novero-spotted-at-the-fc/

Walk along that sparse borderline between Bluetooth headset and pearl necklace and you'll eventually come across a company called Novero. It specializes in vaguely ridiculous bejeweled wireless things, but it has some serious products too -- including these surreptitious little Rockaway earphones that have just been approved by the FCC. They'll cope with hands-free calling, 5.5 hours of stereo music and 250 hours in standby -- plus they weigh just 10 grams. Perfect for any NYC cabbie wanting to flout the rules at 50MPH.Barely visible Bluetooth earphones from Novero spotted at the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

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36) Nikon 1 J1 review (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/nikon-1-j1-review-video/

So, Nikon finally has a mirrorless camera, after what was quite possibly the most dramatic launch event the company has ever conducted. Sure, competing models from Panasonic, Olympus and Sony have already reached the second, or even third generation before Nikon lifted the veil on its J1, but did last month's long-awaited announcement bring us the ILC to rule all ILCs? Well, no, not at all. Nikon isn't targeting pros or even advanced amateur shooters with its latest addition to the interchangeable lens camera family. Instead, the company is marketing its J1 to soccer moms (and dads), fashion-conscious young folk, and casual shooters who want some of the versatility of a DSLR, but are willing to sacrifice excellent image quality for a more compact design. But what about the rest of us? Will Nikon one day reward our patience with a true class competitor? Perhaps, but that's definitely not [...]

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37) Developers get Google Wallet on original Nexus S, squares wiping your phone with $10
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/developers-get-google-wallet-on-original-nexus-s-squares-wiping/

Previously the exclusive phone-swiping domain of Sprint's Nexus S 4G, it now seems possible to get the wonders of Google wallet on its decidedly 3G predecessor. However, it's not an operation for the faint-hearted. If the words Cyanogen, full wipe, flash and kernel resemble white noise, it's probably worth waiting for an official release. See how the forum members at XDA Developers got their NFC wallet fix at the link below.

[Thanks, John]Developers get Google Wallet on original Nexus S, squares wiping your phone with $10 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | xda-developers forum | Email this | Comments

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38) Energy Star 5.3 now in effect, some chunkier TVs left out in the cold
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/energy-star-5-3-now-in-effect-some-chunkier-tvs-left-out-in-the/

A revamped set of Energy Star requirements went into effect last week, much to the chagrin of plus-sized plasma TVs everywhere. Under the new specification (Version 5.3), sets bearing that vaunted blue sticker will have to be, on average, about 40 percent more energy efficient than standard models, while larger displays will be held to even stricter requirements. The latest iteration also calls for qualifying TVs to adhere to a "hard cap" of 108 watts (irrespective of size), essentially disqualifying any plasmas at least 50-inches in size, and any larger, non-LED-backlit LCDs. Among those sets that qualified for certification under Version 4.2, a full 14 percent consume more than 108 watts (mostly 2010 models), and only three are LED LCD-based (including Samsung's UN65D8000). Some newly disqualified 2011 models, however, may still bear blue stickers, due to Energy Star's ongoing [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 2, 2011

2011-10-03T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 2, 2011:

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1) New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/new-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-holder-comes-with-bike-attached/

For a tablet that prides itself in being thin and lightweight, the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 accessory sure adds considerable heft to the device. The Korean manufacturer's UK branch has teamed up with 14 Bike Co to bring the world the Samsung Galaxy bicycle -- a mild-mannered bike with a custom paint job and a detachable holder for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 made from carbon fiber. So, why carry a tablet on a bicycle? For checking things like mileage planners and route trackers on the go, apparently. No word on pricing yet, but we're guessing that this'll be among the more expensive tablet accessories out there. Press information after the break.Continue reading New Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attachedNew Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 holder comes with bike attached originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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2) How would you change Samsung's Chromebook Series 5?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/how-would-you-change-samsungs-chromebook-series-5/

It's compact, it's cute and it's weird. But it might be your perfect netbook. Google's Chromebook family isn't apt to ever be an end-all solution -- particularly for those that aren't married to the company's suite of web-based products -- and we're pretty sure Samsung's taking notes on how to make the eventual followup to the Series 5 even better. Battery life was stellar, and the matte display was a joy to look at, but we still found plenty of quibbles. Are you one of the early adopters who picked one of these guys up? If given the chance, how would you tweak the design / software / whatever else? Go on and get crafty in comments below!How would you change Samsung's Chromebook Series 5? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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3) Inhabitat's Week In Green: eco abodes, world's largest solar park and Axeon's new EV battery
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/inhabitats-week-in-green-eco-abodes-worlds-largest-solar-par/

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

It's been an epic week for green building and clean-tech, as the 2011 Solar Decathlon showcased 19 of the world's most stunning sun-powered prefab homes in Washington DC -- and Inhabitat brought you up-to-the-minute coverage on winning home designs. Several of the houses feature remarkably unconventional designs -- see Sci-Arc and Caltech's puffy inside-out prefab and Team Canada's teepee-inspired TRTL home -- while others like Purdue's INHome relied upon tried-and-true building typologies upgraded with state-of-the art solar systems. Ultimately the University of Maryland's innovative WaterShed House won first place in the competition with their greenery infused, water-focused, living home. Purdue University's more traditional INHome took [...]

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4) Google and ITA's OnTheFly app update puts flexible flight planning in your pocket
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/google-and-itas-onthefly-app-update-puts-flexible-flight-planni/

Google went through a lot to buy ITA and its travel software, and we saw the acquisition first bear fruit in the form of Mountain View's web-based Flight Search. Now the partnership has produced version 1.2 of the OnTheFly airfare booking app for Android, iOS and BlackBerry. What's new? Flexible date searches that let you peruse departures 35 days at a time, plus a price graph that shows the most fiscally prudent times to travel. Additionally, globetrotters can access their itinerary search history and see price changes for those fares throughout the year. Nice job fellas, now let's work on bringing bargain-basement fare finding for the final frontier in the next revision.Google and ITA's OnTheFly app update puts flexible flight planning in your pocket originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Central [...]

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5) HTC security vulnerability said to leak phone numbers, GPS data, and more, HTC responds (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/htc-security-vulnerability-said-to-leak-phone-numbers-gps-data/

The folks at Android Police seem to have stumbled across a rather jarring security vulnerability in HTC handsets running Android, giving common apps with internet access a peek at the device's vital statistics, user information and more. Demonstrated in the above video, developer Trevor Eckheart found that a recent HTC update packed in a suite of logging tools that collects data on user accounts (including email addresses), recent GPS locations, SMS data and encoded text, phone numbers, system logs, running processes and more -- all of which can be accessed by common apps requesting access to android.permission.INTERNET.

HTC is already looking into the issue, stating, "HTC takes our customers' security very seriously, and we are working to investigate this claim as quickly as possible. We will provide an update as soon as we're able to determine the accuracy of the claim and what [...]

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6) Switched On: Assets in gear
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/switched-on-assets-in-gear/

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Ecosystems take years to build and depend on other companies. Really, who has the time these days? Plus, they kick in only if a product reaches critical mass. Microsoft and SanDisk demonstrated the risk a few years back with their digital media players in seeding the market with third-party cases and docks using their own proprietary and now abandoned connectors. Over the past year, though, we've seen a number of tech companies take a new approach to mobile product development -- the corporate showcase -- where they convincingly shun any notion of silos by throwing just about everything they've got into a product.Continue reading Switched On: Assets in gearSwitched On: Assets in gear originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | [...]

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7) TWCable TV app update brings captions, search, and parental controls
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/twcable-tv-app-update-brings-captions-search-and-parental-cont/

Time Warner has been streaming live TV to the iPad with its TWCable TV app since March and the most recent update brings even more traditional TV standbys to the tablet experience. Now live in v2.5.0 is a basic search function (titles or episode name only, keywords, cast and crew are coming soon), support for closed captions and the ability to block certain channels on the app for parents. There's also a few bug fixes for those experiencing audio issues or not seeing their HD channels in the lineup -- subscribers can check out the official blog for more details or just grab the free app on iTunes.TWCable TV app update brings captions, search, and parental controls originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Time Warner Cable Untangled | Email this | Comments

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8) Samsung Stratosphere lays it all out with spec sheet treatment
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/samsung-stratosphere-lays-it-all-out-with-spec-sheet-treatment/

The upcoming Samsung Stratosphere for Verizon Wireless is hardly a secret, but other than a few rumored details, the specs for this LTE-equipped QWERTY slider have remained a bit of a mystery. Now, all that has changed, thanks in large part to its leaked spec sheet from Big Red -- just take a peek after the break. It'll be packing a 4-inch Super AMOLED display with WVGA resolution, a (presumably) single-core 1GHz processor, along with 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 4GB microSD card that's pre-installed. Curiously, it'll be the first of Verizon's LTE phones to incorporate a Micro SIM in place of the larger, traditional offering. Other than that, it looks as if the speculation of Android 2.3, along with its 5MP rear / 1.3MP front cams were dead on. There will also be an LED flash in tow, although video capture will be limited to a rather mundane 480p. That said, if you're [...]

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9) Boston Dynamics Alpha Dog makes Alyx Vance's pet look like a toy (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/boston-dynamics-alpha-dog-makes-alyx-vances-pet-look-like-a-toy/

Boston Dynamics' BigDog is one of our favorite insane-level DARPA projects; a robotic pack-mule that can carry 400 pounds of kit for troops. At some point, the Massachusetts mechanics decided the bot would be far better if it was the size of a bull, or, you know, an SUV. The Alpha Dog loses the un-stealthy buzzing noise of its predecessor, has a range of 20 miles and can take much more punishment. If you check out the video after the break, you'll see two people unsuccessfully attempt a takedown on the monster -- Half-Life 2 diehards might experience a combat flashback at the mere sight of it. AT-AT Jr is expected to see field testing sometime next year when it won't have a test bed of rocks to contend with, but the US Marines. Mark our words: we expect 'em to appear in every nightmarish dystopia of the 2020s, and take a starring role in the forthcoming Robopocalypse.Continue reading [...]

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10) The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET!
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/the-engadget-mobile-podcast-live-at-2pm-et/

Friday afternoons just aren't the same without a mobile podcast to listen to, but hopefully your Sunday afternoon is now a heckuva lot better this weekend. It turned out that 2PM ET was the perfect window of time for Myriam and Brad to get their rants in order and dissect the absolutely gargantuan week of wireless happenings all at the same time. Join us for a special Sunday edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET (11AM PT, 6PM GT)!The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 2PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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11) Sony Ericsson lends hand to FreeXperia devs, shows love for CyanogenMod 7.1
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/sony-ericsson-lends-hand-to-freexperia-devs-shows-love-for-cyan/

Turns out, Sony Ericsson is really coming around to the understanding that Android phones are not a one-size-fits-all proposition. After taking notice of the FreeXperia team's tireless efforts to bring CyanogenMod 7.1 to certain SE devices, the company is now "pulling a Samsung" by lending its support to the cause. The firm has provided the group with approximately 20 phones, along with debugged and rebuilt camera library binaries to ensure a proper user experience. Not stopping there, Sony Ericsson hopes to make these bits available to all developers under a special EULA in the near future. Of course, the company continues to remind its users that it doesn't specifically condone unlocking the bootloader -- which still results in a void warranty -- even though it's willing to help you do just that.

[Thanks, Thorsten]Sony Ericsson lends hand to FreeXperia devs, shows love for [...]

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12) Refresh Roundup: week of September 26, 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/refresh-roundup-week-of-september-26-2011/

Official Android updates

The top story this week revolves around the HTC Thunderbolt's long-awaited Gingerbread OTA update. It was finally rolling out, which was exciting news for owners of the device -- until it had to be pulled because of some rather significant bugs. The largest of [...]

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13) LiveLens MFT adapter brings aperture control to Canon EF lenses
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/livelens-mft-adapter-brings-aperture-control-to-canon-ef-lenses/

It may be serving a somewhat small niche, but we're guessing that niche will be plenty pleased that something like the LiveLens MFT adapter now exists. That's MFT as in Micro Four Thirds, and the adapter is for Canon EF lenses. Nothing too special there, but this particular adapter now also allows for aperture control for the first time, which is actually done on the adapter itself, not the camera -- the only remaining drawback is a lack of autofocus. Expectedly that ability comes at quite a premium -- you'll have to fork over $442 for the adapter and an extra $52 for the necessary 9V battery cable.LiveLens MFT adapter brings aperture control to Canon EF lenses originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 09:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired Gadget Lab | Email this | Comments

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14) Sony cuts the VAIO SA's starting price to $1,000, starts shipping the 15-inch VAIO SE
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/sony-cuts-the-vaio-sas-starting-price-to-999-starts-shipping/

Lots of PC news flowing out of Sony Electronics' US headquarters this fine Sunday morning. First, the company slashed the starting price of the 13-inch VAIO SA laptop from $1,250 to $1,000, while the lower-end SB series now starts at $780 (it had been going for $800 after instant savings). We asked Sony's PR team what that means for folks who recently purchased either of these through Sony's online store, and still haven't gotten a response, but the company was quick to remind us that it's up to retailers such as Best Buy to set their own price protection policies. (Thanks, Sony!)

Moving along, that 15.5-inch VAIO SE series we reviewed a month ago is at last up for sale, beautiful 1080p display and all. You can find her on Sony's site starting at a thousand bucks with a Core i5-2430M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 640GB 5,400RPM hard drive, DVD burner and, of course, that 1920 x 1080 [...]

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15) JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/jbl-on-tour-ibt-bluetooth-speaker-now-available-for-150-ipad-s/

Have a soft spot for wireless speakers? There were tons of options out there already, but JBL just threw one more into the ring with its On Tour iBT. As we'd expect form the audio gurus, the system boasts wireless audio internals that play nice with both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth devices. In addition to four JBL Odyssey transducers, the kit packs a built-in microphone for Facetime or hands-free calls, an adjustable iPad stand and a USB connector for charging -- when the Katy Perry tune blastin' device is plugged in itself, of course. Interested? It can be yours now via the source link for $150, but if you'd care to take a closer look before committing, peep the gallery below.

Gallery: JBL On Tour iBTJBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of [...]

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16) Need RAID? Fusion F2QR packs two 1TB drives into a portable shell
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/need-raid-fusion-f2qr-packs-two-1tb-drives-into-a-portable-shel/

Do you demand portability from your Redundant Array of Independent Disks? Then you've probably already seen Sonnet's Fusion F2, with its two 1TB drives and eSATA connector. Today the company introduces the Fusion F2QR, which also features two 2.5-inch, 1TB hard drives -- but now comes with four interface options. You've got your eSATA, of course, but also Firewire 400, Firewire 800 and USB 2.0 connectors. There's a new built-in RAID controller that smooths configuration as well, and the aluminum case and fanless design keep noise to a minimum. All of that fits in a shell measuring 5.9- x 6.1- x 0.95-inches. This slender slab of storage is available now and will set you back $569.Need RAID? Fusion F2QR packs two 1TB drives into a portable shell originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MacNews | Sonnet | Email [...]

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Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage

Blog Alert for Engadget, Oct 1, 2011

2011-10-02T13:37:00.001+05:30

New Posts to Engadget on Oct 1, 2011:

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1) Samsung Galaxy S II now available on AT&T for $200
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-now-available-on-atandt-for-200/

October 2nd. Boy, the date sure creeped up on us, but it's here regardless -- the Samsung Galaxy S II has finally debuted on AT&T. Many of you who've been waiting several months for a subsidized GSM model in the US may find it hard to believe that you're able to head on over to the carrier's site and purchase one for a couple C-notes. Rest assured, we've checked it out ourselves and it's really, really there, waiting for you to click that "add to cart" button. So if the style and carrier fit your fancy, friends, carpe diem.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Samsung Galaxy S II now available on AT&T for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AT&T | Email this | Comments

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2) Is this Apple's cheaper iPhone 4?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/02/is-this-apples-cheaper-iphone-4/

See that? That just might be the cheaper iPhone that Apple's rumored to formally unveil on Tuesday. Gizmodo Brazil managed to get a hold of a purported iPhone 4s from within a Brazilian Foxconn factory, and while the hardware itself looks just about identical to the iPhone 4 that exists today, there's a new SKU that's leading to understandable speculation. The N90A model number that popped up has certainly emerged before, but where things really get interesting is the "reprovado" ("disqualified") labeling. Is this batch an early set of prototypes that didn't quite pass QA? Will the eventual iPhone 4s even look anything like the iPhone 4 that's on shelves today? You can bet we'll be on hand in Cupertino to find out, and there's no time like the present to clear out your Tuesday morning / afternoon / evening schedule (depending on time zone, of course) to find out with us.Is this Apple's [...]

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3) Ask Engadget: best earbuds for outdoor / fitness use?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/ask-engadget-best-earbuds-for-outdoor-fitness-use/

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Henri, who seems understandably tired of his earbuds falling out whilst exercising. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm planning to buy a set of earbuds for outdoor use, mainly for sport. There are so many options -- I'm curious if anyone has any specific suggestions. It goes without saying that the plugs should be easy to pop in the ear as well as take them off, and the wire to player should be as light as possible. Thanks for the help!"

Got any headphones you love taking to the gym? How's about a set that doesn't fall out? Toss your suggestion(s) in comments below!Ask Engadget: best earbuds for outdoor / fitness use? originally appeared on [...]

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4) Prototype magic carpet uses electrified threads to 'fly,' Aladdin pre-orders (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/prototype-magic-carpet-uses-electrified-threads-to-fly-aladdi/

If you spent your childhood longing to fly, you're not alone -- and one Princeton grad may have come one step closer to making it a reality with a prototype magic carpet. Ok, it's not actually a rug of the magical variety, but a 4-inch piece of plastic electrified by tiny conducting threads. It works as such: by applying a current to the sheet, tiny air pockets form underneath, propelling it forward one centimeter a second. Since it requires air pockets to move forward, the carpet must stay close to the ground -- making it more like Marty McFly's hoverboard than Aladdin's preferred mode of transportation. Better yet, the inventor has plans for a solar powered version, which would free the carpet from heavy battery constraints and allow it to travel freely over larger distances. Check out the video and source after the break for more deets.Continue reading Prototype magic carpet uses [...]

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5) ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/asimo-mimics-your-every-move-edges-closer-towards-single-white/

Hey, look Engadgeteers! It's another Kinect hack -- except this one uses a real deal robot. Honda ushered ASIMO out to the crowds at IEEE's 2011 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems to show off its newly acquired pop and lock skills. Alright, so the silicon-gutted fella can't krump with the best of'em yet, but he can probably do the locomotion -- it all depends on your dance repertoire. After toiling away in their mad scientist lairs, the researchers behind the bot have managed to devise a means of mimicking human movement that translates mapped points on a user's upper body into real-time, robot-replicated motion. The devious among you are likely imagining left-of-center uses for the tech, but let us deflate that mischievous balloon; there'll be no instances of "stop hitting yourself ASIMO" here, as engineers have built-in collision and stability safeguards. The [...]

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6) Mutewatch wrists-on: stay on-task with good vibrations (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/mutewatch-wrists-on-stay-on-task-with-good-vibrations-video/

No, the picture above isn't some modernized Power Ranger's wrist communicator. This is the Mutewatch, and we've been intrigued since we first laid eyes on it over a year ago. At a glance, it looks akin to a rubber fashion bracelet, which could make its $260 price tag a shocker. But with the right touch or flick it reveals itself to be much more. The Stockholm-based start-up behind it, dubbed Mutewatch AB, envisions the device serving as "time management tool" for setting quick wrist-felt vibrating reminders during the course of the day. Think Growl, but on your wrist. The wristwatch lacks a dial and crystal, and instead has an angled, touch-sensitive section for a face with hidden LEDs, an ambient light sensor, a motion sensor and a vibrating motor for alarms. We've spent some time using a near-final unit seeing what it would be like silently manage our days, and it's all laid out just [...]

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7) iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/iphone-5-4s-placeholders-pop-up-at-cincinnati-bell-questionab/

It looks like the iPhone speculation train is gaining steam on the way to its final destination, and this time it's flying by Cincinnati Bell's pre-paid service, i-Wireless. A helpful tipster sent in the above screenshot of an iPhone 5 placeholder, accompanied by a $639.99 price tag and a handful of specs: 32GB, 4-inch screen and 4G data speeds. Our friends over at TUAW have also procured a screenshot (after the break) from the same site, displaying a $99.99 16GB iPhone 4S, sporting a 5MP camera, 3.5-inch screen and an A5 processor. Of course, there's also a chance these are just placeholders, but we're hoping Tuesday's announcement will bear dual fruits, nonetheless.

[Thanks, Cory]Continue reading iPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in towiPhone 5 / 4S placeholders pop up at Cincinnati Bell, questionable specs in tow originally appeared on Engadget [...]

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8) Nokia developing 'Meltemi' OS for feature phones?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/nokia-developing-meltemi-os-for-feature-phones/

Although Nokia still hopes Windows Phone will round out a "three-horse race" with iOS and Android, it's said to be cooking up an entirely new operating system aimed at lower-end handsets. According to the Wall Street Journal, the OS (codenamed "Meltemi") is meant to cement Nokia's top dog status in emerging markets, where feature phones remain king. Makes sense: low-end phones accounted for 47 percent of the company's device-and-services earnings in the second quarter. We're not sure if the adage "when one door closes, another one opens" exactly applies here, but either way, it looks like we've hardly seen the end of software updates out of Suomi.Nokia developing 'Meltemi' OS for feature phones? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | WSJ | Email this | Comments

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9) Radio Shack inventory screen pegs iPhone 5 for Sprint
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/radio-shack-inventory-screen-pegs-iphone-5-for-sprint/

Could it be? Are the rumors true? If this screenshot, apparently culled from Radio Shack's inventory system, is any indication, Sprint will indeed be among the carriers offering the iPhone 5. That lines up just right with previous reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, slating the phone to hit the Now Network in mid-October. There's no indication of actual dates at this point, but if Sprint's getting Apple's next-gen iPhone, we're guessing we'll hear more about it on Tuesday.

[Thanks, Anon]Radio Shack inventory screen pegs iPhone 5 for Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

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10) Fiddy Cent gets into the headphone game with SYNC by 50, countdown to Ford lawsuit begins... now
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/fiddy-cent-gets-into-the-headphone-game-with-sync-by-50-countdo/

Well, after the termination of 50 Cent's alignment with Sleek, it was only a matter time before the rapper's SMS Audio company filled the void. (After all, how do you know your cans are quality if they haven't been endorsed by a man who was shot nine times and survived.) We don't know when the wireless SYNC by 50 headphones will arrive or how much they'll cost, but you can bet the part-time actor and entrepreneur will be making the rounds, trying to sell us on the 40mm driver, 50-foot range, "professionally tuned digital EQ" and noise cancellation. While the integrated music controls are nice, our favorite feature might be the ability to connect four sets of SYNCs to the same source. Check out the gallery below and a few choice specs from the data sheet after the break.

Gallery: SYNC by 50Continue reading Fiddy Cent gets into the headphone game with SYNC by 50, countdown to Ford [...]

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11) Mobile Miscellany: week of September 26, 2011
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/mobile-miscellany-week-of-september-26-2011/

Last week we heard the rumor that Sprint would be launching the BlackBerry Curve 9350 on October 2nd, and we've finally received the official confirmation. The device will be hitting stores tomorrow for $80 with a two-year contract. [PhoneArena]

The Motorola Photon WiMAX, referred to as the Photon 4G in the US, is now making its way to Japan as KDDI announced the launch of the device this past Monday. [Motorola]

Verizon Wireless launched the Pantech Jest 2 this week, which is a feature phone with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. [Verizon Wireless]

The Samsung Galaxy Y is now listed as "coming soon" on O2's website, which makes it the second carrier to [...]

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12) Sony PS Vita caps 3G downloads at 20MB, encourages extensive mini play
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/sony-ps-vita-caps-3g-downloads-at-20mb-encourages-extensive-min/

Just two months to go, and gamers of the Sony persuasion can get their thumbs-on the PS Vita. While we were getting comfy with the available list of this PSP successor's dos and don'ts, out comes further info to rain on our anticipated PlayStation Suite parade. According to a report from ASCII, game downloads over 3G connections will be limited to a max of 20MB. What does that mean for you, prospective buyer? Well, kiss that 500 - 600 strong library of PSP titles goodbye, and say hello to a catalog of minis. Sure, you could always hook up to some decent WiFi to purchase and play those old favorites uninterrupted, but that kind of defeats this portable's on-the-go design. Rest assured, this download cap could still change before the handheld launches in the US and UK. And anyway, you didn't think you were going to get far on that three to five hour charge, now did you?Sony PS Vita caps [...]

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13) Kodak's Waterproof Playfull records your pool parties in 720p, lets you relive that belly flop
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/kodaks-waterproof-playfull-records-your-pool-parties-in-720p-l/

Do you like to play rough? Good, then this Kodak's for you. Up for pre-order on the imaging company's website, is an update to the Playfull we got eyes-on with at CES earlier this year -- except this handheld camera's waterproof, as well as dustproof and drop-proof (although, only "onto plywood"). The slim 720p shooter weighs in at about 85 grams and sports a 2-inch LCD display, HDMI out, pop-out USB 2.0 and an SD card slot expandable up to 32GB. Kodak's offering this pocket and pool-friendly portable in mid to late October with a premium $120 price tag set for the black version, and the white at a lesser $100. If your high-end smartphone's just not cutting the HD-recording mustard, go ahead and hit up that source link below.Kodak's Waterproof Playfull records your pool parties in 720p, lets you relive that belly flop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 07:17:00 EDT. [...]

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14) Compact Stress Meter provides checkups from the comfort of your cubicle (video)
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/compact-stress-meter-provides-checkups-from-the-comfort-of-your/

Chances are you don't need a machine to know that the office stresses you out, but if you've ever felt an urge to actually quantify the toll your boss takes on your body, the Compact Stress Meter could be your new best buddy. Developed by researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University, this system uses a pulse wave sensor and infrared reflective probe to measure the blood flowing through a user's fingertips, which serves as a relatively accurate stress index. All you have to do is place your finger on the sensor for ten seconds, and an accompanying computer program will automatically display your stress levels in real-time by analyzing variations in blood flow. At this point, the software and sensor are still separate, though the meter's developers have already completed a new prototype with the sensor built in to a mouse, allowing users to continuously gauge their stress while diligently [...]

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15) Samsung releases 1.5GHz Exynos processor and 16MP CMOS for mobiles, if you're nice
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/01/samsung-releases-1-5ghz-exynos-processor-and-16mp-cmos-for-mobil/

Samsung's just announced the newest and fastest version of its Exynos mobile processor. The 4212 is a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 clocked to 1.5GHz, built using a 32mn process that makes it 30 percent more efficient and 25 percent faster than the 4210. Last year's model was capable of many impressive feats, but its 3D abilities were hampered by the limits imposed by its HDMI 1.3 controller. The new boy gets version 1.4 and hence the freedom to run stereoscopic imagery at an impressive 70fps. The chips will be available in Q4 of this year, but only to "select customers" who -- we guess -- look after Mr and Mrs. Samsung's cats over the holidays. The chip comes too late for the Galaxy S II LTE but we can expect to see it in future superphones before too long.

At the same time, the company released a 16 megapixel CMOS sensor designed for mobile devices. It can shoot stills at the quoted [...]

==================================================================
Self storage facilities are cash cows!
http://hasslefreehouses.com/selfstorage