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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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Bang & Olufsen caters to the iOS crowd with Apple TV-friendly BeoPlay V1 TV set,...

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Bang & Olufsen caters to the iOS crowd with Apple TV-friendly BeoPlay V1 TV set, A3 iPad speaker dock


Bang & Olufsen caters to the iOS crowd with Apple TV-friendly BeoPlay V1 TV set, A3 iPad speaker dock
If your gadget life centers equally on Apple devices and luxury Danish home theater, Bang & Olufsen now has you officially covered. The BeoPlay V1 TV, which we got a sneak peek at just over a week ago, has a slot to connect your Apple TV without wires spoiling the look of your upscale loft. Both 32- and 40-inch versions have relatively powerful speakers, too, with as many as three 32W amps in the 40-inch version being joined by discrete treble / mid speakers and a bass unit. Either of the 1080p TVs carries a 100Hz refresh rate, five HDMI inputs, and a USB port for your music and photos. Just as new is a BeoPlay A3 speaker dock for the iPad, which nestles your first- or second-generation iPad into what Bang & Olufsen calls a "stable wedge" that not only keeps the iPad comfy but adapts the speakers to get maximum output. An eight-hour battery keeps the speakers completely wireless, although it won't charge your iPad in the process. The company will have the V1 in British shops on May 3rd at a comparatively frugal £1,999 ($3,238) and £2,499 ($4,047) for the respective 32- and 40-inch sizes, while fans of Hamlet's homeland will have to wait until May 23rd to pay £449 ($727) for an A3 dock, a picture of which you can find after the break.Continue reading Bang & Olufsen caters to the iOS crowd with Apple TV-friendly BeoPlay V1 TV set, A3 iPad speaker dockBang & Olufsen caters to the iOS crowd with Apple TV-friendly BeoPlay V1 TV set, A3 iPad speaker dock originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Pocket-lint | Bang & Olufsen | Email this | Comments

Canon EOS 5D Mark III's light leak fix found to be black tape

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Canon EOS 5D Mark III's light leak fix found to be black tape


Canon EOS 5D Mark III's light leak fix found to be black tape
When Canon promised a fix for the EOS 5D Mark III's preview LCD leaking light, photographers wondered just what the "countermeasures" would be to prevent the display from affecting exposure readouts. The remedy, it turns out, is a simple patch -- of the physical kind, not software. Roger Cicala at LensRentals was brave enough to tear down one of the DSLRs shipping with a fix already in place and found black electrical tape covering the LCD area that would otherwise spill light into the exposure meter. While basic, the solution does the trick, and will no doubt be a relief to shutterbugs who want to know exactly what exposure they'll get while snapping photos in the dark.Canon EOS 5D Mark III's light leak fix found to be black tape originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink DP Review | LensRentals | Email this | Comments

Microsoft shows devs the secrets to creating fluid animations in Windows 8 Metro...

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Microsoft shows devs the secrets to creating fluid animations in Windows 8 Metro apps


Microsoft shows devs the secrets to creating fluid animations in Windows 8 Metro apps
As Microsoft brings its Metro style from the mobile world back to the desktop in Windows 8, it's also focusing on keeping the smooth animated transitions users have gotten used to on certain mobile platforms intact. A new post on the Windows 8 app developer blog breaks down exactly what devs can do to achieve a consistent and fluid style in their apps even when they're using the new look. Unless you're planning on getting your hands dirty with code there's not much to see other than the (incredibly brief) animation sample embedded after the break. Still, Microsoft says following its animation guidelines should be enough to keep GPU-powered animations flowing smoothly whether they're custom built or based on its own presets. Reactions to the new face of Windows have been decidedly mixed since the Consumer Preview launched, we'll see if this work pays off in third party apps that make the transition worthwhile.Continue reading Microsoft shows devs the secrets to creating fluid animations in Windows 8 Metro appsMicrosoft shows devs the secrets to creating fluid animations in Windows 8 Metro apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Windows 8 app developer blog | Email this | Comments

SAE 2012: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

SAE 2012: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]


SAE 2012: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG, Land Rover, AutoblogGreen Exclusive Flex4 may sound like something sold during the 3 a.m. hour on advertorial television, but it's really Magna's part-time all-wheel drive system that offers the benefits of AWD with lower emissions than standard AWD. How? Because Flex4 can disengage the power going to the rear wheels when it determines that it isn't needed, changing the vehicle to a more-efficient two-wheel-drive ride. The AWD is also engaged every time the vehicle stops and, most of the time, when the vehicle goes above 30 miles per hour, the rear wheels disengage. Whenever the system detects a slippery road, the AWD reconnects in a few hundred milliseconds. The AWD also engages if there is a "yaw event" (i.e., a hard lane change). The benefit? A fuel economy improvement of around .8 to 1 mile per gallon compared to standard AWD systems. Flex4 is currently just a prototype, and is being designed to be purely automatic but it could theoretically be driver-selectable. At this stage, too, there is no estimated cost for such a system, but Magna knows that OEMs will be looking for ways to add AWD capability to vehicles even as CO2 emissions regulations get tighter and tighter. As a Tier 1 supplier, Magna says it is ready to start production of Flex4 now. Magna has been working on Flex4 for at least two years, but not a lot of information about the system is available online. We did find one video about Flex4, which we've pasted down below, but it happens to be in German. Still, you can see Flex4 at work in all it's animated glory.Continue reading SAE 2012: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]SAE 2012: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Microsoft ditches Windows Live brand, explains new approach to cloud services

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Microsoft ditches Windows Live brand, explains new approach to cloud services


Microsoft ditches Windows Live brand, explains new approach to cloud services
Confused by Microsoft's array of internet/cloud-based services for Windows and Windows Phone? Then it looks like the company's been listening to you. In his latest blog post for the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft's Steven Sinofksy explains the company's new approach to cloud services in Windows 8 and Windows Phone, and confirms one big change: it's doing away with the Windows Live brand entirely. Replacing it is something simply called the Microsoft account, which you can use to both sign in to Microsoft's own services and tie to other third-party services like Twitter or Facebook. That one account can also be used to sign in on various devices and immediately have access to Microsoft's various services, which are now all definitely called "apps," and are also taking on a more unified approach across both Windows 8 and Windows Phone (as you can see in the chart above). In addition to the former Windows Live branded services, that includes the longstanding MSN Messenger, which will now simply be known as "Messaging." As usual, Sinofksy's described all those changes at some length -- hit the source link below for his full post.Microsoft ditches Windows Live brand, explains new approach to cloud services originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Building Windows 8 | Email this | Comments

Yelp’s Post-IPO Earnings: $27.4M in Revenue, Up 66% From A Year Earlier, But Net...

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Yelp's Post-IPO Earnings: $27.4M in Revenue, Up 66% From A Year Earlier, But Net Loss Triples


Yelp's Post-IPO Earnings: $27.4M in Revenue, Up 66% From A Year Earlier, But Net Loss Triples
In its first ever earnings report as a publicly-traded company, Yelp said it earned $27.4 million in revenue, up 66 percent from the $16.5 million it made in the same time a year ago. However, the company more than tripled its net losses, mostly on rising costs associated with supporting a larger sales staff. It lost $9.8 million, up from the $2.7 million it lost in the same time a year earlier. That loss of 31 cents per share was about double what analysts had estimated. Analysts had predicted a loss of 15 cents per share, according to a Bloomberg survey. Looking at the sheet, Yelp's loss expanded mostly on sales, marketing and administrative costs. Sales and marketing costs rose to $18.8 million, up from $11.3 million the year before. On the earnings call, the company said much of this headcount growth came from international expansion, which it has yet to fully monetize. In the first quarter, Yelp launched in 11 new markets, eight of which were international.

Mozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and...

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Mozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and mobile devices


Mozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and mobile devices
Mozilla has shown off ideas for future versions of Firefox as it becomes less of a traditional browser and more of a "soft, friendly, human" ecosystem. Slides released on the web hint at a new desktop environ with a simplified menu, cleaner download interface, and a more functional startpage -- all the while maintaining the same curved-edge look as the mobile variant. A Windows 8 Metro tile-based version is also in the works that's similar to the Firefox tab layout on Android. There's no word when Mozilla's so-called Kilimanjaro project will come to fruition, but you can check out the slideshow after the break for an early glimpse.Continue reading Mozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and mobile devicesMozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and mobile devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Slideshare | Email this | Comments

Famous Chef's Lambo Recovered

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Famous Chef's Lambo Recovered


Famous Chef's Lambo Recovered
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri's Gallardo found after year-long search.

Facebook's iPhone Messenger to get video chat, enlarged variant for iPad?

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Facebook's iPhone Messenger to get video chat, enlarged variant for iPad?


Facebook's iPhone Messenger to get video chat, enlarged variant for iPad?
Been itching for Facebook's iPhone-dedicated Messenger app to make its way over to the iPad? ? Maybe for the iPhone variant to finally reap the benefits of Skype video chat integration as well? Well, according to 9to5Mac, Camp Zuckerberg is testing both in-house, with the latter planned to hit iPhones this summer. According to the site, one of its trustworthy tipsters was able to grant it access to beta versions of the new apps, and it has the pictures to prove it. Unsurprisingly, the Messenger app for iPad is described as simply a sized-up port of the iPhone version, but surely the bump would be appreciated by many if it ever gets officially released. Perhaps more interesting, though, is having Skype video chat baked into the iPhone version -- tapping an arrow next to a contact initiates your video session, and 9to5Mac reports that it's "smooth most of the time." Of course, it's always worth taking such leaks with a grain of salt, but hit up the source link below if you'd like to find more information and screenshots of the apps in question.Facebook's iPhone Messenger to get video chat, enlarged variant for iPad? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | 9to5Mac | Email this | Comments

Bizarre internal Apple video shows Steve Jobs rallying the troops against IBM

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Bizarre internal Apple video shows Steve Jobs rallying the troops against IBM


Bizarre internal Apple video shows Steve Jobs rallying the troops against IBM
We're going to warn you up front: what you're about to see is eccentric, puzzling, and perhaps even disturbing. And undoubtedly, it's the fanboy film to end all fanboy films. According to Network World, who managed to get ahold of an internal 'rally the troops' video, the referenced clip was produced with a $50,000 budget and shown to an international sales force at a 1984 meeting in Hawaii. The film, entitled "1944," was purportedly provided by one-time Apple employee Craig Elliott, now CEO of Pertino Networks. The vintage footage shows then-CEO Steve Jobs as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and the nine minute film drags on to show Apple-clad soldiers lining up to do battle with IBM -- a massive, massive rival in the space during that era. The full watch can be found in the source link below (embedding was disabled), and again, this will absolutely freak you out. Fair warning.Bizarre internal Apple video shows Steve Jobs rallying the troops against IBM originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | Network World | Email this | Comments

2012 Hyundai Veloster — Flash Drive

Posted: 02 May 2012 02:56 PM PDT

2012 Hyundai Veloster — Flash Drive


2012 Hyundai Veloster — Flash Drive
MSN Autos editors take a spin in the fun and stylish Hyundai Veloster.

Cornell students steer Pong using brain waves, can't quite play during naps (video)

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Cornell students steer Pong using brain waves, can't quite play during naps (video)


Cornell students steer Pong using brain waves, can't quite play during naps (video)
We here at Engadget are always fans of brain wave experiments, and so we were delighted when two Cornell University electrical engineering students, Chuck Moyes and Mengxiang Jiang, wrapped up a final project using brain waves in the best way possible: playing Pong. Their experiment links a baseball cap full of EEG-scanning electrodes to a computer, letting the cap wearer control a paddle using Alpha or Mu waves. Depending on the waves you use, you can move the paddle either by changing your concentration level or by thinking about moving your feet. You won't rack up a high score while napping (or with a teammate narrating over your shoulder), but with a budget under $75, it's hard to find fault. You can grab the source code below, and check out a video of Jiang and Moyes' handiwork after the break. [Thanks, Chuck and Mengxiang]Continue reading Cornell students steer Pong using brain waves, can't quite play during naps (video)Cornell students steer Pong using brain waves, can't quite play during naps (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | BCI, source code (GitHub) | Email this | Comments

Thorsten Talks: RIM CEO Sounds Off On Licensing, Updating Devices, And The U.S....

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Thorsten Talks: RIM CEO Sounds Off On Licensing, Updating Devices, And The U.S. Market


Thorsten Talks: RIM CEO Sounds Off On Licensing, Updating Devices, And The U.S. Market
Just because the first day of BlackBerry World is over doesn't mean we mobile geeks have run out of BlackBerry-related tidbits to pick apart. Oh, far from it -- in fact, RIM CEO Thorsten Heins took the stage (again) earlier today for a long-running chat with the press, and he has since outed a few juicy new details about the company's strategy going forward. First, let's take a quick look at the things RIM won't be doing, shall we?

Crowdstar Raises $11.5M To Double Down On Mobile Gaming, Has Layoffs As It Leave...

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Crowdstar Raises $11.5M To Double Down On Mobile Gaming, Has Layoffs As It Leaves Facebook Behind


Crowdstar Raises $11.5M To Double Down On Mobile Gaming, Has Layoffs As It Leaves Facebook Behind
It's a sign of the times. Crowdstar is through with making games for Facebook and the company has just raised another $11.5 million to double-down on their move toward mobile gaming. The company's existing investors including Time Warner, Intel Capital, YouWeb, The9, and NV Investments all topped up, bringing the company's total funding to $35 million. Chief executive Peter Relan says there are some new investors too, but he couldn't disclose who they are. "Last year's mission was pivot to mobile and this year's mission is profitable growth," Relan said in an interview. "We see the mobile market as five to six times larger than the Facebook social games market." You may know Crowdstar from such absurdist titles as Top Girl and Social Girl. In the game, you're a girl who needs to buy virtual clothing, meet other virtual girlfriends and get a virtual boyfriend. At times, the game's notifications have screamed at me, "YOU'RE NOT HOT ENOUGH!"

RunCore's Mini DOM packs single-chip, SATA-based SSD into tiny places

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

RunCore's Mini DOM packs single-chip, SATA-based SSD into tiny places


RunCore's Mini DOM packs single-chip, SATA-based SSD into tiny places
Fitting a truly quick solid-state drive into a small space isn't easy, and for that reason RunCore's new Mini DOM (Disk On Module) stands out from the crowd. It's billed as the first single-chip SSD to use a SATA interface (SATA II, to be exact), giving it that much more bandwidth than the pokey IDE and PATA DOMs of old while remaining under half the size of a regular mSATA drive. RunCore's own tests show it hitting about 113MB/s sequential reads and 47MB/s writes. Neither figure will knock the socks off even a mainstream budget SSD like Intel's SSD 330, but they're more than brisk enough for embedded gear. The drives can survive brutal conditions, too: an Industrial Grade trim level can survive temperatures as chilly as -40F and as scorching as 185F. So, the next time you pry open some military equipment and see one of these sitting inside, in three different formats and capacities from 8GB to 64GB, you'll know exactly what you're looking at.Continue reading RunCore's Mini DOM packs single-chip, SATA-based SSD into tiny placesRunCore's Mini DOM packs single-chip, SATA-based SSD into tiny places originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nikon D3200 now shipping from Best Buy, unboxing video gets personal with new fe...

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Nikon D3200 now shipping from Best Buy, unboxing video gets personal with new features


Nikon D3200 now shipping from Best Buy, unboxing video gets personal with new features
Nikon promised us a "late April" shipment of its D3100 replacement, and sure enough, it looks to have met that self-imposed deadline. The black D3200 kit is now shipping from Best Buy warehouses, and while a litany of other reputable e-tailers have the unit listed (check our links below), we're seeing it backordered elsewhere. That said, these things are obviously trickling into the places that matter most, and determined to-be buyers can almost certainly call around to find one in stock. If you're still on the fence, have a look at our hands-on here, and head on past the break for a lovely unboxing video tour.Continue reading Nikon D3200 now shipping from Best Buy, unboxing video gets personal with new featuresNikon D3200 now shipping from Best Buy, unboxing video gets personal with new features originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Duncan33303 (YouTube) | Best Buy (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

Logitech's definition of 'strong?' A range of mice that taste forgot (video)

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Logitech's definition of 'strong?' A range of mice that taste forgot (video)


Logitech's definition of 'strong?' A range of mice that taste forgot (video)
Logitech has unveiled the global graffiti collection, a range of peripherals that are inspired by the "global community". We're not sure if this is the start of the "strong" lineup of products new president Bracken P. Darrell promised or he's trying to get rid of the, erm, more colorful devices from his predecessor's tenure. Either way, if you're interested in picking up the gear, it'll set you back between $30 and $40 when they arrive in the US in May and from June in Europe.Continue reading Logitech's definition of 'strong?' A range of mice that taste forgot (video)Logitech's definition of 'strong?' A range of mice that taste forgot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Logitech | Email this | Comments

End of the manual transmission?

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

End of the manual transmission?


End of the manual transmission?
On average, just four of the 2012 models will have manual gearboxes.

Google badmouths HTTP behind its back, proposes SPDY as a speedy successor

Posted: 02 May 2012 12:34 PM PDT

Google badmouths HTTP behind its back, proposes SPDY as a speedy successor


Google badmouths HTTP behind its back, proposes SPDY as a speedy successor
If there's anything that Google doesn't like, it's things that collect dust. The company is famous for its annual spring cleaning efforts, in which the firm rids itself of redundant and dead-end projects, along with more bullish moves, such as its push to overhaul the internet's DNS system. Now it's looking to replace HTTP with a new protocol known as SPDY, and to that end, it's demonstrating the potential speed gains that one might expect on a mobile network. According to the company's benchmarks, mean page load times on the Galaxy Nexus are 23 percent faster with the new system, and it hypothesizes that further optimizations can be made for 3G and 4G networks. To its credit, Google has already implemented SPDY in Chrome, and the same is true for Firefox and Amazon Silk. Even Microsoft appears to be on-board. As a means to transition, the company proposes an Apache 2.2 module known as mod_spdy, which allows web servers to take advantage of features such as stream multiplexing and header compression. As for HTTP, it's no doubt been a reliable companion, but it seems that it'll need to work a bit harder to earn its keep. Stay weird, Google, the internet wouldn't be the same without you.Google badmouths HTTP behind its back, proposes SPDY as a speedy successor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Developers Blog | Email this | Comments

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf


Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Toyota The Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid in the world, was also the most popular plug-in vehicle in U.S. last month. Compared to sales of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which sold 1,462 and 370 units, respectively, the $32,000 Prius Plug-in quietly sold 1,654 copies in April, reports PluginCars. With such strong name recognition and pent-up demand for a Prius with a cord, this shouldn't really have been a surprise. But it still kind of is. But, really, it shouldn't be, since Toyota sold more Prius models in the U.S. last month than ever before in April (March 2012 was the Prius' best month ever), even though the number of selling days was short. The four members of the "Prius family" sold a combined 25,168 units, an increase of 126.9 percent compared to April 2011 (which was right after the Japanese tsunami). Overall, Toyota and Lexus sold 32,593 hybrids last month, 30,126 of them wearing the Toyota badge, 2,467 of them the upper class Lexus models. Last year, Toyota said it expects to sell 16,000-17,000 Prius Plug-in models in 2012. Since Toyota doesn't break out model numbers, we're not sure what the total is for the year thus far, but 1,654 plug-ins a month will certainly let the company hit that target.Continue reading Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan LeafToyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung unpacks the Galaxy tomorrow, we'll be liveblogging the London event righ...

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Samsung unpacks the Galaxy tomorrow, we'll be liveblogging the London event right here!


Samsung unpacks the Galaxy tomorrow, we'll be liveblogging the London event right here!
Is that Galaxy S II feeling a bit stale? It's just about time for Samsung to name a successor to the massively popular smartphone, live at the company's Mobile Unpacked event at the Earls Court Olympic venue. We'll surely see a brand new mainstream handset make its debut, but what's not quite as clear is what other gadgets Samsung plans to show off in London. With defined divisions, the Korean device maker's "Mobile Unpacked" event title implies that Android phones will steal the show, so it's unlikely that we'll see an updated Tab or two. We have 24 hours and change to find out for sure, however, so bookmark this page to stay abreast of the news as it happens in our liveblog. The show kicks off at 2PM ET tomorrow (7PM local time in London) -- you'll find your local time translation just below. March 7, 2012 2:00 PM ESTContinue reading Samsung unpacks the Galaxy tomorrow, we'll be liveblogging the London event right here!Samsung unpacks the Galaxy tomorrow, we'll be liveblogging the London event right here! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google Play adds carrier billing for music, movies and books

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Google Play adds carrier billing for music, movies and books


Google Play adds carrier billing for music, movies and books
Don't feel like having media purchased through Google Play billed directly to your credit card? Well, now you can have those charges simply added to your monthly phone bill, provided you're on T-Mobile here in the US, or NTT Docomo, KDDI, or Softbank in Japan. According to Google's posting about the move, Sprint will soon be offering the option to pay for movies, books and movies purchased through Big G's market along side your voice and data plan. For T-Mobile subscribers that means both apps and content can simply be added to your tab, while AT&T is sticking with carrier billing for apps only at the moment. Conspicuously absent from the whole shebang, however, is Verizon, which has been one of the more prominent Android pushers here in the US. For a complete list of carriers with at least some direct billing features check out the more coverage link.Google Play adds carrier billing for music, movies and books originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Google Play (Google+) | Email this | Comments

Verizon's HomeFusion LTE to the home now available nationwide

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Verizon's HomeFusion LTE to the home now available nationwide


Verizon's HomeFusion LTE to the home now available nationwide
Verizon is trying to put the final nail in the coffin of its DSL service. Of course, that's still a long way off but, for those outside of reach of its FiOS tentacles, Big Red is pushing HomeFusion. The LTE to the home solution, which started rolling out in early March, is now available nationwide... provided your definition of "nationwide" jibes with Verizon's. Still, with a claimed two-thirds of the US population covered by 230 distinct 4G markets, VZW is hoping to expand its residential broadband footprint without running those costly and ugly wires. The five to 12 Mbps down, and two to five Mbps up speeds aren't going to beat a fiber to the home connection, but it should run circles around your average DSL line. One thing it wont do, though, is save you money. With plans starting at $60 a month for 10GB of data and climbing to $120 for 30GB (not to mention the $10 per GB overage fees) HomeFusion isn't exactly a bargain. For more info check out the PR after the break.Continue reading Verizon's HomeFusion LTE to the home now available nationwideVerizon's HomeFusion LTE to the home now available nationwide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

The Distro Interview: MSI Senior Vice President and co-founder, Jeans Huang

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

The Distro Interview: MSI Senior Vice President and co-founder, Jeans Huang


The Distro Interview: MSI Senior Vice President and co-founder, Jeans Huang
The MSI brand should be no stranger to connoisseurs of desktop motherboards, graphics cards and gaming laptops, but did you know that this Taiwanese company started off as a computer terminal maker 26 years ago? To find out more, we sat down with the very likable Senior Vice President (R&D Division) Jeans Huang. Read on to hear the co-founder's interesting story on how MSI was formed by five ex-Sony engineers, his frank reason behind MSI's reluctance to enter the smartphone market, and his thoughts on 3D display on the PC.Continue reading The Distro Interview: MSI Senior Vice President and co-founder, Jeans HuangThe Distro Interview: MSI Senior Vice President and co-founder, Jeans Huang originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

It's back! Amazon's $139 refurbished Kindle Fire deal returns for one more day

Posted: 02 May 2012 11:23 AM PDT

It's back! Amazon's $139 refurbished Kindle Fire deal returns for one more day


It's back! Amazon's $139 refurbished Kindle Fire deal returns for one more day
Did you miss late March's $139 Amazon Gold Box Deal on the refurbed Kindle Fire? Well, the retailer is giving you another chance, bringing back the deal for today (May 5th). It's the same discount as the last go-around -- namely, $30 off the standard price for the refurbished Fire -- and Amazon still certifies and reseals it. It's even throwing in a one-year warranty for good measure. Also like last time around, there's a limit of five discounted Fires per customer, so don't get too grabby.It's back! Amazon's $139 refurbished Kindle Fire deal returns for one more day originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Police | | Email this | Comments

Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board

Posted: 02 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board


Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board
In case those RX receivers we saw last month weren't powerful enough for you, Yamaha's unleashing a couple of new beasts that may just meet all of your home entertainment demands. Similar to its V573 and V473 siblings, the RX-V773WA and RX-V673 are AirPlay-friendly and pack a 4K passthrough feature -- though, these also carry some PT action in 3D. Save for the YWA-10 WiFi adapter and an aluminum front panel on the V773WA, both newcomers are sporting identical traits. Among these are 7.2 channel audio, an enhanced YPAO calibration system, seven "intelligent" assignable amplifiers, six HDMI ports on each unit and an ECO mode to help reduce power usage. As far as pricing, you'll have to shell out $849.95 for the higher-end RX-V773WA and $649.95 for the RX-V673 when they hit shelves in June and later this month, respectively.Continue reading Yamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on boardYamaha outs RX-V773WA, RX-V673 receivers: AirPlay and 4K / 3D passthrough on board originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Yamaha | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile officially adds Prism to its budget lineup on May 6th for $20

Posted: 02 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

T-Mobile officially adds Prism to its budget lineup on May 6th for $20


T-Mobile officially adds Prism to its budget lineup on May 6th for $20
No surprise here, but T-Mobile has been prepping a low-end Android phone called the Prism for quite some time now, and it's finally time for the little guy to make its official debut. With a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3.2MP fixed-focus camera and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), it won't be the stuff dreams are made of. The CPU is also unspecified, which leads us to believe that T-Mo is leaving it out of the talking points for a reason -- yesterday's leak indicated that we can expect it to be 600MHz. That said, plenty of potential buyers wanting an inexpensive smartphone may be easily persuaded by its $20 price on contract (with a $50 mail-in rebate) or $150 without any sort of commitment. The Huawei-made Prism will make its first appearance at Best Buy on May 6th, followed by Walmart on the 9th and official retail channels on the 23rd. We have a press release awaiting you after the break, so take a peek if it interests you.Continue reading T-Mobile officially adds Prism to its budget lineup on May 6th for $20T-Mobile officially adds Prism to its budget lineup on May 6th for $20 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming

Posted: 02 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming


Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming
Amazon has had a content development division for some time but today it's announced plans to expand from just movies to developing (and distributing, via its Instant Video service) original comedy and children's series. The new focus follows the competition like Netflix and Hulu which have both dived headlong into developing original TV show-style content that mirrors the content consumers seem to gravitate towards on streaming services. According to the press release Amazon Studios is willing to option one "promising project" per month for $10k and pay $55k to a creator if their series is selected for distribution. Submissions of 22-minute pilot scripts for comedies and 11-minute pilot scripts for children's shows are being accepted, which Amazon will either option within 45 days or the creator can choose between pulling it back and leaving it up for community feedback. There's more info at the site or in the press release after the break, but just remember: if we see any series picked up about dashingly handsome tech bloggers and the fast-paced lives they lead, we're coming for our cut.Continue reading Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streamingAmazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon Studios, AS Hollywonk blog | Email this | Comments

Look Out Pair, Cupple Is Out To Break Up This Cosy Private Sharing Party

Posted: 02 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

Look Out Pair, Cupple Is Out To Break Up This Cosy Private Sharing Party


Look Out Pair, Cupple Is Out To Break Up This Cosy Private Sharing Party
While Pair are popping champagne corks at their funding round today, they better not swig too much bubbly because tomorrow they may have to check out their rear-view mirrors. Co-founder Oleg Kostour seems to think the company's closest competitor in the 'private sharing' space is Path. He's basically wrong, but then he lives in the Valley echo chamber, so he's excused... Cupple is, frankly, at least as excellent a private sharing app for couples app which actually launched before Pair (and has an equally good name). Its had steady growth since November after being featured on the Apple in the Date Night section of the US store iTunes store (iTunes link).

Amazon outs Cloud Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac, allows easy access to y...

Posted: 02 May 2012 10:14 AM PDT

Amazon outs Cloud Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac, allows easy access to your digital wares


Amazon outs Cloud Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac, allows easy access to your digital wares
If you've been storing part of your digital library on Amazon's Cloud Drive, access to your goods just got easier. The outfit has released a desktop app for both Mac and Windows machines enabling uploads and downloads with minimal effort. For starters, you'll be able to drag and drop files via a Cloud Drive icon and you'll be a brief right-click away from sending any file or folder to the repository. Downloads from the cloud run in the background and can be paused / resumed whenever you darn well please. Dropped your connection in the heat of battle? No worries. The app manages restarts and connectivity hiccups without losing your wares. If you're already signed up, hit the source link below to fetch yours. [Thanks, Max]Amazon outs Cloud Drive desktop app for Windows and Mac, allows easy access to your digital wares originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments