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Monday, May 7, 2012

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Coda Sedan EV will be at California dealerships this week

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

Coda Sedan EV will be at California dealerships this week


Coda Sedan EV will be at California dealerships this week
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Coda Automotive Sure, Coda Automotive happily announced its first real deliveries of its all-electric Sedan two months ago, but its been quieter since then about the problems it has had with some damaged parts were shipped over from China. A new report from Automotive News says that Coda is repairing the "minor" damage to those parts and that Coda's dealership in Los Angeles should be getting ten EVs to sell by the middle of this week. From there, production and deliveries will increase, said Coda AUtomotive CEO Phil Murtaugh. While Coda assembles the Sedan in California, the bodies and powertrains are made in China. Murtaugh also said in a statement sent to AN that, "We have opted for a slow production acceleration in order to ensure flawless execution at every step of our operating system, which includes component supply from four continents, manufacturing operations at two locations in China and one location in the U.S., logistics pipeline and dealer delivery process." Coda has four dealerships, all of which have vehicles for test drives, located in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Orange County and San Diego.Coda Sedan EV will be at California dealerships this week originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012


Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012
It's the first night of action at CTIA Wireless 2012, and we're not wasting any time finding the best of what New Orleans has to offer. To start things off properly, we got some time with the Samsung Focus 2, announced by AT&T earlier this morning as the latest addition to the network's healthy Windows Phone lineup. Of course, the phone's no stranger to being in front of the cameras -- this is just the first time it's occurred without any shroud of secrecy surrounding it. So what kind of specs come with the Focus 2? The $50 handset, due out on May 20th, offers a 4-inch Super AMOLED WVGA display, a 1.4GHz CPU with unspecified RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera capable of recording 720p HD video, a VGA cam on the front and LTE connectivity. The Focus 2, without a doubt, feels completely tiny in our hands when compared to Nokia and HTC's latest Windows Phone entries. And at 4.3 ounces, it's incredibly light as well -- sadly, the device's 11.98mm thickness was a slight disappointment for us. Aside from the inclusion of LTE and a 1,750mAh user-removable battery, we're not quite sure the reasoning behind it. With that said, anything with a display smaller than 4.3 inches these days seems immensely easy to grip, regardless. When handling the phone, we couldn't help but think of the similarly-designed Galaxy Blaze 4G, as the two devices appear to have come from the same mold. Overall, this isn't a device meant for power users, and it faces some heavy competition against the Nokia Lumia 900 in price point (though the Focus 2 is slightly less expensive than the Lumia's normal subsidized cost). But for anyone who enjoys a Windows Phone with a smaller display and was disappointed in the lack of LTE connectivity on the Focus Flash, this will be the ideal handset for you. If your curiosity is getting the best of you, go below to see the full gallery. Gallery: Samsung Focus 2 hands-on Myriam Joire contributed to this hands-on.Samsung Focus 2 for AT&T hands-on at CTIA 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)


Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)
24/7 Wild The US rebroadcast of BBC's Planet Earth Live gets started tonight on National Geographic Wild, retitled 24/7 Wild. With a focus on simultaneously following many different groups and types of animals all around the world during this spring, it should bring an all new look at life for documentary fans, and some spectacular HD shots. (May 7th, 9PM, National Geographic Wild) Fringe This week on Fringe the team... ok, we're really not sure what's going on anymore. Somewhere in the twists of alternate universes and timelines we get left behind, but William Bell is back and that's probably not a good thing. Season four wraps up this week, tune in on Friday to get your last taste before the network closes things out with a short 13-episode run next season. (May 11th, 9PM, Fox)Continue reading Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th)Must See HDTV (May 7th - 13th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model


Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model
It's been a little less than a month since Toshiba unveiled its trio of Ice Cream Sandwich slates, the Excite 7.7, 10 and 13, and starting today you'll be able to grab one of these for yourself. Unlike we'd previously heard, though, Toshiba's pricing the 16GB, 10.1-inch Excite at $449.99 -- which is 50 bucks less than what we were told back when it was announced. Meanwhile, if you're looking for the more spacious 32GB and 64GB models, you'll have to drop about $530 and $650, respectively. In exchange for that cash, you'll be getting an NVIDIA Tegra 3 SoC CPU and a taste of vanilla-flavored Android 4.0, among other things. We know Toshiba's got you excited, so head over to one of the source links below to pop your order in. Otherwise you can wait until the other two slabs go on sale next month.Continue reading Toshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB modelToshiba Excite 10 ICS tablet goes on sale, prices start at $450 for 16GB model originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Toshiba, Amazon | Email this | Comments

802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking


802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking
It's hard to believe that 802.11 WiFi has only had three major revisions since it was started up 15 years ago. The IEEE must be equally surprised, as it's introducing a new 802.11-2012 standard that unites 10 technologies from various amended WiFi versions under one big tent. Among the picks are new support for 3.65 and 3.7GHz bands, to avoid clashing with 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, as well as better support for direct linking, faster cellular hand-offs, in-car networks, roaming and mesh networking. You can pay $5 to have a peek at the 2012 WiFi spec today, although we'd brace for a significant wait before smartphones and routers ship with the new 802.11 format -- we know how long it can take for a WiFi standard to become a practical reality.Continue reading 802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | 802.11-2012 (IEEE Standards Store) | Email this | Comments

Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly


Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly
When you look at the latest, greatest devices from Apple, Samsung, Motorola and the like all day, it can be easy to forget that not everyone out there is sporting a smartphone. But feature phone users have thoughts and feelings that need to be tweeted at all times, too. It's a good thing then, that Twitter's seen fit to update its mobile site to help offer a more uniform experience to users with old browsers, low bandwidth and handsets that don't quite fit under the "smart-" moniker. The new mobile site, available at mobile.twitter.com, rolls out today.Twitter makes its mobile site more feature phone friendly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Twitter | Email this | Comments

EA Shares Slip 9% In After-Hours As The Company Forecasts Losses For The Quarter

Posted: 07 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT

EA Shares Slip 9% In After-Hours As The Company Forecasts Losses For The Quarter


EA Shares Slip 9% In After-Hours As The Company Forecasts Losses For The Quarter
EA shares slipped 9.5 percent in after-hours trading to $13.70 as the company said it expected losses of 40 to 45 cents a share for the next quarter. It said it expects to make $4.1 billion for the year and will lose 16 to 36 cents a share, on a non-GAAP basis. Another piece of data that might have dragged down performance were subscriber numbers for Star Wars: The Old Republic, the title that was going to going to help it take market share away from World of Warcraft. EA said it had 1.3 million active subscribers, compared to the 1.7 million subscriber estimate analysts like Lazard's Atul Bagga had anticipated. On the positive side, EA beat earnings estimates for the quarter ending in March with $977 million in total net revenue on a non-GAAP basis. Analysts had expected net revenue of $959.6 million or 17 cents a share. One other positive is that digital revenue continues to creep up as a share of EA's overall earnings as the company transitions away from selling games like packaged, consumer goods. Digital revenue was nearly double was it was a year ago at $419 million.

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Posted: 07 May 2012 02:10 PM PDT

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET


Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It's Monday, and we're back to our regular time and day where you get to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participating in the live chat as you listen in. Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ETJoin the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (v...

Posted: 07 May 2012 02:10 PM PDT

Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)


Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)
O ye unfaithful, believe. For those of you who saw Rimac's preview of its Concept_One electric supercar and were skeptical of that claimed 2.8-second 0-62MPH time given all the leisurely putting around, the Croatian automaker has followed up with a video proving that this isn't your daddy's EV. It turns out that the 1,088HP-equivalent motor is quick enough to leave a lot of rubber on the tarmac, thank you -- both from a very enthusiastic start and from a healthy amount of drifting. This won't change the need to both drop $980,000 and get in quick on that 88-unit production run, but if you were worried that there wouldn't be a torch-bearer for high-speed EVs during the Tesla Roadster's hiatus, Rimac just put that anxiety to bed.Continue reading Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video)Rimac quells Concept_One doubters, shows its EV supercar's pedal to the metal (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half

Posted: 07 May 2012 02:10 PM PDT

HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half


HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half
Not to be derailed by the "restricted" bootloader found on its US variant, One X users elsewhere can now potter around kernel version 2.6.39 and its unlocked bootloader. It's the latest release from HTC Dev, which now houses bootloaders for phones as far old as the venerable Dream, and means that the official channel has caught up with its eager modding community. Well, it's just a couple of months late. Those looking to load their boots can hit up the source below.HTC One X spills its source code, but only for the quad-core half originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android Community | HTC Dev | Email this | Comments

Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800


Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, Tesla Motors, EVS Announced almost two years ago, Toyota finally gave us some more details about the was the all-electric RAV4 EV will be sold to the general public during the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles today. The important number? The MSRP for what Toyota calls a "fully-equipped" RAV4 EV is $49,800 and will be available before the end of the year. Toyota says the RAV4 EV's range is 100 miles and that the car will charge from empty in approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The new RAV4 EV has LED and halogen headlights and it has special "environmental blue" color emblems on the outside. The vehicle will be made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., plant in Woodstock, Ontario. The first generation of the new RAV4 EV was unveiled back at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Our First Drive report is here. With a battery and powertrain designed by Tesla, the new RAV4 EV certainly appears to be one of the new breed of compliance EVs. We had heard that the RAV4 EV will be lease only, but the official press release says the car "will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets." Those markets are Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego and the news matches the rumor we heard last year, that sales about be limited to California. In all, Toyota hopes to sell just 2,600 units in the next three years. Nissan Leaf, you've got nothing to worry about.Continue reading Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800Toyota RAV4 EV priced at $49,800 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Join us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Join us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET


Join us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET
Ain't no party like Genachowski party, cause a Genachowski party don't stop. So long as you've got the spectrum and bandwidth to keep your your Niki and the Dove Pandora station bumpin'. The festivities here at CTIA Wireless 2012 in New Orleans are already underway, unofficially, but the true fun really kicks off tomorrow with a keynote from FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. The event will also feature appearances from Gary Flood of MasterCard, Joe Kennedy (the president of Pandora) and Cellcom CEO Patrick Riordan. What's the topic du jour? You'll just have to check back here at the time listed below to find out. May 8, 2012 10:30 AM EDTJoin us for FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's CTIA keynote tomorrow at 10:30AM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk


Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk
It's inspired artwork, sketch shows and even a Pomplamoose cover, but flinging feathery fowl is ultimately a serious business. Rovio has announced that in 2011, it made a huge $106.3 million turnover and a whopping $67.6 million in profit (before tax). Fueled by the success of Angry Birds, Seasons and Rio, the company grew by a factor of eight in the last year, from 28 employees all the way to 224. The company adds that the three games were downloaded 648 million times and are now used by 200 million daily users, while sales of merchandise contributed to around 30 percent of the total revenue. The report adds that the only barrier to future profits is if people stop buying new smartphones, but we're not sure that's likely to be the case for a while.Continue reading Rovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawkRovio makes a Mighty Eagle's $68 million in profit in financial squawk originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Alau.me Wants To Fix iOS Marketing With Bit.ly-Like Links And More

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Alau.me Wants To Fix iOS Marketing With Bit.ly-Like Links And More


Alau.me Wants To Fix iOS Marketing With Bit.ly-Like Links And More
People are always complaining about the difficulty of getting found in the Apple App Store. A new startup called Alau.me (pronounced "allow me") is trying to tackle the problem through a app referral tracking. Co-founder Brian Sabino says the team has built iOS apps itself, and it found that the current app advertising and promotional system is broken for most developers, with the cost of a download often exceeding the revenue or value that it might bring to the company. So it's time for developers to start exploring other promotional channels, with help from Alau.me.

We're live from CTIA 2012!

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

We're live from CTIA 2012!


We're live from CTIA 2012!
The International CTIA Wireless show is a magnificent showcase of the best in the mobile industry every spring, and we've got a full team of editors ready to scour the show floor in the hopes of finding some precious gems. Unlike last year, we won't expect the show to be mired by news of major acquisitions, but we're still anxious to see what goodies await us here in New Orleans. Are you as excited as us? Stay tuned right here for the latest and greatest! Tip: check out our CTIA Wireless 2012 event hub and our CTIAwireless2012 tag for all of the action. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.We're live from CTIA 2012! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mob...

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:59 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line up


Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line up
If you live north of the 49th parallel, you're no doubt frustrated that Samsung teased a summer launch for the Galaxy S III in North America but made no initial mention of its Canadian plans. Don't fret, as virtually every Canadian carrier and its mother has now pledged to carry the giant Android 4.0 smartphone while you're on your summer vacation -- the first carrier commitments in North America that we've seen. Bell, Rogers, Telus, Virgin Mobile and Wind Mobile have all stepped up as national providers, while regional carriers such as SaskTel and Videotron have also signed on. The Galaxy S III is a special milestone for Virgin, as it's the first 4G LTE phone on the Bell-run budget network. We're still waiting for Mobilicity and other cellular services to hop on the Galaxy S III bandwagon, and details like pricing and exact ship dates are still elusive, but odds are that Canucks will have a wide choice of carriers when the 4.8-inch flagship hits stores.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line upSamsung Galaxy S III gets a Canadian girlfriend as Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile line up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

iOS 5.1.1 Update Addresses Bugs With Camera Shortcut, AirPlay, And Network Conne...

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:58 PM PDT

iOS 5.1.1 Update Addresses Bugs With Camera Shortcut, AirPlay, And Network Connections


iOS 5.1.1 Update Addresses Bugs With Camera Shortcut, AirPlay, And Network Connections
Plug in your iDevices people, because Apple just released an update. It's a minor one, to be sure, but brings about some rather helpful bug fixes. Most notably, you should no longer receive the "Unable To Purchase" message when buying digital content from the iTunes or App Store.

Cadillac ATS Priced at $33,990

Posted: 07 May 2012 12:58 PM PDT

Cadillac ATS Priced at $33,990


Cadillac ATS Priced at $33,990
Engines range from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder to a 3.6-liter V6.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Posted: 07 May 2012 11:40 AM PDT

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco


2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, In The AutoblogGreen GarageMild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat. We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when cre...

Posted: 07 May 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flake


Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flake
Kickstarter has proven an incredibly effective venue for connecting project creators with monetary support -- inventors pitch directly to consumers, indie filmmakers meet indie producers and food trucks get the financial push necessary to take their restaurants to the road. With the latter two, backers don't necessarily expect goods in return, save for an overvalued t-shirt, bumper sticker or film credit. When it comes to electronics, however, funders are often promised a first-off-the-line gadget -- one that may never arrive at their door. One oft-overlooked, yet critical detail should help curb expectations, while also serving to filter out pledges that are motivated by the pre-order promise, from those that offer financial support without a guaranteed return. Like it or not, all transactions fall into that second category. Pre-order offers may go unfulfilled, and some pledges may be reduced to donations, if a project creator ends up unable to deliver an item as intended. And such situations may not prompt a refund, souring the experience for an increasing number of hopeful device owners. Join us past the break for an explanation from the Kickstarter team, and a closer look at some recent examples.Continue reading Kickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flakeKickstarter talks to us about product 'pre-orders,' won't force refunds when creators flake originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012

Posted: 07 May 2012 11:40 AM PDT

Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012



Engadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012
We're back, and we have opinions. Strong ones. Veer into the rim of our ga1aXy for a glimpse of what's now and what's next in mobile.Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen, Joseph VolpeGuest: Mat SmithProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) 00:02:15 - Samsung Galaxy S III preview: hands-on with the next Android superphone (video) 00:11:20 - Samsung Galaxy S III vs. rival flagships: iPhone 4S, HTC One X, Lumia 900 00:15:06 - Samsung Galaxy S III software impressions (video) 00:43:15 - HTC One X for AT&T review 00:58:17 - BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha hands-on 01:00:30 - BlackBerry 10 dev alpha unit unveiled: 4.2-inch screen, 1280 x 768 resolution 01:04:00 - RIM shows off BlackBerry 10 touch keyboard with gesture support 01:08:00 - RIM demos simple app switching in BlackBerry 10, slide to reveal 01:10:40 - Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind? (Update: Yes) 01:14:50 - LG announces Optimus LTE2, coming to Korea mid-May with True HD IPS and 2GB RAM Hear the podcastSubscribe 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 MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.Follow us on Twitter@tnkgrl @phonewisdom @jrvolpe @engadgetmobile @thatmatsmithFiled under: PodcastsEngadget Mobile Podcast 136 - 05.07.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Study: Our Smartphones Are Turning Us Into “Real-Time Information Seekers And Pr...

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Study: Our Smartphones Are Turning Us Into "Real-Time Information Seekers And Problem Solvers"


Study: Our Smartphones Are Turning Us Into "Real-Time Information Seekers And Problem Solvers"
Do you regularly use your cell phone to coordinate meetings, solve an unexpected problem, decide which restaurant to eat at, look up the score of a sporting event, check traffic, call help in an emergency situation or find information to help settle an argument? These activities make you a "just-in-time" cell user according to the latest study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. According to this report, 70% of all cell phone owners in the U.S. and 86% of smartphone owners have used their phones to perform at least one of these activities over the last 30 days.

Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay a...

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs


Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs
Plugged your iDevice into an iTunes-equipped machine lately? You should. Apple has just let loose iOS 5.1.1, a seemingly minor point update that actually promises to fix quite a few (potentially) substantial quirks. Coming two months to the day after the iOS 5.1 software update, the extra 0.0.1 is said to improve reliability of the HDR option for photos taken using the Lock Screen shortcut, address bugs that could prevent the new iPad from switching between 2G and 3G networks and solve a few issues that were affecting AirPlay video playback "in some circumstances." There's also improved reliability for syncing Safari bookmarks and Reading List, and Apple has purportedly fixed an issue where 'Unable to purchase' alert could be displayed after successful purchase. Sucked the update down yourself? Let us know how it goes in comments below, and peek the full changelog just after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Apple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugsApple releases iOS 5.1.1 update for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone: fixes AirPlay and network bugs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Technobolt | Apple | Email this | Comments

Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones


Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones
Pilots aren't the only ones updating their workflows with modern technology. Amtrak conductors have been getting schooled on how to use iPhones to scan passenger tickets on select routes since November -- forcing hole punches to collect dust on a lonely shelf at the station. By the latter part of this summer, 1,700 conductors will be using the aforementioned smartphones on the outfit's trains throughout the US which allows them to track passengers with more ease than manual ticketing. The $7.5 million system affords passengers the choice of printing the tickets or loading a bar code on their smartphone of choice before getting the iPhone's scan. Inside the dedicated app, riders can book and modify reservations easily without having to worry with a refund from an agent first. There's only one small hiccup: currently Amtrak's app is only available for iPhones. But, the government-owned corporation says that an Android release is in the hopper and should see daylight this fall. For now, non-iOS users must load their tickets though a mobile site in order to save a tree or two.Amtrak readies conductors to trade in their hole punchers for iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | New York Times | Email this | Comments

The Quiet Mobile Gaming Giant: Storm8 Passes 300M Downloads, Has Reached 100M Un...

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

The Quiet Mobile Gaming Giant: Storm8 Passes 300M Downloads, Has Reached 100M Unique Devices


The Quiet Mobile Gaming Giant: Storm8 Passes 300M Downloads, Has Reached 100M Unique Devices
While it seems like mobile gaming companies are getting acquired left and right this spring, there are still plenty that are staying independent and doing just fine. Storm8, which is totally bootstrapped and was founded by Facebook alums, is one of them. The Redwood Shores-based company is saying that it has passed 300 million downloads and that its network of games reaches 100 million devices. CEO Perry Tam believes this means they reach 1 out of every 5 iOS and Android users (assuming 500 million devices sold or activated to date, which is pretty consistent with the numbers Google and Apple have shared so far). Storm8 declined to share anything about its daily active usage numbers. "The company is profitable and we can stand on our own feet and sustain growth," said chief executive Perry Tam in an interview. He plans to double Storm8's headcount to 240 people by year-end.

Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still...

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one


Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one
Deflated. Disappointed. Let down. Unsurprised. All of those emotions ran through my being at one point or another following Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments regarding "converged" devices, but if anything, his denial has made me all the more hungry for this particular device. For months -- heck, maybe even years -- I've waited for Sir Jonathan Paul Ive and co. to finally nail the concept of a laptop / tablet hybrid. In many ways, Apple managed to get right on a smartphone in 2007 what I felt was wrong holding a BlackBerry. I still think the iPad's screen is about 2.7-inches too large for my own personal tastes, but the world at large has affirmed that it nailed that design, too. Oh, and the MacBook Air? C'mon -- we all know it's the thin-and-light you always wanted, and given that it'll run Windows with poise, it's arguably the sexiest Windows laptop currently on the market. The point? Apple has waited for companies to flounder about with certain designs before, all while perfecting its own take for a future release. Windows-based tablets were flooding out in the early noughties, and believe it or not, Toshiba was already giving the tablet / laptop hybrid thing a whirl in 2003 with the Portege 3500. Apple waited over half a decade to usher in the iPad, and the rest -- as they say -- is history. The iPhone followed a similar path; companies came before it and did their best to produced pleasing, long-lasting, highly usable smartphones, but the iPhone completely changed the trajectory of everything that came after. Love it or hate it, it's hard to imagine a 2012 with Windows Phone in it had Apple not pinned Windows Mobile in a corner back in '07. So, if Apple has shown an ability to thrive with designs that others have experimented with, why is the "converged" laptop / tablet a nonstarter?Continue reading Editorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want oneEditorial: Apple isn't making a 'converged' laptop / tablet hybrid, but I still want one originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Chrysler Recalls 119,000 Vehicles

Posted: 07 May 2012 10:48 AM PDT

Chrysler Recalls 119,000 Vehicles


Chrysler Recalls 119,000 Vehicles
Some Dodge Charger and 300 models may lose ABS and stability control.

Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold s...

Posted: 07 May 2012 09:57 AM PDT

Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required


Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required
Whoa, Nelly! As rumored, Microsoft is indeed shattering the home console pricing paradigm by trying something that US wireless carriers have been doing for years. As of now, the official Microsoft Store is hosting up a coupon that'll enable prospective Xbox buyers to snag a 4GB console bundle for just $99... so long as you agree to pay $14.99 per month for two solid years. That monthly fee -- which amounts to some $360 over the 24 month term -- gets you on the Xbox Live network with a Gold subscription, but remember, Microsoft's maintaining the ability to "terminate this offer at any time." Looking to score one yourself? Hit the source link and visit that "Find a store" icon; hopefully there's a B&M Microsoft Store near your neck of the woods. Update: In case you're curious, yes, early termination fees will apply if you cut out of your two-year deal early. It's a prorated affair, with users asked to pay less the longer they maintain the contract. Those who part ways after only a month will have to pay $250, while those who cancel with just a month remaining will owe $12. The full schedule is shown after the break.Continue reading Microsoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription requiredMicrosoft officially offering Xbox 360 4GB console for $99, two-year Live Gold subscription required originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | Microsoft, Contract Terms | Email this | Comments

PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted...

Posted: 07 May 2012 09:57 AM PDT

PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly


PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly
In case you took a pass on that Sprint-branded GNex or the LG Viper 4G in order to wait it out for HTC's EVO 4G LTE, well, now's the time to get your wallet ready and unleash the cash. As promised, The Now Network has the LTE-friendly EVO priced at $199.99 (50 bucks less on Wirefly) with a beloved two-year contract, while those ineligible for an upgrade will have to shell out around $550. That being said, chances are you won't get to surf those Long Term Evolution waves when you get device, but at least you'll be all set once the rollout finally commences. While Sprint's yet to give an official release date, Wirefly (somewhat reliable in the past) does say the ICS / Sense 4 slab will be shipping on May 18th. Be sure to hit either of the source links below to get your pre-order on. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading PSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at WireflyPSA: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE up for pre-order today, May 18th release date hinted at Wirefly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sprint, Wirefly | Email this | Comments

Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield

Posted: 07 May 2012 09:56 AM PDT

Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield


Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield
Clarion is primarily known for its aftermarket car audio and navigation solutions, but it's increasingly moving into the realm of smartphone integration. Looking to court iPhone users who'd appreciate the connectivity and convenience of Pioneer's AppRadio, but don't care to fuss with the installation, Clarion's Next Gate can be easily mounted to one's windshield. It offers access to popular apps such as TuneIn and Pandora, along with navigation, hands-free calling and voice-dialing functionality. Scarily enough, users will even be able to access Facebook and Twitter via the voice-activated Vlingo app -- please, just promise to keep your focus on the road. The display itself is a 7-inch, WVGA affair, and as you'd expect, the unit is powered by the vehicle's 12 volt accessory jack -- otherwise known as the cigarette lighter receptacle. Similarly, the Next Gate connects to the iPhone via Apple's dock connector, which means that users will need to manage a bit of cable clutter. All in all, the Clarion Next Gate could certainly be a compelling solution for some, and its $270 price is within the realm of reason. While we're a bit concerned about what it entails for driving distractions, the unit shouldn't be any worse of a diversion than the ol' smartphone itself. In fact, we're most disappointed that there's no support for Android. Those in the privileged iPhone community will be able to purchase the Next Gate as of June 1st, and you'll find the full PR after the break.Continue reading Clarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshieldClarion Next Gate brings iPhone apps (and distractions) to your windshield originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments