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Monday, May 14, 2012

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Lenovo LePhone S899t with ICS reportedly in the works for China Mobile

Posted: 14 May 2012 02:15 PM PDT

Lenovo LePhone S899t with ICS reportedly in the works for China Mobile


Lenovo LePhone S899t with ICS reportedly in the works for China Mobile
According to a recent leak on Chinese site PConline, Lenovo's reportedly working on an Ice Cream Sandwich slab with China Mobile said to be on the receiving end of the delivery. Currently known as the LePhone S899t, this handset's allegedly friendly with the carrier's TD-SDCMA 3G network, while it's also said to feature a dual-core, NovaThor U8500 CPU, a 4.5-inch, IPS display for all viewing pleasures and, as stated earlier, it runs flavor of Google's latest OS. Aside from the purported specs, Lenovo's LePhone S899t is expected to be priced at a mere 1,299 yuan (around $200) once China Mobile makes the device official (no word on when that'll be). Either way, it's not like Lenovo's giving you a shortage of options.Lenovo LePhone S899t with ICS reportedly in the works for China Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink UnwiredView | PConline | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile gives HTC Sensation 4G users an Ice Cream Sandwich treat on May 16, Ama...

Posted: 14 May 2012 02:14 PM PDT

T-Mobile gives HTC Sensation 4G users an Ice Cream Sandwich treat on May 16, Amaze 4G within weeks


T-Mobile gives HTC Sensation 4G users an Ice Cream Sandwich treat on May 16, Amaze 4G within weeks
T-Mobile subscribers waiting on pins and needles for the day their HTC Sensation 4G or Amaze 4G will get its Android 4.0 update don't have to sit so uncomfortably for much longer: the carrier has just narrowed down the timetables considerably. The first wave of owners will get its Ice Cream Sandwich just desserts on May 16th, when Sensation 4G owners can push Android 4.0.3 to their dual-core 2011 flagships. Amaze 4G users have a looser timeframe of the "coming weeks" to dig in. Either circumstance will see HTC slap on Sense 3.6 like it has with other pre-2012 device updates, so don't expect a full One S-like Sense 4.0 experience. Do, however, expect to pay an extra $15 per month for hotspot support on the Sensation 4G if you've been sharing your service on the cheap before -- it'll be required for sharing data with Android 4.0 and up.T-Mobile gives HTC Sensation 4G users an Ice Cream Sandwich treat on May 16, Amaze 4G within weeks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | T-Mobile (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version

Posted: 14 May 2012 02:14 PM PDT

AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version


AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version
In a relatively strange fashion, AT&T's quietly pulled the plug on its U-verse kit for the Xbox 360 -- at least for the time being. According to a note on its own site, the company's taking some time to focus on "improving and enhancing" its U-verse bundle. This is probably a reference to the updated app (that would also require XBL Gold) AT&T promised for the new dashboard with Kinect support and a new UI, but has yet to deliver. As Multichannel points out, earlier last week Netflix had filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming that AT&T's U-verse on Xbox violated network neutrality regulations -- though, it's unclear whether this had anything to do with the outfit's decision to suspend the service. AT&T has said the set-top kit won't "be available until the new enhancements and functionality are added," so we'd recommend not holding your breath for too long.AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear, Multichannel | AT&T | Email this | Comments

Fisker says expert's theory on garage blaze is incorrect

Posted: 14 May 2012 01:38 PM PDT

Fisker says expert's theory on garage blaze is incorrect


Fisker says expert's theory on garage blaze is incorrect
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, USA, Fisker "Our technologies and engine design have been fully tested and certified at the highest level. It is irresponsible and ill-informed for technology pundits to suggest otherwise in order to secure media attention for unfounded claims." So says Paul Boskovitch, director of powertrain at Fisker, in response to reports that the Karma's tight engine bay packaging may be the reason one car was blamed for a garage fire in Texas. Those statements have been attributed to Jon Bereisa, CEO of Auto Lectrification. Lending credence to the theory is the fact that Bereisa formerly served as chief engineer for the General Motors EV1 and systems architect for the Chevrolet Volt. While Bereisa isn't exactly what we'd call an 'ill-informed technology pundit', Fisker has provided an in-depth defense of its Karma sedan in a statement provided to Automotive News. You can read more about it here, but the gist is that the car has been thoroughly tested and engineered not to bust into flames - as you might expect of any new car - and that it has been "fully tested and certified at the highest level." In any case, we're willing to wage a significant sum that we'll be hearing more from all sides of the argument in due time.Fisker says expert's theory on garage blaze is incorrect originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs

Posted: 14 May 2012 01:37 PM PDT

Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs


Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs
Twitter hasn't wasted any time in making good on its Summify acquisition. Not even half a year after the ink has dried, you can now opt to get a curated summary of the "most relevant Tweets" and linked stories sent to your email inbox. The layout borrows more than a few cues from the new Discover tab and will let you respond from the email message itself, although we can imagine friends being slightly irked at reviving a conversation that was so very three days ago. Even so, once the option has rolled out to everyone within the space of a few weeks, it'll be an easier way to keep up on one Mr. Bieber's Twitter adventures without others' pesky life events and politics getting in the way.Twitter now sending email summaries, will keep weekly tabs on the Biebs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Twitter | Email this | Comments

ZeroN slips surly bonds, re-runs your 3D gestures in mid-air

Posted: 14 May 2012 01:37 PM PDT

ZeroN slips surly bonds, re-runs your 3D gestures in mid-air


ZeroN slips surly bonds, re-runs your 3D gestures in mid-air
Playback of 3D motion capture with a computer is nothing new, but how about with a solid levitating object? MIT's Media Lab has developed ZeroN, a large magnet and 3D actuator, which can fly an "interaction element" (aka ball bearing) and control its position in space. You can also bump it to and fro yourself, with everything scanned and recorded, and then have real-life, gravity-defying playback showing planetary motion or virtual cameras, for example. It might be impractical right now as a Minority Report-type object-based input device, but check the video after the break to see its awesome potential for 3D visualization.Continue reading ZeroN slips surly bonds, re-runs your 3D gestures in mid-airZeroN slips surly bonds, re-runs your 3D gestures in mid-air originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 16:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Jinha Lee | Email this | Comments

MINI JCW GP Special Edition Announced

Posted: 14 May 2012 01:37 PM PDT

MINI JCW GP Special Edition Announced


MINI JCW GP Special Edition Announced
John Cooper Works will produce 2,000 of the 200-plus-hp MINIs in 2012.

Wholesale Wireless Service Provider LightSquared Files For Bankruptcy

Posted: 14 May 2012 01:37 PM PDT

Wholesale Wireless Service Provider LightSquared Files For Bankruptcy


Wholesale Wireless Service Provider LightSquared Files For Bankruptcy
Thing have looked grim for upstart wireless service provider LightSquared ever since the FCC officially withdrew their conditional approval to build out the terrestrial part of their LTE network, and now it seems like it may all come to an end. After the demise of their partnership with Sprint, the resignation of CEO Sanjiv Ahuja, and the laying off of nearly 45% of their employees, Bloomberg reports that the Virginia-based company has just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today.

Report: Amazon planning front-lit Kindle e-reader for July, new tablet later thi...

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:54 PM PDT

Report: Amazon planning front-lit Kindle e-reader for July, new tablet later this year


Report: Amazon planning front-lit Kindle e-reader for July, new tablet later this year
Certainly it's no great shocker that Amazon's got plans for a new e-reader and tablet later this year. Nor should anyone be particularly surprised at the prospect of a front-lit reader from the retail giant set to compete directly with the latest Nook offering. Reuters, however, claims to have some insight into both, courtesy of an anonymous source. Apparently the aforementioned reader is set for a July launch, arriving in the customary Wifi and 3G varieties. The tablet, meanwhile, is set for a release "closer to the holiday season," according to the source. Amazon, E Ink and the like naturally refused to comment on the matter.Report: Amazon planning front-lit Kindle e-reader for July, new tablet later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:53 PM PDT

New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up


New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up
Competition among US cellular carriers is about to get a bit fiercer with a fresh national network that will actively encourage using your phone rather than setting hard limits. Newcomer (and MVNO on Sprint's network) Voyager Mobile is teasing a "frequent talker program" that will give all kinds of perks for the more talkative among us: call your Aunt Ruth a lot and you'll get phone upgrades, free months of service and smaller nice-to-haves like air mileage and gift cards. That's helped by Voyager starting off at $19 a month for unlimited voice, although picking a smartphone in the early catalog will hike that to a still rather thrifty $39 for all-unlimited voice, text and WiMAX data. If you're tempted by the price and don't mind an early phone roster that focuses on mostly Android-based carryovers like the LG Optimus S, Motorola XPRT or Samsung's Conquer 4G and Epic 4G Touch, Voyager will swing the virtual doors open for some states (with more to follow) when its countdown expires on May 15th.Continue reading New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it upNew carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Voyager Mobile | Email this | Comments

Plastic Logic demoes flexible color display for e-readers (video)

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:53 PM PDT

Plastic Logic demoes flexible color display for e-readers (video)


Plastic Logic demoes flexible color display for e-readers (video)
Plastic Logic has getting by with some eastern love since last year, when RUSNANO's $700 million investment helped the e-reader maker land its Plastic Logic 100 in Russian schools. The latest fruit of that partnership is a prototype of its first flexible color e-reader display, which delivers 4,000-plus hues at a resolution of 75 ppi. The screen contains some 1.2 million plastic transistors, and it's able to bend without distorting images thanks to a filter and display that flex at the same rate. Skip past the break for a demo clip of the tech in action, appropriately featuring some Matryoshka dolls.Continue reading Plastic Logic demoes flexible color display for e-readers (video)Plastic Logic demoes flexible color display for e-readers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Digital Reader | Digit.ru | Email this | Comments

Time Warner Cable's CEO doesn't know what AirPlay is, hates set-top boxes

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Time Warner Cable's CEO doesn't know what AirPlay is, hates set-top boxes


Time Warner Cable's CEO doesn't know what AirPlay is, hates set-top boxes
While he might not be the first human to admit unfamiliarity with Apple's AirPlay, he's likely to be one of the most recognizable figures amongst the bunch. In a recent interview, Time Warner Cable's CEO, Glenn Britt, said one of the main challenges faced by digital video was the lack of simple ways to stream internet-based content to television sets. Naturally, that brought up the imminent question about Cupertino's streaming goods, to which he responded by saying "I'm not sure what AirPlay is," also adding that "the current Apple TV, the little thing, the hockey puck, really doesn't do anything to help enable you to get internet material on your TV." Furthermore, he went on to say, "I hate set-top boxes," as he believes Smart TVs are a better streaming solution compared to other bits that require additional hardware. Perhaps this explains why the TWC iOS apps are still missing out on some much-needed AirPlay action.Time Warner Cable's CEO doesn't know what AirPlay is, hates set-top boxes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 15:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink 9to5Mac | The New York Times | Email this | Comments

Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015


Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015
Canon has announced that it'll ditch human production line employees and rely entirely on robots to build its cameras. Several Japanese companies have felt the pinch thanks to the soaring value of the yen and have acted quickly to move production overseas, but Canon has resisted doing the same. Company spokesperson Jan Misumi has said that the move won't cause job losses as those employees will be moved into other parts of the organization once the switchover has been completed -- which could be as early as 2015. Now we just need to check our diaries as to when the Robopocalypse is due to begin.Canon ditching humans, cameras hand-made by robots by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink AFP (PhysOrg) | Yahoo | Email this | Comments

Adobe Muse is ready to let you design websites without the coding headaches for...

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Adobe Muse is ready to let you design websites without the coding headaches for $15 a month


Adobe Muse is ready to let you design websites without the coding headaches for $15 a month
If you've been looking to get that web project off the ground but despise the idea of coding it, Adobe's recently announced web design tool has just landed. Muse, the program that allows you to design websites without having to get your hands dirty with HTML5 is now available. The kit behaves more like a layout program (like InDesign) instead of a web publishing / programming tool, allowing those who are more design-minded to feel right at home. As you might expect, the software is available with an annual $49.99 per month Creative Cloud subscription alongside CS6 heavyweights like Photoshop and Illustrator. If Muse is all you're after, you can snag it alone for a $24.99 month-to-month fee or $14.99 for a twelve-month commitment. Need to see it in action before you open your wallet? No worries. Hit the coverage link below for a look at what the application can do.Adobe Muse is ready to let you design websites without the coding headaches for $15 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Adobe Blogs | Email this | Comments

Carroll Shelby: Motorsports Legend

Posted: 14 May 2012 12:16 PM PDT

Carroll Shelby: Motorsports Legend


Carroll Shelby: Motorsports Legend
An appreciation of one of the car world's great figures.

LightSquared officially files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:39 AM PDT

LightSquared officially files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy


LightSquared officially files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
As expected, May 14th is indeed a dark day for LightSquared. The company has just filed paperwork in order to initiate Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Manhattan's US Bankruptcy Court, effectively killing its dream of providing a high-speed mobile wireless network to upwards of 260 million people. Not quite a year after Sprint and LightSquared put together an agreement that would ensure 15 years of blissful LTE enjoyment together, Philip Falcone's baby looks weaker than ever. With the Sprint tie-up now void, and over $1.6 billion in debt, there's probably not too many places for LS to turn. The primary hurdle -- one it never could seem to overcome -- was the FCC's outright refusal to believe any of the company's mitigation proposals in relation to GPS interference issues. Despite "profoundly disagreeing" and raising all sorts of chaos in an effort to get its way, LightSquared never did manage to convince the powers that mattered. Where it turns from here is anyone's guess, but it won't be a quiet fall from grace, we're surmising.LightSquared officially files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

UnEasyshare: Kodak's now-defunct, Rochester-based nuclear reactor

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:39 AM PDT

UnEasyshare: Kodak's now-defunct, Rochester-based nuclear reactor


UnEasyshare: Kodak's now-defunct, Rochester-based nuclear reactor
Ready for this unsettling Kodak moment? It seems the one-time imaging powerhouse held a decades-long secret deep in a bunker below Building 82 on its Rochester campus. The now vacant facility, a concrete-shielded chamber built in 1974, was once home to a californium neutron flux multiplier (CFX) or, in layman's terms, a small nuclear reactor as recently as six years ago. Certainly, that's not the technology one would normally associate with an outfit built on the foundations of photography, but according to recently released documents, its three and a half pound store of enriched uranium was used primarily for neutron radiography -- an imaging technique -- and chemical purity testing. The site's long been shut down and the radioactive material in question carted off with federal oversight, but for denizens of that upstate New York territory, alarming news of the reactor's existence has only just surfaced. Before you cast Kodak the evil side eye, bear in mind post-9/11 policies forbade the company from making the whereabouts of its small reactor widely known, though earlier scientific studies did make reference to the CFX's existence. It's an eye-opening glimpse into the esoteric machinations of private industry and the deadly dangers that lurk below your feet.UnEasyshare: Kodak's now-defunct, Rochester-based nuclear reactor originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Gizmodo | Democrat and Chronicle | Email this | Comments

Fisker Responds to Fire Allegations

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:39 AM PDT

Fisker Responds to Fire Allegations


Fisker Responds to Fire Allegations
Manufacturer claims Houston house fire allegations are "unfounded."

Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year


Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors, North America A week after Tesla Motors announced it would be able to deliver the first Model S in June, a month ahead of the original July release date, the startup automaker continued the good news by announcing it will start repaying the Energy Department loans it got in 2009. The $465 million loan was part of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program meant to encourage the creation jobs and cars using little or no fossil fuels. Fisker, Ford and Nissan were also participants receiving loans under the program. As of March, 2012, Tesla reported having $104.5 million left of the loan, which is expected to be spent before the fourth quarter begins. Payments on the half-billion loan will begin in December. "We are delivering on the milestones, what we've committed to," said Tesla Chief Financial Officer Deepak Ahuja in an interview with Bloomberg. "Once we are delivering customer cars, then that signifies completion of the project." With the first Model S delivery taking place soon, Tesla is also focusing on its retail strategy. In charge of sales and ownership is former Apple executive George Blankenship. His plan for Tesla is to have only company-owned stores where well-trained company reps will interact with customers. Actual sales will take place online, not on the sales floor. Employees will not get a commission on sales, which should help tone down the usual hard-sale tactics of car salespeople. "It takes the whole not-selling-the-car process to another level," Blankenship told Automotive News. "We're telling customers, 'I can't sell you a car today if I wanted to.'"Tesla will start repaying loans by end of this year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple gets another bite, wins appeal to pursue preliminary injunction against Sa...

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Apple gets another bite, wins appeal to pursue preliminary injunction against Samsung


Apple gets another bite, wins appeal to pursue preliminary injunction against Samsung
We'll forgive you if you've forgotten, given the myriad Apple/Samsung legal shenanigans, but back in Februrary, Apple attempted to obtain a preliminary injunction against Samsung to prevent the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and a few phones from being sold in the US. Samsung emerged victorious, as the district court denied Cupertino's request because it questioned the validity of a couple of Apple's patents and didn't see how Apple would be irreparably harmed if it failed to get Sammy's products banned. Naturally, Tim Cook's crew appealed that decision, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) has decided to give Apple another crack at obtaining an injunction. The CAFC upheld the lower court's ruling as to three of the four patents, but found fault with the District Court's holding that Apple's tablet design patent had substantial questions of validity. Essentially, the lower court held that Apple's patent was likely no good because it was an obvious design in light of two tablets that were created long before Apple patented the iPad's look. However, the CAFC found that one of the previous slate's asymmetrical bezel and lack of an unbroken, all-glass surface (among other differences) were sufficient to render Apple's patent non-obvious. Basically, the appellate court found that the District court "construed the claimed design too broadly," and remanded the issue so that the district court could complete its preliminary injunction analysis. So, Apple's cleared a big hurdle towards getting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 off the US market, but the company's still got to persuade Judge Koh that it'll be irreparably harmed without the injunction. This decision assures even longer legal proceedings, but given how well both of these tech titans are doing these days, we're pretty sure they can afford the attorneys' fees.Apple gets another bite, wins appeal to pursue preliminary injunction against Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wall Street Journal | CAFC ruling (PDF) | Email this | Comments

NVIDIA, Intellectual Ventures partner to acquire 4G patents from IPWireless

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

NVIDIA, Intellectual Ventures partner to acquire 4G patents from IPWireless


NVIDIA, Intellectual Ventures partner to acquire 4G patents from IPWireless
It's hard to read the word 'patent' and not leap immediately to 'infringement,' given the tech industry's recent track record. But in this rare case, access to that oft-contested IP is being spread like love -- very expensive love. Under the terms of a joint agreement, NVIDIA and Intellectual Ventures have acquired nearly 500 patents from IPWireless, some of which pertain to essential tech for LTE, LTE-Advanced and 3G / 4G, bolstering the duo's inroads into the mobile space. Though the exact financials weren't disclosed, IPWireless will retain the right to utilize that portfolio royalty-free for as long as it chooses, while NVIDIA will have to license whatever patents it didn't acquire from its partner. With official word of LTE Tegra 3 chips being pushed off into 2013, this latest business handshake's paving the way for an uncontested market debut. Check out the official PR after the break.Continue reading NVIDIA, Intellectual Ventures partner to acquire 4G patents from IPWirelessNVIDIA, Intellectual Ventures partner to acquire 4G patents from IPWireless originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Droid RAZR Maxx Cut To $199 At Verizon Wireless, Source Says RAZR Price Cut To F...

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Droid RAZR Maxx Cut To $199 At Verizon Wireless, Source Says RAZR Price Cut To Follow


Droid RAZR Maxx Cut To $199 At Verizon Wireless, Source Says RAZR Price Cut To Follow
Watch out for falling prices! Verizon Wireless just cut the price of the RAZR Maxx to an attractive $199. That puts it on par with the iPhone 4S and Galaxy Nexus, making the 32GB iPhone 4S and BlackBerry Bold 9930 as Verizon's only phones north of $199. Interestingly enough, even though the standard-strength RAZR was on sale for $99 the last two weeks, Verizon Wireless actually raised the price back to its MSRP of $199. However, that might be changing rather quickly according to our sources.

Microsoft to offer $15 Windows 8 upgrade, when you buy a Win7 PC

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Microsoft to offer $15 Windows 8 upgrade, when you buy a Win7 PC


Microsoft to offer $15 Windows 8 upgrade, when you buy a Win7 PC
In need of a new computer, but holding out because you don't want to be saddled with a last-gen OS when Windows 8 lands? Worry not potential consumers, Microsoft plans to offer a cheap upgrade path to its latest and greatest if you buy in now. Well, not now, but soon. Starting June 2nd Redmond will offer a $15 upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro. Mary Jo Foley first reported the deal last week, but wasn't able to put a price on the offer. Now, Paul Thurrott is filling in those blanks. For $14.99 any new PC purchaser will be insured against the coming Metro revolution. This is hardly a new tactic for Microsoft, which has used similar deals to try and stave off steep drops in computer sales as the release of a new OS approaches. The only question we have left is, why the push to Pro? Though, far be it for us to look a gift horse in the mouth.Microsoft to offer $15 Windows 8 upgrade, when you buy a Win7 PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TNW | Paul Thurrott | Email this | Comments

Goodbye, Exynos: Benchmark Points To Dual-Core Processor For Verizon’s Galaxy S III

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Goodbye, Exynos: Benchmark Points To Dual-Core Processor For Verizon's Galaxy S III


Goodbye, Exynos: Benchmark Points To Dual-Core Processor For Verizon's Galaxy S III
Samsung confirmed well in advance of the Galaxy S III's official announcement that their new flagship Android handset would sport the company's new Exynos 4 Quad chipset, but it seems even clearer now that we Stateside phone geeks may have to live without it. Droid-Life reported over the weekend that a benchmark entry for the Verizon-bound Samsung SCH-i535 appeared on Nenamark, and it seems to confirm rumors that Big Red's Galaxy S III will indeed sport a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor.

ITU: There Are Now Over 1 Billion Users Of Social Media Worldwide, Most On Mobile

Posted: 14 May 2012 11:02 AM PDT

ITU: There Are Now Over 1 Billion Users Of Social Media Worldwide, Most On Mobile


ITU: There Are Now Over 1 Billion Users Of Social Media Worldwide, Most On Mobile
What does it mean when Facebook says it has 901 million monthly active users on its network? According to figures out from the International Telecommunication Union, it effectively signifies that Facebook is the world's largest social network by a very long shot. The ITU says in a new report that that the number of people using all social media services have passed the 1 billion mark. That is just 100 million shy of Facebook's usage figure, giving Facebook a 90 percent share of all social networkers. In contrast to the very biggest players of all -- Facebook (900m+ users), Twitter (200m+ users) and LinkedIn (120m+ users) -- the rest of the playing field is heavily localized, with services like QQ in China, Vkontakte in Russia, Mixi in Japan, and Google's Orkut in Brazil, India, and Paraguay among those competing in the space, the ITU notes. The ITU, which is focused on telecoms regulation, flags social media in its report as an area of growing scrutiny for telecoms regulators: not only are social networks becoming more ubiquitous, but services like Facebook are becoming communications mediums in their own right, with voice and text offerings that go head-to-head against similar services from carriers.

Samsung T699 for T-Mobile teased in UAProf, reveals 720p display

Posted: 14 May 2012 10:29 AM PDT

Samsung T699 for T-Mobile teased in UAProf, reveals 720p display


Samsung T699 for T-Mobile teased in UAProf, reveals 720p display
No doubt, T-Mobile is in the middle of a rebuilding stage as a result of the AT&T merger attempt. Should it be much of a surprise, then, that the carrier would be looking at cranking out a smartphone lineup full of tempting options? Not at all. It turns out that Samsung is making some contributions to the cause, as a UAProf file for the unannounced T699 has been discovered. Just like most user agent profiles, there's little to discern here aside from the obvious inclusion of a 720p HD display -- but at least this lets us know that the handset exists, and that we have something new to look forward to on T-Mobile. Check out the source if you want to do some deciphering of your own.Samsung T699 for T-Mobile teased in UAProf, reveals 720p display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TMoNews | Samsung | Email this | Comments

Apple may be prepping iCloud upgrade, photo-sharing features

Posted: 14 May 2012 10:28 AM PDT

Apple may be prepping iCloud upgrade, photo-sharing features


Apple may be prepping iCloud upgrade, photo-sharing features
According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple plans to announce an update to its iCloud service at the WWDC in June. The revamp will include new photo-sharing features that will also allow users to comment on images -- bringing a little social flavor to the data syncing service. The personal media syncing is also going to expand to support videos, allowing you to quickly upload clips from your phone and have them appear on your computer. If that weren't enough, the same sources also claim that Apple is building out a syncing service for Notes and Reminders, which will debut alongside iOS 6, as previous leaks have indicated. Obviously none of this is concrete, but it certainly sounds as if Apple is planning to put some serious effort into making iCloud succeed where MobileMe failed. Such a dramatic upgrade might also help explain the trickle of tips we've been receiving this morning that iCloud's email service is down.Apple may be prepping iCloud upgrade, photo-sharing features originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments

Best Buy founder / chairman steps down after investigation

Posted: 14 May 2012 09:54 AM PDT

Best Buy founder / chairman steps down after investigation


Best Buy founder / chairman steps down after investigation
Yet more fallout in the case of Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn's sudden resignation last month. Some more light has been shed on those aforementioned "certain issues" we heard about, and now an internal investigation has led to the exit of the big box retailer's founder Richard Schulze as chairman of the board. Schulze will be replaced by Hatim Tyabji, who has served as the CEO of Bytemobile and as chairman of the Best Buy's audit committee. The transfer will occur after the company's annual meeting on June 21, 2012. Tyabji had the following to say about Schulze's tenure with the company, Dick's leadership and vision changed the landscape of American retail, and he will forever be remembered as an iconic entrepreneur. We join Best Buy's 167,000 employees in thanking him. More details on Schulze's exit can be found in an official Best Buy statement after the break.Continue reading Best Buy founder / chairman steps down after investigationBest Buy founder / chairman steps down after investigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | New York Times | Email this | Comments

Huawei Ascend D1 hits the FCC with pentaband HSPA+

Posted: 14 May 2012 09:54 AM PDT

Huawei Ascend D1 hits the FCC with pentaband HSPA+


Huawei Ascend D1 hits the FCC with pentaband HSPA+
Of the trio of Huawei's Diamond-class smartphones announced at Mobile World Congress in February, the dual-core Ascend D1 got the least amount of buzz. Today, however, the handset gets its opportunity to bask in the spotlight, since it's the first of the group to obtain the FCC's nod of approval. No huge revelations were given, but the docs confirm quadband GSM and pentaband HSPA+ / WCDMA, a welcome treat for AWS fans. As always, we can't assume any carrier affiliation here, but at least we know the unlocked versions will work on AT&T and T-Mobile without a hitch. It looks like Huawei's still on track for a Q2 release -- let's hope the same is true for the D1's older siblings.Huawei Ascend D1 hits the FCC with pentaband HSPA+ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600

Posted: 14 May 2012 09:19 AM PDT

EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600


EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, EVS Last week, Toyota unveiled the all-new RAV4 EV and announced two important numbers: a $49,800 MSRP and a sales target of just 2,600 over the next three years. There's more to the story, though, as told to us by Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. The short version is that Toyota has taken the Prius lesson incredibly seriously. We are the first to market with an SUV and we think that counts for quite a bit. To wit: in creating the new Prius family, Toyota listened to the Prius rejectors about why they were not going to buy a Prius. They wanted more room (now see the Prius V) or a lower price (Prius C). Carter said that the strategy worked, and that 79 percent of Prius C buyers and 67 percent of Prius V buyers are new to hybrid technology. The Prius Plug-In went through the same process, going on the road for over two years before launch. The hybrid represents Toyota's "small battery approach to electrification" and has sold surprisingly well thus far. With the RAV4 EV, Carter said, "We've created a compelling product," with "full toyota quality," he said. Even though the RAV4 EV went from concept to production in less than two years. A typical vehicle takes almost four years. "There was no template for this project. There were no guidlines. Just a challenge to bring to market a premium EV. Toyota and Tesla engineers both rose to that challenge," he said.Continue reading EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600EVS: Why Toyota set sales numbers for RAV4 EV at just 2,600 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments