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Saturday, June 2, 2012

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Engadget Mobile Podcast 140 - 06.02.2012

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 03:25 PM PDT

Engadget Mobile Podcast 140 - 06.02.2012


Engadget Mobile Podcast 140 - 06.02.2012
As Myriam stuffs an unearthly spaghetti of cables into her duffle on the way to Taipei, she sneaks in two more hours of stateside Engadget Mobile Podcast with Brad. Listen intently as they discuss, fireside-chat style, the lowest of the mobile lowdowns before they even bubble up to the surface.Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad MolenProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) 00:09:55 - Gigabyte makes 975g X11 official, claims 'world's lightest' 11.6-inch notebook (update: hands-on video) 00:25:10 - Huawei Ascend P1 review 00:40:00 - Lenovo LePhone K800 launches, officially brings Medfield to China 00:50:00 - Orange San Diego revealed: Intel-powered phone to reach UK on June 6th for £200 01:12:38 - Samsung Focus 2 review 01:36:20 - Supposed new iPhone casings show up with tall body, tiny dock connector, tons of mystery (update: a bit of the front too) 01:42:00 - Apple CEO Tim Cook Interview at D10 01:48:23 - Cricket now offers the iPhone with $55 'unlimited' everything plan 01:49:09 - Customs stops delaying HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE devices after 'review' 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 @engadgetmobileFiled under: PodcastsEngadget Mobile Podcast 140 - 06.02.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Apple Newton celebrates 20 years of eating up Martha

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 02:50 PM PDT

Apple Newton celebrates 20 years of eating up Martha


Apple Newton celebrates 20 years of eating up Martha
History hasn't been particularly kind to the Newton. Apple's early play at the mobile device market has largely been a source of ridicule, considered a low point in the company's catalog. For every suggestion that the device was ahead its time, there are countless "eat up Martha" jokes. It's not hard to see why -- in spite of tenacious commitment on the part of John Sculley and co., the PDA never really took off, a fact blamed, in part, to hardware and software limitations. To mark the 20th anniversary of the device's on-stage debut, Harry McCracken picked a first-gen MessagePad H1000 and some accessories up on eBay, living with the device for six weeks, as part of an attempt to "reconsider" the Newton. So, how does the product hold up in the harsh light of 2012? At the very least, it offered up the opportunity for great shots like the one above.Apple Newton celebrates 20 years of eating up Martha originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Technologizer | Email this | Comments

How Do Top Android Developers QA Test Their Apps?

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 02:50 PM PDT

How Do Top Android Developers QA Test Their Apps?


How Do Top Android Developers QA Test Their Apps?
A couple weeks ago I ran this post showing how one Hong Kong developer, Animoca, tests its Android games. The company, which has had more than 70 million downloads, tests every one of their apps on about 400 different devices. The photo above is from their headquarters and is just a taste of all the Android phones and tablets they use. Needless to say, that post pissed Android fanboys off. Some commenters said it intimidated would-be developers, who might get scared off by Android fragmentation and the perception that you have to support hundreds of devices, screen sizes and densities and versions of the OS. So, I asked around to see how other mobile game developers do quality assurance testing for Android. This is what I got:

US Cellular reduces prepaid plan prices, increases costs for new smartphone owners

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 01:42 PM PDT

US Cellular reduces prepaid plan prices, increases costs for new smartphone owners


US Cellular reduces prepaid plan prices, increases costs for new smartphone owners
US Cellular has shuffled around its prepaid plans once again, and unfortunately, it's a bit of a mixed bag for those without a contract. As it stands, customers may choose between three plans that range between $35 and $65 per month. Unfortunately for smartphone users, the most expensive plan is now a requirement, which really stinks. The $65 plan (which used to cost $70), brings unlimited voice and messaging, along with 2GB of data usage. The mid-tier plan has seen a similar reduction from $60 to $50, and now brings unlimited voice, messaging and 1GB of data usage. Unfortunately, it only applies to feature phones, even for those who tend to use WiFi on their smartphones. Meanwhile, the entry level plan now stands at $35, and it'll be useful for those who keep their phone turned off most of the time: it includes 400 voice minutes, along with a 400 / 400 allotment for text and picture messages. If it's any solace for US Cellular's current prepaid customers with smartphones, just know that you may keep your current plan, as you aren't required to switch to the new tier.US Cellular reduces prepaid plan prices, increases costs for new smartphone owners originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Le Mans places limits on new hybrid LMPs

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 01:08 PM PDT

Le Mans places limits on new hybrid LMPs


Le Mans places limits on new hybrid LMPs
Filed under: Hybrid, Audi, Toyota, Racing Diesel power may still be the dominant force at the forefront of endurance sportscar racing centered around Le Mans, but this year sees a new form of propulsion on the field: hybrids. Both Toyota and Audi are hitting the newly inaugurated World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with hybrid propulsion that pairs a conventional, fossil-fuel-burning engine to an electric motor set-up that - like the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) used in Formula One - stores up energy from braking for redeployment under acceleration. While embracing the hybrids, they've got regulators at the ACO and FIA a little concerned over their potential advantage. So rather than let the hybrid prototypes put their stored energy down anywhere they see fit, the officials are identifying specific zones on each track where the systems can be used. At the 6 Hours of Spa in Belgium where the Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro made its race debut (finishing second only to its conventional counterpart, the R18 Ultra) there were five such zones. At the longer Circuit La Sarthe where Le Mans is held, organizers have identified seven zones - specifically Dunlop, Forza, Michelin, Mulsanne, Indianapolis, Porsche and Ford, for those up to speed (so to speak) on the names of each corner and chicane on the circuit. The measure is not unlike those taken in F1, where the use of KERS is not limited, but specific straightaways are identified for each race where the Drag Reduction System (DRS) on the rear wing can be opened.Le Mans places limits on new hybrid LMPs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

HTC Evo 4G LTE Review: I Can’t See Why Not

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 01:07 PM PDT

HTC Evo 4G LTE Review: I Can't See Why Not


HTC Evo 4G LTE Review: I Can't See Why Not
Short Version The Evo 4G LTE is a fine phone. There certainly aren't any glaring issues: Sense has been considerably streamlined, and it's really good at what it was made to do, which is entertain. The design language is a little loud, though maybe that's what it takes to shake things up in the land of Android. (LAndroid.) But unlike the Evos that have come before it, this latest iteration doesn't really bring any truly special features to the table. I mean, consider the name. It's the Evo 4G LTE, yet Sprint's 4G LTE network isn't set to go live for another month, at the very earliest. And even if that weren't the case, LTE is no longer a wow factor. It's a soon-to-be norm, which means that the Evo needs something more than fast data to be a big deal. Does it have what it takes? Let's find out together, yes?

Sony intros Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition, lets your non-PlayStati...

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 12:33 PM PDT

Sony intros Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition, lets your non-PlayStation gear feel the bass (video)


Sony intros Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition, lets your non-PlayStation gear feel the bass (video)
Sony's PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset made a splash when it landed last year, but there were two inescapable quirks: a lack of bass and a lack of any wired fallback for your other devices. The brand-new Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition should solve both. Its earcups now carry a new trick, BassImpact, that reportedly delivers the headset's eponymous pulses and just that bit more punch at low frequencies. We also can't help but appreciate having a 3.5mm headphone jack (and cable) to plug in an Xperia S or, if you're daring, a device that goes without Sony's logo. The noise-cancelling microphones and the overall headset are considerably subtler as part of the remake, to boot. Gamers will have to go without the Pulse-upgraded headset until the fall -- not to mention pay a higher price, at $150 -- but they can get a video overview after the break to bide their time.Continue reading Sony intros Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition, lets your non-PlayStation gear feel the bass (video)Sony intros Pulse Wireless Stereo Headset Elite Edition, lets your non-PlayStation gear feel the bass (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | PlayStation Blog | Email this | Comments

Oprah launching 'Book Club 2.0,' your mom now knows what 'webisode' means

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 10:53 AM PDT

Oprah launching 'Book Club 2.0,' your mom now knows what 'webisode' means


Oprah launching 'Book Club 2.0,' your mom now knows what 'webisode' means
Everyone! Check under your chairs! It's a...new book club from Oprah! Yep, the former queen of daytime TV is revamping her famed literary organization for the 21st century. Winfrey says she was so taken by Cheryl Strayed's Wild, that she absolutely had to get back on the book peddling bandwagon. The talk show icon will be launching digital editions of the book for the Kindle, Nook and iPad on Monday, featuring exclusive content like a reader's guide. Webisodes featuring Winfrey will go up each week and readers can submit questions via Twitter and Facebook. The whole thing leads up to a live streaming interview with the author on July 22nd. More info -- and a video of a woman who desperately needs someone to give her that talk show back -- after the break.Continue reading Oprah launching 'Book Club 2.0,' your mom now knows what 'webisode' meansOprah launching 'Book Club 2.0,' your mom now knows what 'webisode' means originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Paid Content | | Email this | Comments

Microsoft updates SkyDrive for iPad with Retina Display support, file-sharing fe...

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 09:13 AM PDT

Microsoft updates SkyDrive for iPad with Retina Display support, file-sharing features


Microsoft updates SkyDrive for iPad with Retina Display support, file-sharing features
Those who like to swing both ways will be glad to know that SkyDrive for the iPad now supports Apple's gorgeous Retina Display. Now, before you ask why the hell pixel density would be of concern for a cloud storage app, remember that SkyDrive also allows users to view photos and documents from within the application -- only now at a properly rendered 326ppi. In addition to the peeper-pleasing improvement, SkyDrive users will also find the ability to upload multiple photos and videos from their iPad to the cloud, new file-sharing options (either via email, or a link that you can copy and paste), along with the ability to open SkyDrive files from within other iOS apps. It's funny how something so out of place can be so right.Microsoft updates SkyDrive for iPad with Retina Display support, file-sharing features originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iTunes | Email this | Comments

Engadget Giveaway: win an HTC One S, courtesy of Bell Canada

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 08:06 AM PDT

Engadget Giveaway: win an HTC One S, courtesy of Bell Canada


Engadget Giveaway: win an HTC One S, courtesy of Bell Canada
The HTC One S has been making a splash across carriers in Canada, so it's only fitting that we ride the wave and give one away to a reader in the true north strong and free. The example we're giving out is Bell Canada's model, which mates the dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 and Android 4.0 with Bell-specific extras like Mobile TV. Should you live in the land of the red and white, fire off an entry according to the rules and you might just get HTC's super-skinny smartphone for yourself. Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning. Contest is open to all residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one Bell Canada HTC One S. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Bell Canada service will NOT be included. Also, HTC, Bell and Engadget are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service. The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here. Entries can be submitted until June 3, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!Engadget Giveaway: win an HTC One S, courtesy of Bell Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

CTA Digital unlocks your Nintendo 3DS's inflatable race car potential

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 07:34 AM PDT

CTA Digital unlocks your Nintendo 3DS's inflatable race car potential


CTA Digital unlocks your Nintendo 3DS's inflatable race car potential
Forget about Sony and Microsoft. The Wii U? Ha! Everyone knows inflatable race car add-ons are what E3 2012 is all about. CTA Digital is leading the way, doing for the 3DS what it did for the Wii before it, letting players clip their portable console into the giant peripheral's steering wheel. The Inflatable Sports Car is also Wii compatible, for those who are bi-console. You can pick one up for $40 on Amazon, foot pump included. Shoes, clearly, are optional.Continue reading CTA Digital unlocks your Nintendo 3DS's inflatable race car potentialCTA Digital unlocks your Nintendo 3DS's inflatable race car potential originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 06:25 AM PDT

2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire


2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire
Our first peek at the MotoCzysz E1pc was at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, where the fearsome-looking e-motorbike smashed potential speed limits, even if it didn't completely rock the two-wheeled establishment. Improvements were made in 2011, but the new 2012 model is the one that's really poised to upset the cart. The updated E1pc's most conspicuous changes are on the outside: it tackles the problem of wind resistance at high speeds by bringing on aerodynamic ducts and fins. Inside, torque looks to be down to 162 foot-pounds, but the equivalent to 200 horsepower (twice what we saw in 2010) should more than compensate -- and a much upgraded battery cooling system should keep MotoCzysz' creation running at full bore for considerably longer before rider Michael Rutter has to back off the throttle. That consistent speed may be even more important to MotoCzysz and Rutter than actually winning at the TT Zero race, practice for which starts June 2nd. The Isle of Man very nearly handed over a £10,000 ($15,369) prize to the team for breaking a 100MPH average speed barrier for electric bikes last year, and the substantial tweaks could make all the difference. [Image credit: Asphalt and Rubber]2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Asphalt and Rubber | MotoCzysz | Email this | Comments

MotoCzysz reveals 2012 E1pc with Kardashian-inspired butt

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 05:16 AM PDT

MotoCzysz reveals 2012 E1pc with Kardashian-inspired butt


MotoCzysz reveals 2012 E1pc with Kardashian-inspired butt
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels, Racing We are astonished. No, not because Team Segway MotoCzysz has just revealed its 2012 version of the E1pc and it looks pretty amazing. We expected that. Rather, we are somewhat stunned that the cultural impact of certain aspects of Kim and Khloe Kardashian's um, prominent physical attributes has just expanded into the geeky green world of electric motorcycle racing. More on that in a moment. On the Isle of Man for the TT Zero - a one-lap race for zero-emission motorcycles around the 37.73 miles Snaefell Mountain course - Michael Czysz took the wraps off a pair of machines he has been preparing over the past year. Previous iterations focused on drivetrain and suspension elements, resulting in bikes capable of over 200 horsepower and the ability to handle the unique conditions of the iconic street circuit. For 2012, the emphasis has been put on aerodynamics.Czysz explains that turning a 100-mile-per-hour run into, say, a 125-mph excursion would require a doubling of the battery, which is quite unfeasible. Though difficult, decreasing drag by 25 per cent seemed a much better option. Avoiding the dustbin fairing approach, and with inspiration from certain celebutantes, he bucked the current backside trend of modern street bikes to craft a rear that helps reduce the low-pressure area behind the bike. In his own colorful words: What is needed to create an aerodynamic motorcycle is in direct contrast with the current fashion trend of motorcycle design. Think less RC8/RSV4R tail and more... well every bad "futuristic" concept bike you saw in the 80′s tail. Think less Olsen twins tail and more Kim and Khloe Kardashian tail. Want more speed? Add some Kris Jenner tail in too. Of course, managing air flow is not all about the hindquarters. To that end, the new E1pc features an intake in the nose that brings in a breeze to help out the cooling system. Although Czysz finds the final product is lacking aesthetically for his personal tastes, we find the overall package to be less bizarre than we had imagined.Scroll below to check out the technical specs and be sure to peruse the extensive gallery provided us by Jensen Beeler over at Asphalt & Rubber. While we'll have to wait until after the race to see video, live audio coverage of practice and race sessions can be heard via Manx Radio. You can also get live stats through the IOM TT website.Continue reading MotoCzysz reveals 2012 E1pc with Kardashian-inspired buttMotoCzysz reveals 2012 E1pc with Kardashian-inspired butt originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sony to sell downloadable content at GameStops in Europe and Australia

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 04:08 AM PDT

Sony to sell downloadable content at GameStops in Europe and Australia


Sony to sell downloadable content at GameStops in Europe and Australia
Sony isn't about to let Nintendo and PC games get a leg up on it in the downloadable content (DLC) arena. That's why the company's European arm (which also runs the show in Australia and New Zealand) is taking its digital wares to GameStop, where customers will be able to use cash, gift cards or trade credits to purchase activation codes for PlayStation Network games and add-ons. All told, some 1,600 stores in Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland will soon be offering the ability to purchase content usually ordered from the comfort of your couch and Crash Bandicoot boxer shorts. The complete PR awaits you after the break.Continue reading Sony to sell downloadable content at GameStops in Europe and AustraliaSony to sell downloadable content at GameStops in Europe and Australia originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 07:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Corsair Force GT SSDs put through their paces, have graphs to prove it

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 02:59 AM PDT

Corsair Force GT SSDs put through their paces, have graphs to prove it


Corsair Force GT SSDs put through their paces, have graphs to prove it
Instead of singling out one of Corsair's latest SandForce-equipped SSDs, the folks at StorageReview sussed out performance differences by putting each drive through the wringer. Though read / write specs are relatively uniform across the line, barring some slight dips in speed, they dug up a few juicy morsels of info that could benefit both frugal and performance-minded shoppers. In a read intensive gaming test, the 60GB entry drive performed similarly to the 480GB behemoth. Another notable result was a 60% jump in throughput between the 120GB and 180GB models. Keen on eking out the most performance-bang for your buck? Hop over to the source for the full skinny and a bevy of charts.Corsair Force GT SSDs put through their paces, have graphs to prove it originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 05:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | StorageReview | Email this | Comments

BlackBerry Music Gateway goes on sale, brings a little NFC into your life

Posted: 02 Jun 2012 12:40 AM PDT

BlackBerry Music Gateway goes on sale, brings a little NFC into your life


BlackBerry Music Gateway goes on sale, brings a little NFC into your life
RIM showed off the BlackBerry Music Gateway with the promise of a June release, and it's clearly not wasting any time: the first of the month has seen the tiny audio bridge go on sale. It'll set you back $50, but you'll get a conduit for music from any Bluetooth-packing device, whether or not it has that signature 7-dot logo on the back. The extra-special BlackBerry affection comes through NFC support, where equipped phones like the Bold 9930 can pair faster through a friendly tap. Buying straight from the source will lead to a one- to two-week wait, but if you're looking for the most polished way to share your musical tastes from a BlackBerry or PlayBook, it's likely worth being patient.BlackBerry Music Gateway goes on sale, brings a little NFC into your life originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 03:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Shop BlackBerry | Email this | Comments

Motorola MOTOACTV update adds Twitter and Facebook to keep you company during ma...

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 10:58 PM PDT

Motorola MOTOACTV update adds Twitter and Facebook to keep you company during marathons


Motorola MOTOACTV update adds Twitter and Facebook to keep you company during marathons
If you wish you could tweet during that round-the-block 5K, then Motorola's latest update to MOTOACTV is for you. The fitness computer will display Facebook and Twitter messages on the device as well as offering more accurate mapping, easier WiFi network setup and more flexible workout planning. Additionally, golfists who plumped for the Golf edition get some more links-appropriate features like tee location options and putt distance-tracking. You can get the update by connecting the device to your computer and Motocast will handle the rest.Motorola MOTOACTV update adds Twitter and Facebook to keep you company during marathons originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jun 2012 01:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, Droid-Life | Motorola | Email this | Comments

Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Un...

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 09:16 PM PDT

Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set


Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set
If you left the theater after watching Marvel / Disney / Joss Whedon's The Avengers ready to buy the Blu-ray disc as soon as it hit then get your credit cards ready. As Blu-ray.com notes, Amazon has listings for both a 2-disc Blu-ray edition and a 4-disc Blu-ray 3D version, but the one that's caught our eye is the just updated listing for Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled. A ten disc set, it has every movie in this chapter of Marvel flicks -- Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man 1 & 2, The Incredible Hulk -- with 3D copies where applicable plus collectible packaging and a bonus "The Phase One Archives" disc. The only pic of the casing we have is the promo image shown above which hints at a replica of Nick Fury's Cosmic Cube suitcase from the movie, but more information is promised to be revealed July 15th. Until then you'll have to decide of $153 ($25~ per movie) is worth it for the set, or maybe take this time to finance it by selling off your existing copies on Craigslist. Your choice. [Thanks, Victor]Continue reading Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe setAvengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Amazon | Email this | Comments

Startups Vs. Startups: App Developer Gets Sued By Lightbank-Backed WhosHere

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:44 PM PDT

Startups Vs. Startups: App Developer Gets Sued By Lightbank-Backed WhosHere


Startups Vs. Startups: App Developer Gets Sued By Lightbank-Backed WhosHere
So here's a story that hopefully will be an eye-opener for entrepreneurs and startups, while providing a painful peek into trademark harassment and the importance of due diligence. It goes a little something like this: About two years ago, software engineer Brian Hamachek decided to build an app first on Windows Mobile (how some horror stories have been known to begin), then on Windows Phone, that enables location-based chat -- and calling. In other words, call and chat with new friends who live close by, for free. He called it Who's Near Me Live. Long story short: A Lightbank-backed startup called myRete own and operate a similar app called WhosHere, which was founded two years earlier. Well, they didn't like the name Brian had chosen for the app -- claimed it was too similer -- so they asked him to change it. At first, he said "why no thank you," but then they hit him with a C&D and then a lawsuit, so he acquiesced. Sounds like standard stuff for startup vs. incumbent, right? Well, it doesn't end there.

Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 08:10 PM PDT

Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base


Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base
Well, it's about time that Ice Cream Sandwich made some headway -- even if the process is much slower than consumers deserve. According to the Android developer hub, Android 4.0 now accounts for 7.1 percent of all Android smartphone and tablet installations, which is a sharp and welcome increase over the 2.9 percent figure that we reported just one month ago. Naturally, Gingerbread users still account for the lion's share of the Android ecosystem with 65 percent, but it's worth pointing out that this segment also grew during the last month -- no doubt at the expense of Froyo and Eclair. Don't know about you, but we like our desserts fresh, thank you very much. Go ahead and hop the break to see the full breakdown.Continue reading Google: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user baseGoogle: Ice Cream Sandwich now accounts for 7.1 percent of Android user base originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MobileSyrup | Android Developers | Email this | Comments

Chipworks, iFixit tear down the Galaxy S III for all to see, spot iPhone 4S' cam...

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 07:04 PM PDT

Chipworks, iFixit tear down the Galaxy S III for all to see, spot iPhone 4S' camera sensor hanging around


Chipworks, iFixit tear down the Galaxy S III for all to see, spot iPhone 4S' camera sensor hanging around
You've picked up the Galaxy S III. You've grabbed the source code. But you probably like the quad-core monster too much to tear it down, which is why Chipworks and iFixit have taken to disassembling the phone for themselves to look fro any surprises. We certainly knew to expect the Exynos 4 Quad and 2,100mAh battery, but we now know how Samsung is claiming a boost to speed and image quality for the 8-megapixel camera: it's using the same Sony-made, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor that we've seen since the Xperia Arc and made its biggest splash in the iPhone 4S. Just don't anticipate replacing many components yourself. That 4.8-inch screen is not only permanently attached to the glass, but to the phone frame, leaving any face-first accidents a dicey fix. We're expecting a few more discoveries once iFixit gives the Galaxy S III a second scan, but the source will give you everything there is to know right now.Chipworks, iFixit tear down the Galaxy S III for all to see, spot iPhone 4S' camera sensor hanging around originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments

ComScore: Android's US share dips ever so slightly, iPhone slowly marching up

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:58 PM PDT

ComScore: Android's US share dips ever so slightly, iPhone slowly marching up


ComScore: Android's US share dips ever so slightly, iPhone slowly marching up
Here's a minor surprise: Android slipping at all in US market share. Although it saw just a tiny drop of two tenths of a point from where it was in March, and still saw a gain over January, Google's platform was down to 50.8 percent in April. Nothing dramatic enough to make Mountain View worry, as such, but definitely a sharp break from the rapid growth of last year. Apple could meanwhile claim a small victory for the month as a result by continuing to grow -- even if we wouldn't call its 31.4 percent iPhone share a revolution. Of the other platforms, only Microsoft had anything to crow about, as the Lumia 900 launch brought Windows Phone back just over the four percent mark. The positions among individual cellphone makers as a whole didn't budge in April, and whatever losses came to Android's partners in that area were spread evenly across top-dog Samsung as well as LG and Motorola. Perhaps the biggest twist was HTC holding its ground at a steady six percent, which hints that the HTC One S' arrival at T-Mobile might have been just the ticket to keeping Taiwan in the fight.ComScore: Android's US share dips ever so slightly, iPhone slowly marching up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ComScore | Email this | Comments

Chevy Volt destroyed in crash with Toyota Camry, nothing catches fire

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 05:24 PM PDT

Chevy Volt destroyed in crash with Toyota Camry, nothing catches fire


Chevy Volt destroyed in crash with Toyota Camry, nothing catches fire
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chevrolet, GM, North America, USA One recent accident in upstate New York may have been the ultimate crash test for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in vehicle. A parked Volt in Geneseo, which is about 35 miles south of Rochester, was totaled (utterly demolished, actually, as you can see in the picture above) when a driver ran a stop sign, lost control of her Toyota Camry and rammed into the vehicle, according to the Livingston County News. The Volt, flipping its nose as claims that its battery makes it a greater fire risk than conventional vehicles, was pushed about 25 feet into a garage but didn't catch fire. The Camry driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the publication. Chevy parent General Motors fell about 2,300 units short of its goal to sell 10,000 Volts last year and some attributed the lack of sales to concerns over a possible fire risk. the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a crash test on the car last year that resulted in a fire a few weeks later, though NHTSA said earlier this year that plug-ins pose no more of a fire-risk than gas-powered cars.Chevy Volt destroyed in crash with Toyota Camry, nothing catches fire originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video)

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 04:51 PM PDT

ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video)


ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video)
The ITU has stayed busy, as we mentioned earlier it met to hammer out standards for UHDTV (Ultra High Definition TV), and also recently announced a new set of recommendations for 3DTV. On the 3D front it focused on standardization for delivering video in both 720 and 1080 line formats, digital interfaces used for studio production and methods to evaluate quality based on picture quality, depth and comfort levels. As far as UHDTV which is still quite a bit further off, the group has decided the term will cover both 4K and 8K (aka Super Hi-Vision) resolution video, as multiples of the existing 1080p standard. That means Quad Full HD (QFHD, or 3840x2160 resolution) and Digital Cinema 4K resolution (4096x2160) both fall under the umbrella of 4K (check the aspect ratios to see where the "missing" pixels went, or have a listen to this week's podcast. After the break we've got a video with Study Group Chairman Christoph Dosch discussing the future possibilities of both 3DTV and UHDTV, as well as press releases with a few extra details.Continue reading ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video)ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ITU (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

With $5.5M From Google Ventures, Opus, Crittercism Launches An App Performance M...

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 04:18 PM PDT

With $5.5M From Google Ventures, Opus, Crittercism Launches An App Performance Management Solution


With $5.5M From Google Ventures, Opus, Crittercism Launches An App Performance Management Solution
Last summer, after graduating from AngelPad, San Francisco-based Crittercism announced that it had raised $1.2 million in seed funding from the likes of Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Opus Capital, Shasta Ventures, and AOL Ventures. Today, the startup has received further validation for its diagnostic and management tools for mobile developers, as Opus Capital, Shasta Ventures and Google Ventures have all re-upped, investing $5.5 million in the startup's series A financing.

Tips have Acer, ASUS and Toshiba showing Windows 8 tablets at Computex, color us...

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 03:46 PM PDT

Tips have Acer, ASUS and Toshiba showing Windows 8 tablets at Computex, color us unsurprised


Tips have Acer, ASUS and Toshiba showing Windows 8 tablets at Computex, color us unsurprised
We know Computex will involve nothing less than a deluge of new laptops, but if we believe Bloomberg, it's going to be a Windows 8 tablet-topia as well. Hot on the heels of the Windows 8 Release Preview, it's claimed by the ever-present "people with knowledge of the matter" that Acer, ASUS and Toshiba will all be showing tablets with the new OS at the Taipei show. ASUS will reportedly get the star treatment at Microsoft's keynote and show off Transformer-style Windows 8 tablets that we suspect are hinted at in ASUS' slightly cryptic trailers. Processor loyalties could be split across the wider group, though: ASUS is said to be spreading the love by showing both an Intel-based tablet as well as one using NVIDIA's ARM-powered Tegra line, but Acer's previously rumored tablet is poised to go the Intel-only route, and Toshiba's may exist solely in a TI OMAP-based ARM camp. It's not apparent if anyone else will join the Windows 8 tablet frenzy, although Qualcomm is expected to show yet another Snapdragon-running test device. We'll be on the ground at Computex next week, so you can be sure that we'll give you the full rundown on Windows 8's opening salvo.Tips have Acer, ASUS and Toshiba showing Windows 8 tablets at Computex, color us unsurprised originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile’s Galaxy S III May Not Get A Facelift Before It Launches In The U.S.

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 03:46 PM PDT

T-Mobile's Galaxy S III May Not Get A Facelift Before It Launches In The U.S.


T-Mobile's Galaxy S III May Not Get A Facelift Before It Launches In The U.S.
When the Galaxy S and the Galaxy S II made their respective journeys to the United States, they lost a little something that international customers have enjoyed since the beginning: the physical home button. According to some new images obtained by The Verge though, that era may be drawing to a close, as T-Mobile's GSIII variant may sport that home button after all. It may seem like a minor thing to get worked up over (because it is), but it's a considerable shift from the four-capacitive-button days of yore. Those design changes were mandated by carriers, and if true, these new images may mean that Samsung is flexing their muscle as the most prolific smartphone manufacturer in the world.

FCC Fridays: June 1, 2012

Posted: 01 Jun 2012 03:46 PM PDT

FCC Fridays: June 1, 2012


FCC Fridays: June 1, 2012
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there individually, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!Continue reading FCC Fridays: June 1, 2012FCC Fridays: June 1, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments