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Sunday, July 22, 2012

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Switched On: An Office outside the Metro

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Switched On: An Office outside the Metro


Switched On: An Office outside the Metro
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. The two worlds of Windows 8 -- one: a traditional desktop UI and the other: the touch-optimized Metro UI -- can, at first, seem so different that they contrast like the multiple personalities of Batman's enemy Two-Face. Yet, despite the different appearances, the forthcoming version of Microsoft's venerable operating system is not about absolutes, but optimizations.Continue reading Switched On: An Office outside the MetroFiled under: Desktops, Tablet PCs, SoftwareSwitched On: An Office outside the Metro originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Honda delivers first Fit EV in California

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 01:49 PM PDT

Honda delivers first Fit EV in California


Honda delivers first Fit EV in California
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, HondaHonda has made good on its promise to deliver its first Fit EV, and that delivery took place in California on Friday. Matt and Becky Walton, of Ventura County, can now claim they have the first example of Honda's all-electric car, which costs $389 a month. The Waltons got the first Fit EV because they were the first ones to sign up for a lease at the car's website. They've owned at least four other Honda's, the automaker says, going back to the 1970s. In a statement, Matt said, "It's truly an honor to take delivery of the first Honda Fit EV and participate in the advancement of all-electric vehicles in the real world," but he didn't mention the fact that Honda's "real-world" EV push is, in this case at least, available for a limited time only, and in limited areas. Leases start in California and Oregon now and will expand to the East Coast early next year. The EPA rated the Fit EV at 118 MPGe and gives it an official range of 82 miles. The car's highly efficient energy consumption is 29 kWh per 100 miles. Read our First Driver review of the Fit EV here.Continue reading Honda delivers first Fit EV in CaliforniaHonda delivers first Fit EV in California originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time...

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 01:49 PM PDT

Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video)


Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. We've seen our fair share of time lapse tools at Insert Coin, ranging from last year's Triggertrap to the more recent Timelapse+ and Genie rig. Now we're throwing in another Kickstarter project into the mix, a motion time-lapse gadget called the Radian. Shaped like an oversized hockey puck, the Radian works with any camera that has a trigger-release input and can be used with or without a tripod. The device can be programmed through either an Android or iPhone app and lets you disconnect your smartphone once you've got your settings dialed in. Otherwise, you can use the Radian to take time-lapse photography with your iPhone or Android smartphone as well. A pledge of $150 gets you the standard Radian, while ponying up extra moolah nabs you a charcoal-colored variant as well as other goodies. If successful, delivery is slated for January. For more details, check out the video and source link after the break.Continue reading Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Digital CamerasInsert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

How Does The Samsung Galaxy S III Fare In A Drop Test?

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 12:39 PM PDT

How Does The Samsung Galaxy S III Fare In A Drop Test?


How Does The Samsung Galaxy S III Fare In A Drop Test?
The Samsung Galaxy S III continues to be one of the hottest Android phones we've ever seen. When I reviewed the phone, I said flat out that this is the phone you've been waiting for. And after John and I got another good look during an episode of Fly Or Die, we both gave the Galaxy S III a Fly. But one thing we haven't really addressed is durability, which is why we thought you might want to take a look at this drop test by Gizmo Slip. Spoiler Alert: I'll now be talking about the results of the video, so jump past the break if you want to watch before reading.

Engadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 12:04 PM PDT

Engadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012


Engadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012
In the dead of summer, what's the easiest way to stay super-cool whilst keeping up with the hottest news in portable communications technology? Why, it's sticking a 120-minute cassette of the Engadget Mobile Podcast in your Walkman Sport, getting airlifted to Patagonia, and sitting atop an icy mountain, chewing a stick of your favorite peppermint gum, of course. If you're looking for a quick chill, though, just hit the play button below and let the digital breeze flow gently through your skull. Either way.Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad MolenGuest: Joseph VolpeProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) 00:01:44 - Motorola Atrix HD review 00:09:25 - HTC confirms Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for One X, One XL and One S, includes AT&T, T-Mobile and Rogers models 00:20:37 - LG Optimus 4X HD review: runner-up to the quad-core throne 00:28:19 - LG Optimus Vu review: a 5-inch, pen-enabled phone to take on the Galaxy Note 00:36:50 - T-Mobile officially confirms Samsung Galaxy Note, more details in coming weeks (Update: Official PR!) 00:40:27 - Samsung Galaxy S III for Verizon Wireless review 00:41:00 - Galaxy S III Developer Edition for Verizon appears on Samsung's website 00:45:22 - AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared 00:59:35 - PSA: Sprint LTE goes live today, honest and for true (update: includes Missouri) 01:15:35 - Import ban on select Motorola Android products starts today 01:19:07 - WSJ: Next iPhone to have even thinner screen 01:27:45 - Google acquires Sparrow, the Apple-focused email app maker 01:32:28 - Nokia's Q2 2012 financials: 4 million Lumias sold, $1.01 billion dollar loss 01:34:08 - Nokia and AT&T cut Lumia 900 price to $50, sweeten the Windows Phone 7.8 pot 01:48:00 - iPad prototype renderings from early-2000s revealed in Apple / Samsung court filings (update: comparison shots) 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 @engadgetmobile @jrvolpeFiled under: PodcastsEngadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nielsen to use watermarks to enhance local channel rating accuracy

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Nielsen to use watermarks to enhance local channel rating accuracy


Nielsen to use watermarks to enhance local channel rating accuracy
While we're watching our favorite shows in HD, it's easy to forget that they live and die by ratings, and those ratings aren't always collected with the latest technology. In an effort to improve the sample size and accuracy of ratings for local TV channels, Nielsen is starting to roll out a hybrid technology consisting of watermarks and return data from supporting pay-TV provider's set-top boxes, like DirecTV and Charter. The first three markets to get the upgrade are St. Louis, Dallas and Charlotte, with 17 yet to be announced markets to follow in 2013, and finally, the remaining 190 about two years after that. The system will work in parallel with the older Local People Meters and Diaries for three to six months and will lay the groundwork to collect ratings for online, tablets and other platforms. All the inside industry details and more are in the release after the break.Continue reading Nielsen to use watermarks to enhance local channel rating accuracyNielsen to use watermarks to enhance local channel rating accuracy originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Motorola Atrix HD Review: Runs Like A Dream, But Doesn’t Look Like One

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Motorola Atrix HD Review: Runs Like A Dream, But Doesn't Look Like One


Motorola Atrix HD Review: Runs Like A Dream, But Doesn't Look Like One
Motorola made plenty of waves when it introduced the Droid RAZR for Verizon last year, and somehow I doubt AT&T was very pleased with that move. With that one launch, Motorola instantly made AT&T's high-end line of Android-powered Atrix smartphones look chunky and downright un-sexy in comparison Now with the Atrix HD AT&T has its own vaguely RAZR-esque device to push to the masses, but how does it stack up against its forebears? Or, better yet, how does it compare to the devices that occupy the top tiers of AT&T's smartphone portfolio? As it turns out, the answer is "pretty damned well."

New Beck songs get visualized, inspire musical platforming

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 08:56 AM PDT

New Beck songs get visualized, inspire musical platforming


New Beck songs get visualized, inspire musical platforming
Beck's latest album won't debut on the shelves of your local brick-and-mortar retailer. Instead, Cities, as its called, will roll out on Sound Shapes for the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. The platformer's song-inspired stages transform the record's three tunes, Cities, Touch the People and Spiral Staircase, into interactive music videos, with original art and lyrics inserted into the environment. If traipsing through the included soundscapes -- not all of which are Beck-centric -- isn't enough to please, the developers are gifting gamers with the tools needed to build levels of their own. As a cross-play game, the $14.99 price tag nets both the console and portable versions of the downloadable title. Sound Shape won't hit digital shelves until August 7th, but you can catch a sneak peak (and a quick listen) after the break.Continue reading New Beck songs get visualized, inspire musical platformingFiled under: GamingNew Beck songs get visualized, inspire musical platforming originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Joystiq | PlayStation Blog | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: liter of light project, space tourism and a 'Hyperloo...

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 07:13 AM PDT

Inhabitat's Week in Green: liter of light project, space tourism and a 'Hyperloop' train


Inhabitat's Week in Green: liter of light project, space tourism and a 'Hyperloop' train
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. This summer has been one of the harshest in recent memory in the US, with record heat waves and more than half of the country experiencing the worst drought conditions in more than 50 years. And in an even more troubling development, an iceberg twice the size of Manhattan broke away from Greenland this week. The need to develop clean alternatives to fossil fuels and water-saving technologies is more urgent than ever, but we're making progress in several key areas. In California, scientists fired 192 lasers onto a single point, producing an amazing 500 trillion watts of energy and bringing them one step closer to starting a nuclear fusion reaction that would produce an unlimited supply of clean energy. In another promising development, a teenager in Egypt figured out a way to turn the country's plastic waste into $78 million worth of fuel.Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: liter of light project, space tourism and a 'Hyperloop' trainFiled under: Misc. Gadgets, Transportation, ScienceInhabitat's Week in Green: liter of light project, space tourism and a 'Hyperloop' train originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

If this shoe were a room...

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 06:37 AM PDT

If this shoe were a room...


If this shoe were a room...
We use inspiration boards filled with patterns, paint colors, and artwork -- why not Louboutins?

Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives...

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 06:04 AM PDT

Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start


Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Volvo, China It may be limited in number and expensive as all get out, but the Volvo C30 Electric does have some big fans. In fact, the all-electric (almost) vehicle was named the "Green Car of the Year" in China at the 4th China New Energy Mobility Summit. This week, Volvo delivered 15 of the C30 EVs to Shanghai as part of something called EV100 Days. The project will see "qualified volunteer drivers" test a C30 Electric for, well, 100 days. The Shanghai International Automotive City Group (SIAC) also just marked the first anniversary of its electric vehicle (EV) campaign. Given that Volvo is now owned by Chinese automaker Geely, Freeman Shen, the senior vice president of Volvo Car Corporation and chairman of China Operations, said that bringing the C30 Electric to China is really introducing it to "our second home market." It makes sense that Volvo is interested in collecting data "about the C30 Electric's performance on Chinese roads as well as the driving habits of Chinese consumers," since the company mentions the getting ready for the "mass promotion of electric vehicles in China and the development of next-generation electric vehicles."Continue reading Volvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives startVolvo C30 Electric wins "Green Car of the Year" in China as 100-day test drives start originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

DARPA-backed Power Pwn is power strip by day, superhero hack machine by night

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 05:29 AM PDT

DARPA-backed Power Pwn is power strip by day, superhero hack machine by night


DARPA-backed Power Pwn is power strip by day, superhero hack machine by night
Call the Power Pwn the champion of white hat hacking. Underneath that Clark Kent power strip exterior, there's a Superman of full-scale breach testing that can push the limits of just about any company network, whether it takes 3G, Ethernet or WiFi to get there. Pwnie Express' stealthy sequel to the Pwn Plug ships with a Debian 6 instance of Linux whose handy hacking tools are as easy to launch as they are tough to detect. There's just one step needed to create a snoop-friendly Evil AP WiFi hotspot, and the box dodges around low-level NAC/802.1x/RADIUS network authentication without any help; in the same breath, it can easily leap into stealth mode and keeps an ongoing encrypted link to give do-gooders a real challenge. The hacker doesn't even need to be in the same ZIP code to crack a firewall or VPN -- the 3G link lets the Power Pwn take bash command-line instructions through SMS messages and doles out some of its feedback the same way. While the $1,295 device can theoretically be used for nefarious purposes, DARPA's blessing (and funding) should help keep the Power Pwn safely in the hands of security pros and thwart more than a few dastardly villains looking for weak networks.Filed under: Networking, InternetDARPA-backed Power Pwn is power strip by day, superhero hack machine by night originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 07:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Wired | Pwnie Express | Email this | Comments

Chip Yates breaks yet another record, notches 202MPH in world's fastest electric...

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 03:12 AM PDT

Chip Yates breaks yet another record, notches 202MPH in world's fastest electric flight (video)


Chip Yates breaks yet another record, notches 202MPH in world's fastest electric flight (video)
Chip Yates is a speed junkie in the truest sense. After nabbing the title for world's fastest EV motorcycle in April of 2011, the self-proclaimed "green technology innovator" is at it again. This time, Yates was able to conquer the sky above using the Long-ESA EV craft he and his Flight of the Century team engineered using a Burt Rutan Long-EZ and proprietary Infinite Range battery tech. The record-breaking flight in question took off from Inyokern Airport on July 19, achieving a top speed of 202.6MPH and solidifying Yates' place in the pantheon of electric enthusiasts. You can head past the break to check out a brief video snippet of the successful mission in action, but fair warning: it's not as exciting as you'd imagine. We're guessing it's one of those things you'd have to be there (in the cockpit) to appreciate.Continue reading Chip Yates breaks yet another record, notches 202MPH in world's fastest electric flight (video)Chip Yates breaks yet another record, notches 202MPH in world's fastest electric flight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 05:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Flight of the Century | Email this | Comments

UCLA creates transparent solar cell, dreams of current generating windows

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 12:24 AM PDT

UCLA creates transparent solar cell, dreams of current generating windows


UCLA creates transparent solar cell, dreams of current generating windows
Transparent photovoltaics have yet to grace the face of your smartphone, but don't give up hope -- UCLA researchers are working on a new see-through solar cell that's showing potential. Using a new type of polymer solar cell, the team has been able to build a device that converts infrared light into electrical current. Current prototypes boast 4 percent energy conversion efficiency at 66 percent transparency -- not crystal clear, but certainly clean enough to peer through. According to a study in ACS Nano, the technology could be used in "building-integrated photovoltaics or integrated photovoltaic chargers for portable electronics." Translation? It could one day be used to build solar windows or better sun collecting smartphones. Don't get too excited though, the technology still has a ways to go before any of these dreams come to fruition. Still, feel free to head past the break for the team's official press release, or skip to the source to take in the full academic study.Continue reading UCLA creates transparent solar cell, dreams of current generating windowsFiled under: Misc. Gadgets, ScienceUCLA creates transparent solar cell, dreams of current generating windows originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 03:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ACS Nano | Email this | Comments

Huawei's MediaPad 10 teases all of its traits in soothing promo video

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 10:43 PM PDT

Huawei's MediaPad 10 teases all of its traits in soothing promo video


Huawei's MediaPad 10 teases all of its traits in soothing promo video
Huawei's 10-inch FHD tablet has been anything but shy since its little-known early days, well before its unexpected introduction to the masses. But since we've now seen it (and felt it) in most of its glory, we shouldn't be surprised that its creator's taken the time to put together a quick promotional vid ahead of an expected launch next month. The MediaPad 10 teaser, naturally, touts many of the slate's own features, including the sensational 1920 x 1200 IPS display, Huawei's in-house K3 Balong CPU, as well as its "refined metallic surface" and "luxurious yet subtle" design. Of course, there's a lot more where that came from, so head on past the break to watch the ballyhooed clip for yourself.Continue reading Huawei's MediaPad 10 teases all of its traits in soothing promo videoFiled under: Tablet PCsHuawei's MediaPad 10 teases all of its traits in soothing promo video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 01:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Ubergizmo | Huawei (YouTube) | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: best Mac gamepad?

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 08:21 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: best Mac gamepad?


Ask Engadget: best Mac gamepad?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from is from Jaime, who's really just showing off about their new Retina MBP. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I recently bought a Retina MacBook Pro and started playing a bunch of games from Steam. I'm wondering if there's a gamepad I could use to play Portal or Left4Dead on a Mac, I grew up with a NES, so there's something about the form that feels natural to me. Thanks!" Okay, so for those of us who do tire of W-A-S-D, what's the best solution to game on a Mac? Is there a perfect device on the market, or should we all just hack an Xbox 360 controller to do the same job? It's a fun week, spread some fun in the comments.Filed under: GamingAsk Engadget: best Mac gamepad? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 22:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

More Problems For Apple In Portugal? Apparently It’s Getting Sued For 40M Euros...

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 07:48 PM PDT

More Problems For Apple In Portugal? Apparently It's Getting Sued For 40M Euros By A Reseller [Report]


More Problems For Apple In Portugal? Apparently It's Getting Sued For 40M Euros By A Reseller [Report]
Another legal tangle for Apple in Portugal? Just days after a consumer rights group in the country said it was preparing to bring legal action against Apple over the wording of its AppleCare warranty service, it has emerged that an IT reseller and distributor called Taboada & Barros is already suing Apple over claims of price fixing and unfair trade practices, asking for €40 million ($49 million) in damages. According to a report in the Portuguese-language Apple blog iPhoneTuga -- citing details first reported in the Portuguese weekly newspaper Sol -- the suit stretches back to February but seems to have only been made public now, in light of the action being taken by the Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (DECO). Unlike the DECO case -- which has a precedent in Italy, where Apple was fined $1.2 million over a similar matter -- this lawsuit is less cut and dry.

ULTIMAte hack: Nexus 7 hooks up with external USB storage, floppy drive for retr...

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 07:11 PM PDT

ULTIMAte hack: Nexus 7 hooks up with external USB storage, floppy drive for retro-gaming


ULTIMAte hack: Nexus 7 hooks up with external USB storage, floppy drive for retro-gaming
There's only so much kit you can cram into a sub-$200 tablet without pushing past the price ceiling. And for Google's Jelly Bean-blessed Nexus 7, corners were definitely cut, leaving users without a handy microSD slot for expansion and rear-facing camera. But where there's a will, there's the XDA and its community of developers to remedy the situation. As you can glimpse from the photo above, an enterprising forum member by the handle of c0m47053 devised an interesting workaround for the slate's lack of expandable storage and then some. Using the StickMount app available on the Play store, which allows users to mount/dismount mass storage devices, he was able to connect the ASUS-made tab to a USB hub and hook it up to a keyboard, mouse and, most amusingly of all, a floppy drive -- to play Ultima on DOSbox, of course. It goes without saying that a feat of this kind requires root access, but thankfully that's what Mountain View made the Nexuses for.Filed under: Peripherals, Tablet PCs, SoftwareULTIMAte hack: Nexus 7 hooks up with external USB storage, floppy drive for retro-gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 22:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink @arnoudwokke (Twitter) | xda developers | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of July 16th, 2012

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 06:38 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of July 16th, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of July 16th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, the Chief Operating Officer of Leap Wireless made his departure from the company and a new LTE handset was leaked for MetroPCS. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of July 16th, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of July 16th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, SoftwareMobile Miscellany: week of July 16th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Hulu rolls out a simplified player UI for the web, takes a few cues from mobile

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 06:07 PM PDT

Hulu rolls out a simplified player UI for the web, takes a few cues from mobile


Hulu rolls out a simplified player UI for the web, takes a few cues from mobile
The web player for Hulu added some more acreage just a few months ago, and now the company has updated it with a new "chromeless" look that's stripped down for less complexity than the old one seen here. Similar to the changes Netflix recently made to its web player UI (and looking particularly reminiscent of the iOS video player), Hulu has concentrated all the transport controls into a single bar including options like a 10-second rewind and bringing up the time left in a video when it's paused. As seen in the screenshot above, closed captions, face match, quality and buffering options have their own submenu now, while the toggles, pop-out and lower lights have been moved into a box below the player. Once the show is over, there's a new screen before the player either automatically picks another video, lets you replay what you just watched or browse through other recommended selections. You should be able to see it on the site now, give it a quick spin and let us know if the changes are for the better.Filed under: Home Entertainment, InternetHulu rolls out a simplified player UI for the web, takes a few cues from mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 20:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Hulu Blog | Email this | Comments

Wi-Fi Media lets your Nexus 7 play movies on any screen via HTC's Media Link HD...

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 04:56 PM PDT

Wi-Fi Media lets your Nexus 7 play movies on any screen via HTC's Media Link HD (hands-on video)


Wi-Fi Media lets your Nexus 7 play movies on any screen via HTC's Media Link HD (hands-on video)
We're big fans of the Nexus 7 here at Engadget HQ -- it's just hard not to like a $200 tablet with a Tegra 3 SoC and 7-inch glass-bonded IPS display running pure Jelly Bean. Of the few missing features, there's one we're bemoaning more than the lack of rear camera, and that's the absence of any kind of HDMI or MHL video output. So far, watching movies with the Nexus 7's been relegated to using a Nexus Q and streaming content from Google Play or YouTube. Enter Wi-Fi Media, an app available for free on Google Play that lets most Android devices like the Nexus 7 play movies, music and stills on any screen via any Cavium PureVu-compatible streamer, such as HTC's $90 Media Link HD. We tested Wi-Fi Media with our Nexus 7 and Media Link HD and found it to work pretty much as advertised except for some caveats. First the app doesn't mirror your screen -- you're limited to playing content stored on the tablet or on the network via DLNA, which means no YouTube, Netflix or games. Second, the app doesn't handle some common file types -- like AVI, for example. While it supports watching movies, listening to music and looking at pictures, keep in mind that Wi-Fi Media is not a particularly polished app. In addition to playing local and remote DLNA content, you're able to login to Facebook and Picasa and stream images directly from these accounts, but that's pretty much it in terms of functionality. There's also no way to configure the Media Link HD, so you'll need a sanctioned HTC handset to setup the multimedia streamer before using it with a Nexus 7. Want to know more? Peek at our screenshot gallery below and hit the break for our hands-on video.Gallery: Wi-Fi Media hands-on [Thanks, Matt]Continue reading Wi-Fi Media lets your Nexus 7 play movies on any screen via HTC's Media Link HD (hands-on video)Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs, SoftwareWi-Fi Media lets your Nexus 7 play movies on any screen via HTC's Media Link HD (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Wi-Fi Media (Google Play) | Email this | Comments

Spotify marks its first anniversary in the US with 13 billion listens, a whole l...

Posted: 21 Jul 2012 03:46 PM PDT

Spotify marks its first anniversary in the US with 13 billion listens, a whole lot of sharing goin' on


Spotify marks its first anniversary in the US with 13 billion listens, a whole lot of sharing goin' on
They grow up so fast, don't they? Spotify's US launch was just over a year ago, and the streaming music outlet wants us to know just how big its baby is getting. Americans listened to more than 13 billion tracks on the service in the first 365 days, and they shared more than twice as many -- 27,834,742, to be exact. Not surprisingly, just over half of that socializing went through Facebook, as you can see in the company's sugar-coated chart. Spotify is likewise flaunting 2,700 years' worth of time spent skulking around its app platform. Don't feel any pangs of regret if you forgot to buy something for Spotify's birthday, by the way: the company isn't holding any grudges and says you'll "love" what it has gift-wrapped for year two. We're hoping that involves more free radio stations and fewer holdout musicians.Filed under: InternetSpotify marks its first anniversary in the US with 13 billion listens, a whole lot of sharing goin' on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments