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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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BMW set to rejuvenate scooter business

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

BMW set to rejuvenate scooter business


BMW set to rejuvenate scooter business
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, On Two WheelsDo you remember the BMW C1? The funky scooter from the German automaker has become something of a two-wheeled cult classic. The scooter made either 15 or 18 horsepower, depending on which model you got. But the most notable thing about the C1 was its futuristic windshield/roof combination and its emphasis on safety - with its integrated seatbelt, it was said to be so safe as to not require a helmet.BMW got out of the scooter game when it ended production of the C1 in 2003, but it's poised to reemphasize that market in a big way. According to Bloomberg, BMW is looking to revive its scooter offerings, which already includes the C600 Sport and C650 GT. The lineup is set to be bolstered by the electric C Evolution e-Scooter. BMW hinted at the return of the C1 a few years back with the C1-E concept (above, right), but it merely laid the groundwork from the e-Scooter. This renewed focus may have something to do with rival Audi and its recent purchase of Ducati, as some are suggesting that the move has stoked BMW's desire to broaden its product portfolio to better compete with the Italian motorcycle builder. If it's a piece of the city-dweller market that BMW is after, they may also have competition from niche automaker Smart. Daimler's urban specialist will introduce an electric version of its ForTwo city car later this year. Smart also makes a bicycle with electric propulsion that is available in Europe for around $3,500 (it's set to go on sale in the U.S. in 2014). This will be followed by an electric scooter. Will BMW's renewed efforts in the scooter market be enough to fend off growing competition in the city vehicle market? Only time will tell.BMW set to rejuvenate scooter business originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Verizon and Leap Wireless announce $120 million spectrum swap in wake of FCC app...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 03:10 PM PDT

Verizon and Leap Wireless announce $120 million spectrum swap in wake of FCC approval


Verizon and Leap Wireless announce $120 million spectrum swap in wake of FCC approval
Go ahead and put a bow on it, as Verizon Wireless and Leap Wireless (the parent company of Cricket), have announced a successful spectrum swap. The agreement follows the recent stamp of approval from the FCC, which was issued as part of a larger deal between Verizon Wireless, SpectrumCo and Cox. For its part, Leap will divest itself of excess AWS and PCS spectrum across the US; in exchange, Verizon will pay $120 million to Leap and provide it with 12MHz of A Block 700MHz spectrum in Chicago. Leap will use the new holdings to supplement its existing 10MHz of the A Block within the Windy City, and will use the cash to build up its LTE infrastructure across the US. The company currently expects to provide LTE coverage to at least two-thirds of Cricket's current footprint over the next three years -- or, maybe sooner. Just check the PR to watch the company waffle.Continue reading Verizon and Leap Wireless announce $120 million spectrum swap in wake of FCC approvalFiled under: Wireless, MobileVerizon and Leap Wireless announce $120 million spectrum swap in wake of FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Philips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 03:10 PM PDT

Philips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9


Philips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9
While LG clearly thinks there's still some life in the super-wide format, Philips isn't so sure. In fact, the electronics stalwart has apparently just announced that it won't be releasing any more 21:9 TVs, due to lack of interest. Despite having regularly released new extra-wide sets since 2009, including 3D models, according to FlatpanelsHD, a spokesperson confirmed that demand barely meets the firm's requirements for mass production, and as such it's no longer viable. That's not to say that Philips is bowing out of big screens altogether though -- on the contrary -- it goes on to state that 50-inch screens, and above, are becoming increasingly important. For now, however, it looks like it'll be back to good old 16:9.Filed under: Home Entertainment, HDPhilips gives 21:9 TVs a wide berth, ceases production to focus on 16:9 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | FlatpanelsHD | Email this | Comments

Google lands patent for automatic object recognition in videos, leaves no stone...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 03:10 PM PDT

Google lands patent for automatic object recognition in videos, leaves no stone untagged


Google lands patent for automatic object recognition in videos, leaves no stone untagged
Google has already been working on patents that could pick out faces and song melodies in our YouTube clips. Now, it might just have the ultimate tool: the technique in a just-granted patent could pick out objects in a video, whether they're living or not. Instead of asking the creator to label objects every time, Google proposes using a database of "feature vectors" such as color, movement, shape and texture to automatically identify subjects in the frame through their common traits -- a cat's ears and fast movement would separate it from the ball of yarn it's attacking, for example. Movie makers themselves could provide a lot of the underlying material just by naming and tagging enough of their clips, with the more accurate labels helping to separate the wheat from the chaff if an automated visual ranking system falls short. The one mystery is what Google plans to do with its newfound observational skills, if anything, although the most logical step would be to fill in YouTube keywords without any user intervention -- a potential time-saver when we're uploading that twelfth consecutive pet video.Filed under: InternetGoogle lands patent for automatic object recognition in videos, leaves no stone untagged originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

Facebook Camera update adds notifications, lets you pick and choose albums

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 03:10 PM PDT

Facebook Camera update adds notifications, lets you pick and choose albums


Facebook Camera update adds notifications, lets you pick and choose albums
The Facebook Camera just scored a nice little update in the iTunes app store. Now the filter-equipped shooter will let you pick and choose which folders to upload your pics to -- something that probably should have been included in version one. It also brings notifications to the party, letting you keep track of when friends comment, tag or like a photo. It's actually not bad for a measly .1 update.Filed under: MobileFacebook Camera update adds notifications, lets you pick and choose albums originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Facebook | Email this | Comments

2014 Smart ForTwo prototype shows itself

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

2014 Smart ForTwo prototype shows itself


2014 Smart ForTwo prototype shows itself
Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, SMART, Frankfurt Motor Show From the looks of these spy shots, Daimler is hard at work on the 2014 Smart ForTwo, giving us our first look next generation of this micro car. With the partnership between Renault and Daimler finally coming to fruition, the Smart will likely share a platform with the Renault Twingo, and it will come in gasoline, diesel and electric variants. In terms of styling, the test mule doesn't reveal much, but expect the new ForTwo to utilize some of the design cues introduced on recent concept vehicles like the 2011 ForVision Concept and the 2012 For-Us Concept. One thing we can see with this prototype is that the car appears to have gotten a little bigger with boxier proportions closer to the Scion iQ. Thanks to a bolted-on scoop on the rear part of the car's roof, we can tell that the 2014 ForTwo will continue to have its engine mounted in the rear. For a release date, the production version of the new ForTwo appears to be heading to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, but we wouldn't be surprised to see another ForTwo-teasing Smart concept later this year.2014 Smart ForTwo prototype shows itself originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle


Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle
Filed under: Etc., On Two Wheels, Japan Yes, this sounds like something straight out of the The Onion, but it appears to be the real deal. Toto Ltd., a Japanese toilet company has apparently constructed a highly efficient motorcycle that runs on, well, excrement. The project, which has been ongoing since 2009 is called 'Toilet Bike Neo,' made its debut on Thursday in a Fujisawa showroom. The basis is a three-wheeled, 250cc trike, with a specially built toilet as the seat. It's important to note that the contraption does not run on the rider's (*ahem*) leavings. Rather, the vehicle runs on livestock waste, or waste water. The toilet-derived seat is just a rather blatant advertising device. According to a Metro UK report, the vehicle "runs on biogas fuel (fertilized, purified and compressed livestock waste and household waste water) provided by the Shika-oi Town in Hokkaido and Kobe city." This puts Toto at the front of the clean vehicle initiative in the Japanese market. The report says this vehicle could very well spawn a production model (we're guessing it wouldn't include the toilet seating), but there's no word yet on production timing or price for the poo-burning hog.Mind The Skid Marks: Toto toilet company unveils poo-powered motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile Galaxy S II Gets Support For ISIS Mobile Payments Thanks To New Update

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

T-Mobile Galaxy S II Gets Support For ISIS Mobile Payments Thanks To New Update


T-Mobile Galaxy S II Gets Support For ISIS Mobile Payments Thanks To New Update
It appears that a brand new update for the T-Mobile Galaxy S II subtly includes an "ISIS/NFC update." If this update enables the ISIS service on the phone, it would make the Galaxy S II the first phone to utilize the Google-Wallet mobile payments competitor. ISIS, if you happen to have forgotten, (no one would blame you, it was announced all the way back in 2010) is an NFC-based mobile wallet system backed by AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Nokia rolling out Symbian Belle Refresh with new web browser, home screen widgets

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Nokia rolling out Symbian Belle Refresh with new web browser, home screen widgets


Nokia rolling out Symbian Belle Refresh with new web browser, home screen widgets
Good news for Nokia owners, as the company has begun the phased rollout of Symbian Belle Refresh. First and foremost, the OS update brings a new web browser with support for HTML5 web apps. Users will also discover new home screen widgets, and for those who've yet to snag 'em, Microsoft Office and Nokia Maps Suite 2.0 are also made part of the update. Symbian Belle Refresh is supported by the Nokia N8, E7, C7, C6-01, X7 and Oro, and will also include new imaging apps that are specific to the N8. The vanilla version of the software is now available, and Nokia expects that operator and country specific updates will be up for grabs in the coming weeks.Filed under: Software, MobileNokia rolling out Symbian Belle Refresh with new web browser, home screen widgets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink MobileSyrup | Nokia | Email this | Comments

Apple awarded patent for geo-fencing profile changes to stop you texting in the...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Apple awarded patent for geo-fencing profile changes to stop you texting in the theater


Apple awarded patent for geo-fencing profile changes to stop you texting in the theater
Now that the patent trial of the decade is over bar the shouting, everyone's back to ensuring they've called shotgun on enough of tomorrow's technology. Cupertino has won a patent to enforce policies when your wireless device enters a specific location. Dry as that may sound, it means that your smartphone could automatically switch to silent and disable its display as soon as you enter a movie theater. Of course, it's as likely to remain in Bruce Sewell's bottom drawer as it is to be a feature in the next iPhone, but as perpetually-annoyed cinema-goers we'd pay good money to see it retrospectively installed in every handset from the last decade.Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Internet, MobileApple awarded patent for geo-fencing profile changes to stop you texting in the theater originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | USPTO | Email this | Comments

White House Finalizes Economy Standards

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

White House Finalizes Economy Standards


White House Finalizes Economy Standards
Rules include 54.5-mpg fleet average by 2025 and provisions for small automakers.

Lexmark announces detailed restructuring plan: 1,700 layoffs, inkjet business to...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Lexmark announces detailed restructuring plan: 1,700 layoffs, inkjet business to be nixed


Lexmark announces detailed restructuring plan: 1,700 layoffs, inkjet business to be nixed
It's always a sad day when news come in of hard-working folks losing their cherished jobs -- and, unfortunately, today's one of those dismal days. In a detailed press release, Lexmark's let it be known it'll be be undergoing a company-wide restructure, but with the main focus being the exiting of the outfit's inkjet hardware development and manufacturing -- which, in the end, should save the printer maker about $95 million per year once the plan has taken place. Naturally, this doesn't come without any repercussions, as Lexmark's announced these restructuring actions will see around 1,700 worldwide jobs be lost; 1,100 of which are manufacturing positions, and also include the closing of an inkjet supplies manufacturing plant in the Philippines. Needless to say, we can only hope Lexmark sees better days. For now, however, you can peruse over the company's official word in the presser located right past the break.Continue reading Lexmark announces detailed restructuring plan: 1,700 layoffs, inkjet business to be nixedFiled under: Misc, PeripheralsLexmark announces detailed restructuring plan: 1,700 layoffs, inkjet business to be nixed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Lexmark | Email this | Comments

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada


Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada
Folks over in the US of A have been utilizing Gogo's up-in-the-air wireless amenities for quite some time now, which isn't something we can say about our dear neighbors from The Great White North -- unless, of course, you count the company's current Aircell's Gogo Biz service. That said, Gogo's finally received the go-ahead to bring its in-flight WiFi goods to both commercial and business planes that are traveling within Canada and cross-border to the States, allowing the internet provider to deliver "seamless service" all-around. According to Gogo, the network will be fully operational by the end of next year, with the company assuring fellow Canadians that they, too, can "soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S." Hit the PR below to delve into the formal nitty-gritty.Continue reading Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over CanadaFiled under: Transportation, WirelessGogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Gogo | Email this | Comments

Winter Is Coming: The Great iPhone Cable Shortage Of 2012

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 02:07 PM PDT

Winter Is Coming: The Great iPhone Cable Shortage Of 2012


Winter Is Coming: The Great iPhone Cable Shortage Of 2012
How many iOS charger cables do you own? You know, the 30-pin connector that's been packaged alongside every iPod, iPhone and iPad for as long as I can remember. Personally, I own seven. Each of my friends and colleagues has (at the very least) more than one of these wires. Essentially, if you've owned an iThing for more than a few months, especially an iPhone, you probably own more than one cable, too. But the next-gen iPhone, and its 8-pin mini port, will change more than the iThing accessories industry. Sure, there are millions of docks, charging cases, etc. that will have trouble with this transition. But Apple will no doubt sell a connector for backwards compatibility, probably for around $30. But the real issue isn't the accessories ecosystem, it's the ubiquity of the current iCable model.

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada


Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada
Folks over in the US of A have been utilizing Gogo's up-in-the-air wireless amenities for quite some time now, which isn't something we can say about our dear neighbors from The Great White North -- unless, of course, you count the company's current Aircell's Gogo Biz service. That said, Gogo's finally received the go-ahead to bring its in-flight WiFi goods to both commercial and business planes that are traveling within Canada and cross-border to the States, allowing the internet provider to deliver "seamless service" all-around. According to Gogo, the network will be fully operational by the end of next year, with the company assuring fellow Canadians that they, too, can "soon experience the same technology that has a proven track record of performance and reliability in the U.S." Hit the PR below to delve into the formal nitty-gritty.Continue reading Gogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over CanadaFiled under: Transportation, WirelessGogo gets the green light to provide in-flight WiFi over Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Gogo | Email this | Comments

Tips for protecting your home against hurricane damage

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 01:05 PM PDT

Tips for protecting your home against hurricane damage


Tips for protecting your home against hurricane damage
In the event that a hurricane does hit, make sure your property is ready to weather the storm.

Sony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved design

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 01:05 PM PDT

Sony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved design


Sony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved design
Here in the states, at least, the e-reader market is ruled by two bookstore giants: Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And while it's not likely to come barreling into the top two any time soon, Sony has made a fairly strong case for number three, particularly with last year's Reader WiFi. That model defied Sony's reputation for overpriced gear, while offering various features unavailable in the Nooks and Kindles of the market (think: pinch-to-zoom and handwriting capabilities). The new Reader PRS-T2 maintains many of the features that made the Reader WiFi a solid choice, though it adds Evernote integration, smoother page turns and a generally more streamlined design. So is the refreshed Reader worth recommending over competitors like the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight and Amazon Kindle Touch? Find out after the break.Gallery: Sony Reader PRS-T2 reviewContinue reading Sony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved designSony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved design originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Engadget HD Podcast 313 - 08.28.2012

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 11:56 AM PDT

Engadget HD Podcast 313 - 08.28.2012


Engadget HD Podcast 313 - 08.28.2012
We have survived. The long hot summer is drawing to an end and as the days again grow shorter that can only mean one thing: football is back. While everyone stocks up on supplies for the longest football Saturday ever we've got a new podcast for you to check out, as we cover the latest TV apps for the Xbox 360, Google TV and even a relaunch of the TV Guide app on iOS. It's also time to look towards the future as IFA 2012 gets rolling LG is already shipping its first 4K HDTV while the ITU has locked down a standard for 8K broadcasts. While we wait for those to become reality we'll be watching the games (and Doctor Who, and the midseason finale of Breaking Bad) in standard HD, while choosing winner in our NFL Pick 'Em league. Click here to join, the ID number is 1955 and the password is EHD12. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes. [RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [MP3] Download the show (MP3).Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)Producer: Trent Wolbe 25:37 - NBC News app for Xbox 360 brings streaming show clips to the console 26:30 - US presidential campaign trail winds its way to Xbox Live on August 27th with Election 2012 Hub 28:40 - Sky's Now TV service hits Xbox, beckons you forth with 30 day free trial 32:00 - Google Play Music app updated for Google TV, Play video content now streaming to Chromebooks 33:50 - Netflix inks deal with Weinstein Co.-owned Radius-TWC, films coming to watch instantly next year 35:42 - TV Guide Mobile relaunches for iOS with a new look, links to streaming video and social networks 42:15 - Hulu launches redesigned site with bigger artwork, 'tray-style format' of suggested shows 43:37 - Star Wars Episode II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013 45:00 - 4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month 46:00 - ITU approves NHK's Super Hi-Vision as 8K standard, sets the UHDTV ball rolling very slowly 47:44 - Must See HDTV (August 27th - September 2nd) Hear the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC) Filed under: Podcasts, HDEngadget HD Podcast 313 - 08.28.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

54.4 mpg fuel economy rule finalized

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 11:55 AM PDT

54.4 mpg fuel economy rule finalized


54.4 mpg fuel economy rule finalized
Dramatic change to fuel economy regulations.

AMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 11:25 AM PDT

AMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper


AMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper
If you're building a starter desktop to get ready for school, you'll be glad to know that AMD is squeaking just a little more value for the dollar out of its processors. The new quad-core FX-4130 takes a 200MHz hop forward from its predecessor to a 3.8GHz base speed, and ramps up to 3.9GHz if it's feeling frisky. While it's thirstier than the earlier FX-4100 at 125W of maximum power draw, the unlocked chip's $112 retail cost is a potential sweet spot for those tailoring a system to a strict price. Anyone willing to trade overclocking support for yet more of a savings will be glad to know that AMD has been slashing the prices of its Fusion-based A-Series chips at the same time: the across-the-board cuts bring even the 2.9GHz A8-3850 down to $91. No breaks exist here for the performance crowd, alas, but AMD's new proposition might be just the excuse needed to build that budget Windows 8 PC.Filed under: DesktopsAMD FX-4130 delivers 3.8GHz quad-core on a budget, A-Series chips get even cheaper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | AMD (FX), (A-Series) | Email this | Comments

Microsoft SkyDrive for Android app is now available, joins its mobile counterpar...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 11:24 AM PDT

Microsoft SkyDrive for Android app is now available, joins its mobile counterparts for cloud access


Microsoft SkyDrive for Android app is now available, joins its mobile counterparts for cloud access
Microsoft's promise to bring a SkyDrive app to Android devices a few days ago has been kept. The folks in Redmond have announced that the aforementioned mobile software is now available for those who fancy Google's operating system. As you might expect, the list of features follows suit with the existing iOS and Windows Phone applications -- including multiple photo or video uploads, file sharing, opening stored files and file management with the ability to sort folders. While the app was built to work best with Android 4.0, it'll play nice with any handset that runs Gingerbread and above. If you're ready to install, a few clicks will do just that via the Google Play link below.Filed under: Internet, Software, MobileMicrosoft SkyDrive for Android app is now available, joins its mobile counterparts for cloud access originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Windows Blog, Google Play | Email this | Comments

Pickup a secretary?

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 11:24 AM PDT

Pickup a secretary?


Pickup a secretary?
Hands-free fun.

Mild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

Mild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support


Mild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support
Mobile payments, those made from a phone and typically via NFC, haven't exactly had a huge impact on the average American consumer just yet, but look past that and you'll see a battle is brewing. Google had been making the most noise, with its Google Wallet, but today the competing service Isis just launched its first proper salvo. The T-Mobile version of the Galaxy S II is currently receiving an OTA update (T989UVLH1) that, among a few other tweaks, enables support for Isis NFC payments, making it the first such device on the market. Many more are inbound from AT&T and Verizon as well, setting the stage for an epic virtual currency battle that only the peaceniks at the Mobile Payments Committee stand a chance of mitigating.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileMild-mannered Samsung Galaxy S II update brings Isis mobile payment support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Android Police | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Launches SkyDrive For Android

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

Microsoft Launches SkyDrive For Android


Microsoft Launches SkyDrive For Android
Earlier this month, Microsoft gave its SkyDrive cloud storage service a complete design overhaul that brought it in line with the look and feel of Microsoft's Windows 8 Metro UI. At that time, Microsoft also promised to release its first official SkyDrive for Android app soon and the app has now appeared in the Google Play store. The Android app joins Microsoft's Windows Phone and iOS apps for SkyDrive and offers virtually the same features. To use the app, Android users need to run Android 2.3 and above, though Microsoft notes that it works best with Android 4.0.

Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmente...

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video)


Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video)
You remember Sphero, right? Last we checked in with its creators from Orbotix at E3, the $130 robotic ball was getting ready to act as a 3D controller and the guide point for an Augmented Reality Engine. This week, along with the release of a firmware upgrade, a few new free apps have been released, including two that'll let you use that 3D controller functionality. Better yet, Orbotix has given us a sneak peek at the progress it's made on the AGR since we last checked it out. Join us past the break if you're curious to find out more.Continue reading Sphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video)Filed under: Misc, Gaming, PeripheralsSphero gets a firmware upgrade and new apps, we get another look at its Augmented Reality Engine (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Craigslist quietly switching to OpenStreetMap data

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

Craigslist quietly switching to OpenStreetMap data


Craigslist quietly switching to OpenStreetMap data
TPM is reporting that Craigslist is embedding maps on its housing adverts from crowdsourced mapping site, OpenStreetMap. While the listings-site isn't boasting of the change, it's the fourth major name to dump Google's service after Foursquare, Wikipedia Mobile and Apple. While Mountain View has cut the cost of accessing its Maps API, it looks like budget-conscious corporations may be looking elsewhere.Filed under: GPS, InternetCraigslist quietly switching to OpenStreetMap data originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Talking Points Memo | Craigslist | Email this | Comments

GM Halts Production of the Volt

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 10:52 AM PDT

GM Halts Production of the Volt


GM Halts Production of the Volt
It's unlikely the EV will hit the company's ambitious sales targets.

How low can you go? Colorado Chevy dealer offering Volt leases for $199/month

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 09:47 AM PDT

How low can you go? Colorado Chevy dealer offering Volt leases for $199/month


How low can you go? Colorado Chevy dealer offering Volt leases for $199/month
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet Check this out. A Colorado Chevrolet dealer has made a claim "Eight Volts by September or bust!" To do so, it is willing to offer the lowest lease deals we've ever seen: just $199 a month for 24 months, plus $2,999 cash down at signing. Add that all up and you're getting a two-year Volt for under $8,000 (not including taxes and extra options and all that) for a car with a $40,055 MSRP. This beats the previous best lease deal we had heard of: $2,529 down and $260 a month for 36 months. There are limits to this new deal, of course, including that you need to have approved credit and can only drive 10,000 miles a year (think of it as a different kind of range anxiety). The dealer is Medved Autoplex in Denver, where representative Whitney told AutoblogGreen that, "As far as a trade-ins go, that factors into the deal just like any car deal - if the client has positive equity in the trade that can be factored into the cash down." Volt sales have been good recently but GM will be shutting down Volt production for four weeks soon to balance supply and demand. This implies there are extra Volts available out there and Medved, which has sold more Volts than any other dealer in Colorado, wants to sell these eight Volts to remain "your Rocky Mountain Volt authority." It appears to be working; Whitney said Medved has already sold three of the eight.Continue reading How low can you go? Colorado Chevy dealer offering Volt leases for $199/monthHow low can you go? Colorado Chevy dealer offering Volt leases for $199/month originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 09:47 AM PDT

Samsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8


Samsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8
You know those fresh new Series 7 all-in-ones Samsung outed in the wee hours of this morning? Well, it turns out that while those desktops will be running Windows 8, Mashable discovered that they've got a little something extra added to Microsoft's stock OS: a Start Menu. Called the S Launcher, it's a widget that replaces that tried and true Start button the folks in Redmond saw fit to eliminate in Win8. As you might expect, it grants access to settings, files and programs in one convenient window, and making additions to the widget is a drag-and-drop affair. So, all you folks having fits about the Start button's disappearance, fear not, Samsung's got the software to soothe your troubled mind.Filed under: SoftwareSamsung's S Launcher puts the Start menu back in Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Mashable | Email this | Comments

Cargo truck "walks" on water

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 09:47 AM PDT

Cargo truck "walks" on water


Cargo truck "walks" on water
New idea for disaster relief.