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Monday, August 6, 2012

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Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own


Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own
More Info Toshiba outs Satellite U845W Ultrabook with 14.4-inch, 21:9 display (updated: $999 and up in the US) The Ultrabooks of Computex 2012 Toshiba bows out of netbooks in the US, sees Ultrabooks as the wave of the future Ultrabooks now come in countless shapes and sizes, and we've seen display quality vary just as much. Though 1,366 x 768 may still be the norm, 1,600 x 900 panels aren't unheard of in this ultraportable category. But what about a screen that bucks the 16:9 aspect ratio for an extra-wide 21:9? Toshiba is mixing things up with its new premium Satellite U845W Ultrabook ($1,000 and up), the first laptop to feature that odd aspect ratio. Styled in the fashion of movie theater screens, the U845W's 14.4-inch, 1,792 x 768 panel adds more horizontal pixels -- ostensibly to enhance the movie-watching experience. In theory, too, that setup should allow for more room to multitask with windows side by side. So how good of an idea is a 21:9 screen in practice? Join us as we put it to the test. Gallery: Toshiba Satellite U845W reviewContinue reading Toshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its ownFiled under: LaptopsToshiba Satellite U845W review: an Ultrabook with a screen size all its own originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Windows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Windows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro


Windows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro
If you were hoping that you could force Windows 8 to bypass the don't-call-it-Metro homescreen and boot straight to the familiar desktop you've come to know and love, we've got bad news. Word on the street is, Microsoft has removed this ability from the latest builds of the OS -- so you're gonna have to stare at a pile of tiles when you boot up, whether you like it or not. According to Rafael Rivera, one of the authors of Windows 8 Secrets, there is a work around that involves creating a shortcut to the desktop and scheduling it to run at boot. But, it appears that even enterprise customers will be blocked from making the standard desktop the default environment. While Redmond is no doubt implementing such a policy to enforce consistency, it could prove to be a source of frustration for big businesses, which are notoriously resistant to change. We'll just have to wait for the final release to find out for sure.Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs, SoftwareWindows 8 may not let you boot to the desktop, demands you accept not-Metro originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | ZDNet | Email this | Comments

Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard


Microsoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard
Microsoft, objecting to a web standard promoted by its competitors? Get out. While Firefox, Opera and now Chrome have implemented WebRTC on some level for plugin-free VoIP and webcam chats, Microsoft doesn't think the existing, proposed standard is up to snuff for linking with existing devices or obeying "key web tenets." It's suggesting a new CU-RTC-Web standard to fix what it claims is broken with WebRTC. Thankfully, the changes are more technical improvements than political maneuvering: Microsoft wants a peer-to-peer transport level that gives more control as well as to reduce some of the requirements that it sees holding the technology back as of today. There's no doubt an economic incentive for a company that wants to push Skype in the browser, but the format is already in front of the W3C and could become a real cross-platform standard. If other W3C members are willing to (slightly) reinvent the wheel, Microsoft's approach could get Chrome and Internet Explorer users talking -- no, really talking.Filed under: InternetMicrosoft no fan of existing WebRTC standard, proposes its own to get Skype onboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink SlashGear | Interoperability @ Microsoft, W3C | Email this | Comments

Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?


Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?
Oh sure, you love gadgets -- but do you have the chops to write about them? We'd love to know if you think you do, because we're looking to actually pay people to do this stuff. Professional writing experience, particularly in our industry, is greatly preferred. That said, what we really care about is that you can write skillfully about gadgets with wit, concision, authority and blinding speed, even if you haven't cut your teeth in the press just yet. Oh, and being obsessed with Engadget is good, too. We're looking for an editor in the San Francisco area. Want to apply? Read on. Continue reading Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?Filed under: AnnouncementsDo you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

YouTube App Removed From iOS 6 Because Apple’s Licensing Agreement Is Over

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

YouTube App Removed From iOS 6 Because Apple's Licensing Agreement Is Over


YouTube App Removed From iOS 6 Because Apple's Licensing Agreement Is Over
Slowly but surely, it seems as though Apple's mobile OS is being stripped of search giant Google's influence. Apple's redesigned Maps application -- due to make its debut in iOS 6 -- no longer makes use of Google's map data, and that trend continues with another recently spotted change. The latest beta version of iOS 6 (that's beta number 4, if you're keeping count) no longer includes the YouTube app, which has been a mainstay of iOS homescreens since the original iPhone. Don't fret too much though, because Apple reports that Google is working on its own iOS-friendly YouTube app for inclusion in the iOS App Store.

Apple Touts Success Of Its Land Rover iAd Campaign In New Video

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:32 PM PDT

Apple Touts Success Of Its Land Rover iAd Campaign In New Video


Apple Touts Success Of Its Land Rover iAd Campaign In New Video
Apple is famous for its slick ads highlighting its latest gadgets (though it does have occasional misfires). Now the company has released its first iAd customer video, essentially selling its mobile advertising program to brands and advertisers. Since its launch, much of the publicity around iAd has been mixed or negative, with reports that pricing continues to fall and articles wondering "why Apple's iAd is failing to lure advertisers." So this video is a good way to remind people, "Hey, we've got some satisfied customers too!"

YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a stan...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:58 PM PDT

YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a standalone version


YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a standalone version
Apple just got in touch with us regarding the removal of the YouTube app in the latest beta of iOS 6, and while it wouldn't say much, it did confirm the obvious: it's not there for a reason. The licensing deal it had with Google "has ended, but users can still use YouTube via the Safari web app." The company did affirm, however, that Google "is working" on another version -- presumably a standalone app that'll have to survive the same App Store approval process as Google Drive, Gmail for iOS and the rest of the bunch. Interestingly, we were told that the YouTube app "would remain on iOS 5 and older," and that includes iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Granted, the amount of iOS 5 users will dip dramatically in the months following iOS 6's release this fall, but it leaves open the question of compatibility -- will the forthcoming YouTube app for iOS 6 be installable on iOS 5 and older? All things considered, it's probably a good thing for consumers. Yes, it's another play by Apple to distance itself from its biggest mobile OS rival (Maps, anyone?), but it also gives Google the chance to reimagine the YouTube app, and perhaps even design it to showcase a great mobile experience around the company's huge original content push. Apple wouldn't comment on the status of Google's new YouTube app, nor would it speak to whether or not it had even been submitted for approval, but we're guessing the clock watchers know that September 12th is drawing near.YouTube app removed from iOS 6 but not iOS 5 and older; Google working on a standalone version originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

NFC Company ViVOtech Unloads Its Reader Business, Will Focus On Software Going F...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:58 PM PDT

NFC Company ViVOtech Unloads Its Reader Business, Will Focus On Software Going Forward


NFC Company ViVOtech Unloads Its Reader Business, Will Focus On Software Going Forward
In late July, NFC industry news site NFC Times reported that ViVOtech, a software and systems provider which makes everything from smart posters to transaction management infrastructure, was shutting down. The company soon after released a statement explaining that it wasn't closing up shop, but it was "restructuring its operations." Today, ViVOtech has made progress on that front: it has unloaded its reader business to ID TECH, and says its focus will now be on making software.

WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the pr...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:58 PM PDT

WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video)


WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video)
It's a fairly menacing sight, an aluminum robot sporting big tank treads -- that is, until you watch one of its creators do a handstand on top of the thing in a pair of cargo shorts. And really, while the 'bot wouldn't look too out of place with a small machine gun strapped to its front, its intentions are peaceful, seeking to extend the WiFi connections to hazardous places lacking in network infrastructure. We first heard about the project last week, when the team of computer and electrical engineers at Northeastern University that created it first revealed their work to the media. A visit this weekend to our favorite Somerville, Massachusetts-based hackerspace provided the opportunity to check out the beast in-person and discuss the project with a couple of its creators. After the limited machining resources at Northeastern failed to meet their needs, the students found a home at Artisan's Asylum, where they learned the skills necessary to put together this ambitious project, utilizing classes and the metal shop provided by the space. The result is an impressive sight, a robot capable of climbing stairs and supporting the weight of two adult humans -- the latter of which they happily demonstrated for us in a yet-to-be-occupied new wing at Artisan's. The former, on the other hand, we were unable to see, sadly, as the internals were mostly gutted at the moment on the ever-evolving project. Team member Dan Landers, was more than happy to discuss the project, standing next to a pile of water jet-cut steel pieces that will form the first leg of giant hexapod Stompy, a project on which Landers is also a participant.Gallery: NodeWiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank, we talk to the people behind the projectContinue reading WiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video)Filed under: Robots, WirelessWiFi-Extending Robot is built like a tank -- we talk to the people behind the project (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Glench | Email this | Comments

The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:24 PM PDT

The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked


The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked
Rumors about the new iPhone have basically everything but the screen shrinking. That includes the SIM card and its ejectable drawer. French site NoWhereElse scored some photos of what it claims is the new tray, alongside the 4S version for comparison. As you can clearly see, the new SIM slot is narrower and the insert has a slightly different cosmetic design. If the part turns out to be legit, it will hardly come as a surprise. Apple made a big push for a nano-SIM standard to be adopted over competing designs from Nokia, RIM and Motorola. If the rumors and Cupertino's reliable refresh schedule hold up, you wont have to wait long to find out for sure. The next iPhone is expected to be announced next month. Hit up the source link for a few more photos.The next iPhone's nano-SIM cradle allegedly leaked originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NoWhereElse | Email this | Comments

Samsung Strategy Officer: iPhone-Induced “Crisis Of Design” Docs Were Exaggerate...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:12 PM PDT

Samsung Strategy Officer: iPhone-Induced "Crisis Of Design" Docs Were Exaggerated To Motivate Employees


Samsung Strategy Officer: iPhone-Induced "Crisis Of Design" Docs Were Exaggerated To Motivate Employees
We're just commencing Week Two of the Samsung v. Apple trial in San Jose, and Judge Lucy Koh opened the day with a joke, saying that there had been a false hope in her heart this weekend that the two would settle. But these two electronics giants are still ready to battle it out, and have brought Justin Denison, Samsung's Chief Strategy officer, back to the stand. After some questions about whether or not STA sells directly to consumers, and whether or not Galaxy phones are different from one model to the next, Samsung's lawyer Mr. Quinn was about to actually make a point. He mentioned that throughout the trial, there have been comments such as "Samsung is in a crisis of design" and "the difference between the iPhone and the Galaxy phones are like heaven and earth."

Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses mor...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:12 PM PDT

Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools


Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools
Fresh off unveiling Office 365's cloud app model last month, Microsoft has teamed up with Verizon to add the productivity suite to Big Red's Small Business Essentials service. Similar to the Governmental version of Office 365, small businesses can gain access to Office web apps, SharePoint website design tools, Exchange email and calendar service, plus Lync messaging. Best part is, it's just six bucks a month per user, and most all enterprise customers are taken care of: the tools are available on Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone. Want to know more? PR awaits after the break.Continue reading Verizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity toolsFiled under: Internet, SoftwareVerizon adds Office 365 to Small Business Essentials, gives small businesses more mobile productivity tools originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Verizon Wireless | Email this | Comments

Life inside homes where grisly deaths took place

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:12 PM PDT

Life inside homes where grisly deaths took place


Life inside homes where grisly deaths took place
Though many may balk at living in a home where brutal murders have occurred, studies reveal that murder homes can be excellent bargains if potential buyers can accept the property's tainted past.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is America's most fuel-efficient convertible

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is America's most fuel-efficient convertible


2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is America's most fuel-efficient convertible
Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Volkswagen What's better than driving with the top down and the wind in your hair? Cruising in the open air while saving a ton of money at the pump. The EPA has just released its figures for the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, and the numbers don't lie. The Beetle Convertible TDI, with its 140 horsepower diesel four-cylinder, gets 21 miles per gallon city and 41 mpg highway when paired with the six-speed manual transmission. That highway number makes the Beetle Convertible TDI the most fuel efficient convertible in America. Want more power and still want to save fuel? The turbocharged 2.0-liter gas engine puts out 200 horsepower while returning 21 mpg city and 30 highway. By comparision, the Smart ForTwo Cabriolet gets 34/38, with a combined rating of 36 mpg. That's good enough to beat out the Beetle Convertible TDI's 32 combined MPG, but if you do more highway driving, no other droptop will rival the max fuel economy of the Beetle. The Tesla Roadster, which would have been far and away the most fuel-efficient convertible on the market, is sold out and not in production in the U.S. for 2013.2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI is America's most fuel-efficient convertible originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and cont...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues


Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues
Right alongside iOS 6 beta 4, Apple has also pushed out beta 4 software for its Apple TV -- useful for "testing AirPlay for iOS apps," according to the company. Not surprising, actually, considering that a bit of the polish from the former relied on updates to the latter. It's available as we speak to registered developers, and it promises to fix a number of niggles involving restarts while using the Remote app, the wrong resolution being displayed on one's HDTV, and a Photo Stream quirk that prevented some images from loading. The bullet-point breakdown is hosted up after the break.Continue reading Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issuesFiled under: Home EntertainmentApple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Apple | Email this | Comments

Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog


Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog
Right around 20 days after iOS 6 beta 3 was beamed out to developers, beta 4 is now making its way into those same hands via an OTA download. We've just confirmed that the files are indeed being pushed out, with the changelog showing fixes related to Facebook integration, the Address Book, authorization statues, and Apple TV / Bonjour workflows. You'll also get a patched-up Dictionary, iTunes and Maps, amongst other things. The entire list of updates is embedded after the break, but we'd recommend a stiff cup of coffee before trying to digest 'em all. Update: For the eagle-eyed, yes, this update does indeed remove the YouTube app from the iOS homescreen. If you're out of the loop, Google owns YouTube. And Apple hasn't shied away from doing its best to distance iOS from Googlefied apps... [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Continue reading Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelogFiled under: Cellphones, SoftwareApple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink BGR | Apple | Email this | Comments

Engadget's back to school guide 2012

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school guide 2012


Engadget's back to school guide 2012
Welcome to Engadget's back to school hub for 2012! With the payment plan locked in for tuition and fees, you're now free to spend on the fun stuff, and we're here to help! Throughout August, we'll be posting three guides each week, covering all of the categories you see represented below. Whether you're dropping a few grand or pinching pennies when it comes to tech, we've got the gear for you. Each guide includes three sections, organized by price, letting you make the best picks while staying within budget. Then, after after you see the very last guide go live at the end of the month, we'll be drawing the names of 15 lucky readers -- each will head back to campus this fall with a bag of gadgets stuffed to the brim! For now, click on over to our available category pages, and stay tuned for those to come -- identified by a faded graphic for now. Accessories Bags and Cases Cameras Docks . . . . E-readers Fun Stuff! Gaming Headphones . . . . Laptops Printers Smartphones Ultrabooks . . . . Tablets TVs / Displays Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2012Filed under: AnnouncementsEngadget's back to school guide 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Tennessee town finds 27 basketballs, other sports gear clogging drain

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Tennessee town finds 27 basketballs, other sports gear clogging drain


Tennessee town finds 27 basketballs, other sports gear clogging drain
After a constantly backed-up drain in Parrottsville, Tenn., caused $1,200 in flood damage to the nearby Parrottsville Inn during rainstorms, the hotel's owner called on the town to correct the problem.

Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter


Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter
Google's Senior Vice President of Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai confirmed to the crowd back at D10 that Chrome browser use was soaring -- particularly in the consumer space -- and StatCounter's latest data most definitely backs that up. The newest report, ending July 2012, shows the Chrome creeping up to 33.8 percent worldwide from 32.8 percent in June. Internet Explorer is sitting at 32 percent, while Firefox is seen slipping a bit to 23.7 percent; meanwhile, Apple's Safari picks up the Participation Award with 7.1 percent. As The Next Web points out, it's also worth nothing that Chrome is doing particularly well in Europe, South America and Asia, while IE is still charging in the UK, US and Down Under. Granted, StatCounter is hardly the end-all when it comes to browser usage; that said, it's definitely useful to get a general idea of which browsers are moving in which direction, and it's certainly astonishing to see a piece of software that didn't exist four years ago already claiming such a significant piece of the pie.Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Next Web | StatCounter | Email this | Comments

Come August 23, AT&T Customers Can Finally Get On A Shared Data Plan

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Come August 23, AT&T Customers Can Finally Get On A Shared Data Plan


Come August 23, AT&T Customers Can Finally Get On A Shared Data Plan
AT&T went into plenty of detail about its new shared data plans late last month, and at last there's a launch date to go along with them. Starting on August 23 AT&T customers can jump on one of the carrier's so-called Mobile Share plans if they want their smartphones, tablets, and other miscellaneous wireless gadgets to coexist in carrier-sanctioned peace.

Amazon begins renting paper textbooks

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Amazon begins renting paper textbooks


Amazon begins renting paper textbooks
Amazon has been renting out Kindle editions of textbooks for sometime now, but not all the educational tomes you need may be available in electronic form. And, believe it or not, some people just plain prefer paper to E-ink -- especially since its much easier to take notes in the margins. Now many of the more expensive texts on the site also feature a rent option. Most are in the $30 to $60 range and are rented by the semester, which Amazon counts as 130 days. Should you need it for a bit longer, you can extend your rental period by 15 days, but only once. On the plus side, Amazon will pay for the shipping on the return of the books. For more info, check out the FAQ at the source.Filed under: Misc. GadgetsAmazon begins renting paper textbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, The Digital Reader, eCommerce Bytes | Amazon | Email this | Comments

More Women Than Men Use The Kindle Fire, And iPad Is Getting Highest Satisfactio...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

More Women Than Men Use The Kindle Fire, And iPad Is Getting Highest Satisfaction Score: ComScore


More Women Than Men Use The Kindle Fire, And iPad Is Getting Highest Satisfaction Score: ComScore
The tablet market is still relatively young, with penetration in the fast-forward U.S. market only reaching 47% by 2013, but we are already starting to see some usage patterns emerging, according to comScore. In a survey of 6,000 tablet owners in the U.S., the researchers have found the Kindle Fire has more female than male users while iPad skews to males. It also found that Apple's tablet has the highest satisfaction ratings of all tablets -- although across iPad, Android and Kindle Fire tablets, all rate relatively close to each other, and all of them are higher than the average satisfaction ratings for smartphones. And when assessing what motivates purchases, brands play second-fiddle to functionality and price, with apps availability, along with cost, scoring as the most important factors considered when a consumer purchases a tablet.

Microsoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Microsoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just a click away


Microsoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just a click away
You've known it was coming, and today the doors to Microsoft's Office Store were flung wide open. In short, it's a newfangled portal that enables avid Office and SharePoint users to search for, discover and install apps. Users will need a Microsoft account and the preview version of Office, SharePoint or Exchange in order to start diving in. Naturally, Microsoft has built a pretty stout control system for administrators, and it has also crafted an internal distribution mechanism in SharePoint called the App Catalog -- a tool that "allows enterprises to build in-house apps or source them from partners and distribute them to employees within the organization." Looking to see what it's all around? Head over to the Store and click entirely too many of those "Try It" buttons.Filed under: SoftwareMicrosoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just a click away originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MSDN Blogs, Microsoft | Email this | Comments

Student hybrid car project could bring millions to Tennessee university

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:20 AM PDT

Student hybrid car project could bring millions to Tennessee university


Student hybrid car project could bring millions to Tennessee university
Could the next Gatorade be a hybrid car?

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones


Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're tapping away on our brand-new smartphones -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here! It's a good time to be a student. Last year, there were some solid picks, but it was still very clear that those willing to scrimp and save a little longer had a much better experience. This year, it's a people's revolution. Thanks to cutthroat competition, there are some exceptional phones out there, even for those of you hoping to avoid eating ramen noodles for a month. Software has taken a leap forward too, with many phones now offering a vital way to remember when that term paper is due... or to procrastinate at the pub. We have nine choices of phones in our shortlist, spread out across three categories to serve everyone from the I-just-need-a-phone freshman to the overloaded doctoral candidate. While you're eying the selection, don't forget to enter our giveaway and potentially ease the burden -- who knows, you may get a phone you want rather than the one dictated by your student loan. Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphonesFiled under: CellphonesEngadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channel...

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:08 AM PDT

FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)


FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)
While we saw cable and IPTV providers promising pay-TV channels without a box (at least in that room) at CES 2012 we were skeptical, since we've been burned before, but now Verizon FiOS TV has followed up the launch of its app on Xbox 360 by quietly releasing the version for Samsung's Smart TVs and Blu-ray players. Like the Xbox 360 app of course, you will need to already be a Verizon FiOS TV customer, so if it's not in your area you're still out of luck. One of our readers noticed the app pop up on his 2011 model Samsung HDTV, and Verizon just posted a quick video trailer (embedded after the break) previewing the app's ability to tune into 26 live channels, as well as FlexView video on-demand content. Tipster ProphetBeal noted the channel changes seemed quicker than on the Xbox 360 app, although they were otherwise very similar. There's a few more screens awaiting you at the source link, as well as a list of compatible devices. [Thanks, ProphetBeal]Continue reading FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)Filed under: Home EntertainmentFiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Samsung Appstore | Email this | Comments

Stitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Stitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker


Stitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker
Like web peanut butter, the Stitcher List site is a tasty way to find popular radio streams but was begging to be stirred into the chocolate of the main Stitcher Radio app. Luckily, that confection is now done and can be downloaded in iOS or Android flavors from each platform's store. The list addition lets you see popular podcasts or streams ranked in their category's top 50; new programs trending fast; and the most popular shows on social media. All that will work together with the main app, which serves up internet radio choices based on your personal fancies -- and of course, will still let your friends admire your software-enhanced sense of taste via Twitter.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, SoftwareStitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Stitcher | Email this | Comments

2013 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:32 AM PDT

2013 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]


2013 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, First DriveTesla-Hearted Toyota Offers Real Sport And Utility The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is the most advanced Alpha prototype electric vehicle we've ever driven. Or maybe it's a poster child for the 21st Century automotive industry where all sorts of new things are being tried, like when old-school automakers and ambitious start-ups find common purpose in rushing an all-electric crossover to market in two years. Or maybe it's the end result of a decade-long process of getting the Japanese automaker to bring back its popular - by EV standards, anyway - first-gen RAV4 EV for the new era of electric cars? It is, of course, all of these things, and that's what makes the RAV4 EV such an interesting vehicle: It not only offers surprisingly good performance on the road, it can also tell you some compelling stories as you jump from 0-60 in seven seconds. In a CUV. With an easy-to-achieve 100-mile range. Most compelling, perhaps, is that the RAV4 EV is a real electric crossover with a real on-sale date. Namely, $49,800 (before any tax credits) and late summer 2012. Of course, the problem, aside from the hefty price, is that this CUV will only be available - initially, anyway - in four major California markets: Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego and Los Angeles/Orange County. Since the RAV4 EV will go on sale in The OC (don't call it that), it made sense that Toyota brought journalists to Newport Beach for some time behind the wheel. If you're not interested in the technical details or the three story lines we saw represented, here's all you need to know. When we first put the RAV4 EV into Sport driving mode, our honest reaction was to say out loud: "Holy crap!"Continue reading 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]2013 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:32 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!


Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!
Ready to pack away the swim trunks and sunscreen and head back to school? If you're a lucky winner of our annual back to school sweepstakes, you'll surely be itching to make the return to campus. With last year's contest deemed an incredible success, we're stepping up the offering for 2012, adding higher-end devices in almost every category. There's an Ultrabook from HP, Sony's new mirrorless camera and a Samsung Galaxy S III, just to name a few. If your name is drawn, we'll be shipping you an overstuffed Engadget-branded Timbuk2 messenger bag, filled with prizes worth more than $3,000 in all. And to increase your chances of winning, we'll be giving away a total of 15 identical bags! That means 15 laptops, 15 cameras, 15 smartphones and 15 very happy Engadget readers. So what are you waiting for? Jump past the break to see the prizes, and be sure to enter in the comments below, and another 14 times on each of our back to school category pages, launching throughout the month. Continue reading Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!Filed under: AnnouncementsEngadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours

Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:32 AM PDT

Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours


Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours
Need a super-spec gaming notebook in a hurry? Maingear's new Vybe laptops should be right up your street. Once ordered, the pre-built units can leave the company's New Jersey HQ in under 48 hours, packed to the gills with all the options you'd expect from the company. The range is packing Ivy Bridge CPUs, Kepler-running GeForce 650M or 660M with 2GB RAM and a 1080p, LED-backlit matte (matte!) finish display. The four options available are laid out in a table after the break -- but rest that itchy mouse finger a moment more, as while the base "Good" and "Better" systems are available from today, you'll have to wait until August 17th if you're looking for the "Best" or "Ultimate," the latter setting you back $1,999.Continue reading Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hoursFiled under: LaptopsMaingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments