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Sunday, September 23, 2012

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Young car buyers like small cars, indifferent to MPG

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 02:53 PM PDT

Young car buyers like small cars, indifferent to MPG


Young car buyers like small cars, indifferent to MPG
Filed under: Green Culture, MPG When it comes to car-shopping propensity among younger drivers, look at the numbers, then look closer at the reasons behind them. Generation Y, or those born after the late 1970s, account for about a quarter of those shopping for new small cars, up from 16 percent in 2008, according to a study released by GfK Automotive. The bigger news, though, is that fuel economy isn't what they're most interested in. In fact, GfK Automotive says, Gen Y buyers prioritize excitement, looks, and driving fun over fuel economy when it comes to reasons to buy a small car. This is an interesting change from their elders. For example, Baby Boomers, who account for about a third of all small car shoppers, prioritized fuel economy over driving excitement, though were still very bullish on small car looks. And Generation X - those following the Baby Boomers - put an even greater emphasis on fuel economy than the Boomers do. Interesting, no? We've got a summary of the report over on GfK Automotive's site.Young car buyers like small cars, indifferent to MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Switched On: The iPod's modern family

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 02:53 PM PDT

Switched On: The iPod's modern family


Switched On: The iPod's modern family
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. If you bet that Apple was going to turn the square, occasionally wrist-strapped iPod nano into a MOTOACTV-like watch that would provide a glanceable window into iPhone apps, you lost. Clearly, Apple could have gone that route. It teased in the last generation with an expanding selection of watch faces and used this generation to add Bluetooth and enable a thinner design via the new Lightning connector. Nevertheless, Apple decided to forgo the embryonic smartwatch market. Indeed, it returned to the larger, longer iPod nano school of yore, but with the single-button design of its iOS mobile devices complementing a multitouch interface. The watch faces may be gone, but the new iPod nano regains the ability to play video while retaining photo display and Nike+ integration. It has become the equivalent of the lineup's feature phone, albeit with a better user interface. Examined in context, the new clip-free iPod nano looks more at home as a midrange option between the tiny iPod shuffle and the now larger iPod touch.Continue reading Switched On: The iPod's modern familyFiled under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Tablets, WirelessSwitched On: The iPod's modern family originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Foxconn's Taiyuan plant on riot, facilities damaged

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT

Foxconn's Taiyuan plant on riot, facilities damaged


Foxconn's Taiyuan plant on riot, facilities damaged
News just came in that workers at Foxconn's Taiyuan plant have started a riot in the wee hours in China, and that police forces are on site to control the crowd. While the motive isn't clear, Sina Weibo user Li Tian reports that the riot isn't related to the recent anti-Japan protests, though judging by his photos, much damage has been done in the process. The same site suffered from a strike back in March over salary dispute -- the front-line workers failed to receive the promised pay rise. On a similar note, Foxconn's Chengdu plant also had a riot in June, but that was apparently due to an argument between some workers and a local restaurant owner. This event is still ongoing. We will update with more info when available. Gallery: Foxconn's Taiyuan plant on riot, facilities damagedFiled under: MiscFoxconn's Taiyuan plant on riot, facilities damaged originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sina Weibo (login required) | Email this | Comments

Source: Apple Aggressively Recruiting Ex-Google Maps Staff To Build Out iOS Maps

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT

Source: Apple Aggressively Recruiting Ex-Google Maps Staff To Build Out iOS Maps


Source: Apple Aggressively Recruiting Ex-Google Maps Staff To Build Out iOS Maps
Apple is pursuing people with experience working on Google Maps to develop its own product, according to a source with connections on both teams. Using recruiters, Apple is pursuing a strategy of luring away Google Maps employees who helped develop the search giant's product on contract, and many of those individuals seem eager to accept due in part to the opportunity Apple represents to build new product, instead of just doing "tedious updates" on a largely complete platform.

Showtime's second screen iPad app hits 2.0, goes from Social to Sync

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 01:14 PM PDT

Showtime's second screen iPad app hits 2.0, goes from Social to Sync


Showtime's second screen iPad app hits 2.0, goes from Social to Sync
With its season premieres of Dexter and Homeland (trailers are embedded after the break) on deck for next Sunday evening, Showtime has refashioned its second screen iPad app in version 2.0 and even changed the name to reflect new features. Now dubbed Showtime Sync, it follows other network branded apps (AMC, MTV, NBC and Syfy come to mind) by focusing on pushing relevant content, viewer polls and the like to the tablet while the show plays. It syncs up automatically from the show's audio, which should make things simple when watching via DVR, VOD and even DVD / Blu-ray or streaming (could you have Showtime Anytime streaming on one tablet synced to another one?), while promising lots of photos plus behind the scenes content when the episode ends. Hit the source link to grab the free app, how you come by the episodes you'll have to figure out on your own.Continue reading Showtime's second screen iPad app hits 2.0, goes from Social to SyncFiled under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HDShowtime's second screen iPad app hits 2.0, goes from Social to Sync originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | iTunes, Showtime | Email this | Comments

Where the presidential hopefuls stand on the housing market

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 01:14 PM PDT

Where the presidential hopefuls stand on the housing market


Where the presidential hopefuls stand on the housing market
Movoto Real Estate attempts to demystify the candidates' positions and plans for the U.S. housing market.

NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 12:10 PM PDT

NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)


NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)
While it's not the DL-44 heavy blaster we've been holding out for, this Nintendo Zapper is almost as cool. Using the classic Duck Hunt light gun from the original NES, the team at North Street Labs created their own laser pistol. Using a 445nm diode, some batteries, wiring and imagination, the light gun was painstakingly put together, complete with physical safety lock and custom aim-assisting heat sink. The end result is a bona fide laser shootin' gun, capable of not only setting alight matches from a distance, but setting the curtains on fire too (probably). See it in action in the video after the break, where it also tops out their laser meter, rating it -- at least -- at an eyeball popping 2W. Then tap up the source to see how -- for educational purposes -- you could make your own.Continue reading NES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video)Filed under: Gaming, PeripheralsNES light gun gets a laser upgrade, fulfils countless childhood dreams (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Hackaday | North Street Labs | Email this | Comments

How to make your own White Castle slider at home

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 11:15 AM PDT

How to make your own White Castle slider at home


How to make your own White Castle slider at home
Don't get yourself in a Harold and Kumar situation – enjoy the slider at home with our perfected recipe.

NVIDIA to offer up documentation for Tegra graphics core to prove its commitment...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 10:31 AM PDT

NVIDIA to offer up documentation for Tegra graphics core to prove its commitment to open-source (video)


NVIDIA to offer up documentation for Tegra graphics core to prove its commitment to open-source (video)
There's nothing like a little smack talk to light the fire under certain derrieres. It's been a few months since Linus Torvalds got verbal about NVIDIA's support for the semi-eponymous OS, prompting the chip-maker to say "supporting Linux is important to us." Proving that its word is good, NVIDIA will be releasing programming documentation for its Tegra architecture graphics core. The news comes from a talk given by Lucas Stach of the Nouveau project (who develop free drivers for the NVIDIA platform) at the XDC2012 conference. The focus will initially be on Tegra's 2D rendering engine, but it's hopes the 3D will soon follow. So, while Torvalds' approach might have been a little bit brusque, you can't fault its effectiveness. Video of the XDC talk after the break.Continue reading NVIDIA to offer up documentation for Tegra graphics core to prove its commitment to open-source (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, MobileNVIDIA to offer up documentation for Tegra graphics core to prove its commitment to open-source (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Hot Hardware | Phoronix | Email this | Comments

Acting On Your Behalf

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 09:24 AM PDT

Acting On Your Behalf


Acting On Your Behalf
Editor's note: Daniel Gross is CEO and co-founder of Cue. You can follow him on Twitter here. After meticulously analyzing virtually every aspect of his digital life since 1989, Stephen Wolfram noticed this: "The more routine I can make the basic practical aspects of my life, the more I am able to be energetic—and spontaneous—about intellectual and other things."

Android turns four, enthusiasm for dessert foods unabated

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 09:24 AM PDT

Android turns four, enthusiasm for dessert foods unabated


Android turns four, enthusiasm for dessert foods unabated
There's nothing quite like having your birthday on a weekend. And while we're sure that Android was out late last night, dining on sweets with its fellow mobile operating systems, we'd like to wish Google's OS a very happy birthday. It was this day in 2008 that the Android team unveiled its 1.0 SDK, release 1 -- a milestone that coincided with the announcement of T-Mobile's G1, which would get the new OS into consumer hands around a month or so later, finally delivering the promise of a long rumored "Googlephone." Android was a bit of a late bloomer, but now, toward the end of 2012 with 4.1 Jelly Bean beginning to bloom, it's hard to remember a time when it wasn't a dominate player in the ever more crowded mobile space. With that in mind, we're raising a glass to you, Android -- a glass of something sweet, naturally.Android turns four, enthusiasm for dessert foods unabated originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Reg Hardware | Android Developers Blog | Email this | Comments

Inhabitat's Week in Green: rotating house, desktop 3D printer and a Star Trek-st...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 07:12 AM PDT

Inhabitat's Week in Green: rotating house, desktop 3D printer and a Star Trek-style warp drive


Inhabitat's Week in Green: rotating house, desktop 3D printer and a Star Trek-style warp drive
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. Mid-September is a busy time of year in the world of design as the Solar Decathlon Europe takes place in Madrid and the London Design Festival kicks off -- and Inhabitat has correspondents on the ground at both events bringing us a steady stream of photos and updates. At the Solar Decathlon, Team Portugal designed an innovative house that can actually rotate to follow the sun in order to increase energy production and adjust interior daylighting. Team Valencia developed a modular home that can grow or contract depending on the family's needs. And the team from Tongji University produced an eye-catching house that embraces both Western and Daoist principles. In the competition, Rome's super-efficient MED in Italy house jumped out to an early lead -- but it's still too soon to call the winner so stay tuned.Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: rotating house, desktop 3D printer and a Star Trek-style warp driveFiled under: Misc, ScienceInhabitat's Week in Green: rotating house, desktop 3D printer and a Star Trek-style warp drive originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Mercedes debuts battery-electric 'Crewbus,' Sprinter EV prototype

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 06:39 AM PDT

Mercedes debuts battery-electric 'Crewbus,' Sprinter EV prototype


Mercedes debuts battery-electric 'Crewbus,' Sprinter EV prototype
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, Europe/EU, Germany, Daimler Mercedes-Benz will start selling a passenger version of its Vito E-CELL utility vehicles in Europe after unveiling a battery-electric Sprinter van at the International Motor Show in Hanover, Germany. The Vito E-CELL Crewbus, which the Daimler AG division calls the world's first seven-seat mass-produced battery-electric vehicle, has a single-charge range of about 80 miles and top speed of about 55 miles per hour. The vehicle will be available for four-year, 50,000-mile leases in more than 15 countries throughout Europe, including Finland, Spain and the UK. The original Vito E-CELL utility vehicle started sales two years ago. Mercedes-Benz says the 230 Vito E-CELLS sold in Germany have been collectively driven more than 400,000 miles. The battery-electric Sprinter van prototype at the Hanover show will be able to deliver 94 horsepower, with 134 horsepower in short spurts. The vehicle's two lithium-ion batteries provide 35.2 kilowatt hours combined. The Sprinter E-CELL prototype will have a 50-mile-per-hour top speed and a payload capacity of more than 2,600 pounds. Check out Mercedes-Benz's quite lengthy press release below.Continue reading Mercedes debuts battery-electric 'Crewbus,' Sprinter EV prototypeMercedes debuts battery-electric 'Crewbus,' Sprinter EV prototype originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 09:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bowers & Wilkins intros classy A7 and A5 AirPlay speakers, leaves out the 30-pin...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 06:06 AM PDT

Bowers & Wilkins intros classy A7 and A5 AirPlay speakers, leaves out the 30-pin dock


Bowers & Wilkins intros classy A7 and A5 AirPlay speakers, leaves out the 30-pin dock
When it comes to Apple-focused audio wares, Bowers & Wilkins makes some of the of the ritiziest options available. Expanding on its its existing speaker range, the company has introduced a duo of new AirPlay speakers dubbed as the A5 ($500) and A7 ($800). Both HiFi boxes are nearly identical from the outside (aside from the size difference), and feature the same black and silver aesthetic as the MM-1 media speakers. The A7 nets you a duo of 25-watt 1-inch Nautilus "tube-loaded" tweeters" (just like the MM-1s), two 25-watt 3-inch drivers for the mid-range and a 50-watt 6-inch woofer, while the A5 shrinks things by forgoing a woofer and using a smaller speaker array of two 20-watt tweeters and two 20-watt mid-range drivers. The speakers on both units are independently driven, and both systems feature an "audiophile-grade" DAC that'll upscale music streams to a maximum 24-bit / 96kHz sample rate. As you'd expect, the units feature WiFi and Ethernet connectivity and 3.5mm inputs for hooking in sans wireless, but it's worth noting these audio boxes lack 30-pin docks -- at least you still get a remote. Check out the video after the break for a detailed look at both, and the source link below for all the juicy details. Gallery: Bowers & Wilkins A5 and A7 Airplay HiFi speakersContinue reading Bowers & Wilkins intros classy A7 and A5 AirPlay speakers, leaves out the 30-pin dockFiled under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/VideoBowers & Wilkins intros classy A7 and A5 AirPlay speakers, leaves out the 30-pin dock originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Bowers & Wilkins | Email this | Comments

Clearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit fro...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 04:30 AM PDT

Clearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit from) Sprint growing pains


Clearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit from) Sprint growing pains
Clearwire doesn't have much time left before its promised LTE rollout goes live in early 2013, so it's with some relief that we know the deployment is getting underway. CFO Hope Cochran told those at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia Conference this week that construction of the first cell sites starts this month, with efforts truly swinging into full gear during the fall. The executive also reminded us of a very pragmatic reason why many of the 5,000 LTE sites due by June 30th will target high-traffic areas -- as Clearwire is only selling the faster data access to other providers, it should pocket more money in any regions where Sprint needs all the help it can get. Call it a virtuous cycle. Cochran certainly does: while Clearwire is free to make deals with others, Cochran says her company weighs any alliances against what it still considers a very special pact with Sprint. No doubt the 4G pioneer is hoping that it's making the right choices, as other carriers aren't waiting around.Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileClearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit from) Sprint growing pains originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink GigaOM | FierceWireless | Email this | Comments

Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for thos...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 03:59 AM PDT

Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without any


Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without any
Unlike regular mobile networks, virtual operators -- or MVNOs -- have none of those expensive cellular infrastructures to worry about. Newcomer, Solavei, (which rides atop T-Mobile) is using this freedom to focus in on its business model. Just out of beta, the provider is offering unlimited voice, text and data for $49 per month, or free. Free? Well, if you're silver-tongued enough to talk friends and family into signing up, too, you'll get $20 kickback a month for every three -- or "trio" as the marketing calls it -- that you convince. There are other bonuses and chances to earn money -- all obviously aimed at spreading the network's audience, and offsetting the lower overheads. You can also use your own unlocked phone, or buy one of the three that Solavei currently offers (HTC One X, Wildfire S and ZTE Origin). This isn't the first time we've seen such philanthropic approaches, and it might smack a little bit of MLM, but if your after an all-you-can eat mobile deal, and have a large group of friends, this could be a nice little earner. Still not sold? Perhaps the feel-good corporate video after the break will switch that up.Continue reading Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without anyFiled under: Cellphones, MobileSolavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without any originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TmoNews | Solavei | Email this | Comments

11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages tex...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 02:50 AM PDT

11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages texting while driving


11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages texting while driving
AT&T's already working on an app to keep folks from texting while driving, but earlier this month it gave folks at a Los Angeles hackathon the chance to develop their own solution. 11-year-old Victoria Walker and David Grau, a creative director and designer at an interactive agency, were awarded $20,000 by Big Blue to bring their smartphone application to the public. Dubbed Rode Dog, the prize-winning software allows friends and family to organize themselves into "packs" and monitor their text messaging habits. Watchful users can spot when a fellow group member is texting and initiate a barking noise on the offender's phone. Much like squawking seat belt systems, the app is designed to remind drivers of their wrongdoing and doesn't stop the ruckus until they acknowledge it. If you'd rather have a chicken or other animal grab your attention, the duo crafted an in-app shop that offers other wildlife sound sound effects. Rode Dog isn't expected to hit iOS, Android and Windows Phone until its fully polished, but you can sign up to receive word of its launch at the second source link below.Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile11-year-old wins $20,000 at AT&T hackathon for creating app that discourages texting while driving originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 05:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Los Angeles Times, Rode Dog | Email this | Comments

Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant st...

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 02:17 AM PDT

Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet


Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet
The official Redbox app for Android hasn't seen many changes since it was first introduced early last year, but that's changing with version 3.0. Now available in Google Play, it brings a new look that should make browsing a bit easier, plus enhanced filtering (you can sort Blu-ray discs by genre) and the ability to sort by date or alphabetical order. Finally, support for push notifications could mean unsubscribing to those weekly texts for coupon codes, and users report you can now input the coupon codes in the app while making reservations. We poked around but could find any references to its Instant streaming service, so there's at least one thing to expect for the next update. Android powered kiosk renters can grab the app at the source link below.Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, MobileRedbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 04:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Play | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada

Posted: 23 Sep 2012 12:08 AM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada


Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada
Since being unveiled a long, long time ago, the Galaxy Ace 2 has seen its younger S III brother grab all the praising headlines -- oh, and we can say the same about its other bodacious, note-friendly sibling. Still, we have a feeling some Canadian Virgin Mobile customers would welcome one of Sammy's lesser-specced family members with open arms hands. Well, according to MobileSyrup, the Ace 2 is exactly what folks using the prepaid carrier can expect come this holiday season, making the trip across the Atlantic with a rumored contract-free price tag of somewhere between $200 to $250. To give you a quick refresh, this Gingerbread handset boasts a 3.7-inch, HVGA display, a humble dual-core, 800MHz CPU alongside 768MB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage and a decent 1,500mAh battery. We should be hearing more detailed info in the coming weeks, but while we wait for that, you could always revise our hands-on meeting with the Ace 2.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileSamsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 02:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MobileSyrup | Email this | Comments

Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 09:43 PM PDT

Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1


Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1
Part suppliers sometimes telegraph their customers' plans months in advance: when you're the only provider for a key piece of technology, it's not hard for others to read the tea leaves. Aptina might have just given us one such peek into the future by unveiling its 1-inch AR1011HS camera sensor this week. As the Nikon 1 series is one of the few current, mainstream camera lines to use Aptina's 1-inch sensors, it's quite possible that we're looking at a template for one or more of Nikon's tiny interchangeable-lens shooters. The 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and low-light sensitivity aren't surprises. We're more interested in the wild levels of video capture support -- the AR1011HS can record 1080p footage at 120 frames per second, oversample movies at that resolution or scale up to quad HD. There's no guarantee any or all of the features will make the cut, especially given a dearth of 4K TVs, but it's not hard to imagine Nikon playing to the 1's high-speed strengths with an even quicker upgrade. Mass production starts in the first quarter of 2013, and while neither Aptina nor Nikon has confirmed any plans, Aptina's emphasis on top-tier companies in the "performance-oriented" mirrorless camera world leaves few other choices for a partnership.Continue reading Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1Filed under: CamerasAptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | PhotographyBlog | Email this | Comments

10 classic convertibles for under $10G

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 09:10 PM PDT

10 classic convertibles for under $10G


10 classic convertibles for under $10G
Enjoy the sun in style.

Ask Engadget: best Philadelphia wireless carrier?

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 08:37 PM PDT

Ask Engadget: best Philadelphia wireless carrier?


Ask Engadget: best Philadelphia wireless carrier?
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 from is from Is from Joe, who has helped inspire a regular feature and also wants to know which carrier he should pick for Philadelphia. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hey! I loved your question about NYC carriers and thought it would be a great idea to let your visitors sound off on other major cities. I'd love to hear opinions on Philadelphia carriers myself, so if you could possibly consider adding this, I think it would be appreciated by many." Way back in April, we asked you about which carrier rules the roost in NYC and it caused a little sensation, with hundreds of you bombarding the Ask Engadget inbox to ask if we'd do your city or state. We'll be sprinkling them in every now and again to let you sound off about the coverage in your local area, so if you live in Philadelphia and have world-class (or world's worst) signal, let us know in the comments below.Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileAsk Engadget: best Philadelphia wireless carrier? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Nest home monitoring device pops up at the FCC with ZigBee, greater ambitions

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 07:33 PM PDT

Nest home monitoring device pops up at the FCC with ZigBee, greater ambitions


Nest home monitoring device pops up at the FCC with ZigBee, greater ambitions
Thermostat makers aren't exactly known for their rapid update cycles, so we've been wondering just when a company as unusual as Nest would try its encore. If a new FCC filing is any indication, Tony Fadell and company aren't resting on their temperature-controlled laurels. While we don't know if it's a thermostat as such, the "home monitoring device" at the US agency sports Nest's familiar circular shape while tossing in some previously unseen ZigBee wireless -- a clue that there's home automation harmony afoot, either with other Nest units or with third-party devices. It's also apparent that Nest is keeping WiFi and won't venture far from its internet-friendly roots. All of the firm's secrets will be revealed in March, although we'll side with Zatz Not Funny and leave the possibility of an earlier announcement that helps us lower our heating bills.Filed under: HouseholdNest home monitoring device pops up at the FCC with ZigBee, greater ambitions originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 22:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Zatz Not Funny | FCC | Email this | Comments

Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 06:27 PM PDT

Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012


Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012
If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Sprint hit more than one milestone that it just had to share and Nokia teased the latest app that's exclusive to Lumia owners. We then discovered a very rare BlackBerry and also learned of the latest city to get prepped for T-Mobile's LTE service. Hell, we even stumbled on a new smartphone for old people! 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 September 17th, 2012.Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, MobileMobile Miscellany: week of September 17th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Motorola feels Droid Bionic owners' pain, promises to fix things

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 05:22 PM PDT

Motorola feels Droid Bionic owners' pain, promises to fix things


Motorola feels Droid Bionic owners' pain, promises to fix things
With a star-crossed history that includes a lengthy delay, mysterious sounds and other issues, Motorola's Droid Bionic has had a bit of a checkered past. Motorola, however, is apparently aware of Droid Bionic owners' woes and is working on a plan to make things right. At least that's what Punit Soni, VP of Product at Motorola Mobility, is promising owners of the device on his Google+ page. Faced with complaints ranging from the Bionic's locked bootloader to its delayed ICS update, a contrite Soni admitted that Droid Bionic owners got a "raw deal" and promised their feedback "will not fall on deaf ears." He then said that the company has a plan for the device and that he is "currently solidifying things to ensure we can publish it, commit and follow up." Soni did not provide specifics on what those plans are though you have to admit that the guy's candor about the Bionic's issues is refreshing. In the meantime, the phone's ICS upgrade is now slated to roll out in Q4. Bionic owners who want to add their proverbial two cents to the conversation can hit up the source link below.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileMotorola feels Droid Bionic owners' pain, promises to fix things originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 20:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhoneDog, Droid Life | Google+ | Email this | Comments

DirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead o...

Posted: 22 Sep 2012 04:15 PM PDT

DirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead of fall launch


DirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead of fall launch
DirecTV paired its HD interface with the five tuner, RVU ready HR34 Home Media Center DVR back in March, so what will it do next to take advantage of the multiroom boxes with five tuners and massive hard drives? The answer is Genie, a new feature / rebranding that should be very familiar to TiVo users, since its aim is to find other shows you might be interested in and store them on the DVR without being prompted. The folks at Solid Signal and DBSTalk have had an early preview of the fall software update that will enable it, and have both posted hands-on impressions. Once the user enables the feature, after a few hours it begins episodes of shows similar to the ones they already watch and recording them automatically. The feature uses hard drive space that's already reserved for DirecTV's video on-demand (so user accessible recording space is not impacted) and works in selections available from VOD. Watching a program at your leisure VOD-style, setting up a series recording for a new favorite or blasting it from your drive is just a click of the remote away on the DVR or one of its multiroom extenders. Helping viewers discover new content is a field suddenly filled with competition, from the social networking based to Dish Network's Hopper that records everything on primetime network TV and even filters out commercials. That Genie can let you watch already recorded episodes right away and pull from any broadcasts its finds may give it a leg up, but so far we haven't seen recommendation systems good enough to promote switching from one service to another. Hit the source links for more details on how it all works, along with a video preview, also embedded after the break.Continue reading DirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead of fall launchFiled under: Home Entertainment, HDDirecTV HR34 DVR 'Genie' recommendations and autorecording get previewed ahead of fall launch originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 19:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Solid Signal, DBSTalk | Email this | Comments