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Thursday, October 4, 2012

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Samsung Galaxy Note II for AT&T hands-on: an S-Pen phablet with 4G LTE

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Note II for AT&T hands-on: an S-Pen phablet with 4G LTE


Samsung Galaxy Note II for AT&T hands-on: an S-Pen phablet with 4G LTE
AT&T's still keeping us in the dark about a hard date for the Galaxy Note II's release, but at least we know it's real and on the way. Confirmed to ship sometime this holiday season, this variant of Samsung's phablet refresh sports a 5.5-inch 1,280 x 720 HD Super AMOLED display, 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 8-megapixel rear camera capable of 1080p video capture, beefy 3,100mAh battery and, of course, a refined S-Pen. It's nigh unchanged from both the global and Sprint models we'd gotten hands-on with previously; a trend the OEM sparked off with the release of the GS III earlier this year. And in a move that augurs well for those of you averse to branding, there's no superfluous carrier logo blemishing its smooth white back. If you thought the original Note was big and unwieldy, prepare to stretch your palm even further. Samsung added 0.2-inches to this update, while incorporating elements of its "famed" inspired by nature design that conspire to lend this handset a reassuring in-hand fit. On the lower right-hand side, you'll find a convenient slot for the S-Pen which, when removed, triggers an action menu that can be customized to launch selected apps. A large physical home button rests just below the expansive 16:9 screen and is flanked by capacitive buttons for menu and back, while the front-facing camera resides up above and hardware keys for volume and power are placed on the left and right edges, respectively. On the software front, you're still looking at a TouchWizzed version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, as well as some carrier-specific apps that come pre-loaded, like My AT&T, CodeScanner, FamilyMap, Navigator and Ready2Go. As you might expect from its quad-core Exynos, performance was smooth... almost buttery smooth, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention a slight hesitancy between pulling out the S-Pen and the launch of that Smart Actions menu. Bear in mind, this is a pre-production model, so most of those kinks should be worked out by the time it launches this holiday season. Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Note II for AT&TFiled under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, AT&TSamsung Galaxy Note II for AT&T hands-on: an S-Pen phablet with 4G LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Cablevision inks deal with The Walt Disney Company, brings WatchESPN and more to...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Cablevision inks deal with The Walt Disney Company, brings WatchESPN and more to subscribers


Cablevision inks deal with The Walt Disney Company, brings WatchESPN and more to subscribers
For some time now, Cablevision subscribers have been missing out on many of the internet-based and other offerings from The Worldwide Leader in Sports. Today, however, folks will be happy to know that The Walt Disney Company (ESPN's parent outfit) and Cablevision have reached a deal which will bring access to a variety of new content on different platforms, including WatchESPN, ESPN3, ESPN 3D as well as on demand channels from ABC and Disney's extensive repertoire. Mum's the word on how much cash was involved in the deal, but we do know it's a multi-year agreement and that Walt & Co. feel rather content about it, with a company's spokesperson saying, "With our robust and ever-growing multi-platform content offerings, we're pleased to be able to expand our relationship with Cablevision."Continue reading Cablevision inks deal with The Walt Disney Company, brings WatchESPN and more to subscribersFiled under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HDCablevision inks deal with The Walt Disney Company, brings WatchESPN and more to subscribers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | ESPN | Email this | Comments

Paper By FiftyThree Now On Apple Retail iPads, Tops 3.3M Downloads And 190 Years...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:55 PM PDT

Paper By FiftyThree Now On Apple Retail iPads, Tops 3.3M Downloads And 190 Years Spent In-App


Paper By FiftyThree Now On Apple Retail iPads, Tops 3.3M Downloads And 190 Years Spent In-App
Here's a neat, well-deserved win for a startup company: Paper, the critically acclaimed drawing application for iPad is now being featured by Apple on iPad demo units in its retail stores, and now has over 3.3 million downloads, with 25 million pages of drawings created by users. The time spent in-app creating Color journals adds up to almost 200 years in total.

Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T hands-on: a Windows Phone 8 flagship with PureView imag...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:54 PM PDT

Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T hands-on: a Windows Phone 8 flagship with PureView imaging and LTE


Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&T hands-on: a Windows Phone 8 flagship with PureView imaging and LTE
Much like the 900 before it, Nokia's Lumia 920 will be making its US debut on AT&T as an exclusive. Despite not having Microsoft's "signature" blessing, this Windows Phone 8 flagship is poised to ship sometime this November with all the stuffings of its international counterpart. Inside that vibrant polycarbonate hull, of which there are now five colors (including cyan), is a 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ 1,280 x 768 display, 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor buffered by 1GB RAM, an 8-megapixel PureView rear camera and 2,000mAh battery augmented by the inclusion of wireless charging. Naturally, this locked and branded variant will run on the carrier's 4G LTE network and offer the same "Super Sensitive Touch" panel that we tested extensively at the company's Espoo HQ. This being Microsoft's WP8 game, however, we still weren't able to go past the live-tiled start screen and into the meat and potatoes of the fuller app drawer, nor could we truly give the OS a spin -- that'll all have to wait until end of October. From the tightly controlled software bits we did demo, though, the 920's shaping up to be a smooth and solid contender for the beast phone race. Icons and text scroll by without any marked blur thanks to the screen's 60Hz refresh rate. And colors on that saturated display pop, while viewing angles remain consistently impressive. What also hasn't changed is the handset's girth and weight -- it's still chunky and relatively heavy in hand, but we're willing to overlook it for the PureView rear module alone. Within the frenzied constraints of events like these, it's hard to really dive deep into camera performance. But we don't really have much need for that given our exhaustive coverage of the 920's optical image stabilization, low light capabilities and Cinemagraph GIF-making magic. Still, expect us to give it a fuller poke when final review units land in our laps (hopefully) later this month. Unfortunately, the wait for Nokia's next of high-end Lumia kin isn't over yet. AT&T's playing coy and won't fess up to a concrete date or even on-contract price. That should all change as soon as Microsoft makes things officially official. Until then, sate yourself with the images below. Gallery: Nokia Lumia 920 for AT&TNokia Lumia 920 for AT&T hands-on: a Windows Phone 8 flagship with PureView imaging and LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Camera marries Android and photography on AT&T, we go hands-on

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:54 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Camera marries Android and photography on AT&T, we go hands-on


Samsung Galaxy Camera marries Android and photography on AT&T, we go hands-on
Samsung's Android-powered Galaxy Camera is a bit of a wild card, marrying Google's Android Jelly Bean OS with a 16-megapixel camera -- heck, it's even got a 4.8-inch 1,280 x 720-pixel (308 ppi) touchscreen display. Yup, rather than offering a digital viewfinder out back like a normal digital point-and-shoot, the Samsung Galaxy Camera offers a multitouch panel; the entire back consists of that 4.8-inch screen, edge-to-edge. It's not all touchscreen, though -- several buttons (controlling a pop-up flash, power, zoom toggle, and shutter release) are also part of the somewhat bulky build. Beyond the WiFi radio built in, the Galaxy Camera also comes with 3G/4G support via micro-SIM -- which we now know at least one carrier will support: AT&T. During an event with the cellular data carrier this evening, we got our hands-on the Galaxy Camera once more (albeit now with an AT&T micro-SIM on board). That speedy 1.4GHz quad-core processor helped us along, speedily swiping through Jelly Bean's panes and launching its photo app promptly. Apps like Instagram were also on display, allowing for even nicer photos to be defiled by software filters (we kid!). The AT&T connectivity allowed us to upload photos directly to the cloud while snapping, utilizing its Auto Cloud Backup feature; image quality isn't quite professional-grade, but its no slouch either. The Galaxy Camera is, for all intents and purposes, a full-on Android smartphone ... minus that whole "phone" thing. Its heft is perhaps more than we'd like in a point-and-shoot, but that gigantic -- and gorgeous -- viewfinder out back certainly helps assuage our space concerns. The device arrives at both carriers and camera retailers this October for an unknown price. Update: We've added a second gallery with a few shots we snapped with the Samsung Galaxy Camera at the event -- forgive them if they're not spectacular. The heat of the moment!Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Camera (AT&T hands-on)Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Camera (photos from the camera)Filed under: Cameras, Mobile, SamsungSamsung Galaxy Camera marries Android and photography on AT&T, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

HTC One X+ for AT&T hands-on: Tegra 3, LTE and Jelly Bean together at last (video)

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

HTC One X+ for AT&T hands-on: Tegra 3, LTE and Jelly Bean together at last (video)


HTC One X+ for AT&T hands-on: Tegra 3, LTE and Jelly Bean together at last (video)
What do you do if you've been selling what's arguably the best superphone on the US market and the competition is heating up? Make it better, of course, and that's exactly what HTC's done with the One X+ for AT&T. This is the same improved handset we recently played with in the UK, but unlike AT&T's One X -- which dropped the global model's quad-core Tegra 3 with 32GB of storage in favor of a dual-core Snapdragon S4 with only 16GB of flash for the sake of LTE -- AT&T's One X+ gives you the best of both worlds: NVIDIA's 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3 AP37 SoC combined with Qualcomm's MDM9215m GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+/LTE radio plus 64GB of built-in storage. Gone are the white and grey hues -- you can have your One X+ any color you want as long as it's flat black. Whereas the UK version of HTC's new flagship incorporates red accents around the camera and in the Beats logo, the US model is completely black. The rest of the specs match the global version -- you'll find the same gorgeous 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2, same impressive eight megapixel f/2.0 autofocus rear camera with flash, same 1GB of DDR2 RAM, along with the updated 2100mAh sealed battery and 1.6MP BSI front-facing shooter capable of 720p video. Jelly Bean and Sense 4+ are on the menu as well, with snappier-than-ever performance. Put AT&T's One X and One X+ side-by-side, and other than the color difference you'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. The carrier's logo is slightly different, but that's about it -- even the docking pins in the back line up perfectly. Other improvements common with the global model include Amplified Sound for clearer sound from the speaker, Sightseeing mode which lets the power button launch the camera and Auto Portrait mode which helps you take better self-portraits. There's still no word on pricing or availability but we invite you to feast your eyes on the gallery below and hit the break for our hands-on video.Gallery: HTC One X+ for AT&T hands-onContinue reading HTC One X+ for AT&T hands-on: Tegra 3, LTE and Jelly Bean together at last (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, AT&THTC One X+ for AT&T hands-on: Tegra 3, LTE and Jelly Bean together at last (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

HTC One VX for AT&T hands-on: mid-range style on a budget (video)

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

HTC One VX for AT&T hands-on: mid-range style on a budget (video)


HTC One VX for AT&T hands-on: mid-range style on a budget (video)
What do you get when you raid HTC's parts bin and combine the camera from the One V, the screen resolution from the One S and the design language from the One X? Say hello to HTC's One VX for AT&T, a stylish mid-range smartphone running Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 4. It features a 4.5-inch qHD Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2, Qualcomm 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor (MSM8930) with GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+/LTE radio, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 8GB of on-board storage and a five megapixel f/2.0 autofocus BSI camera with flash and 1080p video recording. The front glass incorporates the earpiece, AT&T logo and VGA shooter up top along with the usual capacitive buttons (back, home and recent apps/menu) below the display. A silver plastic rim traces the sides of the handset -- it's a simple and familiar layout, with the power / lock key, headphone jack and secondary mic on top, micro-USB port and primary mic at the bottom, and the volume rocker on the right edge. Pop the white plastic back cover and you'll find micro-SIM and microSD card slots, a non-removable 1810mAh battery and the NFC antenna. Unfortunately, we were given a non-functional dummy unit to play with so we can't comment on things like screen quality or subjective performance. We can tell you that the phone is light, thin and feels good in hand -- it slots somewhere between the One S and the One X in terms of size, and looks nice despite being made of cheaper materials than its stablemates. AT&T and HTC are still mum on availability but we were told to expect aggressive, budget-friendly pricing. Take a look at our gallery below and our hands-on video after the break.Gallery: HTC One VX for AT&T hands-onContinue reading HTC One VX for AT&T hands-on: mid-range style on a budget (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, AT&THTC One VX for AT&T hands-on: mid-range style on a budget (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC And Asus’ VivoTab RT To Launch On AT&T In Time For The H...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Samsung's ATIV Smart PC And Asus' VivoTab RT To Launch On AT&T In Time For The Holidays


Samsung's ATIV Smart PC And Asus' VivoTab RT To Launch On AT&T In Time For The Holidays
Holy cow AT&T, another announcement? While most of the other national wireless carriers have opted to save some news for later on, AT&T keeps pushing out releases like it's going out of style. Anyway, in addition to heavily pushing Nokia's Windows Phone 8 handsets, the carrier has also announced that it will carry a pair of Windows 8 tablets — the Asus VivoTab RT and Samsung's ATIV Smart PC — in time for the holiday rush.

Sprint Phone Connect 2 will try to replace your landline on October 14th

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Sprint Phone Connect 2 will try to replace your landline on October 14th


Sprint Phone Connect 2 will try to replace your landline on October 14th
Last year, Sprint quietly stepped foot into the world of home and office phone solutions with the release of its Sprint Phone Connect service. In a nutshell, this 3G powered VOIP alternative gives would-be customers the option of transferring their existing home or office landline number to Sprint's flat rate $20 per month service. While Sprint Phone Connect may not be among the Now Network's best sellers, it's done well enough to warrant a sequel. Pictured above is an internal screenshot of the unimaginatively named Sprint Phone Connect 2. Set to release on October 14th, this new and improved hardware is packed with a set of new features: dial tone creation, voicemail notification, caller ID (number only), call waiting, call forwarding and 3-way calling. If that MagicJack isn't quite cutting the mustard and you're looking for an affordable home or office phone solution, the Sprint Phone Connect 2 can be yours for free on a two-year commitment, or $150 outright.Filed under: Household, Wireless, SprintSprint Phone Connect 2 will try to replace your landline on October 14th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

820,000 More Hondas Recalled

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

820,000 More Hondas Recalled


820,000 More Hondas Recalled
Broken headlamp wiring subjects more than 1.3M Hondas to recall.

SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better An...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 02:20 PM PDT

SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality


SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality
Fans of both Android and Slingbox streaming have had a long wait for a significant update to the SlingPlayer app, to put it mildly -- the last major upgrade was to introduce Kindle Fire support at the start of the year. Imagine our delight when Sling Media posts a pair of low-key but significant updates for Android phone and tablet users alike. Smartphone owners get the most out of the upgrade with a new electronic program guide, a fresher overall look and better high-quality video for any phone using Android 4.0 and beyond. Tablet users do get a more optimized interface for the Nexus 7, however, and both form factors will let avid placeshifters remind themselves when a much-anticipated show goes live in the future. Neither of the updates is a complete revolution, but we would say they're coming just in time.Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, MobileSlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Bill Stebbins (Twitter) | Google Play (1), (2) | Email this | Comments

Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:46 PM PDT

Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII


Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII
Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Europe In the midst of economic turmoil in Europe, more Italians are turning to bikes as their preferred mode of transportation. Such is the bicycle's popularity in Italy that purchases of the pedal-powered two wheelers have eclipsed automobile sales for the first time since World War II. According to The Christian Science Monitor, last year 1.75 million bikes were sold in Italy, compared to 1.748 million motor vehicles. Contributing to this trend are rising fuel prices and hefty costs associated with keeping a car on the road. Gas prices recently hit €2 a liter ($9.50 a gallon), and the average cost of ownership is estimated at around €7,0000 ($9,000) a year. There is also the sheer congestion associated with driving in many parts of Italy. Narrow roads and a high level of automobile ownership (6 in 10 own cars, one of the highest rates in the world), have made for cramped streets in many Italian cities. The author of the report notes that a several-mile journey in the heart of Rome is quicker by bike than taxi.Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne is among those feeling the heat from this trend, admitting "Anyone operating in the automotive sector in Europe today is experiencing varying degrees of unhappiness. The European car market is a disaster." Fiat released industry figures that showed September auto sales down 25 percent compared to the same period in 2011. Antonio Della Venezia, president of the Italian Federation of Bike Lovers told Italian paper La Republica, "People who have only ever driven cars are changing their thinking. I don't think Italy will go back to the levels of car sales that we saw before 2008." He may be right. Many families are downsizing to just one car, participating in carpool groups, and purchasing bicycles as alternatives to the rising costs of automobile ownership. It is estimated that around 200,000 old bikes have been restored for regular use. The inexpensive and convenient mode of transportation has once again caught on in Italy - just ask Monica Bellucci.Italians buy more bikes than cars for the first time since WWII originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

AT&T gets its hands on ASUS VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, wants to put t...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:46 PM PDT

AT&T gets its hands on ASUS VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, wants to put them in yours this holiday


AT&T gets its hands on ASUS VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, wants to put them in yours this holiday
AT&T just packed a one-two punch of holiday tablet news, announcing that it's going to serve as the exclusive US carrier for both ASUS's VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, both of which were originally unveiled this summer. The ASUS offers up a quad-core processor, LTE and a 10.1-inch IPS display in a thin and light form factor. The somewhat beefy Samsung, on the other hand, has an 11.6 inch HD PLS display, 1.5GHZ processor and 64GB of storage. Not much on specifics on availability at this point, beyond the fact that both will be hitting AT&T's site and stores "in time for the holidays."Continue reading AT&T gets its hands on ASUS VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, wants to put them in yours this holidayFiled under: TabletsAT&T gets its hands on ASUS VivoTab RT and Samsung ATIV Smart PC, wants to put them in yours this holiday originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:46 PM PDT

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!


The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!
Tim's still MIA, but don't worry, we've got a ringer. Brian and Dana will be joined by TechCrunch's Jordan Crook. Follow along with all the fun just after the break.Continue reading The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Zeebox adds Viacom to its list of second-screen partners

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:46 PM PDT

Zeebox adds Viacom to its list of second-screen partners


Zeebox adds Viacom to its list of second-screen partners
We love riffing on TV shows like a latter-day MST3k, which means that companies are desperate to harness our homespun satire to their own ends. Second-screen start-up Zeebox has inked a deal with MTV and Comedy Central owner Viacom, offering exclusive content in exchange for on-screen advertising. That said, we're not sure if the promise of behind-the-scenes clips would be enough to draw us away from just cattily judging the Project Runway contestants on Twitter, where we're less likely to be moderated into oblivion.Continue reading Zeebox adds Viacom to its list of second-screen partnersFiled under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HDZeebox adds Viacom to its list of second-screen partners originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | | Email this | Comments

Fisker to Romney: We're not "a loser"

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:45 PM PDT

Fisker to Romney: We're not "a loser"


Fisker to Romney: We're not "a loser"
It must depend on what your definition of "loser" is.

Samsung Galaxy Camera coming to AT&T, may go without LTE

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 01:12 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Camera coming to AT&T, may go without LTE


Samsung Galaxy Camera coming to AT&T, may go without LTE
'Tis the day for AT&T devices. Big Blue has just become the first US carrier officially supporting the Samsung Galaxy Camera and will supply its flavor of cellular data while you're busy posting some of the most detailed Instagram photos ever taken. There aren't any noticeable changes to the connected 16-megapixel shooter that we've seen, but it may not be as fast as shutterbugs might like -- while AT&T is keen to talk up the presence of 4G, it conspicuously leaves out any mention of LTE and suggests that we saw an HSPA-only US model at the FCC just days ago. We're working to confirm what's really inside. Pricing and a ship date will be available in the "coming weeks," although it's unlikely that anyone will absolutely have to sign a two-year contract to start snapping images.Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Camera coming to AT&T, may go without LTEFiled under: Cameras, Wireless, MobileSamsung Galaxy Camera coming to AT&T, may go without LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

September alt-fuel sales continue rapid clip, plug-ins sell 5,000+ for first tim...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:37 PM PDT

September alt-fuel sales continue rapid clip, plug-ins sell 5,000+ for first time ever


September alt-fuel sales continue rapid clip, plug-ins sell 5,000+ for first time ever
Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, MPG, USA For the second straight month - and the third out of the last four - U.S. alt-fuel sales in September doubled year-earlier totals as consumers gravitated towards advanced-powertrain vehicles. Monthly plug-in vehicle sales eclipsed the 5,000 mark for the first time ever because of record sales for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in and near-record demand for the Toyota Prius Plug-In, while the Ford C-Max Hybrid wagon became that company's best-selling hybrid in just its first month of sales. Monthly plug-in vehicle sales eclipsed the 5,000 mark for the first time ever. Americans purchased 47,235 advanced-powertrain vehicles in September, up 99 percent from a year earlier. Year-over-year alt-fuel vehicle sales jumped 96 percent in August after slowing to a 66 percent growth clip in July. Alt-fuel vehicle sales more than doubled in June. With gas prices staying above $3.70 a gallon since early August, according to AAA, buyers appear to have given in and are taking a closer look at fuel saving vehicles, especially those that can get by without any fuel at all. The Volt had record-high sales for the second straight month and moved 2,851 units, almost quadruple year-earlier figures. Nissan had its best sales month of the year with its all-electric Leaf. Meanwhile, Nissan had its best sales month of the year with its all-electric Leaf. The EV's sales of 984 units were down just 4.6 percent down from 2011 figures. Toyota's 1,652 Prius Plug-In sales were just two short of its monthly record in April, while the Ford Focus Electric moved 59 units, its second highest total of the year (89 were sold in June). Add in the 36 Mitsubishi i EVs and 16 Honda Fit EVs sold, and 5,598 plug-in vehicles were sold last month, up from the previous monthly record of 4,643 EVs sold in August. As for the automakers, Toyota remained the big dog, while General Motors and Ford also came up big winners. Toyota again more than doubled year-earlier sales to 26,747 vehicles, with the standard Prius hatchback moving 10,806 units and the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon selling 3,386 and 3,088 vehicles, respectively. Toyota remained the big dog, while General Motors and Ford also came up big winners. Non-Prius Toyota hybrid sales surged ninefold to 4,178 units from just 447 vehicles in September 2011, when consumers were held off on buying the Camry Hybrid in favor of waiting for the updated version to debut following month. Lexus hybrid sales rose 55 percent to 3,637 units.Ford hybrid sales benefited from the debut of the C-Max Hybrid wagon, which moved 969 units in September. Ford Fusion Hybrid sales jumped 63 percent from a year earlier, while Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales rose 72 percent, both offsetting an 86 percent drop in Ford Escape Hybrid sales. Overall, Ford hybrid and EV sales increased 77 percent from a year earlier to 2,788 vehicles. Meanwhile, General Motors continued to get a push from both record Volt sales and sales of mild-hybrid models such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal eAssist lines. GM sold 5,949 alt-fuel vehicles in September, up sixfold from a year earlier. On a smaller scale, Porsche hybrid sales rose 52 percent from September 2011 to 170 units. Stubbornly high gas prices also appeared to drive sales of diesel models from German automakers. Volkswagen diesel sales rose 42 percent from a year earlier to 8,685 vehicles, while Audi diesel sales increased 63 percent to 786 units. In fact, the only automaker to take a hit in alt-fuel sales last month was Honda. The Japanese automaker sold 1,090 hybrids and EVs, down 20 percent from a year earlier. A 61-percent jump in Civic Hybrid sales was more than offset by a 38-percent drop in CR-Z sales and a 52-percent plunge in Insight sales. Year-to-date, alt-fuel sales are up 66 percent to 400,222 units. Toyota's hybrid sales for the first nine months of the year are twice as high as they were in 2011, while GM's alt-fuel sales have jumped more than sixfold.September alt-fuel sales continue rapid clip, plug-ins sell 5,000+ for first time ever originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Amazon Cloud Drive comes to Spain and Italy, users get new features

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:37 PM PDT

Amazon Cloud Drive comes to Spain and Italy, users get new features


Amazon Cloud Drive comes to Spain and Italy, users get new features
Amazon's Cloud Drive has rounded out its European tour with releases in the remaining major markets: Spain and Italy. Pricing in these regions matches that of the UK, Germany and France, with 8 euros (around $10) netting you 20GB of storage for a year, on top of the complimentary 5GB you get for signing up. You'll be able to access this space through your browser, desktop apps, or any of the new Kindle Fires when they start hitting Euro doorsteps at the end of the month. Plus, Amazon's giving US customers the ability to share files with whomever they choose, and Mac users worldwide can now upload their iPhoto library hassle-free. With Cloud Drive now available, the Appstore ready to roll, and Fire hardware making its way to the Continent, we're starting to think Amazon quite likes it there.Continue reading Amazon Cloud Drive comes to Spain and Italy, users get new featuresFiled under: Storage, Internet, Software, AmazonAmazon Cloud Drive comes to Spain and Italy, users get new features originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Buy a Chevy at Costco?

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:37 PM PDT

Buy a Chevy at Costco?


Buy a Chevy at Costco?
Membership apparently still has its privileges.

B&O Play's BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker gets your classy party jumping for a cool...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:37 PM PDT

B&O Play's BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker gets your classy party jumping for a cool $2,699 (eyes-on)


B&O Play's BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker gets your classy party jumping for a cool $2,699 (eyes-on)
B&O Play is at it again for the younger crowd with money to burn. With a TV, a hybrid iPad dock, an iPad friendly speaker system and a portable speaker already under its belt, Bang & Olufsen's spin-off brand is ready to really get the festivities going with its new BeoPlay A9. Starting at cool $2,799, this satellite dish circular eye-catcher also doubles as a full-on 2.1 speaker system. Simply put, we'd describe its looks as a super-sized half of the BeoPlay A8 speaker dock. We'd guess the A9 stands at roughly three feet tall (legs mounted) and three feet wide based on our quick in-person look. Behind its fabric grill you'll find a duo of three-quarter-inch tweeters and a pair of three-inch mid-range drivers, all of which get their power from independent 80-watt digital amps. Of course, the A9 brings the rumble as well, featuring an 8-inch "bass unit" that gets double the wattage of its drivers. Notably, AirPlay & DLNA are baked right in, ensuring you'll have access to WiFi streaming across whichever platforms you prefer. You won't find any physical controls, but on the top-edge of its backside you'll notice a status light and a power button, both separated by a long touch-sensitive strip that lets you adjusts the volume, or mute it completely. Below that, a pop-off cap hides a USB port for docking and charging devices and a 3.5mm jack if wireless isn't an option, but it's also where an admittedly unsightly power cord plugs in as well. As you can see in the photo, the A9 can be supported by a trio of wooden legs, however, it can also be wall-mounted or hung from a ceiling like the BeoPlay V1 TV -- thankfully, it features three DSP presets to cope with however you'd decide to place it. As you might imagine, it's also incredibly loud -- just a duo of A9's were being using as the sound system at the large Penthouse suite being used for the unveiling party. As such, we weren't in an ideal environment to comment much further on its audio performance. If it's up your alley, expect the system to hit B&O and select Apple stores near the end of November, with your choice of a black, red, silver, green or white grill, and wooden legs in beech, oak or teak -- all of which can be purchased separately. For now, you can get your own eyes-on with it in the gallery below. Gallery: B&O Play A9 wireless speaker system (eyes-on)Continue reading B&O Play's BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker gets your classy party jumping for a cool $2,699 (eyes-on)Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/VideoB&O Play's BeoPlay A9 wireless speaker gets your classy party jumping for a cool $2,699 (eyes-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Jolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:04 PM PDT

Jolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas


Jolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas
Jolla had already mentioned that it would show its MeeGo-derived Sailfish OS in November, but the startup now has exact dates to mark on the calendar. Come November 21st and 22nd, we'll get a peek at Jolla's take on the open platform's interface, apps and SDK at the Slush conference in Helsinki. There won't be much hardware to see, however. Jolla plans to provide the first phone details and launch window before Christmas, which doesn't give much if any time for initial partners like D.Phone to get moving. We'd expect a more formal launch in the new year.Filed under: Cellphones, MobileJolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TechCrunch | Jolla (LinkedIn) | Email this | Comments

Microsoft Surface Windows 8 RT tablet hits the FCC?

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:04 PM PDT

Microsoft Surface Windows 8 RT tablet hits the FCC?


Microsoft Surface Windows 8 RT tablet hits the FCC?
Well well, it looks like Microsoft's getting all its Windows 8 ducks in a row today. First, it sends out the invite for the Windows 8 launch event and a save the date for a Windows Phone 8 party, and now it looks like one of its Surface tablets has garnered FCC approval. Dubbed the Model 1516, the device in question can't be confirmed as a Surface slate, but we do know it's running Windows RT and has a membrane keyboard peripheral thanks to the docs submitted to Uncle Sam. We also know that it's got a stand, as the FCC label will be residing on the back panel beneath it, and the radios on board are of the Bluetooth and 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi variety. Does that add up to a Surface RT tablet? We sure think so, but see the evidence for yourself at the source link below.Filed under: TabletsMicrosoft Surface Windows 8 RT tablet hits the FCC? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments

1 Billion Users Have Done Zilch For Facebook’s Stock Price Today

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:03 PM PDT

1 Billion Users Have Done Zilch For Facebook's Stock Price Today


1 Billion Users Have Done Zilch For Facebook's Stock Price Today
Last week, we noted that Facebook's stock appeared to have gotten a nice little bump after it announced its move into the sale of physical gifts, potentially opening a new revenue stream for the company. Not all of Facebook's big news is so kind. Today's announcement that Facebook has reached 1 billion users has had no impact, or possibly a negative one, on its stock so far today.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 Launch Event Happening October 29 In San Francisco

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:03 PM PDT

Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 Launch Event Happening October 29 In San Francisco


Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 Launch Event Happening October 29 In San Francisco
Microsoft is sending out invites for a Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29, to be held at 10 AM PST. The phone platform was shown off on stage during a joint event with Nokia, and also during another with HTC in September, but Microsoft is saying we'll see more at its own show.

Microsoft continues invitation spree, asks us to attend its Windows Phone 8 laun...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 12:03 PM PDT

Microsoft continues invitation spree, asks us to attend its Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29th


Microsoft continues invitation spree, asks us to attend its Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29th
Can we call October the Month of Metro, even if Microsoft isn't keen on the idea? Hot on the heels of its Windows 8 invitation, the company is asking us to head out a second time to see a street-inspired OS, inviting us to Windows Phone 8's formal launch on October 29th in San Francisco. The teaser doesn't say much about what Microsoft will show, although there's a real chance we'll get firmer launch schedules -- not to mention more opportunities with the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC Windows Phone 8X than staring lovingly at their home screens. You can be sure that we'll report back with the full details.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, AT&TMicrosoft continues invitation spree, asks us to attend its Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Starbucks app to make tipping easier

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 11:30 AM PDT

Starbucks app to make tipping easier


Starbucks app to make tipping easier
Want to leave your barista a tip? Starbucks is making an app for that.

Microsoft Acquires PhoneFactor, The Security Solution That Authenticates Users V...

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 11:30 AM PDT

Microsoft Acquires PhoneFactor, The Security Solution That Authenticates Users Via Phone, SMS Or Mobile Apps


Microsoft Acquires PhoneFactor, The Security Solution That Authenticates Users Via Phone, SMS Or Mobile Apps
Microsoft has acquired PhoneFactor, a service which provides an additional layer of security during the authentication process, which today typically involves just a username and password (aka single-factor authentication). With PhoneFactor, as its name implies, the additional step it offers involves using a phone to further authenticate users upon sign in via a phone call, text, or mobile app.

Ford C-Max Hybrid is Blue Oval's best-selling hybrid in first month of sales

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 10:58 AM PDT

Ford C-Max Hybrid is Blue Oval's best-selling hybrid in first month of sales


Ford C-Max Hybrid is Blue Oval's best-selling hybrid in first month of sales
Filed under: Hybrid, Ford The bad news is that the Ford C-Max Hybrid wagon was solidly beaten by sales of the Toyota Prius V last month. The good news is the C-Max outsold all of Ford's other hybrids in its very first month, hinting that things could get real interesting between the C-Max and V in the future. Ford has been heavily touting the C-Max Hybrid as an alternative to the Prius V, and we're about to get real data on if that approach is working. Ford moved 969 C-Max Hybrids in September, edging out the Fusion Hybrid, with 898 sold, and the Lincoln MKZ, with 781. Granted, the C-Max fell short of the Prius V's September sales of 1,652 vehicles. Still, the C-Max eclipsed the Ford Fusion Hybrid's debut-month sales of 402 units in March 2009 (the Fusion moved 1,073 units the following month). And the Lincoln MKZ, in its debut month of September 2010, moved just ten units, followed by sales of 366 units in October 2010. Looks like Ford is getting better at making hybrids people want to buy.In June, Ford said that the C-Max would beat the Prius V's combined fuel economy of 42 miles per gallon combined, and in August made good on that promise by getting a 47-mpg rating across the board. The C-Max, with its $25,995 base price, also undercuts the Prius V by $500. The automaker started taking orders for the C-Max Hybrid in May and has been directly targeting the V in press releases and commercials. In fact, today Ford released three new commercials for the C-Max, some of them directly attacking the V. You can watch them below. Read here for Autoblog's First Drive of the C-Max Hybrid.Continue reading Ford C-Max Hybrid is Blue Oval's best-selling hybrid in first month of salesFord C-Max Hybrid is Blue Oval's best-selling hybrid in first month of sales originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Netflix schedules its original series 'House of Cards' for release February 1st

Posted: 04 Oct 2012 10:58 AM PDT

Netflix schedules its original series 'House of Cards' for release February 1st


Netflix schedules its original series 'House of Cards' for release February 1st
While Netflix has built its streaming service on content previously available elsewhere, its dive into exclusive original content begins in earnest February 1st of next year. That's when the David Fincher-directed House of Cards series that it reportedly outbid the likes of HBO and AMC for will debut, with all 13 episodes immediately available for streaming in all of Netflix's service areas. Lilyhammer was an exclusive of sorts that debuted earlier this year, however that was in association with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Netflix is going it alone backing several original series that will roll out over the next year including the highly anticipated return of Arrested Development (they're apparently looking for walk-ons, check the video after the break), a murder mystery titled Hemlock Grove from Eli Roth, comedy Orange is the New Black from Jenji Kohan, the creator of Showtime's Weeds, and the second season of Lilyhammer. There's no word on why the series will launch next year instead of the originally scheduled "late 2012" window, however production of the second 13 episode season (which Netflix agreed to up front) is already scheduled to begin in the spring as well. We'll see if the new push for exclusive content can cover some of the holes in Netflix's catalog and keep current customers aboard while also attracting new viewers, even as competition in the subscription streaming arena increases.Continue reading Netflix schedules its original series 'House of Cards' for release February 1stFiled under: HDNetflix schedules its original series 'House of Cards' for release February 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments