Archive | February, 2009
The Sakshat computer was supposed to be a $10 laptop, developed by engineering graduate students in India. Turns out it's neither $10 nor a laptop -- in fact, it's a $30 hard drive, with no keyboard or display. What good... The Sakshat computer was supposed to be a $10 laptop, developed by engineering graduate students in India. Turns out it's neither $10 nor a laptop -- in fact, it's a $30 hard drive, with no keyboard or display. What good is that? In this week's podcast, the Gadget Lab crew discusses this crushing disappointment -- along with another disappointment, Sony's overpriced Vaio P series Lifestyle PC. Plus: Garmin teams up with Asus to try and bring its long-awaited nuvifone to fruition, and we review the Theatre HD Player from Kodak. In this week's episode: Dylan Tweney, Priya Ganapati, Danny Dumas and Brian Chen, with audio engineering by Fernando Cardoso. If the embedded player above doesn't work, you can download the Gadget Lab podcast #61 MP3. Use iTunes? Subscribe to the Gadget Lab Audio Podcast in iTunes. Do it now! Like video? Aim your browser at the Gadget Lab Video Podcast — available on iTunes and right here on the Gadget Lab blog. Source[Wired Gadget Lab]
Those of you waiting for Apple to fix Mobile Me, forget it -- Google has stepped up to fill the gap. Apple's "cloud computing" service got off to a bad start last year and never really recovered. IPhone users who... Those of you waiting for Apple to fix Mobile Me, forget it -- Google has stepped up to fill the gap. Apple's "cloud computing" service got off to a bad start last year and never really recovered. IPhone users who hoped the service would push contact, calendar and email updates to their device found that switching on Mobile Me did little more than drain their battery quickly. Enter Google. The search giant has now released a beta contact and calendar sync service for the iPhone, the Blackberry, the Windows Mobile, the S60 and various flavors of Nokia and Sony Ericsson non-smart phones. This obviously beats out the Apple version which only works with the iPhone. Google Mobile Sync will push and pull any changes to contacts or calendars over the air. On the iPhone these occupy the regular calendar and address book applications, meaning that things will work just as they normally do. It's all done via an Exchange server at Google's end, which means that things should actually function properly. Add to this Google Calendar's recent move offline for Google Apps users and you start to see that this is actually a great alternative to the Apple version. And most important of all, those icons are way cute. I'm in the middle of setting things up. If you hear nothing from me, assume that it went well. If things break, there will be a rant immediately following these words. Product page [Google] Source[Wired Gadget Lab]
Filed under: ABC, CBS, ESPN-HD, Showtime-HD, ListingsWhat we're watching tonight: Fox (720p) has the HD premiere of King of the Hill at 8:30 p.m. (Thanks Ivan!) CBS (1080i) presents the 51st Annual Grammy Awards at 8 p.m. HBO (1080i) queues up Big Love at 9 p.m. and Flight of the Conchords at 10 p.m. ABC (720p) airs Desperate Housewives at 9 p.m. and Brothers & Sisters at 10 p.m. Showtime (1080i) brings The L Word at 9 p.m., The United States of Tara at 10 p.m. and Secret Diary of a Call Girl at 10:30 p.m. ESPN (720p) airs Suns/Pistons NBA action at 8 p.m. HDTV Listings for February 8, 2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink
Filed under: Vodafone, Misc, Hutchison 3 So, how does one successfully snatch away market share from Telstra and Optus? If you're Hutchison or Vodafone, you merge! Announced today, two of Australia's smaller operators have decided that an equal joint venture would be the best approach to moving on up, and while they aren't suggesting that the current economic conditions influenced the decision, many analysts are suggesting that the tie-up could help the newly formed VHA fend off adverse effects from slowed spending on mobile communications. Once together, the combined group will have a local market share of around 26 percent, and Hutchison Australia's current chief executive, Nigel Dews, has been chosen to lead the new venture. Under the agreement, VHA will market its products and services under the Vodafone brand, though it will retain exclusive rights to Hutchison's "3" brand in The Land Down Under.[Via MobileBurn]Hutchison and Vodafone to merge in Australia, become VHA originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: Tuners, OTAIf you've been looking for a convenient way to turn your spare monitor into a guest room TV (or you've just been searching for a standalone OTA HDTV tuner), AVerMedia has you covered. The AVerTV Hybrid TVBox 11 not only includes an analog / ATSC / Clear QAM TV tuner, but it also boasts a DVI output, component input / output, transparent PIP support and a bundled remote. Not too much to offer beyond that, but apparently AVerMedia feels it's worth $199.99.AVerMedia launches AVerTV Hybrid TVBox 11 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: MiscGovernment-controlled Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) just went live with the 3G network we've known was coming since December. All good, right? Not quite. The telecom firm is crying foul to the Department of Telecom, as it currently suspects that someone, somewhere is experimenting on its 3G spectrum. Reportedly, the unauthorized testing has caused disturbances for MTNL subscribers, and according to a company official, the disturbance miraculously stops every time the DoT visits the area to investigate. Sounds like an M. Night Shyamalan movie or something, doesn't it?MTNL posts "Keep Out!" sign on its 3G network originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: Features, Podcasts Like last week, we were pretty shocked at the crushing amount of content we wanted to burn through this time around: two major product reviews, one metric ton of Samsung leaks, a beautiful iDEN set (oxymoron?), and so much more. We managed, though -- sort of -- so grab yourself a hot cocoa, curl up next to the fire, and have yourself a listen! Hosts: Chris Ziegler and Sean Cooper Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Solvent - Devices and Strategies (Ghostly International)00:01:00 - Mystery 3G network appears in Canada -- tomfoolery from Bell and Telus? 00:17:18 - BlackBerry Pearl 8230 caught in Verizon garb00:23:15 - Motorola Renew now available from T-Mobile - Engadget Mobile00:26:25 - Samsung pulls a Samsung, leaks nine new models ahead of MWC00:34:50 - 16GB Samsung Omnia shows itself, other Samsung rumors surface00:39:17 - LG Arena KM900 touchscreen phone shows itself in print00:42:55 - Toshiba TG01 with 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen: a world's first Snapdragon00:46:33 - Helio Ocean 2 Review00:51:30 - T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900 review01:00:04 - i465 to be first Motorola iDEN phone with QWERTY - Engadget Mobile01:05:12 - Motorola i9 "Stature" gets real on Boost Mobile01:07:04 - KDDI au announces Spring 2009 collection01:13:26 - Reader Question01:18:13 - Pimping Chris' G1 Book Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.Engadget Mobile Podcast 007 - 02.05.2009 originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink
Filed under: Handsets, T-Mobile, Android We've already heard of one big new feature included in the RC33 firmware update for the G1, but with the update now trickling out into the wild, we've finally got the complete rundown of what's been added and fixed. Leading the list of additions is the ability to check for software updates, and receive automatic updates in the Android Market when an updated application is available. You'll also now be able to take advantage of Google Voice Search, save pictures received as MMS, and report comments in the Market as spam when you see fit. The update also apparently fixes some messaging stability issues, as well as a problem with a lack of reminders on calendar items, and a pesky issue that caused some G1s to hang at the G1 screen. Hit up the link below for the complete breakdown, and keep an eye on your handset for the over-the-air update. RC33 G1 firmware update gets detailed in full originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: Handsets, Toshiba Finally, an honest to goodness Qualcomm Snapdragon device is about to land in the form of the Toshiba TG01. The 9.9-mm thin handset will feature a 4.1-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) touchscreen display, HSDPA data, GPS, WiFi, a microSD slot, and custom Tosh 3D GUI to hide the Windows Mobile 6.1 uglies within. Most notable is that 1GHz Snapdragon chip that Toshiba claims makes the TG01 considerably faster than any device currently on the market with the promise to "revolutionize the mobile entertainment world." Perhaps that's where the DivX support comes in? We'll see when the TG01 is unveiled at Mobile World Congress in less than two weeks followed by an expected summery launch. One more picture after the break. Update: Oh man, the hands-on photo galleries from the London launch are coming up over at Pocket-Lint and Electricpig, the latter with head-to-head pics of the TG01 against the 12.3-mm iPhone 3G chubster and BlackBerry Bold. She's definitely a slim-lined beauty but we have our doubts about that stripey UI. Hey Tosh, where's the Android OS we saw running on Snapdragon at CES?[Via Pocket-Lint and Stuff.TV]Continue reading Toshiba TG01 with 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen: a world's first SnapdragonToshiba TG01 with 4.1-inch WVGA touchscreen: a world's first Snapdragon originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: ABC, CBS, The CW, Discovery-HD, ESPN-HD, HBO-HD, NBC, Showtime-HD, ListingsWhat we're watching tonight: Fox (720p) presents Game 4 of the World Series at 8 p.m. CW (1080i) lines up Valentine at 8 p.m. followed by Easy Money at 9 p.m. NBC (1080i) has Football Night in America at 7 p.m. followed by The 40 Year Old Virgin at 8 p.m. ESPN (720p) has UCF/Tulsa college football at 8:15 p.m. ESPN2 (720p) airs IndyCar Racing @ Australia at 11 p.m. CBS (1080i) has Cold Case at 9 p.m. followed by The Unit at 10 p.m. ABC (720p) brings Desperate Housewives at 9 p.m. followed by Brothers & Sisters History (720p) drops in the season premiere of Cities of the Underworld at 9 p.m. Showtime (1080i) has Dexter at 9 p.m. followed by Californication HBO (1080i) tosses in Calzaghe/Jones 24/7 at 8:30 p.m. followed by True Blood, Entourage, Little Britain USA and The Life & Times of Tim AMC (720p) has the season finale of Mad Men at 10 p.m. Discovery (!080i) has Storm Chasers at 10 p.m. HDTV Listings for October 26, 2008 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink
Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, LTE We're almost as the excited as the fella in the picture at the news that Motorola's LTE (Long Term Evolution) trial has gotten off the ground -- with an honest-to-goodness set making a standards compliant LTE call. Moto's setting themselves up as an in-house host for carrier testing in the U.K, or will haul kit to your neck of the woods for a carrier-hosted LTE trial. So that settles it, we've decided to launch Engadget Mobile mobile and will be applying tomorrow for our very own LTE test pack tomorrow. Motorola will have this on display at Mobile World Congress and you can rest assured we'll be all over it. Motorola's LTE trial is a go in Swindon, UK originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Move over FADs (”for a day”), it’s time for FAFYs (”for a few years”). Thanks to Apple’s lead, touch screen mobile devices have just about consumed the entire mobile industry. Including a touch screen just for the hell of it is like putting lipstick on a hockey mom pig. On the other hand, more [...] Move over FADs (”for a day”), it’s time for FAFYs (”for a few years”). Thanks to Apple’s lead, touch screen mobile devices have just about consumed the entire mobile industry. Including a touch screen just for the hell of it is like putting lipstick on a hockey mom pig. On the other hand, more competition helps everything: prices drop and innovation increases. No matter, the LG Arena (KM900) is on its way, one way or another, as evidenced by this leaked (Dutch) image. Sporting a new “3D” UI, dubbed ‘S-Class’ (complete with Apple-like icons), the metal-clad LG Arena features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 5MP camera with “DVD quality” video capture, and of course, a touch screen. The Arena is expected to be officially announced at the 2009 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month. [via GSMArena] Crunch Network: CrunchBoard because it’s time for you to find a new Job2.0 Source[Mobilecrunch]
Apple might be planning to create a premium game section in its iPhone App Store. Game blog PocketGamer.biz claims receiving a tip from anonymous sources, who said Apple will be introducing a new section to its App Store, where it... Apple might be planning to create a premium game section in its iPhone App Store. Game blog PocketGamer.biz claims receiving a tip from anonymous sources, who said Apple will be introducing a new section to its App Store, where it will sell $20 games. Typically games in the App Store cost no more than $10; many are even free. Though there's very little to substantiate PocketGamer's rumor, it's a highly valid one: Apple recently touted the iPhone as a serious gaming console, calling it "the future of gameplay." The idea of more complex, premium games in the App Store corroborates with Wired.com's analysis that the next-generation iPhone will be beefed up for serious gaming. Rumour: Apple planning $19.99 games section on App Store [PocketGamer.biz] See Also: iPhone Firmware Reveals Next Gen-Model Is in Testing Onyx Turns iPhone Into Web 2.0-Savvy Gaming Device iPhone Teases With Game Possibilities Why iPhone Games Will Rule Gamers Eye the iPhone, as SDK Approaches Photo: JasonEscapist/Flickr Source[Wired Gadget Lab]
Filed under: Software, HTC, Android Odds are there's not a lot of point in checking your own G1 for the update at this point -- it's just in the hands of a select few so far -- but T-Mobile has confirmed that firmware 1.1 / RC33 is just around the corner with some unspecified pre-Cupcake features and fixes in the mix. At this point, at least one inordinately lucky recipient has reported that the phone now supports Google voice search like we've seen on other platforms; don't get us wrong, that's cool and all, but we're still waiting for our virtual keyboard. 'Bout ready to go whip up some batter and bake it ourselves, if you know what we're saying.[Via TmoNews]T-Mobile G1 firmware RC33 (also known as "not Cupcake") trickles into reality originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Filed under: Games, Apple With the economy lodged so firmly in the toilet we're always glad to see some sort of good news on that front, so check out the latest numbers from comScore that show the market for downloadable time-wasters on smartphones grew by a massive 291 percent in the period between November of 2007 and 2008. That's thanks in large part to the iPhone and its App Store, with sales on that platform alone accounting for 14 percent of all mobile game downloads and nearly one third of all iPhone users reporting they'd downloaded at least one game. That compares quite favorably to non-smartphone users, of whom just 3.8 percent have downloaded a game, driving that market to decline by 14 percent since 2007. Overall the mobile gaming industry bucked recessionary trends, grew a healthy 17 percent, and will now be shopping in the husky clothing section. [Via PHONE Magazine]Smartphone videogame market explodes in 2008; dumbphone market wounded, but struggling on originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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