Looks like Fox has finally made a decision, following the other major networks , Hulu and several cable channels by opting to block streaming video on its website from Google TV devices. Blocking by Flash ID is the order of the day and takes simple browser workarounds out of play, so unless users want to go the PlayOn route, there’s large swaths of legitimate video on the web that’s now inaccessible. This same type of blocking is likely to affect other devices like the Boxee Box that launches tonight, so prepare for a bit more preening by the “get an HTPC!” crowd while fans of dedicated media streamers will have to look elsewhere for video to feed their hardware. Fox.com joins NBC, ABC and CBS by blocking Google TV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Jabra rolls out Stone2 on November 21st, just as UFO-like as the original
November 10, 2010 No Comment
Bluetooth headsets look strange enough hanging off your ear as it is, so why not maximize the shock factor? Jabra’s Stone is equal parts strange and elegant, and it would appear that the newly-announced Stone2 is making no attempt to diverge from that formula. Apart from some minor tweaks, the overall curved design and matching charging dock appear to be largely unchanged from the original model, but the Stone2′s claim to fame is the fact that it’s now a completely touch-free experience to use: if a call comes in, you just say “answer” or “ignore” and the phone will do your bidding. Never mind the fact that the people around you at the coffee shop are more convinced than ever that you’re talking to yourself, we suppose. Look for it in AT&T stores on the 21st of this month for $129.99. Jabra rolls out Stone2 on November 21st, just as UFO-like as the original originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’re all expecting iOS 4.2 to hit sometime this week and bring AirPlay streaming with it, and it looks like iHome is getting prepared — the company just updated its AirPlay speaker dock page with more info. The iW1, as it’s been named, is much slicker than its minimalist looks would suggest: the portable speaker system features a built-in lithium-ion battery with an inductive charging base so you can just grab and go, Bongiovi Accoustics audio, capacitive touch controls and support for iHome’s iOS configuration apps, and a USB port for charging and local audio playback. Oh, and it can stream music from iOS devices and iTunes using AirPlay, of course. Sadly, there’s still no price or ship date, but if this thing is priced anywhere close to earth we’d say the Sonos S5 has got itself some serious competition. iHome’s iW1 AirPlay dock gets detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Study finds that text message-addicted teens more likely to have a life
November 10, 2010 No Comment
According to a recent study lead by Dr. Scott Frank, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, kids in Cleveland who text over 120 times a day are more likely than to have had sex or to have used drugs or alcohol than kids who don’t send as many massages. We’re guessing it’s because it takes in excess of 120 text messages for kids to line up their drugs, alcohol, or sex partners. To explain the findings, Frank puts it this way: “If parents are monitoring their kids’ texting and social networking, they’re probably monitoring other activities as well.” The study, based on a survey of 4,200 students, is one of the first to look at the correlation between texting and risky behavior in teenagers. Study finds that text message-addicted teens more likely to have a life originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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And look at what we have here! That’s right, the rumored Mac OS X 10.6.5 update is dropping as we speak. What this will mean for the impending iOS release (and the whole AirPrint thing) remains to be seen, but in the meantime you can get started now if you want to ooh and ahh at the various implemented fixes, including improved Microsoft Exchange server reliability, improved MainStage performance (“on certain Macs”), and various security improvements. For more info, hit that source. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Mac OS X 10.6.5 update available now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Promising “visually rich user experiences not previously seen in consumer electronics devices,” ARM has introduced its latest embedded GPU architecture, Mali-T604, at its Technology Conference 2010 in California today. Though we’re unlikely to see it in devices any time soon, the introduction means that the new design is available to ARM licensees — and notably, the company points out that partner Samsung will be the first to get hooked up. Considering Sammy competes in the high-end embedded system-on-chip space already with its ARM-based Hummingbird line of cores, adding in the Mali-T604 is probably the next logical step for them. ARM says that it’s designed “specifically” with the needs of general purpose GPU computing in mind and includes extensive support both for OpenCL and DirectX, so look for some insane number-crunching capabilities on your next-generation phone, tablet, and set-top box. Follow the break for ARM’s press release. Continue reading ARM intros next-gen Mali-T604 embedded GPU, Samsung first to get it ARM intros next-gen Mali-T604 embedded GPU, Samsung first to get it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s no surprise on the pricing front ($179 for the normally $299 Logitech Revue, plus $4/month service fee) but today Dish Network officially started offering the integrated Google TV experience for its customers. The $4 fee applies to and will work with Sony’s Google TV devices as well, but the Revue is the only unit to get a price break up front. Dish is so far the sole TV provider that will let Google TV search through and control its compatible DVRs, and it’s put up a video demo to show how that works (embedded after the break.) Beyond the continuing questions about the Google TV platform itself, we’ll wait and see if Dish got the price right , those interested can check the press release for details on how to sign up. Continue reading Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration Dish Network officially starts pushing Google TV integration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It may not solve some of the problems involved with actually running Android on an iPhone , but the recently released Bootlace 2.1 application for jailbroken iPhones does at least make the installation process easier than ever. Unfortunately, it only works with the iPhone 2G and 3G at the moment, but it will let you install Android 2.2 (a.k.a Froyo ) directly on the device without the need for a computer. Hit up the source link below for the complete installation instructions — and insert your own joke here about the iPhone running Froyo while your Android phone is still stuck at 2.1. Bootlace lets you install Froyo on your iPhone without a computer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We were going to say something funny, but then we just got depressed that this show is still on TV. You disappoint us, America. Oh, and Hawaii Five-0 did it first . [Thanks, Michael C.] Two and a Half Men discovers FaceTime, still searching for humor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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One of the great things about miniaturization is that it allows us to swallow things that a few short years ago were just a wonderful dream, from microprocessors to bowel scanners . Now a Swiss pharmaceutical company called Novartis AG is developing the Ingestible Event Marker (IEM), a chip that can be embedded in medication and, upon being activated by the patient’s stomach acid, will send the doctor biometric data that gauges the drug’s effectiveness (including heart rate, body temp, and body movements) via Bluetooth. The plan is to introduce the technology to monitor transplant recipients, although it could be expanded to other uses as well. If bioequivalence tests demonstrate that the device doesn’t alter the effects of the pills, you could see ‘em submitted for regulatory approval in Europe in the next 18 months. Bluetooth-enabled meds to enter European bloodstreams originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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