Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On , a column about consumer technology. Last week’s Switched On discussed why Google’s ownership of Motorola is unlikely to bring major changes to the balance of power among Android licensees. But Motorola also has significant interests in the set-top market. And, of course, there’s the question of Android’s main licensed rival, Windows Phone 7. In both of those cases, though, there is also unlikely to be noteworthy change, reinforcing the acquisition as a purely defensive move. Read on for more. Continue reading Switched On: The accidental handset company, Part 2 Switched On: The accidental handset company, Part 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Hey, it’s our old pal, the Acer W4. We’ve heard tell of the device and seen our share of mockups , and this week at IFA, we actually got to play with the thing. The 3.6-inch handset is fairly compact, and pretty slick looking, with its black front and curved white backing. It’s not particularly exciting on the spec side, with its 1GHz Qualcomm processor. Nope, what’s most exciting here is the inclusion of Mango , which should look rather familiar to Windows Phone 7 owners, while adding some welcomed updates to the mix. According to Acer, the handset should be arrive some point next month, though the company isn’t offering up much in terms of pricing. Check out a hands-on video after the break. Gallery: Acer W4 hands-on Continue reading Acer W4 hands-on (video) Filed under: Cellphones Acer W4 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Elgato’s been experimenting with live TV on the iPad for over a year now , but until now, that meant streaming programs that were already broadcast online anyway — a mighty large limitation, wouldn’t you say? This week, though, the company announced EyeTV Mobile, a TV tuner that plugs into the iPad 2′s 30-pin connector, allowing it to pull in broadcast television. We just happened to stumble on Elgato’s booth here at IFA and treated ourselves to a short TV break. The tuner, which fits easily in the palm of your hand when the antenna is collapsed, only allows you to draw in signals using the DVB-T standard, so make no mistake this is a product just for our European readers. (Although Elgato says it hopes to release something similar in Japan.) Even more than the hardware or the programming selection ( f
Continue reading …Mophie cuts the price on the Juice Pack Boost and Powerstation, raises the battery capacity
September 4, 2011 No Comment
Most companies here at IFA figured if they were going to haul it all the way to Berlin, they might as well unveil their products on a stage — you know, with some prepared remarks, a press release and maybe some disco music to get people pumped (okay, we haven’t been subjected to that yet). But not Mophie. The company has a habit of releasing its products quietly, demonstrating its unannounced wares in plain sight. That’s how we happened upon the newest versions of its Juice Pack mobile chargers, the Boost, Powerstation and Reserve. Of the three, the latter got the biggest makeover, with a more compact shape and a pop-out USB connector that’s attached to a plastic cable. As a result of that diet, though, it now has a battery capacity of 700mAh, not 1,000mAH, although its price is about to go up to $35 from $30. The good news is that Mophie lowered its prices for the other two, all while expanding the battery capacity. The Powerstation now has a 4,000mAh battery and costs $80 (down from $100) while the Boost is rated for 2,000mAh and costs $49.95 (a $10 price cut). In case you’re interested in this sort of thing, we’ve got hands-on photos below, and Mophie says the lot will hit the Apple Store in about two weeks. Gallery: 2011 Mophie Juice Pack Reserve, Boost and Powerstation hands-on Mophie cuts the price on the Juice Pack Boost and Powerstation, raises the battery capacity originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Good news, folks — Tango is about to reach Windows Phone. No, not that Tango . We’re referring to the video calling service that’s already popular on iOS and Android devices, but has had absolutely no presence on Microsoft’s platform at all. Of course, there’s a blatantly obvious reason for that: the OS didn’t support front-facing cameras until Mango came along. At this week’s unveiling of HTC’s first WP7.5 devices , someone perusing the Radar’s software happened across a Tango app in the Start menu, indicating users will have more video chatting options to choose from than just Skype. Better yet, it appears to offer cross-platform compatibility to ensure you can see your Android-toting pals and your iPhone-equipped in-laws up close and personal. We’re ecstatic to see the feature finally ready to go with Mango’s debut, but unfortunately it’s only a matter of time before the name confusion settles in. Tango video calling en route to Windows Phone Mango? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Are you one of those old-school types who still watches TV programs on an actual television? Then you probably also own one or fifteen of those cordless channel changer contraptions — you know, the kind that use AA batteries and magic beams of light to command station and volume adjustments. Well, set down the remote, lean back in that oversized plastic-covered velvet sofa, and get ready to toss out your last pair of alkalines. Zero1′s new VooMote Zapper remote module has been making the rounds at IFA , letting you use any iOS device as a universal remote. Sure, the concept itself isn’t new — there have been other iOS-integrated remotes — but the Zapper is small, relatively inexpensive, and interfaces quite nicely with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Your programmed selections are stored on the Zapper itself, so you can easily use it with multiple iOS devices. The $70 device can be matched with identically colored cases ($20 and up), and also includes rather comprehensive TV Guide functionality, enabling you to see local programming, watch previews of unfamiliar content, and send an infrared signal to your TV to launch a program — during its scheduled airing time, of course. We took a look at the app / itsy bitsy hardware combo, and it seemed to work well, with an easy setup process (codes for nearly every device come preloaded) and fast response time. VooMote reps said the device has a range of 25 feet, which is more than plenty for our tiny apartment configs, but may not suffice in some stadium-style media rooms. At the end of the day, it’s really just a (very) elegant touchscreen universal remote solution, so we’ll leave it at that. Jump past the break to see the Zapper in action. Gallery: VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video) Continue reading Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video) Zero1 VooMote Zapper remote control for iOS hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy! Official Android updates The biggest update we saw this week was a widespread push of Android 2.3.3 to the Motorola Droid 2 . This one is done OTA, so simply go into your settings menu and check for updates to see if it’s there. (thanks to everyone who sent this in) While we saw a rollout of Android 2.3 to a select few LG Optimus Ones in June, we’re hearing reports that the update’s now getting pushed out again to a few more regions. This refresh must be done manually through LG’s updater tool, so you’ll definitely want to check to see if your phone is one of the lucky recipients. [via PocketNow ] US Cellular took to its Facebook Page to let customers know it’s working on revamping the Samsung Mesmerize to Gingerbread at some point, though no official date or timeframe was given aside from “as soon as possible.” [via AndroidCentral ] HTC announced the arrival of Android 2.3 for the Thunderbolt and Droid Incredible this month, via its Facebook page . [via AndroidCommunity ] In fact, some users have already reported getting Gingerbread for the Incredible, and we suspect the rollout will be complete no later than the end of the month, to fulfill the company’s promise. [via Phandroid ] Gingerbread is in the plans for the Motorola Milestone 2 , and according to the company the refresh will begin rolling out in early Q4. [via MyDailyGadget ] The Samsung LC11 LTE mobile hotspot is getting a new build, EF07, that appears to improve its handling of multiple devices and congested WiFi locations. It also adds security patches and new protocols. [via Verizon ] An update for the Droid 3 was apparently available to soak testers and leaked online, but was pulled from Motorola servers shortly thereafter. It appears to add video chat support in GTalk and adds a new radio that’s supposed to save battery life. The via link still has the update available for anyone interested. [via Droid-Life ] Unofficial Android updates / custom ROMs / misc hackery The root method used on most Motorola Android devices has been employed to root the Droid Bionic before it’s even been released. [via Droid-Life ] LG has released the kernel source for its Gingerbread build of the Optimus S. [via AndroidCentral ] The HTC Dev site expanded its support for the bootloader unlock tool this week, now encompassing all versions of the Sensation — including T-Mobile’s. [via AndroidCentral ] Other platforms SPB Shell 3.0 is now available for Symbian^3 devices. It brings a fresh 3D-style UI to the OS, and can be yours for $15. [via IntoMobile ] Updates already covered this week HP planning TouchPad OTA update for added functionality HTC Flyer Honeycomb ROM leaks Samsung Nexus S updated to 2.3.6, fixes voice search and breaks tethering Refresh Roundup: week of August 29, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 10:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Pico Dolly replaces homemade roller skate tripods for smaller camera productions (video)
September 4, 2011 No Comment
Instead of precariously perching your DSLR on a skateboard in the name of film, perhaps it’s time to invest in something a little more stable — like the extremely affordable Pico Dolly. Machined from aluminum, this 3.5-inch, three pound dolly has wheels akin to those found on Rollerblades , plus three screw mounts to attach the optional 11-inch friction arm. The contraption can glide straight or shoot in circles while taking up minimal room — something that videographers using cameras like the A77 and E-P3 (or even the iPhone) can surely appreciate. Unlike its conceptual twin , which currently costs $150 and isn’t scheduled to ship until October, the Pico Dolly can be had for $65 (or $90 if you want the friction arm included) and is scheduled to ship by September 12th. Check out the cinematic assistant in action after the break. Continue reading Pico Dolly replaces homemade roller skate tripods for smaller camera productions (video) Pico Dolly replaces homemade roller skate tripods for smaller camera productions (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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One of the fun things about attending a show that’s open to the public like IFA is that you tend to get the same pitch from companies as folks walking in off the street. And the pitch with the latest Philips GoGear is quite simple: this is the company’s shot at the iPod touch . We swung by the Philips booth to give the thing another spin . The 3.2-inch portable media player has a touchscreen and runs Android 2.3 — really, it’s got most of the basic functionality of a handset, save for the whole calling people thing. The build on the device is a bit plasticy and certainly can’t compare with the touch on that front, though it is quite light and should slip into your pocket easily for a trip to the gym, if you’re so inclined. The player also doesn’t make the most of potential screen real estate, due to the three large buttons and Philips logo taking up roughly a quarter of the its face — an odd choice, given the GoGear’s touchscreen. The PMP also has three large brass buttons in its side. The GoGear 3 runs Android apps with ease, flipping through the selection of Google programs without a problem. It’s also got Android Market built-in, accessible through its built-in WiFi. That functionality also comes in handy with the company’s SimplyShare software, which lets you stream music and video content to other devices. No word yet on final pricing or availability, though the Philips rep we spoke with said it will likely run around €150 for the 8GB version and €180 for the 16GB. Continue reading Philips GoGear 3 Android PMP hands-on (video) Philips GoGear 3 Android PMP hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Amazon, 7-Eleven team up to bring delivery convenience to your corner store
September 4, 2011 No Comment
Allow us to set the scene: It’s late Friday night. You’ve just finished working and decide to hit up the local 7-Eleven on your way home for a Slim Jim, Mountain Brew and… your Amazon package? Why, yes, as absurd as it seems there could very well be a P.O. Box-like locker in your nearby Kwik-E Mart’s future. The whispering winds of hearsay flew by the ears over at The Daily and delivered this little nugget of Bezos-backed possibility. According to the source, a Seattle chain already has one of the prototypes in its possession, with a nationwide rollout potentially headed for next summer. So, how’s it work? Apparently, you’ll be offered a choice of 7-Eleven delivery locations during the online checkout process, after which an emailed bar code can be scanned by the locker to reveal a pin that gets you access to your Amazon stash. Alright, it’s an undoubtedly convenient idea, but how’s about they also throw in some of those Android-based tablets ? Now that’s point-of-sale. Amazon, 7-Eleven team up to bring delivery convenience to your corner store originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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