Who knew a support thread on corporate WiFi login issues would lead to anything we’d care about? Cut to Google code’s Android forums, where an anonymous Google engineer confirms that this problem will be patched in the “next major release” of Android, specifically version 2.3. So… does this mean Android 2.3 is the oft-discussed (and close on the horizon) Gingerbread ? Not necessarily — while possible, there isn’t any indication to that effect, and logic doesn’t arbitrarily equate the two. After all, recall that Eclair was both 2.0 and 2.1, so there would be some historical precedence to this 0.1 leap being nothing more than sprinkles on frozen yogurt . Android 2.3 ‘next major release,’ says anonymous Google engineer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s precisely zero doubt that AT&T will be supporting LTE waves in the not-too-distant future, but it looks as if ” the future ” may be drawing closer than anyone had ever imagined. Or else the carrier’s just really, really proactive. Based on the leaked slide above, it looks as if AT&T is already beginning to transition its current crop of SIM cards to “those that will also support LTE devices.” Naturally, the iPhone 4 is omitted from all of this due to it using a micro SIM , but it looks as if employees will need to keep a careful eye on the SKU (and front graphics) in order to make sure customers are well equipped for another blend of 4G. Now, how’s about a rollout schedule, Ma Bell? AT&T transitioning to LTE-friendly SIM cards originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you’re anything like us, you’re both smart and incredibly good looking. Also, you’re sarcastic. And in addition to all that, you spend much of your downtime enjoying streaming media on your computer, or your Internet-enabled TV, or perhaps even your fancy-pants cellphone. And it looks like, indeed, much of the country is “anything like us” — at least according to Sandvine, Inc., of Waterloo, Ontario. The bandwidth manufacturer has released a report that concludes that over twenty percent of stateside peak time downstream Internet traffic is gobbled up by Netflix streams, with the heaviest use going down in the primetime hours between 8 to 10 pm. We’re sure that this is no surprise to Netflix itself, whose CEO recently stated that the company is primarily a streaming company that just happens to mail out DVDs to some customers; but still, the figure is pretty staggering. You can draw your own conclusions, but we’re just happy to no longer live in a place where the only thing to watch on a Thursday night is The World According To Jim . Report: Twenty percent of peak downstream Internet used for Netflix? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If last night’s cameo showing off the official Twitter client for Windows Phone 7 wasn’t enough of a hint, yes, we’ve gotten our hands on LG’s Optimus 7 . This 3.8-inch machine will serve as LG’s international WP7 ambassador while Americans get to grips with its QWERTY keyboard-equipped Quantum brother. As you’ll no doubt be aware by now, the internal equipment is standardized around Microsoft’s chassis spec, meaning a WVGA screen resolution, a 1GHz Snapdragon inside, and a 5 megapixel camera shooting 720p video at 24fps. You’d think, therefore, that it’d be a nondescript, middle-of-the-road option, but the Optimus 7 left us extremely impressed after our first hands-on and we’re eager to keep digging for more. Does it put up a righteous fight against the more ambitious HD7 from HTC and Omnia 7 from Samsung? Jump past the break to find out. This review is primarily of the LG Optimus 7 hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS. Gallery: LG Optimus 7 review Continue reading LG Optimus 7 review LG Optimus 7 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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A cassette Walkman may now be nothing more than a puzzling artifact to some, but for those of a certain age it was the gadget of the day. Alas, it has long since been surpassed by other, more portable audio players that have replaced the fine art of the mixtape with “playlists,” and it looks like even Sony has now accepted the inevitable. The company has reportedly ceased production of all cassette Walkmans and will stop selling them in Japan as soon as the current inventory runs out (expected to happen sometime in April). There will apparently still be Sony-branded Walkmans manufactured in China, however, although it’s not clear how widely available they’ll be. But let’s not worry about that right now — head on past the break for a brief look back at the Walkman in its heyday. Continue reading Sony pulls the plug on cassette Walkmans in Japan, makes epic mixtape Sony pulls the plug on cassette Walkmans in Japan, makes epic mixtape originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple responds on missing Flash in new MacBook Airs, says get used to it
October 22, 2010 No Comment
The other day, we reported on the fact that those tiny new MacBook Airs are shipping without a pre-installed version of Flash . Based on Apple’s recent, vocal anti-Flash opinions , we took it as a sign that the company was putting even more distance between itself and Adobe, but according to a statement we’ve just received, that might not be the case. Apple spokesman Bill Evans just pinged us with the official word on the situation, claiming that it has more to do with making sure users have the most recent version of the software and less to do with politics. Here’s the word from Apple: We’re happy to continue to support Flash on the Mac, and the best way for users to always have the most up to date and secure version is to download it directly from Adobe. Interestingly, he also notes that this will be happening across all Macs in the future, though there may be some models still in the channel with Flash pre-installed. Obviously this makes some sense, but it’s hard not to see it as a dig against Adobe — there must be other solutions for ensuring users are up to date (like, oh, putting the plugin into your auto-updater). Also, it would be nice if those “missing plug-in” messages actually worked as links to the Adobe install page (because they don’t, at least in Safari). Hey — at least we know it wasn’t a fluke! Apple responds on missing Flash in new MacBook Airs, says get used to it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Google to beta test 1Gbps fiber internet service at Stanford’s Residential Subdivision
October 22, 2010 No Comment
Right after having a giant Christmas tree as your mascot comes the next best reason to be a Cardinal: the chance to have 1Gbps internet from Google . If you’ll recall, the Big G announced earlier this year that it was planning to rollout a 1Gbps fiber connection to between 50,000 and 500,000 homes in a given community , and while the search is still ongoing for the perfect fit (that’s expected to be announced by the year’s end), Google’s using a sliver of Stanford’s campus to trial things before heading public. The university’s Residential Subdivision — a group of approximately 850 faculty- and staff-owned homes on campus — will be the testing grounds for the aforesaid internet service, and the current plan is to break ground on the initiative in early 2011. El Goog chose Stanford for a couple of reasons: first, it’s bright enough to realize how awesome of a PR move this is, and second, this chunk of campus is spitting distance from Mountain View. Third, the Cardinal mascot was down with it — and seriously, who is Google to question that thing? Google to beta test 1Gbps fiber internet service at Stanford’s Residential Subdivision originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Zotac just rolled out a couple of Zbox nettops last month , and a few more the month before that , but it’s now back yet again with the new and slightly improved Zbox HD-ID40 model. No Blu-ray drive this time around, but you will get a dual-core Atom D525 processor, along with 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a memory card reader, and NVIDIA Ion graphics — if you prefer, you can also get a barebones rig and supply your own components and OS. No word on pricing jut yet, unfortunately, but it sounds like this one should soon be hitting retailers that carry Zotac products. Head on past the break for the complete release. [Thanks, Matt R] Continue reading Zotac introduces upgraded Zbox HD-ID40 nettop Zotac introduces upgraded Zbox HD-ID40 nettop originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …New androgynous International Docking System Standard Interface works both ways in space
October 22, 2010 No Comment
There’s nothing more embarrassing than trying to dock with your cosmonaut compatriots only to find that his port was made in metric, yours was crafted with the finest in ye olde imperial units. Such faux pas can now be safely avoided in space thanks to the newly agreed upon International Docking System Standard, or IDSS. It’s an androgynous system that allows for the same portal design to be used on both ships and docking stations, meaning craft can pair up with stations, ships with ships, and any other groovy coupling you can think of. The standard was finalized last month and just released to the world, but we’ve managed to find stunning footage of an early prototype from 1973. That’s embedded below for your scientific edification. Continue reading New androgynous International Docking System Standard Interface works both ways in space New androgynous International Docking System Standard Interface works both ways in space originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony Google TV booted into recovery mode, are we days away from a root? (video)
October 22, 2010 No Comment
If it’s running Android it has a root, and if it has a root some modder will find it. The Sony Google TV is most certainly running a flavor of Google’s little OS and so it too is just waiting to be cracked open. While that hasn’t happened yet, Android Forums and xda-developers member Apeman has managed to get us one step closer. He’s enabled the recovery mode on his device by holding the power button down while plugging it in, presenting a tantalizing “System Update with USB” menu option. What lovely things will this unlock? You’ll have to wait to see — just like us. Continue reading Sony Google TV booted into recovery mode, are we days away from a root? (video) Sony Google TV booted into recovery mode, are we days away from a root? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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