EU to launch first two Galileo satellites today, as sat-nav system lurches forward
October 21, 2011 No Comment
The EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system has been beset by delays and budget overruns in recent months, but its future is looking slightly brighter, now that its first two satellites are primed for launch. The European Space Agency is expected to send the satellites into space today, as part of a long-term project that will cost an estimated €7 billion (around $9.6 billion). Slated to take off from Kourou, French Guiana, the pair of satellites will ride on the back of a Russian rocket to an altitude of nearly 15,000 miles, where they’ll test system functions both in space and on Earth. If all goes according to plan, they’ll also become Galileo’s first operational satellites, paving the way, officials hope, for many more to follow. In fact, the European Commission is looking to complete the 30-satellite constellation by the year 2019, with two scheduled to launch during every quarter, beginning in 2012. The idea, of course, is to offer Europeans an alternative to US-operated GPS, with a free consumer service scheduled to launch in 2014, followed by a more precise, paid service in 2020. Nevertheless, budgetary concerns loom large over the project, which, according to the EC, has already racked up a development and deployment bill of over €5 billion ($6.8 billion), since 2003. The commission will present a finalized proposal to EU member governments by the end of the year, in the hopes of obtaining that extra €7 billion, though it may face more acute criticism, considering today’s dour economic climate. It remains unlikely, however, that Galileo will be totally shut down, as the EU says it could bring in an extra €90 billion in annual revenue, once completed. EU to launch first two Galileo satellites today, as sat-nav system lurches forward originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NVIDIA’s Jen-Hsun Huang: Windows on ARM should hit tablets first, battling Intel is a bad idea, would love his chips in iPad
October 21, 2011 No Comment
NVIDIA’s founder and president Jen-Hsun Huang has never been one to dodge a question, and that made for an excellent closing interview here at AsiaD. Outside of (re)confirming what lies ahead for Tegra , he also spoke quite openly about his feeling towards Windows on ARM in response to a question from Joanna Stern. Here’s the bulk of his reply: “It’s important for [Microsoft] not to position these as PCs. From a finesse perspective — I can’t speak on their behalf — but I would come out with tablets first with Windows on ARM. It helps to establish that this isn’t a PC. Will yesterday’s Office run on tomorrow’s Windows on ARM PC? Will a new version of Office run on tomorrow’s Windows on ARM tablets? Both questions are about legacy, and both are about Office. The actual implementation of it is radically different. I see no reason to make Office 95 to run on Windows on ARM. I think it would be wonderful, absolutely wonderful — I’d say, as someone who uses Windows — it would be almost a requirement to me that [the ARM] device runs Windows interoperably. If Office runs on Windows on ARM — it’s the killer app. Everything else is on the web.” He elaborated to say that he would hope Office for Windows on ARM would support the same files that today’s Office does, much the same way that Office for Mac eventually synced up with its Windows-based sibling. For more from Huang’s interview, hop on past the break! Continue reading NVIDIA’s Jen-Hsun Huang: Windows on ARM should hit tablets first, battling Intel is a bad idea, would love his chips in iPad NVIDIA’s Jen-Hsun Huang: Windows on ARM should hit tablets first, battling Intel is a bad idea, would love his chips in iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Vertu Constellation packs gaudy brilliance, and we don’t mean the AMOLED
October 21, 2011 No Comment
Vertu’s first foray into the heady modern world of touchscreen phones has arrived, and it still looks KIRF-ably premium. But what’s surprising is that the Constellation’s feature ensemble is actually half-decent — at least relative to its predecessors. Wearing an exclusive 3.5-inch AMOLED screen coated entirely in sapphire crystal, the Constellation completes the look with a “ceramic pillow” (we’d call it an ‘earpiece’) and a black alligator skin back cover. Last seen skulking around Bluetooth product listings , it’s now back in the public spotlight with a confirmed eight megapixel camera, flanked by a twin LED flash and HSPA+ connections. There’s no word on what OS this starlet is working with, though it’s likely to be Symbian — appropriate for all those oil barons, F1 drivers and other anachronistic rich types who can (send staff to) pick up their new Vertu from stores now. Vertu Constellation packs gaudy brilliance, and we don’t mean the AMOLED originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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BBC’s Top Gear (it’s like The Engadget Show, but for cars) did not libel Tesla Motors when it reviewed the Tesla Roadster way back in 2008. Jeremy Clarkson’s review showed the super-EV conking out after 55 miles of driving (a quarter of its expected range), suffering brake failures and an engine overheat that Elon Musk’s company flatly denies ever happening. In the High Court, however, Mr Justice Tugendhat said that people could tell the difference between Clarkson’s torturous, heavy-footed “powerrrrrrrrr” driving that goes on at Dunsfold Aerodrome, and the staid manner in which people drive on motorways. Tesla still maintains that the review has damaged its image, which is why it’s also pursuing a claim for malicious falsehood, yet to be decided — and on that bombshell, here’s the original, legally non-libelous review for your enjoyment… goodnight! Continue reading English Court: Top Gear didn’t libel Tesla English Court: Top Gear didn’t libel Tesla originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The iPhone 4S’ Siri integration may be a potential game changer, but she’s not quite the world traveler some of us would like her to be. In fact, it seems she’s as lost outside of US borders as any unprepared tourist. Looking for a pub in London? Better find a traditional map. Need to know the time of day in Canada? Siri admits she has no idea, go buy a watch . Business search (via Yelp ), directions, traffic data, and Wolfram Alpha search all appear to be US-only features for now. The automated assistant’s international failings aren’t too big of a surprise, however — Apple’s own Siri page outs the service as a beta, noting that some features may vary by area. Stuck with sub-par international support? Sit tight, it’s coming: Apple’s Siri FAQ states that additional language support (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish), maps and local search content are set to go international in 2012. Siri gets lost internationally, promises to do better next year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …The iPhone 4S’ Siri integration may be a potential game changer, but she’s not quite the world traveler some of us would like her to be. In fact, it seems she’s as lost outside of US borders as any unprepared tourist. Looking for a pub in London? Better find a traditional map. Need to know the time of day in Canada? Siri admits she has no idea, go buy a watch . Business search (via Yelp ), directions, traffic data, and Wolfram Alpha search all appear to be US-only features for now. The automated assistant’s international failings aren’t too big of a surprise, however — Apple’s own Siri page outs the service as a beta, noting that some features may vary by area. Stuck with sub-par international support? Sit tight, it’s coming: Apple’s Siri FAQ states that additional language support (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish), maps and local search content are set to go international in 2012. Siri gets lost internationally, promises to do better next year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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What once was there now is gone. Earlier today, Google Voice was just two clicks away in the iOS App Store. Now, all that remains is a page cache (at the source link below) and versions of the app that were already installed on iPhones and iPod touches. Vincent Paquet, Senior Product Manager for Google Voice confirmed that the app had been pulled, explaining “our last update of this week had a bug that caused the app to crash at sign in. We removed it so it did not affect additional users until the fix gets published.” We’ve been using the most recent version — 1.3.0.1771 — on an iPhone 4 running iOS 5 without issue, but recent reviews cite the reported crashing, so it’s definitely affecting at least some users. We don’t have an ETA for when you can expect the app to return, so if you don’t already have it installed, you’ll need to hang tight for the time being. The service should function normally otherwise, assuming your phone number has already been registered, though you won’t be able to begin new text threads or make outgoing calls using your Google Voice number. Google Voice pulled from App Store following iOS 5 crash originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 wrap-up: Springboard, Atrix and Audi
October 15, 2011 No Comment
And that’s all she wrote, folks — warm and sunny San Diego was a wonderful host for this year’s CTIA Enterprise & Applications , but now it’s time to head on home. The show was tremendously affected by the news of Samsung canceling its much-anticipated Nexus event , but there were still a few gems we were able to grab. AT&T got the show started off right by announcing a grand total of five new smartphones, not the least of which was the Motorola Atrix 2 (no “4G” in the title, interestingly enough). T-Mobile also unveiled the Springboard , a 7-inch tablet that’s sure to make a splash. So if you’re finally catching up with the week’s gadget news, we’ve compiled a list that’ll make your reading much more convenient. Here’s our full CTIA coverage in all its glory. We’re live from CTIA! Wilson Electronics debuts the AWS 70 Live from CTIA’s day one keynote with Dan Hesse, Dan Mead and Ralph de la Vega T-Mobile Springboard hands-on (video) Motorola announces the LapDock 100 for Atrix 2, Droid Bionic and Photon 4G Cadillac unveils CUE infotainment system Motorola Atrix 2 for AT&T hands-on (video) TeleNav 7.1 for Sprint Android phones: this time it’s personal Samsung Stratosphere for Verizon hands-on (video) Pantech Pocket for AT&T hands-on (video) Samsung Transfix for Cricket hands-on (video) Navigon demos MobileNavigator for iOS, WP7 and Android The Engadget Mobile Podcast, CTIA edition! LG Optimus Slider for Virgin Mobile hands-on (video) Kyocera DuraMax for Sprint hands-on (video) EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone A look inside Verizon’s test car CTIA Enterprise & Applications 2011 wrap-up: Springboard, Atrix and Audi originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you’re among the teeming masses holding a brand new iPhone 4S in your hands, you may be surprised (as we were) to find there’s something conspicuously absent from the Network Settings menu on your new device: specifically the ability to manually shut off 3G data. After receiving word, and a screenshot, from a helpful tipster, rocking a 4S on Vodafone’s network, we found the same option missing from our own AT&T iteration. Of course this isn’t the sort of thing that’s likely to have an impact on most users, but if you’re the type that likes to squeeze every last bit of juice out of that Apple, the omission could cause some frustration. We gave Apple support a call to see what they had to say, and were told AppleCare has no official response on the matter. If you’re lamenting the loss of the 3G flip-switch sound off in the comments below. [Thanks, Chris and Charlie] iPhone 4S lacks “Enable 3G” switch originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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What do you do when you’ve already created a Sensation ? If you’re HTC , you repackage that lightning in a slightly different chassis, turn the volume (read: speed) up to 11 and borrow a bit of optical wizardry to add that new smartphone smell. All key elements that can be found in the DNA of the company’s latest imperatively named product offering — the Amaze 4G. Clearly, HTC’s throwing caution to the fickle consumer winds here, raising the bar for Android users’ expectations and mixing in just enough razzle dazzle to win over those hard earned geek dollars. So, what’s the hook this time ’round? No, not Beats — that’s for its Euro stepcousin, the Sensation XE . Here, the main attraction is this handset’s ability to surf along T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42Mbps network . That’s right, Magenta’s tiptoeing into LTE speed territory and you’ve got Sense 3.0 to help pilot that wireless ride. Join us after the break as we peel back the layers of this unibodied mobile onion. Gallery: HTC Amaze 4G review Continue reading HTC Amaze 4G review HTC Amaze 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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