Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS
October 7, 2010 No Comment
Verizon FiOS subscribers can expect a few new channels in the lineup now that it’s reached an agreement with Disney for ESPN content across a variety of channels and even devices. While ESPN 3D isn’t scheduled for launch until 2011 (maybe in time for the BCS National Championship game , but too late to catch LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and those other guys take on the Knicks ) ESPN Goal Line will go live on the 9th for Extreme HD and Ultimate HD package subscribers (except for D.C. and Harrisburg, PA) giving live look ins at all the college football games on Saturday. Playing further into Verizon’s tablet plans, the agreement also means customers can watch ESPN live channels directly on PCs or other authenticated devices, mirroring an earlier agreement between ESPN and Time Warner . Beyond that there’s a new Disney Junior channel on the way in 2010 plus Disney XD and ABC Family content coming to V Cast but we pretty much tuned out once we got past the sports part. Check the entire press release out after the break. Continue reading Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Amazon’s always worked hard to make sure it’s in the digital goods business as well as its obviously successful physical one, but this might be one of its boldest steps yet: another app store for Android. We heard the rumor a couple weeks ago through TechCrunch , and The Wall Street Journal is now claiming to have proof, including an Amazon document explaining some of the terms to the developers. It’s apparently still unclear when the store will be launched or even what it’ll be called, and since so far it seems like Amazon is mainly talking to developers about this behind closed doors, some of the specifics might still be in the air. According to the WSJ , Amazon stipulates an app can’t be sold for less anywhere else (which was hinted at in the earlier leak), and there’s a stranger requirement that the app can’t be on offer anywhere else for more than two weeks before it’s given to Amazon. We’re guessing that’s an Android only stipulation — or else a bit of a high barrier for iOS ports — but that just brings up more to worry about: is Amazon building a store just a first in an onslaught? And is this indeed part of an Android tablet launch for Amazon? Amazon App Store for Android confirmed by WSJ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Like any two technology behemoths, Adobe and Microsoft have certainly had their ups and downs . But now that Google and Apple are looming over them in a number of ways, it seems as if the two may be courting one another in order to help re-level the playing field. According to a New York Times report — which was crafted after collecting reports from “employees and consultants to the companies who were involved in the discussions that took place” — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen recently met at the latter’s headquarters for a closed-door meeting. Purportedly, the meeting went on for over an hour and covered a variety of topics, with one of ‘em being Apple and its newfound dominance in the mobile market. Shockingly enough, a “possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft were among the options” of stopping the skyrocketing growth. The report accurately notes that such a deal makes entirely more sense now that Redmond isn’t exactly the 800 pound gorilla that it was before Android and iOS hit the mainstream, though details beyond these assumptions were few and far betwixt. Whatever happens, no one can blame Steve Jobs for not giving Adobe every possible reason to hit Apple with everything it’s got — even if that involves buddying up with Ballmer and co. Microsoft and Adobe CEOs meet, purportely plan world domination originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you had any doubts that the 3D bandwagon was taking no prisoners in an attempt to fill up and overflow, look no further than Lenovo’s 3D IdeaPad Y560d . Yeah, a 3D laptop from Lenovo. The folks over at Hot Hardware were able to spend a bit of quality time with this beast, but unlike many of Lenovo’s machines, this one wasn’t exactly an easy sell. In fact, they firmly stated that it’s only a surefire recommendation to those who will be utilizing the 3D panel with great frequency, noting that the decision to toss a power-hungry Core i7 into an otherwise portable machine led to subpar battery life that would frustrate frequent travelers. Gaming performance was found to be satisfactory, though, and while the overall performance seemed fine, the 7200RPM hard drive in their test unit is apparently unavailable in the shipping unit (which holds a 5400RPM drive). At any rate, they did state that other units in the Y560 line would be better options for more well-rounded consumers, so unless you plan on living with a set of 3D glasses on, you’re probably better off passing over this one. Hit the source for the full skinny. Lenovo’s 3D IdeaPad Y560d reviewed: for three-dee fanatics only originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Apple weathered that Antennagate storm surprisingly well, but now there’s another potential cloudburst on the horizon, and it’s been pre-named for your convenience: “Glassgate.” Or maybe “GlassThatShattersIfScratchedByACasegate.” Ryan Block has just posted a story on gdgt citing sources “inside and outside Apple” claiming that Apple has discovered a different flaw — or weakness, shall we say — in its iPhone 4 design. The basic problem seems to be with non-bumper cases, specifically ones that slide on to the phone, and the danger of trapped particles scratching the back of the phone while taking the case on and off. Case-caused scratches are nothing new (though still annoying), but the big problem seems to be that these scratches can lead to cracking and even full-on shattering of the back panel. Apparently this lead to Apple severely limiting its reselling efforts of third party cases for a time (which you might have noticed), and while Apple currently has some third party cases online and in its stores, none of the hard cases are of the slide-on variety. Apple also purportedly has a new test program set up to understand this specific issue. Of course, plenty of questions are raised by all this: is this a widespread problem with folks that have managed to acquire a slide-on case? We haven’t really heard of such a correlation so far. Do the snap-on folks, many of whom received their cases free of charge from Apple, have anything to worry about? And does Apple have any intention of warning its consumers about this potential danger? Apple didn’t respond to Ryan’s request for comment, and we doubt they’ll respond to our own until they’re good and ready to talk — let’s just hope there’s not another faux hat-in-hand press conference in our future! View Poll Apple afraid of a shattering followup to its Antennagate woes? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later — low-cost computer maker Cherrypal has gotten into the tablet game. Its first entrant is the CherryPad America, a $188 tablet that packs a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, Android 2.1 (a 2.2 update is promised later this year), an 800MHz ARM11 processor, 2GB of flash storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, built-in WiFi, and a 3200 mAh battery that promises six to eight hours of use. What’s more, unlike some other low-cost Android tablets , Cherrypal says that the CherryPad will have full access to the Android Market, and it insists that it’s “neither an iPad killer nor an iPad clone, it’s a completely different product designed for a different market.” Perhaps most surprising, however, is that the tablet is actually available right now through a partnership with online retailer Zecozi. Head on past the break for the full press release, along with a second, less polished image — and hit up the source link below if you’re ready to take the plunge. Continue reading Cherrypal announces $188 CherryPad America Android tablet Cherrypal announces $188 CherryPad America Android tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Augen Android tablet bonanza: Espresso Doppio dual boots Ubuntu, Firma packs magical pen powers
October 7, 2010 No Comment
Whoa there Augen , you may want to slow down on the artificial sweeteners. Stealing a page from Archos , the company that brought us that unforgettable $150 Kmart tablet is prepping six (yes, half a dozen!) Android 2.2 “Espresso” / “Latte” tablets to launch before the end of the year, and while some are your run-of-the-mill pads at this point, the Espresso Doppio and the Espresso Firma are all sorts of mind blowing. The $599.99 10.2-inch Doppio has a 1024×768-resolution capacitive touchscreen, an accelerometer, 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 CPU, and a 3 megapixel front facing cam, but most interestingly, it’ll dual boot Android and some version of Ubuntu . But it gets even zanier — it comes with a dock that has a backlit keyboard, multitouch trackpad, and a 160GB hard drive. And apparently both components contain separate 6000mAh batteries, which should bring the runtime up to 15 hours. Bold, indeed. The Firma, on the other hand, is priced at $349.99, but seems like a science project at this point. According to the company, it will come with a “magical wand” or ink pen that’ll be able to write on regular paper, but instantly bring that handwriting to the 7-inch resistive tablet. It’s evidently using RF technology with some sort of proprietary software. To say we’re intrigued would be an understatement, but, of course, with the company’s history we’d say we’re somewhat skeptical. Obviously, Augen’s got more affordable and realistic options scattered throughout the lines. There’s the $199 7-inch resistive touch Latte, which in all honesty doesn’t sound all that different from the original Gentouch 78 , though there is an included stylus and 2GB of storage. However, the $249.99 Latte Grande steps it up with an 800MHz CPU, 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, accelerometer and an ambient light sensor. The rest of the Espresso line is a lot stronger (pun sadly intended!) — each have 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 / A9 processors, capacitive screens and accelerometers. The entry level $349.99 7-inch Espresso will have a Cortex A9 processor, 8GB of memory, and a 3 megapixel front facing camera, while the $429.99 10.2-inch Espresso Dolce gets a larger 1024×768-resolution screen, but drops down to an A8 CPU. We understand that it’s a lot to digest, but there’s always the press release and renders below to help you make more sense of this highly caffeinated company. Continue reading Augen Android tablet bonanza: Espresso Doppio dual boots Ubuntu, Firma packs magical pen powers Augen Android tablet bonanza: Espresso Doppio dual boots Ubuntu, Firma packs magical pen powers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Berkeley Bionics reveals eLEGS exoskeleton, aims to help paraplegics walk in 2011
October 7, 2010 No Comment
Wondering where you’ve heard of Berkeley Bionics before? These are the same whiz-kids who produced the HULC exoskeleton in mid-2008 , and now they’re back with a far more ambitious effort. Announced just moments ago in San Francisco, the eLEGS exoskeleton is a bionic device engineered to help paraplegics stand up and walk on their own. It’s hailed as a “wearable, artificially intelligent, bionic device,” and it’s expected to help out within the hospital, at home and elsewhere in this wild, wild place we call Earth. Initially, the device will be offered to rehabilitation centers for use under medical supervision, and can be adjusted to fit most people between 5’2″ and 6’4″ (and weighing 220 pounds or less) in a matter of minutes. We’re told that the device provides “unprecedented knee flexion,” and it’s also fairly quiet in operation; under ideal circumstances, speeds of up to 2MPH can be attained, and it employs a gesture-based human-machine interface that relies on legions of sensors to determine a user’s intentions and act accordingly. Clinical trials are going on as we speak, with a limited release planned for the second half of 2011. We’re still waiting to hear back on a price, so keep it locked for more as we get it live from the event. Berkeley Bionics reveals eLEGS exoskeleton, aims to help paraplegics walk in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s a tad later than initially promised , but it looks like Vibrant users frustrated by those serious GPS issues will soon have a fix — Samsung has just announced that it’s begun rolling out the JI6 over-the-air update to remedy the problem and finally bring it in line with the Captivate . No word on what else the update might include and, as with all OTA updates, there’s also no guarantee as to exactly when you’ll get it, with Samsung only saying that it will be distributed randomly over the next “several weeks.” [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Samsung rolls out JI6 update to fix Vibrant GPS issues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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That front-facing camera, optical trackpad and Genius button are all in plain sight, but we’re afraid we didn’t get to give them a try — the screen on this T-Mobile myTouch is pitch black because it’s just a hardware prototype. That didn’t keep us from snapping plenty of pictures when we spotted the Froyo-filled HSPA+ handset at the carrier’s booth, though — including a few of the phone side-by-side with its predecessor, the myTouch Slide . First, you’d probably like to hear about the hardware on display, so here’s the executive summary: the device feels fairly solid, it’s got a neat two-tone design with a fancy metal battery cover, and there’s a nice big shutter button. The myTouch also sports a set of three copper contacts on the side almost certainly destined for a landscape dock, though nearby T-Mobile representatives quickly disavowed knowledge of any such product. They did confirm we’ll see the phone by the holidays, though, so we won’t have long to wait. Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch prototype, hands-on Gallery: T-Mobile myTouch vs. myTouch Slide T-Mobile myTouch hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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