Not much in the way of specifics here, but a pair of HTC Windows Phone 7 devices have just turned up on the FCC’s website, which leads us to believe that some phones might actually be launching any day now . Unfortunately, there’s not even so much as a product name to be found (let alone images), but Phone Arena notes that one of the devices uses the WCDMA Band IV, which would make it a likely candidate for T-Mobile, while the other phone’s WCDMA V band suggests that it’s headed for AT&T. Pair of HTC Windows Phone 7 devices hit the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
It’s been just over a month and a half since Oracle first sued Google for infringing various Java-related patents in Android, and the big G’s just filed its official response to the lawsuit after calling it ” baseless .” For the most part, it’s a pretty standard answer to a patent complaint: Google says Android doesn’t infringe any of Oracle’s patents, and even if it does, those patents are invalid and / or unenforceable for a variety of reasons anyway, so, you know, shove it. That’s basically all Google — or any patent defendant — needs to say in the answer, and if that was it, we’d just note it and move on with our lives. But we were struck by the factual background section, which reads to us like Google’s geared up for war: it basically accuses Sun and Oracle of not playing fair when it comes to Java’s open-source license situation and directly implies that parts of Android are based on code that might require a patent license. It’s a little wonky, but let’s break it down: Continue reading Google responds to Oracle’s Android patent lawsuit, we break it down Google responds to Oracle’s Android patent lawsuit, we break it down originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Google’s Eric Schmidt says Android is profitable, could eventually be a $10 billion business
October 5, 2010 No Comment
It may not exactly be a huge surprise given the recent market share numbers , but Google CEO Eric Schmidt has recently confirmed that Android is, in fact, profitable for the company. Of course, it doesn’t make all that money from Android directly, but Schmidt says that Android-based phones are already generating enough advertising revenue to cover the cost of development. What’s more, while he doesn’t provide any current specific numbers, Schmidt did say that he expects there to someday be one billion Android phones in the world, and that if each one generated just $10 per user per year it would be a $10 billion business — or, as Newsweek notes, about half of Google’s total revenue for this year. That’s just a tidbit from the full Newsweek piece, though — hit up the source link below to read the whole thing, which also includes a bit of perspective from Google’s Andy Rubin. Google’s Eric Schmidt says Android is profitable, could eventually be a $10 billion business originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Already got your pre-order in for the T-Mobile G2 ? Then you should count yourself lucky, as the carrier has updated its website for the phone with the short and sweet notice that “due to overwhelming demand, we’re no longer accepting pre-orders for the T-Mobile G2.” It does note, however, that you’ll still be able to buy the phone online starting tomorrow (though there’s no guarantee when it’ll ship) or, of course, at your local T-Mobile store. Then again, you could also try your luck at a few stores today, considering that official October 6th launch date isn’t exactly set in stone . T-Mobile no longer accepting G2 pre-orders due to ‘overwhelming demand’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Looking to get an Android device on AT&T? Then you’re soon going to have a few more options to consider — the carrier has just announced three new Android-based phones from Motorola. Those include the touchscreen-only Bravo (not to be confused with the HTC Bravo ), and the QWERTY-equipped Flipout and Flipside, all of which will ship with Android 2.1 and the latest version of MOTOBLUR . Of the three, the Bravo is the highest-end, with it packing a 3.7-inch 854 x 480 display, an 800MHz TI OMAP 3610 processor, a 3-megapixel camera, and DLNA support for media streaming. The Flipout and Flipside, on the other hand, each pack a 720MHz TI OMPA 3410 processor, the same 3-megapixel camera, and a 2.8-inch QVGA and 3.1-inch HVGA screen, respectively. Somewhat notably, the Flipside also boasts a surprisingly large trackpad, which AT&T says will let you navigate with one hand while keeping your fingers off the screen (though it does, in fact, have a touchscreen). Look for the Flipout to be available first on October 17th for $79.99 on a two-year contract, while the Flipside and Bravo should be each available before the holiday season for $99.99 and $129.99, respectively. Gallery: Motorola Bravo, Flipout and Flipside for AT&T Continue reading AT&T debuts trio of Motorola Android phones: Bravo, Flipout and Flipside AT&T debuts trio of Motorola Android phones: Bravo, Flipout and Flipside originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nikon Coolpix P7000 reviewed: a serious contender, but sluggish RAW performance
October 5, 2010 No Comment
In case you weren’t aware, competition’s getting some kind of fierce down in that $400 to $800 not-quite-a-DSLR realm. We’ve got interchangeable lens options galore, a new breed of high performance compacts and the Canon G12 . Nikon’s got its aim planted firmly on the latter with the Coolpix P7000 , a decidedly prosumer camera with the body of a point-and-shoot and the controls of a pro rig. The good folks over at Photography Blog recently put the P7000 through its paces, and while they adored the optical viewfinder, the build quality and the zoom range, they couldn’t quite get over the notably sluggish RAW performance. Worse still, Nikon has yet again changed up its RAW formula, with the newfangled NRW+ only being understandable by the company’s own software for the moment. They found “no unwanted noise” from ISO 100 to 400, with only mild amounts at 800 and 1600; the extra pro-like features were also lauded (neutral density filter, zoom step feature, virtual horizon and tonal range histogram), and with an exception for that sluggish RAW mode, they found it tough to not recommend. Particularly for those of you who’d prefer to stick with JPEG anyway, this here shooter looks to be a solid option if you’ve got the cash ($499.99 MSRP), but we’d recommend poring over the source link before making a final call. Nikon Coolpix P7000 reviewed: a serious contender, but sluggish RAW performance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nikon Coolpix P7000 reviewed: a serious contender, but sluggish RAW performance
October 5, 2010 No CommentIn case you weren’t aware, competition’s getting some kind of fierce down in that $400 to $800 not-quite-a-DSLR realm. We’ve got interchangeable lens options galore, a new breed of high performance compacts and the Canon G12 . Nikon’s got its aim planted firmly on the latter with the Coolpix P7000 , a decidedly prosumer camera with the body of a point-and-shoot and the controls of a pro rig. The good folks over at Photography Blog recently put the P7000 through its paces, and while they adored the optical viewfinder, the build quality and the zoom range, they couldn’t quite get over the notably sluggish RAW performance. Worse still, Nikon has yet again changed up its RAW formula, with the newfangled NRW+ only being understandable by the company’s own software for the moment. They found “no unwanted noise” from ISO 100 to 400, with only mild amounts at 800 and 1600; the extra pro-like features were also lauded (neutral density filter, zoom step feature, virtual horizon and tonal range histogram), and with an exception for that sluggish RAW mode, they found it tough to not recommend. Particularly for those of you who’d prefer to stick with JPEG anyway, this here shooter looks to be a solid option if you’ve got the cash ($499.99 MSRP), but we’d recommend poring over the source link before making a final call. Nikon Coolpix P7000 reviewed: a serious contender, but sluggish RAW performance originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NVIDIA starts selling own-brand GPUs at Best Buy, AIB partners left befuddled
October 5, 2010 No Comment
It would seem NVIDIA is ready to take the plunge into selling its graphics cards directly to consumers. Only problem with this plan, however, is that the company has opted to partner up with Best Buy, who’s started stocking its shelves with NVIDIA-branded GPUs a wee bit ahead of the official announcement. As most of us already know, NVIDIA and AMD traditionally rely on add-in-board partners to build and support the actual graphics boards, but now the (original) Green Team seems set to take those reins into its own hands. HardOCP has discovered Foxconn will be responsible for building these perfectly generic GeForces and NVIDIA is promising a pretty generous three-year warranty to go with their luxurious packaging. The company’s official response to these revelations has been to say that Best Buy will be the only place the own-brand cards can be purchased and that the effort is intended as a “complement” to products from its partners. Yes, we’re positive they’ll see it that way too. Continue reading NVIDIA starts selling own-brand GPUs at Best Buy, AIB partners left befuddled NVIDIA starts selling own-brand GPUs at Best Buy, AIB partners left befuddled originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
The Mars rover , that self-propelled, solar powered box o’ sensors ‘n stuff that slowly inches along the surface (and battles the fierce environment) of the red planet may be a mainstay of space exploration, but it’s certainly not the only way to get the job done. For instance, the kids at Draper Labs — last seen in this space with their injectable nanosensor — are in the process of developing vehicles that would (literally) leave traditional rovers in the dust. The Draper Hopper prototype is designed with a ducted fan propulsion system that uses compressed nitrogen gas to cover twenty-five miles in a few days or, at best, a few hours. By way of comparison, NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity craft have covered roughly twenty miles since hitting the Martian surface in early 2004. Of course, the hoppers will have to bring fuel with them, so their lifespans will be cut drastically shorter than their wheel-based contemporaries, but we’ve always believed more autonomous vehicles should “live fast / die young,” like Sid Vicious or James Dean. With any luck, we should see test flights by January 2011. Draper Labs develops prototype Mars Hopper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …
Netflix already added video out support to its iPad app a few months ago, and it’s now finally brought the same functionality to iPhone and iPod touch users as well. Unfortunately, it’s not quite bringing all iPhone and iPod touch users up to speed, as the app will only support video out on the iPhone 4 and fourth generation iPod touch. If that doesn’t pose a problem for you, however, you can grab the updated app for free right now from your favorite source of iPhone apps. Netflix brings video out support to iPhone 4, fourth gen iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …