We thought Mango’s nectar was already pretty damn sweet, but a group of young developers recently took up the challenge to make the next generation Windows Phone 7 experience even more delicious. Following up on last year’s ‘Rockstar’ competition, Microsoft asked students to submit Mango app prototypes via Twitter, with the promise of developers phones for the top entries. Among the top 20 #WPAppItUp submissions are a program that helps the colorblind figure out what shade of puce they’re peeping, and a sadistic alarm clock that requires users to solve puzzles before hitting the snooze button. Apparently, Microsoft still has 30 Windows Phones to give away, and is looking for young devs to offer up America’s next top Mango app. Submission guidelines can be found at the source link below. [Thanks, E-Dan] Microsoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitless originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Cilantro might be the most polarizing thing on this planet. Some people can’t eat a fish taco without it, others cry frothy tears of dishsoap at its mere mention. The same may well be true of the LG Optimus 3D (known as the Thrill 4G in the US). We already felt a little torn about the device when we first got our hands on it back in February. Sure, it packed some extra heft and, ahem, Android 2.2.2. But its stupor-inducing, 3D display (combined with some truly poignant marketing) was just enough to whet our appetites. Plus, after having already scarfed down a bowl of HTC’s EVO 3D , we were more than a little keen on tasting LG’s take on the glasses-free 3D recipe – a young and intriguing smartphone genre. Now that we finally have, we’re ready to tackle a question for the ages: dishsoap or delicacy? Gallery: LG Optimus 3D review Continue reading LG Optimus 3D review LG Optimus 3D review originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Google TV not worth 300 bones to ya? How’s about a cool Benjamin? As promised , Logitech has slashed the price of its Revue set-top box from $299 to $99 on its own site and at retailers like Best Buy, giving prospective customers something awfully tempting to consider alongside the prospect of running Honeycomb on their TV right away . Oh, and the much-reported nugget from its earnings about “returns exceeding sales”? It should probably be noted that wasn’t about returns from end users, which the company claims “have averaged at levels comparable to other Logitech products”, but from the distributors and retailers it sells most of its hardware to. So, you in, or are you still holding out for the 90 percent off sale that may or may not ever materialize? Continue reading Logitech officially drops Revue price to $99 today, clarifies ‘more returns than sales’ remark Logitech officially drops Revue price to $99 today, clarifies ‘more returns than sales’ remark originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Good old Radio Shack just can’t seem to keep its hands on internal memos. A little over a week ago, we were treated to a pair of leaked documents , slating an August 7th rollout for the LG Thrill 4G , and now another official looking missive has surfaced, pushing the release date back to August 21st. As per the document, customers will still be able to reserve their own 3D-enabled handset with the purchase of a $50 gift certificate before August 15th. Of course, we could still see this thrilling 4G phone pop up ahead of that date, perhaps from AT&T, but if you’ve already got a $50 gift certificate in hand, it looks like it’s time for another round of the waiting game. LG’s Thrill 4G rumored launch pushed back to August 21st? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …A committee of 25 Icelanders submitted the first draft of a rewritten constitution to the country’s parliamentary speaker Friday, and despite our recommendations, Rebecca Black was conspicuously absent from the proceedings. The democratic experiment bravely asked citizens to log on to Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, and Twitter to engage with the committee in a discussion about the nation’s future. While the project’s Facebook page played host to pleads for free ice cream and more volcanoes, the constitution’s creators managed to stay on task, focusing on issues of decentralization and transparency in government. The draft is slated for review beginning October 1st. Iceland’s crowdsourced constitution submitted for approval, Nyan Cat takes flight over Reykjavik originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Talk about swift justice. It’s been less than a week since we reported on Personal Audio’s second infringement suit against Apple, and an East Texas judge has already put an end to the litigation. In a statement regarding the company’s complaint that the iPad 2, iPhone 4, and latest generation iPods infringed on the same patents put forth in its initial suit, Judge Ron Clark said the $8 million already awarded to the plaintiff should do just fine. He went on to deny the company’s request for a second trial. It may not be the last we hear of Personal Audio, but it is a refreshing change of pace from the usual goings on in Eastern District courtrooms. Judge shoots down Personal Audio’s second Apple infringement case originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 03:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …When Google Chromebooks started arriving without the Netflix streaming we’d been promised we were predictably bummed , but that may be rectified soon. While Chromebook owners attuned to beta channel updates first noticed an entry for a Netflix plugin last month, it still couldn’t actually play movies and didn’t appear on older, single-core Atom powered Cr-48 laptops. Fast forward to the present, where one of our friendly comment moderators, masterofrandom has spotted this updated v1.0.2 plugin lurking in the depths of his murdered out 12-incher . There’s still no playback to be had, but we’re figuring Netflix didn’t update the version number past 1.0 because it’s finally figured out the perfect queue management system. Chromebook owners or prospective owners (and by extension, Linux users) still awaiting Watch Instantly streaming — your alert level is at Vermilion. [Thanks, masterofrandom] Netflix plugin for ChromeOS hits v1.0.2, is an official release around the corner? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Alejandro, who’s looking to cash in on the sudden glut of absolutely respectable prepaid smartphones. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . “I’m looking to grab a new phone using a prepaid service. What’s the best prepaid phone service in terms of overall price, phone selection and other bells / whistles. Thanks!” We’re guessing he’s looking for a smartphone here, so before you yell “Cricket!” and run for the hills, give a bit of consideration to folks like Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, amongst others. Any of you had a particularly charming experience with a prepaid provider? Speak up in comments below! Ask Engadget: what’s the best deal in prepaid wireless? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Release date info for Nokia’s sweet slab of Meego has been scarce, but now Orange Switzerland’s webpage announces the N9 is coming its way September 15th. Last month Swedish carrier 3 Group promised it would arrive there September 23rd , while some retailer in Kazakhstan is apparently listing them for sale August 19th. We’re not quite ready to whip out our passport and translator for a taste of the ( not ) zombie OS’s brains yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for any more release date information as it comes. [Thanks, StinkyFinger] Orange Switzerland is expecting Nokia’s N9 on September 15th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nintendo really wants to make it up to those of you who already shelled out $250 for the 3DS, in light of the looming $80 price drop . You probably already knew that you’d be getting a pile of free NES games on September 1st, but you can also expect them to be updated and improved going forward. These aren’t going to be half-hearted ports that get pushed out to early adopters, riddled with bugs, and forgotten. Sometime later this year, they’ll be offered as payed versions through the eShop with features like multiplayer simultaneous play. The best part? Those eligible for the Ambassador Program will get free upgrades to retail version. One feature we can tell you wont be added though, is 3D — the classic titles like Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. will remain blissfully two-dimensional. 3DS NES Ambassador Program games will add multiplayer, other features originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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