Ok, so the name isn’t great, but the Voomote One is actually kinda neat. It’s not the first universal remote adapter we’ve seen for the iPhone and, unlike the Surc IR case , you probably wouldn’t want to leave this bulky add-on attached to your handset when not in use. But, the app does have some convenient features, like the ability to create custom layouts that can easily be switched based on the devices in a particular room. So you can setup a living room profile to control your big screen and cable box, and a separate bed room one for your more modest set and a stereo. You can also create command macros that fire up multiple devices with the tap of a single virtual button. The Voomote app is available for free in the app store, but the actual IR-blasting sleeve will set you back $99. Check out the gallery below and head on after the break for some PR. Continue reading Voomote One turns your iPhone into a well organized universal remote Voomote One turns your iPhone into a well organized universal remote originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Qualcomm acquires gesture recognition IP from GestureTek, aims for Snapdragon integration
July 25, 2011 No Comment
What’s superior to a shiny new Snapdragon, blazing all sorts of benchmarking trails in your next tablet and / or smartphone? Why, a Snapdragon with a pinch of IP from GestureTek, of course! Qualcomm has today announced its intentions to acquire “certain assets” from GestureTek, a long-standing developer of gesture recognition technology. We’ve seen the aforementioned outfit touch the mobile (and not-so-mobile ) realm before, but now it looks like it’ll be more aggressively touching devices with Qualcomm silicon. It’s a strange move, indeed, but it could be one that signals a shift in the way chip makers are looking out for themselves. OEMs have long tried to skin their Android devices in a way that’ll breed loyalty to a brand (rather than an OS), but loyalty to a CPU? According to Qually (yeah, what of it?), the buy will give it access to “key engineering resources,” and while GestureTek will maintain “other assets in continuation of its gesture-controlled public display and digital signage business,” we suspect the consumer-facing aspects will soon have a new master. We’re told that the tech will be woven into current and next-gen Snapdragon processors, but only time will tell what sort of seamless wizardry will result. Hope your digits are ready. Continue reading Qualcomm acquires gesture recognition IP from GestureTek, aims for Snapdragon integration Qualcomm acquires gesture recognition IP from GestureTek, aims for Snapdragon integration originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Just a month after a disgruntled employee accused RIM’s managers of failing to make bold decisions, the latter have responded by boldly sacking 11 percent of their workforce. The company says it will notify affected employees in North America and some other countries this week. It also announced a number of changes to its executive team, with Thorsten Heins taking on the expanded role of COO, Product and Sales. Other personnel changes were generally confined to sales, marketing and operations, which leaves us wondering what, if anything, will change in the way RIM comes up with new products. RIM axes 2000 jobs, changes managers in effort to halt decline originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Low-cost Android, actually looking decent? Seems like it. We’ve caught wind of a few hitting the scene at this point, and there’s little question that the Andy Pad folks appear to have something better in mind. The company’s been slowly releasing info on Twitter about its 7-inch Andy Pad and Pro variant, and has also recently updated its website; the AP Pro’s finally been priced for
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It looks like someone forgot about the HTC Flyer’s glossy screen: a series of shots (now pulled) from Flickr reveal what appears to be the backside of a new HTC smartphone. The photo sharing service outed the shots as being taken by an HTC Ruby, a white-backed smartphone with a dual-flash camera and 3.5mm audio jack. Really, that’s all we know. The last phone HTC codenamed “Ruby” turned out to be the HTC Arrive , so maybe this gem will shine with a Mango-tinged hue. Then again, Android is just as likely to use cameras and headphone jacks as any other OS, so really it’s anybody’s game. Hit the break for a bonus reflecto-shot and tell us what you think this phantom phone ought to run. Continue reading HTC Ruby images leak via Flickr, mysteriously disappear HTC Ruby images leak via Flickr, mysteriously disappear originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Adobe’s InMarket to fade into the sunset, AIR marketplace faces similar fate
July 25, 2011 No Comment
Remember Adobe’s InMarket ? You know, that marketplace where devs can publish once, distribute anywhere — like on Intel’s AppUp . If you’re still drawing a blank, fret not, as the software giant plans to shutter the service come August 31st, leaving developers with a little over a month to download analytics and revenue reports. Also on the chopping block is the company’s AIR Marketplace, which the firm now views as redundant given that AIR apps can be published on Cupertino’s App Store, the Android Market and BlackBerry’s App World. Got any burning questions? A letter and FAQ await you at the source. [Thanks, Koiyu] Adobe’s InMarket to fade into the sunset, AIR marketplace faces similar fate originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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When is a ” Facebook phone ” not a Facebook phone? When it’s in China. While this handset may look like an HTC Salsa at first glace, if you look a little closer you’ll notice that the familiar little blue button has been replaced with one for Sina’s Weibo social networking service. Lest you think this is just another KIRF , however, you can rest assured this is indeed the real deal, and a fairly big deal for HTC, considering that Weibo has around 150 million total users, and 50 million active monthly users. As for the phone itself, it’s remained mostly unchanged otherwise, with it packing an 800MHz processor and a 3.4-inch 480 x 320 display, along with Android 2.3.3 with Sense 2.1 on top. Head on past the break for a video, and hit the source link below for a closer look. Continue reading HTC Salsa ditches its Facebook button for Weibo in China HTC Salsa ditches its Facebook button for Weibo in China originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 05:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The war between Google and Oracle is far from over, but the big G keeps racking up tiny victories in what are admittedly modest battles. Now the Redwood Shores-based company has been told to go back to the drawing board with its damages report. Originally Oracle sought $2.6 billion, but its theories were largely dismissed and Judge William Alsup suggested an alternative starting point of roughly $100 million. The company still has an opportunity to present a new report, one that will likely seek much more than the proposed $100 million, but things are looking increasingly tough for the claimant. It wasn’t all good news for Goog, though. While the judge told Oracle to narrow its focus from Android as a whole to just specific infringing features , he did agree that related advertising revenue should be included in the theoretical royalty base. He also offered harsh criticism for what he viewed as its “brazen” disregard for intellectual property rights. The trial is still scheduled for October, so we should have a better idea of how this whole thing will play out by Halloween. Judge tells Oracle to rethink $2.6 billion claim against Google originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony Cyber-shot TX55 packs 16.2-megapixel sensor, promises ‘extremely low’ noise in dim light
July 24, 2011 No Comment
With point and shoot cameras apparently now up against a megapixel wall, manufacturers are focusing on adding quirky new features to keep you hooked on the upgrade cycle. Sony’s new Cyber-shot TX55 includes several such additions, such as ‘amazing’ 3D image capture, ‘extremely low’ noise, and a new digital zoom technology called By Pixel Super Resolution, which promises to double the camera’s 5x optical zoom range while still capturing 16.2-megapixel images at full quality. We’re a bit skeptical about that last one, but if the $350 camera really can deliver on its promise, then we may just have a winner. Sony says there’s also high-speed autofocus that can lock onto subjects in 0.1 seconds, optical image stabilization, a 3.3-inch OLED touch-screen, and 1080i AVCHD video. It also includes some features found on the higher-end NEX-C3 , such as Picture Effects, and a 42.9-megapixel Sweep Panorama mode. Sony has yet to completely nix the Memory Stick slot, including one with the TX55, though there’s also MicroSD support for those who prefer to take advantage of that more affordable memory card standard. We’re not yet convinced that all of the point-and-shoot cam’s new features perform as well as Sony suggests, but if they do, the TX55 may even be worth its $350 price tag when it hits stores in September. Continue reading Sony Cyber-shot TX55 packs 16.2-megapixel sensor, promises ‘extremely low’ noise in dim light Sony Cyber-shot TX55 packs 16.2-megapixel sensor, promises ‘extremely low’ noise in dim light originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We get the impression that Kyocera’s design team had been hacking away at the Echo for years — largely due to the blocky corners that remained, despite the current market’s affinity for curvation — and in a way, we’re actually relieved that Sprint took a chance with it. We’ve seen what’s to come when looking at dual-screen handsets, and if executed properly, the future seems bright. The Echo itself surprised us with its flexibility, and while it’s obviously a niche device, we’re certain a few of you have ponied up for one. So, here’s your chance to tell us all what you’d do differently the next time around. Would you change the form factor in any way? How’s about that slider / locking mechanism? Was Android 2.2 the right choice? Do you wish it were available on a different carrier? Go on and get creative in comments below! How would you change the Kyocera Echo? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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