ChevronWP7 Labs to unlock your Windows Phone 7 handset for $9, hackers not welcome
July 19, 2011 No Comment
Need a little extra unlocked WP7 incentive to keep you from buying those oh-so-distracting iOS and Android devices? Well, that official homebrew love is going to cost you — $9 to be exact. We already knew the Microsoft-sanctioned ChevronWP7 Labs would be open for business soon , but recent tweets from the jailbreaking outfit’s Chris Walsh have shed a little more light on the process. In addition to the nominal fee users will have to fork over for the official unlock, Walsh also points out that software updates to Mango and Nodo will close any security holes in the platform. So, if you were planning on getting your pirate-y hands dirty hacking away at WP7, think again — Microsoft’s still got the keys to its mobile OS’ house. ChevronWP7 Labs to unlock your Windows Phone 7 handset for $9, hackers not welcome originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We know, we know. You’re fit to be tied waiting for the complete Star Wars collection to be released on Blu-ray in September, but there’s good news for impatient iPad owners. You see, some of the collection’s bonus materials can be had for free a bit early courtesy of the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access App . Even better, we’ve got video of the app in action plus a gallery of pics for you to drool over until you download it tomorrow. And for you folks with an iPhone or iPod touch, the same sneak peek will be available August 2nd. The app itself is a ported version of what you’ll see on the Blu-ray discs, but there’s some added touchscreen functionality — pinch-to-zoom on the concept art and users can spin props and models with the flick of a finger in the “Collection” section. The app also lets you selectively download the content, so all that artwork and video won’t eat up an undue portion your iPad’s memory. After getting handsy with it in person, we found the app easy to use and the content compelling (where else can you examine the Death Star up close?), but we were left wishing that there was a bit… more. Of course, the lion’s share of extras are reserved for the paying customers come September 16th — though we were disappointed to discover that, currently, there are no plans to make it all available on the app even if you buy the Blu-rays. Regardless, you get what you pay for, and that makes this gratis addition to the Star Wars universe a darn good deal. Gallery: Star Wars Blu-ray companion iPad app Continue reading Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app Hands-on with the Star Wars Blu-ray: Early Access iOS app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Baidu Browser tips hat to old Steve Jobs quote, steals Chrome’s special sauce
July 19, 2011 No Comment
Could this be a case of Baidu’s browser in Chrome’s clothing? The Wall Street Journal seems to think so and the Chinese company isn’t exactly dismissing the KIRF claims. Announced back in April, the recently beta-released Baidu Browser brings a “sleek, stripped-down interface” eerily reminiscent of Google’s web-surfing entry to an otherwise Internet Explorer 6-loving Chinese population. The copycat similarities don’t just end in the looks department: there’s also an app store , fast-tab functionality and familiar menu icon placement. In its defense, the company claims its 30,000 plus free app offerings, in addition to China-specific entertainment features are enough to set it apart. Sure, this may seem like a case of the Asian search giant that doth protest too much, but it’s the company’s desire to drive traffic to its own engine that has us seeing Google. [Thanks, Hardy] Baidu Browser tips hat to old Steve Jobs quote, steals Chrome’s special sauce originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’re here at Sprint’s monolithic campus in Overland Park, and part of our day was spent speaking directly with CEO Dan Hesse. Amongst other things, the bigwig confessed that it had been awhile since his company (or Clearwire) had launched a 4G market. While Verizon Wireless has been pushing out LTE to new cities on what feels like a fortnightly basis, there’s been nary a WiMAX deployment in the US during 2011. But that, friends, is gearing up to change. According to Hesse: “We’re going to come out with a great story this fall around 4G, and it’ll all become clear.” He seemed curiously excited about whatever’s around the bend, and Sprint’s VP of Product Development, Fared Adib, seemed similarly giddy about the next few months. Neither of ‘em would crack on what markets would be addressed or what tactics would be used to match rivals in terms of 4G reach, but whatever the case, we’re guessing Sprint users will be a lot happier with their service once they get through the summertime blues. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that Sprint’s “not exclusive to WiMAX, nor the Clearwire relationship.” Not a soul on the campus would talk details surrounding that rumored LightSquared investment , but judging by the smiles, it’s at least on the table. Sprint’s Dan Hesse: significant 4G plans to be announced this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification
July 19, 2011 No Comment
Sony’s VAIO UX UMPC may have been a bit of a tough sell at $2,500 back in its heyday, but those still hanging onto one (or able to find one cheap) do now at least now have plenty of mods to consider if they’re looking to breath a bit of new life into the device. One of the latest is this makeshift contraption from YouTube user pochowandpoch, who cut a PS3 controller down to size and attached it directly to the UMPC — perhaps to tide him over until the PlayStation Vita . Great for typing or web browsing? Not so much. But it’s certainly far better than a touchscreen or pint-sized keyboard for a game of Metal Slug . Head on past the break for a trio of videos. Continue reading Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification
July 19, 2011 No Comment
Sony’s VAIO UX UMPC may have been a bit of a tough sell at $2,500 back in its heyday, but those still hanging onto one (or able to find one cheap) do now at least now have plenty of mods to consider if they’re looking to breath a bit of new life into the device. One of the latest is this makeshift contraption from YouTube user pochowandpoch, who cut a PS3 controller down to size and attached it directly to the UMPC — perhaps to tide him over until the PlayStation Vita . Great for typing or web browsing? Not so much. But it’s certainly far better than a touchscreen or pint-sized keyboard for a game of Metal Slug . Head on past the break for a trio of videos. Continue reading Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification Modder attaches PS3 controller to VAIO UX UMPC, forgoes PlayStation Certification originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Well it looks like the cat’s finally out of the bag virtual box. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer just confirmed during today’s earnings call that Mac OS 10.7 is due to hit the Mac App Store tomorrow, making Lion available as a 4GB download for $30. The new operating system packs 250 new features, including an iOS -like app launcher, multi-touch gestures, AirDrop for direct file sharing, and system-wide Resume. More enhancements that will feel particularly familiar to iOS users include a new version of Mail with conversation view, and reverse touchpad scrolling. We’ll have a full review of Lion later this week, but check out our hands-on preview for our initial impressions. Want to collaborate on projects with multiple machines? Lion Server will also be available as a $50 download — for those of you that need to support an entire pride. Apple: Mac OS X Lion to hit the App Store tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …University of Birmingham researchers develop antibacterial stainless steel, mysophobes clap from within their bubbles
July 19, 2011 No Comment
Answering the call of germphobes and their Stepford ladies-in-waiting everywhere, researchers at the University of Birmingham have devised a silver-infused technique of warding off unwanted bacteria. Eschewing the previously attempted, but short-lived coating method, these scientists have “developed a novel surface alloying technology” that infuses silver, nitrogen and carbon into a newly germ-resistant stainless steel surface. The team hopes this super durable steel will soon find its anti-bacterial way into hospitals and the surgical implements they employ — not to mention your college cafeteria. Modern Lady Macbeth homemaker types can breathe a sigh of “Out, damn’d superbug spot” relief and get back to sealing up the furniture. Continue reading University of Birmingham researchers develop antibacterial stainless steel, mysophobes clap from within their bubbles University of Birmingham researchers develop antibacterial stainless steel, mysophobes clap from within their bubbles originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple’s Q3 earnings exceed estimates: $28.57 billion revenue, $7.31 billion profit, 20 million iPhones sold
July 19, 2011 No Comment
If you’ve been waiting for Apple’s earnings to come in shy of analyst estimates, you’re about to be disappointed yet again. Cupertino just reported its best quarter ever, with earnings of $7.79 per share, revenue totaling $28.57 billion, and a net profit of $7.31 billion. We know you’re probably more interested in sales figures, however, and as you might expect, Apple’s continued to ship iPhones and iPads at a steady pace, with 20.34 million smartphones and 9.25 million tablets sold last quarter. It’s also shipped 3.95 million Macs — a 14 percent jump over Q3 2010′s numbers. Fewer iPods made it out the door this quarter, however, totaling 7.54 million compared to the 9.02 million Apple sold in Q2 . As always, the company seems to be mum on future product announcements, though we wouldn’t be surprised to see new MacBook Air and Lion sales figures factoring into next quarter’s results. Continue reading Apple’s Q3 earnings exceed estimates: $28.57 billion revenue, $7.31 billion profit, 20 million iPhones sold Apple’s Q3 earnings exceed estimates: $28.57 billion revenue, $7.31 billion profit, 20 million iPhones sold originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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