To the delight of shopaholics everywhere, Visa has announced that it’s jumped on the Google Wallet bandwagon — giving card users access to the snazzy, new NFC payment system. Much like MasterCard’s announcement last week, the licensing agreement will allow Visa users to link their credit, debit and prepaid cards to Google’s offering for fast mobile payments in places that accept the service. The credit card company has dabbled in mobile payments before through payWave , but with plans to integrate into GW, but with plans to integrate into GW, we’ll surely be seeing more of it in the near future. As momentum over the NFC-powered mobile phones grows, it will be interesting to see if the Real Housewives can part with their phones long enough for their assistants to pay for those Manolos. Check out the full PR after the break. Continue reading Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal Polyamorous Google Wallet adds Visa to its arsenal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Microsoft locks Metro-style apps to Windows Store, developers and enterprise keep sideloading privileges
September 19, 2011 No Comment
Microsoft’s battening down its hatches, and restricting distribution of Metro-style apps to its Windows Store . Developers and enterprise customers (as well as Win32 desktop apps) get the slide this time ’round the OS reboot , with continued and unfettered access to sideloading on the platform. The decision, much like Apple’s approach to iOS, falls in line with Redmond’s current Windows Phone 7 app policy, and should only come as a shock to users of Android’s open-source ecosystem. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before denizens of the interweb’s shadowy underworld hobble together a means of bypassing MS’ security measures, and open the floodgates to nefarious apps. We’re still waiting to get our hands on those Win8 slates, but in the meantime, look forward to a curated experience. Microsoft locks Metro-style apps to Windows Store, developers and enterprise keep sideloading privileges originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Amazon Appstore goes global: available now in Europe, Australia and India
September 19, 2011 No Comment
Amazon’s Appstore hasn’t set the world on fire just yet — perhaps due to the fact that it was a US-only store since launch. That could soon change, with a number of Amazon customers reporting that the curated Android marketplace is now open for business across western Europe, also working in India and Australia. We’ve tested it for ourselves, and can confirm it’s functioning with our Amazon UK account, though its dedicated webpage is still based at Amazon.com. Register with the site, and you’ll be able to rush the free daily app downloads, which has previously offered the likes of Angry Birds Rio and SwitftKey — worth a regular visit, regardless of what time zone you’re in. [Thanks Nate] Amazon Appstore goes global: available now in Europe, Australia and India originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video)
September 19, 2011 No Comment
Sure, OS X Lion borrowed many of its design cues from Apple’s iOS platform, but now users of jailbroken iPhone and iPod Touch devices may bring much of the desktop Mac’s functionality onto their handset with Lion Ultimatum. In essence, this beta project is a theme for Dreamboard (which is required software), but it’s rather far-reaching, with a functional file manager and Finder menus, a scrollable dock and draggable windows, along with Stacks, Launchpad, Mission Control and Dashboard. There’s also a customizable lock screen that provides access to the dialer, email and messages. Even the keyboard can be modified to resemble the design of MacBook Pro or the traditional Apple Keyboard, thanks to integration with ColorKeyboard. If you’re thirsty for more, hop the break for an extended video preview, or just follow the source for the full install instructions. [Thanks, Adam] Continue reading Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) Lion Ultimatum brings desktop-like functionality and file manager to jailbroken iOS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …MSI demo’s X79 motherboards with PCI Express 3.0 and UEFI BIOS at IDF 2011 (video)
September 19, 2011 No Comment
While MSI wasn’t quite ready to publicly divulge all the details of its forthcoming X79-based motherboards , it was more than happy to give us a teaser. We were shown three upcoming models from the company at IDF , all toting PCI Express 3.0 slots, overclocking buttons and that snazzy UEFI BIOS. The latter makes changing settings a snap, and is carried over from the company’s existing Sandy Bridge boards — it even comes with a button that launches a browser, but unfortunately the machines in the booth weren’t configured to support it. We’ll know more in Q4, but in the meantime a gallery awaits you below, along with a video after the break. Myriam Joire contributed to this report. Gallery: MSI demo’s X79 motherboards with PCI Express 3.0 and UEFI BIOS at IDF 2011 Continue reading MSI demo’s X79 motherboards with PCI Express 3.0 and UEFI BIOS at IDF 2011 (video) MSI demo’s X79 motherboards with PCI Express 3.0 and UEFI BIOS at IDF 2011 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Touchstone mod blesses Samsung Epic 4G Touch with inductive charging powers
September 19, 2011 No Comment
The Touchstone’s future is just as unclear as any other webOS product at the moment, but it’s sure getting a fair share of love from the mod community. Not only did we witness the inductive-charging unit work on a modded Samsung Galaxy S Plus , a bold and daring AndroidCentral Forums member also accomplished the feat on his three-day-old Epic 4G Touch in a process that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The modder (who goes by the name of “darrenf” on the forum) offers a full step-by-step guide on exactly how to do it, but advises that it’s “a pretty delicate mod” and attempting it will likely void any warranties or return policies that were attached to the phone when purchased. It also doesn’t result in the most aesthetically pleasing look since the charging coil had to be attached to the outside of the phone, but it’s gotta give you some massive street cred if you pull it off, right? Touchstone mod blesses Samsung Epic 4G Touch with inductive charging powers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Touchstone mod blesses Samsung Epic 4G Touch with inductive charging powers
September 19, 2011 No Comment
The Touchstone’s future is just as unclear as any other webOS product at the moment, but it’s sure getting a fair share of love from the mod community. Not only did we witness the inductive-charging unit work on a modded Samsung Galaxy S Plus , a bold and daring AndroidCentral Forums member also accomplished the feat on his three-day-old Epic 4G Touch in a process that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. The modder (who goes by the name of “darrenf” on the forum) offers a full step-by-step guide on exactly how to do it, but advises that it’s “a pretty delicate mod” and attempting it will likely void any warranties or return policies that were attached to the phone when purchased. It also doesn’t result in the most aesthetically pleasing look since the charging coil had to be attached to the outside of the phone, but it’s gotta give you some massive street cred if you pull it off, right? Touchstone mod blesses Samsung Epic 4G Touch with inductive charging powers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Color us unsurprised that Ivy Bridge is destined to be faster and smaller than its predecessor, but unbeknownst to us is an interesting tidbit concerning the upcoming architecture’s GPU. The revamp will support resolutions in excess of 4K (topping out at a maximum of 4,096 x 4,096) — a sizable jump from the WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) limitation of it’s Sandy Bridge’s forebearer — opening the door to all sorts of resolution independent goodness. Guess that means you won’t need a discrete GPU in the future to power that bodacious (but pricey) pro-level display . Have a peek in the links below if you’re hungry for more. Intel: Ivy Bridge GPU to support 4K resolutions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Hulu has been dressed in its Sunday best for some time now hoping to attract potential buyers — but according to Reuters , a slew of speed bumps have slowed down the process and may even kill all hopes of selling the service. According to sources, the first bump in the road can be attributed to Hulu’s owners — News Corp., Disney, NBC Universal and Providence Equity Partners — who may not all be on the same page when it comes to selling the service . Without a unified front, it’s been hard for the company to find an acceptable offer from the likes of Google, Amazon, DirecTV and Dish Network, who have all talked about bidding between $500 million to $2 billion. As the service awaits a new round of bids next week, it’s been said that the major players involved have (unsurprisingly) agreed to reject any lowball offers. Despite a growing numbers of subscribers , it’s entirely uncertain whether anyone will step in to clean up the company’s hot mess — we’re sure the drama would make for a perfect Hulu Plus exclusive, though. Hulu may not sell after all, bidding drama continues originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s that time of year again, when the leaves turn colors and a slew of new programming pops up on our HDTVs. We’ve pushed the series premieres to the top of each day’s listing to help you keep an eye out for some of the new shows coming your way, so now all you have to do is clear enough DVR space to keep up. Check out which selections from this week’s long list of possibles caught our eye, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Gears of War 3 Microsoft and Epic are ready to close out their trilogy on the Xbox 360 with this week’s release of Gears of War 3 . Its cover based, third person shooter gameplay feels as fresh as it did the first time around and according to our friends at Joystiq , this iteration features “one of the most exciting, consistent campaign experiences on the Xbox 360, or any other system.” Assuming the new dedicated servers can keep online play running smoothly this time around, we don’t see any reason to miss this go-round with Marcus, Dom, Cole and whichever of the Carmine brothers is still alive. ($59.99 on Amazon , September 20th) Workaholics This was a surprise favorite for us last year, as its stars (and writers) Blake, Adam and Anders deal with the (slow) process of becoming adults while working and living together. It brings more to the table than your average stoner comedy, thanks to its stars / writers from the Mail Order Comedy Troupe. Last season’s To Friend A Predato r episode took the it’s-so-wrong-it’s-funny style to its limit and left us in stitches, check out a quick preview of season two embedded after the break. (September 20th, Comedy Central, 10:30PM) Person of Interest One more fall ritual is the debut of an interesting JJ Abrams-helmed show that confuses, intrigues, and eventually horrifically disappoints (on that same note, Fringe also debuts its new season Friday night). This year that show is Person of Interest , a show that features investigators trying to decipher and solve violent crimes before they actually happen. The only really weird thing is how grounded that plot is for a JJ Abrams show. After Lost we promised we’d never go down that rabbit hole again, we’ll find out how strong we are when this premieres Thursday night. (September 22, CBS, 9PM) Continue reading Must See HDTV (September 19th – 25th) Must See HDTV (September 19th – 25th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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