Phones. Phones, phones , phones , phones , phones ! There are SO many of them out there right now, and this week brings another flood of releases to add to the pool. Listen closely and Breakout of your ignorance of the week’s releases and rumors as we make a Thrill-ingly Vigor-ous Play at Conquer-ing the Amaze-ing pile of news and hardware that Torch-ed our inboxes over the past few days. (We try, you know?) Host: Myriam Joire ( tnkgrl ), Brad Molen Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Daestro – Light Powered ( Ghostly International ) 00:03:25 – Droid Bionic review 00:15:00 – Droid Bionic arrives at Verizon tomorrow, we go hands-on today (video) 00:40:33 – Samsung Stratosphere makes its obligatory FCC visit, confirms membership in Verizon’s LTE club 00:41:30 – Verizon’s Pantech Breakout rendered, is four inches of LTE goodness 00:41:42 – HTC Vigor hits the FCC with a dose of Verizon LTE 00:46:24 – BlackBerry Torch 9850 review 00:53:14 – Samsung Conquer 4G review 00:59:05 – LG Thrill 4G review 01:09:09 – Engadget giveaway: win a white T-Mobile G2x prototype! 01:15:45 – AT&T introduces Huawei Impulse 4G, available September 18th for $30 01:20:10 – Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play 4G hitting AT&T on September 18th for $50 on contract 01:22:25 – HTC Amaze 4G gets snapped with the lights on, confirms 1.5GHz dual-core CPU 01:26:58 – LG Univa pictured in the wild, may be the Optimus One’s young Padawan 01:29:49 – IFA 2011 wrap-up Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [ iTunes ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes [ RSS MP3 ] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically [ RSS AAC ] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator [ Zune ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com. Follow us on Twitter @tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile Engadget Mobile Podcast 103 – 09.10.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …FPV servo controlled plane grabs epic vacation footage, puts old family videos to shame (video)
September 10, 2011 No Comment
By the time winter rolls around, Alistair Roberts will probably remember his summer vacation a heckuva lot better than the rest of us. Why? Because he brought an FPV plane to record his mountain biking holiday in the Spanish sun. With a GoPro camera mounted on the servo-powered cradle, Alistair piloted the plane by moving his head and using a remote control — all while streaming first person video from the cockpit into a pair of goggles. By pairing the high tech toy with another GoPro on his dad’s mountain bike, and a stationary camera on the ground, Alistair was able to create a truly amazing vacation video from 1200 – 1500 feet in the air traveling around 20kmph (12mph) — way cooler than any of the ones our dads recorded back in the day. Check out the video after the break. [Thanks, @btudor] Continue reading FPV servo controlled plane grabs epic vacation footage, puts old family videos to shame (video) FPV servo controlled plane grabs epic vacation footage, puts old family videos to shame (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sharp Aquos SH8298U 3D smartphone goes under the knife, comes out in China
September 10, 2011 No Comment
Same phone, different market — that’s pretty much what we’re looking at above with Sharp’s “new” 3D Aquos SH8298U. We first got our hands-on this device’s twinner — the Aquos SH-12C — back at Computex , with that model sporting the Japan-only 1seg receiver, FeliCa (NFC) and 800MHz / 2100MHz bands. This time out, the OEM’s made some subtle changes to its China entry, reducing the handset’s storage from 8GB to 2GB, and packing it with GSM / WCDMA / HSPA radios. The rest of the spec list remains exactly the same, leaving this skinned Android 2.3 phone with a 4.2-inch qHD stereoscopic 3D display, dual 8 megapixel cameras, 512MB RAM and a 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor. If translated pressers are your idea of fun, go ahead and check out the source. Sharp Aquos SH8298U 3D smartphone goes under the knife, comes out in China originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Paying for your mobile internet data can be such a drag on the wallet. Luckily, there are Android apps like Smozzy that’ll get you away from the pricey tiers, and onto the information highway via text — no data plan required. You’ll have to be a member of the Magenta brigade to use it, and you’ll need an unlimited messaging plan, but after that, it should be smooth sailing and a little bit of extra wait time. So far, the well-reviewed app is still wearing its beta tag, and has only been tested on the Nexus S and T-Mobile G2. Don’t let a little wireless experimentation stop you from enjoying the loophole-exploiting internet access. Something tells us this workaround might not be available for long. Hit up the source link below to test drive the SMS’d net for yourself. Smozzy dodges T-Mobile data plans, delivers mobile web over text originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line. We’ve seen the Arduino platform used to do some very, very cool things . You can pick up one of these incredibly versatile contraptions for well under 100 bucks , putting it within reach of the entire gamut of advanced hardware developers. But as simple as it may be to use for the technically inclined, there’s still quite a bit of programming required, and you’ll probably need to know your way around a soldering iron as well. The Teagueduino sets out to simplify the process, replacing intimidating code with simple drop-down menus, which you can adjust in realtime, giving you instant feedback as you make adjustments to your ‘coding’ handiwork. The second piece of the puzzle is the Teagueduino board itself, which includes snap-enabled inputs and outputs (yes, that means you can leave the finger-melting soldering iron to the pros). The hardware/software duo first made an appearance this spring, but it just popped up on Kickstarter, which means the Teagueduino could be making its way to a DIY project near you in the not-so-distant future. Unfortunately it’s not cheap — you’ll need to pledge $160 to get a fully assembled kit, while $260 adds extra I/O terminals. The Teagueduino is nearing the halfway point of its $22,000 funding goal with 27 days left to go, and if all goes according to plan, you should have your kit by November. Jump past the break for an overview with the designers. Continue reading Insert Coin: Teagueduino solderless electronic board Insert Coin: Teagueduino solderless electronic board originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …AT&T files response to DOJ suit, says regulators just don’t understand
September 10, 2011 No Comment
It’s no secret or surprise that AT&T is unhappy with the DOJ’s decision to try and block its merger with T-Mobile . But issuing public statements is one thing, officially filing papers in court is another. Ma Bell submitted a 25-page document arguing that the Justice Department’s claims represent a misunderstanding of the market and dismisses competition from “innovative upstarts,” like MetroPCS and US Cellular . AT&T’s lawyers point out that T-Mo, currently the fourth largest provider, has been losing customers for years and it’s German parent company may not be inclined to invest much in improving it. By contrast, AT&T has spent $30 billion over the last two years to boost network quality and capacity, yet still struggles to keep up with demand. We can’t say the arguments are without validity, but the government’s fear of a market dominated by just three companies with little incentive to innovate or drive down prices also seems well founded. Well, the pageantry officially gets underway on September 21st, when the US District Court hearings begin. AT&T files response to DOJ suit, says regulators just don’t understand originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Leave it the regional folks to steal the thunder of the Big Four. While we were all led to think that Sprint’s Epic 4G Touch would be the first subsidized Galaxy S II to officially land in the US of A, it looks as if Alaska’s GCI has beat ‘em all to the punch — and in more areas than one. A tipster residing in The Last Frontier just picked one up today, and best of all, it’s running a solid Benjamin less than it will on those other operators. Oh, and it’s compatible with the company’s “4G” (read: HSPA+) network. Unadulterated wilderness? Yep. Northern Lights? Definitely . Early / cheap access to the year’s hottest Android smartphone? Evidently. So, who’s up for a little northern exposure? [Thanks, Joshua] Samsung Galaxy S II now shipping for $100 in America… on Alaska’s GCI originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …LightSquared faces Congressional hearing over proposed 4G network, submits revised plan
September 10, 2011 No Comment
The LightSquared Express rolled in to Washington yesterday, where the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held a hearing on the company’s proposed 4G LTE network and its potential impact on GPS systems. According to some, the ramifications could be disastrous. David Applegate, associate director of natural hazards at the US Geological Survey, told legislators that interference with GPS mechanisms would make it more difficult for authorities to predict floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions, with a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration adding that LightSquared’s ground-based mobile network would pose challenges to weather forecasters, as well. The Department of Transportation also chimed in, telling the committee that the network would likely have an effect on systems used to prevent train collisions and, like other administration witnesses, called for further testing. LightSquared Executive Vice President Jeffrey Carlisle, meanwhile, defended his company’s proposal, pointing to an amended version submitted to the FCC on Wednesday. In the revised document, LightSquared offered to reduce the network’s power levels further, while providing a stable signal for GPS augmentation services to use at higher frequencies. “This is not a zero-sum game,” Carlisle said, adding that only 500,000 to 750,000 high-end GPS services would be affected by LightSquared’s low-frequency alternative (which, the company claims, will cost an additional $100 million to implement). Any interference issues, he continued, stem from pre-existing receiver problems that the GPS industry should’ve addressed by now. Most of the lawmakers sitting on the panel acknowledged the need to establish broader wireless coverage, but stressed the importance of doing so without jeopardizing critical transit and emergency response systems, with some calling for additional testing. Carlisle countered that previous tests have provided sufficient feedback, but ultimate approval lies in the hands of the FCC, which has not yet offered a timetable for its decision. Hit up the source link to read LightSquared’s revised proposal, in its entirety. LightSquared faces Congressional hearing over proposed 4G network, submits revised plan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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This week, as always, was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here’s some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of September 5, 2011: It appears that Sprint employees are being informed that vacation requests anytime between September 30th and October 15th, due to “the possibility of a major phone launch in October.” Vacation blackouts are typically used during certain times of the holiday season, so the timing on this particular memo is a bit striking — as usual, we invite you to come to your own conclusions here. [via SprintFeed ] Two BlackBerry devices breathed life on T-Mobile this week in the form of leaks. First, the Curve 9360 began showing up on marketing material focusing specifically on its prepaid campaign, which says the device will be offered for $230 without having to sign a new contract. It didn’t mention the on-contract price, but if all goes according to rumors, it’ll likely be out this time next week (September 14th, to be specific). [via TmoNews ] Speaking of the Curve 9360, the phone will probably be hopping across the pond to a Carphone Warehouse near you (if you live in the United Kingdom, that is). It’s ready for pre-order now on the retailer’s site with a prepaid option for $200. Not bad for a brand-new BlackBerry at full retail cost. [via TechnoBuffalo ] The second BlackBerry we saw leaked for T-Mobile this week was the Torch 9860, which may have been discovered in T-Mo’s inventory system, according to a leaked screenshot. This doesn’t help us know the date or pricing of the new Torch, but it does signify that it’s likely just around the corner. [via TmoNews ] It’s possible that the Droid Prime and Nexus Prime have passed through Bluetooth and WiFi certification. Since names were not provided in the documentation, we’re left to speculate using the devices’ model numbers — rumored to be the SCH-I515 and GT-I9250. We’re naturally skeptical, but we’ll keep a close eye on the FCC in hopes that we’ll see these mystery devices pop up soon with at least a few revealing details. [via Droid-Life ] We’ve been expecting the recently announced Samsung Galaxy W to arrive this month in the UK, but all of our sights have been set on Three as the only known carrier… until now. O2 placed a teaser page on its website this week, listing the Galaxy W as “coming soon: September.” [via MobileBurn and AndroidCentral ] Mobile Miscellany: week of September 5, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …mLogic mDock blocks select MacBook ports while extending others, leaves us mBaffled
September 10, 2011 No Comment
If you’re trying to make a name for yourself in the incredibly crowded portable storage space, you can innovate and create something totally awesome , or you can do this . The mDock from mLogic is an external hard drive, port extender and port blocker all rolled into one pricey coffin-like chamber of fail. $219 will net you an eternal resting place for 500 gigs of data, while $299 ups the ante to an entire terabyte. Plus, with a pair of front-facing USB ports, you can add a third-party portable storage yokel for the less-than-princely sum of 50 bucks. If you haven’t already gathered, the mDock is designed for mMacbook Pros, but there’s also the iMac-mountable mBack (curiously not the iBack), designed with Apple’s familiar desktop flavor in mind. That variant is slightly more affordable, with pricing ranging from $169 for 1TB to $349 for 3TB, but you’ll forgo the dock-like USB hub and headphone jack. There’s no word on when to expect these life-changing devices in stores, but it’s never too early to dust off the mChair iChair and park yourself on 5th Ave. mLogic mDock blocks select MacBook ports while extending others, leaves us mBaffled originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 09:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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