Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080i streaming and 5.1 surround sound
October 14, 2010 No Comment
Rejoice, PS3 owners, your Netflix streaming experience just got vastly better than anything else on the market. Starting October 18 Netflix on the PS3 will no longer require a disc, and it’ll stream some content with 1080i resolution and / or 5.1-channel surround audio, while everyone else will be stuck with a max of 720p stereo for the time being. Oh, and you’ll get subtitles on some content as well. Netflix is partnering with Dolby on the audio side, and the surround format will be Dolby Digital Plus, which is the same codec used by the VUDU HDX streaming service — we’re guessing it’ll require a tiny bit more bandwidth but the results should sound pretty great. Netflix says 5.1 will come to other platforms “over time,” so we’ll see how long that takes — and given that the PS3 is now disc-free and the company’s eschewed the SRS surround features baked into its Silverlight-based platform, we’re guessing Microsoft’s exclusivity period has now completely run its course. Video and PR after the break. Continue reading Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080i streaming and 5.1 surround sound Netflix on PS3 goes disc-free, gets 1080i streaming and 5.1 surround sound originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends
October 14, 2010 No Comment
Nope, it’s not a Facebook “phone,” but it’s probably the closest you’re gonna get to one right now. Skype has just unleashed the no-longer-in-beta version of its 5.0 Windows software, and not only has it drastically tided up the interface, but just like the rumor said , it’s taken advantage of Facebook Connect in a big way. The new version, which will apparently be available for public download within minutes of this post hitting the internet, still has a familiar look and feel, but the most noticeable changes are the addition of photos to the contacts list and the new Facebook tab. Logging into your Facebook account within the program populates your regular News Feed, but also attaches Skype call / SMS buttons next to friends that have either their Skype handles or mobile phone numbers listed on Facebook. Hit one of the buttons and you’re, well, connected ! There’s also an option to view your Facebook Phonebook, which basically lists all your contacts’ mobile phone numbers — though, oddly, it doesn’t list Skype handles within that area. Of course, the final version still allows for 10-way video calls and includes the automatic call recovery feature, which brilliantly reconnects dropped calls as if the drop didn’t really happen. If and when these features will hit Skype’s mobile version, your guess is as good as ours — a company spokesperson told us there’s nothing to talk about on that end right now. Of course, we could go on and on about the new software, or you could hit the source link, download it yourself, and let us know what you think about it below. Update : The source link should work — even though it says it’s Skype 4.2, the software is 5.0. Gallery: Skype 5.0 screenshots Continue reading Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Dean Liou, the same fellow responsible for the ToiletPC and LovePC, has just concocted what’s likely his most splendorous mod yet. The ArcadeDock Laptop Dock is a half-height arcade machine, complete with a flame job from a dark corner of 1994, a full-on joystick + large button splay and a secret cabinet for a touchpad-equipped keyboard. Put simply, this rig is designed to hold an IdeaPad Y560 , and when plugged in and connected via USB, the controls you’re peering at above function exactly as you’d expect them to. Toss on a couple of your favorite ROMs ( Street Fighter II , anyone?), grab a Go-Gurt and settle in — a demonstrative video is after the break, and feel free to tap that Lenovo link below if you’d like to vote this mod up above the competition. Continue reading ArcadeDock converts Lenovo laptop into retro gaming machine (video) ArcadeDock converts Lenovo laptop into retro gaming machine (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Watch Ugly Americans S1E9: Kill.Mark, Kill The new installment of our favorite supernatural beings of the Big Apple, Ugly Americans, which is entitled “Kill.Mark, Kill” is the new animated TV series’ 9th episode of the 1st season that aired last 10/13/2010 Wednesday 10:30 PM on Comedy Central. Watch Ugly Americans 1×9(0109) Free Online Streaming Full Episodes Replay of the Latest Season and Video Clip Download Link: HERE
Continue reading …Watch South Park S14E9: It Came From Jersey The new installment of our favorite fourth graders of South Park, which is entitled “It Came From Jersey” is the animated hit TV show’s 9th episode of the 14th season that aired last 10/13/2010 Wednesday 10:00 PM on Comedy Central.
Continue reading …Matthews: Chilean Miners Would Be Dead if They Followed Tea Party’s ‘Every Man for Himself’ Philosophy
October 13, 2010 No Comment
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CicLAvia: Los Angeles’s Open Streets Event Attracted Around 100,000 People (Video)
October 13, 2010 No Comment
If It Can Happen in L.A., It Can Happen Anywhere The city of Bogota has made the ” Ciclovía ” known around the world, and since then it has been spreading to other cities. The concept is simple: Close down some streets to cars and allow pedestrians and cyclists to take over. After years of preparation, Los Angeles has just had its own “CicLAvia” and by most accounts it was a resounding success (the LA Times estimated that 100,000 people took part). The city known for sprawl and car congesti… Read the full story on TreeHugger
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You’re probably like us: you love Engadget, and you love custom wallpapers. Well, if you’re a big enough Engadget fan, you may be familiar with another love of ours: Penny the Chihuahua, who has made numerous appearances on Engadget over the years. In fact, you could probably call her our mascot… or something. One of our readers has taken our brand new eBoy t-shirt image and made his own Engadget wallpaper (which you can see a video of below) using an app from the Android Market called Live Wallpaper Creator. Needless to say, Penny is heavily featured, and it’s pretty much the best thing we’ve ever seen. [Thanks Palo] Continue reading Fan-made Engadget live wallpaper brings eBoy, floating Penny to Android Fan-made Engadget live wallpaper brings eBoy, floating Penny to Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PS3 goes the PSP route to thwart jailbreakers: Medal of Honor requires latest firmware
October 13, 2010 No Comment
It’s not quite a common practice just yet, but it looks like the PlayStation 3 could be following in the PSP’s footsteps in order to get around folks jailbreaking the device . As MCV reports, anyone buying Electronic Arts’ new “Medal of Honor” game will first have to update their PS3 to the latest 3.50 firmware (conveniently provided on the disc) before playing — that firmware also, of course, has the convenient side effect of blocking the ability to jailbreak the console. No word on any other games that will follow suit, but we have sneaking suspicion that this is something PS3 users will have to get used to. PS3 goes the PSP route to thwart jailbreakers: Medal of Honor requires latest firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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By default Chumbys are cuddly but not exactly mobile. Then along came the Chumby One , not even cuddly and exactly zero percent more mobile. EMGRobotics is here to solve that issue with a Chumbified port of RobotSee, a robotics-specific language developed by Eric Gregori. The One here is paired with a Freescale accelerometer and manages to walk all by its lonesome without falling over. Mind you, it doesn’t walk very quickly , but if it were any faster it’d run the risk of scaring away the cat, and we wouldn’t want that. Oh, and make sure you skip ahead to the 1:45 mark in the video if you want to skip the PowerPoint and get straight to the staggering action. Continue reading Chumby sprouts legs, walks, fails at feline amusement (video) Chumby sprouts legs, walks, fails at feline amusement (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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