In an effort to help force your ambivalent hand at the checkout, Google’s taken a decidedly whimsical approach to Nexus S marketing. The end result: an interactive, YouTube -hosted mini-game that lets you bounce and blow four Google app-labeled balls through a funnel to the Nexus S. Sound fun? It kind of is, but before you wonder where the last half-hour went, keep in mind there’s no free handset at the end of this Android rainbow — just pure fun. It’s a cute distraction that probably won’t have you forgetting about dual core processors anytime soon, but could still sway your credit card if you’re the silly type. Check the source below to get your Google-gaming on. Nexus S mini-game adds whimsy to list of must-have specs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We have a gut feeling this is the video that’ll be playing when ‘the hive’ takes over — a sentimental, ‘look how far we’ve come’ victory reel for the Quadrotor nation. But for now, let’s just keep the focus on the softer side of our future nemesis’ training-room foibles. Playing like an
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Is this the Droid Bionic, eager to make its US debut at long last? After a false start , it’s looking more and more like Motorola’s next superphone could be inching ever closer to that elusive “summer release,” with a new FCC filing showcasing a cellular communications device with EVDO, LTE, 700MHz radios, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and an inductive charging battery cover. ‘Course, a few things are still under wraps until August 7th, so it’s fairly impossible to tell with any level of certainty what handset we’re peering at. The clues most certainly add up, however, and if you were thinking of holding out just a wee bit longer, maybe the outline above is just what you needed to find patience (and all her friends). Droid Bionic seemingly clears the FCC, may finally be headed for (US) glory originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 09:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …South Korea plans to convert all textbooks to digital, swap backpacks for tablets by 2015
July 3, 2011 No Comment
Well, that oversized Kindle didn’t become the textbook killer Amazon hoped it would be, but at least one country is moving forward with plans to lighten the load on its future generation of Samsung execs. South Korea announced this week that it plans to spend over $2 billion developing digital textbooks, replacing paper in all of its schools by 2015. Students would access paper-free learning materials from a cloud-based system, supplementing traditional content with multimedia on school-supplied tablets. The system would also enable homebound students to catch up on work remotely — they won’t be practicing taekwondo on a virtual mat, but could participate in math or reading lessons while away from school, for example. Both programs clearly offer significant advantages for the country’s education system, but don’t expect to see a similar solution pop up closer to home — with the US population numbering six times that of our ally in the Far East, many of our future leaders could be carrying paper for a long time to come. South Korea plans to convert all textbooks to digital, swap backpacks for tablets by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …PlayStation magazine lets you look at Japanese actresses in ‘ultra-high’ resolution
July 3, 2011 No Comment
What’s killing the magazine industry? Could it be the lack of PlayStation compatibility or maybe the absence of “ultra-high” resolution? These are the questions Lucent Pictures Entertainment plans to put to the test with its upcoming iQueen magazine, a publication distributed for the PS3 via the PlayStation Store, offering up images of Japanese actress Masami Nagasawa in a staggering 4,096 by 2,160 resolution — it’s sure to make real life look downright lo-res by comparison. The magazine will be available in August for around $25 or so — which is a bit of a steal on a per-pixel basis. PlayStation magazine lets you look at Japanese actresses in ‘ultra-high’ resolution originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Looks like some of the Skype crew might’ve had a sleepless night to please owners of the Nexus S 4G . If you’ll recall, July 30th saw a major update to its Android app enabling video chat on four devices; although the Nexus S was part of the club, its door was locked for Sprint’s 4G variant. That’s quickly changed, however, as the team’s set loose a hotfix to grant it access — this despite initially stating we’d have to wait for a “future release .” You can grab the app from the Android Market if you haven’t yet, and be sure to let us know how it goes in comments. Oh, and for those anxious Thunderbolt owners? We’d recommend not holding your breath until after the 4th of July holiday. Skype 2.0 hotfix enables video chat on Sprint’s Nexus S 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 00:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Wilfred, who needs a new gaming rig (but ain’t interested in buying the time to build one). If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com . “I’m going to buy a powerful computer, so naturally, I am looking to buying a gaming computer. I know about Alienware and iBuyPower desktops, and while I know others exist, I don’t know which one is superior. Looking for a Core i7 and enough horsepower to chew through today’s latest titles, but I’d prefer a company that’s reputable and known for above-average service. Thanks!” We know you’re probably passionate about [insert PC builder here], but let’s keep the banter civil down there, cool? Cool. Ask Engadget: best prefabricated gaming desktop? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The askers will be beholden to Twitter’s strict 140-character limit. But the commander-in-chief will be his usual loquacious self. That’s because Obama won’t be typing his responses. The town hall, while touted as an online event, will be hosted just as any normal president does any normal town hall. The president will be in front
Continue reading …Google bids pi for Nortel’s wireless patent stash, brings comedy to places you never thought possible
July 2, 2011 No Comment
Enabling surfers to play Pac-Man instead of actually initiating the search they showed up to complete? Taking a stroll through an episode of Burn Notice? Throwing internet on a magical Indian bus ? All relatively normal things from one Google, Inc., but it seems that Larry Page’s deadpan demeanor is actually covering up quite the character. During the outfit’s recent attempt to outbid the likes of Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony for a sliver of Nortel’s coveted wireless patent portfolio, Reuters is reporting that Google’s plays were… less than conventional. Reportedly, the company bid $1,902,160,540 and $2,614,972,128, better known by mathematicians as Brun’s constant and Meissel-Mertens constant, respectively. Funnier still, Google decided to offer $3.14159 billion (you know, pi ) when the bidding reached $3 billion. One of the unnamed sources summed up the bizarreness quite well: “Google was bidding with numbers that were not even numbers. It became clear that they were bidding with the distance between the earth and the sun. One was the sum of a famous mathematical constant, and then when it got to $3 billion, they bid pi. Either they were supremely confident or they were bored.” Or, perhaps they’re just supremely awesome? Google bids pi for Nortel’s wireless patent stash, brings comedy to places you never thought possible originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Games for Windows Marketplace, Xbox.com becoming one big, game-obsessed family
July 2, 2011 No Comment
Games for Windows Marketplace will no longer have to drift through life alone. Microsoft announced this week that the Steam competitor will be absorbed by Xbox.com — a seemingly logical merger, given the site’s association with Xbox Live. The move comes in spite of an attempt on Microsoft’s part to completely revamp the service late last year. The Marketplace is set to move into its new digs on July 11th, so here’s hoping it takes advantage of its last few days of freedom in style — by sitting around in its underwear playing video games, naturally. Games for Windows Marketplace, Xbox.com becoming one big, game-obsessed family originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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