Say hello to your new online friend, wdyl.com. An eagle-eyed TechCrunch tipster spotted this freshly launched Google portal, whose purpose it seems to be to gather up all of the company’s multifarious web services under one umbrella. A Google search for Google products, in other words. Punching in a topic brings up its popularity in Google Trends, lets you set up Google Alerts, plan related events in Google Calendar, email someone in Gmail, or hit up Picasa, YouTube or Google News with the same query. You get the picture. It hasn’t yet been made official and hitting up the site without the “www.” prefix throws up a bad URL error at the moment, but it’s there and seemingly fully functional. Give it a try and let us know which search terms bring up the most humorous results. What do you love, asks Google with a new portal to its many web services originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …T-Mobile announces myTouch 4G Slide, aims to take smartphone photography to new heights
June 27, 2011 No Comment
Well, we’d seen plenty of pictures of T-Mobile’s new myTouch 4G Slide over the past couple of weeks, and now it’s official. T-Mo officially pulled the wraps off its newest handset, and it’s packing a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and a 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD screen. As for software, the slick slider comes with some tasty Gingerbread slathered in Sense 3.0. There’s also an 8-megapixel shooter that does low-light photos with a wide-aperture lens capable of f2.2 — just like that new Nokia N9 that has us all hot and bothered. The camera also has burst mode for snapping rapid fire photos, takes HDR pictures, and does 1080p videos, too. It’s slated for a July release, so we won’t have to wait much longer until we can indulge our inner Ansel Adams. Such fantastic smartphone photography is all yours for $199.99 on a two year contract, and there’s a video of the phone and a smattering of other details in the PR after the break. Continue reading T-Mobile announces myTouch 4G Slide, aims to take smartphone photography to new heights T-Mobile announces myTouch 4G Slide, aims to take smartphone photography to new heights originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Yokohama EV sets new Pikes Peak Hill Climb record, leaves Leaf blowing in the wind
June 27, 2011 No Comment
Remember the unmodified Nissan Leaf that dared to take on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb? No, it didn’t win the electric vehicle class, but it did have the honor of playing second fiddle to a new paladin. By pairing the motor they used to set last year’s EV record with a new high-performance cooling system, Team Yokohama managed to shave nearly a minute off of their previous record-setting time, completing the course in 12 minutes and 20 seconds. The Leaf ? It leisurely drifted through the finish line at 14 minutes, 33 seconds. Not the quickest way to the top, but let’s be fair — if it’s a choice between being comfortable or being king of the hill, we’ll stretch our legs, thanks. Yokohama EV sets new Pikes Peak Hill Climb record, leaves Leaf blowing in the wind originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s a heated debate going on in the exciting world of mathematics that pits notoriously irrational pi against relative newcomer tau. Wherever side of the fence your math club’s allegiance may lie, a quick listen to Michael Blake’s newest nerd composition could have your circle singing a different equation . Perhaps spurred by the copyright brouhaha that yanked his earlier musical extrapolation — What Pi Sounds Like — from the YouTubes, Blake set this interpretation of the controversial constant to 126 decimal places and let’er rip at 125.6 bpm. What follows is a not-unpleasant symphony that should have Bjork’s producers calling for a collaboration. Full video for the prog-rock nation after the break. Continue reading Nevermind the Pi music, here’s what Tau sounds like (video) Nevermind the Pi music, here’s what Tau sounds like (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Sony’s ultra slim 13-inch VAIO Z laptop revealed in Europe, packs external GPU for power on demand
June 27, 2011 No Comment
Turns out those leaked shots we saw of Sony’s new VAIO Z laptop were right on the money as the company showed it off officially today for the European press. The specs reveal a 13.1-inch “ultramobile” notebook that comes in at under 1.2kg with a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, 1600×900 screen and sheet battery borrowed from the earlier VAIO S for up to 7 hours of computing. Onboard it features only Intel’s HD Graphics 3000 solution, but the VAIO Z beats other ultralights with its Power Media Dock, which contributes the power of an AMD Radeon 6650M GPU with 1GB of dedicated memory connected via Light Peak when more polygons have to be pushed. The dock also features one USB 3.0 hookup plus additional USB, VGA and HDMI ports, and a slot for an optical drive. There’s no word on price yet, but it is promised to ship by the end of July in Europe so if the full specs (included after the break) are appealing then you don’t have much time to save up. Gallery: Sony VAIO Z Continue reading Sony’s ultra slim 13-inch VAIO Z laptop revealed in Europe, packs external GPU for power on demand Sony’s ultra slim 13-inch VAIO Z laptop revealed in Europe, packs external GPU for power on demand originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode
June 27, 2011 No Comment
We’ve already noted our slip into Bizarro World, a strange and topsy-turvy land where — thanks to patent-infringement claims — Microsoft strikes licensing deals with Android device makers. Redmond has used a carrot-and-stick strategy thus far, suing competing manufacturers ( Barnes and Noble , Motorola ) while reaching a protective royalty agreement with HTC , which, not coincidentally, also makes Windows Phones. Today, another company joins the licensee list: General Dynamics Itronix, known for its rugged computers , some of which do run Windows . Neither company offered much in the way of details, other than declaring that Itronix will pay royalties, but we’ve no reason to believe it’s too different from HTC’s arrangement. See the press release after the break for an excellent example of terse, unrevealing business-speak. Continue reading Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Itronix, causes more heads to explode originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Dying to get your hands on HP’s TouchPad before it’s available on July 1st ? According to Pre Central , a visit to either Best Buy or Walmart may afford you the opportunity. During the past few days, the stores have apparently begun quietly displaying demo-loaded versions of the slate. The device went up for pre-order about a week ago, but for webOS hopefuls still contemplating whether to take the Palm-rooted plunge, a pre-release impression may not be a bad grab between socks and motor oil. Don’t feel like taking a trip to Wally World, you say? You’ll find a video overview past the break; although the box to the left has us wondering if now’s a good time for getting lucky … Continue reading HP TouchPad veers into stores early, flaunts its webOS moves (video) HP TouchPad veers into stores early, flaunts its webOS moves (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Verizon dominates ‘Fastest Mobile Networks’ testing, considers calling AT&T to brag
June 27, 2011 No Comment
Not all wireless carriers are created equal, nor for that matter is all 4G — anyone who’s ever swapped networks or done any sort of traveling across the country can tell you that. And while it seems like we have fewer and fewer choices as the days go by, our increasing reliance on mobile devices makes the efficiency of our data delivery all the more important. PCMag invested some serious man / woman-hours for its annual “Fastest Mobile Networks” story, gathering mobile data in 21 cities — running more than 140,000 tests in all. According to the results, Verizon’s LTE rules supreme in pretty much every area tested, save for those “in-between” rural locations, where AT&T nabbed the top spot. Perhaps it’s time to take old “Test Man” out of retirement for celebratory victory lap? Verizon dominates ‘Fastest Mobile Networks’ testing, considers calling AT&T to brag originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …HP Envy 14 Beats Edition gets a slice of Sandy Bridge silicon, costs $1,050 at Amazon
June 27, 2011 No Comment
HP’s Envy 14 is quite the looker of a laptop, with its etched aluminum skin beckoning you to explore the capabilities of the Sandy Bridge CPU that lies beneath . For those who prefer the murdered-out look, the HP Envy Beats Edition is the preferable PC, but until now it lacked the upgraded Intel innards of its showy stablemate. That’s right, Amazon’s offering a second-gen Intel Core i5-2410M chip clocked at 2.3 GHz to go with those dark Dr. Dre aesthetics you crave (oddly it’s not yet for sale on HP’s website). The inky Envy with the big red “B” is priced at $1,050, or half a hundred more than its equivalently-equipped cousin — what, you thought the paint job was free? HP Envy 14 Beats Edition gets a slice of Sandy Bridge silicon, costs $1,050 at Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride
June 27, 2011 No Comment
Hate gridlock? We’d surmise you aren’t alone, so pardon our excitement surrounding the latest addition to TomTom’s longstanding iPhone app. New in version 1.8 is the addition of HD Traffic , which extends congestion data to both “major” and “secondary” US roads. Existing TomTom Traffic subscribers get the functionality gratis, with the rest of us dishing out $20 via an in-app purchase. Free for all who upgrade are multi-stop routes, allowing one to tweak excursions to your heart’s content — provided you can count those diversions on one hand. The updated app is already live in the App Store, but please, pull over before downloading — cool? Show full PR text TomTom HD Traffic Service Now Available on the TomTom App for iPhone ~ More TomTom Drivers Gain Access to the Most Accurate, Comprehensive and Up-To-Date Traffic Information Available ~ CONCORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–TomTom today announces that its newest update to the TomTom App for iPhone, version 1.8, now includes TomTom HD Traffic compatibility. TomTom HD Traffic enables drivers to get to their destination faster and is the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic solution available. TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate traffic solution by reporting and capturing more actual traffic jams than ever before to help drivers avoid delays and find the fastest routes. Only TomTom HD Traffic will recognize traffic conditions for both major and secondary roads within the U.S. road network to help re-route drivers clear of traffic. Additionally, with traffic updates every two minutes, TomTom HD Traffic will help reroute drivers around traffic more quickly and get them to their destination faster. TomTom HD Traffic is an optional service available via an in-App purchase. Expanding the availability of TomTom HD Traffic is one of the commitments that TomTom has outlined in its Traffic Manifesto, which is the company’s mission to reduce traffic congestion to everyone. Drivers using TomTom HD Traffic are helping reduce traffic congestion for themselves and every driver around them. For more information about TomTom’s Traffic Manifesto, visit www.tomtom.com/trafficmanifesto. Also new to the TomTom App is multi-stop routes. This innovative feature makes it easier for drivers to make multiple stops on a single route by letting the user add up to five stop-off points when they plan their journey. This new App release also gives users the latest map which includes recent changes to the roads. Availability The latest version of the TomTom App for iPhone is available on the App Store starting today. The TomTom App for iPhone v1.8 is available for purchase via the App Store. Continental and regional versions of the TomTom App are available today for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPod touch users at www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app. TomTom HD Traffic is available via an in-App purchase for $19.99. Current TomTom Traffic subscribers will be automatically upgraded to TomTom HD Traffic service for no additional charge. TomTom’s iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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