The US has already tasted its first piece of the Chromebook pie, and now Samsung’s serving up a slice to our friends across the pond. That’s right, the Samsung Series 5 will grace European soil starting this Friday, and will set our European brethren back €399 (or
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With each and every passing day, the rumors surrounding Verizon’s new “usage plans” are getting tougher to ignore. It’s only been two days since we initially heard Big Red was ready to ride its unlimited data plans into the sunset in favor of switching to a newer, more usage-friendly model, and the leaks continue to flood in. This go-round, very official-looking docs that offer up a whole slew of details are in the open air. Many of the details echo what we’ve heard before: the data plans are the same price, starting at $30 for 2GB and working up to increments of 5GB for $50 and 10GB for $80; mobile hotspot access is an additional $20 and you’ll get hooked up with an extra pair of gigs; finally, going over these allotments will cost you $10 per GB. As rumored yesterday , all customers grandfathered into the unlimited monthly data will be allowed to keep it, even when upgrading to new phones. Business discounts, currently applied to the limitless plans, would now only apply to primary lines that are willing to fork out $50 or more; however, the wording did not indicate whether or not those grandfathered in would still receive those same benefits. More leaked docs can be found after the break, so grab some lunch and find your favorite chair — you’ll need ‘em. Continue reading Verizon’s ‘DataGate’ plans leaked in excruciating detail Verizon’s ‘DataGate’ plans leaked in excruciating detail originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on)
June 22, 2011 No Comment
Have you ever missed an extremely important phone call or text because you were too busy finishing those TPS reports on your personal computing machine? There’s a Chrome add-on for that. We went hands-on with a new extension (and accompanying Android app) called MightyText, a free notification service launched today that syncs your phone’s texts and calls to your computer in real-time. The idea is crazy simple, yet adds unyielding convenience: incoming SMS messages appear on your screen as a pop-up, giving you the option to read and reply to them without touching or even looking at the phone. The full extension will show each conversation thread in its entirety, as well as call logs. When sent from the computer, texts are still patched through from your phone number, so your colleagues will still see your messages coming through with your name on them. To make the service even more appealing, pop-ups alert you to incoming calls, so you can either hurry to find your phone or just send the caller a canned auto-text reply. It sounds like a great concept, but does it do the job ? Head on past the break to learn our first impressions of the program. Continue reading MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on) MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on)
June 22, 2011 No Comment
Have you ever missed an extremely important phone call or text because you were too busy finishing those TPS reports on your personal computing machine? There’s a Chrome add-on for that. We went hands-on with a new extension (and accompanying Android app) called MightyText, a free notification service launched today that syncs your phone’s texts and calls to your computer in real-time. The idea is crazy simple, yet adds unyielding convenience: incoming SMS messages appear on your screen as a pop-up, giving you the option to read and reply to them without touching or even looking at the phone. The full extension will show each conversation thread in its entirety, as well as call logs. When sent from the computer, texts are still patched through from your phone number, so your colleagues will still see your messages coming through with your name on them. To make the service even more appealing, pop-ups alert you to incoming calls, so you can either hurry to find your phone or just send the caller a canned auto-text reply. It sounds like a great concept, but does it do the job ? Head on past the break to learn our first impressions of the program. Continue reading MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on) MightyText pushes messages and incoming call alerts to your computer (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Samsung denied preview of iPad 3, iPhone 5 in ongoing Apple infringement suit
June 22, 2011 No Comment
A US district judge this week handed Apple a victory in its ongoing legal battle with Samsung, denying the latter its reciprocal discovery request for a peek at prototypes of the upcoming versions of the iPhone and iPad. The request followed a similar one filed by Apple, in order to view Samsung products, including the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G, and Droid Charge. Samsung, for its part, argued that taking an early look at the Apple’s upcoming phone and tablet would be relevant to the legal ruling, seeing as how any changes made in those upcoming products would affect the trade dress (“total product image”) of the line, and thereby potentially alter the possibility of consumer confusion, an important factor in determining infringement with certain unregistered trademarks with the product. The court denied Samsung’s motion on a number of grounds. For one thing, Apple’s initial complaint pertained to infringement of existing products, parameters deemed legit by the court. Also, the court took into account the fact that Apple tends to be far more tight-lipped about its product releases, whereas Samsung made a point of offering up information about forthcoming products into the public domain, including the release of 5,000 Galaxy Tab 10.1 units as samples to the public. That said, the judge was careful to note that Apple’s suggestion that court protection of its trade secrets was insufficient “is not well taken.” More details after the break. Continue reading Samsung denied preview of iPad 3, iPhone 5 in ongoing Apple infringement suit Samsung denied preview of iPad 3, iPhone 5 in ongoing Apple infringement suit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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At first blush, the Nokia N9 is everything I’d ever wanted from the company: a smartphone with a competitive spec sheet, exquisite industrial design, and a touch-centric UI that looks to push things forward with the introduction of its own idiosyncratic ideas. Slick in terms of both responsiveness and appearance, the Harmattan interface is Nokia’s thunderous riposte to all those (myself included) that challenged the company to get with the touchscreen OS program and cast off the shackles of its Symbian legacy. The only traces of Symbian in the MeeGo 1.2-equipped N9 can be found in the iconography, which maintains the rounded look of its forebear, and support for Qt — in all other respects, this is a whole new software proposition (distinct even from its Maemo 5 roots), which has so far elicited a range of emotions in me, including delight, desire, and… despair . You must be wondering why, aside from alliterative convenience, I’d be feeling downcast having enjoyed my brief time with the N9 so much. To learn the answer, read on. Continue reading Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious! Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Cloud Engines updates Pogoplug’s software-only version with OneView, enhanced iOS support
June 22, 2011 No Comment
The smoke from Cloud Engines’ Pogoplug Video recall (Pogo- un -plugged?) may still be settling, but on a better note, today the company has announced the first major update to its software-based version. To refresh your memory, it essentially turns any network-connected computer into a Pogoplug, allowing it to be accessed like a NAS drive (think iCloud, but with your drives). The new version’s main advantage is OneView, which can display every connected computer’s drives separately or compiled together sans duplicates — iOS devices are also supported in this feature. You’ll be pleased to know that the service is free, excluding video and off-LAN music streaming. Those features can be enabled by purchasing the premium version for a one-time fee of 29 bones, and unlike before, a single purchase will take care of your entire stable of devices. You’ll find some screenshots of the software below, as well as a PR crash course in ‘personal cloud management’ just after the break. Continue reading Cloud Engines updates Pogoplug’s software-only version with OneView, enhanced iOS support Cloud Engines updates Pogoplug’s software-only version with OneView, enhanced iOS support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Augmented reality app concept conjures movie scenes shot in your location (video)
June 22, 2011 No Comment
AR technology has been getting seriously powerful recently, but we still need smart little ideas like this to keep us interested. “Augmented Reality Cinema” is a concept which would spot when you’re in a famous movie location and then trigger playback of the relevant scene. Although we can’t be sure the app actually works yet, the video after the break does at least show off the idea with some memorable London clips, including the classic post-infestation Westminster Bridge scene from 28 Days Later . If the designers ever need movie fans to go around tagging cinematic locations, then obviously we’re keen to register our interest. Continue reading Augmented reality app concept conjures movie scenes shot in your location (video) Augmented reality app concept conjures movie scenes shot in your location (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Following the only logical path one can take after building a working 15x scale Atari joystick , Jason Torchinsky is pulling together all the Apple IIs that can be had for a quick concert. Those not already entranced by chiptunes will want to give LA neighborhood art space Machine Project a wide berth on Saturday, where participants will use a 16 step sequencer to get something like music out of the system’s timer circuit. Those interested in checking it out can check the source link for details, but if you actually have an Apple II laying around (and aren’t in the middle of a game of Oregon Trail , that’s serious business) you’ll want to show up around 6 p.m. to get things arranged. Free concert in LA this weekend, bring your Apple II originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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HP’s mystery-wrapped Touch-to-share functionality already does something very similar to Near Field Communication , but it looks like the company’s not satisfied with its own tech and will be jumping into the rapidly growing field of companies embracing NFC . A new job listing that has popped up online this week invites applications for the position of NFC Design Engineer on HP’s tablet and smartphone team. Responsibilities include the design, testing, and debugging of NFC antennae and systems, but also expand to “support of product in field,” indicating that HP is working on an aggressive roadmap here. Don’t take our word for it, though, the job advert also advises prospective applicants that they’d have to work in a “high paced, schedule driven environment.” Only question we have is this: since when are webOS devices being produced at a high pace? HP seeks NFC engineer for ‘smartphone and tablet products’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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