Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On , a column about consumer technology. About a year after the debut of the first Android handset, Switched On discussed the threat that Chrome OS posed to Android. We’ll briefly reprise it here: Like chief rivals Apple and Microsoft, Google has two operating systems trying to bridge the rift between consumer electronics and traditional computing, but Chrome is different than Mac OS and Windows in an exceptionally important way. Rather than trying to refine the traditional software experience (as Apple has done with the Mac App Store and other iOS-inspired developments in the queue) or move that experience forward to tablets (as Microsoft is doing with Windows ), Chrome OS is not looking to carry forward any legacy beyond the browser. Unlike with Mac OS vs. iOS or Windows vs. Windows Phone, the battle isn’t over which apps make sense, but rather the irreconcilable difference around whether apps to begin with. This makes Google’s suggestion that the two operating systems might merge at some point less credible, and sent a mixed message to developers about whether to focus their efforts on apps or the web. At Google I/O 2011, however, the company clarified its position. Continue reading Switched On: Chrome alone Switched On: Chrome alone originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …NVIDIA CEO disappointed by Android tablet sales, blames pricing and poor app selection
May 15, 2011 No Comment
It won’t have escaped your attention that just about every Honeycomb tablet shipping in the first half of this year features, or will feature, NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 hardware. Unfortunately for NVIDIA, reception for the Android 3.0 slates has been a little underwhelming, and the company’s Chief Eloquence Officer, Jen-Hsun Huang , has had a few words to say about it. He sees the relative paucity of tablet-optimized Android apps as a weakness, while also expressing the belief that cheaper WiFi-only models should’ve been the standard shipping config rather than fully fledged 3G / 4G variants as Motorola has been pushing with the Xoom . All in all, his is a very sane and accurate analysis, but Mr. Huang loves to look to the future as much as he enjoys talking about the present, and in his opinion all these major downsides have already been “largely addressed” by “a new wave” of Android tablets. He doesn’t specify the devices that constitute said wave, but his emphasis on thinness and lightness leads us to believe he’s talking up Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 models . Hit the source links to read more from the bronzed stallion in charge of NVIDIA. NVIDIA CEO disappointed by Android tablet sales, blames pricing and poor app selection originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 20:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Windows Phone 7 ‘Mango’ to bring Office 365, Facebook Chat, more Xbox Live integration?
May 15, 2011 No Comment
The Windows Phone Dev Podcast unearthed some seemingly legit Windows Phone 7 screenshots last week that revealed a few new features apparently headed to the mobile OS, and it’s now back with another batch that show yet more additions said to be included with the so-called ” Mango ” update. That includes support for Facebook Chat and Office 365 (plus SkyDrive and SharePoint), as well as a revamped Games hub that suggests even more Xbox Live integration (including a rather interesting new “Automatic Sync” option). What’s more, the lock screen will apparently now show the album art if there is a song currently playing, and it seems there will be some new group messaging options as well. Of course, all that’s still unconfirmed by Microsoft, but you can judge all the screenshots for yourself at the link below. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Windows Phone 7 ‘Mango’ to bring Office 365, Facebook Chat, more Xbox Live integration? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 19:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Latest Boxee Box update leaves surround sound speakers silent on stereo sources
May 15, 2011 No Comment
It wasn’t long after the Boxee Box v1.1 update started to roll out that users with surround sound systems found a major issue with it: besides the removal of volume controls (confirmed to return as an optional setting in the next update), there was an undocumented change to the way it handled stereo PCM audio sources for users with surround sound systems. Instead of sending it on to the user’s receiver as a two channel source so it could be processed to fill all the speakers, it is sent as a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio source and only plays audio through the front left and right speakers, with no audio coming from the center channel or rear speakers. That’s a major problem for people trying to watch Netflix streams, MLB.tv, listen to certain lossless audio files or any other stereo audio source and enjoy an audio experience that takes advantage of their setup. A Boxee developer on AVSForum indicated the change was due to a licensing agreement between the manufacturer of the box, D-Link, and Dolby, and would need to be left up to them for a fix. We’ve reached out to both Boxee and D-Link for word on their issue and while we haven’t received a detailed response, there is a notation on the JIRA bug tracker for the issue by “yuvalt” indicating the team is working on a fix for this and other issues which will hopefully be available within days. Check out the forum threads for more detail on the issue as well as temporary workarounds, we’ll let you know if we get an official response on why this is happening and if / when there’s a fix incoming. [Thanks, Neil] Latest Boxee Box update leaves surround sound speakers silent on stereo sources originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 18:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Hey, we’re growing kind of close to that ” summer ” release window for HP’s marquee mobile devices, aren’t we? Playboy Magazine sure thinks so, as its latest issue (June) comes with pricing for the Pre 3 and Touchpad , information we haven’t yet heard from anywhere else. The 3.6-inch smartphone with a sliding keyboard is expected to land at the industry-standard $200 on contract, while its 9.7-inch tablet brandmate should make itself available for $500 without any subsidies. These numbers are stated authoritatively, as if already known, though we’d still urge a note of caution until HP itself blurts the prices out. Skip past the break to see evidence of the Touchpad pricing as well. Continue reading HP Touchpad and Pre 3 pricing revealed… by Playboy Magazine HP Touchpad and Pre 3 pricing revealed… by Playboy Magazine originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 17:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …WiFi-only Motorola Xoom won’t have Movies right away, Canadian Xooms getting SD support someday
May 15, 2011 No Comment
If you’re the proud owner of a Motorola Xoom, you will get Android 3.1 , but we’re afraid the timing and features included in that update may depend on where you reside and which one you bought. For instance, while both Verizon 3G and WiFi-only Xooms in the United States are seeing the latest Honeycomb slowly trickle in right now , Motorola says that the WiFi version won’t have movie rentals available immediately after the update. What’s more, though the new hotness doesn’t seem to bring microSD card support to US devices, Motorola says that Canadian models will get that exact functionality “soon.” What if you don’t live in North America at all? We’re afraid we can’t tell you. WiFi-only Motorola Xoom won’t have Movies right away, Canadian Xooms getting SD support someday originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Now that North America has been thoroughly blanketed in the beautiful green light of a working PlayStation Network, it’s time for other countries to sign on too, and the first out of the gate are the United Kingdom, Ireland and unspecified nations in the Middle East. Sony’s official PlayStation Europe Twitter account reports that parts of the EMEA are beginning to light up now, and while there’s no convenient map for you to monitor the rollout this time around, you can still get updates straight from the source — follow the Twitter feed at our source link and Sony should let you know when to get your game on. Update: Looks like it’s not just the EMEA, as PSN’s spreading across the world — as of noon PST, it’s lighting up the smiles of bereaved gamers and music lovers in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South America as well. PlayStation Network restoration spreads across the world (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …YikeBike unveils less-expensive folding electric bike, Jackie Chan dons celebratory tuxedo
May 15, 2011 No Comment
Our main complaint with the folding electric YikeBike — besides the not-quite-catchy name – was the $3,795 price tag . The company’s trying to ease the price pain with the Fusion, a new model that’ll cost you $1,995. The savings come from replacing the carbon fiber body with aluminum and composites, which does, unfortunately, add about 6.6 pounds, pushing the total weight over 30 pounds. But that shouldn’t hamper portability, and you’ll still get six miles of travel on a single charge (or 12 miles with an optional battery backpack ). YikeBike will sell the cheaper model through a network of distributors, allowing it to expand its customer base beyond the 250 bikes sold so far, to, among others, Google and Jackie Chan. So if you previously couldn’t afford to follow in the kung fu master’s tracks, well, now you have one less excuse. [Thanks, Dan] YikeBike unveils less-expensive folding electric bike, Jackie Chan dons celebratory tuxedo originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Zen master Zimoun asks: what is the sound of 138 motorized cotton balls rolling on cardboard? (video)
May 15, 2011 No Comment
Unlike most of us, Zimoun sees a pile of DC motors, cotton balls, and cardboard boxes and thinks “I can work with this.” That, along with his mysterious single name, is what makes him an artist. We’re all fans of gadget-centric art — especially when it involves fire or seemingly worthless parts — and the Swiss sculptor certainly loves the latter. His installations feature dozens of motorized cotton balls rolling across cardboard; the result sounds something like a heavy rainstorm. Or like the incessant, deadly chewing of the Langoliers, depending on your point of reference. Check the video after the break to decide for yourself. Continue reading Zen master Zimoun asks: what is the sound of 138 motorized cotton balls rolling on cardboard? (video) Zen master Zimoun asks: what is the sound of 138 motorized cotton balls rolling on cardboard? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Samsung demoed some fascinating AMOLEDs at this year’s CES, including 4.5-inch flexible and 19-inch transparent displays — neither of which, sadly, will reach the market any time soon. But the innovation train keeps on rolling, and Sammy’s Advanced Institute of Technology now has a prototype foldable display, which may or may not be the same reference design spotted at FPD 2008 . Its two panels have a closing radius of only 1mm, meaning they practically touch when closed, yet show no visible crease when opened. In fact, the developers performed 100,000 folding-unfolding cycles to test the junction; the negligible 6% decrease in brightness was invisible to the human eye. They used commercially-available silicone rubber to achieve that seamless look, and the prototype featured a protective glass cover which could also function as a touchscreen. Obviously there’s a market for touchscreens you can fold up and put in your pocket; here’s hoping Samsung can make them available sooner rather than later. Samsung’s foldable AMOLED display: no creases, even after 100,000 tries originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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