Let’s hope Sony’s new streaming music service — just launched today for the US, Australia, and New Zealand — isn’t as unwieldy to use as its ” Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” moniker suggests. The service features six million tracks from Sony Music Entertainment, Universal, EMI, and Warner and is available on Sony’s own devices including the PS3, Blu-ray disc players, Bravia televisions, and VAIO PCs. It’ll also be available on Android smartphones soon with an iOS app coming later this year, assuming Apple’s new subscription debacle doesn’t derail Sony’s plans. A basic membership provides an interactive radio experience for $3.99 per month while a premium $9.99 per month service gives subscribers on-demand access to the Music Unlimited library with the ability to manage your music through playlists and the like. Sony also provides a useful service that scans your local library and playlists to “jump start” the organization of your Music Unlimited collection. Wonder how it’ll work on the NGP and PlayStation tablet ? Sony Music Unlimited now streaming tracks to the US originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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If you get just five spam text messages a day then consider yourselves lucky, as a Chinese mobile user could easily amass at least 30 messages daily, according to Cloudmark. Fortunately, said company has been working with GSMA and various network operators on building an SMS spam reporting system, which should help drastically reduce worldwide cellphone spam. The idea is rather simple: in a multi-country trial that ended last December, participants from AT&T, Bell Mobility, SFR, Sprint, Vodafone, Korea Telecom, and the Korean Internet & Security Agency forwarded suspect spam to “7726,” which is short code for “spam.” Cloudmark’s cloud-based system would then be able to identify and block these messages in the future, be it scams, linkbaits, or just ads from perverse companies. While this sounds like a perfect solution, it’s not entirely clear how much this service would cost the operators, but hey, it’s never too early to start a petition if you need it that badly. GSMA and Cloudmark cooking up an SMS spam reporting system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Talk about your cross promotions. The Rinderknecht-built Rinspeed BamBoo concept electric car looks to be the stuff of a gadget nerd’s dreams. Unfortunately, that dream resembles a dystopian future envisioned by a Neal Stephenson novel whereby everything we own is sponsored, slathered in corporate logos. But hey, it’s just a concept, and production vehicles never look like the original idea so anything goes… and we mean anything . To start with, the breadbox-inspired dash features a Siemens VDO display with a docking station in the glovebox for the new HTC Flyer tablet. The BamBoo dash is flanked by flowery JBL GreenEdge speakers and the starter key is styled after a Swiss army knife. And if we’re not mistaken, there’s a webcam extended off a stalk from the center of the dash. An interesting piece of work right on down to the cluster of old school throw switches for the wipers, lights, hazards, etc. But that’s just the cockpit. The radiator grill has been replaced by an internet-connected “identiface,” developed by Daimler subsidiary MBtech, whereby the occupant can display any number of messages to onlookers from Facebook or Twitter, for example, or even the radio station preset you’re currently jamming. The inflatable rear seats are removable as is the inflatable waterproof roof developed by Tecnotex that doubles as a beach blanket. The whole kit is powered by a 54 kW electric motor capable of a 120km/h top speed and battery capable of pushing the sporty golf cart some 105 kilometers before requiring a recharge from an RWE intelligent charging station. Look for it to make its big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. Until then, head over to Autoblog to feast on their gallery of images, a few choice shots you’ll see below. Gallery: Rinspeed Bamboo [Thanks, Tim] Continue reading Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world’s largest HTC Flyer dock Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept is world’s largest HTC Flyer dock originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart
February 17, 2011 No Comment
According to Company Town , Redbox prez Mitch Lowe informed analysts yesterday that its upcoming online movie service would be subscription-based like Netflix and Hulu Plus instead of charging per-movie like iTunes, Zune or Amazon VOD (we can guess why .) Users would pay the monthly fee to stream to various devices (perhaps to the new iPhone and Android apps ) and access discs at the kiosks. Lowe mentioned Redbox would have a partner in the service and while previous rumors pointed to CinemaNow , the Seattle Times suggests Walmart/Vudu and Amazon, rumored to be launching a subscription service of its own this month, as possibilities. Meanwhile, in its existing disc based business, word is Disney has decided to raise the amount it charges Netflix and Redbox for each DVD to the full wholesale price, although they’ll still be available the same day the DVDs go on sale. Redbox is planning a Netflix-like subscription streaming movie service, could partner with Amazon or Walmart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Kno says some tablets will ship within 60 days, doesn’t explain pre-order delay
February 17, 2011 No Comment
We were somewhat taken aback when Kno confirmed its textbook tablet had been delayed without a word on when production would resume, but the company now says pre-orders will experience up to two months’ delay before they ship out, and not all of them will. eBookNewser and CrunchGear report that shipments could be delayed until as late as April 14th, and that the first shipment will be restricted “to a limited number of students and teachers.” Kno still hasn’t provided a reason for the delay, but we think that the newly closed-off website says a lot. “You now need an invitation to get a Kno,” it reads, “There aren’t enough to go around.” Kno says some tablets will ship within 60 days, doesn’t explain pre-order delay originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Sure, IBM’s Watson is able to beat humans to the buzzer on some lousy television game show. But how does the smarmy supercomputer hold up to the business end of a baseball bat wielded by a jealous husband with opposable thumbs? Click through the break for a taste of sweet, carbon-based revenge. Continue reading Conan kills Watson, evening the score (video) Conan kills Watson, evening the score (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Toyota has been showing off an electric vehicle concept based on its iQ ultra-compact for a couple of years now, but it looks like it’s finally worked up enough confidence to actually put it into production. The first step down that road will occur at the Geneva Motor Show next month, where Toyota will show off a “near-production” prototype of its iQ EV (not necessarily the actual name), which is apparently much like its FT-EV concept , but with an improved lithium-ion battery pack that promises a range of 105 kilometers (or 65 miles) on a single charge. Assuming all goes as planned, the car will then be put into production following some additional testing later this year, and Toyota will reportedly begin leasing it to consumers at some point in 2012 — Europe seems to be first in line for the car, but it will apparently be headed to North America as well. Toyota to show off iQ EV prototype, put it into production next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Do you like Batman ? Robin? What about USB sticks? Well, thanks to Mimoco , you can have both in one awesome package. We spotted these newly released jump-drives at the International Toy Fair and we gotta say — they’re actually quite detailed in design. The flash drives will cost you a pretty penny if you want more storage — a 2GB dongle is $20 while the 16GB version is $60. If you’re a DC Comics junkie and think that the company has sold out, ask yourself this: why so serious? Gallery: Visualized: Batman, Robin, Joker and Catwoman shrunken down to USB collectables Batman, Robin, Joker and Catwoman shrunken down to USB collectables originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …A visual recap of the day’s articles Feb 16th 2011 | 57 Articles http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/siemens-creating-portable-sensor-to-warn-about-asthma-attacks-b/ 5:42 pm 15 Comments Siemens creating portable sensor to warn about asthma attacks, breathe deeply until it ships http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/desk-pets-tankbot-hands-on-video/ 2:55 pm 57 Comments Desk Pets TankBot hands-on (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/new-york-city-turns-to-sewers-for-energy-solutions/ 4:25 pm 84 Comments New York City turns to sewers for energy solutions http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/kinect-hack-turns-controlling-the-tv-into-light-aerobic-exercise/ 2:11 am 57 Comments Kinect hack turns controlling the TV into light aerobic exercise (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/fuel-cells-get-stronger-potentially-cheaper-with-graphene-ito/ 1:01 am 51 Comments Fuel cells get stronger, potentially cheaper with graphene, ITO http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/vodafone-announces-webbox-gives-internet-access-to-the-developi/ 3:07 am 55 Comments Vodafone announces Webbox, gives internet access to the developing world http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/recon-6-0-programmable-rover-hopes-to-make-coding-appeal-to-the/ 3:44 pm 25 Comments Recon 6.0 Programmable Rover hopes to make coding appeal to the younger set (hands-on) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/exclusive-sony-s1-brings-qriocity-to-9-4-inch-honeycomb-table/ 8:59 am 267 Comments Exclusive: Sony ‘S1′ brings Qriocity to 9.4-inch Honeycomb tablet http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/android-tablets-bring-touchscreen-connectivity-to-indian-bus-rid/ 4:12 pm 85 Comments Android tablets bring touchscreen connectivity to Indian bus riders — still no $35 slates in sight (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/rim-adding-bbm-app-gifting-to-blackberry-app-world/ 4:12 am 43 Comments RIM adding BBM app gifting to BlackBerry App World http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/gemalto-puts-facebook-on-a-sim-chip-zuckerbergs-plan-for-world/ 3:58 pm 111 Comments Gemalto puts Facebook on a SIM chip, Zuckerberg’s plan for world domination coming along nicely http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-arrested-for-poor-decision-making-skills/ 3:25 am 131 Comments Dell employees arrested for poor decision making skills http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-vs-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-vs-lg-g-slate-batt/ 12:22 pm 653 Comments Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate — battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-stylus-isnt-dead-more-pen-based-tablets-and-apps-coming-th/ 8:33 am 301 Comments The stylus isn’t dead: more pen-based tablets and apps coming this year http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/windows-phone-7-connector-for-mac-os-goes-gold-hits-the-app-sto/ 6:55 am 178 Comments Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac OS goes gold, hits the App Store http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-droid-x-2-leaks-more-details-emerge/ 5:51 am 192 Comments Motorola Droid X 2 leaks, more details emerge http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/nokia-shareholders-and-unions-fight-back-against-microkia/ 5:02 am 774 Comments Nokia shareholders and unions fight back against Microkia http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/windows-phone-7-camera-settings-keep-going-to-default-microsoft/ 4:37 pm 324 Comments Windows Phone 7 camera settings keep going to default, Microsoft says it was ‘a decision by the team’ http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-vs-galaxy-tab-vs-ipad-fight/ 6:19 am Comments HTC Flyer vs. Galaxy Tab vs. iPad… fight! http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/nec-uses-active-noise-cancellation-for-quieter-zooming-into-your/ 8:13 am 26 Comments NEC uses active noise cancellation for quieter zooming into your future memories http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/toshiba-satellite-r830-r840-and-r850-laptops-unveiled-at-mwc/ 10:56 am 54 Comments Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/game-gripper-going-bluetooth-just-needs-a-little-funding-video/ 7:39 am 64 Comments Game Gripper going Bluetooth, just needs a little funding (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/keyport-slide-can-now-store-your-files-open-your-beers/ 7:32 pm 39 Comments Keyport Slide can now store your files, open your beers http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/samsungs-tango-stealth-robo-vacuum-is-a-quiet-intruder/ 8:01 pm 74 Comments Samsung’s Tango Stealth robo-vacuum is a quiet intruder http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/bookeen-shows-off-fmv-on-a-standard-e-ink-pearl-display-video/ 9:03 pm 63 Comments Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-tablet-hits-amazon-de-for-669-euros/ 7:56 am 258 Comments HTC Flyer tablet hits Amazon.de for 669 euros http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/developer-gets-kinect-working-on-android-rains-on-microsofts-w/ 10:58 pm 57 Comments Developer gets Kinect working on Android, rains on Microsoft’s WP7 parade (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-engadget-interview-microsofts-aaron-woodman-talks-windows/ 9:55 am 232 Comments The Engadget Interview: Microsoft’s Aaron Woodman talks Windows Phone 7 and Nokia http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lg-revolution-dumps-tegra-2-chooses-1ghz-snapdragon-msm8655-ins/ 10:17 am 147 Comments LG Revolution dumps Tegra 2, chooses 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8655 instead http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/qualcomm-demos-alljoyn-peer-to-peer-sharing-gaming-technology/ 6:55 pm 28 Comments Qualcomm demos AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/qualcomms-flashlinq-long-range-peer-to-peer-communications-tech/ 7:17 pm 24 Comments Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lg-starts-shipping-new-flicker-free-3d-tvs-with-passive-glasse/ 11:14 am 51 Comments LG starts shipping new ‘flicker free’ 3D TVs with passive glasses http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/samsung-captivate-on-atandt-gets-android-2-2-all-that-froyo-hasn/ 10:36 am 316 Comments Samsung Captivate on AT&T gets Android 2.2, all that Froyo hasn’t melted yet http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/huawei-ideos-s7-pro-tablet-sneaks-out-coming-this-spring/ 1:38 pm 58 Comments Huawei IDEOS S7 Pro tablet sneaks out, coming this spring http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/plex-media-center-app-comes-to-android-windows-server-on-the-wa/ 12:59 pm 75 Comments Plex Media Center App comes to Android, Windows server on the way http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/microsoft-zune-is-dying-long-live-microsoft-zune/ 11:27 am 530 Comments Microsoft Zune is dying, long live Microsoft Zune? http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-price-official-799-unsubsidized-on-verizon-600/ 11:41 am 1387 Comments Motorola Xoom price official: $799 unsubsidized on Verizon, $600 for WiFi-only http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/skype-happy-to-offer-jobs-to-any-finns-who-might-be-in-need/ 11:58 am 72 Comments Skype happy to offer jobs to any Finns who might be in need http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/google-announces-one-pass-payment-system-for-online-content-vid/ 11:39 am 195 Comments Google announces One Pass payment system for online content (video) http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/visualized-googles-perpetual-conveyor-belt-of-android/ 12:44 pm 285 Comments Visualized: Google’s perpetual conveyor belt of Android http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/nokia-says-it-can-customize-the-heck-out-of-windows-phone-wont/ 8:32 pm 292 Comments Nokia says it can customize the heck out of Windows Phone, won’t do anything that would delay updates http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/sony-releases-statement-on-ps3-hacking-surprisingly-comes-out-a/ 2:11 pm 641 Comments Sony releases statement on PS3 hacking, surprisingly comes out against it http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/intels-otellini-insists-company-is-committed-to-meego-says-he/ 1:18 pm 199 Comments Intel’s Otellini insists company is committed to MeeGo, says he ‘understood’ why Nokia moved to Microsoft http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/voip-inc-sues-google-alleges-theft-of-trade-secrets-for-click/ 9:52 pm 75 Comments VoIP Inc. sues Google: alleges theft of trade secrets for click-to-call ads http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/confirmed-samsung-will-launch-an-11-6-inch-9-series-laptop/ 2:33 pm 146 Comments Confirmed: Samsung will launch an 11.6-inch 9 Series laptop http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/borders-files-for-bankruptcy-plans-to-keep-operating-but-close/ 1:47 pm 131 Comments Borders files for bankruptcy, plans to keep operating but close 30 percent of its stores http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/nokia-plan-b-was-just-a-hoax-all-along/ 3:11 pm 188 Comments Nokia Plan B was just a hoax all along http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/warner-packages-movies-as-ios-apps-starting-with-the-dark-knigh/ 6:04 pm 78 Comments Warner packages movies as iOS apps, starting with The Dark Knight and Inception http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-engadget-show-returns-tomorrow-with-gm-head-engineer-micky-b/ 7:45 pm 11 Comments The Engadget Show returns tomorrow with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/capcom-denies-rift-with-apple-over-smurfs-village-in-app-purcha/ 5:21 pm 66 Comments Capcom denies rift with Apple over Smurfs’ Village in-app purchases http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/apple-details-call-related-differences-between-cdma-and-gsm-ipho/ 6:14 pm 174 Comments Apple details call-related differences between CDMA and GSM iPhones http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/engadgets-next-reader-meetup-happens-february-25th-in-san-franc/ 5:00 pm 91 Comments Engadget’s next reader meetup happens February 25th in San Francisco — enter to win a trip for 2 to the event! http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/google-details-some-of-the-honeycomb-features-coming-to-ice-crea/ 4:53 pm 311 Comments Google details some of the Honeycomb features coming to Ice Cream: action bar, ‘hologram’ visual style http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/dells-2011-smartphone-and-tablet-lineup-leaked-android-ice-cre/ 5:44 pm 195 Comments Dell’s 2011 smartphone and tablet lineup leaked: Android Ice Cream, WP7 sliders, and a slate running Windows 8 http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lightsquared-says-it-has-signed-up-five-companies-for-its-wholes/ 6:33 pm 27 Comments LightSquared says it has signed up five companies for its wholesale LTE service http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-pushes-up-atrix-4g-launch-to-feb-22-shoves-xoom-pre-s/ 9:20 pm 203 Comments Motorola pushes up Atrix 4G launch to Feb. 22, shoves Xoom pre-sales back to Feb. 20th? http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/watson-wins-it-all-humans-still-can-do-some-other-cool-things/ 10:22 pm 133 Comments Watson wins it all, humans still can do some other cool things Top stories on Engadget Exclusive: Sony ‘S1′ brings Qriocity to 9.4-inch Honeycomb tablet Motorola Xoom price official: $799 unsubsidized on Verizon, $600 for WiFi-only Dell’s 2011 smartphone and tablet lineup leaked: Android Ice Cream, WP7 sliders, and a slate running Windows 8 Sony releases statement on PS3 hacking, surprisingly comes out against it Google announces One Pass payment system for online content (video) Be (original) at MWC 2011 Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC Huawei IDEOS S7 Pro tablet sneaks out, coming this spring Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video) Qualcomm demos AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology (video) Other news of import Borders files for bankruptcy, plans to keep operating but close 30 percent of its stores Nokia can customize the heck out of Windows Phone, won’t do anything that would delay updates Google details Honeycomb features coming to Ice Cream: action bar, ‘hologram’ visual style Windows Phone 7 camera settings keep going to default, Microsoft says it was ‘a decision by the team’ Don’t you dare miss Engadget’s next reader meetup happens February 25th in San Francisco — enter to win a trip for 2 to the event! The Engadget Show returns tomorrow with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! The daily roundup: here’s what you might’ve missed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Developer gets Kinect working on Android, rains on Microsoft’s WP7 parade (video)
February 17, 2011 No Comment
Windows Phone 7 is getting a lot of extensions this year and, while we wouldn’t say Kinect interoperability is anywhere near as important as third-party multitasking, it could be fun. Still, we haven’t seen proper Kinect interop, the sort that would see you controlling WP7 games with a Kinect — the sort that is apparently possible on Android . YouTuber HirotakaSter has managed to hook a Kinect up to Android hardware, what looks to be an Armadillo 500 FX development platform, and get everything to play nice. He’s using openFrameworks and, while at this point the software isn’t doing much other than showing a video stream from the camera, the possibilities from here are quite simply infinite . [Thanks, Muhammad Ali] Continue reading Developer gets Kinect working on Android, rains on Microsoft’s WP7 parade (video) Developer gets Kinect working on Android, rains on Microsoft’s WP7 parade (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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