VoIP Inc. sues Google: alleges theft of trade secrets for click-to-call ads
February 17, 2011 No Comment
Google’s no stranger to the courtroom, and while their litigation with Oracle and Viacom has gotten all the publicity of late, VoIP Inc. — perhaps in a move to help pay off its bankruptcy creditors — has joined in the litigious fun by suing the search giant for stealing trade secrets. VoIP alleges Google entered a license agreement with one of its subsidiaries in 2005 for technology that allows users to click online ads to call the advertiser directly over the internet — because, you know, the unwashed masses are just dying to chat with the makers of PajamaJeans. Google later said that VoIP violated its nondisclosure agreement by talking about the deal and killed the relationship, but VoIP claims the boys and girls in Mountain View used its tech to create click-to-call ads in a 2006 deal with eBay and Skype. The litigation is just getting started, so we’ve yet to see the complaint or Google’s response, but we feel certain VoIP has asked for a princely sum as punishment for these transgressions. Time will tell if Google decides to cut a check, so stay tuned. VoIP Inc. sues Google: alleges theft of trade secrets for click-to-call ads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nokia says it can customize the heck out of Windows Phone, won’t do anything that would delay updates
February 17, 2011 No Comment
In an interview with Nokia VP Niklas Savander at Mobile World Congress , Phone Scoop probed a bit more on the company’s plans to rework the Windows Phone user experience — a user experience that’s been essentially closed to OEMs thus far apart from the occasional tile here or added menu item there. Turns out (or at least Savander claims) that Nokia’s essentially being granted carte blanche for deep customization of the platform, though it’s likely only to do that by pushing changes back to Microsoft for inclusion in future releases that would be available to every manufacturer, not just Nokia. What’s the logic in that? Well, he says that they don’t want to do anything to the software that would put the company at risk of getting delayed updates — not unlike what’s been happening with skinned UIs in the Android world for the past year and a half. Good call, Niklas. Meanwhile, more rapidly-deployed customizations would be relatively superficial, probably along the lines of HTC Hub if we had to guess. All told, it seems like the strategy is going to put even more pressure on Nokia to deliver differentiation and innovation on the hardware side — and to be fair, they’ve risen to that challenge plenty of times in the last decade, so let’s keep our fingers crossed. Nokia says it can customize the heck out of Windows Phone, won’t do anything that would delay updates originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Special forces can leave no trace and make no sound, but Samsung ‘s Tango Stealth vacuum does them one better: not only is it quiet but it picks up the traces others have left. It’s the latest in a long line of robo-vacs from the company and it’s the quietest, making just 50db of noise while dutifully looking for targets of opportunity on your hardwood. It’ll start shipping in Korea soon at a price of 750,000 Won — about $670. Special faces do cost more than normal ones. Samsung’s Tango Stealth robo-vacuum is a quiet intruder originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …The Engadget Show returns tomorrow with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more!
February 16, 2011 No Comment
Clear your calendars everybody, because tomorrow , February 17th at 7:00pm , the Engadget Show is back in a big way! GM’s head engineer Micky Bly (the man responsible for the Volt) will be on hand for some frank conversation about the future of cars and a bunch of mind-blowing demos to go with it. Oh, and GM says they have a big announcement that they will be making exclusively on the Engadget Show, so be a part of tech history and come join us, won’t you? Engadget auto editor Tim Stevens will be joining the fun and we’ll also have a very special guest from IBM’s Watson team , fresh off the game-show-playing supercomputer’s three-day run on Jeopardy. It will be a night to remember, with some incredible chiptunes music by Note! with visuals from Batsly Adams . As usual, we’ll be streaming live at 7:00PM from SIR’s Stage 37 (a new venue!) and we’ve got around 350 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis if you want to join us in person. Also, trust me when I say that the giveaways for this taping are going to absolutely blow. your. mind. REMINDER: The Show will be taking place in a lovely new venue, the SIR Stage37 (ie. not the TimesCenter or Cooper Union), located in Manhattan at 508 West 37th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues . Tickets are — as always — free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served … so get there early! Also, because of the nature of the space, we won’t be able to do assigned seats so the seats will be first-come, first-served as well (we know, just after you got used to assigned seating!). Here’s the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know: There is no admission fee — tickets are completely free The event is all ages Ticketing will begin at the SIR Stage37 at 5:00PM on Thursday, February 17th, doors will open for seating at 6:15PM, and the show begins at 7:00PM We can’t do assigned seating in this venue, so remember that your ticket guarantees you entry into the show, but where you sit is up to you. You cannot collect tickets for friends or family — anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket Seating capacity is limited (we’ve got room for approximately 350), and once we’re full, we’re full The venue is located at 508 West 37th St, between 10th and 11th Avenues. (map after the break) The show length is around an hour If you’re a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at : engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we’ll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com. Subscribe to the Show: [ iTunes ] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [ Zune ] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [ RSS M4V ] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. Continue reading The Engadget Show returns tomorrow with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! The Engadget Show returns tomorrow with GM head engineer Micky Bly, Watson’s creators, new products, and much more! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Sometimes it’s hard getting drunk and downloading files when you have a pocket full of keys. The Keyport Slide is finally ready to manage those inebriated backups, with the USB key version we’ve been waiting for now up for order, letting you streamline your keychain and your thumb drive too. There’s also a new slide-out bottle opener available. A 4GB key insert will cost you $18.99, $28.99 if you want 8GB, and a Keyport with five blades and USB starts at $89. Cheap? No, but just how much longer were you going to tote around that cacophonous mass of metal in your pocket? Continue reading Keyport Slide can now store your files, open your beers Keyport Slide can now store your files, open your beers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video)
February 16, 2011 No Comment
Taken a look at our AllJoyn hands-on here at Mobile World Congress? You should, and then pick up here. Back? Good. Qualcomm’s FlashLinq is a quasi-extension of AllJoyn, but unlike the latter, this is a proprietary solution that actually requires Qualcomm hardware to run (for now anyway; licensing deals could be in the works). Basically, this wireless technology allows FlashLinq-enabled devices to sense up to 4,000 other FlashLinq devices within a radius of up to 1km, which puts things like WiFi and Bluetooth to shame. Of course, that’s under “ideal” circumstances, but even in subpar situations, the range should still beat out existing short-range alternatives. Why develop a solution like this? For one, businesses will be all over it; imagine a Yelp! instance that specifically hones in on businesses that have a FlashLinq-enabled device in their store, which is advertising deals for those who stop in and mention that FlashLinq sent ‘em. Secondly, social networking / Latitude addicts will be head over heels for something like this. Once a connection is made, there’s a steady 15Mbps beam available between the users — that’s more than enough for videochats, media streaming and multiplayer gaming. The major difference between this and WiFi (aside from the range) is that unlike WiFi — which operates in unlicensed spectrum — FlashLinq requires licensed 5MHz TDD spectrum. That enables control over interference, which in turns boosts range and device density. Moreover, this system uses dramatically less power than BT or WiFi to sense other devices — you’re only using power for discovery two percent of the time, we’re told. Beyond that, a lot remains up in the air. The company is still hammering out which chips will ship with FlashLinq support, and it’ll be waiting for results from its SK Telecom trial (which starts in April) before committing to a commercialization date. Sadly, none of this can be retrofitted into older devices, but the good news is that it’s hardly limited to mobiles. FlashLinq-enabled televisions, laptops, in-car infotainment systems, etc. could all be used to create a discoverable network of interactive goodness, but of course, it’s hard to say how much success Qualcomm will have in a world already loaded down with connectivity options. The technology itself is fairly fascinating, though, as is the social networking demonstration that’s embedded just past the break. Hop on down and mash play, won’t you? Gallery: Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech at MWC 2011 Continue reading Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video) Qualcomm’s FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Qualcomm demos AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology (video)
February 16, 2011 No Comment
It’s simple, but highly complex. You dig? Qualcomm’s AllJoyn demonstration here at MWC was quite the eye-opener, but it’s hard to say how much traction it’ll gain in a world already inundated with short-range transfer protocols. Bluetooth, Infrared, Wi-Fi Direct… the list goes on and on (and on). Essentially, AllJoyn is an open-source software system that doesn’t actually have to run atop Qualcomm hardware; if implemented in a particular app, it can enable peer-to-peer sharing with others based on location. If you’re standing near someone who also has an AllJoyn-enabled application, you two (or more) can interact — if you’re both using Bluetooth, the range will be around 30 feet, but if you’re both using Wi-Fi, it’ll obviously be greater. Qualcomm’s hoping to entwine its homegrown FlashLinq (more on that in a separate article ) in order to let people use this while being up to 1km away from one another. The company describes AllJoyn as a software framework for developers that enables easy P2P access; rather than an app developer having to write this functionality in from scratch, they can simply grab Qualcomm’s code and integrate it. Currently, the spec only supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fi Direct and FlashLinq support it in the works, and those will hopefully be added by the end of the year. We’re told that the company’s also working to create a constant link between devices, which could one day (soon) enable streaming support. There’s C++, Java and Javascript models available, with Qualcomm’s goal being to have developers port this all over the place. The demo (embedded after the break) involved a foursome of phones sharing photographs with one another, while a nearby laptop was shown engaging in a multiplayer game with two smartphones. We were told that the company’s currently in talks with a number of large gaming firms to get this ingrained in future titles, but no specifics were available. Another application would be within a social network, enabling AllJoyn apps to alert users when a friend is nearby. A huge boon there is that this doesn’t require data, so international groups who’d like to keep tabs on one another’s location will be able to do so without roaming on a foreign network. So, any app developers considering bundling this in with your next update? Gallery: Qualcomm’s AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology at MWC 2011 Continue reading Qualcomm demos AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology (video) Qualcomm demos AllJoyn peer-to-peer sharing / gaming technology (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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The only thing conspicuously missing here are the differences that actually count . Apple details call-related differences between CDMA and GSM iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Warner packages movies as iOS apps, starting with The Dark Knight and Inception
February 16, 2011 No Comment
Online rentals and purchases of movies is still just a tiny fraction of the overall pie, but Warner’s latest effort to expand that is coming from an unusual direction, offering its highest profile flicks as apps for iPhones and iPads. The Dark Knight and Inception are the first two releases out of the gate, offering free apps with some bonus content and the first five minutes of the movie, then charging $9.99 and $11.99, respectively to unlock the rest. According to Warner, it offers a different experience than simply purchasing the flick over iTunes because of the extras which include Twitter and Facebook integration among the extras, plus the ability to offer the digital version in countries where iTunes doesn’t sell movies yet , like China, Brazil and the Netherlands. There’s a video demo and press release after the break, but the downside of being locked to portable devices is keeping us from clicking the buy button for now. Gallery: Warner iOS movie apps Continue reading Warner packages movies as iOS apps, starting with The Dark Knight and Inception Warner packages movies as iOS apps, starting with The Dark Knight and Inception originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Siemens creating portable sensor to warn about asthma attacks, breathe deeply until it ships
February 16, 2011 No Comment
We all wheeze a little from time to time, at least we do when we’ve fallen off the fitness wagon and are trying desperately to climb back on. For some it’s a little more serious than that, and for those prone to dangerous bouts of asthma Siemens AG has a bit of hope. It’s developed a portable sensor that can detect minute increases of nitric oxide in a patient’s breath, particles that serve as a sign of an impending asthma attack. The user can then use that information to ingest the correct amount of anti-inflammatory meds. The device is said to be about the size of a cellphone, though unfortunately Siemens didn’t specify a model. Like, are we talking a Veer here or a king-sized Nexus S ? Inquiring minds want to know. Continue reading Siemens creating portable sensor to warn about asthma attacks, breathe deeply until it ships Siemens creating portable sensor to warn about asthma attacks, breathe deeply until it ships originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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