The lynchpin for all discussions of open web standards, HTML5 , has been spruced up with a dedicated logo from its parent organization, the W3C . We’d wax poetic about it, but that job has already been done: “It stands strong and true, resilient and universal as the markup you write. It shines as bright and as bold as the forward-thinking, dedicated web developers you are. It’s the standard’s standard, a pennant for progress. And it certainly doesn’t use tables for layout.” [Thanks, Matt] Continue reading HTML5 gets a brave new logo for this brave new world HTML5 gets a brave new logo for this brave new world originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nintendo 3DS may have region-locked software, continue an unfortunate trend
January 19, 2011 No Comment
Once upon a time, when handheld game systems were thicker and Nintendo was entirely without peer , the company deigned to allow us to import games without fear. On Game Boy of all shapes and sizes, as well as the Nintendo DS, a Japanese cartridge would let you experience portable wonders years before they hit Europe and the US. Starting in 2008 , however, Nintendo made DSi-specific titles region-locked — and that’s the same fate that will likely befall games on Nintendo’s new 3D handheld as well. “There is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another,” a company statement reads, though it’s important to note that region locks are typically a two-party affair — if game publishers choose to make their stereoscopic software region-free, it might work on your handheld anyhow. So yes, you might still have a chance to get your date sim on. Nintendo 3DS may have region-locked software, continue an unfortunate trend originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …The (geek) decision: Kinect developer Johnny Chung Lee leaves Microsoft for Google
January 19, 2011 No Comment
After spending the last two and a half years helping Microsoft develop Kinect (and spending countless hours hacking Wiimotes before that), the illustrious Johnny Chung Lee has decided to take his talents to Mountain View and work for Google. Mr. Lee didn’t say exactly what he’ll be doing for Google, but we do know that he’s joining a special projects team, and his title is “Rapid Evaluator.” It’s curious that Johnny has seemingly left his gaming roots to work for the search giant, but regardless we look forward to seeing what he’s up to at El Goog and wish him the best in his new job. Here’s hoping his new duties won’t quell his penchant for at-home tinkering . The (geek) decision: Kinect developer Johnny Chung Lee leaves Microsoft for Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple’s invested in a ‘very strategic’ $3.9b component supply agreement, but what is it?
January 18, 2011 No Comment
Here’s an interesting little note from Apple’s record-breaking Q1 2011 financial sales call : according to CFO Peter Oppenheimer and acting CEO / COO Tim Cook, the company’s made a two-year, $3.9 billion deal with three suppliers to secure a “very strategic” component for its products. Cook wouldn’t identify what the component was, citing competitive reasons, but he did say the arrangement was much like Apple’s famous deals to source iPod flash memory that date back to 2005. According to Tim, “We think that was an absolutely fantastic use of Apple’s cash, and we constantly look for more of these, and so in the past several quarters we’ve identified another area… these payments consist of both prepayments and capital for processes and tooling, and similar to the flash agreement, they’re focused in an area that we think is very strategic.” Importantly, Apple paid out $650m under its agreements for this mystery part this past quarter, and it’s planning to spend another $1.05b in payments next quarter, so this is already happening in a big way — and frankly, we’re dying to know what it is, since Apple has a long history of squeezing the market for components it wants . Our best guess? High-density displays for the iPhone and iPad — we’ve heard some rumors of deals with Toshiba and Sharp , but that’s just conjecture, and we don’t know who the third vendor is. We’re digging, but in the meantime listen to Peter and Tim in the clip after the break. Continue reading Apple’s invested in a ‘very strategic’ $3.9b component supply agreement, but what is it? Apple’s invested in a ‘very strategic’ $3.9b component supply agreement, but what is it? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …HP calls us out, implies it’s got even better scoops at February webOS event
January 18, 2011 No Comment
Look, let’s be real: our Palm tablet scoop today was awesome. For its part, though, HP wants to remind us all that it’s got other news in the pipe for its event early next month, going so far as to tease invitees that they haven’t seen the latest on Engadget. Not to say that we won’t be trying very, very hard to ensure that our readers do see the latest right here… but point taken, HP. See you in a couple weeks. HP calls us out, implies it’s got even better scoops at February webOS event originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It looks like your luxury extra-national seafaring utopia just got one step closer to reality. The Ocean Empire Life Support Vessel is a 144-foot Catamaran Superyacht manufactured by Sauter Carbon Offset Design, and it features not only “all of the hotel amenities of a luxury global voyager” but two hydroponic farms and fishing facilities and three sustainable power sources: a 400 square meter 70kw solar array, an auxiliary 80 square meter (200kw) automated SkySail that drives the ship to 18+ knots and charges her battery systems, and a Motion Damping Regeneration (MDR) system developed with Maurer Sohnes Gmbh that can produce up to 50kw of electricity as it steadies the ship on rolling seas. How much will it cost you to take yourself, nine of your closest friends, and a crew of eight to the sea — and remain there indefinitely? About $17 million. Hit the source link to order a couple for yourself. The vessel is built to order and you can have it ready to go in about eighteen months. At least it’s cheaper than Saddam’s yacht ! Ocean Empire LSV is the self-sufficient superyacht for the super-rich originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple on iPad competition: Windows is ‘big and heavy,’ next-gen Android tablets are still vapor
January 18, 2011 No Comment
Apple’s COO (and current Steve Jobs stand-in ) Tim Cook thinks “there’s not much” competition to the company’s iPad tablet. When queried about Apple’s view on what the rest of the market offers, Cook was brutally candid in describing Windows-driven machines as generally being big, heavy and expensive, while current generations of Android-based slates are in his opinion merely “scaled-up smartphones.” While we agree that Windows 7 isn’t a terribly touch-friendly affair, we don’t know that Cook’s comments on Android are quite so pertinent now that Google’s tablet-savvy Honeycomb iteration has been unveiled. Then again, he has something to say about the next generation of Android tablets as well, noting that the ones announced at CES lack pricing and release schedules, leading him to conclude that “today they’re vapor .” Ouch. As a parting shot, Tim took a moment to reaffirm Apple’s belief that its integrated approach will always trump the fragmented nature of Android and its plurality of app stores. Hear his comments in full after the break. Continue reading Apple on iPad competition: Windows is ‘big and heavy,’ next-gen Android tablets are still vapor Apple on iPad competition: Windows is ‘big and heavy,’ next-gen Android tablets are still vapor originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We know exactly what Canada’s Rogers is thinking right now: “c’mon, T-Mobile, you guys are leaving money on the table!” Though Rogers and its Fido subsidiary are charging CAD $50 to unlock an iPhone , T-Mobile’s Dutch division is now willing to do it gratis, citing the fact that multiple Dutch carriers now offer the iPhone and they no longer feel the need to keep it SIM-locked. Refreshing attitude, isn’t it? As of January 12th, newly-activated iPhones on T-Mobile Netherlands are unlocked automatically; existing customers can call into customer service to get an unlock now, or wait until February for a do-it-yourself method. Of course, the irony is that when a carrier treats you that well, you don’t really want to leave — but this’ll be a great option for folks that do a lot of roaming and don’t care to go the ultrasn0w route. [Thanks, Gijs] T-Mobile Netherlands starts offering free iPhone unlocks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’ve seen it inside and out . We’ve seen it naked . Now we’re seeing it do its thing. Tesla has just released a tasty video of the Alpha version of the Model S carving some corners, and while this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the car in motion this is the best taste of the Alpha we’ve yet been given. Check out the video after the break and, no, your speakers aren’t broken, it is that quiet. Oh, and if you’d like to know more about what’s going on under all that chrome and silver make sure you peruse our chat with Chief Engineer Peter Rawlinson . Continue reading Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video) Silver Tesla Model S Alpha hits the road, carves some corners (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple turns in record Q1: $6b profit on $26.7b revenue, 16.2m iPhones sold
January 18, 2011 No Comment
Apple’s announcement of Steve Jobs’ medical leave just one day before releasing its Q1 financial results struck us as well-planned yesterday, and here we are: if Cupertino’s record $6 billion profit on a record $26.7 billion in revenue isn’t enough to turn that frown — and stock slide — upside down, well, nothing else will. iPhone 4 sales were predictably strong through the holidays, clocking in at a record 16.2m units, or up 86 percent from last year, while Mac sales went up 23 percent to a record 4.13m and iPod sales were stronger than expected at 19.45m, a seven percent decline. As for the iPad, Apple’s tablet had its second straight dominant quarter , with record sales of 7.33 million — some 3 million more than the Mac. Apple’s financial call with new acting CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer is scheduled to start at 5PM EST — check after the break for our usual liveblog while you’re listening live on Apple’s site. Continue reading Apple turns in record Q1: $6b profit on $26.7b revenue, 16.2m iPhones sold Apple turns in record Q1: $6b profit on $26.7b revenue, 16.2m iPhones sold originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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