Exclusive: The future of the iPad 2, iPhone 5, and Apple TV, and why Apple is shifting its mobile line to Qualcomm chipsets
January 14, 2011 No Comment
We’ve been hearing a ton of rumors about what direction Apple’s next set of products will take and when they’ll be available — but now we’ve got some concrete information from reliable sources which should make the path a little clearer. And that includes info on the next iPad, the iPhone 5, the second iteration of the new Apple TV, and a big change coming for all of the company’s mobile products. Want to know the scoop? Read along after the break to get the goods. Continue reading Exclusive: The future of the iPad 2, iPhone 5, and Apple TV, and why Apple is shifting its mobile line to Qualcomm chipsets Exclusive: The future of the iPad 2, iPhone 5, and Apple TV, and why Apple is shifting its mobile line to Qualcomm chipsets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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There’s no official confirmation from Boxee’s blog or Twitter account yet, but owners of its Box are experiencing a fully activated Vudu app with the SD, HD, HDX and 3D streams the service is famous for. The only glitches reported so far seem to have been cleared up by just restarting the device so hopefully whatever delayed its launch past the planned 2010 window is entirely resolved. There’s no firmware update needed, so give it a shot if you haven’t already, especially since Vudu’s still offering a free flick for all new signups. With Netflix streaming still an unreachable dream for its Box (unless one also happens to own practically any other media streaming device on the market) we hope the company rewards its developers with a long, long break of at least five minutes before sending them back to work on our Watch Instantly access. [Thanks, Parris] Update : VP of Marketing Andrew Kippen has let us know that while the app was released to a few hundred testers “by mistake” it’s been taken down so they can finish testing before it is eventually released “with much fanfare.” Sorry Boxee devs, no five minute break for you today! Vudu movie streaming app is (not) live on the Boxee Box – update originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Korg’s original nanoSeries USB controllers may have garnered some mixed reviews when they were released back in 2008, but the company’s now back with some new and improved models that seem to address at least some of those complaints. As before, the lineup includes three different models: the nanoKEY2, nanoPAD2 and nanoKONTROL2, which can either be used on their own or paired up together. In addition to a slimmer design for each, all three are available in your choice of black or white, and it sounds like Korg has moved away from the plasticky, QWERTY keyboard feel that plagued the previous models, with the nanoKEY2 in particular described as having the same ” great-feeling ‘touch’ that Korg has developed for its professional MIDI keyboards.” Still no word on pricing or availability, but you can find all the rest of the key details at the link below. Korg rolls out slimmed down nanoSeries2 USB controllers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Time Warner, Disney and News Corp. bigwigs speak up against FCC stipulations in Comcast-NBC deal
January 14, 2011 No Comment
Hello, inevitable. It simply had to happen, and now, it is. As Comcast, NBC and the FCC attempt to work out stipulations over Comcast’s proposed 51 percent buyout of NBC Universal, a smattering of major media companies are paying close attention to the play-by-play . Naturally, the precedents that are set from this deal will affect future agreements of this caliber, and lobbyists for both Disney and News Corp. (as well as Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes) aren’t standing over on the sidelines any longer. All three outfits have reportedly been “voicing their concerns this week with the FCC, worried that such conditions could undermine their own efforts to profit from the nascent online video industry.” We’re told that the media mega-corps are worried that the rules — if hammered down — could interfere with ongoing negotiations with online video providers, and in turn, give them less leverage to monetize and control their content on the world wide web. In other words, if NBC Universal is forced to provide content fluidly to all ISPs (and not just Comcast), what’s to say other content makers and internet providers wouldn’t also be forced into similar deals, regardless of whether or not they’re involved in takeover negotiations? Needless to say, we’re nowhere near the end of this journey, and while the nuts and bolts are pretty dry to think about, the outcomes could have a serious impact on our future viewing habits. Time Warner, Disney and News Corp. bigwigs speak up against FCC stipulations in Comcast-NBC deal originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Akai’s iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011
January 14, 2011 No Comment
Remember when everything had an iPhone dock? The coming dock revolution will be just like that, but a lot more massive. Akai is showing off a non-functioning version of its SynthStation 49-key MIDI controller at NAMM this weekend, and it’s pretty much the same idea as the smaller iPhone-docking Synthstation25. That said, here you’ve got nine velocity-sensitive MPC pads, a separate transport section, and 1/4-inch outs. And an adjustable iPad dock, which is a funny thing to see on a keyboard. Software-wise, this younger-bigger bro in the family will also support CoreMIDI — and an updated version of Akai’s SynthStation iOS app for the bigger screen, using the added real estate to allow finer, more direct control over the sound, along with a new recording section and simultaneous drum / synth sequencing. Not a bad piece of kit for the pad-centric musician in your life — look for it to splash down this June for $199. Check below the break for video of the unit and a runthrough of the new software. Gallery: Akai SynthStation49 Continue reading Akai’s iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011 Akai’s iPad-docking SynthStation 49 and updated app: eyes-on at NAMM 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video)
January 14, 2011 No Comment
We were wandering around the crowded, noisy halls of this year’s NAMM show when a particularly freaked-out drum pattern struck our eardrums. We followed the sound and encountered a gray-haired, bespectacled gentleman tapping and tweaking knobs so professionally that we couldn’t help checking out his name tag. Imagine our delight when we saw it was no less than Roger Linn, designer of the Linndrum and Akai ‘s MPC60. If you’re not familiar with those terms, no matter: let’s just say that Dr. Dre and any other producer who’s banged out a synthetic beat on a box owes this guy their entire career. Mr. Linn has partnered with Dave Smith Instruments to create the Tempest, a 16-pad beauty with enough knobs, buttons, and sequencing muscle to keep you inspired for endless hours in the studio. And the sound on this thing! It does include digital samples like a traditional MPC, but where it really shines is in the analog synthesis and effects department. It takes a lot for a drum machine to feel unique and valuable these days — especially at the $2000 they’ll be asking for it in June — but the Tempest, from our brief time with it, sounds like it’ll be well worth the investment for serious producers. Video of Mr. Linn’s demo after the break. Gallery: Tempest analog drum machine by Roger Linn Continue reading Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video) Synth pioneer Roger Linn shows us his new analog drum machine, Tempest (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Well, it looks like Windows might not be the only new territory for ARM in 2011 — ARMdevices is reporting that it has it on “very high authority from someone at Google” that an ARM-powered Google TV platform is “confirmed” and “coming soon.” That authority is unsurprisingly remaining anonymous, however, and apparently hasn’t provided much else in the way of details. This is far from the first time we’ve heard talk of ARM for Google TV, though — as ARMdevices points out, even ARM President Tudor Brown weighed in on the matter back in November, saying that “if Google TV is to be mainstream, it must be built on a lower power system… on lower cost technology,” with ARM presumably fitting the bill on both counts. ARMdevices: ARM-based Google TV platform ‘confirmed’ and coming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer now available for pre-order, we tour its shiny new features (video)
January 14, 2011 No Comment
In an era of synth-toy overload, the OP-1 is definitely doing its thing to set itself apart from the pack. It wouldn’t have surprised us if it never came out, simply vanishing into the ether like most too-good-to-be-true hardware tends to do. But the fine Swedes of Teenage Engineering are in Anaheim for NAMM with a production model on the floor, and now it’s really, truly up for pre-order (please allow 8 weeks for manufacturing and processing) for $799 at their site. There are boatloads of updates from the OP-1′s we’ve seen in the past: the little white slab with the colorful LCD now sports a raft of different sequencing modes, new stunningly visualized effects (like the boxer up above for punch …get it?), an accelerometer, and an FM radio, of all things. Video tour of all the shiny new features after the break. Continue reading Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer now available for pre-order, we tour its shiny new features (video) Teenage Engineering OP-1 synthesizer now available for pre-order, we tour its shiny new features (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Apple nears ten billion downloads in App Store, should hit it without Verizon’s help
January 14, 2011 No Comment
For whatever reason, Apple has a thing with ten billion. The outfit served up its ten billionth iTune right around this time last year, and more importantly, served its one billionth app in April of 2009 . In just 1.5 years, the company has seen that figure soar nearly tenfold, which is impressive no matter how you slice it. Of course, we’re quite curious to know if this includes duplicate downloads, app updates and just free or paid apps, but regardless, there’s no question that Cupertino (and quite a few developers) are raking it in. Of course, the explosion of the iPad certainly helped boost the download frequency, and if we had to guess, we’d say it’ll take even less time to double up this milestone. You know, once next month happens . Oh, and if you get lucky enough, you could score a $10,000 iTunes gift card if you just so happen to download the ten billionth app — make sure it’s a good one . [Thanks, Ali] Apple nears ten billion downloads in App Store, should hit it without Verizon’s help originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Perhaps if there was some sort of Brundlefly-style gadget mix-up five years ago, the outcome would look like this: an HTC Hermes jammed inside a GameBoy Advance housing. This prototype, presented by Windows Phone Hacker, features some fun changes that make it feel more like your beloved handheld gaming console, and less like your dated Windows Mobile Pocket PC, including a startup GIF animation of the original GameBoy Advance boot screen, custom software that keeps the OS in landscape mode, and custom notifications and ringtones from the Mario games. Also included is PocketGBA emulator for playing GameBoy Advance ROMs on the phone itself. Of course, this is just the beginning of the project: we look forward to seeing a version where the buttons work! In the meantime, check out the thing in action after the break. [Thanks, Juan] Continue reading GameBoy Advance Phone caught in the wild (by the guy who built it) GameBoy Advance Phone caught in the wild (by the guy who built it) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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