Google’s been teasing cloud-based music features in Android since its I/O conference last year, and the recent leak of a revamped first-party Music app suggests that the plans haven’t evaporated into thin air. Here’s the latest tidbit: GizmoFusion claims that this screen shot comes from a device running Gingerbread , clearly showing “Music” as one of the accounts configured in Android’s settings, which suggests that the system will be pretty deeply-integrated to sync your tracks just as it would your Twitter updates, your Facebook friends, or your calendar entries. Note that we don’t have any new evidence beyond this one shot — and we need to take GizmoFusion ‘s word that this is a Gingerbread device — but we’re wondering if maybe this isn’t one of the new features in that Android 2.4 build we’ve been hearing a lot about lately. [Thanks, Bryan] Android getting Google Music sync in Gingerbread? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’re used to seeing all sorts of funky motion-based games on smartphones, but here’s something a little bit different: a retro-themed desktop 3D flash game that utilises your iOS device as an accelerometer and gyroscope-based wireless controller. The objective of kijjaa! is simple: just fly your vessel around, shoot down or avoid the enemies, and pick up extra lives. Don’t worry, there’s no jailbreaking involved here — all we had to do was visit kijjaa.com/air, and then copy the code onto our iOS app to establish the link via WiFi or 3G. There’s no serious challenge in kijjaa! — based on the app’s description on iTunes, the game’s designed with students and office workers in mind, so it’s ideal for those seeking a fun quickie during their short breaks. We’d say the hardest part is trying to dodge the ghosts that show up randomly in short notice, but what really annoyed us were the occasional control lags that popped up even over WiFi. Still, for a promotional $0.99 pricing (the 70 percent price drop ends on January 17th), this game has gone much further than most other games have, and it’ll only get better — already in the pipeline are Game Center support, new enemies, new bonuses, and achievements. Hopefully the developer will also throw in some more chiptune soundtracks as well. Demo video after the break — it kinda makes you want this on the Apple TV too, doesn’t it? Gallery: App review: kijjaa! Continue reading App review: kijjaa! (video) App review: kijjaa! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …New super-limited edition eBoy / Engadget shirts now available! (update: SOLD OUT!)
January 14, 2011 No Comment
You asked, and we’ve delivered! Once again , Engadget has teamed up with the brilliant eBoy to bring you a super-duper limited edition T-shirt which will wow and delight family and friends alike. As you can see from the image above, the new shirt is based on our CES / reader meetup graphic that’s been doing the rounds on the site, featuring nearly all of the Engadget crew toying with some real (and not-so-real) tech. The eBoy crew tells us this is their most color-heavy shirt ever produced (a 9+1 process), which is pretty nifty. We think it’s a nice companion to our CES 2011 coverage, and makes a wonderful addition to any fashion plate’s wardrobe. The shirts come in small, medium, large, and extra large, and can be had for $30US (plus $10 shipping) — but really, can you put a price on looking good? If you’d like to order, follow along after the break and use our fancy PayPal e-commerce system. Also, we ship WORLDWIDE! Update: The last time we had shirts, they sold out in about 30 minutes. We have more this time, but still a very small quantity. If you want one, we suggest you get in fast. Update 2: Extra large is sold out! Update 3: We’re sold out of everything! If you didn’t find your size, there may still be some available on the eBoy site — check it out HERE! Continue reading New super-limited edition eBoy / Engadget shirts now available! (update: SOLD OUT!) New super-limited edition eBoy / Engadget shirts now available! (update: SOLD OUT!) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Cyberstep’s KDJ-One, a portable digital audio workstation currently in prototype mode, is a noisy little wrinkle in time. While we’re fairly certain it will never see the light of day in your local Guitar Center , we really do want to wish it the best. It combines the aesthetics of a few of our very favorite things: the D-pad, button layout, and chunkiness instantly reminded us of the original DMG Game Boy. The keypad on bottom looks a lot like a tweaked version of a Roland TB-303. And the software inside — pure MeeGo — reminds us of a Tungsten -era Palm device crossed with a laptop from 1999. (But in a really good way!) A five-inch resistive touchscreen — complete with stylus — sits on top of an Atom E640 CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 4GB SSD drive, and a pair of 2000mAh batteries. Oh, and it’s got a rumble pack on the backside: Cyberstep assures us the QW Vibration System adds “a whole new element of force feedback to your music production experience.” The sampler / looper / sequencer production software itself seems super-basic and pretty fun, although we could probably squeeze a lot more production flexibility out of a $300 netbook. But just look at that dude and tell us you don’t want to squeeze its little white cheeks. Yeah, exactly. Video after the jump. Gallery: Cyberstep KDJ-One Mobile Audio Workstation Prototype Continue reading KDJ-One is a gigantic Game Boy with an audio workstation inside KDJ-One is a gigantic Game Boy with an audio workstation inside originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …RIM opens door for Indian officials, promises to keep Enterprise Server locked up tight
January 14, 2011 No Comment
Things weren’t looking good for BlackBerry in India , with threats of bans that were avoided at the last minute. We knew at the time that RIM had made ” certain proposals ” that would enable its messaging services to stay alive in India and now, about four months later, we’re learning what those proposals amount to. Basically, RIM has created a backdoor into the company’s messaging services, a “lawful access capability” that “meets the standard required by the government of India for all consumer messaging services offered in the Indian marketplace.” That’s a little disconcerting, but if you’re pinging your connects exclusively through BlackBerry Enterprise Server you can take it easy, as RIM is keeping that service locked up tight — or, at least, that’s what it wants you to believe . RIM opens door for Indian officials, promises to keep Enterprise Server locked up tight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Getaround app turns you into Enterprise, lets your rent out your dormant whip
January 14, 2011 No Comment
Oh, sure — you’re making much use of that Zipcar app already, but what if the tables were turned somewhat? For suburbanites with two cars in the garage (one of which is collecting major dust), Getaround’s mobile app allows you to be Zipcar. Put simply, those with a spare vehicle (or a vehicle that routinely stays parked for certain blocks of time each day) can load their vehicle, location, schedule and price into the app, and then nearby Earthlings can poke around and see what’s on offer. If they’re interested in taking your ride for a spin, they can hit you up via the app and agree on how many hours / days / weeks they’ll be needing it. In essence, you’re looking at peer-to-peer car sharing, with Getaround snagging 30 percent of the rental rate; speaking of rate, that can range between $4 and $25 per hour, with the owner setting the price. Those based in San Francisco can tap into the source link to become involved in the beta, and don’t be shocked if you see a Tesla Roadster listed for $25/hour — that’s actually one of Getaround’s first customers, and you can rest assured that red beauty will be calling your name this weekend. Getaround app turns you into Enterprise, lets your rent out your dormant whip originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …More music videos now playing on Android YouTube app, more pre-roll commercials, too
January 14, 2011 No Comment
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: pre-roll ads are coming to YouTube on Android in a big way. Big G is adding the digital speed bumps to “tens of thousands of YouTube partner videos” starting now, but it’s for a sort of good reason: Katy Perry. Well, her and a bunch of other music videos, all appearing in the YouTube 2.0 app on Android, with the initial batch provided by VEVO. Music videos will be identified by a note icon and, while you’re watching one, you can get artist info and quickly view other tracks that are available. Right now this is a feature only available on Android but, with Google happily extolling that it drove a 300 percent growth in mobile video viewership in 2010, we’re guessing it’ll be coming to other platforms soon enough. More music videos now playing on Android YouTube app, more pre-roll commercials, too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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BAE Systems, long known for its wargadgets that blind and obfuscate , has recently announced that it is developing an e-ink camouflage system that displays images on the side of a vehicle which reflect the environment — and which change in real time. This is well-suited for areas such as those found in Afghanistan, where terrain can vary from plain ol’ desert beige to a lively and vibrant green, and — provided it doesn’t break down in the desert sand — probably seems a lot more convincing than paint on metal. (We also wonder if this technology will work on cocktail dresses.) The company hopes to have a prototype within four years, while for our part we hope to have our troops out of the region in much less time than that. BAE Systems develops e-ink camo for tanks and war zone e-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Promise’s SmartStor Zero NAS streamer dumbs down DLNA for the iPad (hands-on)
January 14, 2011 No Comment
CES 2011 might be over but we’ve still got a few gee-bees of data to get through before calling it quits. One nugget of unpublished glory is this SmartStor Zero NAS from Promise Technology. Now hold on… just because it’s a DLNA 1.5 compliant Network Attached Storage device doesn’t mean that it’s complicated to use. Hell, even iOS users can join the DLNA streaming and media transfer party even though Apple is one of only a few major manufacturers missing from the alliance. Promise has purposely dumbed down this particular 1TB or 2TB NAS to make it suitable for use in any home where a “zero configuration” storage and media streamer is the priority. That’s most households, come to think of it. Promise’s Billy Harrison gave us a walkthrough of the highlights including a live demonstration of the free (for a limited time) SmartStor Fusion Stream app running on an iPad (and soon Android and Windows Phone 7 devices). Compared to many DLNA streamers that we’ve seen this one was dead simple to use and even allowed us to upload / download music, video, and photographs to / from the SmartStor Zero. Of course, other devices that support native DLNA upload and DLNA download (like the Droid X) will work right out of the box. Fusion Stream also supports media multitasking right inside the app. But hey, don’t take our word for it, watch Bill lay down the truth after the break. Continue reading Promise’s SmartStor Zero NAS streamer dumbs down DLNA for the iPad (hands-on) Promise’s SmartStor Zero NAS streamer dumbs down DLNA for the iPad (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nintendo 3DS could get 3D video recording in the future, James Cameron unavailable for comment
January 14, 2011 No Comment
3D gaming is obviously the big story on the Nintendo 3DS , letting you get your depth on without even having to cross your eyes. However, 3D image taking is also a nice thing that the company has provided, adding a second VGA camera to the back so that you can take twice the low-res images at once and layer ‘em together. However, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has recently indicated he wants to do better, not confirming any specific plans, but saying in an interview: “I think it will be fun if we’re able to include video recording capabilities with future updates.” You know what we think would be fun? A battery that lasts more than eight hours . Nintendo 3DS could get 3D video recording in the future, James Cameron unavailable for comment originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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