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Last chance to clear out Google Web History before the great data convergence
Google Privacy Policy
The end is nigh! For about 59 different Google ToS documents at least. After today, the new consolidated privacy policy will go into effect, which will also consolidate much of your data across Google's properties. That means this is your last chance to clear out El Goog's "you archives" before the great convergence of 2012. If you're not keen on Google sharing your information between its various products (though, you seemed to be okay with it being collected in the first place) today is the day to go and delete it all. Of particular concern for some is Web History, which collects your searches and sites visited and has, until now, been walled off from the rest of the Google empire. For complete instructions for how to clear out your Google Web History hit up the source link.

Last chance to clear out Google Web History before the great data convergence originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashdot, IT World  |  sourceEFF  | Email this | Comments
Author: Terrence O'Brien
Posted: February 22, 2012, 9:21 pm
Video: PlayStation Vita's AR game trio
With the retail launch of the Vita hardware comes the arrival of three augmented reality games, using a set of six cards that look an awful lot like the ESP test cards Dr. Venkman used in Ghostbusters. I downloaded them all from the PlayStation Store today, carefully set up a camera between my face and Vita (keeping the table in view) and demonstrated all three.

Of the three, Fireworks is the definite standout. And by "standout" I mean "one I could foresee playing a second time."

[Music: "Shanghai Moon" by USK]

Video: PlayStation Vita's AR game trio originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Joystiq staff
Posted: February 22, 2012, 9:13 pm
RIM builds BlackBerry server center in Mumbai, right where Indian government wants it
RIM puts BlackBerry servers in MumbaiThis is the epilogue to a story that started as far back as 2008, when the Indian government first demanded access to encrypted BBM traffic. In 2010, RIM made "certain proposals" that satisfied politicos and averted a ban, and now it's gone one step further -- placing 5,000 BES Enterprise servers directly beneath officials' noses in Mumbai. It's not yet clear if messages will be subject to any more scrutiny than they were before, but N4BB reports that a "team of officers" has already inspected the installation and that "permission for direct monitoring" is "expected to be issued." Looks like those snoops will soon be working double shifts.

RIM builds BlackBerry server center in Mumbai, right where Indian government wants it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Sharif Sakr
Posted: February 22, 2012, 8:56 pm
Man gets served on Facebook, literally
Being unceremoniously dumped online isn't the only indignation made easier by social networks. For the first time, lawyers in the UK have been granted permission to serve a legal suit via Facebook. Traditionally, documents must be delivered physically, be it in person, by post or even fax. But, in a pretrial for a commercial dispute, these old-fashioned methods proved fruitless. The prosecuting team then decided to check online, and noticed recent updates on defendant Fabio De Biase's profile. Satisfied it was currently active, they sought permission to send documents via the website, with Justice Nigel Teare duly obliging. Wondering what that noise is? That's the sound of millions of mice clicking on "privacy settings" all at once.

Man gets served on Facebook, literally originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg  |  sourceAssociated Press  | Email this | Comments
Author: James Trew
Posted: February 22, 2012, 8:38 pm
HP reports Q1 2012 financials: $30 billion net revenue, $1.5 billion net earnings, big drop in PC sales
HP reported results for its first fiscal quarter of 2012 this afternoon, including $30 billion in net revenue (down seven percent from the previous year), and net earnings of $1.5 billion (down a full 44 percent). Partly contributing to that drop is a slump from its Personal Systems Group, which saw revenue slip 15 percent year-over-year, and total desktop and notebook units decline a rather drastic 19 and 18 percent, respectively. The company's Imaging and Printing Group also saw a seven percent decline in revenue, with the total number of printer units slipping 15 percent. HP's services business managed to eke out a one percent growth with revenue of $8.6 billion, though, while its software business saw the biggest growth in any one area at 30 percent (that includes results from the recently-acquired Autonomy). The company's full rundown can be found in the press release after the break, with additional numbers available at the source link below.

Update: On the company's earnings call, CEO Meg Whitman laid some of the blame for PSG's decline on hard drive shortages, but also said that HP has under-invested in the business in the past few years and been late to market too often -- something she says she intends to change.

Continue reading HP reports Q1 2012 financials: $30 billion net revenue, $1.5 billion net earnings, big drop in PC sales

HP reports Q1 2012 financials: $30 billion net revenue, $1.5 billion net earnings, big drop in PC sales originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Donald Melanson
Posted: February 22, 2012, 8:22 pm
Razer Blade review
Typically, when a company wants to meet, you expect more of the same -- not a change in strategy, nor a decision to enter an entirely new product category. So when Razer wanted to meet us one bright, oddly cold San Franciscan morning last August, we certainly weren't expecting to meet its CEO, Tan Min-Liang, and we definitely weren't prepared to find a 17-inch prototype laptop, henceforth known as the Blade.

Shaving puns aside, we listened to Liang proudly wax on about the results of nearly three years of development, much of which involved recruiting a bevy of talent from the now-defunct OQO. What they'd accomplished, according to Liang, was the "world's first true gaming portable." An audacious statement, sure, especially considering the Blade was to be Razer's foray into the PC market. No matter. Liang's impetus was clear: the outfit would cater to gamers who'd been left in a vacuum after formerly gaming-obsessed companies sold out, leaving the segment to languish. His angle, however, would be different. The Blade wasn't going to be a gaudy, gargantuan, no-holds barred device with outright performance in mind. No, instead the 0.8-inch thick aluminum beaut would attempt to straddle the worlds of portability with performance, seeking to hit a perfectly balanced middle ground.

That sounded reasonable, but judging by reactions from most of you, the decision to stuff this $2,799 rig with a mid-range GeForce GT 555M card wasn't. Nor was the call to kit it with a paltry 320GB of rotational storage. Razer would rectify the latter in December, promising 256GB SSDs for all -- a concession that would push shipments back, well, until now. Still, even after toying with it briefly at CES, our impressions were ultimately shallow, as we couldn't get much of a feel for it in that controlled environment. Which brings us to the present day, and with Razer graciously airdropping a Blade onto our doorstep, does this experimental laptop stand up to its maker's gutsy claims? Or will those who've shelled just shy of three grand be sorely disappointed with its execution? Well, there's only one way to find out, and that's to join us past the break.

Continue reading Razer Blade review

Razer Blade review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Dante Cesa
Posted: February 22, 2012, 8:00 pm
Nokia bringing two Lumia devices to MWC next week?
Nokia bringing two Lumia devices to MWC next week?
You have to love the last days leading up to a major event like Mobile World Congress, because the rumor mill just doesn't stop. The focus of this particular whisper is Nokia's Lumia series, which according to Reuters should have at least two new members before the show is over. Its sources indicate that the oft-rumored global version of the Lumia 900 is go (AT&T's model shown above), as well as a lower-end Lumia 610. All of us who crave the deeper details are still left in the dark about what we can expect on these devices, but it does give us a heckuva lot more to look forward to next week.

Nokia bringing two Lumia devices to MWC next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WMPowerUser  |  sourceReuters  | Email this | Comments
Author: Brad Molen
Posted: February 22, 2012, 7:43 pm
Google Docs presentations slides out of preview, adds import and comment options (video)
The slide-making masses have spoken and Google's dutifully listened. After launching presentations for Docs as a preview last October, the search giant's making that editor ready for prime time with a few user-suggested tweaks in tow. In addition to the recently introduced slew of transitions, themes, tables and collaborative options, Mountain View's now tossing in the ability to make, edit and resolve comments, send email notifications, as well as control read / write privileges for outside users. And don't worry about your old documents getting lost in the shuffle; a new import setting will enable those visual gems to benefit from this new facelift. Check out the source below for a fuller walk-through or catch the instructional vid after the break.

Continue reading Google Docs presentations slides out of preview, adds import and comment options (video)

Google Docs presentations slides out of preview, adds import and comment options (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Docs Blogspot  | Email this | Comments
Author: Joseph Volpe
Posted: February 22, 2012, 7:32 pm
IRL: Nikon D90, myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 and Phosphor's World Time Sport
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Desperate times call for desperate measures -- namely, new gadgets. Disappointed with his Droid Charge's ever-depleting battery capacity, Tim took a $100 portable charger for a spin to see if he could eke out a little extra runtime before racing for an outlet. Meanwhile, Dan agreed to wear his first E-Ink watch after his analog Fossil timepiece outlived all compatible wristbands. Rounding things out, we have a more traditional account of gadget nostalgia from Don Melanson, who explains why he won't be replacing his aging D90 anytime soon.

Continue reading IRL: Nikon D90, myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 and Phosphor's World Time Sport

IRL: Nikon D90, myCharge Portable Power Bank 6000 and Phosphor's World Time Sport originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Engadget staff
Posted: February 22, 2012, 7:00 pm
Google Fiber just got better? Big G asks for permission to provide video service to Kansas City
Here we thought the citizens of Kansas City couldn't get any more fortunate after being chosen by Google to get a fiber optic gigabit network. Turns out, Google Fiber may be bringing more than just web access, as the company has asked the state of Missouri to allow it to deliver video services as well. We first heard about Big G's possible foray into pay-TV late last year, as the company was in talks with various content providers to see if it could make it happen. Given this official move towards becoming a video provider in America's heartland, we'd say those conversations must have gone fairly well. Either that, or the folks in Kansas City will be watching a whole lot of YouTube's new niche content.

Google Fiber just got better? Big G asks for permission to provide video service to Kansas City originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Michael Gorman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 6:56 pm
Google Docs for Android update brings collaborative editing for all
Google Docs for Android update brings collaborative editing for all
It's been barely a month since Google Docs on Android got offline support, but here comes Mountain View with another equally impressive update. Those upgrading today are treated to collaborative editing, much in the vein of their desktop counterparts. That means you can now watch edits happen in real time from your Android tablet or smartphone. In addition, there's a bevy of interface tweaks too, including a new pinch-to-zoom gesture and rich text formatting. Feel good video demoing all awaits after the break.

Continue reading Google Docs for Android update brings collaborative editing for all

Google Docs for Android update brings collaborative editing for all originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Official Google Blog, Google Docs (Android Market)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Dante Cesa
Posted: February 22, 2012, 6:53 pm
Sony Mobile rebranding quietly begins, changes to roll out over the next month
With the assimilation of Ericsson's wireless stake now neatly a footnote in its corporate history, Sony's moving on and making its newfound freedom known -- albeit quietly. According to a rep for the company, its first rebranding baby steps began just last night, with the former SonyEricsson portal now redirecting to SonyMobile.com. Other related properties, like its social networking extensions and various related digital properties, are also slated to make the transition throughout March, with further announcements planned for Mobile World Congress next week. We'll be there live in just a few days, so stay tuned. In the meanwhile, hit up the source below to see synergy at its finest.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Sony Mobile rebranding quietly begins, changes to roll out over the next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSony Mobile  | Email this | Comments
Author: Joseph Volpe
Posted: February 22, 2012, 6:39 pm
Mozilla Labs Apps set to allow developer submissions for Mozilla Marketplace at MWC
Been keeping up with Mozilla Labs' Apps project? Today the company's focused on developers, with pleasing news if you've been looking to get your app's feet wet in it. In the coming weeks at Mobile World Congress, the Firefox maker will finally open its self-titled Marketplace's doors for app submissions. If you're unfamiliar, Mozilla's been working to create an "operating system- and device-independent market," based on its own APIs, HTML5 and other open source materials. The end result will be the ability to use said apps without being locked down by your devices and their respective app stores. The store is set to open up for consumer consumption later in the year, so now's your chance to reserve your software's spot and name on the list. More details await in press release after the break and at source link below, while you get your code ready.

Continue reading Mozilla Labs Apps set to allow developer submissions for Mozilla Marketplace at MWC

Mozilla Labs Apps set to allow developer submissions for Mozilla Marketplace at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mobile Burn  |  sourceThe Mozilla Blog  | Email this | Comments
Author: Joe Pollicino
Posted: February 22, 2012, 6:19 pm
Comcast sues Sprint with patent infringement, says two can play that game
Pro tip: when suing the pants off another company for patent infringement, it's a good idea to make sure you're not violating any of that same company's intellectual property. That's the lesson we imagine Sprint is learning at this very moment. Just two months after it filed a lawsuit against Comcast for getting all up in its VoIP business, the digital services company is now ready to go Comcastic on the Now Network's derriere, as it has filed a lawsuit of its own in a Pennsylvania court. While it's not directly tied into December's case, it seems oddly coincidental that this new suit came into existence so soon after Sprint fired the first shot.

Comcast and subsidiary TVWorks, LLC allege that Sprint is guilty of violating four wireless patents: its wireless broadband cards, Vision Pack and other SMS services, MMS transfers and voice and data using IP / MPLS backhaul. That's a pretty hefty portion of the carrier's basic operations, it seems, and we're assuming that a settlement or licensing agreement will be the end result here. Regardless, as the adage says, what goes around comes around.

Comcast sues Sprint with patent infringement, says two can play that game originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AndroidPolice  |  sourceLightReading  | Email this | Comments
Author: Brad Molen
Posted: February 22, 2012, 5:59 pm
Apple: developers now have until June 1 to sandbox apps for the Mac App Store
Back in the fall, Apple gave developers an ultimatum: sandbox your applications, or see yourself out of the Mac App Store and sell your apps elsewhere. Originally, devs had until March 1st to make the change, which limits the resources apps can access, thereby making a malware infection less likely. Still, sandboxing inherently means less control for developers: the fewer resources an app can use, the less it can actually do. Well, code monkeys, you've now got a few more months to decide which camp you'd rather be in: Apple has extended that deadline to June 1st. As MacRumors notes, the move comes amid mounting concerns from developers, who have been complaining of bugs and other issues associated with the sandboxing process. In a statement on its developer site, Apple gave a pithier explanation, saying it wants to give devs more time to make use of new sandboxing entitlements available in OS X 10.7.3, along with new APIs in Xcode 4.3.

Apple: developers now have until June 1 to sandbox apps for the Mac App Store originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Techmeme  |  sourceMacRumors, Apple  | Email this | Comments
Author: Dana Wollman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 5:38 pm
Pivothead video glasses offer impressive quality, we go hands-on (sample video)
There's a new adventure video capture company in town, and both Zeyez and GoPro would have good reason to be afraid. You may not have heard of Pivothead -- the company has had a remarkably quiet push to market over the last few months -- but the video recording eyewear startup could very well become a household name after its first products hit the market this April for $349. Aurora, Durango, Moab and Recon may offer distinct exterior designs, but they're virtually identical under the hood. Each model includes an eight-megapixel Sony sensor (that reportedly captures higher quality images than the iPhone 4S cam), a four-element glass lens, 8GB of built-in storage, a 440mAh battery (with about an hour of shooting time) and three video modes: 1080/30p, 720/60p and 720/30p. We had a chance to go hands-on with Pivothead earlier today, and took the glasses for a spin on the streets of New York City. You'll find that sample video, along with our impressions, just past the break.

Continue reading Pivothead video glasses offer impressive quality, we go hands-on (sample video)

Pivothead video glasses offer impressive quality, we go hands-on (sample video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Zach Honig
Posted: February 22, 2012, 5:06 pm
Samsung's Learning Hub demonstrates a commitment to education, profits
Samsung's R&D department has been working overtime as it strives to break the idea it copies wholesale ideas from its competition. Yesterday we heard word about its planned new cloud service and today it's announced that it'll be unveiling a unique education-focused app for Galaxy Tabs 8.9 and 10.1. Learning Hub will provide free materials from 30 major educational establishments from elementary schools through to universities, although there's no word on what certificates you'll be able to earn at the end of your course. The program will expand to other devices in the Galaxy family later on, once the company's done showing off the software at MWC.

Samsung's Learning Hub demonstrates a commitment to education, profits originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSamsung Tomorrow (Translated)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Daniel Cooper
Posted: February 22, 2012, 4:57 pm
Aakash lurches toward another crisis as India loses patience with DataWind
The conflicts and behind-the-scenes drama surrounding India's Aakash project once again threaten its existence. Despite a record-breaking 1.4 million pre-orders gained in under a fortnight, maker DataWind has only shipped 10,000 units to nearly universal derision. Early adopters have found the processor too slow, battery life too short and the resistive touchscreen difficult to use. Kapil Sibal's Human Resource Development ministry now plans to re-open tendering for a replacement contractor and withdraw DataWind's deal for a further 90,000 units. An anonymous ministry official has said that they've seen "sufficient interest [...] to get better specifications at the same or lower price."

In response, DataWind has claimed that its development-partner, the Indian Institute of Technology, pulled a bait-and-switch, demanding at the eleventh hour that the tablet meet US military criteria for durability -- including being able to withstand four inches per hour of "sustained rain." Work has been on hold since then but neither party can afford another delay. DataWind promised it would sell the commercial version of the slate this month, while Kapil Sibal has promised that a second edition of the Aakash would be announced in April.

Aakash lurches toward another crisis as India loses patience with DataWind originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Daniel Cooper
Posted: February 22, 2012, 4:37 pm
Google and Adobe team up to make Flash Player for Linux (updated)
Google and Adobe team up to make Flash Player for LinuxLinux may no longer be getting any more fresh Air, but it's going to get a heaping helping of Flash thanks to a partnership between Adobe and Google. You see, Adobe the pair has been developing a new browser API to work with Flash, code-named "Pepper," to provide Flash Player 11.2 in Chrome on any x86/64 platform -- including Linux. From now on, Linux users will get new versions of Flash Player directly through the Pepper API in Chrome (as opposed to a download from Adobe), but Adobe promises to provide security updates for five years after its release. Don't believe us? Get the good news direct from Adobe at the source below.

Update: To be clear, while this will keep Flash updated in Chrome, it's uncertain what this means for other browsers like Firefox, Konqueror and Midori.

Google and Adobe team up to make Flash Player for Linux (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Michael Gorman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 4:19 pm
Tesla Roadster EVs accused of 'bricking,' Tesla responds
Tesla Roadster
Last night we were sent an interesting report about Tesla Roadsters falling into an unfortunate state -- a very terminal, very expensive state. According to theunderstatement a Tesla Roadster that is left to discharge completely, a process that could take many weeks, will need to have its entire battery pack replaced (pictured above) -- at a cost of approximately $40,000. There are said to be no countermeasures that can prevent this short of keeping your car topped up, and while that may sound simple enough, it becomes tricky if you need to put the thing in storage for a few months.

While we haven't been able to confirm all the "several" supposed cases of this happening, we did hear back from Tesla issuing a statement (after the break) that more or less affirms this could happen. Tesla uses a number of so-called "countermeasures" to prevent this, up to and including a representative from the company calling the owner should a battery pack trail dangerously low. Worryingly, though, this situation is said to be possible in both the upcoming Model S sedan and Model X SUV. Here's to hoping for a little more clarity on this issue -- and maybe a solution -- before those two come to market.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Tesla Roadster EVs accused of 'bricking,' Tesla responds

Tesla Roadster EVs accused of 'bricking,' Tesla responds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Tim Stevens
Posted: February 22, 2012, 4:15 pm
New Nike+ apps and shoes cater to basketball players and training athletes
Nike Hyperdunk+
Nike just keep building on its Nike+ brand, turning what started life as a glorified pedometer, into a full-fledged workout-tracking platform. Hot on the heels of the FuelBand comes Nike+ Basketball and Nike+ Training, two new experiences with their own dedicated footwear. For ballers, the Hyperdunk+ features a pressure sensor that measures speed, jump height and even abstract concepts like "hustle." It also features a ego Showcase mode that lets you superimpose workout data over video of you dunking and post it to the web. Nike+ Training, like almost every other workout app or digital accessory, turns getting in shape into a game. The app features a series of drills and challenges meant to improve speed, agility and strength, and your performance can be uploaded to a global leaderboard. The new apps and shoes, including the Hyper Workout+ for Women and the TR 1+ for men, will be available on June 29th in the US, UK, Germany, France and China. Head on after the break for one more image and PR.

Continue reading New Nike+ apps and shoes cater to basketball players and training athletes

New Nike+ apps and shoes cater to basketball players and training athletes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Terrence O'Brien
Posted: February 22, 2012, 3:52 pm
Fujitsu readies its 'final model' quad-core smartphone for reveal next week

We laid our hands on Fujitsu's quad-core prototype at the start of the year, it now looks like the phone's now ready to show itself outside the confines of a perspex box. Wielding a Tegra 3 chipset, there's still no official name for the incoming handset, but we're promised admirable battery life and those increasingly typical (for Japan, at least) water resistant credentials. We've also been told that this will be close to -- if not the -- final model of the handset, so we should get to test out that fingerprint sensor in person. Sure, it's not the only quad-core device we're expecting to see at MWC, but we'll welcome it with open arms -- if it does make the journey outside of Japan.

Fujitsu readies its 'final model' quad-core smartphone for reveal next week originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Mat Smith
Posted: February 22, 2012, 3:13 pm
T-Mobile wants FCC to block Verizon's spectrum deals with cable industry
T-Mobile
Call it sour grapes, posturing... whatever you want. The fact remains that T-Mobile has stuck its nose in the middle of Verizon's quest to bulk up its wireless portfolio. Big Magenta filed a request with the FCC on Tuesday, asking the regulatory agency to step in and block the transfer of AWS spectrum licenses from Cox, Time Warner, Comcast and Bright House to Verizon. The deals, which will cost the carrier roughly $3.9 billion, are already drawing interest from the Justice Department, which is concerned it'll place too much control in the company's hands. T-Mobile, the smallest of the nationwide carriers, is equally worried about the concentration of spectrum in Verizon's big red paws. Presumably, though, that has more to do with its inability to purchase it -- especially in the aftermath of the collapsed AT&T merger. Metro PCS and some public advocacy groups also voiced their opposition, while Sprint took a more measured approach, saying only that the FCC should look closely at the agreements. See, handset makers aren't the only mobile companies that can whip up a good legal drama.

T-Mobile wants FCC to block Verizon's spectrum deals with cable industry originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNew York Times  | Email this | Comments
Author: Terrence O'Brien
Posted: February 22, 2012, 2:54 pm
Samsung Rugby Smart gets rendered as it anxiously awaits our drops and kicks
Rugged phones seem to be the exception more than the rule when it comes to smartphones. However, AT&T apparently has one in the pipeline dubbed the Samsung Rugby Smart. Destined to be the latest addition to the lineup of Sammy's military-spec devices, the Smart will -- as you probably guessed -- be the first member of the Rugby family to ditch the clamshell form factor and take on Android at the same time. Pocketnow, which leaked the above press renders, also mentions that the device is slated to offer Android 2.3.5, 512MB of RAM, HSPA+ and a 1,650mAh battery. Nothing impressive, to say the least, unless there are a few other surprises that await us sometime in the (hopefully) near future. We still haven't heard a peep from AT&T, but word has it that when it's finally ready to storm shelves, we should expect to see it available for roughly $100. If we're lucky, maybe we'll even hear more about the Smart in, oh, the next week or so?

Samsung Rugby Smart gets rendered as it anxiously awaits our drops and kicks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePocketNow  | Email this | Comments
Author: Brad Molen
Posted: February 22, 2012, 2:38 pm
ASUS gives Transformer Prime a bootloader unlock tool, Ubuntu promptly ported
Ah, it was indeed only a matter of time. Much like the way HTC caved into fan pressure, ASUS has finally released a bootloader unlock tool for its Transformer Prime TF201. Understandably, the tablet will no longer be covered under warranty once you set it free, but the other catch is that it needs to be running Ice Cream Sandwich in the first place as well. Not that it concerned modder littlesteve who promptly ported a partially-working Ubuntu over to his unlocked slate, pictured above. Steve says there's much work to be done yet, especially with enabling touchscreen support, so keep an eye on his tweets if you're itching to get a taste of his Linux pie. Now, about that mysterious TF300T...

ASUS gives Transformer Prime a bootloader unlock tool, Ubuntu promptly ported originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceASUS, @littlesteve (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Richard Lai
Posted: February 22, 2012, 2:18 pm
Flash roadmap reveals new features, improved GPU support, lack of retirement plans
Flash
Flash for mobile may just be a spectator at its own wake at this point, but the desktop browser plug-in is still alive and (reasonably) well. In fact, Adobe has a host of plans for its flagship multimedia platform, as outlined in its 2012 roadmap. It all starts with 11.2, which should be landing sooner, rather than later, with support for right and left mouse clicks, multithreaded video decoding and improved GPU acceleration support. That will be followed by Cyril and Dolores, which will also expand the list of hardware-accelerated video cards, as well as improve overall performance and add a few welcome tweaks, like supporting keyboard input in full screen mode. Finally, in 2013, we'll see the debut of Flash Next -- a completely overhauled platform with major updates to the runtime core and ActionScript language that are designed to "meet the needs of developers over the next five to 10 years." Check out the source for full details but, be warned -- it's PDF only.

Flash roadmap reveals new features, improved GPU support, lack of retirement plans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink @stroughtonsmith (Twitter)  |  sourceAdobe (PDF)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Terrence O'Brien
Posted: February 22, 2012, 2:02 pm
Verizon 4G LTE outage hitting parts of the US (Update: it's back)
Experiencing some issues downloading those expense reports via your Verizon LTE device this morning? You're not alone. We've received reports of data outages in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Pennsylvania and Ohio. We've reached out to VZW to find out what the issue is, and as soon as and we know more we'll post it right here. For now, let us know if your LTE is letting you down in the comments below.

Update: Via Twitter, Verizon states "VZW is investigating customer issues in connecting to the 4GLTE data network. 3G data, voice and text services are operating reliably." However, we're hearing reports that 3G is down for customers as well in some areas.

Update 2: VZW is now reporting that "After a brief issue this morning, 4G LTE service is fully restored" via a follow-up tweet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Verizon 4G LTE outage hitting parts of the US (Update: it's back) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Billy Steele
Posted: February 22, 2012, 1:41 pm
Barnes & Noble offers to repartition Nook Tablet storage, concedes you may need more than 1GB
Nook Tablet
Are you one of the many infuriated with Barnes & Noble over how it partitioned the storage on the Nook Tablet -- leaving you just 1GB for you own files? Well, it looks like the company has learned from its mistakes. While only about 5GB is free to load with apps and media on the new 8GB model, just 1GB of that is reserved for Nook Store content. B&N is also offering to retroactively fix the 16GB boondoggle as well. If you visit a brick and mortar shop starting March 12th, a support rep will gladly help you repartition the internal storage, freeing up more than just one of the 13 available gigabytes for personal use. Having to bring it to the store is a bit of pain, but we suppose it's better that getting stuck with 12GB of Angry Birds and e-books.

Barnes & Noble offers to repartition Nook Tablet storage, concedes you may need more than 1GB originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Police, Liliputing  |  sourceBarnes & Noble  | Email this | Comments
Author: Terrence O'Brien
Posted: February 22, 2012, 1:38 pm
Megaupload co-founder granted bail, New Zealand judge rules he's not a flight risk
After being denied twice, Megaupload co-founder Kim Dotcom has been granted bail by a New Zealand judge, who ruled he isn't in fact a flight risk. To date, the court's rationale for keeping Dotcom behind bars has been that he might flee to his native Germany in a bid to avoid extradition to the US, where he stands accused of generating more than $175 million in criminal proceeds through the exchange of copyrighted material. And though prosecutors had previously argued that Dotcom has multiple passports and bank accounts and a "history of fleeing criminal charges," district court Judge N.R. Dawson concluded the risk of him taking off has been overstated. In particular, he noted, Dotcom has a wife, three children and another on the way, and that "the US government has not shown since [his] arrest that he has access to any money." Though he's returning home, so to speak, he's not permitted to enter the mansion where he's been living before his arrest (he'll instead stay in a small house nearby, according to Reuters). While there, he must wear an electronic tracking device on his ankle, and access to the internet (and helicopters!) is forbidden. And that, readers, is where he shall remain -- at least until the extradition hearing begins, likely sometime this summer.

Megaupload co-founder granted bail, New Zealand judge rules he's not a flight risk originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTG Daily, Reuters  | Email this | Comments
Author: Dana Wollman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 1:30 pm
Microsoft files EU antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility, claims unfair licensing practices
Early last week, the European Commission gave Google its blessing regarding the purchase of Motorola Mobility. But the honeymoon has been anything but relaxing for the search giant and its latest power-play acquisition, after Apple filed an antitrust complaint, claiming a breach of the company's FRAND obligations. Now Microsoft is waiving the antitrust flag as well, claiming that the company is reportedly abusing its standard-essential patents, impeding fair access to patents that are fundamental to regular device function -- this time dealing with video streaming and wireless connectivity. Microsoft Deputy General Counsel Dave Heiner has posted an appeal to the company's TechNet blog, outlining the issue and explaining that "Motorola is attempting to block sales of Windows PCs, our Xbox game console and other products," further claiming that "Motorola is on a path to use standard essential patents to kill video on the Web, and Google as its new owner doesn't seem to be willing to change course." The key issue at hand is patent pricing -- Microsoft claims that Motorola is demanding an impossibly high royalty of $22.50 for a $1,000 laptop, and that only covers fees for H.264 licensing. It's no secret that Motorola's patent portfolio was a key component of Google's acquisition, and so far it doesn't appear that the company is making any suggestion that Motorola ease up on licensing fees. As always, we'll be keeping an eye on the process, but hit up the source link below for the full scoop from MS.

Microsoft files EU antitrust complaint against Motorola Mobility, claims unfair licensing practices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink FOSS Patents  |  sourceMicrosoft  | Email this | Comments
Author: Zach Honig
Posted: February 22, 2012, 1:19 pm
Synaptics announces ClearPad 2200 touchscreen controller for smartphones
That's smartphones, guys. Not superphones, and certainly not phablets (sorry, we hate that word too). After showing off its slate-friendly ClearPad 7300 multitouch display at CES, Synaptics is back with a smaller 2200 series controller designed for phones. Specifically, modest little handsets with screens measuring four inches or less. And, it'll be among the company's first capacitive panels to make use of the outfit's SignalClarity technology, which promises to boost the signal-to-noise ratio for improved accuracy and finger separation. No word on which manufacturers will be taking a chance on the new tech -- not that we expect to see that spec emblazoned across their marketing materials anyway. Still, perhaps Synaptics will be so kind as to let us test that precision claim when we swing by Barcelona next week.

Continue reading Synaptics announces ClearPad 2200 touchscreen controller for smartphones

Synaptics announces ClearPad 2200 touchscreen controller for smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Dana Wollman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 1:00 pm
EMIEW 2 robot connects to the internet, wants to google your stuff (video)

The adorable, metallic-haired EMIEW 2 has been given permission to go on the internet and it's going to use that privilege to find exactly where you left that stapler. First, the android uses its built-in camera to take a snapshot of objects and then queries the visual data online to recognise it. Then, as shown in Hitachi's recent demonstration, it teams up with an array of cameras dotted around a hypothetical office. These help the robot seek out specific objects and guide puny humans to what they need -- with some voice recognition thrown into the mix. Skeptical types can watch the robot find and destroy all that lost property right after the break.

Continue reading EMIEW 2 robot connects to the internet, wants to google your stuff (video)

EMIEW 2 robot connects to the internet, wants to google your stuff (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Plastic Pals  |  sourceHitachi (translated)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Mat Smith
Posted: February 22, 2012, 12:40 pm
Windows 8 to bring better language support, finally including English
In addition to better file management, accessibility and that all important new logo, Redmond's engineers are also promising improved language support in Windows 8. So far, Microsoft admits it's seen this as a "local-market feature," putting the onus on non-English users to track down special copies of the OS or language packs online. But the new OS will bring a friendlier philosophy, in which multilingual support is regarded as a "feature for everyone everywhere" and the Control Panel becomes a "one-stop place" to find and install any of 109 different idioms. These will include 13 new interface packs, allowing commonly used Windows features to be displayed in Scottish Gaelic, Punjabi, Uyghur, Cherokee and other tongues listed at the source link. Lastly, there'll also be one entirely new display language: English for the United Kingdom, with Old World spellings and the eternal blessing of David Mitchell (after the break).

[Thanks, Rahul]

Continue reading Windows 8 to bring better language support, finally including English

Windows 8 to bring better language support, finally including English originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Sharif Sakr
Posted: February 22, 2012, 12:21 pm
AMD Piledriver cores will clock over 4GHz, employ 'resonant clock mesh'
AMD's Trinity APU can do some remarkable things, but we still don't know exactly what magic ingredients make its Piledriver cores superior to the tepidly received Bulldozer. Now though, a firm called Cyclos claims it's supplying 'resonant clock mesh' power-saving technology for use in the new module. In speaking to the media, it's revealed that this will help to enable a "4+ GHz" factory clock speed, which sounds high if it definitely refers to an integrated chip with low-power credentials. As for the resonant clock mesh itself, it's a bit like KERS for processors: it recycles clock power instead of letting it dissipate and thereby enables higher clock speeds in "next generation SoCs that also require ultra-low power consumption." We also know that the technology is financially backed by ARM and Siemens and has seen precious little implementation prior to AMD -- which is fine, so long as all that resonance doesn't make our rig hum even louder.

AMD Piledriver cores will clock over 4GHz, employ 'resonant clock mesh' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Inquirer  | Email this | Comments
Author: Sharif Sakr
Posted: February 22, 2012, 11:59 am
Google updates Flight Search for Android, iOS
Remember when Google launched its desktop-only Flight Search service back in the fall? Well, now it's made the travel checking tool both Android and iOS friendly. All the key flight-finding features of the desktop version are present: search, discover by location, filter by price, airline and calendar view, and have been optimized for the small screen. Bear in mind that this isn't a native app, El Goog has just tweaked the web-service for the respective mobile browsers, hoping to make those spur of the moment travel plans less taxing. Hit the source link below for further info.

Google updates Flight Search for Android, iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: James Trew
Posted: February 22, 2012, 11:23 am
Dell XPS 13 manuals leak, spill the Ultrabook's guts all over the internet
Perhaps you've had your eye on Dell's XPS 13 since we showed you a pre-production model last month, but were looking to learn a bit more about it before buying one? Well, you're in luck, because a spate of manuals for the thing has shown up online, giving you plenty of info on the Ultrabook before its official debut. The owner's manual is of particular interest, as it shows you how to do your very own iFixit teardown -- with pictures and instructions on how to remove many of the Dell's parts, including the keyboard, battery, and even the I/O board, too. Naturally, there's also a quick start guide and a full spec sheet available for download as well, so what are you waiting for? Head on down to the source link for a heavy dose of all the newest, slimmest Dell has to offer.

Dell XPS 13 manuals leak, spill the Ultrabook's guts all over the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Michael Gorman
Posted: February 22, 2012, 10:21 am
Nokia teases with imaging-themed video ahead of MWC
Well what do we have here? Nokia just posted a delightful little video on its YouTube channel hinting at some kind of announcement during Mobile World Congress next week. The imaging-themed video entitled "Get ready to capture a pure view" shows beautiful snowy landscapes and uses words like detail, depth and definition. While we've enjoyed Nokia's recent foray into all things white, the company's current imaging flagship is getting a bit long in the tooth. Could this be about an N8 successor running Symbian Belle? Guess we'll have to wait until Monday to find out.

Nokia teases with imaging-themed video ahead of MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phone Arena  |  sourceNokia (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Myriam Joire
Posted: February 22, 2012, 9:21 am
AT&T launches pilot program for expanded push-to-talk services
AT&T launches pilot program for expanded push-to-talk servicesLet's face it, walkie-talkies are far from glamorous, but for large and small enterprises that rely on real-time communication, the WWII artifact remains an integral part of the workday. Now, AT&T has set forth on a journey to give its push-to-talk services a modern makeover, and it's recruiting a few partners to join the quest. In addition to providing PTT-enabled smartphones, the carrier will be testing IP-based technologies that offer workflow automation for tasks such as fleet management and dispatch. Additionally, the system will also offer integration with traditional radio systems such as PMR and LMR, which means an organization won't need to transition its entire crew at once. You can find more about AT&T's hybrid communications system in the PR after the break.

Continue reading AT&T launches pilot program for expanded push-to-talk services

AT&T launches pilot program for expanded push-to-talk services originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Zachary Lutz
Posted: February 22, 2012, 7:03 am
'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)
Did you just brave the lines of a midnight launch party and snag yourself a PS Vita in the US? Good news ye early adopters, Sony's PlayStation.Blog.US has just announced that select free apps will be available as part of today's PlayStation Store update. Currently, you'll find Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr, but there's still nary of trace of Facebook or Foursquare among the bunch (nor any official word on release dates for that matter). We gave each app a download and quick spin prior to them being officially listed without much in the way of hiccups -- however, Netflix does take its sweet time to start-up. Disappointingly, Vita's 20MB cap on 3G data is totally in effect on Netflix, as switching to our cellular connection denied us any access to the service. We're giving the apps some extended use to bring you our initial impressions shortly, but for now, you'll find more info at the source link below.

Update: We've added gallery below and a brief video hands-on just past the break to let you grab a taste of each app before downloading them for yourself.

Continue reading 'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on)

'Select' PS Vita apps hit the US PlayStation Store: Netflix, LiveTweet and Flickr (Update: video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePlayStation.Blog (US)  | Email this | Comments
Author: Joe Pollicino
Posted: February 22, 2012, 5:31 am
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G making its way into T-Mobile stores in March for $150
We heard about Samsung's Galaxy S Blaze 4G -- a device that wins second place for longest name behind the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch -- last month at CES, but details were incredibly scarce. Of course, leave it to T-Mobile and Sammy to toss in a few extra nuggets in the lead-up to Mobile World Congress in the midst of so many other product announcements. It turns out that the Blaze 4G will be making its official debut on the carrier sometime near the end of March for $150 on a two-year commitment. The device sports a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 CPU, 4-inch Super AMOLED panel, 5MP rear camera with 720p video capture, a 1.3MP front-facing shooter and -- shocker -- Android 2.3. It also supports 42Mbps HSPA+. Definitely sounds like a healthy mix of 2010 and 2011, no doubt. Want more details? We've got the press release after the break ready and waiting for you.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G making its way into T-Mobile stores in March for $150

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G making its way into T-Mobile stores in March for $150 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Author: Brad Molen
Posted: February 22, 2012, 4:34 am