Engadget
Windows Phone 7 goes gold master, begins rolling out to partners for final launch preparations
Furthermore, the folks on the 7 team have managed to cram a few last minute goodies into the OS, one of which we're particularly excited about. As you probably know from our in-depth preview of an early version of the software, we had a lot of issues with overflowing Facebook contacts in our phone. Microsoft has now solved that problem by enabling a contact filter system which looks for pre-existing matches to your Facebook contacts. If it doesn't find a match, it doesn't pull that contact into your address book (kind of like how Android filters Facebook friends). It's a welcome addition and should make the Facebook / Windows Phone 7 combo a lot more palatable to a lot of people. Furthermore, Microsoft has added functionality into the People Hub which will allow you to "like" someone's posts, and you'll be able to comment directly onto someone's Wall right in the hub. The company has also made tweaks and fixes focusing on feature discoverability (another issue we pointed out in the early look), along with the expected set of polishing and finish you'd expect from a product that's gone gold master.
Windows Phone 7 goes gold master, begins rolling out to partners for final launch preparations originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple's AirPlay music streaming coming to third party speaker docks, receivers, and stereos
[Thanks, Iain]
Apple's AirPlay music streaming coming to third party speaker docks, receivers, and stereos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe new Apple TV for $99
Steve Jobs just pulled out the world famous "one more thing" for nothing other than... a new Apple TV. It's now a streaming-focused device (as we predicted months ago) in a small matte black enclosure we're calling "the hockey puck." It has HDMI, Ethernet, optical audio, and USB plugs around back, and of course 802.11n for the cable-averse. Inside there ain't much -- there's no local storage, which makes this thing an entirely different beast than old Apple TVs, relying entirely on the "cloud" for content. Those new streaming HD TV rentals from ABC and Fox will be a mere 99 cents, while first run HD movies will be a less thrilling $4.99. Other services include Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, and Mobile Me, along with Rotten Tomatoes integration in the movie catalog. You can also stream from your computer, if you miss those old hard drive-sourced days of yore, but iOS 4.2's AirPlay also enables streaming from an iPad straight to an Apple TV for something much more surreal. The best news? Apple will start shipping this sucker four weeks from now for $99.
Update: We just got confirmation from Apple that the new Apple TV will be streaming 720p video only (no big surprise there), and that existing Apple TVs won't be getting an upgrade to the new cloud-based software (again, not a shocker).
Update 2: Can't imagine life without a 160GB hard drive? The original Apple TV is still on sale at the Apple Store for $149. [Thanks, Josh]
Gallery: Apple TV (2010) press images
Gallery: Apple announces new Apple TV - Hardware
Gallery: Apple announces new Apple TV - Interface
Continue reading The new Apple TV for $99
The new Apple TV for $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsiPod touch gets revamped: retina display, FaceTime, HD video recording
Check out our full live coverage here!
Gallery: iPod touch gets revamped
Gallery: Apple iPod touch (2010) press images
Continue reading iPod touch gets revamped: retina display, FaceTime, HD video recording
iPod touch gets revamped: retina display, FaceTime, HD video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsiPod nano redesigned: smaller, lighter, better and costing $149 for 8GB or $179 for 16GB
P.S. -- If you were looking for that awesome camera the nano used to have, stop. It ain't there anymore. We've also noted that there's no video playback to be found anymore, either.
Gallery: iPod nano gets a major overhaul
Gallery: Apple iPod nano (2010) press images
iPod nano redesigned: smaller, lighter, better and costing $149 for 8GB or $179 for 16GB originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple demos iOS 4.2, features AirPlay media streaming
Gallery: Apple demoes iOS 4.2 for the iPad
Apple demos iOS 4.2, features AirPlay media streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMotorola Milestone 2 arrives, 720p HD video, Android 2.2, and Motoblur Enhanced in tow
One advantage over the Droid 2 here is the addition of 720p video recording. It's still the exact same imager as on the back of the first Milestone, but now you can catch moving visuals in HD resolution. Moto were keen to point out the 5-device hotspot capabilities (courtesy of Froyo) on the Milestone 2, but they showed it off using a wired connection since the demo handset's O2 SIM card wouldn't permit wireless tethering. Well, that was a grand demonstration of how vulnerable our Android 2.2 goodness will be to the whims of mobile carriers. The Milestone 2's expected to launch around Europe in Q4, with carrier-dependent pricing as per usual.
Update: Hands-on video now available after the break.
Gallery: Motorola Milestone 2 hands-on
Gallery: Motorola Milestone 2 press pics
Motorola Milestone 2 arrives, 720p HD video, Android 2.2, and Motoblur Enhanced in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMotorola Defy: Android 2.1 goes rugged with water, dust and scratch resistance
Update: Hands-on video now available after the break.
Gallery: Motorola Defy hands-on
Gallery: Motorola Defy press pics
Continue reading Motorola Defy: Android 2.1 goes rugged with water, dust and scratch resistance
Motorola Defy: Android 2.1 goes rugged with water, dust and scratch resistance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple to livestream its fall event
At any rate, you can tune to the livestream at apple.com, or if you really care about an untainted and supremely intelligent take on the proceedings, you'll follow along with our liveblog right here.
Apple to livestream its fall event originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNew Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9
Hey, what's this? We just started hearing rumors this morning that Microsoft was planning a new Xbox 360 controller with an improved D-pad, and bang -- Major Nelson just went live with a YouTube video detailing the new piece. The new D-pad is a trick new patented design that's just as we heard from Joystiq: it's a disc in the normal configuration, but a quick twist raises the crossbars about a quarter-inch, making it eminently more usable. (That sound you hear is joyous weeping.) The analog sticks have also been tweaked to be slightly more concave, and -- wonder of wonders -- the ABXY buttons are now translucent monochrome instead of colored. Wild. The new matte silver controller will only come bundled with the Play and Charge kit for $64.99 when it launches on November 9 in the States and replaces the existing wireless controller -- it'll hit Europe around February. Yep, it definitely seems like a major upgrade, but we've got a couple questions: when will it replace the packed-in controller? What about all the people who just bought new Stealthboxes and got the older controller? And, most importantly, when can we have one to try out? We're pressing for answers and we'll let you know -- check the video after the break in the meantime.
Gallery: New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9
[Thanks, Bill]
Continue reading New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9
New Xbox 360 controller with improved D-pad confirmed, $65 on November 9 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsXbox Live Gold price increasing November 1 in US, UK, Canada, and Mexico
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Xbox Live Gold price increasing November 1 in US, UK, Canada, and Mexico originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNintendo dropping DSi and DSI XL prices on September 12
Continue reading Nintendo dropping DSi and DSI XL prices on September 12
Nintendo dropping DSi and DSI XL prices on September 12 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMicrosoft co-founder Paul Allen sues Apple, Google, Facebook, AOL, eBay, Netflix, Yahoo!, Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, and YouTube over patents
Microsoft's co-founder Paul Allen has filed suit against nine companies over patent violations. Through his current firm, Interval Licensing LLC, Allen is suing Apple, Google, AOL, Facebook, ebay, Netflix, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples, Yahoo, and YouTube (which is a subsidiary of Google). The claims involve four separate patents, most of which cover integral parts of how the companies named do business. For example, one patent allows site suggestions for consumers based on things they're currently viewing, while another allows related articles to be delivered while reading news. All in all, it sounds like Allen's patents -- if they're indeed found to cover these technologies -- are seriously vast. The suit, which was filed today, does not name any specific amount of damages he is seeking. Allen, who is one of the richest people in the world with an estimated worth of over $13 billion, recently pledged to donate over half of his wealth to philanthropic causes after Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates called on the world's billionaires to do so.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sues Apple, Google, Facebook, AOL, eBay, Netflix, Yahoo!, Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, and YouTube over patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsDell dropping Windows Phone 7 devices from its roadmap? (update: Dell responds, is definitely still in the game)
We already knew that HP was out of the game (instead focusing on webOS phones), but the casual suggestion that Dell has made for the door here is somewhat suspect. The company itself hasn't made any statements (we've reached out but have yet to hear back), and while Dell has certainly concentrated a lot of effort on Android devices recently, its partnership with Microsoft is long-standing (despite dabbling in the world of open source). If the story turns out to be true, it could spell mixed (if not outright bad) tidings for the Windows Phone 7 launch, which Goldberg alleges may cost Microsoft upwards of half a billion dollars -- no small fee. Losing two of the biggest computer-makers in the world can't feel very good when you're trying to fight your way back to relevancy, but at least on the bright side, neither HP nor Dell have a track record of making anything other than heroically mediocre handsets. Take this all with a grain of salt right now, however, as the author of the TechCrunch article provides no source for the statements from Goldberg, and... well, he's an analyst, and they're prone to making up all kinds of crazy things. We're investigating, and will let you know as soon as we have more info.
Update: We've been pinged back by Dell's Matt Parretta, and he was 100 percent clear that Dell was most certainly still part of the Windows Phone 7 game. In the company's words: Any reports, or speculation, that report Dell will not support Windows Phone 7 are false... Microsoft announced Dell as a supporting partner at this year's Mobile World Congress and nothing's changed. We are excited to collaborate with Microsoft on Windows Phone 7, and are looking forward to bringing customers amazing mobile experiences. Furthermore, the analyst in question here (Jonathan Goldberg) has also reached out to us to clarify his statements, saying that he believes Dell is still a partner on Windows Phone 7, just not a launch partner. Dell was mum on release schedules, but one thing is clear -- they intend to follow through on this collaboration.
Dell dropping Windows Phone 7 devices from its roadmap? (update: Dell responds, is definitely still in the game) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVerizon confirms Android 2.2 update for Droid Incredible hits today
[Thanks, Ryan]
Verizon confirms Android 2.2 update for Droid Incredible hits today originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSamsung Galaxy Tab gets video preview in Korea
Update: Fast-loading video embedded after the break.
[Thanks, Eric]
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab gets video preview in Korea
Samsung Galaxy Tab gets video preview in Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsCanon EOS 60D: 18 megapixels and 1080p video flexes its articulating screen this September
Gallery: Canon 60D press shots
Canon EOS 60D: 18 megapixels and 1080p video flexes its articulating screen this September originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsGoogle introduces Call from Gmail, free calls to US and Canada (update: impressions)
Gallery: Google Voice in Gmail demo and pricing
You'll be able to make calls to US and Canadian landlines completely free of charge, buying prepaid credits using Google Checkout for international landline calling at $0.02 a minute and a good bit more (We saw $0.19 to Spain) for calls to international mobile devices. Google will sell its own credits for the program (via Google Checkout), which should be available in a few weeks, but the Voice in Gmail service goes live today in the US and will begin rolling out to users immediately. Google's only committed to free calls to US and Canadian landlines through the end of the year, as paid international calls are the sole revenue stream here: "Our hope is we'll be able to make enough margin on international calls to keep offering it at that low price," a product manager told us. We're going to give some VoIP goodness a spin right now, check back later for impressions!
Update: Google Voice product manager Vincent Paquet confirmed that the service's newfound VoIP functionality does indeed stem from the Gizmo5 acquisition -- Call from Gmail is partially based on Gizmo5 technology, was developed by a team including Gizmo5 engineers, and resides in part on Gizmo5's backend. He wouldn't comment any more specifically on the technology than that. Also, that cherry red phone booth up top apparently isn't just for show -- Google's agreed to trial free calling booths at an airport and a pair of universities!
Update 2: We've just tested Call to Gmail and Skype side by side using the exact same setup, and found Google's service boasts surprisingly competitive voice quality to the reigning incumbent. When we called a fellow editor's iPhone 4 from a Gmail-equipped laptop, the sentences he spoke sounded much clearer than through Skype, with each individual word crisper and more recognizable even as volume and pitch sounded much the same. Unfortunately for Google, the inverse wasn't true -- Skype did a much better job canceling noise from our integrated laptop microphone in a crowded room.
Google introduces Call from Gmail, free calls to US and Canada (update: impressions) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsApple to hold 'special event' September 1st... we'll be there live!
In case you haven't heard the rumors lately:
Apple TV
- Exclusive: Upcoming Apple TV loses 1080p playback, gains apps, will be renamed iTV
- The next Apple TV revealed: cloud storage and iPhone OS on tap... and a $99 price tag
- Apple reportedly in talks with networks for 99 cent TV show rentals
- Yoko Ono regarding Beatles on iTunes: 'Don't hold your breath'
- iPod touch coming in a 'few weeks' with dual cameras and Retina Display, suggests John Gruber
- Apple iPod touch LCD screen with front-facing camera slot spied?
- New iPhone, iPad model codes set up for iTunes activation bypass -- CDMA versions, maybe?
- Apple's Lala music team working on video streaming service for 2010 launch?
Apple to hold 'special event' September 1st... we'll be there live! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSamsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video
Update: here's a few other things we've noticed from the trailer. In addition to the aforementioned details, the floating text also references augmented reality and video calling (perhaps indicating a front-facing camera as well). Speaking of cameras, you'll notice in one shot what appears to be a LED flash bulb next to the camera. Must we really wait another 9 or so days?
Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab trailer: frame-by-frame
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video
Samsung Galaxy Tab gets official teaser video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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