Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)

Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video):

When Kobo released the Vox, its first tablet, Engadget had just recently abolished review scores. In retrospect, that was a good thing for the company, as we didn't have very many nice things to say about it. The product suffered from short battery life, for one, along with sluggish performance and WiFi connectivity issues. It's no wonder, then, that Kobo is loathe to call its new Arc tablet a "follow-up" to the Vox so much as a "re-thinking." The tablet, which will go on sale in mid-November starting at $199, brings a faster 1.5GHz TI processor, a battery rated for 10 to 12 hours of runtime and a re-tooled software experience built on Ice Cream Sandwich. Is that enough to unseat the new Kindle Fire HD or the Nexus 7? That, friends, is a question best answered in our forthcoming review, but after a few minutes of hands-on time we can at least say that we're pleasantly surprised. Meet us past the break to find out why.

Gallery: Kobo Arc hands-on

Continue reading Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video)
Filed under: Tablets

Kobo Arc tablet hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

VOX jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on)

VOX jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on):

Guitarists and Bassists have many tools at their disposal for practicing fresh news licks without disturbing others around them. One of our favorites has been Vox's AmPlug -- a guitar amp-modeling dongle that plugs into your instrument's 1/4-inch jack, allowing you to connect headphones and an MP3 player to practive privately. Building upon the idea, Vox has worked with Audio-Technica to simply embed the AmPlug in a new line of headphones, dubbing them Amphones. The company quietly put the cans up on its site recently, and it's now officially ready to shout out load about them.
Guitarists can choose from AC-30 (British crunch), Lead (hi-gain) and Twin (clean) variants, and bassists can snag the Bass version, which is based on Vox's AC100. Just like the AmPlug, each Amphone features volume dials -- sadly, these don't go to 11 -- for setting gain, volume and tone, along with a fourth for a built-in effect (compression for the Bass and reverb with the AC30, for example). A duo of triple AAs to power the cans and, as you'd expect, the 'phones has a 3.5mm jack for hooking in external sources as well as a 1/4 adapter for its cable to plug into your axe. While these Vox-styled will be available in the US sometime in October for $100 a pop (double the cost of an AmPlug). Hungering for more already? We were able to give a pre-production version of the AC30 model a brief run, and you'll find our initial impressions after the break.

Gallery: Vox Amphones ears-on

Continue reading VOX jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on)
Filed under: Misc, Portable Audio/Video, Wearables

VOX jams guitar amps into Audio-Technica headphones, dubs them Amphones (ears-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Netflix for iPhone update adds 'continue watching' bar, more titles to home screen (video)

Netflix for iPhone update adds 'continue watching' bar, more titles to home screen (video):

It's not just the Android side of things that's getting a little love from Netflix, the iPhone app just got a refresh too. The new design brings the mobile version much more inline with the tablet edition that got a revamp last December. The update brings with it the ability to resume watching shows, right from the top of the app view, along with the sliding rows of titles, and custom recommendations that you may be familiar with from other versions. The new interface gets the official walk-through in the video after the break, but as it's available now, you might just want to fondle the source link directly.
Continue reading Netflix for iPhone update adds 'continue watching' bar, more titles to home screen (video)
Filed under: Cellphones, HD, Mobile

Netflix for iPhone update adds 'continue watching' bar, more titles to home screen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Netflix Blog, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

Google releases new Java to iOS source code translator

Google releases new Java to iOS source code translator:

Developers have their work cut out. Even if we (impolitely) sidestep the likes of Windows Phone, BlackBerry and the rest, those coders often have to pitch their work across web, iOS and Android. Google's trying to make that job a little easier, introducing a new tool that automatically converts Java source code into Objective-C, which is used in iPad and iPhone apps. While the J2ObjC tool can't tackle the UI for these, it does allow developers to craft other parts (including data access and nuts-and-bolts programming) into an easily shareable code without editing. Some existing Google projects already utilize the new translator, but its results remains a little temperamental -- the tool hasn't translated all possible paths just yet, and many Java devs have, according to the project page, "a slightly different way of using Java."

Google releases new Java to iOS source code translator originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ZDNET  |  Google Open Source Blog  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft gifts full-time employees with Surface tablets, Windows 8 phones and PCs

Microsoft gifts full-time employees with Surface tablets, Windows 8 phones and PCs:

Reprising a Windows Phone 7 giveaway from back in 2010, Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer announced at the company's annual event that all 90,000 or so full-time employees are getting a taste of its latest hardware. That's one Surface for Windows RT tablet and Windows Phone 8 phone (we're told that last time around these came with two year contracts) in late December, along with a new touch compatible office computer running Windows 8, presumably arriving sooner. Forbes indicates those PCs can be a desktop, laptop, ultrabook or tablet, and we have a pic of one employee's new Lenovo-built slate running Windows 8 on a Core i7 CPU with 8GB of RAM after the break. Pulling an Oprah, again, isn't just one way to improve employee morale, it also ensures everyone's familiar with the new products as they roll out and are ready to tell people about them. Will that provide the necessary bump to catch up with the competition from Apple and Google? Only time will tell, but if you're wondering what to say when someone asks if every single person wants a Surface then our advice follows after the break.

Gallery: Microsoft Employee meeting Windows 8 gifts

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading Microsoft gifts full-time employees with Surface tablets, Windows 8 phones and PCs
Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Mobile

Microsoft gifts full-time employees with Surface tablets, Windows 8 phones and PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

'More than 50 games' launching alongside Wii U this November

'More than 50 games' launching alongside Wii U this November:

When Nintendo's Wii U launches this November in the US and EU, it's bringing "more than 50" launch window games -- what that "launch window" means, exactly, is another question altogether. Nintendo's leading the lineup with a variety of its own games, though publishers Activision and Ubisoft are certainly leading the charge in terms of sheer number of games. A variety of high-profile cross platform ports are heading to the Wii U, from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 to Madden NFL 13. And yes, Nintendo's bringing plenty of its stalwart franchises to the launch, including New Super Mario Bros. Head past the break for the full list shown during today's New York City press conference.
Continue reading 'More than 50 games' launching alongside Wii U this November
Filed under: Gaming

'More than 50 games' launching alongside Wii U this November originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

PSA: Motorola Droid RAZR M arrives on Verizon today, priced at $99

PSA: Motorola Droid RAZR M arrives on Verizon today, priced at $99:

We were pleasantly surprised with what Motorola offered in its smallest new smartphone. With a responsive dual-core S4 processor and a battery that went the distance, the RAZR M is looking like a strong prospect for Verizon, landing at $99 (after a $50 rebate) on a two-year contract. To celebrate it launching today, Motorola's even cooked up a quick ad to go with the launch -- we've added it after the break. Visit the Verizon link below to place your order.
Continue reading PSA: Motorola Droid RAZR M arrives on Verizon today, priced at $99
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

PSA: Motorola Droid RAZR M arrives on Verizon today, priced at $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Verizon  | Email this | Comments

Apple gives region-by-region breakdown of iOS 6 capabilities: specifies Siri and Maps functionality

Apple gives region-by-region breakdown of iOS 6 capabilities: specifies Siri and Maps functionality:

In an effort to let its customers know exactly what they'll get when the iPhone 5 arrives in their country, Apple has broken down what iOS 6 will offer in different territories. US customers will get the full bounty that that the mobile OS has to offer, being the only country whose maps will be peppered with 3D buildings. A pretty comprehensive list of 23 iPhone-enraptured countries will join the US in receiving turn-by-turn navigation and traffic information, including most of western Europe, Australia, China and Canada. 49 countries will get their maps augmented by local search results, while directions and satellite imaging will arrive on an even larger list of places you'll now need to visit.
Siri content, meanwhile, is a little leaner, with the likes of the UK, Japan, Canda and Australia all joining the US on some pretty short lists, gaining Twitter, Sport, Facebook and local search integration. Movie content, including reviews and showtimes, will only be fully enabled in the USA, UK and Canada. Check Apple's full breakdown at the source below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software

Apple gives region-by-region breakdown of iOS 6 capabilities: specifies Siri and Maps functionality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  Apple  | Email this | Comments

Wii U hits Europe November 30

Wii U hits Europe November 30:

Nintendo today announced a Wii U launch date of November 30 for Europe, with the prices as yet unavailable for either the Basic or Premium sets that will come to stores.

Nintendo of Europe announced the launch details during a Nintendo Direct broadcast, which ran at the same time as Nintendo of America's New York event this afternoon.

As with the sets in other regions, the Basic set comes with 8GB memory, a GamePad, AC adapters, and an HDMI cable. The Premium includes all of that and also a console stand, GamePad charging dock, GamePad stand, sensor bar, and the Nintendo Network Premium subscription, and Nintendo Land as well.

Wii U hits Europe November 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September

Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September:

Google and Boingo keep expanding their partnership, making GoGo a little jealous in the process were sure. Starting this week you'll be able to hop online for free at over 4,000 Boingo hotspots across the country. Among the complimentary WiFi bastions are major airports such as JFK and O'Hare, as well as many subway platforms across New York City. All this is coming courtesy of Google Play, which is footing the bill for your free wireless adventure. The deal wraps up at the end of the month, but that still leaves you almost three weeks to take complete advantage of Big G and Boingo. PR is awaiting you after the break.
Continue reading Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September
Filed under: Internet

Google Play foots the bill for 4,000 free Boingo hotspots through September originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

YouTube releases standalone app for iOS, tablet-tailored version in the works

YouTube releases standalone app for iOS, tablet-tailored version in the works:

There was much (some?) tearing of clothes and gnashing of teeth when Apple pulled its YouTube app from iOS 6. That pain was lessened by Google's promise of a standalone app to replace it, and now Big G's version has arrived, ready to be installed on the legions of new iPhones to come. YouTube's touting the app's fresh channel guide -- that lets users swipe from left to right to reveal a screen with easy access to their channel subscriptions -- and better search features as the main attractions of the new software. Oh, and for folks with ten-inch Apple screens, YouTube has assured us that its engineers are back in the lab cooking up an iPad-specific version set to show up "in the coming months." Until then, the phone version will have to suffice, and you can grab it at the iTunes source link below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software

YouTube releases standalone app for iOS, tablet-tailored version in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 03:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  iTunes, The Official YouTube Blog  | Email this | Comments

iPhone 5: the rumor roundup

iPhone 5: the rumor roundup:

We're on the cusp of Apple's sixth iPhone launch, and there's very different expectations than there were last year. The 2011 rumor cycle left more than a few people burned: the later-than-usual October launch and repeated claims of a heavily-remade design led some to a disappointment when the iPhone 4S arrived, even though the final product had a slew of camera, speed and voice command upgrades. This year, the rumors have been grounded well before there was an event date in our hands.
There have been fewer instances of wild rumors. Instead, it's been based more around pragmatism, using either tangible leaks or sources that have a solid track record. Think of the perennial leaks from the Wall Street Journal or the increasingly well-established sourcing from iMore and The Loop. Whether you're conspiracy-minded or not, it's been hard to ignore the sheer number of claims that have tamped down expectations rather than inflated them. It's as though there's a collective fear we'll see a repeat of the 2011 hysteria and deal with fans (or detractors) complaining about missing features that were never promised in the first place.
Where last summer was full of uncertainty, this year there's a mounting consensus as to what we'll see, how we'll get it, and when. Tracking everything that's been mentioned may be a handful, however. With that in mind, we'll dive in and gauge what's likely to emerge from behind Apple's curtain on September 12th -- as well as what we can rule out from the get-go.
Continue reading iPhone 5: the rumor roundup
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

iPhone 5: the rumor roundup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Scientists develop robotic tentacle that can pick flowers, make us thumb our collars

Scientists develop robotic tentacle that can pick flowers, make us thumb our collars:

Okay, it's a little too late for Johnny 5's grass hopper, but thanks to new "gentle" robotic tentacles developed at Harvard University, future generations of insects could escape a similar demise. Researchers have created a new soft appendage made from flexible plastic, that uses three compartmentalized air channels to achieve a snake-like range of movement. The touch of the tentacle is so light, that it is able to pick flowers without damage. While suggested applications include working with fragile objects, or in hard to reach locations, the team also experimented by adding cameras, suction cups and -- most terrifyingly -- syringes to the tip. The only limitation, apparently, is that the air channels prevent it from being scaled down. So while our insect friends are safe from strangle-bot, we might not be so lucky.
Filed under: Science, Alt

Scientists develop robotic tentacle that can pick flowers, make us thumb our collars originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 07:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink New Scientist  |  Wiley  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild

Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild:

Now that the second-gen Note is finally out of Samsung's precious (and teasing) bag, we're learning more and more about the exorbitant device -- not to say we weren't expecting this to be the case, however. Still, we were rather intrigued by the distinct Galaxy Note II pictured above, which, by the looks it, comes pre-loaded with dual-SIM capabilities, and thus makes this particular unit slightly different than that one unit we played with back at IFA. Although details are still very scarce at the moment, rumor has it the dual-SIM Note will only be available in China and, aside from the slot additions, all other features the famed phablet offers appear to be exactly the same. Feel free to check out the source below for more pics, but don't expect anything too exciting or out of the ordinary -- unless, of course, extra SIM slots are your thing.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM capabilities gets spotted in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Unwired View  |  MyDrivers  | Email this | Comments

European carrier sources: Nokia to start selling the Lumia 920 in November (update: Coming to AT&T on November 2nd)

European carrier sources: Nokia to start selling the Lumia 920 in November (update: Coming to AT&T on November 2nd):

While we heard practically everything else about Nokia's new Windows Phone 8 flagship, there were still two very important details still missing -- its price and release date. Now, according to Reuters' "telecom operator" sources, a spokesperson from an unnamed eastern European carrier said that sales of the PureView-packing Lumia 920 will start in the second half of November, with larger countries landing the device earlier in the same month. Another source from a Nordic operator then followed suit, stating that they expected the phone to arrive in stores around mid to late November. We've reached out to our contacts, and will update if we hear anything more -- especially if it involves a price tag.
Update: It's being reported that the Lumia 920 will arrive in the US on AT&T's network November 2nd.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

European carrier sources: Nokia to start selling the Lumia 920 in November (update: Coming to AT&T on November 2nd) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Reuters, The Verge  | Email this | Comments

Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean

Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean:

During Motorola's keynote on Wednesday, the company announced a nice little bonus for loyal fans -- should your 2011-or-later handset not receive a Jelly Bean update, you'll get $100 if you upgrade to one of its new models. Well, a website for the deal has gone live and the initial Ts&Cs don't make it sound like an immediate discount, but that the Benjamin will instead be reimbursed as a gift card, carrier credit or a cash equivalent of Motorola's choice. We're still in the dark about which specific phones will be denied a taste of Android 4.1, although the list is expected "very soon." In the meantime, you can sign up at the source link below to receive details of how to update, or how to claim the rebate once the fate of your old handset has been decided.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phone Arena  |  Motorola  | Email this | Comments

Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell

Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell:

Remember that image sent recently by an anonymous tipster showing two versions of the Nokia Lumia 822 nestled comfortably within Verizon's device management system? Turns out there is something cooking between the Finnish phone maker and Big Red after all. The Wall Street Journal reports that Verizon has confirmed plans involving a Nokia Corp. tie-up, with sources familiar with the deal saying that the companies have been in talks since the spring. Just exactly what it is they're working on, however, still remains a mystery. Apparently, Verizon and Nokia are playing their cards close to the vest and refusing to disclose specific details about a potential deal. Still, the betting money is on some sort of tie-up involving Nokia's Lumia line. The Windows 8 handsets have seen a deluge of news this month, mostly involving the new 920 and 820 models. Whatever Nokia's got planned, several analysts also said the company needs to act fast. With Samsung's popular Galaxy S III already out and Apple's new iPhone expected to launch soon, Nokia's new phones are expected to see some tough competition.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink All Things D  |  Wall Street Journal (subscription required)  | Email this | Comments

Apple patent application details method for detecting and displaying hand position on screen

Apple patent application details method for detecting and displaying hand position on screen:

We've had a glimpse at Apple's conception of a sensor-based keyless layout, and the latest patent application from Cupertino shows the company looking to further refine the input experience -- this time using a camera and other sensors to detect hand position and overlay that hand position on a device's screen. The filing details three methods to this end. The first shows a user's hands on a traditional hardware keyboard projected in an on-screen representation (as background, Apple mentions the ergonomic strain of looking down to check your hand placement, so perhaps that's the thinking behind this one). A second scenario involves a laptop with unlabeled keys, where the marked keyboard is displayed on the screen, and the final, most intriguing, setup shows backside controls on a tablet a la the PS Vita, with a user's fingers projected as if the device was transparent. Of course, this is just a patent application at this point, so don't expect to see this tech make its debut September 12th.
Filed under: Displays, Peripherals

Apple patent application details method for detecting and displaying hand position on screen originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  USPTO (PDF)  | Email this | Comments