|  |  |  | | | | | Engadget | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  If you left the theater after watching Marvel / Disney / Joss Whedon's The Avengers ready to buy the Blu-ray disc as soon as it hit then get your credit cards ready. As Blu-ray.com notes, Amazon has listings for both a 2-disc Blu-ray edition and a 4-disc Blu-ray 3D version, but the one that's caught our eye is the just updated listing for Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled. A ten disc set, it has every movie in this chapter of Marvel flicks -- Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man 1 & 2, The Incredible Hulk -- with 3D copies where applicable plus collectible packaging and a bonus "The Phase One Archives" disc. The only pic of the casing we have is the promo image shown above which hints at a replica of Nick Fury's Cosmic Cube suitcase from the movie, but more information is promised to be revealed July 15th. Until then you'll have to decide of $153 ($25~ per movie) is worth it for the set, or maybe take this time to finance it by selling off your existing copies on Craigslist. Your choice. [Thanks, Victor] Continue reading Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set Avengers Blu-ray preorders listed, including massive 10-disc Marvel Cinematic Universe set originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Amazon | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  You've picked up the Galaxy S III. You've grabbed the source code. But you probably like the quad-core monster too much to tear it down, which is why Chipworks and iFixit have taken to disassembling the phone for themselves to look fro any surprises. We certainly knew to expect the Exynos 4 Quad and 2,100mAh battery, but we now know how Samsung is claiming a boost to speed and image quality for the 8-megapixel camera: it's using the same Sony-made, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor that we've seen since the Xperia Arc and made its biggest splash in the iPhone 4S. Just don't anticipate replacing many components yourself. That 4.8-inch screen is not only permanently attached to the glass, but to the phone frame, leaving any face-first accidents a dicey fix. We're expecting a few more discoveries once iFixit gives the Galaxy S III a second scan, but the source will give you everything there is to know right now. Chipworks, iFixit tear down the Galaxy S III for all to see, spot iPhone 4S' camera sensor hanging around originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Here's a minor surprise: Android slipping at all in US market share. Although it saw just a tiny drop of two tenths of a point from where it was in March, and still saw a gain over January, Google's platform was down to 50.8 percent in April. Nothing dramatic enough to make Mountain View worry, as such, but definitely a sharp break from the rapid growth of last year. Apple could meanwhile claim a small victory for the month as a result by continuing to grow -- even if we wouldn't call its 31.4 percent iPhone share a revolution. Of the other platforms, only Microsoft had anything to crow about, as the Lumia 900 launch brought Windows Phone back just over the four percent mark. The positions among individual cellphone makers as a whole didn't budge in April, and whatever losses came to Android's partners in that area were spread evenly across top-dog Samsung as well as LG and Motorola. Perhaps the biggest twist was HTC holding its ground at a steady six percent, which hints that the HTC One S' arrival at T-Mobile might have been just the ticket to keeping Taiwan in the fight. ComScore: Android's US share dips ever so slightly, iPhone slowly marching up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | ComScore | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  The ITU has stayed busy, as we mentioned earlier it met to hammer out standards for UHDTV (Ultra High Definition TV), and also recently announced a new set of recommendations for 3DTV. On the 3D front it focused on standardization for delivering video in both 720 and 1080 line formats, digital interfaces used for studio production and methods to evaluate quality based on picture quality, depth and comfort levels. As far as UHDTV which is still quite a bit further off, the group has decided the term will cover both 4K and 8K (aka Super Hi-Vision) resolution video, as multiples of the existing 1080p standard. That means Quad Full HD (QFHD, or 3840x2160 resolution) and Digital Cinema 4K resolution (4096x2160) both fall under the umbrella of 4K (check the aspect ratios to see where the "missing" pixels went, or have a listen to this week's podcast. After the break we've got a video with Study Group Chairman Christoph Dosch discussing the future possibilities of both 3DTV and UHDTV, as well as press releases with a few extra details. Continue reading ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video) ITU lays out recommendations on 3DTV, Ultra High Definition TV standards (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | ITU (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  We know Computex will involve nothing less than a deluge of new laptops, but if we believe Bloomberg, it's going to be a Windows 8 tablet-topia as well. Hot on the heels of the Windows 8 Release Preview, it's claimed by the ever-present "people with knowledge of the matter" that Acer, ASUS and Toshiba will all be showing tablets with the new OS at the Taipei show. ASUS will reportedly get the star treatment at Microsoft's keynote and show off Transformer-style Windows 8 tablets that we suspect are hinted at in ASUS' slightly cryptic trailers. Processor loyalties could be split across the wider group, though: ASUS is said to be spreading the love by showing both an Intel-based tablet as well as one using NVIDIA's ARM-powered Tegra line, but Acer's previously rumored tablet is poised to go the Intel-only route, and Toshiba's may exist solely in a TI OMAP-based ARM camp. It's not apparent if anyone else will join the Windows 8 tablet frenzy, although Qualcomm is expected to show yet another Snapdragon-running test device. We'll be on the ground at Computex next week, so you can be sure that we'll give you the full rundown on Windows 8's opening salvo. Tips have Acer, ASUS and Toshiba showing Windows 8 tablets at Computex, color us unsurprised originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Bloomberg | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Nope, it's definitely not the first handset we've seen that allows to be paired alongside a trifecta of SIM cards all at once. Nonetheless, Motorola's introduced a triple-SIM slab of its own: the Brazil-bound Motokey 3-Chip. Aside from the aforementioned feature, the Motokey also packs a set of physical QWERTY keys, two gigs of internal storage which can be expanded via microSD, an MP3 player / FM radio for tunes and a 2-megapixel rear shooter. Moto's 3-Chip is expected to be up for grabs next week in Pelé's country, with pricing being set at R$349,00, or around $170 in US cash. Motorola doesn't think two SIMs are enough, launches Motokey 3-Chip in Brazil originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  The Verge | Motorola Mobility | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Apple has been sending mixed signals as to whether or not it will bring NFC to the iPhone for mobile payments, but iCache clearly isn't waiting for the technology to show its face -- the company just started shipping its Geode e-wallet. As we saw just a few weeks ago, the Geode simply rolls existing credit and debit cards into a proxy GeoCard that's scanned at the store to handle transactions. Although it demands a specially-made case with an e-paper screen and fingerprint reader, not to mention an app to manage the attached cards, the choice lets an iPhone owner buy goods at all the usual places instead of having to hunt down special terminals. We like the one-card universe it creates, although it's clear the shopper has to carry a lot of the responsibility for making this digital payment dream a reality: at $200 a pop, the Geode's wallet-slimming effect carries a premium, especially since it won't work with anything besides an iPhone 4 or 4S. iCache Geode claims title of first shipping iPhone e-wallet, asks 'who needs NFC?' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | iCache | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  It's just about closing time for Google Shopping's free merchant listings. The iconic search engine has traditionally shown us products regardless of a commercial relationship with sellers, but they'll be required to fork over some coin if they want to join the party after the fall. Currently called Google Product Listings, the platform's name and format have evolved several times since the Froogle days. Google says the older model can lead to some shady and obsolete info, whereas charging vendors will "encourage them to keep their product information fresh and up to date." New shopping formats are already being tested with a small population of users and include bigger pics and the ability to fine tune the search based on brand or product type. As the song goes, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Google Shopping to change formats, charge merchants originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Search Engine Land | Google | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Opera Mini 7 has been available via the Google Play market since the end of March, but if you're still milking a feature phone for all it's worth, you haven't been able to enjoy the latest version of the mobile browser. Opera Mini 7 is now available for basic phones and BlackBerry, allowing these devices to store an unlimited number of speed dials and access the new Smart Page feature for shortcuts to favorite sites. In addition to those new features, Opera Mini 7 includes several improvements and tweaks, including upgrade notifications and the ability to close tabs with one click on touchscreen phones. Of course, the browser still promises to cut down on your device's bandwidth usage, so your flip phone can keep on chugging. Opera Mini 7 comes to feature phones and BlackBerry, upgrade notifications in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink All About Symbian | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Well, it looks like T-Mobile's Galaxy S II isn't the only device that's gotten some Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade news today. Verizon has now also confirmed that its version of the Motorola Xoom will finally be getting an ICS update of its own on June 4th. That will bring the tablet up to Android 4.0.4, and add features like speech-to-text functionality, a customizable launch bar, a new built-in photo editor, and the ability to dismiss notifications with a swipe. Those having problems with the tablet will also be glad to know that the update brings with it a slew of fixes and promised performance improvements -- the full rundown on those can be found at the second source link below. Verizon's Motorola Xoom to get ICS upgrade on June 4th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Verizon (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Viper reckons it can be your singular, all-round vehicle app judging by the considerable leap in features for version 3.0 of its Android, iOS or Blackberry SmartStart. On top of previous car lock, security and ignition controls, the aux channels now let you monkey with other parts from afar, like the sunroof, windows, stereo, AC and more. The new SmartSchedule pings you when it's time to (remotely) start 'er up, and vehicle diagnostics flag engine issues through DTC repair codes, if you drive certain models. The jazziest addition is the Directed Cloud Services which let you monitor your car's status and position through GPS, and start it, lock it, or access the other aforementioned controls -- regardless of where in the world you both are. For the true micro-manager, there's no such thing as overkill. Viper outs SmartStart 3.0, knows where your car is and what it's up to originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | PR Newswire | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  If you've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting some more for Ice Cream Sandwich to show up on the US variants of the Galaxy S II, it looks like the upgrade is ready to begin trickling in. T-Mobile is the first to announce an official date for its flavor of last year's flagship device, with its version of the GSII rolling out on June 11th. Unfortunately, it's not an OTA refresh as we'd prefer -- you'll have to surrender yourself to the will of Kies, but at least it's going to be available. AT&T and Sprint, the move is now yours to make.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in] T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S II getting ICS June 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Twitter | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Drastic product strategy adjustments appear to be a hot trend for smartphone manufacturers in 2012, and Huawei is one such example of a company doing its best to hang out with the cool kids. It's hard to blame it, of course: the OEM's previous success has been in its ability to crank out budget-friendly smartphones, feature phones and USB sticks like nobody's business and pushing them out to emerging markets. The story's even more dire within the US, as most carriers have kept Huawei out of the spotlight by choosing very few of its devices, white-labeling each one and selling them as prepaid. In an effort to gain awareness and improve its market share, Huawei's turned to establishing brand recognition and improving device selection as its focal points for 2012.
Barely a week into the new year, Huawei took to the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show to showcase the Ascend P1 and P1 S. These two smartphones, nearly identical twins with the exception of the P1 S' thinner profile and (oddly enough) larger battery, represented the first phase in the company's new product strategy. The pair were to be powerful new devices with a classy, stylish look and feel. This was a welcome move since Huawei's best product prior to CES was the Honor, a 1.4GHz single-core device with a 4-inch FWVGA display.
Until Huawei launches its top-tier Diamond series of smartphones (including the ultra-powerful D Quad), the Ascend P1 -- which is expected to arrive in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia by the end of the month at an unknown price -- will be the company's best offering. Naturally, we were eager to take this Platinum series (second tier) device for a spin. Is the P1 truly a sign of Huawei turning a new leaf? Does it hold its own against similarly specced competition? Follow us past the break to find out. Continue reading Huawei Ascend P1 review Huawei Ascend P1 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Ever since Stuxnet was discovered, most of the accusing fingers have been pointed at the US, Israel or both, whether or not there was any evidence; it was hard to ignore malware that seemed tailor-made for wrecking Iranian centrifuges and slowing down the country's nuclear development. As it turns out, Occam's Razor is in full effect. An exposé from the New York Times matter-of-factly claims that the US and Israel coded Stuxnet as part of a cyberwar op, Olympic Games, and snuck it on to a USB thumb drive that infected computers at the Natanz nuclear facility. The reason we know about the infection at all, insiders say, is that it got out of control: someone modified the code or otherwise got it to spread through an infected PC carried outside, pushing Obama to either double down (which he did) or back off. Despite all its connections, the newspaper couldn't confirm whether or not the new Flame malware attack is another US creation. Tipsters did, however, deny that Flame is part of the Olympic Games push -- raising the possibility that there are other agencies at work. [Image credit: David Holt, Flickr] Stuxnet pinned on US and Israel as an out-of-control creation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Ars Technica | New York Times | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Well, hello there Roku owners. Via its blog site, the creator of the tiny, but entertainment-packed boxes announced it's now giving you access to the renown Slacker Radio application, allowing you to listen in on over 200 music stations -- much like you already do on your iOS and Android slabs. That's not it, though, Roku also notes the recently announced Amazon Watchlist feature is now live on the outfit's channel, which should make Instant Video junkies very happy. The fresh goods are available now, so power on your miniature box and put 'em to good use. Roku adds Slacker Radio to app locker, Watchlist now live on Amazon Instant Video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Roku (1), (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  The ledgers of history are littered with the rotting corpses of well intentioned, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempts to put computers in the hands of the young, underprivileged or severely impoverished. Some, like Intel's Classmate wanted to put cheap, durable Wintel machines in every American classroom, while others, like the OLPC program, focused their efforts on developing nations. Okay, perhaps it's a bit hyperbolic to compare those initiatives to decomposing bodies, but there's no denying they haven't exactly flooded the world with low-cost PCs the way they were envisioned. So, here comes the Raspberry Pi, another effort with lofty goals, both in terms of purpose and price. Of course, the approach is different here -- more barebones, with a healthy dose of inspiration from Arduino and the DIY movement. The question is, what has it learned from those that have come before it? And, most importantly, where does the Raspberry Pi go right and where does it go wrong? To find out, keep reading after the break. Continue reading Raspberry Pi impressions: the $35 Linux computer and tinker toy Raspberry Pi impressions: the $35 Linux computer and tinker toy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  With the Windows 8 Release Preview unveiled and available for all to download as of yesterday, you can bet that other companies are hustling to make their products compatible -- and that doesn't just go for hardware. NVIDIA announced that its new R302 graphics drivers have received Windows 8 certification, and they will be available for download early next week from GeForce.com. The drivers support all the new Windows Display Driver Model's features along with NVIDIA 3D Vision and 3DTV Play products. Not only are the R302 drivers Windows 8-compatible, but they also only work with that generation of the OS. Other versions of Windows will continue to use NVIDIA's R300 drivers. NVIDIA GeForce R302 drivers get Windows 8 certification, available for download soon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | NVIDIA Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  TiVo is known for being more than a bit aggressive in claiming patent rights for its DVRs, and Cisco has apparently had the last straw. Scientific Atlanta's owner has sued TiVo this week in an attempt to negate four patents that TiVo is allegedly using to bully Cisco and other set-top box makers. As long as those patents are active or usable against others, TiVo will refuse to give a fair license, Cisco says -- leaving competitors with little choice but to either agree to a costly settlement or risk a ban. Before championing Cisco as the underdog, remember that it's likely counting on a large patent library as a Sword of Damocles over TiVo's head that could fall if TiVo decides on a countersuit. Regardless of the strategic maneuvering, there's no doubt that Cisco is hoping to avoid a lawsuit on the scale of the epic-length EchoStar case. Cisco sues TiVo to nullify four DVR patents, claims TiVo's just a big meanie originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Reuters | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  If you're looking for something new to wrap around your noggin this coming season, then put it on your radar that Denon will be bringing 11 new sets of headphones to store shelves this August. That number might seem like quite a lot to digest, but it becomes a lot easier when broken down by category. First is the Exercise Freak lineup, a wrap-around earbud design that sells for $149 and will be available in black, blue and yellow. Beyond that, the company has three additional lineups -- the Music Maniac, the Urban Raver and the Globe Cruiser -- and each will be available in earbud and over-the-ear form factors. The Music Maniac headphones ($349 and $499) are designed to cater to audio purists with an acoustically flat signature. Most notable about the Music Maniac lineup is the top shelf Artisan model, which rings in at a healthy $1,199 and pits itself against other audiophile mainstays such as the Sennheiser HD800 and Audez'e LCD2. Meanwhile, the Urban Ravers ($249 and $399) place a heavy emphasis on bass, whereas the Globe Cruisers ($179 and $499) feature noise cancellation. As a nice touch, each of the models feature built-in microphones and volume controls. Denon is supplying iOS apps for each family of headphones, which is a bit of a novel idea, but they vary significantly among lineups. Music Maniac purchasers will be treated to a music app that combines EQ adjustment and integration with TuneIn Radio, while the app for Urban Raver owners focuses on sharing and discovering new music via Facebook and Twitter. Globe Cruiser users will (oddly enough) be treated to a travel app, whereas Exercise Freak owners will find an app that features GPS integration for activity tracking. If it's any redemption for the fragmented assortment of apps, Denon owners may purchase each individual selection in the App Store for $0.99. If your head isn't spinning yet, feel free to check out the PR after the break. Continue reading Denon turns up the volume with 11 new headphone models featuring iOS app integration Denon turns up the volume with 11 new headphone models featuring iOS app integration originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  The fact that modern smartphones still actually make voice calls may well come as a surprise to many users happy to use their mobile devices as pocket-sized computers. Carriers, on the other hand, seem content to keep the "phone" in smartphone. AT&T's Randall Stephenson told an investor conference this week that he sees a time in which carriers offer up data-only options for subscribers -- a time that may well come in the next two years or so. The CEO said he'd, "be surprised if, in the next 24 months, we don't see people in the market place with data-only plans." It's hardly an announcement, but it certainly comes from a guy who knows a thing or two about where the industry is headed. AT&T CEO predicts data-only plans within two years originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Yahoo! | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Windows 8 is coming and it features more and better Xbox integration than we've yet seen in an operating system from the company -- but it looks like Microsoft has something even bigger up its sleeve. We've just seen a presentation indicating the company will launch something called Smart Glass next week, a so-called "companion application" that will act much like AirPlay for the Xbox 360. Using the app, users will be able to play video and other media on tablets and phones and, more interestingly, push that content right to their consoles for playback on the big(ger) screen. But, it gets better: this app is said to be available for tablets and phones running Windows, Windows Phone, Android and iOS. Yes, it'll be about as multiplatform as it gets, and if this presentation proves to be legitimate, we'll be learning a lot more next week when E3 gets underway. Microsoft Smart Glass coming at E3, AirPlay-style streaming from iOS, Android and Windows Phone? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | examiner.com | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  While WWJC's already got a healthy list of special guests to address fellow iOS hackers, word has it that pod2g -- a well-known and good-looking contributor to the iDevice jailbreak scene -- will be the latest guest to join JailbreakCon's show on September 29th. Better still, the self-professed iOS security researcher will be both speaking and running a workshop there, making it all worthwhile for attendees traveling all the way to San Francisco. For those who want to familiarize yourselves with pod2g, hit the Redmond Pie link below to see his interview by JailbreakCon's Craig Fox. Or, you know, you can head over to WWJC to meet the man up close and personal -- just make sure you get a ticket first before it's too late! Hacker pod2g to speak and run hacking workshop at JailbreakCon's WWJC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | @poad2g (Twitter) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  According to rumors, Apple will soon ditch Google Maps for a service of its own (reportedly to launch in iOS 6), but far be it from the search giant to take that snub silently. 9to5Google reports that the company will hold an event to give the press a "behind-the-scenes look at Google Maps and share our vision" on June 6th. According to the invitation, Google will demo new features that "will get people where they want to go -- both physically and virtually." That shindig will go down just five days before Apple's WWDC, where Cupertino will likely announce its own Google Maps replacement. Google to hold Maps event ahead of WWDC, hopes to make Apple sorry for dropping it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink 9to5Google | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  It's that time of the year once again, friends. As you make your recreation and travel plans for the upcoming balmy weather, we're sure you're looking to snag a few new gadgets. Who doesn't like to take the latest and greatest camera or smartphone with 'em on that trip to Yellowstone? Well, we're looking to offer some help navigating the vast expanse that is the world of gadgetry. Here, you'll find the hub of our Summer Gear Guide -- think of it as the Grand Central Station for all your warm-weather tech suggestions. From this library of sorts, you'll be able to navigate easily to the category of your choice for a quick read on our gear favorites this season. So, what are you waiting for? It certainly isn't going to get any cooler out for a few months. Grab a glass of lemonade and head out on the porch before perusing our picks --- all accessible through the list of links below.
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  There's no doubt the Redmond team is spending a hefty amount of time enhancing its search engine at any chance it gets. Adding to the Linked tweaks we'd previously seen, Microsoft's now making Bing more social -- at least in the US of A. The most recent changes bring a Metro-driven interface to the homepage, which boasts that Microsoft "three column design" we laid eyes on earlier this month. Naturally, the revamp will open the doors to improved search results, but this, of course, will depend heavily on if you're up to linking your Facebook, Twitter or other social network accounts with Bing. That said, something tells us you're definitely up to it. Bing now more social in the US, hopes you 'like' it and tweet about it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Neowin | Bing Blog | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The Engadget Podcasters are doubling down on tech talk this week, filling the empty shelves of your patent office with news you can use about the hottest cloud- and hard drive-based operating systems released this week. The jock from That 70's Show also gets more than his fair share of discussion, as he tends to do. Like a pixelated bat out of a Ghouls n' Ghosts hell, it's The Engadget Podcast. Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Terrence O'Brien
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never 00:04:00 - The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game
00:07:20 - Windows 8 Release Preview detailed impressions
00:18:53 - Tim Cook at D10: 'we're going to double down on secrecy on products,' be 'super transparent' on other things
00:25:38 - Tim Cook: 2.7 million Apple TVs sold already this year, TV is 'area of intense interest'
00:24:55 - Tim Cook: Apple doubling-down on Siri, 'stay tuned' on Facebook developments
00:26:45 - Spotify director Sean Parker: Apple tried to keep Spotify out of the United States
00:32:22 - Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing
00:37:50 - Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature
00:42:17 - RIM warns of loss for Q1, hires JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to help with strategic review
00:46:33 - Sony NEX-F3 review
00:49:58 - Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 review
00:54:00 - Chrome OS review (version 19)
01:01:45 - Lenovo ThinkPad X230 review
01:05:53 - Listener questions
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Twitter: @bheater, @tim_stevens @terrenceobrien Filed under: Podcasts Engadget Podcast 296 - 06.01.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  The Hubble team over at NASA has confirmed what it's suspected for a while: that our galaxy is destined for a direct collision / love fest with Andromeda, culminating in the birth of "Milkomeda." But don't go lobbying Virgin Galactic for ring-side tickets just yet because the fireworks won't go off for another four billion years -- and last another two billion after that. Scientists also predict that the earth won't be threatened thanks to the sheer amount of empty space between stars, but we could lose the sun as it's flung out to some other part of the new system. You hear that? We could lose the freakin' sun! Hubble reveals unavoidable collision between our galaxy and Andromeda originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | hubblesite.org | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Samsung has a tendency to, well, get a bit pretentious when it comes to talking about its products. At the launch event, Sammy described the Galaxy S III as being "nature inspired" and "designed for humans." But, we know you've been hungering for more head-scratching, Madlibs-esque, non sequiturs to describe the form and function of the company's latest flagship. Thankfully, you'll plenty of comparisons to "infinity pools" and mentions of its "minimal organic" aesthetic at the source link. Would you describe the HyperGlaze finish on the handsets as "intriguing?" We suppose that all depends on what your second adjective was. Honestly though, we're ok with Samsung getting a little flowery, so long as it promises to stop stalking us. Click on the source link for more. Samsung discusses Galaxy S III design using the language of Magnetic Poetry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Samsung Tomorrow | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  What's that? You've already worked your requisite 40 hours this week and you're ready to throw in the towel? Well, we've got something far more enjoyable for your Friday afternoon relaxation. Hot off of the e-presses, this week's issue of Distro is packed with a week's worth of leisurely readings. The focus this time around is on Thomas Dolby and our own Brian Heater details the '80s pop star's journey back to the stage with TED, cellphones and his own virtual world. As far as reviews go, we spend some quality time getting to know the latest Chrome OS arsenal from Google, ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A and the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S III. Our hands-on section is still a young Padawan, but this week we breakdown Nokia 808 PureView sample shots and the recently outted Facebook Camera app. Do you have gaming on the brain with E3 less than a week away? If so, Reaction Time should hold you over with new releases and a discussion of the aforementioned gaming expo. Stat takes a look at copyright and piracy claims, we go eyes-on with the Lumia lineage, BAROBO's Graham Ryland stops by for the Q&A, Switched On tackles Cisco, IRL let's you get cozy with our gear and Rehashed looks back at the week that was in 140 characters or less. The days are winding down until it'll be too hot to enjoy that hammock, so don't waste any more time. Hit your weekly download link and snag a copy of our tablet mag. Distro Issue 43 PDF
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Follow Distro on Twitter Distro Issue 43 has arrived with Thomas Dolby: TED talks, cell phone deals and the Floating City originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | iTunes, Google Play | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Microsoft is opening up about the changes its made to the Windows Store as the premiere date for the new OS draws near. It'll be available in 26 markets (so far) and Redmond's listened to concerns consumers had about getting around. In response, it's added a navigation bar that also links users directly to the apps they already own. Desktop apps will appear from June 1st (today), although when clicking a link, you'll be redirected to the developers own website to make the purchase. The company has tweaked the terms and conditions to insist that app-builders make the primary experience take place "within the app," rather than merely linking elsewhere. Additionally, everything submitted must fully support keyboard / mouse and touch controls, so people can switch controls if necessary. The company's also mandating that apps must rely upon mechanisms provided by Windows 8, such as process management and using swipe-implemented menus. Microsoft details Windows Store changes, adds desktop apps, better navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | MSDN, (2) | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  A week and change after it announced Viewdini, Verizon has it ensconced in the Google Play store. If you're on Android 2.2 or greater and have a 4G LTE plan, you can install the app at no charge, and start your search by typing in the name of a movie, actor or genre you want to see. The app will scurry off and check net-based providers like Hulu, mSpot and Netflix, along with cozy new chum Comcast's Xfinity, and bring back relevent titles along with their price and availability. Further pawing will reveal critic reviews and ratings, filmographies, related picks and other info -- just keep one eye on that data limit. [Thanks, Artem] Viewdini hits Play to help find video, if you're on Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink Android Police | Google Play | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Just when we thought those pesky scientists had stopped messing with the Periodic Table, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry goes and ratifies another two. The pair of elements were discovered in partnership between the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the States. Element 114 has taken on the spell-check-worrying nomenclature Flerovium (Fl), while 116 becomes Livermorium (Lv). Eagle-eyed readers will notice that both take a name from the labs where they were discovered, the former named after Georgiy N. Flerov and the latter after Ernest O. Lawrence -- both atomic pioneers in their respective countries. The official names will get their first official publication in July's edition of Pure and Applied Chemistry. We guess those textbook makers will be rubbing their hands in glee at all those revised editions it'll sell next term. [Image courtesy of the BBC / Talkback Thames] Continue reading Livermorium and Flerovium take a seat at the Periodic Table Livermorium and Flerovium take a seat at the Periodic Table originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink PhysOrg | IUPAC | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.  Summer is coming. Time to relax by the pool with a good book -- though, judging by what's on your reading list this year, perhaps it's time to go for the anonymity of an e-reader. No one needs to know how you've been slogging through Fifty Shades of Grey for the past two months, right? Thankfully, there's no better time to buy one of these devices -- there's plenty of choices and, thanks to competition, some seriously good deals. One thing all of these readers have in common: E Ink displays -- way better for reading out in the summertime sun than their LCD counterparts. So let's not delay that warm weather reading list any longer. Head on past the break to see our picks. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: e-readers Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: e-readers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. Sure, you'll want to snag some new tech candy for your summer mountain expedition or ocean excursion. But once you splurge for that new gadgetry, you'll need something to keep it safe for the duration of your travels. Whether it's a go-to rucksack to carry your mobile workstation or added protection for that shiny, new GoPro camera, we've got you covered. In this portion of the Summer Gear Guide, we'll take a look at the bags and cases that will cradle your valuables -- and perhaps even enhance their utility. Read on to view our seasonal recommendations. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: bags & cases Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: bags & cases originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.  The summer months are home to one of the most bittersweet events in gaming: the Electronic Entertainment Expo. E3 flaunts the year's biggest news in video games, exciting players with peeks at upcoming titles, glimpses of new consoles and soul-crushingly distant release dates. Need something to kill time with? We can help. Sony and Microsoft may not be unveiling next-generation hardware at this year's expo, but there are still a few things you can do to put yourself on the bleeding edge without a console. If you simply can't live without dedicated gaming hardware, however, you still have some options -- though you'll have to wait until the fall or beyond to get your hot little hands on Nintendo's upcoming Wii U. Read on, and we'll see what we can do about subduing your post-E3 anxiety. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: gaming Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.  So, you've got a new fancy-pants smartphone and filled it up with pictures, movies and music. That's great for when you're on the train and all, but sometimes you'll want to share your music with the world (whether they like it or not) and this is where docks come in. If you've done even the quickest of web searches for one, you'll have no-doubt been dazzled by the sheer amount of choices. They literally come in all shapes and sizes, and with prices to match. Good thing we made this summer buyer's guide to help you make your mind up then. Follow us past the break as we sort out our selections. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: docks Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: docks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  Chrome's share of internet use just inched past Microsoft's Internet Explorer last month, laying claim to king of the web browsers. Statcounter's analytics measured that 32.43 percent of its 15 billion page-views were done on Google's browser, while Internet Explore took 32.12 percent and Firefox 25.55 percent. According to StatCounter, an upswing of over 0.6 percent in Firefox use (from Internet Explorer) helped Chrome claim the top spot. The month rounds off some impressive growth for Chrome in 2012, which claimed second place in Statcounter's results at the start of the year. Now, if Google could just get that mobile version out to more handsets, we could see how it fares against small-screen competition. Statcounter: Chrome overtakes Internet Explorer in global browser share for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. Forget heading outside to battle the sun, bugs and whatever other dangers may lurk in the wild -- we'll be inside near the TV. Of course, the summer programming schedule can often leave something to be desired, so we'll have to take that into account in our hardware suggestions going into the break. Also key is access to our preferred programming wherever it might be, broadcast or online. So, which devices are absolute must-have's to keep you chilling where the AC blows through October and beyond? Check past the break to find out. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: home entertainment originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.  Of all the seasons when you could have bought a new camera, you had to pick summer? When the sun casts its harshest shadows, when thieves go wild over tourists with Lowepros, and when springtime puddles are still such a heavily neglected subject on Twitpic? Oh well, since you're here, our topic for today is cameras that cost a bit of money -- specifically, $199 and up -- but which murder camera-equipped phones on every spec that matters. Perhaps the only area in which the latest smartphones can still contend with our choices is wireless connectivity for the quick sharing of pictures, but as you'll see, dedicated cameras are catching up in that department too. Enough chatting, let's get to the picks that wait past the break. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: cameras Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right.  Desktops are amazing. They deliver serious, expandable computing power to the places where you need it most, and with much better bang-for-the-buck than laptops. Moreover, they're constantly evolving: low-power PCs can now do more with fewer watts, regular gaming PCs can achieve 3D effects that would have required extreme setups just a year ago, and all-rounder desktops have become, well, even more rounded. Which brings us to the recommendations: three PCs that range from $799 to $1,199 and beyond, and that represent each of these three categories. If you're going cheaper, don't be afraid to build your own -- that way you'll only spend money on specs you actually need. Ready to see our selections? Head on past the break to read 'em. Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: desktops Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
