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Enjoying your Spotify tracks on the go just got a little better, at least on iOS, where an app update to v0.4.23 gifts users "very high quality" 320kbps music streaming (for Premium subscribers) and syncing, up from the previous max of 160kbps. Enabling the higher quality streams -- though heavy listeners may want to mind those bandwidth quotas -- is as simple as ticking the "Extreme" box in the settings, as shown above by The Next Web to join in a quality that was previously only available via the desktop app or in the living room. If you're just signing up or setting up the app again the one-tap Facebook log-in should also be a convenient addition (or not, if you don't use Facebook and insist on telling everyone you don't at every opportunity -- we heard you the first ten times). There's no word on updates for the other mobile platforms yet, but we'll keep an eye out.
Spotify iOS app update brings 320kbps music to mobiles originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |  iTunes, The Next Web | Email this | Comments |
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We knew the folk at Foursquare had been trying NFC out for a while, and Symbian's had it since November, but now tap check-ins are available for Android 4.0. Okay, so that means it's pretty much limited to Galaxy Nexus owners at the minute, but the chosen few can now share their Venue, Lists, Me pages, initiate friend requests and, of course, check-in at the touch of a phone. Foursquare claims it'll save vital seconds when checking in, but we're just glad there's another way to use Andoid Beam.The update's available now, so if you're snacking on an Ice Cream Sandwich, head on down to the source link and get your download on.
Foursquare adds NFC support for Android 4.0, wants to touch base originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink  TechCrunch | Android Market | Email this | Comments |
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After the numerous leaks that preceded the Droid 4's launch, you'd think we'd have a handle on every detail (read the review here) but some day one buyers are still a little confused by one thing. While the spec sheets indicate 16GB of internal storage, a few readers quickly noticed their units only report 8GB. So why the variance in what's being reported and what the phones actually show? While Android vets may be used to this, not all are aware of how some phones are partitioned, and Motorola has opted to go with an 8GB for the user / 3GB for apps / 5GB for OS and updates split (just like the Razr). So the phones do have the 16GB you were promised, it's just how it's being used that may not be immediately evident -- and now you know.
[Thanks, Chaz]
Motorola Droid 4 advertises 16GB internal storage, only reports 8GB -- here's why originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Verizon Wireless | Email this | Comments |
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Just one year ago, HP officially introduced the TouchPad, Pre 3 and Veer to its lineup. Much has happened in the 365 days since that time, which marked the end of the Palm brand, the discontinuation of the company's webOS hardware development and the decision to open source the crown jewel, webOS. Today, we hope you'll join us after the break as we bow our heads, sing some praises and remember the final three members -- for now, anyway -- of HP's webOS lineup. We'll have fireworks at the end.
Continue reading HP Veer 4G, Pre 3 and TouchPad celebrate a melancholy birthday
HP Veer 4G, Pre 3 and TouchPad celebrate a melancholy birthday originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink webOS Nation | | Email this | Comments |
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Oh, how the mighty have fallen. For a phone that single-handedly resuscitated the business prospects of its parent company, gave a much-needed boost to Google's fledgling Android and finally added a compelling product to Verizon's lineup, the Droid can't get no respect. Initially billed as the anti-iPhone, the OG flagship embodied an aggressively tech for tech's sake design ethos, with its masculine, hard-edged build, geeky OS and Lucasfilm-licensed moniker.
That was all once upon a time. Now, two years later and sucked of its disruptive significance, the only legacy remaining for the red-eyed Droid franchise is its brand equity and QWERTY slider appeal. Aside from BlackBerry addicts, most consumers appear none too chuffed to see those slide-out keypads become the stuff of mobile lore, and instead prefer those increasingly ubiquitous slabs (namely, of the 4.3-inch-and-up persuasion). So, where did it all go wrong? Why is the Droid 4, now imbued with LTE, getting the B-list treatment? Does a $200 price tag and a host of minor spec bumps (a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 1.3 megapixel front-facer and beefier 1,785mAh battery) merit another spin around the two-year contract pole? Head on past the break to see whether this former trailblazer can still do what it's namesake robot supposedly does.
Continue reading Motorola Droid 4 review
Motorola Droid 4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mattel thinks it has the secret to succeeding where so many others have failed in bridging that divide between the virtual and the physical -- and it might be right. While plenty of other toy companies have tried pairing hunks of plastic with apps in the past, Mattel has gone the extra mile, incorporating its recognizable brands and partnering with top tier developers. Later this year the company will launch Apptivity, a line of toys made from conductive plastic that interact with iPad games -- some which you're already quite familiar with, like Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and, of course, Angry Birds. The games will get an update when the toys hit the market with new features and play modes specifically designed to utilize the physical pieces. Other brands, including WWE, Batman and Hot Wheels will also be part of the first batch of toys designed to be played with on your iPad screen.
None of the apps or the toys themselves were quite ready for prime time yet, but Hot Wheels, WWE, Fruit Ninja and Cut the Rope were all at least playble. The Apptivity mode in Cut the Rope and Fruit Ninja are pretty intuitive, but it took a bit of practice to get the hang of Hot Wheels. We had trouble finding the sweet spot on the screen that kept our car speeding along while leaving room to see upcoming obstacles. The line of toys will launch exlusively in Apple Stores in May with Hot Wheels (which will cost $20), followed by the rest in July. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break for a few more impressions.
Continue reading Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video)
Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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What do you do after reporting "blow-out" earnings and instituting larger, pricier, data plans? If you're AT&T, why not go for the jugular by doubling upgrade fees? Per the above leaked memo, that's exactly what Ma Bell plans to do come February 12th, upping the existing $18 fee to a new high of $36. That might sound familiar, as it's much in the same vein as cross-town rival Sprint, who went through the same kerfuffle back in September. We've pinged AT&T about the the price hike and will update when we hear back.
Update: AT&T sent us the following statement confirming the increase:
Wireless devices today are more sophisticated than ever before. And because of that, the costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased and is reflected in our new upgrade fee. This fee isn't unique to AT&T and this is the first time we're changing it in nearly 10 years. AT&T doubling its upgrade fee to $36 on February 12th (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Speechless? We can't blame you and, although this fashionable shooter might not be up your alley, we're willing to bet your kids -- or any other young member of the fam -- would snatch her up in a heartbeat. Dubbed Barbie Photo Fashion, she might not be too computer savvy, but this stylish doll's got traits of her own to flaunt. Photo Barbie's carrying a 5-megapixel camera between her shoulder blades and a thumb-size LCD in her synthetic guts. She's got 15 built-in effects to give your pics a little sweet spice too. Speaking of, the $50 Barbie holds up to 100 shots and is powered by a rechargeable battery that should give you enough juice to get you through a few sessions. When it's time to charge up or unload your images, just jack into her tramp stamp mini USB port. Barbie was kind enough to join our photoshoot, so hit up the gallery below to check out the rest of the shots.
Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.
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There are literally no words (at least no family-friendly ones) to describe the insanity that is the ongoing legal war between practically every player in the mobile scene. You can't lay the blame entirely at Cupertino's stoop either -- Motorola, HTC and Samsung all deserve plenty of our ire as well. The tablet and smartphone industry appears to be trying to sue itself out of existence, and Apple's filing today against Motorola Mobility in the US District Court of Southern California is just latest in a long line of legal ploys likely to inspire you to slam your head against a wall. The purveyors of all things i has accused Moto of breaching a licensing contract with Qualcomm by hitting Apple with four patent claims in Germany. In fact, the suit filed in San Diego seeks to prevent Motorola from enforcing its claims in Germany. So, Apple wants an American court to essentially strike down a ruling in a foreign country because a contract was breached that it is not a party in. Confused? We won't lie, we are a little bit too. Check out the more coverage link for a complete copy of the lawsuit.
Apple sues Motorola over Qualcomm license, makes us dream of a world without lawyers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments |
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Sometimes, you're just so darn full of pride you can get lost in the moment. We assume that's what Acer's done, having revealed possibly its trump handset weeks before the global mobile event, MWC, even starts. Its CloudMobile has won the iF design award for 2012, and the company just wanted everyone to know. So what can we expect to see later this month? Well, the phone will pack a 4.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, with a Dolby-branded speaker plate on the back, all wrapped in a sub-10mm "Sleeve DNA" contoured shell. Expect the device to be tightly integrated with Acer's cloud technology -- we grabbed a hands-on with this just last month -- using peer-to-peer connectivity to sync pictures, music and other files, while also offering up printer functionality. Pocket-Lint believes we'll see the device running Android 4.0 on arrival -- it's currently posited for a Q3 release. We'll be scouring the show floor for it when Mobile World Congress kicks off in earnest.
Continue reading Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag
Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CNET | Pocket-Lint, Hexus | Email this | Comments |
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Baby monitors. If you're in the market for one (er, congrats) and you run an Apple-flavored household, then this Withings device looks sufficiently over-specced for your needs. It's been out in the UK for a couple of months already priced at £269 ($425), and judging from the FCC filing it's coming to the US too, where it'll face sibling rivalry from the likes of Samsung, Evoz and the Exmobaby bodysuit. The base station fixes to the side of the crib, hooks up over WiFi or Ethernet, and streams audio and three-megapixel video (with night-vision mode) over the web, so you can access it via the iOS app using 3G or any good internet connection -- not only when you're within range of your router. It's even said that if you turn the mic's sensitivity right up, you'll hear the sounds of your old life, calling to you.
Withings Smart Baby Monitor drops through FCC's chimney originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | FCC | Email this | Comments |
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Jonesing for some more of Samsung's 17-inchers? Jones no more, because the Korean manufacturer has just put its NP700G7C gaming laptop up for pre-order. Packing 16GB of memory, this new Series 7 lappy made a brief appearance on Best Buy's website last month, but was quickly pulled. This time, though, it looks like it's for real, with Samsung touting its new "Gaming PC" on its very own website, alongside a $1,700 price tag. For that money, you'll get a 17.3-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and, most compelling, a taste of Ivy Bridge, courtesy of the laptop's third-generation Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor, which clocks in at 2.3GHz. It's available now, at the source link below.
Permalink Electronista | Samsung | Email this | Comments |
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It can be tough to keep track of which Droid is launching when these days, but those waiting patiently for the Motorola Droid 4 will be glad to know that the QWERTY slider is available on Verizon today for $200 on-contract. That of course buys you a pass onto Verizon's LTE network, along with a 4-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 8-megapixel camera (paired with a lower-res front-facing cam), 16GB of storage and Android 2.3.5 for an OS. An Ice Cream Sandwich update is promised, but there's unfortunately no date for its release just yet. We'll have a full review of the phone shortly, but in the meantime you can check out our hands-on with the device from last month.
Permalink MobileBurn | Verizon | Email this | Comments |
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What's this we have here? Well, clearly it's an HTC phone, but it looks different to what we've seen before. If the pictures are to be believed, we're looking at an Android 4.0 device with HTC's Sense 4.0 on top. There's LTE on board, and what looks like Verizon's splash-screen, meaning there's every reason to believe this is destined for the US. The rest of the specs suggest it's packing a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor, backed up by 1GB of RAM, Beats Audio and an 8-megapixel shooter. Given that the Rezound already purrs along on a 1.5GHz chip and that embossed backing looks oh-so familiar, it doesn't seem out of line to wager this is the next-gen Incredible with a bump in clock speed. What also catches our eye is the inclusion of hardware buttons, leaving open the possibility that this might just be a prototype after all. We're too not hopeful we'll learn much more before MWC, but we'll keep our eyes on the trail all the same.
Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | PhoneArena | Email this | Comments |
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It was mere weeks since we saw NEC's last smartphone that will probably never take the plane ride away from Japan, but contrary to its recent financials, the company doesn't appear to be letting up. The NEC Medias LTE N-04D, arriving on NTT DoCoMo, is a little chunkier than its predecessor, but that 11.6mm shell manages to squeeze in 4G connectivity and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor Along LTE credentials, the specification reads like the majority of Medias phones we've already seen recently. This includes a waterproof shell, 4.3-inch 720p LCD screen, mobile wallet and TV tuner. It'll also join the handful of smartphones compatible with Casio's Bluetooth-connected G-Shock, adding mail and call notifications to your wrist. The phone will arrive February 15th in the tangy orange and black guise seen above. Japanese residents can now preorder theirs (while the rest of us gaze on wistfully) at the source below.
NEC Casio Medias LTE N-04D launches in Japan next week originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Akihabara News | NTT DoCoMo | Email this | Comments |
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Nearly one year ago, dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down after 18 consecutive days of protest by Egyptian citizens. Those demonstrations were organized largely through the use of social networking, cell phones and banned TV channels, a greater trend that permeated the revolutionary period now known as the Arab Spring. To mark the anniversary of Mubarak's ouster, Sharif Sakr traveled to Egypt to speak with five Egyptians about the role that technology plays in their lives today. This issue of Distro also features reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Motorola's Droid RAZR Maxx, Sony's Alpha NEX-7 and a Q&A with the founder of the Ubuntu Project, Mark Shuttleworth. If you've been looking for a good reason to download an issue of Distro, look no further.
Distro Issue 27 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter
Distro goes 'Beyond the Revolution' to explore tech in post-Mubarak Egypt originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | iTunes, Android Market | Email this | Comments |
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It's never easy to leave Japan -- the friendly people, incredible food, cutting-edge tech, clean streets and efficient public transit network mean we never hesitate when given an opportunity to visit this incredible country. But sadly, our latest adventure has come to an end. This year's CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show brought thousands of photography fans to Yokohama, a metropolis just a short train ride away from Tokyo. And while CP+ is still primarily a Japanese trade show, it served as the global launching ground for dozens of top camera models, including the Nikon D800, Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-01, just to name a few. Bag and tripod manufacturers could be found spattered amongst the Japanese camera giants, but overall this show was more about the latest cameras than gimmicky accessories. There was still plenty of entertainment to be found on the show floor, so scroll through our gallery below for an inside look at life at CP+, or jump past the break for a roundup of our hands-ons and related news stories. Sayonara!
Continue reading CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up
CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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You don't see many lenses pop up 'round these parts, but Sony's new 500mm f/4 G SSM optic is impressive enough to warrant some hands-on attention. We spotted the new A-mount telephoto mounted on an Alpha A77 at Sony's booth at CP+ 2012, and queued up for a chance to take some shots. The lens focused surprisingly quickly, especially given its massive 500mm fixed focal length. Moving from subject to subject at varying distances, we were typically able to achieve focus in a fraction of a second. Long lenses have traditionally been tricky on the focus front, but this guy handled it like a champ, with speeds that appeared to rival far shorter primes. The SAL500F40G, as it's to be known, will be hand built to order beginning in March, with a yet-to-be-confirmed (likely sky-high) price tag. Click on past the break to see just how quickly we can hone in on some wild CP+ show floor action.
Continue reading Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video)
Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Today's lucky beggar award goes to Graham Innes in Canada, who wrote in to tell us that he found a PlayStation Vita sitting on his doorstep. It wasn't a total surprise, since he'd ordered one from Amazon.ca, but what's weird is just how soon it arrived -- the early-bird First Edition doesn't launch until February 15th and the general release is a whole week after that. If the injustice burns, console yourself with the thought that Graham probably can't access the store to download any games.
Canadian gets PlayStation Vita early thanks to faith, good works originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motorola suffered a setback in Germany this morning, after a Mannheim Regional Court struck down one of the company's several patent lawsuits against Apple. The patent in question, EP1053613, is considered essential to the 3G/UMTS wireless standard and, more specifically, pertains to a "method and system for generating a complex pseudonoise sequence for processing a code division multiple access [CDMA] signal." Motorola Mobility had argued that Apple's products had infringed upon this patent, but Judge Andreas Voss today dismissed these claims, on the basis that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate Cupertino's violation. It's undoubtedly a welcomed victory for Apple, which had been suffering through something of a losing streak against Motorola, but their ongoing tug-of-war is far from over. Neither Motorola nor Apple have commented on the decision, but we'll update this post as soon as we hear more.
Permalink | FOSS Patents | Email this | Comments |
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Intel's three-year tussle with the state of New York finally came to an end yesterday, with a settlement of relatively harmless proportion. Under the arrangement, Intel will have to shell out a mere $6.5 million to resolve a 2009 antitrust lawsuit filed by then-attorney general Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who has since ascended to the seat of governor, had accused the chipmaker of intimidating PC manufacturers and handing out billion-dollar kickbacks, as part of what he called a "systematic worldwide campaign" to assert its market dominance. The case has since been helmed by Cuomo's successor, current attorney general Eric Schneiderman, but its sails lost a lot of wind when U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark barred the state from seeking triple damages, limiting its claims to a three-year period, rather than the four-to-six that the state had been pursuing. As a result, Intel suffered only the slightest of financial blows.
According to Reuters, the $6.5 million sum represents just five hours worth of profit for the company, which reported a net income of nearly $13 billion last year. Intel was pleased with the news, pointing out that the agreement doesn't require it to admit any wrongdoing. Schneiderman, on the other hand, seemed notably less enthusiastic, with office spokeswoman Jennifer Givner telling reporters that the state's lawyers still think they have a case against Intel, but "in light of the court's decision believe that no purpose is served by pursuing the matter further."
Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments |
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