New Gadgets
- Google TV YouTube app updated for better recommendations, search and sharing
It only makes sense that the Google TV initiative to increase personalization would extend to videos served up from its YouTube site, and now the official app has been updated to do just that. The new version brings recommendations meant to pull gems you might like out of the ever growing pile of content available, as well as a way to search between the new YouTube channels on your TV. Also users should notice improved video quality since the app will automatically try to play content at the best available resolution from the start, and if they find something interesting, it now supports +1 sharing to Google+. The new app is already live on Google Play, compatible devices should be pointed that way for the new experience.
Google TV YouTube app updated for better recommendations, search and sharing originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations
Two years ago, Google drove its way into a fair amount of hot water when it accidentally (as was claimed) scooped up private data over WiFi while collecting Street View and location data. Now, the Justice Department has cleared the prolific mapsters of the wiretapping violations. The DOJ made its decision not to push for prosecution based on reports from employees and investigating key documents reports Wired. The Wiretap Act (which is the relevant one here) was argued to only pertain to “traditional radio services,” by US District Judge James Ware, but neither the DOJ or FCC said they could find any evidence that Google accessed the date it snared. In an extra move of openness, the search giant has also released the entire FCC report on the Street View investigation (redacted to protect identities) which can be found in the more coverage link. So, next time you see the famous camera-topped wagons roll around, you can leave your tin hat in the closet.
Justice Department clears Google of WiFi wiretapping violations originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Wired | Email this | Comments - Predictably named iPavement puts hotspots into the sidewalk
We know what it’s like to be in a foreign country without a mobile internet connection. Although there are domestic options making it easier to connect our devices abroad, Spanish company iPavement wants to help confused tourists (and their confused devices) by seamlessly integrating hotspots into tiles — which are seamlessly integrated into the ground. It’s unclear whether users will have open access to the entire world wide web, or only controlled info about the city, but the service is at least free to use. The 24kg (53lb) tiles are slightly larger than normal, installed a maximum of 20 meters (66 feet) from one another and only work at temperatures between -10 – 45 degrees Celsius (14 – 113 degrees Fahrenheit). Touristy cloud apps like maps, coupons, and traffic updates in various languages are also a part of the deal, and you would look like less of a tourist without that huge guide to Madrid. Just lose the fanny pack and you’ll be set.
Predictably named iPavement puts hotspots into the sidewalk originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mobile Magazine | iPavement | Email this | Comments - Woz: Windows Phone is ‘beautiful,’ Android ‘no contest,’ still loves iPhone, ask again tomorrow
When Steve Wozniak talks mobile, people love to listen. Last time we checked in, he was lauding some of Android’s finer points, and now he’s raining praise on Windows Phone. In an interview with A New Domain, the Apple co-founder was all too happy to share his recent positive experiences with the Espoo / Redmond collaboration. In particular, Woz waxes about how intuitive the interface is, and how naturally apps lead you around. He goes on to say how there’s nothing he’s seen that isn’t more beautiful (than iOS and Android) on the Windows system, before claiming Android is “no contest” when it comes to the interface. It’s not all lemonade and roses, however, as he then admits he’s no fan of the voice control functionality compared to the other two platforms. When pushed to admit what he uses as default, it’s still the iPhone — two of them in fact — but Woz’s ability to see the best in all mobile operating systems will be sure to further confirm his status as one of tech’s most liked. Head down to the source to hear for yourself.
[Thanks everyone who sent this in]
Woz: Windows Phone is ‘beautiful,’ Android ‘no contest,’ still loves iPhone, ask again tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Lenovo’s Eedoo CT510 motion gaming console to finally hit China, wants your $600
Product delays that push back release dates a full year are never good. What’s worse? When that product finally does launch and even someone inside the company votes against it. That’s exactly what’s going down with the CT510 GameBox, the Eedoo Kinect competitor for the Chinese market. Though it’s gone through a fair share of reincarnations before arriving at its current config (it was formerly known as the eBox), the final package has a dual-core CPU, a minimum of 250GB in HDD storage and a 3D GPU, and comes pre-installed with eight games and ten apps. All told, it will cost a cool 3,799 yuan ($600) when it ships on April 29th — some very ambitious pricing, considering that the imported Xbox with Kinect (the console isn’t officially available in China) already sells for about $459 in China, according to M.I.C. Gadget. A director from the Lenovo-backed company seems to agree: in a Sina Weibo poll asking users whether they’d buy the product (pictured after the break), he selected the answer, “No way! Price-to-performance ratio too low.” Though to be fair, the gentleman later clarified that it was an honest mistake, and that his company is targeting the high-end family users instead of the core gamers. Well, we shall let the sales figures do the talking.
Continue reading Lenovo’s Eedoo CT510 motion gaming console to finally hit China, wants your $600
Lenovo’s Eedoo CT510 motion gaming console to finally hit China, wants your $600 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Engadget Chinese | M.I.C. Gadget, Sina Weibo | Email this | Comments - Nokia experiments with location-based white space services in Cambridge, UK (video)
Following news of the first successful white space trials in Cambridge, UK, Nokia is now touting its research in the area with a demonstration of location-based services for the unlicensed spectrum. Traditionally, proponents of white space usage have positioned this unused portion of the airwaves as a viable, low-cost method of data transmission, but the Nokia folks have now demonstrated its ability to pinpoint one’s location with much greater accuracy than either WiFi or cellular networks. Think of it as a counterpoint to NFC, if you will, but in the following clip, we’re shown how an individual might move throughout a museum, and as they approach various exhibits, one’s smartphone could provide supplemental information for the nearby artifacts. Beyond its use in museums, Nokia also foresees the technology as useful in the retail space, where businesses may provide consumers with promotions as they walk by. Currently, the necessary equipment to make this all possible is much too large to fit within a typical smartphone, but Nokia hypothesizes that the necessary chipsets and industry standards may be in place by 2015. Until then, you can dream of what might be with the following video.
Continue reading Nokia experiments with location-based white space services in Cambridge, UK (video)
Nokia experiments with location-based white space services in Cambridge, UK (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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DailyWireless.org | Nokia Conversations | Email this | Comments - Micromax’s Superfone A50 Ninja enters India with AISHA voice assistant, forgets its shuriken
Hoping to compete with the Siris of the world, Micromax has announced its new Superfone A50 Ninja alongside a novel feature dubbed AISHA — which is short for Artificial Intelligence Speech Handset Assistant. Similar to Cupertino’s personal secretary, AISHA vows to help folks with every-day elements such as making calls, setting up calendar events and even reporting what the weather looks like. Much to our disappointment, however, the A50 Ninja runs a not-so-new flavor of Android — Gingerbread to be exact — and Micromax left out any mention of Android 4.0. On the specs front, the dual-SIM Superfone sports a 3.1-inch display (mum’s the word on the resolution), a two-megapixel shooter, Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities and an unspecified 650MHz processor. All in all, thanks to its 4,999 rupees (around $95) budget price, we can’t imagine you’d complain too much. Be sure to hit up the Micromax link below if you’re interested in grabbing one of these.
Micromax’s Superfone A50 Ninja enters India with AISHA voice assistant, forgets its shuriken originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Micromax | Email this | Comments - Google Maps ‘Cube’ game rolls out, back, up, back again
Cast your mind back to January if you will. Head full of steamy CES action? Of course, but you may also remember Google teased us about a new tilt-and-roll Maps game. Well, it looks like the creators may have missed the original February deadline, having finally snuck it out this week. The browser-based game is a series of maze challenges, that’ll take you through the streets of San Francisco, downtown Tokyo and beyond. All atop Google’s iconic 3D textured maps, naturally. Eight levels in total are on offer, making it an ideal lunchtime — or if the boss is away — afternoon time kill. Roll down to the source link below to give it a spin, nudge and roll.
Google Maps ‘Cube’ game rolls out, back, up, back again originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 07:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Canon reports slightly higher profits in Q1, teases new compact cameras on the way
Canon reported its Q1 2012 earnings this week, and things certainly appear to have gone better than the last time we checked in when it replaced the company president. While revenue declined slightly, net profit reached 61.54 billion yen ($766 million), up 11 percent from a year ago. There’s no executive moves to report, however on the earnings call executive VP and CFO Toshizo Tanaka noted a unit sales increase of 30 percent for SLR cameras including the new EOS 5D Mark III as well as the cheaper T3i, Mark II and 60D models, combined with strong sales for WiFi-connected point-and-shoots. As far as new products, while its new cinema cameras got a glancing mention the plan this year includes compact cameras “offering the image qualities that approaches SLR cameras”, with improved design and network connectivity features. All the numbers and earnings call talk are in black and white at the links below, although we prefer to spend our time speculating about the future of mirrorless cameras.
Canon reports slightly higher profits in Q1, teases new compact cameras on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Canon Q1 2012 earnings call, Q1 2012 results (PDF) | Email this | Comments
