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Apple wins copyright infringement case against Psystar in California

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 14th 2009 at 5:59PM

Well, well. Apple's won its copyright infringement claim against would-be Mac cloner Psystar in California. Anyone surprised? As we've been saying all along, the key argument wasn't the OS X EULA or Psystar's failed monopoly claims, but pure, simple copyright infringement, since Psystar was illegally copying, modifying, and distributing Apple's code. Psystar was also dinged for circumventing Apple's kernel encryption in violation of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, but that's just another nail in the coffin, really. There's still some legal fireworks to come, as Apple's various other claims like breach of contract, trademark infringement, and unfair competition weren't addressed in this ruling, but those are all secondary issues now -- and we'd expect this decision to have quite an impact on the other case currently ongoing in Florida. We've broken down the highlights after the break, hit up the read link for the PDF and follow along.

[Via Groklaw]

Continue reading Apple wins copyright infringement case against Psystar in California

HP dm3t review

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 13th 2009 at 5:31PM

We're really into the new influx of inexpensive CULV-based laptops that's arrived with Windows 7, and just like the ASUS UL80Vt, we knew we had to check out the starts-at-$599 HP dm3t the second we saw the first leak. In many ways, it's the perfect throw-it-in-a-bag-and-go portable on paper, with a sleek and rigid case design, a 1.3GHz Intel SU7300 Core 2 Duo processor, and a 13.3-inch screen, but there's a big difference between loving a machine's spec sheets and reviews and loving it in real life, so we spent a couple days playing with a spec'd-up $819 model -- read on for our impressions.

Gallery: HP dm3t unboxing and hands-on

Continue reading HP dm3t review

Mobinnova Beam Tegra smartbook hits the FCC en route to AT&T

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 13th 2009 at 12:32PM

Looks like AT&T will be launching at least two smartbooks at CES -- the Tegra-powered Mobinnova Beam just hit the FCC database with a device ID of BEAMATT. Yeah, that's not so subtle. Sadly the listing doesn't have much else to say about the machine formerly known as élan, but we're guessing we'll find out way more about what AT&T's got planned for these not-quite-netbooks in Vegas.

AT&T responds to Verizon's 3G ad campaign -- by bragging about EDGE

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 12th 2009 at 7:17PM

My iPhone 3GS, in downtown Chicago, as I wrote this post.

Verizon certainly seems to be getting under AT&T's skin with its ads focused on comparing 3G coverage -- not only is Ma Bell suing over 'em, it's now issuing PR to clarify what it sees as the inaccuracies of the entire campaign. If you'll recall, AT&T thinks Verizon's 1:1 comparison of 3G coverage maps makes it look like AT&T doesn't have any coverage at all across most of the country -- which means that our nation's largest wireless carrier is now in the sad position of pimping its gigantic EDGE network in response. Let's all gloss over the absolutely huge difference in 3G versus EDGE together, shall we?

With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference – with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE.

Right, right -- the only difference. That must be why Apple named it the iPhone EDGE Slightly Faster.

Now, AT&T has a valid point when it says that its 3G map covers 75 percent of the nation's population, and that Verizon's conflation of total 3G coverage with actual network quality is slightly misleading. But you know what? We watch our iPhones drop from 3G to EDGE and even to GPRS all day long in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and that has nothing to do with the damn map, and everything to do with AT&T's actual network quality. Let's put it this way: Verizon's ad campaign would be totally ineffective if it didn't ring so true, and the best way for AT&T to counter these ads is to build a rock-solid network, not filing lawsuits and issuing press releases bragging about freaking EDGE. We all clear on this? Good.

The Engadget Podcast, live at 3:30PM EST!

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 12th 2009 at 3:20PM

It's been a relatively quiet week -- at least compared to the past month of chaos -- but there's still an awful lot of news to talk about, and the Engadget Podcast soldiers on. We're also planning to kick back and answer some questions from the audience -- won't you join us? We'll be starting at 3:30PM EST, but the chat below is open now.

Update: Thanks to everyone who joined us -- we had a blast as usual. Be on the lookout tomorrow for the regular podcast post if you missed it!

AT&T adds Verizon's Island of Misfit Toys holiday ads to lawsuit, demands they be yanked off the air

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 12th 2009 at 2:03PM

Well, you knew this was coming -- AT&T's amended its advertising lawsuit against Verizon to include Big Red's new holiday ads, including that oh-so-cute Island of Misfit Toys spot, and demanded that they be taken off the air. At question is the same map of AT&T's 3G coverage used in the other commercial, which Ma Bell says misleads customers into thinking it has no service at all in large swaths of the country. Best part? AT&T's lawyers had to describe the ad in their new filing, leading to passages like this:

The spotted elephant, in a surprised manner, asks the iPhone "What are you doing here? You can download apps and browse the web!" and a Dolly for Sue asserts that "Yeah. People will love you [the iPhone]."

Happy holidays, folks.

Read - Digital Daily
Read - AT&T's amended complaint [PDF]

Psystar founders claim they cracked OS X, hackintosh scene is 'all wrong'

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 11th 2009 at 5:03PM

Okay, so we're reading this puff piece in the Miami New Times about would-be Mac cloner Psystar, and while we're somewhat willing to dismiss author Tim Elfrink's various mischaracterizations of the law and what Psystar is actually doing as just laziness and / or ignorance, there's a quote here from Psystar founder Rudy Pedraza that simply leaps off the page:

Rudy scoffs at the idea he borrowed from the Hackintosh scene. "The first thing you have to do is unlearn everything you've read online about how to make this work," Rudy says, "because it's all wrong."

Really? Because we think there's a very large, very active hacking community out there that would disagree with you, Rudy.

P.S.- A full list of every other mistake in this piece after the break.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading Psystar founders claim they cracked OS X, hackintosh scene is 'all wrong'

Chumby One now on sale

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 11th 2009 at 2:52PM

Looks like the new Chumby One just snuck its way into the Chumby store, with a listed ship date of the 25th. The One might not be as cuddly and adorable as the OG model, but it's got a slightly faster 454MHz processor, a battery for on-the-go use and a lower $100 price tag, so we're not complaining -- especially since you also get an FM tuner, a dedicated volume knob, and a 2GB microSD card in the package. On the other hand, the Classic still comes with a free set of Chumby Charms, so this could be a tough decision for you.

Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 11th 2009 at 1:58PM

It took us a tick to get our Zune HD loaded up with those new 3D games that were released this morning, but we thought you might want to check out a quick hands-on. That Tegra chip is no joke -- the graphics in PGR: Ferrari Edition are easily on par with the PSP and quite possibly better, with intricate textures, high-quality reflections, and smooth framerates. The other games aren't nearly as intense, but they're just as smooth. Best of all? They're free -- although you will have to look at a Zune ad while they load. Not the worst tradeoff in the world, but we'd love to see what paid app developers could do if Microsoft would open this beast up. Check the video after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD 3D games video hands-on

NVIDIA tablet mystery solved: an ODM Tegra prototype

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 10th 2009 at 1:38PM

NVIDIA just hit us with more info on that mysterious tablet Jen-Hsun Huang was pictured with yesterday, and the truth is just as we'd assumed: it's a Tegra prototype from an ODM called ICD that's being "actively" shopped to carriers around the world. Sorry, folks, no Apple involvement here -- although we're sure Jen-Hsun would enthusiastically embrace that possibility.

As far as the ICD tablet goes, we're waiting for official confirmation on specs, but we got a credible tip this morning suggesting that it's currently running Windows CE with a resistive touchscreen, and that both Android and capacitive upgrades are in the cards, as well as multiple screen sizes. We're also told that the goal is a March 2010 launch and that T-Mobile might be involved, but we wouldn't take any of that to the bank until we hear for real -- stay tuned.

Nokia N900 ad suggests a history of mental illness

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 10th 2009 at 10:17AM

The DROID might have started us down the road of dark sci-fi phone ads, but this new Nokia N900 spot takes things to the disturbing next level. We have no idea of what any of this means -- and we're not too sure Nokia really wants to suggest that its new flagship device is the cellphone manifestation of Twitchy McSanity here. You'll see what we mean -- video after the break.

P.S.- Are we the only ones who see this as a nightmarish dystopian remake of Pump Up The Volume? Is that just us? Okay.

Continue reading Nokia N900 ad suggests a history of mental illness

Google to acquire Gizmo5, swing at Skype with VoIP-enabled Google Voice?

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 9th 2009 at 5:38PM

There's no official word on this yet, but the inimitable Michael Arrington says that Google's up and purchased VoIP company Gizmo5 for "around $30 million in cash." You know, pocket change for the crew in Mountain View. The deal would presumably bring Gizmo's SIP-based VoIP talents to Google Voice, taking it from quirky phone-management service to complete end-to-end calling solution, and instantly catapulting it into direct competition with Skype. Heavy stuff -- we'll see if Google or Gizmo5 confirms Mssr. Arrington's report sometime soon.

[Via BGR]

HP Create Amazing ad tilt-shifts our hearts

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 9th 2009 at 3:39PM

Okay, so we're total suckers for tilt-shift perspective manipulation, and since we've run a fair number of snippy attack ads lately, we thought we'd try and clear the air with this impressive new spot from HP. Part of the relatively-new "Create Amazing" campaign, it's a miniaturized international tour through Shanghai, New York, Santorini, London, Istanbul, and some custom office sets built in L.A., and, well, we're in love. Watch the video below, maybe have a second glance at Michael Gartenberg's Entelligence column on gadget-fan unity from yesterday, and let's all agree to agree for once in this crazy world.

Update: Sadly, the filmmaker got in touch with us and requested that we pull the video until he can clear it with HP -- we'll let you know.

Sprint Palm Pixi unboxed on video

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 9th 2009 at 12:02AM

Oop, looks like the crew at WireFly didn't get the memo on the Sprint Palm Pixi launch -- they've gone ahead and posted up an unboxing video a week ahead of official availability on the 15th. Nothing too unexpected here, but honestly, what were you expecting for $100? Video after the break.

[Thanks, bnm]

Update: Looks like the original video was pulled away from the public eye, but that didn't stop us from finding another. Check it after the break!

Continue reading Sprint Palm Pixi unboxed on video

First iPhone worm rickrolls jailbroken phones

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 8th 2009 at 10:48PM

We sort of knew this would happen as soon as we heard about that iPhone wallpaper hack in the Netherlands -- a hacker named ikex has created what's apparently the first iPhone worm, and it's currently infecting jailbroken iPhones across Australia. The "ikee" worm, as it's being called, takes advantage of the fact that jailbroken iPhones with SSH installed all have the same default root password of "alpine," and once in the system it changes your wallpaper to an image of Rick Astley and then tries to install itself on other jailbroken iPhones on the network. Sophos says it hasn't confirmed any infections outside of Oz, and to be clear, this worm can't get to stock iPhones or jailbreak owners who haven't installed SSH -- but if you're running a hacked phone we'd say you should change that root password just to be safe right away. Get to it, kids.

[Via PMP Today; thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Elusive Xbox 360 802.11n wireless adapter appears in the UK

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 8th 2009 at 9:34PM

Microsoft might be playing cat-and-mouse with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter, but it looks like the jig is up in the UK -- we just got this shot of it sitting on an ASDA store shelf. Still no word on Stateside availability, but surely we can't all keep on like this forever, can we?

[Thanks, Daniel]

Latest iControlPad prototype bulks up, gets handled on video

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 8th 2009 at 5:29PM

It's been a while since we last got an update from ZodTTD on his iControlPad iPhone controller accessory, but this latest prototype looks like it was worth the wait. The controls have been moved from the sides of the phone to a more comfortable-seeming bottom placement with dual analog sticks and rear-mounted triggers, and the whole thing's gotten bigger and badder -- there's even an internal battery for charging your phone as you play. ZodTTD says actual shipping hardware is coming soon -- just make sure you change that default root password if you decide to jailbreak and grab one, mkay?

P.S.- ZodTTD says another video featuring psx4iphone and a "pretty sweet Wipeout XL demo" is coming shortly on his YouTube channel, we'll keep you updated.

Continue reading Latest iControlPad prototype bulks up, gets handled on video

Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 8th 2009 at 1:57PM

AT&T might be suing Verizon for misrepresenting its network in ads, but that doesn't seem to have dissuaded Big Red from using that same map image in this new spot, which casts the iPhone away to the Island of Misfit Toys. Hard to argue with the premise, but here's the real question: why not just sack up use a real iPhone, instead of this KIRF piece? Check the ad after the break.

Update: Two more ads after the break -- "Blue Christmas" and "Elves." In case you were wondering, it's a sunny 70 degrees in early November in New York and Chicago, which is just about perfect for Christmas ads.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

The Engadget Podcast, live -- now!

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 6th 2009 at 3:32PM

It's DROID launch day and you know what that means -- we're doing the podcast live. Join Josh, Paul, Nilay, and a cast of USTREAM thousands just below the break -- it's been a wild week, don't miss it!

Update: A riot as always -- and if you missed it, don't worry, as our regular podcast post will be up tomorrow.

iPhone vs DROID multitouch keyboard showdown (video)

by Nilay Patel posted Nov 5th 2009 at 6:31PM

I just dashed off this quick video for my Twitter followers to demonstrate that the DROID doesn't have a multitouch soft keyboard, and pretty much instantly realized that I should probably share it with everyone else, since we've been getting a lot of questions about it. Long story short, while Android 2.0 and the DROID's hardware support multitouch, the device itself doesn't do multitouch out-of-the-box, and the soft keyboard suffers mightily for it. Why it's missing is certainly open for debate, but for now just know that no amount of hoping, wishing, or booze is going to make the stock keyboard register more than one press at a time. Don't despair, though -- while I'm not a fan, Chris Ziegler absolutely flies on this same keyboard on his DROID. Videos after the break.

Continue reading iPhone vs DROID multitouch keyboard showdown (video)

Gallery: HP dm3t unboxing and hands-on

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