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Bing 2.0 brings better Facebook integration and the impressive Streetside to iPhone (video)
Microsoft just released -- or should we say, Apple just approved -- version 2.0 of the Bing search app for iOS devices. In addition to several other new features including integrated Facebook Likes on search results (really!?) and in-app checkins to Facebook and Foursquare, Bing now comes packing Streetside, something that first blew us away as Street Slide when it was still in the labs at Microsoft Research. Unlike Google's Streetview that requires a lot of forward- and back-clicking and turning in order to get a feel for a location, Streetslide provides a more comprehensive view of the shops and businesses in an area by letting you strafe down the sidewalk while zooming in and out of the buildings located on each side of the street. We took it for a brief spin (literally) and came away impressed. You won't find Streetside implemented for all locations yet (for example, San Francisco's Make-out Room was found on Streetside but the Slanted Door restaurant wasn't) but they do seem to have large swaths of major cities covered based on our brief testing of Chicago, Seattle, New York, and San Francisco. Sorry, nothing yet in London and Amsterdam but maybe you'll have better success searching your own neighborhoods. See the full list of what's new after the break in addition to a Streetside demo from Bing's architect Blaise Aguera y Arcas -- unfortunately, we're not seeing the impressive Panaroma feature he mentions in this release. Update: We've been told that Facebook Likes, like Panaroma, like totally didn't make it into the app release. It's a web search results feature only for the time being.
The Blaze Blink Now saves you from Computer Vision Syndrome, is always watching
Big Brother is watching you, and you'd better remember. Forget for just a moment and you could find yourself committing thoughtcrime doupleplusquick. Enter the £49.99 ($78) Blink Now. It's ostensibly a device designed to save you from Computer Vision Syndrome, a modern affliction that causes headaches and blurry vision among those who spend a little too much time basking in the glow of a CRT or LCD. But, we're thinking its purposes are rather more nefarious. It's basically just a little LCD that you hang in your monitor and connect via USB. It presents an eye, always looking at you, lazily and nonchalantly blinking. In theory, if you see an eye blinking you'll blink more often yourself and cut down on eye strain. In reality, the thinkpol is always watching and this is just another reminder.
Mel B and Wii exercise accessories: 2 Become 1
How does former Spice Girl Mel B keep in shape?
HTC schedules September 15 event, leaves us guessing as to what it's launching
Time to get our guessing caps on as HTC has announced it'll be having a little get-together in London in the middle of next month. No advance information is available beyond the smoky teaser image above, leaving the door wide open for speculation. Given the event's proximity to Windows Phone 7's launch and the recent spate of leaks, this could easily be the date and place that HTC makes its wares official. Or, on a more tenuous tangent, if you put the smoke and "dreamt up" notes together, you could perhaps surmise that this is going to be the launch for the HTC Vision, which has most recently been referred to as the G1 Blaze. All we know for sure is that we'll be there when the fog of war is lifted. P.S. - We've enhanced the image to reveal the hint of a handset hidden inside the smoke, you can see it after the break. It looks an awful lot like the back of the Desire HD, but HTC is well known for repeating design themes across its phone portfolio, so let's not jump to any conclusions just yet.
Purported myTouch HD leaks out alongside promise of T-Mobile's first HSPA+ smartphone
Someone should really tell T-Mobile USA it's got a rather large hole that needs plugged. Hot on the heels of the (presumably) T-Mob-bound G1 Blaze leak comes this duo, which includes a purported leak of the myTouch HD (or 3G HD) as well as a web portal that quite clearly prepares us for the launch of the carrier's first HSPA+ smartphone. Of course, there's no official confirmation that the handset you're peering at above is anything more than a fan render, but it certainly has a look of authenticity to it; sadly, there aren't any rumored specifications to tag alongside the JPG, but it's a pretty safe bet that this one will run some flavor of Android and rely heavily on screen presses for letter input. As for the promo page? Scrutineers have drawn a link between it and the Vanguard that we peeked a few weeks back, so feel free to let your imagination run a bit wild there. Looks like it's gearing up to be quite the second half for America's number two GSM operator. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Texas Instruments' Blaze tablet coming to developers this August
Back in February when Texas Instruments announced its ARM-based OMAP 4 system-on-chip 'Blaze' dev platform, we sort of figured it might be tablet-bound. And, here it is -- Blaze is going to be a tablet! Not a shocker, but we're glad to hear it, of course, since the tablet wars are hotter than ever and we love a good fight. So, what do we know about TI's entry in the game? Hardware wise it's going to be a 10.4-inch XVGA touchscreen LCD with two USB ports. Internally, we hear it'll boast a 1GHz OMAP4430 cpu, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM, plus external camera and pico projector modules. The tablet is not set for retail release, but for developers, but we're still pretty excited to see this one come out to play.
Cincinnati Bell's Blaze is probably the rarest carrier-branded Android phone you'll find in the States
Of all the regionals to score a completely custom, self-branded Android device, we admit that we wouldn't have guessed that Cincinnati Bell would be in that list -- and yet the carrier managed to roll out this here "Blaze" running Android 1.6 "at speeds 86 percent faster than AT&T and Verizon." That's a pretty bold claim, but our tipster reports that he saw 2Mbps down and 1Mbps up on a phone he checked out -- not bad, all things considered. Unfortunately, the phone appears to have a rather wacky skin, which -- considering the no-name brand involved here -- might really doom the Blaze to an Eclair- and Froyo-free life. Hit up the gallery below for some shots of the phone in the wild, or march into your Cincinnati Bell store to grab one for $100 on contract. [Thanks, Justin H. and Adam M.] %Gallery-93806%
Texas Instruments introduces ARM-based OMAP 4 SOC, Blaze development platform
Texas Instruments has just made its OMAP 4 system-on-chip official, and garnished the announcement with the first development platform for it, aggressively titled Blaze. We already caught a glimpse of it in prototype form earlier this month, and the thing is quite a whopper -- you can see it on video after the break and we doubt you'll accuse TI of placing form before function with this one. The company's focus will be on promoting innovative new modes of interaction, with touchless gesturing (or "in the air" gesture recognition) figuring strongly in its vision of the future. Looking at the SOC diagram (available after the break), you'll find that its grunt will be provided by the same ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore class of CPU that powers the iPad, though TI claims it will be the only mobile platform capable of outputting stereoscopic 720p video at 30fps per channel. Perhaps its uniqueness will come from the fact that nobody else cares for the overkill that is 3D-HD on a mobile phone, whether it requires glasses or not. It'll still be fascinating to see if anybody picks up the chunky Blaze idea and tries to produce a viable mobile device out of it -- we could be convinced we need multiple displays while on the move, we're just not particularly hot on the 90s style bezel overflow.
Blaze unveils Wii-like motion controller for PS3
The subset of people who really want motion control on their PS3s yet refuse to wait for Sony to actually add it is pretty small, but never let it be said that peripheral maker Blaze is willing to leave money on the table. The company has just announced the Motion Freedom 3D controller for the system, and it looks unmistakably like a Wiimote for the PS3. The release promises the "all new device opens up unthinkable gaming possibilities," which we're taking to mean that no one actually thought to make any games for it. Okay, fine, Blaze says it at least works with Sega Tennis and Tiger Woods, but we can't imagine that such a retrofitted solution would be worth investing in before Sony's official offering arrives. [Via Engadget]
Blaze announces 'Wii style' Motion Freedom 3D controller for PS3, really
We were fairly impressed by Blaze's knack for impressive but questionably useful gadgets when it introduced a three-cart contraption for the DSi last month, but it looks like it's truly outdone itself with its latest peripheral. While it's possible that it's the result of some miscommunication or a bet taken to its limits, it does appear that the company is indeed set to release a controller that can only be described as a Wiimote for the PlayStation 3. Of course, it's still a bit light on specifics, but Blaze says its so-called Motion Freedom 3D Controller will open up "unthinkable gaming possibilities," and let you "become one" with games like Sega Tennis and Tiger Woods Golf. It's even been "ergonomically designed from the ground up." How can you possibly go wrong?
Blaze Nintendo DSi game selector improves cart management, uglies up your handheld
Have a habit of losing those DSi carts on the bus, in between the couch cushions or in other darker, more taboo locales? Fret not, as the carefree crew over at Blaze has your best interests in mind. Hailed as the first 3-in-1 game selector for Nintendo's DSi, this mildly unsightly attachment simply plugs into your game port and then houses a trio of your favorite titles. Once you've got it mounted, just flip the switch to change the title, though we'd suggest powering your DSi down before doing so. It's available now to solve a problem you probably only think you have for £14.99 ($24).
Fitness First competing with, supporting Wii Fit
The Fitness First gym chain, not content to allow Gold's Gym to dominate the licensed Wii exercise game market, has attached its name to both a Wii game and peripherals. Releasing in Europe this September, NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer includes not just exercise programs but a healthy eating guide as well. In addition, the company has partnered with European accessories manufacturer Blaze to, well, put its name on some standard Wii exercise accessories. The offerings include a silicone Balance Board skin, a yoga mat, a Wiimote holder that straps onto the player's leg, and wrist weights. Oddly, this stuff is all labeled for use with Wii Fit, suggesting a realistic understanding of what people will actually be using it for. The total lack of a consistent marketing campaign suggests just how much thought is going into this. Why not put your own game's name on the accessories? [Via MCV]
Verizon pushes Motorola ZN4 to October, Nokia 7205 to next year?
Jeebus, Nokia, what's going on with your stupid flip phone over there? Not to harsh on you too much -- we love you, really we do -- but we're not exactly talking about an N96-caliber device here. If an updated view of Verizon's Mobile Email launches is accurate, it seems that the launch of Nokia's CDMA-equipped 7205 will now come no earlier than January of 2009, which would put it a full year after the first spy shots leaked. We also see here that LG's VX5500 and VX8360 are both tracking for late October, while the mysterious VX9600 should be hitting in November if all goes well. From Motorola, the VU30 has been pushed out to the end of this month and the MING-esque ZN4 is looking like it's trying to break out in time for Halloween. Samsung is offering the u810 global phone later on this month, while the u650 "Sway" sneaks in somewhere in October. Altogether a promising autumn for Big Red's dumbphone line -- but we've seen enough date slips at this point to be fooled into believing there won't be a few more.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Motorola: touchscreens on the radar. Everyone: we know.
Bad news, Greg Brown of Motorola fame: when you told Crain's Chicago Business last week that the portfolio of 34 phones you intend to announce before the year's out includes devices capable of "touch and messaging," it turns out the reporter with whom you spoke already knew. In fact, Crain's specifically calls out a Touch competitor codenamed "Halo," and existence of the full-touchscreen Blaze for Verizon is no secret; while we're not exactly sure what you mean by "messaging," a healthy portion of your handsets already support SMS and MMS (as well they should), and you've got the QWERTY thing taken care of with devices like the Q9 series and the Sidekick Slide. You also mentioned that we can reasonably expect to see such electronic wizardry on shelves by Christmas, which is totally bangin' considering the financial pickle your firm is trying to work its way through at the moment. Seriously though, Greg, we didn't mean to harsh your buzz here -- just thought you might want to know your cover's blown, so you can move right past the "ooh, mysterious unreleased phone!" phase.[Image via Boy Genius Report]
Motorola's touchscreen Blaze for Verizon in the wild
Remember that touchscreen Motorola Blaze we'd mentioned a while back that was on the hook to get Verizon's visual voicemail service? It may not be in Verizon stores yet, but it's all up in Boy Genius Report's labs with a dark red body, MING attitude, and almost limitless mediocrity on board. The touchscreen apparently requires ridiculous amounts of effort to actuate, and that problem is compounded by a lame on-screen keyboard that makes texting tricky at best. EV-DO Rev. A is cool and all -- and the visual voicemail support should be a pretty popular add-on feature -- but that giant Motorola logo up front with the red ring and three pounds of chrome leaves the Blaze with a face only a mother could love. Let's hope Verizon's positioning this one as its low-end touchscreen offering, because we're not seeing it cha-chinging many registers otherwise.
BlackBerry Thunder, touchscreen Motorola on board for Verizon's visual voicemail
Details are still trickling in on this whole visual voicemail sitch on Big Red, but we're starting to wrap our noodle around it. In addition to the four devices we've already mentioned -- the Voyager refresh, Chocolate 3, Blaze, and Utopia -- it turns out that none other than the mighty BlackBerry Thunder will be among the first devices to benefit from sooper dooper 22nd century high-tech voicemail management.We've also learned that it's actually the Vu30 (little close to the LG Vu, eh, guys?) that's being called the Motorola Utopia, while the Blaze will be some heretofore unknown touchscreen device -- pretty uncommon by Moto standards, particularly in the States where we don't get to benefit from the MING series' awesomeness. As always, we'll roll out more info as we get it.
Survey reveals some potential new devices for AT&T
A reader was sent a rather revealing "consumer survey" this week, and though the carrier (or manufacturer) responsible for commissioning it wasn't revealed, we're thinking AT&T may have been behind this one. Why's that? Well, several phones -- most real, one rendered -- were shown during the course of the survey, and one of the devices was an AT&T-branded Pantech QWERTY slider that we've straight up never seen before, so unless there's some funny business going on, no other carrier should have access to that intel. In fact, the whole survey was focused on text messaging and text-centric, QWERTY handsets, asking questions about what sorts of form factors and features customers would like to see to improve their messaging experience. Also pictured were a Sidekick Slide (presumably for comparison's sake), a Samsung QWERTY slider sporting looks similar to the i620 and i640 (minus Windows Mobile, seemingly), and a rendered, unbranded device touting a gargantuan display and a number of available colors. The reader was asked what name they thought best suited this particular phone, and the choices were "Blaze," "Quickfire," and "Reveal." Needless to say, we're not so sure how we feel about putting an "AT&T Blaze" in our pockets -- but if it happens, at least we know who to blame.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]%Gallery-23871%
NCI benefit auction and dance
New Citizens Incorporated (NCI), the largest resident-run, not-for-profit support organizations for new Second Life users is holding benefit auction and dance to raise funds to continue its teaching and support mission. Featured sponsors are Microsoft (via CSharp Writer, Microsoft evangelist), who are donating brand new copies of Windows Vista Ultimate and Office Standard 2007; Simone Stern, who is donating her entire Fall 2007 dress lineup (150 dresses, worth approximately L$82,500) - and who will be co-hosting the event with NCI founder Brace Coral.
Third-party Wii component cables for under $7
It's really sort of bizarre when you think about it. The saga of the Wii component cables has been a long and storied one: first, they were rumored to be online-only; then Perrin Kaplan confirmed they'd be hitting retail; then they showed up online and were promised in stores by December 5th; they sold out within a day and retail dates were pushed back; finally, frustrated with the lack of an official solution, resourceful gamers made their own. The saga may come to an early end with the release of Blaze's $6.71 third-party component cables, shipping from Hong Kong on the 30th (we know, more waiting!) from online retailer Superufo.com. Until we can easily pick up a pair of Wii component cables, either online or at brick-and-mortar joints, this saga is still playing out.[Via Engadget]
3rd party Wii component cables
Those HDTV owners lucky enough to have a Wii may well know the sting of the Wii component cable shortage; with the ~$2 part (cost, not retail) fetching upwards of $100 on eBay, we think Blaze may have just saved the day with its $6.71 3rd party Wii component cables. Unfortunately even those are on backorder until this Thurdsay, the 30th, and even then you have to buy it from the same totally unimpeachable operation that brought you the Wii glove. So either way it looks like your ass is going to be rocking the 480i until further notice.[Thanks, Zekie]
