Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[ZTE Monte Carlo arrives a month early, now available on Orange UK]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/zte-monte-carlo-arrives-a-month-early-now-available-on-orange-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/zte-monte-carlo-arrives-a-month-early-now-available-on-orange-u/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/zte-monte-carlo-arrives-a-month-early-now-available-on-orange-u/#comments
Okay, we'll just come out and say it: in the hierarchy of classy names, Skate doesn't hold a candle to Monte Carlo. As the flagship of ZTE's lineup at Mobile World Congress last February, it feels much more appropriately titled with Orange UK's branding. No matter what you want to call it, however, the handset's now available on the carrier's online store -- no doubt a surprise, since we weren't expecting the phone to show up on sale for at least another month. For a device aimed at the budget-conscious, it's got some worthy specs: it's adorned with a 4.3-inch WVGA display, an 800MHz CPU, Android 2.3 and a five megapixel shooter. Will it whisk you away to a luxurious city lined with beaches and gorgeous views? No, but the phone can pull up some pretty pictures of it on Wikipedia.

ZTE Monte Carlo arrives a month early, now available on Orange UK originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4.3-inch5 megapixel5Megapixelandroidavailablegingerbreadmobilemobile world congressMobileWorldCongressmonte carloMonteCarlomwcmwc 2011Mwc2011orangeorange ukOrangeUkukztezte monte carlozte skateZteMonteCarloZteSkateTue, 09 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Status for AT&T finally gets its profile picture]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/htc-status-for-atandt-finally-gets-its-profile-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/htc-status-for-atandt-finally-gets-its-profile-picture/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/htc-status-for-atandt-finally-gets-its-profile-picture/#comments
Hello, meet the HTC Status. You may know it from such previous names as the ChaCha, ChaChaCha, or our personal favorite, "the Facebook phone that's not a Facebook phone." None of these titles made it through AT&T's gauntlet, however, and that's a-okay with us -- in fact, given its emphasis on social networking, the new name actually makes much more sense. The pictures above and below (the break) display the phone's AT&T branding, new Facebook button, and rearranged keyboard in the same fashion as the leaked press shot we saw earlier. If there was any doubt that you'll be seeing this device "in a relationship" with store shelves anytime soon, let this assuage your skepticism.

Continue reading HTC Status for AT&T finally gets its profile picture

HTC Status for AT&T finally gets its profile picture originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gandroidandroid 2.3Android2.3attchachachachachafacebookfacebook phoneFacebookPhonefbgingerbreadhtchtc chachahtc ph06130HtcChachaHtcPh06130in the wildInTheWildleakleaksmobilemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011ph06130rumorrumorsWed, 29 Jun 2011 10:52:00 EST<![CDATA[PlayBook Android app support mentioned during demo at MWC, old BlackBerrys show up in ShopSavvy's Android logs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/playbook-android-app-support-mentioned-during-demo-at-mwc-old-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/playbook-android-app-support-mentioned-during-demo-at-mwc-old-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/playbook-android-app-support-mentioned-during-demo-at-mwc-old-b/#comments As far-fetched as it may seem, rumors that RIM is working on some sort of Android app support for its QNX-based PlayBook tablet have persisted in various forms for months now -- and they've turned up once again in a video posted by development community MobileMonday's Rio chapter taken at MWC earlier this month, where a RIM rep seemingly says "we will also support Android apps" after talking about Java-based offerings. Of course, this could've been staged by some rabble rousers or a rep could've simply been echoing back the rumors he's seen on the interwebs -- but regardless, it adds fuel to the fire. Follow the break to see the video of that.

But it gets weirder. ShopSavvy -- which makes versions of its app for iOS and Android -- has started turning up a couple of older BlackBerry devices in its Android build's usage statistics on Flurry: the Curve 8300 and 8520, to be specific, along with an 8600 model that doesn't exist (at least, not yet). The 8300, in particular, is pretty ancient at this point and we're having a hard time wrapping our brain around RIM's game plan in porting Dalvik (or a Dalvik-like) VM and associated libraries over to it; if anything, Flurry could be confused. Then again, a next-generation full-touch BlackBerry that just happens to run a full suite of Android apps in a sandbox could be a pretty compelling product, indeed.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Continue reading PlayBook Android app support mentioned during demo at MWC, old BlackBerrys show up in ShopSavvy's Android logs

PlayBook Android app support mentioned during demo at MWC, old BlackBerrys show up in ShopSavvy's Android logs originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidblackberryblackberry osBlackberryOsemulationflurrymwcmwc 2011Mwc2011playbookqnxrimrumorshopsavvyvideoSun, 27 Feb 2011 17:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose USB or HDMI out (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-first-with-mhl-port-for-dual-purpose-usb-or/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-first-with-mhl-port-for-dual-purpose-usb-or/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/23/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-first-with-mhl-port-for-dual-purpose-usb-or/#comments There's a small but important fact about Samsung's newest Android flagship that slipped under our radar last week at Mobile World Congress. The Galaxy S II is the first smartphone to feature an MHL port. MHL, as you'll recall, was first announced in 2008 as the Mobile High-Definition video Link "standard" for mobile devices promoted by a consortium that includes Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and Silicon Image. So yeah, another mobile interconnect standard just like DisplayPort, mini-HDMI, or Light Peak. Essentially, the micro-USB shaped MHL jack at the base of the Galaxy S II features internal circuitry that recognizes USB or MHL impedance and then automatically switches the phone into USB data / charging or MHL audio / video / charging modes. A special 5-wire micro-USB to HDMI cable lets you send video and audio to existing HDMI-equipped displays. Unfortunately, the TV won't charge the Galaxy S II during playback unless you insert a phone charger adapter between the GSII and TV or wait for MHL-enabled TVs to begin shipping later this year. Once connected, you can then use your TV's HDMI-CEC compatible remote to navigate and control the Galaxy S II's media interface. The GSII is just the first MHL device with a half-dozen phones, at least one tablet, and a few TVs coming this summer. More details are available in the video interview after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose USB or HDMI out (video)

Samsung Galaxy S II first with MHL port for dual-purpose USB or HDMI out (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cecgalaxygalaxy sgalaxy s 2galaxy s iiGalaxySGalaxyS2GalaxySIihdmihdmi-cecmhlmicro usbmicro-usbMicroUsbmobile world congressmobile world congress 2011MobileWorldCongressMobileWorldCongress2011mwcmwc 2011Mwc2011samsungvideoWed, 23 Feb 2011 02:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Ixonos shows off windowed UI for Android]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/ixonos-shows-off-windowed-ui-for-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/ixonos-shows-off-windowed-ui-for-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/ixonos-shows-off-windowed-ui-for-android/#comments When your tablet needs a windowed UI, has it crossed some undrawn, implied boundary that makes it too complex for the kinds of casual tasks you'd want to accomplish on a tablet? Hard to say, but the mobile developers at Ixonos took to MWC last week to showcase a windowed build of Android on top of a tablet developed by Aava -- so at the very least, we know it's possible. The system is built atop Froyo and allows apps to continue running in the background -- they don't suspend, which means you can, say, play a video while you're off composing messages. The company also demonstrated the software on a dual-screen 7-inch tablet, allowing apps to be launched on either screen and transferred between them -- all seemingly without any customizations needed to individual apps, which is going to be key for a system like this to gain any market traction. Follow the break for Ixonos' press release and demo video.

Continue reading Ixonos shows off windowed UI for Android

Ixonos shows off windowed UI for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aavaaava mobileAavaMobileandroidgoogleixonosmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011uivideowindowwindowedwindowed uiWindowedUiwindowsSun, 20 Feb 2011 20:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel CEO Paul Otellini flip-flops, says he 'would've gone Android' if he were Elop]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/19/intel-ceo-paul-otellini-flip-flops-says-he-wouldve-gone-andro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/19/intel-ceo-paul-otellini-flip-flops-says-he-wouldve-gone-andro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/19/intel-ceo-paul-otellini-flip-flops-says-he-wouldve-gone-andro/#comments It's hard to say if Intel CEO Paul Otellini was simply misquoted the first go 'round, or if he really had a change of heart in the course of 48 hours. Either way, the most recent quotes coming from the highest of highs at Chipzilla paints a very different story than the one we first heard, and it's beginning to look like Intel and Microsoft may eventually wage some sort of war -- even if it's one that remains strictly at the software level. Reuters is reporting that Otellini had this to say when questioned about Stephen Elop's decision to select Windows Phone 7 as the future of Nokia's handset business:
"I wouldn't have made the decision he made, I would probably have gone to Android if I were him. MeeGo would have been the best strategy but he concluded he couldn't afford it."
That contrasts starkly with comments made just days ago, where he was quoted as saying that he would've made "the same or a similar call" if found in Elop's shoes. Continuing on the topic of differentiation, Otellini noted that "it would have been less hard on Android, [but] on MeeGo he could have done it." That said, he's confident that Intel "will find another partner," noting that carriers "still want a third ecosystem and the carriers want an open ecosystem, and that's the thing that drives our motivation." Now, the real question: which Paul can be believed?

Intel CEO Paul Otellini flip-flops, says he 'would've gone Android' if he were Elop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidceogoogleintelmeegomicrokiamicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011nokiaotellinipaul otelliniPaulOtellinisoftwareSat, 19 Feb 2011 06:01:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Incredible S auto-rotating buttons explained? (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/htc-incredible-s-auto-rotating-buttons-explained-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/htc-incredible-s-auto-rotating-buttons-explained-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/htc-incredible-s-auto-rotating-buttons-explained-video/#comments We were quite bedazzled by the HTC Incredible S after our hands-on at MWC, but it's the auto-rotating icons for the capacitive buttons that left us most intrigued. So we went back to the HTC booth to try to make sense of it all. From what we were able to observe, there's some optical trickery happening here: the icons appear to be glittering and shimmering depending on viewing angle as if lit through a prism, half-mirror or grate of some kind. We think that a pair of LEDs are used to project the intended icon onto the glass surface via either a combination of prisms and half-mirrors, or via horizontally and vertically polarized grates. Watch our video after the break, and let us know in the comments how you think this actually works.

Continue reading HTC Incredible S auto-rotating buttons explained? (video)

HTC Incredible S auto-rotating buttons explained? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto-rotationButtonsCapacitiveHtcHtc IncredibleHtc Incredible SHtcIncredibleHtcIncredibleSIconsIncredibleIncredible SIncredibleSMwcMwc 2011Mwc2011OpticsVideoFri, 18 Feb 2011 17:43:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Show - 018: GM's Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/the-engadget-show-018-gms-micky-bly-watson-researcher-david/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/the-engadget-show-018-gms-micky-bly-watson-researcher-david/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/the-engadget-show-018-gms-micky-bly-watson-researcher-david/#comments Humans, allow us to present the latest episode of The Engadget Show -- you won't want to miss it. First up, Josh and Tim Stevens sit down with GM's chief electrical engineer Micky Bly for a frank conversation on the future of automotive technology, chatting about everything from networked vehicles (with a surprise visit from the unmistakable EN-V prototype), electric cars, advancing smartphone integration, and a world without stoplights. Then, Micky announces and demos Chevy's new MyLink infotainment system, in a world-first, Engadget Show-exclusive look at the new technology.

Fresh off a resounding victory over mankind, IBM's Watson researcher David Gondek joins Josh and Paul for a breakdown of Watson's Jeopardy domination and an in-depth conversation about machine-learning, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and the meaning of love. Last up, Josh, Paul, and Nilay bust out the Motorola Atrix 4G and break down the week in news, including Nokia's Windows Phone announcement, the rise of Honeycomb tablets, and everything worth talking about from Mobile World Congress.

This is one you absolutely should not miss. What are you waiting for? Watch it now! Hit up the video stream after the break or download the show in HD below!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Special guests: Micky Bly, David Gondek
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger
Edited by: Danny Madden
Music by: Note!
Visuals by: Batsly Adams
Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec


Taped live at SIR Stage37
Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 018 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 018 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 018 (Small)

Subscribe to the Show:

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Continue reading The Engadget Show - 018: GM's Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G

The Engadget Show - 018: GM's Micky Bly, Watson researcher David Gondek, EN-V demo, Atrix 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atrixbatsly adamsBatslyAdamschevroletdavid gondekDavidGondeken-vengadget showengadgetshowengadgetshowcastgmibmibm watsonIbmWatsonjeopardymicky blyMickyBlymobile world congress 2011MobileWorldCongress2011motorola atrixmotorola atrix 4gMotorolaAtrixMotorolaAtrix4gMWC 2011Mwc2011mylinknotepandorapowermatthe engadget showtheengadgetshowtheengadgetshowcastvideowatsonFri, 18 Feb 2011 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[CE-Oh no he didn't!: INQ chief says Android is too geeky for 'pretty girls']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-inq-chief-says-android-is-too-geeky-for-pr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-inq-chief-says-android-is-too-geeky-for-pr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-inq-chief-says-android-is-too-geeky-for-pr/#comments Take one dose of improper generalization, mix it in with a heaping of condescension, and then add a pinch of good old sexism. What do you get? This quote, coming from Frank Meehan, CEO of the Android handset-making INQ:
"If you go to a nightclub in any city in the world, the pretty girl has an iPhone or a BlackBerry. She doesn't have an Android phone. She has no emotional attachment to an Android phone. It's too complicated. It's a geek device, it's all wrong."
Now, before you go emailing him photos of the Android tattoo girl, there is undeniably some smidgen of truth to the man's words. Android is a geek's dream ecosystem and it's not necessarily the most accessible platform in the world, but to completely write it off for the nightclub-going lady demographic doesn't strike us -- or Justin Timberlake, or Chad Ochocinco -- as the most astute idea in the world.

[Thanks, AC]

CE-Oh no he didn't!: INQ chief says Android is too geeky for 'pretty girls' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidblackberrybossceoceohnoCeOhNoHeDidntchiefcomplicatedfrank meehanFrankMeehangeekgirlsinqinq ceoInqCeoiphoneladiesmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011preferencequoteFri, 18 Feb 2011 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Myriad Alien Dalvik hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/myriad-alien-dalvik-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/myriad-alien-dalvik-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/myriad-alien-dalvik-hands-on-video/#comments What if you could run Android apps on other platforms? That's exactly the question Benoit Shillings and his team at Myriad asked themselves before setting out to create Alien Dalvik. The resulting software provides a host environment for the (mostly Java-based) Android apps to run pretty much anywhere. Alien Dalvik behaves a lot like Wine on Linux, which allows Windows programs to run inside Linux without installing Windows or using a virtual machine. We stopped by the Myriad booth at MWC this week where Benoit was kind enough to give us a demo of Alien Dalvik running on a Nokia N900. Despite being in the early stages of development and still un-optimized, the software worked as expected. Benoit showed us Google Maps, a chess game, and the IMDb app all running as separate processes inside Maemo. This version of Alien Dalvik was written using Qt and should also be able to run on Symbian devices. You can't buy the product as an end user, but Myriad wants to make the technology available to carriers and device manufacturers to help streamline the deployment of apps across platforms. Watch our video after the break.

Continue reading Myriad Alien Dalvik hands-on (video)

Myriad Alien Dalvik hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alien DalvikAlienDalvikAndroidBenoit SchillingsBenoitSchillingsDalvikGoogleHands-onMaemoMwcMwc 2011Mwc2011MyriadVideoFri, 18 Feb 2011 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer's Aspire One D257 attempts to send ripples through MWC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/acers-aspire-one-d257-attempts-to-send-ripples-through-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/acers-aspire-one-d257-attempts-to-send-ripples-through-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/acers-aspire-one-d257-attempts-to-send-ripples-through-mwc/#comments Despite its variety of new tablets, Acer's already told us of its plans to continue on with its Aspire One netbooks, and the new D257 is all the proof we need of that. At this point, we don't know much about the latest 10.1-inch laptop, except that it does have one funky lid. It looks like a stone was dropped smack in the middle of the O in the Aspire One logo to create a ripple-like effect, and it's more than just an interesting paint job -- the plastic has actually been molded. It's a noteworthy design move, but we've never really been big fans of the huge logo in the first place. We were actually hoping Acer would nix it after the AO521. Spec-wise, Notebook Italia is reporting it will be powered by Intel's dual-core Atom N570 or N550 processors and the placard on display at MWC said that it will dual-boot Windows 7 Starter and Android. Ironically, the model on hand wouldn't boot at all, but we'll be listening out for an official announcement on this one.

Gallery: Acer's Aspire One D257 hands-on

Acer's Aspire One D257 attempts to send ripples through MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acerAcer Aspire One D257AcerAspireOneD257androidaspire oneAspire One D257AspireOneAspireOneD257atomD257hands-onintel atomIntelAtomlaptopmwcMWC 2011Mwc2011netbookNetBooksFri, 18 Feb 2011 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/huawei-ideos-x3-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/huawei-ideos-x3-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/huawei-ideos-x3-hands-on-video/#comments
 Yesterday at MWC we got our hands on the Huawei IDEOS X3, an Android 2.3 phone slotted right between the IDEOS / Comet we reviewed recently and the X5 we saw at CES. While the original IDEOS took Android significantly downmarket, and the X5 is looking to bring high-end features to the mid-end, the X3 is aimed squarely at bread-and-butter devices like the LG Optimus T. Spec-wise, you'll find a 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen, Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU (likely 600 MHz), 256MB of RAM, 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, front-facing camera, WiFi b / g / n, and dualband HSPA plus quadband EDGE radios, all powered by a 1200mAh battery. Contrary to its siblings, the X3 is not a Google Experience device, and runs a custom skin on top of Gingerbread. See our pictures in the gallery below and jump the break for our first impressions and hands-on video.

Gallery: Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)

Continue reading Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video)

Huawei IDEOS X3 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAndroid 2.3Android2.3GingerbreadGooglehands-onHuaweiHuawei IDEOSHuawei IDEOS X3HuaweiIdeosHuaweiIdeosX3IDEOSIDEOS X3IdeosX3MWCMWC 2011Mwc2011videoX3Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/googles-mwc-2011-android-booth-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/googles-mwc-2011-android-booth-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/googles-mwc-2011-android-booth-tour/#comments It'd be no exaggeration to say that Google's Android booth here at MWC 2011 has been the most popular of them all. The Mountain View secret to this preeminence has been some combination of putting cutesy costumes on its now iconic robot logo, installing a slide for weary geeks to reconnect to their childhood with, and operating a fully fledged smoothie bar that offered up free Honeycomb elixirs. In short, Ye Olde Google has aimed to be fun first and foremost and the crowds have responded by keeping its booth constantly busy. Heck, we even saw our buddy Stephen Elop walking by, though his panther-like quickness was too much for our cameras to document the moment. Never mind, we've still got a ton of photos and video for you below, so why not dig into those while they're still hot?

Gallery: Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour

Continue reading Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour

Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011androidandroid boothAndroidBoothboothbooth tourBoothTourconveyorfungooglegoogle boothGoogleBoothmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011slidesmoothiestourvideoFri, 18 Feb 2011 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Adéu, Barcelona: Mobile World Congress 2011 is over]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/adeu-barcelona-mobile-world-congress-2011-is-over/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/adeu-barcelona-mobile-world-congress-2011-is-over/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/18/adeu-barcelona-mobile-world-congress-2011-is-over/#comments We've still got a handful of posts in the pipeline, but with the gates closed and everyone in the air heading back to their respective homes, our adventures at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona have come to a close. The good news is we can return to our regular four of hours of sleep each night (a figure that was cut in half this week). The bad news is the heartache of leaving behind gorgeous scenery and delicious paella. Take a look at some of our highlights below!

Microsoft
Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year
Windows Phone 7's multitasking uses zoomed-out cards to check on your apps
Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video)
Windows Phone 7 update with copy and paste, CDMA support coming in 'early March'
See the new Windows Phone 7 features in motion (video)
Live from Steve Ballmer's MWC 2011 keynote!

Nokia
The Engadget Interview: Nokia CEO Stephen Elop talks Microsoft, Symbian, MeeGo, and Windows Phone
Debunk: Elop never said Microsoft is paying Nokia billions of dollars to use Windows Phone
The Engadget Interview: Microsoft's Aaron Woodman talks Windows Phone 7 and Nokia
Nokia: 'Our first priority is beating Android'
Nokia hints we'll see first Windows Phone 7 device this year
Live from 'An Evening With Nokia' at MWC 2011!

HTC
HTC launches 1.5GHz, 7-inch Android 2.4 Flyer into the tablet wars (update: hands-on video!)
HTC Flyer vs. Galaxy Tab vs. iPad... fight!
A closer look at the HTC Flyer's screen, stylus, and Scribe
HTC refreshes Android lineup with Incredible S, Desire S and Wildfire S (update: hands-on)
HTC Incredible S, Desire S, and Wildfire S video hands-on
HTC Salsa and Chacha bring the dedicated Facebook button to Android (update: eyes-on)

Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S II official: dual-core 1GHz CPU, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus, coming this month (hands-on with video)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 official: Tegra 2, Honeycomb, dual cameras (hands-on with video)
T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G hands-on
Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 preview (video)
Samsung Galaxy Ace, Gio, Fit, and mini gather for a mega hands-on
Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets

Google
Eric Schmidt: 'We certainly tried' to get Nokia to use Android
Next version of Android will combine Gingerbread and Honeycomb, arrive on a six-month cycle
Google demos Android Movie Studio for Honeycomb
Live from Eric Schmidt's MWC 2011 keynote
Google's MWC 2011 Android booth tour

LG
LG Optimus Pad first hands-on! (video)
LG Optimus 3D hands-on
Android-powered LG Revolution caught streaming Netflix at MWC (video)
Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets

Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson Xperia family portrait at MWC 2011
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play MWC 2011 hands-on! (updated with video)
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro first hands-on! (updated with video)
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc preview (video)
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo first hands-on! (updated with video)
Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event!

Adéu, Barcelona: Mobile World Congress 2011 is over originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Highlightsmobile world congressmobile world congress 2011MobileWorldCongressMobileWorldCongress2011mwcmwc 2011Mwc2011Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM shows off TAT-developed BlackBerry PlayBook apps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/rim-shows-off-tat-developed-blackberry-playbook-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/rim-shows-off-tat-developed-blackberry-playbook-apps/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/rim-shows-off-tat-developed-blackberry-playbook-apps/#comments We've been eager to see what The Astonishing Tribe (otherwise known as TAT) would come up with for the PlayBook since RIM acquired the design firm back in December, and we're now finally getting our first glimpse at a few of the things they've been working on. Those include a scrapbook app that takes advantage of four-fingered multitouch, and a weather app dubbed "Aura" that was built with the WebWorks platform and makes use of the PlayBook's accelerometer -- both of which are relatively simple, but are intended to demonstrate how easy and quickly developers can build applications for the PlayBook. Also on display at Mobile World Congress this week was fairly impressive media player that can be used when the tablet's connected to a TV via its HDMI port -- it will not only let you view videos, but play games (albeit just a Rubik's Cube in the demo) and even view 3D content as well. Head on past the break to check them out on video.

Continue reading RIM shows off TAT-developed BlackBerry PlayBook apps

RIM shows off TAT-developed BlackBerry PlayBook apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppAppsBlackberryBlackberry PlaybookBlackberryPlaybookMwcMwc 2011Mwc2011PlaybookRimTatThe Astonishing TribeTheAstonishingTribeVideoWebworksThu, 17 Feb 2011 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's Galaxy S II to have a Tegra 2 version?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/samsungs-galaxy-s-ii-to-have-a-tegra-2-version/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/samsungs-galaxy-s-ii-to-have-a-tegra-2-version/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/samsungs-galaxy-s-ii-to-have-a-tegra-2-version/#comments Just as we lay to rest the ghost of a phantom Tegra 2 chip inside the LG Revolution, here comes the specter of another unconfirmed appearance for NVIDIA's dual-core application processor, this time inside Samsung's Galaxy S II. If you'll recall, we were initially informed by Samsung's PR crew that their new Android flagship would run on NVIDIA's hardware, however a subsequent correction informed us that the processor inside would in fact be Samsung's own Exynos. Now, it turns out, both might be true. AnandTech have come across some benchmark results showing a GT-i9103 with Tegra 2 listed as its grunt provider, while Pocket-lint and others have noted that Samsung's own spec sheet for the Galaxy S II states that the dual-core Exynos "may not be applicable in some regions." The likeliest scenario here is that Samsung hasn't yet reached sufficient volumes with its own processor production and will rely on NVIDIA's Tegra 2 for handsets outside its critical markets -- much in the same vein as it replaced Super AMOLED with Super Clear LCD screens in Russia and some other territories. Don't fret too much, though, performance disparities between the two aren't likely to be overly significant.

Samsung's Galaxy S II to have a Tegra 2 version? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidApplication ProcessorApplicationProcessorComponentsCpuDual CoreDual-coreDualCoreGalaxy S IiGalaxySIiGt-i9103HardwareMwcMwc 2011Mwc2011NvidiaNvidia Tegra 2NvidiaTegra2ProcessorSamsungSamsung Galaxy S IiSamsungGalaxySIiSpeculationTegra 2Tegra2Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Skype hints at video calling for Android users on AT&T, promises improvements to Qik]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/skype-hints-at-video-calling-for-android-users-on-atandt-promises/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/skype-hints-at-video-calling-for-android-users-on-atandt-promises/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/skype-hints-at-video-calling-for-android-users-on-atandt-promises/#commentsWe haven't heard a ton out of Skype since its acquisition of Qik last month, but executives from the two companies have finally done a bit of talking at Mobile World Congress this week. As you might expect, any actual merger of the two applications is still a ways off, but Skype has revealed that it plans to share some of its technical expertise to improve the quality of Qik video calls on Sprint and T-Mobile devices, and Skype exec Rick Osterloh also said that we should "watch out for some announcements" when it comes to AT&T. Considering Skype for iPhone already does video calls on AT&T, we assume that means we should look for video calling to come to Android phones on the carrier as well. In the longer term, PC Magazine reports that the "new vision" for Skype and Qik involves Skype's video call technology being used alongside Qik's video mail, video sharing and live streaming abilities, although the companies aren't providing any timeline for when any of that might happen.

Update: It looks like there may have been a slight misunderstanding on that AT&T tidbit. According to a Skype spokesperson:
Skype never stated to PC Magazine to expect that Skype is coming to AT&T. Skype has nothing to discuss or announce regarding future developments with carriers in the US and globally. We make a deliberate point to avoid any forward looking statement.

Skype hints at video calling for Android users on AT&T, promises improvements to Qik originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidattmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011qikskypevideo callingvideo callsVideoCallingVideoCallsThu, 17 Feb 2011 16:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson CTO: first LTE device coming 'pretty soon,' also considering Android tablets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-cto-first-lte-device-coming-pretty-soon-also-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-cto-first-lte-device-coming-pretty-soon-also-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-cto-first-lte-device-coming-pretty-soon-also-c/#comments Back in late 2008, Ericsson boldly predicted that 2012 will be the year of LTE; and fast forward to today, one year shy of the big one-two, said company's joint venture with Sony is already teasing its first LTE device. In a recent interview with Fierce Wireless, Sony Ericsson CTO Jan Uddenfeldt talked about SE's renewed focus on the US market, and how its relationship with Google helped securing its first-ever deal with Verizon. While emphasizing that SE's been in the CDMA business for years in Japan, Uddenfeldt also referred to the TD-LTE demonstration with ST-Ericsson and China Mobile at MWC, which featured a prototype LTE device developed by his own gang. Looks like SE's all set to enter the game, but the question is when will we see its first LTE device on the market? Uddenfeldt said "pretty soon," and he further fuels speculation by mentioning a potential collaboration with Sony on some Android tablets (maybe the S1?). Oh, such a teaser this man is.

Update: Swapped in an image of the prototype looking a bit too much like a 2007 UMPC above.

Sony Ericsson CTO: first LTE device coming 'pretty soon,' also considering Android tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gandroidandroid tabletAndroidTabletctoJan UddenfeldtJanUddenfeldtltemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011sonysony ericssonSonyEricssonST-EricssontabletTd-lteUddenfeldtThu, 17 Feb 2011 15:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint talks seriously about LTE, suggests it could complement WiMAX]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sprint-talks-seriously-about-lte-suggests-it-could-complement-w/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sprint-talks-seriously-about-lte-suggests-it-could-complement-w/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sprint-talks-seriously-about-lte-suggests-it-could-complement-w/#commentsWe've already heard Sprint do some talking about LTE at Mobile World Congress this week, but the company's Senior Vice President of Networks, Bob Azzi, has now gone even further in an interview with PC World, where he seems to have suggested that a switch to LTE is all but inevitable. In fact, Azzi is reported to have said that "with the spectrum holdings we have, WiMAX is not an option," and he further went on to note that even with Sprint's majority stake in Clearwire, it still only has "indirect ownership" of Clearwire's spectrum holdings. So what's it going to do? Azzi suggested that an LTE network which complements its current WiMAX network might be the answer, and he even suggested that we could see tri-band LTE phones with a WiMAX radio "velcroed on." He did, of course, point out that no decision has been made just yet, simply stating that "the question is how to keep growing," and that "it's about having a plan."

Sprint talks seriously about LTE, suggests it could complement WiMAX originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azzibob azziBobAzziclearclearwireltemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011sprinttri-bandwimaxThu, 17 Feb 2011 14:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/morphos-nfc-wifi-enabled-keyfob-brings-wireless-payments-car/#comments Not interested in picking up an NFC-enabled smartphone? No matter -- Morpho's got you covered. The outfit was demonstrating a newly finished Simlink NFC keyfob here at Mobile World Congress, intended to provide contactless payment capability for those who lack it in their existing mobile. Rather than stopping at just payments, this dongle also supports frequent flier cards, membership accounts and pretty much any other members-only situation that may ever use NFC check-ins and registration. There's even a WiFi module here and an onboard web server, enabling any WiFi-enabled phone to immediately see your most recent transactions as well as what data / cards you have stored on the device. We're told that the onboard battery can last around a week if you don't use it continuously, and a simple micro-USB connector is responsible for charging. The only unfortunate part is the size -- it's hardly inconspicuous, but we're guessing revision two will lose quite a bit of weight. This particular model should go on sale by the end of Q4, with pricing to be determined. Head on past the break for a brief demonstration, you big spender, you.

Gallery: Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob enables wireless payments, card management at MWC 2011

Continue reading Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video)

Morpho's NFC / WiFi-enabled keyfob brings wireless payments, card management to the everyman (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contactlesscontactless paymentcontactless paymentsContactlessPaymentContactlessPaymentsdemokeychainkeyfobmobile paymentmobile paymentsMobilePaymentMobilePaymentsmorphomwcmwc 2011Mwc2011NFCperipheralSafransanfrasimlinkSINTEFtelenorvideowifiwirelessThu, 17 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson Xperia family portrait at MWC 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-xperia-family-portrait-at-mwc-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-xperia-family-portrait-at-mwc-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/17/sony-ericsson-xperia-family-portrait-at-mwc-2011/#comments Sony Ericsson shook up MWC before it had even begun this year by introducing the Xperia Play -- the world's first PlayStation Certified phone -- alongside a pair of new members of its Xperia line of smartphones, the midrange Neo and QWERTY-sliding Pro. Taken together with the Xperia Arc that debuted at CES in January, this little bunch of Android Gingerbread runners will form SE's principal attack on the ever-fickle smartphone consumer's wallet this year. We can't yet tell you which of them might be the one for you, but we can certainly provide a gallery stuffed full of side-by-side pictures to help you visualize the differences, both big and small, between the four new Xperias. Enjoy!

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Xperia family portrait at MWC 2011

Sony Ericsson Xperia family portrait at MWC 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidarcfamilyfamily portraitFamilyPortraitgingerbreadgrouphands-onmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011neoplayprosmartphonessony ericssonSonyEricssoSonyEricssonxperiaxperia arcxperia neoxperia playxperia proXperiaArcXperiaNeoXperiaPlayXperiaProThu, 17 Feb 2011 08:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Qualcomm's FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/qualcomms-flashlinq-long-range-peer-to-peer-communications-tech/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/qualcomms-flashlinq-long-range-peer-to-peer-communications-tech/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/qualcomms-flashlinq-long-range-peer-to-peer-communications-tech/#comments Taken a look at our AllJoyn hands-on here at Mobile World Congress? You should, and then pick up here. Back? Good. Qualcomm's FlashLinq is a quasi-extension of AllJoyn, but unlike the latter, this is a proprietary solution that actually requires Qualcomm hardware to run (for now anyway; licensing deals could be in the works). Basically, this wireless technology allows FlashLinq-enabled devices to sense up to 4,000 other FlashLinq devices within a radius of up to 1km, which puts things like WiFi and Bluetooth to shame. Of course, that's under "ideal" circumstances, but even in subpar situations, the range should still beat out existing short-range alternatives. Why develop a solution like this? For one, businesses will be all over it; imagine a Yelp! instance that specifically hones in on businesses that have a FlashLinq-enabled device in their store, which is advertising deals for those who stop in and mention that FlashLinq sent 'em. Secondly, social networking / Latitude addicts will be head over heels for something like this. Once a connection is made, there's a steady 15Mbps beam available between the users -- that's more than enough for videochats, media streaming and multiplayer gaming.

The major difference between this and WiFi (aside from the range) is that unlike WiFi -- which operates in unlicensed spectrum -- FlashLinq requires licensed 5MHz TDD spectrum. That enables control over interference, which in turns boosts range and device density. Moreover, this system uses dramatically less power than BT or WiFi to sense other devices -- you're only using power for discovery two percent of the time, we're told. Beyond that, a lot remains up in the air. The company is still hammering out which chips will ship with FlashLinq support, and it'll be waiting for results from its SK Telecom trial (which starts in April) before committing to a commercialization date. Sadly, none of this can be retrofitted into older devices, but the good news is that it's hardly limited to mobiles. FlashLinq-enabled televisions, laptops, in-car infotainment systems, etc. could all be used to create a discoverable network of interactive goodness, but of course, it's hard to say how much success Qualcomm will have in a world already loaded down with connectivity options. The technology itself is fairly fascinating, though, as is the social networking demonstration that's embedded just past the break. Hop on down and mash play, won't you?

Gallery: Qualcomm's FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech at MWC 2011

Continue reading Qualcomm's FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video)

Qualcomm's FlashLinq long-range peer-to-peer communications tech demoed at MWC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothcommunicationsdemoFlashLinqhands-onmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011p2ppeer to peerpeer-to-peerPeerToPeerqualcommSK TelecomSkTelecomsouth koreaSouthKoreavideowi-fi directWi-fiDirectwirelessWed, 16 Feb 2011 19:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Gemalto puts Facebook on a SIM chip, Zuckerberg's plan for world domination coming along nicely]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/gemalto-puts-facebook-on-a-sim-chip-zuckerbergs-plan-for-world/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/gemalto-puts-facebook-on-a-sim-chip-zuckerbergs-plan-for-world/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/gemalto-puts-facebook-on-a-sim-chip-zuckerbergs-plan-for-world/#commentsSmart card guru Gemalto is going to help Mark Zuckerberg take over the world! Ok, not really, but the company has made it possible to put Facebook on just about every GSM phone on earth by running it on a SIM chip. This allows every poke, friend request, and wall post to be transmitted by SMS -- meaning no data plan required -- so that the non-smartphone crowd can access Facebook on the go too. Gemalto, using only the brightest and most creative marketing minds out there, has named the solution "Facebook for SIM." Users get a free trial for an undisclosed period of time before a subscription for the service becomes necessary -- carriers are positively salivating at the prospect of all that extra SMS traffic lining their already deep pockets, no doubt. We knew that Mark had big plans for putting Facebook on phones, but we didn't figure that dumbphones would get to join in the social networking fun. Finally, a chicken in every pot and a Facebook phone (or three) in every home.

Gemalto puts Facebook on a SIM chip, Zuckerberg's plan for world domination coming along nicely originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfacebook for SIMfacebook phoneFacebookForSimFacebookPhoneGemaltogsmMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergmwcMWC 2011mwc2011smart cardSmartCardsmsZuckerbergWed, 16 Feb 2011 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Huawei IDEOS S7 Pro tablet sneaks out, coming this spring]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/huawei-ideos-s7-pro-tablet-sneaks-out-coming-this-spring/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/huawei-ideos-s7-pro-tablet-sneaks-out-coming-this-spring/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/huawei-ideos-s7-pro-tablet-sneaks-out-coming-this-spring/#comments Can you handle one more Android tablet? Let's find out. That one up there is Huawei's IDEOS S7 Pro, which is not to be confused with its new IDEOS S7 Slim. The Pro didn't get a formal introduction here at MWC 2011, but it was lounging around the Huawei booth with a placard revealing its specs. Unfortunately, this one won't be launching with Honeycomb -- it packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, Android 2.3, HSPA+, WiFi 802.11bgn, and two cameras. The metal model on display seemed to be just a mockup, and despite the LED buttons lighting up, it wouldn't actually boot. We overheard a company representative say that it would be launching this spring and our comrades at Engadget Spanish have also heard that it will launch at 10-inch version later in the year. You know what that means? Yep, even more Android tablets!

Gallery: Huawei IDEOS S7 Pro hands-on

Huawei IDEOS S7 Pro tablet sneaks out, coming this spring originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>android 2.3Android2.3gingerbreadhands-onHuaweihuawei ideos s7 proHuaweiIdeosS7ProIDEOS S7 ProIdeosS7PromwcMWC 2011Mwc2011S7 ProS7ProtabletWed, 16 Feb 2011 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel's Otellini insists company is committed to MeeGo, says he 'understood' why Nokia moved to Microsoft]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/intels-otellini-insists-company-is-committed-to-meego-says-he/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/intels-otellini-insists-company-is-committed-to-meego-says-he/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/intels-otellini-insists-company-is-committed-to-meego-says-he/#comments
We've already seen some evidence that Intel was still pushing strongly ahead with MeeGo despite Nokia's deal with Microsoft, and now CEO Paul Otellini has chimed in on the matter to reassure folks that the company is still committed to the mobile OS. Speaking with Bloomberg at Mobile World Congress this week, Otellini said that he doesn't see that "Nokia changing its strategy changes the industry strategy," and added that "operators still look for an open, operator-friendly operating system." Otellini further went on to say on a panel discussion that he "understood" why Nokia made the decision it did, and even said that if he were in the same position he would have made "the same or a similar call." That doesn't mean he wasn't disappointed by it though -- in fact, he revealed that he used a word that Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz "has often used" when he first received the news from Stephen Elop himself (we'll let you look that up if you don't know it).

Intel's Otellini insists company is committed to MeeGo, says he 'understood' why Nokia moved to Microsoft originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intelmeegomicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011nokiaotellinipaul otelliniPaulOtelliniWed, 16 Feb 2011 13:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Visualized: Google's perpetual conveyor belt of Android]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/visualized-googles-perpetual-conveyor-belt-of-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/visualized-googles-perpetual-conveyor-belt-of-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/visualized-googles-perpetual-conveyor-belt-of-android/#comments You know those sushi places that have the pre-packaged rolls hypnotically scrolling by your face endlessly on a little conveyor belt? Well, picture exactly that... but with virtually every major Android device ever made instead of sushi. That was just one of the many visual treats we experienced at Google's Android booth at Mobile World Congress this year -- along with a dozen or so brightly-painted giant Android statues and a fully-functional slide from the second floor down to the first. We'd estimate there were perhaps 200 phones and tablets on the belt, ranging all the way from the original T-Mobile G1 up to prototype versions of the HTC Desire S and Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo. We'll admit, it was nigh impossible to resist grabbing at the clear acrylic capsules as they slid silently by, but fortunately, you won't have that problem when you check it out on video -- a safe distance from Barcelona -- after the break.

Gallery: Visualized: Googles perpetual conveyor belt of Android

Continue reading Visualized: Google's perpetual conveyor belt of Android

Visualized: Google's perpetual conveyor belt of Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidconveyor beltConveyorBeltgooglemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011videovisualizedWed, 16 Feb 2011 12:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-vs-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-vs-lg-g-slate-batt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-vs-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-vs-lg-g-slate-batt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-vs-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-vs-lg-g-slate-batt/#comments Hello, Moto -- no wait, Samsung... or is it LG? Three of the world's biggest smartphone makers have leapt at the opportunity to serve up Google's brand new Honeycomb build of Android, however their selection of menu items looks to be somewhat lacking in diversity. Motorola's Xoom matches Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in both screen size and resolution (1280 x 800), while LG's Optimus Pad / G-Slate offers only marginally smaller measurements with an 8.9-inch display spanning 1280 x 768. More than that, all three tablets run the bone-stock Honeycomb UI and are built around NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 system-on-chip, leaving little room for differentiation on the basis of user experience or internal performance (LG would have you believe its 3D camcorder is a big advantage for its slate, but we're not so sure). Most choices between the three, then, will come to things like brand loyalty, ergonomics and pure, basic aesthetic appeal. To help you judge the latter of those three points, we've prepared an exhaustive barrage of side-by-side photos below -- we expect you to view every last one of 'em... at least twice.

Gallery: Xoom vs. Optimus Pad... fight!


Gallery: Xoom vs. Galaxy Tab 10.1... fight!


Gallery: Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. Optimus Pad... fight!

Motorola Xoom vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. LG G-Slate -- battle of the Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-inch9-inchandroidcomparisondual coredual-coreDualCorefightg-slategalaxy tabgalaxy tab 10.1GalaxyTabGalaxyTab10.1hands-onhead-to-headhoneycomblglg g-slatelg optimus padLgG-slateLgOptimusPadmoto xoommotorolamotorola xoomMotorolaXoomMotoXoommwcmwc 2011Mwc2011nvidiaoptimusoptimus padOptimusPadpadsamsungsamsung galaxy tab 10.1SamsungGalaxyTab10.1slateslatestablettabletstegrategra 2Tegra2versusxoomWed, 16 Feb 2011 12:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola Xoom price official: $799 unsubsidized on Verizon, $600 for WiFi-only]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-price-official-799-unsubsidized-on-verizon-600/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-price-official-799-unsubsidized-on-verizon-600/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/motorola-xoom-price-official-799-unsubsidized-on-verizon-600/#comments There you have it, folks -- the exhausting saga of the Xoom's pricing has finally been laid to rest by Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha. Reuters reports a $799 levy for the 32GB Honeycomb tablet when bought with 3G (which will be upgraded to 4G) connectivity from Verizon sans subsidies, while Jha is also quoted as saying that a WiFi-only version will set buyers back only $600. The latter price matches the 32GB iPad directly, however the 3G Xoom is $70 more expensive than the Apple alternative. Sanjay failed to say when said pricing or models will become available, but there have been strong indications that pre-orders or reservations will begin tomorrow (at least at Best Buy), with the tablet launching in full on Thursday next week.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Motorola Xoom price official: $799 unsubsidized on Verizon, $600 for WiFi-only originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbreaking newsBreakingNewsconfirmedhoneycombmotomotorolamotorola xoomMotorolaXoommwcmwc 2011Mwc2011officialpricepricedpricingsanjay jhaSanjayJhaslatetabletxoomWed, 16 Feb 2011 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/toshiba-satellite-r830-r840-and-r850-laptops-unveiled-at-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/toshiba-satellite-r830-r840-and-r850-laptops-unveiled-at-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/toshiba-satellite-r830-r840-and-r850-laptops-unveiled-at-mwc/#comments There have been a lot of phone and tablet announcements here at MWC 2011, but laptops? Not so much. Toshiba's not following the crowd here, though. Instead, it's touched down in Barcelona with three fresh Satellites -- the 13.3-inch R830, 14-inch R840, and 15.6-inch R850. Aesthetically, they should look very familiar as Toshiba's basically refreshed its Portege R700 series with Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors and enhanced its cooling system. The company was a bit vague on specific configuration details (though, we took some shots of the system properties in the gallery below), but its press release does list that the rigs will be available with up to 8GB of RAM and 640GB of hard disk storage, SSDs, and USB 3.0. The R830 (pictured above) is still one of our favorites, and like the R705, it is made of magnesium, only weighs 3.2 pounds, and still has a optical drive. The R840 and R850 have been slightly retooled with subtlety striped lids, which we are told of made of a high stiffness resin. Both models have chiclet keyboards and regular touchpads with two mouse buttons, though the 14- and 15-inchers have pointing sticks. All three models will be hitting in April, but Tosh is keeping quiet on pricing. Hit the first gallery for a few shots of the rigs and the second for a look at the special copper airflow cooling system Toshiba's cooked up.

Gallery: Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 hands-on


Gallery: Toshiba Airflow Cooling Technology

Continue reading Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC

Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Airflow Cooling TechnologyAirflowCoolingTechnologyCore 2011Core2011hands-onIntellaptopsmwcMWC 2011Mwc2011R830R840r850Sandy BridgeSandyBridgeSatellite R830Satellite R840Satellite R850SatelliteR830SatelliteR840SatelliteR850toshibaToshiba coolingToshiba SatelliteToshibaCoolingToshibaSatelliteWed, 16 Feb 2011 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[LG Revolution using 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8655, not NVIDIA's Tegra 2]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lg-revolution-dumps-tegra-2-chooses-1ghz-snapdragon-msm8655-ins/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lg-revolution-dumps-tegra-2-chooses-1ghz-snapdragon-msm8655-ins/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/lg-revolution-dumps-tegra-2-chooses-1ghz-snapdragon-msm8655-ins/#comments Consider it a mystery solved. Throughout the week here in Barcelona, we've spent an inordinate amount of time chasing down suits from LG, Qualcomm, NVIDIA and Verizon Wireless to answer one simple question: "What's up with the processor in the Revolution?" If you'll recall, NVIDIA actually sent one of its own to Verizon's LTE press event at CES 2011, specifically to bust out a Revolution and gloat about the Tegra 2 chip within (video's after the break if you don't believe us). As it stood, it seemed as if the Thunderbolt and Revolution would be butting heads from a CPU standpoint, with the former definitively sporting a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8655. And then, came the confusion. We showed up at Qualcomm's booth here at Mobile World Congress to see which phone it was using to demonstrate the recently unveiled Netflix-on-Android support -- lo and behold, LG's Revolution was the handset of choice. Obviously, there had to be a new Snapdragon processor within, as only the newest of the new will have the necessary DRM libraries at a hardware level that are necessary to pass muster with the MPAA.

After venturing over to LG's booth, we were also able to confirm that the only Revolution it knew of was boasting a Qualcomm CPU, and the shot above (which was sourced from there) proves it. We also confirmed with Verizon Wireless' paperwork that the version it's expecting in the next month or so will ship with Qualcomm inside. Finally, NVIDIA refused to comment on the matter, simply suggesting that we contact LG for more details. Put all of that together, and we're able to come to two main conclusions. First off, it seems as if LG yanked support for the Tegra 2 at some point between CES and MWC -- right around four weeks. Hard to say if there were reliability issues, an unsatisfactory amount of power drain, or just irreconcilable differences between the two CEOs (joking, of course). Secondly, it's reasonably safe to assume that Verizon's Revolution will be the first Android handset on Big Red to stream Netflix directly, which may please those who were planning on buying one but weren't looking forward to going without Netflix thanks to the Tegra 2 that was (presumably) slated for inclusion. Qualcomm 1, NVIDIA 0.

Update: NVIDIA finally saw fit to drop us a line and clarify a bit. Turns out, the confirmation in the video below was a gaff to begin with, as the Revolution was never going to be outfitted with NVIDIA innards. Go figure, right?

Vlad Savov contributed to this report.

Continue reading LG Revolution using 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8655, not NVIDIA's Tegra 2

LG Revolution using 1GHz Snapdragon MSM8655, not NVIDIA's Tegra 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcpudrmexclusivegooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidLGLG revolutionLgRevolutionmpaamsm8655mwcmwc 2011Mwc2011netflixnvidiaprocessorqualcommrevolutionsmartphonesnapdragontegrategra 2Tegra2verizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvideovzwWed, 16 Feb 2011 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Interview: Microsoft's Aaron Woodman talks Windows Phone 7 and Nokia]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-engadget-interview-microsofts-aaron-woodman-talks-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-engadget-interview-microsofts-aaron-woodman-talks-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/the-engadget-interview-microsofts-aaron-woodman-talks-windows/#commentsWe sat down for a few minutes with Aaron Woodman -- director of Microsoft's mobile communication business -- here at Mobile World Congress this week to talk about the past, present, and future of the Windows Phone platform. Of course, it was at this very event a year ago when Redmond first unveiled its next-gen smartphone play, so this marks a great opportunity to circle back and see where the company has been -- and naturally, the Nokia news casts a bright new light on the platform. Read on for the full interview!

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: Microsoft's Aaron Woodman talks Windows Phone 7 and Nokia

The Engadget Interview: Microsoft's Aaron Woodman talks Windows Phone 7 and Nokia originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron woodmanAaronWoodmaninterviewmicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011windows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Just5 CP11 hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/just5-cp11-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/just5-cp11-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/just5-cp11-hands-on/#comments
We bumped into Just5 at MWC 2011 and while its handsets aren't even remotely in the smartphone world, its "Cingular" and simplistic approach to mobile devices and security is still kinda neat. So it is all in the name here, Just5 refers to precisely that: these sets have only 5 features. Included are a loud speaker, a radio, S.O.S. emergency button, thermometer -- we've no idea why -- and a flashlight. The set itself has impressive build quality that is in contrast with the really low-end pricing and our favorite bit, a novel screen that pops open stiletto-style when the two buttons on the sides of the phone are pushed. The S.O.S. feature is actually interesting: pushing and holding it results in text messages being sent to 5 pre-defined numbers and the handset then starts calling those 5 numbers until somebody picks up. Just5 is targeting this set at young folks, and of course anybody else interested in a no-nonsense handset -- including the elderly. The Just5 sets are available in Europe, and are on the way to the US as you read this. Video tour and a plump gallery follows.

Gallery: Just5 CP11 hands-on

Continue reading Just5 CP11 hands-on

Just5 CP11 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cp11hands-onjust cp11just5JustCp11mobilemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011videoWed, 16 Feb 2011 08:19:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Flyer tablet hits Amazon.de for 669 euros]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-tablet-hits-amazon-de-for-669-euros/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-tablet-hits-amazon-de-for-669-euros/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-tablet-hits-amazon-de-for-669-euros/#commentsHTC Flyer tablet hits Amazon.de for 669 Euros We're seeing some rather unattainable prices for many of the sexiest Android tablets to be unveiled at MWC and CES this year, but thankfully HTC's Flyer looks to be coming in a little lower than most. It's just popped up on Amazon.de at €669. Subtract the VAT and run that figure through a currency converter and you're looking at a price of around $730. A bargain? Hardly, but better than some others we've seen. Sadly it's still nicht verfügbar, but if you hurry you can jetzt vorbestellen.

[Thanks, Andrezj]

HTC Flyer tablet hits Amazon.de for 669 euros originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-inchandroid 2.4android tabletAndroid2.4AndroidTabletflyerhtchtc flyerHtcFlyermwcmwc 2011Mwc2011tabletWed, 16 Feb 2011 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Flyer vs. Galaxy Tab vs. iPad... fight!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-vs-galaxy-tab-vs-ipad-fight/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-vs-galaxy-tab-vs-ipad-fight/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/htc-flyer-vs-galaxy-tab-vs-ipad-fight/#comments In a world of 10-inch dual-core Androids, HTC has opted to tread its own path by cranking up processor speeds, sticking to a 7-inch form factor and eschewing the latest Honeycomb build for a Gingerbread version it could customize more comprehensively with Sense. All that's well and good, but sometimes all it comes down to is how these gadgets look and feel. So to help you wrap your mind around the Flyer's new aluminum body, we present a couple of comparison galleries with it set against two devices that need no introduction. Get clicking!

Gallery: Flyer vs. Galaxy Tab... fight!


Gallery: Flyer vs. iPad... fight!

HTC Flyer vs. Galaxy Tab vs. iPad... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7-inchaluminumandroidcomparisonfightflyergalaxy tabGalaxyTabgingerbreadhands-onhead-to-headhtchtc flyerHtcFlyeripadmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011samsung galaxy tabSamsungGalaxyTabslatetabtabletunibodyversusvsWed, 16 Feb 2011 06:19:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T also looking at Voice over LTE, paints a bullseye on 2013]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/atandt-also-looking-at-voice-over-lte-paints-a-bullseye-on-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/atandt-also-looking-at-voice-over-lte-paints-a-bullseye-on-2013/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/atandt-also-looking-at-voice-over-lte-paints-a-bullseye-on-2013/#commentsWith great bandwidth comes great responsibility is a lesson not lost on AT&T, as the cellular carrier has revealed it will follow Verizon's lead in improving call quality with Voice over LTE. Following Verizon's impressive demo of the technology this morning, Forbes cornered AT&T CTO John Donovan at MWC, who confessed that AT&T is working on something similar for a tentative 2013 release. That may sound a bit far off, but remember that Verizon won't launch its service until 2012, and AT&T won't hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for LTE until later this year anyhow. In the meanwhile, you're welcome to use your occasionally unlimited data for all the Skype you want.

AT&T also looking at Voice over LTE, paints a bullseye on 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTinternetJohn DonovanJohnDonovanLTEMWCMWC 2011Mwc2011voice over lteVoiceOverLteVoIPvolteTue, 15 Feb 2011 23:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathpartner demos 720p HD Skype videocalling using Android and OMAP 4 (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/pathpartner-demos-720p-hd-skype-videocalling-using-android-and-o/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/pathpartner-demos-720p-hd-skype-videocalling-using-android-and-o/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/pathpartner-demos-720p-hd-skype-videocalling-using-android-and-o/#comments Putting Pathpartner and Ittiam right beside one another may not have been the best idea if these two were hot-headed, but shockingly, they were treating each other with a great deal of respect within Texas Instruments' MWC booth. All jesting aside, the former's 720p HD videocalling solution is aimed at an entirely different market than that of the latter. Rather than arranging for a four-way video conference, Pathpartner has concocted an Android app that enables 720p video calling over Skype -- you know, that VoIP application that you're already obsessed with. Currently, the company's working with Skype in hopes of getting it 'Skype-certified,' and like Ittiam, it's also chatting with a number of handset makers in hopes of getting it embedded on the phone's software stack from the get-go.

Alexy Mathew Joseph, the company's senior technical lead, was on hand to showcase a demo running on a pair of OMAP 4-based development boxes, and the low-bitrate technology that he has helped create enabled smooth, high-def streaming of the call. We should mention that this particular demo was done over an Ethernet network, but he affirmed that it would operate on 3G and 4G networks as well. Also of note, the new software is capable on running on more than just TI equipment, though he wouldn't elaborate other than saying that NVIDIA's Tegra 2 was a platform he hasn't tested on just yet. Just think -- 720p Skype videocalls could be hitting your phone prior to the dawn of 2012, and the carrier's have to be weeping at the mere mention. Vid's past the break, per usual.

Continue reading Pathpartner demos 720p HD Skype videocalling using Android and OMAP 4 (video)

Pathpartner demos 720p HD Skype videocalling using Android and OMAP 4 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720p720p skype720pSkypeandroidcallingcommunicationgooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidhands-onhdhd skypeHdSkypelow-bitratemwcmwc 2011Mwc2011omapomap 4Omap4Pathpartnerskypetexas instrumentsTexasInstrumentsTIvideovoipTue, 15 Feb 2011 23:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba's nameless Honeycomb tablet flaunts its removable battery]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshibas-nameless-honeycomb-tablet-flaunts-its-removable-batter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshibas-nameless-honeycomb-tablet-flaunts-its-removable-batter/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshibas-nameless-honeycomb-tablet-flaunts-its-removable-batter/#comments
We've seen a lot of identically spec'd Honeycomb tablets in the past few weeks, and Toshiba's forthcoming Android 3.0 tablet has a lot of the same -- a 10.1-inch display, NVIDIA Tegra 2, and dual cameras -- except it boasts something the others don't... a removable battery. We don't know exactly why other tablet manufacturers, like Motorola, Samsung, and LG, aren't opting to include swappable cells, but Toshiba's tablet, which is still supposed to drop in April, will allow you to pull out that 2030mAH battery when it's drained and replace it with an extra if you so choose to buy one. Obviously, we're hoping the battery lasts long enough on a charge that you won't have to resort to that, but there's something to be said for knowing you've got back up. Need some visual proof of this one? Hit the break to witness the quick pull and don't mind the messy innards -- Toshiba assures us this is still a very early sample.

Note: We're assuming the actual capacity of the battery may change since we just pulled those 2030mAH / 23Wh numbers off the sample we saw.

Gallery: Toshiba tablet with removable battery

Continue reading Toshiba's nameless Honeycomb tablet flaunts its removable battery

Toshiba's nameless Honeycomb tablet flaunts its removable battery originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Android 3.0Android3.0hands-onhoneycombmwcMWC 2011Mwc2011tablettabletstegra 2Tegra2toshibatoshiba tabletToshibaTabletvideoTue, 15 Feb 2011 22:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Ittiam shows off four-way 720p HD video conferencing using Android, OMAP 4 (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/ittiam-shows-off-four-way-720p-hd-video-conferencing-using-andro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/ittiam-shows-off-four-way-720p-hd-video-conferencing-using-andro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/ittiam-shows-off-four-way-720p-hd-video-conferencing-using-andro/#comments Being Mobile World Congress, quite a few software vendors found themselves tucked into corners of bigger booths, eager and willing to showcase their latest work. Ittiam is one of those companies, relying on Texas Instruments' OMAP 4 platform to power its new HD video conferencing system. The demo shown here at MWC involved a foursome of TI development boxes, but the underlying platform was most certainly Android 2.2. Anil Kumar, the manager of Ittiam's video communications division, noted that the system would work just fine on Gingerbread and Honeycomb, enabling up to four devices (smartphones, tablets, whatever) to link up and enjoy a multi-faced call over a standard 3G network.

Of course, the demonstration that we were shown used an Ethernet network for maximum stability, but the low-bitrate technology would allow bearable results on 3G networks (and better-than-average results on a 4G network). We were told that the company is in talks with "numerous" phone makers, in hopes of getting their VCS software integrated onto Android devices by the year's end -- think Qik, but for video conferencing -- but he couldn't hand out any specifics. Head on past the jump if you'd like to see a demo (and hear an awful lot more).

Gallery: Ittiam shows four-way 720p HD video conferencing using Android, OMAP 4

Continue reading Ittiam shows off four-way 720p HD video conferencing using Android, OMAP 4 (video)

Ittiam shows off four-way 720p HD video conferencing using Android, OMAP 4 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcallingcommunicationsdemohands-onIttiammwcmwc 2011Mwc2011omapomap 4Omap4texas instrumentsTexasInstrumentsTIvideovideo callvideo callingvideo chatvideo conferencevideo conferencingVideoCallVideoCallingVideoChatVideoConferenceVideoConferencingvoipTue, 15 Feb 2011 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[NVIDIA announces quad-core Kal-El SOC, promises it in tablets by August (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/nvidia-announces-quad-core-kal-el-soc-promises-it-in-tablets-by/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/nvidia-announces-quad-core-kal-el-soc-promises-it-in-tablets-by/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/nvidia-announces-quad-core-kal-el-soc-promises-it-in-tablets-by/#comments So it turns out that NVIDIA roadmap we saw last month was as true and pure as driven snow. The barely conceivable quad-core Tegra chip that it listed has now been made official by none other than NVIDIA itself, with the company also informing us that the new silicon is already sampling out to prospective clients. Known as Kal-El internally, this will most likely turn into NVIDIA's Tegra 3 as and when it's ready to enter the consumer market. Tonight NVIDIA whetted our appetite for what's to come with a demo that can most fittingly be described as an exhibition of unadulterated computational muscle. A 2560 x 1440 stream was being decoded on a developmental device, scaled down to that slate's native 1366 x 768 resolution, and additionally displayed on a connected 30-inch, 2560 x 1600 monitor. That entire voluminous workload was being handled in real time by Kal-El and we saw no signs of it struggling.

By NVIDIA's own estimation, the quad-core newbie provides roughly double the processing power of Tegra 2 and triple the graphics-crunching prowess. In the second demonstration of the evening, we saw an instance of Great Battles Medieval -- ran at 720p with 650 enemy soldiers on the field -- on both a Tegra 2 and a Kal-El platform, which showed the baby superhero handily dusting its still very new brethren. This was in large part down to the full dozen GPU cores contained within Kal-El, though before you freak out about battery-draining insanity, NVIDIA claims things are much, much more efficient as well -- up to 12 hours of HD video playback are promised under the right circumstances.

It's a big fat wedge of awesome boasts we've heard from the GeForce maker today, however the company's given us a schedule to hold it to as well. The "August timeframe" is when the quad-core Kal-El is expected to land in tablets, while smartphones will have to wait until the holiday season to benefit from what's likely to be a slightly downgraded variant. Skip past the break to eye the future Tegra roadmap for the next few years plus video of the wildly impressive demos we were witness to.

Gallery: NVIDIA Kal-El quad-core SOC and development platform

Continue reading NVIDIA announces quad-core Kal-El SOC, promises it in tablets by August (video)

NVIDIA announces quad-core Kal-El SOC, promises it in tablets by August (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20113dbreaking newsBreakingNewsconfirmedcpugpuhardwarekal-elmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011nvidianvidia kal-elNvidiaKal-elofficialplansprocessorquad-coreroadmapsamplessamplingschedulesmartphonessocsystem-on-chiptabletstegrategra 3Tegra3videoTue, 15 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba to release its Windows 7 tablet in the second half of the year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshiba-to-release-its-windows-7-tablet-in-the-second-half-of-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshiba-to-release-its-windows-7-tablet-in-the-second-half-of-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/15/toshiba-to-release-its-windows-7-tablet-in-the-second-half-of-th/#comments
We know, from the side that tablet up there looks a lot like Toshiba's still unnamed 10-inch Honeycomb tablet, but it's actually the company's future Windows 7 slate, which we were told today won't be hitting the market until the second half of 2011. The model Toshiba had on display was behind glass and wasn't actually powered on, but we did confirm that it will have an 11.6-inch display and will be powered by Intel's Atom Oak Trail processor. That's all we were able to get out of the company, but apparently that very tablet was on display at CES, and Notebook Italia gathered there that it will have 64GB of storage and 2GB of RAM. So, what's the hold up on the slate? According to Toshiba's Marco Perino, the company's putting a bit of "Toshiba flavor" on top of the OS to make it more touch-friendly. He also said that it may not come to all parts of the world as different regions will determine the local demand. We're not sure anyone is holding their breath for this one, but we'll keep you updated if we should hear more. Hit the break for a few more behind-glass shots of the tablet.

Gallery: Toshiba Windows 7 tablet at MWC

Toshiba to release its Windows 7 tablet in the second half of the year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hands-onIntel oak trailIntelOakTrailmwcMWC 2011Mwc2011Oak TrailOakTrailtablettabletstoshibawindows 7windows 7 tabletWindows7Windows7TabletTue, 15 Feb 2011 17:11:00 EST