Engadget

TiVo shows a Q1 net loss of $20.8 million, will launch TV Everywhere web portal soon

Richard Lawler — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:04:00 EST

TiVo has released its financial results for Q1 2013, and right off the bat they show a wider than expected net loss of $20.8 million. This is despite a rise in revenue and subscribers (driven mostly by Virgin Media, which added 242,000), and the company expects another loss in the second quarter due to rising litigation costs in its ongoing cases against Motorola and Time Warner Cable. We've already heard about TiVo's new Stream placeshifting box, IP multiroom extender and six-tuner XG1 gateway, but the new product news is a plan to launch TV Everywhere streaming. The first cable operator joining in the new venture will be RCN, and TiVo says its portal will allow providers using its DVRs to deliver streaming video in or out of the home, with video on-demand and remote DVR scheduling on PCs, tablets and mobile devices. That's expected to launch later this year, but for all the details, numbers and quotes you can check the press releases after the break.

Continue reading TiVo shows a Q1 net loss of $20.8 million, will launch TV Everywhere web portal soon

TiVo shows a Q1 net loss of $20.8 million, will launch TV Everywhere web portal soon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Custom-made Aperture Science gas mask will make sure you're still alive, won't open portals

Jon Fingas — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:17:00 EST

Valve's Portal series has been used as the pretext for many achievements outside of puzzle gaming, including getting hitched. Keeping you from shuffling off this mortal coil, however, is still new. Two Horns United has given a gas mask a decidedly nerdy visual upgrade that resembles the game's iconic Aperture Science Portable Quantum Tunneling Device, right down to the light-up energy chambers. Best of all, unlike some homebrew projects, you'll have a (probably limited) chance at buying one yourself after June. Coworkers might look at you oddly as you strap a portal gun to your face during a safety drill, but you'll have the quiet satisfaction of knowing you're truly ready for a neurotoxin attack, not to mention taking the title of a Jonathan Coulton song very literally.

Custom-made Aperture Science gas mask will make sure you're still alive, won't open portals originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 05:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worlds collide as Super Mario Bros and Portal become Mari0 (video)

Dante Cesa — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:58:00 EST

Remember when the amalgamation of Super Mario Bros and a Portal gun seemed like the most amazing, yet impossibly lucid pipe dream? As it turns out, the cake named "Mari0" by developer-house Stabyourself actually wasn't a lie. But lest you thought this just a redo of Super Mario Bros with a skosh of Aperture science thrown in, you'd be oh-so-wrong. How's about four-player co-op, in addition to a level editor and a bevy of hilarious modes that'll put a new twist on an old favorite. And could it get any better than available for the sweet sweet price of free? If that's not a ringing endorsement, we don't know what is. If you're still reading this, we're unsure why you're still here -- get your game on at the source link below.

Worlds collide as Super Mario Bros and Portal become Mari0 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Still Alive' played on 3D printed record, takes music piracy to complicated new levels

Brian Heater — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:32:00 EST

We're still in the relatively early stages of the 3D printer revolution, and as such, it's hard to say just how these devices will play a role in our daily lives. We've seen some really cool toys like turtleshell racers and Weighted Companion Cubes, but what about some everyday products? This 3D printed record keeps the Portal printer theme going by cutting our old pal Jonathan Coulton's "Still Alive" into its grooves. The single was printed over at Shapeways and played on a Fisher-Price record player. Video after jump.

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'Still Alive' played on 3D printed record, takes music piracy to complicated new levels originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ThinkGeek and Aperture Science do what they must, intro more Portal-themed goods because they can

Joe Pollicino — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:14:00 EST

Been yearning for more Portal 2-inspired goods from ThinkGeek? Fret not, dear test subject, the company's got some products ways that should satiate your desire for Cave Johnson-approved chachkas. Newly up for grabs are a $15 Aperture Science shower curtain, a $35 motion-sensing plush turret and a $40 Cave Johnson talking portrait -- think Billy Bass, but with a Portal twist. ThinkGeek's also announced a $30 Companion Cube cookie jar (the perfect companion for its Portal cookie cutters) and a $30 PotatOS Science Kit, complete with an insult-spewing "talking GLaDOS module." Sadly, the latter duo don't have an official release date just yet, and are merely listed as "coming soon." Of course, like the cake, they could just be lie. For the sake of science, portal past the break to find a press release with more details.

Continue reading ThinkGeek and Aperture Science do what they must, intro more Portal-themed goods because they can

ThinkGeek and Aperture Science do what they must, intro more Portal-themed goods because they can originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jonathan Coulton talks coding, Creative Commons and becoming an internet rockstar (video)

Brian Heater — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:41:00 EST

There are few ways of endearing yourself to the geek world more quickly than writing a song like "Code Monkey." The developer-friendly track was one of 52 released as part of Jonathan Coulton's year-long "Thing a Week" project and was later adopted as the theme song for a similarly-titled G4 program. The songwriter was just adhering to that old adage of "writing what you know," having worked as a full-time computer programmer prior to giving the music world a go -- though, as he readily admits, he still keeps it real by coding for his own site. We sat down with Coulton as part of this month's Engadget Show, discussing his midlife crisis-driven decision to quit his day job and the journey that the internet played in making him a star. We also discussed the musician's favorite tech, his love of Creative Commons and using gadgets to make music. Coulton also treated us to three songs, including "Still Alive" from the Portal soundtrack and two tracks off his brand new record Artificial Heart. Video of all that after the break.

Continue reading Jonathan Coulton talks coding, Creative Commons and becoming an internet rockstar (video)

Jonathan Coulton talks coding, Creative Commons and becoming an internet rockstar (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Proposing with portals: how really romantic gamers pop the question

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:01:00 EST

Unless you proposed from orbit, chances are your marriage request was not nearly as elaborate as Gary Hudston's. And, perhaps outside of 2008's homebrew Bejeweled proposal, no where near as geeky either. Hudston hired a skilled developer to create series of custom levels for Portal 2 that his potential betrothed would have to play through. When it heard about his apparently not so secret project, Valve even helped him secure Ellen McLain, the voice of GLaDOS, to record original audio. You can check out the hilarious and heartwarming video after the break or just play through the levels yourself by downloading them at the source link. Sadly, unless you happen to be the future Mrs. Hudston, you'll be no closer to marrying yourself off after solving its puzzles.

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Proposing with portals: how really romantic gamers pop the question originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What do you love, asks Google with a new portal to its many web services

Vlad Savov — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:53:00 EST

Say hello to your new online friend, wdyl.com. An eagle-eyed TechCrunch tipster spotted this freshly launched Google portal, whose purpose it seems to be to gather up all of the company's multifarious web services under one umbrella. A Google search for Google products, in other words. Punching in a topic brings up its popularity in Google Trends, lets you set up Google Alerts, plan related events in Google Calendar, email someone in Gmail, or hit up Picasa, YouTube or Google News with the same query. You get the picture. It hasn't yet been made official and hitting up the site without the "www." prefix throws up a bad URL error at the moment, but it's there and seemingly fully functional. Give it a try and let us know which search terms bring up the most humorous results.

What do you love, asks Google with a new portal to its many web services originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on

Sean Hollister — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:44:00 EST

Razer's Sixense electromagnetic orb threw around plenty of intradimensional portals at CES, but sadly the company wouldn't let us play. Today at E3 2011, however, we were finally handed the reins. Those twin sticks are impressively responsive and accurate in the specially-made Sixense levels for Portal 2, and it's a heck of a lot of fun to physically stretch out blocks, reposition portals with a twist of the wrist and physically throw objects through the air. However, we got the impression that outside of games particularly designed to work with the sticks, it might be a different story. Waving the right stick around works pretty adequately for controlling the mouse cursor, but when we exited out to Windows, the sticks didn't work -- apparently, controls have to be mapped separately in a desktop client to work with the OS and other games or programs. We don't think many PC gamers will mind the six-foot range and wired tether here, but it does restrict those hoping to kick back with a game on the big screen.

Gallery: Razer Mamba Dual-Sensor and Hydra at E3 2011

We also got to try Razer's new "4G" dual-sensor technology, which will be rolling out to new Mamba and Imperator gaming mice right away -- it pairs a laser sensor and an optical sensor for more precision when lifting mice off a surface for advanced first-person shooter mousing techniques, not to mention 6400dpi tracking. We took it for a spin with a handy Razer Mamba, and we immediately fell in love -- whether we flung the mouse around haphazardly, furiously swiped it across the mousepad or simply tried for a quick headshot, it kept up with us. The cursor does creep if you lift and drop very rapidly, though, and without an original Mamba to compare with, it's hard to say just how much better it was. Thankfully, that won't be much of a factor in your purchasing decision: you'll pay the exact same $130 for the Mamba or $80 for the Imperator when they hit shelves this month. PR after the break.

Update: Razer points out that you can in fact use the controller in Windows, enabling mouse movement and toggling the cursor with button 4, and left and right clicking with the right trigger and button 1.

Continue reading Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on

Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portal turret replica has real laser, insatiable bloodlust

Vlad Savov — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:22:00 EST

You might not remember Ryan Palser by name, but you'll surely recall the good gent's homemade Fallout 3 plasma rifle. He has since stepped his game up to bigger and badder video game weapon replicas, and has just completed the construction of the first of his forthcoming army of Portal laser turrets. Thankfully, Ryan has been sporting enough to build the older version of these human eviscerators (not the upgraded Portal 2 turrets, phew!), giving us at least a small chance of survival -- provided we have the right gear, of course. See the laser-equipped, GLaDOS-approved, 38-inch tall turret next to its maker after the break, or hit up the source link for some gorgeous photos of its construction.

Continue reading Portal turret replica has real laser, insatiable bloodlust

Portal turret replica has real laser, insatiable bloodlust originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 03:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off

Donald Melanson — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:33:00 EST

So you've built your own homebrew CNC mill and want to test out some recent modifications? That's a question few ever have to ask themselves, but DIYer Jamie Nasiatka recently did, and came up with the bright idea of making his very own Weighted Companion Cube. As you can see above, things turned up pretty well, and you can check out the complete build process at the source link below -- yes, it lights up, and changes colors. Let's just hope no one tries to throw this cube through a Portal t-shirt.

DIYer builds his own CNC mill, fabricates a Weighted Companion Cube to show off originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Mario gets a Portal gun, you monster (video)

Richard Lai — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:28:00 EST

Before Portal 2 there was Portal, and before Portal there was Super Mario Bros. Bring these together and you get a mushroom-chomping Italian plumber ruling the 2D world -- outside the cold confines of Aperture Science -- with the infamous Portal gun. The next logical step? Turn this into a first-person game. Go on, Reggie, make it happen.

Super Mario gets a Portal gun, you monster (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft patents apps that let you buy things, Ballmer to go on licensing spree?

Michael Gorman — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:36:00 EST

Many of us use apps to buy stuff these days, whether its grabbing the latest e-book from Amazon, or a Groupon for a day of pampering at the local spa. Seems obvious now, but it wasn't (at least according to the USPTO) in 2004, when Microsoft filed a patent application for the idea -- and that application was recently granted. The patent claims a way to make purchases through an network-connected portal with a "streamlined interface" (to "streamline" the process of parting you from your money, no doubt). The portal maintains a list of selling sites and exchanges info as needed to let buyers pick up what the seller's putting down. Now, we aren't intimately familiar with the ways shopping apps work, but the patent language appears broad enough to cover apps that make internet purchases without using a full-on web browser -- though only a federal court can say for sure. The only other question is, what are Ballmer and his boys going to do with these newly granted IP powers?

Microsoft patents apps that let you buy things, Ballmer to go on licensing spree? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle

Brian Heater — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:23:00 EST

Remember the Razer Hydra controller that let you materialize portals with a real electromagnetic orb? Those motion sensing sticks will be available for pre-order in May and will go on sale in June, two months after this week's release of Portal 2, the game it was first demoed with. However, Razer'll still charge you for a copy of the murderous robot game if you want the fancy gizmo, as it's pricing the bundle at $140 -- understandably more expensive that the "below $100" price that it was targeting for the controller alone. Two months is a pretty long time to wait to play the already-available title, and Razer isn't offering any info on a standalone version of the Sixense-based magnetic peripheral. On the upside, though, Joystiq got its hands on a list of compatible titles, which includes 122 games on top of the aforementioned sequel. That list and the official press release after the break.

Continue reading Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle

Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel waves around Razer's Sixense motion-sensing sticks, plays Portal 2 on the big screen (video)

Sean Hollister — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:14:00 EST

For any new peripheral to succeed in the market, it needs a killer app. Seems like Razer found one -- at Intel's press conference at CES 2011, it got to demo Portal 2 with its Sixense motion controller. We were on hand to see it in action, and it looks like the game's tailor-made to take advantage of your precision arm-waving; moving the right stick controls a tractor beam that emanates from the Portal Gun, such that your protagonist can reach though those game-twisting wormholes without sticking her neck out. But don't take our word for it -- see for yourself after the break!

Continue reading Intel waves around Razer's Sixense motion-sensing sticks, plays Portal 2 on the big screen (video)

Intel waves around Razer's Sixense motion-sensing sticks, plays Portal 2 on the big screen (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Portal gun to be auctioned off for Child's Play charity

Darren Murph — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:49:00 EST

The Portal gun. If you've been alive over the past year and change, you know exactly what we're talking about. We can safely say our lives were changed after spending a few good minutes with Harrison Krix's handmade replica in 2009, and soon you'll have the golden opportunity to know exactly what we mean. Krix has constructed a new Portal gun, one that's arguably more bodacious than ever, and there's only one way to get it: outbid the Bro Montana next to you on December 7th. A Child's Play Charity event auction will be held on that fateful day in Seattle, and it'll be the one and only opportunity to have the pink slip transferred to you. Of course, monies received from the auction will benefit Child's Play (a gaming industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over 60 hospitals worldwide), and the bragging rights afforded to the winner will be fairly epic in scope. Head on past the break for a video of what's up for grabs.

Continue reading Portal gun to be auctioned off for Child's Play charity

Portal gun to be auctioned off for Child's Play charity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Myspace gets a reboot, Billo's profile still hopelessly under-designed (video)

Joseph L. Flatley — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:04:00 EST

That's right, it's spelled Myspace now (no longer with the capital "s"). And if you want to do the logo any justice, you have to take the "space" literally, so it comes out something like: my[____]. Get it? We don't, but that isn't stopping the News Corp-owned social networking site and haunt for all things tweenaged and tweemo (as well as the world's foremost Blingee! repository) from re-launching with a new design, a new homepage, and a new focus as an entertainment portal. Makes sense to us, although we really just wish they'd get around to production on that Myspace Media Player already. Get a preview for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Myspace gets a reboot, Billo's profile still hopelessly under-designed (video)

Myspace gets a reboot, Billo's profile still hopelessly under-designed (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Ben Heck Show helps you build your very own Portal Shirt

Darren Murph — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST

Considering that you're an avid viewer of The Ben Heck Show, we're assuming this is old news to you and yours. On the off-chance that you missed the last episode, we're here to rope you back into reality. Embedded past the break is a video filled with love, laughter and legitimate instructions on building your very own Portal t-shirt. According to Benjamin, the system consists of a front-mounted LCD, pocket-mounted battery pack and rear-mounted camera, and naturally, it's being released just prior to Halloween. You now know exactly what you have to do.

Continue reading Latest Ben Heck Show helps you build your very own Portal Shirt

Latest Ben Heck Show helps you build your very own Portal Shirt originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam arrives for the Mac with 57 games in tow, all your PC using friends are really happy for you

Paul Miller — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:47:00 EST

Thanks to Valve, Mac users can finally claim to own a "gaming rig" without resorting to Boot Camp or causing PC gamers to burst into laughter. Sure, you're still going to be better off cost-for-pixel-crunching with a mid-range PC desktop than anything Apple offers, but for a MacBook Pro user looking to get in a few frags during lunch, the arrival of Steam for Mac is probably the best news they've heard this year -- and luckily that Source engine isn't too hard on older hardware. Mostly the same crop of games that were available to beta testers are available in the final product, with Portal and ~~Team Fortress 2~~ standing atop the heap (Portal's even free for a limited time!), while Half-Life and Left 4 Dead remain notably absent. Check out Joystiq if you want a full breakdown of the games, including a few of the highlights, we have... um, some stuff to do. You know, boring work stuff. You probably wouldn't be interested. Hit that source link for the download.

Update: We're not seeing Team Fortress 2, and we're not getting an option for picking up the Mac version of Civ IV, even though it's a "Steam Play" title. The free Portal download isn't working either, but at least we're relatively certain that it will at some point.

Steam arrives for the Mac with 57 games in tow, all your PC using friends are really happy for you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 May 2010 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam on Mac preview roundup: all but identical to PC

Sean Hollister — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:59:00 EST

With that hotly-anticipated May 12th release date just around the corner, you might be wondering how Steam on Mac will perform. You're in luck, because some of our favorite Mac news sites have just finished testing the software's closed beta. The verdict? It's practically the exact same as the Windows version, except there's almost nothing to buy. Save for the Growl-like notifications at the top of the screen, the UI is all but indistinguishable, and as promised,data and purchases (if playable) automatically carry over in their entirety from your Windows Steam account. Team Fortress 2 even has cross-platform capability, allowing Mac users to play online with their Windows counterparts, though several journalists noted you might want to invest in a two-button wheel mouse if you don't want to be found out. Source Engine performance on Mac wasn't quite as good as on Windows in tests using the exact same hardware (thanks, Boot Camp), but admirably comes close nonetheless; Electronista was able to maintain a similar framerate in Portal just by disabling two levels of anti-aliasing. Not all Mac users will be able to partake in these games, however; though a MacBook Pro with a discrete 512MB GeForce 8600M card could run them well and a GeForce 9400M laptop managed on low settings, those with only integrated Intel graphics chips might find themselves in for a painful surprise.

Read - Electronista
Read - MacRumors
Read - MacWorld
Read - AppleInsider

Steam on Mac preview roundup: all but identical to PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam for Mac beta reveals possible Linux compatibility in the pipeline, penguins rejoice

Richard Lai — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:03:00 EST

Gaming on Linux? That's not something we hear every day just yet, but it looks like the good folks at Valve might be considering a penguin revolution. In one of the latest beta releases of Steam for Mac, Phoronix spotted a mention of the open-source platform in the launcher script, and we were also able to verify this code ourselves. Furthermore, the eagle-eyed Linux blog has previously seen a handful of evidence hinting Linux compatibility for Valve's Source gaming engine. We're probably still a ways off from any announcement (if ever) so for now, let's just leave the guys alone -- we don't want to distract them from bringing the Portal goodness to our Macs now, do we?

Steam for Mac beta reveals possible Linux compatibility in the pipeline, penguins rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve confirms Steam for Mac, debuts in April

Donald Melanson — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:44:00 EST

Eager gamers have no doubt already seen the teasers, but Valve has now finally confirmed that its Steam game distribution service and Source engine will at long last be headed to the Mac. According to Valve, the company's current line-up of games (including the Half-Life and Left 4 Dead series) will be available to Mac users in April, while Portal 2 will represent the company's first simultaneous release for PC and Mac later this year. Better still, Steamworks for Mac also boasts a new feature called "Steam Play," which will let you buy a game once and, for instance, start playing it on a PC at work and then pick up where you left off on your Mac at home (we'll give you a moment to let that sink in). Game publishers will have to enable that feature themselves, but Valve says it expects most to take advantage of it.

Valve confirms Steam for Mac, debuts in April originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Phone Portal enables WiFi PC-to-phone connections, browser-based management

Darren Murph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:59:00 EST

Hey, remember Motorola Phone Tools? That overpriced app that enabled a select few of you to hack into your Moto and do all sorts of nifty things? Yeah, if and only if you were amongst the smattering of individuals lucky enough to get it installed and functioning properly. Now, it seems as if the company is looking produce a similar app with one primary difference: the new iteration is easy to use. Dubbed Moto Phone Portal, the Android program allows users to select WiFi or USB to connect to one's PC, and once the app is fired up, you simply point your machine's web browser to the listed URL in order to manage contacts, media, etc. on the big(ger) screen. Obviously, Motorola has yet to come forward and confess that this beautiful bit of code is actually real, but we're pretty sure Leakdroid's extensive hands-on will have you convinced.

[Via Leakdroid]

Filed under: Software, Motorola, Android

Motorola Phone Portal enables WiFi PC-to-phone connections, browser-based management originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Phone Portal enables WiFi PC-to-phone connections, browser-based management

Darren Murph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:54:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Motorola Phone Portal enables WiFi PC-to-phone connections, browser-based management originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube rebrands TV web portal "YouTube XL"

Richard Lawler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:09:00 EST

Whether you call it ten-foot or lean back like Hulu Desktop, putting a TV-ready front end on your website is all the rage nowadays, and after six months of beta, YouTube is relaunching its Wii and PlayStation 3-aimed site as YouTube XL. Now accessible by any browser at www.youtube.com/xl, it's been stripped down to the basics (at the moment, that means no HD, or even HQ viewing option) to make YouTube work on the big screen, plus tweaks allowing control via Bluetooth remotes or some cellphones, like Android devices running Gmote. The HTPC crowd, those living without widgets and other direct access will surely find plenty to love, why not hit up the site right now to try it out?

[Via TechCrunch]

Gallery: YouTube XL

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

YouTube rebrands TV web portal "YouTube XL" originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube rebrands TV web portal "YouTube XL"

Richard Lawler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:09:00 EST

Gallery: YouTube XL

Filed under: Media streamers, Internet

YouTube rebrands TV web portal "YouTube XL" originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yahoo! Japan launches portal for web browsing HDTVs

Richard Lawler — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:58:00 EST

Not satisfied with a closed widget system, where the Digital Television Information Study Group has developed a web browser that's in the televisions of many manufacturers including Sony, Sharp and the Toshiba's announced earlier today. Yahoo! Japan has developed a version of its portal specifically aimed at net-enabled TVs, with a "10-foot" interface built for browsing by remote. Anyone else wondering why this isn't a standard feature over here yet?

Filed under: Displays

Yahoo! Japan launches portal for web browsing HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Portal gun replica hands-on

Ross Miller — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:13:00 EST

You didn't think we'd let this one go without a followup, did you? Portal gun replica creator Harrison Krix was gracious enough to invite us to his workshop and get some hands-on time with it. Let's get the two most common inquiries out of the way first: no, it's not photoshopped and no, it doesn't actually "work" (as in, it doesn't create portals). The armament weighs between five or ten pounds, and all color shifting is done via a switch inside the back end. The middle tube, interestingly enough, is an acrylic plunger handle with a clear matte. The 26-year old graphic designer and graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design estimates he spent 150 hours and $350 in parts, although later models should take much less time. He's had offers to create more iterations from employees at Bungie and Infinity Ward, and he's thinking of making one to give to the Penny Arcade crew for their Child's Play charity. For a look at it both in action and disassembled, check out the video after the break. Next up? A BioShock Big Daddy costume, with arm extensions and a working drill, just in time for next August's Dragon Con in Atlanta.

Galleries

Hands-on with the Portal gun replica

Portal gun replica (work in progress)

Portal gun replica build images and wiring

Continue reading Video: Portal gun replica hands-on

Filed under: Gaming

Video: Portal gun replica hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Replica Portal gun is an absolute triumph

Ross Miller — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:55:00 EST

We've seen some Portal-inspired gadgets before, but this one takes the cake, as it were. The Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device is made from florist foam, and wonderflex, among other parts, and uses a 9V battery to power blue and orange LEDs around the nozzle. On the back of the gun is a bit of splattered blood -- y'know, since we're not all quick enough to avoid the turrets. Hit up the read link for more pictures. Can somebody please throw in some Wiimote circuitry so we can use this thing to play the actual game?

[Thanks, everyone!]

Read - Notes from the creator
Read - Hi-res Flickr gallery

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Replica Portal gun is an absolute triumph originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GLaDOS GPS voice pack just wants to help you find your way. To the morgue.

Ryan Block — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:18:00 EST

An enterprising nerd by the name of Ryan VanMiddlesworth is clearly a bigger Portal fan than you, since he's cobbled together a GLaDOS-simulating voice pack for Garmin Nüvis. Just don't try to prevent "GLaGPS" from constantly trying to divert you to cake-related points of interest, else you may find yourself tossing your Garmin into an incinerator. Video after the break.

Continue reading GLaDOS GPS voice pack just wants to help you find your way. To the morgue.

Filed under: Gaming, GPS

GLaDOS GPS voice pack just wants to help you find your way. To the morgue. originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make your own Aperture Science PC workstation

Ryan Block — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:02:00 EST

We don't know if this guy got his box running GLaDOS, but it sure as hell looks like standard issue Aperture Science, if you ask us. We'd like to see it running Portal though -- only that would be recursive enough for our tastes.

[Thanks, Nick]

Continue reading Make your own Aperture Science PC workstation

Filed under: Desktops

Make your own Aperture Science PC workstation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Weighted Companion PC isn't bitter or anything

Paul Miller — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:58:00 EST

Got that song stuck in your head? You know, the song. Go ahead, hum a few bars, nobody's going to notice. "This was a triumph..." Bet it's in there now! Now, while you spend the next 6-8 weeks trying wrench that beautiful melody from you head, you can concentrate on the harm you've caused to innocent weighted companion cubes over the world, and think about making restitution. Take this homage built by Magnus Persson, for example: it allows the cube to fulfill a higher calling as a case for a VIA Epia EX1500G, and it looks pretty too -- it's almost like that little incident never happened!

Filed under: Desktops

The Weighted Companion PC isn't bitter or anything originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpiralFrog's "free" music download service goes live

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:42:00 EST

SpiralFrog, the badly named, ad-supported music and video download portal has gone live today after months of beta testing, or so we're told. The site allows users to legally and freely download media from a catalogue of over 800,000 songs and 3,500 videos (most provided by Apple ship-jumper Universal Music Group, as mentioned way back in August 2006), and requires only that users register on the site and log in once a month (otherwise the DRM'd files go belly up). It's not all lollipops and rainbows, however, as just mentioned, the files are full of nasty, fun-murdering DRM which prevents your new tunes from being burned onto a CD. In other gloomy news, SpiralFrog's content won't work on your Mac or your iPod, and can only be placed on two media players or phones at a time. "We believe it will be a very powerful alternative to the pirate sites," said company chairman Joe Mohen, adding, "With SpiralFrog you know what you're getting." Yes Joe, and we know what we're not getting, too.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

SpiralFrog's "free" music download service goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm adds "MyPalm" portal

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:51:00 EST

Owning a smartphone -- regardless of the manufacturer, carrier, or platform -- can be a terribly trying experience, particularly for the uninitiated. Juggling firmware updates and new software downloads while simultaneously looking up how to pair your headset, solve a sync issue, and figure out why the thing's crashing can drive even experienced owners to the edge of insanity (we speak from personal experience here). Palm's looking to take a little bit of that edge off with its new "MyPalm" site, a one-stop shop for learning about the latest goodies for the Treo of your choice. Most every model from every carrier appears to be supported, serving up news alerts about your device, a software and accessory catalog, and a full range of support features, among other things. If that newfangled 755p has you a bit stymied, check 'er out.

[Thanks, Abdul]

Filed under: Palm

Palm adds "MyPalm" portal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2007 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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