Engadget

Nokia's social apps coming to Android and iOS: lions expected to lie down with lambs shortly

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:00 EST

Nokia's Pulse app looks and smells familiar to anyone who's ever used Google Latitude. The difference being that the Finnish handset maker has the benefit of Navteq's $8 billion geolocation technology that it picked up back in 2008. Now the Haus of Elop is opening a Boston skunkworks that'll port the app, as well as future social software over to Android and iOS. It's part of a wider project to coax users toward Windows Phone by getting them hooked on a suite of features hoped to be "more than the sum of its parts." What do you think dear readers, will it work?

Nokia's social apps coming to Android and iOS: lions expected to lie down with lambs shortly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video)

Zach Honig — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:40:00 EST

With a variety of portable power accessories, most Scosche products are designed to keep gadgets up and running, not to get our own blood flowing. The company's new Bluetooth myTrek pulse monitor pairs with an iPhone or iPod touch to motivate you to keep going and going, however, pumping "inspiring" audio alerts through your headphones during a workout, while also tracking pulse, distance, speed, pace, and calories burned. The arm-strap uses a pair of LEDs, along with a photo sensor and accelerometer to capture vitals as it rests strapped to your forearm, providing five hours of continuous feedback before needing its own boost using the included USB cable. You'll need to have your iOS device within 33 feet of the device to record your workout, so the myTrek may be better suited for trips to the gym than, say, a run through the park in the rain. It's also rather pricey, at $130, but if you're already dropping a grand or two for your gym membership each year, a gadget that lets you elegantly track your progress may be within reach.

Continue reading Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video)

Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists find less damaging defibrillation method, heart tissue relieved

Kevin Wong — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EST

Good news, aging Earthlings: a team of researchers have found a way to shock a coding patient's heart, while leaving other organs and tissues undamaged from the defibrillator. The device send a single high voltage pulse of electrical energy to a patient's chest in order to fix an irregular or nonexistent heart beat; traditionally, what often results is damage to point of contact and surrounding skin cells, muscles and tissues, but a team of whiz kids have seemingly figured out a way to dodge the dreadfulness.

Led by scientists Stefan Luther and Flavio Fenton, the team claims that by using a series of five pulses of less potent shocks (instead of a single concentrated charge), docs can see an 84 percent reduction in damaging power. This new technology -- coined low-energy antifibrillation pacing (LEAP) -- can also be used in implanted defibrillators, not just the well-known flappy paddles. Due to the relatively low emissions, both the patient and such implants have extended lives. And that, friends, is good for us all -- given the impending Robot Apocalypse, we'll be needing those extra years just to hold down the fort.

Scientists find less damaging defibrillation method, heart tissue relieved originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ViviTouch haptic tech offers range of feedback, aims to reinvent the mobile gaming wheel

Joseph Volpe — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST

When a company touts a product as being as revolutionary as the leap from black & white TV to color, it's either incredibly delusional or it has a damn good product on its hands. And judging by the buzz surrounding Artificial Muscle's ViviTouch tactile feedback technology and our own hands-on at CES, we're inclined to believe its braggart rights. Taking the "one-buzz-fits-all" approach and chucking it in the bin of 'ye olde tech of yesteryear,' the electroactive polymer tech creates a "spectrum of feeling" in the 50 - 300Hz range that registers with a user's hand in five milliseconds. We know what you're thinking -- haptic minutiae is fine and all, but what about my battery life? Well, if the company's CEO is to be believed, the vibrating touch interface drains 70 percent less juice than rival implementations -- so it's still hoggy, but not quite as hungry. If you're looking to get a feel of your own for these sensational claims, you'll have to wait for the Mophie Pulse to make its way to fourth generation iPod touch's later this year. Buzzwordy presser after the break.

Continue reading ViviTouch haptic tech offers range of feedback, aims to reinvent the mobile gaming wheel

ViviTouch haptic tech offers range of feedback, aims to reinvent the mobile gaming wheel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Livescribe Connect upgrade lets you share doodles in several ways, just not wirelessly (video)

Sharif Sakr — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:51:00 EST

Pen pushers who took a chance on Livescribe's note-recording smartpen have benefited from some nice apps, hacks and upgrades along the way. Now the company's latest productivity-booster is a software update called Connect, which lets you share your scribbles via Email, Google Docs, Facebook and Evernote, as well as through Livescribe's own Pencast platform. Some of these sharing options were already available but Connect tries to speed things in an interesting way: by letting you set sharing instructions even as you jot down a note. Simply draw a double line and write, say, 'Facebook' or 'Google Docs' somewhere on the page, and the sharing will take place automatically the next time you sync to your Mac or PC. Most of the sharing options are free, but if you own an older Pulse model or the new entry-level $99.95 2GB Echo you'll need to buy a $15 upgrade before you can share via Email or Google Docs. Heck, we'd pay way more than that if only Livescribe would come up with a way to sync and share wirelessly -- docking this thing feels about as cutting edge as a quill. Video and full PR after the break.

Continue reading Livescribe Connect upgrade lets you share doodles in several ways, just not wirelessly (video)

Livescribe Connect upgrade lets you share doodles in several ways, just not wirelessly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crapgadget: 'atrocious amalgam' edition

Sean Buckley — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:15:00 EST

Sure, it may not be as functional as a 3 megapixel camera conspicuously disguised as a magnetic cat, but what could be more secure than an oversized pseudo-padlock thumbdrive? Not your style? Well, surely you have use for a new towel, complete with iPhone pocket? No? Might you enjoy re-training yourself to breathe while basking in the glow of your iPod-ready black light? Fine. Negative Nancy (shown above). We'll just leave you to your USB-warmed coffee and rage relief button. When you're ready to come out and play, hit up the links below to help us crown the king of crappy combos.

Read - Brando Flash Drive (Looks like a padlock!)
Read - USB cup warmer (with a massive 56-inch USB cable!)
Read - A black light -- with an iPod dock!
Read - Visualizing pulse meter (for learning how to breathe!)
Read - Gym towel iPhone pocket!
Read - The unfortunate offspring of the Staples Easy Button's sordid love affair with a stress ball.

View Poll

Crapgadget: 'atrocious amalgam' edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scientists figure out how to see through walls, sort of

Sam Sheffer — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 07:32:00 EST

We all know that light can't exactly pass through solid objects -- unless of course, you're using a laser or something. Yes, X-rays allow us to look into suitcases at the airport and broken bones in our bodies, but there's a new kid on the block that claims to have done the impossible in a novel fashion. Jochen Aulbach and his colleagues of the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics out in Amsterdam have developed a technology that allows scrambled light to remain focused as it passes through ultra-thin layers of paint. You see, when light is sent through opaque material, it becomes muddled and lost in the space-time continuum. Aulbach and his crew used a spatial light modulator, or SMT, to control a 64-femtosecond long laser pulse that's passed through a thin layer of paint. The SMT emits pulses that last long enough for only a machine to see and the data is sent to a computer for calibration. NewScientist claims that with this technology, it might be possible to hone in on cancerous cells and blast them to oblivion without damaging the healthy tissue surrounding them.

Scientists figure out how to see through walls, sort of originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on

Myriam Joire — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:17:00 EST

Today at CES, Mophie showed off a prototype of its Pulse game grip for the 4th-generation iPod touch, which features battery-powered front-facing stereo speakers and haptic feedback by Reflex Technology. We spent some time using the Pulse and came away rather impressed. Game audio, music, and even the keyboard tick sound get translated into convincing pulses and vibrations. The iPod touch interfaces with the Pulse via the 3.5mm headphone jack, and a switch on the bottom left edge turns the haptic feedback on and off. As a bonus, the Pulse also offers full case protection. No word yet on availability or pricing, but you can check out the prototype in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on

Mophie Pulse haptic game grip hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak adds Quick Comment option, activity sensor to refreshed Pulse digiframe

Vlad Savov — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:32:00 EST

We've been talking a lot about second generation hardware at CES this year, but it's not just Intel and AMD who are unveiling their next iterative step toward consumers' pockets. Kodak has disclosed plans to update its Pulse digital photo frame -- you know, the one that can receive images via its very own email address -- with a new Quick Comments feature plus an activity sensor that switches the display off when no humanoids are moving about in front of it. It doesn't seem like you'll be able to author your own comments when responding to the sender of your latest pic, though you will be able to communicate via a selection of gorgeous pre-canned proclamations like the always popular "OMG!" and the ever-versatile "LOL!" The new Pulse will be arriving in the spring, costing $130 for the 7-inch variety or $200 for its 10-inch SKU. Skip past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Kodak adds Quick Comment option, activity sensor to refreshed Pulse digiframe

Kodak adds Quick Comment option, activity sensor to refreshed Pulse digiframe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak intros Easyshare Touch, Mini and Sport cameras, Playfull and Playsport camcorders

Darren Murph — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:02:00 EST

Things are just getting underway here at CES in Las Vegas, and Kodak's on-hand in order to serve up its latest smorgasbord of optical treasures. Without further ado, allow us to present to you the Easyshare Touch -- a $149.95 offering with a three-inch capacitive touchpanel, a dedicated video record button, a 14 megapixel sensor, 5x Schneider-Kreuznach lens and an HDMI output. Next up is the $99.95 Easyshare Mini, described as Kodak's smallest camera yet. It's "around the size of a credit card," offering a 3x wide-angle optical zoom lens, a built-in front mirror (you know, for those glorious self-portrait sessions), a ten megapixel sensor and a 2.5-inch rear LCD. Moving right along, there's the $79.95 Easyshare Sport, which is the outfit's first waterproof camera that can go up to ten feet underwater without any significant consequences. It'll also shrug off dirt and dust while snapping 12 megapixel shots and previewing them on the 2.4-inch LCD. Sashaying over to the video realm, there's the $149.95 Playfull camcorder, which touts an ultraslim design (it'll "fit in the pocket of your skinny jeans," according to Special K), a 1080p capture mode and an unmistakable 'Share' button to get your footage onto YouTube or a social network without any wasted time.

The company's also using CES as an opportunity to launch the next generation of its Playsport video camera, with this $179.95 model being waterproof up to ten feet, shockproof, dustproof and capable of logging clips at 1080p. You can also snap stills at five megapixels, and that previously mentioned 'Share' button is predictably tacked on here as well. Speaking of revisions, the Pulse digital photo frame is also seeing a gentle refresh, with this one available in 7-inch ($129.95) and 10-inch ($199.95) sizes. The newcomers add the ability to comment on the pictures you receive from friends and family, with our favorite predetermined response being "Such a KODAK MOMENT!" Seriously. Oh, and these also have an ingrained activity sensor that turns the frame off when you walk away, and brings it back to life when you re-approach. Finally, the ESP C310 all-in-one printer will be selling for $99.99, but so far as we can tell, Kodak would rather extol the virtues of its ink-saving abilities than drum up interest in its cutting-edge feature set. Further details can be spotted in the full release after the break.

Gallery: Kodak Easyshare Touch, Mini and Sport cameras, Playfull and Playsport camcorders at CES 2011

Gallery: Kodak's CES 2011 lineup hands-on

Continue reading Kodak intros Easyshare Touch, Mini and Sport cameras, Playfull and Playsport camcorders

Kodak intros Easyshare Touch, Mini and Sport cameras, Playfull and Playsport camcorders originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES

Vlad Savov — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:19:00 EST

CES isn't just about incrementally thinner or faster hardware, you know. Some people like to bring legitimately innovative ideas to the show, such as this iPhonECG case, which does what its name suggests: it takes an ECG (electrocardiogram) reading of your heart's activity through a pair of electrodes and then communicates its findings to an iPhone 4 it can be attached to. We say it can be attached to an iPhone as communication is done wirelessly, so you'll probably be able to monitor your ticker's rhythm without the Applephone pressed against your bosom. Then again, maybe you like that. It's a free world, we don't judge. We'll be sending out our most hairy-chested editor to give this thing a proper test at the Las Vegas convention next week. Until then, scope out the video after the break.

Continue reading iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES

iPhonECG case monitors your heart rate to make sure you're appropriately excited about CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak Pulse email-to-photo-frame system down for days, millions of memories trapped in the cloud (updated)

Nilay Patel — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:13:00 EST

We definitely know quite a few people (including this very editor!) who bought their parents Kodak Pulse WiFi photo frames over the holidays, since they seem like a perfect way to share pictures without any fuss -- you can just email the frame directly. Unfortunately, it seems like this cloud service has a dark, dark lining: Kodak's backend email servers have been down since at least Christmas Eve, rendering the Pulse's most interesting feature essentially useless. What's worse, that status display above is more or less buried on the Pulse web site, so it's not even immediately clear that the problem is on Kodak's side -- and when things turn back on we're guessing more than one Pulse owner will find tons of duped photos on their frames from multiple email attempts, since the system doesn't confirm email receipt. We've heard a few anecdotal stories about email photo delivery slowing down / stopping during previous high traffic periods, so you'd think Kodak would have sorted this out by now, but we guess not -- we'll let you know when the company tells us about a fix.

Update: Kodak emailed us to say things are working again -- here's the statement:

We experienced slower performance of the Pulse server over the holiday weekend due to much higher than anticipated volumes. This resulted in a delay of pictures that were emailed to the Pulse frame. We did immediately address this issue and any pictures consumers emailed have since been delivered. We apologize for the inconvenience this caused our customers. It is our goal to ensure a great experience for all Pulse owners.

Kodak Pulse email-to-photo-frame system down for days, millions of memories trapped in the cloud (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MIT Medical Lab Mirror tells your pulse with a webcam (video)

Tim Stevens — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:12:00 EST

Mirror mirror on the wall, who has the highest arterial palpation of them all? If you went to MIT you might be able to answer that question thanks to the work of grad student Ming-Zher Poh, who has found a way to tell your pulse with just a simple webcam and some software. By looking at minute changes in the brightness of the face, the system can find the beating of your heart even at a low resolution, comparable to the results of a traditional FDA-approved pulse monitor. Right now the mirror above is just a proof of concept, but the idea is that the hospital beds or surgery rooms of tomorrow might be able to monitor a patient's pulse without requiring any wires or physical contact, encouraging news for anyone who has ever tried to sleep whilst wearing a heart monitor.

Continue reading MIT Medical Lab Mirror tells your pulse with a webcam (video)

MIT Medical Lab Mirror tells your pulse with a webcam (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile UK quietly retracts Pulse's buggy 2.1 update, Huawei says it was non-final anyway

Richard Lai — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:41:00 EST

Remember T-Mobile's money-saving, finger-friendly Pulse? You know, the Huawei Android handset that received a 2.1 update in Hungary back in May? Earlier this month (on the 6th, to be precise), said phone's British counterpart also received its share of cream-filled pastry, but perhaps one with cream gone sour. How so? T-Mobile UK didn't explain when it quietly pulled the plug shortly afterwards, but some users were reporting problems with SMS and 802.11x enterprise WiFi authentication. Pretty serious stuff, especially for the former.

A few developers from MoDaCo got in touch with us as they struggled to get a reply from T-Mobile about the retraction, which got us curious. After all, a working 2.1 update would make the Pulse -- now priced at £99 ($153) on pay and go -- a pretty good buy, so we tweeted the carrier on Tuesday for an update. Coincidentally, the next day T-Mobile finally caved in and let loose on what happened:

"After receiving feedback on the recent T-Mobile Pulse Android 2.1 software update we've decided to suspend it temporarily. We're working with the phone's makers on an updated version which is expected in October."

Yikes. But just you wait -- read on for the juicy part.

Continue reading T-Mobile UK quietly retracts Pulse's buggy 2.1 update, Huawei says it was non-final anyway

T-Mobile UK quietly retracts Pulse's buggy 2.1 update, Huawei says it was non-final anyway originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad Pulse Reader app goes from keynote hero to App Store zero thanks to NYT (update -- it's back!)

Vlad Savov — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EST

Pulse News Reader -- a news aggregating app for the iPad -- got itself the ultimate stamp of approval yesterday by being featured in Steve Jobs' keynote speech. A few hours later, however, Apple had removed the application from its App Store, following a complaint by the New York Times that it was infringing on its rights. Although Pulse collates publicly available RSS feeds, the fact it costs $4 a pop is being interpreted as a "commercial use" of those feeds, and therefore a violation of the New York Times and Boston Globe's Terms of Use. Its makers have said they'll be getting in touch with Apple and stripping out the offending content, but it's certainly a head scratcher of a decision by the news company. We wonder if this signals the start of a crusade against all paid RSS readers or if Pulse has something peculiarly intolerable about it. Visit the source link to read the complaint in full.

Update: From what we're reading, it sounds like what the NYT is really complaining about is that its feeds are preloaded into Pulse, and that Pulse is using NYT content and images in its promotional materials, not that Pulse is a paid app. Seems like those are easy fixes -- we'll see what happens.

Update 2: And it's back! As we guessed, it looks like all Pulse had to do was resubmit without preloading the NYT's RSS feed and take some new screenshots of different sites, so that's just peachy. Still, it's insanely troublesome that Apple's first response is to just pull apps without verifying any claims or allowing devs to respond -- your store is still broken, Steve, no matter what percentage of apps you're approving.

Continue reading iPad Pulse Reader app goes from keynote hero to App Store zero thanks to NYT (update -- it's back!)

iPad Pulse Reader app goes from keynote hero to App Store zero thanks to NYT (update -- it's back!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.1 officially hits the T-Mobile Pulse -- in Hungary

Chris Ziegler — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:16:00 EST

We wouldn't have chalked up the little ol' Pulse from Huawei to be among the first devices to get upgraded from a 1.x build of Android to Eclair, but T-Mobile's Hungarian outpost (of all places) has taken the role of knight in shining armor in delivering the goods in the past few days. Happily, users of the Pulse in other locales will find no shortage of cooked ROMs on places like MoDaCo, so no one should get left behind here -- but still, T-Mobile UK, what gives?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Android 2.1 officially hits the T-Mobile Pulse -- in Hungary originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 May 2010 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak Slice touchscreen camera, Pulse WiFi frame, and PlaySport pocket camcorder now on sale... at JC Penney

Nilay Patel — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:11:00 EST

We're not sure why Kodak is pushing its new Slice touchscreen camera out to JCPenney before any of the usual retail suspects, but there it is, looking radiant in "Radish" and marked up with a $100 premium over the usual $349 list price. If that doesn't make any sense to you, you can also grab the 14 megapixel shooter with the 3.5-inch display, 720p video capture, and built-in search for $349 from JR.com or Kodak. Kodak's also got the seven-inch Pulse WiFi digiframe that pulls photos from Facebook and the new PlaySport 1080p waterproof pocket camcorder up for sale now as well, at $129 and $149, respectively -- and yes, you can buy those from Penney's at a markup if you like, because the very fabric of our relationship to reality is unraveling in a heap on the floor of the Juniors department.

Kodak Slice touchscreen camera, Pulse WiFi frame, and PlaySport pocket camcorder now on sale... at JC Penney originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Livescribe Pulse Smartpen records heated Delta / airport conversation, leads to chaos

Darren Murph — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST

Whoa, Nelly! Talk about a whale of a story. Ben DeCosta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's general manager, loves gadgets. So much, in fact, that he purchased a Livescribe Pulse Smartpen, which is capable of recording audio onto its 4GB of internal storage space. While details on the story remain murky (disputed by both sides, actually), it's fairly clear that Ben and Delta didn't exactly see eye-to-eye on everything. To that end, Mr. DeCosta figured he could flip the recorder on during a private conversation between airline executives and personnel from the city of Atlanta, and now the whole thing seems to have backfired. Ben maintains that he didn't intend to record Delta's negotiations, and he even went so far as to suggest that Delta stole his pen in order to discredit him. In the end, the city's investigation found that there was "insufficient evidence that DeCosta intentionally sought to record the private conversations of Delta's team," but that's not stopping Ben from retiring when his contract expires in June. Hit the source link below for the whole drama-filled thing, but unfortunately, the discussions held on the pen have yet to leak. TMZ -- you on that, or what?

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen records heated Delta / airport conversation, leads to chaos originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kodak deals Slice touchscreen camera, Pulse digiframe and Playsport camcorder

Darren Murph — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:59:00 EST

Just in case you had any doubts, CES is in full swing. Kodak just blurted out a galleria of new goods, starting with the all-new Slice touchscreen camera (shown above). As you likely expected, this is the outfit's first touchscreen P&S, boasting a 3.5-inch rear display, a search function to sift through "up to 5,000" photos on the internal memory, a direct tag feature, 14 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, built-in optical image stabilization and 720p (30fps) video capture. It'll ship this April in black, nickel and radish (yeah kids, radish) for $349.95. Next up is the April-bound Pulse digital photo frame, which boasts a 7-inch display (800 x 600 resolution), integrated WiFi, 512MB of storage and a $129.99 price tag. Rounding out the bunch is a load of new EasyShare cameras (all detailed in the press release below), as well as a Playsport camcorder, which offers up waterproof 1080p action with electronic image stabilization, a 2-inch LCD, 5 megapixel still shots, smart face tracking technology and an SD / SDHC card slot. There's also an HDMI output and USB connectivity, and you'll find black, blue and purple editions shipping this April for $149.95. You're stoked, aren't you?

Gallery: Kodak's CES 2010 introductions

Continue reading Kodak deals Slice touchscreen camera, Pulse digiframe and Playsport camcorder

Kodak deals Slice touchscreen camera, Pulse digiframe and Playsport camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Livescribe's Pulse smartpen app store now ready for hot 96 x 18 pixel action (video)

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:09:00 EST

You know what Livescribe's $170/$200 Pulse smartpen with 2GB/4GB of storage is missing to keep it from going mainstream? More apps. At least that's what Livescribe's execs seem to be thinking with the launch of its new application store featuring more than 30 paid and free applications that augment the smartpen's ability to record and link audio to your handwritten notes. Paid apps range in price from $0.99 for the mature rated "Sexy Oracle" app on up to $100 if you're looking for a revolutionary way to learn Hebrew chanting... and really, who isn't? The company claims to have a community of more than 5,500 registered developers which likely equates to a 1:1 dev-to-owner ratio. Sweet. Check a video demonstration or both the pen and app store after the break.

Continue reading Livescribe's Pulse smartpen app store now ready for hot 96 x 18 pixel action (video)

Livescribe's Pulse smartpen app store now ready for hot 96 x 18 pixel action (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North American version of T-Mobile Pulse gets FCC approval, but for which carrier?

Chris Ziegler — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST

Android-powered handsets are still rare enough so that the world can't afford to segment them by continent -- when a big model comes out, it's pretty much got to go everywhere. Okay, correction: it doesn't have to go everywhere, but we certainly want it to -- and fortunately, it looks like some lucky carrier in the Americas is signed up for the Huawei U8220. You might know this puppy better as the Pulse over on T-Mobile in Europe, and a new variant of the device -- model number U8220-6 -- has just garnered FCC approval in the past few days with 3G on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. That means Bell, Telus, Rogers, Fido, and AT&T could all be on tap to get this one; we doubt that AT&T would make its inaugural Android plunge with a midrange Huawei, but stranger things have happened.

[Via androphones.com, thanks Silver]

Filed under: Handsets, Others, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Android

North American version of T-Mobile Pulse gets FCC approval, but for which carrier? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Livescribe Pulse smartpen hits 4GB, launching app store (video)

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:11:00 EST

Not much has changed in the year since we last checked in with the Livescribe Pulse, the smartpen that captures and syncs your handwriting and audio back to your PC or Mac using a built-in infrared camera and mic. Today we get a new titanium color on the outside and bump from 2GB ($170) to 4GB ($200) within. There's also a tease of an Application Store launch later this year. Oh boy, that's exactly what's been holding back the smartpen industry from replacing all those pesky laptops in collegiate lecture halls.

Continue reading Livescribe Pulse smartpen hits 4GB, launching app store (video)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Livescribe Pulse smartpen hits 4GB, launching app store (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse review over on Engadget Mobile!

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:28:00 EST

This review has disappointingly little direct, I'm-going-to-go-buy-this-right-now relevance to North American Android fans -- but if you want to keep tabs on the sweet gear our friends over in Europe are now able to buy, head on over to Engadget Mobile where we've got an in-depth review of the Huawei-sourced Pulse for T-Mobile UK. With a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3.5mm jack, and every spec this side of US 3G, it's a contender -- so if you're in the Old World, go have a look at what you're now able to buy, and if you're on the other side of the Atlantic, go check out another reason to be insanely jealous.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

T-Mobile Pulse review over on Engadget Mobile! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse review

Paul O'Brien — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

From humble beginnings with the HTC Dream / T-Mobile G1, Android is starting to gain traction in the marketplace. A steady growth in the number of devices from HTC together with more and more manufacturers coming on board means Google's entry into the mobile space is really making inroads. The next year is going to be exciting for Android fans, with Motorola launching the CLIQ / DEXT and the Sholes, Samsung following up their i7500 with the i5700 and Behold 2, Acer shifting focus from Windows Mobile to Android not to mention LG and Sony Ericsson shipping their first Android devices.

In amongst the larger players aiming for the higher end of the market comes Huawei, best known for its mobile broadband dongles, with the Pulse for T-Mobile Europe - a rebrand of the U8220 handset. What makes the Pulse particularly interesting is it's price point. As well as being available free of charge on virtually any contract (as is frequently the case in Europe), the Pulse costs only £176 ($280) on a pre-pay plan. This represents a significant move downmarket for Android with the only other low-end handset being the forthcoming HTC Tattoo, which is expected to ship SIM free for £299 ($475). Interestingly our review unit was even SIM unlocked, although it remains to be seen whether this will remain the case as handsets hit retail.

We've spent some time with a production specification T-Mobile Pulse to see whether Huawei's first attempt at Android stands up to scrutiny. Read on to find out!

Continue reading T-Mobile Pulse review

Filed under: Features, Reviews, Others, T-Mobile, Android

T-Mobile Pulse review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse now available in UK

Ross Miller — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:19:00 EST

See that pink, embossed "Buy now" button in the lower right corner of the above pic? It's a beacon of hope to UK Android lovers who want more choices, and who for whatever reason aren't happy with the current selection. As previously discussed, the 3.5-inch Huawei-made T-Mobile Pulse is now available to our friends across the pond, for the unenviable price of nada on contract, or £176.16 (about $282 in US) with pay as you go, VAT included. Still looking for the ultimate mobile Gmail experience and a slightly larger than usual display? It's just a click away below.

Read - With contract
Read - Pay as you go

[Thanks, Liam H]

Filed under: Handsets, Others, T-Mobile, Android

T-Mobile Pulse now available in UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse now available in UK

Ross Miller — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:19:00 EST

See that pink, embossed "Buy now" button in the lower right corner of the above pic? It's a beacon of hope to UK Android lovers who want more choices, and who for whatever reason aren't happy with the current selection. As previously discussed, the 3.5-inch Huawei-made T-Mobile Pulse is now available to our friends across the pond, for the enviable price of nada on contract, or £176.16 (about $282 in US) with pay as you go, VAT included. Still looking for the ultimate mobile Gmail experience and a slightly larger than usual display? It's just a click away below.

Read - With contract
Read - Pay as you go

[Thanks, Liam H]

Filed under: Cellphones

T-Mobile Pulse now available in UK originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it

Ross Miller — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST

We couldn't get a handle on what at first seemed so "bloated" about the T-Mobile Pulse until we held it up to the iPhone: this is the first production Android phone to get a "regular" 3.5-inch screen, instead of the rather narrow 3.2-inchers on HTC's trio of Android devices. Sure, it's the same resolution, but we really feel the breathing room. Overall we'd say the Pulse lacks a little something something up against the polished design of the HTC Hero hardware or the iPhone 3G, but it's still plenty alluring -- especially considering that this is being positioned as a pay-as-you-go device. The capacitive screen is quite responsive, and so is the Android UI underneath, which has been modded by T-Mobile to include an odd new home screen that you can pan up, down, left and right on, for a total grid of nine screenfuls of widgets and what have you. Interestingly, the phone merges the back button with the home button, which actually cuts down considerably on the madness of typical Android phone button layouts. Overall, we'd say the phone provides a quite alluring example of what manufacturers that aren't HTC can pull off with Android: a cheap, sexy, powerful device running a "real" OS and the world's best mobile Gmail app. Video hands-on is after the break.

Gallery: T-Mobile Pulse hands-on

Continue reading T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it

Filed under: Handsets, Others, T-Mobile, Android

T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it

Paul Miller — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST

Gallery: T-Mobile Pulse hands-on

Continue reading T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it

Filed under: Cellphones

T-Mobile Pulse hands-on (with video): Android meets 3.5-inch LCD, loves it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse runs Android, headed for Europe

Paul Miller — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:33:00 EST

Not that our Stateside T-Mobile needs much help scoring Android handsets, but this phone looks strictly reserved for our European brethren. The T-Mobile Pulse is actually Huawei's U8220, which looks a little drab compared to its U8230 sibling, and works in what seems to be standard smartphone specs these days: 3.2 megapixel camera, 3.5-inch 320 x 480 screen, HSDPA, Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS. The 2GB SD card and mere 3.5 hours of talk time leave a bit to be desired, and the 13.5mm thickness is almost as beastly as Nokia's latest, but we're sure the Pulse means well. No word on a straight price, but in Germany with a two year agreement prices start at 5 Euro a month.

[Via Engadget German]

Filed under: Handsets, T-Mobile, Android

T-Mobile Pulse runs Android, headed for Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile Pulse runs Android, headed for Europe

Paul Miller — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

T-Mobile Pulse runs Android, headed for Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Huawei starting its Android march with T-Mobile 'Pulse' in Europe?

Chris Ziegler — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:03:00 EST

Huawei's been talking up its impending play for a share of the Android pie for most of this year, but where's the beef? There's nothing in the market just yet, but that might be about to change with details on a so-called "Pulse" for some of T-Mobile's European networks in the coming months. The Chinese manufacturer specializes in the value segment -- a side effect of its brand not really commanding any premium outside Asia -- and the Pulse could be a big winner there thanks to an unlocked price said to be around €250 ($356). That's an impressively low figure in light of the supposed 3.5-inch display, full HSPA, GPS (of course), WiFi, and an HVGA display like all proper Android sets of the moment. Dutch site tweakers.net says this is all confirmed by way of a retailer that pegs the device for T-Mobile Netherlands in early October, which means the Heros and Galaxys of the world have precious little time to capitalize before these guys swoop in and undercut 'em all by a few bucks.

Filed under: Handsets, Others, T-Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, HSUPA, Android

Huawei starting its Android march with T-Mobile 'Pulse' in Europe? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher

Paul Miller — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST

What's creepier than automatically informing Twitter every time your unborn child kicks his mother's womb? Giving all your Twitter followers a live feed of your heartbeat, including canned messages to announce your death in case you cease pumping Cheeto-infused blood through your goth-nerdy veins. This Japanese DIY project has open source schematics and is designed to bypass a PC and send the news of your heart hiccups directly the internet. Check out the appropriately dramatic video after the break.

Continue reading Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher

Filed under: Household

Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maingear introduces eco-friendly, Ion-powered Pulse SFF PC

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:05:00 EST

Stating that NVIDIA's Ion platform has already snagged wide industry support would be a gross understatement, but for whatever reason, Maingear decided to skip out on all the Computex revelry and blaze a trail of its own. Hailed as the planet's greenest gaming PC (which is certainly up for debate), the Pulse is an energy efficient small form factor PC that offers up Ion graphics. Said configuration is available with Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs and an 80+ certified 300-watt power supply; those who care more about frame rates than Ma Earth can opt for a GeForce 9800 GT ECO, which -- despite being a discrete, power-hungry GPU -- still swallows some 40 percent less power than a standard 9800 GT. You'll also find WiFi support, room for an optional Blu-ray drive and TV tuner, upwards of 8GB of RAM and room for a single 2.5-inch HDD or SSD. The whole box checks in at just 7.6- x 8.3- x 11.4-inches, and it's available for order right now starting at $799. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: Maingear introduces eco-friendly, Ion-powered Pulse SFF PC

Continue reading Maingear introduces eco-friendly, Ion-powered Pulse SFF PC

Filed under: Desktops

Maingear introduces eco-friendly, Ion-powered Pulse SFF PC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor detects your pulse

Nilay Patel — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:03:00 EST

And it looks like Nintendo's answer to Microsoft's Project Natal is... a pulse detector. Yep, Ninty's just announced the Wii Vitality Sensor, a finger sensor which attaches to the Wiimote to read your pulse. Details on how the accessory is going to be used in games are pretty vague, but it appears the idea is to check stress, help you relax, and just generally chill out and be groovy. That won't happen for a while yet, though: the Vitality Sensor was described as a "look into the future," so we're guessing we've got a wait in store.

Update: Check out the full press release here.

Continue reading Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor detects your pulse

Filed under: Gaming

Nintendo Wii Vitality Sensor detects your pulse originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Livescribe Pulse smartpen gets OS X support

Darren Murph — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:02:00 EST

For months now, dutiful Mac users who refuse to load any flavor of Windows on their precious machines have longed for the ability to use Livescribe's Pulse smartpen. Now, those holdouts can finally say the wait was worth it, as Livescribe has announced that a native Mac desktop application (Livescribe Desktop for Mac) will be made available in beta form on November 24th. Additionally, a few new features for the Pulse have been added over on the Wintel side, including handwriting to text transcription software ($29.95) and the ability for consumers to print dot paper notepads for free. Finally, something for OS X users to digitally write home about.

Filed under: Peripherals

Livescribe Pulse smartpen gets OS X support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS Vito W1 wireless mouse keeps watch on your heart rate

Donald Melanson — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:02:00 EST

Watches that monitor your heart rate may be commonplace these days (because, you know, they're actually useful), but a mouse that keep watch on your ticker -- well, that's something you don't see everyday. ASUS seems to think that's a shame, however, and it's set out to rectify things somewhat with its new heart-monitoring Vito W1 wireless mouse. Apart from an apparently really simple heart-monitoring application that comes with it though, this one looks to be about as standard as wireless mice get, with it boasting a 1,200 dpi resolution, a 2.4GHz USB receiver, five programmable buttons and not much else. No word on a price just yet, nor is there any indication of a planned release 'round these parts.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

Filed under: Peripherals

ASUS Vito W1 wireless mouse keeps watch on your heart rate originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 2)

Ross Rubin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:28:00 EST

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment

The last Switched On discussed the innovative approach that Livescribe has taken in its core note-taking function while touching on some of the company's grander plans to create a wide array of applications and content, taking it far beyond its failed predecessor, the Logitech io2.

Livescribe is building an ambitious house in a neighborhood that has seen a lot of foreclosures; Pulse will need to rewrite history to be successful in the traditionally challenged smartpen market. Indeed, between the time that the Pulse was announced and shipped, Logitech announced it was writing off the market for now. In addition to improving on note-taking, the company points to the reduced size of the Pulse as being less obtrusive than previous smartpens and thus more appealing to use. One of the keys to smartpen use is that it is less obtrusive than, say, a PC using Microsoft OneNote, which also has the ability to synchronize audio to written notes.

However, the Pulse's OLED display offsets at least some of the gains made toward discretion by shrinking the pen's girth. Worse, to get the full benefit of the Pulse's cool ability to resolve conversations in a room using 3D audio recording, you must wear earbuds that contain embedded microphones. It's hard to imagine something that could be more off-putting to a speaker than seeing an audience member wearing earbuds, and it would engender curiosity when that speaker notices that they are connected to a pen. Fortunately, the Pulse does a very good job of recording even without the earbud-based microphones.

Continue reading Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 2)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 2) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 1)

Ross Rubin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:39:00 EST

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment

If the pen truly is mightier than the sword, Livescribe's Pulse smartpen ($149 with 1GB of flash memory, $199 with 2GB) may be able to take out a tank at 50 meters. Arguably the most technologically advanced writing instrument not intended for killing a Bond villain, the Pulse includes an infrared camera (for recording text), dual microphones, a speaker, a headphone jack, and an OLED display that can even play back short "movies" (animations synced with sound). And it manages to pack it all in a pen size that, while still a bit thick, is relatively comfortable and thinner than its closest technological ancestor, the now-discontinued Logitech io2.

Using its noise-canceling microphones and ink recognition system, the Pulse can be used to either take written notes that are uploaded to the PC, or record audio. But its greatest advance for note-taking over previous smartpen systems such as the io2 is the ability to synchronize written notes with audio. Simply put the pen into "Paper Replay" mode and tap on some text to hear what was being said as you scribbled. The result is the next best thing to real-time transcription. It can be used to check what may be an unclear or hastily scribbled note, focus on commentary while the pen captures the content, or create or copy a diagram while it is explained via audio.

But first, whatever is being written will have to be done so on paper designed explicitly for the pen. Like previous products that use Anoto technology, the Pulse needs smart "dot paper" to make transcription work. Without a doubt, this requirement will be a deal-killer for many, and limit the Pulse's everyday utility for some time to come. In contrast, simpler products such as the IOGear Mobile Digital Scribe uses ultrasound to track a pen's position and can be used on any paper (and the pens in such systems are smaller as well). To make dot paper more readily accessible, though, Livescribe will offer a template that should allow many customers to print their own dot paper at home. And dot paper enables the Pulse to pull off some pretty slick feats. Read on.

Continue reading Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 1)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Switched On: Livescribe's hot recording artist seeks mass appeal (Part 1) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silk'n light-based hair remover gets FDA approval for home use

Darren Murph — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:18:00 EST

Believe it or not, this actually isn't the first FDA approved personal hair remover we've come across, but for those looking for something capable of handling some seriously hairy ordeals, look no further than Silk'n. Created by Home Skinovations (har har), this unit relies on proprietary Home Pulsed Light technology to zap unwanted hair and bring back the smooth. Of course, this thing still has to be used "under the direction of a physician," but after waltzing into his / her office with three inches of sprawling chest hair blossoming from under that halfway buttoned shirt, we'd wager you'll have the requisite signature in no time.

[Via medGadget]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Silk'n light-based hair remover gets FDA approval for home use originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australians conquer bike safety, forest fires

Paul Miller — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:58:00 EST

The Australian Student Design Awards are home to quite a few interesting ideas this year -- along with a few head scratchers and wishful thinking. We're particularly digging this Pulse Bicycle Safety Helmet. The concept features an "Ear Drop" Bluetooth headset on one side of the helmet, leaving your hands free and your traffic-side ear listenin' for danger. You operate the headset with three easy-to-find buttons on the helmet, and the USB Ear Drop can plug into your computer to track your training, along with providing your vital info in case of an accident. There's also a rear headlight for helping cars spot your shiny noggin at night. Other highlights of the Student Awards include the "entile" interlocking edutainment system, a fire tracking UAV for rural fire department use, and the solar powered Ersa water condenser and power generator.

[Via Popgadget]

Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation

Australians conquer bike safety, forest fires originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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