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Mi Casa Verde Vera review: Home automation, simplified
Home automation and jetpacks are surprisingly similar in that both of these space-age technologies have, for decades, been over promised and under delivered. Who here wouldn't love to tap a single button when exiting the house to activate the alarm, shut off the lights in the kids' rooms, lower the thermostat, and lock all the doors? That's the convenience, the promise left unfilled as we say goodbye to 2010. We live on a planet that still requires humans to manually close the blinds at the end of the day and flip on a light switch some 90 years since the commercial introduction of the incandescent light bulb. How primitive. And it's downright criminal in ecological and financial terms that we still can't easily monitor and control the power usage in our homes let alone the trickle of wattage vampired off the individual electrical sockets feeding our greedy horde of household electronics. How is this possible given all the advances we've seen? Wireless and sensor technology has advanced far beyond what's required to automate a home. Just look at smartphones, for example, that now ship standard with 3G (and even 4G) data, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS radios in addition to sensors for motion, temperature, moisture, proximity, and even direction. We don't have the answer to home automation's dilemma -- to dig into that topic we'd require a few thousand more words, at least. All we know for sure is that the biggie consumer electronics companies are reluctant to sort it out. As such, dozens of small companies are left to deal with a mess created by an industry incapable of coalescing around a set of interoperable home automation standards. One such company is Mi Casa Verde. A tiny startup that launched its linux-based Vera home automation server back in 2008 with a renewed promise to make home automation setup and control as easy for novices as it is robust for techies and enthusiasts. We've been using a recently launched second generation Vera 2 for a few weeks now. Sure, we haven't quite reached one-button nirvana, but as home automation newbies we're proud to say that we've automated a few helpful in-home lighting situations while skirting the clutches of the Dark Angel sequestered within our fuse box. Better yet, we can control it all from an iPhone -- including the Christmas tree. Click through to see how we did it. %Gallery-111569%
Best Buy Mobile will offer free smartphones, mostly Android, every day in December
Holiday spirit over in Best Buy land must mean "getting rid of old stock by discounting it." The Droid Incredible and Xperia X10 are among the handsets to be featured in the big retailer's December mobile sale, which will involve offering up four free phones each day (one for each carrier) at a price of $0 upfront and subject to the usual two-year agreement. LG's Optimus T and Optimus S will also get their moment in the spotlight this month, though the discount there isn't exactly massive when you consider that the S started life costing $50 on contract. Speaking of S-branded Android phones, wasn't it Best Buy that first leaked out the next Nexus? Now that'd be a holiday offer worth talking about.
Sony Ericsson faults 'especially rigorous' firmware testing in US for X10's Eclair update delay on AT&T
We think this is a veiled way of passing the buck to AT&T -- but whatever it is, Sony Ericsson USA has extended an old, crusty, TimeScape-enabled olive branch to Xperia X10 owners in the States by attempting to explain what's going on with the Eclair update 'round these parts. Basically, the company says that getting an update out in the US is way harder than it is elsewhere because of "the technical requirements that must be met" over which Sony Ericsson has "no control." The blame is levied on an "especially rigorous" testing cycle that can (and presumably, often does) take several months, which is why they've thus far refused to offer guidance on when the update will be released. Honestly, is there any way we can trade in our warranty card to get on the fast track with this stuff? And more importantly, would us bleeding-edge types be willing to take that risk on a wide scale?
Xperia X10 will get pinch-to-zoom in Q1 2011, with some limitation (video)
There's been a long back-and-forth from Sony Ericsson and the dev community as to whether or not the Xperia X10 was at all capable of multi-touch -- the company stance has been that the hardware just can't do it, but still whispers to the contrary have lingered. Consider those murmurs validated: Sony Ericsson Product Blog has announced that the X10 will, in fact, get multi-touch in the first quarter of next year -- with some caveats. The large asterisk that's destined to clarify the minutiae will tell you that pinch-to-zoom will be enabled for browser and maps, but as the blog post put it, "situations like when the movement of the two fingers cross each other on the X- or Y-axis that could cause strange behavior." Third-party apps should be able to join some functionality, too, with the similar limitations (including when buttons must be pressed simultaneously -- that won't work). In the video demonstration after the break, take note how Angry Birds doesn't quite pinch and zoom smoothly. So yeah, it's not all sunshine, but at least there's something to look forward to.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 hacked to support multitouch, sort of
So there's no recent sign of an official multitouch update ever coming to the maligned X10 from Sony Ericsson, but you know how it goes: when a manufacturer fails to step up to the plate, a hacker with a heart of gold (or two) usually does so in its place. So it goes in this case, with folks on xda-developers showing off some very, very rudimentary multitouch capability on video. The hack isn't available to the public yet -- and considering that Sony Ericsson claimed multitouch wasn't technically possible with this device, there's no guarantee it'll become good enough to use -- but it's a promising sign. Follow the break for a video of it working... kind of.
Android 2.1 starts rolling out to Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 line this weekend
Doesn't get much more "late October" than this, does it? Sony Ericsson has announced that it'll begin delivering Android 2.1 upgrades to its X10 line of phones at long last this coming Sunday, October 31st -- but odds are pretty good you won't be in the first batch. In fact, only unbranded X10s, X10 Minis, and X10 Mini Pros in Nordic countries will be getting boosted at first, followed by "more kits" on Monday and throughout November. As a refresher, these updates will bring 720p video capture on the X10 proper (complete with continuous autofocus), a new backup / restore app, and a bunch of other tweaks that should make your little pal feel a bit less 2009 and bit more 2010. Froyo would be nice, of course... but we'll take what we can get.
Dell Streak, HTC Surround, white Samsung Fascinate, and Taylor Swift-ified white SE X10 coming to Best Buy exclusively
We've got a little more detail on those four new pre-orderable phones up in Best Buy Mobile's business this week now that the news has gone from leak status to official, and needless to say, the truth is even stranger than fiction. The Dell Streak will be available for the first time in retail stores for $299.99 on contract come October 24, joined by a white version of Verizon's Samsung Fascinate for $149.99 on contract; those two will be followed on November 8 by the HTC Surround for $199. Here's where it gets interesting, though: the white Sony Ericsson X10 for AT&T -- also rumored in our original leak -- will come pre-loaded with "The Essential Taylor Swift Experience," which frankly doesn't paint a picture of the target demographic we'd really expected. But hey, we like surprises! What does her essential experience entail, exactly? Two albums, a new single, ringtone and video content, and access to her new album when it launches on October 25. This bad boy also comes in on October 24 for $99 on contract. Best Buy claims that all four of these are in-store exclusives... which, particularly with the Surround, is pretty insane. Follow the break for the press release.
White Samsung Fascinate and Sony Ericsson X10 joining Dell Streak in Best Buy this month
Let's be real: almost every phone looks better in white. Okay, so that's strictly a matter of personal opinion -- but if you're a white phone kind of person, turn your attention away from the forever-delayed iPhone 4 and toward a couple that are launching shortly thanks to some new details from Best Buy. Turns out Verizon's white Fascinate and AT&T's white X10 are both scheduled to hit on October 24, alongside the Dell Streak -- not in white, by the bye -- followed by the HTC Surround on November 8 (which we already knew). Any of 'em can be yours for a $50 deposit. Update: We've been told that the white Fascinate and X10 will be exclusives for Best Buy, at least at first. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Sony Ericsson pushes Android 2.1 upgrade for X10 family back to 'late October'
Big surprises, eh? Sony Ericsson has been playing fast and loose with its calendar yet again, as it has just announced that the hotly (and by now angrily) anticipated upgrade to Android 2.1 for its X10 family of devices won't be happening until late October. We were given the gravest of assurances that the end of September would be the time our tragic wait would end, but nope, apparently "we need a couple of more weeks before we are ready to start the roll-out." Just so we're clear, this isn't Android 2.2, which is Google's current highest iteration and has been around for months now -- this is the upgrade to 2.1, aka Eclair, aka the software that's not too far away from its first birthday. SE is trying to console users with promises of HD video and continuous autofocus bundled into the Xperia X10 update, but then there's also word that different configs of the phones will get the update at different times. So don't be surprised if your French-speaking X10 Mini is still doing the Donut deep into November. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Xperia X10 family's Android 2.1 upgrade coming by end of September, says Sony Ericsson UK
When we talked to Sony Ericsson for the Xperia X10 for AT&T review, reps informed us that the phone is upgradeable but no further information could be provided. Now, we can't say if this latest bit is global or just for those across the pond, but the official Twitter account of SE's UK arm wrote today that Android 2.1 is "due for release before the end of September this year." Certainly a step up from the Q4 2010 time frame we heard previously, but again, we've no clue if this applies to the US as well -- we've messaged a stateside rep and will let you know what we hear. A blessing for some X10 family owners, just a cherry on top for others. [Thanks, Henrik]
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 for AT&T review
We've already published a pretty exhaustive review of Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 some five months ago, but it's taken until this month for it to reach AT&T's network and retail chain. A lot's changed in the mobile phone market since then -- the iPhone 4, the EVO 4G, Dell Streak, numerous Verizon Droids, and so on. Does the X10 still compete? Read on to find out.
Entelligence: when less beats Moore
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide. We are all familiar with Moore's law. The observation made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore that the density of semiconductors doubles roughly every eighteen months. The net result? It's always going to be better faster and cheaper. Certainly that's been true of the phone space, with large screens, fast processors and lots of storage. In the last few weeks alone I've looked at new phones with 1Ghz processors, the latest and greatest software platforms from Google and RIM... but it's been one little gadget that's caught my attention and it totally bucks the trend. What device? It's the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro -- which is a lot of name for a small phone -- and it shows some very different thinking about what a smartphone is. In theory, this isn't a phone that I should like. Instead of a large 4.3-inch screen, it's running a 2.55-inch screen at 240 x 320 resolution. Don't look for a 1Ghz processor here. It's got an ARMv6 revision 5 processor at 600Mhz. Finally, forget Froyo or even Eclair. This thing's got Android 1.6 on it and may never get updated to the latest and greatest. Despite all that, I think Sony Ericsson has a potential hit on their hands if they decide to bring this to the US later this year as they said they plan to. Why am I so enamored?
Switched On: Gluts and glory
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Before the mass adoption of smartphones in the U.S., many fretted that the heavy subsidization model was feeding a free handset model that would keep Americans hopelessly addicted to basic voice plans and phones optimized for them. The price consumers paid in relation to the value of the handset, it was argued, was hopelessly out of whack. This year, a string of successful smartphones have shown that an increasing percentage of U.S. consumers are willing to pay $200 for a flagship device. On the other hand, there's still ample evidence that price and value can remain disconnected. And the carriers aren't making it much easier. The smartphone surge has been driven in part by a desire to acquire the best and by a response to carrier advertising. However, a recent run-up in advanced smartphones have made it difficult to define a clear top of the line at many carriers, and carriers simply cannot promote them all with the same attention lavished on the iPhone or original Droid. Take the turn of events at Verizon, for example, which in the space of a few months has rolled out the Droid Incredible, Droid X and Droid 2, with the Samsung Fascinate in the wings. At least the first three have been all priced at $199, with strong precedent for the Fascinate coming in at that level. And while AT&T has been a bit more diverse in the operating systems of its recent spate of high-end contenders -- the iPhone 4, BlackBerry Torch and Samsung Captivate -- they too have all been priced at $199.
Celebrity Nerds: Justin Timberlake -- secret Android lover?
Celebrity Nerds confirms what you always knew, deep in your heart of hearts: that stars are nerds like us. Send in your own confirmations of this fact right here. Oh, Justin Timberlake. Why does he insist on confusing us? Known BlackBerry user (plenty of photographic evidence to back this one up) JTimbs recently got our hearts all a flutter when he tweeted -- about Entourage, no less -- from the Twitter for Android app. Wait, what? Android? Yes, that's right. So, of course we've spent the last hour doing 'research' on the internet searching desperately for photographic evidence. What did we find? Just a photo culled from the top of Celebrity BlackBerry Sightings -- but this is no BlackBerry, friend. No, they've got it all wrong, if you ask us. Timberlake, known Sony spokesperson, appears to be holding an Xperia X10. Of course, that raises an even more troubling question -- Twitter for Android works only on devices with OS 2.1 and above, so the X10 running its current version of 1.6 wouldn't cut the mustard. Unless Justin is getting special treatment from Sony with an Eclair device? Our heart just skipped a beat. Update: Just to clarify, Timberlake's tweet did not come from the X10's Timescape app. As you can see right here, those tweets are identified as coming from "Sony Ericsson X10." [Thanks, Trucker boy]
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 officially debuts on AT&T: $130 on contract
If ever there were a place for using the phrase "it's about time," this would be it. If you'll recall, we heard rumors that Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 would be headed to AT&T as far back as November of last year, possibly proving just how grueling the certification process is for getting a handset onto Ma Bell's network. Those whispers flared up again back in April, and our hunches about yesterday's tease seem to be confirmed today. The Android-powered X10 (v1.6 so far as we can tell, but the PR carefully dodges the issue) will be available for consumers starting on August 15th, with the handset boasting a 4-inch touchpanel, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, inbuilt GPS, 8.1 megapixel camera (with LED flash), 8GB of onboard memory, a 2GB flash card and a couple of SE's own apps atop the stock Android build (Mediascape and Timescape). AT&T's claiming that this bad boy will set you back $149.99 on a 2-year service plan, but Sony's saying that it can be picked up in a local Sony Style store for $20 less. Oh, and if you wait a week, it'll be $49.99 on contract over at Amazon. Decisions, decisions. Update: Yep, it's Android 1.6. Commence weeping. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sony teases something smarter, our money's on Xperia
Sony's website is slowly ticking down the hours, minutes and seconds until the company's latest product launch, but like all other Sony teasers in recent memory, there's little real doubt. If references to "X10" peppered through the site's source code left any doubt, this picture should clear it up -- mark our words, that's an Xperia X10 underneath the clock. Apparently the four-inch Android smartphone is finally ready for its US debut, though whether it's "smarter" or no will probably depend on which version of the OS it ships with. Expect an AT&T launch, and be sure to read our full review. Update: As numerous commenters and tipsters have pointed out, Sony hasn't gone to much trouble to hide what's going on -- all you need to do to see the trademark Xperia logo is drop that image into a photo editor and crank up the brightness. [Thanks, Jason]
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, Samsung Eternity II hitting AT&T in the coming weeks?
You might remember that we'd said back in April that AT&T would be picking up the Sony Ericsson X10 in the 30th week of the year. Well, turns out we weren't exactly right, but it seems we're going to end up being pretty damn close. We're hearing that AT&T is lining up for a launch some time between the middle of August and the middle of September; smartphone data is required, of course, and it'll cost independent dealers $345 per unit (retail pricing is anyone's guess). Also launching in the same timeframe will be the Samsung Eternity II, a device BGR had mentioned back in June. No details on this one, but we'd assume it'll be a slicker, higher-spec follow-on to the original Eternity from way back in '08. Sadly, there's no indication these X10s will have anything other than the dusty Android 1.6-based platform they've been running everywhere since their global launch, so get ready to travel back in time if you end up cross-shopping this with the Captivate. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Sony Ericsson X10 firmware update introduces wildly annoying WiFi bug
Apparently, the latest firmware update for Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 (which, yes, is still based on Android 1.6) does more harm than good -- if you're frequently using WiFi and you find yourself in weak cellular coverage, anyhow. Basically, any time your cellular signal drops to zero then bounces back, WiFi turns itself off, which is particularly brutal considering that a weak signal is probably why you're leaning on WiFi in the first place. We don't have details on what X10s are affected, but R2BA026 sounds like the offending version -- so if you see it, we'd probably stay far away until SE manages to push another update. [Thanks, Sergio M.]
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 has been rooted, all is right with the world
Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 has been out and about for some time, facing off against the competition and predictably getting ripped to shreds. Now it has reached the next natural step of its evolution: receiving the root treatment by a bloke at xda-developers. Users Jerpelea, biktor_gj, and Bin4ry over there have posted step-by-step instructions on how to locate your device ID, re-flash your phone, and then enable superuser abilities. It all looks particularly straightforward, as far as these things go, and so if you're looking for a bit more control this weekend don't hesitate to click on through.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 gets software update (and no, it's not Eclair)
Sony Ericsson had previously committed to the fourth quarter for an update to Android 2.1 on its X10, and as far as we know, that date's still holding firm -- in other words, the update that's now rolling out to units around the world is still the same old Donut you're used to. That said, it looks to be a worthwhile boost thanks to promised performance improvements in the camera app and elsewhere, the addition of a free backup app, and -- in certain locales, anyhow -- PlayNow functionality has been added. It's probably not enough to convert a non-believer... but hey, for owners, it's something.
