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Google Maps for Android takes navigation indoors for France, helps find your way through Carrefour
Interior navigation with Google Maps for Android has usually been the province of only a handful of regions at best. But what about Provence? While the deal isn't all-encompassing, Google is now serving indoor maps for popular locations throughout France. Coverage starts with the major airports in Paris and Lyon, extending to include major nationwide stores like Carrefour and FNAC, shopping centers like the Carrousel du Louvre and museums like La Géode. All told, over 50 venues have signed onboard and should be enough for those moments when you're rushing to catch a connecting flight at Orly... or just want to find the salad dressings in aisle three.
Kobo Touch, localized e-bookstore reach Portugal through FNAC
It's all too easy to forget in English-speaking countries that the e-reading selection often isn't as diverse in other parts of the world, where local authors are often kept out of the equation. The Portuguese may know that all too well, which makes Kobo's arrival in their country a potential breakthrough. A deal with European retailer FNAC has both the Kobo Touch and a localized Kobo e-bookstore reaching physical and online stores in Portugal as of today. The price strategy won't be a shock versus what we've seen through an earlier deal in France: the Touch itself costs €99.90 ($129), while books vary and typically hover around €15 ($19). Whether or not Kobo's offering is a good deal, its arrival could be a relief for lisboetas who'd rather not resort to paper and ink to catch up on their own culture.
Spanish retailer lists Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for November
We don't even officially know that there is a Black Ops 2 yet (though of course there is), but we're already seeing information about when it's allegedly coming out. OK, yes, it's November. No, we didn't need outside help to figure that out. But Spanish retailer Fnac took it one step further than obvious guesses, as it's actually advertising Black Ops 2 with a November release date.The store isn't going so far as to take reservations -- instead having people sign up to be alerted when they can -- but it is still advertising a product that doesn't officially exist. To us, that's at least circumstantial evidence that Black Ops 2 does exist.
Sagem reveals Binder white label e-reader, SFR's version comes with free 3G
Heard of the FnacBook, Telecom Italia eBook or Thalia Oyo? It's looking like they're all one and the same -- a Sagem product called the Binder with a six-inch SiPix capacitive e-paper touchscreen. It's also got the standard accelerometer, 2GB of internal flash, a microSD card slot and support for ePub and PDF, but there's one feature that sets it apart from the pack: a cellular modem that'll give FnacBook buyers free 3G service a la the Amazon Kindle's Whispernet. French carrier SFR is subsidizing that little venture, so it's not part and parcel of buying into Sagem's device, but if you find yourself holding onto a different rebrand we suppose you'll still have 802.11 b/g WiFi for your Steig Larsson downloads. Fnac's already taking preorders at €199 (about $277); devices ship November 10th. PR after the break.
PS3 price drops spotted in Europe, US cut a possibility [update: Hastings responds]
Update: Hastings has since issued a cease & desist letter to Joystiq, requesting we remove the image. According to Hastings' director of merchandising, the ad is "blatantly false," although we have good reason to believe otherwise. SCEA's Patrick Seybold also offered a rare comment, saying the ad "is fake." Thankfully, he did not do this to us.While we're respecting the request of Hastings, it's clear that a significant change is happening to Sony's business strategy regarding the PS3. As seen above, many European retailers are already cutting the price of the PS3 [Image credit: niels]. Reports from Engadget and Engadget Spanish also confirm cuts in multiple stores in Europe. Lending credibility to the image we received, the ad in question was sent to Joystiq before SCEA's announcement yesterday of the Greatest Hits version of Uncharted, though precisely that was part of the Hastings ad. Coupled with the C&D and Europe's retail actions lead us to believe a price drop is happening. We've included the original post (sans image) after the break.
iPhone on sale in France contract-free, trs cher
Retailer FNAC is now selling free-of-contract iPhones in France, apparently a result of this month's ruling by the French competition agency that deemed Apple and Orange's exclusive deal illegal. Though the injunction is just a temporary measure -- and has been appealed by France Telecom (Orange's owner) -- if you want to get one now, well, you can.. Those expecting a decent price will be sorely disappointed, however -- an 8GB model costs €799 and the 16GB runs €899 ($1,123 and $1,263, respectively). [Via Apple Insider]
FNAC and Netgem combine on hybrid set-top-box
Netgem and French retailer FNAC have jointly announced that they will deliver a hybrid set-top-box and a TV service in early December. The so-called Netbox will deliver triple-play services to up to 12 million homes in France, including TV programming that will include four HD channels from TF1, M6, France 2 and Arte. The box itself will go for €149.90 ($193), while the TV pack will cost €5.90 ($7.60) per month. Who says France is lagging behind in the HD realm?
LittleBigPlanet bundle at French retailer, Sackboy trailer, Chinese version
According to French electronics retailer fnac, the above is the 80GB LittleBigPlanet bundle. If they are to be believed, the bundle will include the new 80GB PS3, one Dual Shock 3 controller and a copy of LittleBigPlanet. All of this can be yours for 399.99 €. The box art looks awesome -- we are sure this bundle is going to move systems in the regions where it will be released.In other news, PS3Hyper tells us the Asia Version of LBP will allow you to select between English or Traditional Chinese text. This version, which can be preordered here, will be released on October 30th for Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.Finally, there is a new trailer focusing on Sackboy and his lady friend Sackgirl. Is love in the air? Check out the trailer after the jump.Source -- fnacSource -- PS3Hyper[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
French thief steals television, returns for remote
Welcome back for another episode of Stupid Gadget Criminals. For today's edition, we take you to France, where in the village of Mussidan in the southwestern part of the country, a malefactor stole a television along with a set of hunting rifles, according to local police. So where does the stupidity come in? Well, messieurs et mesdames, it appears that this ruffian didn't make it back to his evil lair with the remote control -- and upon so realizing, returned to the scene of the crime to retrieve the last of the loot. The neighbors caught him doing the dastardly deed, and he was turned over to the proper authorities. So remember kids, you can always pick up a replacement remote at your local Best Buy, or in his case, Fnac.
