Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Google updates Gmail's 'people widget,' now includes previous images]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/google-updates-gmails-people-widget/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/google-updates-gmails-people-widget/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/google-updates-gmails-people-widget/#commentsGoogle updates Gmail's 'people widget,' now includes previous imagesWhen it comes to an ideal conduit for minor announcements, Google's found a home on its very own social network. And this time, it's telling the world about a small update to the people widget -- that bar currently occupying real estate on the right-hand side of gmail.com. Along with showing the pertinent contact information from an email chain's participants, the peep widge will now reveal the last three images sent to you by the displayed contacts. As one might expect, clicking on the pics will whisk you to its associated email, and provide a little extra context to that candid, landscape or Lolcat you're staring at. Not the most exciting of additions, we'll admit, but a little extra functionality never hurts. Right?

Google updates Gmail's 'people widget,' now includes previous images originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browseremailgmailgooglegoogle plusGooglePlusimagesminipostpeoplepeople widgetPeopleWidgetpicturessidebarsoftwareupdateweb browserWebBrowserwidgetFri, 06 Apr 2012 21:04:00 EST<![CDATA[World demands justice for Galaxy Nexus owner who 'beat' Windows Phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/world-demands-justice-for-galaxy-nexus-owner/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/world-demands-justice-for-galaxy-nexus-owner/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/26/world-demands-justice-for-galaxy-nexus-owner/#comments World demands justice for Galaxy Nexus ownerNow here's a little righteous indignation to liven up your Monday. It's the sorry and admittedly one-sided tale of Galaxy Nexus-owner Sahas Katta, who claims he beat a "Get Smoked" Windows Phone challenge at a Microsoft store yesterday, but was denied his prize. To win a $1,000 laptop, he simply had to complete a task on his personal phone quicker than a store employee who was using a Windows Phone. It so happened that the task chosen for Sahas's contest suited him perfectly: he was told to cold boot and then bring up the weather in two different cities, and by a stroke of luck he already had two separate weather widgets for San Jose, CA and Berkeley, CA running on his Nexus' home screen. He also had his lock screen disabled, which goes against Google's own security advice but which he says gave him the "split second" edge he needed. The principle of justice, meanwhile, was smothered with lock screens, because Sahas was promptly informed that he'd just been "smoked" by a Windows Phone, even though he'd been quicker. At first he was told that the Windows Phone won because it "displays the weather right there," then he was told it was because both his cities were "in the same state," and finally he just gave up. A Microsoft insider has since tweeted that he'll "make it right" for Sahas, but will it be the kind of right that includes a $1,000 laptop?

Update: Looks like the gent got an apology, a laptop and a phone out of the deal. And suddenly, all was well in the world.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

World demands justice for Galaxy Nexus owner who 'beat' Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dumb ideaDumbIdeagalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusmicrosoftprpr disasterpr gimmickpr nightmarepr stuntPrDisasterPrGimmickPrNightmarePrStuntsahas kattaSahasKattasamsungweatherwidgetwindows phoneWindowsPhoneMon, 26 Mar 2012 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Skype videoconferencing app and add-on camera come to Vizio Internet Apps HDTVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/skype-videoconferencing-app-and-add-on-camera-roll-come-to-vizio/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/skype-videoconferencing-app-and-add-on-camera-roll-come-to-vizio/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/05/skype-videoconferencing-app-and-add-on-camera-roll-come-to-vizio/#comments Vizio snuck mention of its $150 XCV100 Skype-enabled webcam into its CES 2012 accessories announcements, and now the two companies have announced its compatibility with "most" Vizio Internet App TVs. There's no list of which models specifically support it, and which can manage up to 720p streams, but owners can check the capabilities of their model on Vizio's website. The webcam itself features an HD camera and four built in mics, and clips directly on the top of Vizio's flatscreens. Assuming you're into videoconferencing from your living room, have one of the HDTVs and are ready to drop a benjamin and a half for the privilege, all that's left is to find one of the cameras, currently marked as sold out on Vizio and Amazon. Now, if we could just get an update on that $99 ARM-powered Google TV set-top box...

Skype videoconferencing app and add-on camera come to Vizio Internet Apps HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apphdpostminihdtvskypeviavideo conferencingVideoConferencingviziovizio internet appsVizioInternetAppswebcamwidgetMon, 05 Mar 2012 05:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Box for Android updated to 1.5: adds widgets, uploading from any app, magic]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/box-android-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/box-android-update/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/box-android-update/#comments
Box.net, an online cloud storage service, has made a few facelifts to the latest version of its Android app to help you get the most out of that 50GB storage limit it offered last month. The newest update offers a front page widget that shows you the progress of any files currently undergoing modifications or uploads; it also includes the ability to upload email attachments or other downloaded files directly from whatever app you're in. Lastly, version 1.5 also gives you the option of creating documents in the office app of your choice and saving it in Box, rather than the doc editor. The service now boasts 1.9 million mobile users, so it's nice to see the company get serious about making some crucial improvements to its user experience.

Continue reading Box for Android updated to 1.5: adds widgets, uploading from any app, magic

Box for Android updated to 1.5: adds widgets, uploading from any app, magic originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappapp updateapplicationAppUpdatebox androidbox.netBoxAndroidmobilepostcrossupdatewidgetThu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ice Cream Sandwich widgets leak out ahead of official launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ice-cream-sandwich-widgets-leak-out-ahead-of-official-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ice-cream-sandwich-widgets-leak-out-ahead-of-official-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/18/ice-cream-sandwich-widgets-leak-out-ahead-of-official-launch/#comments We expect to be hearing plenty more about Ice Cream Sandwich before the day is out, but that doesn't mean there isn't still room for some last-minute leaks. We've already seen a couple of updated apps slip out, and we now also have what appears to be our first look at Google's refreshed widgets for the new OS. Those include both Gmail and Calendar, as well one for your non-Gmail email, all of which boast a similar appearance that's been further streamlined from their Honeycomb counterparts. As Android Police notes, there's curiously no labels in the Gmail widget, although we'd assume that's just due to the particular messages being displayed (we hope so, at least). Hit the source link below for a look at the rest.

Ice Cream Sandwich widgets leak out ahead of official launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 4.0Android4.0gmailgoogleice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichICSmobilepostcrosswidgetwidgetsTue, 18 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Sense 3.5 beta screenshots leak, bring tears of joy to weather widget lovers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/htc-sense-3-5-beta-screenshots-leak-bring-tears-of-joy-to-weath/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/htc-sense-3-5-beta-screenshots-leak-bring-tears-of-joy-to-weath/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/25/htc-sense-3-5-beta-screenshots-leak-bring-tears-of-joy-to-weath/#comments
Now that you've seen high-quality images of the HTC Bliss with the screen turned off, are you curious to see what it looks like when it's on? The same folks at XDA.cn who got hands-on time with the Bliss have now come forth with possible screenshots showing the phone is indeed running on a beta version of Sense UI 3.5. What's new here? Even though the lock screen uses the same ring-style unlocking feature as its predecessor, it appears that the new UI will feature two dedicated buttons at the bottom of the home panel -- for the app tray on the left and phone on the right -- and refreshed widgets (including a larger weather panel), among other minor changes. Word also has it that HTC is removing hardware requirements that restricted version 3.0 to the company's highest-end devices, which gives hope to millions of Sense users still on an older, more streamlined UI. More screenshots can be found at the source link.

HTC Sense 3.5 beta screenshots leak, bring tears of joy to weather widget lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.3Android2.3betablissdual-corehardwarehtchtc blisshtc sensehtc sense uiHtcBlissHtcSenseHtcSenseUileakleaksmobilepostminiscreenshotssensesense 3.5sense uiSense3.5SenseUisingle-coreweatherwidgetwidgetsThu, 25 Aug 2011 16:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Pandora music streaming comes to FiOS TV set-top boxes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/pandora-music-streaming-comes-to-fios-tv-set-top-boxes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/pandora-music-streaming-comes-to-fios-tv-set-top-boxes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/pandora-music-streaming-comes-to-fios-tv-set-top-boxes/#comments
Two years after launching the FiOS TV app store, Verizon is bringing Pandora music streaming (already on TiVo and a number of other connected devices) to its HD set-top boxes and DVRs. California, Texas and Virginia customers are the first to get access with more markets due "in the coming months". If you love your customized John Mayer station but aren't excited about navigating the menus with a TV remote you'll be happy to know Pandora, like other FiOS apps, is also controllable via the FiOS Mobile Remote app on many phones. Check out the launch video for a few more details, but we figure once you get past "it's Pandora, on your TV" all the necessary details have been explained. Our only complaint? Pandora is so 2009, we're all about Spotify, Google Music and Turntable.fm now.

Continue reading Pandora music streaming comes to FiOS TV set-top boxes

Pandora music streaming comes to FiOS TV set-top boxes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appdvrfiosfios tvFiosTvhdpandoraset-top boxSet-topBoxstreamingverizonverizon fiosVerizonFioswidgetWed, 20 Jul 2011 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Chumby 8 gets reviewed, dubbed 'best and biggest Chumby yet']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/chumby-8-gets-reviewed-dubbed-best-and-biggest-chumby-yet/#commentsThe Chumby has never exactly been a device for everyone, and that's not likely to change with the new Chumby 8 that's recently started shipping. Those that do want a Chumby, however, aren't likely to be disappointed by the new 8-inch model. According to CNET's review of the device, the Chumby 8 is simply the "best and biggest Chumby yet," with the larger display and additional USB ports making it better suited for use as a photo frame or media player, while the plethora of apps available make it as versatile as ever. Of course, it is still a Chumby, which CNET notes makes for an increasingly difficult sell in a world filled with tablets, smartphones, and widget-filled TVs. Hit up the source link below for the full review.

Chumby 8 gets reviewed, dubbed 'best and biggest Chumby yet' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chumbychumby 8chumby industriesChumby8ChumbyIndustriesglanceablewidgetwidgetsTue, 12 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Android Honeycomb / Motorola Xoom hands-ons: widgets, Grocery IQ, and Monster Madness (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/android-honeycomb-motorola-xoom-hands-ons-widgets-grocery-iq/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/android-honeycomb-motorola-xoom-hands-ons-widgets-grocery-iq/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/02/android-honeycomb-motorola-xoom-hands-ons-widgets-grocery-iq/#comments Fully-functional Xooms with complete (or seemingly complete) builds of Honeycomb are out in force here at Google's event in Mountain View today, and a bunch of partners are hanging out to demonstrate the tablet apps they've been working on. We checked out both Monster Madness -- a game that's been on Xbox 360 and PS3 for some time -- and Grocery IQ, both of which obviously bring very different experiences to the table (unless you consider grocery shopping "a game," which some of us admittedly do).

Though we thought we detected some stuttering and lag from Monster Madness when it was demoed on stage, the experience up close and in person was much smoother -- definitely 100 percent playable. We double-checked and confirmed that the tablet game is a 100 percent content port from the console games, you're not missing anything here. It features three control modes that let you toggle between two on-screen analog sticks, one stick, and a fully accelerometer-based mode that most users probably won't consider practical because you've got to tilt the screen too much. Interestingly, the developer noted that there's a low-res mode that he actually toggled in an area of the game with a lot of water because it tends to slow down, despite the fact that it's running on Unreal Engine and is fully optimized for multiple cores. Could it be that game studios are already pushing the limits of this hardware from day one?

Moving onto Grocery IQ, it's basically a fancy shopping list with coupons -- it's already on both iOS and Android phones, and odds are good you already know what it is. What was really interesting, though, was that we got a full demo of "application fragment" layout switching between landscape and portrait views (the app has a two-pane view for tablets) and the process of adding and removing widgets. As with some of the first-party widgets we've seen, Grocery IQ seems to have done a good job making its widgets visually rich and engaging -- particularly the coupon browser, which appears as a stack of rotating coupons with color graphics. See videos of both products after the break!

Continue reading Android Honeycomb / Motorola Xoom hands-ons: widgets, Grocery IQ, and Monster Madness (video)

Android Honeycomb / Motorola Xoom hands-ons: widgets, Grocery IQ, and Monster Madness (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 3.0Android3.0grocery iqGroceryIqhands-onhoneycombmonster madnessMonsterMadnessvideowidgetwidgetsxoomWed, 02 Feb 2011 14:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Paul Allen files amended complaint, points out exactly where patent infringement is hiding]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/paul-allen-files-amended-complaint-points-out-exactly-where-pat/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/paul-allen-files-amended-complaint-points-out-exactly-where-pat/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/29/paul-allen-files-amended-complaint-points-out-exactly-where-pat/#comments Left with just two weeks to explain exactly how seven of the web's biggest properties (and three office supply chains) violated his company Interval's patents, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen figured out a plan -- Intervals' lawyers are drawing big, colored boxes around large swaths of the allegedly infringing websites' real estate. In all seriousness, a lot of companies may owe Allen a lot of money if Interval truly has a case, because Interval claims to have patented no less than the ability for a website to take a user-selected piece of content and suggest other related pieces of content that might be of interest. Oh, and it's also apparently patented pop-ups and widgets, as most anything that displays information "in an unobtrusive manner that occupies the peripheral attention of the user" is getting the same treatment. Hilariously, it appears that the co-founder of Microsoft didn't provide his lawyers with basic scanning technology, because the PDF of the exhibits they uploaded to the court's web site is just epically bad -- check out everything they say infringes in the gallery below.

Disclaimer: We should note that AOL is among the companies being sued by Allen and Interval, and that Engadget is owned by AOL. So you know, just think about that a bunch, or something.

Gallery: Paul Allen vs. the world: the exhibits

Paul Allen files amended complaint, points out exactly where patent infringement is hiding originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allenaolappleebayfacebookgoogleintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyintervalinterval researchIntervalResearchlawsuitmicrosoftnetflixpatentpatent infringementpatent infringement lawsuitpatent violationsPatentInfringementPatentInfringementLawsuitpatentsPatentViolationspaul allenPaulAllenwidgetwidgetsyoutubeWed, 29 Dec 2010 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/22/dell-streak-android-2-2-froyo-update-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/22/dell-streak-android-2-2-froyo-update-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/22/dell-streak-android-2-2-froyo-update-review/#comments Dell Streak. Froyo. Need we say more? If you're not already getting giddy, let us remind you that said tabletphone's technically still stuck on the aging Android 1.6 OS, so this is obviously great news for all anticipating (and presumably very patient) users. Well, the handful of us anyway, given the majority's distaste for this five-inch device's abnormal form factor. Here at Engadget, we've been fortunate enough to give this final 2.2 build a thorough test over the weekend, but has it fixed the bugs that plagued the 2.1 release? And will it make the Streak relevant again? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review

Continue reading Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review

Dell Streak Android 2.2 (Froyo) update review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.2Android2.2cellphonedelldell streakDellStreakfirmwarefroyomobilemobile phoneMobilePhoneOTAphonereviewslatesmartphonesoftware updatesoftware upgradeSoftwareUpdateSoftwareUpgradestagestage uistage widgetStageUiStageWidgetstreakswypetablettabletphoneuiupdateupgradewidgetMon, 22 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Avaya intros business-oriented A175 tablet, shows off Flare user interface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/avaya-intros-business-oriented-a175-tablet-shows-off-flare-user/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/avaya-intros-business-oriented-a175-tablet-shows-off-flare-user/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/26/avaya-intros-business-oriented-a175-tablet-shows-off-flare-user/#comments Avaya's not a name you generally hear when circling the consumer electronics water cooler, and even though it just introduced a new tablet, you still won't ever see this guy in Target, Best Buy or Walmart. Expected to cost between $1,500 and $2,000, this 11.5-inch enterprise tablet is designed primarily to be used at a cubicle, doubling as a SIP phone and tripling as an office collaboration tool. Dubbed a "Polycom killer" more than an iPad killer, this unit relies on Aura 6.0 and the newly designed Flare user interface (detailed in the video past the break), which enables touchscreen operation and supports multi-user video calling, email, web browsing and support for Android applications. Specs wise, it's "slightly thicker than an iPad," has a trio of USB 2.0 ports, inbuilt WiFi, 3G / 4G WWAN support and an integrated battery for those days when you simply have to clock in from the comfort of Venice Beach. Hit that More Coverage link for a live report at the device's unveiling, and feel free to start hassling your manager to order up a few dozen of these. Or use that money for office-wide raises -- whatever floats your boat.

[Thanks, Bob]

Continue reading Avaya intros business-oriented A175 tablet, shows off Flare user interface

Avaya intros business-oriented A175 tablet, shows off Flare user interface originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a175androidauraAvayaAvaya flareavaya tabletAvayaFlareAvayaTabletbusinessdisplayenterpriseflaregooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidmojoofficetablettelepresencevideowidgetSun, 26 Sep 2010 03:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Insignia's Infocast gains a web browser, a little dignity in the process]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/insignias-infocast-gains-a-web-browser-a-little-dignity-in-the/#comments
Nah, it's not an officially supported browser, but it's a browser nonetheless. Chumby founder Andrew Huang has recently posted up instructions (along with a prebuilt file for those stretched thin) on how to port a WebKit-based browser onto Best Buy's self-proclaimed Internet Media Device. Currently, the browser requires a USB keyboard for text input, though the touch panel still functions just fine when it comes to window management / navigation. Hit the links below if you're looking for good reason to dust your Infocast off and put it to better use. Or don't, and just become more bitter at the world around you for no good reason at all. Your choice.

Insignia's Infocast gains a web browser, a little dignity in the process originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserchumbydiyhackinfocastInsigniaInsignia infocastInsigniaInfocastinternetinternet media displayInternetMediaDisplaymodqtSilvermoonsoftwareweb browserWebBrowserwebkitwidgetwidgetsMon, 20 Sep 2010 23:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba brings WX800 and VX700 HDTVs stateside, BDX3000 3D Blu-ray player this month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/toshiba-brings-wx800-and-vx700-hdtvs-stateside-bdx3000-3d-blu-r/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/toshiba-brings-wx800-and-vx700-hdtvs-stateside-bdx3000-3d-blu-r/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/toshiba-brings-wx800-and-vx700-hdtvs-stateside-bdx3000-3d-blu-r/#comments Remember that slate of drop-dead gorgeous Toshiba HDTVs that emerged at IFA? They're back, and they're making a beeline for a living room near you. Provided that "you" are in "the US of A," that is. Just as we expected, Tosh has come clean with the US variants of its LED-based Cinema Series, with the flagship WX800 models (46- and 55-inches) getting 3D Resolution+ technology, 240Hz processor, inbuilt 802.11b/g/n WiFi, the company's own Enhanced NET TV service, Yahoo! widgets (score!) and a native 1080p panel. The lower end VX700 series (again, 46- and 55-inches) is meant for those content with 2D imagery, but they still retain the connected features along with two USB ports, an SD / SDHC card slot and DLNA support. Lastly, the BDX3000 3D Blu-ray player that we've been holding out for finally has a ship date, and it's soon. Within a fortnight, the aforesaid player will be out and about on US shelves for $249.99, representing a $50 premium over the 3D-less BDX2700. Check out the full list of details embedded after the break.

Gallery: Toshiba WX800 and VX700 HDTVs; BDX3000 3D Blu-ray player

Continue reading Toshiba brings WX800 and VX700 HDTVs stateside, BDX3000 3D Blu-ray player this month

Toshiba brings WX800 and VX700 HDTVs stateside, BDX3000 3D Blu-ray player this month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d blu-ray3d hdtv3d tv3dBlu-ray3dHdtv3dTv46VX70046WX80055VX70055WX800BDX2500BDX2700bdx3000blockbuster on demandBlockbusterOnDemandblu-rayCinema SeriesCinemaSeriescinespeedcolormasterconnected hdtvConnectedHdtvdynalighthdtvlednetflixpandoraregzatoshibaVUDUvx700widgetwidgetswx800yahooyahoo connected tvyahoo widgetsYahooConnectedTvYahooWidgetsWed, 15 Sep 2010 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Voice for Android gets refreshed with widgets in tow]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/google-voice-for-android-gets-refreshed-with-widgets-in-tow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/google-voice-for-android-gets-refreshed-with-widgets-in-tow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/09/google-voice-for-android-gets-refreshed-with-widgets-in-tow/#comments Google just pushed out a fresh build of its Google Voice app for Android, and it looks like the improvements are focused on a pair of new home screen widgets (previously, it had none). The inbox preview widget does exactly what you might think, letting you flip through recent voicemails -- complete with questionable transcriptions -- while tapping on a message will take you to it in the actual app. The aptly-named settings widget, meanwhile, lets you compose text messages, change dialing preferences, toggle Do Not Disturb mode, and see your available balance. Revolutionary? Not exactly, but a welcome addition for a service that's quickly becoming a standard for many Android users stateside.

Google Voice for Android gets refreshed with widgets in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgooglegoogle voiceGoogleVoicehome screenhome screen widgetHomeScreenHomeScreenWidgetmobileupdateupgradewidgetThu, 09 Sep 2010 15:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Dash update brings Shoutcast, app shortcuts and the true meaning of life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/13/sony-dash-update-brings-shoutcast-app-shortcuts-and-the-true-me/#comments Got yourself a Sony Dash, did you? If so, right about now would be a beautiful time to unplug it and plug it back in, as that'll trigger a minty fresh update to download and apply. This newfangled software build will not only add Shoutcast as an available internet radio station, but it also brings app shortcuts and a hastened add / delete app process. It ain't much, but it ain't costly, either. Let us know in comments how it all works out for you, cool?

[Thanks, Dave]

Sony Dash update brings Shoutcast, app shortcuts and the true meaning of life originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alarm clockAlarmClockchumbyclockdashfirmwareInternet RadioInternetRadioshoutcastsoftwaresonySony DashSonyDashupdatewidgetwidgetsFri, 13 Aug 2010 03:34:00 EST<![CDATA[How would you change Sony's Dash?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/19/how-would-you-change-sonys-dash/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/19/how-would-you-change-sonys-dash/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/19/how-would-you-change-sonys-dash/#comments The verdict is still out on whether or not Sony's Dash is a world changer, but while we patiently await the first mod to shove a battery into this thing and make it a bona fide tablet, we're going to flick through your suggestions on tweaking what we've got. Were your hopes dashed (ahem) when Sony revealed that this thing was meant to be used inside? Are you happy with the widget software loaded on? Is this thing superior to your existing Chumby device? Feel free to really let loose here -- we get the feeling that Insignia's Infocast is just waiting around the corner to take your advice before Sony can pop out a revised edition.

How would you change Sony's Dash? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chumbydashhow would you changeHowWouldYouChangeHWYCinternet viewerInternetViewersonysony dashSonyDashwidgetSat, 19 Jun 2010 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Showtime Sports Interactive debuts EBIF tags on HDTV tonight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/showtime-sports-interactive-debuts-interactive-ebif-tags-on-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/showtime-sports-interactive-debuts-interactive-ebif-tags-on-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/showtime-sports-interactive-debuts-interactive-ebif-tags-on-hdtv/#comments We got out first taste of Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) interactivity during these Winter Olympic games, but Showtime plans to turn things up by using it on the MPEG-4 HDTV feed during tonight's Strikeforce Challengers MMA event. Available only on Verizon's FiOS TV for now, it will let viewers pull up stats, trivia and respond to polls by pressing the "OK" button on their remotes. already have social plans for this evening? No problem, the next event with this tech is coming April 24 during the Super Six World Boxing Championship, leaving just enough time for you to recover from those wild Earth Day celebrations.

Showtime Sports Interactive debuts EBIF tags on HDTV tonight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebiffiosfios tvFiosTvhdinteractivemmapollshowtimeshowtime hdshowtime sports interactiveShowtimeHdShowtimeSportsInteractivesportsstrikeforce challengersStrikeforceChallengersverizionwidgetFri, 26 Feb 2010 15:09:00 EST<![CDATA[VIZIO Super Bowl ad pushes internet connected HDTVs in a big way]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/vizio-super-bowl-ad-pushes-internet-connected-hdtvs-in-a-big-way/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/vizio-super-bowl-ad-pushes-internet-connected-hdtvs-in-a-big-way/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/vizio-super-bowl-ad-pushes-internet-connected-hdtvs-in-a-big-way/#comments We weren't sure exactly what Beyonce, David Goes to the Dentist and Chocolate Rain all had in common, but VIZIO squeezed them all into its Super Bowl ad. Still striving to remake its reputation from being merely a cheap HDTV manufacturer to a premium one offering lots of features, the ad (embedded after the break) shows how it's bringing "the best of the internet" with VIZIO Internet Apps. We still need to see if its picture quality will measure up and whether the widget experience has gotten any better (read: faster) in 2010 to be truly convinced, but a slick ad never hurt.

Continue reading VIZIO Super Bowl ad pushes internet connected HDTVs in a big way

VIZIO Super Bowl ad pushes internet connected HDTVs in a big way originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adconnected hdtvConnectedHdtvhdhdtvlcdsuper bowlSuperBowlviaviziovizio internet appsVizioInternetAppswidgetSun, 07 Feb 2010 21:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: Did you buy an internet connected HDTV?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/poll-did-you-buy-an-internet-connected-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/poll-did-you-buy-an-internet-connected-hdtv/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/24/poll-did-you-buy-an-internet-connected-hdtv/#comments One last followup on the trends of CES '09, last time we checked about 20% of you were at least thinking about grabbing a new HDTV with internet features last year. Of course, that was before VIZIO's XVT 55-inch was delayed and we were slightly disappointed by the widget performance on Samsung's LED model and desires cooled off a bit. So, how many of you are currently watching the conference championships on screens with Ethernet or WiFi hookups embedded in them? Anyone actually tweeting or pulling in Facebook updates via their remote? According to what we saw this year, televisions acting as embedded platforms for more services is a trend that will keep growing, but how is it working out so far?

View Poll

Poll: Did you buy an internet connected HDTV? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connected hdtvConnectedHdtvhdpollpollswidgetwidgetsyahoo widgetYahooWidgetSun, 24 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chumby One gets composite video output via marginally difficult mod]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/chumby-one-gets-composite-video-output-via-marginally-difficult/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/chumby-one-gets-composite-video-output-via-marginally-difficult/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/chumby-one-gets-composite-video-output-via-marginally-difficult/#comments The Chumby One, much like the original, is an interesting beast. For all intents and purposes, it's a mod-friendly box that sits on your nightstand and pushes out real-time information that it pulls down from the web. That said, the inbuilt display may be too small to be considered "glanceable" in some scenarios, and if you're ferociously nodding your head up and down in agreement, we've a hack you should probably see. One xobs recently discovered that a composite video output could be added to the Chumby One, enabling it to output its information onto any display with such an input. Granted, the device can only support a single display at a time, but hey, who ever said you could have your cake and eat it too?

Chumby One gets composite video output via marginally difficult mod originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chumbyChumby OneChumbyOnediyhackhow-tomodtv outTvOutvgavideovideo connectorVideoConnectorwidgetMon, 28 Dec 2009 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Chumby One gets the iFixit treatment, greets world with a cute hidden message]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/chumby-one-gets-the-ifixit-treatment-greets-world-with-a-cute-h/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/chumby-one-gets-the-ifixit-treatment-greets-world-with-a-cute-h/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/18/chumby-one-gets-the-ifixit-treatment-greets-world-with-a-cute-h/#comments
We've already played with the Chumby One and fell for it, so it did hurt a bit when our friends at iFixit decided to rip this cute device apart. Actually, it wasn't as heartbreaking as we thought, especially when the hackers spotted a cute message below the Kingston 2GB microSD card -- containing the firmware -- on the logic board, courtesy of Andrew "bunnie" Huang, VP Hardware Engineering and Founder of Chumby Industries. Other notable discoveries include a Freescale i.MX233 processor, Hynix 64MB DDR RAM and a removable "Ralink-based RT2571 USB Wi-Fi dongle" (note: extra USB port!). Feel free to check out the guts after the break -- just promise you won't cry or faint.

Continue reading Chumby One gets the iFixit treatment, greets world with a cute hidden message

Chumby One gets the iFixit treatment, greets world with a cute hidden message originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chumbychumby gutschumby onechumby one gutsChumbyGutsChumbyOneChumbyOneGutsifixitifixit teardownifixit.comIfixitTeardownteardownwidgetWidgetsFri, 18 Dec 2009 03:46:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC debuts widgets for Sense-equipped Android phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/htc-debuts-widgets-for-sense-equipped-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/htc-debuts-widgets-for-sense-equipped-android-phones/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/17/htc-debuts-widgets-for-sense-equipped-android-phones/#comments HTC was already in the Android software game by virtue of the fact that it drops a fully-customized UI and widget suite on some of its models, but this is new: they've migrated over to the Market. Now, what'd be insanely awesome here is if you could, say, buy Sense for $9.99 and install it on any Android device, but yeah, not so much -- what we've actually got here is a four-pack of free widgets that are compatible with the Hero and Droid Eris. Dice, Today in History, Tip Calculator, and Battery are each downloadable individually; none are particularly exciting or different than what's already available in the Market, but they've all got that famous HTC high style and the exclusivity of knowing that Motorola, Acer, Samsung, and Huawei riffraff can't use them. All four are available now.

HTC debuts widgets for Sense-equipped Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid marketAndroidMarketbatterydicedroid erisDroidErisherohtcsensesense uiSenseUitip calculatorTipCalculatortoday in historyTodayInHistorywidgetwidgetsThu, 17 Dec 2009 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Rovi TV Guide widget debuts on Samsung HDTVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/rovi-tv-guide-widget-debuts-on-samsung-hdtvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/rovi-tv-guide-widget-debuts-on-samsung-hdtvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/rovi-tv-guide-widget-debuts-on-samsung-hdtvs/#comments The agreement between Rovi (formerly Macrovision) and Samsung for EPG data has taken an odd turn with the debut of the TV Guide widget for Samsung's Yahoo! Widget enabled HDTVs. Check the pictures to get an idea of what it looks like, though with host of these televisions likely hooked up to satellite or cable boxes, the usability of these abbreviated "what's on" listings when another click of the remote would bring up a guide that will actually tune to those stations. Still, check the pics for an example of the flexibility of the widget platform, including the option to load up Daily Hotlists from Rovi's editors daily, complete with personal profiles but aren't exactly satiating the appetite we've developed for the Liquid guide demoed earlier this year.

Continue reading Rovi TV Guide widget debuts on Samsung HDTVs

Rovi TV Guide widget debuts on Samsung HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epgguidehdmacrovisionrovisamsungtv guideTvGuidewidgetwidgetsyahoo widgetsYahooWidgetsMon, 23 Nov 2009 16:18:00 EST<![CDATA[American Airlines launches online widget to sniff out WiFi-equipped flights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/19/american-airlines-launches-online-widget-to-sniff-out-wifi-equip/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/19/american-airlines-launches-online-widget-to-sniff-out-wifi-equip/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/19/american-airlines-launches-online-widget-to-sniff-out-wifi-equip/#comments You may bang on the legacy airlines, but American Airlines has a good thing going here with Gogo. The outfit has just completed installation of in-flight WiFi on 150 of its MD-80 aircraft, and in order to give you a better idea of how to prepare, it's now launching an online widget that'll let you know if your bird will enable web surfing when you get on. The tool is completely web-based, so any PC or smartphone can access it; the only real knock is that it only informs you of a "yes" or "no" 24 hours prior to departure, so it's still impossible to book a flight 3 months out and know for certain if you'll be able to hop online. This is definitely something that should be adopted by the other airlines (pronto!), but we can't help but dream of the day when something like this is unnecessary due to in-flight internet becoming completely ubiquitous. Ah, the future -- how you tease us so. Demonstration vid is after the break.

Continue reading American Airlines launches online widget to sniff out WiFi-equipped flights

American Airlines launches online widget to sniff out WiFi-equipped flights originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircellaircraftairlineairlinesAmerican AirlinesAmericanAirlinesgogoMD-80toolvideowidegetwidgetwifiwifi widgetWifiWidgetThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[D-Link Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router now shipping]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/d-link-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-now-shipping/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/d-link-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-now-shipping/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/d-link-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-now-shipping/#comments
Well, what do we have here? D-Link's DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router -- you know, the 802.11n packing, WAP having, BitTorrent running beaut with USB storage support and 3.2-inch display we first laid eyes on in January at CES -- has finally hit store shelves. Every bit as lust-worthy as it was when we initially reviewed it, this bad boy retails for $300. Hit the read link to get in on the action.

[Via Electronista]

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D-Link Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router now shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bit.torrentbittorrentd linkd-linkdigiframedigital photo frameDigitalPhotoFrameDIR-685dlinkhands onhands-onHandsOnNASPhotoFramepicspicturesrouterseagateshareportstorage serverstorageservertorrentWAPwidgetwifiWLANxtreme nXtreme N DIR-685XtremeNXtremeNDir-685Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Chumby, now with less adorable softness: meet the One]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/chumby-now-with-less-adorable-softness-meet-the-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/chumby-now-with-less-adorable-softness-meet-the-one/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/chumby-now-with-less-adorable-softness-meet-the-one/#commentsWrapping one's brain around Chumby's original concept -- drop some Flash-based widgets inside a plush vinyl sphere with WiFi and a touchscreen -- has never been an easy task, but after a couple years of low-key retail action, it looks like the company's finally ready to bring a new version into the mix that might be a little more mainstream. The simply-named One dispenses of the old model's squeezable shell, earning a more businesslike appearance and trading up to a slightly speedier 454MHz core (not to say you need a lot of horsepower when you're lackadaisically cruising feeds, weather forecasts, and clock faces on a QVGA screen, but we're not complaining). Otherwise, specs seem to be about the same -- and at a rumored $100 or so when it hits next month, it might finally be cheap enough to get some traction even though it's not as thin, slick, or normal-looking as those concept Sammy frames from earlier in the year. And hey, Chumby's got an Engadget widget available for download, so it must be worth the cost of admission, right?

[Via thegadgetsite, thanks KC Kim]

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Chumby, now with less adorable softness: meet the One originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chumbychumby oneChumbyOnewidgetwidgetsWed, 30 Sep 2009 01:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung launches TouchWiz SDK for cross-platform bliss]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/#comments Now that Samsung's standardized on the TouchWiz interface across its entire touchscreen line -- dumbphone and smartphone alike -- they've created a fertile playground that offers developers the opportunity to reach a good chunk of the world's second largest phone manufacturer's devices. A dedicated software development kit for TouchWiz is now available direct from Samsung, and since your average code monkey doesn't necessarily have access to fifteen different phones running multiple versions of every platform Sammy supports, they're also offering up their Virtual Device Lab that'll let devs test their wares on everything the company has on tap. For distribution, Samsung will have a number of channels available: its Application Store, a new Widget Gallery that'll premiere on Verizon's Omnia II launching later this year, and -- perhaps most tantalizingly for developers -- the possibility of inclusion right in the frickin' ROM if Samsung really loves what you've done. Considering that you're targeting S60, WinMo, and a wealth of proprietary OS devices in one fell swoop, this could end up being a huge distribution channel.

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Samsung launches TouchWiz SDK for cross-platform bliss originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>application storeApplicationStoredeveloperdevelopmentomnia iiOmniaIisamsungsdktouchwiztouchwiz sdkTouchwizSdkwidgetwidget galleryWidgetGallerywidgetsMon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung launches TouchWiz SDK for cross-platform bliss]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/17/samsung-launches-touchwiz-sdk-for-cross-platform-bliss/#comments Now that Samsung's standardized on the TouchWiz interface across its entire touchscreen line -- dumbphone and smartphone alike -- they've created a fertile playground that offers developers the opportunity to reach a good chunk of the world's second largest phone manufacturer's devices. A dedicated software development kit for TouchWiz is now available direct from Samsung, and since your average code monkey doesn't necessarily have access to fifteen different phones running multiple versions of every platform Sammy supports, they're also offering up their Virtual Device Lab that'll let devs test their wares on everything the company has on tap. For distribution, Samsung will have a number of channels available: its Application Store, a new Widget Gallery that'll premiere on Verizon's Omnia II launching later this year, and -- perhaps most tantalizingly for developers -- the possibility of inclusion right in the frickin' ROM if Samsung really loves what you've done. Considering that you're targeting S60, WinMo, and a wealth of proprietary OS devices in one fell swoop, this could end up being a huge distribution channel.

Filed under: ,

Samsung launches TouchWiz SDK for cross-platform bliss originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>application storeApplicationStoredeveloperdevelopmentmobileomnia iiOmniaIisamsungsdktouchwiztouchwiz sdkTouchwizSdkwidgetwidget galleryWidgetGallerywidgetsMon, 17 Aug 2009 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/updated-fios-twitter-and-facebook-widgets-add-onscreen-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/updated-fios-twitter-and-facebook-widgets-add-onscreen-keyboard/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/updated-fios-twitter-and-facebook-widgets-add-onscreen-keyboard/#comments
Just a few weeks after debuting its Twitter and Facebook widgets, Verizon is refreshing them by giving viewers an onscreen cellphone-style keyboard to mash out their own tweets and Facebook status updates from the remote. Though we wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just use ones actual cellphone to spread your inane viewing habits amongst those unlucky enough to count you as a friend, the services have apparently been quite popular so far, with millions of Tweets and Facebook photos viewed since it was released. As usual, the free apps can be found in the Widget Bazaar, where Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir will be looking for more tools that "engage viewers" once the SDK is released later this year. Not close to your TV (or an area with FiOS TV service?) check out a few screens of the new functionality below.

Gallery: FiOS TV updated Facebook & Twitter widgets

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Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just a few weeks after debuting its Twitter and Facebook widgets, Verizon is refreshing them by giving viewers an onscreen cellphone-style keyboard to mash out their own tweets and Facebook status updates from the remote. Though we wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just use ones actual cellphone to spread your inane viewing habits amongst those unlucky enough to count you as a friend, the services have apparently been quite popular so far, with millions of Tweets and Facebook photos viewed since it was released. As usual, the free apps can be found in the Widget Bazaar, where Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir will be looking for more tools that "engage viewers" once the SDK is released later this year. Not close to your TV (or an area with FiOS TV service?) check out a few screens of the new functionality below.

Gallery: FiOS TV updated Facebook & Twitter widgets

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Updated FiOS Twitter and Facebook widgets add onscreen keyboard, not friends or followers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfiberfiosfios tvFiosTvhdinternetstatus updatesStatusUpdatestwitterverizonwidgetwidget bazaarWidgetBazaarwidgetsTue, 04 Aug 2009 19:21:00 EST<![CDATA[CinemaNow to offer flicks via a Yahoo! Widget this fall]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/cinemanow-to-offer-flicks-via-a-yahoo-widget-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/cinemanow-to-offer-flicks-via-a-yahoo-widget-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/cinemanow-to-offer-flicks-via-a-yahoo-widget-this-fall/#comments
Just in case you were wondering how Blockbuster was so easily sliding onto Samsung televisions, Sonic Solutions officially announced its plan to launch a Yahoo! Widget this fall, so we should expect to see the many CinemaNow powered online movie houses like Blockbuster, Lionsgate and Warner Bros. and upcoming efforts from Best Buy and Zip.ca popping up in menus for internet connected TVs and set-top boxes all over.

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CinemaNow to offer flicks via a Yahoo! Widget this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinema nowCinemaNowhdinternetroxiosonicsonic solutionsSonicSolutionsstreamingvodwidgetyahooyahoo widgetYahooWidgetWed, 15 Jul 2009 22:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon gives FiOS TV some app store, social media flavor]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/verizon-gives-fios-tv-some-app-store-social-media-flavor/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/verizon-gives-fios-tv-some-app-store-social-media-flavor/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/15/verizon-gives-fios-tv-some-app-store-social-media-flavor/#comments
Confirming the theory that one day soon everything will have an app store of some kind, Verizon has launched its Widget Bazaar for FiOS TV, dedicated to bringing new interactive experiences to FiOS TV subscribers, starting with Facebook, Twitter, and ESPN Fantasy Football. Don't expect to tap out 140 character missives via remote for now, at launch viewers can only view tweets, not post them or log in to their own accounts, although updating Facebook status and personalized ESPN Fantasy Football info is available. Verizon has promised to publish its SDK to enable "open development" (limited to a select group of developers of course) which should bring many free & for-pay apps to join the current (free) offerings by year-end. Also made official is the addition of searching and viewing video from blip.tv, Dailymotion and Veoh, plus the long awaited ability to stream personal videos from a connected PC, available free of charge to Home Media DVR customers. No word yet on what codecs the updated Home Media Manager software will support for transcoding to MPEG-2 and streaming to the set-top box so keep those MKVs holstered for now and check a few screens of the apps in action in our gallery or a quick video walkthrough embedded after the break.

Update: Verizon let us know it will support FLV, WMV, MPEG-1, AVI, MPG, PM4/M4V, 3GP/3G2

Gallery: Verizon FiOS TV social widgets

Continue reading Verizon gives FiOS TV some app store, social media flavor

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Verizon gives FiOS TV some app store, social media flavor originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoreblip.tvdailymotionespn fantasy footballEspnFantasyFootballfacebookfiberfiosfios tvFiosTvhdhome media managerHomeMediaManagerinternetsdktranscodingtwitterveohverizonwidgetwidget bazaarWidgetBazaarwidgetsWed, 15 Jul 2009 09:09:00 EST<![CDATA[D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router hands-on and impressions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/d-links-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-hands-on-and-impression/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/d-links-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-hands-on-and-impression/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/02/d-links-xtreme-n-dir-685-storage-router-hands-on-and-impression/#comments

Somehow or another, D-Link managed to combine a NAS, digital photo frame, secondary display and 802.11n router into a single device, and when the Xtreme N DIR-685 Storage Router was announced way back at CES this year, we were certainly interested to see how such a conglomerate would go over. At long last, the do-it-all wireless router is finally making its way out to the public at large, and with an MSRP of $299.99 (sans any internal HDD space), it's definitely one of the pricier routers out there. We've taken this strikingly unique device into our lairs for a few days of testing, and if you're interested in seeing if this bad boy is worth the price of admission, you'll need to follow us past the break.

Gallery: D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router hands-on

Continue reading D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router hands-on and impressions

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D-Link's Xtreme N DIR-685 storage router hands-on and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d linkd-linkdigiframedigital photo frameDigitalPhotoFrameDIR-685DLinkfeaturesframehands onhands-onHandsOnNASPhotoFramepicspicturesrouterseagateshareportWAPwidgetwifiWLANxtreme nXtreme N DIR-685XtremeNXtremeNDir-685Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sungale WiFi Widget photo frame gets a hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/sungale-wifi-widget-photo-frame-gets-a-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/sungale-wifi-widget-photo-frame-gets-a-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/29/sungale-wifi-widget-photo-frame-gets-a-hands-on/#comments
Sungale's recently unleashed a WiFi-enabled, widget-having digital photo frame -- the ID800WT -- and the fine folks over at Zatz Not Funny have taken it for a little spin. The 800 x 600 resolution touchscreen boasts 512 MB of internal storage, and widgets for weather, news, Picasa, YouTube, Gmail, and Internet radio. The reviewer didn't find the widgets to be particularly awesome, in many respects -- their implementation, for instance, made the Gmail app "nearly useless" because it displayed only a few lines at a time, and many had trouble connecting to the internet properly. It wasn't all doom and gloom, however -- they really liked the frame in theory, and thought that the company was shooting for the right idea -- they just didn't actually succeed. The frame will be available sometime in the coming month for about $165.

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Sungale WiFi Widget photo frame gets a hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital photo frameDigitalPhotoFramehands onhands-onhandsonphoto framePhotoFramesungalewidgetwidgetswifiwifi photo frameWifiPhotoFrameMon, 29 Jun 2009 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[HP unveils Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web: "world's first web-connected printer"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/hp-unveils-photosmart-premium-with-touchsmart-web-worlds-firs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/hp-unveils-photosmart-premium-with-touchsmart-web-worlds-firs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/hp-unveils-photosmart-premium-with-touchsmart-web-worlds-firs/#comments Looking to make the wild and not-entirely-wondrous world of printers exciting for the first time in decades, HP has just unveiled the "world's first web-connected printer." If you're wondering how it plans on accomplishing such an impossible mission, let us just say this: the Photosmart Premium is going the way of the widget. Up on the 4.33-inch front panel is Touchsmart Web, a touchscreen interface with several bundled, online apps to accommodate usual paper-friendly tasks such as printing Google maps, tickets from Fandango, coupons, recipes, Sudoku, etc. There's even a full-on HD Apps Studio just in case downloading new apps on one's printer really becomes the new hotness. The API's being made open for the entire realm of developers, but we have to wonder what kind of interest we'll see here. Pricing is set for $399, and if you're thinking "why not just buy a cheap netbook and plug it into my current model" we hear ya, but we get the impression this is aimed squarely at another crowd. Lots more details are just past the break.

Update: We just had a chance to try the printer / Touchsmart for ourselves. First off, surprise, the screen is capacitive touch, and it works well -- but only one finger at a time. We asked a rep about multitouch and were told that while technically feasible, it's not gonna be supported at this time. The widgets are created with a combination of HTML5 and Java, and much to our surprise, video streaming has been implemented. The Monsters vs. Aliens trailer we saw was decent resolution, but really, it's not a place where we need pristine quality. More screens in the gallery below.

Gallery: HP unveils Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web: "world's first web-connected printer"


Gallery: HP unveils Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web hands-on

Continue reading HP unveils Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web: "world's first web-connected printer"

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HP unveils Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web: "world's first web-connected printer" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeapplicationAppStorehewlett-packardhpphotosmartPhotosmart PremiumPhotosmartPremiumprintersoftwarewidgetwidgetsMon, 22 Jun 2009 13:17:00 EST<![CDATA[SilverPac's SilverFrame hands-on at Computex]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/silverpacs-silverframe-hands-on-at-computex/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/silverpacs-silverframe-hands-on-at-computex/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/silverpacs-silverframe-hands-on-at-computex/#comments
SilverPac's SilverFrame is certainly doing its best to break the boring mold of typical digital photo frames, and while we were understandably skeptical about the idea on paper, we're beginning to warm to it after a little face time at Computex. Said frame is more like a widget console than anything else, and it definitely reminds us of that Samsung / Chumby prototype digiframe that we peeked back at CES. Don't take our word for it, though -- hit the read link to soak it in yourself.

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SilverPac's SilverFrame hands-on at Computex originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computexcomputex 2009Computex2009digiframedigital Photo FrameDigitalPhotoFrameFrameIthands-onpicspicturessideshowSilverPACwidgetWindows SideShowWindowsSideshowWed, 03 Jun 2009 15:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/#comments
With Akihabara, mobile TV that works and games like this, does Japan really need another nicety to remind us of how awesome it is? Starting this week, Yahoo Japan has started to deliver free video services to loads of Sharp AQUOS HDTVs. The so-called Douga Channel currently offers some 3,000 videos gratis, and absolutely no member registration is required to tap in. At least initially, the service will target Sharp's AQUOS DS6 family of products, which are equipped with a revised Sharp GUI and an 'Ex System' for handling the video processing. Better still, the material coming through can be viewed in SD or HD, which has to make local cable companies cringe. At any rate, the company is still trying to hammer out a business model before delving into pay-TV, and it's hoping to service at least one million TV sets in the not-too-distant future. So... any news for North America?

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Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquosaquos ds6AquosDs6contentdougahdhd vodhdtvHdVodinternetinternet tvinternet videoInternetTvInternetVideoiptvjapanlcdprogrammingsharpvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvodwidgetwidgetsyahooyahoo DougaYahooDougaThu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/yahoo-japan-fires-up-video-delivery-service-for-sharp-aquos-tvs/#comments
With Akihabara, mobile TV that works and games like this, does Japan really need another nicety to remind us of how awesome it is? Starting this week, Yahoo Japan has started to deliver free video services to loads of Sharp AQUOS HDTVs. The so-called Douga Channel currently offers some 3,000 videos gratis, and absolutely no member registration is required to tap in. At least initially, the service will target Sharp's AQUOS DS6 family of products, which are equipped with a revised Sharp GUI and an 'Ex System' for handling the video processing. Better still, the material coming through can be viewed in SD or HD, which has to make local cable companies cringe. At any rate, the company is still trying to hammer out a business model before delving into pay-TV, and it's hoping to service at least one million TV sets in the not-too-distant future. So... any news for North America?

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Yahoo Japan fires up video delivery service for Sharp AQUOS TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquosaquos ds6AquosDs6contentdougahdhd vodhdtvHdVodinternet tvinternet videoInternetTvInternetVideoiptvjapanprogrammingvideo on demandvideo-on-demandVideoOnDemandvodwidgetwidgetsyahooyahoo DougaYahooDougaThu, 28 May 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Sony's XBR9 and Z-series TVs herald the death of the set-top-box]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/video-sonys-xbr9-and-z-series-tvs-herald-the-death-of-the-set/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/video-sonys-xbr9-and-z-series-tvs-herald-the-death-of-the-set/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/27/video-sonys-xbr9-and-z-series-tvs-herald-the-death-of-the-set/#comments It's been a long time coming, but television manufacturers have finally wised up to the ways of the Internet and the realities of modern content sourcing and distribution. Case in point, Sony, with its XBR9 and Z-series televisions with built-in Ethernet jack for accessing internet media and informational widgets based on the Yahoo platform. The cats over at SonyConvergineer have put together a few introductory videos (embedded after the break) showing-off Sony's connected capabilities on a production set using Sony's Xross Media Bar UI and Bravia remote control. Right, XMB, thus making the user experience on these Bravias consistent with Sony's PS3 and PSP gaming consoles and select VAIO laptops. A unified-UI trend noticed by Samsung and others that helps promote a consistent user experience across devices. About time, eh?

Continue reading Video: Sony's XBR9 and Z-series TVs herald the death of the set-top-box

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Video: Sony's XBR9 and Z-series TVs herald the death of the set-top-box originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>braviabravia internet videobravia internet widgetsBraviaInternetVideoBraviaInternetWidgetsconnected HDTVConnectedHdtvsonywidgetxbr9xmbyahooz seriesz-seriesZSeriesWed, 27 May 2009 04:06:00 EST