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Music Inc. is anti-piracy propaganda posing as a casual game
UK Music and Britain's Intellectual Property Office don't believe that most music games tell the whole story -- while they show the tunes, they omit labels struggling to find good artists and deal with piracy. To help widen the public's perspective, they've just launched Music Inc. for Android and iOS. The label-management game challenges you to foster talent while keeping your company profitable in a market that doesn't always pay for your songs. The free title underscores a real problem for labels, and it may have you thinking twice about swiping that new album. However, it's also very one-sided. The game sees every pirated copy as a lost sale, and it doesn't question the copyright model or the need for labels in the first place. As long as you're aware of the broader issues, though, it won't hurt to try the game today.
Scentee's smelly smartphone notifications are now available worldwide
If you were crestfallen when you heard that Scentee's fragrance-emitting smartphone add-on would be hard to get outside of Japan, you can relax -- it's now available worldwide through the company's site. The perfume plug-in sells for $35 by itself (plus a whopping $30 in shipping), while scent packs for coffee, lavender, rose, rosemary and strawberry will cost you $5 each. That's quite a lot to pay for smell-based notifications on your Android device or iPhone, but Scentee is at least more practical than some of the other novelty imports that we've seen as of late.
Engadget Mobile Podcast 199 - 1.31.14
With a couple big mobile news items dropping this week, it's no surprise that Brad makes a beeline for those topics, and he enlists Engadget newcomers Chris Velazco and Emily Price to join him. With Lenovo's recent acquisition of Motorola's handset division and Google's renewed bipartisanship with Samsung, there's certainly a lot to discuss. Along with the regular mobile fare, we treat you to one car chase, more Ashton Kutcher than you'd probably like and a tale of rare, yet spam-inducing social monikers. Please join us at the streaming links below for episode 199 of the Engadget Mobile Podcast. Hosts: Brad Molen Guest: Chris Velazco, Emily Price Producer: Jon Turi Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International) Hear the podcast:
Engadget Podcast 382 - 1.31.14
We're breaking it down to the bare essentials this week, with Terrence and Ben getting laser focused on the recent Lenovo / Motorola deal and Nintendo's state of financial affairs. With just those two topics on the table, every stone is upturned and every tech nook explored. Ben delves into the world of poultry puns and even explains the Pokemon portmanteau situation, while Terrence eyes him from across the room, fiercely ready to fight for Sonic the Hedgehog's dignity. We're even reaching out to you, the listener, for your input on the future of the podcast, so please join the conversation. As for the podcast itself, it's ready and waiting for you at the streaming links below. Enjoy! Hosts: Terrence O'Brien, Ben Gilbert Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
US Cellular offers $50 unlimited plan with throttled data as a catch
You won't have to endure data caps if you want cheap phone service at US Cellular. The carrier has just launched a promo plan that offers unlimited internet access, messaging and voice for $50 per month without a contract. There is a big gotcha, though -- US Cellular will start throttling data speeds after the first 500MB, which rules it out for movie fans and others who need a lot of bandwidth. Still, it's worth a look if you're keen to both lower your bill and avoid those dreaded overage fees. [Image credit: Vincent Desjardins, Flickr]
Canada's Wind Mobile offers unlimited US roaming for $15 extra per month
Canadians frequently have to pay through the nose to use their phones in the US; at best, they'll get a paltry 50MB of data per day. They won't have that problem for long, though, since Wind Mobile is launching an unlimited US roaming plan on February 3rd. For $15 extra per month, subscribers will get to use as much data, text messaging and voice as they like while visiting their American neighbors. This isn't as sweet a deal as T-Mobile USA's free basic data, but it's still a huge bargain for traveling Canucks who'd rather not deal with an outrageous phone bill when they get home.
Engadget Eurocast 053 - 1.30.14
The euro crew is back and Dan's got a new haircut. If you listen closely you can hear the improvement it makes. The freshly groomed Mr. Cooper is joined by Jamie and Sharif to discuss Samsung's arrival on high streets across Europe, Sony's super-slim Vita release and Lenovo's acquisition of Motorola's handset business. Other choice bits from this episode: Sharif considers kickstarting Nintendo's Android gaming division, Jamie's mum has a Wii and according to Dan, Norwich is one of England's biggest cities. All the fun is packed into the streaming links below, so open up your ears, your heart and your wallet (if you're so inclined) and enjoy another brash yet beautiful episode of the Engadget Eurocast. Hosts: Dan Cooper, Jamie Rigg, Sharif Sakr Producer: Jon Turi Hear the Podcast:
Engadget HD Podcast 383 - 1.30.14
The rumor mill has been grinding away this week, providing juicy bits of Apple and Amazon news for Ben and Richard to chew on. Netflix also announces its new 'post-play' feature, which prompts the crew to request a sleep detection feature. While a Kinect-type solution may seem invasive, it would be great for knowing when you konk out so it could stop episode playback. You won't be catching any Zs during this show, however, with Q4 updates on major manufacturers, discussion about the upcoming Super Bowl and the Fantasy Football league results. So hop on down to the streaming links below to catch the latest episode of the Engadget HD Podcast. Hosts: Richard Lawler, Ben Drawbaugh Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
New Microsoft app brings recipes and grocery lists to your Windows Phone
The Bing Food & Drink app for Windows 8.1 is handy if you need to look up a recipe on your PC, but what if you're searching for ingredients at the store? Never fear, as Microsoft has quietly released a beta Windows Phone version of its culinary software. Much like its desktop counterpart, the mobile port will let you both search for great meals and create grocery lists. Microsoft makes full use of its own platform by syncing selections with the desktop app, putting a Live Tile on the home screen and making it easy to share favorites. Lumia-toting amateur chefs will want to grab the app today from the Windows Store.
Samsung's Galaxy Grand Neo melds ultra-basic specs with a mid-size screen
Let's say you like the idea of a big-screened Samsung smartphone, but even the Galaxy Grand 2 is too rich for your blood. Are you stuck? Not at all -- the company has quietly released the Galaxy Grand Neo, a more frugal take on an already cheap handset. The new device keeps the Grand 2's quad-core 1.2GHz processor and 8GB of expandable storage, but scales down to a 5-inch 800 x 480 display, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a VGA front shooter. Few will be blown away by the hardware, then, although there is a healthy 2,100mAh battery inside. Let's just hope that the pricing becomes more competitive. As of this writing, the Grand Neo sells for a relatively high €260 ($355) after tax in the Netherlands; we can think of a few smartphones that offer considerably more for your money.
This iPhone case lets you answer calls while it's closed
Both LG and Samsung have phone cases that let you take calls without exposing your screen to the elements, but what if you have an iPhone? As of today, you can check out Moshi's SenseCover. The iPhone 5 and 5s flip case includes both a preview window as well as a touch strip that lets you answer the phone or silence alarms while the device remains safe. It's not the cheapest design at $45, but it may be worthwhile if you'd rather not risk a shattered display just to start a conversation.
Engadget Eurocast 052 - 1.24.14
Whether you own a Hudl tablet or not, if you're anything like Dan and Sharif, you're keeping it real and doing your shopping at Tesco's. Jamie, always the rebel, actually prefers the overpriced petrol station one on his corner. Amidst the other topics under discussion this week, one question stands out: Got wood? If you're a Moto X fan in the UK, the answer will most certainly be no -- at least not on your phone anytime soon. The team is lively, refreshed and in good form, so do yourself a favor and take a listen to this week's episode the Engadget Eurocast. Hosts: Dan Cooper, Jamie Rigg, Sharif Sakr Producer: Jon Turi Hear the Podcast:
Engadget HD Podcast 382 - 1.22.14
It's that time of year again, CES is fading from memory, football season is wrapping up and Ben is tempted to cut the cable cord with less of his favorite sports programming on the air. The lull in pigskin-based TV probably doesn't have much to do with reports of declining subscribers for premium channels, but with content like Netflix's oscar-nominated documentary The Square, streaming services are proving to be tough competition. All this and more is packed into this week's episode; simply head to the streaming links below for another edition of the Engadget HD Podcast. Hosts: Richard Lawler, Ben Drawbaugh Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
Verizon plan lets you send unlimited international texts for $5 per month
If you like to text friends and family overseas, you know that it can be expensive -- US carriers frequently charge either per text or for blocks of messages that aren't always enough. Pricing won't be a problem if you sign up for Verizon's new World Messaging Unlimited plan, though. As the name implies, the $5 add-on lets you send as many messages as you like to most countries. It also drops the per-minute voice rates to a penny when calling Canada or Mexico, and 5 cents for the rest of the Americas. Verizon describes the unlimited plan as a promotional offer; while there isn't a clear expiry date, we'd suggest acting quickly if you want to chat with the rest of the planet.
Meizu teases three MX4G smartphones with giant screens
Meizu clearly isn't content to rest on its laurels. Just a few months after the MX3 first reached Chinese shops, the company's Jack Wong has teased a full range of MX4G smartphones that includes Mini, Uni and Pro variants. Wong isn't going into great detail at this early stage, but these will not be tiny devices -- even the Mini should have a screen that's at least five inches across, and he has already hinted that one or more variants will use a 5.5-inch, 2,560 x 1,536 display. The MX4G series may not ship for a long while; Meizu tends to launch flagships later in the year. Even if that's true, we suspect that many will like knowing what to expect so far in advance.
Beats Music to reach Windows Phone listeners on January 24th
Beats Music launched with a lot of fanfare today, but you may have noticed that its promised Windows Phone client is missing. What happened? As it turns out, the app is just fashionably late -- Beats' Ian Rogers says that the Windows Phone edition should be available on January 24th. That's unfortunate for Lumia-toting listeners who wanted to try Beats Music on day one, but there's no shortage of alternative services to use in the meantime.
Verizon adds 250MB Share Everything plan for the extra-thrifty
Verizon's Share Everything plans may be convenient for multi-phone households, but they're not cheap -- even the 500MB tier can be pricey for those who don't need much data. To that end, the carrier is introducing a $20, 250MB shared data plan on January 21st. The new offering shaves about $20 off the base rate, and lets a single smartphone owner pay as little as $60 per month for full service; a customer with a basic phone pays $50 per month. With that said, the plan isn't exactly the bargain of the century. AT&T offers a slightly better 300MB for the same money, and 250MB is likely to run out quickly if there's at least one smartphone in the mix. It may be worth investigating what Sprint and T-Mobile have to offer if you want more data without paying a lot more for the privilege.
Paramount now releases movies only in digital form
While it's no secret that film-based movie distribution won't last much longer in the US, the big Hollywood studios haven't officially completed their transition to digital. However, one of them may have quietly made that leap -- sources for the LA Times claim that Paramount is the first large studio to send its major movies (not just smaller flicks) to American theaters solely in digital form. Anchorman 2 was reportedly the company's last high-profile analog release, while The Wolf of Wall Street was the first to go all-digital. Paramount hasn't commented on the apparent leak. If the report is accurate, though, the 8 percent of US theaters without digital equipment now have little choice but to upgrade if they want to offer the same selection as most of their peers.
Better late than never, Path arrives on Windows Phone
Path for Windows Phone has had an unusually long development cycle for a mobile app -- we first saw it at a Nokia event in July, and the rest of 2013 came and went without a release. Still, fans of the smaller-scale social network will be glad to know that a Path beta is at last available in the Windows Phone Store. The software mirrors much of the functionality seen in the Android and iOS versions, including private sharing, although it also takes advantage of Nokia's imaging software and provides 50 unique photo filters. No, Path isn't as exciting as Instagram or Vine, but we doubt that Windows Phone owners will mind getting another well-known app on their platform of choice.
Engadget HD Podcast 381 - 1.16.14
As the dust settles on the Las Vegas Convention Center, Richard and Ben regroup to take a brief look at the highlights from CES, but for the most part, there's still fresh HD news to discuss. There's been a storm brewing over at DirectTV and if you're a subscriber, you'll have to hear about it on a brand new channel, assuming you get your weather updates on TV. Netflix's Lilyhammer nabs a third season and Ben has finally come around to John Fusco's latest creation -- let's just hope it has more staying power than Young Guns II. We've got a great episode here, so find some time and dig into another informative episode of the Engadget HD Podcast. Hosts: Richard Lawler, Ben Drawbaugh Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast: