Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Just an update on the broadcast flag controversy: NBC has copped to an “inadvertent mistake” in flagging the broadcast of American Gladiators as content prohibited from recording, while Microsoft stated it is only following the FCC’s rules, and “fully adheres to flags used by broadcasters″. This conveniently ignores the fact that there is no legal requirement for Windows Vista Media Center to recognize the broadcast flag and disable recording, but it does. Errant metadeta can and does happen, but for such a “feature” to be buried within one’s software unknowingly is troubling. Expect to hear more from the EFF and others questioning why Media Center unnecessarily turns parts of itself off at a broadcaster’s command, and rightly so. What’s most disturbing, and likely to go sadly without protest is that someone out there is actually watching, and trying to record for later, American Gladiators. The more you know indeed.

[Via Techdirt]

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Original post by Richard Lawler

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Heads up, Ṃ lovers, because Naptser launched its DRM-free music store today. As promised to throngs of fans, the historical pirate network has converted its entire music catalog of an impressive six million songs into MP3s to be sold at $.99 each or $9.95 for albums. Subscribers will remain in DRM land, however, so don’t go getting any crazy ideas.

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Original post by Joshua Fruhlinger

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Just like efforts to close the analog hole, our old friend the broadcast flag (don’t remember what that is and how it was defeated? Take a quick trip back to 2005 with us) has reared it’s ugly head again. Displaying the kind of tenacity rarely seen outside of horror movie villains and potential presidential candidates, some Vista Media Center users have apparently gotten the above popup while trying to record broadcast TV from NBC. Since the FCC regulation giving the broadcast flag it’s power to remotely disable your recording ability was overturned, not only should it not be enabled, there′s no reason the system should respond if it were. The EFF’s working with the makers of the HDHomeRun to find out why this happened at all (although it’s not the first time); whether it’s an honest mistake somewhere or if Microsoft slipped a bit of extra DRM into its latest OS.

[Via EFF]

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Original post by Richard Lawler

Filed under: Gaming

Now that the Dual Shock 3 is finally here, it looks like Sony’s finding creative way to dump off old SIXAXIS stock — like tossing ‘em in MG͂ Ṕ bundles. Japanese Ṕ buyers will be able to choose from three “Welcome Box” MG͂ bundles in Satin Silver, Ceramic White, and Clear Black, and in addition to Snake’s latest adventure and a Dual Shock 3, they’ll find a SIXAXIS inside. The bundles will cost ¥49,800 ($470), compared to ¥51,800 ($492) for the gunmetal gray bundle that doesn’t include the extra controller, so basically Sony’s giving Japanese buyers $20 to take a SIXAXIS home. That’s quite a deal, but honestly, we’d rather take drop the Jackson on that super-hot gunmetal unit home than have another (obsolete) controller lying around.

[Via Joystiq]

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Original post by Nilay Patel

Filed under: Gaming

Oh great lorf of the mighty rumble, the DualShock 3 has finally been spotted on US retailer soil. The one above caught the attention of Stephen at a Maryland Circuit City. Now best get on the horn with your local big box, no telling how long supplies will last.

[Thanks, Stephen B.]

 

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Oh my. Look at what Lenovo is cooking up with the help of Intel’s newest Atom processor. Unveiled at Intel’s IDF in Shanghai, the new Ideapad U8 device features a 4.8-inch touchscreen display and bullseye, optical mouse for (supposedly) one-handed operation while surfing the web over EDGE or 3G data — presumably China’s TD-SCDMA. The device also features “Live GPS,” hand writing recognition, and support for MS Office applications. We’re guessing it’ll also make a phone call or two with that 12-key numeric pad. And with Intel calling this a MID, don’t expect to see a Microsoft OS riding that Atom, this pup’s looking Linux to the bone. Check the video after the break.

[Via UMPC Portal]

Continue reading Video: Lenovo’s Ideapad U8 MID teases with Intel’s Atom

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/Breaking_Microsoft_Surface_launching_April_17th_with_AT_T’; No, Microsoft hasn’t suddenly transformed its 30-inch, multi-touch Surface into a big-ass cellphone. It has, however, chosen AT&T to launch the world’s first Surface into retail. Shoppers in New York, Atlanta, San Antonio, and San Francisco will be treated to what amounts to the novelty (at least initially) of learning about a device (Samsung BlackJack II, pictured) by simply placing it atop the Surface. They′ll also have the ability to explore interactive coverage maps. Later, users will be able to drag ringtones, graphics and video and drop it into “the phones.” Note their use of “the” and not “your″ phone in the press release. Nevertheless, we’re happy to see Microsoft get the technology out the door on its long march towards consumerdom.

Update: Interestingly enough, AT&T’s flagship iPhone will not be one of the first phones demonstrated on Surface. Perhaps AT&T / Microsoft worry about a multi-touch collision creating consumer strangelets.

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Laptops, Wireless

Not too long ago, we gave you loyal Cloudbook owners a chance to voice your opinion on how you’d change things. Fast forward a few weeks, and take a gander at what Everex has put together. Debuting today at CTIA 2008, the Cloudbook MAX not only boasts an 8.9-inch WVGA (1,024 x 600) display, Windows Vista, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated GPS receiver, 2-megapixel webcam and a battery good for four hours, but it also features an 80GB HDD, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, audio in / out and an S-Video output. Beyond all that, this thing gets energized by a 1.6GHz VIA C7-M ULV processor coupled with the V𕫠 digital media IGP chipset, which touts full DirectX 9 support and video acceleration for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DivX video formats (plus a VMR-capable HD video processor, among other things). Lastly, the unit includes built-in support for Sprint’s XOHM WiMAX network. Brimming with excitement yet? Start stocking that piggy bank — this currently unpriced rig will be available in the latter half of this year across North America.

Read - VIA and Everex demonstrate Cloudbook MAX at CTIA
Read - VIA V𕫠 Series Chipset

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Tablet PCs, Wireless

Right on cue, Nokia’s WiMAX-enabled 𓏚 Internet Tablet has surfaced at CTIA 2008, and yep, this critter is destined to go on sale here in the US of A this summer. Beyond that, you’ll notice the familiar 4.13-inch touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard and even a built-in webcam for video calls, Mozilla-powered browser, integrated GPS / media player, 2GB of internal memory and a microSD expansion slot. Heck, Nokia even touts this thing’s ability to “access the Internet over WiFi or via conventional cellular data networks by pairing to a compatible mobile phone via Bluetooth technology.” Also announced today is the freshly updated OS2008, which includes an enhanced e-mail client, support for Chinese character rendering in the browser and RSS feeds and “Seamless Software Update functionality” to boot. Needless to say, said OS will come standard on the currently unpriced Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition — which is scheduled to land wherever WiMAX connectivity is available — but existing N810 / N800 owners will also get the OS upgrade free of charge in Q2.

 

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Though it’s been circulating through the user community (and a Sony Ericsson lab or two) for a little while now, Windows Mobile 6.1 had never gotten officially official in its own right — until now. Microsoft has taken the wraps off the latest rendition of its mobile platform at CTIA today, a small step on the path to Windows Mobile 7 that’ll provide Microsoft-based smartphones with a breath of fresh air starting later this year. The changes are expectedly minor as 0.1 releases tend to be, offering a new Getting Started Center to ease the process of setting up a new device, home screen tweaks, and — finally — true, native threaded SMS.

Additionally, Microsoft has announced that a phalanx of carriers and manufacturers have thrown their support behind upgrading devices that are already in the marketplace, which is exactly what we were hoping to hear. Everything from the Pantech Duo, to the AT&T Tilt, to the Sprint Mogul is getting 6.1 love beginning this quarter of the year — though exact dates haven’t been announced. Follow the break for the full list of devices on the upgrade list or have a peep at our 6.1 gallery over on Engadget Mobile!

Continue reading Microsoft announces Windows Mobile 6.1, device upgrades

 

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Original post by Chris Ziegler

Filed under: Gaming

Ok, here we go again. Despite Microsoft’s attempt to quash Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumors, they’re back… with a vengeance. According to “industry sources″ speaking to DigiTimes, Lite-On is developing built-in Blu-ray Disc drives for the “next generation” Xbox 360 game console. Lite-On is expected to begin shipping the new BD players for assembly in the second half of 2008. DigiTimes also claims that the new, presumably smaller Xbox 360 will reduce the power supply from 210-watts to 170-watts. So… care to comment, Microsoft?

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Cellphones

Just in case you missed it, the Verizon XV6900, Motorola Q9c, and LG enV(2) are all finally launched on Verizon. Head on over to Engadget Mobile for the full details.

 

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Cellphones

We’d normally chalk this kind of thing up as an April Fool’s day joke, but we’re hearing it’s real: the long standing bastions of iPhone hacking, the iPhone Dev Team, posted a note to their site stating that “[today] the DevTeam was approached by an unnamed party to sell all of the intellectual property and related applications. After much consideration [what, hours?] the offer was accepted and the [Dev Team] has ceased.” Funny thing about the hacker community though, take one down and 10 more spring up to take their place. (We’re sure the iPhone Elite team is having quite a day.) Developing…

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

 

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Cellphones

#comparechart { border: 2px solid #333; border-collapse: collapse; } #comparechart td { padding: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; vertical-align: top; margin: 0; line-height: 1.3em; } #comparechart th { font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 4px; background: #eee; } #comparechart th.mainth { border-bottom: 1px solid #333; font-size: 1.2em; } #comparechart td.red { background-color: #f08c85; } #comparechart td.green { background-color: #ϗe2c4; So last week Deutsche Telekom, owners of the global T-Mobile brand, sent Engadget a late birthday present: a hand-delivered letter from their German legal department requesting the prompt discontinuation of the use of the color magenta on Engadget Mobile. Yep, seriously.

Granted, we get nastygrams from angry tech companies practically every day, but rarely regarding anything that’s not some piece of news we published that they’re livid about having out in the open. And irony of ironies, this whole use-of-magenta thing is precisely the topic we took up last year on behalf of DT.

We spoke with David Beigie, vice president of corporate communications for T-Mobile US, who offered: “As a trademark owner, from time to time Deutsche Telekom looks at usage that could lead to confusion in the marketplace. The letter sent by DT merely outlines these perspectives and is meant to simply open a dialogue. Engadget continues to pioneer forums for discussion of wireless industry developments and innovation. T-Mobile respects the role Engadget and its readers play in advancing dialog on these important topics.”

So in the interest of that open dialog we′ve posted Deutsche Telekom’s letter below (typo in the first word of the first sentence and all), as well as a handy guide to allay any confusion should you suddenly find yourself disoriented and trying to buy your next SideKick or MDA from Engadget Mobile.

P.S. -Not an early April Fool’s joke.

 

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Original post by Ryan Block

Filed under: Gaming

We haven’t heard much out of the Ṕ homebrew scene so far, which could be due to the console’s delayed popularity, or perhaps because Sony did users a solid out of the gate and included Linux. That said, there’s no stopping these hardcore homebrew types when they put their minds to something, and now Dragula96, a well known PSP hacker, has supposedly found an exploit on the PS3 that let him get a little Hello World proof of concept up and running. At the moment he’s not saying how he did it, but he does say the hack is working on 60GB and 40GB PS3s, running the current 2.20 firmware. Next on the agenda? Pong. Video is after the break.

[Thanks, Craig]

Continue reading Ṕ homebrew hack found, Hello World!

 

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Original post by Paul Miller