Thursday, May 31, 2012

Your 2 hourly digest for Engadget

Engadget
Engadget
The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game
May 30th 2012, 20:30

E3 is rapidly approaching, but why wait until then for some hot video game action? We've got a veritable electronic entertainment expo of Engadget Show goodness coming at you this month, including an interview with the directors of the award winning documentary, Indie Game: The Movie. We've also paid a visit to the Smithsonian to check out the museum's Art of the Video Game exhibit and took a look the insanely awesome Fifth Avenue Frogger arcade machine hack.

We've also got a look at the newly reborn Chinatown Fair arcade in Manhattan and E3 predictions with with Joystiq's Ben Gilbert. And, as always, we'll have the month's latest and greatest gadgets, including the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint, the HTC Evo 4G LTE, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 , the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 and two new iCade creations. Can you handle all of that? Good! Check out the video after the break.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: James Swirsky, Lisanne Pajot, Ben Gilbert and Tyler DeAngelo
Producer: Rob Samala
Director: Michelle Stahl
Executive Producers: Brian Heater, Joshua Fruhlinger and Michael Rubens

Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 033 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 033 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 033 (Small)

Subscribe to the Show:

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (MP4).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (MP4).
[RSS MP4] Add the Engadget Show feed (MP4) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
[HD RSS] Get the Engadget Show delivered automatically in HD.
[iPad RSS] Get the Engadget Show in iPad-friendly adaptive format.

Continue reading The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game

The Engadget Show 33: Indie Game: The Movie, Fifth Avenue Frogger and The Art of the Video Game originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass
May 30th 2012, 20:12

Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass

Details on Google's Project Glass haven't been the easiest thing to come by since the wearable computing effort was announced earlier this year, but Google execs have been getting a bit more talkative and eager to give demonstrations as of late. You can now add product lead Steve Lee to that list, who's given a fairly wide-ranging interview to Fast Company on the project's origins and its future. Not surprisingly, he confirmed that the early prototypes were a fair bit bulkier -- starting a laptop in a backpack -- and that even the current prototypes are still "very early," although they do handle more than just photos (he gives Maps as one example). Lee does see photo-taking as a "key aspect" to the device, though.

He also cast some doubt on initial reports that the devices would be available this year for between $250 and $600, saying that would be "pretty aggressive timing," but he also noted that he "wouldn't be on this project if it was like a five-year endeavor." As for the future, he says that contact lenses with the technology is a natural evolution but a definite "long-term thing," and that a nearer term goal is to "serve everyone and make this is a universal device," adding that they've "prototyped lots of different form factors to accommodate all those folks." All of that comes just from the first part of a two-part interview, though -- the rest is promised later this week.

Google's Steve Lee talks about the history and future of Project Glass originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 16:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFast Company  | Email this | Comments

Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth
May 30th 2012, 19:57

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/apple-i-sothebys-auction/

Attention Apple lovers: here's your chance to get your hands on an original piece of company history, but the past has proven that you better have a lot of extra cash lying around. Sotheby's auction house is offering a working Apple I computer, which is the original design that was built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak back in 1976 -- by hand. It's expected to fetch between $140,000 - 180,000, and those dollars buy you a mobo, cassette interface and the original BASIC manual to get you programming partying like it's 1979. This isn't the first Apple I to hit the auction block, but with only 200 of the things in existence, the winning bidder will join the upper echelon of Apple enthusiasts. So, if you've got cash to burn and fancy yourself the ultimate fanboy, head on down to the source link for the full details.

Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Luxury Launches  |  sourceSotheby's  | Email this | Comments

China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly
May 30th 2012, 19:41

Image

Apple's current iPad is already cleared for China in WiFi trim, but those of us who've wanted to roam through Kunming on care-free 3G haven't had any officially approved choices. That's ending soon, as the Chinese government just gave the cellular version (A1430) the all-clear. Like in most parts of the world, Apple's slate won't use LTE given the lack of any established network in the area; HSPA's as good as it will get. The clearance is slightly odd given that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce is leaning in Proview's direction when it comes to iPad trademark ownership. With the iPad still legally available in the country, though, it's safe to say that official 3G iPad carrier China Unicom is happy to prepare for a rush of customers who want to buy a cellular iPad without using the zipline delivery method.

China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Engadget China  |  sourceTENAA, WSJ  | Email this | Comments

PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)
May 30th 2012, 19:29

Image

PayPal's mobile payments have been on a whirlwind American tour this year, but they haven't had a chance to cross the border so far. Someone must have finally stamped the company's passport, since it's now an option for UK residents to pay using the InStore app for Android or iOS. A trio of fashion outlets -- Coast, Oasis and Warehouse -- can soon scan an on-screen barcode to take payment for that posh new shirt instead of requiring ye olde wallet. As it is in the US, there's no need for any NFC magic or even an Internet connection to clinch the deal, and there's still the same access to discounts and refunds as for paper- and plastic-wielding buyers. A total of 230 shops will take your PayPal credit starting May 31st, although they won't stop your potential fashion mistakes.

Continue reading PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video)

PayPal mobile payments hit the UK, filling your closet just went wireless (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePayPal InStore  | Email this | Comments

Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing
May 30th 2012, 19:24

Aaron Sorkin at D10

You don't have to look far to get a grasp on who Aaron Sorkin is -- he wrote A Few Good Men, The American President, The West Wing, Moneyball and The Social Network, for starters -- and he showed up at D10 to talk creative media, how the digital age impacts his writing and his impending movie about late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. While not involving hard technology news, the interview was exceedingly refreshing, and it delved deep into the world of tech as it impacts his upcoming show about a fictional newsroom (The Newsroom on HBO). The highlights included a frank quote that whoever ends up playing Jobs in his movie -- not to be confused with the one already in production with Ashton Kutcher -- will have to be "good, and intelligent." He also confessed to being fully engaged in the "three screens" movement, but wasn't too prideful to admit that he taps into the brain of his 11-year old daughter for lots of technological help. Pretty wild for a guy that many would label "genius." For more from the interview, head on past the break.

Continue reading Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing

Aaron Sorkin talks about future Steve Jobs movie, impact of technology on his writing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration
May 30th 2012, 19:16

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration

Oh, we know you've been waiting for this one. Earlier today, Archos announced its kid-friendly Child Pad tablet is finally up for grabs -- which was bound to happen after having passed the FCC's meticulous inspection. In case your brain needs a quick refresh, those $129.99 get your little ones a 7-inch, 800 x 480 screen, Android 4.0, an unpretentious 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of built-in storage (expandable by way of microSD). Obviously, kids are unlikely to focus on the specs side of things, so Archos has done a decent job of including pre-loaded tidbits such as apps, games and "exclusive" Alvin and the Chipmunk 3 content in order to keep them entertained. If you're feeling like this is the one for your child, then hit the source link below to get your order in.

Continue reading Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration

Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceArchos  | Email this | Comments

Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'
May 30th 2012, 19:01

Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'

More Zagat goodness from our friends at Google today. The restaurant guide's scores, summaries, reviews and ratings have "made their way" onto the Android version of Google Maps. Clicking Local in the "latest version of the app" brings up a list of local restaurants, searchable by category. You can also "check out reviews" and scores from folks in your Google+ circles and leave your own reviews. The Zagat-enabled version of the app is available now for $0. Check out a video "after the break."

Continue reading Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings'

Google Maps 'Android app' gets Zagat 'reviews and ratings' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid Life  |  sourceGoogle Play  | Email this | Comments

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of Android 4.0 for $349
May 30th 2012, 18:46

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109

Lenovo has offered few hints (if unsubtle ones) that the IdeaTab S2109 was on the way, but it's now in the US in earnest. As we saw early on, some of the Android 4.0 tablet's specs read like those of an iPad 2, down to the 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 IPS panel, 1.3-pound weight and ever so slightly thicker 8.9mm unibody shell. Lenovo is catering more to the movie-watching set, though: a four-speaker system and 1080p video over micro-HDMI make us see it as a couch-surfer's Netflix machine. We're a bit less enthused with the aging dual-core, 1GHz TI OMAP 4430 inside, but we won't complain about the $349 asking price. If the balance is appealing, both Lenovo and Office Depot will be ready to serve it up in early June.

Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 makes a splash Stateside, offers a lightweight slice of Android 4.0 for $349 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceLenovo  | Email this | Comments

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature
May 30th 2012, 18:33

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Mhyrvold

Intellectual Ventures' CEO and founder Nathan Myhrvold, who previously spent some 14 years at Microsoft Research, took the stage here at D10, and as predicted, his interview with Walt Mossberg was quite the invigorating one. You may know the man and his company for its vicious patent trolling -- or, what appears to be patent trolling. In essence, a lot of its business comes from acquiring patent portfolios, and then licensing and / or suing companies to "enforce" them. Naturally, Nathan has a radically different perspective than most sane individuals on the matter, insisting that the system isn't necessarily broken, and that "making money from enforcing patents is no more wrong than investing in preferred stock."

The talk centered predominantly around how Intellectual Ventures operates, what it does, and if its CEO feels that the "rat's nest of lawsuits" -- as Walt put it -- was getting out of control. Despite saying that his company has hundreds of people working on new inventions to help deliver medicines in Africa (in response to a question from the crowd on whether his outfit was truly helping people), he confessed that suing to enforce patents was simply another method of capitalism working. Care to take a ride on the crazy train? Head on past the break for a few choice quotes from the interview.

Continue reading Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature

Intellectual Ventures' Nathan Myhrvold defends patent trolling, calls tech industry immature originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 14:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions