| Roku 2 boxes updated for Francophones and English speakers alike Apr 18th 2012, 20:27  The latest update for Roku 2 and LT boxes is rolling out to all now, bringing the boxes to v4.6 and reportedly improving system navigation performance "by up to 50 percent". As noticed by Zatz Not Funny when it first started leaking out, this version includes the French language support required by Roku's Canadian launch (that's the channel selection for Canada pictured above) this week, while the official blog notes several other fixes and tweaks that should make launching channels like Netflix and BBC iPlayer a more reliable experience. As usual, it should be pushed to every box over the next couple of days, but you can speed up the process by manually checking for an update. Have an older Roku player? Don't worry, Director of Product Management Tom Markworth closes telling owners to "stay tuned" for future updates coming their way as well. Roku 2 boxes updated for Francophones and English speakers alike originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink |  Roku | Email this | Comments | | Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update Apr 18th 2012, 20:09  The Windows Store, though still very much in the trial stage, is already growing -- and not just in terms of catalog size. At launch, alongside the consumer preview of Windows 8, the Store was only accepting submissions from devs in five different countries and had region specific markets to match. With the next preview release of its upcoming OS, though, Microsoft plans to expand that greatly. Soon enough 33 more nations will be open to submitting apps and the number of country-specific store fronts will jump from five to 26. And, while you'll still have to submit your apps in one of the 12 certification languages for approval purposes, entries will be accepted in 109 different tongues. This move will require some changes on the backend, of course, to scale globally. So, as part of that transition Microsoft has stopped accepting submissions for Consumer Preview apps. We can only hope the down time is short lived and the next version of the Windows Store (and possibly Windows 8) is hot on its heels. Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Windows Store for Developers | Email this | Comments | | Padcaster / Lenscaster lets you mount SLR lenses on iPad, we go hands-on at NAB (video) Apr 18th 2012, 19:50  Think people look ridiculous shooting stills or video with an iPad? Try throwing an SLR lens into the equation as well. Manhattan Edit Workshop founder Josh Apter developed the Padcaster as an inexpensive solution for mounting an Apple iPad on a tripod. And why would you want to do such a thing? With 1080p video capture, built-in LTE and a on-board editing suite, such a device makes for an excellent on-the-go all-in-one, letting you shoot, cut and transmit video with a single package. One major aspect of visual storytelling that the tablet doesn't excel at, however, is emphasizing details with blurred backgrounds, along with magnifying your subject with optical zoom. Enter the Lenscaster. This universal lens mount lets you use a standard 35mm adapter to attach any SLR optic to the iPad camera, enabling a small variety of hardware-driven optical effects, including shallow depth of field, manual focus and a zoom option that doesn't result in detail loss. Apter took the Padcaster and Lenscaster along on a demo shoot in New York City's Union Square, interviewing passersby with a Cinevate 35mm lens adapter, 85mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss lens and a Sennheiser MKH-60 shotgun mic, all mounted to a Padcaster-equipped new iPad. The mounting duo may note be visually appealing from a physical perspective, but the resulting footage does look convincing -- you can see it in full after the break. The Padcaster's aluminum frame even doubles as a DSLR cage, letting you assemble a pro rig complete with camera, lens, mic and lights after removing the urethane iPad insert. The designer is also working on an iPad insert, though the tablet-sized contraption may prove to be overkill when paired with a pocketable smartphone. The Padcaster will be available soon for "about $200," while the Lenscaster attachment should ship for an additional 60 bucks. You'll also need to factor in a magnification optic to compensate for the distance between the iPad and the lens, along with a 35mm adapter, both of which are not included. The device is also unable to take full advantage of the iPad's resolution, creating black borders around the image, which you'll notice in the sample video, positioned just below our hands-on video right after the break. Continue reading Padcaster / Lenscaster lets you mount SLR lenses on iPad, we go hands-on at NAB (video) Padcaster / Lenscaster lets you mount SLR lenses on iPad, we go hands-on at NAB (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Manhattan Edit Workshop | Email this | Comments | | HTC One S shows up on T-Mobile's site, reveals its $599 price (update: $200 on-contract at Best Buy) Apr 18th 2012, 19:24  We know T-Mo's got a special HTC One S event in the works for later today, but it seems like someone's a tad bit trigger happy and decided to out the handset ahead of time. Currently posing freely on the carrier's site, this "Gradiant Blue" flavor of the One S is showing a hefty $599 retail price, though surely will be lower with a subsidized deal in place. Aside from revealing how much damage it'll do if you take the no-contract route, T-Mobile's page is also listing the full set of features and specs packed within the One Series member. All the details should be officially unveiled soon, but until then you can head over to the source below, where you can add your name to the "Notify me" list if you plan on snatching one of these Sense 4-packing beasts. Update: Well, that didn't take long. The phone has now also turned up on Best Buy's website, where it's listed with a slightly lower $550 off-contract price or the usual $200 on a two-year term. Orders are expected to ship after April 25th.
[Thanks, Will] HTC One S shows up on T-Mobile's site, reveals its $599 price (update: $200 on-contract at Best Buy) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink  TmoNews | T-Mobile, Best Buy | Email this | Comments | | Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more Apr 18th 2012, 19:00  At the center of the revamped Google TV experience that rolled out last fall is its TV & Movies app, which is a blended guide of content currently airing live on TV and available for streaming from the popular internet services (Netflix, Amazon, HBO Go). As Product Manager Rishi Chandra mentioned when we caught up with him at CES, personalization is something Google will be focusing on going forward and that's shown in the updated app being pushed out today. When it's first opened, users will login and be asked to rate a few movies and shows so it can get a sense of their tastes to know what to present, Netflix-style. There's more information displayed up front too, with expanded descriptions, and details below each show so viewers can find out about the episode that's on more easily. For a few more details on what's new and refreshed, check after the break. Continue reading Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more Google TV's TV and Movies app gets to know you better with ratings, favorites and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Google TV Blog | Email this | Comments | | Verizon announces Global Data Plan, 100MB for $25 a month starting April 23rd Apr 18th 2012, 18:40  Need to take that Verizon smartphone with you on an upcoming overseas excursion? Well, now you no longer have to wonder just how harsh the roaming data rates will be on the ol' wallet. The carrier has announced its Global Data Plan that will launch on April 23rd, providing its customers with 100MB of data for $25 a month. Available in over 120 locales, the new roaming allotment will span all of Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. Of course, you'll need a global phone to take full advantage of the list of destinations. Once you use up your initial purchase, a text message will break the news that an additional 100MB has been added automatically and another $25 tacked on to your bill. If you happen to venture outside of this plan's included areas but remain within VZW's wider global coverage, you can expect pay-per-use rates of $0.02 for each KB downloaded. Looking for more details? Hit that PR button below before packing your bags. Continue reading Verizon announces Global Data Plan, 100MB for $25 a month starting April 23rd Verizon announces Global Data Plan, 100MB for $25 a month starting April 23rd originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | | Email this | Comments | |
