Archive for November, 2010

NHL GameCenter streaming coming to Roku and PS3

Posted in PS3 by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

The NHL has just announced its GameCenter streaming app is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Roku players. It’s free for PlayStation Plus members, while it will cost $9.99 for everyone else. It is free on Roku. Gamers will have access to the app with highlights, stats and information, while subscribers to the $169 GameCenter Live service will get the full package, which includes streaming out-of-market games and some playoff matchups.

It’s a lot like the MLB app that’s available on PS3. Hockey fans will want to check it out right away and see what all the fuss is about.

Moto Citrus for Verizon to ship tomorrow for $50

Posted in Mobile Phones by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

Are you a Verizon subscribers looking to pick up a budget Android phone? If so, we have some good news. Verizon has released the details of the Motorola Citrus. The phone will only cost $50 after a $100 rebate and a two-year contract.

The Citrus ships with the standard MotoBLUR UI on top of Android 2.1 and offers Swype keyboard input. One downside is that Bing search is forced on users. Some other features include a capacitive touchscreen display, 3-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, and the backside trackpad.

Google employees get 10 percent raise in 2011

Posted in Google by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

As if it wasn’t already great to work for Google, the company has announced that they will be offering their employees a 10% pay increase starting in 2011. CEO Eric Schmidt said in his email to over 23,000 employees, that the raise is in addition to a $1,000 holiday bonus.

One reason for their generosity is to help prevent their talented employees from going to other companies. Last month, Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said that the Internet industry is waging a “war for talent,”. Looks like he was right.

Android share jumps to 25.5 percent

Posted in Android by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

According to Gartner’s third quarter smartphone data, Android has a 25.5% slice of worldwide smartphone sales, helping it achieve the second place as an operating system, right behind Symbian. Apple’s iOS dropped a bit compared to last year, with 16.6% this time.

Symbian is still at the top spot this year at 36.6%, but their position is being threatened. Global mobile phone sales totaled 417 million units in the third quarter of 2010, a 35 percent increase from the third quarter of 2009.

Coby Kyros Internet Touchscreen Tablet

Posted in Tablet PC by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

Coby is getting into the tablet market with the Kyros. This Android 2.1-powered device sports a 7-inch resistive touchscreen display, and will hook up to your HDTV via HDMI. The 4GB of internal memory is enhanced with an SD memory card slot for up to 32GB.

Other specs include an 800MHz ARM1176 processor, the Aldiko E-Book and AppsLib apps, for access to thousands of e-books and the ability to download and browse the AppsLib marketplace.

Griffin AirCurve Play amplifies the iPhone 4′s Volume without power

Posted in Griffin by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

Griffin’s original AirCurve, the amplifier that docks and increases the iPod/iPhone’s volume has now been updated for the iPhone 4 and it increases music by 10dB louder. It doesn’t sit the iPhone in the docked position, instead it just rests inside.

It also now has a metal kickstand for holding it vertically or horizontally. You’ll also be glad to know that the price hasn’t changed either as it will cost you just $20.

Sprint ZTE Peel turns your iPod Touch into a phone

Posted in iPod Touch by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

Ever want to turn your iPod Touch into a Pseudo iPhone? Sprint has the answer. And it’s expensive. The ZTE Peel is an iPod touch case with a built-in 3G hotspot. It costs $80, but only supports two devices at a time, and 1GB of data costs $30 per month.

For comparison, Sprint’s OverDrive with 4G service costs $50, and for $60 a month you get 5GB of data over 3G and unlimited 4G data. The other problem is that this also makes your skinny iPod touch fatter.

Elecom introduces its first Bluetooth 3.0 Laser Mouse

Posted in Mouse by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

The M-BT6BL Series is Elecom’s new Bluetooth 3.0 Laser mouse. We suppose it’s about as exciting as a regular old mouse can get.

If you like your mice compact, this one is only 74.3×52.3×33.4mm and weighs just 43g without batteries (2x AAA Batteries). The mouse comes with an 800/1600 DPI resolution and will be available starting next month in Japan for about $52.

Is Microsoft planning an ESPN branded Xbox 360?

Posted in Xbox 360 by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

We’ve seen lots of different branding on Xboxs, but it’s never been a close encounter of the ESPN kind. Well, until now. Engadget was sent this mockup of an ESPN Xbox 360, which the tipster found on a Microsoft PR server.

It could be just a failed concept, however given the fact that ESPN 3 is live on the Xbox 360 Fall 2010 Dashboard Update, it makes sense for the two companies to merge in such a way. We’ll just have to wait and see if this gets real.

Samsung Galaxy Tab now available at T-Mobile

Posted in Tablet PC by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

You’ve been waiting and drooling and now T-Mobile USA has opened up sales for Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 7-inch tablet. The tablet will cost you $399.99 with a two-year contract or $599.99 without a contract.

As far as data plans, T-Mobile is offering customers a $24.99 a month plan for 200MB of data, or $39.99 a month for 5GB. Both plans offer unlimited use of T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. You also get unlimited text messaging and MMS on both data plans.

Sony launches new VAIO Y notebook in Japan

Posted in Notebooks by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

Sony has decided to change the display size of its VAIO Y notebooks over in Japan. And they aren’t making them bigger. The company’s new VPCYA19FJ/B model sports an 11.6-inch display instead of the original 13.3-incher, though it still offers 1366 x 768 pixel resolution.

The downsized notebook will hit Japan on November 27th for an unknown price. Some specs include: A 1.33GHz Intel Core i3-380UM processor, 320GB hard drive, 2GB to 8GB of memory, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Gigabit Ethernet and an HDMI port.

iDesign 2-in-1 MicroSystem

Posted in iPod Accessories by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

The iDesign 2-in-1 MicroSystem for iPod and iPhone is a stylish dock for your i-device, featuring a sliding panel to protect it when docked. Interestingly, you can also play music CDs, but not DVDs.

If you want to watch your iPod or iPhone’s video on your TV or computer, just hook it up via a video out jack. The system can be mounted if you like and it also features an FM tuner with 30-station memory and built-in alarm clock.

Lovefilm now live on UK PlayStation 3 consoles

Posted in PS3 by Conner Flynn on November 10th, 2010

The PS3 really does do everything. It just got Hulu Plus in the US recently, and now the console has just started streaming movies action in the UK, with Lovefilm. If you are in the UK, it is free. You just have to have a £5.99 or above monthly Lovefilm subscription.

Just be aware that there’s a limit on how much streaming you can do at that price point. Those restrictions go away on the £9.99 top tier, letting you enjoy as many movies as you want.

YouTube Remote app released

Posted in YouTube by Conner Flynn on November 9th, 2010

Google TV’s YouTube Leanback may have just gotten better now that the YouTube Remote app has been released to the Android Market. Just sign into YouTube Leanback on the TV or PC and the app on the phone with the same account, then select a video on the phone and send it to the bigger screen. Pretty cool.

The application lets you control the entire YouTube LeanBack experience from your phone, without having to deal with whatever the physical remote came with your Google TV.

Bluetooth GPS Rearview Mirror

Posted in Automotive by Conner Flynn on November 9th, 2010

You might think that this clip on Bluetooth GPS Rearview Mirror might be a little dangerous, but when you think about it, it might be good to have a GPS navigation unit where you should be looking anyway. Of course the multi-tasking as you chat on your hands-free, while your GPS chats back might not be so great for your attention.

The device costs $104.13/£64.36. Just snap this thing in place and it replaces your normal rearview mirror with an all-in-one Bluetooth Rearview Mirror that has hands-free cell phone calling, built-in GPS navigation, and multimedia.