PayPal expands presence in US retail stores with new Discover partnership

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/paypal-expands-presence-in-us-retail-stores-with-new-discover-pa/

PayPal already has a partnership with MasterCard in place that lets you use its debit cards in stores, but the company has now expanded that retail presence even further with a new deal it's struck with Discover. Starting sometime next year, that arrangement will let PayPal customers use their charge cards at any of the 7 million retail locations that accept Discover cards, with funds drawn directly from their PayPal account. What's more, PayPal says that retailers won't have to make any hardware or software upgrades to accept the PayPal payments, noting that they'll simply have to let customers know of the new option with in-store signage. Of course, the deal also likely has implications beyond traditional plastic cards, as PayPal is now also pushing its mobile payments more than ever, not to mention its own triangular Square competitor. You can find the official announcement below.

Continue reading PayPal expands presence in US retail stores with new Discover partnership

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

PayPal expands presence in US retail stores with new Discover partnership originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AllThingsD  |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Facebook Messages gets retooled layout, improved search

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/facebook-messages-gets-retooled-layout-improved-search/

It looks like those who rely more on Facebook Messages than email these days will have a bit of adjusting to do. The company has just announced a new look for that key component of the social network, one that now sports a side-by-side layout and support for multiple inline images -- not to mention emoticons. It's also promising a number of other improvements that are less immediately evident, including the ability to search by a sender's name or keyword directly from the main messages view, and a number of new keyboard shortcuts.

Filed under: Internet

Facebook Messages gets retooled layout, improved search originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Facebook  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Padcaster SLR lens mount for iPad now available: priced at $149 or $189 for Lenscaster combo

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/the-padcaster-lenscaster-ipad-slr-lens-mount-now-available/

Those who were quite amused by the revelation of that Padcaster back at this year's NAB might want to start prepping their wallets, as the creator's announced it's now shipping the filmmaking iPad companion. Notably, during our first encounter with the Padcatser, we were told it'd be selling for "about $200" once it was released -- but, as it turns out, the SLR lens-mounting peripheral is being priced at a decent $149, while $40 more gets you the Padcaster / Lenscaster combo. That being said, it's also worth noting the company's dubbing this as a "special pricing" and for "a limited time only," with no word on when such promo will be running out. Either way, you can grab one now at the source link below, though it appears you'll have to wait between 2-4 weeks for it to show up at your lovely doorstep.

Continue reading Padcaster SLR lens mount for iPad now available: priced at $149 or $189 for Lenscaster combo

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals, Tablet PCs

Padcaster S! LR lens mount for iPad now available: priced at $149 or $189 for Lenscaster combo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MacNews  |  The Padcaster  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Boost Mobile to launch Samsung Galaxy S II 4G on September 6th for $360

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/boost-mobile-galaxy-s-ii-4g/

Boost Mobile is cranking out a trio of Samsung devices today, and the headliner is the Galaxy S II 4G. Essentially a prepaid version of Sprint's ever-popular Epic 4G Touch, the device will be all yours starting on September 6th for $360. As expected, it sports a 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos chipset, 8MP rear camera with 1080p video capture, 2MP front-facing cam, a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1,800mAh battery and WiMAX and EVDO rev A connectivity. Fortunately, it will run Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, and comes in both white and black options. Read on below for the full press release.

Gallery: Galaxy S II for Boost Mobile hands-on

Continue reading Boost Mobile to launch Samsung Galaxy S II 4G on September 6th for $360

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Boost Mobile to launch Samsung Galaxy S II 4G on September 6th for $360 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250, available for pre-order August 29th

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/virgin-mobile-reveals-samsung-galaxy-reverb/

In addition to the new Samsung smartphones for Boost Mobile, Sprint's other subsidiary, Virgin Mobile has also made a reveal for this fall with the Galaxy Reverb. Like its cousins, the phone offers Android 4.0, which is complemented by a 1.4GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera and a 4-inch touchscreen. Virgin Mobile's latest is set to hit stores in September for $250, but you can claim your place in line through the pre-order process, which is set to kick off on August 29th. We've already managed to grab some hands-on pics of the Galaxy Reverb, so if you're curious to see what's in store, be sure to hit up the gallery below.

Gallery: Samsung Reverb for Virgin Mobile hands-on

Filed under: Cellphones

Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250, available for pre-order August 29th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phone Scoop  |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Intel brings Medfield to Russia with the MegaFon Mint

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/intel-brings-medfield-to-russia-with-the-megafon-mint/

The Intel-powered mobile machine has been slowly picking up pace this year. Now, the chip-maker has signed up a new partner in the form of Russian operator MegaFon. So, it looks like we might see another (and we must say familiar looking) network-branded Android Medfield phone in the form of the MegaFon Mint. The spec-sheet, again, poses no surprises, with the same 1.6GHz Z2460 chip 1GB of RAM, 4-inch screen and 8-megapixel camera only further enhancing the sense of deja vu. What will be unique, however, is the price, which looks set at 17,990 Rubles (about $565), available from today.

Filed under: Cellphones

Intel brings Medfield to Russia with the MegaFon Mint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ! AllThingsD  |  MegaFon (Russian)  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/archos-101-xs-review/

More Info

• Archos outs G10 xs tablet line, readies Transformer Prime contenders
• Archos teases G10 xs with first press shot, vows launch in three weeks
• Archos 80 G9 review

Archos has had its hand in the slate game since the early days of "internet media tablets," and while its products don't have quite the same brand recognition as, say, Samsung's, we've found the French company's devices to be some of the best-value tablets available. Budget-minded prices and innovation don't usually go hand in hand, but in the case of its new 101 XS Android 4.0 tablet, Archos has a few tricks up its sleeve. The slate boasts a keyboard cover and kickstand, along with a magnetic hinge allowing the lid to attach to the display. Arriving in November for $400, the Archos 101 XS is a productivity-minded take on slates, complete with a full set of keys and a bundled copy of OfficeSuite Pro. Do the hardware and software add up to a killer combo? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Archos 101 XS review

Continue reading Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Archos 101 XS review: a tablet that puts the keyboard center stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Vizio Co-Star teardown supplies the tech specs we never had

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/vizio-co-star-teardown-supplies-the-tech-specs-we-never-had/

Vizio's Co-Star Google TV hub has been public knowledge for more than half of 2012, but it might as well have been a black box as far as its internals were concerned. It's mostly been a mystery beyond the acknowledgment of a Marvell ARM chip inside. The teardown gurus at iFixit certainly weren't content to let that riddle go unanswered. Their exploration of the box shows that Vizio is very much clinging to the initial Marvell vision of using a dual-core, 1.2GHz Armada 1500 to handle 1080p video at that $100 price -- albeit with just 4GB of flash to store everything the Android OS demands. What may interest hobbyists is simply the accessibility of the set-top box: just about every board and component comes out easily, which could lead to some cheaper DIY surgery. The full parts list is waiting at the source if knowing how your Google TV box operates is as important as catching up on Netflix.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Vizio Co-Star teardown supplies the tech specs we never had originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  iFixit  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

This Nifty App Lets Consumers Scan Bar Codes To See Product Reviews

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/this-nifty-app-lets-consumers-scan-bar-codes-to-see-product-reviews-2012-8

Consumr is a clever new app that lets shoppers find product reviews by scanning an item's barcode. Even better, it might help them save money. 

On the mobile site, items are ranked from one to five stars, and users sound off on every aspect of a product from its flavor to price. 

People scan items for reviews, view an Instagram-like feed of reviews on Discover, or browse categories like grocery and personal care via Search. It's like Pinterest with the crowdsourcing of Yelp. 

"It's about bringing your friends into the conversation," said CEO Ryan Charles of the outsourced reviews. "On Facebook, any friends can see what products you like, and you can follow users to help facilitate that decision-making process. It's like a Wikipedia of products." 

For shoppers prone to buying things they regret, the app is also useful for dodging buyer's remorse. 

"I realized that shopping at grocery and drugstores is really a tough experience, and since most purchases happen at bricks-and-mortars, I wanted to give people information about these consumer products," Charles said.

The CEO, who worked on Zagat's mobile apps before Consumr, got the idea for the app after hearing his sister gripe about buying leaky diapers. To broaden the user experience—and help others avoid horror stories like hers—he added tabs like Alternatives and Nutrition, so people can see more than reviews and see whether a product fits their lifestyle.

The app does have some dow! nsides: It lacks key categories like pets, generic groceries and school supplies, and could do more in the way of price comparison, though prices tend to vary from state to state.

Consumr might also want to restructure its Experts feed since its hard to tell an expert from an average joe review. Since discovery is Consumr's strongest selling point so far, shoppers will want an easier way to curate their feed, and at the moment there's no clear way to go about it. 

Price: Free on iTunes 

DON'T MISS: Reddit users share 25 ways to make your life easier > 

Please follow Your Money on Twitter and Facebook.

Join the conversation about this story »

Read More...

Summary only...

Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/nikon-coolpix-s800c-android-camera-pricing-ship-date-details/

It's here: the first Android-powered camera, and it's one that you'd actually consider buying. Nikon's $349.95 Coolpix S800c is nearly as slim as a smartphone from the middle of last decade, boasting inbuilt GPS (you know, for excessive geotagging), a 10x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 3.5-inch OLED WVGA touchscreen, a 1080p movie capture mode and Android 2.3. That's right -- there's a bona fide copy of Android running the show on a point-and-shoot camera, something that it seems Nikon beat Samsung to the punch with. Put simply, it possesses the ability to generate its own network and tether with your phone, and users can also download photo sharing applications directly onto the cam's 4GB of internal storage. Needless to say, we're anxiously awaiting our chance to see how Android handles on a camera (and how it impacts battery life), and you can find out yourself when it hits shelves in black / white motifs next month.

Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S800c photo gallery

Continue reading Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Nikon's Coolpix S800c: an Android-powered point-and-shoot camera for $350 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Nikon  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/lg-4k-84-inch-uhdtv/

Just in time to completely blow away that puny flat screen you nabbed for your dorm room, LG has announced its 84-inch ultra high definition LCD TV is ready to ship in South Korea. The company put its first UHDTV up for pre-ordering last month, at a price of 25 million won, which currently converts to about $22,105 US. The 84LM9600 does 3D with LG's Cinema 3D passive glasses technology, however its ultra high pixel count means you're still watching in 1080p even with the resolution loss since it starts at 3,840 x 2,160, and also features "3D sound" with integrated 2.2 channel speakers.

The bad news of course is that finding actual 4K res content is practically impossible, despite recent work on standards and even some testing by broadcasters. Still, plug this into a BDP-S790 Blu-ray player, certain PS3 apps or just output the latest video you've shot and it should be worth the price of admission, assuming you're one of the (presumably) well-heeled Korean VIP customers that managed to snag one so far. If you're not then don't worry -- the press release (included after the break) reveals you'll have your chance once they start shipping worldwide in September, we plan to get our eyes on a production model at IFA 2012 in Germany.

Continue reading 4K, 84-inch 'ultra' ! HDTV fro m LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment

4K, 84-inch 'ultra' HDTV from LG is ready to start shipping now in Korea, worldwide next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  LG Korea  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/gonote-10-inch-hybrid-netbook-tablet-bringing-ice-cream-sandwi/

Ergo Electronics, the company behind the GoTab, is looking to help bring Android to UK classrooms in the form of the GoNote, a combo tablet / netbook running Ice Cream Sandwich. The device has a 10-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 1.2GHz ARM Rockchip RK2918, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, expandable via a MicroSD slot. Aimed at students, the GoNote also has four USB 2.0 ports and a VGA camera on-board. It'll be hitting in the UK in September for £150 ($236) in black and white options. More info in the press release after the break.

Continue reading GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month

GoNote 10-inch hybrid netbook / tablet bringing Ice Cream Sandwich to UK classrooms next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Ergo Electronics  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/facebook-mention-tagging-open-graph/

Facebook has given developers that link to the social network with Open Graph a new way let let users play tag with their friends -- while also increasing exposure to their app. It's called mention tagging, and allows a user to link a friend in the text body of a message, and is not to be confused with action tagging, an existing feature which references friends only in story text. The option requires a deliberate action by the user, so the developer must implement a way to clearly show how to do that with an icon (as shown above for Foursquare) or drop-down menu, for instance. Apps must also distinguish between action and mention tags, and are not allowed to pre-fill them in the message -- that can only be done by the user. Though no privacy changes are needed, Facebook requires apps using the feature to request user approval before any action can be taken. All that would increase tagging and app visibility significantly -- so developers will likely be all over it.

Filed under: Internet

Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Facebook Developer Blog  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...

Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/22/pioneer-launches-rekordbox-mobile-app/

If you were twiddling your thumbs waiting for Pioneer's XDJ-AERO to come out, you might want to head on over to iTunes or the Play store instead. Why? Because the mobile rekordbox companion app for iOS and Android has just been released. If you were thinking it'd just be a basic music management tool, then you'll be pleasantly surprised. Sure, you can import tracks, to then play on the XDJ-AERO (and other Pioneer DJ products that support WiFi), but you can also set up loop points, hot cues, analyze tracks, create playlists, and even experiment with ideas on the fly. This means you can get your tracks prepped up wherever you are, and turn up to the party good to go, be it on your own gear or a friends'. This is also what you'll need if you want to make use of the forthcoming controller's WiFi functionality, although it can also be used to connect with the desktop version of the program if you're already using it. The app is free, and available now, just head down to the source to line those beats up.

Continue reading Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment

Pioneer launches rekordbox mobile app, prep your XDJ-AERO set ahead of time originally appeared! on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  iTunes, Google Play  | Email this | Comments

Read More...

Summary only...