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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Apple TV restores in iTunes via micro-USB, UI hacked onto iPod touch (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/apple-tv-restores-in-itunes-via-micro-usb-ui-hacked-onto-ipod-t/

It sure didn't take long for the dev community to hack into Apple TV's iOS build. One of the first payouts is a port of Apple TV's "lowtide" 10-foot user interface to an iPod touch as briefly demonstrated in the first video after the break. While not very useful on such a small display, that could change when ported to the iPad's bigger 10-inch display. In fact, that might be Apple's plan according to our friend Erica Sadun who's been busily spelunking the Apple TV's disk image. She posits that the iPad could launch the lowtide UI when responding to AirPlay requests in a future iOS build.

Another minor victory was achieved by TUAW reader Arix who spliced the Apple TV's AirPlay daemon onto a jailbroken iPhone 3GS thus allowing it to receive AirPlay streams (second video). But the best news of all, perhaps, is the ability to restore the Apple TV in iTunes by connecting its micro-USB port to your computer. That means that existing PC- and Mac-based jailbreak tools can be updated to work over the connection. In fact, TinyUmbrella has already been updated to backup the Apple TV's SHSH blobs in order to preserve your ability to downgrade in the future. With 8GB of storage and 256MB of RAM to play with, we suspect this little media puck will become quite the developer playground, with or without Apple's consent.

Continue reading Apple TV restores in iTunes via micro-USB, UI hacked onto iPod touch (video)

Apple TV restores in iTunes via micro-USB, UI hacked onto iPod touch (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GoPro releases its budget-friendlier $179 HD Hero 960, teases 3D case for moneybags

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/gopro-releases-its-budget-friendlier-179-hd-hero-960-teases-3d/

GoPro releases its budget-friendly $179 HD Hero 960, teases 3D case for moneybags

It's been almost two months since GoPro announced it'd be releasing a cheaper helmet cam, the HD Hero 960, positioning it beneath the $299 and 1080p HD Hero we enjoyed last year and give those doing professional stunts on amateur budgets a chance to capture their glory. Now here it is, yours for the taking today -- if you don't mind a resolution capped at 1280 x 960 and a deleted "Hero Bus" expansion port, meaning no external displays or batteries. That port is what you'll need to use the company's next accessory, a dual camera mount shown off at Interbike (and pictured below) pairing two of the HD Heros to film in 3D. You'll need to manually stitch the resulting footage together, but there is at least a sync cable included so that the two start and stop at the same time -- something sadly lacking on the Tachyon XC 3D. That mount is set to retail for $99, but the requirement for dual $299 cameras will price this out of most budgets. However, the $179 MSRP on the HD Hero 960 makes it a compelling alternative to Contour's $220 720p ContourHD.

[Thanks, Jonathan]

Continue reading GoPro releases its budget-friendlier $179 HD Hero 960, teases 3D case for moneybags

GoPro releases its budget-friendlier $179 HD Hero 960, teases 3D case for moneybags originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: Samsung Continuum for Verizon has double the displays, double the fun

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/exclusive-samsung-continuum-for-verizon-has-double-the-displays/

The Fascinate's ride at the top of Sammy's Android lineup for Big Red might be a short one -- a very short one. Feast your eyes on this monster, said to be the rumored SCH-i400 Continuum, whose biggest claim to fame would be the addition of a secondary OLED display below the main. What might you use it for? Well, it's called the "Ticker," and it'll show notifications and RSS updates (and judging from that picture, weather conditions, too). Naturally, one of the selling points is that you can access basic phone functionality and information without having to fiddle with the normal UI or turn on that big, power-sapping primary display; in fact, the Ticker will automatically turn on when you grasp the bottom of the phone. The Continuum's also got a microSD slot on the side (accessible without a battery pull) and a dedicated camera button, and judging from one of the shots we've got, it might be Galaxy S-branded. Follow the break for a couple more shots!

Continue reading Exclusive: Samsung Continuum for Verizon has double the displays, double the fun

Exclusive: Samsung Continuum for Verizon has double the displays, double the fun originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA reaches settlement in class action suit affecting Apple, Dell, HP laptops

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/nvidia-reaches-settlement-in-class-action-suit-affecting-apple/

Some folks may have long forgotten about the issue by now, but anyone that was hit by those defective NVIDIA GPUs a couple of years back will likely want to take notice -- the company has finally reached a settlement in the class action lawsuit spurred on by the issue, and anyone with an affected Apple, Dell or HP laptop is eligible for some form of compensation. In the case of Apple and Dell laptops, that includes a replacement of the GPU or MCP, while users of an affected HP laptop will actually get a full replacement laptop "similar in kind and value." Anyone that has already paid to have their laptop repaired due to the GPU issue is also entitled to a full reimbursement provided they have the necessary documentation for the repairs. Even if you are covered, however, you'll still have to wait a bit longer to actually get any compensation -- a final hearing is scheduled for December 20th, and claims will only begin sometime after that. In the meantime, be sure to hit up the source link below for the complete details, including a list of all the models affected.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

NVIDIA reaches settlement in class action suit affecting Apple, Dell, HP laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CSL's $500 Spice Mi700 DroidPad runs Froyo, looks awfully familiar

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/csls-500-spice-mi700-droidpad-runs-froyo-looks-awfully-famili/

Seen this fellow before? Look closer. Seeing any similarities? For all intents and purposes, CSL's new Spice Mi700 DroidPad is just a rebadged Viewpad 7 / Camangi FM600, and given that CSL was also responsible for manufacturing the JooJoo, we'd say these guys know a thing or two about building a tablet. The device ships with Qualcomm's 600MHz MSM722, stock Android 2.2 (Froyo), the same nasty widgets that ship on FM600, a total lack of Flash support and no access to paid apps via the App Market. There's also a 3 megapixel camera on the rear, a VGA webcam on the front, WVGA capacitive touchpanel (7-inch), inbuilt WiFi / WWAN / Bluetooth, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's said to be available starting this month for $500, but early reviews aren't exactly giving it two thumbs up -- crank 'er down to $250 and we suspect those views will shift.

CSL's $500 Spice Mi700 DroidPad runs Froyo, looks awfully familiar originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple TV vs Roku HD... fight!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/apple-tv-vs-roku-hd-fight/

Two tiny black 720p boxes, two interesting choices. The $59 Roku HD will put Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and Roku's 75 other content channels on your TV quickly and easily, while the $99 Apple TV offers up iTunes rentals, Netflix, and eventually AirPlay streaming from your iPad or iPhone. (You could step up to the Roku XDS with 1080p support for $99, but we don't think the extra money will be really worth it until the USB playback channel is released and / or there's more useful 1080p content available.) It's a tough decision, so check out our Apple TV review or our Roku XDS review and just try to make up your mind. Then again, you could grab 'em both and still not break the bank.

Gallery: Apple TV vs Roku HD... fight!

Apple TV vs Roku HD... fight! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks Like the iPhone 3GS is Capable of Shooting HDR Photos [Apple]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5651845/looks-like-the-iphone-3gs-is-capable-of-shooting-hdr-photos

Looks Like the iPhone 3GS is Capable of Shooting HDR Photos Now that HDR photos (and video!) is the cool kids' latest documenting tool since Hipstamatic, iPhone 3GS owners have been feeling decidedly unhip without the app. It's almost enough for them to resort to film cameras again!

9to5Mac discovered that the SDK suggests that the 3GS actually has the power to shoot HDR photos, as evidenced by the "non-Retina display" icon above. Older models of iPhone are limited by hardware and are unable to take photos using this effect, so there's a good chance that Apple might fire up the high dynamic range switch at some point—if they feel generous. [9to5Mac]

Apple TV review (2010)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/apple-tv-review-2010/

You've been waiting, and it's finally here: the Apple TV review. Months before Steve Jobs announced the new set top box at Apple's annual fall event, we had been reporting on news that the company would strike out again into the TV market, offering a small, low-cost box that had more in common with the iPhone than the iMac. When those rumors came to fruition, we were presented with the completely revamped Apple TV -- a tiny black puck of a device priced at a staggering $99, and centered around a handful of completely new ideas (for the folks in Cupertino at least) about getting content onto your TV screen. The first is a new rental system which allows you to nab brand new TV shows at $0.99 a rental, and HD movies for $4.99 a go (or $3.99 for older titles). And that includes new releases the same day DVDs hit shelves (or Netflix distribution centers). Speaking of Netflix, the new Apple TV also features the rental service's "Watch Instantly" as a wholly integrated component of its offerings, alongside a new function the company calls AirPlay which will allow you to "push" video and audio content from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch with the tap of a button. On top of that, the new ATV streamlines sharing from your home computers or laptops, making getting content you own onto your TV dead simple. So, has Apple finally solved the "second box" problem, or are they still struggling to turn this hobby into a real business? Follow along after the break for those answers (and more) in our full review of the Apple TV!

Gallery: Apple TV review (2010)

Continue reading Apple TV review (2010)

Apple TV review (2010) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Six Android browsers enter the ring, only one reigns supreme

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/six-android-browsers-enter-the-ring-only-one-reigns-supreme/

Six Android browsers enter the ring, only one reigns supreme

Choice is a good thing, and Android users certainly have a lot of choices. Default launcher or Launcher Pro? Fancy animated live wallpaper or static picture of adorable puppies? Stock browser or alternative? It's that last question that has plagued so many, and to offer some guidance PC World pitted six of the Market's top choices against each other. The 2.1 and 2.2 stock browsers entered, along with Skyfire 2.0, Opera Mini, Dolphin HD, and Mozilla Fennec (the pre-beta release of what could bring Firefox to your phone). The winner? Well, you can see the ultimate speed results above, with SkyFire surprisingly trumping Opera Mini, though that one seemingly has 'em beat when it comes to repeat-visits. However, the full story when it comes to things like page rendering and Flash compatibility is naturally a good bit more complex. For those details you'll need to click on through.

[Thanks, Tim]

Six Android browsers enter the ring, only one reigns supreme originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QNAP intros 1080p-capable NMP-1000P network multimedia player

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/qnap-intros-1080p-capable-nmp-1000p-network-multimedia-player/

It's a minor refresh, but a refresh nonetheless. If you'll recall, we saw the original NMP-1000 break cover at CeBIT 2009, and now that we're 1.5 years in the future, the QNAP NMP-1000P is making its debut for those who crave 1080p. Judging from the exterior, little has changed from then until now, but the revamped innards may be of interest -- there's a Sigma Designs SMP8643 SoC, a 667MHz CPU with floating point processor, support for 1080/24p playback and WiFi integration if you spring for an optional adapter. You'll also get a revised user interface, local and internet-based content streaming and room for a user-supplied 3.5-inch SATA hard drive, not to mention compatibility with just about every file format under the sun. Mum's the word on pricing and availability, but we're guessing it'll be out on shelves somewhere prior to the holidays.

Continue reading QNAP intros 1080p-capable NMP-1000P network multimedia player

QNAP intros 1080p-capable NMP-1000P network multimedia player originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

CHART OF THE DAY: Can Apple Become The Most Valuable Company In The World? (AAPL, XOM)

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-market-cap-apple-exxon-2010-9

Apple could become the most valuable company in the world, but first it will have to gain $47 billion in market cap value versus Exxon.

Sounds daunting, but last November Apple's market cap was $79 billion less than Microsoft. Today it's $52 billion greater.

Of course, the growth of Apple's value can contribute to the decline in Microsoft's value. The two are rivals. What's good for Apple is bad for Microsoft.

Exxon, on the other hand, does not get hurt if Apple is doing well. For Apple to beat Exxon then, Exxon will have to tank on its own, and Apple will have to grow on its own.

What are the odds of it happening? Pretty good, actually.

For the year Exxon's stock is down approximately 10%, and famed hedge fund trader Jim Chanos is short Exxon's stock, thinking its due for a collapse. Meanwhile, analysts can't raise their price targets on Apple high enough.

chart of the day, market cap, apple, exxon, sept 2010

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Cisco's Telepresence Video Chat is Expected for Homes Next Week [Video Calling]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5650806/ciscos-telepresence-video-chat-is-expected-for-homes-next-week

We've been hearing for a while that Cisco was wanting to get down with Joe Blow on the street, so it's not at all surprising to hear that next week they're rumored to unveil a "cheap" home-telepresence product.

When we say cheap, we mean it won't cost much more than one of their Flip camcorders, at around $200 subsidized. AllThingsD is hearing that at a press event next Wednesday Cisco will launch the service with either Comcast or Verizon, and that the unsubsidized price might be around the $500 mark.

For years now Cisco has been demo-ing its telepresence technology, which has been available to businesses keen to video conference around the world.

There's an obvious desire for Cisco to get this technology into homes, but when Skype is already on many computers and TVs—for free—it will be a struggle to convince Mums and Dads they need to shell out a couple hundred notes for something that only really offers greater HD resolution.

Sitting in front of a TV and video-chatting sadly isn't that much of a unique angle for Cisco. [AllThingsD]

Chromium OS infiltrates iPad, makes itself comfortable

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/chromium-os-infiltrates-ipad-makes-itself-comfortable/

What is this madness we see before us? Hexxeh, he who provides your nightly Chromium builds, has dropped a small but perfectly formed bombshell by revealing that he's managed to install Google's nascent OS onto Apple's hotcake of a tablet, the iPad. He's evidenced this feat by tweeting from the liberated slate, though one of his outgoing missives includes the dire warning that he'll "dash your hopes later, there are a few catches." Well, at least that gives us a little time to fantasize about Appoogle synergies before those dream-destroying details are revealed in full.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Chromium OS infiltrates iPad, makes itself comfortable originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell launching 7-inch Android tablet in 'next few weeks,' 10-incher to follow a few months later

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/dell-launching-7-inch-tablet-in-next-few-weeks-10-incher-to-f/

Good news, folks. It's looking like the tablet pool will be enriched with another 7-inch contender, running Android, within only a few weeks. The Wall Street Journal cites Dell's Greater China President Amit Midha as saying that the 7-inch slate we witnessed Michael teasing a few short days ago will be with us "very, very soon." Reiterating earlier promises of a family of tablets, Midha claims there'll be "a whole slew" of new devices emerging from Dell's labs over the next 6 to 12 months, which will include 10-inch, 4-inch and 3-inch form factors. Android is confirmed as the OS on the 7-incher, but Windows will be making an appearance somewhere along the line as well. Plenty to look forward to, then.

Dell launching 7-inch Android tablet in 'next few weeks,' 10-incher to follow a few months later originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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