Tired of the near-impossiblehassle of figuring out how to sideload web content onto his ereader, designer Ishac Bertran conceived of a UI design—inspired by spatially-aware objects such as Sifteo cubes—which would allow him to easily transfer content to devices. More »

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Continue reading IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor

IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew it'd be arriving on April 1st, but now we're actually longing for it. HBO has just released a half-minute teaser propping up the impending release of HBO GO on Xbox 360, and while it's available on a plethora of other platforms, being able to verbally command HBO (through Kinect, of course) to play your favorite shows just takes the enticement up another level. Care to see for yourself? Tap that video just after the jump.

Continue reading HBO GO teases vocal controls via Kinect, coming soon to Xbox 360 (video)

HBO GO teases vocal controls via Kinect, coming soon to Xbox 360 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company claims it devised a revolutionary water filtration system that turns ordinary Florida tap into the secret ingredient that flavors delicious New York bagels. But now an investor is suing the company saying it's all a lie. Oy vey. More »

Continue reading Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking (video)

Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're one of those worried about the battery on your expensive EV running out, look away now. Envia has unveiled a new cell that boasts a record-breaking energy density of 400Wh/kg (most currently offer between 100 and 150). It's estimated that when commercialized, this could bring the cost of a 300-mile range EV down to as little as $20,000. The performance gains come from a special manganese-rich cathode and silicon-carbon nano-composite anode combination. The battery maker is also partly owned by GM, which unsurprisingly means we're likely to see these very cells in its EVs in the future. Perhaps with the right choice of upholstery, we might see even better savings? Want to know more? Tap the fully charged press release parked just after the break.

Continue reading Envia's GM-backed battery delivers huge energy density, lower costs, headaches for competitors

Envia's GM-backed battery delivers huge energy density, lower costs, headaches for competitors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There was quite a stir sparked last week when it was revealed that Google was exploiting a loophole in a Apple's Safari browser to track users through web ads, and that has now prompted a response from Microsoft's Internet Explorer team, who unsurprisingly turned their attention to their own browser. In an official blog post today, they revealed that Google is indeed bypassing privacy settings in IE as well, although that's only part of the story (more on that later). As Microsoft explains at some length, Google took advantage of what it describes as a "nuance" in the P3P specification, which effectively allowed it to bypass a user's privacy settings and track them using cookies -- a different method than that used in the case of Safari, but one that ultimately has the same goal. Microsoft says it's contacted Google about the matter, but it's offering a solution of its own in the meantime. It'll require you to first upgrade to Internet Explorer 9 if you haven't already, then install a Tracking Protection List that will completely block any such attempts by Google -- details on can be found at the source link below.

As ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley notes, however, Google isn't the only company that was discovered to be taking advantage of the P3P loophole. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab say they alerted Microsoft to the vulnerability in 2010, and just two days ago the director of the lab, Lorrie Faith Cranor, wrote about about the issue again on the TAP blog (sponsored by Microsoft, incidentally), detailing how Facebook and others also skirt IE's ability to block cookies. Indeed, Facebook readily admits on its site does not have a P3P policy, explaining that the standard is "out of date and does not reflect technologies that are currently in use on the web," and that "most websites" also don't currently have P3P policies. On that matter, Microsoft said in a statement to Foley that the "IE team is looking into the reports about Facebook," but that it has "no additional information to share at this time."

Microsoft finds Google bypassed Internet Explorer's privacy settings too, but it's not alone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If flying around as a kitten with a jetpack, a "butterfly" kitten, or even a kitten wrapped with bacon as techno music plays is your idea of a good time, then Techno Kitten Adventure is the app you've been waiting for. This music game mashes the popular lolcats internet meme with techno music, creating one of the most addictive tap-rhythm games for techno fans looking for something a little… different. More »

Maingear has been tickling us with its gaming PCs for a while, and now it's adding some extra muscle to its catalog. The company's Titan 17 notebook is hitting the operating table for a processor transplant, the previous Intel i7-990X being swapped out for either the i7-3930K or i7-3960X. But what good is an internal update without some external flourish so folk know where you stand on the spec table? Maingear appreciates this, and that's why it's throwing a backlit keyboard into the mix. The souped-up Titan is up for pre-order now, with prices starting at $3,499. Tap the PR after the break for the full specs.

Continue reading Maingear's Titan 17 has a change of heart, keyboard

Maingear's Titan 17 has a change of heart, keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We already got a brief introduction to the Spark Linux-based tablet, but details were a little sparse. Since then, a few more key bits of info have been added to its Q&A page, which might help sway your purchasing decision. That KDE Plasma Active UI we knew it'd be sporting will stare out at you via a modest 800 x 480 screen, and there's a 1.3 megapixel snapper tucked in alongside for video calling. The 1GHz / 512 MB internals we initially reported remain unchanged and the two USB ports and 3.5mm audio jack we saw in the pre-release picture above also get the official seal. There's talk of GPS making it into the next iteration, but for now you'll have to find your own way. The main news, however, is that pre-orders are pegged for next week, and shipping set for May. The initial focus is on Europe, but plans for it to arrive in US retailers are apparently underway. If that's suitably tickled your fancy, head on over the break and tap the source for more info.

Spark Linux tablet specs updated, going up for pre-order next week originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew a snowed-out version of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus was on pace for a February release, and while we've still got a few weeks left, it looks as if one or two have slipped through the cracks. The fine folks over at HDBlog.it managed to get a hold of the prized possession, and for anyone who has managed to pass their eyes over the white Galaxy S II, there's not a lot to be shocked by. The bezel along the front remains black, but hey -- beggars can't be picky, right? Tap that source link for a gallery's worth of eye candy.

White Galaxy Nexus shows itself, plans an arctic vacation originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heard of Unnecto? Neither have we. But if you're oh-so-important enough to be toting around more than one phone on more than one carrier, you might want to stop, drop (some dough) and TAP -- as the company's latest smartphone is known. This sixth in a line of dual-SIM offerings is the outfit's first to offer touchscreen functionality and packs a quadband GSM radio that should make your globe- and frequency-hopping a little more efficient. No pricing or release details have yet been announced, but if you're really keen to wield this handset, you can just leave all of that tedious busywork to your office-locked assistant. Check the official presser after the break.

Continue reading Unnecto TAPs into dual-SIM market, lets you do double GSM duty with a touch

Unnecto TAPs into dual-SIM market, lets you do double GSM duty with a touch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you want some of that Porsche Design look, without the German engineered price, then check what just pulled up on the driveway: a port of the custom theme and icons. Sadly, only BlackBerry 9900 / 9300 owners -- which share much of the same hardware as the P'9981 -- running BlackBerry OS7 (not 7.1) can give their handset that new car smell. This means the sharp lines and luxurious brushed finish that made the P'9981 catch our eye in the first place will remain firmly in those pockets deep enough to afford it. Tap the source link if you still want to add the racing stripes to your current saloon.

Porsche Design theme ported to BlackBerry 9900 / 9930, saves you a small fortune originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We're still waiting for Time Warner to bring its live TV streaming to Android, but the platform is enjoying some exclusive support today with two new apps. The first is the My TWC account management app which lets subscribers view their services, pay bills, adjust call forwarding and, soon, tap into their voicemail remotely. The other one is a new version of its TWC TV app, reformatted to work on phones even while the TWCable TV app on iOS is still a tablet only affair. iPhone and Android owners alike shouldn't have to wait long for their relief however, as the iPhone edition is slated to arrive in January, and ICS-enabled live TV streaming is still on the roadmap for "early next year." Hit up the corporate blog for the full feature lists and breakdowns, or just head over to the Android Market to install either free app.

Continue reading Time Warner Cable shows Android some love with My TWC app and TWC TV for phones

Time Warner Cable shows Android some love with My TWC app and TWC TV for phones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google chairman Eric Schmidt recently explained that Google does not support or endorse Carrier IQ, the company that has been accused of secretly bugging phones with spyware capable of logging keystrokes and more. A security expert recently revealed that Carrier IQ is installed on millions of smartphones, including Android devices and the iPhone. Wireless carriers such as Sprint and AT&T have said the software is installed purely for quality control purposes. “It’s a key-logger, and it actually does keep your keystrokes, and we certainly don’t work with them and we certainly don’t support it,” Schmidt said during a recent conference. “Android is an open platform, so it’s possible for people to build software that’s actually not very good for you, and this appears to be one.” Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ have been sued in class-action lawsuits over the software. If you’re worried about whether or not your phone has the tracking software installed, follow our guide on how to find out in just one tap. 

Read

It's been a few months since we first heard about OSCar eO and its plans to tackle the (arguably) most difficult task in motorsport: make it from the start of the Dakar Rally to the finish. Well, the race starts in about a month and a half, and the Latvian team building the rugged EV has finally finished its arduous task. Aside from countless welds to create a formidable frame, there was also plenty of wiring and programming involved in getting the range-extended EV ready for the coming off-road battle. Winston Battery packs provide 52kWh of juice to the electric motor, which can produce up to a massive 335kW of power on command. Should a lead-footed driver tap into that tire-shredding ability too much, a 60kW generator driven by a Nissan V6 is there to pick up the slack. You may be wondering just how hard it is to build a machine that can conquer the Andes while powered by humble electrons? Find out for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, John]

Continue reading OSCar eO build finally finished, electric offroader prepares for the mountains of South America

OSCar eO build finally finished, electric offroader prepares for the mountains of South America originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s much anticipated iTunes Match service is now nearing launch after having been delayed for unknown reasons. Apple on Friday sent emails to developers alerting them that the company will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday. While a specific launch date is still unavailable, Apple did say that this final clearing of developers’ online libraries is being done in preparation for launch. ITunes Match is a service that allows users to mirror their iTunes music libraries online in iCloud for a monthly fee. Apple said the service would launch by the end of October but in a rare occurrence, the company missed its promised launch deadline. Apple’s full note to developers follows below.

As we prepare for the launch of iTunes Match, we will be deleting all current iCloud libraries on Saturday, November 12th at 10 AM PST.

Please turn off iTunes Match on all of your computers and iOS devices. On your computer, choose Store > Turn off iTunes Match. On your iOS device, tap Settings > Music, then turn off iTunes Match. On your Apple TV, please choose Music > Turn off iTunes Match.

The songs on your computer should not be affected. As always, please backup regularly and do not delete the music you add to iCloud from your computer.

Best regards,

Apple Developer Program Support