Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers AT&T Wireless' war against Verizon was dealt a blow when a judge denied the company's request for a restraining order barring Verizon from airing their "There's a Map for That" ads that highlight AT&T's truly pathetic 3G coverage. AT&T is furious over the new ad campaign, insisting it is misleading to consumers, and vows to continue the fight. Verizon responded in a legal filing: “This motion is a blatant effort to ask the Court to do what the marketplace will not do: shield AT&T from truthful comparative advertisements that Verizon has a right to air and that consumers have a right to see.”
One wonders if AT&T would be better off spending money on increasing its 3G coverage than on this silly lawsuit. It's inexcusable that a major carrier offers such lame 3G coverage when fellow carriers like Sprint are already offering 4G coverage. Its clear AT&T made the mistake of resting its laurels on the iPhone and for whatever reason, couldn't be bothered to invest in its own infrastructure. This has resulted in a legion of angry iPhone users, who lament having a cutting edge cell phone with little high speed coverage, and angry non iPhone coverage who are unhappy at the burden the iPhone users have placed on the network. GSM may be the more popular technology, but here in the U.S., given the troubles both T-Mobile and AT&T are having, CDMA carriers Verizon Wireless and Sprint seem to be better choices. Now if only Sprint could find a competent advertising team… Read [PCWorld] Full Story » | Written by Sue Walsh for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Laptops, Netbooks, Software / Applications, Web, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Google After a few months of speculation, Google today finally decided to show us just what Chrome OS is going to be. Contrary to what some were hoping, there is no real beta to be had as of now, and Google doesn’t expect to have one for another year. What we do get today, is an outline of what Google is trying to do with the new OS, and what it would do. First thing you need to know about Chrome OS, as Google stated before, is that as of now it is mainly focused at secondary computers like netbooks and laptops. The idea behind Chrome OS is that it will launch in seconds, bringing you straight to the Internet before most computers even boot. The entire OS is based around the Internet, including all of the apps. There will be no apps actually stored on Chrome OS, instead all of your apps will be web apps. There’s no need, according to Google to store anything on the netbook, the main focus is to use Chrome OS as a secondary computer to access web apps and the Internet. While there is no beta as of now, it is possible to compile your own version of Chromium OS, as the source code was put up today just prior to the Chrome OS event (Chromium is the open-source, developer-focused section of Chrome). There are instructions on how to compile the OS from source. It might be a bit long and confusing for some, and it does require a Linux OS to compile it, but it looks to be a worthwhile weekend project if you happen to have a netbook with an SSD to wipe. While there are certainly arguments for and against having an OS that is only a browser if anyone can pull it off, it might be Google. Either way, I know I’ll be spending part of my weekend compiling code to try it out. Read [Official Google Blog] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Accessories, Content, HDTV, Gadgets / Other, Household, Web, Online Music/Video 
TiVo has reduced prices on their HD and HD XL units by up to $100 for the holidays. TiVo revolutionized DVR functionality and continues to drive services forward with integration with companies like Netflix, Amazon and BLOCKBUSTER allowing users to stream movies, even in HD, to their home TVs. It is unknown if the sale is a move to clear stock for a new intro or a reaction to recessionary consumer spending or lack thereof. The HD and HD XL offer TiVo’s world class navigation and time-shifting recording. As a TiVo user, I am continually impressed with how easy the unit makes it for my family to watch videos and movies from an increasing number of sources. Even my 7 year old can navigate to Netflix and begin watching a movie. While HD menu’s still continue to be absent from TiVo’s line up and access to your content providers On Demand content is still not possible (in most cases) TiVo is the gold standard of DVRs. Add to it streaming from popular services and it keeps getting better. TiVo’s sale takes $50 off the HD to $299 and $100 off the HD XL to $499. It might be interesting to note shoppers can pick up the a refurbished HD for just $200. Source: [TiVo Blog] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Audio, Audio Receivers, Home Audio, Satellite / HD Radio 
Today, Olive introduces some high-end audio gear that is said to have 250 times the resolution of a CD. The Olive 4HD Music Server not only holds up to 20,000 songs at HD quality, but will record at 24 bit. The unit is backed up by a host of accessible options that allow you to control your server from your HDTV or iPhone. Removing the need to keep a music collection on a computer, the 4HD Server will store your music, convert CDs and even burn CDs. To get users started, the company offers to import up to 100 of your CDs for free, so the new system is delivered to them complete with your music already digitized. After the first 100, there is a nominal fee per CD. “With a proprietary DAC featuring TI’s best-of-breed BurrBrown 1792A 192Khz/24-bit DAC, optimized circuit design, HD quality digital sound, ultra-quiet hard drives and passive cooling to eliminate fan noise, the Olive 4HD Hi-Fi Music Server delivers the best possible HD hi-fi audio experience. You’ll never hear anything like this on your computer, iPod or any other MP3 music player.”
To find music, users can interact with the 4.3 touchscreen on the server, use the HDMI interface that allows selections to be made on your HDTV or even use the company’s iPhone app. Each choice offers beautiful (in my opinion) graphics, clean and clear navigation, an impressive collection of ways to interact with music. Each offers full color album cover images. Other features include the ability receive internet radio stations, more information about your music, infrared remotes to work through closed doors and has WiFi (802.11n) as well as a wired connection. The 4HD Music Server costs $1,999 and is backed with a 60-day money back guarentee. The company says you will hear a difference in your music from the first note. Company site: [Olive] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Web, Google  I have not made any secret as to my love affair with Google Voice, and thankfully that is backed up by the fact they seem to be improving and adding to the service little by little. And the latest little tidbit that was updated within Google Voice is dealing with SMS messaging. Or more specifically, the number that will be displayed when you send an SMS message using your Google Voice account.
“But when you - a Google Voice user - send a text message to another Google Voice number from one of the forwarding phones on your account, you probably want Google Voice to display the SMS as from your Google Voice number rather than from a (406) number. This way, the Google Voice user to whom you sent the SMS will see your Google Voice number as the originating number, the single number that reaches you everywhere.”
Personally I chose the “display my Google Voice number” option because, well, I am not sure why I would not want my number displayed. Anyway, to check your settings or make any adjustments, just click Settings -> Calls and then go down to Caller ID (out). Once there you will see “When I SMS a Google Voice number from one of my forwarding phones.” From there you will have the option to stick with the default, or to have your Google Voice number displayed. Unfortunately this setting currently only works with SMS messages, but it was noted that “calls will be included soon.” Of course, that just means more Google Voice updates in the future. Read [Google Voice Blog] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Computers, Desktops  MSI has just announced that their latest all-in-one style desktop computer is now shipping. That model is the 21.5-inch multi-touch capable Wind Top AE2220.
Feature wise the AE2220 offers a choice between a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 or 2.1GHz Pentium Dual Core processor and comes with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Other features include a built-in card reader, 1.3-megapixel webcam, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and remote control. This model is also compatible with VESA wall mounts and offers an optional Blu-ray optical drive. Finally, the Wind Top AE2220 will be running Windows 7 Home Premium. As for pricing and availability, the AE2200 is priced from $749.99 and up depending on configuration and is just beginning to show up with online retailers. Currently Amazon has it listed as a pre-order item, but at a slightly lower price of $699. Read [PR Newswire] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile 
Sony Ericsson announced their first Google Android based phone yesterday, the XPERIA X10. The phone sticks with the Xperia slide out qwerty form factor but offers up a new user experience laid on top of Android. Sony Ericsson showed off a non-retail prototype with an expected release date in Q1 of 2010. Sony Ericsson needs a hit. They’ve only two supporting carriers in the US, AT&T and T-Mobile, while they’ve done much better in Europe. Despite a strong following there, Sony Ericsson continues to lose market share. Sales were off by 45 percent at the last quarter check-in, year-over-year. Is this new phone just what the doctor ordered? Maybe. The prototypes were running Android 1.6, the penultimate version of Android. It lacks all the flash and excitement around the newly launched 2.0, but perhaps an update is coming. The new UI or UX as Sony Ericsson likes to refer to as users experience looks impressive. Dubbed Nexus, the UI does what all new UIs are attempting to do today: combine social integration into everyday simplicity. Contacts from Facebook, Twitter, email, and other social interactions are combined and presented in unobtrusive ways to keep you connected to people that matter most. That is the idea, anyhow. The phone features Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor and should scream, yet there seemed to be some lag in the prototypes. Many press and analysts found the UI to be impressive, but less so than competing Android overlays from companies such as HTC (Sense UI) and Motorola (Blur). The phone didn’t scream unique. While way too early to judge, using the press and analysts at their announcement yesterday as a sounding board may not have been the best route. We’ll reserve judgment until we see the full retail product. At the moment, we’ve no launch date or carrier information to speak of. The off-contract price is expected to be astronomical, $879, according to the Wall Street Journal, a subsidized price from a carrier should be much less. Read: [BoyGeniusReports] and [ title="AndroidandMe">AndroidandMe] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Video, Portable Video  Flip Video fans will soon have another reason to get excited, and that reason will also make it even quicker and easier to upload and share your video. That reason—built-in Wi-Fi. According to recent reports, Cisco has confirmed plans to include Wi-Fi in the next version of the Flip Video camera. Additional details about that future model include that it will have “a large screen that slides to reveal the record and menu buttons underneath.” Unfortunately that large screen will not be touchscreen though. Otherwise details are pretty light, but this Wi-Fi equipped Flip is expected to be available sometime in the “early half of 2010.”
Read [Pocket-lint] Via [CrunchGear] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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