Section: Communications, Smartphones After a problematic, limited launch the Dell Venue Pro is just running into more problems. The first devices, available only through Microsoft stores, seemed to have some issues with WiFi, and were generally hard to find. Now, just when the Venue Pro was set for it’s full launch, the smartphone has been delayed a few weeks. Several members on the xda-developers forums are reporting that their pre-orders are now scheduled to start shipping on January 6. Curiously, Dell’s website lists the phone as expected to ship on December 30, though that could mean the units would start arriving around January 6. To compound matters even more, some on the xda-developers forums are reporting that Dell told them their units were already shipped. There is no official line from Dell on why the smartphone has been delayed. Reasons vary between “excessive demand” and “a missing part.” You’d think, however, that if there was too much demand to keep up with, Dell would have said something by now. It’s also a bit strange that there’s two different dates for when the device will ship. Hopefully Dell can sort all of it out quickly so we can finally get ahold of the most interesting Windows Phone 7 phone. Read [SlashGear] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks  Shortly after the launch of the Nook Color, the tablet was hacked to be able to run any Android apps, not just the apps Barnes & Noble had preloaded onto the device. It seemed to be worthwhile hack to get a $250 7-inch Android tablet. It looks like Barnes & Noble will make those hacks unnecessary in January when it updates the Nook Color.
Barnes & Noble is set to upgrade the Nook Color to Android 2.2 sometime in January. The OS update will bring all the speed associated with Android 2.2, but will also bring a number of new features to the tablet. With Android 2.2, the Nook Color will really become an Android tablet, with users being able to access the usual Android home screen. The tablet should also feature a version of the Android Market, so you should be able to get a copy of Angry Birds on there if you’d like. The update to Android 2.2 will also bring better performance and battery life to the Nook Color. Hopefully that means that turning the page in eBooks will be faster. One thing it does mean is that there will be pinch-to-zoom in the browser, which is always a good thing. Unfortunately, such an update can’t bring 3G to the tablet, but for $250 the Nook Color is starting to sound a lot better. Read [SmartphoneMag] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Email / IM, Smartphones, Mobile It looks like Google is on the roll today. Aside from making Google Voice app available for iPad and iPod Touch, Google has also introduced a new feature to its Voice Search app for Android devices running 2.2. This new feature called personalized recognition is aimed at building a more accurate model by listening to your voice and learning how you speak. Personalized recognition for Google Voice Search is an opt-in feature so you can enabled or disable it any time via the Google Voice recognition settings on your Android phone. Once you’ve opted to turn this on, Google Voice Search will start associating recordings of the words that you asked to recognize with your Google account. The app will then utilize these words in building a speech model for you. The speech model will be used by Google to provide you with a highly accurate voice recognition. So the more you use Google Voice Search on your Android phone, the more accurate this personalized recognition becomes. As expected, this personalized recognition feature is available only for English in the United States. But Google promises to make it available to other countries and languages in the future as well. Personalized recognition for Google Voice Search app supports Android phones running Android 2.2. You can enjoy these feature by getting the newest version of Voice Search app for Android. Aside from this new feature, the updated app also now works faster when your Android phone is connected to the Internet via 3G or EDGE. Check it out and tell us how it goes so far on your end. Read [Google Mobile Blog] Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Email / IM, Mobile, Web, Web Apps, Google  I still remember this cool feature put out by Google in Gmail Labs last year wherein you can unsend an email message when you accidentally hit the send button to quickly only to realize after a few seconds that you should have not send it yet. Well, if you thought that was cool then, it becomes even cooler now as Google does the same with your Gmail Contacts.
Google has added this feature to Google Contacts, allowing you to revert your contact list and undo any mistakes made up to 30 days in the past. So when you accidentally deleted a contact data from your Gmail account while say, synching your account with another device, you can simply restore these contact data by simply going to your Gmail’s Contacts section and selecting “restore contacts” from the more actions options. And that’s it. Contact data that you have deleted will become part of your active Gmail Contacts again and will be restored exactly the same when you deleted it. There’s one more point to note here. If you have restored Contacts data, contacts that were not on the list when you deleted the data will be deleted once you’ve restored your original contact data. The good news is that you can always restore these contact data anytime. Read [Gmail Blog] Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 FROM HOMETECHTELL - The set-top media box is becoming a ubiquitous add-on in many households to store and view digital content in a convenient and quiet manner in the living room. While Apple and Google TV are going more for the walled garden approach, taking you by the hand to the experiences they… MORE » Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile 
Google Voice for iPhone was a much awaited app and so many rejoiced when it became available from the App Store a few weeks ago. But realizing the iPhone is not the only device that this app can be useful, Google has updated it to a newer version that supports the other iOS devices - iPod Touch and iPad. Now, before you start wondering how Google Voice can be useful for iPad and iPod Touch users when in fact, those two devices are incapable of making cellular calls - well there are other uses of the app which don’t really require cellular connectivity. Really now? So, what are those features? Well, you can send and receive text messages through your Google Voice account for one. You can also use the app to initiate a Google Voice calls with your phones via Click2Call feature. This can be done by simply clicking on “Call” button in the Google Voice app on your iPod Touch and iPad and then choose which phones you want to ring. Google Voice app will then call your phone and then connect your call. Other enhancements made to Google Voice app for iOS devices include - automatic disabling of text forwarding when push notifications is enabled to prevent multiple notifications, ability to send all callers straight to your voicemail via Do not disturb settings, easier to place calls from the address book via a dedicated Contacts button on the Dialer tab, and streamlined text messages sending by eliminating the need to press the OK button. Of course all of these enhancements are useless to you if you’re not from the U.S. since Google Voice requires a valid US Google Voice account. But then, there’s no harm in knowing these information if you’re not from the U.S., right? Read [Google Voice Blog] Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Laptops, Netbooks, Web, Google Early last week Google announced it’s Pilot Program for those who want to try out the prototype Chrome notebook, the Cr-48. Late last week, with no real warning, Cr-48s started appearing on doorsteps, leaving some happy, and others wondering if they’d be getting their own units. There’s still no telling if you’re guaranteed to get your very own Cr-48, but there is a way to know if someone in your town will be receiving the limited-run notebook. The Cr-48 Shipping Tracker will tell you exactly how many units are shipping to your town. The tracker will give you all the typical information you’d get from UPS, telling you when the units were shipped and when they are set to arrive. The Cr-48 Shipping Tracker works best in smaller towns where there’ll likely be only a few units shipped (or none at all in my case). Larger cities will have a lot more shipments, making it harder to tell if you’ll be receiving one. For example, New York, NY has 141 total Cr-48s shipped so far. So, if you’re tired of waiting for a device that may or may not come, check the tracker to see if anyone in your town will get one, then hope that it’s being delivered to you. Read [Cr-48 SHipping Tracker] Via [Notebooks.com] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Video, Content, HDTV, Portable Video, Video Providers 
If you thought the Google TV experiment was interesting, you’re going to love this. It seems Comcast has deployed a test of a new set top box that allows access to selected web services. The project seems to named Xcalibur (in line with their Xfinity brand) internally and Spectrum to testers according to the Wall Street Journal. Details are scarce for the small trial. It would appear that users cannot freely browse the internet, but instead via what is probably an app system, can check out the usual suspects such as Facebook, Pandora, and other data Comcast feels is appropriate. An open system it is not. “We are testing many technological approaches to understand how best to meet consumer interests, and this small trial is one of those experiments,” a Comcast spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.
Comcast is working pretty hard to stay close to the edge. Their Comcast app for iPhone and Android works extremely well to keep customers connected to their digital voice line and TV programming. An iPad app aims to bring customers another screen to watch their content. Comcast is the largest paid content provider in the US, serving 22.9 subscribers as of Q3 2010. The provider lost over 200,000 subscribers during that period to, what it believes, is over the air reception (not online). Read: [Wall Street Journal] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Computers, Mobile Computers, Hardware, Laptops, Netbooks, Wireless 
Microsoft has been trying to get tablets right since showing off this one at CES way back in 2000. Word is circulating this morning that, according to the New York Times, Microsoft will show off a tablet that is 11 years in the making. Supposedly, Microsoft will show off tablets made by Dell and Samsung among a number of other partners. Uh oh. That many people, all conspiring - all keeping mum about an iPad killer? With word that the iPad is starting to cut into PC sales? Sounds fishy. The tablets are said to run Windows 7. Still reading? Fantastic! We’ve seen Windows try to be crammed onto tablets for some time, all with lack-luster results. Samsung’s unit is said to be close in size to Apple’s iPad, but with a slider keyboard. A bit of extra girth in the unit is needed to accomplish that task. Visions of failed UMPCs are rushing into my head, how about yours? No word on what Dell’s unit is hiding. According to the Times, Microsoft wants to give executives the joy of touch to consume content; similar to the iPad experience. However, the Microsoft version will also be more capable to create content via Office products, as executives need to do from time to time. Can Microsoft get it right? Read: [New York Times] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Audio, Web, Online Music/Video  Despite Amazon MP3 only having a 1.3 percent market share as compared to the 26.7 percent share that Apple has—Amazon is said to be making a move and using their Daily Deal to help. And while some are not entirely convinced on whether or not this strategy will win, one thing is for sure—the Amazon MP3 Daily Deal has some rather nice prices. For example, Amazon recently offered My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which is the new Kanye West album for $3.99. That price was valid on the albums release date and it reportedly generated 59,000 in album sales. And as compared to iTunes, that number is still down, but not as much as many would think given the earlier stated percentages. According to the same report, that album generated sales of 163,000 for Apple. Otherwise, while Apple has increased individual song pricing to $1.29, Amazon has remained at $0.99. Bottom line, if you are shopping for music, Amazon MP3 is a pretty decent way to go. I have long switched over from iTunes, and for those worried, Amazon offers a nice download tool that automatically brings your newly purchased music into your iTunes library. Win, Win. Read [Reuters] Via [BGR] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Web, Websites The Evernote team have recently rolled out another update for their Android app. This latest brings the version up to 2.5 and with that comes several new and welcomed features. According to the details provided by Evernote, the update includes Advanced Search and To-Dos as well as what they are describing as “lots of other polish.” Advanced search
We've enhanced the already great browsing options by adding an advanced search capability. You can now construct complex searches using tags, notebooks, attributes, location and dates. Once these are created, they go straight into your search history so they're easy to re-execute. To create an advanced search go to the Search screen from the application home screen, widget or header bar, then tap "Advanced Search" and select from a wide range of search criteria.
To-dos
Users of the Mac, Windows and web versions know that Evernote provides a great way to manage your to-do lists by allowing you to add to-do check boxes to notes. With the latest version, you can also check and uncheck those items right from your Android device. Just view a note with to-do items and tap the check box. The change will be automatically synced with the server. This works with advanced search options, letting you find notes with incomplete to-dos.
And as far as the remaining polish, that includes goodies such as notebook sync preferences, improved sync performance over a cellular connection, a text-only view of your note list, an improved sync status bar and more. Bottom line, if you are an Evernote user on Android, you may want to grab your device and get the latest update from the Market. Read [Evernote Blog] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Gadgets / Other, ebooks We learned back in late-October that the latest Kindle had already outsold the Kindle 2 for all of Q4 in just a few weeks, and now it looks like that number has reached into the millions. Of course, Amazon has not posted or released anything official in terms of numbers, however they did offer up a slightly cryptic and much open to interpretation message on the Kindle Community discussion board. The message simply reads; Thank you Kindle customers! Thanks to you, in just the first 73 days of this holiday quarter, we’ve already sold millions of our all-new Kindles with the latest E Ink Pearl display. In fact, in the last 73 days, readers have purchased more Kindles than we sold during all of 2009. We’re grateful for and energized by the overwhelming customer response. Thank you for being a customer, The Kindle Team
So there you have it, Amazon has sold “millions” of Kindles—with an “s” as in more than one million. Read [Amazon] Via [Daring Fireball] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Video, Communications, Smartphones, Mobile, Web, Online Music/Video  Sling Media has roll-out what appears to be a welcomed update for the SlingPlayer Mobile app on the iPhone. The app is now sitting at version 2.0 and noted as having additional features to include High Quality (HQ) video streaming, though in order to take advantage you will need to be on a Wi-Fi connection of at least 800kbps or a 3G connection of at least 500kbps. In addition to the better video, SlingPlayer Mobile users on the iPhone can also expect to find the new guide (the one that the iPad users have). With that, the update will still work with both the Slingbox SOLO and/or Slingbox Pro-HD models however you will need to update the software on the box in addition to the app on your phone before you will be able to connect (for more details on that, hit the ‘download’ link below).
Download [Slingplayer Mobile for iPhone (App Store link)] Via [Engadget] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Video, Content, HDTV, Video Providers We knew Boxee was planning to roll-out an update, and well, it looks like said update has officially arrived. Sadly though, this is not the update that brings Netflix and Hulu Plus, but at the same time it looks like an update that is going to be welcomed—especially for those who are using their Boxee Box primarily for locally stored files. The update is now available for download and can be prompted by firing up your Box and heading to Settings -> System -> Update. Or you can always look for the “update” icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and see if the update is already waiting. In the meantime, read on to see what changes/additions/fixes you can expect to see; Improvements and additions: - Enabling user flavor selection (online/local files inclination) during first login and via Settings
- Added alphabetical scrollbar for local files
- Enhanced sorting options in browse screens (A-Z, Z-A, most popular, newest/oldest…)
- Add Genre filter support for local files
- Mark movies as watched/unwatched from the Action menu
- Added option for hourly scan of SMB/UPnP/USB sources
- Added SMB client defaults to Network Settings
- When watching side-by-side or over/under video, the subtitles and OSD would not be visible when wearing 3D glasses. The user now has the option, under Settings, to have the user interface properly displayed when watching 3D videos
Bug fixes - Do not de-interlace of video when the TV is in interlaced mode (e.g. 1080i)
- HFS+ volumes display UUID instead of volume name under some conditions
- Video OSD text background too small for text title when playing video with long titles
- When connecting to VPN, Boxee didn't refresh region code
- Boxee doesn't change DNS configuration when VPN is set up
- Can't connect to hidden wireless networks
- Can't connect to network using WPA passcode with special characters
- When Internet connection is restored, menu doesn't show online channels
- DVD .iso playback aspect ratio incorrect
- DVD playback displayed some artifacts
- "Resume From" doesn't work on DVD ISO/Folders
- Zoom on DVD (.iso and folder) video does not work as expected
- .vob files playback (standalone files) is stuttering and low FPS
- DVD .iso playback over Wireless N: excessive buffering, playback speed issues, random exits
- "Vietnamese" character set is misspelled in System Settings
- Show "Remove From Favorites" button in episodes list, even if no episodes are available
- SMB credentials are not saved upon restart
- Write failure when accessing Box-attached disk over SMB
- SMB file sharing of external HD size reporting is wrong
- Become unresponsive and hang during playback of AVC .mkv file from SMB mapped drive
- Crashes when indexing some videos inside .rar files
- Crashes indexing mp3 file with corrupt embedded thumbnail
- Stretch 16:9 and Stretch 14:9 not working properly
- Shoutcast and Radiotime: Switching stations or Cancel causes interface to freeze and console output to crawl
- Some .mkv files do not playback properly (some flavors of H.264)
- Support packed bitstream muxing mode in .avi
- Some .wtv files do not playback properly
- Constant buffering on 1080p BD .mkv files accessed wirelessly on Boxee
- Boxee crash when browsing into unidentified Files
- Playback choked and crashed during viewing of .mp4 file
Read [Boxee Blog] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile It looks like Wirefly has done it again, not only beaten, but slashed the price down as compared to direct with the carrier. The latest handset is the Motorola Droid Pro with Verizon, which is now free if you buy through Wirefly. And just as an FYI, the handset is $179.99 if you shop with Verizon. Of course, the same rules apply in that a two-year agreement is required but otherwise, Wirefly will also give you free shipping and free activation. Product [Wirefly] Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile We’re not particularly sure whether there’s still some minuted details left out by lengthy Nexus S FAQ released by Best Buy last week. Anyway, in case you’ve missed out the announcement last week, Best Buy has issued another important reminder giving out some more juicy details about the Nexus S. Google’s second Nexus phone, co-manufactured with Samsung is scheduled to hit Best Buy’s brick-and-mortar stores and online on Dec. 16. Two important points in the announcement that you should take note in case you’re preparing to buy the Nexus S. One is that online sales will start at 8 a.m. Eastern time, to coincide with the opening of Best Buy stores on the East Coast. And two, the Nexus S will be available both as unlocked unit which will cost you $529 or under T-Mobile two-year contract. If you opt to get the phone under T-Mobile plan, prepare to shell out $199 or $249 if you have an existing T-Mobile contract. This will be considered as add-a-line activation. Additionally, note that Best Buy is limiting customers to purchase only 2 units of the Nexus S. This is probably to prevent businessmen from purchasing the phone by bulk and reselling it in the grey market at more expensive prices. If you want to take the Nexus S for a spin before surrendering your credit cards to the Best Buy cashier, there will be demo units available on Best Buy stores.
There you go. That’s everything you practically need to know before heading out to Best Buy stores on Dec. 16. Read [Best Buy] Full Story » | Written by Arnold Zafra for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 More Recent Articles | 
No comments:
Post a Comment