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News

Roku players get channel store with Pandora, others

11/22, 10:20pm

Roku launches open channel store

Roku late Sunday gave its Internet media players a boost in the form of the Channel Store. Now considered an open platform, the avenue lets content producers of any scale implement their own video services. The service also brings major content providers such as Facebook's photo service, Flickr, Mediafly, Pandora, Revision3 and TWiT; relative newcomers like blip.tv, FrameChannel, Motionbox and MobileTribe are also onboard.

Review: Netgear Powerline AV Adapter Kit

11/22, 2:10pm

Netgear's 200Mbps powerline kit tested

Powerline networking products have been on the market for several years but haven't gained mainstream acceptance simply because of Wi-Fi. However, there are instances where power line networking equipment can go where wireless equipment cannot. Those who live in very large homes that are full of interference may be better served with a network that uses the wiring they already have. But is the latest generation of powerline networking solutions up to par with wireless in terms of performance, ease of use, and security? Today we're reviewing Netgear’s XAVB1004 Powerline AV Adapter Kit to find out.

iPod touch with camera to appear in spring?

11/21, 10:00pm

iPod touch may have nano camera after all

Apple's long rumored camera-equipped iPod touch may have a more definite release window, according to a purported source. A contact insists the device is back on track and that it would unusually launch outside of Apple's typical upgrade cycle, releasing in spring 2010. To make that goal, however, Apple would use the same 2-megapixel camera as in the iPod nano, which lacks autofocusing and low-light sensitivity.

Multi-carrier iPhone in France doubles sales

11/20, 6:30pm

iPhone non-exclusive helps Apple, hurts RIM

The elimination of the iPhone's exclusivity to Orange in France has resulted in "more than double" the sales of the device and dealt a blow to the BlackBerry, according to research notes issued recently. Estimates from Bernstein, Strategy Analytics and others report twice as many iPhones being shipped in the summer quarter as in the spring due specifically to Apple's handset being readily available at Bouygues Telecom as well as SFR. That added exposure is thought to have directly impacted RIM as customers at the new carriers had a new, major alternative to the BlackBerry line.

Microsoft roadmap puts Windows 8 in 2012

11/20, 5:40pm

Next Windows again on 3-year schedule

Microsoft should once again release its next mainstream version of Windows about three years after the last, a roadmap obtained this week reveals. The schedule has the major revision, tentatively titled "Windows 8," launching in 2012 or about three years after Windows 7. It will purportedly keep in step with a rhythm developed by Microsoft that has Microsoft launching major releases four years apart, as Windows Server 2008 is considered a major release where its R2 upgrade and even Windows 7 are both treated as "release updates."

PS3 to support stereoscopic 3D

11/20, 4:55pm

Firmware update to give PS3 3D capabilitiy: Sony

Sony recently announced to its investors that it will add 3D stereoscopic capability to the games on its PS3 gaming console via a future firmware update. The presentation (pdf) contains the line "all PS3 units will be firmware-upgradeable to 3D," and that the company plans to lead the 3D market, though no timelines were revealed. There was, however, an indication that Sony will offer 3D-specific tools to developers of its games.

Sony shows 280-inch commercial 3D display, more

11/20, 4:55pm

Sony 280-inch 3D display requires special glasses

Sony is showing off a 280-inch 3D display at the currently ongoing International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition in Japan. The 3D LED Wall is 21 feet wide by 11 feet tall and can show both 2D and 3D video. It is made up of 70 LED displays, each 28 inches in size.

Motorola confirms Droid camera fix coming

11/20, 4:15pm

Motorola says update will fix Droid camera issues

Motorola today confirmed it will soon fix the problems with its Droid phone's camera by releasing an automatic over-the-air update to the handset. The Android handset's 5-megapixel camera has been said to have trouble focusing and producing red corners in images when photos are being taken. The intermittent problem has been blamed on an unusual timing bug where particular states of the clock create problems with the autofocusing system. Users can simply change the date on the phone to resolve the issue, although a permanent fix is apparently due soon.

Microsoft fights claims of NSA backdoor in Win 7

11/20, 4:10pm

MS refutes talk of NSA-made security hole

Microsoft in a response late Thursday rejected assertions that it has put in a security "backdoor" at the request of the National Security Agency. The denial comes after the NSA's information assurance lead, Richard Schaeffer, told a US Senate terrorism subcommittee that the agency had worked with Microsoft to improve Windows 7's "security guide" and sparked fears that the government had deliberately left a secret window the NSA could use to spy on users.

Pegatron shows Ubuntu-based smartbook

11/20, 4:00pm

Pegatron demos 10-inch smartbook with Ubuntu

A 10-inch smartbook from Pegatron was spotted at the Connected Community Technical Symposium on Friday. It runs on Linux Ubuntu and is powered by an ARM processor, though other details are scarce. The sighting comes just one day after Pegatron GM Chou Biao Sheng said the company will bring out a smartbook in the first quarter of 2010, priced at less than $200.

Motorola Crush reaches US Cellular

11/20, 3:15pm

Touchscreen Motorola Crush now at US Cellular

US Cellular has added the Motorola Crush to its lineup on Friday. The handset is unique in its placement of the lock and call buttons above its 2.8-inch, 240x400 resolution touchscreen instead of below it, as is usual. There is also a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth support and a microSDHC memory card slot.

Qualcomm demos FLO TV on iPhone

11/20, 3:10pm

Proto FLO TV tuner gives iPhone live shows

Qualcomm has quietly shown an example receiver that would give the iPhone and iPod touch FLO TV reception. Despite assertions that the company would use iPhone OS 3.0 support for native hardware, the demonstrator mimics the strategy used for the Softbank 1Seg tuner in Japan and pipes video over Wi-Fi. The receiver itself is roughly as large as the iPhone, though it's unclear whether this is due to its prototype nature or to accommodate a larger battery.

Ooma Telo Handset, international plan now available

11/20, 2:35pm

Ooma Telo adds handsets, international plan

Internet phone company Ooma on Friday began shipping its Telo handset and has introduced a new International Calling Bundle for Premier subscribers for savings on international calls. This follows the release of the Ooma Telo home base nearly two months ago. Each Ooma Telo base can support up to four handsets, with each handset having access to Ooma Telo's full range of features and services.

YouTube blocking native video API from TV devices

11/20, 2:20pm

YouTube API now only on some devices

YouTube drew controversy with word this week that it has begun limiting the use of its native video API on devices. Reflecting new terms of service, any device that connects to a TV must have a license from YouTube to get fully native video support. The move will ban smaller-scale devices like the Popcorn Hour C-200 from directly accessing YouTube videos, although it will still allow them access using Flash.

Barnes & Noble sold out of Nook reader until 2010

11/20, 1:40pm

New Nook orders only shipping January 4

Barnes & Noble today signaled that new orders for the Nook reader now won't ship at all in 2009. Those placed today will ship no sooner than January 4th, or more than three weeks after the delay to December 11th. The bookseller hopes to console those missing the Christmas target by giving them a certificate that promises a Nook reader when it ships.

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