Hasta La Gadget!

The Apple TV might receive a software overhaul based on the iOS operating system powering the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, sources have told The New York Times.

While anonymous sources claimed the company was planning a software upgrade for the set-top box, they noted that it was unclear whether Apple would introduce new hardware as well. NY Times writer Nick Bilton also said he’d heard that Apple’s newest hires included people with a background in television.

Some of these claims come in line with a recent rumor published by Engadget, which said Apple was planning to introduce a $100 Apple TV running iOS. The blog claimed the hardware would be redone as well — a minimal gadget described as an “iPhone without a screen,” containing only two ports: a power socket and a video-out.

In earnings calls, Apple executives have repeatedly called Apple TV a “hobby,” implying it has not been a breakthrough hit like the iPhone or iPod. Video entertainment has been a tough nut for Apple to crack, as the set-top box market is packed with competitors offering a multitude of ways to watch video. In addition, cable companies subsidize set-top boxes that include a DVR for recording programs.

An iOS-based Apple TV sounds feasible, though it remains a question as to how exactly such a device would work, since the interface is controlled by multitouch gestures. We would be surprised if Apple didn’t somehow incorporate its iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad as a controller. For gaming, the iPhone 4 is especially powerful as it contains a gyrosocope, making it even better than Nintendo’s Wiimote. However, it would seem strange if Apple sold an Apple TV that required a pricey iOS device as a controller.

Apple declined to comment on this story.

See Also:

• Apple TV Prototype Sells on eBay for 46 Bucks
• 5 Reasons Why Apple TV Rules, 5 Reasons Why it Sucks
• Why Apple TV Must Evolve to Avoid Extinction
• What We Want in an Apple TV

Image of a current Apple TV menu: Apple

We knew at Computex that tablets were on track to completely take over the world, but now it’s official: a German internet provider has just revealed that it’ll soon be offering a branded tablet PC of its own. You heard right — a German ISP is making a tablet. The delightfully named SmartPad is a 7-inch, touchscreen-based slate that’ll eventually support Android 2.2 (v1.6 will be pre-installed), and there’s also inbuilt WiFi and an optional 3G module for those looking to “stay connected.” It seems as if the company is still hammering out the final specifications, but we are told to expect an SD card reader (2GB will be included), a USB socket, a 500MHz ARM11 processor, 256MB of RAM and a proprietary app store that’ll undoubtedly enrage you. According to the promotional video hosted just past the break, it should ship later this month for precisely nothing so long as you pick up a data plan to go alongside of it. ‘Course, getting one outside of Deutschland is another challenge entirely…

Continue reading 1&1’s 7-inch SmartPad is the most unlikely Android tablet you’ll ever see

1&1’s 7-inch SmartPad is the most unlikely Android tablet you’ll ever see originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashgear  |  MobiFlip  | Email this | Comments

Look out, Kayak / Bing Travel — you both are about to have your respective worlds rocked. While Google has managed to stay on top (or close to the top) when it comes to almost everything search related, the company has curiously allowed smaller niche brands to handle the travel side. Even amongst the hardcore Googlers, avid flyers typically head to a place like Kayak to weigh their options, while vacation planners either do likewise or turn to Bing Travel. In a few months time, we suspect some of that traffic will be diverted back to El Goog. The company has just announced plans to acquire Cambridge-based ITA Software for a cool $700 million, which will put one of the world’s most sophisticated QPX software tools for organizing flight information into the hands of the planet’s most dangerous search ally. According to Google, the pickup will allow consumers to search and buy airline tickets with less hassle and frustration, though it’s quick to point out that it has “no plans to sell airline tickets [directly] to consumers.” For the travel junkies in attendance, there’s a high probability that you won’t find any better news coming your way today than this.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Continue reading Google acquires ITA for $700m, dives headfirst into airline ticket search

Google acquires ITA for $700m, dives headfirst into airline ticket search originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gadling  |  Official Google Blog, Google  | Email this | Comments

Continue reading Droid Incredible OTA update said to be bringing mobile hotspot, 720p recording

Droid Incredible OTA update said to be bringing mobile hotspot, 720p recording originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Droid Life  | Email this | Comments

Congratulations Verizon, you’re the latest wireless provider to lose a class-action early termination fee-related lawsuit! It’s a dispute that’s been circulating in courts since 2008, and while the settlement was agreed upon quickly, there were a few lingering appeals that have taken this long to get cleared up — and not in VZW’s favor. The issue at hand was the company’s $175 flat early termination fees, behavior that has proven legally naughty again and again when the same fee is levied regardless of whether you were one month or 20 months into your contract. Each customer named in the suit will receive approximately $87.50 for their troubles, a total of $21 million Verizon will have to pay out. That’s a bit more than AT&T got hit with back in January, but a whole heck of a lot less than Sprint’s massive $73 million fine.

Verizon loses ETF class action lawsuit, ordered to pay $21 million originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mobile Burn  |  Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments