Hasta La Gadget!

There’s nothing concrete to sink your teeth into just yet, but a couple of people “familiar with the matter” have informed Bloomberg that Apple could be taking AirPlay to the next level. Up until now, companies have been shelling out $4 per device to add AirPlay audio streaming into their products, but there’s a very real demand for video to be included in that as well. According to sources, the video streaming protocol is already baked in, but not enabled / allowed under the current licensing agreement. It’s bruited that the folks in Cupertino could soon expand the AirPlay license program to include video streaming from iPhones and iPads, with integration into HDTVs being the most obvious application. Specifically, the new plan would enable electronics makers to “use [AirPlay] in devices for streaming movies, TV shows and other video content,” but there’s no clear time table as to when any of this would go down. Will CEDIA 2011 be the launchpad for AirPlay-enabled televisions? If so, don’t ever say we didn’t see it coming.

[Thanks, Nilay]

Apple could be licensing AirPlay for video streaming, HDTV integration seems imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kyocera promised that an SDK for its dual-screen Echo smartphone would be coming soon when it announced it last month, and it’s now delivered that and more. It’s just kicked off a full-fledged Android Developer Program for the phone, which will give developers access to Kyocera’s support team, additional promotion and co-marketing opportunities for their apps, and even loaner units, although it’s not clear exactly who’s eligible for the latter. Those interested in taking part can download the SDK and contact Kyocera for additional information at the link below.

Continue reading Kyocera launches developer program for dual-screen Echo smartphone

Kyocera launches developer program for dual-screen Echo smartphone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’d recommend taking this all with a healthy grain of salt for now, but according to a fortunate Steam Powered forum member who scored a trip by Valve’s headquarters, the company’s considering an iOS / Android port of Steam. Yeah, Steam — you know, that wildly popular game distribution service that’s doing its darnedest to kill off boxed video game sales. As the story goes, Political Gamer was able to sit down with Valve’s own Gabe Newell for a tick, and while the topics of conversation were obviously varied, one point in particular piqued our interest. Purportedly, Gabe confirmed that the company is “looking into the iOS / Android platform for possible expansions with Steam,” which makes absolute sense given just how well-received the iPod touch and iPhone have been by gamers. To boot, Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play is just around the bend, and if Amazon’s able to launch its own app store, why not push out a game-centric one from a name that people already know and trust? Of course, pondering the possibility is far different than investing resources into a new product, so until we hear that the latter is definitely happening, we’ll be doing our best to suppress our expectations. Call it self-preservation.

Valve’s Gabe Newell hints at possible Steam port to iOS / Android, may be blowing hot air originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The game, currently a big hit in Sweden, may be the first one that lets you crash an electric scooter and not feel bad about it.

Prosthetic designers had hoped Midnite the miniature horse would be able to walk, thanks to his new prosthesis. Instead, he ran.