Sep 14

Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Posted in: 4G, leak, leaks, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, network, Sprint, Today's Chili
Sprint’s been making mondo policy changes over the last two weeks in the form of increased fees, so what’s a few more cuts? We’ve received tips over the last day or so that suggest the Now Network up to its shenanigans again, making immediate changes to its return policy and soon putting the kibosh on its Premier program. Effective tomorrow, Sprint’s trimming its return period from 30 days to 14 and the risk-free trial offer — which ultimately allows you to walk away from your service within a month without being charged a penny — is vanishing into thin air. Reaching out for confirmation from a carrier spokesperson, we were told: “Beginning Sept. 16, Sprint is updating its return policy for new lines of service, upgrades, accessories and devices. We will share more details of the new Sprint Satisfaction Guarantee at a later date.” This doesn’t fully answer our query, of course, but it at least confirms that the return policy will fall victim to a few adjustments on Friday.

We also began receiving tips today foretelling the upcoming demise of the Sprint Premier program — the company’s two-tiered VIP program that offers annual upgrades and other perks. Premier members will apparently be notified as early as tomorrow (or as late as October) that they have until year’s end to cash in on their remaining benefits. The only reasoning given: “to help us focus on the areas that customers value the most, such as unlimited data plans.” Interpret that how you will, but ginormous things are going down in Overland Park, and we haven’t even heard the wondrous news about the carrier’s “Strategy Update” yet. Unless, of course, it’s all tied together somehow…

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

PlayStation Suite SDK beta coming in November, offering new games in spring 2012

Posted in: mobilepostcross, PC, playstation, sdk, sony, tegra, tegra 2, Tegra2, Today's Chili

We haven’t heard much about the PlayStation Suite for quite some time, but at the TGS 2011 opening keynote today, Sony announced that it’ll finally be rolling out an SDK for said cross-platform framework in November. Furthermore, Sony’s expecting new games and apps to be available for the PlayStation Suite in spring, which means willing C# developers will be busy over the next few months should they wish to deploy their software across certified devices — these currently include the PS Vita, Xperia Play, Tablet S and the upcoming Tablet P. Of course, we’re also hoping that Sony will convince at least one other manufacturer to get its NVIDIA Tegra devices certified for the PlayStation Suite, otherwise it’ll be tough to get the ball rolling for everyone.

Continue reading PlayStation Suite SDK beta coming in November, offering new games in spring 2012

PlayStation Suite SDK beta coming in November, offering new games in spring 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Nintendo 3DS extended slide pad add-on, first hands-on

Posted in: 3ds, DS, gaming, hands-on, nintendo, nintendo 3ds, Nintendo3ds, Peripherals, Today's Chili, video

Nintendo may be AWOL on the TGS show floor (as usual), but that’s not stopping Capcom from strutting the big-N’s hardware in its stead — we dropped by its booth for a gameplay-free handling of the 3DS extended slide pad add-on. The control-extending cradle is every bit as bulky as it looks, killing any hope we had of cramming the rig into our pocket. The trade-off? It’s much more comfortable to hold than the naked 3DS, giving our meaty hands a smooth, contoured surface to grip. The new right-hand circle pad feels just as solid as the handheld’s dedicated pad, and didn’t significantly obstruct our access to the 3DS’ face buttons. All in all, the cradle is a comfortable, if awkwardly large extension to the 3DS that doesn’t seem to compromise the handheld’s existing input. Hit up the gallery below to size up the plump peripheral for yourself.

Gallery: Nintendo 3DS extended slide pad add-on, first hands-on

Nintendo 3DS extended slide pad add-on, first hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, Google, hdpostcross, market, minipost, remote control, RemoteControl, Today's Chili

Yamaha is now ready to shout about its updated AV Controller app for Android, which it quietly launched on the Market a couple of weeks back. It lets you power up and control networked AV receivers from your phone or tablet, including switching inputs and selecting media from iPods and other devices connected to the receiver via USB. It also provides limited play, stop and forward control over compatible Blu-ray players. Some users report problems but most seem content, so it’s worth a spin if you have one the devices listed in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices

Yamaha updates AV Controller Android app for its networked devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

OCZ announces slimmer 7.5mm SSD, confirms one resides in LG’s P220 ultraportable

Posted in: hard drive, HardDrive, LG, SSD, Today's Chili, ultraportable

LG’s P220 ultraportable has been making the rounds since Computex in June, but OCZ has only just now confirmed that it’s using a fairly special new 2.5-inch SSD from the company. Unlike traditional 2.5-inch laptop drives that measure 9.5mm thick, this new “custom designed” drive measures just 7.5mm in height, which makes it about 25 percent slimmer. So far only the 128GB variety included in the P220 has been confirmed, but OCZ indicates that it’s just the first of more LG laptops to use the new drives. Press release is after the break.

Continue reading OCZ announces slimmer 7.5mm SSD, confirms one resides in LG’s P220 ultraportable

OCZ announces slimmer 7.5mm SSD, confirms one resides in LG’s P220 ultraportable originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp — party on, Wayne

Posted in: Apple, guitar, ios, ipad, iPhone, Music, smartphone, sound, tablet, Today's Chili, video

No word yet on if the volume peaks at 11, but what Line 6’s new Mobile In offerings will do is turn your iPad or iPhone into a pro modeling amp, with a sick range of amplifiers, guitar cabinets, stompboxes, tones and rack effects. The setup comes in two separate parts: the free mobile Pod app and the Mobile In adaptor, which lets aspiring metalheads (or Fleeting Foxes) connect their guitars to an iOS device using the 30-pin connector. Line 6 says this connection blows similar jack-based apps out of the water, and it’s throwing in 24-bit/48kHz digital sound for good measure. Although you’ll get a killer 110dB of dynamic range for guitar, you can still achieve 98dBs when you plug in another mono or stereo-line level — that old keytar, perhaps? With that kind of combo you’ll be thankful to know that it records and works with other CoreAudio apps like GarageBand — perfect for jamming out with your keyboard toutin’ buddies without the back-breaking work of carrying a heavy amp. Have your lighters ready for when the $79.99 adaptor ships this fall, but until then, check out the video and full PR after the break.

Continue reading Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp — party on, Wayne

Line 6 Mobile In app turns your iPad or iPhone into a multi-effect amp — party on, Wayne originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Sharp FX Plus venturing beyond Walmart this month, we go hands-on

Posted in: Android, att, froyo, Google, mobile, mobilepostcross, Sharp, Today's Chili, walmart
If you haven’t heard of the Sharp FX Plus, you must not be the type to troll the halls of your local Walmart. The phone went on sale there a few weeks back, and a PCD rep just confirmed it’ll soon venture outside Walmart’s massive aisles, hitting select AT&T stores by the end of the month. We spotted it tonight as we were wandering around a New York City media event. There it was, sitting on a lone table, overshadowed by the likes of the HTC Thunderbolt and Incredible 2. Alas, the device on hand wasn’t active, so we didn’t get to peek the software / performance, but hit the break for some quickie impressions of just how much hardware this free phone’ll get you.

Gallery: Sharp FX Plus hands-on

Continue reading Sharp FX Plus venturing beyond Walmart this month, we go hands-on

Sharp FX Plus venturing beyond Walmart this month, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Dyson intros Hot AM04, aims to change the home heating game (video)

Posted in: hands-on, household, Today's Chili, video
Leave it to James Dyson to give your ordinary household appliance a new spin. Tonight in New York City, Mr. Dyson took to the stage in order to properly unveil his latest gizmo — the $399.99 Dyson Hot AM04. As its name suggests, this is the company’s latest fan Air Multiplier, but with a ceramic heating element to keep your toes toasty. On those muggy summer days, you’ll be able keeps things breezy similar to previous Air Multipliers, and when the winter’s bitter cold hits, you’ll be able to heat things up anywhere from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to as high as 99 degrees — caliente. The unit is designed much like a jet’s wing, bringing air in from its bottom grills and amplifying it six times as it soars out through the ducts.

Interestingly enough, we’re told that the heating element stays at one preset temperature, measuring the room until it reaches the level you tell it to. As you’d expect, an inbuilt safety mechanism flips the whole thing off if it tips over. With its tiltable base or an included IR remote, you’ll be able to change the temperature, choose between ten fan speeds and set it into an oscillation mode. Better yet, the remote magnetically clings to the top of the unit — perfect if you’re prone to losing things. It’s currently available in white or silver directly from Dyson (though a remote-less version is tipped for those looking to save a few bucks), and you’ll find more details in the PR past the break.

Gallery: Dyson Hot AM04 hands-on

Continue reading Dyson intros Hot AM04, aims to change the home heating game (video)

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Dyson intros Hot AM04, aims to change the home heating game (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

ASUS Eee Pad Slider arriving at month’s end, starting at $475 (video)

Posted in: 10-inch, Android, android tablet, AndroidTablet, ASUS, Google, hands-on, honeycomb, impressions, preview, Today's Chili, video

It’s been more than eight months since the ASUS Eee Pad Slider was born at CES and since then, we’ve seen listings online and heard endless promises that it’s coming “soon.” Today, though, at a media event here in New York City, we managed a prolonged hands-on with the thing — along with assurance that it’ll hit the US before month’s end. According to an ASUS rep, it’ll ship with Android 3.2 and start at $475 for the 16GB model (roughly as leaked) with the beefier 32GB number fetching an extra hundred bucks. That means we’ll be putting it through its paces soon enough, but in the meantime, head past the break for some early impressions.

Gallery: ASUS Eee Pad Slider hands-on

Continue reading ASUS Eee Pad Slider arriving at month’s end, starting at $475 (video)

ASUS Eee Pad Slider arriving at month’s end, starting at $475 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

Posted in: hands-on, LG, mobilepostcross, pre-order, Sprint, Today's Chili, video
Sprint shone some light on the latest mystery handset from LG earlier today — and what a bright light it is indeed. The Marquee’s four-inch NOVA display is one of the brightest on the market — it’s a sort “we can’t technically say it’s the brightest, but it’s certainly up there” situation. Screen aside, this is a slick and skinny Gingerbread handset. It’s got a large display, but it feels nice in the hand. There’s a 1GHz processor inside, so it’s certainly not the most powerful phone we seen, but it felt quite zippy during our time with it. The carrier will be offering the phone up for pre-sale on September 20th — those who get in early will start receiving their phones on September 29th. Everyone else will have to wait for October 2nd. The handset will run $100 with a two-year contract. Check out a hands-on video after the jump.

Gallery: LG Marquee hands-on

LG Marquee hands-on

Continue reading LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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