Hasta La Gadget!

Unlike regular mobile networks, virtual operators — or MVNOs — have none of those expensive cellular infrastructures to worry about. Newcomer, Solavei, (which rides atop T-Mobile) is using this freedom to focus in on its business model. Just out of beta, the provider is offering unlimited voice, text and data for $49 per month, or free. Free? Well, if you’re silver-tongued enough to talk friends and family into signing up, too, you’ll get $20 kickback a month for every three — or “trio” as the marketing calls it — that you convince. There are other bonuses and chances to earn money — all obviously aimed at spreading the network’s audience, and offsetting the lower overheads. You can also use your own unlocked phone, or buy one of the three that Solavei currently offers (HTC One X, Wildfire S and ZTE Origin). This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such philanthropic approaches, and it might smack a little bit of MLM, but if your after an all-you-can eat mobile deal, and have a large group of friends, this could be a nice little earner. Still not sold? Perhaps the feel-good corporate video after the break will switch that up.

Continue reading Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without any

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Solavei MVNO will pay you when your friends sign up, $49 a month all-in for those without any originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 06:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The official Redbox app for Android hasn’t seen many changes since it was first introduced early last year, but that’s changing with version 3.0. Now available in Google Play, it brings a new look that should make browsing a bit easier, plus enhanced filtering (you can sort Blu-ray discs by genre) and the ability to sort by date or alphabetical order. Finally, support for push notifications could mean unsubscribing to those weekly texts for coupon codes, and users report you can now input the coupon codes in the app while making reservations. We poked around but couldn’t find any references to its Instant streaming service, so there’s at least one thing to expect for the next update. Android powered kiosk renters can grab the app at the source link below.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Mobile

Redbox app for Android updated with a new UI and better filtering, no Instant streaming yet originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 04:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a world where VOD services are available pretty much everywhere and where Tablets and other PMP comes with up to 64GB of internal memory, Sony seems that it is still relevant to bring portable Blu-Ray and DVD player on the market. Granted that in Japan it is illegal to RIP DVDs and Blue-Ray, strangely however you can rent and purchase Movies and BD-R or DVD-R is most of Japanese Movie Rental shops. Anyway! If you are a sucker for these king o devices I am sure that you will be delighted to …

Part suppliers sometimes telegraph their customers’ plans months in advance: when you’re the only provider for a key piece of technology, it’s not hard for others to read the tea leaves. Aptina might have just given us one such peek into the future by unveiling its 1-inch AR1011HS camera sensor this week. As the Nikon 1 series is one of the few current, mainstream camera lines to use Aptina’s 1-inch sensors, it’s quite possible that we’re looking at a template for one or more of Nikon’s tiny interchangeable-lens shooters. The 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and low-light sensitivity aren’t surprises. We’re more interested in the wild levels of video capture support — the AR1011HS can record 1080p footage at 120 frames per second, oversample movies at that resolution or scale up to quad HD. There’s no guarantee any or all of the features will make the cut, especially given a dearth of 4K TVs, but it’s not hard to imagine Nikon playing to the 1’s high-speed strengths with an even quicker upgrade. Mass production starts in the first quarter of 2013, and while neither Aptina nor Nikon has confirmed any plans, Aptina’s emphasis on top-tier companies in the “performance-oriented” mirrorless camera world leaves few other choices for a partnership.

Continue reading Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1

Filed under: Cameras

Aptina unveils 1-inch sensor with 1080p video at 120FPS, we suspect Nikon wants 1 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 00:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from is from Is from Joe, who has helped inspire a regular feature and also wants to know which carrier he should pick for Philadelphia. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hey! I loved your question about NYC carriers and thought it would be a great idea to let your visitors sound off on other major cities. I’d love to hear opinions on Philadelphia carriers myself, so if you could possibly consider adding this, I think it would be appreciated by many.”

Way back in April, we asked you about which carrier rules the roost in NYC and it caused a little sensation, with hundreds of you bombarding the Ask Engadget inbox to ask if we’d do your city or state. We’ll be sprinkling them in every now and again to let you sound off about the coverage in your local area, so if you live in Philadelphia and have world-class (or world’s worst) signal, let us know in the comments below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Ask Engadget: best Philadelphia wireless carrier? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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