Nov 11
Want a Moto X but have been holding out for pretty colors? Good news, Moto Maker customization
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Oct 25
How to Optimize Your Mac for Gaming
Posted in: Today's Chili
You may not immediately think "gaming" when you think "Mac," but there are tons of games for the Mac these days, and some of the most popular PC games are also available for OS X. Let’s take a look at a few ways to make those games run as smoothly as possible.
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Sep 11
See how the Moto X is made (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili
Not everyone gets to walk behind the tech industry’s velvet ropes. So when Motorola opened the gates to its Fort Worth, Texas facility — the place where custom Moto X’s are made — we were there to bring you an inside look. And in the interest of getting you even more intimately acquainted with the Google company’s assembled in the USA smartphone production hub, we have something almost as good as being there: a behind-the-scenes video tour. So, what are you waiting for… an invite? Head past the break to glimpse phase one of this whole new Motorola and see Governor Rick Perry spike an iPhone 5.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Sep 11
Motorola’s American Dream: unbridled customization, two-day shipping and one big Texas factory
Posted in: Today's Chili
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way: Motorola had picked the date for its Fort Worth, Texas facility’s dedication ceremony first. But then Apple went ahead to claim the date and stole the day’s spotlight with its new iPhone reveals. No matter, as the gathering of press, factory workers and bold-faced names — Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Texas Gov. Rick Perry — seemed minorly preoccupied with the major news of the day. We were in the midst of Nokia’s old manufacturing plant, after all, now the birthplace of all custom-made Moto X’s and there was the spirit of American manufacturing to celebrate.
To drive that point home, some very Springsteen-ish tunes were pumped over the loudspeakers as we all patiently awaited the end of Cupertino’s product showcase and the start of Motorola’s “we can too make it in the USA” toldja moment. I even half-expected Miley Cyrus to jump onstage with an assortment of teddy bears brandishing raver-hued Moto X’s. She didn’t and an Americana Twitter-trending hashtag moment was missed. Still there was one exceptional and unscripted highlight waiting in the wings. It wasn’t CEO Dennis Woodside nose-thumbing at those unnamed rivals that said US-based production could and would never happen. Nor was it Schmidt’s patriotic pledge to the Texas facility: “This is a bet we’re taking on America … on Texas [and] on this incredible workforce that’s assembled here. We think this is a very, very safe bet.” No. It was the moment Woodside presented Gov. Perry with a Moto X — designed with Texan colors — and Perry, in response, unceremoniously spiked his iPhone to the floor below. Yes, the moment is caught on tape.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Jul 03
We’ve heard few details about Motorola’s upcoming flagship smartphone since the firm’s CEO teased the device at D11, but a full-page advertisement in several of the country’s top newspapers today hinted at customizability, which ABC News has now confirmed. According to an article on the broadcaster’s website, the device will be available in different colors, with an optional engraving. And, since it’s due to be manufactured in Texas, the customized device will reach American consumers within a few days of an order.
Customers will be able to select colors for both the back panel and the smartphone’s side trim. Additionally, you’ll be prompted to upload a photo that’ll be used as the device’s default wallpaper. Like traditional handsets, Moto X will also be available in retail stores, according to ABC‘s sources, though you’ll need to order online if you want a non-standard configuration. We’re still waiting on specification details, pricing and availability, but if today’s ads are any indication, we can expect a formal launch soon.
Update: Wednesday is turning out to be a good day for Moto X leaks. Following news of customizable colors, we’ve just come upon a snapshot that purports to show off three of these options: teal, red and fushia. You can take a peek after the break, and we have a feeling these might be just the first of many colorful leaks to come.
Filed under: Cellphones, Google
Source: ABC News
Feb 13
To root or not to root? That is the question. Rooting your Android device definitely pushes you up a level or two in your geekdom. It requires a certain level of commitment, at least a little savvy, and even a modicum of risk. So, why would you want to bother? More »
Jan 16
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.
Here’s the thing: I know who I am. I don’t need Facebook or Google or Microsoft or Apple or anyone else to collect data and tell me what I’m interested in. I’m pretty sure I know what I like and don’t like. I’m also pretty sure I know my friends, and if I am looking for a recommendation on something, I’ll hit particular ones up based on what I know of who knows what. Know what I’m saying?
This week Facebook announced its new search technology that a lot of us knew was coming. The premise is, if I may minimize, that what my friends like is probably good for me. I can see how scientists may think that this is plausible, but in reality, this can’t be further from reality.
Continue reading This is the Modem World: Please don’t personalize me. I know who I am
Aug 25
The OwnFone is neither smart nor world-friendly, and yet it’s managed to grab our attention just the same. Designed for use only in the UK, it represents a rather novel take on the mobile phone with its customizable nature and simplistic design. Before ordering, owners must select among two, four, eight or a dozen contacts, and it’s highly recommended to include emergency services among that bunch — there’s no option to dial actual numbers, as every contact is programmed and stored in the cloud.
In its current incarnation, contacts are represented by their names, but it will soon be possible to customize a phone with either photos or Braille. While owners can update a contact’s phone number with a simple call to customer support, it’s more cumbersome to replace a contact, as you’ll need to order a decal to affix over the former friend. Due to its limited functionality, the OwnFone is best positioned as a backup or secondary phone, although its simplicity makes it particularly well-suited for children and some elderly individuals. As another nice touch, one’s phone number is printed on the back of the OwnFone. You’ll find it available today for £55, and all those curious to discover the customization options can check out the various colors, patterns and photos on OwnFone’s website.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Meet the OwnFone: a customizable mobile phone that epitomizes simplicity originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 22
Wireless Sensor Tags alert you to movement and temperature changes, fit on your keyring
Posted in: Today's Chili 
There’s plenty of sensor gear around for hobbyists to play with, but not so many polished products for the monitoring-obsessed. Cao Gadgets is attempting to fill that niche with its functionally named Wireless Sensor Tags — small devices which monitor movement and temperature, notifying you if anything’s amiss. A magnetometer registers movement by changes in its orientation, and can inform you of door openings or similar disturbances, while the temperature triggers are based on upper or lower thresholds. The $15 sensors (or $12 if you want three or more) have a battery life that should last several years depending on their setup, but there is one catch — you also need the Tag Manager hub ($50), which plugs into your router via Ethernet. It keeps in frequent contact with any subordinates in its 200-foot range, and if after several attempts it finds one MIA, a warning can be sent in case any of your home guards have walked or fallen asleep. The tags also have inbuilt beepers which can be pinged to track down any rogue possessions they’re partnered with, like your keys.
A lot of thought has been put into micromanaging the tags, which are customizable through web-based, Android or iOS apps, and will send out alerts via email, Twitter, or push notifications on slates and phones (text-to-speech is available if you’re too lazy to read). If you’re into your data, you can also access trigger statistics from the software, complete with graphs. The home monitoring kit is available now, and instead of crashing your browser with too many embeds, we’ve decided to point you to the source below for the half-dozen demo vids.
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household, Wireless
Wireless Sensor Tags alert you to movement and temperature changes, fit on your keyring originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Aug 21
Jawbone takes a cue from Colorware, will let customers order the Jambox speaker in custom colors
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Want a blue-and-black Bluetooth speaker to match your Engadget t-shirt, messenger bag and whatever other paraphernalia you have lying around? You’re in luck: Jawbone is about to start accepting orders for the Jambox speaker in custom colors. All told, you’ll be able to choose from 13 shades for the grill, and nine for the end caps. Jawbone says it can see customers choosing school and team colors, not that you need an excuse to want an orange piece of kit. The personalization is free of charge, meaning the price of the speaker is still $200. The only downside, so far as we can tell, is that the Big Jambox isn’t included. For now, the site is only open to select users (i.e., loyal customers who have participated in company forums, surveys and such), but starting August 28th it’ll be open to everybody. In the meantime, which of you has the cojones to order it in purple and yellow?
Gallery: Jawbone Jambox in custom colors
Jawbone takes a cue from Colorware, will let customers order the Jambox speaker in custom colors originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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