Hasta La Gadget!

After concentrating on gaming and visual improvements in previous releases of Chrome, the browser’s latest focus appears to be in video engagement. The latest beta includes a PeerConnection API that lets developers create real-time video chat applications without a plug-in. This builds upon existing WebRTC integration with a new getUserMedia API that should result in higher-quality video, audio, and data communications. The Beta also bundles in track support for HTML5 video, letting developers add in subtitles, captions, and other metadata — the above photo, for example, is a screencap of a bike ride video enhanced with Google Map and Street View data. Another nice addition is a MediaSource API which adjusts video quality based on computer and network environments, which should put an end to those agonizing waits while the dancing inmate version of Gangnam Style buffers. Those interested can get their mitts on the new Chrome Beta today.

Filed under: Internet, Software

Chrome Beta adds video engagement APIs, promises higher-quality video chats sans plugin originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Google Chromium Blog  | Email this | Comments

Streaming music services have a bad reputation when it comes to paying their artists, who only earn a few cents each play. Rdio is trying to remedy that (and grow its subscriber base) by paying songsters $10 for every user they personally attract that stays around longer than a month. Brendan Benson, Scissor Sisters and Snoop Dogg Lion have already signed up, but it’s not just for big names, any musician with an Rdio account can join — tempting us to upload our Lady Gaga covers played on the Sousaphone in the quest for some of those rockstar riches.

Continue reading Rdio begins paying artists $10 for every user they attract

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Internet

Rdio begins paying artists $10 for every user they attract originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink L.A. Times  |  Rdio  | Email this | Comments

LinkedIn has always been based on the notion of “connections” rather than “followers,” but the social network has made a bit of a break with that tradition today. For the first time, it will let users follow people they aren’t connected to, although their choice of people is initially limited to a group of 150 individuals that LinkedIn deems to be “thought leaders.” What’s more, the company is also giving them access to some more advanced blogging tools that will let them publish longer posts with pictures and videos. Of course, while it’s fairly limited in scope now, LinkedIn is clear that this is only their first step in this direction. It says it will continue to expand its group of “influencers” over the next few months (it’s taking suggestions), and LinkedIn’s Dan Roth told TechCrunch that “eventually we want to allow all people to follow each others.” In the meantime, you can get the full rundown of what’s in store at the links below.

Filed under: Internet

LinkedIn branches out with new blogging and ‘following’ features for select group originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  LinkedIn  | Email this | Comments

The international mobile hotspot rental market just got a lot more interesting. While Xcom Global‘s offerings are still broader, Tep Wireless is expanding in a major way. Previously reserved for European nations, the upstart is now serving a full 50 nations, adding Brazil, the United States, South Africa, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and UAE to its repertoire. For those in need of a refresher, the company enables customers facing an international trip to order their hotspot and get it delivered prior to departure, with a prepaid envelope included to ship it back once they’ve returned.

The company’s made clear that its hotspots will track data usage in real time right on the inbuilt display, and they’re programmed to hop onto different networks as borders are crossed. (If you’re curious, we confirmed that it all works as advertised in a recent jaunt across European borders.) The full pricing chart fo is hosted up after the break, with those needing unlimited buckets able to pay a $6.95-per day surcharge. (It should be noted that the preexisting EU-wide pricing options remain for those sticking to that region.) It’ll probably look a touch pricey to light users and common tourists, but business travelers unwilling to take chances on connectivity when heading overseas will find the rates far more palatable than roaming fees from their home carrier.

Continue reading Tep Wireless expands mobile hotspot rental plan to 50 countries, revamps pricing

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile

Tep Wireless expands mobile hotspot rental plan to 50 countries, revamps pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 06:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Tep Wireless  | Email this | Comments

When App.net kicked off its Twitter rivalry, the $50 yearly subscription fee was based on the assumption that the ad-free social service would maintain 10,000 customers. Founder Dalton Caldwell may have underestimated year-one adoption by just a tad: he now has nearly 20,000 customers on his hands in less than two months, which throws the previous economies of scale out the window. The pain for Caldwell’s business model is a pleasure for fans, however. App.net’s price of entry has dropped to $36 per year, with existing memberships’ durations extended to match the new yearly rate. Anyone on the fence also has a chance to try the service for a short stint through a $5 monthly plan. While it’s hard to know if the price drop will sustain the early runaway pace, it reflects a determination to play for keeps in the social media game — an important trait when the chief opponent isn’t sitting still.

Filed under: Internet

App.net edges closer to 20,000 users, drops subscription prices to $36 to fuel the social fire originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink GigaOM  |  App.net Blog  | Email this | Comments