Hasta La Gadget!

Most US carriers have been pulling back on the sheer number of pre-installed apps thrown onto the latest Android devices, but Verizon appears to be heading in the opposite direction. An announcement found within the safe confines of Big Red’s internal system indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Stellar wasn’t the only product in the lineup to get officially introduced to a suite of Amazon apps — every single Android device gracing Verizon’s shelves will also get the same treatment. The suite includes apps for the Kindle, Shopping, MP3, IMDb, Audible and Zappos. There was no word on whether the bloatware can be disabled or uninstalled, but since the policy goes into effect today, we should find out pretty soon. We highly doubt this will be a focal point at Amazon’s press event, but we won’t skirt over the possibility of it getting some time on Jeff Bezos’ teleprompters.

As a sidenote, Verizon mentions here that this policy excludes Google experience devices and tablets, which could be cause for speculation that new Nexus devices (including tablets) are en route to the LTE carrier. This wording is pretty open, however, and it may simply be Verizon’s way of covering themselves in case such a device comes out in the future.

[Thanks, Anonymous!]

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile

Verizon adding suite of Amazon apps to all new Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Router, Rowter. However you say it, you probably need one, which is why ASUS is temping you toward buying one of its new AiCloud models. The new service is designed to unify your data across devices, letting you share and stream multimedia and documents from PCs to smartphones. You’ll also be able to store files online, remote control your PC from your tablet and create single-click download links to share with your friends. ASUS is so excited about the project that it’s released a new advert telling you all about it, which we’ve included for you after the break.

Continue reading ASUS boasts about AiCloud features in new teaser (video)

Filed under: Internet

ASUS boasts about AiCloud features in new teaser (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We had to wait an extra week for the US details, but Sony has revealed Stateside pricing for its new top of the line HDTVs at CEDIA 2012. The 55- and 65-inch BRAVIA XBR-HX950 HDTVs have pricetags of $4,499 and $5,499, respectively and the press release promises immediate availability online, at Sony stores and through “select” retailers although we heard they may arrive in force around the same time as the 84-inch 4K monster. The press release also has all the specs for these refreshed versions of the old HX929 champ, which bring along all the local dimming, Gorilla Glass and connected TV features we’ve come to expect without any additional surprises, although we suspect that won’t slow down orders from any fans of the monolith TV style with $5k or so burning a hole in their pocket.

Continue reading Sony sets US pricing for 55-, 65-inch HX950 HDTVs: $4,499 and $5,499

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Sony sets US pricing for 55-, 65-inch HX950 HDTVs: $4,499 and $5,499 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re not sure if Georgia Koukiou and Vassilis Anastassopoulos of the University of Patras in Greece like a tipple or not, but the pair have developed two algorithms that, when used with thermal imaging, could pick out drunk people in crowds. What is it that betrays your best intentions to look sober? As always, your face. Booze causes the blood-vessels in your visage to dilate, and the researchers used this principle to compare facial scans against a database of tipple-free mug shots. Likewise the duo found that when under the influence, the nose gets warmer, while the forehead cools — another visual check that the infrared can help identify. The hope is that using this technology, law-enforcement can make a judgement call based on more than just your wonky walk. But in our experience, the troublemakers are pretty good at outing themselves.

Filed under: Science, Alt

Scientists develop pair of algorithms that could enable thermal cameras to pick out drunk people originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 16:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Didn’t get a chance to watch Nokia and Microsoft’s big Windows Phone event live? Well, you can still catch up on all that went down in our liveblog, or watch the event in its entirety courtesy of Nokia’s webcast, which is now available for on-demand viewing. Hit the source link below to get started.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Video of Nokia and Microsoft’s Windows Phone event now available for replay originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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