Hasta La Gadget!

PayPal Here, despite all its focus on in-store transactions, hasn’t really been available to buy in a US store — that’s been the domain of the seemingly ubiquitous Square reader. eBay’s payment wing has at last established that retail beachhead through a deal with AT&T. About 1,800 of the carrier’s stores are now carrying PayPal Here readers, and they’ll keep the service’s big rival from hogging the spotlight at a time when most aren’t even aware that there’s any competition. If you’re still cynical, you can look at the AT&T move as a matter of convenience: at least this way, all your account headaches will come from one place.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

PayPal Here goes on sale at AT&T stores: like a one-stop shop for account hiccups originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  PayPal Blog  | Email this | Comments

After what feels like a mighty long time since it was first announced, Sony’s cross-platform PlayStation Mobile store is now up and running with an initial line-up of games (plus one lonely-looking app) for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Certified Android devices. That hardware category currently includes Sony’s latest tablets and Xperias, plus HTC One-branded handsets — check the source link for a full list and installation instructions. So far, we can access PSM on the Vita via a new tab on the PlayStation Store, and we know that readers are having luck on devices in the US — including the Xperia Play — but the One X (both global and AT&T) has only given us error messages. If you succeed or fail, please post your results below and we’ll update accordingly.

Update: Okay, there are definitely teething problems on HTC devices and we’re reaching out for an explanation. Meanwhile, owners of the Nexus 7 and the Xperia Ion on AT&T bring happier tidings.

[Thanks to Paul and all who’ve commented]

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Tablets, Sony

Sony Playstation Mobile store now live, offers cross-platform games and apps from $0.80 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Sony  | Email this | Comments

If little Johnny thought Build-a-Bear had nothing for his tech-savvy toddler sensibilities, he’d better think again. The plush toy-seller has just launched a new high-tech store concept that it hopes will help re-engage children otherwise distracted with tablets, phones and game consoles. The new additions include a 55-inch interactive digital sign out front, with touchscreen and Kinect functionality, complete with unlockable content via barcodes. Once inside, four Samsung SUR40 smart tables loaded with custom software offer a range of different parts of the teddy-making process, as well as interact with the toys in real-time — like a virtual bubble bath — thanks to a purpose-built tagging system. The sound side of things also gets a lick of paint, with six audio “zones” created, using ultrasonic speakers that can target sound to specific parts of the store and stop all the collective noise from reverberating like something from a bad dream. The first such shop is already open in St Louis, with five more locations to follow: Pleasanton CA, Annapolis MD, Troy MI, Fairfax VA and Indianapolis IN between October and November.

Continue reading Build-a-bear’s new store concept wants you to choose, love, stuff and fluff with high-tech (video)

Filed under: Misc, Alt

Build-a-bear’s new store concept wants you to choose, love, stuff and fluff with high-tech (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 06:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

If the MakerBot store in Manhattan is the East coast’s vanguard for 3D printer stores, Deezmaker’s just-opened store in Pasadena, California is the equivalent pioneer for the West coast crew. As of now, you can walk through the doors at 290 North Hill Avenue and at least see the store’s own Bukobot printer in action, even if high demand through Kickstarter pre-orders precludes walk-in sales for the next few weeks. When you can make that impulse purchase, however, you’ll find the Bukobot at a relatively cheap $600 and may see some alternatives during your visit. Store owner and Bukobot creator Diego Porqueras stresses to Ars Technica that he wants Deezmaker lasting for the long haul, and he may have chosen just the right area to make that happen — the shop is a stone’s throw from the experimenters (and simply curious) at Caltech, NASA’s JPL and Pasadena City College. No matter how it all shakes out, we’re hoping that the two near-simultaneous store openings are the start of a larger trend that takes 3D printing into the mainstream.

Filed under: Misc

Deezmaker 3D Printer Store opens in Pasadena, will sell you a slice of the future for $600 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Ars Technica  |  Deezmaker  | Email this | Comments

With the big event only a few hours away Apple has already taken its shop offline. It’s become standard practice for the Cupertino crew, so it’s hardly a surprise. Still, it’s a good sign that some new products will be available, at least for pre-order, starting today. Interestingly, the store isn’t the only Apple property out of commission currently — reports have been trickling in since yesterday that iCloud is out for some customers as well. The down time could just be a bug that needs fixing, but perhaps iCloud will also get some significant updates this morning to accompany the launch of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Internet

Apple Store goes down ahead of iPhone announcement originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments