Hasta La Gadget!

If you’ve embraced Motorola’s vision of tablets warmly enough to have picked up a Xyboard 8.2 or 10.1, your loyalty is being rewarded. Both the WiFi versions and Verizon’s Droid Xyboard variants should be receiving their Android 4.0 updates starting now, with everyone onboard over the course of the weeks ahead. Don’t anticipate a Droid RAZR-style visual revamp: much like Google’s regular jump from Android 3.2 to 4.0, the changes involve subtler components like the improved built-in browser and Face Unlock. The release is no Jelly Bean update, but we’d still call it a big step forward for fans of sharply-angled slabs.

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Motorola Xyboard WiFi, Verizon 4G models get Android 4.0 updates originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that we were on pins and needles wondering what Motorola’s September 5th event would contain, but what vestige of mystery was left may just have been sapped away. A quartet of Motorola tutorial videos newly uncovered by YouTube user revowii walk users through the unannounced XT926, better known in unofficial circles as the Droid RAZR HD. It’s all about the looks in this leak: other than the conspicuous link to Verizon, what’s mostly validated here is the expected use of a customized Android 4.0 with on-screen navigation keys, much like the Atrix HD in AT&T’s corner of the universe. Earlier murmurings have the Droid RAZR HD carrying the same Snapdragon S4, 720p screen and LTE as well, which could leave the CDMA voice network, NFC and possibly increased storage as the only real differences. We’ll know the full truth in about two weeks’ time, but those who don’t mind a peek into the possible future can hop past the story break to indulge in some video time traveling.

Continue reading Motorola Droid RAZR HD guides slip out to the web, pop the hype balloon (video)

Filed under: Cellphones

Motorola Droid RAZR HD guides slip out to the web, pop the hype balloon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re hot and bothered by the Galaxy S III on Verizon and have a burning desire to get your grubby little mitts on some custom ROMs and kernels, then rejoice, because you’ll no longer have to plunk down $600 on the Developer Edition to partake in the fun. That’s right, the encrypted bootloader of Big Red’s Galaxy S III has now been unlocked. If you’re wanting to partake in the fun, you’ll find the requisite utility and a complete list of instructions over at xda-developers. As is, you’ll need either Linux or OS X to carry out the dirty work, though workarounds for Windows users are possible. Be sure to do a bit of soul-searching before pulling the trigger, however, as any future updates pose the risk of bricking your device. That said, if you dive straight into the world of custom ROMs, it’ll be much less of an issue.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Hit the break for a video that shows the process of unlocking the bootloader on Verizon’s Galaxy S III.

[Special thanks to Adam Outler and François Simond]

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III bootloader for Verizon can now be unlocked: take that, Big Red (update: video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Samsung Galaxy S III bootloader for Verizon can now be unlocked: take that, Big Red (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Viewdini streaming metasearch service launched a few months ago for Verizon’s 4G LTE-laden Android hardware, and now it’s finally available on iDevices. While the droid app is exclusive to those with a 4G plan on Big Red’s network, anything running iOS 4.3 and up can now make use of Viewdini, independently of carrier ties. As the screenshots above show, you’re also good to go on 3G, although you better watch that data allowance to avoid any nasty surprises. Interestingly, the iOS version currently only digs through the catalogues of 11 content providers compared with 18 on the Android version, but you’re still getting access to various big names like ABC, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Verizon’s own video service. More providers should be added to the list soon, and if you’d like to give Viewdini a try, it’s available at the App Store now.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs, Wireless, Internet

Verizon’s Viewdini appears on iOS: works on any network, hunts video from 11 sources originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 06:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s little doubt that mobile payments hold a ton of potential for the future of commerce, but without proper direction (and willingness for adoption), the technology remains little more than an impractical curiosity for the majority of consumers. In an effort to define a way forward for the mobile payment industry, a large number of heavy hitters have banded together under the umbrella of the Electronic Transactions Association to form the Mobile Payments Committee. Not only does the group include all four of the top US carriers, but also Google, Isis, VeriFone and PayPal. Add to that financial institutions such as Wells Fargo and Capital One, along with American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, and you’ll quickly realize that this group is playing to win.

Primary goals of the Mobile Payments Committee include fostering relationships with merchants, ensuring consumer access to modern payment methods, exploring best practices and ensuring interoperability of networks, equipment and financial institutions. The group will also engage in lobbying activities with legislators and regulators, and will additionally work to educate both merchants and consumers about the potential of mobile payments. With so many key players (and competitors) sitting around one big table, what wouldn’t you give to be a fly on the wall during those meetings? For a little extra insight, just hop the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Google, PayPal, VeriFone and US carriers band together to form Mobile Payments Committee

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets, Wireless

Google, PayPal, VeriFone and US carriers band together to form Mobile Payments Committee originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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