Charge Anywhere update turns Nexus S into full-on mobile payment terminal

Processing mobile payments via an external dongle? That’s so early 2011. Charge Anywhere has a less troublesome idea, and if you’re the lucky owner of a Google Nexus S, you could soon be accepting cold, hard virtual cash via NFC. For those already familiar with the space, you’ll know that this very company already has applications out for the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices, but all of those obviously require a credit card swiping mechanism to be connected. According to CNET, the latest version will include support for the NFC module embedded within the Nexus S, enabling it to be a full-on mobile payment terminal with no additional hardware required. Both MasterCard PayPass and Visa Blink payments could be ingested, but don’t go searching for the update in the Android Market; the company’s done with the new build, but it won’t be let loose to the public until it’s ran past larger customers first. We don’t get the impression that the NFC-compatible version will run any more than the $9.99 per month, but it’s obviously a wait-and-see affair for now.

Charge Anywhere update turns Nexus S into full-on mobile payment terminal originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  sourceCharge Anywhere  | Email this | Comments

Wham-O’s Frisbee Forever iOS app promises to change backyard fun… forever

If there’s one thing the iPhone needs — and we mean exactly one thing — it’s clearly a Frisbee app. Er, Frisbee(R) app. Not a legitimate Gmail app. Not a new notification system. A Frisbee(R) app. As the story goes, Wham-O has linked hands with Kiloo in order to develop the Frisbee Forever app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, which is said to offer avid iOS gamers “unique challenges and obstacles in a rich complete 3D environment.” What kind of challenges, you say? We’re hearing that you’ll be able to toss a variety of Frisbee models across 100 levels of lush, colorful worlds, but beyond that, most everything else is shrouded in mystery. All will be revealed in May, but till then, we’d encourage you to step outside and actually throw a Frisbee. We hear dogs are super into fetching them, too.

Continue reading Wham-O’s Frisbee Forever iOS app promises to change backyard fun… forever

Wham-O’s Frisbee Forever iOS app promises to change backyard fun… forever originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast’s Xfinity TV app for iOS updated with more streaming and customization

Comcast is back with what it’s calling the third major release of its Xfinity TV app for iOS, and while the product team says it’s added streaming content from IFC, Adult Swim, BBC and more the key upgrade is in customizations. It features a new favorites list that is most improved by its ability to sync with the XfinityTV website, a new channel keypad for quick changes when used as a remote and the ability to jump to specific dates in the TV listings. The iPhone version has also gotten a tweak, with the addition of a “flip through previous channels” feature previously restricted to the iPad version. Of course the next question is when we can expect these enhancements to filter over to the recently launched Android version, and also when Comcast is planning to follow Time Warner through the live channel streaming door, despite the loud protests of some of the TV networks against it.

Comcast’s Xfinity TV app for iOS updated with more streaming and customization originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceComcast Voices, iTunes, Comcast Interactive Media  | Email this | Comments

Copenhagen airport tracks your every move using WiFi signals

Hello, Big Brother! According to the New York Times, Copenhagen International Airport is currently testing a new program that monitors passengers based on WiFi data emitted from devices like laptops and smartphones. Airport officials observe travelers from a remote computer, and can tell, within 10 feet of accuracy, where they spend their time — those arriving and departing are represented by different colored dots. The program, created by Geneva-based SITA, also gives visitors the option to download an iPhone app that provides location-based information, like promotions from nearby restaurants. SITA’s VP said the software isn’t intrusive, as it follows devices, not individuals, but we’re not sure we want anyone to know how long our Android spends in the bathroom — and you thought those naughty-bit scanners were creepy.

Copenhagen airport tracks your every move using WiFi signals originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Switched  |  sourceNew York Times  | Email this | Comments

Senator Harry Reid calls for DUI checkpoint app removal: RIM’s game, Google isn’t, Apple’s undecided

There’s a lot of folks out there drinking and driving, and Congress sees DUI checkpoint location apps as enablers of all that cruising and boozing. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and his fellow Democrats have decided to use their powers of political persuasion to address the issue and ask Google, Apple, and RIM to pull such apps from their respective stores. The letter didn’t name names, but Reid and co. want offending software yanked or “altered to remove the DUI checkpoint functionality” to prevent checkpoint circumvention. Of course, the creators of one such app, PhantomAlert, claim it provides such information to deter drunk driving by letting users know the risk of getting caught (yeah, right). RIM agreed to comply with the congressional request while Google said no thanks, but mum’s the word out of Cupertino — time will tell if Apple gets on the banning bandwagon too.

Senator Harry Reid calls for DUI checkpoint app removal: RIM’s game, Google isn’t, Apple’s undecided originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Yahoo News  |  sourceDemocrats.Senate.gov, International Business Times  | Email this | Comments

Square Enix launches Hippos Lab for smartphone game development

Square Enix isn’t exactly a stranger to the smartphone scene, but it looks like the company behind Final Fantasy (among countless other games) is now going to be moving quite a bit beyond ports of its existing games for other consoles. The company has just announced the launch of its new Hippos Lab game development studio, which will be primarily focused on creating “high quality original content” for smartphones. Details are unfortunately still pretty light beyond that, but the studio has apparently been up and running since March 7th, and it says it hopes to have its first game “ready soon.” No word if they’ve scored the license for Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Square Enix launches Hippos Lab for smartphone game development originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Kotaku  |  sourceSquare Enix  | Email this | Comments

Ford Focus Electric hooks up wirelessly with AT&T, incurs jealous looks from T-Mobile

AT&T is keeping up its wheeling and dealing this week, signing an agreement with Ford to provide the built-in wireless connectivity for its upcoming Focus Electric hatchback. The deal’s pretty simple, really. Ford has put together a comprehensive MyFord Mobile application to go with its EV, which will allow you to keep track of and schedule charging, while also serving up status notifications, range information, and nearby recharging stations’ locations, the latter facility being provided with the help of MapQuest. All that data exchange will need a nice dumb pipe to carry it between the Focus and your smartphone and AT&T is obligingly fulfilling that role — and don’t worry if your phone doesn’t support the app (works with Android, BlackBerry and iOS), Ford’s got a web interface too. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Ford Focus Electric hooks up wirelessly with AT&T, incurs jealous looks from T-Mobile

Ford Focus Electric hooks up wirelessly with AT&T, incurs jealous looks from T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Apps store crosses 100 million downloads

Alright, so it may have a bit of an advantage being on both cellphones and TVs, but that’s not stopping Samsung from boasting that its Apps store has now joined the 100 million download club. That comes just ten months after it launched, and it looks like Samsung can largely thank Europe for reaching the milestone — France had the most number of downloads followed by Germany and Spain, and the three countries combined accounted for 40 percent of all downloads from the store, which now has more than 13,000 apps.

Samsung Apps store crosses 100 million downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNetwork World  | Email this | Comments

Blio e-reading software still alive, will come preloaded on T-Mobile Android devices

Remember Blio? Yes, our memories of this colorful ebook-reading software are starting to fade too, but now T-Mobile’s about ready to yank it from the shadows of obscurity with a newly announced partnership. Content provider Baker & Taylor will be responsible for installing the Blio Android app on “select future products from T-Mobile USA” and populating it with compelling content. The Blio store has grown to now encompass a healthy three million titles, both free and paid, and should you have the Windows version of its software, you’ll get the sweet automation of having it sync with your mobile device as well. To get your reading started nice and early, jump past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Blio e-reading software still alive, will come preloaded on T-Mobile Android devices

Blio e-reading software still alive, will come preloaded on T-Mobile Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TeleNav bringing hybrid navigation to GPS apps, eases reliance on data connection

If there’s two things the world needs, it’s a complete lack of international roaming charges, and GPS signals that never fade. Oh, and for Slash to not play the last Super Bowl with the Black Eyed Peas — we suppose that makes three. At any rate, at least we’re moving somewhat closer to a reality that solves the middle issue, with TeleNav announcing this week that it’ll be implementing “hybrid navigation technology” into its apps (including the new iOS version) in the very near future. Post-implementation, TeleNav software will automatically cache maps and directions for routes you look up, and if you drop your mobile connection or GPS signal en route, you’ll still be able to have a look at the original plan. ‘Course, any deviations from the prescribed route will lead to endless frustration, but if you (or your 63 year old father) are familiar with following a paper map, you ought to be just fine. The company asserts that the new addition will be rolling out to “select applications” that it develops for carrier partners “in the near future,” and you won’t be ask to pay a dime more for the added convenience. Sometimes life’s just too kind, eh?

Update: TeleNav pinged us to say that its version will actually download full maps to the device (so you’ll need a good chunk of free space), so you really won’t suffer too much from not having a live connection. Also, the iPhone build is better known as AT&T Navigator v1.8i.

TeleNav bringing hybrid navigation to GPS apps, eases reliance on data connection originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceTeleNav  | Email this | Comments