Hasta La Gadget!

Well it’s not the full 4.1 we were expecting… but here’s a little tidbit from Apple. One of the main features? The update “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.” Interesting. We’re updating some devices right now, and will report back with what we find.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: It looks like iOS 3.2.1 for iPad is coming down the tube, as well. We’ll let you know what changes we’re seeing!

Update 2: Here’s a quick before-and-after shot of the signal meter. Clearly, Apple wasn’t yanking any chains about changing the sizes of those leftmost bars.

iOS 4.0.1 hitting iPhones right this second (update: 3.2.1 for iPads, too) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Headline says it all folks. Obviously the company is going to be getting out in front of this antenna drama (finally). We’ve been invited and we’ll be there, reporting live! It all happens at 10AM PT, Friday the 16th.

If you haven’t caught up on the story (and if that’s the case, where have you been?), here’s a little background on the issue in reverse chronological order:

Yes, the iPhone 4 is broken / No, the iPhone 4 is not broken
Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems — and so do we
Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in ‘a few weeks’
iPhone 4’s antenna problem looks worse than it is, but it’s still bad
Apple hiring iPhone antenna engineers for some reason

Apple telling reps to smooth over iPhone 4 reception complaints, not to offer free bumpers?
iPhone 4 antenna woes contextualized by dude in the know
The Jimmy Fallon Test: is the iPhone 4 dropping fewer calls?
Hey Apple, you’re holding it wrong
Apple responds to iPhone 4 reception issues: you’re holding the phone the wrong way

Apple to hold iPhone 4 press conference this Friday originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What a way to celebrate 25 years of the Handycam brand, right? Out of absolutely (almost) nowhere, Sony has just upended the entire prosumer camcorder universe, and it may very well sway you from purchasing that Canon EOS 7D for video purposes. For all intents and purposes, this is Micro Four Thirds for your camcorder, but since Olympus and Panasonic own that specific technology, Sony’s left calling the NEX-VG10 an “interchangeable lens HD camcorder.” Moreover, it’s the first Handycam to sport an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (the same one found in the NEX-5 and NEX-3), and it’ll shoot 1080p (1,920 x 1,080/60i at 24Mbps, if we’re being precise) with a wealth of E-mount and A-mount lenses. When not handling live action, it’s also capable of snapping stills at 14.2 megapixels, and the 18-200mm lens that’s bundled with it is about as versatile as they come. Budding videographers will also appreciate the Quad Capsule Spatial Array Stereo Microphone (yes, seriously), not to mention the 3-inch swivel display, Optical Steadyshot image stabilization, BIONZ processor and twin accessory shoes. There’s no internal storage to speak of, but it will accept SDHC / SDXC (huzzah!) in addition to MS Pro Duo. Get ready to get wowed this September when it lands for around $2,000.

Continue reading Sony issues NEX-VG10: first interchangeable lens HD camcorder

Sony issues NEX-VG10: first interchangeable lens HD camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So this little number just rolled into our tips inbox — and at a glance, it appears to be the anti-Droid X, if that makes any sense. We’re being told this is the Motorola WX445 for Verizon (street name unknown), featuring Android 2.1, a flash-less camera of unknown pixel count, a touchscreen ranging somewhere between 2.5 and 3 inches, and a pretty light 1170mAh battery on board. Our tipster tells us it runs Blur, though we imagine it’s possible it runs the Blur-esque skin seen on the Droid X that doesn’t actually make use of Moto’s back end to do its deed. We’re also told it’s “not a very impressive phone” and resembles a keyboardless Pre Plus in the flesh “but cheaper looking,” so needless to say, you’re not going to be cross-shopping this against an EVO 4G; if anything, we suppose it might make a decent Devour alternative. More on this one as we get it.

[Thanks, Besiktas Fan]

Exclusive: Motorola WX445 leaked, offers low-end Android for Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A little later than anticipated, Google is confirming that China has renewed its ICP license — the rights one needs to host a site on its own domain in China. Without that Google would certainly be on the outs, but after resuming limited broadcasts there last month there was hope the two global powerhouses would work out their differences. And, it appears they have — at least to some degree. We’re not sure whether this means Google will resume full hosting in China or will keep redirecting some content to HK servers, but we were able to get a statement from the ICP on it’s feelings on this development, which is embedded after the break.

Continue reading China renews Google’s license to host

China renews Google’s license to host originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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