May 05

Gmail now stores up to 25,000 contacts for the insanely popular

Posted in: business, cloud, Email, Gmail, Google, Today's Chili

Are you quietly proud of the girth of your social circle? Do you think having 146 Facebook buddies is impressive? Snap out of it, saddo. Some Gmail users have thousands upon thousands of contacts in their list — so many, in fact, that they’ve been begging Google to increase its 10,000 limit. The Big G has now obliged these jabbering fiends, yanking the limit up to 25,000 and also boosting available cloud storage to 128KB per contact instead of 32KB. We imagine this could be of some help to business users perhaps, or those nice strangers who send out stock tips. But for the rest of us, the gesture is about as inconsequential as the professionally good-looking.

Gmail now stores up to 25,000 contacts for the insanely popular originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 06:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Official Gmail Blog  | Email this | Comments

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May 03

Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence

Posted in: AppStore, cloud, leak, Microsoft, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 8, Windows8
We’re sure Microsoft is going to announce some more official details about Windows 8 one of these days, but until then we’ll just have to make do with the seemingly unending stream of tidbits being unearthed from the leaked version of the OS. Most notably, this latest batch includes the most conclusive evidence yet of a Windows 8 app store, including the logo pictured above, and a slew of other references at the code level — things like the ability to download a trial app and then unlock the full version (rather than re-download it), for instance, and the existence of things like screenshots and system requirements in the app store listings. Another recent leak has also revealed some new cloud-based settings options that could let you take your desktop profile and other personalizations from one computer to another, and even give you the ability to sync apps from that aforementioned Windows Store between PCs. All that, plus support for 3D displays and WiFi Direct. Hit up the links below for some additional details.

Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Geek.com, Electronista  |  sourceMSWin.me, Windows 8 Italia (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 28

Apple’s cloud streaming service to be called iCloud?

Posted in: Apple, cloud, itunes, rumor, streaming, Today's Chili
Apple's cloud streaming service to be called iCloud?

Okay, so if you had to guess a name for an Apple service that exists in the cloud it’s pretty safe to say you’d pick “iCloud,” right? Good, now that we’re past the obvious, there are some slightly more compelling indicators out there that this may indeed be what Apple is going to call its (presumably) soon-to-launch music streaming service. We received anonymous tips about this name in the past, and now Om Malik is reporting some interesting history, that the domain iCloud.com is owned by a company called Xcerion, which recently re-branded its cloud-based storage service from iCloud to CloudMe. TechCrunch reached out to the company and got a beautifully-worded non-denial talking about how the new name better embraces the company’s cross-platform approach. That it does, but the timing is interesting. Obviously nothing is confirmed, but with Warner and at least one other of the big four record labels signed on, we’d guess the real name for this service should be drifting into view any time now.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple’s cloud streaming service to be called iCloud? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGiga Om, TechCrunch  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 25

Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service

Posted in: Apple, cloud, itunes, Music, stream, Today's Chili
Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service
Need another sign that iTunes will soon be floating your library up to the cloud? Look no further than confirmation of Apple signing Warner Music, a deal that should see the label’s music available in its upcoming streaming iTunes service. This is in addition to last week’s confirmation that two major labels signed on, though its unclear whether Warner is part of the pair or is, indeed, a third. That might leave only one of the major labels left unsigned — or maybe Apple’s already locked down all four but doesn’t want to kiss and tell. Yet.

Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceCNET  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 21

Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google (update)

Posted in: amazon, Apple, cloud, itunes, Music, rumor, streaming, Today's Chili
It’s the rumor that wouldn’t die, and Reuters is now reporting that Apple is finally set to launch a cloud-based music service — presumably putting its massive North Carolina data center to some real work at long last. Details are still fairly light beyond that, but Reuters says that Apple’s service will actually launch ahead of Google’s similar cloud-based option, which it reports is now “stalled,” citing “several people familiar with both companies plans.” According to Reuters, the service will let folks store their music (and only music, apparently) on Apple’s servers and then access it on any device with an internet connection — and a copy of iTunes, we presume.

Update: Peter Kafka, over at All Things Digital, backs up Reuters’ claim with some additional detail. Unlike Amazon’s approach with Cloud Player, Apple is actively seeking to license the music for its streaming service before launching. According to Kafka’s sources, Apple has already secured deals with two of the big four labels and plans to launch “pretty soon.” The deal would allow Apple to store a single master copy of a track on its servers and then share that track with multiple users. As Kafka describes the service, “The idea is that Apple will let users store songs they’ve purchased from its iTunes store, as well as others songs stored on their hard drives, and listen to them on multiple devices.”

Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceReuters  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 16

HP may bless webOS with cloud-syncing music store

Posted in: cloud, hewlett-packard, HewlettPackard, HP, palm, Software, streaming, sync, Today's Chili, touchpad, webos
HP webOS Music Store

Rumor has it that HP is preparing to enter the cloud-based music storage fray. A reader at PreCentral sent in what purports to be a confidential PowerPoint presentation indicating the TouchPad will launch with an HP-branded music and movie store, as well as a smart syncing service that caches frequently accessed media for local playback. This may very well be the “Music Synergy” that SVP Steven McArthur mentioned to us. Amazon has already launched such an app and it’s all but official that Google is planning the same thing, so it only makes sense that the company would want to imbue webOS with similar powers. We can’t verify these claims ourselves and the slide above is clearly a wonky Photoshop job, but it’s would hardly be surprising after snatching up Melodeo and the streaming music service Nutsie. And, while webOS and Android are working to banish the quaint ritual of plugging your cellphone into a computer, we can only imagine what the Lala team is up to — maybe Jobs has them washing his turtlenecks.

HP may bless webOS with cloud-syncing music store originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePreCentral  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 14

Spotify announces new limits for free service, hopes you’ll consider its premium options

Posted in: cloud, Music, streaming, Today's Chili
No, it’s still not saying anything about the eventual US launch, but Spotify is now causing a minor ruckus across the pond, where it’s just announced some changes to the free version of the music streaming service. The timeline for the changes varies depending on when you signed up, but the short of it is that users will have six months of access to the free service as it is now, after which they’ll face some stricter limits on how much they can listen to. That includes a total of just ten hours of listening time each month, and the ability to listen to individual songs no more than five times. Of course, the obvious goal there is to get more folks to sign up for its Premium or Unlimited services, which the company notes remain unchanged.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Spotify announces new limits for free service, hopes you’ll consider its premium options originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSpotify  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 10

Google snags PushLife, will probably use it to push music to your Android phone

Posted in: Android, canada, cloud, content, Google, itunes, mobile, Music, streaming, sync, Today's Chili, video

At last year’s Google I/O we were tantalizingly teased with the idea of music streaming to our mobile devices. Since then, there have been hints and leaks, but nothing official from Google on when or how this new service would be rolled out. Well, now we can add a big piece to that puzzle with the news that Google has acquired mobile entertainment company PushLife, which has been developing a music app of its own for the Android and BlackBerry platforms. PushLife offers one-click purchases from an integrated music store, an overview of tunes you have both on your smartphone and on your computer (with the ability to access both sets on the phone), and automatic playlist syncing with iTunes or Windows Media Player libraries. There’s even more fanciness, such as recommendations based on the song you’re playing, artists bios and photo galleries, plus the inevitable Twitter and Facebook integration. The Canadian startup is believed to have cashed in to the tune of $25 million and will soon be shutting down its independent operations. Also soon: Google I/O 2011. Hint, hint, Google! Demo video after the break.

Continue reading Google snags PushLife, will probably use it to push music to your Android phone

Google snags PushLife, will probably use it to push music to your Android phone originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink StartupNorth, TechVibes, All Things D  |  sourcePushLife  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 07

PogoPlug Video and Buffalo CloudStor now shipping, streaming your stuff all over the place

Posted in: cloud, hard drive, HardDrive, nas, streaming, streaming video, StreamingVideo, Today's Chili, video

Yes, you’ve seen these guys before, and now the latest PogoPlug offspring are ready to ship. Both PogoPlug Video and its storage-sporting cousin, the Buffalo CloudStor, put their own unique twist on the firm’s remote access service. As you might recall, PogoPlug Video, which is now available exclusively from Best Buy for $200, allows you to hook up your external hard drives and share streaming video, music, and images to devices anywhere with internet access. Buffalo’s CloudStor, on the other hand, provides the same cloud-based access, with a little something extra. It’s the first PogoPlug branded gadget to sport integrated storage, and comes in three iterations, ringing in at $150 for 1TB, $210 for 2TB, and $250 for the 2TB Pro version. Now you can share all your favorite kitten clips, without ever uploading them to YouTube. Isn’t that precious?

PogoPlug Video and Buffalo CloudStor now shipping, streaming your stuff all over the place originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashgear  |  sourcePogoPlug  | Email this | Comments

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Apr 05

Google’s new cloud-based Android Music app leaks out

Posted in: Android, android market, AndroidMarket, app, application, cloud, Google, leak, Music, Today's Chili
Wondering what Google’s answer to Amazon’s cloud music player for Android will look like? Then it would seem you now have your answer –the Tech From 10 website somehow managed to receive a developer version of the Android Market, which allowed it to download Android Music 3.0 and try it out for themselves. That site’s unfortunately down at the moment (along with the download of the app itself that it was providing), but it doesn’t look like there’s too many surprises to be found. Things are almost identical to the existing Android Music player in terms of appearance, while the settings menu has expectedly been augmented with various streaming-related options. Android Market itself has also apparently been tweaked slightly, and the developer version included a few other surprises as well, including new camera and desk clock apps. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet been able to try it out ourselves, but you can keep an eye on the source link below for the downloads to return.

Update: Looks like Droid Life is also hosting some downloads of its own. You can find them here.

[Thanks, Joe]

Google’s new cloud-based Android Music app leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Business Insider  |  sourceTech From 10  | Email this | Comments

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