Gadget Lab Podcast: Google’s Neutered TV, Elusive White iPhone, Tablet Sequels

In this week’s Gadget Lab podcast, the crew fiddles around with a mildly useless iPad stylus (made by Hard Candy) before diving into more serious news about innovation-blocking cable networks, a phone you can’t have and some upcoming tablets.

          

We discuss the Logitech Revue, one of the first set-top boxes running the Google TV operating system. It’s a sweet device, but the problem is the TV networks have neutered it by blocking access to their internet TV channels. Jerks!

Also in the bad-news department, Apple has delayed the white iPhone 4 once again — this time until spring 2011 — and we’re fairly sure that phone is never going to ship.

Topping off the podcast with some tablet-y goodness, Wired.com’s Priya Ganapati touches on Barnes & Noble’s next Nook e-book reader, which is basically a tablet that can only be used for reading.

Speaking of do-overs, the makers of the failed JooJoo say they’ll be back next year with a family of tablets running the Android OS.

Like the show? You can also get the Gadget Lab video podcast via iTunes, or if you don’t want to be distracted by our unholy on-camera talent, check out the Gadget Lab audio podcast. Prefer RSS? You can subscribe to the Gadget Lab video or audio podcast feeds

Or listen to the audio here:

Gadget Lab audio podcast #93

http://downloads.wired.com/podcasts/assets/gadgetlabaudio/GadgetLabAudio0093.mp3


Verizon’s new rebate form shows two Droid 2 Globals, Samsung Continuum, and more

Carrier rebate forms have a fun tendency to reveal unannounced hardware, since they cover several upcoming weeks when they’re published — and Verizon’s latest for the month of November is a particularly juicy one. Here’s what we’ve got:

  • There are two SKUs listed for the Droid 2 Global, but only one for the Droid Pro, leading us to wonder whether it’ll actually be the Global that’s getting a cameraless version.
  • Speaking of Motorola, the WX445 Citrus is in the mix for the first time.
  • The Pre 2 is in the system with a $100 rebate.
  • There are two new SKUs for the Bold 9650, possibly indicating the release of new versions with BlackBerry 6 pre-installed.
  • The LG Cosmos Touch is in here, which we imagine will be a touchscreen successor to the Cosmos.
  • There’s a Samsung Zeal listed with a $50 rebate, but we’re not sure what it is — we know that Sammy has a number of Android phones in the pipe for Verizon, and we suppose this could be one of ’em (likely low-end considering it’s not a $100 rebate).
  • More interestingly, the Samsung Continuum is in here, suggesting that the November 8 event could be for this dual-screened (and Galaxy S-branded) beast. $100 rebate here.

Of course, November is a time when retailers of all types and sizes bring out new products in time for the holidays, so we’re not surprised to see the mother lode here. Who’s excited?

Verizon’s new rebate form shows two Droid 2 Globals, Samsung Continuum, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 2.1 starts rolling out to Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 line this weekend

Doesn’t get much more “late October” than this, does it? Sony Ericsson has announced that it’ll begin delivering Android 2.1 upgrades to its X10 line of phones at long last this coming Sunday, October 31st — but odds are pretty good you won’t be in the first batch. In fact, only unbranded X10s, X10 Minis, and X10 Mini Pros in Nordic countries will be getting boosted at first, followed by “more kits” on Monday and throughout November. As a refresher, these updates will bring 720p video capture on the X10 proper (complete with continuous autofocus), a new backup / restore app, and a bunch of other tweaks that should make your little pal feel a bit less 2009 and bit more 2010. Froyo would be nice, of course… but we’ll take what we can get.

Android 2.1 starts rolling out to Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 line this weekend originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Nexus Two is the PlayStation Phone (Weird Rumor Alert)

playstation_phone.jpg

Chalk this one up to wishful thinking. The Web this morning is awash with rumors about the Google Nexus Two, this morning, the follow up to the not-especially well-received HTC/Google team up, the Nexus One.

Now perhaps it’s precisely because of that device’s lukewarm reception that these latest rumors actually have Samsung producing the Nexus Two–A Galaxy S-like device. Given the evidence available at present, it’s hard to put too much stock in the rumor.

As if that weren’t enough to process this morning, here’s another weird level to the story: a site called ITProPortal is putting forth the suggestion that the Nexus Two is actually the rumored PlayStation Phone. It’s a two-for-one in the rumor mill this morning.

The suggestion (and, really, it can’t be called anything else–well, okay, “wishful thinking” works, too) is that Sony Ericsson, having been given–and subsequently turned down–the opportunity to produce the Nexus One, is now working on the follow up (because the first one did so well?). And that follow up is the PlayStation Phone.

What we know is this: those early leaks of the purported PlayStation Phone have the handset running some form of Android (Gingerbread, apparently). And, yes, it fair to say that Google is losing the casual gaming fight to Apple’s iPhone.

Oh, and Google did partner with Sony for one of the first Google TV units, “so don’t be flabbergasted if the Japanese giant goes ahead and extends its partnership with Google to the Playstation brand as well,” writes the rumor site.

It’s a nice thought, sure, but it’s not really based on any in particular–just some seemingly unconnected bits and pieces from around the Web.

Google Lets Users Customize Their Printed Maps

This article was written on July 22, 2006 by CyberNet.

Google Lets Users Customize Their Printed Maps
 

I am not sure how new this is because it has been awhile since I have printed a map from Google. When I got my directions on Google from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA and selected “Print” (located above the map) I noticed some sweet features. There were three mini-maps located on the right-side of the screen which I could zoom in and out of at my leisure. There was one map for the overview of the trip, one for the start, and one for the finish.

What happened to the turn-by-turn directions I asked myself? Then I noticed that each step was clickable and if you clicked on a step it would add a mini-map to the others. Just like the three default maps I could zoom in and out or even remove it using an X in the corner.

The last thing I noticed that I don’t remember seeing previously is the notes section in the upper-right corner of the screen. It is simply a text box but appears to be new. Let me know if anyone has any insight as to how new these features really are.

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Ask Engadget: Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, or something else?

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Brandon, who is fairly interested in ditching his cable subscription. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“Hey Engadget readership. I’ve been paying way too much for channels I never watch for way too long. I’m about ready to seriously consider my options for ditching cable. Problem is, I’ve got too many alternatives. Google TV, Apple TV and Roku stick out, but I’ve also heard of using a new Mac Mini along with Boxee. Given that I have a Netflix subscription to loop in, which of these would be my most satisfying option? Or is there another I’m not considering? Thanks for the assistance.”

We feel your pain. Loads of options, and not really one set-top that does it all. ‘Course, you could always whip up an HTPC to really cover your bases, but we’re sure you’ll get some fine input either way in comments below.

Ask Engadget: Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, or something else? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands on the Nexus Two by Samsung [Exclusive]

The Nexus Two is real. It’s made by Samsung, and a friend of ours got to play with it. It’s not going rock your face like the Nexus One did. But it will record it with a front-facing camera. More »

Motorola Droid Pro coming in a cameraless version for security-conscious businessfolk?

Traditionally, cameraless versions of smartphones designed for high-security work environments have been the exclusive playground of Windows Mobile and BlackBerry — the enterprise mobile platforms companies have rallied around the most over the past decade — but Motorola’s Droid Pro seeks to give Android some serious enterprise street cred for the first time thanks to that glorious portrait QWERTY keyboard. To that end, it makes sense that they’d want to release a second version sans camera — and a new leak speaking of “the new Enterprise-focused DROID phone without a camera” suggests that’s exactly what’s happening. Our trusted source says they’re “99 percent positive” that’s what we’re looking at here; not a product for everyone, of course, but if you work in the government lab where they keep all the alien corpses, you’ll probably be thanking your lucky stars.

Motorola Droid Pro coming in a cameraless version for security-conscious businessfolk? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Samsung About to Unveil a Google Nexus Two?

If you didn’t get your fill of the Google Nexus phone, there may be a second chance. Google may have tapped Samsung to create the Nexus Two, a new smartphone that could debut early next month, according to a report on an Android news site.

Samsung will announce the Nexus Two on November 8, claims Androidandme.com. The phone is likely to ship with the upcoming Android ‘Gingerbread’ version of the operating system, and would be the first device to do so, says the site.

Whether the rumors around Nexus Two are true or not, one thing is clear. There is a press event for that date and Samsung does plan to introduce a new Android device then. “We’re not commenting on the rumors and speculation,” says a Google spokesperson.

Despite the problems with its Nexus One experiment, Google has said in the past it isn’t averse to introducing more Nexus brand devices.

Google launched the Nexus One, a phone designed by HTC, in January. The Nexus One was initially available only on T-Mobile’s network. But instead of being sold through T-Mobile stores, the search giant said it would sell Nexus Ones through its website and handle customer support itself.

That strategy didn’t resonate with consumers. Nexus One’s online store failed to catch on. Potential customers couldn’t get their hands on a device to try before they buy and Google was flooded with complaints related to customer support. Finally, in July, Google decided to stop selling Nexus Ones.

If the latest rumors pan out, then it seems that Google is ready to dive into the smartphone market. And this time it would have, hopefully, learned from its mistakes.

It will be interesting to see what Google and Samsung do differently. Already, Google’s choice of Samsung stands out because the search giant has had a very close relationship with HTC — one of the biggest cheerleaders and manufacturers of Android phones.

The launch of the Nexus Two phone may also mean more information about the Gingerbread version of the Android OS, which is reported to have made significant improvements in the user interface and multimedia capability. A software developer’s kit or SDK for the OS could also be out around the same time.

See Also:

Photo: Nexus One


Dell Venue hits the FCC: is this the Thunder’s new name?

Yes, that’s right, just “Venue,” not Venue Pro — and from a glance, it looks to us like this might be the new name for the Thunder Android phone we played with a little while ago judging by this FCC filing that just crossed the wires. As far as we can tell, this thing is basically a carbon copy of the Venue Pro, except it’s running Android instead of Windows Phone 7 and drops the sliding portrait keyboard in favor of a full-touch setup. Notably, the curved glass 4.1-inch AMOLED display carries over, so that should make the design nerds in the audience swoon a bit. Additionally, turns out there’s a Bluetooth SIG certification under the same model name — V03B — that confirms the display’s specs and the fact that it’s a “smartphone” (whew!). Stay tuned on this one — something tells us we won’t be waiting terribly long for an announce.

Dell Venue hits the FCC: is this the Thunder’s new name? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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