Hasta La Gadget!

We get the impression that Kyocera’s design team had been hacking away at the Echo for years — largely due to the blocky corners that remained, despite the current market’s affinity for curvation — and in a way, we’re actually relieved that Sprint took a chance with it. We’ve seen what’s to come when looking at dual-screen handsets, and if executed properly, the future seems bright. The Echo itself surprised us with its flexibility, and while it’s obviously a niche device, we’re certain a few of you have ponied up for one. So, here’s your chance to tell us all what you’d do differently the next time around. Would you change the form factor in any way? How’s about that slider / locking mechanism? Was Android 2.2 the right choice? Do you wish it were available on a different carrier? Go on and get creative in comments below!

How would you change the Kyocera Echo? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve seen this handsome screen on your Asus Transformer, it means you’ve finally managed to root it. Congratulations. And yet, it’s all so… anticlimactic. What was the point of it? In fact, what’s the point of anything? Hey, don’t go down that road. Install Netflix instead, courtesy of a new patch from XDA Developers at the source link below. Then watch Kung Fu Panda one more time and the sense of order in your life will magically return. Like the wise Oogway said: “You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.”

[Thanks everyone who sent this in]

Netflix patch arrives for rooted Asus Transformers, it’s okay to be happy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You read that correctly — Netflix streaming is about to get really real on impending Honeycomb tablets. One of the nuggets that makes Lenovo’s newly unveiled IdeaPad K1 so special is the internal DRM module that allows it to play nice with a fresh build of the Netflix app. As we saw back at MWC with the LG Revolution, future Android 3.x tablets (with an unspecified hardware inclusion) will not only support native Watch Instantly streaming over mini-HDMI / HDMI, but it’ll also enable something totally new: local storage. The fresh build of the app — which will remain exclusive to Lenovo for “a short while” — will have a heretofore unseen option that’ll let subscribers store flicks locally for offline viewing. We’re told by Lenovo that files can be stored on the internal flash as well as on microSD cards, and while we’ve yet to get a hands-on look at the app, we’ll be doing everything we can to change that.

Just to answer the obvious question: no, your existing Honeycomb tablet won’t be able to support this goodness through a firmware update. You’ll actually need a slate with the requisite hardware within to take advantage, and it’s hard to say at this point who will follow Lenovo down the path. We’re hoping that the added functionality won’t lead to a boost in Netflix’s monthly rate, but given the history of the app, we can’t say we’re too terrified about that possibility. So, how fast will the APK be ripped from the fabric of a K1 and thrown out onto the web? Somewhere between “quickly” and “you’ve got to be kidding me,” we’re surmising.

Update: So, it seems something has changed since our D9 meeting. There’s no offline viewing support, but the streaming is still here. Too bad, but we’re hoping it’ll be added (back?) in a future update.

Netflix to stream natively from HDMI-equipped tablets (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ready for an epic brainwave dance-off between Jobs’ Jets and Rubin’s Sharks? Well, put down your shivs and get back to that alpha state because it’s gonna take a little while. Developed by KDDI’s R&D labs, this prototype mind-monitoring, sensor-laden headband connects wirelessly to your Android device to let you know just how stressed out you are. All it takes is a simple 30-second game of “mash mash mash the little green robot” (amongst others) to translate your focused and relaxed states into an easily readable brain pattern chart. The tech’s nothing we haven’t already seen the ominously named NeuroSky do for the iOS platform, but it should help to get those fanboy flames a-blazing. Of course, if mobile OS turf wars don’t get your neurons in a tizzy, you could always spend half a minute thinking of your honey — or actual honey. Whatever floats your neural boat. Video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading KDDI’s mind-reading Android app monitors your brainstorms, or lack thereof… (video)

KDDI’s mind-reading Android app monitors your brainstorms, or lack thereof… (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here comes a public service announcement: Eat slower and you’ll feel fuller. Oh sorry, wrong one. We meant: Nook Color owners, you can now dual-boot your slate using the specially-created Nook2Android SD card. The card makes installing Android 2.3 a snap and it’s now shipping with a dual-boot file courtesy of XDA developers, which means you can choose to boot into the original Nook OS without having to remove the card. You’re looking at $35 for an 8GB card, rising to $90 for 32GB. Alternatively, if you’re happy to get a bit of oil on your hands, you can try the manual approach. Mmmm, Gingerbread, chew every mouthful.

PSA: Got a Nook Color? Then you can get dual-booting Nook2Android originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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