HTC’s new audio API Beats OpenSense into developers

Earlier this summer HTC scooped up a slice of Beats by Dr. Dre stock, and we’re finally seeing the much-anticipated Beats Audio popping up in phones. We also know that HTC is throwing developers some neat API tools, so it’s no stretch to imagine that the two projects might one day play nice together. Sure enough, a developer API is on its way — good news for music loving app makers eager to hook into the tune-enhancing functionality. HTC told us the tools will “allow third-party developers to harness the potential of Beats Audio and bring that top-notch audio experience to their own apps,” although with no release date, it’s still out of ear-shot for the time being. That said, the timing might be perfect given that Google’s download store just went official. While we’re looking forward to hearing how those clever coders will make use of the tools, and exactly what goodies HTC is offering, we’re hoping at least some ideas won’t be given the Beats factor.

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HTC’s new audio API Beats OpenSense into developers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint unleashes the HTC EVO Design 4G, available October 23rd for $100

That HTC EVO Design 4G leaked a couple months ago? Oh, it’s real — and Sprint’s finally ready to share its story with the world. The tale of the EVO Design 4G is simple enough: for a penny under $100, you can have a WiMAX-capable device with GSM roaming that features a 4-inch qHD (960 x 540) display, 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 CPU, Android 2.3 with HTC Sense UI, Mobile Hotspot, a 5MP rear camera with HD video recording (720p, we presume) and a 1.3MP front-facing cam. In summary, the Design 4G is basically the Hero S with WiMAX and global roaming capabilities. Look for this device to show up online and in stores on October 23rd, and look after the break for the press release.

Continue reading Sprint unleashes the HTC EVO Design 4G, available October 23rd for $100

Sprint unleashes the HTC EVO Design 4G, available October 23rd for $100 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon’s My FiOS app puts your entire living room under one Android roof

Leaving home is hard, especially when you’ve got a backlog of on-demand movies and TV shows staring at you with big puppy dog eyes. Fortunately, however, Verizon has now come out with My FiOS — a new app for Android users that promises to keep you constantly connected to all your home entertainment systems, and more. Released yesterday, this app allows users to remotely access movies, Flex View TV shows and home automation and monitoring systems directly from their handsets, while managing their accounts and billing via the provider’s built-in customer service tools. Verizon clients can also use My FiOS to control their TVs, DVR players or home phones, and can even access some content straight from their devices. For now, the app is only available on Android 2.1 or above, though Verizon says an iOS version should hit the market “before year-end.” Skim past the break for more information in the full PR, or hit up the source link below to download My FiOS for yourself.

Continue reading Verizon’s My FiOS app puts your entire living room under one Android roof

Verizon’s My FiOS app puts your entire living room under one Android roof originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is C-Spire getting the iPhone 4S? Its website says so (Update: confirmed)

Whoa, stop the presses — we’re not sure if this is officially in the pipeline or if it’s just a matter of wishful thinking, but Sprint may not be the smallest carrier in the US to offer an iPhone 4S for much longer. That’s right: regional carrier C-Spire (formerly known as Cellular South) has the iconic device splattered front and center on its home page, stating that it’s coming soon. We’re not certain if the iPhone 4 will be offered as well, and no specific availability or pricing is given yet, but you can sign up to be notified as soon as more 411 is ready. The possibility of one of the little guys getting the iPhone is an exciting prospect, since it may lead the charge for more regional service providers to get Apple’d up. We love rooting for the underdog, after all.

Update: And just like that, it’s official, folks! C-Spire just reached out to us to confirm that iPhone pre-registration begins today, with the device launch in “the coming weeks.” Needless to say, if you’re a C-Spire customer, your holiday wish list may have just grown.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Is C-Spire getting the iPhone 4S? Its website says so (Update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola RAZR to get updated to Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012

We know that Samsung has the first crack at Android 4.0 with the Galaxy Nexus, but it’ll only be a matter of time before we begin seeing it show up on rival devices. HTC has already made an official statement on its plans (or lack thereof), and now it’s Motorola’s turn. Alain Mutricy, SVP Portfolio and Product Management, was in Germany talking up the European announcement of the RAZR, and slipped in a few details about Ice Cream Sandwich. Mutricy mentioned that while the company’s new flagship device was designed for Gingerbread, plans have been set to introduce the latest version of Android in the start of 2012, with a more precise date naturally on its way. Given past experience, however, it’s probable that the unbranded version of the device will get the refresh ahead of the Droid RAZR on Verizon, so US users may need to exercise a wee bit of patience here. Regardless, it’s time for the competition to step up — if the RAZR is next in line to get the OTA update, the Galaxy Nexus will have the spotlight all to itself for a fair amount of time.

Motorola RAZR to get updated to Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spotify releases preview app for BlackBerry users, but not all of them

BlackBerry users haven’t had a whole lot to celebrate in recent days, but at least they now have Spotify. Today, the Swedish startup unveiled a preview version of its music streaming app, available to download from its Previews page. At this point, the app is compatible with the 9780 Bold, 9700 Bold, 9300 Curve, 9000 Bold and 8520 Curve handsets, though the Torch 9800 has been left in the cold. It’s also worth noting that the service only supports GSM networks (no CDMA, as of yet) and requires a Premium subscription of $10 per month. No word yet on when Spotify will arrive on App World, or whether it’ll add extra support when it does, but early birds can grab their worm at the source link, below.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Spotify releases preview app for BlackBerry users, but not all of them originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CE-Oh no he didn’t: Steve Ballmer lays into Android

“You don’t have to be a computer scientist to use a Windows Phone,” said Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, “but you do to use an Android phone.” He was addressing the Web 2.0 summit in San Francisco, where we guess his audience must have included a large but silent population of Android-loving non-scientists. In any case, the Redmond CEO also revealed that he just can’t get “excited” about Android phones, which proves that anything can be boring if you’re rich enough — including raking in up to $15 per Android handset in cross-licensing deals. On a serious note, though, HTC’s latest Titan handset shows off the Mango experience at its best and it is simpler than Google’s OS. If Windows Phone sales eventually pick up despite the buzz over Android 4.0, then the point beneath Ballmer’s bluster might not seem so unreasonable.

CE-Oh no he didn’t: Steve Ballmer lays into Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich roundup: specs, details and insight, oh my!

Couldn’t stay awake for Samsung and Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich event? Fear not, because we were there, documenting and analyzing every second of it on the internet. You can either re-live the magic at our Homeric liveblog, or check out the links below to get educated and up to speed.

Galaxy Nexus

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Galaxy Nexus, Ice Cream Sandwich roundup: specs, details and insight, oh my! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google’s ‘very close’ to launching a digital download store with ‘a little twist’

Google Music may well be lacking a little spice right now, but here at AsiaD, SVP Andy Rubin just confirmed that his company’s “very close” to coming up with a digital download store, just as rumored earlier this month. Additionally, this service will even include “a little twist” of some sort, so we should expect something more than just an ordinary MP3 store. While record companies weren’t willing to bargain with the company in the way they were with Apple, Andy said he’s feeling mighty optimistic that Google’s “almost there” with ironing out the necessary deals, so Android fans should sit tight and keep an eye out for a launch soon.

Google’s ‘very close’ to launching a digital download store with ‘a little twist’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Andy Rubin: Ice Cream Sandwich’s Face Unlock is developed by PittPatt

Liking that Face Unlock on Ice Cream Sandwich we saw this morning? You can thank PittPatt for that. Here at AsiaD’s opening session, Android head honcho Andy Rubin just confirmed that said Pittsburgh-based company — acquired by Google earlier this year — was responsible for this nifty security feature. While the demo didn’t go as planned for Matias Duarte at the launch event, Andy was able to show us how Face Unlock’s meant to work on the stage just now. In fact, Andy said his team even had to “slow down the process” as PittPatt’s software was too fast to make folks believe that any security at all was involved — for what it’s worth, Walt Mossberg’s beard couldn’t get past the unlock screen on Andy’s Galaxy Nexus. Head on over to our hands-on video to see us getting up close and personal with Face Unlock.

Andy Rubin: Ice Cream Sandwich’s Face Unlock is developed by PittPatt originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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