Android 3.1 update for Acer Iconia Tab A500 leaks out in China, can be downloaded worldwide

If you have an Iconia Tab A500 and an unbridled passion for running the latest Android software, we’ve got good news for you. Acer’s 3.1 update for the 10-inch Tegra 2 slate has actually slipped out a little early and can now be downloaded at the source link below. It brings the resizable widgets and other goodies that Xoom and Eee Pad Transformer users have been savoring for a while, though that’s naturally not been enough for some and there are already custom ROMs built off this leak that augment the upgrade with superuser privileges. Alternatively, should you be disinclined to flash your own tablet, you can just wait for Acer to start beaming Android 3.1 over the air to its European A500s on July 5th.

Android 3.1 update for Acer Iconia Tab A500 leaks out in China, can be downloaded worldwide originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 04:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer Iconia Tab A500 to get Android 3.1 on 5th of July, at least in Deutschland

The Iconia Tab A500, Acer’s “better choice” tablet, is set to join the ranks of Android 3.1 slates on the 5th of July, according to the company’s German Facebook page. That’s a little later than the June timeframe we’d initially been promised, but the precision of giving an actual date this time around inspires confidence that the OTA goodies will indeed be delivered. So far, we’ve only seen Acer announce this news on its German portal, so please keep your optimism in cautious gear if you reside outside the Bundesrepublik. The only certain Android update is the one that’s already on your device.

Acer Iconia Tab A500 to get Android 3.1 on 5th of July, at least in Deutschland originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious!

At first blush, the Nokia N9 is everything I’d ever wanted from the company: a smartphone with a competitive spec sheet, exquisite industrial design, and a touch-centric UI that looks to push things forward with the introduction of its own idiosyncratic ideas. Slick in terms of both responsiveness and appearance, the Harmattan interface is Nokia’s thunderous riposte to all those (myself included) that challenged the company to get with the touchscreen OS program and cast off the shackles of its Symbian legacy. The only traces of Symbian in the MeeGo 1.2-equipped N9 can be found in the iconography, which maintains the rounded look of its forebear, and support for Qt — in all other respects, this is a whole new software proposition (distinct even from its Maemo 5 roots), which has so far elicited a range of emotions in me, including delight, desire, and… despair. You must be wondering why, aside from alliterative convenience, I’d be feeling downcast having enjoyed my brief time with the N9 so much. To learn the answer, read on.

Continue reading Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious!

Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Symbian Anna shipping on N8, E7, C7 and C6-01 in July, download set for August

We’ve already seen Symbian Anna begin shipping on the Nokia X7 and E6, but this little lady is about to become much more popular. Nokia has announced it will begin distributing its latest OS on the N8, E7, C7, and C6-01 — all beginning next month. Unfortunately, if you’re among the millions who already own one of these handsets, you’ll have to wait until August for an OTA or PC-assisted update. Not like there’s any rush, seeing that Symbian will be kicking until 2016 and all.

Symbian Anna shipping on N8, E7, C7 and C6-01 in July, download set for August originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Windows 8 leak hints at SMS support, feature licensing, geo-location

Considering its adoption of the Windows Phone metro style, its not surprising to hear that Windows 8’s latest leaked build sports a metro-inspired virtual keyboard and traces of code that could bring SMS 3G enabled Windows 8 devices. An App store and feature licensing, however? That’s interesting. Buried in the Windows 8 code, Microsoft enthusiasts have found strings that may hint at a Windows App store, and the ability to activate or deactivate certain OS features through that store. Will this be the end of “Home,” “Pro,” and “Ultimate” editions of Microsoft’s flagship product? We wouldn’t hold our breath. Still, Windows à la Carte doesn’t sound half bad. Hit up the source link to see the code (and speculation) for yourself.

Continue reading New Windows 8 leak hints at SMS support, feature licensing, geo-location

New Windows 8 leak hints at SMS support, feature licensing, geo-location originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mozilla’s Webian Shell interface will cloak your OS in a browser (video)

With Google’s fleet of Chromebooks making their way to market, Mozilla Labs has decided to release a similarly browser-based desktop interface, known as the Webian Shell. As of now, the prototype app consists of a screen-encompassing web browser, which essentially replaces your desktop interface. There’s an address bar running across the top of the screen, a clock in the bottom right corner, and a tab button for all your web apps. Developed as part of the company’s Mozilla Chromeless project, the tool was written entirely in HTML, CSS and JavaScript and, unlike Chrome OS, is designed to run on top of existing operating systems, rather than replace them. For now, the Shell is still in an early phase of development, looks pretty spartan and can’t control a system’s hardware. Mozilla, however, says it has plans to incorporate multiple home screens, split screen views and an on-screen keyboard, among other features. Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users can download the Shell now, from the source link. Otherwise, you can just head past the break to see a brief demo video.

Continue reading Mozilla’s Webian Shell interface will cloak your OS in a browser (video)

Mozilla’s Webian Shell interface will cloak your OS in a browser (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple’s iOS 5: all the details

Scott Forstall has just taken the WWDC 2011 stage and details about the changes and improvements in iOS 5 are flowing thick and fast. Keep one tab in your browser locked to this post as we update it with all the new features, and throw another one open for our liveblog where you’ll get to see and read the very latest as it happens.

We’ve now put together the full list of highlights from the WWDC presentation, which you’ll find after the break. iOS 5 will be made available this fall, with compatibility promised for the iPhone 4 and 3GS, iPad 1 and 2, and iPod touch 3rd and 4th generation.

Continue reading Apple’s iOS 5: all the details

Apple’s iOS 5: all the details originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OS X Lion launching in July for $29.99, Lion Server to run $49.99

Apple has been talking about OS X Lion for some time already, of course, but it’s now filled in most if not all of the remaining key details at WWDC. Dubbed a “major release” with over 250 new features, the OS adds things like a slew of new multi-touch gestures and full-screen apps (including iPhoto, iMovie, Safari, etc.), plus the all new Mission Control, which unifies Expose and Spaces, and the iOS-esque Launchpad application launcher. It also includes a new system-wide Resume feature that lets you pick up exactly where you left off, a new auto-save feature that automatically saves different versions of documents, the new AirDrop peer-to-peer file-sharing system, and a brand new version of Mail that finally includes a conversation view.

The big news revealed today, however, is that the OS will now only be available in the Mac App Store as a 4GB download — which installs in place, no reboots — and that it will run you just $29.99 for all of your authorized Macs. It will be available sometime in July, but developers can get the latest preview release today. Head on past the break for the official press release.

Update: It didn’t garner much fanfare, but Apple has also revealed that Lion Server will be available as an App Store download in July as well, with it set to run you $49.99 (a veritable bargain by Server standards).

Continue reading OS X Lion launching in July for $29.99, Lion Server to run $49.99

OS X Lion launching in July for $29.99, Lion Server to run $49.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WWDC 2011 liveblog: Steve Jobs talks iOS 5, OS X Lion, iCloud and more!

You’re in the right place! Bookmark this page and return on Monday at the times listed below to see Steve Jobs take the stage at Moscone West. WWDC 2011 promises a peek at iOS 5, OS X Lion, the iCloud music storage offering and who knows what else. The iPhone 5? Don’t count on it, but also, don’t count it out. Your town not listed? Shout your time in comments below!

07:00AM – Hawaii
10:00AM – Pacific
11:00AM – Mountain
12:00PM – Central
01:00PM – Eastern
06:00PM – London
07:00PM – Paris
09:00PM – Moscow
02:00AM – Tokyo (June 7th)

Continue reading WWDC 2011 liveblog: Steve Jobs talks iOS 5, OS X Lion, iCloud and more!

WWDC 2011 liveblog: Steve Jobs talks iOS 5, OS X Lion, iCloud and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switched On: As Windows loses its windows

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know… . you might get one if you’re a patient Windows user. With Windows’ eighth major release (at least according to Microsoft’s math), its name is becoming metaphorical. Taking on a default look that is rooted in Windows Phone 7 — the first “Windows” to eschew windows — with a smattering of Media Center, the next major version of Windows marks an overhaul of the initial user interface. Indeed, it is even a more radical departure than Apple made between Mac OS X and iOS, which preserved a scaled-down dock and icons, or between Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

Apple’s and Microsoft’s approaches are similar in at least one way — each has one operating system for PCs and another for phones. Clearly, though, the longtime operating system rivals have taken different tacks with tablets.

Continue reading Switched On: As Windows loses its windows

Switched On: As Windows loses its windows originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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