Hasta La Gadget!

Wondering about the state of Spotify in the United States? You’re not the only one, and Spotify CEO and co-found Daniel Ek was once again asked that key question at the D: Dive Into Mobile conference today. His response? The company does indeed still plan to launch the music streaming service in the US, but it can’t say when it will happen — he did confirm, however, that it will cost $10 a month. Ek further explained that the reason for the delay is due to the nature of the service, which requires “complex deals” with recording companies — there apparently wasn’t any mention of any other potential complicating factors.

Spotify still planning to launch in the US… sometime originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flash on an iPad? No problem, and neither is QuickTime on a Samsung Galaxy Tab — assuming you’re running both from a virtualized Windows 7 PC using OnLive’s new app. OnLive may have originally pitched itself as a streaming games service, but founder Steve Perlman revised his ambitions at the D: Dive into Mobile conference today, showing off a host of Windows 7 programs (including 3D modeling software Maya, above) running on the pair of ARM-based tablets. Like always, OnLive requires a nearby server and fast internet connection to function adequately, and the apps themselves would need touch controls, but Perlman said it’s actually easier to deliver apps than games since they’re less sensitive to lag. OnLive didn’t provide a date when we can expect full cloud functionality, but you can get a sneak peek at a pared-down version right now — the brand-new OnLive Viewer app, which lets you spectate games in progress (and will eventually let you play them) is now available for iPad.

OnLive demos Windows 7 on an iPad and Galaxy Tab, launches cloud computing tablet app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two acquisitions in as many days? Say it ain’t so! Prior to even unboxing Phonetic Arts, Google has now snapped up Seattle-based Widevine. Truth be told, you’re probably taking advantage of the company’s technology without even being aware of it — it’s used in over 250 million web connected HDTVs and streamers around the globe, and it’s primarily designed to thwart piracy attempts while enabling consumers to enjoy content on a wider array of devices. As these things tend to do, neither outfit is talking prices, but it’s fairly obvious why El Goog would want a firm like this in its portfolio. Moreover, it’s borderline comical that Viacom’s pushing an appeal in order to pit Google as an anti-studio, pro-piracy monster while it’s spending hard-earned cash on a DRM layer. At any rate, Google’s not getting into specific plans just yet, only stating its intentions to maintain Widevine’s agreements, provide support for existing and future clients as well as “building upon [the technology] to enhance both Widevine’s products and its own.”

Google spends a few more million, picks up Widevine DRM software firm originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is Mass Effect 2, running on a netbook — a stock Eee PC — with a single core Atom CPU that wouldn’t dare to dream of actually processing the game. It works because the sci-fi opera’s not taxing that silicon at all, but rather a beefy server miles away, streaming processed and compressed video frames direct to the 10.1-inch screen. It’s called Gaikai, and if you’re thinking it sounds just like OnLive by a different name, you’d be half-right. However, this streaming game service has a radically different business model which doesn’t cost players a dime. Rather than provide a library of titles and charge you for on-demand, Gaikai will power game advertisements that let you actually play their games. If that sounds like an idea you’d like to hear more about, then we’ve got a treat for you. We spoke with founder David Perry about what the service can do, got an exclusive hands-on with the closed beta, and an extensive video walkthrough to boot. After the break, find the whole scoop.

Continue reading Gaikai enters closed beta, we get an exclusive first look

Gaikai enters closed beta, we get an exclusive first look originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wonder why Motorola’s set-top-box business got bundled in with the phones? If we had to guess, it’s probably because Motorola Mobility is making a device that will wirelessly join both. Speaking at the Reuters Global Media Summit, company president Daniel Moloney said that Motorola’s working on a standalone device that will wirelessly sling video to tablets and phones in the home, and will later be integrated directly into new set-top-boxes the company rolls out. “It’s one consumer proposition that will come sooner rather than later,” he told the crowd, suggesting that the device would be available through “service providers” rather than sold off the shelf, and that said providers might charge an additional service fee for its use. Here’s hoping not. Perhaps Qualcomm finally found a buyer for that FLO TV spectrum, though?

Motorola Mobility’s mystery gadget streams video to tablets and phones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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