Hasta La Gadget!

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

“Don’t throw the past away. You might need it some rainy day.”

-Peter Allen, from the song “Everything Old Is New Again”

During the late ’90s and early ’00s, the hype bubble grew large about a number of ideas that never reached critical mass. WebTV was going to democratize the Internet, but it devolved into a market niche after being acquired by Microsoft. WiFi providers such as MobileStar and later Cometa Networks hoped to build vast WiFi networks that would compete with cellular plans. Those bubbles popped back in the day, but curiously, companies are now willing to pump some energy back into them. The question is whether they are in any better position to float this time around.

Continue reading Switched On: Techonciliation

Switched On: Techonciliation originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When you only have WiFi to worry about, testing in the foam rooms of doom at the FCC gets a little bit easier. Or so we’d imagine, anyhow. Samsung’s WiFi-only PMP, the Galaxy Player 5 (aka YP-G70, aka Galaxy Player 70), just got rubber-stamped by our favorite federal body, passing with flying colors. While we weren’t treated to any teardown antics, we do have the lovely sketch above showing you where you can find the FCC logo. It’s the thing on the pointy end of the red arrow above, a label that hopefully you’ll be able to see in person very soon.

[Thanks, James]

Galaxy Player 5 stops by the FCC, only takes the easy tests originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A big announcement arrived today if you live in or around London: to prepare to the onslaught of data-hungry visitors for the 2012 Olympic games that the city is hosting, 120 WiFi hotspots are being added to various locations along the Underground subway system’s stations and platforms, in addition to other measures being taken to beef up tech. No WiFi will be in the actual tunnels, mind you, but it should definitely come in handy for all those tourists trying to find their way around the city. British Telecom has already tolled out a trial run at the Charing Cross station, with further installations expected in the lead up to the games.

London Underground to get 120 WiFi hotspots in advance of the 2012 Olympics originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 09:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The one detail we couldn’t wrangle out of Vizio about its upcoming 3DTV line at CES was the price, but now a few midrange models have popped up on the company’s website early with full information. The 47-, 42- and 32-inch E3D models sport $899, $729 and $549 pricetags and a date of “coming soon,” following the precedent of the 65-inch model released last fall. If that’s not cheap enough, one of our readers has provided information that Walmart expects to have the E3D320VX and E3D420VX available for $498 and $698, respectively, starting in April. All of these TVs are 1080p (at least in 2D), have WiFi and Vizio Internet Apps built in (with a new IR remote – Update: pictured after the break — instead of the old Bluetooth QWERTY one) and come with two pairs of passive 3D glasses. We’ve seen 3DTVs debut at under $1,000 before and more than a few of last year’s models have dipped to $800~ by now, but with a starting price this low and cheap accessories, we wouldn’t be surprised if Vizio is celebrating sales wins again next year.

[Thanks, xxontheedgexx]

Continue reading Vizio’s first 2011 Theater 3D TVs revealed, could ship for less than $500

Vizio’s first 2011 Theater 3D TVs revealed, could ship for less than $500 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hello, Big Brother! According to the New York Times, Copenhagen International Airport is currently testing a new program that monitors passengers based on WiFi data emitted from devices like laptops and smartphones. Airport officials observe travelers from a remote computer, and can tell, within 10 feet of accuracy, where they spend their time — those arriving and departing are represented by different colored dots. The program, created by Geneva-based SITA, also gives visitors the option to download an iPhone app that provides location-based information, like promotions from nearby restaurants. SITA’s VP said the software isn’t intrusive, as it follows devices, not individuals, but we’re not sure we want anyone to know how long our Android spends in the bathroom — and you thought those naughty-bit scanners were creepy.

Copenhagen airport tracks your every move using WiFi signals originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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