Hasta La Gadget!

Now that you’ve got your Windows Phone 7 device splayed open for USB mass storage use, why not make it friendly to non-Marketplace apps, too? Microsoft’s been insistent so far about keeping sideloaded apps out of the equation unless you’re a developer, but a new tool called ChevronWP7 — compatible with Windows XP SP2 and up — will “unlock” your little beast so that you can install whatever you like without going through the store. Presumably, this’ll come in handy for installing stuff Microsoft would never dream of approving — and it’s a whole lot less hacky than an iPhone jailbreak from the looks of it. Have fun and stay safe out there, folks.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Windows Phone 7 gets user-friendly hack for bypassing the Marketplace, loading your own apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 11:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Been feeling blue this holiday season? Finding all the special offer WP7 phones a little too little? Fear not, T-Mobile and Microsoft are ready to give you a pair of HD7s for the price of one next time you drop into one of the Magenta stores asking about Windows Phone 7 devices. You’ll need to commit to the usual two-year contract and whatnot, but it’s a straight up BOGO on what’s probably the most desirable handset sporting Microsoft’s new OS on the American market. Then again, even with this discount, you still might be able to find the HD7 cheaper at online retailers, so as per usual on Black Fridays, we’d advise doing your due diligence before letting your dead presidents out for a walk. And please, try not to think of how sweet a day this could have been if Dell’s Venue Pro had actually been released on schedule.

[Thanks, David]

HTC HD7 greets Black Friday with a Buy One Get One Free offer from T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like Microsoft took Big Red’s challenge and decided to respond in kind, as the official Windows Phone Twitter feed claims that Windows Phone 7 devices are finally headed to Verizon. They’ll allegedly arrive this holiday season, a good bit earlier than we were told, but we doubt you’re exactly dismayed to get your hands on CDMA WP7 phones ahead of schedule. You know how we hate to mince words, but “devices” does suggest more than one phone, and those of you warily eying your local retailer’s selection of Christmas lights could even argue that “this holiday season” has already begun. So when, exactly, will we get these handsets… and which ones?

Update: The original entry hasn’t been pulled, but there’s a brand-new tweet now, reading “Verizon is a valued partner and we look forward to seeing Windows Phone 7 devices in their stores in 2011,” which doesn’t quite refute the idea of seeing devices in time for Yuletide too. Needless to say, we’ve pinged Verizon and hope to clear up this matter soon.

[Thanks, Jay and Jonathan D.]

Windows Phone 7 hitting Verizon stores ‘this holiday season,’ according to Microsoft tweet (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Still have your hopes up about a Windows Phone 7 slider from Sony Ericsson? Then you might want to dial back those expectations, at least according to Sony Ericsson France CEO Pierre Perron. He recently told French newspaper Les Echos that while Sony Ericsson has indeed been in talks with Microsoft about Windows Phone 7, the company is not likely to pursue it because it would “run the risk of standardizing our smartphones,” adding that (roughly translated), “we would be obliged to fight only on design and price, which we want to avoid.” Perron also seemed to outright dismiss the idea of a tablet from Sony Ericsson (be it Android or otherwise), flatly stating that the company doesn’t want to be the “24th” tablet on the market. Of course, it could well be a different story a few months or a year down the line, but it certainly doesn’t sound like Sony Ericsson will be straying far from its current strategy at the moment.

Sony Ericsson France CEO says Windows Phone 7 handsets aren’t likely, neither is a tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were undeniably excited about Netflix coming to the iPhone and iPad, but according to CEO Reed Hastings — who spoke on the subject during a Web 2.0 Summit panel discussion — that move has actually had little impact on the company’s business. In his mind, these results indicate that consumers just aren’t interested in streaming long-form video on mobile devices and instead prefer the experience on bigger screens. To support his conclusion, Hastings cited how Netflix integration on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Mac significantly grew its subscriber base. While we personally disagree with his judgment on mobile and grant him honorary captain obvious credentials for his bigger screen preference remarks, we’ll still entertain the possibility that Hastings may know somethings we don’t. That’s not to say the phrase correlation does not imply causation isn’t tickling the back our throat though. But what about you, reader? Are you taking advantage of the little red app on your Apple portable devices or even on your new Windows Phone 7 handset? Hit the poll on the next page to tell us what’s up.

Continue reading Netflix CEO says consumers just aren’t interested in long-form video on portable devices

Netflix CEO says consumers just aren’t interested in long-form video on portable devices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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