Hasta La Gadget!

Stephen Elop himself spilled the beans about Nokia’s first WP7 handset, codenamed Sea Ray, when he told a large live audience and some whirring video cameras that he wanted the phone to be kept “super confidential.” Now we have a whole new puddle of legumes lying on what sounds like a Chinese factory floor, courtesy of the authentic-looking video above. The clip reveals the N9-like device removed from what appears to be a stealth case, followed by a speedy boot-up into the Windows Phone OS. We’re also treated to a quick look at the camera in action — triggered by a dedicated shutter button that’s missing on the N9 — before a hurried “goodbye.” There’s not much else to see here, but could that reddish theme be a hint that this particular example is destined for Vodafone? Only time will tell.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nokia ‘Sea Ray’ WP7 handset revealed on a factory floor? (Video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say it ain’t so — not only is a phone not delayed, it’s actually planning to come out earlier than its quoted launch window? This particular miracle is the exception much more than the rule, but Microsoft’s latest Windows Phone OS (nicknamed “Mango,”) might come out prior to the anticipated fall release. According to Nikkei, Fujitsu will offer the very first Mango device, a waterproof phone called the IS12T, on KDDI “as early as late next month.” The phone is to be sold for 30,000 – 40,000 yen ($378 – 505), a reasonable amount of coin for what will likely be a higher-end device. And — if it’s the same handset showcased at this week’s Worldwide Partner Conference — a pink version will be on sale. So, what’s more enticing: a Hello Kitty-flavored Windows Phone, or a Samsung Galaxy S II lookalike running Mango? It’s a tough call.

Fujitsu to launch first Windows Phone Mango handset in… August? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After the ho-hum AR demonstration of Windows Phone Mango, Microsoft appears to be stepping up its game by licensing a mature set of technologies from GeoVector, (a company previously known for its defunct World Surfer application). While the details remain elusive, Ballmer’s crew was granted a multi-year, non-exclusive right to use and abuse the pointing-based local search and augmented reality elements of GeoVector’s portfolio — surely capable of bringing Local Scout to the next level. While much of the technology relies on GPS and a compass for directional-based discovery, the licensor also holds intellectual property for object recognition (à la Google Goggles), although it’s unclear whether this element falls within the agreement. Of course, Microsoft could have turned to Nokia’s Live View AR for many of the same tools, but that would have been far too obvious. Just beyond the break, you’ll find the full PR along with an (admittedly dated) video of GeoVector’s technology.

Continue reading Microsoft licenses GeoVector’s augmented reality search for local guidance (video)

Microsoft licenses GeoVector’s augmented reality search for local guidance (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This certainly isn’t the first music video we’ve seen shot with a smartphone. And whether or not it’s the first one shot entirely on a Windows Phone device is almost beside the point. What really makes the whole thing remarkable is that, unlike a lot of these fairly gimmicky videos, this one’s for a truly terrific artist, Kurt Vile, whose awesome Smoke Ring for My Halo dropped on Matador back in March. The Todd Cole-directed video for the first track off that LP follows a day in the life of an East LA-based couple. Check out the video and an obligatory making of after the break.

Continue reading New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video)

New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wistron? Check. HTC? Double-check. Velocity Micro? Been there. Itronix? Done that. Microsoft has found plenty of corporate entities willing to be wooed with its patent-waving ways, and the company hopes the next notch on its bedpost will be a big one: Samsung. Reuters is reporting that Microsoft is after a $15 bounty per Android handset sold, which, if already in place, would have put Sammy $45 million in the hole thanks to the Galaxy S II’s successes. Why would Samsung agree to such terms? It’s possible Microsoft is requiring that this agreement be put in place for companies that want to produce Windows 8 tablets. Or, maybe it’s just because everybody else is playing along. Nobody likes a follower, Samsung, nobody.

Flush with success, Microsoft hopes Samsung will be its next Android patent bounty originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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