| Major Windows Phone 7 update 'imminent'? Posted: 30 Jan 2011 10:45 PM PST  According to multiple reports, Microsoft is ready to drop a major update for Windows Phone 7, with the firmware upgrade "imminent." The software giant has updated its support sites with the "Troubleshooting problems during software update for Windows Phone 7" document, implying an update should be coming, soon. Although it is unconfirmed, the update should bring faster loading times, copy/paste capabilities and a new and improved search function for the WP7 Marketplace. There is no word on when the upgrade is coming. Microsoft sold 2.1 million licenses of Window Phone 7 to OEMs in 2010, tacking on almost 900,000 in December alone. Permalink | Comments
 |
| Android 3.0 ported to Nook Color with graphics acceleration Posted: 30 Jan 2011 12:28 PM PST  Developer/hacker "@deeper-blue" has posted a quick video this weekend of how he ported the new tablet-optimized OS Android 3.0 to run on the Nook Color. Deeper-Blue is able to boot the OS, and control the device, but functionality is still somewhat limited. The hacker is now working on completing graphics acceleration, which should speed up the interface, which currently runs slowly. Says the hacker ( via XDA): Graphics acceleration more or less working. The SGX driver seems too old for some buffer request of android 3.0, so right now the statusbar is invisible but still functional. Not sure if I can fix that or have to wait for the AOSP release.
What is not working... pretty much everything else, no accelerometer, no wlan, no sound. Haven't started working on those things yet. Permalink | Comments
 |
| Google begins censoring all torrent-related searches Posted: 30 Jan 2011 11:20 AM PST  Earlier this week, Google began censoring any search queries with references to torrents from its 'instant search' and 'autocomplete' features. Last month, the search giant promised it would begin "making copyright work better online" whilst blocking "terms that are closely associated with piracy" from autocomplete. BitTorrent services have been up in arms since the move, pointing out that there are many legal torrents out there that are being censored, like films that have been released for free by directors and made available via torrent sites. A couple of the banned search terms are "utorrent," " bittorrent," "rapidshare," and "megaupload." However, other cyberlockers like Fileserve and HotFile are not banned. Suprisingly, "The Pirate Bay," is still a searchable term. Rapidshare expressed the concerns of companies now censored: We knew about Google's plans for quite a few weeks now. We embrace that certain search suggestions will not put a wrong complexion on RapidShare anymore, but we are concerned that at the same time the legitimate interests of our users will also be affected. Of course, regular search results will not be censored, just autocomplete and instant results. Permalink | Comments
 |
| Verizon will sell 25 million iPhones in 2011 Posted: 30 Jan 2011 10:54 AM PST  William Power of R.W. Baird & Co has noted today that Verizon could sell as many as 25 million iPhones in 2011, basing the figure off a 1000-person survey. The analyst believes a large number of Verizon feature phone users will upgrade to their first smartphone when the iPhone 4 hits. Power was quick to add, however, that many factors could affect that number, including manufacturing capacity. The latest analysis is the highest figure yet, ahead of Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster's 15 million estimate and Gleacher and Co.'s Brian Marshall's 12 million estimate. Munster, in his analysis, added the following: Android phones outsell iPhones in the U.S., but we believe when Verizon gets the iPhone, that trend could be reversed. As an example, in countries where the iPhone is available on multiple carriers and competes with Android, we see the iPhone outselling Android. Permalink | Comments
 |
| Amazon to launch streaming service, free for Prime members Posted: 30 Jan 2011 10:30 AM PST  Engadget has posted screenshots this weekend of Amazon's upcoming subscription streaming service, one that should directly rival Netflix. The service will offer free, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows to Amazon Prime members. Reads a now removed page: "Your Amazon Prime membership now includes unlimited, commerical-free instant streaming of 5,000 movies and TV shows at no additional cost." Amazon Prime is $79-a-year (and free for anyone with a .edu email) and offers users free 2-day shipping on all items, and discounts on even faster shipping options. At that price, Prime (before any other benefits) is still cheaper per year than Netflix's streaming-only option, which is $8 per month. Additionally, Amazon already offers rentals and digital movie purchases, giving it more angles of attack in the online video market. Permalink | Comments
 |
| China blocks 'Egypt' from Sina, Sohu and Tencent Posted: 30 Jan 2011 01:04 AM PST  China has blocked all searches for the Chinese word for "Egypt" on microblogging sites Sina, Tencent and Sohu, limiting the public's knowledge of the unrest occurring right now in the nation. In response, Sina said ( via PCW): "In accordance with the relevant laws, regulations and policies, the search result did not display." The English word "Egypt," however, is still searchable. Severe political unrest has hit the nation over the past week, with thousands of protesters rioting in the streets and demanding that President Hosni Mubarak be removed from power. The Egyptian government shut down the Internet in the country, in an effort to stop protesters from organizing efficiently. Mubarak's government also ordered the suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, while canceling the network's licenses. Al Jazeera was one of few broadcasters to get video of Cairo after the riots. Sina, Tencent and Sohu have a total of 63 million users. Permalink | Comments
 |
| NY Senator wants to ban phone usage when crossing the street Posted: 30 Jan 2011 12:34 AM PST  New York Senator Carl Kruger has made headlines today after introducing another ridiculous bill, one that will ban phone usage when crossing the street. If passed, the bill would ban talking on the phone, texting, listening to iPods with headphones and playing handheld devices while crossing the street. The fine? $100 if caught. Says the Senator: You can't be fully aware of your surroundings if you're fiddling with a Blackberry, dialing a phone number, playing Super Mario Brothers on a Game Boy or listening to music on an iPod. Citing some recent examples, Kruger noted the death of a 21-year-old who was hit by truck after he crossed the street listening to loud music via headphones, and a woman who was so "engrossed in conversation on her cell phone" that she walked "straight into a park fountain." Kruger last made headlines when he posted that the city should balance the budget deficit by trading in the stock market. Permalink | Comments
 |
AMD's Mobility Radeon HD 6970 in CrossFire mode forges ahead in mobile gaming with stunning "Full HD" 3D performance. But can it stand up to Nvidia's high-end GeForce GTX 470M and 480M in SLI? Eurocom's 17.3" Panther 2.0 gives us its answer.
