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Vulkano Blast and Flow due this month, streaming your media all over the place

You know what was missing form Vulkano's last release? More pun-ful names, that's what. Enter the Vulkano Blast and Flow do-it-all media boxes. For $99, the latter boasts watching live TV, browsing episode guides, and accessing recorded content via PC, Macs, smartphones, and various tablets -- iOS, BlackBerry, and Android for now, according to the press release, with Windows (Phone?) 7 and Symbian on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Blast adds HDMI out, UPnP support, and a 160GB hard drive for $199. Both have a 802.11n router and both are due out this month, if ya dig.

Vulkano Blast and Flow due this month, streaming your media all over the place originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/rv4gRUUT7Lg/

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Johnson Controls Connected Center Stack plays nice with a quartet of smartphones, we go hands-on

Smartphone integration in your car's head unit isn't of all that much use if it's only going to play nice with one brand or another (we're looking at you, Mini Connected). Johnson Controls is being rather more open with what it's calling the Connected Center Stack, basically a framework that OEMs and aftermarket radio makers can build upon to create their ultimate infotainment system. It quite naturally connected and played audio over USB or Bluetooth, augmenting that with support for Pandora and even Terminal Mode, as implemented on a Nokia N97, replicating the phone's UI exactly. There are both touchscreen and jog dial controls, and the unit can get data either directly from a smartphone or through a USB connected 3G modem. Or that's the theory, at least. The unit on display was a little buggy and not reliable enough for us to get a video of it in action, but with any luck it'll be cleaned up and hitting production center stacks... eventually.

Gallery: Johnson Controls Connected Center Stack

Johnson Controls Connected Center Stack plays nice with a quartet of smartphones, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/johnson-controls-connected-center-stack-plays-nice-with-a-quarte/

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Alleged Nintendo 3DS roams the wild, gets thoroughly dismantled

You had to expect that as the 3DS got closer to its global release, stray units would manage to break out of Nintendo's manufacturing fortress and dash out into the wild. We already saw one such escapee earlier this month and, if we're not terribly mistaken, that very same unit has now gone through the ritual of having its body disassembled for the sake of curious 3D gamers everywhere. There's little to thrill the superficial viewer -- we already knew about the 1300mAh battery, for example -- but maybe you'll care to scrutinize the silicon more closely. If so, the source link is your nearest and dearest friend.

[Thanks, Adam]

Alleged Nintendo 3DS roams the wild, gets thoroughly dismantled originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/z457QrtTRxI/

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Bam! Instagram Blocks Followgram

In an interesting turn of events, it looks like photo sharing app Instagram has blocked startup Followgram for scraping the app's data without their consent. Followgram was developed to add a web interface to Instagram photo sharing, which has been restricted to mobile apps for now (with the exception of when users Tweet or share photos via Facebook or Flickr). Using an RSS feed, Followgram users could access their Instagram photos online and share their profile with other users. The site also included the ability to browse other Instagram users' photos as well. So why did Instagram shut down Followgram? Instagram doesn't have an API (yet, that is?the startup is supposed to release an API soon), so Followgram was scrubbing Instagram for user data and content without permission. Followgram's site now reads, "Sorry folks, looks like we have to say goodbye for now. We'll be back as soon as Instagram releases a public API. In the meantime keep snapping those Instagram photos."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/4cAKc-fB978/

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Windows Phone 7 January update bringing copy-and-paste, additional minor improvements

While it doesn't sound as though everything rumored to be rolled into the first Windows Phone 7 update, there will be a number of enhancements delivered this month. CEO Steve Ballmer didn't get too specific during his keynote at CES 2011, saying only "Microsoft will release a series of Windows Phone 7 updates over the next few months, including adding the copy-and-paste feature and improving the phone's performance when loading or switching between applications."

Microsoft, however, has now posted an official "sneak peek" at what's on the way. Copy-and-paste is perhaps the biggest addition, though faster application and game launch times will be a welcome improvement as well. Marketplace search has also been tweaked -- tapping your phone's search button post-update will allow you to search the specific category you're currently browsing, rather than the entire Marketplace.

Bigger updates like in-app purchases, expanded APIs, Internet Explorer 9, and Silverlight support won't happen until some time after Mobile World Congress 2011.

Windows Phone 7 January update bringing copy-and-paste, additional minor improvements originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/windows-phone-7-january-update-bringing-copy-and-paste-addition/

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The Open Internet teaches net neutrality to everyone

I feel strongly about net neutrality -- and you may have some solid opinions about it, too. But what about your mother or your grandfather? Do they care enough about net neutrality to make a stand, or even understand what the fuss is all about?

The Open Internet is a nice little website that strives to explain the topic with very little text, and lovely vector graphics. It flows from top to bottom, with two main illustrations. The first illustration shows how things are today, with the ISP providing access to a raw "stream" of Internet goodness. The second one shows what things might be like if net neutrality is not guaranteed, with "special packages" offering "premium access" to email, Facebook, YouTube or other services many of us spend significant amounts of time browsing.

The site goes on to explain that ISPs would even be able to block access to certain services entirely so they could offer their own competing services -- a frightening scenario. All in all, it's a very quick and enlightening read and it sure beats having to explain the subject over and over again...

The Open Internet teaches net neutrality to everyone originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/23/the-open-internet-teaches-net-neutrality-to-everyone/

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Analog sunset begins, all the new Blu-ray players will only output HD via HDMI

The chicken littles have been worried about this since long before the first Blu-ray (or even HD DVD) title was ever released, and the first step towards the analog sunset has officially come. Any new Blu-ray player announced after January 1st 2011 will only output HD via HDMI -- players that started shipping last year can still be sold until the end of this year though. If you just love component video, you might figure you'll be able to get a player today and continue to enjoy it for years to come, but maybe not. You see the studios also have the Image Constraint Token (ICT) which when set on a title will tell every and all Blu-ray players to down convert analog output to 540p. The only reprieve is that if its set on a title, it must be marked on the box, and of course it can't be retroactively set (any title you own now will continue to play exactly the same way it does on your existing players). We're waiting for final confirmation, but apparently the ICT hasn't been an option to studios until now so start looking for the icon on your latest purchases. The final stage in the sunset is 2013 when analog outputs will be removed from Blu-ray players completely, but we suspect we'll have better things to worry about by then like ultra HD or digital distribution.

Analog sunset begins, all the new Blu-ray players will only output HD via HDMI originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/analog-sunset-begins-all-the-new-blu-ray-players-will-only-outp/

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T-Mobile UK cuts 'fair use' allowance to 500MB, sends you home to watch online video

In one of the most insensitive announcements in recent PR history, T-Mobile UK is telling its customers who want to download or stream online video to their mobile devices to "save that stuff for [their] home broadband." The carrier, one half of the UK's biggest operator Everything Everywhere, had up until now offered one of the better monthly allowance deals with a 3GB data consumption limit on Android phones. It still is, in fact, since its new changes aren't coming into effect until February 1st, but come that fateful Tuesday, T-Mo's understanding of "fair use" will shrink down to 500MB each month -- after which point you'll still get to browse the web and email for free, but any video content will presumably be subject to an extra charge. It's not clear how "that stuff" will be handled by T-Mobile once you cross the frugal new threshold, nor is it clear whether customers who signed up for big bodacious 3GB of data will be set free once this new lockdown on mobile video is in effect. Godspeed to you all.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: T-Mobile has responded with a clarifying statement we've added after the break. There will be no surcharges for use over 500MB per month, but once you cross that line, any downloading activity will be "restricted." By which the company seems to mean "restricted to whatever WiFi connection you can scrounge up," because its 3G airwaves will be off-limits.

Continue reading T-Mobile UK cuts 'fair use' allowance to 500MB, sends you home to watch online video

T-Mobile UK cuts 'fair use' allowance to 500MB, sends you home to watch online video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/Jvbz-mjXhx8/

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Google Goggles gets faster, does Sudoku

Google Goggles is pretty damn cool, being able to nearly instantly recognize just about anything you can take a picture of. And in Version 1.3, it's gotten faster -- and smarter.

First off, scanning barcodes is much faster. Takes about a second now. Then there's the print ad feature -- scan the ad and it'll find search results about the product. And what's really cool is that you can scan a Sudoku puzzle and have the puzzle solved for your lazy butt get a little help. It's pretty damn cool. Video of it in action and download links are after the break. [Google]

Google Goggles gets faster, does Sudoku posted originally by Android Central

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/xtQafQXhVo0/google-goggles-gets-faster-does-sudoku

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A Two-Piece Speaker Dock So Gorgeous That You'll Overlook Its Price [Docks]

The Perch is a pretty little gadget with a two-piece design that allows you to use it as a standalone Bluetooth speaker or as a dock for your smartphone. It's a bit steeply priced at $180, but it's definitely beautiful. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/KtZS0sWJq2E/a-two+piece-speaker-dock-so-gorgeous-that-youll-overlook-its-price

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