Daily Roundup: SteamOS release, holiday gift guide for the geek, Z Ultra Google Play edition and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
SteamOS available December 13th
Valve announced today that its gaming operating system, SteamOS, will be available to both individuals and hardware manufacturers on December 13th. Click the link for more details.
Holiday gift guide for ultimate geek
Welcome to Engadget’s final holiday gift guide — for the geek who has everything. Here is where you’ll find the perfect present suggestions for every tinkerer and hardcore nerd in your life.
Android Device Manager on Google Play
At last, Android Device Manager has hit the Play store today, making it more convenient than ever to command and control handsets from afar. Follow the link for more info.
Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition hands-on
Engadget’s Brad Molen goes hands-on with the Google Play edition of Sony’s 6.4-inch Xperia Z Ultra. This $650 handset remains identical to the original model, with the exception of a few new camera features, courtesy of Android 4.4 KitKat. Click the link for pics and details.
Walmart to Sell iPhone 5c for $27, iPhone 5s for $127 Beginning Friday [iOS Blog]
Walmart will begin a holiday sale on Friday that will see the retailer drop price of Apple’s iPhone to just $27 with a two-year contract, reports the Los Angeles Times. Though the iPhone 5c is priced at $99 in the App Store, Walmart and other retailers have been selling the phone at a discount since shortly after its September launch.
Walmart initially sold the iPhone for $79, but back in October, the company dropped the price on the iPhone 5c to just $45, undercutting other retailers pricing schemes. During Black Friday, Walmart offered an even better deal, providing a $75 gift card along with an iPhone 5c purchased for $45.
Holiday price drops on electronics are not unusual, but iPhone 5c pricing has been aggressive since the launch of the phone. Apple has reportedly even reduced production of the iPhone 5c due to more than adequate stock. While the iPhone 5s was constrained at launch and for many weeks afterwards, supplies of the iPhone 5c have remained plentiful.
Walmart will also be discounting the iPhone 5s to $127 on contract, a significant discount from the standard $199 price, and offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of a $299 16 GB original iPad mini.
Walmart’s sale will begin on Friday, December 13 at 8 AM and last until December 24.
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Engadget HD Podcast 378 – 12.11.13
While Ben digs into his holiday movie archive and Richard warms himself by a virtual yuletide fire, HD news continues to pour forth. The Xbox One received some post-launch updates, Dolby demoed some tech you might not have thought you needed, Google’s Chromecast added more apps to its streaming quiver and Netflix announced a director for its Daredevil series. Add to that, an extensive review of Must See HDTV and some disappointing fantasy football stats, and you’ve got another informative episode of the HD Podcast, patiently waiting for you at the streaming links below.
Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Producer: Jon Turi
Hear the podcast:
06:39 – Xbox One’s first post-launch update tackles multiplayer and SmartGlass issues
10:41 – Xbox One self-publishing begins in early 2014 with a big list of devs onboard
14:14 – LG’s AllJoyn support will let you control Smart TVs from any device
15:24 – LG, Sharp, Qualcomm and others team up to make your house even smarter
18:47 – Dolby demos new imaging tech that pushes more light to your television
21:31 – NimbleTV launches in New York City, streams paid TV starting at $4 per month
26:38 – Google rumored to launch its own TV set-top box under the Nexus brand next year
36:06 – HiSense unveils Android-powered H6 Smart TVs and Pulse PRO set-top box
38:28 – Android 4.4.1 shows signs that mirroring to Chromecast is coming soon
42:02 – Google Chromecast adds 10 new apps to its streaming arsenal
45:03 – Plex multimedia app gets a new UI to match iOS 7
46:43 – Verizon’s FiOS Mobile app adds Encore, Starz and more for live-streaming anywhere
48:31 – Reelhouse offers expanded bonus materials for digital Warner Bros. movies
50:08 – Netflix’s Daredevil TV show will be led by Cabin in The Woods director Drew Goddard
52:41 – Award-winning Netflix original series House of Cards returns on Valentine’s Day 2014 with a second season
57:46 – Must See HDTV (December 9th – 15th)
Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS – AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS – MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace.
Google updates Keep web app, goes overboard with the Santa references
Santa Tracker has clearly made its mark on Google — things in Mountain View are beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But then, it’s probably much too difficult to resist the urge to sprinkle in a few references to Kris Kringle in a post detailing updates to your list-making app. And surely many a holiday gift giver will be pleased with the tweaks to the Web version of Keep, including full-color notes, text scaling, new fonts and the ability to rearrange lists. Search has also been improved and Google’s brought over a navigation drawer for switching between archived and active notes. Now Merry Christmas to all and so on and so forth.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Google
Source: Google+, Google Play
Facebook brings auto-playing videos to mobile devices and the web
We’d heard about Facebook experimenting with auto-playing videos in its news feeds on mobile (see it in action after the break), but now the change is rolling out widely no matter where you’re wasting time from. TechCrunch confirmed the new feature (recently added to the changelog on iOS) is coming to all mobile users, and today learned it’s expanding on the desktop as well. Now, Facebook’s feeds are more like Vine and especially Instagram, particularly the latter since sound remains muted until the videos are actually clicked. Of course, this is about more than just adding a few extra views to the counter, as it could lead to autoplaying video ads in the feed, which have been rumored for quite some time and are expected to launch next year.
Filed under: Internet, Mobile, Facebook
Source: Facebook (iTunes), TechCrunch
Geofencing to Unlock Vehicle Functions Detailed in New Apple Patent Application
In November, Apple filed a new patent application [PDF] with the European Patent Office describing a system using an in-car accessory with an iOS device to set up geofences to activate various vehicle functions as a user approaches a vehicle.
According to the 15-claim application, which specifically describes “Accessory control with geo-fencing”, the accessory (which may or may not be built-in to the car itself) would transmit a signal to a linked mobile device, allowing the device to monitor the location of a vehicle. When the mobile device (and the user) are close enough to the car, the mobile device would transmit a second signal to the accessory within the car, allowing it to trigger functions like door unlocking, defrosting, heating, trunk opening, seat warming, and more.
The first signal can identify a current or future location of the vehicle. The mobile phone can generate one or more virtual geofences based at least in part on the location of the vehicle as determined from the first signal. For example, a geofence can be defined as a circular boundary centered on the vehicle’s location, the radius being equal to a pre-defined distance. The mobile phone can repeatedly estimate its own location.
Upon detecting that the mobile phone has crossed a geofence (e.g., generally or in a particular direction), the mobile phone can generate and transmit a second signal to the vehicle. The accessory can control or coordinate control of one or more vehicle functions in response to receipt of the second signal.
Apple notes that geofences can be made in shapes that parallel vehicle components for very specific in-app functions. For example, a geofence could be tied specifically to a trunk or a door, with the mobile device able to identify the absolute-location boundaries of each individual geofence. With such accurate geofencing, a car’s trunk could be opened as a user approaches, for groceries or bags to be put away, while the car doors stay locked until later approached.
Geofences can also function on time, with features like a car’s heating system able to be activated when a mobile device estimates that an owner is “five minutes away and approaching the vehicle.”
Like Apple’s iBeacons, which are designed to transmit specific location information to mobile devices, Apple’s vehicle accessory system would potentially send signals over Bluetooth LE to activate various functions within the car. Apple also suggests Wi-Fi and cellular hardware could also be included in order for the accessory to communicate with mobile devices when owners are located far from their cars.
Along with serving as a possible expansion of the use of Apple’s iBeacon technology, the geofencing system described in the patent could also be a future expansion of Apple’s iOS in the Car initiative, which is designed to provide enhanced iOS integration in automobiles.
The first hints of iOS in the Car have been bundled into the new 2014 Honda Civic, allowing users to access HondaLink apps for iOS to connect to an iPhone 5 or later. Apple’s ultimate goal for iOS in the Car is far more advanced, however, with iOS built-in to in-dash systems.
The patent, which lists former Apple employee Sylvain Louboutin as the inventor, appears to have been filed solely in Europe.
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Android 4.4.2 Binaries and Factory Images Get Posted by Google
Google has been on top of things lately, with releasing Android 4.4.1 to the Nexus family last week, then releasing Android 4.4.2 this week. They have also been updating their apps, and announced two additions to the Google Play Edition family. No one is complaining that is for sure, and today, they just posted the Android 4.4.2 binaries and factory images for anyone that wants them.
Google actually didn’t post the binaries or factory images for Android 4.4.1, probably because they knew they were going to release Android 4.4.2 to the public a week later. I know a lot of you might not even consider downloading any of these files, but this does help developers get new ROMs out quickly, and if you do end up flashing your device into certain oblivion, you can flash the factory image to get it back to stock. So if you feel like you need to download the files, head over to the Google page provided below.
Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition hands-on
Sony’s gargantuan phone, the 6.4-inch Xperia Z Ultra, is finally getting some quality time in the United States, but not exactly the same way we had envisioned at first. For $650, you can now grab a Google Play edition of the device (in the US, anyway), which is compatible with AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s LTE and HSPA+ networks. Essentially, this means that the unlocked phone features a stock version of Android 4.4, is free of Sony’s software tweaks and carrier bloatware and it’ll (in theory) get updated to the latest and greatest version of Android sooner than most other devices.
Since the Z Ultra (no Xperia branding this time) doesn’t come with Sony’s user experience, this means that it’s missing some features you normally find on flagship Xperia devices, such as the Bravia Engine. You’ll get a stock camera UI, rather than Sony’s proprietary interface, which means you won’t have access to as many manual settings as you’d probably prefer; that said, at least it comes with a standard HDR setting, so its software algorithms may be a little different from Sony’s, and may affect the final image somewhat. Also gone is the native Android gallery that we’ve grown to love or hate over the years, and in its place is the new Google+ Photos app that was introduced in Android 4.4 KitKat and featured on Nexus devices.
Aside from these differences, there isn’t much else to the experience; the look, feel and dimensions of the device are all the same, so if you thought the original Z Ultra was too big (and too expensive) for your tastes, there’s nothing about this new edition that will change your mind. Still, this is the best option for anyone who wants an official stock Android experience on such a large handset (without venturing into loading ROMs, at least), so perhaps a handful of you may be looking at the Z Ultra in a completely new way now. Either way, we’ve got some pictures below for your viewing pleasure.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile, Sony, Google
LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition hands-on
If you’ve been eyeing the LG G Pad 8.3, your decision just became more difficult. Yesterday Google announced — and began shipping — a Google Play edition of the tablet for $350 in the US, which makes it the very first slate to receive the stock Android treatment. What does this mean, exactly? Google Play editions come with Android 4.4 KitKat without any manufacturer or carrier customizations, so it looks precisely the way Google intends it. This can be good or bad, because there are a couple tradeoffs you need to consider: The good news is that these types of devices typically get upgrades to the newest version of Android far earlier than the vast majority of smartphones and tablets, but you also need to give up a few features that were unique to their skinned counterparts.
In the case of the G Pad 8.3, this means you won’t be able to enjoy the Knock On (aka, “double-knock”) feature, nor will you have Slide Aside or access to a litany of LG’s Q-branded functions like QPair, QRemote or QSlide. None of these missing services are crucial to the functionality of the G Pad, although we must admit that we’ve grown rather fond of Knock On. The camera interface is also quite different, but the only thing that might frustrate you is the lack of manual settings; if you only rely on automatic mode to make the photo magic for you, this likely won’t be an issue of concern. Just like we saw on the Z Ultra Google Play edition, the G Pad also doesn’t come with the native Android gallery app, as it appears that the Google+ Photos app has taken its place as the default. You’ll also have the stock camera UI to deal with, rather than LG’s, so you won’t be able to make many manual adjustments. Of course, this probably isn’t a huge concern for a lot of tablet users who may only use their camera for basic needs.
Aside from software changes, you’re not going to see anything different on the outside. The dimensions are all the same as the original model, as are the actual hardware components. It’s only available in black (the back strip is fitted with brushed metal, with black plastic ends), but it’s offered for the same price as the model we reviewed last month. We’ve got a bunch of images for you to behold below.
Twitter and Comcast expand their tweet-based TV viewing to nine more providers
Comcast and Twitter made it easy to watch TV online when they launched their SeeIt social platform, but the service has only been truly useful for Comcast customers watching NBCUniversal shows. It’s about to become much more relevant, though, as Comcast has reached deals with nine new channel and TV service providers. ABC, A&E Networks, AMC, Cablevision, Charter, Crown Media Family Networks, Discovery, Fox and Time Warner Cable should all support SeeIt’s “watch now” links in tweets as soon as the first quarter of 2014. You also won’t need to sign up for Comcast service to get the full experience — the new SeeIt deal will let Cablevision, Charter and TWC TV subscribers both tune their set-top boxes and record programming without ever grabbing the TV remote. There will still be gaps in SeeIt’s coverage in the wake of these agreements, but don’t be surprised if it’s ubiquitous in the near future.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Via: The Verge
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