Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 revisits the FCC with AT&T-capable LTE
You might not have to sign up with Verizon to buy a cellular edition of Samsung’s Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 in the US. The gargantuan tablet has returned to the FCC, only this time in a variant with AT&T-native LTE and HSPA+ frequency support; it can also handle the big three Canadian carriers. The slate is otherwise much like its Verizon counterpart, although the absence of T-Mobile 3G means that the UnCarrier likely won’t be selling this model, if it sells the Note Pro at all. There’s also no certainty of an AT&T launch, but we can’t imagine that Samsung repeated the FCC approval process just for laughs.
Filed under: Tablets, Samsung, AT&T
Source: FCC
Rdio support for Google Chromecast is in the works
Now that Google has finally opened up the Chromecast SDK to developers, we can expect a whole lot of different applications to start being friendly with the $35 dongle. With this in mind, Rdio, via the RdioHelp Twitter account, let it be known that its dev team is already working to offer native support for Google’s Chromecast. As it stands, Rdio subscribers do have the ability to stream music by casting a Chrome tab on the web, though this would indicate that a solution compatible with the service’s mobile apps is on the way. The tweet doesn’t mention any details about when Rdio for Chromecast could be available — but, hey, at least we know it’s coming.
@journeydan Our team is already working on developing support for Chromecast. Stay tuned!
– Rdio Support (@RdioHelp) February 4, 2014
Filed under: Internet, Software, HD
Source: Twitter (RdioHelp)
Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 8:45PM ET
It’s Tuesday which means it’s time for the Engadget HD Podcast. We hope you’ll join us live when the Engadget HD podcast starts recording at 8:45PM. Tonight we got our thoughts on the Super Bowl on tap as well as the latest from Google regarding the Chromecast. And of course other top HD news. If you’ll be joining us, take a peek at the topics after the break — then do everything else you’ll need to do in order to be ready to participate in the live chat.
Super Bowl 2014 ad roundup: ’80s stars raid a RadioShack, bears dance with Ellen and more
NFL Now online network promises a unique experience for football fans
Super Bowl sets new record for live streaming, barely
The NFL’s new digital network is a step forward, but still not what cord-cutters want
Google finally opens Chromecast SDK, invites developers to get hackin’
AllCast Android media streamer and Chromecast are friends again now that the SDK is here
Chromecast, Google Play, Nexus 5 and Google Wallet had a very good 2013
Aereo stops taking new customers in New York
Two years later, DirecTV customers can finally use Roku players to watch HBO Go
Amazon may raise Prime subscription pricing in the US
Japanese companies testing 360-degree VR broadcasts for live events
Netflix passes bill for the third season of House of Cards
Must See HDTV for the week of February 3rd: Walking Dead and Winter Olympics
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Royal Caribbean uses 80-inch HDTVs to create ‘virtual balcony staterooms’
Every cruise-goer wants the ability to recreate the Jack and Rose experience of “flying” on the bow of the ship from their room, but unless you book a window suite early, getting that experience can pose a Titanic-sized challenge. For latecomers who want the waterside experience, Royal Caribbean is offering “virtual balcony staterooms” with 80-inch floor-to-ceiling HD displays framed to look like an actual balcony. The TVs display close to real-time video from the bow and stern of the ship shot on RED Epic HD cinema cameras, complete with audio. Guests can set the mood by switching between cams using an in-room remote, or close the curtains on the display if it gets too romantic.
Sound nauseating? Control Group, the company behind creating the rooms, worked with experts from M.I.T and Harvard on a special fibre-channel delivery system to make sure the experience of moving differently than what you see on the screen doesn’t make you want to toss your cookies. Eighty of the new rooms set sail for the first time February 5th on Royal Caribbean’s ship Navigator of the Seas. You can book a romantic televisionside stay for future voyages now on Royal Carbbiean’s website.
Filed under: Transportation, Alt
Apple to Restart iPhone 4 Production for India, Indonesia and Brazil [iOS Blog]
Apple has plans to reinstitute iPhone 4 production in order to sell the device in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, reports The Economic Times. A January report indicated Apple would relaunch the discontinued iPhone 4 in India, but it was unclear at that time if the company was continuing production on the phone or selling old inventory.
Citing three senior executives with knowledge of the company’s plans, the site suggests offering a lower cost iPhone will help Apple recoup market share in those countries. Apple partner Foxconn is said to have already begun production on the devices.
The maker of iPads and MacBooks is betting the lower price point will help it wrest volumes from Samsung’s Grand and S4 Mini, and recoup market share that has slumped, largely because it didn’t have phones that were cheap enough.
Reproducing the iPhone 4 will mark the first time that Apple has resumed production of a discontinued product. Apple ceased selling the iPhone 4 in stores following the September 2013 launch of the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c, and its current lineup consists of the aforementioned models along with 2011′s iPhone 4s.
The entry level iPhone 5s sells for Rs. 53,500 ($856) in India, while the entry level iPhone 5c is Rs. 41,900 ($670). The reintroduced 8GB iPhone 4 retails for Rs. 22,900 ($360).
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DARPA gives the public a one-stop shop for its open-source code
Ever wish you could help DARPA build our future robot overlords? Wish no more, friends, because DARPA’s new open-source program will let you in on the action.
DARPA’s making the DARPA Open Catalog, a collection of the publically releasable elements from its findings over the years, available to public. Why is Uncle Sam’s far-out research wing willing to share its secrets? Free labor, folks. The goal of the program is to get the science and R&D communities to test and evaluate the catalog, and ultimately, build communities around government-funded software and research.
All the goodies are available right now to would-be tinkerers and mad scientists. And, keep in mind that the more folks that take advantage of DARPA’s generosity, the more info it’ll add to the catalog. Gotta give a little to get a little, right?
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: DARPA Open Catalog
Microsoft to use Foursquare data in Bing and Windows products
It may not be the biggest news to come out of Redmond in recent hours. Still, the Windows faithful will no doubt be interested to hear about a licensing agreement involving two pretty notable outfits. Today, Foursquare announced it has struck a deal with Microsoft to use its location data in Bing services and Windows-powered devices. This, naturally, includes search and maps for Bing; and, for Windows, phones, tablets, laptops and desktops — and yes, convertibles too. In a statement, Foursquare notes that, “in the near future,” Microsoft will be utilizing the newly acquired license to enhance its products with “contextually-aware experiences and the best recommendations of any service in the world.” That’s not it, however, as Foursquare also revealed Microsoft has invested ($15 million) into its socially-driven company, which it says will help the service continue to grow and be accessible by more people.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Foursquare
John Carmack quit id Software because it wouldn’t support VR games
We know the basic reason why John Carmack left id Software: he wanted to concentrate on his work at Oculus VR. However, we now know that it was more complicated — it was the result of a dream denied. The game developer explains to USA Today that he had proposed a deal between ZeniMax (id’s parent company) and Oculus VR that would have games like Doom 4 and Wolfenstein: The New Order support the Oculus Rift. He was heartbroken when the pact didn’t come to be. “When it became clear that I wasn’t going to have the opportunity to do any work on VR while at id Software, I decided to not renew my contract,” Carmack says. The departure is ultimately “bittersweet,” but it reflects his sincere belief that wearable displays represent the next big thing.
Filed under: Gaming, Wearables
Source: USA Today
Apple Hires Sleep Expert From Philips Research to Work on iWatch
Apple has hired Roy J.E.M Raymann, from Philips Research, for its iWatch team, according to a report from 9to5Mac. The hire is the latest in a long series of recent reports that suggest Apple is hiring a wide variety of health and medical sensor experts for its upcoming iWatch product.
According to Raymann’s LinkedIn biography, his main research is in “how to optimize rest and activity”, “non-pharmacological approaches to promote sleep”, and “interpretation of ambulatory physiological and biomechanical data”. He did other research on sleep and coffee, power napping, and he founded the Philips Sleep Experience Laboratory, a non-clinical sleep research facility.
Philips Research has been involved in many major technological advancements, including the development of the compact disc, LED lightbulbs, the MRI, and more.
Philips Research is a global organization that helps Philips introduce meaningful innovations that improve people’s lives. We provide technology options for innovations in the area of health and well-being, targeted at both developed and emerging markets. Positioned at the front-end of the innovation process, we work on everything from spotting trends and ideation to proof of concept and – where needed – first-of-a-kind product development.
The hire suggests Apple could be looking to help iWatch buyers with tracking and improving sleep, while also possibly tracking other health data like pulse and activity, and blood data like glucose levels. Several current fitness tracking devices are designed to track both sleep length and sleep quality. For example, bands like the Jawbone UP and the Fitbit Force are both able to slip into a night time monitoring mode that keeps track of sleep.
Philips confirmed to 9to5Mac that Raymann no longer works at the company, but would not say where he was currently employed.
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AllCast gets Chromecast Support Again, in Beta
The ups and downs of being a developer and playing “Google Game” is a tricky one. Over the years we have things change, be taken down, forced out or blocked by updates. All good things to come to those that wait, and those that continue to do things behind the scenes. When the Google Chromecast came out Koushik Dutta, better known as Koush or ClockworkMod in the Play Store, created an app. This app changed names, if I remember correctly, due to copyright claims. It settled in on AllCast and away it went. It didn’t take very long for Google to push an update to the Chromecast that blocked the app from working. Koush kept working on it and make it work with various other devices like the Roku, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Now that Google has released the Cast SDK for developers to start implementing Chromecast support to their apps, Koush’s AllCast app heads to the Play Store for all.
The AllCast app, for those that haven’t heard about it until now, is an app that lets you send your photos and videos from your device to various devices. Being able to play your locally saved files to through your Chromecast was always a desire of many people. The last iteration of apps that came to the Play Store from some of the bigger company names gave some support in that area, but many people prefer to support developers they know and who they have used apps of before.
There are a few things to mention before you go running off to the Play Store to and pick up AllCast. First, Chromecast support is still in a beta stage. So expect some bugs as Koush works out the bugs for various devices and other issues. Next, you absolutely have to have the latest Play Services update, which we have waiting for you over at gappsearly if you don’t have it. The app is FREE, however you are only granted about 1 minute of playback to test if it works for you. If you are happy, then pick it up for $4.99. If you do happen to have issues, there is a nice wiki all set up to help you out.
I took the free app for a test run on my Sony Xperia Z running a stock Sony Android 4.3 firmware and I had no issues at all. Fired it up and it found my Chromecast, labeled ‘Beachcast’ just as quick as the app updated. I played a video from our CES trip and displayed some photos. Looks like I will have to buy the app now. (bad images, I know. TV sits under a window with no blind)
Still interested in giving it a whirl? Hit the Play Store via the button below to get it installed. Just please make sure you have the latest Play Services first. Settings > Apps> All Apps > Google Play Services.
Source: Koush G+ via Android Community
AIVAnet 