Sounds Archive

  • Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time

    Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time

    We knew Google had the power to remotely remove Android apps -- Microsoft and Apple have backdoors into their mobile operating systems, too -- but it's always a little disconcerting to see a kill switch used. Such is the case today, as we've just heard Google unleashed the hounds this week, siccing bits and bytes of remote deletion power on a pair of "practically useless" but still Terms of Service-infringing apps. Curiously enough, Google admits that most who'd downloaded these programs had deleted them already, and that this "exercise" of the remote application removal feature was a "cleanup" operation. Google says users will get a notification beamed to their phone if an app is removed, however -- so as Big Brother as that all sounds, at least the company's being nice and transparent about the whole matter, eh?

    [Thanks, Matt]

    Google flexes biceps, flicks Android remote kill switch for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Apple randomly canceling some iPhone pre-orders? Update: AT&T pre-orders too?

    Apple randomly canceling some iPhone pre-orders? Update: AT&T pre-orders too?

    We haven't verified exactly what's going on here, but we've gotten several tips tonight from people who've received an iPhone 4 pre-order cancellation email from Apple saying that their order couldn't be authorized. That sounds like an AT&T authorization problem to us, and given the the litany of problems that Apple and AT&T had all week dealing with the huge number of pre-orders, we can't say we're too surprised to hear that the chaos continues. Here's the email:
    Dear Customer,

    We were unable to complete the authorization process for your iPhone order. As a result, we had to cancel your iPhone order. To complete the purchase of your iPhone, please visit an Apple Retail Store or an AT&T company-owned retail store.

    We apologize for this inconvenience.

    Sincerely,
    Apple Online Store Team
    Uh, yeah. We're obviously looking into the situation, and we'll let you know what we find out.

    Update: We're hearing that some people are getting cancellations from AT&T, as well -- curiouser and curiouser.

    [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

    Apple randomly canceling some iPhone pre-orders? Update: AT&T pre-orders too? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Zoom announces R24 home studio in a box

    Zoom announces R24 home studio in a box

    So you're always wanted to produce records, but lacked the money to either hire a studio or build one your self. Not a problem any more, Zoom has launched the R24, which is an interface, controller, and sampler, all in one.

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  • Sprint to begin throttling data this summer? (update: not exactly)

    Sprint to begin throttling data this summer? (update: not exactly)

    You know the fine print of your EVO 4G contract that gives Sprint the right to limit throughput speeds without notice? Skipped past that part? Well, consider this your unofficial notice. If what we're reading above is accurate, then Sprint appears ready to introduce data throttling this summer. Where and how are the big questions. The image above received from a tipster appears to have been grabbed from Sprint's own "The Playbook," though we have no way of confirming that at this time. It certainly make sense though given T-Mobile USA's recent move away from overage charges in favor of throttling.

    Update: We're hearing from a couple sources that the shot here from The Playbook is a little out of context, and actually refers to a new feature for businesses looking to restrict disproportionately high usage by employees with company data cards. That sounds a little less painful, does it not? Thanks, everyone!

    Sprint to begin throttling data this summer? (update: not exactly) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Word of HTC Evo 4G storage bug couldn’t come at a worse time (update: OTA fix)

    Word of HTC Evo 4G storage bug couldn’t come at a worse time (update: OTA fix)

    Word of HTC Evo 4G storage bug couldn't come at a worse timeIf you read our review of HTC's awe-inspiring Evo 4G, you might have noticed that we recommended ditching the paltry stock 8GB microSD card and living large by throwing in a 32GB model. We were being a wee bit facetious, but as it turns out the advice was well-founded. We're seeing reports flung far and wide across these great united internets about errors regarding "insufficient file permissions" when attempting to write to that packed-in card, others finding that the phone will simply fail to read the card altogether. Our first suspicion was bogus flash, like the counterfeit ones that plagued the Chumby, but HTC spokesman Keith Nowak indicated they have identified the cause and there's an OTA fix coming "very shortly." We know it's early, and apparently not too many of you have rolled out of bed yet to get your Evo today, but sound off in comments if you're seeing this issue as well. Meanwhile, we're trying to replicate it on ours.

    Update: Well, that was quick. Dre wrote in to tell us of a 13MB OTA update being pushed already, version 1.32.651.6, that looks to include a number of fixes including, apparently, a solution for this storage bug. We're hearing it also breaks the root path that dropped yesterday, but it sounds like a decent trade-off for now.

    Word of HTC Evo 4G storage bug couldn't come at a worse time (update: OTA fix) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Delightful rumor: Verizon Wireless testing the iPad on its network

    Delightful rumor: Verizon Wireless testing the iPad on its network

    Oh my heavens. Someone close to someone else says that Verizon Wireless is testing the iPad on its network. Does that mean we could be looking at an iPad that works with Verizon Wireless? And would that mean an iPhone is far behind?

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  • Microsoft and Apple still in talks for Bing iPhone search option, Google is not on notice

    Microsoft and Apple still in talks for Bing iPhone search option, Google is not on notice

    What turned into a pretty frenzied rumor this afternoon ended up being much ado about nothing, but there is something noteworthy. As the story goes, TechCrunch reported that Microsoft was going to completely replace Google with Bing as the search engine of choice for the iPhone once OS 4 launches next month. Enter All Things Digital's Kara Swisher, who has a pretty strong track record on all things Redmond. According to her sources, what's being discussed isn't a full swap -- instead, Bing is being considered for an "option" that users can decide between. None of this is what we'd call brand new gossip, and in fact, it sounds exactly like what we heard back in January. So, discussions still seem to be ongoing four months later, which is pretty interesting. For its part, the original TC article has been amended to say the issue is "more complicated" than originally presented. Hey June 7th? You really can't get here fast enough.

    Microsoft and Apple still in talks for Bing iPhone search option, Google is not on notice originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 22:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Telus teasing a June 8 launch — the HTC Triumph, perhaps?

    Telus teasing a June 8 launch — the HTC Triumph, perhaps?

    So the popular rumor going around at the moment is that Telus is on the verge of releasing a Canada-flavored HTC Desire rebranded as the "Triumph," which seems pretty reasonable considering that the carrier has made no effort to launch the Nexus One and undoubtedly wants to pimp as many awesome phones as it can right now to drum up usage of its nascent HSPA network. This all lines up nicely with the fact that Telus' home page is now teasing an "unleashing" on June 8, less than two weeks from today. Sounds like a win -- provided they can keep the three-year contract price in check, of course.

    [Thanks, David]

    Telus teasing a June 8 launch -- the HTC Triumph, perhaps? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 26 May 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • T-Mobile Garminfone looks confirmed for June 2 release

    T-Mobile Garminfone looks confirmed for June 2 release

    It seems that your wait for Garmin's first T-Mobile-bound phone -- the aptly-named Garminfone -- might be a short one. We'd already known it was coming in June for $200, but this shot here makes it sounds like June 2 is the date you should start lining up in front of the store at four in the morning (we kid, we kid) for your shot at arguably the best turn-by-turn experience available on an Android phone today. You can get over the lack of Froyo and a 3.5mm headphone jack, right?

    [Thanks, 0mie]

    T-Mobile Garminfone looks confirmed for June 2 release originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 May 2010 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Sound ID 510 Bluetooth headset coming to AT&T in June

    Sound ID 510 Bluetooth headset coming to AT&T in June

    I've used a number of Bluetooth headsets, and I really tried to make myself comfortable while wearing them. None of them have been quite comfortable enough for me, and I feel like I'm missing out on sounds around me when the piece is sitting dormant in my ear. Perhaps the new Sound ID 510 headset, coupled with the EarPrint App, will solve my concerns.

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  • HTC Glacier, LED, and Vision among next round of vague codenames?

    HTC Glacier, LED, and Vision among next round of vague codenames?

    Start that wild imagination of yours running, because you're going to need it to make sense of this little tidbit. A tipster who claims (and gives us visual evidence as proof) that he was able to root out HTC product names like Incredible and Legend months before release on some sort of internal component bidding site has sent us a new shot showing three names we haven't heard before: "Glacier," "LED," and "Vision." Vision is listed with "TMO" next to it, suggesting it's coming to T-Mobile -- though we've no idea whether that's referring T-Mobile's European or American branch, which typically operate with virtually zero overlap. Glacier sounds like a phone that's either really slow, really cold, or is rapidly disappearing due to environmental forces beyond HTC's control, and LED sounds like... well, Light Emitting Diode. Yep, your guess is as good as ours.

    [Thanks, foil]

    HTC Glacier, LED, and Vision among next round of vague codenames? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 20 May 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Ralph de la Vega ‘laughs’ when asked about AT&T iPhone exclusivity expiration date, says most customers will stay

    Ralph de la Vega ‘laughs’ when asked about AT&T iPhone exclusivity expiration date, says most customers will stay

    digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/CEO_just_laughs_when_asked_about_AT_T_iPhone_expiration'; We still have no idea what's going on with Apple, Verizon, and the iPhone, but it sounds like AT&T isn't sweating it -- speaking at a J.P. Morgan conference today, Ralph De La Vega reportedly "just laughed" when asked when Ma Bell's iPhone exclusivity would run out, and indicated he wasn't worried about other carriers potentially getting the phone. According to Ralph, some 80 percent of AT&T iPhone customers are on family or business plans, and they're generally less likely to switch, so AT&T thinks it can hang onto them if Apple's phone hits another carrier. That certainly sounds like AT&T's been giving the issue some thought -- another piece of kindling for our ever-smoldering Verizon iPhone Rumor Fire, or just tough talk to keep Apple in line? We might never know -- but we do know that it'll be much harder to keep those iPhone customers if AT&T's service quality continues to suffer, and Ralph acknowledged the troubles, saying that AT&T's biggest issue right now is simply getting enough equipment built in China and put into place. We'll see what happens -- we're not going to believe that a Verizon iPhone is real until Steve asks if we can hear him now.

    Update: AT&T just sent us a tiny snippet of de la Vega's comments:
    Having said that, all the improvements that we have seen are not just driven by the iPhone. The non-iPhone customer churn has seen the same reductions as the overall total postpaid customer churn improvement levels. So we've seen improvements in churn that are driven by the iPhone and by non-iPhone customers. And so we view that having a great portfolio of devices and services has been the key to our success and will continue to be. And I think the iPhone will be a part of our portfolio. And I think that customers are still going to come to us, like they've done in the past, looking for great choices, great devices and great services.
    Interesting -- it certainly doesn't sound like he's betting too heavily on keeping the iPhone exclusive, but we'd like some more context here. We're looking for the full transcript (or better yet, video), so stay tuned.

    Update 2: And here's the followup question specifically regarding exclusivity:
    Q: I thought you might share with us the exclusivity end date, Ralph.
    A: No, I don't think I'm going to be able to do that, Mike. (laughs)
    Pithy!

    Ralph de la Vega 'laughs' when asked about AT&T iPhone exclusivity expiration date, says most customers will stay originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • PayPal launches In-App Payment library for Android

    PayPal launches In-App Payment library for Android

    For developers, being able to make a bit of cash from your app after the user has downloaded it is wondrous — especially if the initial app download was free. Nothing like being able to, you know, pay rent, or eat. While the iPhone has supported the idea of In-App purchase for a bit over a [...]

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  • In2Pay is the name of Visa and DeviceFidelity’s money-grubbing iPhone case

    In2Pay is the name of Visa and DeviceFidelity’s money-grubbing iPhone case

    Visa has been trying to finagle its way onto mobiles for quite a while, and its latest attempt, done in partnership with DeviceFidelity, has now been named as the In2Pay system for iPhones of 3G and 3GS varieties. Built around an app ensconced on a MicroSD card inside that oh-so-special iPhone case, this offers contactless payments anywhere that Visa's payWave is available, as well as secure access to buildings and computer networks. Yep, that sounds like it's definitely going to end in tears, but the brave cash collectors are pressing ahead. Trials are still set for the second quarter of this year, which makes them imminent, and soon thereafter we'll all be making our ill-advised purchases with even greater ease. Video and full PR after the break.

    Continue reading In2Pay is the name of Visa and DeviceFidelity's money-grubbing iPhone case

    In2Pay is the name of Visa and DeviceFidelity's money-grubbing iPhone case originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 May 2010 05:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • T-Mobile getting fuchsia BlackBerry 8520 on May 19?

    T-Mobile getting fuchsia BlackBerry 8520 on May 19?

    If this rumor came true, it'd be just about the least shocking phone-related event in recent memory; both RIM and T-Mobile have reputations for releasing devices in multiple colors, and the Curve 8500 series is no exception. Anyhow, the story goes that T-Mobile's BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be graced with a third color -- fuchsia, which doesn't look nearly as shocking as it sounds -- on May 19, joining the black and white versions already available in the lineup. We'd probably still take a Bold 9700 over this, but you know what the 8520 has that the 9700 doesn't? A fuchsia version, that's what.

    T-Mobile getting fuchsia BlackBerry 8520 on May 19? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 13 May 2010 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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