Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

At AsiaD this week, Google’s Andy Rubin noted that there were at least six million Android tablets in use. That number included only those running Google services. One could question whether the briskly selling Nook Color — which is not open to Android apps at large — is relevant to that tally, at least from a developer perspective. It will certainly be the case, though, that the Kindle Fire — also expected to be a hot seller — will be an important addition to the number moving forward.

Still, Rubin conceded, it was a tally far behind that of the 30 million cumulative units of the iPad, which broke open the modern-day tablet category, extended its lead with the iPad 2, and will likely see another revision this coming spring. When Apple introduced its tablet device, it set a precedent for third-party developers by rewriting core applications to take advantage of the iPad’s larger display with “HD” versions. And while there are still far fewer native iPad apps than iPhone apps, Apple is far ahead in the race for native tablet software.

But not everyone wants to join that race.

Continue reading Switched On: Android’s tablet traversal

Switched On: Android’s tablet traversal originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Over in the UK, Virgin Media has given a lucky few (3,500 or so) access to a pilot update for their TiVo DVRs that adds many of the features we’d heard were on the way, plus some extras. Word out of Crawley and Cambridge is that multiroom streaming is enabled, there’s faster performance and an official community post mentions compatibility with TiVo’s iOS apps, BBC iPlayer integration and music streaming from Spotify. A wider rollout is expected before Christmas, for a full list of changes check out the links below.

Virgin Media’s TiVos get updated with Spotify, iOS app support and more originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Continue reading Maide Control iPad app lets you build and view 3D models with your bare, sweaty hands (video)

Maide Control iPad app lets you build and view 3D models with your bare, sweaty hands (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Kind of like eating a peanut butter sandwich with no jelly, the most obvious app missing from the iPad has been Facebook — until today. The New York Times reports that the site has finally confirmed the app’s availability just in time for eager social networkers to like, subscribe and stalk from their slates. According to software engineer Leon Dubinsky, the app will highlight the multitouch awesomeness of the iPad, something that’s unavailable from the website alone even from a touchscreen device. The folks at FB also added that some of the newly released features will be integrated into the iPhone app as well, making it a win / win for iOS fanatics. Consider it liked. Check out the brief PR after the break.

Continue reading The iPad gets a Facebook app, finally

Filed under: Tablet PCs

The iPad gets a Facebook app, finally originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Check your Bingo squares — we have a full on geek rant this week. While DVBLink’s Boxee extender engendered nothing but peaceful conversation, we couldn’t help but dig into the next two topics. Rumors of Microsoft’s efforts to integrate cable TV into a unified search with its other Xbox offerings continue to swirl, which left us wondering just who is standing in the way of innovation. Meanwhile, the cable companies and content providers are at odds over how to distribute their channels with little thought given to the end user’s experience. Of course, we do have some happy news, with Star Trek: TNG coming to Blu-ray, bigger LCDs and 4K support for the PS3. Press play to hear the rest of our discussion and our impressions of the new fall programming so far — it’s not looking good.

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
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:01:42 – DVBLogic’s Boxee app brings live TV streaming to the Box
00:04:15 – Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live
00:13:20 – Some cable companies are pushing for unbundled channels — but not for you
00:32:35 – Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app
00:34:57 – Star Trek: The Next Generation is coming to Blu-ray, starting in 2012 (video)
00:42:44 – Sharp’s biggest LCD HDTVs get even bigger with a new 80-inch model
00:49:00 – PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach
00:51:15 – Sony to stop paying for movie theater 3D glasses, theater owners fire back
00:56:27 – Energy Star 5.3 now in effect, some chunkier TVs left out in the cold
01:00:30 – Must See HDTV (October 3rd – 9th)

Hear the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Engadget HD Podcast 268 – 10.04.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Just in time for the return of everyone’s favorite serial killer, Showtime Anytime soft-launched recently, bringing online access to the network’s library of movies, TV shows and more. Multichannel News reports AT&T U-verse subscribers are the first to gain access, although this same content has already been streaming on Comcast’s Xfinity TV website and app. It’s no HBO Go yet — more cable companies and a few mobile apps will be necessary to match its rival there — but the approach is the same, after pulling its shows from Netflix this TV Everywhere offering hopes to add enough value to keep viewers on the traditional pay-TV train a little longer. While there’s no self-branded streaming app yet, the channel has also launched a Showtime Social iPad app to keep viewers tied in with their friends and other viewers while they watch — let us know if it makes Dexter any more / less creepy.

Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Time Warner has been streaming live TV to the iPad with its TWCable TV app since March and the most recent update brings even more traditional TV standbys to the tablet experience. Now live in v2.5.0 is a basic search function (titles or episode name only, keywords, cast and crew are coming soon), support for closed captions and the ability to block certain channels on the app for parents. There’s also a few bug fixes for those experiencing audio issues or not seeing their HD channels in the lineup — subscribers can check out the official blog for more details or just grab the free app on iTunes.

TWCable TV app update brings captions, search, and parental controls originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

This week on the EHD podcast we witness the circle of life, as Sezmi’s lights go dark Dish and Blockbuster are proudly showing off Movie Pass. But even with those, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu and Google TV can internet streaming really change the entertainment model? We’ll see, but traditional TV providers are fighting back, as seen by Comcast’s AnyPlay and DirecTV’s updated iPad app. Other potential sources for change include the G.hn powerline networking standard, Facebook’s latest twist on social media and a new version of Flash and Air from Adobe. We close things out with a look at what’s on our HDTVs this week, press play and see which fall premieres made the cut.

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
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

04:04 – Sezmi’s cable / satellite alternative TV service to shut down Monday, won’t be missed
11:18 – Dish Network, Blockbuster unveil Blockbuster Movie Pass all-inclusive entertainment service
14:38 – Dish CEO muses about partnerships and acquisitions, possibly Sprint or Clearwire
15:40 – Amazon Prime getting Fox content, adding the Bluth family to its streaming offerings
18:20 – NYT: Netflix strikes deal with Dreamworks, will begin streaming movies, TV specials in 2013
20:00 – Google TV apps for TNT, TBS leak out briefly, reveal authenticated streaming on the way
22:22 – Comcast close to releasing AnyPlay box for in-home live TV streaming to tablets
27:43 – DirecTV iPad app upgrade adds easy multiroom DVR control, HDUI compatibility
29:15 – Switched On: No new wires, one new caveat
32:10 – Facebook partners up to bring music, news and videos to your profile through Open Graph (video)
35:55 – Adobe’s launching Flash Player 11, Air 3 bringing HD video and 3D gaming to all
39:46 – Must See HDTV (September 26th – October 2nd)

Hear the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Engadget HD Podcast 267 – 09.27.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

A new update for DirecTV’s official iPad app just showed up in iTunes, adding the ability to manage recordings on all of your connected HD DVRs. As seen in the screenshot above, v1.2.6 ties into the company’s whole home DVR setup by letting a user control one box directly, then browse recordings stored elsewhere and play them in the room in the room where they are. Also new is the ability to delete DVR’d shows straight from the iPad, and readers tell us that after the upgrade the app has begun working with the revamped HDUI beta that DirecTV started testing a couple of weeks ago. Hit the source link below to grab it for yourself from iTunes.

[Thanks, SV & Stuart]

DirecTV iPad app upgrade adds easy multiroom DVR control, HDUI compatibility originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

Say hello to Engadget Distro. At its most molecular level, it’s nothing more than a series of ones and zeros, cobbled together in a compiler and made to look like words and images on Apple’s iPad. But in reality, it’s something far greater — something that the entire Engadget staff couldn’t be more proud to have their names on. Distro is the week in technology news, distilled down and reformatted into a beautiful, offline view that can be enjoyed anywhere. You know, like one of those regional jets still awaiting their rightful Gogo injection. We’ve got a team of designers and editors toiling around the clock to assemble our best long-form feature content and reviews, re-wrapping it in a fashion that takes full advantage of a little thing called “multitouch.”

As of now, we’ve got plans to launch Distro on the iPad soon (as in, super soon!), but you can bet we’re already hammering away on versions for the other major tablet platforms. Rest assured, we’re as eager to finish them as anyone, and yes, they’ll all be absolutely free of charge. For those who find themselves a touch overwhelmed with the sheer torrent of news that occurs in this space each and every day, Distro offers a relaxing, peaceful alternative. Sort of like morphine, but available sans a prescription. We’ll be showing off a sneak peek during tonight’s live Engadget Show (tune in here!), and we’ll be sure to keep you abreast of our launch date as it draws closer. For now, have a look at what Distro will bring in the video after the break. We hope you enjoy.

Continue reading Introducing Engadget Distro!

Introducing Engadget Distro! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink