We expect to be hearing plenty more about Ice Cream Sandwich before the day is out, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still room for some last-minute leaks. We’ve already seen a couple of updated apps slip out, and we now also have what appears to be our first look at Google’s refreshed widgets for the new OS. Those include both Gmail and Calendar, as well one for your non-Gmail email, all of which boast a similar appearance that’s been further streamlined from their Honeycomb counterparts. As Android Police notes, there’s curiously no labels in the Gmail widget, although we’d assume that’s just due to the particular messages being displayed (we hope so, at least). Hit the source link below for a look at the rest.

Ice Cream Sandwich widgets leak out ahead of official launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just hours before the 2011 NFL season kicks off, the ESPN and the NFL announced a new eight year extension for Monday Night Football that runs from 2014 to 2021 and most notably to us, includes a provision for 3D broadcast rights. The new deal covers items from new studio programming (beginning this season) to availability of games on the WatchESPN mobile app to the Pro Bowl we still won’t watch. According to the LA Times, the pricetag for ESPN — before it’s passed on to the cable / satellite company and eventually ends up on your bill in a rate increase — is around $1.9 billion per season, up from $1.1 billion previously. While this should help quell ideas that ESPN 3D might be axed after its removal from U-verse, the bad news is it could still be a ways off, as we’re told 3D broadcasts are expected when the extension takes effect in 2014. Sadly, 3D early adopters are probably used to waiting, with unbundled retail availability of Avatar still pending for 2012, this is just one more item to add to your calendar.

Continue reading ESPN’s new Monday Night Football deal includes 3D broadcasts, WatchESPN app

ESPN’s new Monday Night Football deal includes 3D broadcasts, WatchESPN app originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since the death of Gears we’ve been, rather impatiently, awaiting the return of offline access to our Google apps. Well that day has finally come — provided you’re a Chrome fan. The fine folks out in Mountain View just unveiled a new app for their browser (which means it also works on Chome OS) called Offline Google Mail that will keep you connected to your all important messages even when you can’t get a connection. You’ll notice the app looks a heck of a lot like the web app for tablets, and that’s because that’s basically what it is. There are some differences — keyboard shortcuts work — but at it’s heart it’s the same HTML5 browser app mobile users have been enjoying for some time. To install the offline version you’ll have to uninstall the standard Gmail Chrome app, which is a little odd, but there’s nothing stopping you from typing Gmail.com in the address bar. Docs and Calendar are also going offline. Starting today they’ll be rolled out to users over the next week. To activate it you’ll have to look under settings for an offline tick box. For now Docs will be view only when offline, but Google promises editing is coming soon. Hit up the more coverage link to install Offline Gmail now.

Gmail, Google Docs and Calendar finally regain offline access originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint’s Epic Touch 4G may be first US-bound Galaxy S II, arriving September 9th? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s hitting the airwaves a few hours later than promised, but HP’s TouchPad finally has the long-awaited webOS update that early adopters have been clamoring for. Wondering what webOS 3.0.2 brings to the multi-touch table? Aside from performance and reliability enhancements, it also adds “improved functionality to several core webOS apps,” most of which are direct responses to user feedback. Indeed, “hundreds” of improvements are promised, including bolstered scrolling within the email app, the ability to set your wallpaper from photos in the Photos app, Just Type searching within Calendar and improved autocorrection of contractions. Yeah, seriously. A more detailed changelog awaits you after the break, and you can let us know if your bell has been rung down in comments below.

Continue reading HP TouchPad gets its first OTA update: webOS 3.0.2 brings performance enhancements, untold joy

HP TouchPad gets its first OTA update: webOS 3.0.2 brings performance enhancements, untold joy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a Galaxy Tab 10.1, but with 4G. No, not that 4G. Not even that 4G. This 4G. You know, the LTE variety, being spread around like Christmas ham by the folks at Verizon Wireless. Cosmetically, the slate offered up by Big Red is no different than the WiFi-only model that we peeked earlier in the year, but the LTE radio tucked within obviously makes it the one to get if you’re looking for top-tier speeds on the go. VZW will actually hawk two separate models LTE Tab 10.1 models (in white or grey), both of which are priced outrageously with two-year agreements: $529.99 for the 16GB model and $629.99 for the 32GB model. That’s a pretty penny (to say the least!) given the albatross that is a 24-month contract, and those who’d rather provide their own connectivity can opt for the WWAN-less Metallic Grey edition for $499.99 (16GB). Access plans start at $30 per month for 2GB, with $50 per period getting you 5GB, or $80 getting you 10GB (no mention of tethering, unfortunately). Your pickup date? Two days from now, or July 28th for the calendar-challenged.

Continue reading Samsung’s LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon on July 28th

Samsung’s LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes to Verizon on July 28th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google ‘winding down’ Labs, likely due to meddling older sister originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier this week, DigiTimes alleged that Apple was considering an additional manufacturer to produce the supposedly looming — but really more mythical — next generation iPad. Fast forward to now, and the Taiwanese publication reports that Cupertino has had a sudden change of heart. Foxconn — who is currently the sole producer of the slate — has reportedly convinced Apple to keep its manufacturing exclusive until the end of this calendar year. All isn’t lost for Foxconn’s competition though: the rumormonger suggests Pegatron still has a shot at a ten million production run for the next iPhone, and whatever iPad’s 2012 will bring. Unmentioned in the report, however, is whether enough salt exists in the world to cover the next round of claims, later this week.

Apple actually not looking for additional iPad manufacturers, still BFFs with Foxconn? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 06:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Most tablets function just fine on their own, but RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook introduced a unique, yet restrictive interface that limits Bluetooth tethering to a similarly-branded handset. This feature, called BlackBerry Bridge, lets your tablet piggyback on a handset’s 3G data connection, also enabling access to productivity apps like email and calendar, which are still otherwise unavailable on the PlayBook. Unfortunately, this option hasn’t been made available for AT&T users, but that’s about to change, as the feature will be added to App World today. While the Bridge suite is totally gratis, enabling the AT&T 3G data connection requires a monthly tethering plan of $45, which means anyone grandfathered into the unlimited data feature will need to decide if it’s worth the jump. Bridge not sounding like your cup of tea? Don’t worry — at least you can take comfort in knowing that the days of pining for native email are numbered.

AT&T to enable BlackBerry Bridge support before sundown originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does Gmail’s current look seem chaotic and claustrophobic to you? Are you overwhelmed by the myriad mailing options, labels, and chat windows? We aren’t either, but apparently Google sees things differently, and has an interface overhaul planned that’ll simplify things in your webmail world. It looks like the spacious and simple design language from Google + will carry over to all the web services proffered by the gang in Mountain View. For now, it’s available as a couple of simplistic skins to be tried on in the Themes tab of your Gmail settings, with more permanent changes rolling out in the coming months. Google Calendar is slated for a stripped-down wardrobe in the next few days as well, with El Goog promising more cosmetic and functional changes for both services later this summer. In the meantime, the company’s looking for feedback on its new interface so it can fix any issues folks find. We want your opinions, too, so tell us what you think of Google’s new threads in the comments below.

Google says less is more: Gmail and Google Calendar to sport a more spartan look originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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