In May Linux finally saw the release of kernel version 3.0, an evolutionary update to the popular open-source platform that was nearly 15 years in the making. Today, version 3.1 is making its debut, once again primarily offering small tweaks like better support for Intel’s Ivy Bridge and Cedar Trail chips and improved power management. But there are some new features getting baked in, including support for NFC and drivers for Wiimotes. The brave amongst you can download the sources from Git now (it hasn’t been posted to Kernel.org just yet), but we suggest you hold out until your distro of choice releases an official update.

Linux kernel hits 3.1, adds support for NFC and Wiimotes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung’s Galaxy W has already made its requisite FCC debut, brandishing radios fit for AT&T. Now another variant’s cropped up in the Commission’s electronic database, this time bearing the model number SGH-T679M and AWS bands. That’s right, this looks to be the same Sammy handset, dubbed the Ancora, we spied earlier this month in that leaked T-Mobile roadmap. If the release date rumors prove true, you’ll be seeing this low-end, 4G Android device and it’s purported 1.4GHz processor up for sale early next month. Until then, you’ll have to make due with the multitude of titillating frequency tests at the source link below.

Samsung Galaxy W revisits the FCC, is this T-Mobile’s ‘Ancora’? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve unboxed a shiny new iPhone 4S from AT&T today, you’ve most likely had an experience similar to many others who made the same purchase: frustration. It seems that the surge in activity from the release of Apple’s new handset has reduced activation traffic on Ma Bell’s network to a crawl. This isn’t the first time the carrier has had issues on launch day — but back then, it didn’t have any competition. Now that Verizon and Sprint have joined the iPhone party, the pressure’s on and AT&T’s not looking good compared to the other carriers who don’t appear to be having issues. As if that weren’t enough for the folks in Cupertino, iCloud had a rocky debut this week as well — from absent verification emails to an inability to backup data. Apple has documented all five of the new service’s foibles via the coverage link below, but it appears everything’s been peachy since early this morning. So, have you been waiting for your new iPhone to be more than a shiny new paperweight? Leave a comment, and let us know.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone 4S welcomed by AT&T activation delays, iCloud stumbles out of the gate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perhaps you’re not a fan of sticky floors, armrest sharing or simply other people. Well, crowd-averse Comcast subscribers at least will have the chance to watch one Hollywood release from the comfort of their home while it’s still in theaters. According to The LA Times, Eddie Murphy’s Tower Heist will be out to view on-demand a mere three weeks after its November 4th release. It’s not the first time we’ve seen premium advance video-on-demand, the main difference being, at $60, Comcast’s experiment looks to be double the price for half the wait. Now if we could just afford that 155-inch screen…

Eddie Murphy’s Tower Heist gets fast-tracked to Comcast VOD, $60 saves a trip to the theater originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not content with creating the possibility of (emulated) Wii gaming on Android tablets, Splashtop continues to spread itself across pretty much anything with a screen, with a Mac-friendly version available now at the Mac App Store. This release allows both Mac OS X 10.6 and Windows to hold hands across the great OS divide — nice to see Splashtop is still beavering away at its “Bridge to Anywhere.” Desktop access to both your most intimate files and programs — through both local networks and the internet at large — are but a $9.99 payment away.

Continue reading Splashtop Remote Desktop now available for Mac OS X, costs but $10

Splashtop Remote Desktop now available for Mac OS X, costs but $10 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Attention power users and devotees of physical portrait QWERTYs, RIM’s outing yet another member of its Curve family this month. Running the Waterloo-based company’s latest BB 7 OS, Magenta’s BlackBerry Curve 9360 actually goes up for pre-sale today, but you’ll have to count yourself amongst the enterprise set for the early access perks. For the rest of us, the carrier’s set a September 28th launch for the standard black version of this 2.4-inch, touchscreen-less handset. But that’s not all — perhaps following up on the latest fashion-centric trend, the company’s also releasing this mid-range entry in a wine-soaked hue of merlot on October 12th. Regardless of your style preferences, the phone’ll be available for a wallet-pleasing $79.99 on a two-year contract (after a $50 rebate). So, were not sure if this was worthy of the ‘Apollo’ moniker, but at least our in-house Ms. Cleo was right on the money.

Continue reading T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Curve 9360 available for $79 on September 28th, swanks it up with merlot variant

T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Curve 9360 available for $79 on September 28th, swanks it up with merlot variant originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By now most of you may already know that the attractively priced Xiaomi Phone will support both MIUI and vanilla Android ROMs (though not simultaneously on its dual-partition system); but earlier today, CEO Lei Jun confirmed that October will see the release of said device’s vanilla Android 2.3.5 ROM, meaning the keen beans won’t have to wait long after the Xiaomi Phone’s launch in the same month.

More interestingly, Lei also announced that his Beijing-based chums will be rolling out a vanilla 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich build in January, which is about two or three months after Eric Schimdt’s expected launch date. Sounds about right if you look at previous releases, and we shall look forward to observing the epic 4.0 battle between the Xiaomi Phone, the ASUS Padfone and the rumored Nexus Prime.

Xiaomi Phone to get vanilla Android 2.3.5 next month, Ice Cream Sandwich in January originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIM has always been a business thoroughbred, and this lineage continues with the release of Citrix Receiver for its PlayBook slab. Currently in beta, the remote access / virtualization tool is available via the BlackBerry App World, and boasts a smorgasbord of features sure to keep even the most tortured of Sys-Admins happy. Like? The ability to control which of your company’s applications are available, multitasking, single sign-on access, and of course secure access to your enterprise systems. This ain’t the first slate to offer up the service — HP’s now-defunct TouchPad had it months ago — but at least it’s keeping the enterprise happy while dodging that consumer-focused firestorm.

Citrix Receiver comes to PlayBook, RIM maintains enterprise credentials originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Besides being a lightning rod for the Blu-ray vs. HD DVD wars, the Transformers series also racked up some of the biggest HD sales ever, and now we’ll see if the latest entry, Dark of the Moon, keeps up that trend. Paramount has announced it will be released September 30th in Blu-ray/DVD combo form for $19.99, with a “deluxe” release including Blu-ray 3D expected in “the coming months.” There’s no specifics on any extras included in this release, but it looks like PHE is going the Avatar route and saving those for later. For those anticipating the 3D release, hopefully this doesn’t equal a similar exclusivity period, but until the disc is actually announced we won’t assume anything. If 154 minutes of Michael Bay exploding things sounds like a good idea to you, check after the break for a press release and schedule that Friday off — you have somewhere to be.

Continue reading Transformers: Dark of the Moon Blu-ray due September 30th, 3D version later

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Blu-ray due September 30th, 3D version later originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today sees the release of Parallels 7, the newest version of its popular, competition beating virtualization software. This edition plays nicely with Lion, runs multiple virtual machines and has received several performance tweaks — for the number obsessed, you’ll enjoy knowing that it resumes Windows 60 percent faster than Parallels 6. Gamers will notice a 40 percent bump in 3D graphics rendering and video-chatters will find that Windows can now access your Mac while it’s being dictated by OS X. Low end users who don’t have Windows 7, fear not — you can use the “Windows on Demand” service to buy a license via an “easy-to-use wizard” like, erm — Clippy. Mobile fans will also see Parallels’ iOS app give you remote access to your home machine, but be quick — the price is leaping skyward from $4.99 to $19.99 soon. You can grab the standalone edition for $80, but folks already using versions 5 or 6 can level-up for $50.

Continue reading Parallels Desktop 7 plays nice with Lions and cameras and developers, oh my!

Parallels Desktop 7 plays nice with Lions and cameras and developers, oh my! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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