If there’s two things the world needs, it’s a complete lack of international roaming charges, and GPS signals that never fade. Oh, and for Slash to not play the last Super Bowl with the Black Eyed Peas — we suppose that makes three. At any rate, at least we’re moving somewhat closer to a reality that solves the middle issue, with TeleNav announcing this week that it’ll be implementing “hybrid navigation technology” into its apps (including the new iOS version) in the very near future. Post-implementation, TeleNav software will automatically cache maps and directions for routes you look up, and if you drop your mobile connection or GPS signal en route, you’ll still be able to have a look at the original plan. ‘Course, any deviations from the prescribed route will lead to endless frustration, but if you (or your 63 year old father) are familiar with following a paper map, you ought to be just fine. The company asserts that the new addition will be rolling out to “select applications” that it develops for carrier partners “in the near future,” and you won’t be ask to pay a dime more for the added convenience. Sometimes life’s just too kind, eh?

TeleNav bringing hybrid navigation to GPS apps, providing cached routes when you need ‘em most originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take that Mark Cuban. Everyone’s favorite HD network owning billionaire called 3D sports DOA after deciding there weren’t many people asking about a 3D Super Bowl, but now ESPN’s 3D network has queued up its second championship of the year, adding the NBA Finals to its previously scheduled slate of regular season and playoff broadcasts. ESPN 3D has been broadcasting around the clock for a few days now (unless you’re watching DirecTV) but while repeats make for easy demo material, if 3D is going to go from an interesting sideshow to an in-demand feature it will take more high profile events like these. If the Mavericks manage to slide past the Lakers or Spurs for a deep playoff run, we’ll check back with our friend Mark to see how he’d watch the game if he didn’t already have a few seats permanently staked out in the arena.

Continue reading ESPN 3D adds the NBA Finals to its broadcast schedule

ESPN 3D adds the NBA Finals to its broadcast schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Filmmaker says Motorola’s Super Bowl ad bears some striking similarities to his short film

Filmmaker says Motorola’s Super Bowl ad bears some striking similarities to his short film originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy’s gadget repurchase program has become official during the Super Bowl, courtesy of a silly commercial starring Ozzie Osbourne and Justin Bieber. The ad’s actually a lot less cringe-inducing than it might have been, though the content of the program still doesn’t seem to make much fiscal sense to us. You have to buy into it at the time of purchasing a gadget — though that requirement is set aside until this Saturday as a sort of grace / enticement period — and Best Buy depreciates at a very aggressive annual rate, arguably cutting more of your trinkets’ value than the incumbent options like online auction sites. Skip past the break to see the two gentlemen at opposite ends of their careers selling their souls to the almighty dollar, along with Best Buy’s full press release and Buy Back Program details.

Continue reading Best Buy Buy Back becomes official, free through February 12th

Best Buy Buy Back becomes official, free through February 12th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 03:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The evidence for a Motorola Xoom launch on February 24th just became that bit more compelling, courtesy of this here Best Buy ad. It promises Moto’s Android tablet will be in stores a couple of weeks from now, decorated with a daunting $799.99 sticker. That price agrees with one of our earliest leaks on the matter, purportedly from Verizon’s own systems, so all the pieces seem to be falling into place for a pretty exciting end to February for Android fans. This flier also has some data tariffs on it, starting at $20 per month for a 1GB allowance and stretching up to a 10GB limit for $80 (identical to VZW’s pricing with the Galaxy Tab). Doesn’t really sound like the most appealing proposition we’ve ever heard, but maybe if those prices remain static once the Xoom gets its 4G upgrade, we could learn to love them.

Update: Motorola’s official Xoom portal just went live, presumably as its Super Bowl ad finally aired.

Best Buy ad prices Motorola Xoom at $800, affirms February 24th launch date originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We saw it teased right around 48 hours ago, and now Motorola’s full Xoom Super Bowl ad is out and about for the world to see. It aired just moments ago during Super Bowl XLV, and it’s fairly obvious where it took inspiration. It’s easily one of the best tech spots we’ve seen in quite some while, and as much as Motorola has been hyping its Honeycomb-based superslate, we’d say it better sell quite a few to recoup what it’s already lost in marketing — even at $800 a pop, it’ll still take a boatload. The real question, however, is this: will today’s America even get it? Hop on past the break and mash play if you missed out.

P.S. – Missed our coverage of Super Bowl Media Day? Catch up here!

Continue reading Motorola’s Xoom Super Bowl commercial tips hat to Apple’s ’1984′ spot (video)

Motorola’s Xoom Super Bowl commercial tips hat to Apple’s ’1984′ spot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This podcast is so disgusting that #1 Digitimes bestselling author Paul Miller wants to take a shower. JK, not disgusting at all! Lots of cool stuff, actually. Just look at that topics list! It’s a real beauty, right? We’re not sure we COULD fit any more platforms into a podcast if we tried. Hang out with it. It’s the Engadget Podcast, just the way you like it, with especially special guest Chris Ziegler.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guest: Chris Ziegler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Sexy Chick

00:08:24 – Live from Google’s Android event!
00:08:37 – Android in-app purchases hands-on (video)
00:08:55 – Android Market gets a web store with OTA installations, in-app purchases coming soon
00:11:00 – Android Market web store hands-on
00:20:47 – Motorola Xoom first benchmark: 1823 in Quadrant
00:21:47 – Google shows off Fragments API for Android 3.0
00:25:00 – Motorola teases Xoom Super Bowl ad: ’2011 looks a lot like 1984′
00:36:30 – Motorola’s Atrix 4G coming to AT&T on March 6th for $200, bundled with Laptop Dock for $500
00:51:35 – Verizon iPhone review
00:52:23 – Verizon can now throttle top five percent of bandwidth hogs, downres multimedia transfers
00:53:12 – Verizon breaks first day sales record with iPhone 4 pre-orders — in only two hours
01:01:43 – Nokia, Microsoft announcing partnership next week, possibly involving Windows Phone 7?
01:10:19 – Palm creating palmtop computer with detachable, dockable cellphone?
01:12:15 – HP CEO: New webOS products shipping weeks after February 9 reveal, another big announcement March 14
01:13:35 – Palm ‘Think Beyond’ teaser shows off glimpses of… something (updated with longer video)

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 231 – 02.05.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew good and well that Chevrolet was planning to integrate Facebook read-backs into its OnStar technology, and now it seems all but confirmed… at least on the Cruze. An early Super Bowl ad peek has revealed that the aforesaid automobile has the ability to read back statuses on command, giving you one less reason to keep your mind on the task at hand (read: driving) and one more reason to make The Zuck even richer. Go on and mash play below, but don’t expect any details on how exactly this whole setup works. Something tells us it’s tied to a BT-enabled smartphone, but hopefully we’ll find out the nitty-gritty sooner rather than later.

Continue reading Chevy Cruze to read back Facebook status updates, make / ruin your night (video)

Chevy Cruze to read back Facebook status updates, make / ruin your night (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We heard about this during the news avalanche that was CES early last month, but today Best Buy has started making its new Buy Back Program official in emails sent out to valued Reward Zone customers. The gist of the scheme is that Best Buy will offer you set “Buy Back” prices for goods you purchase from its stores, advertising it as a reassurance that your electronics won’t depreciate too much during your ownership. The leaked info we saw in January showed that you’ll have to pay an extra fee at the point of purchase to enroll into the Program and Best Buy’s highest re-purchase offers were capped at 50 percent of the initial price, so don’t expect this to be any great favor to you, Mr. Consumer. For more info, keep your eyes locked on the Super Bowl this Sunday, when Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne (no, seriously) will do their best to explicate Best Buy’s new venture.

[Thanks, Jeff and John]

Best Buy’s Buy Back Program to be made official during the Super Bowl… by Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been confirmed, Super Bowl XLV will not be the first one with a full HD 3D broadcast (no gimmicky 3D commercials this year either, you can put the paper glasses away) despite featuring a halftime show by James Cameron’s BFFs, the Black Eyed Peas. Still, considering what happened the last time they tried 3D at the House That Jerry Jones Built it’s probably for the best. Still, just because you don’t have one of Cowboys Stadium’s record breaking HD screens you should still enjoy the game in style. In 2011 that means going beyond just the screen, the sounds and the seats — we’ll tell you how after the break.

Continue reading Totally blow out the big game! Super Bowl XLV

Totally blow out the big game! Super Bowl XLV originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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