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AT&T launches U-verse TV on Xbox 360

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Oct 2010 7:12

AT&T launches U-verse TV on Xbox 360 AT&T has announced today that their popular IPTV service U-Verse has been expanded to the Xbox 360 gaming console.

Starting on October 15th, gamers can access the service through their consoles, eliminating the need to purchase a new receiver for their home.

With the launch, AT&T is the first TV provider in the states to offer live TV via the console.

Additionally, the company has announced the launch of "U-Verse Mobile" for upcoming Windows Phone 7 devices.

Starting next month, the Mobile app will be preloaded on AT&T WP7 devices.

"Now you can get our award-winning U-verse services on your big screen TV, online, on your mobile phone, and integrated with your Xbox 360," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our IPTV strategy is putting AT&T at the forefront by delivering U-verse content where you want it. And now we're extending the U-verse experience to more AT&T smartphone customers with the upcoming launch of U-verse Mobile on Windows Phone 7 devices."

For the 360, subscribers will need to purchase a $99 Xbox Kit which is installed for free by a U-Verse technician. Having a 360, however, eliminates the need for an additional receiver taking up space in the house.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Amazon announces free shipping for 17 European nations

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 11 Oct 2010 5:32

Amazon announces free shipping for 17 European nations Amazon.co.uk has announced that starting today, free shipping will be available for delivery to customers in 17 European nations, as long as they spend over GBP 25 on their order.

Until last year, the UK was the only nation to receive free delivery, with Ireland joining in October 2009.

As of today, the service is extended to Italy, Spain, Poland, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Luxembourg and San Marino.

"Free delivery has been an important part of the great value Amazon shopping experience for many years and we are delighted to announce its availability to even more European customers in time for Christmas," added Brian McBride, Managing Director of Amazon.co.uk. "The aim is for European customers to be able to purchase anything they want to buy online at a low price from a vast selection of products. Now, tens of millions of customers in Europe can also benefit from delivery to their door, absolutely free of charge."

Amazon UK has recently expanded its selection, adding electronics, home and garden, baby, watches, clothing, shoes, sports and leisure, health and beauty and tools sections.




AfterDawn: News

Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7

Written by James Delahunty @ 11 Oct 2010 12:43

Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7

Microsoft Corp. has launched its latest attack on rivals in the mobile space with the launch of Windows Phone 7, which will be available in smartphones launching in the U.S. and Europe over the next few weeks. The software giant said it built Windows Phone 7 from the ground up, with a much simpler user interface for consumers.


The main target of WP7 handsets is clearly consumers, with such strong integration with the popular Xbox Live online gaming service and the less-popular Zune music service. It also provides a suite of Office applications that automatically sync with Microsoft's cloud service for business users.

Microsoft's mobile operating systems have been criticized for limited functionality and a lack of available applications. Nokia' Symbian operating system is clearly the market leader, while Apple's iOS has grown with the popularity of the iPhone propelling it. Google's Android software will overtake Apple's OS soon.

"There's a huge amount resting on the launch of Windows Phone 7 for Microsoft, its device and operator partners, and for the ecosystem market in general," said Tony Cripps of technology consultants Ovum. "If it fails to claw back market share lost to iPhone and Android, then Windows Phone 7 may well mark the point at which Microsoft turns its back on smartphones forever."

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AfterDawn: News

Apple responds to freeze on Meizu M8 sales

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 9:03

Apple responds to freeze on Meizu M8 sales Apple CEO Steve Jobs has responded to the current freeze on Meizu M8 sales, accusing the company of blatant theft.

In an email response, Jobs responded to "why?" by saying, "because they stole our ideas and intellectual property."

The Chinese Intellectual Property Office halted M8 production and all marketing recently, and many were curious why.

Meizu's M8 is a touchscreen multimedia/smartphone device that runs on Windows Mobile 6.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the device looks very much like an iPhone 3GS.

Meizu's upcoming M9 has a different design and will use a customized Android operating system. It may turn out that Meizu just lets the M8 die as the M9 will be released in December.




AfterDawn: News

New Dell netbooks to use Ubuntu Light

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 8:34

New Dell netbooks to use Ubuntu Light According to a new DigiTimes report, the Canonical distribution of Ubuntu Light will begin shipping with new Dell netbooks within the month.

Dell's optimized netbook running Ubuntu 10.10 is said to be able to boot in 7 seconds flat.

The computer giant is currently the top seller of PCs with Ubuntu, beating out all other major manufacturers.

As pictured, Ubuntu Light uses a "Unity" interface giving quick access to Web browsing, music, games, chat, multimedia, and productivity applications.

The operating system has an integrated music store giving users a chance to download music and stream it to their Android or iOS device.

Better yet, any netbook featuring the operating system will retail for cheaper than a Windows counterpart due to lack of licensing payments.




AfterDawn: News

Wal-Mart set to offer the Apple iPad

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 8:17

Wal-Mart set to offer the Apple iPad MacRumors is reporting that Wal-Mart is set to begin offering the Apple iPad, with some stores already making the popular tablet available.

In May, the giant retailer announced the iPad was coming "later" in 2010 with no set time frame.

Just last week, Target began selling the device in 1700 brick-and-mortar stores in the United States.

The site has posted an email which shows all six models becoming available, as well as a number of accessories and a second email which shows availability in 1000 stores by the end of October.

There are 2800 Wal-Mart "SuperCenters" as well as 750 smaller stores meaning the iPad just got a massively expanded presence.






AfterDawn: News

Sony Europe stops sales of PSP dev kits

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 7:40

Sony Europe stops sales of PSP dev kits Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has said this weekend that it will no longer sell development kits for the PlayStation Portable handheld.

The company "will no longer be selling the PSP development tool (dtp-t2000a) or testing tool (dtp-h2500a) past November 15th."

Sony says they will advise consumers "when a new model becomes available."

The company quickly explained that they intend to support the handheld, but the current kits are expiring.

"Due to the certification on the current development and test tools expiring, we will be stopping selling them on November 15. However, we will continue to provide loan stock for registered and new developers, until a new certified model is available," adds the company via GI.




AfterDawn: News

Geohot's Limera1n forces delay of GreenPois0n

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 5:45

Geohot's Limera1n forces delay of GreenPois0n Yesterday, George "Geohot" Hotz announced the first RC of an untethered jailbreak for all iOS devices, dubbing the jailbreak Limera1n.

The jailbreak works on the iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3/4G, iPad, and iPhone 4 but it also apparently spoiled the party for another highly touted jailbreak solution.

Today was supposed to be the release of GreenPois0n, from the Chronic Dev Team, which breaks iOS 4.1 using the SHAtter exploit.

Limra1n, however, uses a different bootrom exploit and Geohot made it clear what that exploit was. Instead of giving Apple a chance to patch both exploits, the Dev Team says it has delayed their SHAtter-based exploit and will instead release one using Geohot's method.

Reads a post from the Chronic Dev Team:


"Thanks to the irresponsible antics of geohot, we will have to delay the release of greenpois0n (new ETA = as soon as possible), so that we have time to clean up his little mess and integrate the exploit he uses in limera1n into greenpois0n. This way, we can save SHAtter for future devices that may still be vulnerable to it.

Read more...


AfterDawn: News

Galaxy Tab priced for T-Mobile

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 5:25

Galaxy Tab priced for T-Mobile TMOnews has released a spec sheet for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab, which runs Android 2.2 and seems to be the first real competitor to the Apple iPad.

The Tab will cost $400 with two-year contract (and after rebate) and it will run you $650 without contract.

It was reported yesterday that the Sprint version of the tablet will be priced at $400 with contract, as well.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab is 7-inches (1024x600 resolution), runs on a 1 GHz processor and has dual-cameras. The impressive tablet also runs on Android 2.2 Froyo, which allows for native Flash support.

It will come in two models, one with 16GB and the other with 32GB. Each has a MicroSD slot, allowing for an extra 32GB of memory.




AfterDawn: News

'Angry Birds' developer angered by Microsoft ad

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 5:12

'Angry Birds' developer angered by Microsoft ad Rovio, the developer behind the blockbuster mobile app Angry Birds has voiced its displeasure at Microsoft this weekend, after it was discovered that the company was already advertising a version of the game for their upcoming Windows Phone 7 platform.

The game developer has not yet begun developing, or even committed to a version for WP7.

Writes Rovio, via Twitter: "We have NOT committed to doing a Windows Phone 7 version. Microsoft put the Angry Birds icon on their site without our permission."

The company says a version of Android Birds is headed to Android this week buy WP7 plans have not been discussed.

"Time will tell, only thing we said that we have not committed to do WP7 yet, we don't like others using our IP without asking," the company continued.

"We could do a WP7 version of Angry Birds, not the issue. We have not agreed to do that (yet). Will support all relevant platforms."




AfterDawn: News

Google testing driverless cars

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 4:54

Google testing driverless cars Google has said this weekend that they have begun testing vehicles that do not need human drivers in an effort to improve road safety.

The driverless vehicles have already traveled over 140,000 miles during testing.

Each car navigates itself by maps and uses cameras, radar sensors and a laser range to gauge traffic, other vehicles and the environment.

"Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use," adds Sebastian Thrun, a software engineer with Google. "While this project is very much in the experimental stage, it provides a glimpse of what transportation might look like in the future."

Google made sure to note that each car had a human at the helm in the test, to ensure safety.

Says CEO Eric Schmidt: "Your car should drive itself; it’s amazing to me that we let humans drive cars. It’s a bug that cars were invented before computers."




AfterDawn: News

Google gains, Yahoo drops in U.S. search engine market share

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 2:59

Google gains, Yahoo drops in U.S. search engine market share According to numbers from HitWise, Google remains the dominant search engine in the U.S. market, controlling almost three-fourths of the market.

For September, Google captured 72.15 percent of the market, dominating all 68 other search engines monitored by a long shot.

Yahoo fell from 14.2 percent to 13.5 percent, and Bing remained mostly unmoved at 10.1 percent.

Because Yahoo now uses Bing's engine, Microsoft can claim 23.6 percent of the market.

Ask took fourth place, moving to 2.37 percent.

AOL and the other 65 search engines took the remaining share.




AfterDawn: News

Sprint's Galaxy Tab to cost $400 with contract?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 2:20

Sprint's Galaxy Tab to cost $400 with contract? Although unconfirmed, BGR is reporting that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab will cost $400 with contract through one carrier, at least.

The tablet will be available through Sprint starting on November 14th.

Without a two-year contract, the tablet will run you $600.

The Tab is 7-inches (1024x600 resolution), runs on a 1 GHz processor and has dual-cameras. The impressive tablet also runs on Android 2.2 Froyo, which allows for native Flash support.

It will come in two models, one with 16GB and the other with 32GB. Each has a MicroSD slot, allowing for an extra 32GB of memory.




AfterDawn: News

Facebook founders are backers of legal weed in California

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 1:58

Facebook founders are backers of legal weed in California One of the most discussed topics currently is California's push to legalize marijuana.

It appears that the state has at least two fans from with social networking giant Facebook, as co-founders Sean Parker and Dustin Moskovitz have donated to the campaign. Parker recently gave $100,000 and Moskovitz gave the rest.

The donations were reported in Proposition 19 campaign finance filings revealed this week.

Although neither is still with the company, both have ownership stakes that make them billionaires.

While still in college, Parker helped develop Napster, the original P2P file sharing network. He is now a partner in a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

Support for proposition 19 has raised $2.4 million so far.




AfterDawn: News

Geohot releases untethered jailbreak for all iOS devices

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 10 Oct 2010 1:31

Geohot releases untethered jailbreak for all iOS devices George "Geohot" Hotz has released the first RC of an untethered jailbreak for all iOS devices, dubbing the jailbreak Limera1n.

The jailbreak works on the iPhone 3GS, iPod Touch 3/4G, iPad, and iPhone 4.

For the time being the jailbreak works only on Windows machines.

The jailbreak is based on low-level bootrom exploits that are different than the current exploits used by SHAtter and in the newly released "greenpois0n."

Geohot uses the same exploit found by c0mex, the hacker behind the popular one-click Spirit jailbreak.

The jailbreak should be available at http://limera1n.com tomorrow.





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