Amazon MP3 app hits BlackBerry phones

It may not quite be enough to bring non-BlackBerry users into the fold, but RIM has finally scored one long awaited coup to keep its current users happy -- it's just announced that the Amazon MP3 application is now available for download from the BlackBerry App World. While still technically in beta, the app will let you purchase and download music both over WiFi and over the air, and it includes plenty of BlackBerry-specific functionality, including sharing via BBM in addition to the usual social networking features, and full integration with BlackBerry's Universal Search and Media Library. Hit up the link below for a closer look, or simply download it yourself to try it out first hand -- it is free, after all.

Amazon MP3 app hits BlackBerry phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:56:00 EST.

HTC Magic gets Froyo on Vodafone UK

Sure, it might be half a year after the hackers did it, but cut 'em some slack: bureaucracy always makes issuing firmware updates difficult, so we're just happy to see that Vodafone has outed a Froyo update for the HTC Magic at all. The Android 2.2.1-based package appears to contain all the usual goodies -- including tethering support and the ability to move apps to external storage -- which should give these aging beasts a new lease on life. Don't get us wrong: the draw of a new Desire HD, Galaxy S, or Nexus S is probably strong for current Magic owners... but if this update is enough to keep 'em in use until mid-2011, we bet the patience is going to pay off.

HTC Magic gets Froyo on Vodafone UK originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:18:00 EST.

British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six

Buy an electric vehicle in the US, like the Nissan Leaf, and you can expect to get a nice boost to your tax refund: a $7,500 federal subsidy. Now the UK is getting in on the cash back game, with a programme program starting on January 1st to offer a 25 percent discount on EVs purchased -- up to a maximum of £5,000. Nine cars have been declared eligible for this decidedly choice bonus:

• Mitsubishi i-MiEV
• Peugeot iOn
• Citroen C-Zero
• Smart fourtwo electric drive
  
• Nissan Leaf
• Tata Vista
• Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
• Vauxhall Ampera
• Chevrolet Volt

Sure, the first three and the last two cars are effectively the same models, just with different bits of chrome stuck on the front, but a little badge engineering never hurt anybody.

British government confirms nine EVs eligible for £5,000 rebates, but there are really only six originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:08:00 EDT.

Knockoff 3-in-1 iPad camera connection kit improves Apple's own design

Frankly speaking, the vast majority of knockoff gear is a giant leap backwards from the real-deal. This, friends, is one of those fringe cases where the opposite is true. The 3-in-1 iPad camera connection kit (available in black or white) is a single dock connecting apparatus with a trifecta of ports: USB, SD and microSD. In order of mention, you can offload photos from your camera onto your iPad via a direct USB connection, offload photos from your SD card and offload photos from your microSD card. It's all pretty self explanatory, and at just $29.90, there's hardly a reason to even consider the official version. Hit the links below to get your order in, but don't expect it to ship until early next year.

Knockoff 3-in-1 iPad camera connection kit improves Apple's own design originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:36:00 EDT.

Ubuntu meets Google Cr-48 laptop, keeps Chrome along for the ride

Inevitable? Perhaps. But there's still nothing like seeing Linux running on a device for the first time -- especially when it involves such a seemingly hacker-friendly device as the Google Cr-48 laptop. As you might expect, however, that required a bit more effort than your usual Ubuntu installation (not to mention a flick of that carefully concealed developer switch), but it isn't too far out of reach for the average user, and the complete process has thankfully already been explained in a thorough how-to guide. You can also, incidentally, keep Chrome OS around in a dual-boot config so as to not completely break Google's heart. Head on past the break for a quick video of the end result, and hit up the source link below for all the necessary details to do it yourself -- assuming you're lucky enough to actually have a Cr-48, that is.

Continue reading Ubuntu meets Google Cr-48 laptop, keeps Chrome along for the ride

Ubuntu meets Google Cr-48 laptop, keeps Chrome along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:23:00 EDT.

Google under fire for promoting own content ahead of competing websites

This isn't exactly a new allegation, but the idea's spreading fast: Google is tuning search results to favor itself, and perhaps that's not entirely fair. Though the European Union is already investigating Google for potential antitrust violations, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal cites several US businesses that aren't too happy themselves, claiming that Google Places, Product Search and the like took a big chomp out of their traffic. Google's defense, as usual, rests on its secret algorithms, which it claims aren't rigged in any way, adding that the prominent placement of location- and product-based search results are just a way to get users quicker answers to their queries. If you type in "day spa nyc," you're looking for some catered suggestions, right? And what of those who argue differently? Well, obviously they're in league with Microsoft.

Google under fire for promoting own content ahead of competing websites originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:39:00 EDT.

Wireless 3-Day Forecaster and Alarm Clock – Know when to get ready and what to wear

Every night I ask the same question, “Whats the weather supposed to be like tomorrow?” and every time my husband says “I don’t know, I haven’t watched the news.” Odd, I always think to myself, because he always seems to be able to catch the sports update, if he really loved me, wouldn’t he watch the weather too?

Well, I’m not going to worry about it anymore because with the Wireless 3-Day Forecaster and alarm clock I can receive real-time information, completely wirelessly from  www.AccuWeather.com with no PC or subscription required. The Wireless 3-Day Forecaster receives updates every 15 minutes for both the current and forecasted weather and it lets you save 5 of about 150 cities as your favorites.

The Forecaster is really easy to use, you just twist the dial to view the forecasts one or two days ahead. The 3-Day Forecaster can also display “feels like” temperatures based on the wind and humidity. It also has a built-in alarm clock and automatically displays the accurate time, so you not only know what time you need to get going, you’ll know if you need a sweater of not. So now I can ask my husband some other question he probably won’t answer.

Available for 49.95 at www.amazon.com, requires 3 AA batteries (not included).

Nokia cutting another 800 jobs in Finland

On top of the 1,800 job cuts announced back in October, Nokia has announced this week that will be cutting another 800 positions right in Finland, the company's home turf. The good news is that the announcement was made only after negotiations with the affected employees were wrapped up, and they'll be getting anywhere between 5 and 15 months of severance pay -- and at least some of the staffers will be offered different positions elsewhere in the company. Nokia is in the midst of a fairly significant restructuring from top to bottom as it tries to claw its way back into the hearts and minds of consumers: it's got a new CEO, a new operating system, a new relationship with the Symbian Foundation, and some freshly trimmed fat, so let's hope Espoo's got a killer 2011 in the cards.

Nokia cutting another 800 jobs in Finland originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:08:00 EST.

Pioneer ships $200 BDR-206MBK BDXL writer, dares you to afford related media

Two months from introduction to shipping? Not bad, Pioneer... not bad at all. The world's first BDXL PC writer is now on sale at your local Fry's Electronics, bringing support for toasting 128GB quad-layer discs (if you can find / afford 'em) as well as speedy writing on typical BD-R, DVD-R and CD-R discs. Pioneer's also throwing in a CyberLink software suite, and if you buy in early, you'll get a single piece of 100GB BR-R XL media for free. Makes that $199 asking price seem entirely more attractive, doesn't it? In other news, the first Blu-ray formatstill isn't supported by Apple, not even on a $10,000 Mac Pro. Spectacular.

Continue reading Pioneer ships $200 BDR-206MBK BDXL writer, dares you to afford related media

Pioneer ships $200 BDR-206MBK BDXL writer, dares you to afford related media originally appeared onEngadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:32:00 EDT.

iGrill meat thermometer for iPhone is the expensive, unholy marriage of the meat thermometer and iPhone

OK, we didn't see this one coming: iGrill is a Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer. That's right, this bad boy not only displays the temp of whatever you sink the probe into, it also takes that info and transmits it to your iOSdevice for remote monitoring. Hell, the app itself even features a kitchen timer, alerts for whatever temp you set it to, and more. Because really, you do everything else with your smartphone, so why not use it to free yourself from the tyranny of the kitchen once and for all? Oh, that's right -- because this thing costs $100. See for yourself by hitting up the source link.

iGrill meat thermometer for iPhone is the expensive, unholy marriage of the meat thermometer and iPhoneoriginally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 23:32:00 EDT.

Hornblower Hybrid ferry relies on eco-friendly trifecta: hydrogen, solar and wind power

Plan on visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island via ferry next year? If so, pay close attention to the vessel you board, as it just might be the world's first to rely on hydrogen, solar and wind power for motorization. Currently, the New York Hornblower Hybrid (not to be confused with the San Francisco Hornblower Hybrid) is under construction in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and if all goes well, it'll reach completion in April. The 600-passenger boat be equipped with Tier 2 diesel engines, hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels and wind turbines, with power coming from a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that turns hydrogen into electricity. We're told that the diesel rigs will only kick in to cover "additional energy needs," but it's hard to say how often they'll actually be used. The eventual goal, however, is to do away with emissions altogether in the ferry process, and it seems that the technology is already capable of being scaled for use in other hybrid ferries, hybrid yachts and even hybrid tugs.

Continue reading Hornblower Hybrid ferry relies on eco-friendly trifecta: hydrogen, solar and wind power

Hornblower Hybrid ferry relies on eco-friendly trifecta: hydrogen, solar and wind power originally appeared onEngadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:12:00 EDT.

GameString demos its streaming, custom World of Warcraft UI by raiding on an HTC Desire (video)

We're still not ready to apply the label "Gaming 3.0" here (or to anything, for that matter), but despite its boasts, GameString's making a compelling case for cloud-based play time. We've already seen the company bringWorld of Warcraft to Google TV, but now the company's showcasing its take on a challenge we've seen a few times before -- streaming a playable version of WoW to a mobile phone. (Gotta get 'em out of the house somehow.) The trick here is a streamlined UI overlay that makes for a every touch-friendly experience; there's translucent "thumbstick" spots and larger buttons for spells. The setup in question here is its Adrenalin Host Server from approximately 80 kilometers away (geographically) and an HTC Desire running over a home network that's 2Mbps down / 2Mbps up. And while there's some notable lag and parts of the interface that's still too tiny to really use, it's still an Alpha build that seems functional for all but the most intense of moments. See it for yourself after the break.

Continue reading GameString demos its streaming, custom World of Warcraft UI by raiding on an HTC Desire (video)

GameString demos its streaming, custom World of Warcraft UI by raiding on an HTC Desire (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:31:00 EST.

PeeWee PC netbook moves to 2.0, rated to take the worst your tot can deliver

Little fingers can dish out big pain for gadgets, and unless your little one is beefy enough to lug around aToughbook you'll be wanting something small and durable for them. Enter the $449 PeeWee Power 2.0, the latest revision to the company's series of kid-friendly computers. This netbook is said to survive drops with aplomb, but only has a "water resistant" keyboard, so don't toss those sippy cups just yet. It also comes loaded with security software to hopefully keep your kids from finding the worst the 'net has to offer, but with only a 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor on tap, 1GB of RAM, and a mere 30GB of HDD storage, we're guessing it could also be a good tool to teach them all about patience.

Gallery: PeeWee Power 2.0

Continue reading PeeWee PC netbook moves to 2.0, rated to take the worst your tot can deliver

PeeWee PC netbook moves to 2.0, rated to take the worst your tot can deliver originally appeared onEngadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:46:00 EDT.

BMW Designworks USA flexes its eco muscle with Siemens Inspiro subway concept

BMW Group's Designworks USA -- where have we heard about those folks before? Ah, yes, that's the crew that's responsible for Thermaltake's Level 10 PC case, and we're desperately hoping that this concept has an equal (or greater) level of success in the open market. The subway car you see above is purportedly 97.5 percent recyclable, with an aluminum chassis, vivacious hues and a ridiculously spacious interior. It's being labeled the Siemens Inspiro, and it's on track to show up in Warsaw's Metro Warszawskie just over a year from now. No word on where to sign up for conductor dutie, though.

BMW Designworks USA flexes its eco muscle with Siemens Inspiro subway concept originally appeared onEngadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:23:00 EDT.

MeeGo-based Intel Atom phone and tablet spotted from Russia with love

First the 2018 World Cup and now this. An Intel press event in Moscow was reportedly the site of some newMeeGo device reveals. Mail.ru's Anton Spiridonov was on hand and managed to spot Intel Atom-based phone the Hi/Lo Vibrant (we haven't heard of the company, either) and a tablet of some sort, both equipped with the Linux-based OS. Not much else is known save for what appears to be a 5 megapixel camera labeled as such on the back. More pics below.
[Thanks, Chris]

Gallery: MeeGo-based Intel Atom phone and tablet spotted from Russia with love

MeeGo-based Intel Atom phone and tablet spotted from Russia with love originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:49:00 EDT.

Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth

Technically speaking, Polaroid returned to instant photography earlier this year with the introduction of the 300, but we all know that thing was forgotten as soon as it was revealed. The famed camera outfit -- despite being a shell of its former self -- just dropped a luscious teaser into our inbox to let us know about an exclusive event it'll be hosting at CES 2011 next month. The image you see above is severely distorted, but we did so to give you a better idea of what's truly to come -- unless that's an outrageously shaped projector, we're guessing it's some sort of next generation instant camera. The slot on the bottom definitely helped push us over the edge, but if you'd rather cover the whole thing in mystique and guess for yourself, the un-doctored (er, unmutilated) teaser is just after the break. Oh, and we'll be bringing you the blow-by-blow on what this thing really is on January 6th, hopefully with Outkast blaring in the background.

Continue reading Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth

Polaroid's CES 2011 teaser hints at instant photography's rebirth originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:08:00 EDT.

Apple's numpad-less compact wired keyboard gets discontinued, few tears are shed

The ultraslim, metallic, chiclet-styled obsession all began back in mid-2007, but a revised iMac in March of 2009 delivered something else: a chopped-down version of the Apple Keyboard. If you'll recall, that one dropped the numeric keypad and gained two peripheral USB sockets, making it one of the more compact desktop keyboards on the market. Just shy of its second birthday, it seems as if the supply chain overlords in Cupertino have seen fit to discontinue it, though a number of e-tailers still seem to have stock for the moment. If you're dead-set on snagging one (we know, stocking's aren't that long), Amazon can make your day for $46.99, but we'd probably pony up the extra $3 necessary to bring one home with a number pad on the right.

Apple's numpad-less compact wired keyboard gets discontinued, few tears are shed originally appeared onEngadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:23:00 EDT.

8-inch robot wreaks havoc on Denver commuters, Cylon war narrowly averted

The Capricans in Denver, Colorado should can consider themselves blessed by the Gods. An 8-inch tall Centurion was spotted near Coors Field park, prompting one citizen to notify the police. You probably know what happened next: adjacent 20th street was closed causing rush hour traffic to pile up, and two hours later, after being unable to determine at the time if it was safe, the bomb squad remotely detonated the little Centurion. Move along, nothing to see here. It's not like they walk among us in human form or anything. Yet.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

8-inch robot wreaks havoc on Denver commuters, Cylon war narrowly averted originally appeared on Engadgeton Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:32:00 EDT.