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.